-1-
Bridget
It was a beautiful morning in Gateway Village. The spring air had a slight chill to it that the morning sun promised to chase away. The sky was clear without a cloud to be seen. It was early, but the village streets were already bustling with activity. Bridget had walked for nearly two hours to reach the village from the farm where she and her brother lived alone. Both of their parents were dead. Their father had died fighting for the Dragon Lord’s forces in the war when Bridget was only five and their mother had died three years ago, working herself to death running the farm with only her two children to help. Bridget and her brother had worked hard every day to keep the farm running and eke out a meager living. Bridget’s brother seemed to thrive on the work. He had taught himself to use some tools that were their father’s to make some respectable looking chairs that he sold in the village, making enough money to purchase two more cows for the farm so that he and Bridget could now earn money selling the milk, butter, and cheese. He was teaching himself to carve designs into the wooden chairs in hopes of fetching an even better price. Bridget however, did not find the farm work rewarding. Now that the Fairy Princess had rejoined Kellmorgen and Elnara, there was excitement building as the opening of the borders drew closer. Bridget wanted to be part of that excitement. She longed to see the Fairy Kingdom.
“What brings you into the village today Bridget?” asked Thomas as he walked beside his horse drawn cart. Thomas had a mill at the edge of town and made regular deliveries to the village bakery and to Gateway Castle. He was middle aged with two sons about Bridget’s age. He was always pleasant, plus he usually had some news from the castle.
“I have some cheese and a couple of pies to sell,” Bridget lifted the basket on her arm where the products were covered over with a cloth. “Are you going to the bakery or the castle?” Bridget could see the bags of flour in the cart so she knew that he must be heading to one place or the other. She flashed Thomas her best smile, hoping that he would share any news with her. Bridget knew that men found her attractive and she never hesitated to take full advantage of that fact.
“I’m heading to the bakery right now,” Thomas informed her. “Caleb will be taking the delivery up to the castle after I return to the mill with the cart.” Caleb was Thomas’s oldest son and a good friend of Bridget’s bother. Caleb was tall and strong, not bad looking, and he would take over the mill one day from Thomas. He also made no secret of the fact that he fancied Bridget. “I’m sure that he’d enjoy some company if you’d care to join him.” Thomas surprised Bridget with his comment.
“Go with him to the castle?” Bridget had seen the castle from a distance, but had never had a reason to go there. She would love to see it up close and maybe even get a glimpse inside. “I still have to sell my cheese and pies,” she reminded Thomas, “and I would have to ask my brother.”
“I’ll tell you what,” Thomas stopped his horse. “I’ll buy your pies and cheese. They’ll make a tasty lunch for Caleb to bring on his delivery.” Thomas reached into his pocket and pulled out a few copper coins, handing them to Bridget who in return gave him the pies and cheese from the basket which he set into a wooden box in the front of the cart. “Now, go and ask your brother. If he agrees, come to the mill. If you don’t show up by the time I get there, I’ll assume that Duncan had other things for you to do.”
“I’ll try to make it,” Bridget told Thomas as she hurried off to find her brother. Thomas chuckled as she ran down the road. He would be pleased if for the price of some cheese and pies he could help make a match for his son.
Bridget hurried down the road which became busier as she approached the village center. She dodged around carts on their way to make deliveries like Thomas and around villagers carrying buckets to and from the village well. When she finally reached her destination, The Lantern Inn, she stopped to catch her breath before going in. She entered the main dining area, glancing around as she walked toward the bar. There were several diners that she did not recognize, but there would be more and more as the travel restriction between the two kingdoms became closer to being lifted. She looked forward to the excitement and the new faces that travel between the kingdoms would bring to Gateway Village. She might even see an elf or a fairy pass through if she were lucky.
“Hello,” Bridget called after finding no one tending the bar. After a moment, a woman wearing an apron, her hair pulled up to keep it out of the food she was preparing came from the kitchen to see who was hollering. “Louise,” Bridget smiled at the Innkeeper’s wife. She neither liked nor disliked the stout, round faced female, but as her husband was buying the chairs that Bridget’s brother made, she would make an effort to like her. “I’m looking for my brother,” Bridget informed her.
Louise shook her head and turned to head back to the kitchen. “I’m busy and I’m not your brother’s keeper,” she shouted back at Bridget, clearly unhappy to have been interrupted for such trivia.
“Please, I really need to find him,” Bridget pleaded. She didn’t want to miss an opportunity to see the castle.
Louise stopped and turned back to see Bridget’s desperate look. “Alright,” Louise rolled her eyes. “PETER!” Louise yelled for her husband who quickly responded to his wife’s summons. “Bridget here is looking for her brother,” Louise jerked her head in Bridget’s direction before continuing back to the kitchen.
Peter smiled as he walked toward Bridget. She was never sure if he was genuinely happy to see her or if he was just in such a habit of smiling at customers that he smiled at anyone who came into the inn. “Duncan’s already come and gone,” he told her. “I purchased both of the chairs that he brought in. They were superb, exactly what I’m looking for. I told him that I’d buy as many as he could deliver. I expect to be quite busy once the travel restriction is lifted.”
“Do you know where he was going when he left,” Bridget was glad that her brother’s chairs were such a success, but right now she only wished to find him.
“He was going to the stable,” Peter informed her.
“Are you sure?” Bridget couldn’t imagine why her brother would visit the stable.
“I’m sure he said the stable,” Peter confirmed. “Can I do anything else for you today, Bridget?”
“No,” Bridget replied as she hurried to the door. “Thank you!”
***
Bridget ran almost the entire way to the stable which was located on the northwestern corner of the village. She spotted her brother standing next to the paddock nearest to the barn. “DUNCAN!” she shouted, waving a hand above her head to get his attention until he finally turned and waved back to her.
“What are you doing here? I thought that you were going to meet me on the road outside of the village,” Bridget’s brother asked as she approached. Duncan was a couple of years older then Bridget. He was tall and well-muscled with sandy brown hair which he kept cut short. He was Bridget’s equal in looks, having a rugged attractive face that Bridget knew all the women in the village found appealing.
“I could ask you the same question,” Bridget put her hands on her hips, holding her ground. “What are you doing here at the stable?”
“I’m purchasing a horse,” he smiled, knowing she’d be surprised.
“A horse!” Bridget was surprised indeed. “Can we afford a horse?”
“I’ve made enough money selling the chairs to purchase a descent mount,” he told her.
“What do we need a horse for?” Bridget was excited that her brother was doing something unexpected.
“I have plans,” he said mysteriously. “Now, what are you doing here? Did you already sell your cheese and pies?”
“Thomas bought them,” Bridget explained. “He offered to let me accompany Caleb on his delivery to the castle if you agree.” She gave him the look she used to get her way. It usually worked.
“Sure, you can go,” Duncan chuckled, wondering why Bridget felt it necessary to turn on the charm.
“Thank you brother,” Bridget threw her arms around Duncan and then quickly headed off down the road.
“That was easy!” Duncan yelled after her.
Bridget stopped suddenly, turned around, and walked back to where her brother stood. “What was easy?”
“Making a match for you,” Duncan smiled smugly.
“WHAT!” Bridget shouted.
“Why do you think Thomas wants you to go with Caleb?” Duncan knew that his sister was only thinking about seeing the castle.
“If I go to the castle with Caleb he’ll expect me to marry him?” Bridget thought that was a rather steep price to pay, even if she did get to see the castle.
“No,” Duncan admitted. “But he will think that you’re interested. Are you?”
“Am I what?” Bridget’s mind was still in panic mode at the thought of being tricked into a marriage.
“Interested in Caleb,” Duncan looked at her seriously. When Bridget didn’t answer, he shook his head. “If you’re not interested in Caleb I don’t want you to go.”
“I don’t know if I’m interested,” Bridget gave her brother a frown. She didn’t want to miss perhaps the only chance that she’d ever have to see the castle.
“Then perhaps you should go and find out if you are or not,” Duncan told her. He felt better about letting her go now that she understood the situation.
“Thank you,” Bridget said softly. She knew that her brother was always watching out for her.
“Get home before dark,” he told her. “I want to tell you my plans.”
“I can’t wait to hear them,” Bridget flashed him a happy smile and waved as she hurried off in the direction of the mill.
***
It was after dark when Bridget finally returned to the cottage where she and her brother lived on the farm. She found Duncan sitting by the fireplace, poking at logs with the fire iron. He jumped when she entered.
“Where were you? It’s long past dark,” he pointed to the window. “I was almost worried.”
Bridget plopped herself down in the chair opposite Duncan. “One of the wheels on the cart broke halfway to the castle,” she explained. “I stayed with the cart while Caleb rode the horse back to the mill. He and Thomas brought another wheel and fixed the cart, but by then it was too late to make the delivery so we just walked back to the mill.
“Caleb let you walk home in the dark?” Duncan was not pleased.
“No, he brought me home on the horse,” Bridget assured him.
“I’m sorry that you didn’t get to see the castle,” Duncan knew how disappointed his sister must be. Bridget looked at him and shrugged her shoulders. “How did you find Caleb before the whole cart disaster?”
Bridget thought for a moment before answering. “He was more fun than I thought he would be,” she admitted. “We talked about what we thought would happen after the travel restriction is lifted. Caleb thinks that fairies and elves may actually come to Gateway Village.”
“I think that there’s probably a good possibility that we will see some elves in the village, but I imagine that the fairies will stay in the castle,” Duncan handed her some stew that he had left warming on the fire and a piece of bread. “So, are you interested or not?”
“In Caleb?” Bridget asked as she spooned stew into her mouth. The stew was mostly potatoes and carrots with a little deer meat that they had left from Duncan’s last successful hunting trip, but it was hot and helping to warm her up after the ride in the cool night air. “I don’t know. I guess I might be interested in him, but…”
“But what?” Duncan thought the question was simple enough. “Either you’re interested or you’re not.”
“It’s not that easy,” Bridget gave her brother a frustrated look. “I’m not ready to trade working on the farm for working in a mill.” She could feel tears welling up in her eyes, so she got up to head upstairs to her room. “You don’t understand.”
Duncan grabbed her hand and pulled her back. “I do understand,” he told her as he sat her back down, brushing a tear from her cheek. “You want some adventure and excitement before you settle on a marriage.” Bridget nodded her head. “Well, you haven’t heard my plans yet.”
Bridget was immediately interested, her face brightening as she sat up straighter to listen to her brother. “Tell me!”
“Tomorrow morning I’m taking our new horse and riding up into the mountains,” he told her. “There have been several reports of white dragons on our side of the mountains. I plan on catching one or two of them. Their hides and meat will bring a good price in the village and I hear that their teeth can be sold to the Elnaran royal family for a tidy sum.”
“But how can you sell the teeth to the Elnaran royal family?” Bridget did not understand how Duncan planned on accomplishing that task.
“By traveling to Elnara,” he told her smiling.
“Oh, wonderful, you’re going to go to the fairy kingdom,” She did not see how Duncan’s plan was of any benefit to her situation.
“No silly, we’re going to travel to Elnara.” He looked at her, waiting for her reaction.
“I’m going to Elnara!” she screamed, jumping up and down. After thinking about it, she sat back down and looked at her brother. “What about the farm?” She knew that they couldn’t just leave the animals unattended.
“I already spoke with Thomas. He’s going to let Caleb stay here while we’re away to take care of things. I’ve already started a couple more chairs, so we’ll use the money that I make from selling the white dragon hides and meat for travel, and we’ll take the teeth and chairs with us to sell.” Duncan looked at her, raising his eyebrows and waiting for her next question.
“Why would Thomas let Caleb watch our farm for us?” Bridget had always found Thomas to be nice, but this seemed like a rather large favor.
“Caleb’s been interested in you for a while, but I know you well enough to know that you’re never going to be happy with anything until you’ve had a chance to see something else besides this farm and the village,” he explained. “I told Thomas my plan and he agreed to help. I’m not committing you to anything. Caleb is just hoping that when you and I return, you might give him more thought.”
“You’re doing all this so that I’ll marry Caleb?” Bridget still didn’t quite understand.
“No,” he shook his head. “I’m doing all this to make you happy.”
“You’re a good brother,” Bridget smiled, a tear running down her cheek as she finally understood her brother’s motives.
“I know,” he smiled. “But this trip isn’t all about you. If there’s a market for my chairs just over the border, this might not be the only trip I make to Elnara.”
“When will we go?” She was so excited just thinking about actually traveling to the fairy kingdom.
“I have to catch those dragons first,” he reminded her. “Then I have to finish the chairs and we have to wait for the border to open.”
“How long do you think it will be?” She hoped his answer wasn’t going to be years.
“I’ll be back in a few days, hopefully with the dragons in my sack. It will take me a couple of weeks to fit in finishing the chairs and I’ve heard that the border is to be open within the month.” Duncan had a thoughtful look on his face as he calculated when he thought they would depart. “If you can help me get the planting done, we should be ready to leave by the end of the month.”
“You can count on me!” Bridget could hardly believe it. She would be traveling to Elnara in just a few weeks. This would be the adventure that she always dreamed of.
***
The next morning found Duncan up at sunrise securing supplies to the old saddle that he had purchased with the horse. The animal was a fine looking chestnut gelding with a chestnut mane and tail, a white blaze on his face and four white stockings. Bridget came out of the cottage, a blanket wrapped around her shoulders against the cold, to see her brother off.
“Did you name him,” Bridget asked as she stroked the horse’s neck. She was surprised at how fine an animal her brother was able to purchase.
“Socks,” Duncan told her as he finished loading the saddle.
“Socks?” Bridget asked, wanting to be sure that she had heard him correctly.
“Yes, socks,” he confirmed. “He does have four white socks.”
“Yes, he does,” Bridget supposed that it was a fitting name; she had just imagined something more inventive.
Duncan put his foot in the stirrup and hoisted himself up atop of Socks. “I’m depending on you to get the right field planted while I’m away and to take care of the animals. If you have any trouble, go to the mill and Thomas or Caleb will help.”
“I’ll be fine,” she assured him. “You just be careful. Dragons are dangerous.”
“Don’t worry about me,” he told her as he urged Socks forward, adjusting the bow and quiver of arrows that he had slung over his shoulder. “You take care.” He waved to her and then gave Socks a nudge to pick up the pace as they headed up the road.
Bridget watched until Duncan and Socks were out of sight and then she headed back into the cottage to get dressed and have something quick to eat. She would have to fetch water from the well for the animals and then feed them and milk the cows. Then she would walk out to the right field and take a look at what she would have to do. Of course, she would still have to do all of her own work as well.
“It’s worth it,” Bridget told herself as she tied on her apron and grabbed the wooden pail to head to the well.
After taking care of the animals Bridget was ready for a break. She hadn’t realized how many trips to the well that it took to water the animals. She certainly had a new appreciation for her brother’s chores. She decided to walk up the road to the right field to see just how much planting that she would have to do. She had done some planting with her brother when she was younger, but he mainly had her come with him to watch over her while he did all of the real work. When she saw the field she groaned. It looked much bigger now that she would be doing the planting. The field had already been plowed. Duncan had traded a pair of chairs to Morris, who had a farm on the opposite side of the village, to plow their field so that he and Bridget wouldn’t have to try and manage it with their old plow. Last year Duncan had pulled the plow while Bridget had tried to keep it going straight. They only managed to get half the field done. This year they would plant the whole field.
“Wonderful,” Bridget said aloud. “I get to plant the whole field.”
“Did you say something?” a voice behind Bridget spoke making her jump. Bridget turned to find Lorna standing behind her. Bridget had seen Lorna in the village and on the road from time to time. She was about thirty years old and still pretty with shoulder length black hair and grey eyes. She lived alone in a cottage not far from their farm. Her husband had been killed in the war years ago and she had never remarried.
“I was talking to myself,” Bridget told her. “I have to plant this field while my brother’s away.”
“Looks like a lot of work,” Lorna glanced at the expansive field.
“It has to get done,” Bridget tried to convince herself as she stared at the field.
“Wouldn’t you like a better life for yourself?” Lorna asked. “An easier life?”
“Of course,” Bridget thought the answer obvious.
“There are many women like you that want a better life,” she told Bridget. “The problem is that they don’t know how to get it.”
“And you do?” Bridget turned to look at the older woman.
“I do,” she told Bridget, a sly smile on her face. “If you’re interested, come to my cottage tonight. You can meet other women like yourself and find out how you can have a better life without marrying the miller’s son.”
Bridget watched as Lorna walked down the road, wondering what she meant and how she had known about Caleb. Well, everyone talked and Duncan had said that Caleb had been interested in her for some time. “I’m doing just fine already!” Bridget shouted after Lorna, but the woman just kept walking without acknowledging her comment.
***
The sun was getting low in the sky when Bridget decided that she’d had enough from one day. Her back was killing her and she still had to take care of the animals again before she could even think about resting. She stood up to survey her work. She was hoping to finish it tomorrow, but was shocked to find that she hadn’t even completed a quarter of the planting. At this rate, she would never have it all done before Duncan returned. She walked back to the cottage, tired and achy, wondering if her life would be any better if she married Caleb or if she’d just be trading one type of work for another. After taking care of the animals, she fell into one of the chairs by the fireplace. Her mind wandered to Lorna and what she had said about having a better life. “Could there be a better life,” Bridget wondered. It couldn’t hurt to go and find out what Lorna had to say. She knew her brother would say no. She remembered him telling her once that Lorna was trouble, but she didn’t know his reason for making that judgment.
“I’m going,” she said aloud to confirm her decision. She quickly took off her dirty apron, washed her face and hands, and brushed her hair. She grabbed a lantern as it was almost dark outside and then headed out of the cottage, shutting the door behind her. “What Duncan doesn’t know, won’t make him angry with me,” she told herself as she headed in the direction of Lorna’s cottage.