Beverly watched as the carriage was finally loaded with everyone's trunks. The first part of the trip would entail a relatively short ride to Uxley Hall. From there, Revi would open the portal to Queenston, making her father's journey to Bodden much shorter. Going with the baron was Aldwin, and, if truth be known, the smith was the only reason for Beverly's presence on the first part of the trip.
Fitz walked around the carriage, stretching his legs, waiting impatiently for the arrival of Revi and the smith. Aldwin appeared first, riding a horse, much to Beverly's delight. The smith smiled as soon as he saw her and Beverly felt her heart skip a beat. After all they'd been through, she still felt excited by the prospect of his company, even if only for a short time.
He rode up beside her, his steel-grey eyes twinkling in the morning light, his smile making the dull weather seem perfectly sunny.
"I'm going to miss you," Aldwin said.
"And I, you," remarked Beverly, "but we'll be together soon, I promise. My father has approved our marriage, and we've waited for what feels like forever."
"I would gladly wait an eternity for you," he said.
"My goodness," said Beverly in surprise, "you're turning into quite the poet."
He blushed slightly. "Albreda suggested I read Califax."
"Truly?" exclaimed the red-headed knight. "You're just full of surprises."
She looked around the area searching for Revi Bloom. The mage was late, which had become a common occurrence these days, and she wondered what might keep him so occupied. She soon saw two riders approaching and instantly recognized the mage and his partner in crime, Dame Hayley. Everyone else's attention turned to the new arrivals, leaving Beverly with an opportunity.
"Aldwin," she said quietly, "come here."
He moved his horse closer until they were stirrup to stirrup. She leaned to the side, kissing him as he did likewise. They parted lips just as her father gave out a call.
"There you are, Master Bloom. I was beginning to get worried."
"Don't worry, Baron," replied Hayley, "I had to drag him away from his studies, but he's here now."
"I'll ride in the carriage," said Revi, dismounting.
Hayley looked over at Beverly and Aldwin, a smile crossing her lips. "I'll join you," she said. "Let me just tie the horses behind the carriage."
"What do you say, Aldwin?" asked Beverly. "Shall we lead or follow?"
"Lead, I think," the smith answered, "it's a bit more private."
Beverly blushed slightly. They had known each other since childhood and had been through so much, and yet when she was around him, she felt so much younger than she was. She heard the crack of the whip, and then the carriage started moving without them.
"Come on," she said, laughing, "we'll lose our position!"
She raced off, making sure Lightning didn't gallop too fast. It would be terrible if Aldwin were unable to catch her, after all.
By noon, they were well on their way, Wincaster left far behind.
"How's the hammer holding up?" asked Aldwin.
"Nature's Fury? Quite well," she replied. "I've been trying out some new moves with it."
"You'll have to show me sometime, I'd love to see your moves." Aldwin, suddenly realizing what he had said, blushed furiously.
She laughed, "And I'd like to show them to you. What are you going to get up to, now that the war's over?"
"It'll feel good to get back to my smithy," he replied, "though I'll miss you."
"Well, I suppose you'll get more work done without me," she said.
"I don't know about that. I like working when you're nearby. Some of my fondest memories are of you sitting in the smithy while I hammered away, but you serve the queen now."
"She's not the queen yet," reminded Beverly. "She has a lot of work to do before the coronation."
"Then I'm surprised she let you accompany us as far as Uxley."
"Even knights are allowed time off every now and again," Beverly said, "and she wanted me to check up on Uxley."
"Check up?"
"Yes, see how the villagers are doing and visit the hall. I've even got a bundle of letters to drop off."
"You get along with her quite well, don't you?" he asked.
"I do," she confessed, "it's like having a cousin."
"Like Aubrey?"
"Not quite the same," Beverly said, "but I feel like I can be myself around the princess. Of course, it's different if it's an official function, but in the privacy of the Palace, she's quite easy to get along with."
"Who would have thought that the Rose of Bodden would become bodyguard to a queen."
"Rose of Bodden? Is that what they're calling me these days?"
"It is," remarked Aldwin, "but they mean it in the best possible way. You should be flattered."
"I am," she said, "and it's much more preferable to the names they called me in Shrewesdale."
"Don't pay attention to them," said Aldwin, "they don't know anything."
"Perhaps one day," she continued, "I'll just be known as the smith's wife."
Aldwin laughed, "I very much doubt that. You shall always be the Mistress of Bodden, no one would ever call you that."
"I wouldn't be offended," Beverly said, "though I know you're right, of course. If it were within my power, we'd already be married."
"If it was within your power," said Aldwin, "we would have been married when you were only thirteen."
"True enough," she admitted, "but I'm glad we waited. Our relationship has matured."
"I agree," he said, "and I'm very thankful to your father, I owe him a great deal."
"He likes you a lot, Aldwin," she said. "In some ways, I think you're like the son he never had."
"He doesn't need a son, Beverly, he has you."
"That's sweet of you to say, but I can't continue the family name."
"Why not?" he asked.
"Well, for one thing, you're a Strongarm, that's the name my father gave you."
"I don't think he ever really gave me that name, it's just what he called me. Certainly, the smithy isn't in that name."
"It's not?" Beverly asked in surprise.
"No, I'm simply listed as Aldwin, with no last name at all."
"But what does that mean?" she asked.
"It means," he continued, "that when we marry, I can't give you a last name. You'll remain a Fitzwilliam."
"Does that bother you?" she asked.
"Not at all, why would it?"
"I would have thought that most men would wish their wives to take their name."
"I've loved you for years, Beverly," he said, "and I know you've felt the same way. Our union was an impossible dream, and yet through circumstances I still don't understand, we are to be married. I don't care what your name is, as long as I'm able to hold you."
"I believe that's the sweetest thing you've ever said to me," said Beverly, "though I think we'd do more than just hold each other."
He laughed, finally relaxing. "That too," he admitted.
"There you go," she said, "you've finally let go of all the tense muscles. Do I intimidate you?"
"No, but your father does, at least when you're around. I feel like he's constantly watching me."
"That's because he is," she said. "Don't worry, I'm sure it'll stop once we're married. He just doesn't believe we should be... intimate until we're joined in matrimony. He's very old fashioned that way."
They stopped that night at an inn called the Gryphon's Rest. Hayley thought the name highly amusing and couldn't help commenting on the inaccurate portrayal of the beast on the sign. Beverly was forced to share a room with Hayley, while Revi did likewise with Aldwin. The baron, as befitting a man of his station, was given his own.
They headed out early the next day, turning north onto the road that ran through Uxley itself. Revi and Hayley rode ahead, allowing Beverly and Aldwin to spend some quality time with her father in the carriage.
It was late afternoon when the village came into view.
"It hasn't changed much," said Beverly, looking out the window.
"No, I suppose it hasn't," agreed Fitz. "Do you remember the first time you visited?"
"I could hardly forget," she replied, "the rebellion had just begun. Little did I know what I was getting into."
"Any regrets?" asked the baron.
"None," she replied. "You?"
"A few, actually," he said, surprising his daughter.
"Oh," said Beverly, "like what?"
"Well, for one thing," he continued, "I should have told you that I loved you more often."
"I know how much you love me, Father, it doesn't need to be said."
"Yes, but I always felt you missed your mother's touch."
"This isn't like you, Father, you're growing melancholy."
"Sorry," he replied, "I'm just getting old."
"I think it's more than that," said Beverly, breaking into a grin. "I think you're missing Albreda."
"What?" he said. "Nonsense!"
"Oh come now, Father, it's obvious how you two feel about each other. Having a relationship with Albreda is not a betrayal of Mother, she died years ago. You deserve to be happy."
"What do you think of Albreda?" asked Fitz.
"I quite like her," she said, "though I doubt I'd ever be able to call her mother, she's too much of a friend for that."
"What about you, Aldwin," asked Fitz, "what do you think?"
"Me?" the smith said in surprise. "What have I got to do with any of this?"
"You're marrying into this family," he continued, "I'd value your opinion."
"You would?"
"Of course, why wouldn't I?"
"I'm just a smith," said Aldwin.
"Don't be silly, my boy, you're much more than that. Tell me, what do you think of Albreda?"
"She's nice," he said, "though she can be a bit brusque at times."
"Brusque?" said Fitz in surprise. "That's a strange word for a smith to use."
"He's been reading Califax," explained Beverly.
"Ah yes, the Bard of Shrewesdale. No doubt that was Albreda's doing. She's obsessed with the man's writings."
"Is that a bad thing?" asked Aldwin.
"No," said the baron, "I have to admit he has a way with words. Oh look, there's the Old Oak."
They rolled past the tavern, Beverly waving to Arlo and Sam as they did. Crossing the stream, they trundled up the road towards the estate, anticipating the comfortable beds that awaited them.
The Hall soon came into view, its white stone standing out against the green of the grounds.
"Quite the house," said Aldwin.
"Yes," said Fitz, "it was built years ago as a hunting lodge for the Royal Family. Now, it's a favourite of the princess. I suppose it'll become her country estate soon enough, a place to get away from the intrigue of the court."
The carriage rolled to a stop, and a couple of servants rushed forward to unload their trunks. The baron stepped out, followed by Beverly, and a very uncomfortable looking Aldwin.
"What's the matter?" asked Beverly.
"I'm just a smith," he said. "They shouldn't be waiting on me."
"You're my future husband," said Beverly, "you'd best get used to it. Don't worry, they won't bite you."
They were met by Hanson, the old steward, his white hair draped across a mostly bald head, lending him an air of eccentricity.
"Lord Fitzwilliam," the man greeted, "how nice to see you. Word was sent ahead of your arrival, so we have rooms prepared for you and your guests."
"Thank you, Hanson," said Fitz. He turned to Beverly, whispering, "Do they know about the gate?"
"Hanson does," said Beverly. "The princess thought it best a few people here were familiar with it, though I doubt they've ever seen it."
"Very good," said Fitz, turning his attention back to the steward. "We shall only be here the one night, I'm afraid. I will be travelling through the gate with Aldwin and Revi Bloom, but the rest will remain here until the mage returns. I believe my daughter also has some correspondence for you. We'll see to all of that once we're settled in."
"As you wish, my lord."
The next morning found them all standing before the underground portal. The ancient temple had been discovered over two years ago, and it had taken the mage, Revi Bloom, the vast majority of that time to figure out how it worked. He stood before it now, his attention completely absorbed watching the green flame.
"Quite remarkable," remarked Fitz. "I've heard about it, of course, but have never seen it."
"I've been through it quite a lot," said Beverly. "The first time you'll feel a little disoriented, but it soon wears off."
"Any tips?" asked Aldwin.
"Yes," she said, "make sure you have a firm stance as you go through. It's best to stand still and just touch the flame."
"Won't it burn?" the smith asked.
"You might think so, but no, it is only a magical flame," said Beverly. "Revi will go through after you, and you'll get to see Erssa Saka'am."
"I thought we were going to Queenston," he replied.
"The gates don't directly connect," she answered, "instead, everything has to go through the main temple that lies in the swamp. Once you're safely deposited in Queenston, Revi will return here by the same route."
"Can't you come with us?" the smith asked.
"I wish I could," she replied, "but the flame takes time to regenerate after it's used. The more people that use it, the longer it'll take to recharge. I'm afraid I'll have to say my goodbye's now."
She took his hand, leading him from the chamber so they could have some privacy. Beverly stood before him, struggling with what to say.
"I..." she began, the words trailing off.
"I know," he said, "but we'll be together again, soon enough."
He kissed her, and she held him tight, his arms encircling her. It felt like she was home, and she didn't want it to end, but then they were interrupted by Hayley.
"Sorry, Bev," the ranger said, "but it's time to go. Your father has already stepped through the flame, and it's Aldwin's turn."
"So soon?" asked the red-headed knight.
"I'm afraid so," said Hayley. "I'll give you two a moment more." She returned to the room where the magical flame waited.
Beverly breathed in his scent then stepped back, relishing the image before her.
"I must go," said Aldwin.
Beverly nodded her head, too emotional to speak. She followed him back into the portal room, green light flickering from the flame.
"You may step through now, master smith," said Revi.
Aldwin nodded, moving closer to the flame. He took a firm stance, then touched it and was whisked away in an instant. The flame collapsed in on itself, then slowly started building up again.
"You all right, Bev?" asked Hayley.
Beverly nodded, wiping a tear from her eye.
Once the flame reset, Revi stepped through, without so much as a wave.
Hayley stood with her hands on her hips, a look of astonishment on her face. "He didn't say goodbye!" she declared. "That's not like him."
"What's that?" asked Beverly, her composure now returned.
"Revi," said Hayley. "He's been a little off lately, but he didn't even say goodbye before he stepped through the flame. That's just not like him."
"He was likely overthinking things," suggested Beverly, "I wouldn't read too much into it. Anyway, he'll be returning before too long."
"I suppose you're right," said the ranger. "Oh, that reminds me, I have something in my pack."
"You do?"
"Yes, I thought that since we have to wait for my errant mage to return, we might as well have a drink." She reached in and pulled forth a bottle of wine. "Here we go, a nice Hawksburg Red."
"A good choice," said Beverly, "one of my father's favourites."
"And that's not all," added the ranger, "I also brought some cheese."
"Please tell me it's not from Hawksburg, I can't stand the smell of that stuff."
"Relax," said Hayley, "it's a nice white Stilldale."