[IC] The Deposed Dilemma

[POOHEAD189]

The medicine was foul tasting, but she'd find she would feel a tad stronger the next day. The bed he had was large and comfortable, but still a bit lumpy so it wouldn't be something she would be used to. Berek had taken the cot in his workshop, while she had his small room with a table and two chairs, along with a single window the moonlight could spill in from if the curtains were not drawn.

That night would be relatively quiet save the occasional howl of a distant wolf, and the faint braying of what must be the donkey Berek mentioned earlier, though these were few and far between and it would be easy to find sleep in the thick blankets of his bed.

It would be early the next day Berek would awaken, cooking a hearty breakfast for two with eggs and bacon, along with pitchers of water. Though when Ferona would awaken, she would already hear the clanging of hammer on metal as Berek shaped and tempered a long piece of steel that he had already smelted the previous day in his bloomery.

Berek wore his usual trousers and his linen shirt that clung to his powerful frame like a glove, his apron on as well. The billowing flames of the furnace heated the room comfortably, though if one got too close it could get intensely hot. Humphrey sat between the Kitchen and the smithy/workshop, panting from the heat but also quite enjoying it, so used to the usual noises by now.

[writingrin]

Faced with the bed, Ferona had a similar experience to when she'd eaten the meager meal: she'd grown to appreciate less. There was a limit to this, of course, soon she would be capable of complaining about the lumpy bed and poor people's food. But for this night? A bed! A bed! That was such a glorious thing! She pratically fell into it, with her borrowed clothes still on, and slept well into the next morning.

So when she finally came out she found the food and was lucky the flies hadn't gotten to it first. She didn't want to eat it but her stomach growled until she did. Fixing herself a glass of water she looked around. Where was that man anyway? She saw the cot he'd mentioned but not him. How early did he get up? Probably as early as any servant would, she supposed. When was that, at dawn?

She did not know what to do with herself so she took out her purse and counted the money that was in it. It wasn't enough to pay for the loss of her hair, not in her opinion at least, but it was all that she could get. And at the same time, she knew the man had paid her well, including extra for shaving it off at the roots. She looked at her reflection in the water and rubbed her bare head. It felt so weird... She needed a scarf. And that was not all... she needed a dress for heaven's sake. And undergarments! All of this money might buy that much? At least she hoped it would. It probably wouldn't though, and she wanted to save it for when she really needed it. This money was HERS unlike everything else in this house. She should keep it. However, not all things were free in this world and she was staying with a poor person. He was feeding and housing her. Did he have to clothe her too? And all for free? She dreaded what type of reimbursement he might eventually ask for. So she put the money away, except for a few coins which she held in her hand, and searched for Berek.

The forge was oppressively hot and it stank with smoke and...metal? But Berek was indeed there and--as his white shirt had become so revealing now that it was wet--she was treated to quite an impressive sight. His muscles seemed to ripple--or maybe that was the wavering heated air--as he lifted a hammer and brought it down on some steel. The muscles in his chest also flexed. Ferona's face flushed and she turned toward the dog instead.

[POOHEAD189]

Berek wasn't tired yet. Long years spent at the forge with his heavy hammer meaning he had endurance most men didn't. But it was always a good idea to pace yourself. He'd take a lunch in a few hours. The smith still had plenty to do though.

He was nearly done with this arming sword, other than sharpening it. He'd forgotten the leather and materials for the hilt and crossguard, dang it. But he'd go back in town in a day or two. Firs thing's first, he'd forge the blades. Over 16 contracts for the next three weeks and likely more people coming to ask for more, he was as busy as ever.

After he was done shaping the arming sword, he set it down in the pile of products that needed to be sharpened, and he was just about to grab what he'd make into an axeblade when he turned and saw Ferona standing there, one fist closed and her eyes on Humphrey.

"Oh, I see you're up." He said to her, lightly and cordially. Hopefully she'd be in a better mood today. Then again, last night might be how she always is. "Have a good sleep? Hope the food was good." As he spoke, he began to smelt the bit of iron he'd need to make the axe head, smoke blooming from above the house as his powerful arms turned the pump.

[writingrin]

He spoke up as she walked over to the dog. Had he seen her oogling him? She dropped down and petted the dog vigorously, trying to take her mind off it. Until now she hadn't realized how attractive the man was. And she was living with him!

"What about that, Humphery? What do I do about that hmm?"

She rubbed his ears and stroked his back. Of course his only answer was to lick her. She wiped her face with the back of her hand.

"Fine," she said to Berek, without really thinking about it. Instead she thought about the coins and how to get what she needed...

Preparing herself for the sight she'd seen before, she turned around. But she was looking upon him at a different angle now anyway. A bit more smoke came into the room and she coughed slightly, squinting. She stood up and said, "You don't have any servants around here?" still grimacing at the smoke.

[POOHEAD189]

Berek hoped the smoke hid his face when she asked about servants. She was serious... He shook his head, more to keep his senses in tact than to say no to her, though he didn't stay silent. "Nope. Just me." He told her, somewhat amused and confused at the same time. Even Queens did some things for themselves, didn't they? He'd offered to help her with whatever she needed, but he had things to do.

"I'd have an apprentice if I could afford one. But so far I've been too busy to look, unless you want to learn some smithing." He joked, and once the furnace was hot, he placed the metal down to begin reshaping it. He breathed in, his considerable chest enlarging as he stretched, before he began working the metal with his hammer.

"Something on your mind? You can grab a chair and talk if you want. Or sit on the cot. I'll be here for awhile. I have until lunch to finish two more contracts. At least with the metal working..." As he spoke, he lifted the metal up and eyed it, making sure he hadn't accidentally bent it too awkwardly with his strength.

[writingrin]

She pouted slightly. It would be so much more convienient if he did have servants, and it proved how poor he was (although she already knew). Couldn't some nobleman have saved her? She could be living in the lap of semi-luxury then! But realistically, she knew a nobleman was even less likely to care about her, in the state she was in. As he'd said yesterday, she was lucky he was the one who found her.

However the idea of her becoming the servant or apprentice was horrifying. She made a flabbergasted noise and wrinkled her nose again.

As to the offer to hang around here and talk, no thanks! He might be pretty to look at but it was sweltering in here! She was sweating too and it was disgusting! She did have something on her mind though... so for the moment she went and sat on the cot. She held her hand up and shuffled the coins around.

"Buy me a dress," she finally said, glancing up at him.

[POOHEAD189]

He nearly dropped the metal he was holding! The muscled young man blinked, and turn to look at her, brow furrowed in disbelief. He didn't know exactly what to say at first. "Are you...serious?" He asked her.

Ok, he needed to think this through. She was a Queen apparently, and she was used to being waited upon hand and foot. Also, she might expect him to be in awe of her. And she certainly was pretty, and would probably be gorgeous if she grew her hair out and filled out a bit more. But that didn't make money appear in his pockets.

"Queen Ferona..." He hesitated, and then sighed. "Look, I have some extra money but it's only for emergencies. I can't buy you a dress. I'm too busy. Maybe if I can finish my work here and get paid for my contracts I'll have enough left over to help you out, but I can't at the moment."

He began working on his smithing again. "Then again, if you do a few chores around here once you're feeling better, I might change my mind."

[writingrin]

She raised her eyebrows imperiously and gestured at the men's clothing she had on. "Why wouldn't I be?" At least the last outfit HAD been a dress! Once...

QUEEN Ferona perked up at the title, sitting up very straight, and listened intently. After that though, he didn't say anything she wanted to hear. And then he resumed working, just like that! She huffed in disbelief!

"CHORES!" she burst out, face flushing. "CHORES?!" Her eyes snapped and she got up. Perhaps everything he said was true, well, fine. She took out the bag of wig money and dropped it on the cot. Then she clutched the few left in her hands and stormed out to at least save those. She didn't have to stand for talk of chores.

[POOHEAD189]

"W-..." He began, looking at the money on the cot and then watching her angrily sashay away. "What's the money there for!?" He called after her, not entirely knowing what was going on. He waited for a few moments, and then looked at Humphrey who panted happily. Berek let out a breath and shook his head. "I can't tell if that was a queen thing or a woman thing." He deadpanned to Humphrey, too quiet for Ferona to hear.

He wanted to go after her, but he had things to do and with a force of will as strong as the iron he was trying to shape, he decided top get back to the forge. She'd come back afterall. There was really nowhere else she could go, especially since she was still fairly weak looking. He began banging on the anvil again.

[writingrin]

It was for a dress, of course. She didn't bother replying, just finished storming into the much cooler air outside. It was such a relief! She went back to the table and poured herself a glass of water to cool down. For a few minutes she still mentally fussed about the insult. But then she began to be distracted... At least he wasn't around right now...

She wandered around the house and then went outside. There was a small road and then the barn to one side. She turned toward it and also passed a pathetic little garden. But eventually at the back of the house she spotted her salvation. Of course the one thing this little shack had in common with the castle was that it reeked before one even opened the door. There was only so much that could be done about such things... But this one reeked far worse inside. She had no choice but to do her business and leave though, quickly.

Ferona burst back into the open air, reflecting that at least these clothes made things quicker and easier! She shut the door tightly and strode quickly away from the spot.

After that she looked around and strode up to the nearest shady spot, which was under a tree. It wasn't far from the house, not into the woods, and she did not feel bad seating herself on a root in these clothes. She closed her eyes and tried to imagine herself outdoors back home.

[POOHEAD189]

By the time he was done with his next two jobs, Berek was sweating up a storm. Though he needed to know where Ferona was, or if she had calmed down for that matter. He wiped his face with his cloth, and then set into the kitchen. She wasn't there, so he assumed she had gone into his room to sleep. Well, he wouldn't bother her. He needed some cooler air on his skin, and once he was outside he stripped himself of his apron and his shirt, enjoying the cool breeze that the eastern wind brought to his glistening skin.

"Oh man," he breathed, still not entirely believing he was dealing with this problem, but knowing it was the right thing to do. He ran his hands through his hair, and Humphrey waddled out with him. The basset hound saw a squirrel, and decided to give chase toward the tree Ferona was sitting at, her body hidden by the bulk of its trunk. He barked his trademark boof as he did so.

[writingrin]

Ferona did rarely leave the castle. It required so much pomp and circumstance, even to her mind. She didn't always enjoy having people constantly around her. She did enjoy riding horses and hunting, especially with the dogs on the chase all about her. She could shoot quite well when she had the inclination. Even then there would be guards but they could be told to hang back. She spent a moment imagining the hunts she'd been on, and one particular time when she'd stopped for a sort of picnic. Tyrell had been riding with her that day... As he often did. But something had inspired her to ask him to join her. Why had she done that? He had not even accepted.

The memory made her awfully sad. So she was almost glad to be startled out of it. She smiled but as she turned the squirrel and dog came tearing toward her. She let out a little shriek and flapped her hands. For a moment she felt little clawed fingers and then the squirrel leapt off of her and onto the tree. Humphrey was all over her too and she heard his teeth snap next to her ear. She shoved him off and stood, breathing hard. And then her eyes met Berek's. She clutched her chest, trying to calm down, and then wavered back down to the ground, her arm coming to rest on the stump she'd been sitting on. Her eyes fell as she did, taking in his shirtless state but not quite processing it. Humphrey picked himself up and barked after the squirrel, gave up, and came back to look at her. She dropped her hand and petted him. "Bad dog," she chided, with no malice. She looked at him but then her eyes lifted back to Berek's hairy, muscled, sweaty chest for longer than they should have, and then his face.

[POOHEAD189]

The shriek brought Berek to his senses, and he halted his stretching to blink. He half expected wolves to be attacking, and wherever Ferona was she wasn't in his room! He looked around until he saw her standing up, what little hair she had was in disarray if that was even possible. But then he saw her drinking up the sight of his chest, before her eyes met his. He flushed despite himself, hand scratching the back of his head.

"Sorry, I uh...I didn't know you were back here." He said, actually a bit embarrassed. He'd not had a woman look at him like that for longer than he'd cared to admit. It felt very nice, though he doubted she'd admit she was doing it. Humphrey placed his paws on the tree and howled toward the canopy, before plopping back down and circling around Ferona.

"I'm about to uh, cook lunch if you want to have it with me." He didn't mean to say that last part in the way it sounded. I'm a fool. He watched her to see her reaction, doing his best to remain casual. Scenes were only as awkward as you made them, after all. His father had told him that. "Ferona?"

[writingrin]

When he blushed, she blinked as if she didn't know what she'd been doing. And then she returned the expression two fold and looked away.

But she looked back up when he invited her to lunch, not unlike she had done in her memory. Just saying it without necessarily meaning more. And yet it did mean more? Eat with me, enjoy my company, spend time with me. It reciprocated a yearning in her. And he actually was not unlike Tyrell, now that she thought about it. He would make just as good a royal guard, if he had that skill set. And perhaps HE wouldn't have rejected her offer?

"Yes, I'd love to," she replied, offering him her hand.

[POOHEAD189]

Berek was surprised at this sudden change of heart, to be sure. He had expected her to yell at him again, but she actually...offered him her hand. He didn't know what to do, really. For the first time, he actually did feel like she was more than what she appeared to be. Her claim of being a deposed queen was looking closer to the truth.

He did his best to give a bow, though it was more of an inclination of his head and broad shoulders, and he took her hand as gently as he could. "That's...I'd love to as well." He told her. Her being agreeable was quite pleasant actually, and when her wrath wasn't on the surface, her green eyes were quite enchanting. He did his best to escort her into the kitchen, smiling and looking into her eyes every once in awhile as they walked. When they made it inside, he slipped on a shirt before he he made lunch.

Suddenly he had no idea if he was entertaining a queen, going on a date, or making lunch for a guest that seemed to appreciate him more now. Either way he was going to make it good. So he fixed her up one of his best meals. It was a trencher deluxe (medieval sandwich with all of the fixings), and before he presented it to her, he made sure this was just what she wanted. When he edited the trencher to be just what she liked, he presented it to her and gave her a glass of water, and then sat down opposite the regal woman.

"Sorry about being dense earlier." He said, doing his best to keep his pride out of this. (Even if she wouldn't). "I'm sure you're used to the best of the best." He smiled, looking inwardly. "The best I can do is forge. I guess I lack other areas."

[writingrin]

Ferona let him pull her up and escort her inside. From the outside they probably looked bizarre and he didn't quite have the walk down. But she maintained her dignity, looking back at him calmly every time he glanced at her. But she was relieved when he dropped her hand and put a shirt on.

Again she sat while he prepared the food. But this time she noted his anxiousness to please her. Where had that come from? It wasn't entirely unwelcome, however... She inclined her head graciously as he placed the food before her. But didn't start to eat right away. Instead she mulled over his words while taking a sip of water.

"You've never had to be anything else," she finally acknowledged. "Why should you be sorry?" She lowered her eyes to the sandwich and took a bite. It was hearty and crisp and juicy at the same time. Delicious!

[POOHEAD189]

Berek tilted his head and raised his brows, and knew this new closeness probably wouldn't last a long time. He couldn't please her 24/7 because that wasn't his responsibility, but mostly because he had more work to do to keep his wages. Still, while he was here, she somehow made him feel like a Ser Knight or a brave warrior. Something about her manner brought that to the forefront of his mind, and while he knew that wasn't him, he enjoyed it for the moment.

"I appreciate that." He said, feeling relieved she wasn't going to start an argument on the get go. He bit into his sandwich as well, savoring it. The two of them enjoyed the good food in silence for a short while, clearly happy to just get their bellies filled Berek thought. That was one reason why he felt the life he had was a good one. The simple pleasures.

"I didn't think I was that good of a cook. But then again I haven't had a guest eat my food in quite awhile. It's nice to have someone to gauge how well I do."

[writingrin]

Ferona seemed to reconsider the food, even as she chewed the last bite and swallowed. She wouldn't necessarily say he was a good cook but he was adequate. She thought of a joke at her expense, but didn't find it very funny. She wasn't at the stage yet where she could laugh at her misfortunes. Her lips tilted down slightly. But she visually shook the thoughts away and returned her attention to him. She nodded in understanding.

"Thank you," she said.

Then she crossed one leg over the other and leaned back in the chair, folding her hands in her lap. They probably needed to talk about some things, like the fact that she didn't do chores.

"The money was for the dress," she explained. "And a scarf."

Would he bring up chores again? She pursed her lips in displeasure at even the thought.

[POOHEAD189]

He was chewing his food as she spoke, and swallowed once she was done. He let out a breath through his nose, and placed his trencher down. "This really is important to you, isn't it?" He asked her, caramel eyes meeting hers for a moment before he wiped his mouth. "If you have the money to pay for it, I can get it for you next I go to town. I'll be going tomorrow or the next day. But you'd need to let me know what kind of dress. I have never shopped for a woman before, much less a Queen."

He began to take another bite, but after he chewed it for a bit and brought it down his throat, he didn't get to his water in time. The blacksmith gave a burp, and he patted his chest. "Sorry," he laughed, somewhat embarrassed but smiling brightly. "I guess I'm not used to entertaining royalty either."

[writingrin]

She lifted her eyes to the heavens as if to say, 'Lord, help me.' And then testily replied, "Yes, it's important! Just buy whatever is... Affordable." Saying that word was clearly difficult for her. But the fact was she didn't know what kind of dress to get either. All her old clothing had been tailor made for her. So neither did she know about sizes!

However, the absurdity of what followed actually startled a laugh out of her. It wasn't exactly a kind laugh. But she had looked much more disgusted by the money issue than the belch. She raised her eyebrows at him. "Am I eating with Berek or Humphrey?"