Difficult News

[Prince Pierre de Somerville]

After much internal deliberation, I had come to the conclusion that I would be remiss in my duty and a coward if I did not enlist in the army. Like Gratien, I wanted to defend my beloved land from the Skaldi. I needed to tell Isra first, before I actually formally enlisted. I knew she would be upset, but she would be taken care of, and with the help of the gods I would return safely.

I found her in the kitchen, tending a big pot of exotic-smelling stew. "That smells delicious, my love," I said, smiling softly.

[Isra Varousse]

“Let’s hope it tastes half as good,” I said with a low laugh, smiling at him over my shoulder. Life had settled into a perfect harmony and I had never been so happy in my life. Being here with Pierre was all I had ever dreamed of, I loved him so much and every day was better than the last.

[Prince Pierre de Somerville]

"What is it?" I asked, rest my hands on her shoulders and kissing her cheek.

[Isra Varousse]

“Lamb stew,” I answered. “Mother visited yesterday and left some new spices she’d gotten from home. I wanted to try them out with the lamb.”

[Prince Pierre de Somerville]

"I love lamb stew," I said. "How much longer until it is ready, do you think?"

[Isra Varousse]

“At least half an hour,” I said. “Are you too hungry to wait? I can fix you something small to hold you.”

[Prince Pierre de Somerville]

"Oh, no, I can wait," I said. "Do you want me to watch the pot while you go freshen for dinner?"

[Isra Varousse]

“I think you just told me I smell bad,” I said, teasing him. I smiled playfully. It was so wonderful to be this happy and comfortable with my life.

[Prince Pierre de Somerville]

"You're beautiful even when you're smelly," I said, teasing back.

[Isra Varousse]

“Flatterer,” I said with a laugh, setting the spoon aside and then turning in his arms.

“You know, that stew will be just fine for a little while if we wanted to find a way to pass the time…” I said, my smile turning inviting as I pressed my body to his.

[Prince Pierre de Somerville]

I wanted to weep when she pressed against me; the thought of not having her in my arms for months was almost enough to make me change my mind and forget the whole thing. But duty, honor, patriotism held sway, and for now I was content to do as she asked. "Whatever you like," I said, before kissing her softly.

[Continued a few minutes later]

[Isra Varousse]

Smiling, I kissed Pierre one last time and then slipped off the table, smoothing my skirts back into place.

“I should go check the stew,” I said with a chuckle. Languid and happy, I returned to the fire and stirred the pot.

[Prince Pierre de Somerville]

"How does it look now?" I asked, making sure my clothes were presentable.

[Isra Varousse]

“Nearly ready,” I answered, giving him a smile before getting the bread and some bowls. ‘Would you like to eat outside? It’s lovely out there.”

[Prince Pierre de Somerville]

"Yes, of course," I said. "Let me fetch a nice bottle of cool white wine." Running down to the wine cellar, I found a bottle of chardonnay and brought it back up.

[Isra Varousse]

By the time he returned I had filled two bowls with stew and had them and the bread on a tray.

“If you’ll grab glasses, I’ll meet you outside,” I said with a smile before heading out to the patio and setting everything in place on the table there.

[Prince Pierre de Somerville]

I took two wine glasses and brought them out to the patio and set them down. Uncorking the bottle, I filled up the glasses with the cool white wine. "Perfect," I said. I wasn't particularly pious, but the moment had moved me to pray. "Shall we say a prayer of thanksgiving before we start, love?"

[Isra Varousse]

His suggestion surprised me, enough that it took me a second to reply.

“If you wish,” I said, giving him a soft if a little unsure smile as I wondered what had brought this on.