*I ride onward, eager to be home, back with Aurore, with the war far behind me. I shake my head to try and clear my thoughts, but the sights and sounds of the battle will live long with me. The smell of gunpowder mixed with the iron tang of blood. The sound of cannon fire, and the clash of metal on metal, just about drowning out the cries of the wounded and dying. The broken bodies littering the battle field with their spilled blood making the ground treacherous underfoot. Too many died and suffered, and the price they paid can not be in vain. Duarte ran before his castle walls were breached. Last seen heading for the Spanish border, and good riddance to bad rubbish. Once his men realised he had gone, they wasted no time in turning on the Spanish soldiers left behind. I shudder involuntarily. That was truly an unappetising sight, although I could well understand the rage behind their actions.*
I slow my horse slightly, not wanting to run it into the ground, and nod to Joao, who has stayed close by my side, refusing any orders to the contrary. He’s right, of course. His job is to protect his king, and right now, well that is me. Or at least, it will be once we organise the coronation ceremony. Until that is finalised and the crown is officially on my head, it could all still go wrong. At least Joao has ensured that all of Duarte’s former strongholds and bases are now firmly under our control. Well, all the ones we left standing. Regrettably, two had to be razed to the ground. At least none of the locals suffered by that action, as they had long since abandoned the area. We must build our own stronghold in the area to replace what was destroyed and protect the people from any incursions from the Spanish. Perhaps it would have been prudent simply to re-purpose what was already there, but the defenders refused to surrender and left us with no option.*
I pick up the pace once again as my destination looms large through the evening dusk, the familiarity of the towers and crenellations causing a quickening of my heart. Home, finally, and Aurore. And our child. I pray she is healthy and our child … I so wanted to be with her for this, to be close to her side. I smile to myself. Not that I think Aimee will let me anywhere near. At least I had the sense to send Father Ryan back early, to take care of Aurore. And she has Miguel as well. I smile again. Not that I think Miguel will be in a hurry to witness the birth, even supposing he could sidestep Aimee.
I leap from my horse, leaving the reins free. I know Joao will deal with the horses. My main concern now is Aurore, I need to know that she is safe and well. Has she had the child? Is the child well? Why the hell couldn’t Duarte have surrendered earlier? Why was the final battle so far from home? Why are her quarters so far from the entrance? Where the hell is Miguel? And why are the bells ringing out? Bells. I pause. Yes, bells. So does that mean …. I practically pounce on Miguel as he appears in front of me.* Aurore? Is she alright?
*Chuckles at John’s impatience, although it’s perfectly understandable.* Aurore is fine, my friend. And so is the child. Ryan says he has a good pair of lungs.
I’m a father? I have a son? An heir, we have an heir! *I break into a run, with Miguel hot on my heels, waving Aimee out of my way impatiently and sink onto the bed beside Aurore, gently kiss her temples and gaze down at our son, with hope and joy in my heart.*
A son. We have a son. *My heart beats quickly as I gaze first at Aurore, and then at our son. I never dared dream this day would come, but it has and now my chest feels as though it will burst with pride. I lean in and kiss Aurore tenderly. * You’re alright? Both of you?
Aurore Braganza 🌹 @auroretrav2014
We are both well, especially our son who has a wonderful pair of lungs! * Gently lifting the babe up, I place him into John’s arms, John takes the little bundle carefully cradling him in the crook of his arm. For the first time in years the worry lines ease around his eyes joy shines in the azure blue as he looks down into our baby’s sleeping face, stroking his cheek with the back of his forefinger gently, he looks up at me in awe. * Meu amor, I know he is beautiful, I must pinch myself every time I look at his beautiful features I just can’t believe he is here, we have a child after so many years of war, with new life there is a hope for the future.
*Unable to draw mellowed brown eyes away from John’s proud face, I suspect he can’t really believe the little one is here, I can hardly believe it myself that we have been so blessed. I softly place an open hand to rest on his forearm lightly closing my fingers in a gentle squeeze. * My love please tell me the war is over, really over, unsettled times are no place to bring up a child!
IT’S OVER, TRULY AND HONESTLY. DUARTE FLED LIKE THE COWARD HE IS. I CANNOT BELIEVE THERE ARE ANY LEFT WHO WOULD SUPPORT HIM NOW, ESPECIALLY SINCE MIGUEL HAS ALREADY CONVINCED MOST OF THE NOBLES TO PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO OUR SIDE. AND NOW WE HAVE AN HEIR, HE NO LONGER HAS A RIGHTFUL CLAIM.
Aurore Braganza 🌹 @auroretrav2014 31m
*I can’t help but smile john’s hands are those of a soldier a man who has not led the soft life of a courtier, and yet he holds our son with such tenderness. My admiration, love and respect have deepened over the years and now with the babe, I cannot imagine life without him ” John, we will have to think of a name before the christening, I have a name in mind but firstly what are your thoughts. ”
Aurore Braganza 🌹 @auroretrav2014 24m
*I giggle holding my stomach at the same time as it is still tender from giving birth, slapping John playfully on the shoulder. I cannot remember the last time I felt so content and happy * Seriously John, Bart? A resounding no! I have a name in mind which I think is both appropriate and fitting, how about Alexander after your brother.
* I am totally engrossed in my own little world and feeling more content than I have ever felt in my life now understanding the glowing aura around new mothers, my eyes look through a warm gaze at our son, Alexander, unaware John has entered our chambers. *
*I enter our chambers quietly, not wishing to disturb Aurore, should she be resting. I smile broadly as I see her, sat on the bed, cooing happily at our son. Our son. I still cannot quite believe it’s true. I stroll over and sit beside her, kissing her cheek gently, and then Alexander’s forehead.* Why are you never this quiet first thing in a morning, little man?
Aurore Braganza 👑 @auroretrav2014 14h.*Proffering my cheek John kisses me gently, his gentleness touches me in ways I never imagined, his depth of understanding of me and my complexities confirms what I have always known from the first day we met, that life without him would be unthinkable. And now we are complete with the bundle of joy snuggling in my arms. * Probably my love he is much like his father always hungry! And demanding.
John @DukeBraganza 14h.*I clear my throat, trying to sound innocent, and change the subject hurriedly.* Oh, I spoke with Abilio earlier. He was indeed intending to propose to Adriana that night, and while I am convinced his feelings for her are still as strong, I fear another attempt may not be forthcoming anytime soon. He believes the fact that she is now a titled lady means she has plenty of suitors to choose from, and he should step back and let her choose freely. I have tried to convince him that if he still feels the same way, he should ask anyway, but, perhaps, his courage has failed him. A strange thing to say to a friend who has shown so much bravery to help us get to this point, but there you have it.
Aurore Braganza 👑 @auroretrav2014 14h. What nonsense, she adores him. Poor Adriana she is consumed with melancholy, imagining that he does not care for her. I don’t know John what a pair they make *Softly sighing contentedly gazing down at Alexander his tiny fingers curled around mine, I brush my thumb gently across his tiny hand he is truly a small miracle. * John will you take Alexander for a moment I need to stretch my legs, sitting for long periods makes me so stiff. After Christmas, I will take up fencing again, just for fitness before you utter a word, meu Amor!
John @DukeBraganza 14h*I take Alexander carefully from Aurore, cradling his tiny form in my arms, marvelling at how perfectly formed he seems to be. I smile to myself. It’s actually taken Aurore a little while longer than I’d anticipated mentioning sparring once again. I make a mental note to warn Miguel.* I wouldn’t dream of attempting to prevent you from fencing, meu Amor. I’ve been thinking. With so many foreign envoys here, trying to court favour and impress upon me how helpful they have been, or gloss over the fact that they haven’t, and with Christmas fast approaching, I thought, maybe, it might be a good idea if we were to host a small party of some kind. Perhaps a masquerade ball. *I half hold my breath. Our last masked ball probably does not hold many happy memories for Aurore, considering the fact that it was held to disguise the fact that we were trying to rescue her from a homicidal maniac.*
Aurore Braganza 👑 @auroretrav2014 13h*Strolling over to the window aware of just how unfit that I have become I glance casually through the frosty panes of glass down into the walled garden, on hearing John’s idea I swivel around with my hands clasped before me. * A masquerade ball, John what a wonderful idea. And our newly appointed Chef de cuisine can impress our guests with his culinary skills, this will certainly be good for diplomacy, achieving great favour with the visiting foreign envoys. As for Adriana I have had a thought and will suggest she procures Abilio as her escort to the ball, writing him a warm letter, mentioning she could not imagine been escorted by any other man and ending with a warm salutation. Now my love Catina will be returning soon Alexander is sleeping peacefully, and I thought we could take a short walk to the summer house where I have instructed a log fire to be lit. * Placing a finger to my lips, tapping lightly in playful thought. * If you have the time Meu Amor, I have an inclination?
*I frown slightly.* The summer house? Aurore, my rose, there’s a good reason why it’s called the summer house, and since we are now at the start of winter, the summer house will be rather cold. *I pause as I see the glint in her eyes.* Of course, if you’ve instructed a fire to be lit, then I’m sure we’ll be perfectly fine, and should it choose to be a little on the chilly side, I can think of ways to warm us both.
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