He spent the day with Leek gathering cattle from the hilly regions of the island’s interior.
“Storm coming,” was all Leek said by way of explanation, though the sky was a cloudless blue. Gwaynn found that he was disappointed at first not to be around Mille, but quickly decided it would at least give him time to think on what had happened, and maybe sort through some of his thoughts which seemed to be all jumbled. He wasn’t sure what was happening to him. He had no experience with girls and he seemed unable to think of Mille in any kind of coherent fashion. His mind kept playing the morning kiss over and over again. Thoughts of the encounter gave him a pleasant warm feeling that started from somewhere inside and then spread until his entire body seemed to be tingling.
The day passed with Gwaynn lost in his thoughts, which fluttered about landing mostly on Mille, but occasionally on Vio as well. Neither of the girls knew who he truly was, both thought he was just a tragic boy from a shipwreck, a commoner like themselves. He knew his long term goals contained neither of them, and though it was not rare for those of noble blood to take a tumble with a commoner, it was nearly unheard of to take one as a wife. Even though the thought of taking a tumble with Mille made his stomach lurch and his heart jump in his chest, he doubted that she would be satisfied with just a tumble, and for some reason he could not even picture taking a tumble with Vio, alluring as she was.
“Oy!” Leek yelled, frowning. “Wipe the grin from your face and walk down into those trees. A few of the buggers like to hide amongst ‘em.”
Gwaynn, jumped at the sound of the man’s voice, blushed, then nodded and moved off down the hill. He was still a distance away from the copse when he realized that Leek was correct. There were at least three head milling about inside the trees. The first one he caught sight of was a young bull calf, about three months old. Despite being young, the bull was already very large. For some reason seeing the young bull brought back thoughts of his large friend Karl, then of his former life, now seemingly long gone. He had only been on the island for….just over four months now, but it felt much, much longer. He thought of his Mother and how he missed her and suddenly he was overcome with grief, though his eyes remained completely dry. He thought of his sister and her execution, something he had not done now for weeks, and suddenly was angry. He would avenge them if he could, and not run away from his destiny, but any of that would have to wait until he was ready.
“Come on,” he said and moved around the calf with a stern look. He began to steer the calf out of the woods knowing that his mother would soon follow, which she did as did the two others that were with them. He continued to steer the young bull across the hilly grasslands toward the main buildings, but he only had to go a little past half way before he was able to turn back. He now knew that from there the cattle would continue to the barn on their own.
He worked with Leek into the early afternoon until all the cattle were moving back toward the main buildings.
“Storms coming,” Leek said, nodding toward the western horizon as they walked side-by-side back to the main house. Gwaynn’s stomach rumbled loudly as he looked at the dark clouds coming in the distance.
“Hear the thunder all ready,” Leek added with a straight face, referring to the noise coming from the boy’s abdomen. Gwaynn smiled, but it fell away as they moved closer and closer to the main house and he realized that though he had all day to consider what to do about Mille, as yet, he was unable to come to a decision. His mind raced for a solution, but not fast enough, as the house approached rapidly, seemingly on its own accord. They reached the door well before he was ready. They entered and there in the kitchen helping her mother prepare the early evening meal was Mille and her younger sister Mari. All the women fell suddenly quiet as they turned toward the newcomers and Mari put her hand over her mouth to silence the laughter that was threatening to bubble out of her.
“Grandpa!” she yelled and ran and jumped into the old man’s arms. Leek smiled widely and swung her about. Mille glanced at Gwaynn and then quickly away, suddenly shy.
“Grandpa,” Mari said as he set her back on the ground. “Mille and Gwaynn….”
“Mari!” Shari and Mille yelled together so loudly that the young girl fell immediately silent, Mille turning a bright shade of red.
Shari shook her head at her chastised daughter and Mari frowned.
“Mille, why don’t you take Gwaynn out and fetch the others,” she said, knowing that the only way to release the tension would be for her daughter and Gwaynn to be alone for a spell.
Mille nodded and moved to the door, making no signal for Gwaynn to follow, but he did so in any case. Once outside Mille seemed to grow more relaxed but Gwaynn felt as if he was still tied in knots. He wanted to touch the girl again, as he had never wanted to touch anyone in his life, but he dared not. They walked to the barn, each very aware of the other, but neither able to break the barrier that had somehow sprung up between them.
Clouds covered the sun and a strong gust suddenly hit them. Gwaynn could smell rain on the wind and he wondered how Leek had known a storm was coming so early in the day. He was jerked out of his thoughts as a small, warm hand slipped easily into his own. He glanced down at it and then over to Mille, who continued to look straight ahead, though she gave a quick squeeze with her hand. Gwaynn returned it and they both knew that, for the moment, everything was all right.
Just before they reached the barn Karin stepped out, and though Mille quickly jerked her hand from Gwaynn’s, her older sister noticed the contact before it was broken. Karin smiled and shook her head, studying Gwaynn who had a hard time meeting her eye for some reason. Deirdre followed.
“Suppers ready,” Mille said and with a glance at Gwaynn turned and moved ahead of him back to the house. Deirdre smiled at him as she passed, but Karin simply waited until they were both far enough up ahead not to over hear.
“I’m glad you’ve picked Mille,” she said quietly, and not for the first time wished that Gwaynn was a bit older.
“Picked Mille?” Gwaynn asked.
“Deirdre would have you I’m sure,” Karin continued, ignoring his question, “but she would have liked anyone. Mille is a bit more discriminating.”
Gwaynn was still confused. He had not actually picked anyone, though at present he could honestly say, right now, at this moment, Mille was the one person he would like to have alone. His royal life had been well regimented and his experience with young girls very limited. As far as he could remember he’d never been alone with a girl near his age with the exception of his sister. He never noticed this fact at the time because girls up until a few days ago did not interest him. They simply never crossed his mind.
“I like Mille,” he answered with a shrug and when she looked at him knowingly he flushed. “I like Deirdre too….and you and Mari,” he added quickly.
“You’re sweet,” she added, laughing at his discomfort, and began to move toward the house. “Just concentrate on Mille for now.”
Gwaynn knew he should tell them who he was, but he also realized that the more who knew, the more danger he was in. He decided to keep quiet for now, but would be sure to let Mille know before anyone could get hurt. He followed Karin and was soon inside the bustling house, which was beginning to feel very much like home.