Old Stories: Lawrence's Return to Ratherwood continues, 768 AD

The stories tend to alternate as to author. I know this one for instance is Laura's. The previous about the children would be mine, and as I noted, the first of the trio was Laura's. It is not easy to tell by the originals, written on notebook paper in pencil, as our handwriting was remarkably alike. You can tell by this series that we had definitely settled into storywriting. Laura was just two months shy of her 15th birthday when she wrote this one.

"There is really no one of importance here. My friend, the Duke, has gone visit his daughter some distance away. Lady Jocelyn is my dearest companion. She would really be the only one thou wouldst be interested in meeting. After that thou will wish to see Erik and Rory and Shannon, I suppose." The Queen chatted happily to Lawrence as she led the way across the castle.

"Oh, indeed, Rory and Shannon, I must see them before they leave. Thou has gotten along well with them?" he queried.

She did not answer for a moment, then very sadly replied, "Aye, my lord, we have grown very fond of one another."

Luckily, Lawrence misinterpreted her meaning. "There now, don't be sad. They'll not be long in returning, and we'll all have merry times then."

He drew her closer to him an they forgot all else but each other, each thinking that truly they were the most fortunate propel on earth to be so loved.

They had found the Lady Jocelyn and Erik and Shannon but Rory was not seen until dinner.
After all had listened courteously to a ballad on the greatest of King Lawrence, the King set down his cup and held up his hand for silence."

"I was pleased to see my dear friends again that I have not, it seems, met with for a year. But Rory, why met ye not your King?"

"I wager he had business in the village!" jested Shannon, and the hall, catching ribald reference, roared with laughter. Rory's expeditions were well known.
"Ye would put a maiden before your king?" Lawrence said severely, but with a twinkle in his eye.

"I," said Rory and last, raising his eyes from the table to his royal friend and to the Queen who avoided his gaze, "I was not with a maiden this afternoon…" leaning forward, so that only Lawrence and Josephine might hear what he said, "Knowing thee, my liege, I thought that thou should more appreciate that thou were left alone with my wife than had all my friends about thee.""It is true, very true, " laughed Lawrence. "Thou art indeed a true friend, Rory. Wilt thou sing us a song tonight?" He added, after a moment, while the Queen thought to herself that the real reason Rory had left was that he could not bear to see their reunion.

Ah Rory, what can I do for thee to lessen they pain? What can I give in return for thy devotion.

Above, Josephine depicted in one of my "yarn paintings".