Background Ambience: 19th century cottage
"Don't you know that titles are meaningless here? These people.. these Bree-landers are simple folk. Farmers, craftsmen, carpenters, housewives, merchants. Half of them can't even tell if they dressed properly when they woke up! If you don't want trouble, you'll need to learn how to blend in." Aellwenn chided her husband as they sat at the dining table.
He looked at her with a cocked brow and an amused smile. "Where is the fun in that my fair lady? The farmers gawk at me every time I go out hunting. Looking like they've seen some kind of ghost or they seem to expect me to demand that they bow. You worry too much my dear. Gondor and Rohan are leagues away. Granted, it's not what you wanted. But at least we are here together no?"
"Yes, we are here together. Love is such a stubborn thing, It seems you're stuck with me now." She said in reply.
"You make it sound like it's a burden. Aellwenn, I promised that we would meet again. Your Father may have been blind, but I wasn't. I knew there was a snake in the grass; it was only a matter of time before it would bear its fangs. I only wish I had more time to collect evidence."
The lady shook her head lightly and put her teacup down, crossing over to his side of the table. Gently sitting herself down on his lap, she said, "Yes, until death do us part. You were first bound to me by duty. Then friendship, then love, and finally marriage. I suppose I'll have to make do with what I have." She joked dryly.
Raymond raised a brow as he held his bride "Make do? What am I, chopped liver? Do I need to slay a dragon for you? Conquer a kingdom? Because if it is a kingdom you want, then I could give it a try." He quipped with a smile.
Laughter escaped her lips, and she replied, "No, believe it or not. You're all that I need!" She wrapped her arms over his shoulders as she sat there. "And.. well.. maybe a little bundle of joy too?" When she said those words, it was as if the entire world had stopped moving.
"No, no, you aren't! Are you...?" he gaped at her. Her smile slowly widened. "Yes, Ray, you're going to be a Father."
"By golly! I... I have to tell the neighbors!" he said, putting his wife back down on her feet. "Tell the neighbors? Oh, Ray, you're going to embarrass me! Don't you dare bring Mr. Barnett in here! Then it will turn into a morning of drinking!"
Raymond chortled "And wouldn't you say this is an occasion for drinking? Come now, love, let a man have some fun!"
"Fun, as you call it, is what got me pregnant to begin with! Whatever mess you make you're cleaning it up!" She wagged her finger playfully at him. "You are by far the most eccentric knight I have ever met."
Raymond offered her a boyish grin "That's why you love me."
