Witch Girl Chapter 10

Kieran's night had begun on a good note, literally.  He had a very nice audience.  The laird of the castle had opened the evening with an introduction of Kieran as the first bard allowed to play in over a year.  He told his people that he hoped that tonight would be the first of many now that he had someone to share the beautiful music with again.

Kieran didn't listen too closely to the laird's speech.  Instead he spent that time to glance around the hall to see who he might entice back to his room later in the evening.  He found a couple of potential ladies sitting at a table near the dias.  One had long brown hair that curled in ringlets down her back.  The other one had blond straight hair.  Hair he thought might feel nice against his skin. Maybe he could entice them both to his room.  Things were looking up! He finished his preparations, waited for the signal to begin, and began to play a lovely ballad about chivalry and love. He made sure the two ladies knew he found them interesting by looking at them many times during the ballad.

Selena woke from a very nice nap.  The sun had gone down, and she decided she needed to go down to the hall for dinner.  She quickly dressed in a blue gown, which covered a cream undergown.  She believed the dress was called a kirtle, but she wasn't sure.  Unfortunately, showers hadn't been invented yet, and most people in this time didn't wash as often as Selena would prefer, so she made due with a small bowl of water that she used to wet her hair and clean her face.  When she was finished, she walked down to the main hall.  As she neared the room, she heard music.  Not knowing what to expect, she walked into the hall and proceeded to walk to the high table to take her usual place beside Riley, who rose when she entered and smiled his amazing smile. Taking her by the hand, he bent and kissed her cheek.

"We have music tonight.  I know I had told you that we no longer have music here, since the death of my wife, but I thought you might enjoy music tonight.  I hope it will be to your satisfaction."  Riley said as he led her to her seat.

Selena thanked him for his kindness and turned to look at the man who was playing such beautiful music on his harp.  At that very moment, the man looked up at the dias and into her eyes.  Selena's mouth fell opened and Kieran played the wrong note.  Then everything seemed to go completely still.  Selena looked into the eyes of the only man she had ever loved.  The man she thought she would never see again, and then she fainted.

Kieran dropped his harp with a clang.  He rose and began to approach the high table.  "Stop, man.  You are not allowed at the laird's table." a guard said, with a very strong look of mistrust on his large face.  Kieran stopped in his tracks, but before he could explain his reasons for being at the foot of the laird's high table, the laird spoke.  "Who are you, and why do you appear to know my ward?"

"Your ward, sir?  Her name is Selena, and she is my bethrothed.  She disappeared from my keep a few months ago, and I have been looking everywhere for her.  Please accept my thanks for taking her into your protection."

"Yes, she is my ward.  She has lived with us in this keep for the last few months.   She did not seem to know who she was when she arrived.  We had planned to return her to her family in the next few weeks.  She seems to have been shocked by your appearance.  I am wondering if she had run away from you and that is how we came to find her.  Guards, please take this man and his servant away until I have come to a conclusion about the nature of this situation.

Selena woke in her bed with a cool cloth over her eyes.  Could it be true?  Had she just seen Kieran?  Her head was pounding and her heart was racing. Kieran, here.  She had to get to him, but as she took the cloth from her eyes, she saw that she was not alone.  Riley was sitting by her bed waiting patiently for her to awake.  He had a look of concern and something else she couldn't explain in his eyes.  Was it hurt, or longing?  What ever it was, it was giving her chills and she felt her heart sink into her stomach.

"Selena, you're awake."  he said matter of factly.  We need to talk.  Why did you faint when you saw the harpist, and who is he to you?  Do you remember him from your life before?  Are you regaining your memory?"

"Yes, I seem to be regaining my memory.  I do not know if the harpist is someone from my past, but I did recognize him.  I believe his name is Kieran, sir.  I must see him so that I can speak with him and learn what I can about my life before I was found by your men."  Selena was hoping he would take what she said without looking too closely at anything specific until she had the chance to speak with Kieran.

Oh, Kieran is here!  Just the thought made Selena feel lightheaded.  But fainting was only for moments of shock.  Now she needed answers as soon as possible!  Selena looked at Riley.  She could see he was considering her request.

"I will send for this harpist, but you must understand that I will not release you into his custody until I know the extent of your previous relationship.  I know you are in shock after seeing him, but Selena I want, well I want more than I can explain now.  I will return.  Please get some rest.  I will send someone to you with food and drink.  Please, do not make any decisions that you may regret."  Riley then turned and left her room.   Selena did not know how to feel, so she laid her head back onto her pillow and closed her eyes.