He was in the great hall, regaling the court with songs and stories, when he first saw her. The maids sat behind a lattice separating servants from nobles and she had crept the edge, eyes fastened on him as he worked through his Eastern repertoire and then plucked out a few melodies on the kora. He noticed her lips moving with the words, trying to measure out each foreign tongue, so he slowed down a bit. Then there were jokes and she gave him a few shy smiles. Ladyâs chambermaid, he thought. Dress a bit above a serving wench, severe hairstyle, probably the youngest. He began his final song, an Italian ballad, and saw her foot tapping in time. Still mouthing the words. And another shy smile.
The feast continued after his performance and he lost sight of her. Servants never ate in the great hall. But he knew what the lord would eventually offer and was ready for it.
âIn respect for your talents, Iâll send any one of the maids to your bedchamber.â He paused. âOr more than one, if that is your desire. There are many to choose from if you want them summoned.â
âA needless task, my lord,â the traveler responded. âOnly one caught my eye tonight. A ladyâs maid, perchance? Light hair, very small. She was sitting at the lattice peering out.â
The lord hesitated. âAre you sure? There are better ones, for your purpose.â
âNo, she is the one I want. A sufficient reward for my display tonight.â He added that last part intentionally. A subtle mention of hospitality always helped to ensure his desires were met.Â
The servant had just finished pouring the bath when there was a knock, a small figure pushed inside and then silence. He went to her and she shrank against the door. Her eyes were wary and he was careful to stand slightly aside, not directly over her lest she be afraid.Â
âGreetings, little one,â he said gently. âAre you wanting to keep me company tonight?â
âThe lord sent me, Sir. To do what you wish,â she said in a small voice. He took her hand and led her close to the fire. The bath was there, steaming hot, with piles of wools, furs and silks. And fruit, some of which he was sure chambermaids never even knew existed.
âBut do you want to be here with me?â He pressed the question. âIs it your desire?â
She looked at him blankly. This was a foreign concept to her. Inwardly he felt a great weariness. Endless lifetimes on this planet and still I find this...
âYour stories are delightful, Sir. AndâŠand Iâd like to touch your hair. Itâs so wondrous.â He smiled at her words. She was bold as a soldier, even if she was shaking in her thin dress.Â
He brought her to the sheepskins and there they stayed, talking and eating, him lounging close but too close. Eventually he put her hand on his braid and she combed it, giggling as she did so. She reminded him of his pet cheetah, centuries ago in Africa, who loved to tug at his hair. A few more laughs and she was sitting in his lap with her head against his chest. Then he turned his attention to her hair, knotted and twisted in a tight bun at the nape of her neck.
âBeautiful hair like yours should be down, little one. Wrapped in spices at night and free in the wind during the day.â Soon her blonde strands lay across his arm and she sighed. His heart warmed. It had been years, so many yearsâŠ
âWould you like to bathe with me?â he asked.
âThe water is hot, Sir. Iâve never been in hot water.â
âIndeed? Well, I shall turn you into an Oriental princess. In the Orient people bath every day in hot water, sometimes twice a day.â And he began to disrobe, watching her face for signs of distress. Who knew how many bards the lord had forced her on. But she was calm, smiling, and welcomed his touch as he began undoing her laces. When they both were naked he held her close and she sighed again.
For a man of his age the force of desire was like a tiny ember hidden in the ash. It required patient, careful breaths to fan it and not just any breath would do. Right now he looked at her not as a lover but as he would a fawn discovered in the undergrowth, gazing out at him with big, innocent eyes. Trusting eyes, yet tinged with pain. He slid his hand down the loose skin on her belly and looked at her questioningly.Â
âI told you I came from Auvere. The lordâs sister was barren so I bore a son for them in secret. In exchange they brought me out here to be a chambermaid, which is better than being a kitchen wench.â She paused and her face crinkled. âIt was all years ago. And so far away.â She buried her face in his bare chest and he held her tightly. Years ago. She must be barely twenty. A child having a child and it wrest away from her. Once again he felt the weariness and thrust it from him. He had a task now.
âCome in with me, little one,â he said, stepping into the bath. He sank down and she sat on top, her back against his chest. They both sighed. âNow you have to tell me a story. Iâm going to be busy washing you.â
She giggled. âYou a story? Well, I know how to read!â There was unmistakable pride in her voice.
âA little scholar, too?â he said. âDo tell. Donât leave any part out.â And he washed her hair as she told about the abbess, the lessons for the nobles children, and sneaking books when the rectory door was unlocked. She knew a bit of Latin and he began teasing her with filthy phrases. Soon she was laughing and splashing about. He felt a heat in his chest. The little ember was glowing and he urged her out of the tub. Careful, careful, he warned himself. This one is a treasure.
He brought her to the bed and she nestled against him, her damp hair spread across his chest. He kissed the top of her head and she lifted her face to his. So sweet, so bright and loving. He swallowed the lump in his throat and brought his mouth to hers. YearsâŠyearsâŠthe words echoed in his mind until her soft mouth and little hands momentarily obliterated his reality. Then she was clinging to him, wide eyed and panting.
âSir! Your mouth is so different! How do you do that?â And he realized she had never known pleasure. Any time she had been taken was most likely quick and painful, grunting in the dark with not even a kiss. He took a deep breath and slowed down his hands as they roamed over her.
âYou like my mouth, little one? Perhaps I can please you elsewhere.â He began to feather kisses over her neck and shoulders, traveling down..downâŠthen back up to whisper more sweetness to her. Then the slow journey down again between her legs, which she shyly parted for him. He stayed on her for over an hour, patient with his mouth, his hands, coming back up to ease her fears and questions, then settling there again until he was rewarded with a small cry and trembling legs. Once again he held her as she clung to him.
âSir! What was that? How do youâŠthe feeling! And how do you know that?â The questions poured out of her as he soothed her with whispers and touches.âI must do something for you, everyone else wantedâŠâ and he laid a finger on her lips.
âThereâs plenty of time, sweet one,â he said. âYou canât imagine how much time we have. A lifetime.â Her eyes widened again. âDonât fret. Just sleep. Iâll hold you all night.â And he did, until the dawn when her little hand woke him up and he finally succumbed to the glowing ember emerging from the ashes.
He had planned to stay for a fortnight but extended it to a moon. No longer did she wear the thin dress and tight hair of the chambermaid. Instead her hair was down or partially braided, he found soft dresses for her, and her days were filled with books and nights filled with kisses. His ember had become a small flame which pushed the beast of loneliness further away to the edge of the fire. It was never gone, just patiently there- waiting. Every word and touch from her made him almost forget it existed.
Finally one night he told her the news.
âHow would you like to go with me to Constantinople? And from thereâŠthe Orient? And the Spice Islands?â She squealed and jumped on the bed into his arms.
âGladly, my love! Anywhere as long as Iâm with you!â He wrapped his arms around her as they kissed and she stroked his face. âAnywhere,â she repeated.
âMy golden one,â he murmured. âMy sweet flower. I will travel the world ten times over if only to see it with you, again and again.â
He hadnât told her yet. He couldnât. At least forty good years with her, he thought. Maybe sixty if the godâs allowâŠand the beastâs shadow rose silently, reminding him. He ignored it and breathed in the scent of her hair, the sweetness of her lips and neck. Tonight she would braid and unbraid his hair, cover him with kisses, and he would forget his age or his fate.Â
Now there was only her. And he resolutely set himself as her protector for the next lifetime.
(Custom post for @kinkygeekyt as a tier reward on Patreon. Thank you for the wonderful gif and story idea. Hope you enjoy!)