The Maiden
In this prequel to my Lady Clove arc, Lonely's old flame hopes the re-emergence of James's ex girlfriend won't cause the mule jenny any issues; meanwhile, James tries his hardest to handle his jealousy.
The Maiden
By Lonelyrider
James tries to fight his gnawing jealousy with distraction as kindly Lonely joins her former beau Sir Wisbey for an afternoon picnic, where the polite but protective knight speaks his mind.
James watched through the rich burgundy velvet curtains of his spacious manor bedroom as on the grounds below, his cherished anthro mule girlfriend Lonely rode off on her strong Highland Pony mare accompanied by a man he was highly jealous of; her old beau, the dragon knight Sir Daniel Wisbey, who forged ahead of her fearlessly on his snorting Fresian charger, a robust black and red teapot clanking in his saddlebags; Dan had invited Lonely for tea & lunch, and she'd happily agreed, but had informed James as a courtesy, & had squeezed in breakfast with her possessive boyfriend beforehand, both because she loved spending time in his presence and to reassure him. James ruffled his mighty ebon wingspan, which had fluffed up in his slightly agitated state. He had the strong urge to secretly follow them and eavesdrop, but he scoffed at and scolded himself.
"She deserves a day without you dogging her, stop being a man baby, go do something with yourself. Luke!" James bellowed warmly, after chastising himself under his breath, his servant appeared with a deep bow.
"You called, Lord LightningSword?"
James tossed Luke a few coins.
"Please fetch Alfred & have him sharpen my swords and saddle Diablo. I'm going to the battle arena to spar for a few hours." James informed in his usual friendly tone.
"As you wish, sir." Luke said with a reversing second bow, and James gazed at the window at the very distant figures of Lonely & Dan & exhaled, trying his best not to think about that.
Sir Wisbey threw his stallion Commander's reins over a low post and did the same with Lonely's mare, grabbing them carefully, she thanked him and they both dismounted, Dan putting the sturdy teapot on an enchanted container of fire he had to heat and laying out a lovely and ornate picnic for them with tea and biscuits, scones and jam and French cheeses.
"Ahh my dear, you know I hate all things French, but I overheard you were interested in trying their cheese, so I brought you some." Dan said, Lonely wrung her arms and batted her eyes with a fond grin at him and politely laid her pink gloved hands on her puffy feminine gown, thanking him profusely.
"Oh thank you, Danny! How very kind. That must have been terribly awkward for you, I do so appreciate it. Mmm, delicious!" Lonely cried, trying some brie.
"Alright then, good, good. You know, my wife supplied the fire, rather useful if I do say so." Dan remarked, eating a buttered scone with jam and relaxing; today he wore an ornate tunic and tights instead of his armor, something Lonely noted fondly James practiced as well.
"Oh yes, she's a dragoness, that's right." Lonely nodded, sipping her tea politely.
"Yes love, and a witch to boot, so two sources of fire."
"How is the little one?" Lonely asked, they both reached for a biscuit at the same time and touched hands and shared an awkard laugh.
"My lady, you first, go ahead and take it. He's hale and getting big, thank you, darling; & you? How are things with you and, and James?" Lonely saw him grimace ever so slightly at the saying of her man's name, she felt guilty as she'd noticed the same occurance happening in reverse when James spoke Dan's. Lonely felt terrible as she hadn't meant to cause competition between the men, not realizing she'd been innocent of that.
"Jamesy is well, thank you, very hale as usual. Oh, he told me big news the other day! Oh, I'" Lonely stammered shyly, taking out the beautiful gilded magic hand mirror James had gifted her, and showing the glass, shifting fantastically, to Sir Wisbey, who watched it curiously, eating another scone, "I'm quite sure he wouldn't mind you knowing his wonderful news, his old flame Clove has suddenly returned to the area! Isn't that so exciting, Sir Wisbey? Here, I'll show you her. Please show me Clove BrownFeather." Lonely asked her mirror, it blew back her short thick hair and she shut her thickly-lashed eyes tight from its bright light, showing Dan the real-time image that had appeared of a young and pretty thin yet curvy female lesser angel with dark brown hair and wings.
"Oh my...my dear Lonely, permission to speak my mind?" Dan asked gently, ever polite & aristocratic, after gazing at the hand mirror she held.
"Yes Danny, of course you may." Lonely replied, looking into the mirror, she gasped slightly and her gloved hand flew to her chest in surprise. Clove was taking shot after shot of brandy in the mirror, a symphony of violins in the background; it appeared she was by herself, but some sort of ball was going on wherever it was she was staying.
"That young lady looks like a lot of trouble, to me." Dan said seriously, pouring himself another cup of tea and her as well, she thanked him softly and quietly asked the mirror to cease, feeling bad for having invaded Clove's privacy in her naivety.
"James did say she liked to drink, very much. He tried to encourage her other interests when they were dating, like painting, and he taught her how to ride, which she seemed to like. Oh Danny, she really broke his heart, but she sounds lovely, he said she just fell in with the wrong crowd, that she's good inside." Lonely said tenderly, gazing at the dark mirror as if it were her huge angelic beau.
"Hmm, that's rather big of him. It's all well and good I suppose, doll face, but I, hmm, how to put this politely, my dear girl. I just don't want you having any fallout from this, this Clove girl, if she's as troubled as all that. I just hope he won't drag you into any of it." Dan said, though he was happily married to a beautiful and powerful good witch, Dan was still protective of his former girlfriend. Lonely bowed her head and closed her eyes politely, touching her bosom, which was pushed up in her fancy gown.
"Thank you, my lord. I know you mean only to keep me from harm. I am sure everything will be just fine." Lonely said optimistically, Sir Wisbey drank his tea and said nothing, as she politely smoothed her gown, and he quietly admired her beauty.
"Yes, well, let us all hope for that." He finally agreed, and they shared fond smiles and gently touched tea cups, relishing their picnic together there for the remainder of the afternoon.