Chapter 48

"Tristan."

"Yes, love."

Sapphire blew a breath in exasperation. Her dear husband seemed to be in very high spirits. A fact she was most pleased with, if it were not have been the dead of the night! He seemed to be highly amused.

Unfortunately, her sleep was being exchanged for said amusement. Something she found highly unfortunate.

"Is something amiss?"

"Not at all, my love. Why would you think something is amiss?"

Sapphire rolled her eyes before turning over to face the arrogant brute.

"You are acting very peculiar this eve." Sapphire said while narrowing her eyes. The man had the gall to smile at her! Although the smile was quiet disarming, Sapphire thought absently. For it was not only his sinful lips curved in a boyish smile of youth, but also his silver eyes which glowed with warmth. Indeed, he was very handsome.

"How so?" Tristan question while draping an arm around her waist and pulling her closer, she was much too far away for his taste. Sapphire came easily, not that she could have resisted.

"You, my dear lord husband, have been tickling my side, relentlessly, for the better part of the last two hours." Sapphire ground out. Not to mention every time she would turn around he would pretend it wasn't him. Snoring as if he was fast asleep. For heavens sake the man did not even snore! He of all people should know that.

"I believe you are under some sort of misunderstanding, my dear. I only just awoke." Tristan said with a straight face, his eyes twinkling with mirth. His wife looked so very adorable when she was frustrated. He should irk her more often. It was most enjoyable.

"Then pray tell me, who's hand was on my side? Is there someone else in the bed I do not know of?" Sapphire snapped. Damnation! She wanted to sleep.

Tristan smiled at her as if she were a small kitten thinking itself a tiger. She was very adorable.

"My sweet, I have no idea. Last I was aware of, 'twas only the two of us. Mayhap a ghost has joined us." Tristan said with a nonchalant shrug. He was amusing himself far too much on her expense.

Sapphire narrowed her eyes before reaching out to pinch Tristan's bare nipples.

"What in the devils name compelled you to do such an act!" Tristan hissed as he pulled away from her. Who knew something so small could be so painful. In all his years of living, he didn't think something so trivial could cause such destruction. And to top it off, it had come from his wee wife. Mayhap he should see it as a blessing.

He glared accusingly at Sapphire.

Sapphire shrugged her shoulders.

"A handy trick I learned, would you not say, my lord. Now, kindly allow me to sleep." Sapphire said with false sweetness as she turned her back towards Tristan, attempting to sleep. Mayhap now the brute would leave her alone.

Sapphire was just beginning to succumb to the pleasures of sleep when she felt a poke on her side.

She ignored it.

The poking persisted.

She ignored it once more.

It persisted.

Rolling her eyes, she moved to swat the object of her annoyance only to hit her own side. Sapphire suppressed the urge to scream. She had a very good idea who's hands were on her side just moments ago. The best thing for her to do was bid her time wisely.

She waited another five minutes or so before letting her body relax, waiting for sleep to claim her.

Just when she assumed she could finally have her sleep, she was poked once again.

Sapphire counted to ten in her head before opening her eyes. Maybe her husband would prefer to sleep in the great hall. She turned around to see him staring at her innocently, his long lashes framing his eyes. She would not let those mesmerizing eyes sway her. No matter how beautiful and serene they may seem.

"Tristan." Sapphire said sternly.

"Sapphire."

"Yes?" Sapphire snapped tartly. She was angry. No, angry was too mild of a word, too tame. She was beyond herself. Livid. Furious.

"You said my name, hence my saying your name." Tristan said pleasantly as he removed a stray lock from her forehead. It was obstructing his view of her.

Sapphire stared at him as he smiled pleasantly. She felt angry, but also very tired. She couldn't find the strength to berate him. All she wanted to do was sleep. It was yet to be dawn.

"Why will you not allow me to sleep?" Sapphire asked in exasperation. She was tired and sleepy. Her bed was warm and soft, the fire burning softly in the hearth, licking away at the wood. Beyond the walls to her chambers, snow fell peacefully to the ground. Each and everything called to her to go to sleep, except her beloved husband of course. Only The Lord knew from where he attained his energy. He worked twice as hard as her and slept twice as less.

Tristan's smile was slightly embarrassed as he stared at her, caught between guilt and pleasure.

"You looked so very peaceful."

"I looked peaceful, therefor you decided to disturb my sleep?" Sapphire asked dryly. Wasn't that a wonderful excuse to disturb a persons sleep. They looked peaceful, how wonderful.

"Well, I always let you sleep as late as you wish. When I see you, you're always pleasant. But I have never seen you in the early hours of the day. Lord Rivers said you become a harpy if you do not get your sleep or are awaken early. I wanted to test the theory." Tristan answered with a smirk, his previous embarrassment nonexistent.

She had looked too peaceful laying besides him, and all though he had not wanted to disturb her, he wanted to see his sweet little wife act other than well, sweet. It was a temptation he could not resist. He had wanted to see another side to her. He wanted to know everything about her, the good and the bad. He wanted to know her not only as a wife, but as a person, as a companion as well.

"My uncle will have his hide handed to him." Sapphire mumbled angrily. The man thought himself hilarious. She would make sure he lost his sleep! She wasn't the only one who considered their sleep of value. Let's see what he made of that, calling her a bloody harpy. He was a bloody boar, an oaf, without his sleep!

Tristan laughed from deep within his throat as he pulled Sapphire against him and placed a soft kiss to her forehead.

"Tis alright, love."

"Tis not alright, my lord." Sapphire said with a pout.

Sapphire let the matter go as she felt Tristan shake with laughter against her. At least he was laughing, she thought with a soft smile of her own. His laughter was so very rare, she prayed and wished she could make him laugh like this more often. He was not restraining himself, but rather letting the laughter flow freely.

The laughter came from deep within him, genuine. It enhanced his already beautiful physique, making her even more handsome than he already was.

Eventually Tristan stopped laughing long enough to reassure her.

"Tis nothing to worry about, love. I do not think you a harpy." Tristan said, his eyes dancing with laughter.

"Really now? Then what is your opinion, my lord?" Sapphire asked as she looked into his warm gaze.

Tristan smiled gently, his thumb tracing her lower lip as he answered, perhaps not entirely aware of his own actions.

"You look like a kitten who thinks of herself a tiger. I find you quiet endearing. Although I would prefer you when you have had your sleep, but endearing all the same. Whether you are happy or not at your best, you will always be you. The good and the bad, it makes you who you are. I wouldn't have you any other way."

Sapphire rolled her eyes at his explanation. The man said the sweetest of things without realizing, if only he were to see him as she saw him. No matter, she was a fighter. She would make him see himself through her eyes. She was very fortunate to have him.

Tristan placed another kiss on her forehead.

"Sleep, love."

"Where are you going?" Sapphire asked as he made to leave the bed.

"Tis dawn, I must train with the men."

"You may leave after I have fallen back asleep." Sapphire said, leaving no room for argument as she pulled his arm, not letting him go.

"What am I to do?" Tristan asked, bemused.

"Lay with me." Sapphire answered as if it were obvious.

"You desire my company that much?" Tristan questioned with a slight quirk of his lips.

"If only you knew." Sapphire whispered as she placed her head on his chest and closed her eyes, sleep claiming her almost instantly.

***

"Why are you so bloody happy this morn? Come to think of it, why are you happy? You're never happy." Lord Rivers said with a contrived expression of shock and horror.

Tristan ignored the jibe, a smirk playing upon his lips.

"What's wrong with you, boy?" Lord Rivers inquired. He was happy to know Tristan wasn't wearing his signature scowl, but he had a feeling Tristan's elated feelings would not bode well for himself.

"Nothing is the matter with me, my lord. However, something will be the matter with you." Tristan answered evasively.

Lord Rivers frowned.

"What mean you?"

"I believe we are delaying our training." Tristan said, ignoring his question and walking towards Alexander and Gerald.

"Tristan." Lord Rivers growled.

Tristan turned around, leveling lord Rivers with a look, then shrugging. If he had a slight idea of what was to come, it would be more worrisome for him, more entertaining for Tristan. He would love to see the older lord miserable at the hands of a wee female, incapable of doing anything to defend himself, completely at her mercy. Aye, it would most certainly be entertaining.

"I happen to have to mention to my wife what her dear uncle thought of her in the wee hours of the morning. She was nae pleased."

Lord Rivers paled in response.

"You bloody bastard." He whispered.

Tristan smirked, taking a surreptitious step back while arching a brow.

"Afraid of a wee woman, my lord?" Tristan taunted.

"I shall show you what fear actually is." Lord Rivers growled as he raised his sword. The bloody git had Sapphire after his hide. This did not bode well. His mind already conjuring different horrors.

Tristan responded in like.

"I am assuming it is the emotion you are currently feeling and would like for me to also get a taste of said emotion."

"I feel no fear." Lord Rivers barked, his sword lunging for Tristan's side.

Tristan smoothly forged the blow while responding.

"Your parlor begs to differ." Tristan said with a snort. His eyes glowing with unsuppressed glee and mischief.

If one were to look past the harsh words, they would see lord Rivers face alight with happiness in the purest of forms. Tristan was jesting, acting as he should. Unrestrained and carefree, as if his demons had left him, if only for a short time. Lord Rivers felt elated at the small change.

"I believe you are loosing your touch, old man." Tristan taunted as he jumped on the table of the great hall.

"Patience is a virtue, lad." Lord Rivers said, deliberately putting emphases on the word lad. The boy needed a good hiding, one he would personally give him. The cheek of him!

Tristan shrugged a shoulder nonchalantly.

"There is a difference between patience and sloppy mistakes, dear father by marriage."

Lord Rivers nearly stumbled at the words but quickly rightened himself with none the wiser. It was the first time Tristan had called him father.....

Before lord Rivers could dwell on this realization for any amount of time, a woman's screams filled the hall.

"What in the lords name are you doing, boy! Fighting on the table? Is it not used for eating! I want you down this instant!"

Tristan rolled his eyes at Sarah's words before gracefully jumping off.

"I see no harm done."

"Your knights await you out side. Do go play with your swords with them. You as well, lord Rivers. I thought you would have had more sense, but apparently you participated with the boy." Sarah mumbled as she began wiping the table, a small smile playing upon her lips.

Both men scowled at her words. Tristan was not a lad, and lord Rivers was not pleased to be reprimanded.

***

Sapphire awoke feeling refreshed. A glance out her window told her everyone had most likely broken their fast. Tristan was to be blamed for her delay. She was not at fault. If the git hadn't thought to bother her, mayhap she could have had time to have a bite to eat before her training began. No matter, she would do so later.

Sapphire walked to the bathing chamber attached to her room, thanking the last of the servants as they finished adding hot water to her bath. It was a chilly day out. Snow fell softly to the ground. Sapphire felt like standing outside and admiring the beauty of it. It looked so very pure and soft.

She decided to hurry with her bath to do just that. She would spend a quick minute outside before her training began. Sapphire donned a warm dress of deep burgundy which one of the maids had left out. Quickly tying up her laces, she made her way down the stairs and towards the doors leading outside, with no one to see her.

Sapphire breathed in the cool air as the sound of the men's grunts filled her ears. The cold air gently nipped at her exposed skin. Her palms were held flat before her, letting the snow fall and melt against her skin, her lips curled into a smile filled with joy. This was what brought her peace, the small things in life. She loved the snow.

Sapphire was beginning to think to return inside when a voice had her attention.

"Yer ladyship."

Sapphire turned to her right, offering Andrew a small smile.

"How do you do, sir Andrew?" Sapphire asked, she hadn't known Andrew was Scottish this being the first she heard of his brogue.

"Not fairly well, yer ladyship." Andrew said said with a shake of his head, a small frown marring his features.

"What is the matter?" Sapphire asked worriedly. He didn't seem to be injured.

"Tis best if ye were to come and see for yer self. I canna bring me self to say it."

Sapphire frowned at the worry in his tone of voice, ignoring the warning bells going off in her head.

"We should hurry, tis nothing too serious, I pray?" Sapphire asked as she followed Andrew towards the back of the castle, away from prying eyes.

"I am afraid the matter is very grave, yer ladyship."

"Let us hurry." Sapphire said as she quickened her pace, not realizing she was putting herself in dangers path.

"Aye, let us hurry." Andrew said as he led her into the dense trees of the forest.

***

"Again!" Tristan shouted as he pushed his men harder. Fatigue and strain could be seen on their faces as well as their postures.

"Tristan, we have been training continuously since dawn." Alexander groaned, his sword arm seemed as if it could no longer support him.

"Aye, and you need to build resistance. I have been practicing alongside you all, and yet, my muscles are not protesting."

The men grumbled but continued to train.

Lord Rivers surveyed the area, his eyes scanning over the forest, pausing briefly before turning away.

"In my opinion they should rest. It is time for the noon meal." Lord Rivers suggested as his eyes once again looked towards the forest.

Tristan watched the snow falling around them. Mayhap he should allow them a respite. Tristan thought for a moment, conceding at the end.

"Alright. You are free to go. Although I want all of you back an hour before the sun must go down."

The men grunted their replies as they made their way into the castle, each wanting to put something in their bellies.

"Training was good today, aye?"

"Aye, but they could have practiced longer."

Lord Rivers rolled his eyes at Tristan's remark.

"I remember a lad I had to once be very stern with. He would not get up to train."

Tristan rolled his eyes at the mild taunt.

"As I recall, that was only in the beginning of my training. Afterwards, you had to berate me to stop training." Tristan reminded as he sheathed his swords.

Lord Rivers smiled, clapping Tristan on the back. He could recall all too vividly Tristan's zeal to train when he was barely ten summers. The condition lord Rivers had found him in.....

Tears still stung his eyes as he recalled that dreadful, and yet blessed, day he had stumbled across Tristan's bruised and bloodied form. He had thought the lad was seven summers, only to discover malnutrition and beatings had caused him to be in such a dire state. And bless that blasted beast of his. It would not leave wee Tristan's side, even at such a tender age, despite being lame himself.

Both man and beast had come a long way since that fateful night, and lord Rivers only had one being to thank for that. Until his soul leaves his body, every night he would repeat his gratitude. He was blessed with Tristan as a son, he couldn't have asked for more.

***

"I see you have not only become spoiled, but greedy as well." Tristan admonished lightly as he fed Asher his fifth apple.

Asher neighed in response before shifting on his feet in agitation.

"What is it, old friend? Is it Sapphire?" Tristan had spent the better part of an hour talking to Asher, his horse seemed on edge. And for the life of him, he couldn't figure out why.

Asher neighed in response.

"She is fast asleep in our chambers. I could not help but cause her vexation in the early hours of the morning. She was quite angry, but she looked beautiful, even with her hair tussled." Tristan said as a far away look came in his eyes. It was however, short lived. Asher's kick with his front legs to Tristan's shoulder made sure of it.

"Och! I let her sleep as late as she pleases. No need to become hostile. I am beginning to think you favor her more than me." Tristan said while rubbing his shoulder. If Asher was not careful, one day he would break something, most likely one of Tristan's bones.

Asher snorted for a horse, but paced his stall restlessly. Tristan stared at him dumbfounded.

"Would you like to go for a stroll?"

The beast kicked at the door in response.

"Very well. But I must warn you, tis snowing outside, and I shall not accompany you."

Asher kicked at the door once more. Tristan rolled his eyes at the horses antics but opened the stall door nevertheless.

"Do not wonder off nor be off for too long, please." Tristan said gently as he stroked Asher's mane.

The horse nodded in acknowledgement, letting Tristan pet him for a moment more before making his way out the stable doors and towards the forest.

Tristan watched his horse go, an amused smile playing upon his lips. His wee wife seemed to have won everyone's hearts, mayhap even his own.

***

"Och, cook ye make a fine meal."

The cook bristled with pride under Duncan's praise as he devoured his third helping. That pride soon turned into a scowl.

"Ye need to stop eating. There will not be any left for her ladyship."

"Where is her ladyship?" Alexander questioned as he helped himself to some sweets.