Title:Banshee 7/?
Author:Tapestry
Email:[email protected]
Standard Disclaimer Apply
* denotes thought
7/9/02
"Woman was created from the ribs of man
Not from his head to top him
Nor from his feet to be walked upon
She was made from his side to be his equal
From beneath his arms to be protected
From very near his heart to be loved."
--Anonymous--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Okay! I know I know!! It's been 3 MONTHS since I last did this story. But
'Dark Angel' took up a lot of time. As well as 'Heretic'. Anyway, I
appreciate all the reviews I got and yes the death threats as well. But
trial-exams interfered with that as well as nagging family members. As
all of you are anxious to read the Serena vs Sabrina thing, lets get to it!
They were seated at the grand table eating dinner. The clan was in a
joyful mood. Drinks and food were being served. Boisterous voices rose to
wish the newly wedded couple a good marriage.
Serena could only look upon them and smile. She tried not to meet her
husband's eyes each time he tried to catch her attention. She could only
remember the look on the woman's face. Sabrina.
Shock had widened her smoky eyes, her red lips forming a perfect dainty
'O'. Her shock had then turned into a challenging look with a hint of
sneering. The competition had been examined and duly noted. Sabrina despised
her. Damn high-horse bitch.
Serena took a sip of ale from her cup. She did not even want to think
of what that woman meant to Darien. As far as she was concerned, he could
go drown himself.
"A toast!! T'the wee bride and our future laird! May 'e have plenty o'
wee babes in th' years t'come!" chortled a middle aged man.
"I'll drink t'that!" laughed another.
Serena flushed. Children....
She loved children and had hoped to have a gaggle of her own someday.
Her own brood. Someday...her thoughts wandered to the prospect of a tiny
child of her own.
Darien watched the expressions that flitted across her face. Thoughtful,
quiet and demure. That wasn't the spitfire he had wed. Damn, damn, damn...
Why did he forget to take care of Sabrina??
Right now, he was seperated from his wife by a chasm that was steadily
increasing in size and he knew not how to broach it. Right now, he would
not be getting what he had so recently realized he craved.
His wife's affections.
He cursed his stupidity under his breath once again and took to drinking
his ale to drown his idiocy.
It was in the middle of the night when Serena grumpily helped her drunk
husband to their chambers. The one she had been shown shortly after
arriving. Darien was mumbling incomprehensible words under his breath,
every once in awhile breaking out into a flurry of colourful curses. She
very nearly stumbled once when he had raised his fist, shaking it at his
dream opponent.
"Ye just had t'go get yeself drunk, dinnae ye??" snapped Serena.
She dropped him onto the bed with a soft thud. He made a protest. Serena
frowned at him and was just about to head for the chair by the fireplace
when Darien's hand came up and snagged her wrist in an iron grip.
She fell back onto the bed in shock.
"Serena..." muttered her husband.
Was he REALLY drunk??
"Serena...ma's cooking.." he mumbled on.
Aye, he was dreaming.
She tried to pry the fingers from her wrist in vain. They were locked
tight and he didn't seem to want to let go anytime soon. She glared at her
husband, hoping he could sense her thoughts in his befuddled mind.
Obviously he didn't. Because he merely tugged her wrist, causing her to
fall on top of him before strong arms wrapped around her.
Darien slept on.
"DARIEN!!" hissed Serena as she tried to wriggle loose.
He only held her closer, molding her body to his and resting his dark
head on her chest. The damn O'Connor pig.
She heard a soft snore.
Sighing, she resigned to her fate. He wasn't that heavy, but...
She hope he wasn't one of those men who drooled.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dawn came and Darien stirred in his bed. His head was throbbing. His arms
were about something soft and warm. The soft smell of morning teased his
senses. Dewy and green. The smell of wildflowers assaulted his nose.
Flexing his fingers reflexively, he groped in confusion and closed about
something soft, rounded and firm. An indignant
gasp was heard.
A woman's voice.
His eyes flew open, ignoring the painful stab of light and was met by a
mass of silver gold curls. Serena. Well, at least it wasn't some other
woman in his bed. He blinked, looking down at aqua eyes that glared at him.
He felt a stinging slap at his hands, releasing whatever he had been
holding. Looking down, he flushed.
Oh...
"Pervert!!" hissed Serena menacingly.
She jumped out of bed, ignoring the cold stone floor. Stalking to a basin,
filling it with water, Serena wiped her face and arms.
Darien sat in bed, staring at her. She was still wearing the gown she
wore last night, then realized he too was wearing the clothes he wore the
night before.
He could sense she was still angry at him.
"Ask me."
His blonde wife stopped and turned to look at him questioningly.
"Ask ye what?"
"Who the woman was. Ye dinnae ask me th' night before."
"I have nae need t'know. Nor do I want t'know. Who ye know is none o' me
concern. 'Tis nae me place t'tell ye what t'do either." snapped Serena.
She turned to survey the room before moving towards her trunk.
"Now, iffin ye please, I wish t'change."
"I doona mind."
Serena stopped....turned, and glared at him.
"I wasnae askin' ye t'stay. I want ye t'go so I can change."
Darien's lips curved. "What's t'hide? Yuir me wife."
He heard an unladylike snort.
Sighing, he straightened his stance. "Serena," he began. "'tis nae as ye
think. Sabrina means nothin' t'me!"
"I doona care."
"Serena,"
"Please. I wish t'change."
Darien sighed, staring at her back. It was clear she wasn't going to
listen. And he had pushed her as far as he dared today.
*But by damn I'll make her listen.* vowed Darien to himself.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serena heard the door close and let out the breath she didn't know she
had been holding.
If she knew an O'Connor, it was they never gave up.
And Darien was an O'Connor to the bone.
Her thoughts drifted to Sabrina. The woman made her feel girlish.
Childlike. Unattractive.
Frowning, Serena absent-mindedly pulled on her breeches. The first order
of business would be to marry that witch off.
Serena humphed and looked down.
Realizing she was wearing breeches, Serena made a move to take them off
when a thought came to her.
If she was going to battle, best battle in your own face. She was not
going to change how she was just because she'd changed her name and another
woman made her feel dowdy. No way in hell. The O'Connors would just have to
accept her as she was.
With her head high and pride full to bursting, Serena exited the chambers
and marched downstairs determinedly. She spotted her husband on the top
dais speaking with his father. The other men at the lower tables did not
seem alert. That was what happened when you over-indulged. His brothers
were laughing amongst themselves and she noticed Sabrina who was slinking
near Darien, drop herself into the seat next to him. The seat, obviously
meant for her.
Serena glared and marched down.
On the dais, Darien turned his attention from the conversation and turned
to look towards the person who has seated next to him with a smile,
expecting the person to be his wife.
His smile died. It was not his wife but Sabrina.
"What are ye doin' here?" asked Darien with a frown.
"Darien..." purred Sabrina.
"I said what are ye doin' here, Sabrina? This seat is reserved for me
wife, Serena. Ye know that."
Sabrina frowned. "I used t'sit here."
"Nae anymore, ye doona." came a voice.
Heads snapped up in surprise, turning to the voice that had spoken.
Whispers and titters began. Darien sucked in a breath. It was Serena....
in breeches.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serena gave Sabrina her coldest and most intimidating glare. She'd be
damned if she was going to allow any footsie to be played when she was
around. Marching up onto the dais, Serena came to stand by the chair and
tapped her foot.
Sabrina arched an eyebrow.
"I advise ye t'find some other place t'sit from now on Sabrina, because
ye're nae sittin' here anymore." she snapped.
Sabrina frowned.
"Get up, Sabrina." spoke Darien softly. His voice sounded more ominous
than any bellow.
Sabrina turned her face to Darien and then returned it to Serena's. With
a sniff of disdain, she flounced off the chair and walked snootily pass
Serena. But not before hissing a curse and a warning in her ear.
"Bitch, Darien's mine."
Serena merely raised an eyebrow in return at Sabrina's words. Instead,
Serena merely replied softly.
"If I'm th'bitch, then surely ye're a snake. Darien doesnae belong to
anyone. I'm nae his keeper."
Sabrina merely walked away, out of the hall.
Serena sat down on the newly vacated chair and wished her father-in-law
a good morning as well as her new brothers-in-law. Picking up a piece of
bread Darien had offered her, she broke her fast.
Sensing her husband's eyes on her, she turned questioning eyes onto him
Noticing her silent inquiry, Darien shrugged his shoulders and pointed
out her manner of clothing.
"Ye're wearin' breeches."
"Aye, so?"
"Nothin'. I just dinnae expect it." replied her husband, turning back to
his meal.
Serena blinked in surprise. She had expected Darien to firmly tell her to
go back to their chambers and change. She hadn't expected placid acceptance
from her husband.
Her husband.
The thought seemed so foreign. *O' well....at least he has better sense
than t'argue with me t'change me clothin'.* thought Serena to herself.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After the morning meal, Serena made her way to the courtyard. It was
empty, bringing a nod of satisfaction to Serena's head.
With that, she unsheathed her sword and started practicing against a dead
tree that showed many signs of sword marks.
Gashes and gouges in its tree bark made it clear someone else had used
their sword against the tree. In anger or in practice, perhaps she would
never know.
"Shouldnae th'future laird's wife be seein' t' th' upkeep o' th'castle?"
came a snide voice. Sabrina.
"Sabrina." acknowledged Serena cooly as she slowly lowered her sword.
The weapon caught Sabrina's eye and the woman frowned at the blade. Sabrina
then lifted her grey gaze to meet Serena's blue one.
"Breeches. How boyish. I cannae ken what Dare sees in ye." sniffed
Sabrina haughtily. "A man likes t'see his wife waitin' for him when he
returns from a battle. Tendin' his lands and babes. I cannae see ye doin'
all that." she snorted.
Serena rolled her eyes. "How boring. Perhaps I should stay in bed mostly
with my legs spread all the time too??" taunted Serena as she turned back to
releasing her pent up irritation at the tree.
A slow coyish smile spread on Sabrina's face, looking like a cat who had
gotten to the cream.
"Ah, 'twould help iffin Dare was any other man. But ye see, Dare doesna
need ye t'be flat on yuir back all the time. If ye doona want to, there
are plenty here willin' t'oblige."
Serena threw a glance over her shoulder. "I take it, including ye?"
"Mmmmhmm...Dare loves me. He'll always come back t'me. Ye? Ye're just the
broodmare to beget his sons." laughed Sabrina walking away.
Serena watched the witch walk back into the castle, her hips swaying. A
pain bloomed in her breast, but muttering an oath, she squashed the feeling
of hurt and sorrow, returning her attention and anger at the tree, hacking
at it, tears pricking her eyes.
"Serena?"
She stopped and swiped at her eyes, rubbing away the moisture. She then
turned to face her husband.
"Sabrina said ye were here. Mutilating my tree." grinned Darien. But the
grin turned into a frown as he got closer, noting the heightened colour in
her cheeks and her watery eyes.
"Serena? What's wrong?
"Nothing. What do ye mean yuir tree?"
"Just what I mean. I practice on this tree. When nobody dares t'fight me
that is."
"And just when is that?"
"When I'm in a foul temper."
Serena merely shrugged.
Darien frowned. Something was definitely amiss. Had she been crying?
*Well if she had and 'twas because o' some bastard, I'll kill them.* thought
Darien darkly.
"Want to spar abit?"
Serena blinked in surprise and merely nodded.
Both of them faced each other and started their mock battle. Serena swung
her sword and Darien dodged. The pair continued on until Darien delivered
a strong blow, sending Serena's sword flying away and Serena clutching her
numb fingers.
Darien saw and cursed.
"Did I hurt ye??!" he exclaimed, rushing to examine her hand.
"Nay. 'Tis just numb from the force o' yuir blow." whispered Serena
trying to pull her hand back. Darien held it in a tight grip, refusing to
release the tiny hand.
"Serena, doona be stubborn." growled Darien as he massaged the hand.
Cursing himself for using brute force.
"'Tis fine! Really!!" exclaimed Serena hotly.
Serena continued to tug on her hand until Darien suddenly released it,
causing Serena to fall backwards in surprise.
Before she hit the ground, she felt warm arms swiftly slip about her
waist, anchoring her to the large strong, very male body of Darien O'Connor.
Blue eyes met blue and a palpable current streaked through them like a
bolt of lightning.
Serena stared up in shock at Darien. Darien's eyes merely stared at her
face, committing it to memory. Until her face was burned into his mind's
eye.
Serena flushed.
"Damn witch..." muttered Darien before leaning down to take her mouth in
a searing kiss. His mouth demanded, plundered and Serena could only moan,
her hands creeping to his neck to keep him there. Not that Darien needed
any help.
"Gods, Serena...ye enchant me." whispered Darien, breathing hard. His
eyes roamed the petite face of his wife. Her cheeks rosy and her lips were
swollen from his kiss. Her eyes had a glassy light to them as they stared
up at him.
Words welled up in his throat.
"Gods, Serena, ye have t'believe me. Sabrina means nothing t'me. 'Tis ye
that catches me attention. Ye that draws forth all types of emotions within
my chest. Beautiful Sabrina may be, but t'me, ye can outshine the sun and
moon and put any fairy princess or druid priestess t'shame." whispered
Darien. "Please...Serena...-" he choked out.
Serena gazed up at him in surprise.
"I love ye.." he finished out breathlessly.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serena's heart constricted and threathened to burst at his words. She
could only gaze up at him dumbly, unable to comprehend or believe the words
he had just uttered.
"Darien?"
"I love ye, Serena O'Connor. I've never said th' words t'any lass before.
I never loved any other lass before. But I love ye." he rasped out.
He saw the skeptism in her eyes, and immediately launched into another
explanation.
"I love ye. When we were reaching Castle O'Connor, I was afraid. I feared
ye wouldnae like yuir new home. I feared ye would hate me when ye
discovered Sabrina. My brothers had just reminded me aboot her when we were
on the road back here. I lost me mind when I couldnae find ye in the
skirmish with the bandits. I feared when ye just glared at me coldly when
ye saw Sabrina. I couldnae stop myself from swellin' with pride when ye
marched in this morning, nae ashamed o' yuir breeches." laughed Darien.
Serena frowned up at him. "Why would I be ashamed?? 'Tis nae as if my
breeches are indecent. I'm proud just th' way I am." snapped Serena
irritated he would think otherwise.
Darien chuckled. "I'm glad. I love ye. Gods, how I love ye." whispered
Darien, hugging her tighter to him. "It doesnae matter if ye doona love me.
I wouldnae ask for anything of ye, having to maarry a boar such as me, I-"
"Darien,"
"-wouldnae dream t'ask any boon of ye. I'm content enough that ye're here
in my home and-"
"Darien!" exclaimed Serena exasperated.
Darien looked down, stopping his tirade. He blinked in surprise as Serena
lifted a delicate hand to his face and brushed a thumb back and forth over
his cheek.
"I love ye." she whispered softly against his lips, before tugging his
head down to meet her lips.
It took a moment before the words registered in his mind.
Elation hit him as the words his wife had said made sense. The kiss turned
hot and passionate as Darien pulled her closer to him, as if trying to
absorb her into him. He hugged her.
Serena squirmed in his hold, breaking the kiss.
"Darien! Don't squeeze! I can't breathe!!" gasped Serena.
Darien blinked and loosened his hold. A silly grin broke out on his face
as he swung his wife around. Their gay laughter could be heard all
throughout the courtyard.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serena blinked open sleepy eyes as she felt a wet kiss being placed on
her exposed shoulder.
Her gaze found the dark locks of her husband and sensing her gaze, looked
up at her with mischievous eyes twinkling.
"I cannae believe ye did that. We missed mid day meal." sighed Serena
stretching like a cat, her gaze going towards the window, noting the colour
of dusk in the sky.
"Nobody's goin' t'mind." grinned Darien as he leaned on his elbow on his
side. His fingers traced lightly on his wife's naked back as she lay on
her stomach.
Serena shivered. His light touch leaving a trail of heat down her back.
"But I mind!! Everybody would have known by now what we were doing up
here!! Especially when ye shouted at yuir brother to go away when he came
up here t'call us down for the mid day meal." exclaimed Serena, sitting up
on her belly.
Darien chuckled, pulling his naked wife closer.
"My sweet innocent. Ye look cute when ye blush." grinned Darien
unrepentantly. He just couldn't stop smiling. Since this morning when he
had confessed to his wife. He just couldn't wipe the smile and the light
mood from himself. It was all because of his golden haired beauty. He
buried his face in her golden curls, feeling her dainty hands slide up to
caress through his thick dark locks.
"Ye forgot ye got rid o' the 'innocent' this morning." humphed Serena.
Darien chuckled. "So I did. Care t'make sure before we go down t'supper?"
"DARIEN!! Have ye nae any shame??" scolded his wife, her face turning
beetroot.
Darien merely grinned his devil's grin and rolled Serena beneath him.
"Mmmm-nae. The only thing I'm shameful of right now, is how ye're still
talking when ye should be screaming." purred Darien.
And she did scream.
Somehow, they did make it down to supper, passing suggestive words and
supportive crowing. Serena flushed beet red and pressed closer to Darien
who merely grinned and took everything within his stride.
Darien chuckled at his brother's waggling eyebrows.
Reaching the dais, he kissed Serena lightly on the cheek before pulling
out her seat with a flourish and gesturing her to sit down.
There was nothing she could do but obey as her legs still felt like jelly.
She glared at Darien who merely smiled devilishly at her, his eyes
suggestive. Serena turned away, flushing.
Serena met the hate-filled eyes of Sabrina. Their grey depths cold and
promising a pay back.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As winter neared, Serena chanced to meet Sabrina at one of the tower
steps on a late autumn morning.
Sabrina blocked her path and Serena met her glare cooly.
"Aye?"
"He may have taken ye to his bed, witch, but once ye quicken with his
babe and become as fat as a sow, we shall see how much he truly loves ye."
hissed Sabrina venomously.
"As ye please. Now, allow me t'pass." snapped Serena.
Walking up the staircase, Serena's mind wandered to children. She and
Darien had been wed for almost 6 months and as much as she longed for
children, Darien had said nothing.
Her hand went to her belly. Her moon link had not shown itself last month
or the month before and it was almost reaching her third month. Perhaps she
really was quickening?? A small smile graced her face. She hoped so.
At supper, her eyes searched out for Darien's dark head. Dougal sat,
eating his soup silently. Eamon had gone to O'Monaghan Keep a week ago, as
he had recently been doing. To see Teresa.
Darien entered the hall, speaking with his father. He smiled as he caught
sight of her, making her heart flutter.
Dougal eyed his brother and sister-in-law with a smirk and shook his
head at their mushiness.
"Hello wife." grinned Darien as he planted a kiss on her cheek. His hand
gripped hers warmly.
Serena smiled.
After supper, Serena told Darien she was going to return to their chambers
first. She had been feeling a little under the weather. Darien eyed his
wife with concern, asking if she really felt terrible.
Serena shook her head and smiled reassuringly. Getting up, that was when
it happened. It felt like a great sloshing in her belly and a bout of
dizziness hit her. Her sight blurred and she only heard Darien's worried
voice before she crumpled to the floor and blacked out.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serena opened her eyes slowly only to see Darien, his father, Dougal and
some maids along with the castle's wise woman.
She was lying in the bed and Darien was sitting next to her, worried.
"What happened?"
"Ye fainted." said Darien softly, his hand bringing one of hers to his
mouth for a tender kiss.
"What's wrong with her?" asked Dougal concerned.
The wise woman felt her forehead and checked her pulse.
"There's nothin' wrong with her. She's fine." said the kind old woman.
"But she fainted!!" exclaimed Darien, panicking.
The wise woman smiled mysteriously. Turning her gaze onto Serena, she
grinned.
"Tell me mistress, when was yuir last cycle?"
Serena blushed. "More than two months ago. My third one is supposed to be
due any day now."
The wise woman nodded. "Mmm..I suspected so."
Darien stared at the wise woman as if she had grown another head and
Darien's father merely looked down at Serena delightedly.
"Am I with child??" asked Serena in a whisper.
The wise woman's smile grew wider and she nodded. "Aye, mistress.
Ye knew?"
Serena licked her lips, focusing her gaze on the wise woman instead of
looking at Darien's reaction. She wanted to see his face but dared not.
"I suspected."
"A child?" broke Darien's voice.
Serena turned to face her husband. His face was dazed as he stared down
at her.
"A babe?? I'm goin' t'be a da??"
Darien's father chuckled. "Aye, Darien. Congratulations."
Dougal laughed. "Ye're gettin' old, Darien. Congratulations."
Darien could only stare in shocked disbelief and repeat over and over,
"A babe.".
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
That night as Darien lay down next to Serena, cuddling her. He brushed
his wife's curls out of her face.
"We're really havin' a child?" he whispered.
"Aye." answered Serena. "Are ye...are ye displeased??" whispered Serena
shakily, looking up at Darien in the dark.
She felt him stiffen and stare down at her in puzzlement. Heard him
repeat the word.
"Displeased?? Why would I be??" asked Darien confused. "Gods, Serena...
I've always wanted t'be a da. Now I'm havin' a child. With ye. Ours." he
whispered reverently.
His warm hand slipped down her belly and cupped it in awe. A child.
Serena felt tears come to her eyes. Her hand covered Darien's over her
stomach. She felt his joy at the new life within her belly. Felt the
sincerity of his words. He wanted this child.
"I love ye." whispered Serena, snuggling into his warmth.
An arm pulled her closer as the other hand never left her belly.
"I love ye, too."
Darien felt Serena relax and he smiled into her hair. Joy filled his
world and it burst upon him like a flower in bloom.
He was a father. He was going to have a child!!
Looking over at Serena, he smiled. Theirs. A child of their union. There
was life in her womb. Something part of both of them. With that revelation,
he fell asleep, content and happy. He had a family and a home.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was only two weeks later when shocking and distressing news came,
breaking the aura of peace and happiness in their world.
It had come as a shock. Wringing gasps from some O'Connors. The worst
toll it had taken had been on Serena.
Serena could not believe her ears. She had screamed and screamed, Darien
trying to calm her down.
Serena had then fainted dead away.
Darien had held his wife close and frowned, a sorrow touching him. How
had this happened?? Why had it happened?? Just when everything was going
right in their life. This had to happen.
Teresa had been murdered.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
To be continued...
Well? Reviews please!! *ducks flying tomatoes and cabbages* Wait wait!!
There's a point to this!! Did anybody see that coming??? :) Well? Write an
email or a review now!! Who killed Teresa?
13/9/02
Author:Tapestry
Email:[email protected]
Standard Disclaimer Apply
* denotes thought
7/9/02
"Woman was created from the ribs of man
Not from his head to top him
Nor from his feet to be walked upon
She was made from his side to be his equal
From beneath his arms to be protected
From very near his heart to be loved."
--Anonymous--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Okay! I know I know!! It's been 3 MONTHS since I last did this story. But
'Dark Angel' took up a lot of time. As well as 'Heretic'. Anyway, I
appreciate all the reviews I got and yes the death threats as well. But
trial-exams interfered with that as well as nagging family members. As
all of you are anxious to read the Serena vs Sabrina thing, lets get to it!
They were seated at the grand table eating dinner. The clan was in a
joyful mood. Drinks and food were being served. Boisterous voices rose to
wish the newly wedded couple a good marriage.
Serena could only look upon them and smile. She tried not to meet her
husband's eyes each time he tried to catch her attention. She could only
remember the look on the woman's face. Sabrina.
Shock had widened her smoky eyes, her red lips forming a perfect dainty
'O'. Her shock had then turned into a challenging look with a hint of
sneering. The competition had been examined and duly noted. Sabrina despised
her. Damn high-horse bitch.
Serena took a sip of ale from her cup. She did not even want to think
of what that woman meant to Darien. As far as she was concerned, he could
go drown himself.
"A toast!! T'the wee bride and our future laird! May 'e have plenty o'
wee babes in th' years t'come!" chortled a middle aged man.
"I'll drink t'that!" laughed another.
Serena flushed. Children....
She loved children and had hoped to have a gaggle of her own someday.
Her own brood. Someday...her thoughts wandered to the prospect of a tiny
child of her own.
Darien watched the expressions that flitted across her face. Thoughtful,
quiet and demure. That wasn't the spitfire he had wed. Damn, damn, damn...
Why did he forget to take care of Sabrina??
Right now, he was seperated from his wife by a chasm that was steadily
increasing in size and he knew not how to broach it. Right now, he would
not be getting what he had so recently realized he craved.
His wife's affections.
He cursed his stupidity under his breath once again and took to drinking
his ale to drown his idiocy.
It was in the middle of the night when Serena grumpily helped her drunk
husband to their chambers. The one she had been shown shortly after
arriving. Darien was mumbling incomprehensible words under his breath,
every once in awhile breaking out into a flurry of colourful curses. She
very nearly stumbled once when he had raised his fist, shaking it at his
dream opponent.
"Ye just had t'go get yeself drunk, dinnae ye??" snapped Serena.
She dropped him onto the bed with a soft thud. He made a protest. Serena
frowned at him and was just about to head for the chair by the fireplace
when Darien's hand came up and snagged her wrist in an iron grip.
She fell back onto the bed in shock.
"Serena..." muttered her husband.
Was he REALLY drunk??
"Serena...ma's cooking.." he mumbled on.
Aye, he was dreaming.
She tried to pry the fingers from her wrist in vain. They were locked
tight and he didn't seem to want to let go anytime soon. She glared at her
husband, hoping he could sense her thoughts in his befuddled mind.
Obviously he didn't. Because he merely tugged her wrist, causing her to
fall on top of him before strong arms wrapped around her.
Darien slept on.
"DARIEN!!" hissed Serena as she tried to wriggle loose.
He only held her closer, molding her body to his and resting his dark
head on her chest. The damn O'Connor pig.
She heard a soft snore.
Sighing, she resigned to her fate. He wasn't that heavy, but...
She hope he wasn't one of those men who drooled.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dawn came and Darien stirred in his bed. His head was throbbing. His arms
were about something soft and warm. The soft smell of morning teased his
senses. Dewy and green. The smell of wildflowers assaulted his nose.
Flexing his fingers reflexively, he groped in confusion and closed about
something soft, rounded and firm. An indignant
gasp was heard.
A woman's voice.
His eyes flew open, ignoring the painful stab of light and was met by a
mass of silver gold curls. Serena. Well, at least it wasn't some other
woman in his bed. He blinked, looking down at aqua eyes that glared at him.
He felt a stinging slap at his hands, releasing whatever he had been
holding. Looking down, he flushed.
Oh...
"Pervert!!" hissed Serena menacingly.
She jumped out of bed, ignoring the cold stone floor. Stalking to a basin,
filling it with water, Serena wiped her face and arms.
Darien sat in bed, staring at her. She was still wearing the gown she
wore last night, then realized he too was wearing the clothes he wore the
night before.
He could sense she was still angry at him.
"Ask me."
His blonde wife stopped and turned to look at him questioningly.
"Ask ye what?"
"Who the woman was. Ye dinnae ask me th' night before."
"I have nae need t'know. Nor do I want t'know. Who ye know is none o' me
concern. 'Tis nae me place t'tell ye what t'do either." snapped Serena.
She turned to survey the room before moving towards her trunk.
"Now, iffin ye please, I wish t'change."
"I doona mind."
Serena stopped....turned, and glared at him.
"I wasnae askin' ye t'stay. I want ye t'go so I can change."
Darien's lips curved. "What's t'hide? Yuir me wife."
He heard an unladylike snort.
Sighing, he straightened his stance. "Serena," he began. "'tis nae as ye
think. Sabrina means nothin' t'me!"
"I doona care."
"Serena,"
"Please. I wish t'change."
Darien sighed, staring at her back. It was clear she wasn't going to
listen. And he had pushed her as far as he dared today.
*But by damn I'll make her listen.* vowed Darien to himself.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serena heard the door close and let out the breath she didn't know she
had been holding.
If she knew an O'Connor, it was they never gave up.
And Darien was an O'Connor to the bone.
Her thoughts drifted to Sabrina. The woman made her feel girlish.
Childlike. Unattractive.
Frowning, Serena absent-mindedly pulled on her breeches. The first order
of business would be to marry that witch off.
Serena humphed and looked down.
Realizing she was wearing breeches, Serena made a move to take them off
when a thought came to her.
If she was going to battle, best battle in your own face. She was not
going to change how she was just because she'd changed her name and another
woman made her feel dowdy. No way in hell. The O'Connors would just have to
accept her as she was.
With her head high and pride full to bursting, Serena exited the chambers
and marched downstairs determinedly. She spotted her husband on the top
dais speaking with his father. The other men at the lower tables did not
seem alert. That was what happened when you over-indulged. His brothers
were laughing amongst themselves and she noticed Sabrina who was slinking
near Darien, drop herself into the seat next to him. The seat, obviously
meant for her.
Serena glared and marched down.
On the dais, Darien turned his attention from the conversation and turned
to look towards the person who has seated next to him with a smile,
expecting the person to be his wife.
His smile died. It was not his wife but Sabrina.
"What are ye doin' here?" asked Darien with a frown.
"Darien..." purred Sabrina.
"I said what are ye doin' here, Sabrina? This seat is reserved for me
wife, Serena. Ye know that."
Sabrina frowned. "I used t'sit here."
"Nae anymore, ye doona." came a voice.
Heads snapped up in surprise, turning to the voice that had spoken.
Whispers and titters began. Darien sucked in a breath. It was Serena....
in breeches.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serena gave Sabrina her coldest and most intimidating glare. She'd be
damned if she was going to allow any footsie to be played when she was
around. Marching up onto the dais, Serena came to stand by the chair and
tapped her foot.
Sabrina arched an eyebrow.
"I advise ye t'find some other place t'sit from now on Sabrina, because
ye're nae sittin' here anymore." she snapped.
Sabrina frowned.
"Get up, Sabrina." spoke Darien softly. His voice sounded more ominous
than any bellow.
Sabrina turned her face to Darien and then returned it to Serena's. With
a sniff of disdain, she flounced off the chair and walked snootily pass
Serena. But not before hissing a curse and a warning in her ear.
"Bitch, Darien's mine."
Serena merely raised an eyebrow in return at Sabrina's words. Instead,
Serena merely replied softly.
"If I'm th'bitch, then surely ye're a snake. Darien doesnae belong to
anyone. I'm nae his keeper."
Sabrina merely walked away, out of the hall.
Serena sat down on the newly vacated chair and wished her father-in-law
a good morning as well as her new brothers-in-law. Picking up a piece of
bread Darien had offered her, she broke her fast.
Sensing her husband's eyes on her, she turned questioning eyes onto him
Noticing her silent inquiry, Darien shrugged his shoulders and pointed
out her manner of clothing.
"Ye're wearin' breeches."
"Aye, so?"
"Nothin'. I just dinnae expect it." replied her husband, turning back to
his meal.
Serena blinked in surprise. She had expected Darien to firmly tell her to
go back to their chambers and change. She hadn't expected placid acceptance
from her husband.
Her husband.
The thought seemed so foreign. *O' well....at least he has better sense
than t'argue with me t'change me clothin'.* thought Serena to herself.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After the morning meal, Serena made her way to the courtyard. It was
empty, bringing a nod of satisfaction to Serena's head.
With that, she unsheathed her sword and started practicing against a dead
tree that showed many signs of sword marks.
Gashes and gouges in its tree bark made it clear someone else had used
their sword against the tree. In anger or in practice, perhaps she would
never know.
"Shouldnae th'future laird's wife be seein' t' th' upkeep o' th'castle?"
came a snide voice. Sabrina.
"Sabrina." acknowledged Serena cooly as she slowly lowered her sword.
The weapon caught Sabrina's eye and the woman frowned at the blade. Sabrina
then lifted her grey gaze to meet Serena's blue one.
"Breeches. How boyish. I cannae ken what Dare sees in ye." sniffed
Sabrina haughtily. "A man likes t'see his wife waitin' for him when he
returns from a battle. Tendin' his lands and babes. I cannae see ye doin'
all that." she snorted.
Serena rolled her eyes. "How boring. Perhaps I should stay in bed mostly
with my legs spread all the time too??" taunted Serena as she turned back to
releasing her pent up irritation at the tree.
A slow coyish smile spread on Sabrina's face, looking like a cat who had
gotten to the cream.
"Ah, 'twould help iffin Dare was any other man. But ye see, Dare doesna
need ye t'be flat on yuir back all the time. If ye doona want to, there
are plenty here willin' t'oblige."
Serena threw a glance over her shoulder. "I take it, including ye?"
"Mmmmhmm...Dare loves me. He'll always come back t'me. Ye? Ye're just the
broodmare to beget his sons." laughed Sabrina walking away.
Serena watched the witch walk back into the castle, her hips swaying. A
pain bloomed in her breast, but muttering an oath, she squashed the feeling
of hurt and sorrow, returning her attention and anger at the tree, hacking
at it, tears pricking her eyes.
"Serena?"
She stopped and swiped at her eyes, rubbing away the moisture. She then
turned to face her husband.
"Sabrina said ye were here. Mutilating my tree." grinned Darien. But the
grin turned into a frown as he got closer, noting the heightened colour in
her cheeks and her watery eyes.
"Serena? What's wrong?
"Nothing. What do ye mean yuir tree?"
"Just what I mean. I practice on this tree. When nobody dares t'fight me
that is."
"And just when is that?"
"When I'm in a foul temper."
Serena merely shrugged.
Darien frowned. Something was definitely amiss. Had she been crying?
*Well if she had and 'twas because o' some bastard, I'll kill them.* thought
Darien darkly.
"Want to spar abit?"
Serena blinked in surprise and merely nodded.
Both of them faced each other and started their mock battle. Serena swung
her sword and Darien dodged. The pair continued on until Darien delivered
a strong blow, sending Serena's sword flying away and Serena clutching her
numb fingers.
Darien saw and cursed.
"Did I hurt ye??!" he exclaimed, rushing to examine her hand.
"Nay. 'Tis just numb from the force o' yuir blow." whispered Serena
trying to pull her hand back. Darien held it in a tight grip, refusing to
release the tiny hand.
"Serena, doona be stubborn." growled Darien as he massaged the hand.
Cursing himself for using brute force.
"'Tis fine! Really!!" exclaimed Serena hotly.
Serena continued to tug on her hand until Darien suddenly released it,
causing Serena to fall backwards in surprise.
Before she hit the ground, she felt warm arms swiftly slip about her
waist, anchoring her to the large strong, very male body of Darien O'Connor.
Blue eyes met blue and a palpable current streaked through them like a
bolt of lightning.
Serena stared up in shock at Darien. Darien's eyes merely stared at her
face, committing it to memory. Until her face was burned into his mind's
eye.
Serena flushed.
"Damn witch..." muttered Darien before leaning down to take her mouth in
a searing kiss. His mouth demanded, plundered and Serena could only moan,
her hands creeping to his neck to keep him there. Not that Darien needed
any help.
"Gods, Serena...ye enchant me." whispered Darien, breathing hard. His
eyes roamed the petite face of his wife. Her cheeks rosy and her lips were
swollen from his kiss. Her eyes had a glassy light to them as they stared
up at him.
Words welled up in his throat.
"Gods, Serena, ye have t'believe me. Sabrina means nothing t'me. 'Tis ye
that catches me attention. Ye that draws forth all types of emotions within
my chest. Beautiful Sabrina may be, but t'me, ye can outshine the sun and
moon and put any fairy princess or druid priestess t'shame." whispered
Darien. "Please...Serena...-" he choked out.
Serena gazed up at him in surprise.
"I love ye.." he finished out breathlessly.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serena's heart constricted and threathened to burst at his words. She
could only gaze up at him dumbly, unable to comprehend or believe the words
he had just uttered.
"Darien?"
"I love ye, Serena O'Connor. I've never said th' words t'any lass before.
I never loved any other lass before. But I love ye." he rasped out.
He saw the skeptism in her eyes, and immediately launched into another
explanation.
"I love ye. When we were reaching Castle O'Connor, I was afraid. I feared
ye wouldnae like yuir new home. I feared ye would hate me when ye
discovered Sabrina. My brothers had just reminded me aboot her when we were
on the road back here. I lost me mind when I couldnae find ye in the
skirmish with the bandits. I feared when ye just glared at me coldly when
ye saw Sabrina. I couldnae stop myself from swellin' with pride when ye
marched in this morning, nae ashamed o' yuir breeches." laughed Darien.
Serena frowned up at him. "Why would I be ashamed?? 'Tis nae as if my
breeches are indecent. I'm proud just th' way I am." snapped Serena
irritated he would think otherwise.
Darien chuckled. "I'm glad. I love ye. Gods, how I love ye." whispered
Darien, hugging her tighter to him. "It doesnae matter if ye doona love me.
I wouldnae ask for anything of ye, having to maarry a boar such as me, I-"
"Darien,"
"-wouldnae dream t'ask any boon of ye. I'm content enough that ye're here
in my home and-"
"Darien!" exclaimed Serena exasperated.
Darien looked down, stopping his tirade. He blinked in surprise as Serena
lifted a delicate hand to his face and brushed a thumb back and forth over
his cheek.
"I love ye." she whispered softly against his lips, before tugging his
head down to meet her lips.
It took a moment before the words registered in his mind.
Elation hit him as the words his wife had said made sense. The kiss turned
hot and passionate as Darien pulled her closer to him, as if trying to
absorb her into him. He hugged her.
Serena squirmed in his hold, breaking the kiss.
"Darien! Don't squeeze! I can't breathe!!" gasped Serena.
Darien blinked and loosened his hold. A silly grin broke out on his face
as he swung his wife around. Their gay laughter could be heard all
throughout the courtyard.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serena blinked open sleepy eyes as she felt a wet kiss being placed on
her exposed shoulder.
Her gaze found the dark locks of her husband and sensing her gaze, looked
up at her with mischievous eyes twinkling.
"I cannae believe ye did that. We missed mid day meal." sighed Serena
stretching like a cat, her gaze going towards the window, noting the colour
of dusk in the sky.
"Nobody's goin' t'mind." grinned Darien as he leaned on his elbow on his
side. His fingers traced lightly on his wife's naked back as she lay on
her stomach.
Serena shivered. His light touch leaving a trail of heat down her back.
"But I mind!! Everybody would have known by now what we were doing up
here!! Especially when ye shouted at yuir brother to go away when he came
up here t'call us down for the mid day meal." exclaimed Serena, sitting up
on her belly.
Darien chuckled, pulling his naked wife closer.
"My sweet innocent. Ye look cute when ye blush." grinned Darien
unrepentantly. He just couldn't stop smiling. Since this morning when he
had confessed to his wife. He just couldn't wipe the smile and the light
mood from himself. It was all because of his golden haired beauty. He
buried his face in her golden curls, feeling her dainty hands slide up to
caress through his thick dark locks.
"Ye forgot ye got rid o' the 'innocent' this morning." humphed Serena.
Darien chuckled. "So I did. Care t'make sure before we go down t'supper?"
"DARIEN!! Have ye nae any shame??" scolded his wife, her face turning
beetroot.
Darien merely grinned his devil's grin and rolled Serena beneath him.
"Mmmm-nae. The only thing I'm shameful of right now, is how ye're still
talking when ye should be screaming." purred Darien.
And she did scream.
Somehow, they did make it down to supper, passing suggestive words and
supportive crowing. Serena flushed beet red and pressed closer to Darien
who merely grinned and took everything within his stride.
Darien chuckled at his brother's waggling eyebrows.
Reaching the dais, he kissed Serena lightly on the cheek before pulling
out her seat with a flourish and gesturing her to sit down.
There was nothing she could do but obey as her legs still felt like jelly.
She glared at Darien who merely smiled devilishly at her, his eyes
suggestive. Serena turned away, flushing.
Serena met the hate-filled eyes of Sabrina. Their grey depths cold and
promising a pay back.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As winter neared, Serena chanced to meet Sabrina at one of the tower
steps on a late autumn morning.
Sabrina blocked her path and Serena met her glare cooly.
"Aye?"
"He may have taken ye to his bed, witch, but once ye quicken with his
babe and become as fat as a sow, we shall see how much he truly loves ye."
hissed Sabrina venomously.
"As ye please. Now, allow me t'pass." snapped Serena.
Walking up the staircase, Serena's mind wandered to children. She and
Darien had been wed for almost 6 months and as much as she longed for
children, Darien had said nothing.
Her hand went to her belly. Her moon link had not shown itself last month
or the month before and it was almost reaching her third month. Perhaps she
really was quickening?? A small smile graced her face. She hoped so.
At supper, her eyes searched out for Darien's dark head. Dougal sat,
eating his soup silently. Eamon had gone to O'Monaghan Keep a week ago, as
he had recently been doing. To see Teresa.
Darien entered the hall, speaking with his father. He smiled as he caught
sight of her, making her heart flutter.
Dougal eyed his brother and sister-in-law with a smirk and shook his
head at their mushiness.
"Hello wife." grinned Darien as he planted a kiss on her cheek. His hand
gripped hers warmly.
Serena smiled.
After supper, Serena told Darien she was going to return to their chambers
first. She had been feeling a little under the weather. Darien eyed his
wife with concern, asking if she really felt terrible.
Serena shook her head and smiled reassuringly. Getting up, that was when
it happened. It felt like a great sloshing in her belly and a bout of
dizziness hit her. Her sight blurred and she only heard Darien's worried
voice before she crumpled to the floor and blacked out.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serena opened her eyes slowly only to see Darien, his father, Dougal and
some maids along with the castle's wise woman.
She was lying in the bed and Darien was sitting next to her, worried.
"What happened?"
"Ye fainted." said Darien softly, his hand bringing one of hers to his
mouth for a tender kiss.
"What's wrong with her?" asked Dougal concerned.
The wise woman felt her forehead and checked her pulse.
"There's nothin' wrong with her. She's fine." said the kind old woman.
"But she fainted!!" exclaimed Darien, panicking.
The wise woman smiled mysteriously. Turning her gaze onto Serena, she
grinned.
"Tell me mistress, when was yuir last cycle?"
Serena blushed. "More than two months ago. My third one is supposed to be
due any day now."
The wise woman nodded. "Mmm..I suspected so."
Darien stared at the wise woman as if she had grown another head and
Darien's father merely looked down at Serena delightedly.
"Am I with child??" asked Serena in a whisper.
The wise woman's smile grew wider and she nodded. "Aye, mistress.
Ye knew?"
Serena licked her lips, focusing her gaze on the wise woman instead of
looking at Darien's reaction. She wanted to see his face but dared not.
"I suspected."
"A child?" broke Darien's voice.
Serena turned to face her husband. His face was dazed as he stared down
at her.
"A babe?? I'm goin' t'be a da??"
Darien's father chuckled. "Aye, Darien. Congratulations."
Dougal laughed. "Ye're gettin' old, Darien. Congratulations."
Darien could only stare in shocked disbelief and repeat over and over,
"A babe.".
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
That night as Darien lay down next to Serena, cuddling her. He brushed
his wife's curls out of her face.
"We're really havin' a child?" he whispered.
"Aye." answered Serena. "Are ye...are ye displeased??" whispered Serena
shakily, looking up at Darien in the dark.
She felt him stiffen and stare down at her in puzzlement. Heard him
repeat the word.
"Displeased?? Why would I be??" asked Darien confused. "Gods, Serena...
I've always wanted t'be a da. Now I'm havin' a child. With ye. Ours." he
whispered reverently.
His warm hand slipped down her belly and cupped it in awe. A child.
Serena felt tears come to her eyes. Her hand covered Darien's over her
stomach. She felt his joy at the new life within her belly. Felt the
sincerity of his words. He wanted this child.
"I love ye." whispered Serena, snuggling into his warmth.
An arm pulled her closer as the other hand never left her belly.
"I love ye, too."
Darien felt Serena relax and he smiled into her hair. Joy filled his
world and it burst upon him like a flower in bloom.
He was a father. He was going to have a child!!
Looking over at Serena, he smiled. Theirs. A child of their union. There
was life in her womb. Something part of both of them. With that revelation,
he fell asleep, content and happy. He had a family and a home.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was only two weeks later when shocking and distressing news came,
breaking the aura of peace and happiness in their world.
It had come as a shock. Wringing gasps from some O'Connors. The worst
toll it had taken had been on Serena.
Serena could not believe her ears. She had screamed and screamed, Darien
trying to calm her down.
Serena had then fainted dead away.
Darien had held his wife close and frowned, a sorrow touching him. How
had this happened?? Why had it happened?? Just when everything was going
right in their life. This had to happen.
Teresa had been murdered.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
To be continued...
Well? Reviews please!! *ducks flying tomatoes and cabbages* Wait wait!!
There's a point to this!! Did anybody see that coming??? :) Well? Write an
email or a review now!! Who killed Teresa?
13/9/02