Roe Returns Home to be a Carpenter (Tag Mira)

[Robert Williams]

Roe watched her face and eyes in the reflection of the moonlight. It appeared that she was actually paying attention to what he was saying and not just acting like she was. The bits that he was able to discern actually seemed to indicate that she liked listening to him.. At least he wasn’t repelling her and that was a good thing. Even when he descended into talking about vengeance she seemed to understand him in some way, even before he had finished the sentence. In some ways it was scary having a person understand your thoughts before you had even spoken them.

Roe had always known, from a young age, that he over-thought things too much. He tried to look at problems from every angle and tried to estimate every contingency that had to be planned for. It was probably part of his strategic sense that was useful on the battlefield in looking at the big picture. It was probably also a result of him being uprooted from a noble family, and placed in an entirely foreign environment, where he was not really a noble any more. He always had to be concerned that he was invading someone else’s domain. So he was always worrying about everything. Mira didn’t seem to do that. She was very comfortable within herself and her own skin. When she saw the need for action, she acted. She didn’t worry about whether it was right or wrong, just about whether it should be done.

It was obvious to him that she enjoyed the light kisses. They expressed emotion sometimes just as effectively as the deep ones. “What did you think of me when we were teenagers and younger. My friends said you had a crush on me. I didn’t really believe them. Besides I thought you were too young for me and I had no desire to break yours or anybody’s heart. I’d already had my heart broken when I’d lost my family as a youngster. I never wanted to do that to anybody.”

He was glad to hear that she was no longer seeking vengeance. Vengeance only clouded your judgment. Most of those involved in the original acts against her had already been punished. He could understand why she preferred not to turn in ordinary petty lawbreakers to the sheriff …. The punishment often was much more severe than the crime. “But these people are like the ones who killed my father … they do not care who they hurt or steal from. They would take a beggars last penny just for the fun of it and it is not right, these people need to brought to justice.”

He could tell by the way she looked at him that she understood that he despised these kinds of outlaws as much as she did, and he looked at them as a being much different from Robin Hood’s gang, and that he wpould do whatever he could to help her. “I can kill a man with bow at 500 or more yards. I will have to try not to kill, but I will do my best not to shed take any lives needlessly. I’m afraid my first concern will be your safety and the villagers, then the bounty. We will try to save lives not take them. I am fair with the sword and with traps as well. We will put a visible dent in their activities and that’s for sure.

“Yes, let’s go inside, it is getting a bit cool out here and there is still work to finish. The fire does need tending to, and the suggestion of tea is a good one as well. I’ll take any clean-up help that you want to offer, as well as any business suggestions that can help us get my carpentry business off he ground. I expect that you are pretty creative in battle, and I assume you are in business as well.

[mira]

Mira smiled at his words as she made her way in. More concerned for her and the villagers than the bounty. He really was sweet. “you do better than me with the bow then “ she said over her shoulder as they made their way in but she much preferred the daggers. “Sorry bout your bow too, I’ll get some new tools for you in Nottingham tomorrow in payment and no arguing Robert Williams” she said turning to poke her finger at his chest, “Those old ones of yours are outdated” She nodded her head firmly as she tried to be stern but it was hard and she turned back around before he could see the smile on her face.

The house was a bit cooler than before and she wandered over to the fire to see it had indeed died down a bit. She gave it a poke and threw a few smaller pieces in to catch the flame then as it caught threw a couple of the larger pieces on. Grabbing the old kettle she went out back to drag some water from the old tub. One of Dan’s more useful creations that remarkably had stood the weather of time and still collected rain water to this day without a leak. And the way he had built it meant it did not fill up with falling leaves and such. Of course they still had boil the water which she now set about doing as she hung it from the hook built into the top of the fireplace.

She unhooked a pouch from her belt and placed it on the table. It was special blend she had made in Nottingham from an old man who made the most wonderful concoctions. He only got to stay in business for he also supplied the Sheriff but he made his money from people like her who truly valued his wares. Having done all that she seated herself on one of the chairs again and looked at him. So handsome, and still she half thought it only a dream. She would wake up tomorrow and it would all just fade away.

“First” she said leaning forward on the chair and clasping her hands together as they rested on her knees. “We need to get this place fixed up, you can’t help others if you can’t help yourself first.” She started and it was true, “Besides if they see what you have made for yourself they are more likely yo buy, you need money now make a few small toys, I can sell them at market or trade them for basic needs which might be better to start with” And already she was ticking off the things he would need. cutlery, crockery, pots, pans and linen.

Mira hoped she wasn’t saying too much, would he resent her telling him how he might do it. But she knew if he wanted to succeed he would need to make this place a home, not just a place to live. “Just don’t do too much outside, we don’t want the Sheriff realising just how good you are” she smiled.

[Robert Williams]

He wondered if she would eventually get used to his way of being fairly quiet much of the time, being absolutely silent when he he was livid, and the most talkative when he was drunk or relaxed. Fortunately, he thought, it was a good thing that he wasn't aggressive when he got drunk, just louder, he sighed. "Perhaps I am better with the bow than you, but I have learned in my short time with you that it is unwise to make any assumptions. In most things, it would appear, that you are the equal of the average man, and you use the tendency for females to be underestimated to your advantage."

"Its nothing for you to be worried about. Besides the wetter climate here causes the glues to dry out. Hence, the ease with which the bow shattered. I need to make several replacements. Yes ... I could use the tools ... and I have learned the waste of time that arguing with you is." He thought he saw the hint of a smile as he turned, but he wasn't sure. "I wonder if she's just playing with me?," he smiled.


Almost as soon as they got back in the house she immediately set to work .... on the fire .... on boiling some water .... as well as other things around the kitchen. Roe stood back and smiled slightly. "You are going to tire me out just watching you work," as he leaned against a wall and began whittling a small wooden figure out of a scrap of wood. "What's in the pouch?", he asked. As he was looking down at his work, he could see out of the corner of his eye, that she was watching him with the slightest of smiles on her face. It made him feel uncomfortable and good, all at the same time.

"You are probably right there. The inside should be the focus of our efforts. The outside should be worked with just enough to keep it weatherized and structurally sound. We don't want it to look recognizably better than the other buildings around it. As you can see, it doesn't take me long to work on small toys and baubles. That's something I can do in a few minutes spare time, as long as you think there's a market for it. I guess your my business manager, eh? Once I get the roof fixed I will move to making some furniture. I'd like to make some better chairs, a bench with cushions, and a good solid bed." He looked out of the corner of his eye to see if the latter item got any reaction from her. Apparently it did not, and he shrugged to himself. Overall though, it made him feel good that she was trying to make the place as livable and productive as possible without drawing too much attention. Whatever she said, it was obvious that she cared.

[mira]

The water was boiling and Mira got up to carefully take it off the heat using an old cloth. She grabbed the pouch an opened it to spoon a couple of scoops of the blended tea in to the two mugs. Then she rummaged around in the cupboards until she found what she wanted which was merely an old tub which after she had poured boiling water over the tea, she proceeded to fill the tub with water.

“Just let that sit for minute” she said indicating the tea as she picked up the old cauldron and made her back out to refill it with water. Bringing back in she carefully tipped it in with the hot water, adding a little at a time until she the water was the right temperature. She gave Robert a smile and walked over to grab the empty plates and bowls from before then plonked them into the water. Having nothing to wash them, she had resorted to using the corner of her shirt which she had pulled out from her trousers. Every now and then a flash of skin was seen as she scrubbed them as best as she could.

She neither expected nor hoped that Robert would help. To her it was simply something a woman did and even though her father had trained her for other things and that they had for the most part had domestic help, Mira loved nothing more sometimes than just playing house. Besides it felt right to doing something for a man after so long. When she was done she laid the plates on the bench to dry then picked up the two cups and handed one to her man.

“I think you will like it” she smiled bringing her own to her lips to sip. Only now the washing up was done did she permit herself to go back to what they had talking about earlier. “I hope you don’t mind but I always think a home needs a woman’s touch and well every man needs a woman.” She had not missed his emphasis on the “good solid bed” she had chosen simply to not answer it. She had thought offering her spare bedroom until he was done but wasn’t sure if it would appropriate to have a man stay with her when they not married. Not that it bothered her but people would be sure to talk.

“Rattles, spoons and pull along toys are always good and while they won’t fetch a high price I expect they would be easy to make and sell quickly. I could have the basics in here under a week if you are keen to get started” she said softly while she sipped on the hot tea. “But yes, some new chairs, a bench and a place to sleep are important” she smiled.

It was late and Mira knew there was no way she was going to make it home tonight. Still if it meant the company of Robert, it would not be so bad. She liked talking with him, listening to his stories, liking the fact he was not pigheaded and also willing to listen to her. So much like her father, she felt she had chosen wisely in whom she fell in love with.

She closed her eyes as the warm liquid trickled down her throat. It would be so easy to just go to sleep. . . so easy and Mira drifted off, the cup dropping from her hand and the last of the liquid soaked into the floorboards below.

[Robert Williams]

Roe turned one of the chairs around and just sat there watching Mira worked. He got no sense that she wanted him to help much …. It all seemed like something she wanted to do herself. For someone who has not that familiar with a ”new” kitchen she sure seemed to know her way around it, and knew it quite. He actually found it both satisfying and comforting to watch her work and apparently enjoy herself. He had not had that experience watching someone work in a kitchen and enjoy it since he was a young lad watching the cooks at work in the Earl’s house. However, his feelings about Mira were significantly different than they had been about those women.

He nodded respectfully with a small smile “yes … of course …. as you wish,” with just the slightest twinkle in eye, at least in reference to the tea. “This is very kind of you …. I think it smells as good as some of the Mediterranean teas that I sampled from time to time.” He then started watching her as she cleaned the plates and bowls. She was obviously a very practical person, adapting to whatever the immediate surroundings offered he. “You seem to have a pretty good system ….. I’m sorry I don’t have any cleaning rags or towels that would make it easier for you.” He noticed that she was using her own shirttail to do some of the washing, and every now and then, when she turned a certain way, he could see some exposed skin. Her skin looked so … well perfect …. and his conscience almost immediately slapped on him. Don’t go there, he told himself, you’ll just ruin everything.

“I’m sure that I will absolutely love it,” he smiled. It was very difficult for him to figure out what he should do next. He did not know how far and how fast she wanted to go. Her welcoming and comforting smile could change, he suspected, is went too far, too fast. It would be best if she set the agenda he thought. She should have control over there speed and direction … so he would take as many cues from her as he could. “Yes,” there was aanother subtle hint he thought, just as he had laid down a subtle hint of his own …. well … maybe not so subtle on second thought. But she didn’t seem to reject it outright this time. “A woman is indispensible to a good home, but only if she is treated well, and with respect and the proper portion of love.”

They moved back to more practical topics …. What he could do to begin to support himself. “Yes … I think you are quite right there …. But you have a lot more commercial experience than I do I think. But, it would be well within my ability to do …. And my pride isn’t such that it would prevent me making items such as those …. Bigger projects can wait until they are needed and in demand,” he chuckled. “Yes … if you could help with the basic supplies and tools that would be great. Don’t feel that you are obliged to, but I greatly appreciate it. Oh yes, furniture would be a great improvement don’t you think,” he winked.

As he watched her drink her tea and he realized how hard she had been working and how long and emotionally-draining it had been. Before he knew it, he could see her eyes flutter and close. Quickly he went over to he before she slumped to the floor and hurt herself. He picked her up and carried her over to a place that he had planned on using for his bed, with the sack of beech frond he had collected for the roof to serve as a pillow, and he covered her with one of the thin brown cloaks he had. “She must be quite tired …. She didn’t even stir once. I’ll just lay out on the table … it fairly clean, and I’m used to sleeping on a hard surface.” He looked over her and smiled, and considered that it was good that it wasn’t too cool and they had a low fire that would last until morning, and he quickly drifted off to sleep as well. He wondered what she would think when she awakened in the morning.

[mira]

Mira dreamed, the same dream she had just about every night. More a nightmare that she could never escape from. It replayed over and over and Mira tossed and moaned as each detail came back in perfect clarity. For the scene that played was the night her father was killed. There was never any escape, well not until now there had never been anyway.

Something changed in this dream, oh the danger was still there but in the background she sensed something else. Something that would save her, yet whatever it was did not step from the shadows and in Mira’s sleep the horror continued.

She woke with a start, the sweat poring from her. It was dark and for a moment she did not know where she was. But it quickly came back and she knew she was still in the carpenters hut. Someone . . Roe had placed her on a makeshift bed and she blushed in the darkness envisioning his strong around her as he picked her up to place her there. So where was he but her eyes took a moment longer to adjust to the soft glow of the fire light. He had curled up on the table and she gave a smile. Truly a bed would have to be the first thing he made, that must have been so uncomfortable.

The fire was still burning, he must have loaded it up prior to going to sleep. She had no idea what the time was, maybe 2 or 3 in the morning no more for any later and the first signs of sun would already be out. She lay still, not wanting to get up just yet, her thoughts drifting back to the dream she had just had. Something had been different this time but already the knowledge of the safe presence she had felt in her dream was fading fast. Such was the way with dreams.

Thus her thoughts moved to the night before. His little discretions as she liked to call them, the little compliments, the knowledge his eyes were upon her as she worked. It all served to make her feel good and realise for the first time in a long time there may actually be hope for a happy ending. Wasn’t that what they all wanted, a happy ending, she had once thought them only to be dreams but now she was starting to question it. What if they were not.

She lay there until the first rays of sun shoved there way into the cracks of the windows, not being able to go back to sleep even if she had wanted too. When it high enough she rose and made her way outside, taking the old washing tub with her and quickly washed in the cold water. She would head home in a bit and have a bath but this would suffice for now. Once she was done she left the water and wandered out into the back yard a bit. By day it was a lot larger than she had first thought, an old work shed took up most of it but there was by the looks of it an old vegetable bed that had long gone to the snails. Maybe she could help him there and get the gardens back.

It was a thought anyway, a thought that carried her out into the sunshine and there she stood just soaking up the morning rays.

[Robert Williams]

Roe had awakened several times during the night and the early morning. Undoubtedly part of it was the result of the heard surface he was ‘resting’ on, but there were other reasons as well. Several times he had heard Mira moaning softly in her sleep. He knew that if that was keeping him awake that he was sleeping very soundly himself. He was tempted a few times to get up and go over to her, but he realized there was nothing that he could do to help her. He knew that there was something deep in her thoughts that bothered her, that probably only came out when she was in sleep mode. He also realized that he was sleeping fitfully because he knew that she was so close to him physically, but still quite far away. He knew that that might change, but in truth,, that would be as much her decision as his, and probably more hers. Finally, he willed himself back to sleep, trying to force himself to rest and not think about things he couldn’t control so much.

Finally, when he awoke, he could see the sunlight streaming into the room. He also noticed that the fire had burnt low, and that Mira was no longer asleep. He quickly got up and through a few more pieces of wood on to the fire and decided to scout around and see if Mira was still about. He thought it was possible that she had gone home to sleep in the comfort of her bed, but thought it unlikely she would have left without waking him up or leaving him a message. If she was still around he thought that it was the most likely she was out back exploring, so he stuck his head out the back to see if there was any sign of her.

Sure enough, there she was, standing in the back yard, apparently looking over the plot where a vegetable garden used to be. She was apparently deep in thought …. too deep in thought to hear him walk up behind her. He laid his hands on her shoulders, half-expecting her to jump or turn around quickly. “I hope that you got some sleep during the night and that the floor didn’t make to firm of a bed. You don’t have any ideas for me to re-establish this garden plot I don’t imagine, do you? In any case, I think that there are some other more immediate concerns, like the building of furniture that I need to be concerned with. I expect that there are some things that you want to get to now that the sun is up, and I wouldn’t want to detain you if you have some items on your list that don’t have anything to do with me. However, I would be more than happy to walk with you aways if want any company on your errands. It won’t take me long to work on some furniture here. Besides, if I need to, I can sleep on the table one more night. What do you say?,” he asked with a wink and a smile.