The Adventures of Tiffany Faewyf
The Proposal
This was another morning. Tiffany woke to the rays of the springtime sun as they spilled in through an open window. Fresh air and birdsong greeted her as she sat up and rubbed her eyes. As she had done so many times before, she stood from her bed and stretched. She untied her shift at the neck and let it drop to the floor about her feet. Stepping out of it and dancing naked across her room she made her way to her table where she picked up a brush and began to dress her hair for the day. Brushing plaiting and tying it off with a pink ribbon, she then made her way to her wardrobe. Taking out a fresh shift, she lifted it over her head and let it drop down against her body. There was a smile on her face as she twirled on the spot and enjoyed the feeling of the fabric as it floated up and back down. Next, she took out a pink skirt into which she stepped, drawing it up to her waist. She tied it off and then looked for her bodice. Slipping it over her head she pulled it down around her chest. Little by little she pulled the cords and felt the support as it tightened around her, holding her breasts tight and giving her a familiar sense of readiness for the dayβs work.
Her bare feet trod lightly on tiptoe as she made her way quietly downstairs. She built up the fire in the kitchen and sparked it from a tinder box. She filled the kettle from the water butt and set it to hang over the fresh flames. Then, picking up a basket of wet laundry, she made her way outside.
βGood morning, my dearies!β She whispered excitedly to the chickens as she passed them. They clucked loudly in response and she pouted. βGirls! That is not a nice thing to say about a guest! And she hasnβt been here anywhere near that long! Iβm just β¦ looking after her β¦ until she feels better again.β She giggled to herself and moved on. βGood morning, major!β She called to the goat. It was chewing on a piece of linen that it had found in the dirt with all the appearance of satisfaction. Tiffany continued on to the clothes line.
With care, she hung out the various pieces. She had had to raise the line in order to take larger, longer items. She remained en-pointe for most of the time as she reached up to hang the long green tunic and leggings. In time though, nearly dropping them into the dirt on the ground, she dragged over a box to stand on. Her own shifts and her other skirt joined them, hanging freely in the fresh air. Hopping down and picking up her basket, Tiffany made her way back inside.
The kettle was singing as she went in. Wrapping her apron around her hands she lifted it off and filled a large basin with the hot water. She worked her way around the kitchen, cleaning and tidying and singing as she did. In time, she picked up a bag of seeds and meal and went back out. Dancing among the animals she fed the chickens and the old Β goat, collecting some eggs from the chicken house once they were suitably distracted by the feed.
βThank you, dearies.β She smiled.
Back inside, she lifted a heavy iron pan onto the fire and cracked the eggs into it. Stirring in some milk and readying a plate it was a matter of minutes before she decanted the scrambled eggs out and added buttered bread beside it.
Placing the pan to cool, she loaded a tray with the plate and a cup of water then made her way back upstairs.
Susan had still not got the hang of sleeping in beds. She said it wasnβt what she was used to. After her first night under Tiffanyβs careful watch, she had insisted on sleeping in a chair. And that was where Tiffany found her. In a large armchair that had once been her fatherβs, upstairs in the other bedroom. She was naked but for a handful of bandages that still remained. The tall woman lounged fast asleep with her arms to her sides and her legs apart in front. Tiffany blushed shyly as she entered.
βKnock, knock!β She said coyly as she went in, smiling.
Susan snorted awake and reached for a sword that wasnβt there. She looked around furtively then seemed to calm as memory kicked in and she recognised Tiffany. This was normal. Tiffany had grown quite used to it over the last few days. To begin with she had allowed Susan to keep her swords nearby and had made the mistake of waking her much closer. Several perfectly good breakfasts had ended up thrown across the room and staining the walls before she had got the hang of how to wake her remarkable guest. She would never have dreamt of asking her why she always woke so fearful. It wasnβt for her to know. But she made sure that Susan always had room to get it out of her system before she gave her breakfast.
Susan stretched her arms and legs together, yawning widely and then standing up. She winced from the pain of the wounds that were still busy healing but nevertheless made her way to Tiffany with a contented look on her face.
βGood morning,β Susan said with a slight smile forming in the corner of her mouth, βeggs? Am I robbing your friends with this breakfast?β
βOh the girls donβt mind you at all, they gave me these eggs to cook for you!β Tiffany grinned.
Susan kissed her on the forehead then picked up a piece of bread, dripping with the scrambled egg. She bit it and gave a deep growl of approval at the taste. Kissing Tiffany on the forehead, she made her way back to the chair and sat down.
βHow are you feeling this morning?β Tiffany asked, handing the tray to Susan and sitting at her feet.
βBetter,β Susan said through breadcrumbs and egg, βready to have another try!β
Tiffany continued to smile.
βAt what?β
βAt what? At getting the rest of your treasures back!β
βWhat?β The smile drained from Tiffanyβs face. βBut, but, you said they kept a guard! They nearly killed you last time! Why would you β¦ ?β
Susan raised a hand to shush Tiffany.
βItβs a matter of honour!β She bellowed. βOf principal! Iβll be damned if I let a bunch of thieves get the better of me! Besides, theyβre your things, I want them restored to you!β
βBut thatβs all they are! Things!β Tiffany pleaded. βAnd youβve brought me more than enough to make up for what Iβve lost!β
βItβs not enough. Not until every plate, every platter, every penny that they took from you is returned!β Susan put the tray down on the floor and stood up. She began to pace up and down the room, a fixed look in her eyes.
Tiffany held back tears and bad memories.
βYou canβt bring back everything they took, you just canβt.β She said, dropping her head and closing her eyes. βWonβt you just β¦ just β¦β
βJust what? Give up? Hide?β Susan found her sword belt on the other side of the room. Drawing the blade, she looked at her own reflection in it and smiled. βI will protect you, Tiffany, I promised that. I donβt hide, and neither should you!β
βItβs lasted me well these many summers.β Tiffany said defiantly.
βHiding in the loft from any man that walks through your yard?β
Tiffany couldnβt hide the pain on her face.
βItβs lasted me well enough!β She shouted, standing up and putting her hands on her waist.
"You need to learn to fight back!" Susan shouted, gripping Tiffany hard by the wrists, her muscles tensing as Tiffany squirmed beneath her. Tiffany twisted hard and dug her bare heel into the back of Susan's leg, pushing at the stitches. Susan's grip slackened as she winced with pain.
"And you need to learn to run away sometimes!" Tiffany pleaded, looking at the pain in Susan's eyes. "You could be safe here! Please, you need ... I need you!"
"Me? You're trapped here. You need to get outside of this house! Beyond these walls!"
"And you need a home!" Tiffany began to cry.
Susan held her tight about the waist. She looked down into those sweet, wide eyes. The eyes of the angel that had brought her back from the brink.
They kissed.
Susan pulled away and looked deep into Tiffanyβs eyes. With one hand, she brushed away the tears.
βOkay,β she said, more gently, βI promise that I wonβt try again. Although, now that I know where they base themselves, perhaps there is something I can do to stop them coming here.β
βEven when you go away again?β Tiffanyβs voice caught slightly in her throat.
βNo,β Susan smiled, βbecause youβre right.β Susan dropped to one knee. The pain in her leg made her unsteady for a moment but she held her position firm. Holding Tiffany by the hand she looked up at her face. βTiffany, I do need a home. Iβve never had one before but somehow you seem to make this place feel to me as if it was always my home and I just hadnβt found it. I promise, come fire or flood, I will stay with you now. I shanβt go away again. But I would have you name one thing for me.β
βAnd whatβs that?β Tiffanyβs eyes were filling with tears again but beneath them her face was smiling.
βWhat dowry can I bring you for you to marry me?β
Tiffany fell to her knees, tears pouring down her face as she hugged Susan hard.
Susanβs face contorted from the pain of her wounds but she bore it and stroked Tiffanyβs hair.
βNothing,β Tiffany said, contented, βI just want you.β










