Country Fields

Posts : 109 Join date : 2012-02-02 Age : 37

It had been a long couple of months. The kind where every day seemed to be one long stretch of time, the sun never truly rising and the sky never completely black. Gabriel, having been sent for by his old uncle, had made the less than safe journey from his peaceful and humble home in Ireland to Scotland. He hadn’t made the decision lightly.

Gabriel, such the man that he was, had spent many nights - when he was tending his flock and keeping watch for foxes - considering how a good resolution may be reached. His uncle, William Robin, was also a farmer but his lands were larger than Gabriel’s and he did not have the strength of his nephew. He doubted he would last the winter without the help of an experienced and healthy hand and so Gabriel entrusted the care of his flock to another shepherd who lived only a mile or so from his home at the abbey.

The winter was mercifully mild and most of the animals survived while his uncle was cheered by the younger company that Gabriel brought. During his time in Scotland, Gabriel had noticed one particular girl - a soft lustre upon her bright face with dark hair. He’d not allowed himself to imagine who she might be when he saw her pass, for he was always bound to leave for home to see his flock through the peak lambing season. In truth, after the new year he had been yearning to return home. Although, he had grown fond of the land which he had seen her tread. It was so similar to his home in many ways and so on one afternoon, finding himself with very rarely with nothing to do, he took himself off for a walk.

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Lady-in-waiting Posts : 220 Join date : 2015-05-29

The last couple of months had been a turmoil of emotions. I was never sure if I was coming or going. My current situation was one of routine and familiarity not so much fun as it goes. Every day I did the same walk to visit the same people by the time I got home the evenings were dark. The only light of guidance came from the stars in the clear night sky. Just like every morning I put on my red coat and headed out early. In the distance what looked like white cloud was a herd of sheep all surrounding each other. Probably out in the field to graze down the grass. I hadn't noticed the man until today a Sheppard which seemed like such a lonely life to lead.

Posts : 109 Join date : 2012-02-02 Age : 37

Gabriel having been beguiled by the calling of a bird, that sounded as if it were a swallow, had diverted his straight and resolute path towards the trees - still quite bare from the winter. He squinted and cast his eyes, blue eyes, to the branches above his head. As he held his hand upon his brow to block the sharp brightness of the late morning, he could see only the usual birds - a linnet or two, a cluster of blackbirds and starlings.

As he made to leave the grove, quite by accident, he placed his foot upon a broken twig and the crunch caused a rustle about him. It was then he saw two small swallows, quick as night, emerging from the canopy and twisting away - flying towards the clouds.

Normally the swallows would migrate from home in the winter and only return in the summer, and so it both cheered and warmed Gabriel to see two such hardy creatures. Making back to his path he caught sight of the girl whom had crossed his mind only moments before he set out on his walk, “Miss,” he greeted in his usual tone - quiet and deep, gruff enough to command a dog but warm enough to sooth his flock - being too near to ignore her but still too much of a stranger to say anything more.

Lady-in-waiting Posts : 220 Join date : 2015-05-29

Perhaps it was the warm Gaelic tones that made me stop and turn around. "What's an Irish man doing in these parts of Scotland." I teased in good humour as I waited for his reply. He was different in looks he wore simple clothing and carried a carefree nature with him. His hair was messy yet perfectly kept in place all at the same time never had I come across a man like him before. "I'm Isabel by the way."

Posts : 109 Join date : 2012-02-02 Age : 37

Gabriel found it remarkable that the girl whom he had seen riding by or striding through the waist high grass with such wild determination was now only a few steps from him. He noticed her part her lips and saw her cheeks flush. Unsure if it was because of the cold or their conversation, he averted his eyes for a moment and took that time to smile - the corners of his mouth spread and wrinkles creased around his eyes like sun rays. Hearing her speak in a soft, though not particularly low voice he replied and nodded respectfully, “My name is Gabriel Murphy.”

He didn’t introduce himself as a clergyman. To be sure, he had studied and attended the seminary when time from his work would allow but Gabriel yawned privately by the time the congregation reached the Nicene creed in masses - and thought of what there would be for dinner when he meant to be concentrating on the sermon. In short he was more shepherd than he would ever be a priest.

Still faintly smiling he continued, “My uncle has a farm not a mile from here. I’ve been working on it over the winter. He’s old and needed a farmhand who could herd,” he explained, feeling the usual but only slight awkwardness that came from meeting a stranger who was not entirely strange. Yet, somehow, with his hands in his pockets he seemed as content as any man would be if they were standing by their hearth at home.

Lady-in-waiting Posts : 220 Join date : 2015-05-29

So he wasn't a Sheppard just a man it felt rather nice to meet one. I kept to where I stood my feet starting to slowly soak up the mud around my boots. From time to time I shifted the weight on my feet from one to the other. So as not to sink deeper. For the first time I didn't know what to say I was normally the forward person making people uncomfortable by it. I once used to work in a tavern so I'm used to seeing all sorts of people. Now my life is very simple and a little bit boring. For a glimpse far away his features looked almost French like with a hint of what looked like innocent eye's. But your name is rather unique am I dreaming this Gabriel a figment of my imagination.

Posts : 109 Join date : 2012-02-02 Age : 37

Gabriel grinned, listening to her speak, "I'm real," he said with a certain humble tone. There was no inn for miles, none that he had known of but such was the life he led and the hours his work required, he only ever had ale with his dinner or on a Sunday before bed. He’d lodged in a quiet type of inn on his way to his uncle’s home. It was an old-established place with an old landlord and lady. The custom seemed regular and the girls who served at the bar were surely the old couple’s daughter’s or nieces.

“You’re from far away too then?” he asked, sensing that the countryside they stood in was not her home either. He wondered if he might ask if she lived close by but thought better of it when he considered he was stranger to her than she was to him. There was something assured and assertive about her. It was charming and Gabriel shifted from foot to foot and wondered why his uncle had not mentioned her, "I saw you," he said deeply after a pause, "From time to time, when I've been here. I thought you might be a relation of one of the farmers."

Lady-in-waiting Posts : 220 Join date : 2015-05-29

I politely laughed many people probably thought I had many different jobs; but a farmer's daughter not that. Life in the tavern was really the only worked I had ever had it suited me. Just like herding sheep looked as natural to this man at peace with his thoughts and flock. "How long are you going to be staying here? I recently was at Stirling but I am far from home. Although Scotland no matter what part I am in is my home. When I run my fingers through the long grass I can recall certain memories if you want any company then let me know. I could use the distraction actually."

Posts : 109 Join date : 2012-02-02 Age : 37

Gabriel, for some reason he didn’t know nor even consider, smiled one of his long special smiles. He looked upon the heath, as if what it showed him would inform his answer. He beheld the roll of green grass that stretched before them - towards the valley was the small grove where he heard the swallows and nearer the summit was only the horizon. A pale blue grey sky that threatened rain. He gave it an hour or two before the clouds burst and predicted the storm would not be too heavy. Gabriel relied mainly on observations of the sun and stars and he took quiet pride in his reliable intuition.

“Not long, miss,” he replied calmly, “I am to go home for lambing season. I want to see my ewes through it,” he added, speaking with his usual sincerity and honesty. Gabriel wisely refrained from deputing the task of tending the ewes at that season to a hireling or a novice.

“I was going for a walk. If you'd like to walk with me?” he offered and found himself hoping she might accept. She spoke of the land the way he hoped he could. He had read the classic poets when he studied but had never had the mind to compose any prose. Gabriel took a step forward and held out his arm in the usual fashion of men who were rugged and not noble gentlemen. It was more as an invitation to join him than for her to take but he realised with warmth that he wouldn't mind if she did.

Lady-in-waiting Posts : 220 Join date : 2015-05-29

At first I was reluctant to take his arm fighting with conflicting thoughts of my own. I didn't want to come across as a lady who was easily taken for a whatever they called it behind the haystack. But I did accept his arm; keeping a friendly distance not too far that I couldn't feel the warmth radiating from his body. "So tell me about yourself apart from lambing what else occupies your time." I smiled up at him; he was tall not that tall; but taller than me. His arm was strong, full of muscle from a hard day's work he looked skin and bone; but he had muscles that shaped his body.

Posts : 109 Join date : 2012-02-02 Age : 37

He took a few measured steps ahead, moving even slower than his usual pace so he could walk in time with her strides. Gabriel always walked with a quiet-energy, a slowness and deliberateness developed in youth which lingered in his manhood. His height and breadth would have been sufficient to make his presence imposing, had they been exhibited with due consideration. Yet Gabriel had a way with him, he was unassuming and bowed his broad shoulders with modesty of a rural man.

He noted the difference between them as she took his arm. She was all soft and lank and he wondered if she might be cold.

“I have a parish,” he said and glanced down to her with a shrug, “Sort of. I inherited it. Though I’m a shepherd first and that doesn't allow time for much else. I wasn’t content to be a nobody for the rest of my life and the seminary was the only way a boy could educate themselves at home.”

He looked ahead and breathed in, he could smell the rain on the air and the grass, still wet from the night's rain, "You're surprised, I imagine," he said with a smile and looked at her again.

Lady-in-waiting Posts : 220 Join date : 2015-05-29

"Perhaps our paths crossing was a sign for me." I shook my head casting my eye's down as I trudged behind him only slightly pulling on his arm. With my free hand; I let it run through the grass, feeling the droplets of rain fall down my fingertips. As we walked the wet grassed slashed against my skirts I normally kept to the side when walking. But I was trying to find the words, but they couldn't form. Again; I was left silent by this man; but comfortable in his company.

Posts : 109 Join date : 2012-02-02 Age : 37

He stared ahead, for some reason he felt that to look at her would not be right - not at that moment. From what he'd beheld of her, and much of his appraisal had been from a distance, he believed she was young - young enough to still be called a girl. Gabriel had admired the wildness about her, the way her hair had always seemed to lick the wind like black smoke. However, with her near, he realised she spoke with the maturity of a woman his age and he wondered if it had been sadness which made her seem older than her face and pink cheeks would suggest.

"What of?" he asked, with tender curiosity, lowering his voice and bending his head down so that she would hear.

Lady-in-waiting Posts : 220 Join date : 2015-05-29

I closed my eye's feeling the wind brush against my face blowing the few strands of hair that fell loose. I didn't feel like talking about recent events what did they matter, but to satisfy his curious mind. "I fell for a man who is married and I don't think that I will make the same mistake twice." Feelings are feelings you can't help for who they go for after all he was just a man. I had now completely removed myself from the situation; trying to think of new ways to get my mind off from James. But I couldn't see myself with any other man.

Posts : 109 Join date : 2012-02-02 Age : 37

Gabriel nodded meditatively and then looked at her. He imagined a girl might feel shame for being entangled with a man who already had a wife or at least remorse...and he didn't wish for her to feel any of that, at least not while she was walking with him. It didn't cross his mind to press her for more on the man and their relationship. He knew it happened often enough and often it caused unhappiness - he needn't know more but felt a strange sort of remorse that she had been burned by her experience. He would tell her he was sorry for it but for some reason he found his countenance lighter in company and almost chuckled.

"I have confirmed this for you then?" he said with a grin - his humour usually self depreciating, "That is the sign?"

Lady-in-waiting Posts : 220 Join date : 2015-05-29

"Now you have confirmed that I attract the wrong kind of man. When you long for somebody and have been close to having that it sends you into a wild animal." I sighed to try and explain a likening to love to someone who might not have experienced was rather difficult. "And what of you have you ever came close to tasting foreign fruit."

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