Chapter 56 Maidenly Views of Gypsy Life

In an effort to cheer the maidens, Thomas the wiseman offered to take them to the Ottoman Gypsy Camp. Maid Patty wished to stay at home, so he was accompanied by Maids Heather and Celeste. Upon their arrival a light misty rain greeted them. Maid Heather leaned forward, trying to catch a drop. Thinking of the precious kiss Serious Dwarf gave her she unconciously formed her lips in a kiss.

Observing the noble maid Celeste did a poor copy of the same. The short mist ended and Celeste straightened up and took a look about her.

In the distance Celeste could see an exotic woman dressed in finery. "Is that woman in red one of your gypsies?" Patches Wanderer answered her, "That is one of the Sultan's Harem women." Imagine that! Who would have thought that when I entered the Sanctuary of the Grunwald Wisemen, I Celeste, a lowly peasant woman without family, would be in the presence of royalty! Do these gypsies always have such exotic guests? Celeste looked about the camp in a new way now. She saw a baby basket hanging from the trees and a table to change little gypsy babies. She let out a little sigh.

Perhaps being a gypsy wife would be as fine as being wife to a man with a house. Perhaps finer with the guests that wander through and the kindly way of the gypsies.

Meanwhile Maid Heather wandered about, lovestruck. Despite being unable to marry Serious Dwarf, she was happy with her secret love for the man. She glowed with it.

Feeling inspired, she took up a violin and let it play the song her heart felt...as best she could. She didn't even notice the horse that came to listen.

Celeste heard the violin. Not turning to look, she thought it a gypsy song. It only added to her experience.

She watched an old woman play with a little dog.

Anyone is welcome here, from the sultan's harem to a dirty old peasant woman.

Celeste sat down. She wanted just a little while to pretend to be a gypsy wife.

Lovestruck Heather was doing some dreaming of her own. Does he love me as I love him?

"Dinner for all who want it!"

Heather heeded the call, but Celeste did not. She had made her way to the lake where she now fished next to the harem woman, unwilling to end her moment with royalty before she had to.

Heather shared a table with the queen of the Ottoman gypsies, Queen Scorpion, along with a gypsy couple.

"I'm honored to dine with you Your Majesty."

"I am pleased to meet your aquaintance. There is nothing I value in life more than friendship."

"Then I hope we become good friends."

"Maid Heather, we shall leave when you are finished with your meal."

"As you wish Thomas."

"Thomas is a good man. He and the other wisemen have been so kind to we ladies in waiting." The gypsies grew quiet a moment, then the Queen spoke.

"That is how it is for most gypsies. We are a band of the forgotten. Together, we are like family."

Heather gave a smile as a lady should. She shivered a little. All that kept her from being just like them was a few kindly old men.

Would it be so unhappy if she married Serious? Were a merchant man's quarters comfortable to a noble lady? Perhaps not. Would it not be worth it? What does it matter, I shall never know.