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“Fen,” he said awkwardly after a moment. “I want you to know that I did not forget because it was inconsequential to me.” He paused heavily before continuing. “After my injuries at Adarva, there was a chapter in my life that was lost to me. To my infinite regret, this is part of it.”

Fen was silent a moment before sliding a hand down his shoulder blade to touch his scarring. “It’s a very small price to pay for your safe return,” she said lightly. “and it isn’t truly lost now that you’ve returned to me.”

“When did you give me the locket?” he asked after a moment.

“Before you left to go soldiering. You came to bid me farewell at my Father’s house. We went for a walk in the grounds and you were very kind to me.”

“How was I kind?” asked Oswald with a faint frown.

“You humored a young fifteen-year old girl, and accepted her locket as a good luck token. You held my hands.” She threaded her fingers through his. “We were stood under the oak tree,” she reminisced. “When your father came to fetch you.”

“We were stood under an oak?” asked Oswald. “Holding hands?”

“Yes,” Fen was puzzled by his tone.

He gave a short laugh. “No wonder he kept sending you those gold coins.”

“Why?” she asked.

“To his ancestors that would have been as valid as a marriage ceremony.”

“Oh,” said Fen. “Oh!”

“What?”

“I’ve just realized what he meant,” she marveled. “You’ve been sleeping under an oak tree… He meant that tree… that I’d been waiting for you to return, all these years.” She raised her head to look at him, her eyes filling with tears.

Oswald tipped his head. “Is that a line from the play?” he asked in confusion. “I don’t remember…”

“It’s nothing, just something young Cuthbert said.”

“Cuthbert accused you of sleeping under oak trees?”

Fen laughed softly. “It does almost feel like a dream,” she said softly. “You know, I’ve always been confused about our actual wedding. I remember we received a blessing at the betrothal ceremony at Vawdrey Keep, but if that constituted our marriage ceremony…”

“It did,” said Oswald tightly.

“Then I was really not aware of the fact,” said Fen firmly.

“You were too young at the time,” he said. “But I do think it would be a good notion for us to repeat the vows in a holy place.”

“Perhaps we could re-visit the oak on my brother’s grounds when we are next down in Sitchmarsh?” she suggested.

“That is an excellent suggestion. But we should visit the chapel at the palace too, perhaps with just family in attendance. We could send for your brother,” he added as an afterthought.

“We should really go and visit with him,” said Fen perking up. “In light of his news.”

“His news? Tell me,” He looked distracted, his hand stroking over her hip.

“But I did already,” said Fen. “He’s getting married tomorrow on Solstice Eve.”

“He is? I thought that was just a ruse, for you to run away from me.”

Fen blushed. “Not entirely. It seems Orla and Gil have been spending a lot of time together.”

“Mmm?” he repeated. “Gil. Your brother, and Orla?”

“Yes. It seems Orla will be my sister-in-law once again, what say you to that?”