Laszlo let out a deep sigh and shook his head at Ramiro. "How much longer are you going to wait? If you do not decide soon, someone else will. Yours are not the only eyes that watch her. Dorin's eyes follow her as well. The men may wait for now out of respect for you, but they will not wait forever."

"Ramiro narrowed his eyes. "I know this."

"Then why did you not speak?"

Ramiro's hands paused. "I did speak," he said, "my father said no." he threw the leather aside and walked up to one of the horses, patting it gently.

Laszlo blinked. "And why would Cezar of Cezar's vurdon say no?"

"He says Ihrin," Ramiro told the horse trainer, "he says Milena is not of Milosh' kumpania. Ihrin is. She will make a good wife."

"Tch," Laszlo growled, "Cezar is the only one who remembers that. Has she not been with us since she was a child? She has shared a bed with Daria. They are sisters. She works hard and she is a pretty one." He smirked. "And my horses like her."

Ramiro turned to face the man with a frustrated expression. "What would you have me do then?! Should I defy Cezar of Milosh' kumpania and have both of us cast out? Where would we go? I have not a wagon of my own. She has lost a family once already. I will not let that happen again. I will not cause her grief."

"You love her," Laszlo said.

Ramiro's eyes were serious and he patted the horse's head. "How can I not? Ever since we were children, she would come to me when she had hurt herself, to make her nightmares go away." He shook his head. "Yes I love her. But it matters not."

"Egh!" Laszlo threw his hands in the air, "what are you? A child? If you do not want Ihrin, then speak to Cezar again. Speak to Milosh. He will say Lena is of Milosh' kumpania. And she is your grandmother's favorite. Aishe will scold her son for being this stubborn." He slapped the back of Ramiro's head and walked off, muttering to himself.

Ramiro sighed and patted the horse's neck before shooing it off. He sat back down on the stool and picked up the next bridle.

"Lenka Lenka!" A seven year old girl with dark curls stood up from the grass as soon as she spotted the older girl. On her head was  crown of daisies. "Look Lenka what a pretty crown Nina made me. Shall she make you one too?"

Milena sunk down on one knee so the child could show her the flowers. She adored Tsura, who was Daria and Ramiro's little cousin. And the little girl always sough her out in return.

"Do you like them, Lenka? Do you?"

Milena smiled at the girl and patted her hair. Seeing her always brought tears to her eyes. Her mother's name had been Tsura.

"Tsura," an elderly woman approached the two girls, "why don't you go find your mother? I need to speak with Lenka."

Tsura nodded at her grandmother and kissed Milena's cheek. "Bye Lenka. Will you sit with me at the fire tonight?"

Milena nodded and smiled as she watched the child skip off. Se stood up and looked at Aishe curiously.

"Come inside my wagon child," Aishe said and walked inside. Milena followed suit, wondering what the woman wanted of her.

Aishe started to cut some carrots and motioned for Milena to help her. The next couple of minutes were spent in silence, but Milena knew that whatever it was the woman had called her for would follow soon.

It didn't take long.

"I have seen you with my grandson," Aishe said, "I have seen the way you look at him  and him at you. You should not spend so much time with him alone. You are not children anymore Lenka. Tongues will start moving."

'If only mine would move,' Milena thought to herself. She didn't look up, but kept cutting vegetables for tonight's meal. Something tightened in her chest. The thought of losing Ramiro to Ihrin or one of the other girls hurt. She knew Cezar would never consider he for his son. She knew it wasn't because he disliked her, but Ihrin had a voice. She could speak. And she was of this kumpania. Milena could even understand. Ihrin was a pretty girl and very skilled in crafting jewelry. Ramiro could consider himself lucky.

If only it wouldn't hurt so much.

"Lenka, did you hear me?" Aishe said, demanding the young woman's attention. When Milena looked at her she continued. "You are like my own grandchild and I wish you well. My son is a stubborn man, but he wants what is best for his son. In the end he will see reason, but you should not push things. Be obedient child." She gave Milena a stern look. "I will speak to Ramiro too. Now go see if you can help Carmen with Tsura." She cupped Milena's cheek and gave her a sad smile. "I wish things were easier child." She pulled her hand back and ushered Milena outside.

***

She loved nights like these. Nights of the full moon with a gentle breeze to make the trees whisper. They held something magical. They were the nights of the Paramitsha, the story tellers.

Everyone would gather around the fire and hear the old tales. There would be food and music, laughter and dancing.

She loved to dance. When she danced, she didn't need words.

Milena and Gita shared out the food before joining the fire themselves. Gita, who was a few years her older, sat down with Sergei, Nina and Aranka. Milena noticed Ramiro on the other end of the fire, sitting with his sister and Petsha, but when she crossed eyes with Aishe, she turned the other way and let out a soft sigh. She knew the old woman was right. It did not mean she had to like it.

Laszlo smiled warmly at her as she passed him, his violin in his hands. "You will save me a dance, yes chavi?"

Milena nodded at him and sat down with Carmen and Tsura. The little girl immediately crawled in her lap. Milena combed the girl's hair with her fingers and turned her attention to Marius who had cleared his throat.

"A long time ago, " he started, "somewhere in a far off land, there lived a man and a woman. And they had a son in their old age. When the son grew up, the parents died and one day a beggar knocked on the boy's door. 'Come with me to seek fortune.' And the boy went with him.

When they were well on their way, the beggar turned to the boy. 'Wish me into a horse and climb on my back.' And the boy did as he was told. The horse told the boy to help anyone in distress.

After a while they came to a sea and found a little fish that was cast up with the tide. The boy remembered his horse's words and helped the fish back in the water. The fish thanked him and promised to one day return the favor.

The boy and the horse rode on until the came to the BeautifulMountain. And the horse warned him not to touch anything."

Marius paused to look around the group. The young children stared at him in suspense, even though they knew the story.

"As they crossed the Mountain, a feather blew into the boy's mouth. He tried to spit it out, again and again, but it returned. So he looked at it and decided it was pretty and put it into his pocket.

On the other side of the Mountain, they came across a castle and they heard a bellowing sound inside. When the boy went to check it out, he found a sick giant in bed with no servants to help him, so the boy brought him food.

The giant thanked him and promised to one day return the favor.

When the boy returned to his horse, the horse asked if he had touched anything on the Mountain. The boy answered him, 'nothing but this feather.'

The horse shook his head. 'That feather will bring you sorrow, but keep it now that you have it.'

They came to another castle and the boy asked for work. The master was in need of a scribe and tested the boy's handwriting. The boy used the feather he found on the Mountain and the master was impressed and hired him. He asked the boy to sleep indoor, but the boy preferred to sleep in the stables beside his old horse.

The castle marveled under the boy's penmanship, but one day, the master's servant stole the feather and brought it to his master. 'Master,' the servant spoke, 'the man that got this feather can get the bird. Then you will have more feathers of your own and you will make more money.'

The master agreed and told the boy to fetch the bird. The boy went to his horse and told him what they had asked him to do. The horse told him to ask for three days leave and three sacks of gold. And so they rode off in search of the bird.

They came upon a castle near the sea and asked the lady to sell one of her birds to him. She accepted his offer and told him to choose from one of her birds in the garden.

The lady owned many beautiful birds, in all kinds of colors, that were certainly worth the three sacks of gold, but the boy chose the simplest one, with brown feathers. The bird was still pretty but not as colorful as his brothers and sisters.

'Are you sure this is the bird you want?" the lady asked and the boy nodded and rode back to his master.

When the master's servant saw the bird, he spoke to his master. 'Master,' he said, 'the bird is fair, how fair must be the lady that owned it. If only the master could take her as his wife.'

The master agreed and told the boy to fetch the lady.

Again, the boy told everything to his horse. The horse sighed and shook his head. 'I warned you that feather would bring you trouble. Go to your master and ask for three days of leave and three sacks of gold.'

And the boy did. With the three sacks of gold he bought a boat and silk and sailed under the castle. He lured the lady aboard to come and see the silk, but as soon as she was in the cabin, he sailed back to shore.

When the lady came back on deck and noticed what had happened, she tossed her keys into the sea.

When they arrived back at the boy's master, the master's servant spoke. 'Master,' he said, 'the man that got the lady can get you the castle too.' And once again the boy was sent with three sacks of gold. And again the horse reminded the boy of the unlucky feather.

'Horse,' the boy spoke, 'how can I get my master his castle? Will you not help me?'

The horse reminded the boy of the giant's promise and they went in search of him.

The giant gladly agreed to help. He put a chain around the castle and dragged it to the boy's master. But the castle was still locked and the lady demanded of the boy her keys.

The horse reminded the boy of the little fish' promise and they went out to search for him.

The fish gladly agreed to help and brought up the keys from the bottom of the sea and the boy retuned them to the lady.

The lady thanked him and gave him a choice. 'Which would you prefer?' she asked the boy, 'to have your head cut off or that of your master?'

The boy looked at the lady. 'Please cut off mine.'

The lady answered him thusly, 'you have spoken well. Had you not spoken thus, your head would have fallen, now your master's head will fall.'

The lady then wed the boy and they live in the castle still. And the horse had a stable of his own and lived there till the end of his days."

In Milena's lap, Tsura had fallen asleep. Her mother Carmen smiled at Milena. "Give her to me. I will put her to bed."

Milena shook her head and carefully lifted Tsura in her arms, making sure not to wake the girl. Carmen gave her a grateful nod and Milena carried the girl to Carmen's wagon.

She carefully placed Tsura in bed and tugged her in. Tsura mumbled in her sleep and crawled under the blankets. Milena smiled and patted the girl's hair before walking out of the wagon. Softly she closed the door and turned to leave, almost running into a dark figure.

"I'm sorry," the figure said, "I did not mean to frighten you."

She recognized Dorin's voice now and she nodded at him. Silently she wondered what he was doing here, away from the others. Had he followed her? She took a step around him, but his voice stopped her.

"Lenka." Milena looked at him questioningly. Dorin stared at her hesitantly, not sure where to start. "I was not sure... Normally I would have spoken to your father."

Milena's eyes went wide in fear of what he was going to say. She did not want to hear it. She shook her head at him, pleading him not to say anything else.

"Just listen please," Dorin said.

Milena held her breath. She felt panic setting in. This wasn't something she could simply refuse. Dorin was a good man from a good familia. She didn't want to insult him, but she also could not accept him.

"I have heard Cezar speak," Dorin said, "he has told Ramiro he should marry Ihrin."

Milena closed her eyes in pain. She had known this, but hearing it said out loud still hurt. "Lenka," Dorn said softly, "I know you do not love me..." Milena put a hand over his mouth to stop his stream of words, but he took it away. He looked at her seriously. " I will treat you right." Milena shook her head to make him stop speaking, but he ignored her. "You don't have to give me an answer now, but promise me you will think on it. If you accept, I will speak to Milosh about it. He can make the decision in your father's place since he leads the kumpania. Promise me you will consider it. I will only offer once." He nodded at her and walked back to the fire.

Milena stared after him in shock and sunk down on the steps of Carmen's wagon. What was she to do? The offer Dorin made was not something to take lightly. She knew she should be honored that he would take her. She was not from this kumpania, not one of their own. But she also knew she could not love him. He was an honest man that spoke his mind, but he never showed emotion. But who else would take her?

Something moved in the darkness to her right and for a moment she feared Dorin had returned, but it was Laszlo.

The old horse trainer gave her a sympathizing smile and sat down next to her. "Did I see Dorin talk to you?"

Milena nodded and stared at the ground. Had he heard the conversation?

"So he spoke up, did he? I was wondering how long it would take, though I did think he would wait longer."

Milena looked up at him. He had known Dorin planned this? Why had he not said anything to her?

Laszlo chuckled softly. "Do not look so surprise Lenka. You are a very pretty one. Is it that strange the young men notice you?"

Milena sighed. She didn't want their attention. She only wanted one person's attention.

Laszlo patted her hand. "It will be alright Lenka. Cezar is a stubborn man, but he will not force his son to marry someone he does not want. It may take time, but in the end he will give in. You will see." He smiled. "In the meantime, I think you promised me a dance." He stood and held out his hand to her.

Milena allowed a smile to cross her face and placed her hand in his. He pulled her to her feet. "Smile chavi. I don't want so much sadness on such a pretty face." He guided her back to the fire where a few of the woman were already dancing. Vali and Sergei were playing the fiddle.

A few feet ahead, the leader of their kumpania, Milosh, was drinking and gambling with a few others. Milena noticed Cezar among them too. Involuntarily her eyes searched for Ramiro. She found him in conversation with Petsha, but his eyes briefly met hers and he smiled at her warmly.

She had her first dance with Laszlo and danced with Alec after that. He was too young for it to be considered inappropriate. She danced with Daria too, the sound of clapping guiding their steps.

When it approached midnight, Sergei put aside his instrument and left with Dorin to collect the coins that the village girl had buried on the East Road.

Milena hoped there would be a heavy purse. They could use the money. Times were hard.

When Dorin passed her and Daria, he nodded at her and Milena found it hard to keep his gaze. The conversation they'd had earlier came back in mind and it made her uncomfortable.

Daria noticed the silent exchange and waited for Dorin to be out of hearing. She turned to Milena. "Why does Dorin look at you that way? Have you been keeping secrets from me?"

Milena shook her head frantically. She tried to explain, but Daria stopped her hands from moving. "My brother is watching us," she whispered, "come."

She tugged Milena with her so they could speak in private.

Milena tried to look over her shoulder to catch a glimpse of Ramiro, but it was too dark to make out his face.

"Tell me everything," Daria said as soon as they were behind the wagons. She held on to Milena's arm and looked at her expectantly. "Did he ask you?"

Milena's face was answer enough and Daria dropped her hands. "He did, did he not?" she asked in a concerned voice. "But what about Ramiro?"

Milena closed her eyes. Thinking about Ramiro hurt.

"You love him, do you not?" Daria said defeated, "my brother I mean. You care for him." She sighed. "I heard him and father argue." She bit her lip. "I am afraid he will leave."

Milena's head snapped up. Her eyes were filled with panic.

"Ah no," Daria hurried to say, "I did not mean leave the kumpania. But if he does not follow father's wishes there will be no place for him in our vurdon. Mother is trying to make father see reason. I am sorry. They have forbidden me to speak about it to you. I could not tell you."

Milena nodded sadly. Though it hurt her feelings that her friend had kept this from her, she understood. Daria wanted nothing more than for her father to accept an offer from Petsha's father should it come. She wouldn't risk disobeying him now.

Approaching footsteps made them look up.

Ramiro walked up to them and eyed them carefully. His eyes stayed on his sister and he gave her a stern look. He had a feeling he knew what they had discussed and he did not like it. "Father wants you back at the vurdon," he told her. When she made to protest, he narrowed his eyes.

Daria glanced at Milena and hurried back to her family.

Ramiro turned to Milena and immediately his eyes became soft. He had seen Dorin look at her and knew of his intentions. He couldn't let that happen. He couldn't let Dorin have her. If only his father would give in. "You should go to sleep too," he told her kindly, "it is late. Carmen said you could stay with her and Tsura tonight."

Milena nodded and looked at him sadly before walking back to camp.

Ramiro sighed and ran a hand through his hair. He needed to convince his father. And now that Dorin had stepped up, he needed to do it fast.

----

A few translations to keep everyone from getting confused.

"Vurdon" means "wagon"

"Pena" means "sister"

"Kumpania" is a group of gypsies that travel together.

"familia" is "family"

"chavi" means "girl / child"

"Ruv" means "wolf"

I hope you enjoyed this new chapter. Please leave a comment.