My thanks to Constance Grant for her invaluable help in editing, and her constant support in my efforts.  

 

The Legacy of Sir Nigel               by Janet Stickney               JanetLynn17@Hotmail.com

 

William, the reigning King, made a momentous decision. For two years he had been locked in a struggle with the Lord of the land as he tried, and failed, to wrest away the bounty of the land. In the fading, unwritten history of the people of the land, which was once no more than separate families coping with nature, they banded together and elected one man, Nigel, to lead them. This man, the first Lord of the land was wise to the ways of nature and showed the people how to work together. In time they all grew wealthy, and were able to care for the sick and the elderly, build homes and raise cattle. As their sons grew tall, they formed a small army led by the son of the Lord of the land. The nearby King, greedy, with no regard for his people, cherished the bounty of the people of the land, so he gathered his army and attacked. But the people of the land were strong, sending their sons and daughters to fight, side by side, for the land. The King lost many troops, some from killings, some ran away, and some starved. As the days wore on the King knew he was not beaten, yet could not win. Motivated by a desire to bring peace to his embattled troops, and to eliminate the enormous expense to his kingdom, he sent a messenger to his enemy. Two days later the men met in secret, deep in the highlands, shrouded in mist, each protected by seven armed warriors of their choosing. It was not an easy meeting.

The King did not like his enemy, distrust a natural instinct for men like him. The Lord of the land sat placidly in his chair as the King argued and yelled, threw things in anger, yet the warriors made no attempt to interfere. The King was enraged at the Lord of the land and his calm face. The Lord was young and strong, confident and smiling. As he sat staring at the Lord of the land, he finally found an answer. It took five days before the pact was agreed to, a secret pact between the mortal enemies. Each had an exact copy that had been signed by all 14 warriors and each other, with their seals affixed.

The King retreated with his army and the Lord of the land gathered his people together and told them the great news. They and their heirs could live in peace now, the highlands would be theirs, and he made the pledge that he would help them prosper. In the agreement, all of the lands, castles, estates and income would belong to the Lord of the land and his heirs in perpetuity.

But the King was sly, not wise, and added one condition. The year was 1440, and while history was being made, he did not trust his enemy, which is why he added one condition. The Lord of the land and his heirs could stay, working the land and prospering, but in the year 2000,the eldest daughter of the direct heir must appear in person before the Kings heir to ask that the pact be satisfied by a showing of her naked body. If it is satisfied, the land, estates, castles and income will stay with the people of the Lord of the land. If not, all would return to the Kings heirs. For a woman to show her naked body to anyone but her husband was a sin, and the King was confident that the woman, whoever she was, would not do it. The pact was signed and sealed, then stored away, forgotten for 540 years, then…

Lady Mary lay in her bed, the pain intense as the doctor refused to administer any more drugs. "You are having a baby, not a cow my dear, you can do it." Her husband Michael held her hand, unable to do more than comfort her as she huffed and puffed, then, all at once their first child was born. The baby was quickly taken by the nurse and wrapped tightly in a warm blanket. The child, a girl, was named Jane Elizabeth, a smiling little bundle with blonde hair and quick brown eyes. As Sir Michael and his wife Mary looked at the child, they both knew that the legacy handed down to them was now secure. As Lord of the land, he and his wife had offered their heirs title to the legacy. As the baby grew, she was a constant joy to the young parents, and like many parents everywhere, they lavished love and attention on the child. Less than a year later Mary gave birth to a son. They named the boy Nigel in remembrance of the Lord of the land that had signed the pact so long ago.

As the children grew, they played with the children of the original heirs of the land, attending school on the land, which had been built just for those children. When Nigel was 5 he almost died from the fever. His tiny body was racked with pain, every movement excruciating, his cough hard, his ability to move waning. The fever lasted an entire year, but he finally recovered, yet he had not grown as much as his friends. Where they had gotten taller and started to fill out, he remained weak and slightly smaller.

Jane showed no sign of the fever and remained a robust girl that liked to learn, and play with equal delight. Bright, her eyes simply glowed at new challenges, but Nigel, while smaller than his friends, was a quick lad, and at every turn he would torment his sister with puzzles she could not do. Then, when the children were 11, and 12, tragedy struck once again. Jane, the very symbol of health and vigor, collapsed as she walked to bed. The doctor was called and while he tried everything he knew, there was nothing he could do. Lady Jane Elizabeth died of a stroke at the age of 12.

The implications went far beyond the death of the girl. Every previous Lord of the land had invested in the future, and Sir Michael now ruled over a complex operation that returned income in ten figures, while providing schooling, medical care, and more for the people that lived there. The very idea of ceding the lands to the new King was not even considered. The new King, much like his ancestor, was a despot, eager in his greed, uncaring for his people, and unfair when he administered the laws. Sir Michael could not let his people suffer that way. He had a quiet word with the doctor, then took his wife into their room. The discussion, tempered in grief, was short, both hating it, yet realizing what had to be done. Lady Mary was a teacher at the school, her sister a doctor at the hospital, and as educated women, both of them were well aware of the consequences of a default on the legacy. She knew what had to be done, yet she looked at her husband, sadness in her eyes, unwashed by the tears that flowed for her daughter.

They called Nigel to their room the next morning, to explain things to him. His eyes rimmed in red, his hair tousled and his clothes wrinkled, all spoke of how much he missed Jane. The children were as one when they picked on their father, always a soft touch for their innocent ways. But Nigel knew that something serious was in the air. He could sense it in the way only children can. His father took him to his lap and held the boy to him, stroking his hair, finding the nerve to say what had to be said.

"Nigel, there is a legacy that you should know about." Sir Michael explained to his son the legacy and what it meant to the people of the land, and then told him what he must do. "When we bury Jane today, she will be buried with your name on the headstone Nigel. You must become Jane if we are to protect the people." Nigel did not understand it right away, but he knew that his father had just told him he would have to become Jane, his own sister.

"But Papa I'm not a girl! The other boys will tease me if they see me wearing Jane's clothes!"

"We have no choice my son, you must do this for the people. I have asked the doctor and Aunt Carol to help us. They and the three of us are the only ones that know that Jane has died. We will send you to a private school for a while then you may return to us here, but you must become Jane in order to satisfy the legacy, there is no choice."

Nigel looked at his mother, saw the pain written on her face, and knew that she also did not like it, but when she spoke to him, it was only to confirm what his father had said. Nigel had played in his sister's clothes when they were alone, often they would play house, which meant nothing to him at all, except it passed the hours in the huge castle on rainy days and made Jane happy.

Because of his fever so long ago he and his sister were the same size now, both sharing the blonde hair and green eyes of the their mother, but the thin build of their father. His thin body was now a compliment to his new life, his small size no longer an issue. Nigel was taken into his sister's room, then dressed in her clothes. His mop of hair was trimmed in a pixie cut like Jane's, and when he looked in the mirror he saw his sister!

"Mother! Look at me! I look like Jane!"

"No dear, you are Jane. From now on you will be called Lady Jane."

She hugged her son to her breast and cried a bit, letting her grief break out in more tears, even as Nigel held her, patting her back and kissing her face.

"I'll do the best I can mother, but the other boys…"

"They can not, will not know! After the funeral, we will take you to a private school. You will not be back until the holidays."

Jane and her Aunt Carol were flown in a private plane to another country, and then taken to the summer retreat that Sir Michael owned. It was high in the Alps, yet close to a city, which they could see from their mountain top. Carol helped Jane move into her room, watching as the small boy tried to cope with the idea that he was to become his own sister. She knew what had to be done, and as a trained doctor, she was well able to help Jane become the woman she needed to be in order to satisfy the legacy.

Instead, she allowed Jane to adjust to the clothes, learning how to wear them, see how they felt, and find out how to dress herself. After a week, Jane no longer struggled with the unfamiliar fasteners, buttons on the wrong side as she said, walking in a skirt, and feeling the air around her legs. Jane did not feel so ashamed in the mountains as it was her Aunt Carol and herself, alone to let her discover the joy that could be held if she let go of her boy self. Jane wore a short skirt and a top with her panties every day, with just Carol to see her.

"We should go into town and see about some new clothes for you Jane, and as a treat, we can get our hair done and maybe eat out tonight." Carol did not think Jane would go, so she was surprised that Jane said she would like that.

Jane will narrate from here on, as it is after all, her story.

Aunt Carol never laughed at me when I first had to wear these clothes, which made me relax a lot. I felt funny about it, but dad said I had to do it, then he explained it to me. The legacy he said. I hated it at first, but it isn't much harder than when we played house, and now, well, I don't mind so much any more. When Aunt Carol said we were going to town I got excited, because I miss my friends, and being here alone is so hard. Aunt Carol said we would eat out, so I decided to wear the party dress, and went to my room to change. I took a bath and put my underwear on, the white tights went on easy enough, then the slip, which is white with little blue ribbons on it. The dress is the blue and white one. I pulled it over my head and tried, but I could not button it up, so I asked Aunt Carol to help me. Then she brushed out my hair, and for the first time, she had me wear some pink lipstick. She changed clothes, then drove us into town.

We went into a small shop, the scent of perfume in the air, an older woman standing in the back smiling. "May I help you Madam?"

"Jane needs a training bra, and of course, you were my first thought."

The woman smiled broadly, nodded her head yes, and went behind the counter to get her tape measure. A bra! I was going to have to wear a bra! I looked down, and saw nothing of course, but the woman was nodding her head as she measured me, then she went to a drawer and took a bra and held it out.

"This will do just fine madam, may I fit her?" Aunt Carol nodded her head yes, and I was soon standing in a small room naked to the waist as the bra was fastened around me. White, the tiny triangular pieces holding nothing, yet loose on my chest. "May I suggest these?" the woman held up two very small flesh colored pads, and when Aunt Carol nodded her head yes, the woman put one in each cup, smiling as she stood back. "Let me help you get dressed young lady." The woman did up the buttons, then, as I looked in the mirror, I saw two very small but definite mounds now pushing against the thin dress.

"We'll take two more of the bras, and another set of the enhancers if you please." The woman packaged everything in pink, and we left the shop. "Now we can find the dress shop and get you properly fitted Jane."

"This feel funny Aunt Jane, do I have to wear it?"

"All girls wear bras dear, and girls your age, well most of them anyway, have some development, and all of them wear bras, and so will you."

I looked at Aunt Carol, the mounds in her blouse prominent, and I could see her bra straps. That's when I knew why I would have to wear the bra. I didn't like it at all. It was tight and made me feel funny and a lot more like a girl! We walked down the street for several blocks and went into a dress shop. From the display in the window, they sold clothes for girls my age. Aunt Carol told me I could pick out three dresses I liked, and then she went looking in another part of the store. I looked at the splashes of color, unable to pick out any dresses, let alone three, so I found Aunt Carol and stayed with her.

"These are nice Jane" she said, holding up a skirt for me to see. It was dark blue with pleats in the front. One after another Aunt Carol added skirts, blouses and then, making me select them, three dresses. She paid for them and we left the shop, the packages to be delivered later.

After that it was shoes and tights, nylons and jewelry, then we stood in front of the salon. "I know this is all new to you Jane, but most women enjoy this. It's where we make ourselves beautiful, and I hope you enjoy it too." I looked inside, not knowing what to expect, and followed her into the salon.

"Yes Madam?"

"You have appointments for Carol and Lady Jane?"

"Of course! Come this way please."

I was in a chair next to Aunt Carol, each of us had a woman working on us. "We want her hair to grow out, at least shoulder length, so cut it with that in mind."

"As you wish madam."

My hair was washed, then the woman cut a tiny bit away and used rollers in my hair. I had to sit under a noisy dryer while another woman worked on my hands. My nails were filed and soft pink polish was painted on. When the polish was dry I was taken back to the chair and the rollers taken out, leaving my hair curly all over. I hated it and almost said something, but the woman began to brush it out and the curls disappeared, but my hair was now wavy and looked like a girl's haircut! I stared in the mirror, then Aunt Carol took my hand and paid the bill, then we left the shop. "You look simply wonderful Jane!"

"I look like a girl!"

"You are a girl Jane, always remember that."

We went into a very nice restaurant to eat, and then I saw Papa and Mother sitting there! I ran over to them, so happy I was grinning and hugging them both. I missed them so much, and now they were here! "Jane! You're so pretty!"

"But mother! I'm a…"

"You are Lady Jane Elizabeth dear, a very pretty young lady and a smart girl."

"I'm…"

"You are Jane dear, remember that, please."

"Yes Papa."

Mother looked at me carefully, her eyes missing nothing, then asked Aunt Carol if I was wearing a bra.

"Oh yes. She was fitted for her first one just today."

"But she has…" Papa never finished his sentence when mother gave him one of her looks.

"Getting your first bra is a big thing for a girl Jane, I'm so happy for you!"

"It feels tight mother."

"You'll get used to it, we all do."

Papa wasn't smiling, but he wasn't frowning either. We ate dinner, then we all went back to the house.

"Maybe we can have Jane model all of her new clothes for us!"

Mother went with me into my room with Aunt Carol, and as they watched, I changed into the dark blue skirt and a white blouse, then I had to put on pantyhose. They turned my legs tan. I wore the new black shoes, and the three of us went out to see Papa. With my hair done, wearing lipstick, the short skirt with nylons and short heels, my bra straps clearly evident, all traces of the boy I really was under it all had disappeared. I stood there as Jane, a 12 year old girl about to blossom into a woman. Papa was clearly shaken by the way I looked, then a grin split his face.

"You look wonderful Jane, simply wonderful!" I looked down at my skirt, so much leg showing, yet I felt proud I was able to make him happy. I twirled in a circle, my skirt rising until my panties showed. I tried on all of my outfits, and each time Papa and mother smiled at me. When I was done, I wore the dark skirt again, and sat between them. "Jane, how are you managing? Wearing girls clothes I mean."

"Okay Papa. It's different, and I hate it sometimes, but Aunt Carol says that it's okay to feel that way once in a while."

"She's right Jane, it is, but you have to become a girl in every way, so you might as well get used to it."

"What does that mean?"

"It means that Aunt Carol is going to give you a shot once a week to help you become a better girl."

"What your father means Jane, is that you will develop breasts of your own, like the other girls."

I looked down and saw my tiny bumps and understood when I looked at mother and Aunt Carol. "Do I have too?" All three of them nodded their heads yes, and I knew I would soon have bigger bumps. Later I went to bed, leaving the adults alone.

Aunt Carol told me much later of their conversation. "I'll give her a starter dose, twice a week for a month, then reduce it to once a week for ten months. After that, once a month until she matures at around age 16. By that time she will be socialized as a female, and quite ready, so at that time we will have to make her viable as a female. She will need the time to adjust to it Michael. If we have any chance of pulling this off, knowing the King will insist on a physical, she must be a viable female at that time. By starting at this age, she will never develop any male characteristics, and within a year, maybe two, she will not know any difference. In her mind, she will be Jane, a natural born female. However, she is experiencing erections now, usually at night, twice so far when she was getting dressed. We need to make sure that does not happen. At her age she is susceptible to the hormones her own body is making. An erection at the wrong time can ruin her, and us as well." Sir Michael and lady Mary listened as Carol outlined what she would have to do. "We really have no choice Michael, and I think that the sooner we do this the better off she will be.

The downside is that she can never have children."

"I understand all that Carol, and as much as I hate doing this to Nigel, I can see no other options. What do we do about passing on our own line then?

"She could bear children, but she would need an egg, which she does not carry, and of course the sperm donor. We can fertilize the egg and implant it into her, and she can carry the baby to term, then using caesarian section, she gave deliver the baby. What I recommend is that we harvest your eggs Mary and hold them in suspension until she needs them, but do it soon. The younger the mother or egg donor the more viable the eggs are." Mary and Michael looked at each other, then a grin spread on his face.

"She is in your hands Carol."

My parents went home the next day, then Aunt Carol gave me a shot in my bottom and started teaching me how to sit and stand, walk and use my hands. A week later Aunt Carol told me I needed an operation!

"It's nothing serious Jane, and in a day or so you'll be able to do what you want."

She did not tell me what the operation was, but I trusted her and agreed. That afternoon we drove to a small clinic, and I got to see Doctor Hames again. He smiled when he saw me, then after a quick hug, I was made to wear a gown. When I woke it was dark outside and fell asleep again. In the morning I had to use the bathroom, and just as I started to get out of bed the nurse came in and helped me up. I hurt between my legs and had to duck walk to the bathroom, then, when I started to reach out, the nurse told me to sit down. Aunt Carol had been after me about sitting rather than standing, so I thought nothing of it and sat. Then the nurse cleaned me and took me back to bed. An hour later the doctor and Aunt Carol came in and checked me out, then Aunt Carol stayed to talk to me.

"You know that boys and girls are different don't you?" I nodded my head, a smile on my face. "Well the doctor made it so that you now look like a girl Jane. From now on you'll have to sit to pee, just like I've been telling you to do, and you won't have any more stiffies at night."

Aunt Carol was holding my hand, but she said nothing when I yanked it away and reached under the blanket and felt myself.

"It's gone! He cut it off!"

"No, it's not gone Jane. He merely made you look like a girl. Everything is still there, it's just up inside you now." All I knew was that it was gone, and didn't understand what "up inside" meant, and fell to the bed crying. She let me cry for a bit, then watched, as I got dressed. When I was ready, she took me home, and then let me relax for two days.

"Time to take the bandages off Jane, come lay down on the bed." It took only a moment, then, as I dressed again, I felt my legs falling together easily, which was a strange feeling. My fingers felt the tiny line, no trace of what was before, my skin smooth and soft, now folded and firm, like a girl. I finished dressing for our daily walk.

We walked for hours each day, then, in the fall I was taken to the school. It was an all girl school, very private and very safe. Aunt Carol entered me into the school, but unlike some of the other girls, I would be able to live at home. I had the usual subjects, but unlike my old school, I had classes in "comportment" as they called it. I had to walk a small track with a book on my head, in short heels, twice a day, every day. I had to be well groomed, with my hair done, clean nails, and my work done. Otherwise I had to walk the track twice for every infraction. I walked it a lot, not because I was dirty or not groomed well, I really had to work hard at acting like a girl. Sometimes I didn't, and got the book. I made some friends at the school, and asked them to come over. Aunt Carol said okay, and that Saturday my friends and I began to experiment with makeup. I did not think anything about it as we all tried everything. It was fun. In a month or so I began to act they way I was supposed to and didn't get quite as much extra time with the book, and I no longer felt like a boy in a dress.

Christmas was growing closer, and as I looked forward to going home for the holidays, I was allowed to shop for presents. In one shop, Aunt Carol said there was a cute outfit she wanted me to try on, so we went into a changing booth. As I slipped off my blouse, I heard Aunt Carol take in her breath.

"Jane! You've grown!" I looked down and saw that the training bra was stretched tight.

"I guess."

"Take your bra off and let me see." I did, and she saw that I was not using the enhancers, it was all me. "We need to get you some larger bras Jane. We'll do that while we are here in town." Once again, I was in the lingerie shop, being measured for a new bra.

"She has grown quite a bit Madam! She is now into an AA cup!" Aunt Carol once again bought three new bras and we finished our shopping. I had a complete outfit for Christmas morning. I picked it out myself, and Aunt Carol helped me get the jewelry and shoes. I wore a pink and gray plaid skirt with a pink jacket to the airport for the flight home, the rest of my clothes in my luggage.

Steven, Papa's driver took us home in the big car. "Have a nice flight Madam?" Aunt Carol nudged me, and I nodded my head yes just about the time he pulled up at our home. Mother and Papa were waiting for us at the door, and I was so excited I ran to them and hugged them tightly.

"You have turned into a beautiful girl Jane, and such a short time!" Mother held my hand as we walked into the great hall, and then into Papa's office. The Christmas decorations had been put up, the hall hung with garland and the tree was huge this year. My things had been put into my sister's room of course, since I was supposed to be her now. Mom told me to change into a dress because we had the annual visit to the hospital. I wore the red dress with the white lace trim and my white heels. Aunt Carol fixed my hair, let me do my lips again, then Papa, with mom and I in tow drove to the hospital. As we visited the various wards I saw many of my old classmates. None of them recognized me as Nigel. All of them thought I was Jane! Some of the girls knew my sister, and I had to be extra careful when we talked to them, but they also accepted me as Jane. That's when I realized that I was Jane now.

My parents wanted to send me back to the private school, but I begged them to let me stay at home, and they finally relented. Christmas was wonderful and we had many guests during the holidays. I started school with my friends and like all of the other girls I began to grow taller, and filled out about the same as they did. As the days went by I quit thinking of myself as a boy in a dress, especially when I had to shower with the other girls. We all looked alike. When I was 14 Kevin asked me to the Friday dance! I was just as excited as the other girls that had been asked, and after school I went to my room to find the perfect outfit. I wore a very short skirt with a cashmere sweater.

Papa is an easy pushover. When he saw me in the skirt he almost said I had to change, but I sat on his lap and held him, pouting the whole time. Of course, he gave in, just like I knew he would. Mother and Aunt Carol both grinned as Kevin came to get me. Both he and I were very nervous, as it was our first date. His father was out front waiting to take us to the dance. Kevin's father runs the machinery barn. His ancestor was the smithy, which has evolved into a huge garage where all repairs are made on the equipment we use to plow or sweep the streets and so on. To get that job Kevin will have to go to college and get a degree in management after a three-year apprenticeship repairing the trucks. He told me he is going to start his apprenticeship this summer, when he turns 15. Kevin is real tall with red hair and bright blue eyes. He plays soccer of course, as the goalie, and is quite popular. When he asked me to the dance I was very proud that I was the girl he chose.

Right now, as the music flows around us I feel lost as Kevin easily holds me in his arms. During the last dance he kissed me! Right on the lips too! I felt the shiver down my back and hoped he felt it too, but only smiled at him instead of asking if he felt the same. His father took me home, then, right at my front door, Kevin kissed me again. I was on cloud nine as I floated into the house and up to my room, right past papa and mother. I was in my room, undressing when mother came in.

"He kissed me mother! Right ion the lips! He must love me!" She said nothing as the nightgown went over my head, then, as I slipped into bed she kissed my forehead. If she said something I missed it, and drifted off to sleep almost as soon as the lights went out.

Kevin started to become very attentive to me around school and everyone thought of us as a couple now. He even gave me a pin to wear, which I always wore. I kept growing and my clothes began to get tight, but I said nothing because I actually liked the look, and the stares I got. Mother and Aunt Carol however kept very good track of my size, and a week after I turned 15 I was again taken to the fitter to get new lingerie. I now wear a B cup bra, I'm 36-22-36, and look every bit as much a female as any of my girlfriends. A day later I was taken to the clinic where Dr. Hames removed what was left of my beard with a laser. It was the only thing that I had to be careful of, but electrolysis had removed most of it already. During that summer, Kevin and I were out at the lake, the hidden one, all alone. He had also grown, filling out and getting a bit taller. He now stands almost a head taller than I do and weighs half again as much as I do. His beard is soft and red, which he now shaves off every day. "Jane" he said, and I turned to see him coming closer. I fell into his arms, excited by his liking me, yet also aware that we were all alone, in a secluded place. He had something on his mind, and I knew what it was.

He touched me on the breast, which made me shiver in delight even as his lips found mine. He held my bottom and stroked my breast, then his hand started to travel up my leg, and I opened my legs. His hand found me, then I clamped down hard.

"Not that Kevin. Not yet" I said, and he pushed me down on my back. He unzipped his pants and out came his weapon, hard, huge and ready. My hand went to him and he gasped in pleasure. As my hand moved, his eyes rolled back in his head, then all at once I had a hand full of goo. I giggled as he struggled to find his hankie, about as uncoordinated as he could be. He even fell over trying to get it. I cleaned up at the lakeside, wiping my hands dry with his hankie, then he held me close. He told me he loved me, and kissed me gently, then he took me home.

"Aunt Carol?"

"Yes dear, what is it?"

"Do I have to wait until I'm 16 to have the surgery?"

"Why do you ask? Never mind. It's Kevin isn't it?" How could I say no?

She knew already.

"I think we can arrange it this summer if you feel you are ready."

"I am."

"I'll talk to your parents Jane, but no promises.

"Thanks" I said and gave her a hug.

"She is now completely socialized as a female Michael, or she would not have asked me to have the surgery." They both knew I was right, yet in Michael's eyes his son would be lost forever. He knew of course that Nigel was dead now. Only his masculine pride stood in the way to making Jane complete.

"I guess we might as well Carol. She deserves the chance all of the other girls have."

"I agree Mary, but…"

"But nothing Michael. Jane is real and Nigel is gone. Let's give her the life she wants."

"Do it soon then and get it over with."

Two days later I was driven to the airport with Dr. Hames and Aunt Carol, we flew to a very private clinic where they performed the surgery. I was there for ten days before I was able to come home, then another week before I felt anything like normal again. Kevin was my first visitor. Mom pushed everyone else out of the room so we could be alone. "There's a rumor that you were pregnant Jane! Is it true?" His voice carried the tone of anger and dismay, and I quickly put that rumor to rest.

"No silly! If I was pregnant you would certainly know about it!"

"Then what did you…"

"Female problems Kevin, I will not be able to have a baby on my own. The doctors had to remove some parts, but I'm much better now." That was true. I was a much better girl now than before, which I hoped to try out on Kevin as soon as I could. And, I did not lie at all. They did remove some parts to make me better, the only problem is that I can't get pregnant. A month later the King called Papa and demanded to speak to him, so a meeting was set for a week from that day, here at our house. The King, when he arrived, looked unlike the slob I had heard he was. He is very handsome in a way.

"I heard a rumor that Lady Jane is not a female and I demand proof that she is a female!"

"You have no right to demand that until she turns 21, however, if we do prove it today, the legacy will be fulfilled and we will be done with it. You can wait five more years, or do it now sir, but here, in this house, right now." Papa had the advantage. If the King agreed, all he would have is a visual confirmation rather than a medical one since he had not brought a doctor along.

"The girl will stand here in front of me, naked so I can see?"

"As prescribed in the document, from a distance of ten feet, then you have 15 seconds after she opens her robe to decide."

"I agree!"

"I'll get the lawyer here as a witness and have him draw up the documents. In the meantime, how about a refreshment?" Papa made the call, and then poured out a generous dose of his best Scotch for the King. It took place in a small room, with only the King and one witness of his own, who happened to be his latest lady, then my mother, Aunt Carol, Papa, and myself. When they told me I was scared at first, but as I looked in the mirror I smiled, then undressed. Ten minutes later I showed up in the room. I wore a robe over my nakedness, and stood in front of the King. I hated doing this, but the legacy demanded it. I stood where Papa told me, the King in a chair, exactly ten measured feet away, his lady next to him. "Any time you're ready Jane." I took a deep breath and opened my robe wide.

"Damn! She looks good!"

"Quiet woman!" The seconds ticked away, then Papa told me to close my robe. "It is my understanding that a male can be made to look like a female.

I would like to see the girl put her finger in herself. If she can do that…"

"No sir! That is not in the legacy, and it is not part of our agreement." The lawyer put the paper in front of the King and demanded he sign it, handing him the pen.

"If I refuse?"

"Then we will see you in court. Of course, we have all of these witnesses, and a recording of your agreement to this display my daughter has made for you. Now sign the document sir." He hated it. All of his dreams of the riches we held were gone now. His face showed dismay and anger as I walked out of the room to get dressed. I heard his lady as I walked out of the room.

"That was a girl if I ever saw one! Hell, she's gorgeous! And how many men do you know that can fake being a female that well?"

"The legacy is not satisfied until I'm satisfied!" The lawyer unrolled the original copy of the legacy and read it word for word, from beginning to end. As the words rolled off his tongue the King sank in his chair, a beaten man. He quickly signed the document and stomped out of the house, his lady close behind.

In my shame at what had to do, I called Kevin, then directed him to the hidden lake where I seduced him, shamelessly and without fear. He was gentle with me, tender to the point of making me feel as if I should rush him, then, all at once I felt him. I had something inside me now, in my most private place. I was a woman now, and I had proved it, to Kevin, and more, to myself. Mother knew what I had done when she looked at Kevin, that stupid grin still on his face, but she said nothing, instead, she made me clean up.

The party was huge, and all of the people celebrated. Our way of life was secure now. Papa asked me if Kevin and I were to be married, and he did indeed ask me, but both of us have a long way to go before that. As time went on I became a woman, not a girl, and at age 22, Kevin stood by the altar waiting for me. He would become the Lord of the Land some day, but first, he would be my husband, and the father of our children. A year later, an egg was impregnated with his sperm and implanted into my abdomen, and after nine long months I gave birth to a squalling bundle that was all boy. He has red hair and green eyes. We named him Nigel.

(the end)

 

 

© 1999
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