Quiet joys: of home and family

[Lady Edfeil]

Three deaths had brought mourning to the castle. The unnamed, and quiet funeral of Smithy who had died in the dungeons. The death of Velrik, whom they had not known but who had held the heart of Queen Nicole of Kielder. And last the death of Queen Caera An, once a Windstorm woman...

With the spring wind however, many a blessing was brought to their home as well. The sewing season had started and the warmth of sun brought out the warm and pleasant moods. The shopping expedition had lightened the hearts and brought on the right atmosphere for the preparations of the festival.

She enjoyed the evenings at home now. With the hearth burning only low to ward off the damp. The quiet conversations and the work on her embroidery. Each time someone entered, she quickly tried to hide her embroidery work however. For many a month, in between the hussle and bussle of duties and joys, she had been working on the the tunic she had promised Sir Joseph.
The rascal kept teasing her, thinking she had forgotten, and she allowed him the thought. 't would make the surprise all the bigger when I saw nae only tunic but cloak embroidered as well.

The quiet joys in family and friends turned into blessings with the good news that was shared... Lady Siya's appointment as her fathers protector... the love and courtship that bloomed between Sinold and Halethala... and last but not least: the wonderful news of Lord DeForia and Lady Layla's blessing. They were going to make her an aunt! Seeing Theresa with her bairn, Ellissia who grew each day more into the likening of her father and mother, she could but imagine the blessings a child would be to their wedding.

Within the hall she sat, while a gentle spring rain moistened the fields and made the farmers pray in gratitude. She embroidered the tunic, already contemplating a tiny tunic for the bairn. And the talk she needed to have with Lord Daniel.

[Dream Loxley]

*The hour was late...but she allowed Ellissia just a short while longer...knowing Lady Edfeil was in the Hall. The little one skipped in and clumsily curtsied before moving to her normal place behind the chair......small but nimble fingers slowly teasing each pin from her hair. She would giggle as each lock of beautiful lush hair tumbled down to her Aunt Fe Fe's shoulders. Dream could only grin as she placed the tea tray down nearby.

The hearth was welcoming......the Hall quiet.....she poured the tea and smiled warmly to her friend, leaving her cup within reach as she admired the sewing. A glance to her daughter...just a small tilt of her head told the little one to be gentle...then she took her own tea and settled within her chair.*

"Ye are looking well my friend......I do wish fer the sunshine to find us again though....and a picnic aye.....as soon as time allows."

*She blew the tea to cool it slightly before taking a sip...watching her daughter take such delight in so simple a task....and the Lady did look quite beautiful with her hair down.*

[Lady Edfeil]

*there was a slight blush and a giggle 'pon lady Edfeils lips as she had finally found out why the wee lass was so insistant each time to take the pins out and watch her hair tumble down. Her grin towards Lady Dream was warm and full of mirth. Oh aye... feminine secrets.

The eve had been one of visitors and warmth. A far travelled priest had joined them, and they had enjoyed quiet talk of embroidery and children.
Such evenings were precious to her. In the comfort of warm drinks and simple talks.*

Oh aye... a picnic indeed would be nice! If only the weather would hold for just a day or so! Goodman Sinold got a vicious cold by riding out in a springrain and staying out all night. But at least he seems to be complying with the healers advisings. *L*

[Halethala]

She’d come in quietly, the tiny bundle in her arms was wiggling a bit less, though she’d not slept much through the night, enticing the wee creature to nurse from her little finger dipped in some warm milk. She’d tried to warm some for Midnight when he’d entered the Great Hall late last evening, but he’d ambled off before she’d returned. She’d explained to Andrea that she knew the wee wild bunny wouldn’t live anyway, but she had always loved the little balls of fur she’d sometimes find orphaned. This one had been cornered under the hedge near the garden wall by the castle hounds. Surprised it hadn’t already died of fright, maybe it had the spirit to survive . .

She settled in close to the Chatelaine and the King’s daughter, watching Edie’s skillfull hands and stroking the wee bunny across his tiny spine. She then smiled at sweet Ellissia and held the bundle out to her . . as her little eyes lit up, she softly warned to be very very gentle with the bunny. Almost as if she knew instinctively that it could not take more excitement, the small child simply stood and looked for a long time before finally lifting a tiny finger to touch it. . . smiling up into Letha’s face with the joy of discovery that only children can still possess . .

[Dream Loxley]

*She had agreed with the Lady Edfeil.....Sinold would have to take greater care of that cold.....lest it should cause him further illness. She remembered her own battle with the pneumonia last year and shuddered slightly.

Halethala had entered quietly.....the bundle wrapped up and held so close was intriguing...and when she saw it..her heart melted. Such a sweet and innocent creature....destined mayhaps nae to live...such thoughts filled her with sadness and she had sighed deeply.

The innocence of her daughter had lifted her spirits when she looked upon her. Small fingers reached out....so gently.....with such care. Her face was enchanted...her eyes wide in awe of being so close to it. She trembled as she stroked it....the warm fur obviously such a delight. She showed that although clumsy at times...she could be delicate...and she respected all the animals her Father had told her of.

Both Mother and Daughter stood close....quite enthralled by the little rabbit.....Dream silently wishing it to survive...Ellissia quite content to just watch its whiskers twitching......quite oblivious as to its fate.*

[Sir Joseph]

Striding inte the hallowed hall and nae finding a soul.. nae a visitor, nor one of mah family. peering about the hall as I sit upon mah chair..... noticing a small wicker basket alongside the divan.... some needles sticking out amongst balls of yarn... recognizing the basket as Edies.... Curiosity overtaking me as I quietly walk o'er te the basket and peek inside.... reaching within with mah large hand trying nae te disturb the contents of the basket, but dyins te find out what be within..... pulling out an unfinished tunic.. knowins it be Lady Edfeils basket and handiwork... Immediately thinkins.. well Ill be! another hand embroidered tunic fer that codger Tyrun.... first a banner.. a HUGE banner fer es ship.. and now? Now.. a tunic.. looking inte the basket.. A cloak? hes gettins a cloak too? Good gawd! shakes mah ead in a dismal fashion.. that rogue, lucky, seacaptain.... wonderins iffen it twould be worth scourging mah dashingly handsome features to become as grotesque as Tyrun.. then,... then perhaps, I may "FINALLY" get mah wee eensy weensy tunic... grumbles as I walk back te mah chair with a defeatist shirk in mah broad shoulders and floppin inte mah seat....

[Lady Edfeil]

*she furrows her brow seeing the contents of her embroiderybasket disturbed. Who would... Nae one of her family would steal anything from the basket. Nor would any try to harm the contents. Then what... Carefully she takes out her embroiderythreads, the hoops, the tools, the reels, the fabrics, the large volume of the heavy cloak, the lighter volume of linnen.... The few parcels she keeps from her past that be never unwrapped. The dagger she inherited from her sweet, departed friend...

All was still there. Glancing up to the Lady Dream and Halethala, seeing Ellissia's gentle caress of the bunny, she shakes her head and chuckles.*

't seems... someone has had an interest in me embroiderybasket. Mayhap the tabby, aye? Now how is the wee one? *she asks, gesturing to the bunny but nae nearing. Like Dream, she nae wishes to add stress to the scared creature. She could but look on, an almost whisftfull smile as she saw Ellissia's concentration and the Lady Dreams proud smile.*

[Dream Loxley]

*She watches as Lady Edfeil tidies her basket....hoping the Tabby has nae been too playful....her features soften as she looks upon the tiny rabbit...stroking her daughters hair absently.*

"Aye...'tis seeming to hold its own M'Lady....mayhaps we might make a teet from some muslin, or even an old leather glove from one of the Lords....that may help it suckle..do ye think Halethala"

*Looking to Halethala....wishing the creature to survive.*

[Halethala]

She'd looked o'er across the small head of sweet Ellissia and had shaken her head slightly, that Ellissia wouldn't see. The bunny had suckled with gusto at first, hungrily . . but already his efforts were less so, and Letha knew all too well that soon he would not at all. She'd never known one to live long. A pity . . but she'd also learned to simply enjoy what one could, and share the blessings even the doomed had to offer. Yet for a moment, she almost regretted having shown the bunny to the little one, for there would be questions when Letha appeared next time, her arms empty. . .

Sighing a little, she spoke "'Tis a wonder that such small things can make a soul so happy . . " Kings could conquer vast territories, warriors win great victories, fame and fortunes gained, but didn't it all come down to this . . the soft touch of warm fur and the smiles of a little child . .

A merry grin formed on her face as she eyed Lady Edfeil's basket, it seemed impossible all she had managed to tuck inside it . . "Perhaps someone was trying to play hide and seek within yer cavernous basket there, Lady Edfeil . . *she teased* . . or maybe one of them sweet mice sought refuge from Tabby. I've seen them about on occasions . . "

[Dream Loxley]

*She nodded......saw the look upon Halethala's face.....she knew from her eyes without the need for words....and she sighed softly herself.

With gentle hands...she pulled Ellissia to her....speaking softly and making up an excuse that it was time for her to rest. The tiny rabbit needed to sleep now....and its Mummy would be searching for it.....she kissed her daughter and swallowed hard.....always she would try and protect her from the hardships in life......but how....nae...she nae knew.

She smiled warmly to Halethala.....thanking her....truly thanking her for sharing the creature....for even iffn it may nae live on...it would do so in their hearts..she was sure of such.

With a groan loud enough to make Ellissia chuckle...she lifted her up and twirled around.....hoping the gesture would distract her....there would be time enough for questions later. She chuckled as she looked at the ladies again....her little treasure waving and giggling as she was taken from the room...hands flailing in all directions as she pretended to fly like a bird.*

[Lady Edfeil]

*There was a smile 'pon her face when she aproached the Lady Halethala and kneeled beside her. Her eyes on the bunny with warmth and softness.*

There nae be a chance, m'lady?
*she asks, compassion filling her voice, keeping 't soft for Ellissia's sake. Her heart filled at the sight of the wee animal. She willed 't to find courage. To ease into the gentle care.*

[Halethala]

With the very slightest imperceptible shake of her head, she simply smiled sadly into Lady Edfeil's eyes, the tiny one's fate already cast. Speaking loudly enough so the ladies could hear, yet the child were too distracted to catch her words. "Perhaps I can find a wee newborn kitten in the spring batches that surely be abundant soon . . I hae ne'er known a stable to be bereft of cats stashed amonst the hay stored within . . Else the mice would o'erRUN the place! I shall see iffen I can track one down for little Ellissia . . . that is, if her mother would allow it? There be nothing like a kitten o' her own to share all those important whispered secrets." She smiled across to Dream, seeking an affirmative nod, and also looking to the King's daughter to see if she thought it a good idea as well . .

[Sinold Bragasson]

Passing the entrance of the great hall on his way to the stables, Sinold became witness to some of the sentimentalities which were the luxury of women. He didn't enter, only stood close to the door, leaning against the wall, only at first peeking into the room a bit.

There were the ladies, and Lady Dream's daughter, with a small fluffy thing. Catching a few words Sinold soon knew it was an abandoned bunny over which the women were fussing over the little critter. It seemed Letha had brought it inside…

Sinold sighed. Has she brought it to him, he would have told her to end its misery, had broken its neck with one quick move and then fed it to the dogs. It was too tiny to serve for human consumption, too little meat on it which would take much too much time and effort to prepare. But it would be a nice snack for the castle dogs.

Well, he could but hope Letha would not start a habit of bringing in strays, unless they were healthy and would serve a purpose, and with a shake of his head he continued on his way to the stables.

[Midnight]

Trotting back down the stairs into the main hall by black coat looking batter has it has it old shine back. My black ears flicker a bit as I look about and let out a joyful scream and jump about the castle as if chasing a ball of yarn or a mouse. Running in and around people and under tables. Leaping up into the air and twisting my great black body to land back on my feet once again. I scream out again in happiness as I runn about the castle. I run into the kitchen and pester the cooks a while and then get run out of the kitchen by the cooks my tail twitching happily. I lean back on my hind legs and wiggle a bit as if I am going to pounce the cook and then turn and run off hidding in my house watching the cook get frustrated by my antics.

[Dream Loxley]

*Before she left the Hall that day.....she had smiled a thankyou to Halethala... the idea of a kitten was indeed delightful and she knew Ellissia would treat it kindly and with the respect all animals deserved. Her Daughter had waved and giggled...almost having forgotten about the small rabbit...and yet..perhaps the image would stay with her for longer.....she hoped it would, but without the sadness the death of such an innocent creature would bring.

As they climbed the stairs...she heard the sounds of the great black cat.....nodding to Ellissia with a smile...indeed Midnight was home safe again...all was as it should be.*

((My apologies Halethala... I sort of forgot this thread *S*))