Christmas in the Castle

[Dream Loxley]

From the moment she entered the Castle, through the huge great gates.....she felt at home. Walking through the courtyard she could smell so many scents and aromas coming from the kitchens and could only imagine such delicious treats that awaited her and their guests. Cook would surely have created such a feast for them all.

With her basket of fabrics safely carried by Sir Thanatos, she had left him in the capable hands of Mollie and Millie, both girls so eager to please the handsome Knight she wondered if there would be tears before bedtime as they fussed and flirted with the poor man. A chuckle was forthcoming as she made her way back down the stairs after leaving the basket within her chambers. Ellissia and Thomas would join her after they had woken from their little nap, the great Hall awaited them all for the Yuletide Celebrations.

As she walked through the open, welcoming doors to the Hall, almost immediately she was struck by the scents of pine and the colourful swags of ribbons and greenery that were hung from rafters. The servants had made such an excellent job of turning the Hall into a magical wonderland......but still the elusive tree had not been delivered .......just yet. Dream nodded a warm greeting once more to Thanatos and the servants who were beginning to fill the table with meats, breads and exotic food prepared by cook and his dedicated helpers, she felt her stomach rumble at the sights before her.

A huge log was waiting beside the hearth, it would of course be placed therein on Sunday, ready to burn through the following days, it was such an exciting time for all and she hoped many would find time to share at least a drink of mulled wine or cider during their busy days.

Whilst the twins continued to fuss around Sir Thanatos, she settled into her favoured chair beside the hearth, the day had been a goodly one and now she could rest a while.........simply enjoying the ambiance of the Hall and anticipating the evening to come.

[Lady Edfeil]

((will post very soon. *G* Methinks we may get two trees this year!))

[Halethala]

On one of her many trips to the village in the preceding weeks, Letha had managed to purchase enough yardage to create a new frock for the holidays, something of substantial weight to keep her warm enough, and yet it shimmered ever so slightly, especially in the firelight. A deep burgandy color that just barely verged towards red, it made Letha feel less of a waif than she had felt in quite some time.

Two carefully wrapped gifts teetered atop each other as she navigated the stairs downwards, a third tucked deeply into her pocket. She smiled to herself at the thought of it, knowing the recipient would never guess it's source.

As she entered the hall, the heightened sense of anticipation was dented only momentarily as she noted that the tree had not yet been set in it's place, and she set the gifts aside until she could put them beneath it.

Espying Lady Loxely enjoying the warmth of the great fire, Letha poured out a steaming mug of spiced cider, eschewing the addition of brandy so early in the day, and warmed her hands around the soft curves of the vessel. "A Happy Yule, my Friend!" she aimed the wish at Dream as she eased herself contentedly into the oversized chair that Lord Sighehelm most often favored, flexing her feet towards the dancing warmth of the hearth.

"Such a wonderful time of the year . . "

[Master Sergeant Gerben]

*He proudly marched at the head of twelve men, six on each side of an enormous tree. It was not the middle of the night, but at least the Queen was nae yet at home. with a wink to both Ladies present, the men grunted and groaned their way to the place where, as always, the tree would stand. One of them grumbled something about large men who wanted to make an impression, but another quickly kicked his shin when the Master Sergeant turned and gave them an intent stare. The tree was here.
It took all their might, ingenuity, plenty of rope and a certain amount of strong language to actually manage to get the twelve foot green giant to stand upright.
The Master Sergeant remained impassive under it all. All the years he had had his orders concerning the tree. This year there had been no one to give the order. But the Kent Lord must have heard a whisper of the tradition for he had chopped the tree with his own hands and asked for the guards assistance in delivering it.
With a last: "Owww .... UP!" They managed to get the tree standing straight. Some discrete ropework added safety and only after his men had left and Mollie had come nearer to clear up some of the fallen pineneedles the sergeant adressed the ladies."

A fine tree again this year, Ladies. And as usual, it just... showed up. I nae had to send any out to chop.

[Lady Edfeil]

((oops, shortly after the previous post was written, it was played out in the room how Lord Sighehelm with the help of Lord Khaylin of Caerfarnon put up the tree for us. I will remove the previous post to put up how it really went tomorrow!))