Preparing for the Celebrations.....

[Sneaky Draakar]

((ooc: Bren's player and myself are always good for adding a little spice.. afterall, a little spice is nice, yes?!?! .. am glad you are enjoying the read. That's what it's all about. Enjoying the write as well as the read. HAPPY NEW YEAR Windstorm!))

[Brennekah Windstrike]

((glad you are enjoying it Dream. We've been having a blast with it. I know you wanted to see us write together so it worked out good...lol))

Ever so thoughtful, she thought, as you pulled your cloak up and around her to keep her warm. And thankfully too since it was indeed cold outside and she had only donned a dress, not thinking she’d be gone from her bed for so long. This whole situation was truly odd, but she was rather enjoying it and she even laughed as you backtracked and ran all about, making a mess of your tracks. That they would be tracked down like criminals for the sake of pastries only added to her laughter…and yours.

The stable was warm and dry, the pleasant scent of fresh hay and the soft nicker of the beasts within added to the friendly atmosphere contained within. She’d always loved the stables and every creature found within and she remembered that a stable was probably where they had first met. You had been, after all, the stable master.

Her eyes scanned the place where you stopped and as you let the cloak tails fall her body slipped off your back, still not believing she had been there in the first place. The hay was rough on her bare feet but she didn’t mind and as one hand still held their stolen treasure her other hand patted her skirts down.

“It looks perfect ta me. As long as the animals do no’ tell, we shall be fine.”

As she reached for a blanket they lay draped over the fence of a small pen she flashed you a grin. Then she stepped forward and handed the blanket to you, since she was still yet holding their pilfered goodies.

“Ye may do the honours.”

Finding each other in the kitchen had been one thing, but stealing off for a hidden “picnic” in the back of the barn was something else. She wasn’t sure what she would call it and nor did she want to examine how she was feeling about it or she would be blushing again for sure.

[Sneaky Draakar]

This wasn’t something Draakar did every day and come to think of it, it wasn’t something he’s ever done. Hibernation must do strange things to a man.... or atleast this man. Sure, it was innocent enough to sneak some pastries to quench a hunger and even a spot of mead to then quench a thirst, but to snag several of them, along with a kitchen corner stowaway, that was something all together new and very much out of the norm. As was the laughter and silly shenanigans along the way to find a quiet spot to share pilfered goods. Totally out of the norm for Draakar and even more so for the King of the Scots. It had been a long while since he’d let his hair down (pardon the pun) and simply enjoy a moment for what it was.

Once Bren had unwrapped herself from him and found her footing, he turned to face her taking a moment to watch her as the light of the moon came filtering in. Her features had definitely changed, but the shy and innocent young woman he had known many years before was still there. And looking quite tussled at the moment and he had nothing to do with that. No tussling had taken place between them. Ever, for that matter. Her state of tussle had happened long before he found her stowed away in the kitchen. Chuckling yet again with that thought as she moved to hand him a blanket. He of course obliging and taking it, giving it a good shake then spreading it out and over the hay strewn floor. Then in grand gesture of a sweep of his hand over said blanket.

“Your wish is my command, Lady..... Do I refer to you as Lady Brennekah or would that be Lady Ragamuffin?”

His expression had looked so serious and yet he had to fight to hide the teasing laugh that threatened to escape. Moving then to remove his cloak, and then reaching for the sack of pilfered... ahem... I mean picnic goods so the good lady could assume her position on the blanket and get settled in. He then too would take position on the blanket offering her the sack again to lay out all the goodies as if checking out the booty that was just pirated, if you will.

“Not exactly how I thought another meeting between us would go, thieving pastries in the middle of the night on the eve of Yule, but then I never thought our paths would cross again period, so guess one never knows until fate knocks on our door.”

Offering up a warm soft smile and lifting a hand to just lightly touch over her cheek. Hopefully that warmth would melt the icicles on his beard. That and the warmth within the barn from all the body heat given off by the slumbering animals. (I said animals.. keeping it rated G here) The smile that creased his mouth also rested in his eyes if even touched by a hint of sadness.

“It’s been a long time, Bren. A very long time. I’ve often wondered how you faired. If you had truly found the happiness you were looking for. That above everything else is all I’ve ever really wanted and hoped for you.”

He’d leave it at that. No use bringing up old feelings, long ago lost. A fresh start. Hopefully new beginnings for what was once a strong friendship.

[Brennekah Windstrike]

The smile that played about her lips simply would not go away and it became wider as she laughed at the sweep of your hand and your following words. Yes she well knew she looked a fright and it would have been too much to ask that you did not notice her state of…ragamuffin.

She raised her chin in the air and made a show of sweeping her skirts aside as she lowered herself to the blanket as if she were a queen seating herself on her thrown.

“I give ye leave call me anything ye like so long as it is no’ begun with Lady…I ‘ave always hated that. Tis just me, plain and simple. Although if ye are callin’ me Ragamuffin, then I wonder what would be a good name to call you. I mean no offence but if I did no’ know twas you I would have run back to m’room and barred the door.”

Her own eyes were teasing as she took their treasure from your hands and untied the knot, then set to arranging the pastries out on the piece of linen.

“Nay me neither, but then I never knew what to expect. Certainly no’ this but tis a pleasant surprise.”

Her eyes met yours as your hand touched her cheek bringing your scent to her once again along with a tingly sensation along her skin. That shyness and nervousness from so long ago threatened to bubble up, but she told herself not to be silly and tamped it back down. The depth of emotion was evident in your eyes. And she wondered at it, wondered what exactly you were thinking. That it mattered what you thought of her suddenly struck her then, but now was not the time to think of such things…now was just a time to enjoy what was. Besides why should it matter? She assumed that you’d be gone soon, probably on the morrow, and she would probably never see you again. The thought left her feeling sad, but made this moment seem all that more of a gift.

She sighed and settled on the blanket her eyes going to the pastries as her shoulders lifted in a shrug.

“Life has been very different and no’ what I thought it would be. But I have enjoyed many things, aye.” She would leave it at that for at this moment in time she was unsure what to think of her life. Still after all these years so many things left unsettled, but that was they way it was to be and something she had strove to make peace with.

“And what of you? Are ye happy now being a king of the people or do you miss being a king of the beasts within the stable?” She had often wondered at that, how you came to be there and why, since you were in fact a king. And why on earth you had taken to her when she assumed you had dozens of noble women amongst whom to choose and amongst whom you should have chosen. Although if rumour was correct you were married to a courtesan so what did she know about those sorts of things.

Reaching out a hand she chose a pastry and took a bite and savoured it as her eyes came back to you and she waited for your answer.

[Sneaky Draakar]

Having taken a seat beside Lady Ragamuffin his gaze roamed over the pilfered goods and his mouth watered yet so more. Reaching out to snag another meat pie and downing it with ease. It was then another reach for the mead as he took a hefty drink then handed Bren the vessel for her own drink if she so desired. She had never joined him before when drinking mead, would she now?

“No Lady to precede Ragamuffin then. Will stick to the short and simple version then.”

A wink and chuckle then escaped him as he knew his own state of appearance was hardly what she remembered and hardly what he generally looked like, but he’s been hibernating for some time now so such is to be expected, no!?!

“Truth be told I’m surprised you didn’t runaway and bar your door even knowing it was me, for we didn’t exactly part ways years ago on a friendly note. But we cannot dwell on what if’s and no sense dwelling on the past at all.”

And there was that pain in his eyes again. He had the urge to reach out and touch over your soft cheek once more, but he refrained. After all, he didn’t want to get his hand bit off if such a touch was not welcomed. So he simply reached for another meat pie. It’s fate joined the others he’s scarffed down thus far.

“I’m glad to hear you have atleast enjoyed life and are doing well and am very glad our paths crossed again. If even thieving in the night and all.”

A grin curved his lips and he chuckled softly

“My life has certainly been..... interesting I guess would be the best way to put it. Definitely not without it’s problems and yet I’ve been blessed in so many ways, so I cannot complain. We take the good with the bad and simply learn to overcome and move forward.”

A wink with that as he reached for the mead again.. that is if you were done with it. He’d share a few more silly tales of this that and the other. Those tales that lighten the mood as well as lighten the heart. Nothing like laughter. No, nothing like it. Several more meat pies as well as honey cakes devoured with lots of mead to follow. He got quiet for a time as his thoughts got the best of him and decided, what the hell.

“You still married to.... hmmmm..... I don’t believe I ever knew his name? Children? Are they here with you now?”

More mead.. yes.. he needs more mead.

[Brennekah Windstrike]

Of course she would join you in the mead, this player not remembering her ever not doing so. In fact this player even remembers sharing ale lol. At any rate she took the vessel from your hands and drank, her eyes glancing to you over the rim and watching you as you feasted on their stolen prize.

Her lips smiled as she reached to set the vessel down, but the smile faded soon afterwards with your mention of their last parting. Funny how that was so faded in her mind, muddled up with all the other things that had gone on.

“Well…tis no’ like I announced my presence ta ye. I tiptoe off to the kitchens where I thought to remain unseen as I sampled some freshly baked sweets.”

She gave a small smile as her eyes turned down, back to the feast at hand. Her hand reached out and paused as she pondered which one to pluck from the bunch. And as she burst into laughter again she choose one to bring it to her lips, speaking before taking a delicate bite.

“I am glad as well, twill be nice ta have company in the dungeon.”

She gave you a cheeky grin and shifted on the blanket to get more comfortable. As she sat there munching away on the food and sharing in the mead, she listened to your stories, laughed at the more amusing parts and shared her thoughts and comments on them. She avoided asking questions, even though she was curious about a lot of things concerning you. But then a part of her feared the answers to them though she did not know why or perhaps she did know why but did not want to examine that right know. Besides it would probably do little good.

Then as she popped the last pastry that she would take into her mouth, she leaned back against a small fence, her legs stretched out and her dirt smudged feet that peeked out from the hem of her dress crossing each other. She pondered your questions, not really knowing what to say, her eyes having slid off of yours to look around the barn. A hand came up to brush some crumps off of her lips, then moved to touch some strands of hair behind her ear and then finally she shrugged.

“I dinna have any children…no. As for being married still I suppose I am, though I ‘ave no’ seen him in a very long time and do no’ know where he is.”

She put in a decidedly brave smile and finally looked back up to you. A slight blush stole across her cheeks once more but this time perhaps it was more out of embarrassment for having just admitted such to you. Then she worked on changing the subject, away from that particular one.

"And what of you?" She left it vague, not really sure what she wnated to know...everything and nothing.....butleft it up for you to tell her.

[Sneaky Draakar]

It was good to share some tales and laughs without any pretense or cause to have to be politically correct.. yes, even in early times there was that political correctness that most Royals had to succumb to and Draakar was generally politically correct.

It seemed like only moments had passed as they sat there sharing the pilfered goods, mead and laughter. When in fact it had been hours. And no, this typist doesn’t recall the sharing of much ale before, but then senility does set in after a time. And it’s been a long time since those early days of writing. Be that as it may, we were nearly out of goodies as well as mead, so the evidence of thieving in the night has been destroyed.

Finishing off the mead that was left in the vessel, he too laid his head back as he now simply listened to what you were sharing with him. Our stories somewhat similar as his own wife had been hibernating for the last couple of years and even up to that point, they had not been able to conceive. Draakar has had children in the past and the twins he and Nicole had together were now young men themselves, so he had pretty much come to the realization that he would not sire anymore children. Besides, he had been hibernating and had thought to remain doing so until those pesky dust bunnies had whispered in his ear nagging him to spread a little Christmas magic, so to shut them up, he had appeased them and erected that tree of trees in the hall of Windstorm Castle. And now here he was sharing tales, laughter and life stories with a kitchen thief that had at one time stole his heart as well, then disappeared. It truly was interesting how life can circle back to perhaps finish what was left undone. The same thing had happened when Gin came back into his life as that circle that had been left undone so many years before had also been re-connected to finish what had been left undone. Interesting.. yeah.. very interesting, indeed.

“Seems we somewhat share life similarities. To an extent. Nicole and I did have twin boys several years back. They are becoming quite the warriors in their own right”.

Adam being fiercely physical whereas Aerandir was more the intellectual warrior. Which was far scarier.

“Nicole and I did part ways several years ago as marriage just didn’t seem to be what was best for us. Not all ties that bind are meant to be. Our bond of friendship was much stronger and it remains to be just that to this day. As for my current state of ties, I reconnected with my first love. We tried for a time to conceive but it was not to be. She now too is hibernating and more than likely will remain in that state.”

He did not offer any information as to the love affair shared with the Queen of the Amazons and even though that was an affair he will always remember and never forget, it too was over and put to rest.

His tummy was now full and there was a soft glow filtering into the barn. Lifting a hand to grab hold of his bearded chin as his fingers grasped the lightly gray streaked hairs and slid his hand down and over it, in contemplation as well as to rid it of any crumbs left behind.

“I suppose we should get you back for the dawn is breaking and Christmas morn has finally arrived.”

[Brennekah Windstrike]

She did smile at the mention of your twin boys, imagining them to be younger versions of yourself and she wondered what they were like. Though she was sure any child of yours would be much like you, but then again she’d not spent much time with you in years….who were you now? The last hours spent with you in the barn gave her some clue, but she was still curious to know more. And there was the fact that when they had met all those years ago you’d been masquerading as a stable master, yet you were, in reality, a king. Quite a vast change there, how different were you in the kingly role you now held?

“I am happy for you, that you were able to have children of your own. I should like to meet them one day.”

She listened as you spoke about Nicole and she forced her mind not to ponder on that for fear of dredging up past hurt, and allowed it to move along with what you spoke of, your current wife. Although you gave no details it sounded to her ears as if you were indeed in the same circumstance as she. Her mind swirled with this now, along with many different emotions and feelings and she was at a loss at to which ones to choose. But it was indeed morning and she was too tired to think on all these new things, after a good morning’s rest there would be time enough. Or would there be?

Her lips parted in a yawn of the eye watering variety and she blinked away the tears as she looked to the faint light now appearing in the cracks in the barn walls. But as tired as she was she was sorry to see this night end. She looked back to you and gave you a sleepy smile.

“We’ll be quite a sight with you carrying me back to the keep, hopefully twill only be the servants who are up. Even then there will be rumours to be sure.”

With a laugh she pushed herself to her feet and wandered over to a goat who had poked his head out between some planks some time ago to stare at them curiously. She bent down towards him and proceeded to give him some scratches on the head.

“Will you be leaving Windstorm straight away?” She tried to keep her voice light and casual sounding, her eyes staying on the goat as she spoke. Unconsciously her breath held as she awaited your answer and when she realized it she chided herself for being silly.

[Sneaky Draakar]

Watching you for a time.. the flashes of emotions that brushed over your face.. registered in your eyes.. the sleepy yawn that was so real and genuine.. mentioning wanting to meet his sons.. the way you greeted and then petted the goat.. .. still a gentle heart, he thought as he then too rose. Gathering up the make-shift booty bag of simple linen, he draped it over his shoulder. Then bent down and snatched up the blanket, proceeded to rid it of straw and hung it over the rail as we had found it. His ears then perked at the sound of a horses whinny.. that being readily recognizable as his own beast. Ah yes, it was ta simple reminder that it was time to go.

He then wandered back to where he had tossed aside his cloak and snatched that up as well. Donned it and tucked the cloth of linen inside then headed your direction. Lowered a hand to offer you assistance to rise again.

“I have already outstayed my intention with being here, so I must be on my way.”

A soft, but somewhat melancholy smile creasing his lips.

“I must say it has been a most enjoyable eve of Yule spent in the company of an old friend. Thieving of pilfered kitchen goodies in the middle of the night was certainly not something I would have thought I would have been doing, nor with a ragamuffin.”

That soft grin grew as he lightly chuckled then turned to make his way toward the sound of his horse. He was waiting just outside the shelter of the barn. It had snowed all thru the night for there were no visible tracks in the snow and there was such a peaceful calm about the land. Turning to look back over his shoulder to see if you had followed. His gaze then rested on yours and in that very moment, he felt his heart skip a beat or two or perhaps even three. Even in your current sleepy ragamuffin state, old feelings he thought were lost beyond recovery, surfaced. Taking a deep breath he forged fingers together in making a stirrup so as to assist you up and onto the back of his horse.

“Since you are without shoes I will see you to wherever you would like to go.”

He’d assist you up and then would hoist himself up and behind you. His arms would wrap about you as he grabbed the reins. You would be tucked warmly in against him as his cloak would then be wrapped around you, as well. His horse remained still and at the ready to embark on whatever journey now awaited him. Draak softly whispered then.

“As I’ve come out of hibernation, so to speak, to spread some Christmas magic, your own Christmas wish I shall try to grant as well, Lady Ragamuffin. What shall that be?”

The softly spoken words of "It's Christmas morn where surprises are in abundance, so.. surprise me" (this having been OK'd by Bren's typist to insert here) being whispered on the light dawn breeze had him arching a surprised brow. But it had also teased a grin that now creased his lips. And with that, he gave two clucks of his tongue and the Kingly Knight of Christmas Magic and his rider made their way out and into the dawning Christmas morn. The snow once again began to lightly fall and no doubt their visible tracks would be covered again soon. Tracks to where?............ Ahhh.. now that is the mystery of magic.




(And I bid a warm and genuine thank you for allowing us to write here on WS boards. Had no idea the story would go the direction it did, but I do have to say I surely have enjoyed it. Thank you WS and most of all, thank you Bren)

[Lady Edfeil]

((love to read this. And am sad to see it end. Please feel free to use the board more! We love a good story!))

[Brennekah Windstrike]

((Thank you Lady Edfeil. And thank all of you for allowing us to play on your boards. It's indeed been wonderful and fun and I have truely enjoyed it. HUGE thanks to Draak's player, a better writing partner I could never ask for! ))

[Dream Loxley]

(( Many thanks also to Draak for bringing the magical tree, I am just sorry we didn't get to play it out......Christmas time is just far too busy rt, we need this magical time some when else *L* Loved reading of you both and sincerely hope you pass this way again in any guise. xxx always .))