Planning

[LadyLaurestina]

( laughing.... closet it shall be.....should be good...I am not ready for the infirmary yet...LOL.....I can't wait... Stina will handle it with grace and style....yeah right... no she will..seriously...)

[Lady Edfeil]

*Before the two ladies could exit, she moved forward. She was a lot faster than most people would expect. Her two hands grabbed their wrists right above the basket handle and with a blush she almost dragged them backwards after a quick glance left and right in the deserted hallway. She nae knew what Stina heard but... it nae bare thinking about. She definitely nae needed any rumours going about, especially nae about the letter to Kent.*

Oh.. my.. *Looking at Stina, then at Dream, then around them to the neatly stacked linen. She looked blushing and excited and embarrassed all at the same time, and she realized she was acting like a young maid instead of a dignified queen.*

I.. ah... Ye did nae.. happen to hear us .. say something, did ye know, Stina?
*The use of yer name, without a title, and shortened at that said more about the way she felt than anything else could.* That is.. nae that it's a secret. It's nae a secret.

*she looked over at Dream* Ye said it was nae a secret, that is.. that it be talked about already. 't is just..
*She grabbed another sheet from the shelf to completely unnecessaily start to refold it.*

[Dream Loxley]

......and so it came to pass that three ladies came to be in the linen closet with the latch firmly placed to keep the door closed and any prying eyes at bay. Dream found herself laughing, she simply could not do anything else for the moment. She looked between her Queen and Stina and just laughed. The poor linens that she had been holding were now is such a state of disarray they surely would have to be pressed again.

"Ye said it was nae a secret, that is.. that it be talked about already. 't is just.."


Dream tried her best to find a serious face to put in place of this silly, giggly, obviously no good for anything face.....she swallowed, wiped her eyes on the linens, then looked directly at Edfeil.

"Ohhhh it certainly be talked about, mind, the gossips had ye betrothed nae only to the uncle but both his Nephews also" Nodding as she continued. "Nae all at once......I mean......such changed weekly until it were settled that it was the elder man ye had chosen."


Then she chuckled again as she thought about what she had just said.......

"Oh my....."

[LadyLaurestina]

... … and it truly was like being swept away by the wind…. It happened too fast……and all she was doing was delivering some candles and finding no one around, hearing voices and peering into a key hole.....at first she thought she was being attacked and was ready to pull her knee up to her chest and…… and Wooooooooooooouf….there she be in a closet with ..…. “AAAH” as her eyes widened and dilated to adjust with the barely any light…. Her thoughts were questioning everything…… Where was she ? And..What..? Who is in here with her? And could it be? Dare she believe it ? But aye there they were! … Her Dear Queen to her right the other dearest lady in all the land… Lady Dream…...When the realization set in, she began excusing herself..."

..But the fact remained.... What was going on? As she looked first at her Queen… she could nae believe it was truly her…. She wanted to shake her and scream…” Imposter. “.but aye, it was her own dear queen that be certain…, and aye she was of the reddest face of any she had ever ever seen......and her words were coming out fast and somewhat garbled…...what was going on here? Stina couldn’t even shake her head….. She just couldn’t quite get a grasp on what was transpiring. . What in heaven’s name could be wrong with her Queen….. Several thoughts rolled into her brain as she moved towards Mi Lady the Queen, all tlhe while she was saying to herself...….why she couldn’t be could she? … Oh aye… oh nae.. She told herself to get such a silly thought out of her head… but aye… Stina moved her hands over the queen’s belly before any realized what she was doing…. even herself…. “OH MI Lady…I am most sorry… I ah…just thought… well… I thought perhaps you ate something a bit off...yea know … just a * pinching her fingers together now trying to cover herself...* Just a bit tainted yea knows….” making her face scrunch up as she said it….. …
Just as she was pulling away, Mi Lady the Queen said….. I... ah... Ye did name... happen to hear us... say something, did ye know, Stina?

And she continued to go on and

“That is... nae that it's a secret. It's nae a secret.”

AS Stina backed away, she was mightily confused, because she did hear a bit, but she hadn’t had time to put it all together, and all her mind could do was search for a reason why the ladies were acting such. Even Lady Dream who always remained calm and collected, rational and always a most beatiful and serene lady that be. Well she was over wrought too. Both ladies seem to be experiencing extreme blushing of their face, and their speech too seemed strange. ..She nae thought they were to that age where ladies become quite heated most of the time, and judging from their voices, which seemed very high; when they did talk the words just seemed to spoot straight out of their mouths...rather like the gargoles on the roofs. Stina searched for an explanation, perhaps they both needs a cure? But from what? She had it.. it must be....they in jested something in their tea? She wondered again..nae couldn't be.... not as wise as these ladies would they be so foolish as to drink or eat anything that was not properly prepared....… but as fast as the thoughts entered her head in flew another. What was in the washing soap used to wash the linens? What was in the tea? The dinner cookie made? The closet? Her eyes now adjusted to the low light, darted from one place inside the closet to another… looking desperately for a sensible reason for the most out of ordinary pequaliar state of mind and physical manifestations both of these ladies were experiencing. It was then that she thought she heard it…but she wasn’t all together sure… she tried to concentrate, to understand what she best is hearing…. But Lady Dream’s words seemed a bit odd…….

"Ohhhh it certainly be talked about, mind, the gossips had he betrothed nae only to the uncle but both his Nephews also" Nodding as she continued. "Nae all at once......I mean......such changed weekly until it were settled that it was the elder man ye had chosen."

Now what did she mean by that? Was this a dream… there weren’t any white chickens floating around where there? Did she herself have indigestion whence she went to bed, and all this was just a crazy fancy dream? She plopped herself on the floor. And looked up at both ladies….. her mouth open now…...and her mind reeling as it tried to put together all the pieces…Shaking her head she spoke softly and deliberately, speaking her thoughts out loud.
‘ Nae…Braine?....* shaking her head light.
Drink or eat something like moldy bread or spoilt mushrooms? * Looking at both of them now*
Aye tis this be a
Love induced reaction? this be a real malady yea know? ……. Ye hear bout thee …love sickness? The heart swells up so big…..and cause the blood to boil… causing exultation……somewhat intensified bodily glands to also swell….. And well tis be God’s plan and all…”
Looking from one to another, she decides to stand up, and standing as close as she could to her queen… reached out and placed her hand on her forehead…. And then on to Lady Dream, placed her hand on her forehead as well……
She really felt giddy herself, and started to laugh, and she raised up her arms and set them down on the thighs bending her knees a bit as she just started to laugh…… such a joyous day it was…. !!!!!!!!!!!

And when she regained her composure..She smiled and spoke softly with a tilting of mirth her voice…..


“Aye so it be so, thee both be smitten and bitten with de love bee aye? …Aye….I thee be” … “but yea know yea could have drank or ate wrongly yea know?”…”So best maybe I give thee both some herbs to make yea feel like yea old self again?” Aye?””“ Aye I knew that big old bee be up ta something…causing so much hearts ta throb”* whispering now*

"Older man?"

[Dream Loxley]

ooc: ahhh Stina, I am still chuckling as I drink my morning cuppa! Way past that ladies of a certain age time *LOL* I am out for the day here but look forward to seeing just where this goes!

[Cara McKenna]

Cara called to Mollie and Millie as she puttered round the kitchens and asked the girls to go to the upstairs linen closet and collect linens and top furs for the beds of the new Guests that had arrived.'Pon her request however both girls seem to turn a bit white and start shaking their heads as if they be afeared of Divine Retribution for somethin.

Frowning at their reactions Cara quietly questions both little spitfires on what they have done and both reply they have done naught but canna go back upstairs.Sighing hard as she looks at the ovens and fires and the foods cooking over them Cara herself begins to make her way up the staircase, hearing almost plaintive assurances that they shall watch the food and promise nay to let any of it ruin. Calling back down a slightly irritable acknowledgement wondering what had gotten into naught one but BOTH twins she continued on the way up the steps.

Reaching the linen closet she pauses quietly, as she listens to what sounds like muffled voices 'pon the other side of the door and every tiny little hair she has seems to stand on end as she turns thinking it is the twins playing a naughty joke, and finds herself alone in the hallway. Swallowing the momentarily rush of nerves telling herself that she is hearing things and there has to be a logical explanation for such Cara reaches and grasps the hand of the cupboard jerking it open, determined to face whatever it was that caused the girls fear and her own momentary lapse, and also determined to get the items she came for...there were guests who needed them after all and Windstorm was known for its Hospitality.

Jerking the door open Cara's hand falters and falls to her side....

[Lady Edfeil]

*She was starting to answer Stina, gaping actually to see her there for the first on so long a time. And then right at this very moment. She was trying to follow the words that were spoken, mushrooms, mold... love bee.. herbs.... And just when she was almost ready to form a single declarative sentence, the door was jerked open one more time and for a moment she just stared.

Then a mental pictures appeared in her head of their guests finding them thus, with the door open, Cara outside and three ladies hiding in the closet. It wasn't enough for her to speak, but it was enough for her to act. With amazing speed she rushed forward now for the third time, grabbed Cara's hand and pulled her in the closet, which was starting to get amazingly cramped.*

Oh my God... *And then she could nae help herself and joined Dream in laughter* Iffen we be discovered here, there will be more gossip than even me be bethroted to three men at the same time!

[Cara McKenna]

Too shocked to speak at all for several seconds seeing the three ladies inside the cupboard Cara squeaks as she is suddenly jerked into the cupboard as well and the door is thrust closed behind her.Eyes widen to the size of banquet platters as she stares at the three women in confusion before hearing the Queen's words of being betrothed to three men at the same time.For a moment her mouth drops before she firmly reminds herself that it could naught be true. The Queen was naught that kind of woman...

Majesty...what brings ye and the Ladies into the linen closet this day?Twould say it must have been one of ye to set the fear of divine punishment inta the two twin imps heads eh?....

[Dream Loxley]

Dream looked about the cupboard, it was indeed a rather large cupboard, as cupboards go......but now, not only one, not two, nor even three confused, bewildered and giggly ladies gathered therein.

Stina had taken her quite by surprise, yet nothing that dear soul did really surprised Dream, she had just laughed more as she was man handled, inspected and completely overwhelmed by the inquiring lady. Of course Stina would have been absolutely in the dark so to speak about everything as she had been traveling and going about her business, which often included the strange and interesting.......this situation was perhaps one of the most strange and interesting that dear Stina found herself in.

Dream laughed a little more as suddenly poor Cara was dragged in.....this was quickly becoming an incident.....such that the servants would speak of for months, even years to come......about how their Queen and three ladies became locked in the cupboard. Thinking for a moment they may become just that, Dream quickly lifted the latch, just enough to make sure, for she would not enjoy being locked anywhere........

No......enough now.....she stilled her laughter, gave a soft and warm smile to her fellow cupboard dwellers and looked straight at Edfeil.

"Well, iffn a certain Queen of the realm had taken such upon herself to actually tell us what was going on........then mayhaps all this gossip about having three potential suitors, indeed Kings........would nae have happened?!"

There was a jovial tilt to her voice, yet she was serious about not being informed......but then again, it was nae a secret......or was it.......well it wasn't now. She shook her head and started chuckling again.

[LadyLaurestina]

….. Lady Dream was laughing and her laughing became quite contagious as everyone was laughing harder as Cara was pulled into the closet. Stina couldn’t help herself. She was laughing too… but then it happened……… she could nae laugh….. Stina nae knew what had come over her… whatever it was. it just came when she realized she was indeed in a closet and it was getting smaller…and smaller and herself felt bigger and bigger…… as if she would pop. ... and it all seemed like a fairy tale.....there be talk of three kings now.....?
….She could nae stand it….the air felt heavy, steamy and thick with lavender, rose, and cedar. .. She was as far back in the closet as s he could be when she had to resort to breathing with short fast panting… and even when she heard Lady Dream say something about three kings… she thought she was going to choke ..But she managed to choke out her thoughs after laughing upon them earlier...

….. “What….....Now Looking at Lady Edeil….f Three kings… dar be three men year has da Love fever for?” Shaking her head… “ …ack… der be something in der air…. Aye? “ “ Iffin I could laugh right now… I would…aye?" Looking at Lady Dream and Lady Cara… and back at her Queen with questioning eyes….


“Dais must be something in dis closet air?… Do yea feel so well….?” and she looked towards the door.. And then at each lady present in the small space…..

Just then the “BIG BEE “woke up…..he must have been in the basket of candles…..?

[Lady Edfeil]

*There was laughter and blushing. And this time it was more of the simple delight and the comedy of the situation*

Nae.. nae.. *she said, trying to contain her laughter, while by now tears nearly streamed over cheeks. She felt like giggling, like she was barely 9 years old and nae a queen, and nae speaking of matters of state, but a lass starting to giggle over the boys around her. These women around her were Windstorm. They were the core of what Windstorm was: strength, kindness, fun. And they were here, stuck with her in the linnen closet, some of them probably thinking she had gone mad and was about to elope with three people at the same time!*

I nae be in love with three men! *She called out, mayhap a wee bit louder than she had intended, moving her hands as she spoke as much as the closet allowed. She looked from Stina who feared she had the love fever to Cara who looked almost shocked, then smothered another burst of laughter with her hands before her mouth. She needed to breath deeply trying to contain the giggles before she spoke further.*

I nae be.. Good heavens! How.. well.. this is... *she laughed again then, shook her head once more and announced with a lightness of heart that had nae been there for a long time* I be getting married. Well.. that is.. i hope to be. Ye can nae speak of this! It nae be official yet. We be negotiating the bethrotal contacts and of course...


*But then she stopped, the worlds trailing off as another layer of madness seemed to be added to the closet. She had noticed something. A sound coming from Stina's basket. An angry buzzing sound as something rose up and moved between the candles. Clearly Stina's bee nae cared about tales of land and dower arrangements.*

[Cara McKenna]

Cara simply stopped, everything seemed to stop as she stared at her Queen... You be gettin married, Majesty? Ta who?...she asks softly her curiosity getting the better of her good sense and knowing she had no right to ask.Lowering her eyes then realizing what she had done, Cara begins to apologise, murmuring agreements that nay she would naught speak to anyone of it...her head shaking back and forth emphatically before she heards the buzzing from Lady Stina's basket.

...eek Noo no buzzing, I do so hate buzzing!!

[Dream Loxley]

It was becoming clearer now, that although Edfeil was betrothed, this was a secret, yet most within the Castle knew of it, yet it still should not be spoken of because there were plans to be settled and such......oh indeed it was all becoming so very clear.

Dream could do no more than nod, then shake her head, nod again, listen to Stina as the poor lady tried to understand......smile to cara who was as bemused as she was.....and just try to remain calm herself.

She did in fact feel she was making some progress with becoming calmer and understanding more, so much so that she sat down on a pile of clean linens to listen to her Queen explain further of all the arrangements, that were of course still secret.

It was all going well, at least Dream thought so until the buzzing......louder buzzing, alarming buzzing, the sort of buzzing that makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, the kind that makes your stomach lurch.....the kind that allows the colour to drain from your cheeks and lets that cold, clammy feeling take over.

Very loud buzzzzzzzzzzing..........

It was as though Dream had simply had enough....her face paled, her eyes became wide and in an instant she was gone......she slid down further onto the pile of linens and was out like a light.

Oooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...........

[LadyLaurestina]

……Stina thought she was making herself calmer though some deep breathing, when something slammed into her almost taking her legs out from her…
And there she laid…Lady Dream!!!
Stina acted fast…..no time to contemplate….she just did what she needed to do. After all her focus was on safety the present time… as she still wasn’t able to assimilate her Queen’s dilemma.
She grabbed the stack of linens, which she assumed were sheets. And threw one to every one in the closet…
“Here cover thyself up… Protect thee self ..... and take deep breaths under the sheet…!!
Do it now…1111111'And she bent down with her sheet. And make a tent over herself and Lady Dream….
…..Though she couldn’t see anything. She felt for the lady’s face… and taking a small bottle out of her apron pocket... she tried to get the cork out with her teeth.and seached Lady’s dreams face with the fingers on her other hand....

[Lady Edfeil]

*She head the buzzing, the screaming, and she saw Dream's body go limp. Luckily Laurestina had the presence of mind to help catch her. Sheets! Sheets sounded good. She grabbed one herself, threw another to Cara. She could nae see what Laurestina and Dream were doing under their sheets but.. she had to trust the healer knew what they were doing. Now where was that..

buzzzzzzzz..... Buzzzzzzzzz....


Oh my.. they could nae stay here. They simply could nae. Ladies nae belonged in the linen closet. And bees most definitely did nae either! She swatted with sheeted hands towards the sound, but that only seemed to enrage the animal more. Reaching out for the handle of the door, half blind and with the sheet covering most of her, she threw the door open wide.*



Let's run!




((And now see if there is anyone meeting the ladies *LOL*))