Bee in Basket

[LadyLaurestina]

“Get Away from me… you are a darn ungrateful BEEEEEEEE…Shoo….shoo”

Running from the Herb garden towards the little studio that used to be a chicken coop…. just right of the stables, she was being chased by the biggest bee there ever was!!! A very big bee, flying right next to her trying to get into the basket she carried of lavender and hyssop blossoms…. Stina was beside herself, mutterings the likes such delicate ears should never hear,

…”I told you to leave me alone…!” “ OK… OK..Have it your way... here you are…!!!!! Take your darn blossoms……take me basket… take it all!!!!! I am not put up with any of you stinging ways any longer….…”

She set down the basket and let the bee have its way right in front of the castle doors. Stina took off running and went straight to her studio, slamming the door behind her.

Some had said they seen a lady in the pond after midnight, some said they saw her in the garden, and some even went too far as to say they seen her cleaning the castle. Ah, but these were just rumors. Alas from those that did know there indeed was a lady that seemed to come and go, and never tarried long enough for any to know for sure where she was keeping herself as of late. AHhh….but those who knew her well, knew she would cause no one no harm, but could create a funny stir from time to time. They knew if they called upon her, she would be there for them, and then some. Lady Dream would often refer to her as “Stina.”

No one had ever ventured into her studio alone and none quite understood her artistic fancy.

She rather felt it might be the time of year when her Queen would call upon it. Perhaps it was time she reported to the castle and aided the other ladies in the cleaning of the chambers, and prepared the beds for the upcoming winter. After all it had always been her job…. To re stuff the feather beds.

[Lady Edfeil]

((*giggles* How I have missed this!))

[Lady Edfeil]

((Plus, you really do come on time. Edie was trying to inventory the infirmary. And her knowledge of herbs is by far less than Stina's.))

[LadyLaurestina]

...(( I will post as soon as I can... swamped with work right now....*sighs*...but yes I have lots of address.... wow))

[LadyLaurestina]

After a very long night of burning the so called midnight tallow, and beeswax, aye, it was a night of dipping the wicks into molten wax, that it be. She felt she deserved a little bit of extra shut eye on this the morn and AYE..it Was indeed well deserved!!!!
…. It was difficult maintaining a steady temperature in the caldron inside the small hearth at night as he dipped and waited, dipped and waited until the flax sting built up satisfactorily with the wax layers. She made four dozen nice long candles for the dining table and 6 dozen smaller ones for the chamber sticks. …. She smiled, knowing her queen would be more than pleased that they had a nice supply of candles for the upcoming season. Everyone knew how much their queen worried about all matters of the state pertaining to the kingdom and even surrounding kingdoms.

She inhaled deeply, taking in the sweet sticky scent of the beeswax, and stretched lazily, pulling her hair up and out with her stained fingers. Reaching up with both hands, throwing her head back, it felt so good to be doing something worthwhile again for the kingdom, and as small a task as this was, it was still a chore that needed doing.

In the morning sunlight, it would have been difficult to determine that the little studio had once been a chicken coop. She swore on some nights when the moon shined bright that there were chicken ghosts. She didn't speak of it, but she knew it was true, and she would swear on the Good Book Bible that what she heart and saw on those nights was not of her imagination, but true.
The stone and wood slatted walls had been neatly whitewashed and most of the nest boxes remained, through clean, they were filled with many herbs, and at least another 100 herbs hung from the open beams by colored ribbons. Some of them had tags, others question marks. She just signed, dreading that whole day and night chore of, sorting, grinding, infusing all of the herbs. IT needed to be done for for the infirmary, the kitchen and if the secret be known, for her own little perfumery side line. She knew Lady Dream also did a great deal of work with herbs and spices, but so far, they did not overlap the stock nor the deeds. They both had their own ways, and it all worked out well for the Castle. She missed lady Dream, Millie and even the very sour cook, and it indeed was time she went into the castle to not only visit, but have a nice hot meal and check on the very many tasks that needed to be addressed. She was certain her queen would have something to say.

This morning the muslin curtains were pulled back and sunlight filled the little room, but usually the room was kept dark and warm so that the herbs would dry but yet be preserved. Delicate hues danced on the white walls through the thick panes of pulled glass. Flowers billowed out of the boxes under the windows, and scattered through out the studio were paintings half done, clay plates and goblets, not yet fired, and many dainty garments, hanging from bush and tree limb hangers.
Sitting at her small triangle table, spinning her tea cup around and around and humming a very bouncy tune, she smiled mirthfully, knowing today would be a good day, and someone would be made happier, and so would she for making it so.

[Dream Loxley]

How I have missed your writing, a breath of fresh air for us all!

[Keiren]

Chicken ghosts.......adorable.

[LadyLaurestina]

( I skipped into the planning thread now.... blowes kisses to you both..and thank YOU.... I may not be the best writer but I do love fun!!!)