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Post by Lady Edfeil on Nov 29, 2011 9:51:54 GMT -5
It was a busy time, as it would be each year. There were giggles and gifts being hidden. Needlework tucked under seating cushions when certain people entered, and around it all, there was work. The mulled cider was perfected, the storages and stocks were checked to see if they were holding up against the frost and that nae any rotting was taking place. Roofs were checked or patched when it turned needed as frost widened cracks and let in moisture.
And then, there was the decorating. They would find dried red berries, holly, and evergreen for the wraiths and boughs that needed springing. Ribons would be added, and the tree would be brought inside soon. Would she have to order it done this year? She would wait a few more days to see. And then there were the ornaments: the blown glass balls that the Lady Jasmine had once given to them before she died, the simple woodwork ornaments of Caius that had been a gift, and the small embroidered squares that Edfeil had added two years ago. Yule at Windstorm.. was history, tradition.. and new and laughing faces.
She hesitated in ordering. It was tradition that the tree would.. appear. In past years she knew at times who had ordered it, and at times she knew nae. But tradition willed that it was brought in without the knowledge of her and the chatelaine.
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Post by Cara McKenna on Nov 29, 2011 11:00:28 GMT -5
Cara along with everyone else in the Castle worked to make sure the Kingdom and people would make it through the coming winter and that the Castle could hold against the cold.But more importantly she worked, herself, to help bring cheer to the people of the Castle. Each day that there was decorating Cara would make certain to bake different pastries and help Cook make special seasonal drinks to entice and uplift the spirit. It seemed this year above all they needed to remember the joy of the season, and the togetherness of the family that had come together...and that is what Cara intended to accomplish. Pushing away her own thoughts she begins to hum as she works, soon content that the smells of the season were wafting throughout the Keep, and hopefully would draw the masses from out of the stonework and down to help in the celebrating.
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Post by Lady Edfeil on Dec 1, 2011 9:02:35 GMT -5
*The scents that filled the hall were a mixture of yule in ittself. One whiff and one would know. There was the almost magical scent of baking that drifted from the kitchen, which made any who entered wish for the pastries and breads that were part of the season. Then there was the scent of pine, of spruce and evergreen as they filled the hall in large baskets. The ladies themselves would be transforming them into wreaths and boughs and garlands. The work took it's time each year, but it was part of the joy. Small sachets were made, nae just the ones filled with lavender as summer saw them do, but filled with precious spices that lend their own warmth to the bouquet in the air. The treshes had been refreshed and while things still needed to get their shape, they surely started to get their scent.
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Post by Cara McKenna on Dec 3, 2011 20:57:46 GMT -5
It didnt take long at all for Cara to be roped...happily albeit,into helping with the wreaths and garland for the season and soon she sat with the Queen and the other ladies of the Castle carefully gently twisting the evergreen twines round the bendy whippy twigs and branches.There is much laughter and tales about the Great Hall as the fires snaps and crackles merrily in the hearth. Mugs of cider and hot tea sit on a table nearby as the ladies work, creating and hanging the decorations round the Castle making a festive season even more bright
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Post by Sir Kyle Draven on Dec 6, 2011 11:24:25 GMT -5
Ghaele was around in the castle and knew of the tradition thanks to Kyle and since Kyle was gone for a bit Ghaele took it upon himself to let it go on if no one else beat him to the punch, a few nights ago he had received a letter, it was about 2 things, 1 there was a lead that would have him search around the castle grounds for someone and 2 there was a tree that was ready, thanks to a few guards and some of Ghaele's Rangers they were able to hide the tree they got and was bringing it in at shift change, so a couple of nights would pass and then there would be a tree that was placed in the hall while all were sleep and unaware and this was a gift for the place that felt like a home to him, although he never stayed long, but he hoped it would be joy and more celebration to the place even with all that was going on and once the tree was in he would leave out and go into the village and let all be unaware of His presence for now, looking back to the castle and speaking just soft enough for Himself to hear only.......Have a Merry Christmas Windstorm....He smiled and went on about His day.....
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Post by Lady Edfeil on Dec 6, 2011 13:31:58 GMT -5
((I LOVE you!!!))
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Post by Sir Kyle Draven on Dec 7, 2011 0:27:35 GMT -5
I love you to sweetie...~hugs~)))
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Post by Lady Edfeil on Dec 10, 2011 19:13:38 GMT -5
The tree had come. It had come. She felt like clapping her hands like a child. She nae had had to order one. She nae had to know. The tree remained a mystery, and truthfully, this year she could nae imagine who had ordered it brought in or managed during the night to have it placed there, in the great hall without her knowing.
Yet simply looking at the tree made her feel happy and content. This yuletide had seen so many surprises, so many happy surprises. The letter from Fryseland had put a seal on their agreement and an announcement could be drawn up. Should she send out a missive to the rulers of allied countries first? Or make the announcement a surprise? It was late in the season to organize a ball.
Thoughts went through her head, but none truly surpassed the utter contentment that she felt at looking at that tree. It was ready now to be decorated with ribbons and ornaments and all that would make the season more festive.
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Post by Dream Loxley on Dec 11, 2011 3:01:04 GMT -5
((Thank you Kyle  )) And here it was.......the tallest tree that would fit in the Hall......how majestic and proud it stood. "Oh my.......'tis a beauty M'Lady......those magical Elves nae ever let us down aye." Chuckling softly to the ladies in the room. "Dear Cara ye have done us proud with yer hard work, the Hall smells so delicious!"She smiled brightly and reached to touch its spiked branches, all the while whispering words of thanks and encouragement to it. She thanked it for allowing us to share in it's beauty, thanked it for giving it's life so they may enjoy the treasured memories that would be made as they all decorated it, and promised it that every part would be used and finally given back to the earth from whence it came, so it may give life to other trees and never be forgotten. As she walked around it, admiring the shape and form of such a magnificent entity, she took a ribbon from the table and began tying it onto one of the lower, reachable branches. "There now.......ye shall look so regal, adorned with love and treasured by us all for that which ye are giving to us. I give thanks to ye and to those who did fetch ye here fer us to enjoy."She continued to pick ribbons and decorations with care, choosing the right place for them and smiling as she spent a little while with the tree. |
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Post by Sir Kyle Draven on Dec 11, 2011 11:45:32 GMT -5
Most welcome Dreamy.  ))) |
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Post by Simone on Dec 12, 2011 14:04:10 GMT -5
Simone would also pitch in her own help with the decorating. Though she tended to spend good amounts of her time hidden away in her Chambers as she worked on gifts for those she'd come to care so much about. Her talent with sewing and weaving would be offered up for any decorations needed, and a beautiful red, green, and white skirt was crafted and placed around the foot of the tree to catch loose leaves and such. There was always an easy smile in place as she helped with as much of the preparations as she could, very much enjoying the energy and atmosphere that seemed to settle around the land as the holidays were brought in. Cara's wonderful Cider quickly becoming a favorite of her's. And as always, her assistance was offered to Her Majesty in any way it was needed.
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Post by Lady Edfeil on Dec 19, 2011 13:12:35 GMT -5
They had decorated the tree to everyone's satisfaction. Even though with some hindrances. The tree was.. tall! Very tall. And well, Edfeil was nae. Some of the ladies were taller, but even on tiptoes it was nae possible to reach the higher branches. The solution seemed simple to Edfeil though: Simone and she could just pull the chest closer and stand upon it. At first the lady seemed hesitant, but it seemed she would be convinced, when Cara had entered. And Cara had nae wished to hear of the plan. What if the queen would fall? What if she were to break her neck? Would they look at Cara to explain why she had not stopped her? Would punishment fall on her if she had helped in the scheme?
The queen was trying to convince her and Lady Simone of the absolute safety of the plan. The chest had a flat lid. It was less than three feet high. What could really happen? Unable to truly convince both women, she tried pushing it forward by herself, and failed.
It was the entrance of Prince Gregor and his surprise at seeing her bend over, trying to push a chest with able bodied help of both women and guards seemingly absent that stopped her. What had stopped her perhaps even more was the ease with which he moved the chest she had nae been able to shift an inch. Mayhap he would nae have been so quick to do so iffen he had asked of the plan first. She nae took time to explain though, and as soon as she found the heightened surface, she rose upon it, carefully keeping skirts down over slender ankles as she shifted. Lady Simone quickly came forward with the ornaments, and explenation, and Cara shared her concern. It nae took long for a solution to be found in two hands to steady her as she hung the traditional ornaments and bows.
The tree decorated, the bows hung, only the wreaths and boughs still to follow as the scent of cooking kept filling the house day after day. Christmas at Windstorm was a season of indulgence.
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Post by Cara McKenna on Dec 19, 2011 15:12:13 GMT -5
Having naught more that she knew how to do yet than to cook and do menial house-wyfry tasks, Cara decided on what to do for the Yule gifts for her new family.Twasnt much but it would do she supposed, and with her new appointment to the kitchens staff she began to feel calmer and more complete....well all but with one problem.Shaking her head with thought Cara slipped out of the Castle and took a walk down to the Blacksmith shop in the village in the Castle's shadow.There she met Michael the present Blacksmith and asked him for help...in return she would offer a bit of homemade Castle cooked sweets, at her own hand. Seemingly accepting the offer he asks her what she needs and Cara lays out her hopes for a special gift including a special image,be it made a main part or the item or simply enlaid into it she was nay sure which could be done but Michael simply smiles and tells her to shoo...he has work to do!
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Post by Dream Loxley on Dec 20, 2011 6:45:44 GMT -5
The tree looked such a picture......a delight to the eye, comforting and safe......it gave one the feelings of home and belonging. Dream stood beside it for a while longer than was truly necessary simply to enjoy it, adorned in all it's finery and beauty.
"There now, did I nae tell ye that ye would become such a beauty fer us all to enjoy."
Her smile was bright and full as she moved away and settled at the large table that was still full of Christmas food and drink, of which the aromas were just wonderful.
Dream placed the basket she had carried with her upon the table and began to make a small cut in each plump and bronzed chestnut. She would peel them and leave them for Cara to do her magic with, knowing their Queen had a weakness for such pastries and they were at their best at this time of the year. Smiling as she worked, each Chestnut finally gave up it's coat of thick, leathery skin and exposed a softer, creamy coloured chestnut hiding inside. Roasting some later would be a prize indeed, a tradition she had begun here so long ago now, she remembered with fondness and continued to work on in the quiet of the Hall.
So many memories came and stayed in her heart for a while, then left to make room for others, she was also very pleased to have heard the news of Cara and her very well deserved appointment, perhaps the New Year would see this charming girl taking more of the Chatelaine's duties as Dream was finding it harder now the children were older, as was she. Smiling again as she thought about it, then picking another chestnut to work on.
These were the special moments that were so cherieshed as they all prepared for Christmas together.
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Post by Cara McKenna on Dec 20, 2011 14:17:58 GMT -5
The chestnuts of course were quickly discovered after Cara had returned from her outing to the Blacksmiths, and cleaned herself up of course. Lady Dream too was discovered at her work with those delectible little things.Hugging Lady Dream as She was forever busy with the littles round the Castle, Cara quickly settles down beside her to help in the main work of removing the shells and getting at those tiny little yummy morsels promising ofcourse that the Queen would have her fill of them as would everyone else.For the Holiday Cara had planned a Magnificent feast of breads and rolls,sweet breads, roasted meats including if she could get it a phesant or goose for the centerpiece meat...all of this ofcourse was a few days away and there was still much to plan but it was all in the spirit of love and togetherness...and thats what made everything going on so special.
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))
)))
