No Wonder!

[Halethala]

No wonder he’d strutted in like he owned the place. He fully intended to!

Letha fumed her way out of his presence with a dangerous rudeness. How could he know how uncharacteristic it was of her? It surprised even herself, once her head cleared enough to truly consider her reaction. He’d seemed nice enough, though of course intimidated her as any royal ever had, once she’d realized who he was. Or rather, who he was related to. She really had no idea who he really was. She hadn’t given him enough of a chance.

So many long months of self imposed solitude after the loss of the wee one. No sign nor word from her husband. Grown morose and negligent of all but the barest of needs. Grown reed thin and pale as the ghostly fogs that shrouded not only her little cottage, but her heart. Time had devolved into losing all meaning.

But slowly, gradually, there was as if warmth trickled back into her soul, and a hunger that no bread could sate. Hunger for human voices, for news and gossip and nourishment not riddled with mold or burnt beyond taste. She’d meandered into the castle grounds again, at first drinking in the well ordered gardens, eventually finding her way back into the Great Hall. Hoping to find the voices of old friends.

Bother. He’d have her hung, he would, if he were a hard man merely seeking the throne. She’d bristled at his words, delivered with such casual nonchalance. With what had seemed a grin, no less…

She’d seen naught but the hem of her Sovereign’s robes as they vanished after her journey to her slumber on one occasion, rued not being able to really visit beyond a greeting. She’d sensed a great many new folk about, evidenced by the telltale signs and scents. She’d ached to catch Lady Dream awake, and would have to go seek her directly, it seemed.

But there was, more often than not, the dark one, save for his golden head, and him usually just setting down to dine late in the evenings. He’d been kindly, if not elusive in some intangible ways, and gently coaxed her to join him in his feasting. She’d declined most times, even though the fruit of the skillful goodwoman Cara that tempted her were deliciously on display.

But this evening, she’d halfways sought him out, finally ready to admit her hunger and accept the usual invitation. Only he was not there. The man who’d made his noisy entrance was Dieter’s uncle, he’d explained. She couldn’t even remember his name, she’d become so upset when he’d so offhandedly asked if she’d known. Known? How could she know. It was not their fault she didn’t know. It was hers.

Still, it wasn’t HIS place to tell her! He’d said he’d only been at Windstorm a year. A year! How could Queen Edfeil be certain of love in such a short span of time!

Or was it love? Perhaps it was an alliance … or perhaps the man had woven a spell on the virtuous Sovereign … or perhaps it was something else entirely.

As her quaking settled, she shook her head. It had to be love. Yes? She paused to lean her forehead against the rough girth of an oak, groaning softly. He’ll have her head, as she deserved, for her outburst. He would.

[Lady Edfeil]

((oh my... *chuckles* Poor Gregor. *HUGS* I keep missing you. *pouts*))

[Dream Loxley]

((Great post Letha! Thinking Dream will have to seek you out and share her thoughts on the matter "insert evil cackle here" xxxx))

[Dream Loxley]

Sleep had not been kind this evening, try as she may it was not meant to be. At first she had lay there, alone, lost in her own world, seeking some comfort from her chambers, yet here she was, wrapped up with a quilt around her shoulders, still in her night clothes and slippers, walking the foot path that led to the pond.

Moonlight streamed through the bare branches of trees, while the light snowfall gave a glistening magical feeling all about her. It seemed to be a little less cold now it had actually snowed, and she was deep in thought when she first caught sight of the figure......she stopped and gasped as she realised who it was. There was something amiss, surely as she drew closer, noting how Letha had laid her head against the Oak tree, of course the past had been so awful, for them both in truth.....alone now, seen as Widows yet not quite ready to advertise the fact. Dream swallowed as she approached in the quiet of night.

"Letha......my friend.....could ye nae find sleep also.....ye must be chilled, will ye share my quilt aye?" She smiled warmly and began to lift the quilt to wrap her friend within the comfort of it.

[Halethala]

It's a tribute to the complexity of the human mind that so many thoughts could jam the channels of thought seemingly at once. As she flinched against the unexpected voice, her first thought was that the guards had already been sent to seek her out!

No, no guard had such a soft, feminine timbre. No, not a guard...

Dear dear Lady Dream! Oh! Letha could beg her to hide her away until she could forge an apology.

But no. Lady Loxely had children, and Letha could not endanger them. Not in any way!

Simultaneous to the rapidfire thoughts, Letha dropped her defensive stance, and even emitted a soft little chuckle as she stepped into the offer of warmth. Warmth, inside and out. Safe, sweet warmth.

"My dear Friend" Letha tucked herself closely into the Chatelaine's quilted embrace, and murmured quietly, "Ye be a sight for a sore soul."

Letha even went so far as to rest her matted head against her friend's fragrant shoulder, the nearness and fresh, clean scent of Dream beginning to thaw the brittle loneliness that had strangled the beauty out of Letha's world for much too long.

She would not shatter the magic of this moment with a re-telling of her foolishness. Not for a goodly few long moments.

[Dream Loxley]

"My dear Friend" Letha tucked herself closely into the Chatelaine's quilted embrace, and murmured quietly, "Ye be a sight for a sore soul."



Oh how Dream drank in those simple words, spoken from the heart of her friend. How alone she had felt for so long, wishing only to be needed again, yet such seemed to be far from her reach of late. She snuggled within the quilt and wrapped her arms around Letha, drawing her close so as to feel her warmth, her friendship and her giving heart.

"Ah Letha, and a sight fer my eyes and heart ye be too.....mayhaps the fates are being kindly ......knowing we were both in need of a warm heart and a friendly face."

She smiled softly as she placed a cold hand to her friend's cheek, searching into her eyes and seeing the reflection of her own broken and locked heart. Dream wanted to weep then, for the woman she knew had left, there was another in her place, colder, harder, bereft of love, she wondered if this was how others saw herself now......perhaps they did and as such perhaps it was why she felt so alone, even in a crowded hall. She stood still for a few more moments before eventually steering Letha away from the tree and farther along the path, it was cold and frosty now, and the warm kitchens seemed a much more inviting place to talk and catch up together.

"Come my friend......my dear friend, let us share something hot and ye can tell me how ye have been.....and mayhaps of yer plans now ye are home again." Dream could not help but allow a soft sigh to escape as she walked on, wrapping her arm around Letha's tiny waist with the quilt about their shoulders. "So much has changed here, I have so much to share......but it nae all be goodly I fear."

[Halethala]

Letha reflexively leaned into the coolness of her Friend's chilly hand, a small shiver quavering right down into the marrow of her very bones. Tugging at the quilt made it more difficult to stroll, yet there seemed no need to hurry along.

Even before they made it to the warm firelight, Letha felt the smothering self-absorption slough away as she virtually pricked her ears up, like a horse sniffing at a scent on the breeze. It was if Lady Dream's words were softly webbed with a quiet sadness, colored gently with something akin to resignation. Forgetting her own reasons for emerging from her isolation, Letha slowed to a stop as they stepped into the aromatic kitchens. Where should she start? What was safe to ask. Indeed, what was safe to hear?

Running her tongue against the fold of her lip, Letha took over full habitation of the quilt as her Friend set herself to fill two vessels for them. "Tell me everything. Tell me all. Tell me of this usurper, who intends to wed our Queen!" Letha shook her head, biting her tongue ruefully, clearing her throat as half-hearted apology.

"But first tell me of my ... my brother, your Beloved Robin?" Letha intoned with a steadiness of voice, almost afraid to learn the answer. Yet she had to ask. She wanted to know.

[sofia]

(letha pls check your inbox thanks)

[Dream Loxley]

The kitchens were so inviting, so warm and quiet as most of the servants and residents were sleeping now. Dream was grateful to whom ever had left the kettle filled with hot water ready to use and smiled to herself as she made some raspberry tea to warm them both. She found herself frowning though as Letha began with her questions, for in truth she did not have answers, well, not the answers she wished to share with her friend. Letha had seen enough heartache the last few years to last a lifetime, but she deserved the truth....even if it hurt, and it would hurt.....

They sat by the large fire in the kitchens wrapped in the quilt, cupping hot mugs, looking like a couple of waifs and strays huddled together, lost in the great scheme of things. Dream sipped her tea while she gathered her thoughts and feelings. She chose not to speak of Robin and Gerrad just yet but to make light of Letha's stinging comment regarding their soon to be new King.


"Ahhh, so ye have met Edfeil's betrothed then."

She raised an eyebrow and looked at her friend with curious eyes.

."Ye nae think too much of him I assume.......I have met him but once, he seems a nice enough man and our Queen does speak very highly of him, although I have my doubts as to her sincerity and true feelings for the man. Their courtship has been brief to date. He be from a large family, and a lot of travel to their lands 'tas taken place, back and forth. I have to wonder if Edfeil felt pressured to find a Husband, ye knew she sent word through the kingdoms aye......we had many a possible suitor visiting."

Dream nodded to herself and had to chuckle as she remembered some of them with a smile.

"I care not fer the dark moody one they call Dieter as he seems to nae care fer me, but his Brother 'tas a kind soul methinks, quieter but sincere in his motives."

Nodding to herself to reinforce her beliefs.

Ye will adore Cara, iffn ye have nae met her as yet, and there be Lady Simone now, a beauty indeed."

She was avoiding the main question she knew Letha was so desperate to know, having given up, almost given up hope........Dream swallowed and knew she had to give her friend something tangible to hold on to. The smile left her then as she bent her head a little, avoiding her friend's gaze.

"I expect them home at any time......my Robin and yer Brother......any time Letha."

She finally looked up and offered a smile, yet it did little to hide the grief and fear within her eyes.

[Halethala]

((Allow me to interrupt with this important commercial message: the views and opinions of my character do not necessarily reflect those of her typist! lol))

((And thanks, Sofia))

[Halethala]

Letha allowed the hot tea to trickle down her throat, the steamy tendrils warming her from the inside nearly as effectively as the beautiful quilt. As she waited for Lady Dream to forge her reply, Letha kept her glances brief and tried not to race ahead in guessing the answers.

Dismay entwined itself around her as she sighed before beginning to answer. "Aye, it would seem I have met him." Wriggling a bit in her seat, leaning her head to the left as she recalled the encounter, Letha sighed again. "To be fair, I perhaps reacted ... poorly ... to his news. And I cannae pin down exactly why it hit me so. I ..." she tugged her lips tightly back, "I'd nae say that I didn't think highly of him. I gave him no real chance to allow me a valid opinion either way."

Setting down the fruity tea after yet another good long sipping, Letha continued carefully, "It seems too sudden, is all. Too quick like." Frowning, Letha felt distinctly like a wagon caught in thick mud, becoming more mired with each word. "I cannot believe the Queen lacking in discretion and wisdom where her heart is concerned. If... IF... it is her heart that drives the betrothal." Letha sighed yet again, deciding to put a halt to her rambling on the subject. "I jes hope..."

She shrugged up her right shoulder and took up the teacup again, a smile finally reaching her lips. "Aye, Dieter. There be a deepness to that 'un, I wager. Sommat as dark as his garb, mayhaps. Rather a mystery, e'en, though again, that the Queen tolerates him at court.... "

Tilting her head as she brought the faces of the ladies that Dream spoke of, Letha nodded, "Aye, I've met both Cara and the Lady Simone, though both only very breifly." Her eyes clouded again at the thought of not being able to stomach the thought of the delicious food that she'd watched Dieter enjoy with great relish.

But it was her Friend's last words that threatened to unravel Letha once again. The lack of conviction was openly apparent in her quiet attempt at reassurance. She'd told herself those very words over and over for many passings of the moon, each time believing it less. Letha refused to dispute that assertion, refused to believe the more likely truth that they would not return. Wrapping her thin fingers around Lady Dream's free hand, both now wonderfully warmed by the teacups, Letha offered a small smile. "Their duties must be grave and binding to have kept them away so very long."

Letha thought back to the days they'd spent with the Rangers, choosing to remember only the security of the place, the wonder of the construction, the resourcefulness of the men. Without realizing that she was verbalizing her thoughts out loud, "I've known in my heart that my husband would nae be coming back. But I cannot feel the same with the Rangers. And there would be word .... there would be word sent if sommat had happened... "

Cheeks coloring a soft pink, Letha dipped her head and swerved the conversation away once more. "I should bathe, aye? I be a rumpled, un-fragrant mess, my dear. And I should sleep. And" Letha stood, swaying despite all efforts not to, "and eat." Letha chuckled softly. "Come. Bathe with me in the Hot Springs? Then mayhaps in on the morrow we could travel to the village and fetch a few things."

Cupping her palm atop the peak of Lady Dream's shoulder, Letha spoke, "Perhaps the time of mourning should be tucked away for a season? Besides... Iffen the Queen be making a mistake, who best to sway her back to reason ... "

Letha looked up into Dream's startled eyes, the sudden change in Letha's posture and waffling surely making the good woman wonder if exhaustion or hunger or sommat else was making her friend delirious. Letha's next words only added to the suspicion. "Anna iffen we be wrong, there be a wedding to ready for, aye?"

[Lady Edfeil]

((Edie tolerates everyone at court. *LOL* And don't worry, Letha. There are several good friends of the typist that Edie is deadly afraid of. *W*))

[Dream Loxley]

Dream lowered her body slowly into the hot water of the natural springs.....the contrast from cold night air into the warm, relaxing water engulfed her as she immersed herself fully, coming up only to breath and spit water from her mouth. She wiped her hair away from her face with both hands and laughed lightly at her friend. This had been a wonderful idea, even though Dream had doubted it for a few moments when she was so comfortable in the kitchens.

They had chatted and mulled over things whilst they walked the short distance to the springs, having picked up another thick blanket before leaving the kitchens. She knew the Guards were everywhere and would be discreet, and both ladies had kept on their under garments. Dream chuckled even more as she leaned against the edge of the spring, her feet out of the water, toes wiggling, causing slight splashes.

"Oh my......ye were right.....to relax a while 'tis indeed a goodly thing my friend.....and I doubt we are right in our thoughts....Edfeil knows her own mind and heart ye think.....and they be simple men after all, even with titles....she shall still be our Queen."

She slipped into the water again, allowing the warmth into her bones, soothing her worries and fears for a while as she lay there, chemise floating and wrapping about her form, clinging to her curves.....before she came up for air again with yet another laugh.

"Ye know....I still shall nae trust the dark one.....there be something nae so right about him.....even though the ladies all seem so attracted to him. Oh....and did ye know Repsol had returned......and the Hawk was back....and Siya too....although they nae returned together, 'tis a coincidence.......mayhaps they knew they were needed.....ye know.....with the Wedding and all."

Wiping her face again, she lay back against the edge and watched her friend.....at ease and contented for at least this short time.

"Ye have lost weight Letha.....best ye allow Cara to feed ye up." Her features were sincere, her heart sincere, yet she made light of her friend's appearance and knew Letha would share her tale when she was good and ready to. They were close......and had shared so much in the last few years......it would all come to be....as it should .......as her Robin always said. The way of things.......

[Halethala]

Biting her lip with a deep frown " Our Queen, aye... but will she become and Unhappy One? I cannot shake the .... the nagging feelin' I still has."

Her words were halting and distracted, trying very hard not to stare openly, but unable to keep from noticing just how lovely Lady Dream was, a woman in the very peak of her beauty. She could not help but think how dearly she much miss the caresses of her Robin. So very much.

Letha had been inexplicably relieved when her Friend had suggested leaving their underclothes on to bathe. It had become easier to bear the wasting away of her body if she never had to undress fully.

Once freed from her outer garb, Letha nearly plunged into the steaming pool, and once beneath, surfaced only to her chin. Tears of quiet surprise mingled with the sparkling droplets, the warmth untangled more than her matted hair. It just felt so very very good. She tilted her head back, and allowed the heat to seep through to the bone before turning her green eyes back to Dream. Wide with gladness at the news, she intoned.

"So many returned? So closely together? 'Tis a wondrous coincidence indeed. I've no doubt it gladdens nae only the heart of our Sovereign." She tilted her head curiously at Dream's comment on Dieter, and took a few moments to gather her thoughts on the man. "There is sommat a bit odd about the man, aye. He seems kindly enough, though. Yet...." she scrambled about in her head for a better word, but none would come. "Yet lethal" Stressing the word with a shrug of her shoulders, she simply couldn't explain herself better if she were held at the point of a sword.

Perhaps it was the delicious warmth of the waters that circled about her, or more likely the warmth of a caring heart beside her, but the casual words unlocked something within Letha's cold heart, and she shifted beneath the waters that hid the obvious. Drawing an almost painfully deep sigh, she admitted. "Aye, I cannot seem to keep anything down, even when I find the appetite to try. Nae since ... the wee ... the little ... " She couldn't say it yet. It still hurt so much to have lost her baby. She'd even secretly named it, though not a soul would ever hear it.

"I couldn't eat for a blurr of days after losing 'im." The store of food within the cottage were fair target for vermin, molds, decay with the lack of housekeeping and Letha's darkness of soul left her unable to differentiate the fit from unfit. She'd eaten whatever her hand found. Until her stomach had rebelled against the rot. Lowering her head, wavering with weakness, it had never once occurred to her that she might simply have parasites!

"If Cara's skillful fare cannot put meat on these threadbare bones, I nae think any can."

"Oh Dream... does ye think I'm being ... punished? By the spirits, by the gods, by Fate... or whatever... for losing him?" Fighting to keep her voice level, "Is that why my husband left me?"

[Dream Loxley]

The warm water was so relaxing, it seemed to melt away all the weeks and months of fretting and worry. It warmed her through to her heart and she found it much easier to smile as she listened to her friend and watched as she too seemed to melt a little into the water, allowing it's soothing warmth to heal her.

"Mayhaps unhappy, we can nae tell such aye......after all, we both found our soul mates, were blissfully happy and contented.....and now.....how our hearts be broken and cold.....how can we tell her to think again iffn she be to have even a little of what we have known."

Dream pondered her words, yet they made sense to her as each new day with out him told her more than she would ever truly accept. He was gone from her arms, from her sight and almost from her heart. But would she have changed a thing, never loved, never shared what they had between them.......never know such passion and devotion.......a difficult question, yet with only one answer.....of course she would not.

She moved in the water to keep warm, leaving only her head visible, the water lapping gently over her chin.

"Aye, so many returning....mayhaps they too have their doubts as word 'tas spread the realms of Edfeil and her intended. We know nothing of them except they have lands and such.....I have to wonder how long our own flag shall stay aloft with so many arriving."

Dream frowned a little to imagine that scenario before she focused once more on her friend and how thin she had become.

"Ye say ye can nae eat......yet it be some time since the loss aye....ye really should be feeling better Letha, at least in body iffn nae soul just yet. Mayhaps we should seek a healer and speak of it all to them....ask fer advice aye?"

Dream had been thinking about things, wondering of answers and the future for them both, yet she was unprepared for Letha's final question. She reached out immediately with her hands to seek her friends'.

"Oh Letha....how can ye even think of such being the cause.....we may never know why these things happen, lest there be something amiss with the Babe, that it could nae stay.....ye must nae blame yer self, ye nae have a bad bone in ye my friend."

She smiled then and in an attempt to bring relief to the situation continued with a warm smile.

"Besides, there nae be much flesh on yer bones even, let alone badness."