No Wonder!

[Lady Edfeil]

((ooohh... how you ladies are tempting me to join in!))

[Halethala]

((Oh my goodness, dear Queen, consider yourself most warmly invited to leap right in, at whatever inspires you! I honestly only meant to post a bit of live rp and figured that would be that, but Dream has extended it so nicely!))

Dream's loving logic struck a cord within Letha, and she pursed her lips, the right side pulling upwards tenderly, "Aye, ye be right at that, mayhaps. Even a brief bit of joy be better than none at all." 'Or was it', Letha left further words unsaid, knowing sometimes the price was simply too high.

Her hands plunged up out of the water showering a cascade of sparkles as she drenched her face completely. There was still a bit of anger inside her at the feeling of being abandoned. And even her Friend's assurances of it not being her fault couldn't erase the lingering doubts. Still, something seemed to shift fundamentally. It was time to stop dressing in black.

As a nod towards that decision, and as if attempting to quit her hiding, Letha lifted herself a little higher out of the water for a fleeting moment. The look on her face at the thought of seeking out a healer was unreadable, but definitely not one of joy. "Aye. A healer. Aye." Her voice didn't sound convincing. "Mayhaps Sofia is about again as well." Letha sunk again to her neck. "But there shall be nae bleeding .. nae." Her head waved back and forth rather vigorously to reinforce the condition to her agreeing, before her thoughts shifted yet again.

Each nod found her bobbing her chin into the waters, and Letha shivered despite the heat of it. "Do ye seriously fear it might come to that?! That he may ... may wrest the kingdom for hisself?!" Her bobbing switched to shaking. "Nae, the heavens forbid...."

Turning her shoulders to more squarely face her Friend, Letha whispered "Dream, what would it hurt to snoop a bit behind the man? Discretely, of course. Jes a bit. Mayhaps send sommat as merchant or trader to his homeland, see if there be any he can find out?" Letha smiled crookedly, "We all know the servants often'times know more than the families themselves, and aren't always as unwilling to leak the truths of things as they may be expected to do...."

Her voice fell even more quiet, "It be more than merely the happiness of the Queen at stake, aye? But I would hate to endanger ye as well as I may already find myself for challenging this Gregor... "

[Dream Loxley]

((Ahhh you know me always poking me nose in ;D ......would love to see our Queeny ))

Letha looked as if she was finally relaxing a little.....almost enjoying the warmth and healing of the waters. Dream could not help but chuckle at the bleeding remark, then thought more of the healer.......she felt it would not be such a good idea as Sofia was indeed with child herself, and as such the memories Letha had would perhaps serve only to torment her again.

*Nae......nae bleeding my friend......mayhaps the Brother Oswin, aye.....a gentle man he seems, and although nae a healer by trade, he seems to have a goodly knowledge of herbs and such......" Pondering more on this, she added with a smile. "Mayhaps speaking with him may ease yer mind also......as he be a man of the cloth and all.We have welcomed him into the bosom of family here in Windstorm, and Edfeil certainly trusts him." Nodding then to confirm her beliefs.

They moved about the waters for a while longer, before Dream lifted a hand that was clearly becoming a tad wrinkled. She turned away from her friend for a moment to climb from the pool, her chemise clinging to every curve like a second skin. Long legs took each step with care, lest she may fall back into the waters, the cool night air made her gasp momentarily as her body adjusted to the cold. She reached down and lifted the extra blanket she had taken from the kitchens, shivering as she wrapped it about her. there were goosebumps up her arms and she laughed lightly.

An answer was needed, yet it was not an easy one to even contemplate. Dream lifted the other quilt in readiness for her friend to climb up the shallow banks, thinking aloud, she waffled on.

"Who can say what be his reasons fer the marriage.....yet he may be completely taken by our Queen in love.....he may be sincere in his motives yet.....I do nae know the man so well. There be many of them, and a King....his Brother I believe, so lands and money should nae be an issue aye. Dieter and Ulbrech have their own titles, and seem to have forged a decent living here also........I doubt there be much we could find out or if indeed there be anything to find out."

Dream realised as she spoke that in truth she knew nothing of Letha's past before she came to Windstorm, only the years she had become a firm and trusted friend. Who could say just what Halethala was capable of, or if she had known more conflict and stealth like actions before........it may come easily to her. It may be her path after all.

"Come now, 'tis late and cold and ye are in need of rest, and on the morrow we shall seek out the good Brother and some decent food for ye. Stay here a while, enjoy the Castle and the people who care for ye my friend. Think hard about this, so as to accept it mayhaps........."

Her words were sincere, she felt it best Letha stayed with company for she surely did not look so well, both in body and heart. Healing would come from within.......and Dream would do all she could to aid such.

[Lady Edfeil]

*she was wearing Matthias heavy cloak over her shift, and soft leather slippers on her feet as she approached through the reaching darkness as dusk started to gave way to night. She had barely convinced Sergeant Lan to stay at some distance from the rock surrounded pool that was formed by the hot springs. It was rare for her to make the little walk here, but this eve she had relished the idea of quiet, relaxation and the dark oblivion of the night with nae a care or a worry, or a problem to be taken care of.

Rounding the boulder she all of a sudden was more than happy she had left the sergeant behind as she came eye to eye with a dripping Dream, covered in barely more than a blanket, and probably a very wet shift. Her eyes widened, then sparkled with mirth in the darkness as she greeted her friend.*

"t seems we had the same idea this eve, aye? *she said, laughter warming her voice, then she noted the goosebumps on yer arm and shuddered involuntary. Mayhap it was still a wee bit too cold for her?* I was considering a spell in the hot water yet.. seeing ye... mayhap a goblet of wine before the hearth would be a better choice? Would ye join me? There be so many a thing I wish to speak to ye about. Ellissia first of all, but there be other things... *her voice was tinged with excitement at the chance. Nae work. Nae cares. Just the joy of friendship and female companionship.

And then... she heard a splashing sound from the water. In utter surprise she looked back at the pool, trying to make out who else had been enjoying an evening swim. The light had been growing dim indeed, and it took some time to take out the shape even as her eyes narrowed to better see. A woman.. pale.. thin, almost painfully thin... and then she caught a glint of the hair and her breath caught*

Letha? *And then once more the name was repeated in joy* Letha?

[Lady Edfeil]

*She looked from Dream to Letha, there was... the simple joy within her countenance at seeing both friends gathered here. A bit anxious she waited to see iffen Letha would answer her and iffen she would wish to speak. She settled on one of the rocks, spreading out her skirts patiently, a gleam in her eyes as she looked over at Lady Dream.*

Ye should dry off... *there was a warm chuckle within her voice.* And I will have wine arranged and a fire... and oohh... there be so much to speak of. *Glancing back into the darkness of the rock pool, she hoped... *

[Dream Loxley]

Dream never imagined anyone else would be about at that time of the evening, most would be fast asleep surely...yet......here in the middle of the night was Edfeil. Her jaw dropped, her hands grabbed at the blanket and she felt her whole body flush with both the embarrassment at being found like this coupled with the conversations that had taken place between herself and Letha. What if she had heard.......swallowing the words that simply would not come forth, she nodded, then shook her head.....nodded again at the idea of fireside warmth and wine.....her features said it all as she looked back to Letha and then again at their Queen. Completely taken by surprise, she shrugged her shoulders and laughed softly.

"Ohhhhh my.......ohhhhh my......" Her smile was true and sincere, her eyes sparkled. Her body was almost covered should any menfolk be lurking, as Edfeil was hardly ever unaccompanied. She turned to Letha and laughed again.

"We be sprung my friend...and our punishment be good company, good wine and a fireside gathering with our delightful Queen.....what say ye.....shall we do our penance." One hand kept the blanket together whilst the other held out towards Letha.

With a smile, she glanced back again to Edfeil and almost curtsied until she remembered how she was in a state of undress. "Methinks we shall be delighted to accept yer kind invitation M'Lady."

[Halethala]

Letha was still turning the name "Oswin" over in her muddled head, puzzling whether she'd ever even heard of him before, eventually deciding that even if she had, she couldn't bring it to memory. Preoccupied with that train of thought, she'd nodded rather absently as Dream continued, her focus swerving back to attention as she watched her friend hold out the blanket and set forth perfectly good reasonings concerning the Queen's suitor. A deflated sense of foolishness spread slowly through her as she nodded mutely some more and began to rise up out of the water.

"Aye, mayhaps ye be right at that." Right on many counts, Letha thought. She'd not been a anchor of this home without good reason, this Friend of hers. Ugh, it was so hard to think.

Seized immediately by violent shivering, her forward motion in seeking the promised warmth of the blanket was swiftly suspended as a new voice cut into the night. Plunking back down into the waters with an ungraceful splash, eyes round with being so terribly caught off guard and seeing just WHO it was that did so ... Letha felt a jumbled mix of absolute delight almost crushed by the gnawing worry that surely Queen Edfeil had overheard the gist of their conversation against her Intended. And even if not, had he told her of her reaction to their news?

But no. There was nothing but welcome in her face, in her voice. "I am dreaming. Sure and certain. To have the two highest Ladies of the Castle before me, the delicious enticement of spending time with them again. Together. I'm delirious. Hallucinating. Dreaming. Surely!"

Either way, why not indulge in it, dream or real? Clutching tightly to a handful of her now much whiter underfrock below her neck, Letha scrambled out of the water and swaddled herself with Dream's thoughtful quilt. Teeth chattering, she finally found her tongue as she joined in Lady Dream's laughter, agreeing. "If s-s-such be punish-sh-shment, lock me in the dungeons-s-s an' inflict it often-n-n!"

Edging close to Dream, she gazed at Edfeil with a tilt of her head, the smile in her eyes slightly blurred by the moisture of tears. "Be awfull-ll-lly good to s-s-see ye again, Highness-s-s."

Oh she had questions. Many questions. But they didn't seem nearly as important now.

[Lady Edfeil]

*She laughed in sheer delight as she saw Letha too leave the waters to join them. Glancing around the still of the night she lowered her voice to a whisper, her eyes sparkling now, as she looked from one to to the other, both of them shivering under cloth too thin for warmth and too wet for comfort under male eyes. A chat, aye... and wine.. and some of Cara's delicious pastries*

Ah.. I left... Sergeant Lan just beyond.. the ridge. *And she would have a talk with him later of nae having told her that her friends were here already. Mayhap the first words would have to be 'thank ye' for would she have dared intrude iffen she had known they were there?* I will.. rush ahead to the Castle, aye? Have some cider warmed and the fires stoked? We could have some pastries, talk about... *her hands fluttered. It nae truly mattered what they spoke about, did it? It was important to share company again. Oh but there was so much to be talked of. So many a fun and female thing she nae oft had the chance to indulge in anymore. Gathering her skirts she stood from the rock, darted swiftly to Dream and wrapped her hands around her, damp blanket and all. Then, with the shortest moment of hesitation, uncertain as iffen she would nae impose, she did the same to Letha, her laughter sounding again, even though worry penetrated as she felt how thin the woman had become.*

I... I will await ye in the Librarium, aye? With fire.. and food.. and wine.. and.. oh.. there be something ye should see? I will.. take the Sergeant. *And with the swift words, she lightly wove her way back through the rocks, around the bolder and on the quiet path to the castle itself.*

[Cara McKenna]

Cara and her girls were quick to set to work upon the pastries, tea and cider when the Queen came in with Sergeant Lan, who was the one to tell them of the Ladies needs. Peach and Strawberry Pastries were soon sending a sweet scent round the lower floor of the Castle the kettles soon whistling letting the girls know to raise them quickly to the warming height. The tea is quickly poured into a tea pot and mugs are gathered. A few mugs are quickly filled with cider just in case the Ladies would care more for that instead of tea.

Very soon the pastries are pulled from the chimney ovens and after a small amount of time to cool they are slid from the pan onto a platter and Millie is shooed off toward the library with the items for the Ladies relaxing time...

[Dream Loxley]

((Time to get us into the warm I think ))

By the time they had gathered their clothing and made some sense of the situation, both Dream and Letha had laughed and huddled together as they made their way to the Castle again. Dream had wrapped her friend tightly in the quilt, rubbing her arms to warm them, eager to get into the dry and warmth of the Librarium. Their Queen obviously wished to keep the scantily clad women from any prying eyes or else the Hall would have been their destination. Both felt like young girls caught in the making of mischief as they entered the room, a little drier than when Edfeil had last hugged them, but still somewhat suspicious of her intended Groom.

Cara had done wonders with hot food and beverages, Dream assumed it was she who had conjoured up a feast fit for them all, she also hoped the young woman might join them at some stage.

The fire was burning brightly, giving a soft hue to the room, which at times looked a little stuffy with shelves filled with scrolls and parchments. Dream settled into a chair near the hearth and tried to find a serious face as she began to dry her hair with the blanket and the heat from the fire.

"Oh 'tis a welcome sight M'Lady.......mayhaps ye were meant to find us aye....and ye can see our dear Letha be home again.....with the Hawk and Siya, so many returning....yer Wedding be fetching them ye think?"

[Lady Edfeil]

I believe, me friend... it must have been meant. At the very least it seems ye have saved me from a rather cold surprise. I had thought a bath, but.. the night air afterwards .. *she shuddered with a chuckle still wtihin her voice.*

Mayhap ye should let me get out the tangles before 't dries... *she murmured as she saw ye try to dry up yer hair. She was.. relaxed, content, and so glad for the female company. There was a wedding to plan, there was.. more coin available for such than she could have imagined, and so far so many of the arrangements had been about politics or safety. She wished to speak with women.*

Aye.. Lord Hawkmoon.. Lady Siya... *she took out a small chest that Cara had placed within the library for her and found a carved bone comb* And Letha of course... *she smiled brightly at the woman, too pale still, too slim. She would have to ask Cara to make a particular effort to entice her with more food.* It be so good to see people return. To hear how they have fared.. and to see how the heart brings them home again.

[Cara McKenna]

Silent steps carried Cara herself this time up the stairs with a tray filled with bowls and a medium sized kettle of a thick hearty pottage and a smaller one of a yummy lightly salted and seasoned broth and fresh breads to go along with the heated sweets and tea and cider.She had decided to carry this one herself and slipped into the library with a gentle smile to the Ladies...I brought some more yummies for everyone...she offers by way of introduction and smiled as she moved to set everything down....Prithee dig in and warm up a mite and ifn ye need of anything I twill send for it...she offers and grows silent then.

[Dream Loxley]

Dream found herself relaxing more as she dried by the hearth.....the atmosphere in the Library was one of peace, calm and friendship......she smiled warmly at the suggestion from Edfeil, dropping her hands from her hair in anticipation of the combing and detangling. Memories returned for that instance, of her Robin and how he would tend her tangles in such a methodical and tender way, she always wondered how a warrior had such a gentle touch, how the same hands could take a life, even if only to spare the innocent.....a soft sigh escaped her lips as she sent the memories away again lest they would spoil this enchanting time with her friends.

When the door opened again and Cara appeared, it felt even better. She gave a welcoming smile to the lass and accepted a goblet of warmed cider as she had her hair combed.

"Ye know, I truly did nae ever expect to see the Hawk again......and yet I even had a dance with him at Caernarvon's Ball." The delight in her eyes there for all to see as she spoke of those who had returned, glancing to Letha now and then to make sure she was eating and wondered of her thoughts now, from their conversation earlier that night.

"Oh Cara ye have done us proud again with a feast set before us....have ye a gown as yet Majesty......and a date.......how fares yer groom, I fear I nae know as much of him as I should.......who shall give ye away....have ye decided as yet?" She let the questions rest while she enjoyed the gentle touch of female hands caressing her hair and aiding in the destruction of those awful tangles.

[Lady Edfeil]

I heard indeed ye had a fine time dancing, M'lady *she said fondly* And nae were wanting for partners. *her voice was light, determinedly so* Were there any guests from the North as well?

*the comb slid through your hair easily, slowly. There nae was a hurry. Darkness came early in these evenings still, and allowed for a long time in front of the hearth with the joys of feminine companionship. Her eyes went to Cara, including her in the conversation. The gown for the wedding, 't was a matter of some importance and one she could nae settle her mind on.*

We have decided for October.. *she said with a smile* Such be shortly after the harvest with the storages full and near all the work done on the fields. A time to rejoice and celebrate a new beginning, aye?

*The eve called for Cider and thus she indulged in such, lifting her cup to all three of the women in turn.* I believe... Prince Gregor be settling well in Windstorm.. *she glanced around to all three as iffen to confirm the fact and reassure her. Windstorm be smaller of course than Fryseland, and he be used to travelling more oft as a diplomat for the Frysian court. *She paused a moment, separating a piece of hair carefully, then taking up the cup of cider and sipping before speaking on.*
there be so much to arrange.. those that would come... allies.. friends.... *she laughed* people who be nae as friendly but can nae be avoided... And the gown... I was thinking red, but then.. the betrothal gown was red already. Blue of course.. be a possibility? Mayhap with silver? Or there be a soft dress.. white.. or cream.. Queen Anne gave me so many yards of lace, delicate like a spidersweb...

[Dream Loxley]

Dream closed her eyes for a moment to recall the dancing.....the first man had been kindly in even asking her, perhaps he too was lonely and saw such within her eyes.....the second was the Hawk, and nothing had felt more natural than to be holding him close, swaying with the music.....after all they had been firm friends now for a very long time. She had felt safe and at peace, more so than she could remember. There may have been a gentle flush to her cheeks then or warmth from the fire.

"Oh ye tease me M'Lady, 'twas but two dances.....but I shall nae ever forget them. I hope to dance at yer Wedding.....there be so many colours that suit ye well, mayhaps combining the lace aye.....to soften....what think ye Cara, do ye have a care fer the blue, Oh Edfeil I do nae envy yer decision." Dream smiled to the ladies and imagined all the options yet could not decide. She lifted her goblet and toasted with them all to new beginnings.

The comb was sliding through much easier now, she lifted a hand to touch her hair, it felt so much cleaner and manageable. The cider was relaxing her more, and with the fire glowing and the peaceful company Dream felt at ease, perhaps too at ease, yet that doubt was still lingering. Planning the marriage of their Queen was a goodly thing......if such was what Edfeil truly wanted.

Dream took care with her words after hearing more of the intended Groom. Not once had Edfeil mentioned his looks or the way he smiled, or made her heart skip, no mention of excitement and joy.....no feelings of elation or butterflies in her stomach. So much was lacking. She had to ask for her own peace of mind, since she was not the only one to be concerned after the conversations with Letha earlier. She wondered of Cara and glanced to her again, seeking confirmation perhaps of her views, she may have complete faith in the man or her own doubts.

It was doubt that pestered Dream, that niggling feeling that seemed to be laying upon her heavily of late, eating away at her vision of happiness she always wanted for her friend. Edfeil deserved to be loved and cared for as Dream herself had once.....to find true love and happiness in her lifetime....doubt finally gave way to the question she had dared not ask.

"Shall he cease from his duties in Frysland M'Lady.....will he take on more responsibilities here when ye are married...some may say 'tis what he planned all along, with so many of his family here......ye do trust him with yer heart my Queen......and our home?"