No Wonder!

[Cara McKenna]

The Blue mayhaps be lovely m'Lady Dream, I do know the red suits Her Majesty quite well but red mayhaps naught the best for a wedding she smiled softly at that and sipped her own drink. Truth was she nay had any doubts of the Prince at'all as she had been lucky enough to be privy to a few of the more private moments between Queen and Prince and had seen the affection that was at large hidden from the rest of the Castle population.She knew the Queen's views on showing such, as She believed it be improper, sinful in a way it seemed. But still...nay there were naught a doubt of such between them. Mayhaps naught a strong as Cara herself might hope, but such would grow with time ifn the match was truly ordained. She listened to the questions being posed to the Queen and winced a bit at their directness yet she said naught of it for now and simply waited.

[Lady Edfeil]

*The comb halted and for a quiet incredulous moment she seemed to stare into space, as surprise went up, engulfed her.* There be those that say.. 't be his plan to wed me.. and take over the rule of Windstorm?

*It seemed as if silence lingered a moment at the question. Her amazement at the idea obvious within it. And then a soft laughter welled up from deep within.* Oh my... *there was mirth in her eyes then as she stepped aside to look at Lady Dream.* Pritthee me friend... nae tell me ye believe such? I would nae risk Windstorm to one who be but inclined to greed. *Something of the mirth dissapeared then as she looked at ye, and worried that it had nae just been an amusing tale ye wished to share. That there were concerns.*
Prince Gregor.. be an honorable man.. *she stated softly.* His lands in Fryseland might be more extensive even than what he would gain iffen he were to ascend the throne to Windstorm. But such shall nae be. 't be in the contracts even....
*She bit her lip, uncertain on what to say next, so she gave herself pause by taking up the comb again and running it through yer hair from the side, in quiet, soothing motions* I be gaining more from the marriage than he does... a strong alliance.. royal blood for the heirs of Windstorm.. *her eyes were kept carefully on the comb. It was nae easy for her to speak of these matters.* and a good man who I be convinced will be treating me with kindness for the rest of our lives.

*Edfeil hesitated then before looking up, before meeting yer eyes, her voice a whisper then, as iffen entrusting ye with a secret sin.* I nae chose to be unhappy within the marriage, me friend. I know.. Windstorm comes first, and iffen 't had been needed I would have wed Atilla the Hun himself to keep it safe. Yet.. I was fortunate. He be a kind man. He will even allow his children to carry me father's name instead of his, to make certain the Stormblade name would nae vanish from Windstorm's history. Aye...
*She canted her head slightly as iffen she considered things, considered the question one more time.* Aye.. I trust him. With Windstorm and with meself. He be a man who be used from birth to offer support, nae to take over and to do so quietly and diligently. I consider meself.. fortunate to be able to wed him.

*Her voice had remained soft, her hands gentle as the worked out the tangles, then finally the comb slid one last time through the hair, making certain all were free. She glanced at Cara then, smiling softly. There was a.. glow about her as she had been speaking. Mayhap nae the heat of passion, but a quiet contentment that almost fitted a bride.* Me mother's gown was green.. but such would nae suit me, I think. And I would love to use the lace...

[Dream Loxley]

"The Blue mayhaps be lovely m'Lady Dream" It was Cara's voice that broke the uncomfortable silence that had fallen within the room. Dream berated herself silently for even contemplating the question she asked let alone having the courage to actually speak it. Oh my oh my......what had she done. About to quickly retract her words and offer the most profound apology to her friend and Queen......she was both surprised and happy to hear Edfeil's answer.

All Dream ever wanted was for their Queen.....her friend of many a year to experience love and all it had to offer......to find a man who was both her equal in intelligence and yet above her in the ability to love her and adore her.....willing almost to die for her.....and now in her words, Dream understood.....indeed it was a proper marriage and Edfeil did trust and love the man. How foolish had she been to imagine any alternative.

"Oh M'Lady.......Edfeil......my friend....." Dream began as the combing finished and she felt too embarrassed to look upon the lady. "Forgive me.....I should nae have doubted.....I did have my reasons....and when Letha spoke to me of her own worries.....I simply felt I had to ask.......to know.....I am so sorry for ever doubting....yer mind and yer heart....ye have my word that I shall always stand beside ye....and yer betrothed.....and I shall make the effort to know him better....aye.....I shall."

Her face must have been flushed, more so now from her words and actions than the fireside heat. She glanced towards Cara and felt even more wrong to have asked, for she was obviously confident that their Queen and Gregor were a perfect match.

"Please forgive my foolishness Majesty......I promise to nae ever think such again.....'twas my heart speaking.....and alas my heart be broken and in tatters....it nae be sensible enough to even have an opinion." She tried to laugh it off......yet she spoke the truth and was so very sorry if she had caused her friend even the slightest of grief.

"Tis seeming the blue be of choice then.......mayhaps with the lace......."

[Lady Edfeil]

*Her voice was warm as she wrapped her arms around ye for a moment, simply standing there.*
Ye be me friend... iffen ye would nae have the right to ask.. who would have? *she said softly. Then, as tears threatened to spill, she gently let go and took up a section of yer hair to start braiding it. On the morrow there would be ringlets iffen 't dried that way, and it gave her hands something to do.*

We will.. see what fabrics be available. Mayhap.. an outing, aye? The women of Windstorm? Mayhap we could go to Caernarfon and see? There be a seamstress there. *She prattled then, her eyes upon the braiding, as her fingers moved swiftly, she spoke softly*

I know... that this nae be.. what many would have wanted for me. 't be different from what ye and Robin.. shared.
*Her voice remained soft, quiet, almost pensive as fingers parted locks and slid through them in their so familiar task.* But that nae means it nae be good, or solid. 't be more even than I would have expected to have. I had feared I would have to marry a man who was but suitable to the crown and nae more. Instead, I be lucky enough to wed one who be kind, and strong. Who has offered me every courtesy and even his caring. And I.. care for him in turn. I will be a good wife to him. And he a good husband to me, aye?

*She finished the braid and offered a chuckle, even as she started another* How could he do ought else, aye? His own nephew would be most disturbed iffen he made me unhappy.

Caernarfon.. *she looked at Cara to see iffen such could be fitted in, looked at Letha, hoping she would accompany her.* Before Beltane mayhap? We could buy fabric for the wedding of Lord Caius and see iffen we could be finding ought as well for the wedding. There be so much to do. The sparring event... *the hesitation was gone from her voice now* We will need to have an arena built.. and flags.. and gowns.. and then I would wish to do something in summer... and there be the gown and oh.. a gift.. I have naught any idea yet what to give Gregor. And his family... Oh.. *she winced almost* 't be custom to offer them gifts too....

*She looked up now, shifting her position so she could see the faces of all, clearly expecting help.* I have been making list upon list and I still nae know where to start.

[Dream Loxley]

"Ye be me friend... iffen ye would nae have the right to ask.. who would have?"


As Edfeil held her, Dream knew then that she had indeed no right to have asked......as a friend she should have accepted, never doubted, even though those doubts might stay with her always. Edfeil was marrying simply because she had to......for the future of their home, perhaps sacrificing her own true happiness as she had done so when she took on her duties as Queen. No.....Dream had no right. Why would she wish the same love for her friend as she had experienced when all it left was pain and hurt, a cold empty heart and a loss she could never accept. Gregor may be a good man and she may enjoy his company, yet there was still no butterflies in the stomach, no shivers down the spine, no loss of breath when she spoke of him. But which was right, which would survive the test of time. Those feelings were foolish in their own way, as love was fickle, it came.....overwhelming and obsessing, stayed a while and then it left, and one was broken, lost and alone........

Edfeil had choice taken from her as she was Queen, it was different for her as Royalty, Dream understood now. This way may give her true happiness in time as they grew to love one another. Dream hoped with all she had that her friend would find lasting love, steadfast and proper......that she would have many children and that she would never be left alone, nor ever have her heart broken.

"Ye will be happy my friend.....I am sure of such for ye have chosen with both yer head and yer heart." Dream smiled softly still feeling regret at having voiced her fears.

Pushing them aside now, for there was no more to be said on the matter, she listened as Edfeil spoke of her plans for the Wedding, of gifts and gowns, all the while remembering her own Wedding so long ago now and all it had been to her......how happy and content she had been.......and those butterflies that were always there in the pit of her stomach. She smiled then....to herself.

"So ye have many a plan Edfeil.......with which shall we begin.....the gowns, the gifts or the flags aye?" Dream laughed softly, looking between the ladies gathered and left her memories behind as she focused of the future.....her Queen's future and that of her home.