Post by Lady Edfeil on Nov 14, 2012 14:39:18 GMT -5
It was winter, and that meant that the large tapestry frame that the queen worked on was brought down from the attic. It had been done so earlier in the year, but the wedding had seen the large contraption take up too much space in the hall. So it had been dismantled and placed in storage till after the big event. And last eve it had been brought down. Putting the heavy chestnut wood pieces together though was nae an easy task. The beams that needed to be slotted into the heavy side were almost more than a single man could handle, especially connected to the heavy canvas that was wound around. They needed to be held up, slotted in place and held there, till both sides could be fitted around, and heavy pegs could anchor them in place.
She'd asked Sithicus for his aide, then with Lady Annabelle's help tried to fit in the sides. The grunt that came from the large Norseman proved that even for him the task was nae light, and as she frantically tried to push the side closer and fit 't to the beam's end she realized she should have asked for more hands to the task.
At that moment her husband entered and without word took over the side she could help Lady Annabelle, while adding a stern rejoinder to the guards who'd been looking on without taking a step forward to join in the effort. Just while she was fitting in the second side, a ripping sound proved that, while goodman Sithicus had held up under the weight, his tunic had nae.
Pushing the final pegs in place, she slipped underneath the tapestry frame, while both Norsemen and guards now took over the task of holding up the sides. It took a moment's work only, and while satisfaction over the result was taking over, a gasp escaped as she caught an involuntary glimpse of the back of the man who'd just held up the heavy top beam of the frame, scarred in a way she could nae describe.
At the gasp, a blur of movement unleashed, at least so it seemed. Sithicus bend over, scooping her up, his arms tightening around her and his body sheltering her from what he feared was an imminent collapse of heavy chestnut wood beams. The moment he realized there nae was a threat, he let go, stepped back and with his hands at his side it was clear he expected to be struck down for the audacity even as he gave his apology.
At first she nae understood. Why would he expect retribution or even give his apology for touching her as he'd tried to shelter her from harm. And then... two things connected... the scar on his back and the utter surprise he had shown from that first day when Windstorm's hospitality had surrounded him and his men. Not an accident, like her own, the scars had come at malicious hands.
As Gregor found words, so much better than her own, she saw Sithicus' visage change, from a pained acceptance of impending pain or death to wonder at her husband's gratitude. She could nae help but add her own attempt to sooth over the moment in a quiet phrase. She too bore scars, and nae ever would there be a time when such would be brought to him again in Windstorm, nae iffen she had to stand between the whip and himself personally, and she would mend the tunic herself so he'd nae suffer any loss from the incident....
For a moment, something flashed in his eyes, something she could nae read, but whatever he wished to say was interrupted by the appearance of Svein with a replacement tunic and a quiet reminder of the 'duty' that still awaited in the harbour where a ship full of Byzantians had been entertained in a drunken celebration that delayed their leaving. They took their farewell, and left her to ponder on those who would leave their marks on others, simply because.. they could.
She'd asked Sithicus for his aide, then with Lady Annabelle's help tried to fit in the sides. The grunt that came from the large Norseman proved that even for him the task was nae light, and as she frantically tried to push the side closer and fit 't to the beam's end she realized she should have asked for more hands to the task.
At that moment her husband entered and without word took over the side she could help Lady Annabelle, while adding a stern rejoinder to the guards who'd been looking on without taking a step forward to join in the effort. Just while she was fitting in the second side, a ripping sound proved that, while goodman Sithicus had held up under the weight, his tunic had nae.
Pushing the final pegs in place, she slipped underneath the tapestry frame, while both Norsemen and guards now took over the task of holding up the sides. It took a moment's work only, and while satisfaction over the result was taking over, a gasp escaped as she caught an involuntary glimpse of the back of the man who'd just held up the heavy top beam of the frame, scarred in a way she could nae describe.
At the gasp, a blur of movement unleashed, at least so it seemed. Sithicus bend over, scooping her up, his arms tightening around her and his body sheltering her from what he feared was an imminent collapse of heavy chestnut wood beams. The moment he realized there nae was a threat, he let go, stepped back and with his hands at his side it was clear he expected to be struck down for the audacity even as he gave his apology.
At first she nae understood. Why would he expect retribution or even give his apology for touching her as he'd tried to shelter her from harm. And then... two things connected... the scar on his back and the utter surprise he had shown from that first day when Windstorm's hospitality had surrounded him and his men. Not an accident, like her own, the scars had come at malicious hands.
As Gregor found words, so much better than her own, she saw Sithicus' visage change, from a pained acceptance of impending pain or death to wonder at her husband's gratitude. She could nae help but add her own attempt to sooth over the moment in a quiet phrase. She too bore scars, and nae ever would there be a time when such would be brought to him again in Windstorm, nae iffen she had to stand between the whip and himself personally, and she would mend the tunic herself so he'd nae suffer any loss from the incident....
For a moment, something flashed in his eyes, something she could nae read, but whatever he wished to say was interrupted by the appearance of Svein with a replacement tunic and a quiet reminder of the 'duty' that still awaited in the harbour where a ship full of Byzantians had been entertained in a drunken celebration that delayed their leaving. They took their farewell, and left her to ponder on those who would leave their marks on others, simply because.. they could.