Some peace and quiet.

[Dream Loxley]

*Biscuit carried them both with ease.....he picked his steps carefully along the track, the thud of his hooves upon the dry earth was broken only when his shoe's caught the side of a pebble or small rock. The sun was warm.....dappled beneath the trees....only the sounds of the birds and Ellissia's chattering filled the air.

Dream held the reins very loosely, she trusted the great horse completely and was comfortable..her arms enclosing her daughter as the two of them moved in unison with him. Slow was the pace.....no hurry....she was tired from the weekends events....she wished some time alone...away from the Castle....away from the people...just for a while. Her thoughts were muddled and confused....and always when such was to be so.....she found refuge beside the sea.

The week past had drained her completely....it had been a joyous time spent with many guests and family members.....but it had taken its toll...the reading...the writing....the constant attention needed by the servants. Too many late nights showed upon her features.....and now she needed to revive herself....calm her nerves and find composure.

She listened and could here the waves pounding gently upon the shore....Biscuit was nearly at the end of the track...his hooves would find sand soon enough....and then she would hold his reins....he would know that it was time to gallop then, but not today...not with the little one. He snorted as if to tell her.....then dipped his head abruptly...raising it up high with a neigh. She laughed as Ellissia frowned and told him off. Then she spoke gently to the horse.*

"Nae Biscuit....nae this day.....mayhaps later aye.....gently now...gently lad."

*He snorted again, but seemed to understand...the sand was beneath him now...but still he kept his steady pace untill the little beach shack was beside him and he stilled his movements....neighing again and dipping his head. She glanced about for the Rangers who were never far... but could not see them..... they would be there...discreetly watching, and yet trusting her judgement enough to give her some privacy*

*Dream held the saddle and lifted one leg behind her....her body ached....her movements were not so fluid as of late.....she almost groaned as her feet found the ground. Taking hold of Ellissia and lifting her down.....only then did she sigh audibly at the weight of her little one....grinning as she let her daughter slide down....kissing her face as she squirmed and giggled.*

"Now.....ye stay here my small one...nae ye wander and I shall untie the picnic from Biscuit.....promise me...ye will nae move from just this space beside the shack."

*Ellissia nodded and smiled....she placed her hand over hey eyes, shielding them from the sun as she looked up at her Mother...already the child was engrossed in playing with the sand. She was content...she would not wander.....her fingers let the sand slip through them....it tickled and she giggled again. As her Mother settled Biscuit on the grassed area beside the shack...the little one was already taking off her leather slippers...wiggling her toes into the sands untill her feet were nearly buried. Dream glanced over and laughed softly.....aye.....'twas to be a good day indeed.*

[Dream Loxley]

*Ranger Owen pulled back the bow string...she watched and smiled as the arrow took flight. Its journey was unknown to her, and yet she did know of its porpose and eventually, through their own unfailing system...the Rangers would send word to the Castle.....she was staying here a while.

Both Rangers had made themselves known and helped her to make ready the small shack.....Owen had fetched enough water from the nearby stream...and Ethan had dragged enough fire wood to keep a furnace burning for perhaps a month. She had chuckled then and placed a few more twigs to the small fire that she had started.....Ellissia was huffing and puffing as her Mother blew gentle breath upon the twigs and smoke....eventually the kindling had become a flame. The little one knelt back then... satisfaction written all over her face...her small hands upon her hips...nodding and chattering.... a treasure indeed. Of course she was too young to attempt these ways....and yet...she showed that she understood... her Father had taught her well thus far.....when the time came... she would do him proud...that was for sure.

It was late in the afternoon when she had decided to stay......she knew all would be well within the Castle....the twins had their instructions and none would truly miss her.....the days now would seem quiet after the Festival.....and she would use the time wisely....with her daughter. Mayhaps even her beloved would return from his patrols....but.....indeed...she was used to her own company...and she was never truly alone. The Rangers would have more supplies sent on the morrow......mayhaps she would stay the week iffn the weather held.

The fire burned well......their belly's were full from cooks wonderful array of cooked meats and breads. Owen had brewed tea and then both Rangers settled down nearby....within sight...and yet far enough to allow their charges to have enough space and freedom.

She had washed the sand from her little one....lest it should scratch her as she slept.....never a moment had she stilled untill now...within her Mothers gentle embrace.....her eyes finally closed and sleep took her away.....calm....serene...the face of an angel....her own flesh and blood cradled close...protected and loved beyond words.

Dream sat for a while beside the fire.....so many memories....so many years....she smiled and rocked her child back and forth listening to the sounds of the night....the lapping of the waves.....her own breathing...steady and at peace. This was the way of things...and for now....she was content.*

[Lady Beren]

*Finally the time was there that Horatio allowed me back outside ...the last days, the coughing had stopped, the pricking in me throath lessened to almost nothing. Grinning at meself that I had been so obedient to me squire, I gave him two days off .The poor lad could use them , after tending me for days and nights on end .

Inevitably, me steps lead me to the stables . The longing for a ride so strong in me ...to feel the air again, to let the wind ruffle me hair . And the weather permitted : the sun warm and the skies clear . Bayard greets me with enthousiasm and got a little out of her head when she understood I will take her for a ride. Perran having done his job very well, she looks brilliant, her snowwhite fur carefully broomed, her stable clean and cosy . "She almost looks a little too fat, is it nae? " I gently joke . For a second, Perran looks at me in horror ...then he grins his boyish grin and nods lots . "Far too fat! " he admits . Further on ,he tells me that me sister Dream had gone to the beach for a few days . It seems the perfect destination to me : it is a good ride and iffen we arrive timely, Bayard might get the chance to walk into the sea for a bit .

Perran quickly saddles her and Ariel, Richards horse. Before long we are off ... me happily dressed in me riding leathers -to the somewhat mildly shocked look of poor Ranger Richard . Arriving at the beach, we find Lady Dream and Elissia,with their escorting Rangers . I let Bayard walk freely , knowing that should she decide to go for a swim, she would nae go too far. With that she keeps the company of Ariel . It be a lovely sight to see them frolicing.
Taking in the rest and quiet of the beach, I feel me blood flow again, a colour coming back to me cheeks. And so , at the end of the day, I put me most charming smile on and ask iffen we could stay for the night....*

[Dream Loxley]

*Poor Beren had not a moment to be still....Ellissia was already pulling her down to the sands.... her hands busy making castles and all manner of shapes...eager to share all she had done whilst staying in this magical place.

Of course she could stay......indeed...she may not be able to leave if the little one had her way.

Dream chuckled as she watched them......glancing about the place that she had come to call home for a while. The horses were settled and enjoying their freedom while even the Rangers, although as ever alert....seemed to feel more at ease than of late.

The small party, gathered upon this quiet beach.....the peace and quiet broken only by the shrieks and laughter of a little girl.......indeed...... this was a good place to be.*

[Lady Beren]

Nae only the happy shrieks of Ellissia can be heard...they be mingled with me own as I enthousiastically help her make the sandcastle and play catch- me-if-you-can with her . The horses snort from time to time; one could say they be amused by our pranks!

The charm of the little one is so irresistable , that she lures Rangers Owen and Richard into a game of hide and seek . Poor Ethan stands the watch, looking so whistfully that Richard ,after being found five times by the child, takes over from him. An excellent move, from her point of view ,for Ethan is quickly changed into a horse and can be found running to and fro along the waterline with his little burden. When Elissia gets almost breathless with laughter, the Ranger delivers her back to her mother ,who has been watching all of our games with a very contented smile on her face...

And yet again we can stay the night at this good, peaceful and healing place... *

[Dream Loxley]

*The rock stood just high enough out of the water...gentle waves lapping about it....having spent their force upon the sands. She tucked her skirts up high lest they would become wet....leaving her long legs to dangle over the edge. Her feet completely covered by the surf....cooling...refreshing...almost instantly calming her completely.

She watched the antics of the Rangers....shaking her head at times...seeing them enjoying their time here. Who could nae enjoy such tranquil moments....with only the seagulls to watch over them. She felt at ease here....at one with herself and nature......since she was a child, always she gained inner strength from the ocean.

Poor Ethan...... she could nae help but laugh as Ellissia rode his back....he was carefull...he seemed to understand how delicate she was.....and how precious. Surely she would sleep tonight......the fresh air would see them all slumbering soon enough. It was strange how one could do nearly nothing....and yet feel exhaustion none the less. Could such days become any better she wondered as she sat there splashing her feet.

She would have to return soon....'twas inevitable....but iffn she was needed....word would come...'twas but two miles ride to the Castle... reality.....duties......cook's grumbles. She sighed softly then.....but with a warm smile....for now she was content.....the sun had done well its task for the day and slowly began to sink down. She would prepare some supper and Ellissia would need to be washed. She smiled over to Beren....indeed...'twas good to have her company.....*

[Lady Edfeil]

Lord but she was tired...

The exhaustion that seemed to have claimed her after the festival kept lingering within her. The cold and damp spring had gone and made way for hot days reminding of the depth of summer. And yet she nae seemed to refind her strength. She slept as much as she could, and when she nae slept, she tried to tend the household as much as she could.

She wished the Lady Dream to be back, but felt loath to send a messenger, knowing how much she enjoyed the sojourn at the beach. Still... she would nae wait much longer. The chatelaine was missed, and nae just for the way she fulfilled her duties with ease.

[Dream Loxley]

*The weather had changed......as quickly as an expression upon one's face. A brisk wind seemed to pick up the moisture from the waves and fill the air with a damp coldness. It was time to go.....she knew it would not last....and was already thinking mayhaps it was time. She felt guilty to have left her duties to others.....and as she lifted a sullen faced Ellissia upon Biscuit.....she promised her soon.....aye...they would return again soon.

Ranger Owen aided her.... she heaved her leg up and over the saddle....even though she had rested...she still felt an aching within her bones. Her smile though was warm and genuine towards him as he handed her the reins.

Beren was ready.....the Rangers ready......the beach shack closed up once more. Biscuit moved on and she turned back towards the place she adored so much....a sigh escaped her lips...she held Ellissia closer and whispered to the winds.*

"Thankye fer having us....I shall return to ye....I promise...soon...very soon."

*The horses quickened their pace towards the track through the woods.....and home.*

[Halethala]

It were amazin' how much one could learn from the servants, especially when they did not think you were conscious . . *wry grin* As Letha lay in the infirmary, drifting in and out of dreams, she overheard snippets here and there from the two that cleaned in the mornings, when Olaf would leave to stretch his aching mucsles for a bit . .

So, the Lady Dream is off to the beach . . the days had barely been warm enough, had they? Ah but, perhaps there is more to be done than simply wetting one's toes in the surf . . Pehaps it had been more to open the place for the season . . or maybe simply some time away?

Letha remembered the view of the sea from the cliffs . . it held her imagination a sweet prisoner . . the soft roar and constant motion, the screeeeeing of the gulls, the fresh cool air . . the colors and scents unlike any other place . .

Perhaps it was simply because she was so thirsty, but she didn't think it was only that . .

She loved the sea, and tried to imagine what Dream's little cottage looked like . . perhaps someday she could prevail upon her to show her . .