Tired..

[Lady Edfeil]

*Tired... she was so tired. She had hoped the warm weather would improve the way she felt. So far, it hadn't. She was warm aye. But nae felt the rush of energy spring usually brought. Her cheeks had turned pale and a soft shade lay under her eyes. She would have to keep things quiet. Have to rest more. She had gone through the winter without the bout of illness that had usually bound her to the cot for a week or two. Yet now she had felt fatigue creep up to her.

She prayed she nae had what kept the lady Halethala to her bed. It takes her longer in the morn to rise but she does, and finds her way to the great hall. Duties await. And there be guests to greet. Last eve found her in conversation with Sir Mathias. There was healing needed there, but nae of the body. She hoped Windstorm would sooth his soul, the way it had done to others before.*

[becca]

*she watched Lady Edfeil fall asleep on her chair....she noded...and decided she might hafta speak to the wise woman she was talking to about her advancing state...she nodded again...and decided that was what she had to do*

[Lady Edfeil]

*She settled into the great hall, determined at least for today to stay an entire day awake. She felt a bit better this morn. Rested mayhap. Was 't true then? Had she only overdone it with work and chores during the festival? But she had nae done so much. Less even then other years. And less there had been to worry about.

A light breakfast in the hall mayhap will waken her spirits enough for the day. Her mind be sharp, her heart soft, 't is but her body that the last week nae seems to wish to obey her will.*

[Dream Loxley]

*She poured herself a cup of tea from the pot upon the table.....her eyes never leaving the Lady as she ate her porridge. Her mannerism spoke more than her words ever could and such told her the lady was tired....mayhaps both of her body and mind. She smiled and poured her friend some tea also.....sliding the cup nearer with care and finally sitting herself down opposite her friend.*

"Ye nae look so bright my friend.......mayhaps after breakfast ye might wish to see ye Orchards aye......Ned tells me the fruits be setting in abundance...'tis to be a fine crop iffn the weather is to be kind methinks."

[sadhbh]

*Afore the light hit and the dew fled the meadows; Sadhbh was awake and outside. The silence of the morn was disturbed not by the lady but by the Guard who kept fervent watch over her. He could not understand why she would rise at such an hour yet Sadhbhs knowlege of healing was known and he did nae refute her request to leave the castle to gather the young nettle leaf. Nettles he thought with a grimace. He remembered well the flavour of the concoction known as the spring tonic. It was well known to purify and strenghten the blood yet oft he wished to risk suffering ill health rather than taste the stuff the women longed to give each man and child.

The golden haired lady turned and gave a smile as radiant as the sun that began to rise behind her. She held her basket in both hands and bade he follow her to the kitchen.

This he did and in time he watched the nightmare of the making of the tonic. Memories made him grimace again. Water was boiled then the nettles were tossed in to make a green liquid that fairly caught ones nose. That scent he thought he had always wanted to forget yet no woman would allow him.

Time again passed and Sadhbh noticed the guard figiting in the cornor. She stifled a giggle. Kentish men though stout in battle could nae stand the tase of the spring tonic. They grew weak at the knees at even the scent of the nettle concoction and now, it was ready. She had made too much but she knew that it could be given to others. Edwin looked in need of it for a start.

She gave him that look, he knew it well, his wife God rest her held that same look when she had a cup of the spring tonic in her hand. Edwin leaned back against the prevailing thoughts of the Princess.

Sadhbh thought of Lady Edfeil, she prayed this would help strengthen her. The puritive qualities and the strength embuing of the tonic were well known in Kent. Strange that it would be little known in Windstorm. In her mind she send a silent prayer to the Lord for the gentle Ladys improved health*

[Halethala]

It seemed she never saw much of the Princess anymore . . though of course, she’d only been down from the infirmary late at night, when Olaf was either snoring away, or off to some other duty, thinking Letha would simply sleep. She silently thanked the chattiness of the cheery cleaning maids, or she’d despaired of ever hearing any news . . there had been worried speculation of what may have been weighing the good Lady Edfeil down as of late . . though Letha had to simply stifle a laugh at the incongruity of some of their conjectures . . the very thought of it . .

Of course, there were a few anxious thoughts of her own upon first hearing of the Princess’ apparent malaise. . was Letha to blame? Surely she’d not sampled the horrid soup that had landed her here on this bed of torment . . , er, cot of mercy . . No, she shook it off . . Letha had seen to it that it had been safely buried after her suspicions over it’s lethality had been provoked.

So what WAS causing the weariness? Letha well knew that often a heavy heart could affect one’s health adversely . . was there something amiss with her affections? Something breaking that gentle, tender soul of hers?

Now allowed short excursions off the cot, she made her way downstairs yet again, hoping the Lady would be about at this hour . . her venture rewarded, though, of course, the Princess was not alone . . rarely was she ever alone . .

Letha stood back to watch for a while, hoping to speak to Lady Edfeil, yet simply glad she was up and about . . and the day was lovely, promising sunshine without lethal heat, the recent rains greening everything to brilliance . . it was good to be alive on such a day . .

Letha hoped the beauty of the day and sincere concern of all those that loved her would somehow influence Lady Edfeil’s restoration to herself again . .

[Dream Loxley]

*She sensed a presence as she poured another cup of the cammomile tea, not her favourite, but it was hot and was said to have a calming influence. Her eyes roamed the doorway and finally came to rest upon Halethala. She smiled then.....genuinely pleased to see the Lady up and about after hearing of the awful illness that had kept her from the Halls and those who cared deeply for her.*

"M'Lady.....please...do join us....a cup of tea mayhaps....or simply rest ye bones a while and enjoy the morn."

*Something told her that mayhaps the lady did seek an audience with Edfeil.....and as always...the Chatelaine showed propriety and respect as she nodded and chuckled before moving away from the table*

"I shall just fetch some of cooks pastries methinks....I have a yearning fer one ......or mayhaps two."

((ooc: Sadhbh.....please do join us if you wish to....your post was very interesting...and Dream has yet to meet you *S*))

[Lady Edfeil]

*When her eyes opened anew, she saw the Lady Dream there, carrying in a tray of pastries. And Lady Halethala, aparently released from her cot. The company provoked a smile from her lips.*

Too pretty a day for me to be sleeping, aye? *she murmured.* 't is good to have ye both here. I must make sure I nae fall asleep anew. Mayhap I be a bit stronger today, aye?
*the scent of cammommile reaching her, she picks up one of the cups, knowing the soothing brew will help her stomach.*
I sleep so much I nae be hungry... and then I eat so little I be sleepy. Mayhap the brew of the Lady Sadhbh would help, aye? She be making me a tonic of nettles. 't is said to invigourate.... THough the taste nae is too much to me liking, 't is nae as bad as some of the brews... well...

[Halethala]

As warm and kind as both of them were, Letha would forever be in awe of the two she now found herself with . . not only due to titles or the honor their positions in the household warranted, but the quiet, regal aura of authority that could not be denied. Yet she cherished their company, and savored the times she could be near.

"I should love some tea, iffen there be an abundance of cream to mellow it . . Thank ye, Lady Dream . . " Letha smiled warmly at the Chatelaine, but protested as she moved to leave* Oh but do not leave for my part! Nothing I have to speak cannot be heard by other ears! Please, it is so rare that I have the pleasure of your company either!

*Chuckling and wrinkling up her nose at Lady Edfeil's comments about a healing tonic* M'Lady . . it could not possibly be as vile as the recent potion I ingested . . though, it seems those most effective are least palatable . . *Then more seriously, with genuine concern* Aye, take the good Lady Sadhbh's generous offer . . I do hope with all my heart it brings welcome relief to thee . . ye cannot go on as ye are.

*She fidgeted a little then, wondering iffen she excused herself discretely the Lady would share with Dream iffen it be something beyond the help of any healer . . But her anticipation for the promised pastry won out, and she remained a bit longer . . *

[sadhbh]

The tonic was sampled and it had the taste that Sadhbh knew all too well. She prayed that it would bring some lustre back to the gentle Lady's cheeks.

The morn after would prove it and and failing this Sadhbh would have tae search for other answers. Inwardly she prayed for Mothers good guidance in this. Lady Aethelbred held more experiance with healing that she would even bear in a whisper.

Sixteen is such a strange year she thought, so much had happened thae she knew she would never forget the age a child of Kent began her tentative steps into womanhood and took on the veils and responsibilities as her mother did before her. A year before she would never have been guided in all things. Now, she had to take up her mantle and become what Kent would expect her to be.

Thoughts fell away and Sadhbh made for the church. Her steps were small, barely heard. Queen Maeb would have thought it strange that this Lady could step so lightly as not to wake those about her in their dream filled sleep. Sadhbh cast a shawl over head then entered and blessed herself. Her body formed a grace filled curtsy afore knelt down before the alter. Prayers reverentially offered for Lady Edfeil and were said with a bowed head and a pure heart.*

[Dream Loxley]

*The words from Halethala stopped her from moving further...she smiled then... warmer and with a sincerity within her eyes. The mug of tea was poured, she pushed the cream jug towards the lady and winked.*

"Always 'tis a pleasure to share these moments with ye M'Lady Halethala....and to see ye looking better now. Some of these healing tinctures are indeed seeming worse than the ailment....but they do seem to work. Methinks Lady Edfeil needs to sleep more and fret less over our home aye.......and to take more of an interest in her own health. I have spoken much of this over the years... but she nae always does hear me."

*She smiles more and adds a pastry to Letha's plate...glancing at Edfeil with a knowing look......but one also of friendship and concern.*

"We shall get her into the sunshine.....aye....such will give a rosy glow to her features and warm her very soul........now.... do tell me..... the gossips be true.....ye Sinold 'tis in Kent they say Letha?"

[sadhbh]

*Time passed and with it the day slowly moved on. Sadhbh slipped out of the church; having blessed herself; then headed toward Hall. The sound of her shadow Edwin could be heard as they entered. Seeming many here she paused a moment and dipped her form into a gentle curtsy. Sadhbh lowered her eyes and bowed her head with a respectful manner.* Greetings m'Lady's *she would remain quite still till someone spoke*

(ooc: *smiles* I thought I would take you up on your offer and join this little soire.)

[Dream Loxley]

*The young woman's step was light... but Dream noticed a figure within the doorway.....she smiled warmly and gestured with her hands.*

"Ahhh M'Lady Sadhbh......we were just this moment speaking of ye potion to aid Lady Edfeil....please...will ye join us for some tea and pastries."

[sadhbh]

*Sadhbh smiled at this raising her eyes to Lady Dreams. It was then that she approached* thank ye m'Lady *sitting down she cast a speculative eye over lady Edfeil and furrowed her brows a moment before nodding to her and the other ladies present. She clasped her hands shyly and laid them upon her lap* It seems always tae Tonic of Kent doth prove tae bring quite a stir in what place it is made. *smiling she flicked her eyes about to all here* I trust tae the day doth please ye.

[Lady Laurestina]

((*laughs* "Stina is on her way...just a few too many appointments and such this past week..but she has something in store for Letha and all the ladies and Lords.... ;Dthat are tried.... will get a post in this eve....miss you all * hugs*))