Winter Festivities, December 1333

[Master Claramae St. Laurence]

Winter Sleigh Ride, Bonfires, and Dance at Northampton
Please forgive any format differences between posts/log captured using AOL autolog. Thank you to the mundane of Liliana Campbell for editing assistance!


Lady Claramae Vincere St. Laurence

The sun gave one last valiant effort to be brighter than the rising moon; each juxtaposed, one saddened not to go where the waiting sleighs posed in the fields would go, the other victorious to light the way triumphant. All
along the walls and roadways people came to watch the pagentry as in the wind caught another flag unfurled. "It will be a glorious night.." said one in St.Laurence livery to another, seeing that a flag for a noble courtier was well in sight. Another replied, "It is a glorious night,". Under the first peering stars, fine hoofs caught fire. Curious children grew close to the 'carriages with no wheels', wanted to touch the fur blankets inside. On a waiting platform near the front of the sleighs, the curious proprieter of the festivities stood bedecked, bejeweled, and...happy? If whispers of the inventions weren't enough, that St. Laurence deemed to appear at court at all and not in parliment, that she did so..in a festive manner? Miracles never ceased (d)


Lady Rosalind Inveryne

It was cold for Rosalind, who had bundled herself up in furs over her unusual finery. Though she hardly dressed in pauper's rags, and less so now that she had moved her family to court, Rosalind's garb usually spoke of
pragmatism and durability, rather than glamor and beauty. It was a surprise to many that she had a figure at all, much less one of stares. She lingered in her carriage a bit longer, not quite wishing to leave the brazier bolted
to the floor, but Master St. Laurence awaited, and Rosalind emerged cane-first. *


Lady Claramae Vincere St. Laurence

Wait she did, the Master seeming to guard the woman on display. A fresh face with eyes that flicked up to view the wrapping of garland over the archway under which they would embark. The faint image of a smile in the encroaching purple twilight. With one last breath of fire the sun was gone. As Rosalind opened her carriage she found she would be waited for by lesser men and women rising to the occasion to properly submit to her presence. The
principle Lady, a familiar Bavarian wrapped in fur lined cuffs and holiday cheer asked if she needed a bit of respite as all gathered. A mulled wine, a strong cider? "The Lady Inveryne, the Lady Inveryne!" The herald's voice boomed strong, and the crowds would clap their hands. "Good evening to you, your grace. We are pleased you could join us." Claramae lowered her head, and herself by a half bit. The woman could have stood on a little shelf, such poise.

Queen Beathag Aberdeen

She had not yet crossed from the city streets to the field. Beyond the gates she could see them, as could her children. Horses tossing their head in heavy tack, slick black leathers guilded with gold and silver. "How did it all come to be, Mother?" Aodhan desired to be seen as a man this winter,
but had the eyes of a wide, wonderful child. "I dun know, m'son. But we shall enjoy it n' ye shall be sure tae thank their graces for such an affair." Ponder she how elaborate it looked, torch bearers on horses so the wood would hold no ill thing, enough evergreen and flower to have stripped a
forest so one standing a marvel. And the 'sleighs'. It wasn't prudent to ponder how well paid the woman was, or how she enjoyed her fortune. Only to thank unto God she enjoyed it. (d)

Lord Peregrine Inveryne

Would it come as a surprise the silk glove that came to
collect her hand as the Lady Inveryne stepped down from her carriage was no doorman, but the very Rogue she called her own? On this night none held what it was the captain did in the moment, with such a pleasure in the wife at his
side, but did any recognize the man at her side? With his hair combed back, as gold as the detail in his attire, and a posture to rival the very woman at his side. My my what a mighty hand Rosalind had to tame the wind and embody the sun in the man beside her. "M'lady." Curling her hand into his arm he smiled..hell he even smelled good for once. (d


Lady Rosalind Inveryne

"Such fanfare," Rosalind offered, though she raised a hand as she alighted from the carriage to acknowledge those clapping for Inveryne. She was not accustomed to being lauded, so happy was she in the shadows. Only the footman now at her side, exchanging cane for equally gloved hand, knew how prickly Rosalind became with time and fame. "Good sir," she returned with a smile, and briefly tightened her grip in a sign of affection as they began to progress toward Claramae, where Rosalind executed a similar dip -- none too formal, but formal enough for appearances, for they were family in many ways, and such things were barriers, even in the regimented lives of Claramae and Rosalind. *


Lady Aegraine Zurban

Ae stepped from her carriage, wrapped for the cold, a hand to balance, for she needed to be careful in this icey weather. She loked about and saw vew she recognized, perhaps none would know her wearing a gown instead of her old work clothes. Suddenly quiet, almost shy, Aegraine sought to blend into the crowd, a new thing for her to be doing. (d)


Brother Diarmuid O’Corrain

As the great worthies of the court began to gather, one wondered. Because there was surely a mystical sight that could be glimpsed moving along the edge of the wood. For all the world, it looked as though Father Christmas
himself trekked now across the snow-blanketed fields! There was, however, a difference in the jolly old man's attire. For the jolly old man wore the black of an Augustinian's robes, in place of his usual red vestments. Indeed, the figure that moved across the crisp slow? Was none other than Brother
Diarmuid who, to many of Skye's poor and destitute, was so alike with the red clad figure of the Yule season. (D)



Lady Claramae Vincere St. Laurence

"What is an affair of court but pomp and circumstance." Barriers were breeched by one woman rising to greet the other now with an exchange of kissed
air above the cheek to which she used as an advantage to whisper, "It could be argued we bled for such a day as much as we have our country quiet.." Announcements, pagentry? Peregrine adorned with silk on his hand - now God could not have prepared her for that - yet was it not all relative? "Lord Inveryne, Lord Inveryne!" Claramae gave the same greeting to Peregrine, to which in her mind she almost expected the herald to say "Lord of the Evergreen tree, Prince of the Pinnacle Moon-Tower." The strange thing of
blending, while an art, is that the unfortunate circumstance of someone else's exuberance might marr it! The Herald would also announce the coming of Aegraine, "The Lord and Lady Zurban, The Lord and Lady Zurban!" Applause would come again, and the requisite bowing to acknowledge her place among the lauded. "Good evening, madame. It is good to see you once more, and too few
are our visits when your father has such a standing as to be the king in England, though he is the king of architecture. Merry Christmas." Aegraine didn't know, perhaps, how much she owed to her father. It was a personal duty, she thought, to see his kin remained well where he could not see it himself. "Welcome to you all, Merry Christmas and may we herald it in very well! If it should please you, there are warmed furs and bricks waiting you in your sleighs you may investigate them if you wish..we shall embark in a little with the last arrivals. Ah..here anothercomes."Brother O'Corrain!" He may not have fancied himself worthy such a greeting, but he pleased the Queen and had lodged himself in the Order to work miracles..



Queen Beathag Aberdeen

"Let us tae it then.." Her door opened, and on the King's arm
emerged the golden queen. With them came a host of chosen from their household, arrayed well to be guides to the smallest children that did not guide themselves, all but for the Princess Ahmlai Edme, who was content to remain in her mother's arms for this her first grand affair. "Their Majesies and their Highnesses, the most right high House of the Griffin!" (d)


Lord Jean-Claude deAquitaine

He would be the last man caught on a sleigh, and was happy to remain at Northhampton while in preparation for the arriving guests. Having enjoyed his short stay, there had been such a cause for celebration he would not have minded a few more nights. Yet the real world would call, and with duties to attend the New Year would bring with it a change in his very being. At the top of the stairs where the ballroom waited with the service moving from one station to the next, Jean would turn to his apprentice and
tighten the ascot around the youth's neck, "Julian you look nervous, stop it. In court nerves are the same as blood in the water."


Young Lord Julian Monroe

"Jean-Claude, I doubt there would dare be any sharks this evening. Not so close to the holiday." He pushed the man's hands away perfectly able to keep the tie straight..some things never changed, turning to look himself in the mirror it shocked him with every intake at how much had truly changed. "I'm fine..It only hurts when I breath." Meaning his sanity, but there was much the world expected of him now--like answers.


Lord Jean-Claude deAquitaine

"You are mistaken, this is even more the reason." Motioning
to the room, meaning the very stone structure, "Inside this house is the very private life of Master Laurence, how many do you think would kill to be here tonight?" Touching his shoulder, he would smile, "Everything will work
out.


Lord Peregrine Inveryne

"I'll never get used to that." He sucked in a breath as they
called him Lord..clapped? Really? This was worse then facing your mortal enemy, but he was looking forward to the ride. Mwhahahaha. (d

[Master Claramae St. Laurence]

Lady Rebekka DuChere

In a swirl of layer upon layer of red silk and satin, displayed from the end of her fur cloak, Beka allowed herself to be almost lifted into the air,alighting from the coach. Her laughter was a different note in the symphony of formal introductions and moderated tones of speech. At the intoduciton of the King and Queen, the Dutchess of Lewis and Harris turned, flipping her hood back off her face with a jerk of her head and then bowed that golden braid crowned head in respect, as she curtsied low to the regents. "Your
Majesties. "(d)


Lady Aegraine Zurban

Arm in arm with Dmitrii, Aegraine walked closer to where the royal couple and their children, to repay their respects. Her own curtsy was not so deep or reverent as the Dutchess', and one hand went to Dmi to stand once more. "Such a lovely evening for being outdoors. " She moved with grace
considering her present condition. Due in the spring, they say. Not from the looks of her today. (d)


Brother Diarmuid O’Corrain

There was an arch of an eyebrow as he was announced, offering only a shake of his head in protest. Still, if that was the mildest greeting they bestowed upon him? So be it. "Good evening, Master Saint-Laurence. You are
looking quiet well this eve." And he would greet the others as well. (D)


King Adam and Queen Beathag Aberdeen

The applause for the royal family came after the people rose from their deep shows of respect. Adam lifted his hand to wave to the people, turning his head to his wife with a pleased expression. He had never envisioned anything so grand! Would it come to be a tradition, these festivities? He held his wife about the waist presenting her and his family. Beathag turned up to see the Griffin's banner near the ivy. Constant and true, each was, an emblem of forever. Family, that too was forever. Blood, it could never be changed. Unlike the family elected the Duchess of Lewis-Harris was the wife of the Duke of the same, and the Duke was Maubrey by half. This made the woman who dipped lower than the engineer her sister in law. "Rise, my
lady..sister. Welcome n' Merry Yuletide tae thee." Adam offered the same, "Welcome, welcome your grace." Even kissing her hand!


Lady Claramae Vincere St. Laurence

Claramae stood beside the herald as he announced one and all, offering them greetings, a curtsy formal enough to acknowledge the peerage ,a cant of head for the well to do gentry. Guides would show each to go for the sleighs "Brother O'Corrain, your grace or my lady..please. I wish to have none of that life with this one." She whispered only low enough for him to hear, for it wasnot as if any had heard him too. She squeezed his hand. "Please, everyone, come abroad your sleighs! They may look as a boat but you shall
be as abird in flight!"


Queen Beathag Aberdeen


"Lady Aegraine.." Beathag kissed her cheeks gently. The mentioning by the herald of the Lady of Lewis-Harris thus: "Lady Du'Chere, Lady Du'Chere, the Duchess of Lewis-Harris" still held a chill. A mix of want to warm it
but a chill. Could the holidays bring the family together? "Will ye n' yer husband ride with us, Lady or behind? I know a sleigh waits with yer livery upon it..thoug Ah dae hope tha' her Grace Du'Chere will ride with her kin?
We have had the livery ' Lewis Haris place with ours."

Lady Claramae Vincere St. Laurence

To which Claramae did watch all, and say to the Brother "You will recieve an education tonight which you would have gotten no other way. Behold, all of court, the king's siter in law newly come married only this past april,
or so we assume before the coronation as she came on the arm of the King's half brother. Ah, to the sleighs!" To be wisked off to merriment, to joy!

*

Sleigh Ride & Northampton


The crowd erupted in to thunderous applause enough to deafen them all, waving their favorite house's colors, marveling as a head wind caught the banners and a silver shower of snowflakes descended. Onceall were on board,
the marvel took place! As if flying, gliding without effort the horses carried them o'er the snow. Through the trees a'twinkle, beyond the placid stillness of the lake. All along the way the torchlights looked like fallen stars, and the carolers seemed to fill the wood with a thousand year old voice all for the love of Christ. It would be said of tonight that the Queen praised the new gift of a royal sleigh, that people never thought such designs were possible, and that how many horses were used, all matched pairs of
white and black? To come around the corner, to descend on Northampton? Why, the estate was as grand as a palace tonight! All wide open gates, the livery of the name the same colors of the tidings: red, white, green. The ladies would be given crowns of flowers, ivy and holly and the gentlemen evergreen. They would pass through the wide doors, to a world few ever saw. Beyond, beyond to the ballroom where gasps came out of throats too shocked for words at the descents of sheer fabric, the arrangement of crystaline lights seeming in mid air!"I welcome you, my lords and ladies, to Northampton. The bonfire commences to the gardens beyond the french doors, within, dancing and repast await you!" (d)


Lady Rebbeka DuChere

"We could use a vehicle like this on the isle! Albert would love the speed, like a sailboat on snow." she snuggled into the furs enveloping all but her eyes, enjoying the moment.(d)


Lord Jean-Claude deAquitaine

Jean-Claude stood at the top of the staircase watching as the rooms did fill, with the merriment of ages for the very season, and in all his glory he could have been king to this castle. Thankfully, he was perfectly alright with being called brother, and it appeared all was moving as it should with music as welcoming as the very warmth in his voice. Rosalind would not make the climb to join him, but she would watch from her perch as the flowers took to their first dance, excited for the night was as young as the youth
that lived it, and the year was already promising. A few of Rosalind's students would curtsy as the gentleman passed, and with a cant of his head he would continue on with perfect smiles and warm greetings. It was only when he came up to the shoulder of the Master Laurence did he touch her back gently and far from the public's eye, they needed wine...well he needed to drink therefore so did the room. (d



Queen Beathag Aberdeen

"Aye, it is it nay? The man who made it gave us one last year ye see, but it was nay as this! This is heaven is it nay? Aodhan wot think ye?" The boy crept tenative over to Rebbeka, his living aunt. He had those, but had come to know Eamonn and Aislin intimiately, and his heart kin all the more. This woman was new, bu the was not so shy as he wished to be a man. "I'm glad ye've come, my lady," he smiled "Will ye allow me a dance with ye, Aunt." The use of the word made Beathag pleased, and Adam was quiet. Him and his brother gave cordial nods of course.


Lady Janice Monroe

Youth's promise. By twenty one on the verge of twenty and two, was she still heir to it? In a world where a wife was made by ten and five and all hope or glory succubed by twenty-five as old maids, what time was left for her? Tonight. Tonight as the candles were lit and the first dance was called "Gaudete, everyone, Gaudete!" Within the ballroom she had already been, as still as a stature.Permanent as a wood work. Lady Monroe had no time to be disillusioned with mild perfection, and had not disappointed. The musicians all in their best tunics and vests struck up on drum, on virginal, mandolin. A wave of her hand so the music began. Youth did not feel so young
but she would lie if she did not feel as the Princess one Campbell child once made her out to be. Golden hair crowned with a wreath, she felt as if she lauded in the all the merriment of the year's remaining. "Gaudete, Gaudete .." She sung the carol herself with a few of the other ladies who came to the floor to dance. Couples were enchanged as the figures formed up, cursty or bow given for a chance to hold hands, disembark, only to find one another with loving eyes.


Lady Rebbeka DuChere

"Why I am honored , little sir." Beka beamed, as she took the opportunity to become acquainted with her young relative. "You have had a expert dancing teacher, you do dance divinely." Like a true family gathering it was,
for her. The delight of dancing with the child was no secret. (d)


Brother Diarmuid O’Corrain

"Forgive me, milady," he said softly. There was a smile, "I will big your forgiveness, milady.... if anything else, it shall serve as a refresher.... I am, as it were, familiar with the ecclesiastical and papal courts. ... may say so, they are every bit as laden as the courts of royals." There was a slight nid, as they arrived. There was a smile. (D)


Lady Claramae Vincere St. Laurence

"You are scared of the sleighs aren't you," she teased him after having enjoyed the invigorating excersise. Winter had kissed her cheeks cherry red along the way! "They are delightful, you will have to try my own after
you have had wine. Monsieur." She curtsied for him, the moon still alive in her eyes as if she'd lived another life in but a handful of miles. Northampton was home. Wine for two, if not three? The Brother was close at hand (d)


Prince Aodhan Aberdeen and Queen Beathag Aberdeen

"Thank ye, my lady. My sister's favorite lessons are with the dance master, mine are in the tilt yard. I be glad I learned somethin'." He grinned holding Rebekkas hands. One, two three. Skip. He was quite pleased with
himself, having had only a month in which to learn what seemed a lifetime of carols before his lifetime and all their corresponding dances. Davina found company in deAquitaine's collection of ladies, where had they come from? She did not expect to see so many her own age, but others followed the court's suit of family example to bring their own children.Adam and Beathag were making rounds, soon to be with everyone, soon to speak with them. "Aegraine, will ye come with us? Ye n' yer husband. Good company for good company." She had been up against Du Chere, she understood the want of family yet the odd little apprehension. Rebekka seemed so much more fond of life than her husband, why, the way she danced with Aodhan one would think she had done so since his birth.


Lord Jean-Claude deAquitaine

"To death." He kept it a well warm whisper as he took his first drink..well in the public eye. "I feel so venerable." He teased her back, with his silk covered hand to close over the head of his cane perfectly content to watch from this little part of the room. There were many glittering stars in
the sky this night, but the way the wind did paint her took his own breath. The winter came to life in her eyes and he was perfectly content on watching the ride through the memory in her gaze, and happier with his feet on the ground. Adelaide had to remain home still too unwell to travel, but he missed her dearly for Jean-Claude did love to dance. However, the weather was brutal on his bad legs, but with the small packet of medication tucked in his vest he would be fine in no time. (d

Lady Aegraine Zuban and Lord Dmitrii Zurban

"We can still dance, eh, Dmi? All there of us." That she added softly as the Zurbans danced over at the side of the floor, out of the way and apart from the center. The practiced was of their steps was due to lessons from
her Mom.(d)


Lady Claramae Vincere St. Laurence

"Ah, brother," Claramae passed him wine as she did deAquitaine, "But would you not this court to any that Holy mother Rome can adorn? One would envision that no court is brighter, closer, or seeking to impress as this. And
with what do they impress? Everything. do you know, Brother, and Master dears..that I have had a letter from a man in Italy, seeking a reccomendation to come to court for he has heard that one chapel imparticular in the
smallest of towns surpasses his and he must study it? Have you ever? Why how far our little company of...foundlings, has come." As if they had raised the court from the dirt. In a sense? Yes! Dmi was dancing, and without her
walls, they would have been buried. Dmi smiled, and he was the King's champion. "Lord Inveryne?" The words in her mouth fumbled out for he looked like a lord, yet the word 'lord' and Peregrine were never put together in the
same sentence much. Would he be suprised that one of the women he made swoon was a friend of Lady Monroe? Oh the girl came over to her, all a twitter that the Lord Inveryne, the man who consorted Lamont spoke to her! She turnd
up her eyes, blue as the sky. Her dress was of gold and red, for that is what the master herself wore. It seemed that family without trying matched one another well. "My Lord, good evening to you.." Like a good bottle of wine, Janice's beauty increased every year she aged. (d)


Lord Peregrine Inveryne

It did not take long before his blonde strands were tied back, and Peregrine hit the dance floor. Rosalind was content to stand in her corner and watch as her husband paraded around on the youth of the nation. However, it
would not be long before she would kiss him good bye and see to it the children were well. She knew her husband to be a flirt, and couldn't watch him suffer on the wall any longer. So..many..pretty..faces..one..room..(d


Lady Aegraine and Dmitrii Zurban

Aegraine and Dmitrii walked over to where Adam and Bethag were, trailing after, all the while Zurban made comments back and forth with his long time friend, the King. (d)


Queen Beathag Aberdeen

"Ye danced wonderfully Aegraine, all three o' ye. I can nay wait for the Spring. It will be a fine time for a fine event then" She waited long, Bess thought, but the longer one waited the more precious the produce, or so she thought. She slipped the little engineer's arm into her own to walk as the men did what came naturally. "Dae ye think Aegraine, tha' forgiveness is always possible and wise?" In the fall she had told her husband of wanting to take the DuChere's with them to the mainland after the turn of the year. It was not fair for Adam to live so divided, for the family never to have
a chance to mend. James was not his father, just as Adam was not his father, no matter what traits of figure or mind favored him.


Lord Peregrine Inveryne

Like any virgins in the night, so too would Janice be his first victim, having once held her own purity in the palm of his hand he sold it out from under her, and now he would sweep her feet much the same. "Lady Viscreed. I have heard rumors of how far men have come to simply seek your hand for one dance. I shall for two." With her petite hand taken would she be so willing, and if they kept calling him Lord he simply would swell into the night. Arrogant thing he was, in truth he did clean up well, and was actually born into this life--with secrets that ran into the forest the night his mother ran for her infant son just the same. "Tell me.." Closing the distance in on their bit of time together, "Is that a mirror in your pocket? Cause I can see myself in your skirts." With that all the Lord in him fell away as
his grin that melted hearts, and rivaled the very devil they all struggled against would break any ice. (d


Lady Rebbeka DuChere

"Tis much the same, isn't it? Footwork for swordplay and the dance?" Beka talked to the young lad, imagining how she hope her young Albert to be at this age. "I might learn swordword, too, think you?" (d)


Brother Diarmuid O’Corrain

There was a smile, a pause, as he caught sight of another figure. "M'lady Saint-Laurence..... If you would kindly forgive me, I see another that I wish to speak to." There was a smile, as he moved out. There was an arch of
his eyebrow, as he drew nearer to Pere and the Lady Monroe. "Good eve milady...." There was a smirk, as he looked to Pere, "And greetings to you as well, Zwarte Piet." (D)



Lady Janice Monroe

"For two, not three? You do not grow weak too early my lord?" Touche! Effortless and easy they melded in to the dance, another carol called of Coventry, another figure to begin. She would be like liquid silk in his hands,
no more bound up, buched up, petrified. "No, alas, no mirror so no you within the folds of all this velvet and lace. Only my husband may venture there and he is naught to be seen. Tis not Viscreed, it is Monroe." If Julian
could have heard, he may have cried, but all women like men have their points of pride.


Lady Janice Monroe

"Good evening, Brother Diarmuid. Merry Christmas!" Oh you had just missed Peregrine trying to find yuletide cheer under her skirts, alas the door was closed!(d)


Prince Aodhan Aberdeen

I think tha' a lady should dae wot pleases her to dae and learn, Aunt. Mother knows swordplay and still keeps the practice, she says it keeps more than a blade sharp, but her mind." Though he hoped she would not go off to
war. "Shall we join my mother n' the others, have ye been introduced?" Aodhan was doing his parents proud. Adam offered James a drink, of what else but wassail, for it was the time of year.


Lord Jean-Claude deAquitaine

"Good eve Brother!" He would call out to the man of God, "Come, tell Lady Monroe that there is in fact Christmas Spirit in such things as adultery? Lust? Envy?" Mmm, cad. Turning her about he would show her off to the world letting her unfold in his arms before pulling her back in, but this time her smiles did not come with a price. Janice was in perfect peace with the world and it was absolutely beautiful. "I've missed seeing you."


Lady Claramae Vincere St. Laurence

"Brother," Claramae said to Jean-Claude one winters night having ventured through fields of glittering golden gowns, reds and velvets, silks, satins, furs enough to fill ten wardrobes, "Are you happy tonight? I do confess that in all of this, I did hope to see such a thing as that. You have long
needed it. " Even in her happiness she watched them move. Old habits died hard, all the fish in this pond. She remembered the coronation before her leaving for England for the whole of a season. The Du'Chere pair. The pair
with a history still shrouded in the mist and damn winter, if that mist did not thicken or seas grow choppier. "We have all needed it." (d)


Lady Rebbeka DuChere

"Wassail." Drinkhale" toast and reply. Rebbeka walked along to stand closer to her relatives. "A good idea then? I will ask my husband if he will instruct me." There was no mention to a young boy that Beka was already advancing in her learing to shoot crossbows. (d)


Lord Peregrine Inveryne

She was relaxed, and very willing--dancing with the devil under the pale moonlight. (d


Lady Janice Monroe

No wonder why priests emerged to ave young women from themselves, but she had already danced so well with devils both Scottish, English, and Spanish that Peregrine should consider himself a wonderful tutor. "We must all bid our greetings to the Queen soon, I hear too that her sister in law has come, I have never seen her.." for a moment she watched the DuChere with the young prince, whom grew so high! How old was he now, it seemed before they all knew it he would be taking his colors in war. "Very lovely."


Lord Julian Monroe

Like Gmork in his shadowy cave, Julian watched from the second floor balcony as the dancers moved beneath, and his white gloved hands were all that stood out from the shadow as they hung onto the rail with all his sins ready to burst from them. He was walking the right path for once, but ever the awkward child he could hardly find himself a chance to find the light. (d


Lady Rebbeka DuChere

"Aegraine!"Beka held out her arms to hug the engineer. "So long since we have danced, is it not? I see you are...my! You are." Polite suprise with round popped eyes. (d)


Queen Beathag Aberdeen

"Look at them Aegraine," she said of James and Adam, toast offered, drink taken. Begin again. Why, Adam even reached one out to Dmitri,k would he take it? Then came the Duchess like a bolt of pleased lightning. "Sister in law! Aye..our engineer is round with the next generation.." The popped eyes were hilarious. Did women not give birth on Lewis-Harris? She smiled behind an upturned hand, now the ladies were three (d)


Lady Aegraine Zurban

"Ah, now you see why we have had to delay our planned visit. You did not tell me you were coming to court this season." The two had been writing back and forth since they first met. (d)

Queen Beathag Aberdeen

"Ye two seem most familiar.Tha' is good to see. A good court needs good connections round." (d)

more to come

[Queen Beathag Aberdeen]

Brother Diarmuid

Poro Pere, he was given a withering stare from the good brother. There
was a slow shake of his head, "Those are not to be found in the Christmas
season....." There was a sigh, before he said, "May I cut in, miLady Mon
roe?"

Lord Jean-Claude deAquitaine

Jean-Claude would smile warmly bending to listen to his sister speak on
the matter of his happiness, and with a little motion of his hand where his
apprentice stood; was there need for words at all? "I am happy. Very happy.
For the first time this season looks as glorious as you, M'dear. It is a
new year, and I think this night will find our angels." His demon, "Happy
once more. Look at how she shines, and really would it be like Julian to
simply waltz into anything? He's so nervous.." Whispering the last part.

Lady Janice Monroe

"But Brother, have faith. The Lord wears a clean shirt, God may yet
bequeath unto him a heart for his son, and his wife may off her knees." Razor
barb softened to a careless tease in the light of her smile. For all of them
it was only love. Now a priest? "My Lord Inveryne, first you, and now a
man of the Church? am I not destined, my next dance shall be with a bishop
though in your eyes I may make him desirous.

Lord Peregrine Inveryne

He laughed as their dance came to an end and in his Lordly state, of
Christmas attire he would grin, "Why Brother. I though you would never ask."
Extending his gold gloved hand he would dip his head for a bow.

Lady Janice Monroe

“Have ready the holy water!" And so she would dance with Diarmuid thusly,
a curtsy to the departing lord, another for the receiving.

Lady Rebbeka DuChere
"It was news to me, for one day James simply told me that we were off for
a visit, I had scarce time to select a wardrobe." She fanned herself with a
folding silk ivory fan, an impatient, flitting - a sign that it had really
been a shock.

Lady Claramae Vincere St. Laurence

"Oh, no. He is not one to foot out as if the first to go for the stag in
the hunt. No, Monroe is very careful, precise. No doubt he is looking at her
and seeing numbers deAquitaine, all calculations. Now the other Monroe is
laughing, she has come to a place through her grief. If e'er a star has
risen akin to the North light it is hers. He fast best to pin himself too
it, then it will be a comet, oh look. See how they look at her? No doubt he
is greening with envy." She offered her brother a cup of wassail, lifting
up her own. "I have decided something, wish you to hear it?'

Brother Diarmuid

Sigh. Brother Diarmuid shook his head, before smiling softly. Once that
had completed their dance, he ask, "My I steal you away for a few moments,
miLady Monroe?" Softly, he would smile and say, "It has been too long since
we last spoke... I wish to know that everythin' is going alright with you."

Lady Aegraine Zurban

Ae whispered to Dmi, as she watched Brother Diramuid, "Are they allowed to
dance..with a lady? In you homeland, as well?" which was answered by a a
shrugged shoulder gesture, by which Dmitrii he had no idea.

Queen Beathag Aberdeen

As the two ladies spoke she listened long, laughing. Beathag could not
help but to laugh. "A man may dae as he wishes, cloth or nay, he breaks nay
vows bein' merry ladies..he reaches people tha' way, but only in the holy
sense. ne'er lecherous." She touched the shoulders of Rebekka and Aegraine
before progressing on through the fair. Now it was her turn to dance, but she
declined just yet "I wish tae have a toast with Lady Zurban and Lady
DuChere, for the winter court first."

Lady Claramae Vincere St. Laurence

"Of course at your pleasure, Brother. Where to? It has been a long while
since we spoke last, and you will be pleased to know that all is mended. My
time in the abbey showed me that I am not to be away from the world, but
of it. God has issued a calling, not to be denied. Wishing to not displease
our Lord God or be untrue to myself, I am returned. It seems my star..which
seemed so low, still hangs high for prayer.

Lord Jean-Claude deAquitaine

Jean-Claude, would eye the lady Rebbeka enchanted with the very heart of
his homeland. He knew a lady of France like a good fine book, with each
smile every page would turn and pull him in. "I am rather proud he is here at
all. This.." Motioning to the room, "Has never been something he was able to
do. To get him that far, there is no doubt some sort of pull from our
heavenly father." He smiled lightly regarding Julian once more as he pinned his
own hands behind his back to listen to her, "Chère soeur..You would speak,
and I have no power not to listen. Please..enlighten me." With that he
would pass his empty cup to the serf and thank them for the next.

Lady Janice Monroe

The Masters both have provided for me, and my own fortunes have done well
in investing. I am..more monied tha' e'ere imagined. It is one thing when
someone gifts you thus, but another when others leave it for you...and with
your own work. I have thought to never know this fortune. My..marriages
have placed me strangely enough well in court. My first to meagerly titled
of Lady, for my second within our secret ranks and in the curiosity of the public.
I..have found many friends. Genuine, truly. Stories are to be shared. Though with all details I can not."
She flushed, a bit of the old girl with the new woman. "Oh, I may never be as
elegant as the Duchess of Lewis-Harris, nor an engineer as the Weapon's
masters wife, but..to be the Lady of Letters is all I adore to be. With all
that has happened I hear the King shall wish to adorn many and loyal with the
crafted titles which shall distinguish the court properly in the world .He
wishes to speak with me, to praise me..I know hardly what to say."

Lady Rebekka DuChere

Beka paid attention to the Queen, and the toast she proposed with the
engineer, but gave a side glance over to Jean-Claude. She had seen him
somewhere before, but where? Where indeed? In the Court of France, she observed
many, in her role as appointed Perfumer.

Queen Beathag Aberdeen

"My ladies," She would the servants offer them cups. For Jean-Claude as
well, and Claramae? She nodded them to join, who would deny her? Few did,
and fewer seemed to want to. "My Lord Aquitaine, my Lady St. Laurence, I am
told tha' the pair o' ye had somewot tae dae with this grand affair, come
join us sae we may lift our cups tae ye as well as tae the comin' taegether
o' family and the prosperity of the people! "

Brother Diarmuid

There was a soft smile, as he said, "Speak to him as you would any
friend.... or with great respect. For, from all that I have heard, he is a good
man. Speak to him as you would any other."

Leland Corwin

He had managed to be part of the crowd. To be one of them. He was there,
walking amongst the crowd. While he dressed well, he did not dress as well as
others yet better than some. His was mostly of two simple colors. Black
and white yet it was broken up by the bit of dark grey that was embroidered into the
coat and his shirt white. He looked the part of a lord. Some questioned if
he were and of what? Dirty blonde locks hid portions of his face at times,
creating the perfect mask of shadows. Why.. he even adorned a sword that was
hanging from the left side of his waist. Blue eyes were ever on the move as were
his feet that carried him further within where most were now found.

Lady Claramae Vincere St. Laurence

What was her brother dear spying with his eye? A French winter bird? "It
isn't polite to stare at the Queen's sister in law, you know." She grinned
as she leaned over him to accept a servant's cup "We may look up close if
it please you, her majesty commands us join her. You may see up close if
she is as French as your cuffs, your shoes and your accent my darling. Of
what I am to tell you I will as we walk. With the return of your son I have
included him within my bequeathal of land, given he is married to Janice the
elected. He has come in to a vast sum of pounds. Gryphons as it is
here, Francs. However it please you. I am with them sharing two estates in
Italy, one in France, and one in the Germanic States. Not my cologne home,
naturally, but one of good repute. That will then lend to them no less than
two vineyards, orchards, and ample taxed country. There is also the issuance of
a wage unto them from england for services rendered me. Your son could
single-handedly restore his maiden clan and have ample to spare as it please them.
I have also secured for Janice her father's yearly pay, as promised to living
descendants, from the lands near Canterbury and Oxford for her father's services
rendered as the Duke has appeared to pay them. It might also be said that surely
their deeds will not go unnoticed to the eyes of the King." Whom like Aramoire
did, she had too in her hand. Oh the delicious little rumors.
Some said Northampton was a love nest.

Lady Eirian Gwyneth Apollius

The Lady of the North Star and Phoenix, of night and day
conjoining moved through the fair the color of herself. Blue and silver swirled
on her and her ladies though tonight they were not together. Each was to her
own device, her own enjoyment or purpose. She had not expected to find
the likes of Leland, but why not? All were invited. "Good evening!" He
received from her.

Leland Corwin

He heard the familiar sound of angels whispering in a breathless sigh and he
smiled to himself as he turned on his heels to look to the divine one. He
bowed deeply while taking her hand gently and brushing a gentle but chaste
kiss to the alabaster skin. "Good eve Lady... A pleasure to see you here." He
replied as he tenderly released her hand and straightened himself. How did
he get here? Just like all the others.... only... quieter.

Lord Jean-Claude deAquitaine

Jean-Claude would put his hands up in surrender to their praise, and would
smile as he protested, "Your Highness, it was all her idea I assure you."
No he was not here every morning with a new batch of flowers, or candles,
or food..or wine. Nor was he hounding her with letters of any sort.
"Everything we do, we do it for you and this land. Surly you must know this by
now?" He would kiss both the rings of King and Queen before making the line
down the row with his greeting, "Bienvenue..bienvenue, mes amis. I hope that
you all are enjoying your time." His hand came to touch the shoulder of the
Kings brother was it? "Welcome, to both you and your lovely wife." At who he
could almost pin what station she had been in what family if only she
would turn her neck so that he could see how it would bend. "Une fleur qui n'a
pas un nom.." Let him fix that. "I am Master Jean-Claude of Aquitaine, son to Compte
Raoul de Guyane, and Lady Leanore of Aquitaine." Of relation to the Eleanor of
Aquitaine? He didn't give that information away so easy, but her blood was
his blood only a few generations younger. (d

Lady Aegraine Zurban

Aegraine noticed the man in black, and gave a double look, as if her
Father had suddenly appeared, back from his long assignment in London. This man
was younger, but dressed dark and plain, like did Martin. Tired eyes, did
they play tricks on her?

Queen Beathag Aberdeen

To the gathered: Aegraine, Rebekka, Claramae, Jean-Claude. A cup
all of cheer distributed "Join me, all o' ye n' a toast. The year has been
long but like all other years we have made it sae, tagether, n' taegether
shall remain. I am blessed. My sister in law joins me, my brothers n'
sisters of arms and companionship are around me. May this comin' year bring
glory tae ye all. If I may, may the Griffin outshine any European emblem. There
are tae be ambassadors posted from the major crowns n' countries. Thank ye
heavens Ah have nay qualm with Dane, Norsemen, or Swede they are easiest
fer me tae understand!" Ah, here he would come! DeAquitaine must have been
taken with the French woman. It dawned on her just what french connections
could mean. How much, what sort? The Franco-Scott alliance was always on
Adam's mind, but tonight with his brother in law and Dimitri they chatted
of sport for the season, a hunt to be planned. Her mind like her world was
always spinning now.


Lord Jean-Claude deAquitaine
The words Claramae spoke didn't go ignored, he simply could not respond
just yet. they would have to speak more on the subject later.

Leland Corwin

Slowly his eyes would cut to one side as his head carefully turned to
follow. He noticed the raven haired beauty with the look of awe within her
eyes. There was no curious or strange look returned, only a polite smile and
nod of head was given. He however did wonder whom she was and why she looked to
him so. Eirian replied and with her voice did he give his attention. He
looked back to her and gave a sheepish smile. "The same thing that brings many
here, the same that has brought you here. "What shall come you you My Lady is...
entirely left up to you. Though.. I should like to think that perhaps you
will allow me to share it." He grinned to her and then offered his arm.
Married or not, she was a woman and one without an escort.

Lady Rebekka DuChere

Rebbeka stood closer to James, as he gave one of those analyzing looks of
his in Jean Claude's direction and allowed the lady to speak for herself.
"Dutchess of Lewis-Harris, " she nodded only a touch, "Before this, at the
court of France." Beka did not say she made perfume blends for the royals and at
times arranged important ladies hairdos. It was court, was it not?

Lady Eirian Gwyneth Apollius

"Good eve, Master Leland. What brings you hence? Have you come to seek
the employ and esteem of all? What shall I consider then?" Porcelain fingers
touched a pursed little mouth. "Ah me. Such charm and only myself to
endure it. What e'er shall become of me, Master Leland. Though I have noticed no
offer of arm." She put a hand to her heart, bosom lifting. If she were
not a woman wed would he be a woman she sought to bed? Many thought not of
so pious and tiny a woman that way, but she was a woman.

Lady Janice Monroe

"Your advice I will heed, Brother. I thank you so much.
Talking to you of a world changed is bringing it to be familiar again. You will
stay in this world won't you? As long as you may. I know it tends to grow
and change so fast, but you keep up better than us all. And with the love
of God. Above all else, we need that." She would take his hand, kiss it as
if he were an abbot before letting it go to wander.
So many dances had, so much spinning! She walked up the stairs to watch
the world below, a queen holding her court, people moving about her. Others
to their own affairs. One hand to her face did come as she rubbed her cheek
with a little shyness; this was her world now. No more to the outskirts,
no more thrust inside with want to go out. She opened her arms where she
thought no one could see and spun. Janice spun and laughed.

Lady Aegraine Zurban

"Dmi? I have come to the end of my energy for the eve. I fear I need to
find a place to sit and prop my feet up. " the journey took its toll, for it
was a late night for her, in recent weeks.

Lord Jean-Claude deAquitaine

"Ah so it is, a name now for a face I have known well. Forgive me." Though
she was much his younger for a man that was closer to 50 then 40. "I was
young and wild then." Hard to believe really, but there was very much a
playboy in him--the rebellious son of a French Lord and a mother who could have
been Queen had all others died away in the line.."Tell me..how do you like
it here?" Clasping his hands behind him, Jean-Claude was the very spirit
of everything that was the court life in France. His wife had once said he
was everything she loved about Paris.

Lady Rebekka DuChere

"Truthfully, sir? " she spoke comfortably to the man, in presence of her
husband that is why, "I made may friends among the ladies and write to those
who can, on regular basis. But once my James took me away to the Isle of
Lewis, I found my new world." Her accent was not one easily defined, but it was
clear this was not her native speech.

Lady Eirian Gwyneth Apollius

“You are right, sir. My desire is your offer, come." The
Artisan's hand was extended to the strange sir in black by white. People whispered
to see it done, wondering if perhaps the General knew that his Welsh flower
was still one many desired to pluck with each increasing year. His face
was in the crowd. Quiet, but warm. The Lord Apollius cut a fine figure in
his court clothes,ever watchful that his wife was pleased by all around her.
What made him so doting? Behind an upturned glove someone whispered it
must be the likes of the stranger walking her about. Eirian led him over
towards where the crowd were about the Queen "If you would allow me, sir, I
should like to make introductions for you. One goes not to the castle without
the keys, they say. You are new to the realm and our Queen and King are
desirous to welcome all.

Brother Diarmuid

There was a smile, as Brother Diarmuid said, "I am glad to hear that
things have gone so well for you, miLady. As alway....I am at your disposal,
should or Master Monroe have need of anything." And the good brother would
take his leave.

[Queen Beathag Aberdeen]

Lady Janice Monroe

She turned to bid him adieu, composing herself. Still like some
secret inside of her bursting to get out was all her joy, crawling at her
chest. Seeping from her pores.

Leland Corwin

He gave a lopsided smile to her when she accepted his arm. "Then you need
not ask me anything but once Lady Eirian." he replied before walking with
her to join the others. Was he worried what people might say? Not for
himself no... but for her, an esteemed Lady of this realm he did. He would wait for the
introductions to be made before he would give voice to the words within his
head. Yet, while waiting for that moment, he made sure to make eye contact
with all that looked to him in a respectful manner and smiled. Observing and
listening was what he did best.

Lord Jean-Claude deAquitaine

"That is wonderful to hear, I do hope to hear more of you all." With that
he would smile touching the shoulder of Claramae as he watched Janice go
upstairs, and was suddenly nervous for his son.

Queen Beathag Aberdeen

"Ye shall hear more, deAquitaine," Beathag glowed "o' course the Kings
brother and wife shall enjoy a prime place at court, nay other would be
better suited tae help those o' France feel welcome..tis where the Lord was
raised." some part of her did choke. That part still unsure, but she had to
admit a fondness for Rebekka growing by the hour.

Lady Aegraine Zurban[/b
"My pardons, Your Majesties, I retire for the evening. It was a lovely
time, like flying into a dream world. So lovely." Ae held arm and arm with the
Weapons master, as they began their departure from the company.

Leland Corwin

"Goodnight Lady... and you as well Sir." He called out to Aegraine and
Dimitri.

Lady Aegraine Zurban

They waved and were gone from the scene.

Queen Beathag Aberdeen

"Rest you well, my lord and lady. God keep you and love given."

Queen Beathag Aberdeen

"The Weapon's master and his wife are a delightful pair, I feel." Speaking
of pairs, a bit of her wondered at the why or how of the Artisan on the
arm of...whom was he now? She took pride in knowing most everyone on the
beautiful floor of her ballroom. This man however was a stranger: she loathed
strangers near the General's wife. Old sense of duty and ever sense of
pride, naught to be remedied. "Your majesty holds each of us up akin to a
jewel in her crown." Adam came to kiss her hand, tease a smile. Even he asked
whom the Artisan was with for he valued Eirian a great deal. Were that it
were for only her art. It was also her mind, a very deep part of her mind
that was far too coveted.

Lady Eirian Gwyneth Apollius

"Good evening, Your Majesties, my ladies and lords. Happy Christmas" She
lowered herself before the exalted, herself one but never did she remind
herself of it, if only when she felt herself falling lower than dirt. Tonight
was not such a night. The man on her arm would be the topic, no doubt.
"May I have the pleasure to introduce Leland Corwin? He is new to the realm,
and is coming to learn all of character and goodness."

Lord Julian Monroe

What child is this.Everything about her in this moment could have rivaled
any star in the night, the sun that shined the brightest, and Julian could
not help but wonder if this was what had once pulled the entire world to
stop so that the son of God was born into this world. The season was
magically alive with stories of scripture and songs of faith and good will, but to
Julian they were all written about her. She was just as her name
described, and through scripture she was what he imagined the true body of an angel
to be. How did he interrupt her moment, but standing there in the shadow he
felt the air build in his chest until it burned before he realized he even
held it. Where did he start? Where did he fit anymore? How many times would he have
to beg her to forgive him? Would she believe him? "Janice.." He whispered
her name, but he knew she would hear. He was afraid to step into the light,
but really was there another who had his thin frame..well..had it, and
didn't have long black hair? Stepping to the light then slowly he kept his
hands before him nervously, "Merry Christmas." Was his greeting, and all he
could get out as he started to tear up; quiet but so sure that he could
finally understand the miracle of the season. With that he would stand and wait,
come what may.

Leland Corwin

He continued to hold and offer that smile of his and when time came for
his introduction, he bowed deeply. "Both a pleasure and an honor your
Majesties." If permitted, he would do to the hand of the Queen the same as he had
with Eirian's. It was released just as tenderly if not more so than the gesture
before. Once he righted himself, he reclaimed his place next to the raven
haired angel of winter. Eyes... he felt the heavy observation of eyes upon
him. Did he give away any sort of a sign he felt such? None. He did not look to nor
away from The Lady Governor, yet kept her within his range of sight.

Lady Claramae Vincere St. Laurence

"Welcome to the islands, sir. Thank you for being so goodly as to escort
the Lady Apollius. I am the Lady Vincere St. Laurence," the likelihood of
her surrendering Christian name just yet was like a fire being ignited in
thin air, well, that could come about. She did cant her head to him in respect,
but no curtsy. What matter of peerage or house? Did he have one? She was
terribly protective of the little circle round. She was paid to be that way and
even if she was not in constant practice now paid many to be so for her.
Still he did receive the hint of a smile enough to bring shock to any face that knew her
"Welcome as well to Northampton."

Queen Beathag Aberdeen

"Merry Christmas tae ye, Master Corwin.." The queen accepted his
salutations with a warm smile, and had him brought a cup of wassail.

Lord Jean-Claude deAquitaine

"I would be honored, as would the Lady Inveryne. She really is much better
at this then I, or perhaps a little less adventurous." Only those who knew
him would truly understand that. "I would happily see to all you wish Your
Highness. I have.." Clasping Claramae's arm he would watch quietly what
was going on above the stairs holding his breath for a moment, as his heart
started to race. "I..Would like to talk more on the matter, perhaps you will
join me for dinner sometime soon?"

Lady Janice Monroe

Gaudete, Gaudete Christus est natus
Ex Maria virgine, gaudete!
She sang aloud over and over (Rejoice, Rejoice, Christ is born of the
Virgin mary, Rejoice) the chorus to what became her favorite carol. Believe, oh
ye who witness. Believe. In the absence of Diarmuid it started again.
She even danced a little in the solitude with only the shadow for her
partner. Curls of hair fell from under a yule crown so that she might have been
that same virgin waiting for Gabriel to tell her fear not, for unto her a
child would be born. Childbirth had no chance to happen for her. Only the
loss. Still, that loss was a phoenix born out of despairs ashes. Her child
now was at the knee of Christ! One day, one day. An angel would press its
mouth to form the cupid's bow, to seal in all the secrets of heaven.
Would that day come?

Oh she knew not. A woman could have a thousand little dreams every
minute. Only now she was not dreaming. As much as strength drowned out the way
a feeling turned up at the sound of the voice. Clasped hands opened up,
fingers forming a steeple. She looked over her shoulder in the instant moon
ignited the ruby's on her throat. Not too unlike Mary - a voice heard.
"Julian.." She couldn't turn her body for many seconds. Slow, deliberate
movements. One step, another. Was he real? As many times as she sought to push
it away her heart had cried for a moment like this.
"Merry Christmas...." So casual a greeting for so much between them.
Was it her eyes pricking, watering with tears?

Leland Corwin

"Thank you Lady St. Laurence." he responded with before looking to the
Queen and offering her another one of those handsome smiles. "And a Very Merry
Christmas to you and yours, your Majesty." The cup was gladly taken before
he then turned his attention back to the Lady Govenor. "Many thanks My Lady." A
slight incline of his head, was that a smile? It certainly looked like one.
Had he known of her less than willingness to share one so easily Leland
would surely have patted himself on the back. However, there seem to be another that
wished for her attention and have it he could. Leland would then focus upon
Eirian. That would have to wait a moment longer as questions were posed.
Questions that would be answered, yet not satisfy most likely. "I happen to stumble
across this fine Island during my travels. Whether I will be able to stay and
enjoy them a while longer is not yet known. There is much that keeps a man
from doing such, yet enjoy the journey's he does." His cup within hand was lifted
slightly before he drank from it and then lowered it. Leland was a man that
was willing to give others what they sought, just not always in the form they
wish to have it in.

Lady Claramae Vincere St. Laurence

Claramae held his hand to keep him to the hear and now. As much as they
had taught or shadowed. As much as they had given it was not their time, but
the time of those called Monroe. The world was below for them with all
having to be done but letting go. "What brings you to our island, Master
Corwin?" She pulled gently on Jean-Claude to get him to pay heed. Oh how she
wished to watch herself, but a stranger had escorted the Lady Apollius and the
Queen gave punch. French folk were the King's relations. Even in retirement
much to see!

"Many who come have a hard time leaving, Master Corwin. Many settle and
become like the tide, ebb and flow within, all that goes out is their
breathing." In the company of others it was fine to release his arm. She drank
deep of the wassail offered, offering compliments to the servant to pay to
the creator. For Leland? A smile. Protective the company was it did seem to
serve for one to be given such an introduction. This didn't escape
Claramae, but for the want of the summer never to have happened...she would look on
them all with caution that might not otherwise be excersised.

Lady Eirian Gwyneth Apollius

"Master deAquitaine, of you I have a question. Have you a good tailor? I know your
specialty in creation of clothes is mostly for the fairer form, but I have
need of clothing for forms that are not so fair as those you cater to."

Lord Julian Monroe

Had she ever seen him dressed so? Like the true shadow of Aquitaine, and
in the spirit of the season. His was the blue of the winter's night sky,
against the black velvet of the darker side of the moon yet still it was not
like him. His hair was much longer though styled back, and never had his
eyes seemed as clear as they were now. There was no sign of wear, and he was
rested. Even the pigments of his skin were a natural pale and held color
that was proof enough he was very much alive. He couldn't get the words out,
and simply went through the motions as if they were two young folk in the
circle of courts. "May.." He ran the white of his glove under the eye that
spilled first to quickly whisk the tear away, "May I have this dance?"
An odd question because had they really ever danced before? In Spain they
watched, in the Valley they quarreled, but tonight they played the part of
King and Queen with the rest of the nation--he wanted to dance with her.

Leland Corwin

"Indeed that is something I do not doubt. There is much to be admired here
only to then be required, no?" Leland smiled once more as he looked from
one beautiful face to the next. He had yet to see a less than attractive
woman here. Attractive both physically and personality wise. He was sure it would
eventually happen though. There had to be at least one in the bunch as they
say. His eyes of blue would slowly cut to the staircase to which the young woman
had traveled up moments before simply out of curiosity. On the landing, were
it two shadows that danced or was it the forms of a man and a woman truly
about to become one. Attention returned to those about him, and it was the
look from Jean Claude that had him only giving a nod and a smile. "It's a pleasure
to see you again Master deAquitaine." No sarcasm, no hidden emotion laced
genuine words.

Lord Jean-Claude deAquitaine

Oh how quick Eirian pulled him back down, though he turned his smile from
his children to a smirk, "What are you saying Lady Apollius. That I can not
dress a man?" An elegant decorated hand went down his own form to show.
"Or have you been far too long from the valley to not see how the Lord
General finally has pants long enough for his legs, and shirts wide enough for
his back. Do you really think I could get the Queen's Lion in anything like
this?" He acted offended, but she would know he was teasing. However, his
eyes did run over Leland and a dark brow would arch.

Lady Janice Monroe

Her eyes were playing a deception of mixed moonlight and the
place in her heart where a wife yearned for reconciliation with her husband.
The woman in her lifted her head higher than he might have thought, aye, to
hold on to pride. Did not fire settle well in her eyes? It sparked not her
want to refuse him but oddly her body to lower in a form of salutation
never paid him: the reverence. He was Lord, not merely a lost child. No tool
nor wayward soul. In Spain they counted rhythms to afraid to join while
in the Valley they quarreled. Tonight transformation was possible as the
wife offered up her hand to the white glove of his lordship monroe. First
born chieftain of the Clan Munro, accepted child of the Aquitaine. "So it
please you, so it please me." The Lady Monroe. Wife of the same, woman of
great education, respect, and esteem. Close enough again for him to smell
the perfume she wore - honey sweet, darkness deep. "Shall we?" To talk, to
dance. He did make her cheeks flare with passion's pink, not anger. She loved him.

[Queen Beathag Aberdeen]

Lady Eirian Gwyneth Apollius

"What, and no saints shrine was built to this? Than surely for
the love of God and a needle, I wish to commission a few pieces for my
cousin, Lord Robertson." At this the lift of head from Beathag was almost enough
to cause them all to fall! "He has been visited by a slew of ladies
already for he needed things instantly, and my own needle for him moves as it
would not do for it not to, but I wish him to have a good array. He has many
years of which to fill so has not much. He would seek to pay you, if he
knew, but it is something I should like to manage.”

Queen Beathag Aberdeen

"The Lady is right, sir. Ye may be trapped. My court holds even those o'
France hostage." The running joke was a point to be noticed indeed, because
this was a rock in the middle of the sea, a well cultured set of rocks
bobbing now in the Atlantic in half a decade's time. Now the attention came to
talk of Robertson "Yer cousin, Lord Robertson would hardly need yer
needle, Lady Apollius." for she thought of the one in Struan town, by the
marriage of her grandmother's sister making them relations. The man paid her no
heed.

Lady Eirian Gwyneth Apollius

"No Madame. Not Lord Iain, he needs nothing of me. It would be for
the Sir Caden.." It might not have been a revelation wished but giving he
stayed in her rooms, supped with her family, and escorted her children the
secret would be out sooner rather than later.

Queen Beathag Aberdeen

Beathag nodded but her eyes flooded with Questions.

Lady Claramae Vincere St. Laurence

Now Claramae's held the same. "See Jean, is it not a right and proper court?" she whispered to him
before telling a servant to play a carol that would involve many turns, many a
time to look long in eyes, a brush of palm. Crafty, crafty.

Lord Jean-Claude deAquitaine

"It is a pleasure to see you again as well. Tell me..you have come far,
but where it is again you were born?" He was intrigued by this fellow,
greatly. "Seems we keep running into one another." Or was he concerned? "As for
you, Lady Apollius. It would be a great honor to cloth your cousin. You
should send him to see the sweet Lady Raelin, and have her fit him for the
colder months first. I noticed he was in dire need of shoes, a good meal, and
from what I can tell without being so bold, much care. He will be in good
hands." Bending into Claramae he would kiss her check gently, his black hair
falling to mask the bit of public affection. They both were married after
all, "I can breath again." And so he did.

Leland Corwin

He finished off his cup and gave it to a passing servant before looking
back to Jean Claude. His lips parted and he was about to answer, but then a
lovely Lady came into view to which did give him a beautiful smile. He cut
his eyes to the Frenchman and grinned. "Indeed, it is far, but close will I
remain." He glanced to the woman again and then back to Jean Claude. "Perhaps we
can talk again soon... it would seem that I am wanted else where and I do
hope you understand, its not polite to keep a Lady waiting." There was a flash of
teeth with that all to charming smile as he began to move off. Had the woman
really drawn Leland in that much, or was she his way out of a sticky
situation? Perhaps it was a bit of both, though none would know for certain but he.
He would Bid all others a goodnight and follow the lady of mystery into the
crowd where music and laughter was the rhythm to carry him away into the
sea of faces. He disappeared as easily as he had emerged.... almost ghostly.

Lord Julian Monroe

How many of these lessons had he not listened to? As it was written across
his face he was as nervous as he was the first time they met again on
distant shores, and the wedding that happened too fast. He could hardly
remember anything of that day other then his insides turning out as he took her as
his wife, but in this moment he didn't walk to fast. He didn't hungrily
take her hand, but cherished the careful way he did escort her. Julian lived
in this moment of the first time their bodies were joined, as if it had
been the true consummation of their marriage.

The carol was as sweet as the wayward songs they had once played on
eastern shores, where he had thought for a moment of never coming back. With each
turn, and every little time they parted he wanted to smile again. Yet
Julian was well trained to keep a face as stoic as his in the public eye,
though like Jean-Claude; Janice would know where to look for the true self
beneath what the world would see. When they changed partners he watched her,
never once knowing another person even existed at his hand for through the
lines and rows he was still connected to her, and when she was returned to his
side..or he took her up again, his heart started beating again.

Lady Eirian Gwyneth Apollius

"My cousin will receive all needed through the kin and our Lord, for was
not the Lord born in this cold time to bring light? So, too, will he have
it." Not only had it been seen, but it was. Eirian would allow no ill will
brought against Caden or for him. She would pathe his path with roses just
so he wouldn't feel another thorn. All the years of injustice did to him
she could not undo but love was the key to all things? On the floor Eirian
saw a pair cut from gold, two cherubs. "There will be many at court young
enough to adore a fine courtly romance who will laud the reconciliation of
the Lord and Lady Monroe. It has crossed many a sewing, card, or book
circle." Jean-Claude would find Caden delivered to the Lady Raelin as soon as she
could tell him what had ensued. He might admonish her for it, loathing
attention drawn, but she wished him not only attired for the occasion of
Court, but adorned for living. She prayed at winter's end he would return with
her to the country to begin again somehow. Indeed, she even had cause for
concern. When it became known he lived, what would the Argyll say to him?
She loathed her place between so many families yet would rise to it, and
beyond, if only for Caden. (d)

Lady Claramae Vincere St. Laurence

Though Eirian did wonder, where did Leland take himself off to? What
matter attracted him? She wondered if he truly needed her employ or merely just
the same thing all craved: a friend .

Lady Janice Monroe

Two eyes trained too well followed every step he made in the
too-fine shoes he wore. When another partner captured him or needed her to go
around him, demurely did she cast out her gaze like lots in a game of
dice. Without revealing to the world a change in step or nothing but
appropriate gaze she told him a thousand things. Where did you go, where
are you going. It is a dance and I can't imagine being a part from you further..
Did he see how many women with child tonight abounded, and yestereve?

The world was ripe with fruit of the vine but her own had withered. Had
she seen her with no sadness, holding all the children aloft? What of
times in chapel in the castle, or to Cathedral with all the court as was the
new fashion? Have you watched me long..did you go away as I went away? so
the questions in her eyes went on. Until they joined hands again only to
find the carol done, a new one beginning. Janice opened up her palm so it
was tall from finger to bottom, so her fingers could feel every bit of flesh
touched his gloved hand. She knew it burned right through that bit of
white silk.

Lord Julian Monroe

I've never truly left you. I never wanted to leave. I've watched you from
above, and if not I then your angel. She was his angel. He needed her to
take care of things while he was gone, and with each moment that passed he
promised to take care of her. Julian loved her, and would do everything he
could to keep her this time. What broke his heart the most was to admit to
her he had been himself for nearly a week now, resting, recovering.
Jean-Claude did not leave him once, unless necessary, and when he woke it was all he
could do to keep from asking about her. He watched her yes, the night
before not wanting to break her in the spirit, and knowing that if he could
tonight would be proper--as a proper gentleman should a lady in the court.

I'm innocent..I'm innocent. He would have never taken what was not his to
take, lives of those that had fallen under his hand, fell under the spell
of the season of the devil, but tonight with each candle flicker they were
alive in the season of Christ. "I believe." He finally spoke, when they came
together again standing in the midst of all the other sparkling courtiers
he couldn't continue the dance any longer, and right then and there took
her into his arms. The sweet scent of her skin filled him as he buried his
nose in her hair and his fingers came up around the back of her neck. "I'm
sorry." He whispered, "Janice. I'm so sorry."

Lady Janice Monroe

They spoke as if you were dead. I could not believe it. I was in an abbey,
my spirits crushed. So angry with you, so terribly angry for what you
could control and what you could not. For the child we lost. Blaming myself as
much for loving you.... if a mouth opened for word utterance or a throat
flashed for want of air who would know? Not the world. To the world they were
perfect pitch mimic puppets dancing in the opulent show. She wanted to
run from him when she thought of the loss, of bleeding and crying in to the
nothing. Of the nuns who wanted to give her to the world when all she wanted
was to run...

"How could I not love you.." she whispered aloud against the voices of
her head, the sweet insanity that was anything, everything. Her smile wasn't
weak, but sweet. Professed belief in two words and she spoke the language
knowing what it meant. "You are saved." came the reply. In the midst of
the whirl he captured her. She stood by him, as she had by keeping his name.
Taking no other so soon, for she had taken him so soon. Did he doubt?
It was as certain as the little bird he gave her now a bracelet on her
wrist, as clear as his centered in a bodice bow. There could be nothing
past him. "How could I not love you..Julian. I know. Love, I know."
She wanted to shake, but didn't. She closed her eyes merely..letting it all
move past her eyes, in to her soul.

Lord Jean-Claude deAquitaine

Somewhere in the corner Jean-Claude held tightly to Claramae's arm,
needing her support as he needed to turn away watching them. He was saved, they
all were again.

Lord Julian Monroe

However, Julian would have rather listened to the voices
that ran through her head then be without her. It was a long dark road that
she had walked, and he had asked too much of her. They always asked too much
of her. The small little crowd that had stopped to watch in confusion
danced again, but they simply danced around them while he held her in the middle
of the grand hall. If she did start to tremble he would warm her, and
would then take the time to nurture her back from the doubt that filled her
head.

Pulling apart from her he was suddenly very aware they were in the middle
of the dance floor, but he wouldn't let her go just yet. "I could give you
a hundred reasons why you shouldn't." Love him, he meant. He looked at her
through his hair that fell around his eyes, and knew that of all times he
should never hide from her. "But not right now." He smiled, brushing her
gold from her face with the back of his fingers, and suddenly wishing to be
free of the gloves to touch her skin again. He needed her direction.
Did she want to continue to dance? Did she need as much air as he did?

Lady Janice Monroe

Was that the reason angel's fell from makeshift heavens; all for the want
of lofty expectation unfulfilled and paper wings? His touch made her lean
forward to receive the living image of a memory pushed back to the shadows.
All of her life, so far to fly only to fall hard with broken wings. She
could not do this again, if it weren't him. There was no man who could tell
her that yes the world would not go from rapture to ruin in a matter of
months, that love was not fleeting.

She looked up at him as the world went on racing around them. People
whispered, Janice was deaf. People pointed, Janice was directed to him. "You
needn't tell me any of them, I could give you equal." She turned in to those
few fingers brushing hair, "May we retire out of doors my lord, the dancing
has left me feeling faint?" Or was it the image of him, some prince to
guide her from her tower. There always was one. Even if she swept away
all the pieces in to hiding, Janice was still needing him
to complete the scant few things she saved.

Lady Claramae Vincere St. Laurence

Claramae rubbed her hands over Jean-Claude's arm, steering him through the
array of people to a vantage point where eyes would not be guilty accused
of spying, yet if they happened to view? Who was to blame them. "She loves
him, you know. Even in all she tried to rue him, it is not in her to hate
he who is her lord, her husband, and all that was ever true of love."

Lord Jean-Claude deAquitaine

"How could we not see that Claramae? But I worried is all. He loves
her..oh how he loves her." There they were clinging to each other like elders
watching the room, and as their children went outside. He wouldn't follow
though he wanted to, but he did let her go so that they could join the room
again. "I have not danced one time tonight, but suddenly I feel we should
sit."

Lady Claramae Vincere St. Laurence

"It is because with heart on all the lace and velvet you are wearing, you
have exhausted yourself. Not to mention you are older than numbers would
articulate on a page?" The Duchess looked innocence in her eyes if ever was
possible. How many cups of wine and wassail could blush their faces, how
many walks through crisp air. "Do not worry. I, too, am not so young.
Younger than you, but not so young. This is the world of the likes who are young.
We are the eccentric elders who amuse themselves by throwing parties in our
palatial country estates. Or in other ways. Would it delight you to know
that I have procured for my garden a grand swing that now hangs in my
atrium. We will sit, and watch the snow fall outside of it.
When your wife is better, and your child born, she will swing in the one
by the garden gate..her hair flowing. It will be a good year, and a good
life. So pray it be for them." She watched the couple outside, admitting to
him. "I love them both Jean, very much. Do you know why fosterage would not
suit me? I am finicky. I have no more love to give than I elect and I
have elected far too many people on this infernal set of islands." What a
wry grin.

Lord Jean-Claude deAquitaine

"Are you drunk? Claramae..I think you have had too much." He playfully
reached for her goblet.

Lady Claramae Vincere St. Laurence

"Stop it, no. I am not capable of becoming drunk and certainly not on
wassail. Though goodness knows I have drunk more on this island than anywhere.
Oh fye. I never used to indulge. It is your fault. You and your wine."

Lord Caden Robertson

He had spent the day wandering Turas Lan and had forgotten that there was
some sort of event going on at the castle until after he had woken from a
nap. Now it was late and he doubted anyone would be around, but his
Cousin was not in her rooms and so he had come to look for her. He was
dressed simply wearing a white tunic with a brocade vest, dark woolen trousers and an
open jacket that he had slipped on not so much out of want but more out of
need to ward off the chill of the evening. His boots clicked on the floor
echoing in his ears as he made his way towards the first person that was even
slightly familiar, Jean. Claramae he knew, but did not recognize right away.
His blue gaze was on her rather then Jean, trying to trigger an elusive memory.

[Queen Beathag Aberdeen]

Lord Jean-Claude deAquitaine

So this must have been the cousin Eirian was speaking of, showing up to
court in wool, and under dressed even though he wore a coat. Jean-Claude was a
frightening man, but when he was done up like some French Lord there was a
great way to him that could rival the stoic woman beside him. The pair of
them together was a fierce thing to behold, and often he was in fact the
first to speak. "Good Evening. Welcome." So we meet again.

Lady Claramae Vincere St. Laurence

Siblings by election were often more similar than those by blood.
Claramae could find in the young man all the form and figure of the artisan. His
complexion had darkened over time, he seemed to have a face about him of a
rough countenance. A time beyond this place where his honor did him no
good. He fought, clawed. Colored as dark as the Lord General, if it were not
for the piercing blue of his eyes one would have thought him a Moor.
"Welcome to Northampton, my lord. Your introduction proceeds you, Sir Caden
Robertson, a Lord, I believe? You have been gone many a year and your face has
differed. Traveling, I presume?" No, she would not lay him out. He was not
pray to gnash, to claw. Softer by years but if one mistook the gentility
for a lack of venom, they had but to linger too long or displease her.

Lord Eirian Gwyneth Apollius

"My lord, you came! I did not know if you would, and you were gone so
long and sleeping at other times it seemed rude to offer you a reminder of
such a thing when the season is only at a start. Good eve, my cousin." She
offered up her hand to him as her form lowered in homage to pay a kinsmen of
the house. Talion's eyes watched over his wife still, his thoughts on the
return of one lost were as effervescent as those of those toward his own
son: the wind moved, the wind stilled. People were like the wind when they
had a mind to be, capricious but always constant. If he settled like Talion
had settled now, he would have more time to know the young man. To look
on Eirian would be to see nothing but love lighting her face for the young
man so under dressed, who had once been unsure only to grow sure in her
tutelage and care. Would it be again? "Did you have a pleasant day?"

Lord Caden Robertson

His blue gaze settled on Jean-Claude first, he studied the man in mute
silence for several moments, taking in his dress and his standing and knowing
he would never pull off a look like that, the thought of being dressed in
such finery just simply made him uncomfortable. Six years spent wearing
mostly just trousers made things like such finery seem.. out of place. When
his eyes reached Jean's once more he flashed a bit of a smile and nodded.
" Thank you Sir. It is good to see you again."

His eyes turned towards Claremae and his smile grew a little and he took
her hand lifting it to his lips lightly brushing the backs of her knuckles
in a gentlemanly kiss, bowing over her hand for a moment before gently
letting go and straightening. "A pleasure to see you again M'Lady. " he shook
his head at her question. " You may call me Sir. It is more fitting
despite my title."

His head then turned to his Cousin and real pleasure and love for his
cousin filled his dark features. He took a step towards her leaning in to
kiss her forehead in greeting. His eyes glanced towards Talion for a moment
his head dipped in greeting. "Good to see you again M'Lord." He smiled to
the man that was his cousin's husband then turned his full attention to his
cousin. "You should have woken me Cousin. I would have come and even
dressed a little better. " he grinned a little bit at her and tweaked her nose
playfully with his fingers. "I did have a good day Cousin, I found
everything I was looking for except one."

Lord Jean-Claude deAquitaine

Funny because Eirian had commissioned him a wardrobe just this night. "Sir
Robertson, a pleasure as always. Your cousin tells me you are in need of a
few things for winter. It would be a great honor if you would stop by the
shop and see the Lady Raelin, she will get you started. I promise." He
would open his arms, "Nothing like this. I outfit most of the army, and
specialize in men of your size." Falling silent again as the cousins shared a
moment he would clasp his hands behind his back to listen.

Lady Eirian Gwyneth Apollius

Inside of the beast was a prince worthy of regalia. Didn't Jean-Claude
see? She had so much pride, so much love. Talion replied that it was good to
see him home and wondered at his adventure. For once a ranger was dressed
better than a knight! Was that not something? He laughed, begging leave
to smoke a pipe with some men who might do the same leaving his wife to
negotiate with the elite for clothing. "I have arranged for you, Caden, to be
seen by the Lord Aquitaine by his fine shop keeps, so you may be outfitted further.
You will need many things for many an occasion and merely to live in, and
you know winter in the isles is both cold and wet in interchanges. At any
rate it is all settled" No way he could disagree, if he did, well all she had
to do was smile at any rate.

Lord Caden Robertson

At the mention of Raelin a vision of the dark haired girl at his side the
first day he had met him came to mind. He smiled a little bit and nodded to
him. " Aye I will come." He could be stubborn when he wanted to be but
it it meant seeing the Lady again, perhaps getting a proper introduction
this time then of course he would be there. He spoke for a moment to Talion
clasping his arm for a moment before he left then turned his attention to
his Cousin. No he could refuse her nothing, she would just give him
that look if he denied her and he would instantly rethink his own logic.
He glanced at her a bit sideways. " Just let me know when Cousin and I
will be there." He better be or suffer her wrath. That thought brought on
that boyish grin, something that would always be a part of him.

Lady Eirian Apollius

"Thank you for being so agreeable.." Eirian let her arms twine around but
one of his. He held her in his shadow and was as tall as a tree at her
side, such duality. Even for being so plain clothed he was more worthy than
any to have him near her, she thought. Why just tonight she had been on the
arm of Corwin and it had caused quite the stir. Now, word asking whom was
this Robertson has other searching inside of their heads for one little
hint, one shred from the past. What an introduction to make!
The minstrels seemed to have no time of ceasing. As another dance
began this one popular of the Italian courts who brought forth such
quick footed, vigorous dances Eirian looked, "Do you remember when
between the dance master and myself you learned to dance?"

Lord Caden Robertson

When she twined her arm with his he stood a little taller, his head
lifting a little, proud of her trust in him. He heard the stir he made amongst
those still lingering, the whispered questions. Nothing unusual, only
usually it was over the fact that his constant companion was a tiger rather then
a human. Said tiger had taken to sleeping in the room with the children
guarding them as they slept and so he was absent tonight. At her question
he looked down at her one dark brow raising curiously. " Aye I remember.
Though I doubt I am any better now then I was then."

Lady Eirian Gwyneth Apollius

"Shall we test your feet, my lord? If you would ask of course and feel it
something you would savor." No matter their differences, warm or cold,
plain or flamboyant, there was one thing that all seemed to agree on: a
love of the dance. Eirian had no desire to ever be but served for many as an
unofficial dance master for the classic retinue, a teacher, an advisor.
Officially, she was a constant friend.

Lord Caden Robertson

He grinned a little bit and gave her a Lordly bow and flourished his hand
playfully as he offered it to her bending in a bow, his eyes lifting to
hers with a mischievous twinkle. "If you do not mind loosing a few toes in
the process my Cousin I would love to dance with you."

Lady Eirian Gwyneth Apollius

"I am an artist, I can have more created for me in my precise image. Wood
carvers are fantastic people." She accepted the hand of the gracious lord
who might mar her perfect little slippered feet. To the floor they went,
where people watched, oh so many people who had seen the Monroe's stop in
the middle of a dance as if the world did not exist, now the Artisan with a
cousin so underdressed for the affair at Northampton to remember his dance
steps. This was the world of Court. Come together not only in naive
brotherhood but in accomplished practice. A dynasty in Europe were they under. A
world a part in accomplishment. Hundreds of years ahead of their time.
A crush of people, nations, ways of life. The new and the old.

Lord Caden Robertson

His laughter rang out at her words, a grin and lowered chuckles followed
them onto the dance floor. He turned to her and offered his cousin his hands
and quietly prayed that he would not step on her delicate toes. When
she was properly situated and the music started he began to move to the
tune, surprisingly he was light and smooth on his feet. He could feel the
stares boring into his back, and at first it made him nervous, made him think
they were just waiting for him to make a mistake so they would have
something more to whisper about. Soon though the music melted the tension in
his body and he relaxed and simply began to enjoy the dance with his
beautiful Cousin.

Lady Eirian Gwyneth Apollius

It was as if she knew that the key to comfort was revelry, and the best
way to revel was to move. Eirian had not come to court to do as she did in
what seemed like years. In the fall the valley had a harvest festival, but
the dancing was not of the nature of Italian or French schools, it was all
brought from the countryside. Great big circles, stomping feet, laughter.
Half done curtsy and a drunken bow. Mirth filled nights by the harvested
fields that God had given to feed them. Eirian would lie if she said that she
didn't find this part of the glittering world appealing: Once when she was
sixteen years old, not too long in Normandy under Aerona, her
grandmother's, forced care to create the consummate courtier, she found that dancing was
something she learned as easily as breathing. She could be nothing but
precise between the lyrical mathematics of music and the flow of the body.
Even now beyond the gate of the thirtieth decade she moved with ease. He
could send her away only to find she returned. If another partner received
her she delighted him for the briefest instance. It was as if the moon
fell down from heaven to play, Eirian on the floor.

Lord Caden Robertson

Smooth movements of the tall young man, surprisingly graceful despite his
size and obvious rough edges. He moved with an ease and when they truly
got into the dance it was like they were born to dance together, each step
synchronized just right matching the slowing and speeding up of the tempo.
The music flowed around them wrapped around their forms as they moved like
silk ribbons pulling them together and apart. When they parted for other
dance partners however briefly it was like the whole room held their
breath and only began to breathe again once they came back together. The
beautiful Lady dressed in all her beautiful finery, the tall dark Knight,
dressed closer to a peasant rather then the Lord everyone claimed he was. and
yet when they danced no one noticed the difference between the two just the
beauty of the dance, the beauty of the Cousins as they danced without a
care in the world for those brief moments.

Lady Eirian Apollius

It was the world beginning again for them, time erasing all the wrong to
leave this perfect, exquisite right ."well done!" she called at last when
the dance was done and applause went around. They might begin again, the
minstrels, but she wanted to be led to a place to sit, to drink. To watch the
world that God gave them a chance to be part of again. "I spoke to the
Queen of you, she knows you are here.." she ventured happily, though wondered
what he would think.

Lord Caden Robertson

He would turn and lead her off the dance floor once the dance was done.
He fought the flush that tried to stain his cheek at the applause as he
helped her into her seat. He had started to pull away when she spoke of the
Queen and would pause his eyes lifting to hers. "How did she take that
news?" he asked almost uncertainly.


Lady Eirian Gwyneth Apollius

"She was taken aback with shock when mentioning clothes for my cousin the
Lord Robertson she seemed to not quite fathom why Iain would require so
high a gift at my expense." The hot face brought her own cheeks to do the
same before she sighed, smiling "Then say I it was you, and she nodded. I
think it is a story you are best fit to tell her, though it has since grown
late, but at least it shall not be an audience had merely in the dark. I will
help you in any way I can, you know that don't you?"

Lord Caden Robertson

He thought a moment of having to tell his tale. The Queen unlike his
Cousin would likely need more details of what had happened. He shuddered at
the idea, inwardly recoiling, his eyes darkening for a moment. He took a
deep breath and let it go for now his eyes focusing on her again. "Aye my
Cousin, I know. Of all the people I know, you are the one who has supported
me the most. I have always known that if I needed anything, I could come
to you. Be it something as simple as clothes, or advice, or teachings of
one thing or another" He smiled at her and came to sit beside her. He
plucked a little at his shirt sleeves for a moment then looked at her leaning
towards her a bit so their shoulders brushed lightly. In truth she was
the one person he loved more then any other. Including his dead wife, whom
he had loved deeply. Their bond was something that many marveled at, wondered at. It was like
they had been meant to meet, to be close. Often times their minds even
ran on the same paths, so much so that they very nearly said the same thing
at the same time. It had people wondering sometimes.

Lady Eirian Gwyneth Apollius

"However you choose to tell her, you will. It will be in a way you decide
to, how you do. I simply could not go without mentioning you. Being that as
we move in to the castle you reside with us, as you do now within the
Guild Halls. You know part of me, Caden, does loathe to move to the castle once
more. Not that it was never good, nor splendid. Merely that in all of this
my heart still beats for the simpler things. Yet, I do not deny that I
appreciate now more than as a girl this finery, a chance to be seen, to
enjoy. Even Talion is at last enjoying his station. To have but a shred of
love for the life earned is a change. The Queen and
King oft say we are one, it is worth believing." She looked at him as if
no time had passed between them, where age had no nevermind nor
circumstance again. Only the gentle hearts beating in time, only the fact that what
mattered to them mattered. The world would know of him, of his relation.
Things may come of it. For Eirian it only mattered family lived in the world
again. For when she thought he had no blood kin to speak of, he emerged.
Now as it stood she had cousins descended of the Welsh bloodline royal. She
could claim relation to the likes of bishops and odd welsh sons, and
through them some connection in marriage to displaced Italian heirs.
What mattered most was him.

Lord Caden Robertson

He sighed heavily for a moment thinking of the need to tell the Queen of
his disappearance for so long. But then the conversation shifted to another
topic. " I know you do Cousin. " He looked down at his clothing. " I
doubt event he Queen can get me to wear anything finer then this unless
absolutely necessary." He grinned a little bit at her and plucked at his shirt
and vest. He too had thought himself without family save for the father
that raised him. Only to discover that he had a whole family he did not
know, Uncles and a grandfather, and in turn Cousins as well and of course
Eirian. He had found out that a man he had called Uncle all his life really
was truly his Uncle. The ones he had known well had meant the world to
him, but Eirian more so then the others and he had not known her near as
long. He let his mind wander back and a smile came to his lips and he glanced
at her. " Do you remember the day that we sat and spoke with the Queen,
and she told us that we were indeed related? "

[Janice Olivia Monroe]

Coming Home to the Heart on a Winter's Night
Master & Lady Monroe, Northampton Festivities, Outside


Master Julian Moroe

Slowly the walk outside had made up for the time apart for he felt the closed doors would never shut the world out until a silence fell over the world fresh with the white crystal wealth of the mother's world. The snow had come at the right time, it always knew when, and the moon over the freshly fallen made the world glitter around them. The fires kept the air warm, but the bitter chill would press over his back when the direction shifted in the wind.The servants had cleaned the paths and cleaned the benches, and the lover's seat called out for the warmth of the bodies it would hold. It would be there Julian took his wife holding her hand in place of her holding his arm. It was their thing, as even when they slept at night he laced his fingers through her own. He truly didn't know where to start, but from the end-for he was not the start from the beginning sort of fellow. "Janice..I can't expect things to go back the way they were. I can't see that happening, but I have prayed that at least you would give me the chance. I'll court you all over again..right this time." He pleaded with her, and if she were a mean woman she could have another son at the palm of her hand--twisting his heart. (d


Lady Janice Monroe

The pair of them were the talk of the young and swoonworthy behind their goblets, upturned decorative fans for what heat was their in winter? Janice couldn't help but to gasp, trying to swallow it to silence only to fail in a splendid sort of happenstance. If feathers collected from the fallen made this world it was worth it to never rise again. It was eerie, how easy her fingers moved through his like a little bit of thread in the eye of a needle. His Master would have adored the analogy. She looked in to his eyes from beginning to end. Now, on a new road, the chapters all confused in the book she must trust him to write the pagesTo figure the mess. To translate. He suprisingly is not fumbling his words she held on to a shred of logic. Some of Claramae had settled on her after al! "Julian. I do not know what to say. I know that no one will ever be you to me, and none could have the place you have, be we together or not. I would always be wed to you. I wish to be truly ...as we were, but better. What was good, yet different now for this new world. Is your..conversion true? Did the Brother relieve you...of..what tormented you? I am sorry I was not there. I could not be there. I did not wish you to suffer yet.." If again it had risen she would have taken his life. It choked her to say that "You hurt me. I know that I hurt you, too. But you do not know..how long..I prayed..still for you, and your soul. And for a night..like this." She was frightened..but gently brushed her hand against the back of his face "All I have ever wanted is to love you." (d)


Master Julian Monroe

"You didn't hurt me, Janice, I failed you." This upset him greatly to hear, but he knew he hurt her. "You don't know how hard it was to watch helplessly my own body, my hands, my words hurt you. I couldn't stop them. Yes, its gone. How could there not be a God in heaven after that?" He closed his eyes at her touch, "I'm converted. I believe with all my heart." Opening his eyes again, they were red with the emotions that ran raw. "I felt as though I was prisoner to my own body. I felt my hands pounding against my own rib cage wanting out." He hung his head trying to remember, "I can't recall what happened after the baby.." Jean-Claude had told him to not say anything about that. He touched her hand that brushed his face, as he curled into it almost starved for her affection, having wanted this warm touch he cried, "I remember the baby, then the next thing I remember was waking up in the Underdark. There was a man, and Margot." Opening his eyes again he shook his head, "And then it all went black again until I woke up in the home of Ealora. I woke up in her bed, warm and fed, and I couldn't remember who I was until when Maahes carried me back he had my bird tied in his hair. I remembered then, but it was too late." Everything went black again, until he woke one last time to Jean-Claude. "Slowly I'm starting to remember again, but for the most if it..its not there." (d


Lady Janice Monroe

"It is not in my nature to not atone for what I didn't do, I am aware of my faults though yes yours were many and greater." She pulled away the velvet to look at the cracks beneath. It had to be done, in order to fix it had to be studied. So many broken parts made when they put together what ill-fit saying it looked grand beside the fire. "I told no one for you, of us. We were married within the church yet none knew of it in any way proper. Did you know that I have heard even from good associates now that it seemed not in my nature to be any man's common law..whore." She breathed hard through her nose a moment, "It mattered not because I knew where I had been, and on my knee, and with whom. Be it by consumation or consecrecation I was yours, but what hurt me was you did nothing to defend it! I waited.. trusting you would find the right time. Trusting you as the head of my home as Christ heads the church, as a wife should love her husband and abide by him, and together we did far more..but I could do nothing! Above all else, it is not in that way I could live again. Everyone knows but it is to be defended, upheld, and respected that I most desire..I.." She found both of his hands to hold tight, putting them to his face, and then to hers. "I am your wife. You are my husband. I have spent all of my years being someone's secret, someone's worry or catastrophy. I have only wished to be your pride. Please hide us no more. Let not tonight be something that fades.I could not be hidden now if I want to. I couldn't go back to that.Julian...I was so angry with you. I knew you couldn't rememberbut part of me thought some where you did..that somewhere..it could not be all that thing. You believe now? With all your heart and soul on your sleeve....God is shielding you. And rightly so. It was not your work but work through the designs of Lucifer. I do not wish to recall it aloud.There are still times I tell no one this, but I miss knowing there was life in me. That after having such fear of it, something good might come of me.like that. In your image. I have pondered many decisions a woman should never have to make a lone after such a thing. Do I keep the home on Bryant Row beside the shop?At the very most I have been in and packed away the nursery. I could not bare to look at it. Now that Adelaide is recovered and so many women are ripe with child, I felt asense of failure in that I could not keep my child, but what woman could keep a child through that? I almost died." (d)addition - "As your wife at the very least, I want you to be proud of me. I need you to be, that I have gone on and not died a death in my mind and in my body for this. For by no means am I any longer anyone's poor lost, flightless bird." She waited on baited breath, having said so much. She wanted to be his bird, always (d)


Master Julian Monroe

"Janice you had no faults in this. You acted as any woman would." He shook his head taking her hands and brushed his thumb over her knuckles, "You are right. You are very right. It was wrong and I knew it to be. That marriage wasn't real to me until after it was over. We were marrying for blood not love, not love that we realized. It became to real to me in Spain, I was never ashamed of you, nor wanted to keep you a secret. We did so to protect the hearts of our Masters. I respect you Janice. I always have. No matter how many times as a child I was horrible, I always respected you. I want you to be successful. God took that baby for a reason, not because of you no no..we were not ready. We are just starting. Its a New Year, and with it I want to do it right. Lets start from the beginning. Let me make it right."He fell to one knee before her." I will court you as I should have, and I will marry you as I should have, for all to see."Touching her knee he shook all over, "We'll get married in the big church, please don't think like that. I'll make it right." He begged her, on his knees begging her for her forgiveness. "I want you to have life again, but I just want to be part of it. How could I not?" He put his head in her lap because the world was spinning outside their little haven, but when he raised his eyes to look at her everything about him promised of the fight he would give her if she refused him. He would fight for her. He would defend her from all that was unholy in this world, and protect her every step of the way. "I'm very proud of you. Tonight while I watched you..last night, I filled with pride that you over came this. You were flying last night Janice, and tonight..Angel look at your wings." Pressing his lips to her knuckles it would appear to the outside world he was at an alter praying as he spoke, and in many ways he felt as though he should be. (d


Lady Janice Monroe

"You would not believe me if I told you how fond of you I always had been even when we were children." Was the last utterance she offered in a low tone before turning to a common volume. He was right, she nodded her head. "We were. We were marrying for fear that I would be taken against my will or for the fact that marriage offered an advantage. We did not profess what we felt until after it was done, and by then feared to live by it for hurting others. Always others. That is a shared flaw, one of my always greatest. The pleasure of others with nothing for self." She could have laughed. The marriage was for her, not for the masters! Worrying for hearts of missed ceremony of life, of what they would say or do, what they would think. Already knowing every move they would make and still trying to please them. Poor fools. She put her hand over his forehead as he spoke, drinking in al of his words. So much wisdom.He only got it because he had suffered for it, so he could understand. God's plan for them was not to be unified in the creation of live but to understand that in loss life was still worth living. "Julian.." He was proud. For the first time, true pride. Not fleeting only to be a hinderance later. True, lasting pride to companion his devotional love. He had never been so tender, or knew how. "Woul dit help to tell you that I am falling in love with you all over again tonight? That I do not care come ruin or rapture what the court says, many will see it as sweet you would take such pains. Others would say a woman of books still needs to be dominated by her lord. But I care not either way. I am deaf to them at any rate unless they have something pressing to say. Court me, marry me. So long as you will love me from that night to this and beyond I do not care." She bit her lip ,blushing heavily only to look back at him "I love you,Julian Luke Monroe, and will never stop." Tears rolled down that he couldn't cease as she wrapped her arms around him (d)


Master Julian Monroe

"This time we marry because I love you too, and when I take an oath with God to hold you, til death do us part I'll believe. I will promise him, and you. We'll make it right." He didn't know how it would work, but it was a lot to ask of her. "Its been months since I've been in my right mind. I have a lot to make right..a lot." Adelaide being the most important. He almost killed her and their unborn while he did kill his own unborn, "I feel so badly for all that I have broken. You do not know how hard it was for me not to simply let your think I was dead and run, but" He brushed her tears away raising again to sit beside her, "I love you. I miss you, and I want to go home so bad. I want to start this life all over again with you."He wanted to kiss her, to really kiss her their first kiss all over again, but he was going to do it right. "I fell in love with you again last night watching you with the princess. You were so beautiful, and then tonight..you still love this life." He would go to court for her, he would win her, fight for her, hate every second of the court, but she was worth it. He would champion her a hundred times if need be, but first he needed to make it right. "Don't sell that house..." It hit him then what she said, "Thats your house. Our home. Our first home. I'll stay at the hall." Jean-Claude rented his room, "I'll sleep there until we make this right, and when we're married we'll start on a new one if you wish." He wouldn't let her sell that home yet. (d

Lady Janice Monroe

"Julian...it is our home. It is my home, and I want it to be filled with better memories than it is has known, though it has known many. You are really so determined as all this? Gloves, Julian?" For the first time before him she giggled, "Did Jean-Claude whisper sayings to you while you were sleeping so that you would awaken this way? I tease you, I'm sorry. You are so handsome. You're hair.." Raven's wing black long enough to neatly pull back! "So long..Master Monroe I rather like you this way." She confessed again as she shook her head softly before sighing, "It is much to do, Julian, so much to atone for even if you may not always know what you atone for.But you will do it. Your masters heart has returned to his chest, well, Lord Aquitaine's heart. He is always your master but you stand on his footing now, Claramae has not rescinded that. She felt, too, you would return one day. I think part of her stoic heart was even bruised in your absence. She still believes in you. The Brother O'Corrain. I will have to thank the Lady Malory and the General many times over, for shielding you, keeping you safe." She let her nose come to his shoulder, inhaling him in the fabric. Her forehead gently settled in the place next, to test it. It still felt..the same. Comfortable, familiar. Hers. "so many eyes on you. You could have your way of any lady in the court, Master Monroe, Lord Monroe. You want no other?" Blue eyes peered at him through wayward strands of gold set off with the Christmas crown of flowers. (d)

[Queen Beathag Aberdeen]

Epilogue
Written by Creator of King Adam, Dmitrii Zurban, and James DuChere



Adam and family emerged from the carriage… He assisted the family down from the coach, then escorted his wife… his Queen… the children gathered about them… toward the festivities. He smiled at Aodhan’s expression; the lad was growing so fast… but it still gratifying to see the boy come alive within his eyes looking at the decorations of Yule Season. The applause from the crowd almost startled Adam; could he ever grow accustomed to the pompt and circumstance? Raising his hand, he waved to the crowd, which had the pleasuing effect he hoped for. Regaining his wife’s waist, he started into the crowd.

Slowly they descended from the carriage; ever dressed as the WeaponsMaster, in his finest black, the black rawhide armour vest covering the black shirt, the emblem of the Gryphon upon his leathered chest, the gold-handled dagger at his waist… the lady of his life upon his left arm… Dmitrii looked around in awe. No words spoken, he smiled at Aegraine. Assisting her down from the steps of the vehicle, careful for her condition, being midways of her second trimester… always a bit uncomfortable for her, she returned his smile. Dressed in a gown instead of her work clothes, she was radiantly beautiful, her dark hair curled by a hot iron only hours before. After the announcement as protocol called for, the pair mixed and mingled amongst the crowd.

The first to greet them was the Duchess St Laurence… momentarily, Dmitrii released Aegraine’s arm and bowed deeply, showing high respect for the woman he admired so. It warmed his heart to see Aegraine smile to the Duchess in regards to the comment about her Father.

Retaking Aegraine’s hand upon his arm, he bade his absence to the woman… then the couple made their way to the King and Queen, best friends from day one… against separately, they bowed and curtseyed, greeting the royal pair. “Happy Christmas Yer Majesties… May God grant thee prosperous times…” the WeaponsMaster responded. He wathed the Queen greet Aegraine oddly… could it be a bit more than familiarity this time of year…

Yet another carriage arrived, this one, a bit ornate, with the large du’Chere emblem upon the door. James emerged, dressed in the grey wool uniform of the Duke, the emblem of the Gryphon hung from his neck. Looking about, he smiled, then turned to the carriage and held out his hand for Beka. Emerging with her was Albert, who stepped down quickly and stood by his Father’s side. Both the man and lad took the woman’s hands and helped her down off the step. Beka took James’ left arm, and Albert took his station behind them. This had been the first time that James and family had been on the main Isle since taking office… and their first time in public, off-island, as an official family. The people got their first look at Albert.

As protocol would have it, their names announced, they moved to the floor, first to meet their host, then to the King and Queen… James and Albert bowed deeply before their relatives and royalty, and Beka, curtseyed with experience of court. Greeted warmly, James was a bit surprised, but nonetheless accepted it. His brother seemed pleased to see him… odd at first, but maybe it was the season of forgiving.

After mixing a bit, introductions made as to family instead of position, James was shoclked even more when Bess, and Adam agreeing, invited them into the sleigh with family. James, well-versed in hiding his emotions in public, could not help but swallow, and smile, that odd l8ittle smile he was infampous for.

And to the festivities they all rode as a family… matters of state left behind, the family chatted about relations and the future instead of politics and business affairs… all of which James had expected.

Many people attended the Yuletide festivities, some familiar, some not so… but this was the season of change… soon the year would be gone, another yet upon them. Twas the season of forgiveness for sins past… and Adam stood with his brother, and his best friend, all three sharing a drink together. Three men… all different in many ways… similar in others… each had a wife to be thankful for… each had their own reason to be forgiving…

Dmitrii stood on one side of Adam, James upon the other. And it would be the Kievan warrior, who still did not trust du’Chere, even though his King and the man’s brother seemed to accept. Could he be like Adam and forgive the man? Trust for Dmitrii had to be earned… He would remain quiet, smile, and listen.

Thoughts of old would pass thru James’ mind… Adam was definitely different that his Father ever proclaimed. He did not feel his brother was the Devil that had been prophesized… The man who was King, and his brother, was pleasing… forgiving… and accepted him at optimistic value… This was odd for James… He had a brother… was his life now complete? His beginnings were ill-wrought… not quite the acceptable family member… his power in Lewis-Harris, also obtained by means lesser than a man would admit… But yet, his brother accepted him… no questions asked, no excuses offered. James smiled at Adam. But with Zurban, he felt a bit odd. He could see in the man’s steel-grey eyes, it would take more to gain his trust. Adam was not overly religious…Dmitrii was… but James, well he used religion to an advantage. And he smiled at Dmitrii…

A toast… to the the very things that each man prayed for… Peace and prosperity… and the three agreed upon this… and drank together; while the women conversed upon their own world… Then the tendered voice of the Queen brough forth yet another toast… and Adam smiled… James and Dmitrii lifted their goblets…

James smirked at her toast, and immediately thoughts of glory flased in his mind. “Here Here!!” he said aloud…
Dmitrii listened intently, glancing only briefly to James, then back to Bess… “Nos te ro via…” he bellowed loud… “Peace and good will to us all…” he added in their own circle.
“Aye lass… Aye…” Adam smiled, taking a hefty drink… then he looked to Dmitrii… “Aye my friend… Ah agree…”
James looked at Adam, then to Dmitrii… “Aye… Peace and good will to us all…”

Time went by and the festivities were being enjoyed by all… and each man danced with the others’ wives… but Dmitrii saw the tiredness in his beloved Aegraine’s eyes… and when she had enough she finally succumbed to the labors of pregnancy. Excusing themselves from the night’s activities, he and his beloved, Aegraine, departed.

James would linger a while longer with his brother… whilst watching afar, his beloved Beka converse with a man. “Adam, tis yer Majesty’s gracious nature to allow Beka and I to Turs Lan…”

Adam would smile, his hand upon his brother’s shoulder. “Yae are always welcome in my home, brother. We are family dun yae knaew…”

“Adam, you and yours shall be welcomed to Leòdhas agus na Hearadh anytime you desire to visit. The people would be glad to see the King and his beloved family. Your son is growing so big… best do it before he is off upon his own…”

And the two would venture upon agreements to visit one another more often… The discussion of family would entail Aodhan becoming a squire, Albert attending one of the universities in Turas Lan, and the others enjoicuing springtime on Lewis-Harris… Promises offered and tendered, of more family reunions in the future. “God forbid James… Hopely Aodhan shall remain close to home… But if he is like his Mother and I, the itch to travel will overcome parents’ dreams…” and both men laughed at Adam’s sigh.

The time for the festivities end had come… and people began to leave… each going their separate ways… By now Dmitrii and Aegraine had made it to Turas Lan, and was settled into guest quarters at Griffin Castle… James, Adam, Bess, Beka, and all the children all loaded into one carriage and headed for the capital city. It would be the first time all had been in one place at one time.

The trip was far too short for the conversations… whilst Beka and the Queen escorted the children to their quarters, James and Adam wound up in the kitchen, sitting at a small table in the corner of the warm kitchen, drinking warm mead and eating some meat and bread… What a sight… Two Maubrey brothers, formerly at odds with one another, now, discussing intimate natures of their lives… conversations lost now regained. Laughter and tears would fill the evening as the two made amends... Lord William would roll over in his grave, while Davina and Angelina, would smile from Heaven…