Post by Dame Aegraine lePower-Zurban on Jan 3, 2011 22:14:11 GMT -6
Yuletide, 1333
The end of an old year and the beginning of a new… He and Aegraine had been married for days short of four years now… and the second snow of the winter had covered the ground. Long gone were the flowers and thistle of autumn… and upon the horizon of time was the birth of their first child, in spring.
Gathering some wood in his arms, he re-entered the room and set it by the hearth. He gave a wicked smirk when the servant tried to get him to allow the servants to do the task. “I get fat from the yuletide Aaron… tis nay a hardship for me to get wood. Go, enjoy the family…” That kind of attitude is what deserved Dmitrii the respect his servants had of the Lord…
He heard the door close and the maids looking after their mistress and he knew Aegraine was back from the city. His open arms embraced her as he greeted her return. “The city still stands?” he inquired teasingly. “Come, I just started a warm fire…” he spoke softly, his hand automatically going to her belly. And each time the baby kicked, he got this joyous expression, though he never said much at all.
“The King and Queen are well? All settled in for a fine Yuletide?” He escorted her to a chair next to the hearth, then knelt down slowly beside her as she sat. Upon a blanket on the floor he sat, right next to her legs. “And what is yer wish for Yuletide m’love?”
"I had a lovely time in the city, of course I hear the King and Queen are well, but did not them see them personally. I had word from my brother Alan who is filling in at my previous work. It will take some doing to get him to give the position back, I am afraid." Ae sat upon the chair, still somewhat stiff and achy from the ride into Turas Lan. She stretched her feet covered with thick knit stockings closer to the hearth, settling into a cozy comfort near the fire.
"My wish is that I may be suitable thankful for all that we have been given this recent year. And that this child would rest when I did." [/b] In this she joked. "He waits until I sit or go to sleep, and then the dance begins. See? He is at it again." It was not a complaint, but a rejoicing, for a long time wish was going to be granted. "I tried to find a midwife who might come to Lake Manor for the birth, but am still searching. The ones I found want to work in town, only. And I did see Eirian in the market, she had a stall and was selling items she made. There was a tall Norwegian man, I think he was, as he had the look of Father's swordmaster come from Norse."
She sat, looking into the bright hot glow of the hearth-fire, thinking. "And what is your wish for the Yuletide?" [/color]
If it had not been for her facial expressions, he may have taken her words as serious complaints about being uncomfortable. He had no idea of how uncomfortable pregnancies were… Assisting her to a short couch near the fire, he sat upon the floor at her knees. When he saw the material at her belly begin to move, and her hand shifted… he smiled and laid his hand gently upon her belly. It was amazing… absolutely wonderful… a new life inside her… their baby… And he looked a bit confused at her size… She appeared larger than most women… but he never really did pay much attention before.
It was humorous how his own life had changed. Before, he deemed pregnancy as a handicap… a necessary curse upon mankind… Now someone he loved so dear was with child… their child…
“If need be, I shall scour the land in search of a good midwife for you…” then he laughed… “Maybe I shall take them as prisoners and MAKE them live here until the child is born…” he jested.
“I received an official notice today… The King and Queen are holding Winter Court… They are requesting my position as Master-at-arms… do you feel up to going m’love? I could arrange quarters at Griffin Castle…” He watched her expression to see if she truly desired to go.
“In the Castle?" her voice showed how surprised she was at this. "I have never had the chance to stay within the castle itself, although I spent many a day walking about the wall tops and I am certain it is as safe a building as can be." She did not concern herself about which gowns were suitable, leaving that to the maid Marie. All Ae knew of proper clothing meant leather and armor work clothes.
“My wish for Yuletide?” then his face warmed, and steel-grey eyes lightened. “I have all I need or want m’love… save one… and that you may be comfortable and get all your desires…” A calloused hand rose to her cheek, caressing it blissfully. “Ya tybya lyblu…” [‘I love you’ in Russian]
She repeated his Russian phrase, her accent improving with practice but it was still very pronounced. "I cannot wait to see what the year to come holds." As they say, one ought not to worry too much about the future when the present is so perfect. If the Zurbans only suspected what was in store, would it ruin this moment?
Then soon preparations were made and it was off to The Winter Court. Marie fitted Aegraine's new gown to her current dimensions and located her dancing slippers. Dmitrii's best dress uniform was brushed and the trim checked until it was perfection. All thoughts were on having the time of their lives at the coming events. Visions of elaborate banquet tables and lavish decorations filled Ae's thoughts.
"Imagine the music, Dmi! We can still dance, right? Although maybe not in center of the dance floor." A knowing glance flashed between them, a memory of the time they last danced at a party, off in Lewis, at the Duke's estate. "Perhaps we might practice a few steps before time?"
They had not even finished dressing yet, and with a familiar smirk, he stepped to her, taking her hand in his, the other at the small of her back. “I can imagine the music my dear… and yes, we can dance…” Now at arm’s length, her enlarged belly touching his hard abdomen, he began to dance… step and step… a short hop, and step and step… No music, except the ones in his head, he guided his beloved Aegraine around the room of their personal quarters.
Imagine the sight of the half-nude couple prancing around the room, when Marie and Andrew re-entered the room. The two servants remained silent and watched, as the couple was enamored with one another. As the dance brought them back to the center of the room, and when they saw they were discovered; Marie giggled at Aegraine’s expression of being caught dancing half-nude.
“We must practice… tis difficult for me when I cannot hold my wife as close as I desire…” Dmitrii tried to dispel any embarrassment caused by the discovery. And he winked at Ae when he spoke. Then all those present broke into laughter, setting an air of joy.
Unexpectedly kneeling to her belly, he kissed the bulge, his hands on either side. “Be good to yer Mother, my Son. Tire her not before we dance before the King and Queen.” Then he stood looking at his beloved wife.
As he stood, he saw that usual ‘What if it is a girl’ expression… “Well… I am positive it shall be a boy… but if God decides to give us a girl… I shall love her no less…”
The tension Aegraine felt could be brought on by her perception of her pregnant figure… but no one would deny she held a radiant glow about her. The Zurbans now rode along the road to Turas Lan… Dmitrii had the carriage prepared, but a broken axle would prevent its use… so upon Troika, the pair rode… with Marie and Nadrew, just behind. Troika’s high pausing prance-step would provide a suitable gait without the jarring effect suitable for a pregnant woman in less than mid-trimester.
"I hope for a son, for you to teach him your weapons arts." Aegraine spoke over Dmitrii's shoulder as she rode pillion with him on his warhorse, Troika. It was early in the day as they were headed to Turas Lan for Winter Court, along with a company of servants and some of his men. The black Andalusian had a smoother gait than Ae's Alt, whose movements jolted the woman too much to ride him these days. "Really, Dmi, the thought of sending a child off to foster to another frightens me to think on it. I had such a terrible experience when I was young. You will teach our son? You or Adam; my father is too old and my brothers live in Waterford, so far away." Strange anxieties had begun to plague the Engineer and no matter how many times she was reassured this was normal, she often sat up at night awake, worrying needless fears.
Rising back to his erect stance before her. “Da… should God grant us a son… or even a daughter, they shall be taught all I know… but tis education the child shall require, we can always move back to Turas Lan… and he, or she, can attend the university…” and he felt her squeeze his waist, he knew she was smiling feeling reassured.
Marie rode beside Dmitrii's servant Andrew, each of them followed by horses carrying wardrobe essentials and gifts from the estate to the castle. “The young folks may find a good nurse for their child when we are at court." the young woman watched Andrew's reaction out of the side of her eye. "Be you fortunate, a young comely maid; or not." She giggled at the arched eyebrows of a surprised Andrew. "Not, more likely than not." Marie kicked the horse into fast speed and left her fellow servant in the dust. The ride was not more than an hour, so before long the party arrived. Festivities, friends, and dancing awaited the Zurbans and they were ready.
Dmitrii kicked his leg over the neck of the Andalusian, and slip to the ground… His arms raised high to Aegraine as she slipped from the large black stallion, catching her. She was still light, even with being with child. And as she slipped into his arms, face to face, he stole a kiss and smiled. “You are are radiant m’love…simply radiant… I have no doubt in m’heart…” Even though he spoke in Russian, it would be almost evident to any that took notice, of what he was telling her, as his steel grey eyes could not hide his feelings for the woman.
“Come, we have a party to attend…” and she took his arm and he guided her past the steps, to the herald, who then announced them at Winter Festival.
Winter Festival
It was the invitation to the Winter Festival that Dmitrii worried about. Would Aegraine be able to handle the stress of travel? It was then that he sent a missive to the Lord High Chamberlain requesting quarters in Griffin Castle… Next he would buy Aegraine the most beautiful dress… a gown… for she would have to transform from work clothes to a Lady for the Festivities.
All his questions would be answered as they were announced at Winter Festival… and with that Zurban smile highlighted by white teeth between a neatly trimmed beard, he escorted his wife into the crowd that now focused their attention upon them.