To Become Companions

[Queen Beathag Aberdeen]

Beathag: "Your Grace, we do nay mean to be impertinent, tis only that the territorites are large now, and more are under the stewardship of you n' your husband on behalf of his majesty. We would like to assign merchants to each region...and yes..if we might secure with you another treatise as well..mayhaps arrange a trade match and a match for your son." The Duchess kept her hands in her lap...for the time being. Clenched to white knuckle beneath the table, she'd learned the art of an impassive face as she listened to a puff-faced lout try to increase his coffers in two ways. Who would be with her, one might ask? Why, the ladies-in-waiting. A scribe perhaps, those who came to listen with interest on economic matters. Now that a few guild representatives were moving in the territories..why..it was only natural to discuss other ways of advancement! "With the passing of the Lady Edme, long before her time, her economic wealth passes to the heir we'd assume..or one of your choosing. An arrangement would only secure.." The fire sparked, subtle, but lit. Green eyes flickered to life in the light of the man's unknown offense. Or one would hope it was unknown. Her opinion on arranged matches as pertained to either of her children was not unknow, and to mention Edme in the context of expired monies to be passed on? The meetings were growing tense as some muttered as to what would be said or done (d)

Liliana: Curiousity and a yearning to learn caused the form of Liliana to be in a distant corner of the room during the discussion. Hands folded at her waist, head slightly canted to the side, she listened closely with open ears to the words being passed, though only from the man who talked to the Duchess. As for the Duchess, not a single word had passed her lips and Liliana watched her face with keen chocolate eyes. A silent gasp would come to her at the cruel words that came near the end. How one could speak of a child in such a manner, as if they were nothing more than something of value to be bartered, she did not understand and her own eyes held a glare as lips thinned. Horrid man. (d)

Kendrew: He was to theimmediate right of the Duchess in place of another that would deem fit to do so. Liliana could have stood there, or Jelenah. Any that were close could stand 'pon either side for to be unknown would be to remain back. Quicker than an eye could manfest image his hand came to rest on Beathag's shoulder, sturdy and strong. He too heard the words of the man who spoke of the departed with little regard but to the matters of appointment they left behind. "Peace, Your Grace." He whispered in her hear. But the man would go on: "As you well can imagine your grace, the holdfast is far too large not to begin to consinder who's future to place well in any sense of the word. We've drawn up an idea for you to oversee, should it please you.." (d)

Beathag: "Pass it tae me," she said with an even lit to the voice. It didn't betray a single thought yet imagine the gasp as she took the document in hand! Without a second thought, without a glance, the work of the scribe was shred in half once, twice, and again. A small riot ensued as some called the idea foolish from the start, others her foolish for not looking what it would do to lift the wonder that was Turas Lan's Hall of Guilds. What other place had so much to offer in Scotland, this side of Europe for that matter? Your Grace! Is this necessary, do you mean this? Will you not --" "Nay. I won't." God help him..the woman began to stand. What made it worse? She was his height inch for inch (d)

Liliana: Had the thought crossed her mind, Liliana would have been at Bess's side. It just had not for once. Now, though she wished to be standing up there to offer silent strength to Bess in this moment, it did not seem proper to approach at this time. Though part of her yearned to cut through the bodies of those who attended and stand beside Bess, propriety would not let her. Watching as the document passed from the horrid man to the a bit closer to see what Bess would do with it and when those hands ripped it...joy spread through Liliana. A smirk would appear and chocolate eyes would lock on Bess's face with pride. That would show him! (d)

Kendrew: Brash woman. Bold woman. He found himself grinning as he offered the Lady of the Isles an arm to be escorted out on with the people following at her heels. They begged, they pleaded, some shouted as he felt the weight of her go a bit heavier against him. "Your Grace, Liliana.." He made a way for both women ahead of him to the door. Indeed, the way was set until he heard the utterance of a few blasted words, " All of this folderol and the child wasn't even yours by Blood! Ye put on airs! This is the future, the future you so laud. Look at me woman. Look!" He stayed his hand against the back as it lurched. Turning around, he put out his hand to back the approach of undesirables with a warning push. Still..he was fool enough to advance. Two arms to her shoulders now, "Don't turn around, m'lady. Don't!" (d)

Liliana: Even before her name was spoken, Liliana had made her way to the Duchess's side. Glancing to Kendrew with a look of curiousity, hoping all was well with Bess, she would move to stand to his side and be there if needed. She was about to speak when those heartless words left that bastard's mouth! Liliana did not think cruelly by nature, she did not call names as she had been called many, but that was indeed what he was. For such cruel, heartless words to pass his lips when speaking of the Duchess's own lost child, one she had loved and grieved for, and probably missed with all her being, was...well there were no words. Seeing Kendrew's actions and hearing his words as she stepped closer,chocolate eyes would search for Bess's gaze to give her some strength to draw from. To let her know Liliana was here for her. (d)

Beathag: "Tis alright, Kendrew. Let me gae." She smiled to Liliana, too. Hollow it was with a want for the jovial merriment she often saw. Set with what was rumored and from the night some time back when they met. Infamous. Dastardly. The Highlander's temper was the stuff of a fable that warned the foolish against treading on the feet of the White-Beast guarding the gates of some ancient place of the ancestors. Like she was asked she faced the man as he went on his tirade and to the surprise of all even let him have it! Just when they were about to breath a sigh of relief, he reached out to take her arm firmly, as if glad she saw reason. Now might he guide her back to the table? With a wry grin she said, "Ah've other appointments this day, but ye are truly right. Should be considerin' interests in the best interest o' all. Would ye favor tae hear m'answer sir?" He nodded. Brilliant. Her right hand drew up and across his face, snapping his head back hard over his left side. Holding his face, he stared in appalled shock as not once, but twice! She came at him from the other direction with the same hand, sending the face over the right side now. Taking her impliments from the hand of the page: gloves numbering two, she pulled the gifts from Adam over her hands, taking her shawl there after..and leaving him with a swollen face. "Dae yer job, sir, n' I'll dae mine, send yer page tae speak tae me from now on. If ye dae it again can nay guarantee won't throttle the air out o' ye." (d)

Liliana: Propriety be damned! What Bess gave that man made Liliana's lips curve in a wide smile that lit her chocolate eyes up like twinkling stars. It was what he deserved! Realizing that her smile might be somehow misconstrued, teeth would bite her bottom lip to hide it and she'd slightly lower her head in a modest manner. Yet any that could see her eyes would see that they were lit brighter than any star in a night sky. Stepping to the side, to allow Bess passage to leave the chamber, she'd wait until they were out of the room to lift her head again. (d)

Beathag: "Blasted, gods beh damned fool," She muttered loud enough for her companions to hear. When asked how the interlude went by another valet, her glare said enough! The impertinence and outright cruelty of his words struck a raw, still tender chord. Not her child? Bah. Edme was every inch, breath, and heartbeat her child. He would never know what her death had done....still did...to her and Adam. It was like having a place of your heart ripped out that was covered only by thin reeds, ripped down at the slightest bit of wind. Commerce soothed the savage beast. They walked past vendors, the famous indoor markets held at points of each season. (d)

Liliana: Strolling alonside the Duchess, head held high now and gaze alighting on the vendors they strolled past, Liliana would not speak a word. Instead she offered quiet comfort in a brief glance in the directions of Bess. She would let her speak the word when she was composed enough to. Liliana was positive there was a struggle going on with the emotions that had been stirred by that heartless man. Did she know what it was like to lose a child? It was a pain she prayed to never know, because it had to be the worst of them all. (d)

Beathag: "Look ye there, have ye e'er seen the merchants unroll their cloth or the printer's press work? Come," She smiled to Liliana, inviting her speech. She was welcome to do so. The nearness of those such as herself is what kept the woman even mildly tempered. Without Kendrew, her? It was suffice to say the guildmaster would have been seen in pieces throughout the city, for she may have been retired of battles, but she was still capable. Oh yes. For now she breathed inward, chosing to mask the pain by going on with life (d)

Liliana: Hearing that voice, finally speaking, Liliana's head would swivel in Bess's direction. Seeing what she spoke of her smile would widen,"I have not. At least that I recall." She was much curious to see that now though. Hoping that all was well, or as well as could be expected, for now, Liliana would murmur,"My father was a merchant. I remember him bringing back lovely fabrics and jewels. None, of course, that I ever got to wear or touch though. Those good went to the nobles and the others, the lesser goods as I recall them being labeled, to the rest." Brief flashes of memories, smiles and hugs upon returning from trips, moved through her mind and lit her gaze as she glanced toward avendor. (d)

Beathag: "When I was a grown women, tha' world came tae m'feet. Somethin' sweet about touchin the fabrics, the mystery o' where it is from n' how tis made. Aodhan? Why he always liked boxes n' crates made by wood artists, took all the world tae get him out o' the blasted things..but tha' is what happens when ye spendhalf ye life on a boat as he has." She leaned in to smell fresh cut flowers being dried for wreathes, "Now m'lady..ye can touch 'em as much as ye like," she chuckled low. Rich sounds eminated from the core of her belly for she favored laughter above all other expressions. It was on par with music from a harp. "E'en purchase iffn ye have a mind. Tis the delight o' bein' grown in one thing..precious little tae tell ye no." (d)

Liliana: Laughter. Joy. Warmth. Love. Those were what Liliana tried to cocoon herself with. Though she had no family, no one to love, the love in the castle walls acted to keep her from drifting to sorrowful times. Listening to Bess, her own laughter coming when she mentioned Aodhan's love of crates, she'd murmur,"Crates are a treat for any child. It is their own private world and more enjoyable than any toy given." Liliana could recall children of servants who had played in such as if it was one of the greatest treasures in the world. "My love was to run free. Field, forest, and river alike." It was hard to imagine what it'd be like to grow up on a ship. Personally, she hated ships now. There had only been one incident on ship where she'd enjoyed it. All the others- bad luck. Stepping forward, smelling the flowers, she looked about at fabrics with wonder and awe,"Indeed?" To be able to touch and choose...(d)

Beathag: We make castles o' crates for his toy animals n' soldiers, out o' wood tae, n' sticks n' bits o' wot. As a child I liked the logs m'Da would hollow out for ships. They had a riot when we'd all sleep in 'em fer days on end but wot could be done?" She smiled at the memory of playing, laughing with her brothers and sister, perhaps a cousin or two..children of the royal burgh. Spinning till they were dizzy and eating honey from the comb. Her childhood was very sweet, rich. She wanted Aodhan's to be no less. "Ah Freedom! Gods help me. Aodhan would live in a tree if I let him. Maybe he'll have a fond playfellow in ye.. Aye..to choose.This is nay just the world o' one, tis the world o' all o' us now. " She looked down to where enamel flowers were shaped into an exquisite hair barrete on silver, and putting coin in hand, presented it to Lily as a favor of appreciation for the flowers were just that. Lilies. "Ye color it well, Liliana." (d)

Liliana: "It seems that Aodhan and I will have to become better acquainted. I had a fondness for tree climbing. I required many salves for scrapes from being such a heathen." Fond memories of happy times. A sparkle entering her chocolate gaze as she'd murmur,"I drove my Stepmother insane with my behavior. Not that I am sorry for that." Nope, Liliana only felt pleasure at such a thought. That woman deserved no kind feeling from anyone. To hear Bess laugh, see her smile and be happy after what had happened, brought joy to Liliana. "Was that not uncomfortable?" Raising a brow, amused at the idea of sleeping in logs, she'd look to a bit of silk and gently stroke a finger over it. Her attention was grabbed though by the presenting of a lovely gift and chocolate eyes would light up, jaw dropping slightly before she composed herself,"For me?" (d)

Beathag: "Och, he is a monkey, like from the jungles. Just a'grabbin' n' a swingin like. all high. Ye should see him with Anulia...by Gods. Tis a fine sight m'thinks. His happiness." She chuckled to hear of Liliana's antics as a child. Ah, companion in arms! Her family members went insane at her stunts as well, but that was no surprise! Passing the lovely gift into her hands she nodded, "Tis yours. For bein' brave n' willful enough tae companion an oxe like m'self, n' nay....logs were nay sae..hollowed out, carved. Some of them seemed soft tae me, or maybe it was tha' Amhlaidh, m'step father'..m'Dah really...he carved them." (d)

Liliana: "You are only as old as you feel, m'lady." Had she not told the Duke the same upon meeting? Aye. It was true though. "You forgot the word lovely." Winking at her, she'd step toward a vendor after placing the barette carefully in herhair to allow a hand to run over a bit of muslin fabric. Listening of her speak of her family, of their love for ships in the blood, she'd glance back over her shoulder,"I have not had much experience aboard a ship. Though I didspend some enjoyable time on board one with a merchant couple." She did not mention the other times as nothing would be allowed to mar happy moods. "Did you spend a lot of time on them?" (d)

Beathag: "Och, lovely. Aye then lovely. Tis nay tae bad for me age I suppose." She came to another merchant and watched as charms were laid on a table before looking to her companion and thus told the woman her life, "Nay as much now as I would like..but fer a few years Aodhan n' I lived 'board m'ship, she was refitted tae be the head o' the Griffin Fleet. The Highland Duchess, ironic really. Ships are apart o' m'heart, much like this merchant hall 'ere. Tha' is M'secret, I make sense o'politics like it beh a merchant venture. I know about sailin, n' goods, n' wifin' n' war. Bardin a bit tae..m'family were bards. But this still baffles me. Sae I steer us as best I know how." (d)

Liliana: There was true interest in the answers received to her questions, the inquiries about Bess's life, and it showed in the way her chocolate eyes would move between Bess and the items they looked over. Liliana was only an opinion based on what was seen and heard. Sometimes though that was enough. Looking over charms, Liliana toyed with the idea of buying one for Bess. Instead though a secret smile would curve her lips as an idea
bloomed. Later she would do some secret shopping and use her skill with thread and needle for a gift. "Do you miss being aboard a ship?" (d)

Beathag: "Ye think sae? Tis good tae know tha' the people prosper as they dae. They've seen enough o' war n' it won't be the last time..but tae give the somewot o' reason tae thrive...tis good enough fer meh. We do our duty for tis wot we were elected tae dae. Adam is the only man e'er I loved tha' has done two things: come later in m'life...n' really...lived. He will out live m'first husband, good Caibre..n' Aodhan's father, Asad..by a great many years. I warrant we'll beh old n' gray, Gods beh praised. I waited fer him all m'life, m'thinks, as he did me. We both miss it...I miss it e'eryday. Och, just tae be 'board deck, tae sail her intae the horizon line. Many can nay stand ships but fer me..the oceans are heaven. Like moors. Freedom. " She smelled the salt air even from here, tempting, inviting. "When we go tae Aberdeen....told Adam tha' on the way I shall sleep on the deck a great many times.with m'son tae m'heart..as I did when he was a babe. There will beh shanties sung n' fiddle heard." (d)

Liliana: "I do think so." Smiling softly at how Bess spoke of Adam gave Liliana hope. It gave her hope in the same way that Kendrew's words had the evening in the bar. Hope that perhaps she would find someone that could love her as much as Bess and Adam loved each other. "Soul mates you two must be." The talk of the trip to Aberdeen, being aboard a ship, brought a tightening of nerves in her stomach though it only showed in the very slight widening of her chocolate gaze though her smile was soft, and warm, at the tenderness in Bess's idea of sleeping with Aodhan in the same manner as when he was but a little one. "That sounds lovely." (d)

Beathag: "Yes..we played taegether as children, did nay recall till now. Much we did nay know..tis why we go back.." Voice drew distant resonance as if t were already the few hundred miles to a place where her feet had not been in a decade with additional years to spare. A widening of eyes made her say, "Ye can come if ye'd like..only if ye like tae. I know sailin tis nay e'eryones cup o' tea..but..yes..m'son in m'arms..the horizon..n' for a little..nay weight on m'back...life may get easier for e'eryone," she smiled for a Beathag content did spread far more joy than an angered, bitter one (d)

Liliana: "Then it is as I thought." That they had known each other as children and found each other after so many years, and fell in love, proved a case of soul mates. That was how she saw it anyways. Something had guided the two until they had ended up with each other. It was enough to make anyone believe if they did not. A shake of her head would be given, a brave lift of her chin, as she'd murmur,"I would be more than pleased to go. My place is at your side andthat is where I shall be." Smiling warmly, laughter showing in her gaze,"There is also the fact that I would not know what to do with myself while you were away and I would like to see Aberdeen." (d)

Beathag: "Then ye shall come, n' twill be a pleasure tae have ye. Ye would have your own quarters aboard. N' tae see Aberdeen is tae see one o' the first royal burghs o' Scotland..ye may well enjoy it." She left the portion of it being her birthplace for another time. Many stalls had they wandered past, into the halls of the merchant magistrates, the headmasters again. Nearing the trellaces overlooking one of the city's famous civic gardens (d)

Liliana: "Perhaps I shall try sleeping on deck under the stars and sky one evening." A bit of a twinkle appeared in chocolate eyes at the idea. If she allowed the joy of others, of Bess, to embrace her while aboard the ship then perhaps she'd find joy and feel the freedom Bess spoke of. "Aberdeen sounds like an interesting place. The name alone has peaked my curiousity." Surveying the gardens that could now be seen as the approached the trellaces, the beauty therestunning, she'd murmur,"It is quite amazing. Most of what I've seen of Skye has been wondrous and lovely. Is it all this way?" (d)

Beathag: "Aye. The land is beautiful...nay matter wot happens tae it or on it. It remains this beautiful always, nay matter the season." She looked over the gardens, letting hands caress the railing as she confessed to her young companion and new friend, "There is nothin' I would nay dae tae keep it tha' way. A pound o' flesh n' liter o' blood seem nay tae be enough. We shall see in Aberdeen wot can be done on wit." (d)

Liliana: Skye was her new home, one she had not been part of long, and yet she understood the words Bess spoke. Already she felt a sense, an urge, to always protect this place and its people. Even though fear of chaos, of war and violence,had the power to bring her to her knees unless kept under strict control. What it meant? She did not know. All she knew was that Skye was her home. These people her friends. In all honesty, aside from Eamonn and Maahes, she had notcrossed the path of an unpleasant or unfriendly soul. Her belief was that Eamonn and Maahes were just grumpy people. "It is odd." Pausing a moment, she'd look from the gardens to Bess with a smile,"Yet, I feel at home here. I have not had that feeling for many years." (d)

Beathag: " Then welcome home, m'friend, welcome home." She put a hand out across the realm and smiled over to her leaning into the railing as the afternoon wore on. "Ah feel much the same way.This is home tae me. N' it has nay been tha' way in a great many years.." (d)

Liliana: Falling silent, looking out at the land, Liliana let the peaceful feeling flow over her. It was a lovely one. Glancing to Bess, a smile on her lips, she'd murmur,"It takes awhile, I guess, to find that feeling again once you have lost it. To do so feels wondrous though." (d)

Beahag: "Aye, sometimes it can take a vera long time, Liliana...more time than some would like tae pay but tis worth it." (d)