Ellowyndriel finally arrives back at her home in Arcadia-- Castle Moonglow. She raises her arms, concentrates, and the drawbridge slowly lowers. Then she strides across it-- her pace quickening with every step until she's nearly jogging. She hasn't been home in months, and she misses her children desperately. She even misses her husband, Loviander. And she wants to deliver her news to the Chieftain so those families who lost relatives in the destruction of the Caernarfon freehold can finally feel the vengeance she brings them.
As she crosses under the portcullis, Fae guards in Faerymail snap to attention and hold their swords or spears tip-up pressed to their noses.
"Countess Ellowyndriel!" they all proudly call as one, and Ellowyndriel nods her head absent-mindedly in their direction. More and more soldiers stop what they're doing and stand at attention as Ellowyndriel passes, and Ellowyndriel glances across all of them and nods again in acknowledgement.
As she walks up the steps to the palace, the door swings open and a Boggan Wilder steps out with her hands crossed at her waist and a relieved look on her face.
"M'lady Ellowyndriel! I heard you'd arrived home and I was so pleased-- we ALL are! You must bring good tidings with you!" she smiles excitedly.
Ellowyndriel's face lights up in a smile when she sees the Boggan.
"Mrs. Galloway! So good to see you again!" Mrs. Galloway curtsies, and then the two women embrace. "I do have much to tell-- is the Chieftain still here?"
Mrs. Galloway shakes her head. "Nay-- it's been months, m'dear! But his seneschal is speaking with your husband in the great hall. The seneschal was ordered to remain here until your return, so let's get you cleaned up and out of that armor so the two of you can discuss matters. Are you hungry? Thirsty? In need of anything?"
Ellowyndriel waves her away. "No, no-- and there's no time for cleaning-up. I'll speak to him as I am." She says, angling their path towards the great hall.
Mrs. Galloway nods. "I understand-- you've long been from your husband and children's sides. How absent-minded of me, m'lady!"
The two walk to the great hall. The huge double doors are wide open, and Ellowyndriel can hear the sound of her husband's voice echoing through the chamber, and the voice of the seneschal responding.
Ellowyndriel stops, placing her hand on Mrs. Galloway's arm.
"Would you tell the children I'm home and wish to see them?" she asks in a quiet voice. She glances into the great hall with a face gone suddenly stony-hard.
Mrs. Galloway raises her eyebrows in surprise, but nods quickly. "Of course, m'lady! Right away." She takes Ellowyndriel's bags with a grunt, and hurries off.
Ellowyndriel stares without seeing past the doors into the great hall, her mind a whirlwind of thought. She knows the reunion with her husband will be nothing like the one in her fantasies, so she quickly squashes her optimism and prepares for the usual indifferent glance. After having spent months of bliss at Amon's side, this is what she gets to come home to.
She walks over to a large, ornate mirror hanging from the wall with decorative swords crossed over the top of it, and studies at her appearance. Her armor is a little dusty-- not too bad. She smoothes back loose tendrils of hair, and then decides to take down her ponytail. She runs her fingers through her snowy hair, makes sure her face is clean and presentable, and then straightens her shoulders and takes a deep breath. She walks to the doors, through them, and into the great hall.
The seneschal looks up in mid-sentence. "Aah! The Countess has returned! Greetings my Lady Ellowyndriel!" he smiles, standing quickly. "What news?"
Count Loviander's eyes go wide when he sees Ellowyndriel, and a little heart-string in her chest twinges with hope.
Loviander also quickly rises, makes as if to move to her, but then awkwardly shifts for a moment and settles still. 800 years of a doing things the same way and for the first time he found himself almost about to break protocol by going to her and embracing her, revealing his deep worry that she wouldn't return this time. His eyes bore into her, his relief expertly disguised, and he closes his eyes and nods his head once to let her know he's pleased that she's returned.
It's more emotion than he's shown her in recent memory, and so Ellowyndriel gives him a small smile back, nodding her head to him in return.
The seneschal watches this in utter amazement, and is about to give them leave to embrace�kiss�ANYTHING, when Loviander motions to the throne beside him.
"Come, my wife, and tell us what news." Loviander says gently but in a strong voice.
Ellowyndriel bows her head and walks quickly up to the dais, sits, and then the men sit.
"The Bali were destroyed, our freehold is avenged." She says simply, bowing her head to the seneschal.
The seneschal's face lights up and he slaps his thighs. "Wonderful, incredible news! I cannot wait to tell the Chieftain so the families of the lost can begin to heal! But you must tell us how you did it, Countess!" the seneschal urges, sitting forward on his seat.
Count Loviander claps his hands, and a young Boggan comes forward with a tray of finger foods and a pitcher of chilled wine. Two Eshu step into the room almost at the same moment as the Boggan comes forward.
"If you please, m'lord�m'lady--" one of the Eshu begins. "We would like to hear and record this tale to bring back to Mount Snowdon where many of the surviving family members have taken up residence."
Loviander glances at Ellowyndriel, and Ellowyndriel nods to the Eshu. "Of course, of couse! Come and enjoy refreshment with us and I will tell the tale. Ellowyndriel's fingers stray up to rest on the moonstone amulet around her neck for a moment.
Loviander's green eyes widen slightly. "Is that another of your pieces, my wife?" he asks, studying the amulet.
Ellowyndriel nods. "It is. I found the stones and metal in Greece and couldn't resist." She gives her husband a warm smile, and he finds himself wanting to smile back. There's something different about his wife�he wonders what it is.
The Eshu look excited when Ellowyndriel mentions having been to Greece, and they quickly sit on the top-most stair of the dais and pull out writing-materials.
Ellowyndriel sits up straight and tall and begins to recount her tale of meeting Amon and Bastenofret, and then describes everything they went through and everyone they met on their path to destroying the Bali.
When Ellowyndriel talks about Amon, Loviander notices that her eyes turn a violet-red color. He's never been able to decipher those eyes of hers in all their centuries of being married, but the color suggests to him hidden anger. Perhaps this Amon offended her in some way? He makes a mental-note to ask her about it when she finishes telling her tale.
Ellowyndriel's story lasts a good part of an hour, and when she finishes at last, everyone sits back in satisfaction.
"A good, noble, and heroic tale, Countess! You have done an incredible service to the Principality and your Cantrev, and you will have the hearts and gratitude of all the people!"
Count Loviander nods. "We shall throw a grand ball tonight in this very hall in celebration of the vengeance upon the Bali!" He turns to the young Boggan who has been standing there the whole time, enraptured by the story.
"If you would be so good as to let Mrs. Galloway know so that she may have the word spread immediately?"
The Boggan nods. "Yes, m'lord!" and hurries from the great hall excitedly.
Ellowyndriel gives a smile and nod of gratitude to her husband, and then the seneschal rises from his chair.
"With your leave I will send a message to the Chieftain letting him know of the celebration! I am sure he would like to attend!"
Loviander and Ellowyndriel both bow their heads to the seneschal. "Of course, of course," Loviander replies, and he and Ellowyndriel arise.
The seneschal nods back to them, and then hurries from the great hall, followed by the Eshu.
Husband and wife find themselves alone for the first time in longer than they can remember.
Ellowyndriel watches Loviander for a moment, and then suddenly takes a step forward and hugs him.
Loviander stiffens in surprise, and quickly glances around the great hall to make sure no one is watching.
Ellowyndriel looks up at Loviander's face and her eyes narrow. This is exactly how she would have expected Amon to react had she hugged Amon, but this is her own husband-- of over 800 years!
Exasperated and starving for the physical attentions of a man, she grabs his arms and pulls them around her.
"I'm not an unfeeling statue as you are, my husband! Hug me! I want you to hold me!" she exclaims.
Loviander glances down at Ellowyndriel in concern. This is definitely not like her. The trip must have taken quite a toll on her. He sighs and hugs her back with inexperienced arms, and she closes her eyes, fighting back tears. Had he ever hugged her in all those years? She can't remember.
Loviander starts when he thinks he hears a noise, and quickly drops his arms and straightens. "I am glad to see you safely home, my wife. The�the Cantrev would be incomplete without you on your throne." He clears his throat and straightens his robes.
Ellowyndriel tries to keep a sarcastic smile from her lips because this is the most intimate thing he's said to her in quite some time.
"My husband�I would�require your presence in my room tonight after the ball." She forces herself to say.
Loviander's eyes open wide, and she thinks she might detect fear there.
"Aaah. Do you�wish to bear another child?" he asks haltingly, taken quite off-guard by that proclamation.
Ellowyndriel gives a little smile. Her eyes go distant for a moment as she recalls the dream she's dreamed repeatedly since meeting Amon. A dream of passion�of things never experienced before�of lips that kiss and hands that roam and touch and ecstasy beyond anything she'd dared to fantasize.
Loviander blinks quickly. Her eyes have gone from a yellow-orange to a bright magenta-- is she upset again? Yet she smiles. His head tilts to the side slightly, and he indicates her eyes with his hand. "What does this mean-- this bright red-purple color?" he asks.
Ellowyndriel's face pales a little, and she closes her eyes for a few seconds. When they open again they're the pale cornflower-blue Loviander is accustomed to seeing.
"I am sorry, my husband, I was just thinking back to something. No, I do not wish to bear another child. I wish to relate physically with you as a wife to a husband-- it would be�comforting and pleasing." She says, changing her manner of speech to the formal one that her husband prefers.
Loviander's face looks troubled for a moment, but he nods his head quickly. "Of course, of course. Now if you would excuse me, I would like to attend to some matters before the ball tonight so that my mind may be free to relax and be a pleasant host."
'Relax?? When does he EVER relax!?' Ellowyndriel wonders to herself in bitter amusement. She notices that he's actually waiting for her permission to leave, and so she quickly nods.
"Of course, my husband. I need to bathe and ready for the ball. I will see you this evening then."
Loviander nods, bows slightly, and walks quickly from the hall.
Ellowyndriel watches him go, and then sits quickly on her throne and holds her head in her hands. She can't stand this�this constant formality and sterility!! Amon may live like this by choice, but at the end of his road is affection and love! There IS no end to her road!
"As stalwart an example of despicable husbandry as ever, I see." A mocking masculine voice calls across the great hall.
Ellowyndriel quickly raises her face from her hands.
"Corrander my darling!!" she cries with delight and stands, walking quickly down the dais to her hug son to her tightly. Maybe it will be in the loving embraces and words of her children that she will be able to survive the years. Just seeing Corrander lifts her spirits immeasurably.
"Sorry we interrupted your�'embrace'�" Corrander says with a bitter edge to his voice. "We were so amazed when he put his arms around you that we almost fell over. Do you think he will really come to your room tonight, or will he make the excuse that he has to go off to Cardiff or Powys or even Caledonia tonight just to get out of it?" Corrander sniffs.
Ellowyndriel pulls back and holds her son's arms in her hands, looking up at him, studying his long pale-white hair and his ice-blue/gray eyes. "You really do hate him, don't you." Ellowyndriel says as more of a statement than a question. She brushes a strand of his hair back behind his ear and holds his face in her hands.
Corrander shrugs. "Not enough to kill him�yet."
"Oh Corrander, stop being so melodramatic!" a familiar voice calls from the side. Gwendolyn, the older sibling, walks forward with a big smile on her face.
"Sorry we were lurking in on your conversation, Mother. We couldn't wait-- we had to hear your tale!"
Ellowyndriel lets out a cry of joy and opens her arms as Gwendolyn rushes forward into them, and she embraces her daughter tightly to her. When they pull apart a little, there are tears in both of their eyes.
"You look so beautiful, my flower petal!" Ellowyndriel says in an emotional voice, running her fingers through Gwendolyn's pale yellow hair in admiration. She kisses Gwendolyn's forehead, and then turns and smiles at Corrander. "And you look more handsome than ever, my son! Have many ladies' hearts have you broken in these past months?"
Corrander smirks. "None more pure and true than the one Father broke." He states simply, and Gwendolyn rolls her green eyes, so like her father's except for the warmth glowing within.
"Stop tormenting Mother with your poetic whining!" she elbows him fondly but exasperatingly. "Come, Mother! I can tell you've been in your armor for days, at least, and as much as you love wearing it, it needs to be cleaned, and so do you. Come!"
Ellowyndriel laughs as each of her children takes one of her arms and leads her off to her chambers to relax and get cleaned up for the ball in her honor.
Later that evening�
The ball commences at sundown. Tylwyth Teg Fae come from all over the Principality, and everyone from the Cantrev is there. Surprisingly present are some member of the Rheibau ferch Llandona-women of the Wyck. The coven tries to keep its ties close with the Fae, but it's never known when they will decide to pay them a visit.
The Chieftain-- who's position will one day be called Prince-- stands beaming at everyone between the seneschal and Count Loviander. Loviander is wearing robes of white that shimmer and flash as if containing live fireflies. The Chieftain and seneschal are both arrayed in similarly stunning outfits. They greet the guests as the guests arrive. The great hall is decorated splendidly, and a Satyr-band plays music that seems to be made for dignified dancing on the surface, but which intoxicates the listener and loosens them up for whatever the night may bring them.
Corrander moves through the crowds in robes of pale blue velvet accented with silver, taking young Fae ladies out to the dance floor one at a time to dance, much to their giggling excitement. He is THE catch of the Cantrev-- being the Count's only son-- but no one could win his heart! Be that as it may, the ladies all enjoyed the challenge of trying to!
As for Corrander, each lady who's favor he held was no more to him than a drop of honey stirred into tea to sweeten it, but forgotten after the tea was finished. His heart was cold as stone in twisted homage to his father. He refused to ever take a woman into his heart or as his wife for fear he might curse her life with unintentional indifference as his father had to his mother.
Ellowyndriel and Gwendolyn enter the great hall, and the commoners and nobles alike murmur in appreciation and admiration. Ellowyndriel has the sides of her hair pulled up on top of her head with the hair cascading down in shimmering waves, and curling tendrils hanging around her face. Her eye-make-up has been dramatically done in dark blues, and each eyelash has a tiny diamond affixed to the tip. She wears a sweeping gown in deep, almost-navy blue velvets and chiffon, with tiny diamonds sewn all over it so that when she moves it looks like the night sky with twinkling stars. Gwendolyn wears a shimmering silk gown of the same forest-green as her eyes. Her hair is pulled up so that it hangs down in long yellow ringlets with strings of emeralds entwined in it. All the eligible bachelors-- and many men who are not-- stare desirously at Gwendolyn, but, as always, her main concern and duty is towards her mother. She holds Ellowyndriel's arm, and the two walk towards the Chieftain with pleased smiles on their faces. The ball is just what they needed!
The two ladies approach the three men, and the Chieftain turns.
"Lord of the hills, but you two are the most beautiful women in the Principality, if not in all of Cymru!" he gasps in sincere amazement.
Ellowyndriel's cheeks color a little, and she and Gwendolyn curtsy, bowing their heads in respect for the Chieftain.
"You are too kind, my Lord!" Ellowyndriel smiles.
Loviander feels pride at having such a lovely daughter, but he can't seem to take his eyes off his wife. Her every move bewitches the eye. Although her beauty has captivated him, his heart remains beating at its normal pace. His admiration for her is such as his admiration for anything of beauty.
He bows his head to his daughter. "My dear, why don't you go dance with the young men." He suggests gently. "They all seem very taken with you." He offers her a bare smile-- the best he can do.
Gwendolyn's eyebrows rise in concern, and she turns to her mother. "I would rather stay at your side." She whispers.
Ellowyndriel smiles. "I know you would, my treasure. Don't worry-- if I start getting lonely I'll come find you!" she winks.
Gwendolyn lowers her eyebrows at her mother. "Lonely at a ball like this�" She shakes her head. "Mother, I really worry about you. You're so--"
"Gwendolyn�" Ellowyndriel prompts gently, and Gwendolyn notices that the men are smiling politely at her, waiting for her to obey her father and go socialize. She gives her best smile, curtsies again to the Chieftain, the seneschal, and her father, glances over her shoulder at her mother with a look that says, 'come rescue me from the men if you get a chance!' and she sweeps off elegantly into the crowd.
The Chieftain turns back to Ellowyndriel. "My dear countess, you have served Gwynedd well. Perhaps now the families of those who were murdered can find some solace and peace." He turns to Loviander.
"Count Loviander, may I ask your wife for a dance?"
Loviander raises his eyebrows in surprise, but inclines his head. "Of course, my Chieftain. Your will."
The Chieftain smiles and turns back to Ellowyndriel, taking her hand and pressing it courteously to his lips.
"May I have this dance, my lady?" he asks charmingly.
Loviander watches this with contentment. He was, indeed, betrothed to a wonderful wife-- one who the people, nobles and commoners alike, love.
Ellowyndriel glances at her husband for the briefest of moments, but he doesn't seem jealous in the least. She quickly smiles at the Chieftain.
"Of course, my lord! I would be honored!" she replies properly.
The Chieftain smiles and takes her arm through his, and escorts her out to the floor. As the next song begins, the two dance.
Everyone on the dance floor notices this, and they part before the royal couple and stand with bright smiles on their faces. The Chieftain is very popular, as well, and here he dances with the guest of honor-- she who avenged Cantrev Caernarfon!
No one else seems to be dancing, aside from a handful of Pooka and Satyr, but the Chieftain doesn't seem to mind.
"Lady Ellowyndriel, I wanted to thank you formally for your loyal service. I would never have asked a noble to go on that quest were it not for the fact that you were the only one I knew could get the job done. Not only are you beautiful, but one of the best swordsmen we have in this Principality. Your husband has wealth beyond diamonds in you."
Ellowyndriel blushes and continues dancing with the Chieftain. "I thank you, my lord. I hope he's in agreement with you."
The Chieftain gives her a knowing smile. "Gone away from home too much, isn't he. I give you my word that I am not sending him away from home-- he volunteers for the missions he takes."
Ellowyndriel sighs. "I know, my lord. I've never blamed you. He seems�more comfortable when we only see each other in doses."
The Chieftain raises his eyebrows in surprise. "Does he? Well that makes no sense at all to me!" The Chieftain pauses for a moment. "I will tell you now that just before the ball he volunteered to accompany me to Glahorgan tomorrow to report your success to the chieftains in the south, but I will order him to stay home. You only just returned after many tense months! It would seem improper of him to leave your side so soon, anyhow."
Ellowyndriel's eyes go wide. "No, no-- let him go. He will be resentful and sulk if you don't, and certainly not spend his time with me, anyway." Ellowyndriel can't hide the pain in her voice-- her guard down from the pleasant and confiding manner of the Chieftain-- and she quickly lowers her eyes when she realizes she may have said too much. If one thing's for certain, it's that Loviander wants everyone to think they have a good marriage and that all is well.
The Chieftain's eyebrows lower and he studies her. "Ellowyndriel�you are sad. How long has this been going on? Is this why the two of you volunteer to be away from the castle for such stretches of time? Perhaps if you talked things over with a wise Boggan I know-- he could help repair the rift in your marriage."
Ellowyndriel's cheeks turn red in shame. "I would not be adverse to that, my lord, but Loviander would be humiliated. It would ruin him. No�I will try to soften him, myself. I�I have not tried very hard before because I didn't think it would make a difference, but�" Ellowyndriel thinks back to earlier in the day when she'd persuaded him to hug her for a few seconds, and he'd agreed to her request to come to her room after the ball. She'd never ordered him around like that before-- maybe that's what she needs to do! She just wishes desperately that she didn't have to!
The Chieftain waits politely for Ellowyndriel to finish her sentence, but when he sees that she doesn't mean to, he nods. "Good luck, Countess. If you need my help, or want me to order him to stay home, you have but only to ask."
Ellowyndriel smiles at him a little timidly. "Thank you, my lord."
The song ends, and the entire hall explodes into applause, whistling, and cheering. The Chieftain and Ellowyndriel smile and bow, and the Chieftain escorts her back to Loviander's side.
"My lord Loviander, your wife is as graceful in feet as in face! You have a remarkable woman here, and I charge you to never take that for granted!" the Chieftain says in mock-sternness, but Ellowyndriel can tell there's seriousness beneath.
Loviander, however, takes it for the light-hearted comment it appears, and bows his head. "Of course, my lord. My value for her is inestimable!"
Ellowyndriel gives the Chieftain a secretive smile and eyebrow-raise as if to say she thinks better, and the Chieftain winks, bows his head, and excuses himself.
Loviander turns to Ellowyndriel. "Come, my wife. The families of those murdered by the Bali wish to thank you." He says in low tones, and Ellowyndriel nods and takes his arm as he escorts her over to a large group of people.
The hours pass pleasantly-- the ball a huge success. The crowd is enjoying themselves immensely�not a small part of that due to the Satyr-cantrips in effect!
Ellowyndriel feels herself a little light-hearted and light-headed with giddiness, and traipses over to a Satyr-gentlemen who she's entrusted in the past with aiding Loviander in�the ability to perform his husbandly duty when she's wanted to bear children. She rests her hand lightly on his arm, and he turns, a big smile on his face.
"Aaah, Countess! No, let me guess! I can tell by the look of you that you're in need of some companionship tonight!" He rubs his hands together and wiggles his eyebrows. "Is it finally my turn?? You're consenting to let me carry you off to your chambers??"
Ellowyndriel gives a shriek of laughter and quickly covers her mouth. "Oh Damascus, you're TERRIBLE!" she cries, but her eyes twinkle merrily.
"No�I'm thinking to try to seduce my own husband. Could you help me? He loves that silvery wine you bring up with you from the south. You wouldn't happen to have any of that now, would you? In a special goblet laced with�well�YOU know!" She smiles a wide, conspiratorial smile.
Damascus grins and clasps his hands together. "That I do, Countess! Shall I deliver it to him, myself?"
Ellowyndriel shakes her head. "No, I'd like to do it!" she grins.
"Well look at you, Countess! Aren't you the daring one tonight! All right, wait right here and I'll be back in a jiffy!" And with that, Damascus leaps off through a doorway.
It isn't more than 5 minutes before he returns with an ornate crystal goblet in his hand.
"Here you are, Countess! Let me know how it works later!" he winks.
Ellowyndriel laughs again and nods. "I will! Thank you so much, Damascus!"
She turns carefully, holding the goblet as if it contained something more precious than wine�which to her it does�and she makes her way over to Loviander's side.
"Aah, wife. Look at our children. They are very popular with the court, are they not?" He nods in self-satisfaction, watching Corrander woo the ladies, and the young men woo Gwendolyn. He, too, is finally feeling the effects of the cantrips to some degree, making Ellowyndriel's job that much easier.
"Yes they are, husband, and look what I've brought you! Your favorite wine! Isn't that wonderful?" she smiles, her cheeks a little pink from excitement.
Loviander turns and looks at the crystal goblet containing his favorite silver wine. "Aah! Wonderful! You are, indeed, a remarkable woman, my wife! Thank you!"
He takes the goblet from her, and takes a long drink from it.
Ellowyndriel watches eagerly, and then realizes how suspicious she looks, and breaks off to watch Gwendolyn-- who seems to be handling herself quite skillfully. Every man around her thinks he's her favorite, but she hasn't accepted the hand of any.
Ellowyndriel turns back to Loviander, who has drunk over half the contents of the goblet.
"My husband, quickly finish your cup so I can have my chance to dance with you! I fear the festivities will be winding down soon!"
Loviander raises his eyebrows, but suddenly the idea of dancing with his wife sounds like a very good one, indeed. He drinks down the rest of the wine as she instructed, and then lays the goblet on the tray of a servant standing nearby.
Damascus gives Ellowyndriel a huge grin and two thumbs-up from across the hall, and she gives him a knowing smile before turning back to Loviander.
Loviander takes her arm and leads her out to the dance floor. They turn and face one another, and Loviander takes her into the circle of his arms and they dance.
Ellowyndriel feels her heart tighten in her chest. They haven't danced in centuries, it seems. She smiles a charming smile at him, and his lips turn up slightly at the ends in return.
Corrander sees this, and breaks off flirting with his circle of women to look for his sister.
Gwendolyn has grown tired of the men's attentions to the point where her arms are folded and she's glancing around the hall in boredom as they flatter her. One man-- a little worse for drink-- makes a daring move to win her favor by grabbing her around the waist.
"Come on, Lady Gwendolyn! One dance, at least! You've been stringing us along all night!" he protests.
Gwendolyn forces him away from her with a strength that surprises him, and then draws back her hand to slap him. Just as her arm moves forward, Corrander grabs her wrist.
"Sorry, gentleman, I'm afraid I'm going to have to take your little prize-hen away for a moment, but don't worry! My absence means you all finally have a chance with the other eligible ladies, so have at them, by all means!" he announces with a sarcastic grin on his face.
The young men mutter-- some tempted to fight Corrander, but held back by their more level-headed friends-- and slowly move off with reluctance.
Corrander puts his arm around his sister's shoulders and walks away with her.
"I would thank you for ridding me of those jackals but I know you have ulterior motives. So out with it, Corrander. What's troubling you?" Gwendolyn sighs, walking with her brother.
Corrander raises his eyebrows at her and leans back with pretended offense. "Well that was unwarranted, sister-dear! I only wanted to draw your attention to the little display on the dance floor, is all!"
Gwendolyn turns and looks across the dance floor. She sees them immediately-- her parents are dancing�together! And not only that, but they both seem to be chatting and�smiling! She looks at Corrander in alarm, and he nods back with satisfaction.
"Sooo�what do you make of it? Do you think he's drunk?" Corrander asks, leaning against the wall while folding his arms and crossing one leg over the top of the other.
"I�I do not know�" Gwendolyn answers haltingly. She and her brother have seen it many times over the years-- little victories here and there where their father seems to care for their mother beyond the caring of a man towards his favorite possession-- but every time it ends in their mother secluding herself away in her chambers for weeks of crying-spells and refusing to eat, while their father disappears for months on end, away on one of his little missions.
Gwendolyn clenches her fists and her teeth.
"Perhaps Mother being away for so long and her life at such risk has softened him tonight. But if she's foolish enough to think that means ANYTHING tomorrow�"
Corrander nods. "And this is why I hate him. Because she still loves him. The Chieftain is unwed-- she should leave Father and become the Chieftain's wife! He would treat her far better than Father does!"
Gwendolyn looks at Corrander in shock. "Why should she go to ANY man? She should leave Father and make her own way. She's the best metal-worker in north Cymru, if not the entire country! Her fighting-skills exceed that of my teachers! She could be ruler of Caernarfon in her own right, without Father!"
Corrander shrugs. "She's not like you, sister. Look at her. She has wants and desires. She wants to be loved by one man-- that much is obvious. She's loyal, and it seems her love will never die. HE does not deserve that kind of woman."
Gwendolyn glares at Corrander's little barbs. "She could get affection and love without re-marrying. She should seek it now! I will never marry! The man would have to be like none I'd ever met before to get so much from me!"
"Yes, yes, and I will never marry, either. Deny Father grandchildren and his line will end with him." Corrander says with venom.
"You'll be denying Mother grandchildren, as well, then." Gwendolyn reminds him, and he falls silent with hard eyes.
The dance ends, and Ellowyndriel takes Loviander's hands in hers and begins to walk backwards towards the large double doors.
"Come, husband. I wish to retire." Her eyes glint with purple sparks of desire.
Loviander allows himself to be lead. "All right, my wife." he says, feeling a sense of relief at his relaxed and contented mindset. He should be able to do his husbandly duties by her without nervousness tonight.
Unbeknownst to them, their children watch them leave with narrowed eyes of disapproval and pessimism.
Ellowyndriel walks with Loviander to her chambers, sending the maids out and closing the doors behind them. She turns her back to him and pulls her hair over her shoulder.
"Unlace me, husband." She says in a low voice.
Loviander blinks his eyes, studying the laces. He steps towards her, and after a few moments is able to figure out how to loosen her laces enough for her to disrobe.
"There you are, my wife." He announces when he's done.
Ellowyndriel shrug the dress off her shoulders and allows it to fall to the floor around her feet. Standing there in only her under-slip and kicking off her shoes, she advances on him-- her eyes turning a flaming purply-color. Loviander stumbles a little, walking backwards. She reaches him and begins to pull off his over-robe. "M-my wife-your eyes�you are angry�" he stammers.
Ellowyndriel gives a throaty laugh. "No I'm not! This look you see-- though equally unfamiliar-- is one of desire!" she says in amusement.
Loviander blinks his eyes quickly, trying to think. She had those eyes earlier�what was the explanation for them then?? Aah-- it was when she'd asked him to her bed. Yes, that was it! He gives her a benevolent smile and allows her to pull off his over-robe and then help him out of his main robe. She smiles a smile he's never seen before-- he feels as a hart must feel just before a wolf springs to attack! Although he has to admit the feeling isn't an unpleasant one.
By the time they reach the large bed, the two are completely disrobed. Ellowyndriel seems to know more what she's doing and what she wants, and so Loviander lays back and allows her to do as she will. The combination of the cantrip, the wine, and her beauty intoxicates him, making reality and fantasy blend into one place that's neither here nor there. It has never been like this before, and a deep place in his heart fears that it will never be like this again, and so he gives himself over to learning pleasure for the first time in his life, hoping that his wife will be sated with this one unusual performance from him.
Loviander awakens the next morning with a start, jostling Ellowyndriel. She opens her eyes with a smile on her face that only gets more radiant when she sees that her husband is still in her bed with her.
"Loviander! You're still here!" she exclaims, stretching. "Would you care for some morning-ministrations?" she smiles, running her hand over his chest.
Loviander quickly jumps out of bed and clutches the bedspread to himself as if her touch burned him. "N-no, I would not care for�ministrations�I must�" Loviander glances down at himself, "�bathe and dress quickly. I am leaving to accompany the Chieftain--"
"--to Glahorgan, I know! But do not worry, he said you are to remain here with me, seeing as how I only just arrived home." Ellowyndriel smiles, noting his jumpiness but convinced she can remedy that given a few days time.
Loviander's eyebrows lower. "Did you convince him to have me stay?" He strides over to his clothing strewn about the room, bending and throwing each piece over his arm in angry motions. "You know how much these excursions mean to me, Ellowyndriel! How could you ask him to leave me behind??" he accuses, his face reddening as he grows more and more upset. He quickly throws on his clothing and turns towards the doors.
Ellowyndriel throws back the covers and jumps from the bed naked, running after him. She grabs his arm and turns him to face her, wrapping her arms around him quickly.
"Not this time, my husband-- please! Not this time! Stay here with me! I beg of you! I have so missed you! It is only a reporting-errand the Chieftain goes on-- you can be spared! But I cannot spare you!"
Loviander steps back, holding her arms gently. "I have already made up my mind, my wife. I am going. I will see you in a month's time, perhaps." He turns to go, and Ellowyndriel lets out a moan of pain and falls to the floor, clutching the hem of his robe.
"No�please! I cannot bear this anymore, Loviander! I want you to stay by my side! I want to wake up with you in the mornings! I am so lonely!" she sobs, looking up at him with dark blue-violet eyes that stream tears.
Loviander looks alarmed and takes a step back. "You are unwell, my wife. I will send for Mrs. Galloway. You cannot be lonely for you have our children. I will be back soon and expect to find you returned to your old self." he states with a firm nod. He turns and walks to the doors, opening them and letting himself out, and then shutting them behind him.
Ellowyndriel watches the doors close, and then curls up into a ball on the floor sobbing as if her heart would burst.
The door opens quickly, and Gwendolyn peeks in. "I knew it�" Her head disappears for a moment. "You shouldn't come in right now, Corrander. Have someone bring some tea." Her muffled whispers are barely heard by Ellowyndriel. Then Gwendolyn strides into the room and closes the doors behind her. She hurries over to her mother's side, squatting down and wrapping her arms around her. "Mother�how many times have we been through this?" she asks exasperatedly, but then her mother's condition softens her heart where it couldn't soften her father's, and she just holds her mother while she sobs.
When Ellowyndriel finally shows signs of calming down enough to notice who's holding her, she lets out another moan and lets her hair fall to cover her face in shame.
"You shouldn't have to find me like this, Gwendolyn! How embarrassed you must be!" Her voice shudders with emotion and regret.
"Better me than someone from the castle whose tongue would wag, Mother." Gwendolyn says gently.
Ellowyndriel lets her help her up from the floor and then be helped back to the bed. Gwendolyn finds one of her mother's long, blue, flowing nightgowns, and helps her into it.
"Mrs. Galloway will probably be along shortly, so at least keep up appearances until she's gone." Gwendolyn says in a low voice.
Ellowyndriel nods in resignation, no strength or will left to protest anything anyone says.
A few moments later Mrs. Galloway and Corrander enter the room and come to her side. Mrs. Galloway has a tray with a teapot, cups, and tea-condiments laid out on it.
"Count Loviander says you are unwell, m'lady. I brought chamomile and peppermint tea to ease the mind and stomach." she smiles gently, assuming her mistress just had a little too much to drink the night before.
Ellowyndriel nods dully, not feeling the desire to drink anything, but she feels the eyes of her children boring into her sternly, and knows they won't accept her wishes to be left alone to waste away.
Mrs. Galloway fixes her tea the way she likes it, and then hands her the cup. Ellowyndriel takes little unenthusiastic sips from it until the three people standing over her nod in satisfaction, and then she hands the cup back.
"All right, then. Give it a little time to work while you rest in bed. I'll bring a tray of food in a few hours, m'lady." Mrs. Galloway smiles. She bows her head to the three of them, and then turns and leaves the chambers, closing the doors behind her.
"Well that was lovely-- the picture of a happy marriage!" Corrander starts in, pacing. "Mrs. Galloway being told by the Count that the Countess woke up ill�Mrs. Galloway assuming the two of you spent the night together-- which you did-- and not realizing the rareness of the occasion! Perfect!" he chides.
"Corrander, this isn't Mother's fault." Gwendolyn defends.
"Oh isn't it?" Corrander walks over and lies on the bed beside his mother, crossing his ankles and resting his hands on his stomach.
"Was it worth it? Persuading him to lay with you, knowing full well he'd leave and you'd end up going into one of your fits?" he asks his mother.
Ellowyndriel closes her eyes, fresh tears squeezing from under her eyelids.
"I am going to try�try to make this work�I think I am softening him�it will just take time�" she murmurs in a weak voice.
Corrander lets out a loud laugh and rolls back and forth on the bed, continuing to laugh.
"Great! Wonderful! How did it go last time? Oh wait�I remember. It failed."
Gwendolyn's face turns red with anger. "Corrander Moonglow! OUT! NOW!" she orders, and Corrander knows better than to argue. He jumps up from the bed lithely and gives the two women a bow.
"All right then, I'm off! But call me back if you miss me!" he grins, and then skips from the chambers. Once the doors are closed, his face falls from the pretended look of light-heartedness to one of fury. He strides across the hall and bashes his fist into the stones.
"How DARE he treat her that way!! I will confront him! I will force him to be a husband to her!" he mutters hotly, but then is awoken from his reverie by the sound of trumpets blaring to announce his father's departure. He runs to the front doors of the palace in time to see his father's party riding through the guard-towers and across the drawbridge. He clenches his hand tightly around a wall-sconce until his anger has abated enough for him to see straight, and then he stalks off down another hallway.
Back in Ellowyndriel's chambers�
Ellowyndriel covers her face. "I cannot handle this anymore, Gwendolyn�" she cries, and Gwendolyn eases her back down into a laying-position and pulls the covers up around her.
"Don't worry, Mother, I'll stay with you while you sleep." She says gently, which only causes Ellowyndriel to cry harder.
"I'm so tired�so lonely�I cannot handle these little glimpses of hope!" she moans through her hands.
"Then leave him, Mother! We are eternal creatures unless we let misery cause our lights to flicker out. You have millennia before you! Find someone else! Corrander and I are in agreement about this! You will not hurt us, Mother." Gwendolyn urges.
"No�I cannot�Amon said the same thing-- that I should leave your father-- but he didn't understand. I know Loviander-- I may be the closest one to truly understanding him, although even I know so little of his heart! I will work at it! I will MAKE it work! There is no one else for me, my daughter, don't you see? This is my fate!" Ellowyndriel exclaims, sitting up.
Gwendolyn silently urges her back to lying down. "Do what you feel is right, then, Mother. Only don't cause your children heartache by locking yourself away for months on end. We, too, cannot handle that anymore."
Ellowyndriel looks at her daughter sorrowfully. "I am so sorry, sweet one-- I didn't realize it affected you and Corrander so heavily." She closes her eyes for a moment, and then they suddenly fly open. "I know what would do us all some good-- a trip to Eire! What do you think?"
Gwendolyn's eyes open wide. "Really? The three of us? Oh that would be wonderful, Mother!" Gwendolyn says excitedly.
Ellowyndriel smiles a genuine smile. "All right then! It's been a long time since I went on a trip with my children! Let us show your father that we, too, can have fun! Maybe he'll grow intrigued by our little outings and want to join us sometime!" she chuckles, and Gwendolyn rolls her eyes good-naturedly.
"MAYBE, Mother. Maybe." She allows long-sufferingly.
"All right then, let us get some rest, and when your brother and Mrs. Galloway return, we'll tell them the exciting news and ready ourselves for the voyage across the sea!"
Gwendolyn smiles and snuggles up beside her mother. "Corrander will be very exited-- we both get tired of being forced to stay in the stuffy palace while you and Father get to go off and adventure!"
Ellowyndriel laughs drowsily, the tea finally kicking in. "How could I expect anything different from children of mine?" She smiles and pulls Gwendolyn to her, stoking her hair until the soothing, repetitive motion of her hand causes her to drift into dreamless sleep.