Willow's End - Jera Skyspear
Elvish words/phrases linked to Glossary OR hover mouse to see translation.
Curious Correspondence part two

Just as Jera appeared in the firehall through the garden doorway, Ashe was hurrying down the tower stairs. He'd been in the room that was his before he moved to Blackthorn Manor, but a glance through a window spotted Jera's approach, and he wasted no time going down to meet her.

After sweeping off her cloak, Jera folded it over her arm with a smile and a ginger touch. She then looked around the firehall vaguely and stepped in the direction of the bar. However, she paused at the very welcome sight of a handsome Sithryn and just watched him move to her.

"Quel undome, mela en' coiamin," Ashe greeted as he took both her hands in his and gently kissed them.

"Nae saian luume', cormamin.... for an hour seems too long."

Ashevathallion slowly, very slowly, let one hand slide from his, then the other as he smiled at her and her blush. "So, how fare you this eve?"

"Quite well, but not nearly so fine as this moment. And now I wonder, who has called whom this eve? I, you... or you, me?"

"Perhaps both? I was up in my old room, looking to see if any of my things had been left behind, when my eyes were drawn to look out the window."

"I came to finish the translation of that little book of fables, but it can wait. I'm glad to have been noticed." She tilted her head slightly. "I don't think I knew you had a room here. You have many rooms... for a man who owns no manor." She snickered with her jest.

"Oh, it's no longer mine. I used it before the manor was finished, is all. A bit drafty, to be truthful." He looked around to the bar and back then asked, "Would you like a drink?"

"Yes, indeed I would. Something warm?"

"Ah, tea then."

Ashe ordered and their tea was promptly delivered. In fact, Lumiere was quite quick about serving it himself. Jera wondered about that as she took up her tea from his tray and also wondered as Lumiere slipped something from the crook of his arm and handed it to her before leaving again to his perpetual tasks.

"A secret admirer?" Ashe grinned.

She laughed lightly and watched Lumiere move away then looked down at the thick fold of paper bound by a ribbon. "If so, twould be news to me. Hmm... Shall we sit and I'll see what this is about?"

Ashe sipped his tea with an inquisitive look, "Order from a customer, perhaps?" He then gestured, "There are chairs free by the fire. Shall we?" Jera nodded and followed as he led the way to two large chairs close enough to the hearth for warmth, but not unbearably so.

Jera distractedly seated herself in one of the chairs, but even her distraction did not impair the fluid motion. She draped her cloak over the arm of her chair and rested the flat parcel in her lap a moment, reading the note on the outside of it, while taking a sip of tea. "Mmmm Deliciously warm."

"I've found there's much to be said for simple pleasures," Ashe nodded, "...a warm fire ...hot tea... and a good companion to share them."

Only a warm smile responded as she looked up, then Jera set aside her tea and untied the ribbon on the parcel of parchment, winding it idly around her finger. "Well, let us see. Seems a lot for an order and I usually get those face-to-face. This is addressed to Lumiere, but speaks of finding me for delivery..." She looked at the next, "...written to him by a fellow at the Burnt Stump Inn."

"Hmm... a roundabout route, to be sure." Ashe offered as he watched her leaf through the missives.

Lumiere stood behind the bar, seemingly absorbed in stacking clean tankards, but he was listening. Alas, Jera was not entertaining him at all yet. What he could hear so far, he already knew.

"Thence from a vendor of potions I know in a town a few miles beyond... and... an apothecary in Eckfern... This is just a terribly circuitous thing." She shook her head as she unwrapped each note and in her mind followed the trail, then at last, leaving a small stack of single pages to the side, she found the sealed missive, which definitely caught Lumiere's attention.

Ashe frowned, "And no doubt terribly outdated by now."

"Surely so, and worn to boot." She could tell little about the time involved but much about the handling, judging from the weathered and worn look of each letter and particularly this last, which surely all had turned out of curiosity. She in fact turned it herself, this way and that, then cracked the wax seal in her palm. She brushed stray crumbs of wax from her dress into that hand and rose briefly to toss the remnants of the seal into the hearth, creating a sputter. When she sat back in her chair again, she unfolded and read the core missive.

While Ashe sipped at his tea and watched her, Jera commented mostly to herself, "Months it must have taken for this to come to me..." As she read, her expression changed from a frown of curiosity to a smile and then her face went quite passive until she finished the letter. She then took up her tea again and sipped, pondering the scant information as she looked toward the fire. "Tis not an order, but a request of sorts."

Ashevathallion schooled his face to hide his concern but he hadn't missed hers, "And one that troubles you. What is it, my lady?"

Turning her gaze from the fire, Jera looked at Ashe without really seeing him at first, but then she smiled guardedly. "An old acquaintance," she paused to think on this, "Likely very old by now, in fact. He's acquired something he says may belong to me. Can't imagine what it is. I don't recall Sandaeren leaving any such thing." Her smile became a wee smirk. "And this Brother Hullyn who scribed the note, misspelled his name. But, of course, he'd have no way of knowing. I've told you of Sandaeren, have I not?"

"Aye, your friend who died." Ashe nodded solemnly.

"Well, you may recall that before our trip to the Library, you sent notice to your father so you'd not fall to an archer's aim. I made no mention of it, but I had such a flash of memory, for that is how Sandaeren died, though not for defense, merely an error on a practice range." She paused then shook her head and went on, "Anyway, this missive is from a bowyer, a fellow named Vosper, with whom my companion conducted business. He was there the day... he was there."

Ashe nodded and he could sense how much this memory sorrowed her. "Then you can take comfort that a friend was with him, at least."

"Yes and that it was so swift and he had no notion," Jera said quietly with a nod, as she looked again at the note. "What was left..." She shook her head, "Nothing. Nothing but his candle shop, his cottage, but there was nothing to be kept. I turned over that business to Vosper to tend for he paid... um... he paid the men who helped me with... him.. after."

"I understand. It must have been hard."

Jera ran her fingertips over the misspelling of Sandaeren's name and swallowed with her nod. "In any case, I can think of nothing remaining, yet neither have I been to Thetford since. I could not bear to go there anymore." She took a deep breath, perhaps already steeling herself, "But, seems I shall be going there now, and soon, for Vosper must be nigh on sixty or seventy in age. He's human. This was all a good thirty years ago and he was a grown man then. "

"Aye, and we've no way of knowing how long ago that letter was sent on its way. When will you leave?"

With a glance up to Ashe which turned into a rather blank stare, she thought about what to do and when. Her eyes were glistening with moisture but for now it was all she would allow. "I don't know. Perhaps I shall send word to him straight away, to let him know I've been found. He's gone to such trouble. Then, I shall hire a horse and go."

Ashe nodded, "I can ask Ian if he could include such a message with the courier who rides to London twice a week. And I shall accompany you, of course. That is, if you want me?"

At last Jera smiled again, although it looked a tad strange with some of the previous sadness still lingering in her expression "You surely know I'd be glad to have your company and support in this, but I don't want to take you away if the children will need you."

"The children can survive a few days without me. Just tell me when you wish to leave, and I shall gladly go with you."

His offer and reassurance prompted a deep relaxing breath. It would indeed help so very much for him to accompany her on this strange errand. "Well, perhaps best to wait til the moon begins to wax again. It's a good day's ride or two and these days are short of light. Say, five days hence? That would give Ian's courier time to reach Vosper as well and announce my arrival so he'll not be on the road vending, if he is even able to do such anymore." She paused a moment then added, "Speaking of road... I know it would be faster and easier in a way to use the Road, but... with this uncertainty and memories... I'd rather not."

"A wise idea." Ashe nodded his agreement. "Very well, five days time. And I will speak with Ianno when I see him."

Jera's smile brightened as she carefully folded up the letters and unwound the ribbon from her finger to restring them. "Thank you, Ashe." After another thoughtful pause, she continued aloud, "It oft took me a week to travel to Thetford, but I was making rounds then. In the last few years though, I've found very good reason to stay closer to Camelot."

"Hm, it might take that long this time of year, depending on the weather and how passable the roads are."

Jera nodded into a sip of tea as she rested the parcel in her lap again. "Aye, but I do know the route well and many stops along the way if needed. That is, I used to know them. Surely things have grown up a bit in the interim."

"Well, the Normans rule England now. They seem to place great stock in good roads."

"Fortunately, the stable master also places great stock in good horses. Thanks to your nephew's lady and some of her mounted archers, there are suitable horses for an elf to ride. I've hired from the stable master before, though granted I must request from among the tallest."

Ashe chuckled, "We'll have to find some of the line bred from the Horses of Dawn, like Ian's warhorse."

"Oh yes, that would be best. Perhaps my traveling companion will have some pull for that," she grinned.

"I shall see what may be done, milady," he grinned back, "but come, finish your tea."

"Aye," she chuckled, "'Ere it grows cold... er." Her eyes were bright and smiling again as she looked at Ashe over the rim of the mug while she sipped.

At this point, Lumiere had long stopped eavesdropping. The missive, or rather the bundle of missives, had been delivered. The 'tender had managed to mind the conversation as well as bar business but he was highly disappointed. There didn't appear to be anything marketable OR entertaining involved, at least not yet.

Jera set the mug of tea in her hand and turned it slowly for a moment. Ashe watched her, wondering what was on her mind now. When she looked up, he didn't have to voice the question, she could read it in the quirk of his brow. "One more thing," she began, "Despite what effect this upcoming journey may have on me, a'maelamin, please know this. I had been without a companion for decades before now and I knew him nearly half a century, but he was not so close as you. In fact, I have never been closer to anyone but family... and never before had I the love I feel for you."

"Love... I know. When you spoke of him, it showed in your voice and face that you mourned him truly as a friend and companion. I can hold nothing but respect and thanks for one who was such for you in the time before we met. Be at peace with that."

She smiled with a sigh and nodded then rose to don her cloak, curling to tuck the curious correspondence into a pouch pocket.

"Yes," Ashe rose to his feet as well, "I agree it's time for sleep." He dared to lean forward and lightly brush his lips against her cheek. "Quel esta ar kaima, a'maelamin."

With his gesture, Jera whispered, "Cormamin niuve tenna' ta elea lle au', Ashevathallion."

He smiled, joy evident in his eyes. His hand reached out to her cheek then away as he motioned toward the door. "Come, I'll walk you to the gates."

She grinned, "That shall have to do for now," and took his lead from the hall.

DHP and Bill West © Jan 2003

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