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

Early on the first morning after the ceremony, Arista had been sent, or rather volunteered, to sneak down to the cottage with a basket of breads, fresh juice and preserves. Even though Skye had stocked a few necessities in the place, she wanted to make certain Ashe and Jera had no need to interrupt their honeymoon with foraging or fixing.

On the second day, Skye added a bottle of wine, some cheeses and a jar of cut fruit. Thus there was more of a load than Arista could carry so Shane accompanied her. They set the baskets on the covered stoop and quietly returned to the Manor.

By the third day, which was turning out to be sunny, the twin girls Kara and Dara broke their usual silence and indicated they wanted to go along. They didn't elaborate on why but while Arista and Shane deposited the daily goods, the girls managed to manifest hundreds of butterflies around the place. Some of the pale yellow and white wings found their way immediately into the window of the bedchamber. Ashe awoke to the lightest tap on his nose and the slow beat of wings, although it might have been the familiar giggles outside which actually called him from sleep.

As the fourth morning dawned, Ashe and Jera had noted the trend of these visits. They were both up, dressed, and waiting. Six children nearly jumped out of their own clothes and skin as the door to the cottage opened with the voice of their uncle booming for dramatic effect, "Who dares darken my door at this unholy hour?"

Completely undaunted, Calen and Conn charged his knees and he had to grab the door jam to keep from toppling over while he chuckled at their enthusiastic greeting. He quickly knelt to hug them and Jera looked out above Ashe with an arched brow but a smile under it. "I thought there were seven imps in the giant's story, Ashe. One has gone missing?"

Kara and Dara stood giggling from either side of Arista while she offered, "I'm sorry if we're interrupting. We just wanted to make sure ye hae everything ye need." Shane added, "Well, and the boys wouldn't stay put, ya know, " he shrugged with a grin. His uncle would understand the futility of trying to keep a tight rein on those two.

Ashe looked at all their smiling faces, "I'd say you gauged it rightly enough. Please thank your mother too." He paused to look up at Jera and she nodded with her genuine smile. With her silent consent to his unspoken question, Ashe looked at the children again. "Run along now, but tomorrow morn bring the seventh imp with you as well as bread and jam and juice for all. We'll have breakfast and stories together."

The children giggled and cheered, each taking their turn at hugs and kisses for their uncle and new aunt. Ashe chuckled as he watched them high-stepping away in dewy grasses or leaping from field stone to field stone. Jera drew in the baskets from the stoop and waited for him to close the door. She stood watching his graceful turn as he came to face her again.

He tilted his head slightly, "What it is?"

"You," she smiled, "But also... What is the disposition of this cottage, do you think? Have we need to go searching for our home, or are we already in it?"

"Hmmm... near the Manor but not underfoot. Nice land, already cleared." He looked around at the interior of the place, oddly for the first time, he thought with a grin. He took Jera's hand and turned with her to better survey the rooms then pulled her gently into a hug, "It has the basics and promise. Does it suit you?"

"Where you are suits me, but yes, tis a nice place. I'd like to keep Willow's End, for a while at least. I know the lay of it, but this could be home, couldn't it?"

"I'll ask Ian about it, but yes, I think it would make a reasonable home for a giant and his lady." He grinned into a kiss upon her cheek.

"And all our visiting imps." Jera snickered.

Ashe laughed, "Aye, let's see how small it seems with a crowd. But for now, I'm curious about what the imps brought to feed the giants?" They didn't release each other though and Ashe curled to playfully growl and snarl at Jera's neck. She giggled and laughed over his shoulder. "Not there, in the baskets!"

DHP © Mar 2003

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