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MIDWINTER MAGIC: TWO
"I'm afraid everyone's away." Arista offered. "'Tis festival time, ye know. I... is there anything at all I can do for you? Would you like to wait for... whomever it is you came to see?" "Actually," Jera offered, "You may be the very person whom I am to meet this morning." Arista blinked, her leaf green eyes displayed her confusion. She did not know this woman, and truly most of elven ilk seek out her uncle or father. Still, there was a note of hope in her voice. "Me? You would wish to see... me?" With a smile of warmth and appreciation for the girl's manner, Jera sought to verify her own suspicion. "Arista, are you not? The Lady Skye's eldest? The girl nodded. "Aye, m'lady, that I am." Although this recognition was delightful, it was not enough to convince Arista that the woman was actually there to see HER, so, offered what information she had on the adults. "Mama is.. somewhere... probably on patrol. Da is with the Watch, and Uncle Ashe is, well, wherever... with the children doing autumnal... elven... things." She realized how awkward she sounded and hurried along. "I could perhaps take you to whomever?" Jera grinned. How eager this one was to assist. "And a fine elf your Uncle is, but I do believe it is you he intended for me to see. And apparently," She showed the cloth covered jar in her hands, "He neglected to tell you of my visit?" Arista looked from the jar up to the smiling elven woman and then grinned herself, relaxing a bit. This woman really did wish to see her! As if she were someone really important! "Aye m'Lady, I'm afraid he may have, but with looking after my brothers and sisters, well, I'll forgi' him. Will ye?" With a light chuckle, Jera assured her. "Oh, I dare say yes... and likely much more if need be. But, let us get to my business with you. If I recall, you have been fond of winged things and I have a little fellow here who would be that, save he's late in getting there and needs a warm home til he catches up? Ashe seemed to think you might know of such a home?" Peering into the jar, Arista saw the little green caterpillar, nearly the same shade as her eyes. She smiled, having developed an affinity for all living things, a trait which had vexed her mama on more than one occasion. The girl thought for a moment and then grinned, the gesture lighting up her face. "Aye, I do! Mama's herb room at the Castle. It has a greenhouse, all glass and warm, even in winter. He'll die without warmth and food, and I daresay Mama's flowers and herbs could provide him a wee bit o' nourishment." "Perhaps a new little resident then, do you think?" Jera bent to speak conspiratorially to the girl. "I know he's terribly small to trouble with, but he seems to have forgotten the magic of his kind. I just wanted to give him a chance to find it." With smile still in place, Arista nodded. "Aye, 'twill be of no import if a wee boarder takes residence in the greenhouse. There's room aplenty and even Mama cannae complain if we've a butterfly flitting about when snow falls." She stops and then curtsies, "A formal introduction, m'lady? I'm Arista Leandra Blackthorn...and ye and yer wee friend be...?" "Oh, forgive my impropriety! I had an inkling of you, but you might not have any idea who I am." She scoffed at herself then bowed again quite respectfully with a nod. "I am called Jera Skyspear. So pleased to meet you at last, M'lady Arista Blackthorn. As for my little friend here, perhaps you may give him a name as well as a home?" "The pleasure is mine, m'Lady Jera Skyspear. So, you know my uncle Ashe? As for our little friend... hmmmm" Arista peered into the jar again then smiled softly. "Wallace... for now he can be Wallace the worm, but soon perhaps he'll be Wallace the Winged Wonder. What say ye to that Wallace?" When she looked up with a smile at Jera, it was easier than ever to see a young Skye Blackthorn, even down to the dimples and the sense of whimsy reflected in the name she had chosen. "Wallace... is a delightful name. I think he may be a moth when he comes into his wings though, not a butterfly. And yes, I am sometimes in the company of your Uncle Ashe. 'Twas he who once shared a tale with you about a butterfly, no? and a dragon?" "Indeed, he did." Arista nodded "He shares a great number of stories with all of us, and pieces of his history, his and Da's and the other children's. Lots of history about the Green Silences and such." Thus the two, and Wallace, of course, made their way from Blackthorn Manor to Camelot Castle. Jera's lithe graceful strides fascinated the young human girl, and made her feel very awkward comparatively. Yet, Arista could not know that her own movement interested Jera. The girl was loose limbed and carrying a distinctly coltish grace that gave hints as to the young woman she had the potential to become. Simply amazing how very much she resembled Skye Blackthorn, or would soon. "As for Wallace being a moth, well, 'tis fine..." noted Arista, "and why I didnae name him Bernard, just in case." "That is quite wise of you. Wallace the Winged he can be in either case. I have... I have heard some of those tales of which you spoke. I also appreciate your Uncle's ways. I tease him and call him Storyteller. I'm not certain he appreciates it." Jera snickered and followed along with Arista who laughed in response. "He's quite good at it though, isn't he? Uncle Ashe, and the stories... ever since he came, the whole family just, changed. It's as if he's woven us all together tighter somehow, made us more of a family than we were before." When they reached the Firehall door, Arista opened it with a smile and a flourish, inviting Jera to precede her inside. Jera nodded her appreciation and entered then awaited a pace within. "Yes, he puts much stock in family, in your family... well... you are his family. He says as much." She had other personal thoughts on that but let them pass. "I am at least grateful that he has found reason to be in Camelot." "Aye, me too. Quite grateful. Uncle Ashe and my Da are very nearly the best men I could ever imagine." Of course, Arista thinks Kylan is THE best, but those are private thoughts, not to be shared. Gesturing, she pointed out the way for them to proceed and led Jera toward a door beneath the staircase in the Hall. "Mama's workroom is over here." Jera followed, grinning as she teased, "Very nearly? Well, I know very little of Lord Blackthorn, save his noble reputation. And Ashe, well.... But, very nearly, hm? One wonders who may hit the mark?" Arista turned the knob to the workroom door, her cheeks were blushed with her thoughts and Jera's teasing. She smiled though, being possessed with a sunny disposition, and in a flash Arista decided to confide in this woman. After all, it's not as if a young girl should have to carry the burden of love all alone. "My betrothed." Arista whispered and sighed softly. "Kylan." With that confession out, she pushed the workroom door open, again indicating that Jera should precede her. Nodding slowly, Jera returned her comment in kind, "Ah, yes. The dragonling?" She found herself peering into the workroom, curious as to Skye's arrangements then entered and was pleased not to have to duck the door. "Oh, this is quite nice, yes..." END TWO © 2002 DP & SO along with all other participants ~ This and other stories may be found at Willow's End |