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MIDWINTER MAGIC: FIFTEEN
It took about five seconds for the other Blackthorn children to warm up to Wallace. It took perhaps a whole candlemark for the youngest to learn to spit with purpose. They managed many more colors than just red, after some practice and with help from certain foods. It then took about two days to calm the Firedragon that is their Mama, and appease her with a thorough clean up, assisted by every family member and the entire Manor staff. Fortunately, even the magicked color was only permanent on living plant materials, mostly, and they could potentially grow out of it. Skye immediately established a new house rule, one she would never have thought she'd have to state formally -- No spitting, period. Ian and Ashe were to be the enforcers, but it was hard to carry out their spit patrol while stifling their laughter so that the children and Skye wouldn't notice it. Wallace was quite pleased, despite the yelling that went on at first. He thought of all the Blackthorn children as his personal entourage, but he was still especially enamored of Arista. She'd found a very small holly tree to bring inside for him. She put it in a pot and set it by a window farthest from the hearth in her room, where it would get plenty of light and less heat. Wallace was very content to retire there every night, although most of his days were spent playing with Calen, Conn, Kara, Dara and Diana. They made up games together and taught Wallace their favorites, like hide and seek. A few times this prompted a rather frantic search of house and grounds for missing playmates. Shane and Arista were also teaching the younger children traditional songs for the season. Wallace was learning them too, although of course he was most fond of those with any mention of holly at all. He wasn't much of a singer really, but he tried, and his small voice wasn't so noticeable with all the others. Actually, he preferred to listen, still thrilled with the wonderful sound, no matter how much he heard it. Wallace also learned about sleigh riding, though he much preferred flying. And, he learned about family. Despite the spats (but no spitting!), all the noisy play, the scrambling here and there, the negotiations and confrontations it seemed to take to get through every day... Wallace, King of the Holly Berry, was thoroughly enjoying his visit with the Blackthorns. ~~~ The eve of Midwinter's Eve arrived. Though there were other celebrations to be had for the season, this night was set aside for festivities at Blackthorn Manor, to include only kin and those friends as close as kin, which still amounted to a sizeable gathering. The bustle of preparation as well as the volume of Skye's expert management of the event, gradually transformed into the warm welcome of every guest who crossed the threshold. Among them, much to Arista's delight, were Lord Corwin and Kylan. She was also very pleased when Lady Jera arrived. She hadn't realized that her Uncle Ashe had invited her but had hoped he might. At one point in the evening, the din of many adult conversations began to go quiet, for children reappeared. They'd been given amusements to keep them all fairly busy while the adults had an opportunity to enjoy their own company. But, one by one, seemingly on cue, each child went to their parents and respectfully requested their attention. That alone was a hint that it was indeed an orchestrated effort. Shane, Arista, and Kylan, being the older contingent, were indeed sending the younger children out, with reminders. But the Blackthorn children were saved for last. When each appeared, they lined up at one end of the room. Arista had somehow pulled out enough clothing to clad them all in shades of green, red, and gold. Tunics, leggings, skirts, vests, chemises, all reflected the warm glow of a holly tree in firelight. The twin boys came in first, each with a hand out to Diana in the middle. Calen and Conn seemed to be taking their escort job very seriously, their platinum hair and brilliantly blue eyes shining with some inner light of their own. Then Kara and Dara appeared behind them, giggling quietly with excitement. This was their first Yule with the family, having been separated for so long from their father and siblings. With the love of not only Skye and Ian, but Ari, Shane and the youngest Blackthorns, the girl twins looked and felt right at home. Shane took up his place in the third row, alone there for the moment, until on impulse, Arista pushed Kylan out to join him, just because she wanted him included. Arista then stepped out with Wallace perched on one extended hand. He was taking his duty seriously too, sitting cross legged in Arista's palm with arms folded across his chest and head held high. Arista had made for him a small but very regal cape of green velvet. It was fanned out over the heel of her hand perfectly, at least past the point where it cleared his lightly fluttering wings. Arista had also twisted a wee bit of gold tinsel to make a glittering crown for the royal sprite, setting off his long golden hair. Detouring before joining her siblings and Kylan, Arista tagged Uncle Ashe. He looked at her with a smile, having been enlisted in this plan only to help get the adults' attention for an event, but excluded from knowing other details. Skye and Ian hadn't been told about it at all. The soft surprise in their eyes was tempered by a wariness, and Skye's fervent prayer that their guests would not be subjected to a colorful spitting demonstration. Jera had gotten the gist of this event from Arista, but made a solemn promise not to speak a word of it. Thus everyone turned to look at the assembled children, so poised, so still and quiet, for the first time all evening. Arista whispered to Ashevathallion that it was time and then she and Wallace went to stand between Shane and Kylan. Ashe waited for Arista to take her place with the others, then tilted his head slightly as he glanced at Wallace. What were his charges up to, he wondered? Well, perhaps he could spring a surprise of his own. He turned towards the assembled family and guests, and gave a formal bow. "My lords and ladies, family and friends, I give you greetings in the name of the children of Blackthorn Manor. But before they favor us with… umm... whatever it is they are favoring us with.." He paused and looked back at the now giggling children, winked, and then resumed his introduction, "…I have an announcement to make. " A hush fell over the room. Skye murmured a question to Ian, who shook his head with a puzzled glance towards his uncle. There was an exchange of conversation among the children as well, but Ashe didn't look back this time. He kept his eyes focused on Jera's face as he spoke again. "The Lady Jerasahyandakalan of Storm Temple has my heart, and I am blessed to have hers. I hereby announce before kith and kin that we will walk the Path together. The joining will be in the Spring, and all are asked to attend." He looked at Jera, and smiled. Jera returned a soft smile. She knew much about the event Arista had planned but did not even suspect that Ashe would choose this time to share their decision. Yet, it was well and appropriate. Her lips formed her unvoiced response to him, 'Cormamin lindua'... My heart sings. Silence reigned for a few precious moments. Then Ian let loose a loud whoop of joy and Skye flung her arms around Jera as a cheer went up from the others. This reaction gave Ashe the rare pleasure of seeing Jera blush before being grabbed in a bear hug by his nephew. Calen and Conn began to fidget as they sensed the adults' interest was drifting away from them. In unison the boys piped up loudly, "We're calowers!" Arista corrected, with a smile toward the adults, "Carolers." To which both boys simultaneously looked back at her, their expressions mirrored. Conn insisted, "We said it," as Calen nodnodded, "Calowers." Diana was starting to twist back and forth between the boys, while holding their hands. She nodded too, or maybe it was just part of her little impromptu dance to make her dress whirl about. The twin girls were giggling again but shushed each other as the room returned to a semblance of order. Then Arista began to tell the tale of Wallace who had once been a small worm and had transformed into the King of the Holly Berry. She'd practiced and practiced the tale, wanting to sound as wonderful as Uncle Ashe when he told stories. Arista had to tell Jera about the plan in order to get her help with sticking to the pertinent points in the storytelling, instead of getting lost on tangents as the girl had a tendency to do. Mostly, Arista recounted the lore they'd found, emphasizing Wallace's role in bringing about Yule. With Wallace properly introduced, Arista then announced that they were all going outside for a ceremony in his honor. Skye frowned slightly, it was so warm and cozy inside the Manor and she started to speak. The children all turned pleading eyes to her, however, and with a look at her daughter's face, reading there the importance of this night for her, Skye smiled and gave a little shrug. "Well, the snow hae stopped, and the moon is clear and bright..." With a delighted cheer the children all jumped up and down, and even Wallace beamed a smile at the imposing Firedragon. Perhaps she wasn't as bad as he had originally thought. Skye looked up to catch her husband's eyes on her. He gave her a small nod and a little wink. And even after all these years of marriage and a houseful of children, Skye found she could still blush. END FIFTEEN © 2002 DP & SO along with all other participants ~ This and other stories may be found at Willow's End |