#anywhere

And the boggan from earlier hurries back up and rejoins the trolls. "And I'm SORRY Dani, I didn't know she was going to put up her dignity over the poor lambkins. I just meant to give them some provender and see them on."

Linnea bows to them and retreats, following after the Chancellor. Leaving only one troll in Silverwolf colors.

"Connor, we shouldn't linger long. We don't want to have the Hearth feel we don't like her dinner best of all ,do we?" Gerd says

There's a firm look behind the warm tones, the firmness not unlike a big sister lowering her glasses

Dagmar watches, taking it all in - so much of this seems normal.

"Steward Marigold here, Please, you must sit and at least try the teacakes. You came from Rivervale? That's hours of travel at best." She seems politely insistent. "I would fair like to hear the news, just for a moment or two. See, the tea is still hot. A clever treasure, it is, and I had to work hard to outbid a sluagh gentleman at the last fair to win it."

"Beating out a sluagh for tea is tough..."

"I would like to sit a bit. My head is all fuzzy." He looks down the hall where the sidhe left, puzzled.

"It's always fuzzy, though." He tugs at a furry ear.

"Yeah...."

"We do need to get on the road soon, before folks at home get worried. But... thank you, yes. Connor and Gerd need a bite to eat..."

"We do...but we really cannot linger long.."

A glance at Dagmar from Gerd "Tea will be fine, but I really couldn't eat a thing."

"Have tea at least, for your tummy."

And they are welcomed into the chamber, which suddenly feels... warmer, and friendlier, now that the Chancellor has left it. Indeed, though the cocoa is a bit cool, the tea is still hot, and there is a platter of cakes that look marvelous. Connor is already reaching for one when the Boggan lightly taps his hand. "Not that, it has cocoa in it, dear. Did you think Nini Marigold would forget?" She offered him a scone that looks to have fruit pieces studded in it.

"Please help yourselves."

And she takes a bite of a scone herself. "The Dame was supposed to try the teacakes, but she's always so picky about her figure. Dani, I'll put up a to go plate for Linn, don't you fuss. These are a preview of our platters for Midsummer, so you should try some now as I do hear you cannot make it, that's a shame."

Connor has a mouthful of scone already. "Ish goob!"

The troll gives her a smile. "Yes, Marigold. We'd never turn down your baking."

Gerd closes her eyes "Well, please join us, ladies" To Marrigold

"The Chancellor doesn't mean to be snappish, she just doesn't like surprised." The boggan reassures Connor. "She holds a grudge that the Baron married her sister and she'll never let that one go. If she wasn't so good with the hawks, or lean so hard on his soft spots, she'd have trouble getting a posting most places with her prickly attitude. Oh, but that's just my opinion. Dame, do you like spice cakes?" A tray offered.

"I.. I do like spicy things, yes. Thank you."

She takes and tries one. As well as a mug of the lukewarm cocoa.

The cake is light, but with a spicy flavor that has little to do with heat - a POP of something reminiscent of nutmeg, but not quite - it's delicate, and melts in the mouth. Marigold watches eagerly for her feedback.

"Wuhe buhbacksoob?" Connor rushes through a mouthful of cake, and has to grab a glass of water to clear it as he coughs. "Will the Baron be back soon?"

Gerd sips and dabs at her mouth with a napkin

"It's good!"

And a smile. She leans in and whispers, "the secret is to use Mace. Someday I hope to try your Hearth's cooking, should our paths cross. Even up here in the boonies we've heard of Dame Kerri."

"I'm afraid there's not much news or stories to share of late. Clearly you've already heard of Dame Dagmar lancing a car" Gerd says

"Dame Kerri is a very good cook, especially with baked goods."

"The Chancellior seems to have a lot of duties" A sip

Dagmar watches Connor for a bit, worried.

Connor is fine, he just needs to chew before swallowing.

Marigold pours a couple cups of tea, and offers to Gerd, "Cream and sugar" To Connor, "No, lambkin, he probably will not be back until after Midsummer. He has all of the stables to review, and then a trader who came all the way from Sands to view one of his likely stallions. So many things to keep track of, he really does too much." A fussed look.

She watches Connor for a bit, and looks sad for a moment. "I can see it, I really do." A tut, shaking her head.

"Steward, will you make sure the Baron gets the message that Connor really regrets missing Midsummer, and was very happy to be invited?"

She takes a minimum of cream and sugar "Thank you"

"Well, considering the abrupt nature of this occurance, one cannot but find praise for his fine staff's hospitality" Gerd says

"Why, of course I will. It's a pleasure just to see him. Oh, and to meet you folk as well, but I haven't laid eyes on the pup since he was a babe in arms." Connor gives her a surprised look. "I'm pretty sure I was a puppy." She pats his hand in a matronly fashion. "No, lovie, before you Chrysalized, and that before you went to that awful home. Not that the Baron can admit it was wrong to send you there, but he certainly didn't leave a building intact. After it came to light it was like noble wrath from the heavens tearing THAT nonsense to shreds. Why, we still have one of the foundlings here. "

"But you're not hear to listen to an old nanny blather on, are you?"

"...Bluebell?"

"Hmmm, oh, no, that would be Briar. I think we sent her out to take a looksee at the Carriage you arrived in. Don't worry, she doesn't bite. Not anymore, or not unless directed. She's really a sweetheart. Oh, please take some cakes out to her when you head out, not that it's any rush." And she sets aside a rather large portion of each onto a plate.

"Can do."

"I think we need to get going - it is a long drive."

Gerd finishes her tea "Yes"

"Bluebell comes as she wishes, and she's one of the Baron's favorite courtiers. We're all the flowers of his court, he says, even an old steward like me. I'm really a Marianne, you know, but the flower names make him happy, so it really doesn't bother me any to be Marigold to his court."

"Ah.."

"Well, Marianne-Marigold, thank you for the hospitality, and thank you for taking such good care of Connor."

"We hope you all have a lovely midsummer celebration" Gerd says

"It was the least I can do." And she leans in and gives the boy's cheeks a quick pat with a napkin. "You've had a rough go of it, I know. But remember that everyone is fighting their own battles, whatever you think you can see. You're too sweet for this court, I'd worry that we'd make you into a sour tart if you had a bellyful of their games. But I will tell him you came, you can trust that, and see if he won't visit. That much, I can do for you. Is that fair, lambkin?"

Connor has to think about this for a minute, but then nods. "Your cakes are very good. Miss Kerri cooks with her heart, too."

And he reaches for Gerd's hand.

Gerd takes it. "Adam?"

"Sorry to put all this driving on you, Adam."

Gerd's grip is firm, but NOT crushing. Tight without pressure on the boy himself. Might feel quite soft to Connor, but if someone were to try to take the boy they'd need the jaws of life

"And you, Dame Dagmar, if you do visit, send word via me - that's Lead Steward Marigold. The fancy nobles think it's more proper to have a sidhe Seneschal but he poo poos that, and it's me in all but name, for he won't hire anyone above me in the position." A stern nod. "Our household is a sly one, I won't lie to you. But I set a fair table for any guests, and won't let anything play foul on MY platters." She noticed the hesitance to eat, but was not rude enough to call attention.