#baronyofthesilverwolf

Aiden comes in out of the storm, brushing snow off his shoulders and out of his hair. "Bluebell, have you seen the Baroness, and Dame Gladiola?"

"Why, yes, with my own two eyes. Heard them a'times as well." The pooka answers sweetly.

"Here, love" Nadeen says frrom within the hold. ..near the flame

A pause as he rephrases. "Are they here, now? I need speak with them both."

"Oh. I do not know how I would know that. UNLESS...." She tilts her head and cants her ears, like Delores hearing a pin drop a mile away.

"There she is! I found her for you!" Bluebell hops up and down excitedly.

"Ah." He crosses over to her and first kisses her cheek, his own lips cold from the wind, then warms his hands by the fire.

"My love, I am afraid I have acted without consulting you, and Winter is your time. Please forgive."

She blinks "Wait, what?" her eyes focus "you mean you know why the land is acting so when my mood befoe this was peacable?"

He looks uncomfortable, and admits, "Yes, I may have acted without consult.. twice. Once for what I wished to be a surprise, and a gift... and again, to try to mitigate damage that may have been caused by the first."

His angel, his sweet lover, manages to look... UPSET. A cool, frosty sort of temper "Love of my frozen heart, do go on. I sennse I have not yet bestowed enough rope. "

He pulls a chair nearby, sitting and taking her hands. The fire that burns merrily in gold and black flickers adds a sparkle of silver in response.

"I..." He stops, and looks over at Bluebell, who is listening raptly. "Gladiola, Bluebell. Find her, please."

"Alas." Bluebell sighs, missing out on the gossip, and slips off.

"My love. I have bargained with Rover Olgar, to alter the trod pathways between Carthage and Bergen. I sought to bring them closer, to link our lands, and provide you easier access to the hold of your Fosterage, and your friends. For D'Lorean to train and joust, and for... my own selfish reasons. It did not occur to me that to try to affect such change, in the midst of a storm, with Imbolc nigh, might roll out consequences that would affect all of Eastern Apples... or at least, if not cause them, certainly exacerbate."

"We are equals, love, and what's morre, I was to have veto power in Winter and Summer , and you in Autumn and Spring . I have been trying to figure out what was wrong with me for the weaher to act so on my watch, and dreading SOMEONE was going to tell me it was a hormone thing- which would probably force me to kill someone, well, maim... but as I'm new to being bound to a fire I.." suddenly she realizes what he's saying, and has to stop her building tirade de frost, "Wait... you... you did this for me??"

"And for me." He has to admit. "But yes, my love."

"I had planned this request even before reconciling with Connor over Yule."

A mix of feelings fills her "I don't know if I want to slap you or kiss you. Oh Aiden" She takes his hands "So neither of US is doing this to our people? not by mood anyway?"

He looks puzzled. "No, my love. Not at all."

"I .. trod making doesnn't normally do THIS . Rover Olgar maybe in trouble, and we must make sure the firebrads get through. I thinnk now is the time for our grea bear dogs to go about the task you trained them for.. even if we only have a few still here"

"What was the other thing you were about to say?" She adds

He gives her a brilliant smile that is almost as bright as the sun she wears. "We are of one mind, Nadeen. I have already put out the call. Silverwolf called for aid... and in no small part due to the influence that you have had here, we have received an answer. Not one, but many.

Rovers from Brightwind, lead by Yuri, to seek and protect the Firebrands.

Thanes from Earthrunes, with Laika, to guard and protect, watching over mortals who may be in danger.

A Warrior and a Volva both from Aesin, guided by Nochka and Alexei, to seek out wild creatures that may be endangered due to the storm.

And our own Ivan and Pyschka, if she may be spared, to join as well."

"you already put out the call" her blue eyes refrost I love him. I love him as much as a Varich can love him "isn't it fortunate we're of one mind. What a lucky break. "

"I... Nadeen?" He looks into her frosty gaze, his own uncertain. Is she not pleased?

The fire starts to pop and crackle.

It sizzles in red-gold heat.

"SO... you did the first as a gift to me, and Dame D'Lorean annd for your own nneeds... but this second you just.. decided... on your own, to take action without ... Brightwinnds, Earth Runes... and some Aeisn.. is there any part of Concodia that didn't learn of this before me? Sure we don't need to inform a barony in Hawaii?"

Oh her words are frosty but the fire gets heated

He draws back, and his expression cools. Silver flames leap up, battling with the gold to be seen.

"I acted in haste, it is true, but in the interest of protecting not only our own Barony, but the Firebrands that serve all of our Holds. Perhaps I should have acted as Ailil proper! Yes. Spread the word that this storm is the result of inexpert and ham-handling of a Rover who perhaps has seen enough days on the Trods? That it is the mistake of Bergen that caused this storm to blow through from the dreaming, and affect all of Apples?!"

He straightens, stiff with indignation. "Yes, I could have spun this so, easily, and Silverwolf the wronged, River Vale the villain, and perhaps even weaken the Gwydion holding's stature in the eyes of others. That would have been the political act, it is true, though in doing so, the very link I would hope to forge would wither, poisoned.

I acted in haste, and in Truth, as such would bring the quickest response! If you would damn me for doing so, then I shall be damned. I will not regret my course."

"I.." A huff "Ailil properr or not, such slander would have been unworthy of the man I love and you ... " An admission "Are making it hard to stay angry. It is not poliics that vexes me, it is ... our relaionship which is far more than political. I do not damn you, but we have texting now. But a moment to fill me in, love so I was not last to know. I hope you regret my learning last? I'm the oe who will have to tell ohters how I was informed rather than cosulted. So yes, call it vanity, call it pride, but I feel i shall be a laughing stock... a trophy wife only." A look away "And yet, the important part is rigght of rescue, and making surre the bale comes through, but can you see why I am upset ?"

He stands stiff and angry for a moment.. but then thaws, the silver flames calming, dancing softly instead of fighting for control of the bale.

"You are not wrong. I should have consulted you."

the bale glows golden, but a softer gold, almost white gold, as if carressing the silver instead of figgtinng it

"And.. you are not wrong about.. the firebrands. You maybe wrong if you blame yourself for the trouble in the first place . The dreaming has challenges aplenty withou acting as if you wanting trods made it happenn" She kisses him on the cheek "will you forgive my pride being so easily wounded?"

"If an Ailil cannot understand pride, then who? There is nothing to forgive. Except, perhaps, my rash haste. Come, we must tell Marigold she may soon have many to cook for."

"Oh yes.. and Pyschka and Ivan must be readied"

"I mean to plae Dame Gladiola at the forefront of this mission... if you think so wise?

"I think it would be." A nod "Her rank gives her respect wtihout making itt seem like ann unnseelie take over"

Dame Gladiola is with Marigold, Ivan by her side

"And the dogs all know her. They will heed her commands."

"Dame Gladiola, Marigold. It is good that you are here. I am certain that the storm has not passed by your attention as somewhat of a concern..."

"It's ..not typical, is it?" The knight bows "I mean, I've only been here a couple of years but..."

Marigold nods. "I've been worried, but we stocked up well before the storm."

Aiden looks to Nadeen, and then explains the situation, giving his Baroness chances to weigh in as well.

"And so they will be coming to assist, I know not if they will report here precisely, but along the trodways of Eastern Apples, and we much be prepared to support them. Gladiola, I would have you coordinate, with Mischka, Pyschka, and Ivan by your side."

"I will seek to ease tthe storm through the bale," Nadeen says "It may pass onto me, make me ..more tempermental, but it should help a little."

Gladiola is surprised then says 'You honor me, Baron and Baronness. I'll see to it"

A small smile. "I simply knew that if Mischka's litter all visited and you did not have a chance to see them, you would be quite wroth with me."

A light blush from the troll, "It would be a quiet wroth, Lord. but thannk you"

"I suppose Marseilles might be asked to help provision." Marigold says, then disappears down a hall -and there is already bustling noises from the kitchen.

"He's lucky to work by you, mom!" Gladiola calls out, ever on team Marigold

"Shall we send one of the Thanes to check in with Dark Gate?"

"Thane Linnae has good rapport.. and the trod there maybe related " the baronness ponders

"They are our neighbors, even if they weren't our allies. We must check with them as well, and let them know what is underway, else they think the help coming is some sort of warning or invasion." Aiden nods.

"Well then, they should thank us for keeping them on their toes" Gladiola observes