#baronyofthesilverwolf

And so, Thistle and Lavender return to face the Baron, while Art is left to his own devices, unsupervised!

One can assume that the after affects of the cantrip(s) has been cleaned up by now. Not so much the Baron's mood. He still looks quite irate when Lavender and Thistle report. Aiden is ensconced in one of the studies, behind a solid wood desk, and is searching through the drawers. "Where the devil is my inkwell. Nadeen, love?" His tone softens a touch with her. "Have you seen it? The marble one shaped like a mare's head."

"I have..." A frown "I know where it might be, a moment love"

And she heads off to find a Piskey

And returns with it "it was...misplaced." Somewhere a piskey is still shivering from the WITHERING Look he got

The Baron's eyes narrow a touch, but he just shakes his head. "It's back." Accepting it from Nadeen and wrapping his hands around hers as she passes it, holding for just a moment.

Then, he starts making notes. "Have my knight and the fledges returned yet to report?"

"I believe they're on their way"

"I wish to speak with you a moment first. Have them wait, if they are present."

He sets down the pen, looking up to Nadeen. "I wish to call in a Namer to see to Thistle. It may be early, but she has shown her mettle against Banality and Thallain, foes autumn and dreaming alike. I sense that she will need her Name and whatever Remembrance the dreaming will grant her, for the quest she shall undertake."

"Summer is your rule, my queen. What say you?"

"I think it might depend also on if Arhtur was to go as well. She seems joined at his hip, and vice versa. "

A firm shake of his head. "I am yet undecided on whether to extend his period of fledgehood. He is certainly not ready to face a fior-righ."

"He was rash" She admits "Yet don't forget his good and brave deeds in saving the others as a distraction"

"Shall he fail, it is customary that he would wait another year and a day, else appeal to another noble to be tested by them in my stead. I do not make a practice of sending people against tasks they are doomed to fail. He is not ready. Perhaps, if he acquits himself in the next few weeks, until his actual Sain-day. But no sooner, and possibly not even then."

"His impulsiveness is as likely to make him a target and a detriment as it is to help. Fate watches out for fools and children - but not always."

A brow, then she says "I think THistle IS ready. you are right in that she has proven herself . Her one great failing seems to have been dealt with, and everyone has their breaking point."

"We have yet to see him reach his full potential. A Sidhe lord must not ride on his companion's coattails. He must show the strength of mind and body, of character and leadership, that proves he is ready to bear the mantle of a Shining Host."

She puts a hand on him "I do not thik he is Ailil OR Varich, love. Some houses have .. lesser standards"

"So I fear. I hold out hope for Eilunid. His curiosity, his eagerness to learn is considered exemplary by my sister House. He is rash and impulsive as well, though. Earlier, I had thought that he was sent as an answer to a question of inheritance. The Countess has hinted, more than once, at our Barony lacking a proper heir. Now? I think even the idea may have been folly."

A brow "An heir?"

"Surely you've heard of the recent debacle at Earthrunes." Not so recent, but what is time, after all? A mortal convention, largely.

"While I know you would be an Admirable holder if aught were to happen to me, if, fate and heavens forbid, I were to lose you, I would..." He shakes his head. "I live for you, my heart. I rule by your side, or not at all."

"Oh" She stops then frowns "Sometimes you do confuse me, love . I... sometimes wonder why we have not had a proper wedding ?"

Yes, she threw that in out of the blue

"Countess Elsinore has not outright requested that we name an heir, but... she is Eilunid. Every missive is couched in riddles."

He blinks.

"A proper oathing ceremony is overdue." He admits. "While I swore to you buoyed on the waves of your Rescue of me from despair, it was not without my whole heart behind it. Shall we have a fete, with you gowned in gold and amber? I would very much like to see you so."

"I ..." She looks pleased "I cannot swear an Oath of Truehearts, but oaths were eexchanged. I do grow tired of feeling as if I am a pretty young mistress in the mortal world. You have not seen ..." A sigh

"You are the love of Aiden Lowell, Baron and Dragon, lord of Silverwolf, and I will stay by your side for as long as Fate keeps me from Banality, and seek you out, time and again, in lives after this."

"To the mortal world... I swore my love to a mortal woman. She was my wife, and when my host returns to the earth, someday that I hope is long in coming, I would have that my mortal host rest beside her as well. "

"I... oh. " A smile "you believe we return? Some do wonder if Arcadians do"

"If we return, or not, will make no difference. I plan to seek you, and remain beside you, beyond any simple mortal years."

He reaches for her hand and squeezes it. "Does the title of 'wife' mean so much to you? The opinions of the simple kine who would judge you for the lack of it?"

A blush and her eyes go wide, "My lord, you bring an unseemly thaw to my heart. It does matter though. Not just for their petty judgements, but I have never settled less than my due. I am very territorial. You must learn this about me"

He sighs. "Allow us to speak on this further? Not that I flee the subject, but we must attend to the matters at hand."

"Aye. Of course. Heirs..." A frown "I had thought, hoped, that Arthur might be of worthy title. Heir presumptive. Another thought i had was your trueborn son. You see, he is a pooka, and thus not well suited to rule... HOWEVER, he also ages incredibly slowly. And would need a regent of our choosing as a delaying tactic."

"Aside from suitability, Connor has chosen Rivervale. Were he to be heir, he would need to reside here. There is also the politics to consider. To name as an heir to a nominally Ailil hold, one sworn to a liege of Gwydion? To even consider it, we would need for him to be released of his oath."

"Mmm.. I had hoped the idea of him in reserve would appease the Countess"

"He is a fine, strong and loyal lad. But he is not... I do not think he would wish to lead. He delights in his role as Squire. A valued vassal to a master, not one who can command."

"He is, and will remain, my heir. Mortally, he shall want for nothing. But of Silverwolf? I do not see it as suitable, were he even to desire the title."

"Perhaps, we might consider... your father. He is of Varich. How has he been adapting to his new host and youth?"

Her eyes widen, then "He is... I have not been as attentive as I should have" She confesses

"We have options. And time. Perhaps he may be sent for to visit. But in matters of family, I fear we must attend first to Thistle."

"Yes. I will go to visit my father again. " SHe nods "Yes, Thistle must be aided in this. Janice is under our domain and neither of us allows folks to seize our own with impunity. I admit I feared this was another spriggan, but the report is different"

He nods, and rises to check the hallway himself to see if Lavender and Thistle have arrived.

Thistle is doodling on a pad of paper by the hallway phone.

Lavender is there too

"Dame Lavender, Thistle." He gestures, holding open the door for them to join him and Nadeen in the study.

Lavender lets Thistle go through first

She scrambles to her feet and heads in.

He returns to sit beside Nadeen. "What news of Fledge Arthur?

"He's revived, lord" Lavender bows "And regrets his impulsiveness"