#baronyofthesilverwolf

Aiden listens attentively throughout the tale, his expression intent. When Nadeen finishes, he reaches over and takes her hand.

“My Lady, it seems your foresight has once again outpaced the rest of us. A rare fruit recovered from the Dreaming, a diplomatic victory, and now the rescue of a lost kinswoman. Most rulers would be pleased to accomplish any one of those in an entire year.”

“All is well with our allies,” he says after a moment. “They were most appreciative of my advice regarding their kennel issues, and I believe the matter is largely resolved.”

“A preserved Sidhe soul, though...” He pauses. “That is not something one hears of every day.” His brow furrows slightly. “Have you spoken with her yet, or is she still dormant within the vessel?” His expression is slightly troubled.

"Let us say Lady Seryn's nibbling did inspire and I have good counsel," a small smile as her takes her hand. She has missed him. At news of their allies, "Good, your expertise is second to none in these matters and you make broader bridges of diplomacy yourself." WHen the subject returns to a preserved sidhe soul she admits, "Nay, willow whisper is beyond me, simplistic though it maybe. I only know the pulse of the it all. My kenning and something else tells me she is Kin. I suppose I could try to rouse her currently contained soul but I am not cruel, ,would it hurt to be so contained even as just the spirit of a fae? I am not sure. What think you? Should I... practice what Squire Arthur and Thistle suggest? I had thought it as simple as opening it up where well taken care of people might be, whatever the age."

Aiden is quiet for a moment, his thumb tracing the back of Nadeen's hand as he considers her words.

“Family is important, and if your instincts tell you she is kin, I would trust that. However..."

He looks grave now, "I once had a sister as well.”

“That experience left me with a healthy respect for the fact that shared blood and shared interests are not always the same thing.”

He continues more gently, still holding her hand. “I do not say this to discourage you, only that I would learn more before acting. We know almost nothing of her condition, her memories, or her intentions. If she is comfortable, there is time to discover those things before deciding upon the best host.”

“I favor the Arcadian Way as well, though I understand some find it distasteful. I understand Arthur's perspective too, though I worry he may need to spend more time in noble company lest his outlook become a touch too commoner-leaning.”

At the mention of Aiden's sister, there is a slow nod and she leans against him slightly to comfort, "You're wise. I suppose I should ask if you might use omen and other magics to inform us more of her... the mists are troublesome even with family. I remember having family and loving them.... yet my father was a bit unstable when he arrived and your point is valid." A sigh "As for Arthur, I fear he is... ahem, at the least a reformist. I'm not sure where we went wrong there if wrong we went. He did get trained for a time by the Countess' court...and I am something of a reformer myself but only by Varich standards but STILL. THe boy is growing in power and confidence but he still has little love of the grand court. Politics means little to him. I suppose that's why he's a squire but..." A shake of her head.

Aiden nods, glancing upward for a moment before returning his attention to her.

“Arthur is fortunate that his virtues outweigh his opinions,” he says dryly. “Though I admit, hearing a Sidhe speak of noble courts with the same enthusiasm most people reserve for root canals remains a source of fascination.”

His expression softens. “As for your kinswoman, I think we should proceed carefully. I could attempt a seeing and learn what omens are willing to reveal of her nature. It would not tell us everything, but it may tell us enough.”

He considers for a moment. “Or you could work with your court to Willow-Whisper her. It remains one of the more useful cantrips ever devised, even if it is most often associated with the... practical, salt of the earth shall we say, kiths. If she is aware within the urn, it may allow us to learn her wishes directly rather than guessing at them.”

Thinking, "I suppose it depends on your priorities, to find out who she is with caution, or trust what she may say. Ah, there was also the issue that as the Wilders reported she had a major lapse in her remembrance, so a Willow whisper may not tell much - if she does not remember much to tell."

"I would have you omen the soul first, I think since you offer. And I thank you, for I know Soothsay is an art you approach with all due caution. We can try the willow whisper later, though as you point out, one cannot draw knowledge from one who may honestly no longer no."

"blood from a stone, or as it may be, a fruit." A small, dry smile - a rare jest.

She fights an unseemly giggle enough to turn it into a throaty but still feminine chuckle, "Aye, I confess to selfishness on many levels. A kinswoman would be a tie to my own past and some of it quite fond. But more than that, another sidhe, particularly of Arcadian nature, would not be amiss here. While Lady Seryn seemed quite offensive at times, she did have a point on how that reflected upon us court wise, though I maintain our staff and court support is second to none. Julius is sly and in the best way, Marigold misses very little as well as being the finest chef in the land."

"And our Knights, Lavender and Gladiola are well suited to our holding," A nod, "But It might be nice to have a sidhe here who doesn't act like court isn't a hostage situation. Mavis is doing well there but she'd rather be rough and tumble, on horse or yard or court."

He brightens a bit at the mention of Mavis. "One of our Gladiola's schoolmates, was she not? I do hope her to be a credit to the Hold. Though, I do wonder what House she will cleave to once she is sained this Summer." Considering.

"I had felt earlier that she had Eilunid leanings, but her active nature may speak more to Fiona, or..." distasteful nose wrinkle "Gwydion. Yet, time will tell and da'an has a way of surprising all."

"A school rival to her actually... they met on the field of Lacrosse Battle, but were quite chummy if I recall," She corrects gently, then she says "Careful dear, she might be Scathach. She is of the Autumn Way."

"Hmmph. Dangerously unpredictable, they are."

"And the majority of them modernists," A nose wrinkle "What a waste of our birthrights THAT is."

"Still, there are exceptions, I do know at least one Scathach baron,, so.." She shrugs "But Mavis herself has been quite handy in dealling with Lady Seryn so I cannot complain. She put up with that woman for hours."

"Well, I certainly hope not. The last thing we need is another Sidhe who regards court functions as the tedious interval between more interesting activities.”

An amused look, "Like Root Canal you said if I recall. Still, I am glad we have her and Arthur. DO you think I'm being too sensitive to Lady Seryn's comment we are 'sidhe short' ? "

Aiden considers that for a moment before answering.

“If one measures standing by presence in the broader Sidhe social sphere, then yes, we are lightly represented,” he says at last.

“Though presence and value are not always aligned, however often the courts prefer to behave as if they are. Our difficulty is not a shortage of Sidhe. It is that those we have are less concerned with performing as Sidhe in the conventional sense. That makes them harder to categorize within traditional expectations of a court.”

“Which is not necessarily a flaw. It simply means we will be judged differently than courts that are more… conventional in presentation.”

"True, and the Dreams of Silverwolf are different, and I mean that with love. It is a dream of Excellence, thanks to you in no small part. The finest horses, the most impressive hounds, these are signs of noble prestige no less than rows and rows of knights in shining armor." She ponders "I would not force Squire Arthur into a role that would make him miserable, and when asked to step up, he often does well. His response to Lady Seryn was eloquent when he gave me a look for my leave to speak."

Indeed, she was rather proud of Art in that moment.

Aiden preens a bit. "Yes, we have made the best of a rough start, he will continue to be polished and shine."

"Like the star he is," She is pleased at Aiden's agreement, "And I would take quality over quantity any day. Yes, we don't need many more sidhe. Da'an will provide as is due, but one who takes to courtly matters would be welcome." She says "Would you like to omen the urn now or later, love?"

Aiden hesitates a fraction longer this time, his thumb still resting lightly against her hand as he chooses his words with care.

“One more thing,” he asks, “You mentioned earlier the suggestion that a soul might be guided into a prepared mortal life before birth..”

He studies her expression briefly, then continues without pressing.

“Had you mentioned that in a general sense, or… for yourself?”

The question is asked with no expectation attached to the answer, only careful clarification.

At THAT the lady sidhe looks almost sheepish "It was something the others brought up. Thistle in particular seemed bold I... I do not know what to make of the idea. There is an allure to giving you a child in the old fashioned way, a romantic notion, and a source of ... I suppose pride involved. Motherhood can have powerful dreams ,but at the same time, you have a son, a fine one. and there's no shame in taking a childling as ward and adopting that way if wanted an arcadian use of the urn. I confess I'm not sure HOW to feel about it ."

Aiden is quiet for a moment, his expression softening as he listens fully before answering.

“I am not seeking any further blood heir or issue for my own sake,” he says gently. “Connor is more than enough legacy for me in that regard.”

His hand remains steady around hers. “When I dream of what my future holds, it is not about continuing my line. It is about you being in it.”

“But if such a thing would bring you joy, or if it should come to pass without plan and you chose to pursue it, then it would be my honor and my delight to raise that child with you.”

“I do not need more of myself in the world, Nadeen. I already have you, which is what matters.”

Nadeen's eyes grow quite soft, and very large at that, a tenderness that surprises her escapes her, "You wonderful , wonderful dragon. I ... " she kisses him lightly but with adoration, "I now thank Da'an for every hold I ever failed to claim, because eventually it lead me to here where I claimed not a hold, but the holder, a man who won me with his fierce majesty even when he was heart wounded. A lord to be my equal and who so deeply besotted me that he became part of my dream. Oh, Aiden, you ARE my happily ever after and while I might have to execute any commoners who make light of that if they're eavesdropping" (SHe's PROBABLY exagerating about the execution) , "The fact you speak so brings me a joy."

A breath as she almost has her eyes go wet. How unseemly in a house of known for frozen hearts.

He draws her close. "Then let us head to more private quarters and continue this conversation... and I shall whisper sweet nothings in your ear of the terrors I shall visit on any who dare to interrupt."

A wicked smile, "I do love a story about a good gibetting. Lead on, my dragon, and i am yours." She rises with him.

He bows, then sweeps her off her feet and proceeds to carry her off like a stolen damsel.

(Fade to gibbits and ceiling tiles!)

"But they're okay, right?" Gwen asks Madern for the FIFTH time when she gets him alone, "Thistle does dumb shit sometimes in the name of" Air quotes "Science. And Art gets squirrely at the worst times. If a dragon were about to burn the hold and he was on the last chapter he'd actually calcuate if he could read the last chapter first before it went down rather than just get out. They weren't injured or traumatized or.."

Madern groans, "For the 5th time, they are fine, Dame. Heck, Art and Thistle were geniuses as usual, wouldn't have gotten the urns there and some home without them. The amberheart IS delicious, and the soul is...w ell, undecided, but Thistle is fine, Art is fine. And I don't recall any injuries ... oh I'm fine too, thanks for asking."

"Sorry, sorry," Gladiola blushes, "Just you know how they GET ... I mean, have you seen Thistle drive? Like a maniac... and she wants a star ship one day. Which I think will also double as a rail gun with the vehicle as the bullet if she gets warp 10... and so much can go wrong on the silver..."

"Oh, relax," Madern pats her elbow, "We were never ON the silver in the first place."

Gwen's eyes get HUGE as she kind of blue screens, which is fitting for a troll. Madern takes this moment to exit , stage left. He's no clurichaun but he sees a window of exit.

"No silver?" She sputters "They tried this silver less? I... Madern? Madern where did you go? I got dogs that have your scent, mister!"

Gwen is not as overbearingly protective as she WAS, but hey, she still has her moments. As for Madern, he's probably checking the speed on his food truck asap.

--------------