#elsewhere

(As story convienent)

Gerd does not pop into the gardens of SW, but rather about a mile out, she walks the rest of the way, a large basket of food being carried

Another troll greets her, a salute to the younger wilder from Thane Linnea. "Miss Gerd. Are you here to speak with Steward Marigold?"

"I am, and thank you, Thane" A troll salute back. Gerd always thought of herself as among the least impressive among the trolls of Rivervale, but the hornshield strapped to her back has some noteriity, her mace by her side is a formidib le weapon, and the voile of black and blue maybe gothy, but it also has a chain shirt that shows she was ready for a fight if her flicker flash went sideways

A nod and Linnea falls in alongside Gerd, not quite an escort. "That shield is impressive." She observes. "And your mace looks formidable. Would you be up for a spar at some point? It is good to try my hands against different opponents to stay fresh even in times of peace and quiet." A companionable offer.

A blush "the shield is more powerful a treasure than I am a warrior. in a past life I was a mountain... in this one, i lean towards Hearth training but the lodge has made sure I can swing a mace. I doubt I'm up to your level of battle skills, but perhaps when I visit if you have the time"

"We should have plenty of time." A nod. "A battle is not just skill, but work, practice, and luck. It would be an honor to spar with a former Mountain. Your mastery of Wayfare is impressive, to say the least. Many work lifetimes - multiple lifetimes - to achieve what you had before wilderhood."

A trollish nod "My past life casts a large shadow on me, but if you hope me to measure to his level you will be sorely disssapointed" She slows her pace "Pardon, why would we have plenty of time?"

A raised brow, continued long strides. "I understand that you've been offered a position training under Marigold."

"I have great respect for Steward Marigold. Her offer no small thing. However, I had not told her yes yet. I go now to give her my answer. i would tell you of it, but ... she deserves to hear it first" Her tone is stoic, but a fellow troll might read that it is not so cut and dry

"Ah." Her tone speaks volumes, even as they continue walking. Long legs make short work of the mile, and soon they approach the manor. "I'll await your return." A nod as Linnea takes up a position outside the hold.

"Thank you, Thane." she wipes her feet, then goes in

She finds Marigold taking tea with Bluebell in one of the sitting rooms. They both rise to greet her, Bluebell offering a curtsy and Marigold an outreached hand for a warm grasp and shake. "Miss Hornshield, please, join us. Have you eaten?"

she offers up the basket "Ah, I haven't. I anticipated a meal would be offered. This is from Sally mae andd squire brogan and.. me" A smile "A few pies of various types. Nothing compared to what you make , at least not from me, but I hope some in your fine hold will like them. Oh, and a Carrot cake" A nod to bluebell

"Mostly I'm here to talk to you, Steward, about your earlier generous offer. Which, might be best done in private"

"Pie, how lovely. I had meant to discuss with you a nordic recipe book I came across with some unique dessert ideas... in private? If you wish. Bluebell-" Marigold starts to request, but the Pooka is already graciously taking her leave with a wiggle fingered wave to Gerd.

...and it seems that she took the Carrot Cake with her too!

That last is noticed with a bit of a smile, then she says "Miss Bluebell is very graceful in more ways than one" Gerd says

"She's a treasure of our garden. By the way, I'm sure you know this, but Gerd, if it came from scandinavian origins, comes from a root of Garden as well." A smile as she sets out cups. "Tea, or coffee, dear?"

"I did not know that" She says, as she helps put up the pies "Tea, please. I maybe one of the few trolls that prefer it. "

"Then again, if from Germanic, it could be from the root of 'Spear', still." She beams as she pours cups of fragrant black tea. "This is a Russian blend, I had it imported for Lady Nadeen..."

"Oh,she loves it, I bet" She feels guilty

"It's the mark of a good host, or steward, or Hearth, I suppose, to seek and know what your charges will find most suitable."

"Try it with a spoonful of this jam instead of sugar." She urges, "It's unusual, but quite delightful. Should I ask the Baroness to join us for tea next time?"

"Next time maybe a bit further off" Gerd says, knowing that might give a way too much "miss Marigold, please. would you prefer idle chit chat first? which I am fine with, or perhaps to cut to my answer to your amazing offer"

A teacup raised, paused before it reaches her lips, and set back down. "Well, it seems we have business to discuss. Certainly, did you wish to go over the terms of the offer? I though it quite agreeable, but admit I'm not always up to date with the current standards. There is always room for negotiation."

Gerd looks at her "You could offer me a six by six roomwith a mat for a bed, expect 10 working hours a day for every day but sunday, and i'd still consider the offer as a generous one. your lore, your expertise, you are very close to the mistress on the mountain top folks seek out, but far more friendly. I hope however, you won't be insulted to learn I cannot take you up on the offer, though i would love to help find someone you deem worthy to do so. Your lore should be passed on. i returned to the CHieftain... to mention this chance, to admit my temptation. However it turned out they had already decided to ask me to be an emmisary on behalf of rivervale. this is not something created to 'keep me', it is a position others have and they wanted to fill."

The teacup clinks down onto the saucer. "I see." A moment as Marigold considers.

"As Emmisary, I hope to still visit here more than I have. I want to give Connor that chance. He loves his father. But I do not presume I will have access to your skills and teachings after this , and that is MY loss. I would like however to seek out or help you seek out one who would be as good or better than I as your assistant and student. You helped Kourtney, with kindness and class. You offered me something precious, please do not confuse my being unable to accept it with an insult to the gift, nor ignorance of it's magnitude. '

Gerd's words are taken in, and considered, and finally Marigold sighs, but gives her a small smile. "I cannot say I am not disappointed. But obligation, that I understand."

"Thank you" A dubious look "Not to cast aspertions on boggan honesty, but this isn't one thing where you're all nice in the face of rejection, but i go home to find for some reason my shoes are too tight for a year and a day and everyone hears horrible rumors about me? I've heard stories. Dame Anne Marie is not to be crossed and you seem even more ...devious" respectful

"Devious?" Brows, ample ones, UP. "Now that's not kind. Though it may be true, to an extent. I would prefer, perhaps, cunning, or crafty. It sounds less underhanded. No, I shan't take offense, I DO understand. Though, I do not believe we will need your assistance in seeking another candidate. We have a place here that I think you may have fit well into, as it was tailored with you in mind. It is not a role we had sought for another, unless there was another who was kin to the Lord's son, possessing of hearth training, and other, innumerable qualities that qualified you for our needs. The offer is appreciated, however."

"I'm sorry, you're right. Cunning is a better term. Guileful perhaps. It's prized among vikings those" Then she looks very surprised "Tailored for ME in mind? i.. I'm.. well i am flattered all over again" she looks troubled "Miss Marigold. I do hope just because you don't wish my help in recruting an apprentice for yourself that you're not giving up on finding someone else yourself? I was not buttering you up- i feel like you are a repository of great skills and knowledge and it is a waste, a near crime not to have it passed on. "

"No, you're not wrong, I do need help around here, loathe as I am to admit it. But seeking an apprentice is another undertaking entirely. You see, I wanted you. Luckily, at my age, I'm very well acquainted with the idea that you can't always get what you want." Her eyes crinkle with amusement. "...Ailil hold or no."

"there are so many potential apprentices... like the Chatty pooka girl played by Shady as we force her to plays someone social! And watch her explode! or the Boggan with troll parents who don't understand her, played by Rahne, who as I type this is probably muttering something about schedules! or maybe a Piskie wilder delinquent with a chance at 'community service' played by Catnik who only has one character here and likes piskies so might roll with this. Or maybe they'd say 'I hate that idea but like hers' and swap?"

"All potential possibilities. There was also a ladies maid that applied to Baroness Nadeen, the nicest sluagh lady, I could give her a call back, if only I remembered her name."

"Oh sure... up your difficulty level for kicks" the wilder says then says "I would suggest against that. " She pauses "if I may? I had some bias against Ailil. And early encounters here did not help. But having seen the Baron strive to overcome Calanthe's memory muddle and treat Connor with a father's love... your lord is one of the better ones I think and has caused me to reconsider some biases. "

"He is a wonderful liege, and if he hasn't always been the best father, well, he tries now to make up for what was lost." Clearly proud of her Baron. She tsks a bit at the mention of Calanthe. "I worry about that girl, I do. She wasn't always so... devious, fits well. Twisted. She was a childling once, too, filled with dreams and wonder."

"And you loved her, maybe still do" Gerd says "Don't blame yourself for her ambitions"

"Pardon" She blushes "I have Hearth training somewhat and between that and the old mountain in my head, I sometimes break into unasked for advice"

"Ah, I fall into my memories now and again, these days. I was just thinking... that had I raised her differently, better perhaps... but no. What's done is done, and, well. If I had, we'd all be different people. Connor never would have met you, most like, and m'lord wouldn't have had Lady Nadeen... I don't think either of us would have traded it for might-have-beens."

A smile

"Though.. I do worry for our lady, sometimes." Marigold admits, falling into the habit of gossip. "That she might look at what she has, and wish it was more, or otherwise. She could go far, and have prospects beyond, well, what Silverwolf can offer. What Lord Aiden can offer."

"Baroness Nadeen has so longed for a hold so long, that i think finding love on top of it confused her. Oh don't worry,she'll get this place hoping and more social soon if she isn't planning on it. Frankly, and I say this as a friend, Nadeen being caught off guard by love struck me as pretty Karmic. Sometimes, SOMEtimes, shining hosts need a gentle bop from Da'an"

"Yes, true. But she may find, in time, that she longs for what the Baron can't give. Why, even Bluebell, sweet bunny, was afraid..." She trails off there for a moment, "Fill your tea, Gerd?"

"Please" she says and realizes she's being unfair in not offering some in return "Nadeen is a friend of mine, albeit not as close as some but what do you think the Baron can't give? I think she's the sort who if coaxed might go get it herself mind. " then she adds to give some of that in return "I understand vexation, of course. One of our Thanes is marrying a mortal woman soon, and I worry he will find her grow colder with time despite hsi best efforts. Another is having a tryst with a scathach he quarrels with off, almost rom com style, but they cannot keep it merely rom com forever. "

"Well. Miss Bluebell, she's been - or had been - waiting for ages it felt like, waiting for her beau to get up the nerve to propose. He finally does - but with Lady Nadeen and the Baron being the new hot couple at Silverwolf, who would dare have a wedding before her? I tried to tell Bluebell it would probably be fine, but.. well. She suffered enough under Calanthe, and if she's not eager to risk the potential ire of her Lady, I wouldn't push her."

"Oh that's terrible" She says "Look, Nadeen can be a touch selfish sometimes, but she would LOVE to have hosted their wedding. she takes real pride in the joy and safety of her people. It reflects well on her you know? And besides, from what I hear, when Bluebell beat her in the Dance off, Nadeen didn't get petty or vengeful, she upped her game and respected the hell out of Bluebell. You should remind Bluebell of that. Nadeen sees the victories of those under her as HERS too. It lights her up"

"Still, why point out to her that which she lacks?" Marigold reasons. "It's seldom popular to do so, no matter what house your nobility belongs to."

"then why not tell Nadeen and have her make a celebration for a post wedding ceremony or something for the two of them? '