#rivervale_lodge

Siv sings happily. She must return to Earth Runes soon, but she missed her home.

Is that a plate of peanut brittle?

It is! And there's a note!

"Ooo someone knows I'm back" She munches a bite off the peanut brittle, then blushes for having taken it first, and then reads the note.

For Siv, Welcome home! ❤️, Dagmar, Tove & Connor

She may notice - not the first. There is a bite missing from one piece... just a corner.

"Awwww.." then she laughs

The front door of the lodge opens in the hall beyond the kitchen.

"Hello?" A call out

Quiet?

And she goes to look, hand on hilt but no rapier drawn yet.

Zara! She waves.

And just like that, hand is gone from hilt and Zara is getting hugged by the most untrollish troll

A little breathy wheeze. "Hello Siv."

"oh sorry, sorry" She lets her go "Not a drop of dignity in me some days. But I was looking for you to tahnk you, then they told me you were with Earl and I realized..well, I ahd notions, none of which would welcome me storming in"

"I do appreciate that, aye. My love is doing much better..."

"I'm glad, I'm glad. No better healing place than Fenix" She says "But I am in your debt, Zara. Oh when I think of the vile shite that poured out of my gob at you and the others.. I'm sore ashamed for it"

Zara slides her gaze away.

"Oh please do forgive me, twas meant at the time for spite's sake to hurt and wound I know, but was just spite. And if I have offended I'll make amends"

"Nay. Tis naught..."

"Pray, ah... tell me, how was your homecoming?"

"Twas cruelty, fueld by another man's hate, but I ... " She takes her hand "What you and Earl do, or don't do, is not only naught my business, it was hypocritical. I who yank Jonas about willy nilly and join Fiona leaving him to worry what that does or doesn't mean? Chastise you? Faithful and loving you are to him, and he to you. Even among changelings, such love is rare and prized." A firm nod "I would ask tove to make a song praising it, but I know you'd be mortified"

PINK. Nod.

"Ah, just so" and she changes the subject by answering the question "Oh far better than I hoped. Mother.. mother said she was PROUD of the woman I'd become. And Dad..dad understood where I did not think I would." A wistful look "I confess, I underestimate him sometimes. Oh, and Connor and Dagmar made me peanut brittle. I love peanut brittle"

"Well, Tove did the cooking I bet"

"Ah? Peanut brittle is a thin the Uncles like, I find it.. sharp..."

"Hast thou seen Connor?"

"Nope. Saw Jack. He might know. Want me to call him in?"

"I should say not today" A munch. Oh dear. She has a guest and yet she can't help but take just a bit more

"No, it is well... though i might.. ah.. linger a bit."

"Almandine bought several new books, and I thought a few might appeal to the boy."

"Oh you're sweet. " She sighs "And my manners. Let me get you some tea and a bit of a sluagh suited gnosh mm?" She gestures to a chair

"Tea?" Hopeful uplilt of her tone.

"Aye, Gerd has a fine collection now and for you she says it's fine. And I know enough how to prepare it" A nod "Just take a seat and I'll get it ready for you. Least I can do."

"Thank you, Siv."

Soon, two cups of tea are prepared. It is a credit to the Hearth or Gerd that Siv seems to know how to make it proper. Further, Gerd has taken the lessens Zara set her on to heart and has FINE blends.. no teabags in this mix just plopped in

Siv, being Siv, is a touch chatty. Alas the poor girl may never be ready for HIGH tea.

Zara murmurs approval.

And lets Siv talk!

"I don't know where to begin on my side of things" She goes on "Horrible it was...and I do not think you'd approve of even some of my own actions but I am glad Jonas kept me going as best he could... and he passed on messages on my behalf and.. oh I do hope the Norweigan wasn't any trouble?"

"Feh... you like giving me a challenge, don't you?"

"Almost as much as you like overcoming them" She says with a smile "But also I figured if I made something 'hard' for you it would be nearly impossible for the enemy if it were intercepted. "

"Well... it was challenging, aye."

"Good. Because it challenged you, then I suspect balor's best 'academics' would be really in trouble. You and August are big brains, Balors? As a rule, not so much"

"Brutal and arrogant... but no, not clever."

"Killing Caspian was interesting.. I really wish he hadn't snuck around but it paid off in one way..." A shake of her head "And Piper... saved my bacon there"

"With the note, aye!"

"Aye, from a bottle she picked up at the sea! orders to enchant it, and leave it at a location. Zara... did you arrange that? Smacks of soothsay... beyond fair fortune"

"I did not, no."

Siv ponders then says "it's got to be Jude"