#rivervale_lodge

Symon hears 80% of all conversations, of course, he had to focus on where to go when groups split up. Dagmar and 'that varich' went to the kitchen for a bit. There was a lot of chatter on the porch, and then there was the main room with foreign dignitaries

The lake house was, of course, available for visitors who had to travel some distance. It's very well appointed, and Kerri had Brogan stay there overnight as well in case any of the guests needed anything.

Brogan was happy to do so. Indeed, he seems rather happier of late, as if a weight was lifted off

And being entrusted with the care of foreign dignitaries? Kerri must be very confident in him, indeed.

It's possible Countess Aidlaide will inquire into the state of his service and be just a bit sad that he's rather bound to Rivervale

And if Kerri hears about that, she might be excused for feeling just a little bit smug.

While almost ALL the gifts are for Frank and Vali... to be opened at their preference after the party, one chest dropped off is actually adressed to Chiefain Brekke, from Baron Aiden

Kerri regards this with some suspicion. No, more like caution. Suspicion wouldn't be quite fair, given recent events, but...yes, caution is right.

And when Brekke and Frank eventually return from...wherever they got to...Kerri makes sure Brekke hears of the chest privately, so she can decide what to do with it.

Brekke does open it privately, before Vali and Frank get deeply into gift unwrapping. She does not wish to upstage their pleasure with whatever-this-is.

It is a chest of fine furs and precious gems , with an elegantly written letter from Aiden regarding a dowry and bride price!

A very puzzled look. She reads the letter again. And again. And wonders if, perhaps, it is written in code....?

There's a picture of him and Nadeen holding hands in the chest as well!

The picture is lovely, of course, but...

...hopefully Nadeen stayed overnight, and has not yet returned to SilverWolf. Brekke seeks her out.

That is, after she makes sure the chest and its contents are secure.

Nadeen is actually at the lakehouse... to make room for others, but Brekke finds her there easy enough.

And Brekke asks to speak with her if she has a moment.

"Of course," Nadeen looks more mature, though still young to a grump's eyes, "How are you, Chieftain? I was glad to see your husband get his due respect from the freefolk"

Nadeen before her fledging would have simply said 'the commoners' or the common folk' but free folk shows she's learned diplomacy quite well speaking at CF on behalf of RV

"I think it was far more than he expected...but you are right that it was his due. I am very pleased with it all, yes." And yet, there's something troubling her, clearly. "Ladyship, I am not sure if you were aware of the chest that Baron Aiden sent to me, or its contents?"

"Chest?" A blink "To you? There was a gift for Sir Frank, of course"

"Yes." Brekke sighs a bit; this discussion may become uncomfortable if Nadeen didn't know.

"It contains some very valuable goods, and a letter of explanation." She clears her throat, looking uncomfortable.

A realization, then calmly "Ah, would.. that include.. perchance, valuable jewelry and furs?"

A blink. "Precisely that. Additionally, a photograph of you and the baron."

"mm oh" her eyes light up "Ah, well, that. Yes, I had discussed that with the baron . We had a debate. I see he made up his mind." Amused

"With my permission I suppose" is.. is she tickled?

Brekke's brows furrow. "You...? Please...help me to understand what you mean."

"There was a discussion about dowries," She explains , "See, he thought it would be fitting to send you a dowry as he took me as his bride and co-ruler, furs, gems, I told him that arguably, it would be better if we expected a dowry from Rivervale for taking me off your hands, that way Silverwolf gains twice. But you know how proud he is ,and I confess, I find the idea that you should be compensated for my loss flattering" Pleased "I'm torn between vanity and avarice. A hard choice but it appears settled now. Enjoy the furs, please. They're lovely aren't they?"

"They are excellent, yes." She still looks troubled. "Ladyship...Nadeen...traditionally a bride price goes to the bride's parents. I do not wish to accept this if it would be insulting to you."

"Why would it insult me? I'm the one who brought it up" Oh dear, she looks delightfully smug

A blink. "Then...I am honored," she gives a nod.

"It is very unexpected though. The bride-price."

"As am I..he... he knows I cannot swear the Oath of Truehearts to him, no Varich can" The smugness fades "But.. he swore it to me himself anyway, one way. He.. was ready to give it to me and ask nothing in return by the love I could not speak"

And she looks less victorious about having a fuss made over her, and more so about having a man that feels so strongly about her

Brekke doesn't speak for a moment. "I think that there is far more to Baron Aiden than I had considered. And I am very pleased that you have found a partner with whom you are happy, Nadeen."

And the young woman hugs the older one, "Oh I do love him, I wanted to swear back the same oath but coudln't so I gave him what I could I.."A blush

She is startled by the hug, but returns it carefully and listens.

"I.." A confession of embarrassment "I gave him an oath back.. the. .the Varich Oath of Challenge acceptance. I mean, the man bound his heart to me.. and the best i could do was the Polish version of 'You're on'"

A brief pause...and then Brekke chuckles. "That is very, very clever. Well done."

A soft sheepish chuckle "It was all I could think of that fit but thank you. I guess there are worse competitions to have in a relationship than trying to match love. " The hug ends and she smooths her outfit, "Aiden is more than you remembered. His own memories returned have shown me some... he's a touch more playful now, almost boyishly so at times, at least with me. He's still proud, but he now knows that Daan is the one lord we must all bow too. He feels true regret for how he treated his son, as he should" She nods "And wants to make sure he wants for nothing. If my bride price is confusing for you, then, use it to help the childlings like him perhaps? Including Connor? "

A grin at that last. "I was actually about to suggest that, and ask if you agreed with that use."

"Nadeen...I still do not trust his house. Nor he, mine, I am certain. But if he is no longer the man who was so very cold to his son, then that is a great victory, and I would be glad to know him better, I think."

And then a blink. "And...I may have an idea about that."

"About helping those like Connor, I mean."

"I ask only that you make, or have made, one item for yourself, be it a gemstone used in some jewelry or weapon hilt, or fur turned into a cloak. You are , at times, terrible at accepting gifts that purely yours for selfish pleasure. A failing if you ask any sidhe lady. However, that proviso in place, use the other gems and furs as you see fit.. .and.. "A brow "Idea?"

Brekke gives a grin and nods at that proviso. A portion of that recognition, she can accept as hers, yes.

And then she discusses her idea with the Baroness of SilverWolf.

((But she does so off-panel for sneaky reasons, and so we fade this scene.))