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Post by Terion, King of Ireland on Feb 28, 2008 22:40:04 GMT -5
Terion would not be seen again for quite a while. He went into the hall of the king and there he remained for the remainder of the day. The business that went on behind the closed doors was not being of the concern of anyone but those already within those doors. Kayla would not have concerned herself with such matters anyway because the women of the court were busy making her presentable to that same court. Now, they didn’t know she was a queen, didn’t know she was royal, didn’t know anything about her. All they knew was what Terion had told them and that was to make her presentable. Well for certain, the first thing that was done was that she was given a bath. The second thing that was done was that she was given clean clothes and several women began to work on Kayla’s hair. If Kayla had not been rushed through the whole process so quickly she might have been able to enjoy the fine luxuries of the castle and the grand tapestries and rather elegant interior that Terion had gone through great lengths to provide. However, such was not for Kayla. Kayla was in the hands of the servants now and they were going to make her presentable for the king and the court.
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Post by Kayla on Feb 29, 2008 12:35:06 GMT -5
Kayla was a bit edgy. Never had she relied on someone else to dress her, and this experience took some getting used to. She wondered if, when she was established as queen, she would have to rely on others to dress her. But once she let herself relax, the whole experience was a bit enjoyable. The soap in the bath was soft and creamy, scented with a wonderful flowery perfume. It was a far cry from the hard bar she had used at home. The water was warm, and the women washed her thick curly hair, gently working out any tangles. She was amazed at how soft and shiny it was when they were done. The women still did not talk to her, just murmured an occasional sentence to each other. Kayla tried to ask basic questions about the castle, about Terion, but the women were not open to conversation. Finally she gave up. They dressed her in what seemed like endless layers of cloth, finally coming to a dress of plum satin. The rich shade of purpley-red made her forest green eyes stand out from her fair skin and glossy dark hair. There was lace around the scooped neck and the flowing sleeves, but the hem of the dress swept to the floor unhindered. Finally they put her hair up. With the assistance of many pins, they finally tamed her curly locks into an upswept style, leaving a few stray tendrils to softly frame her face. Kayla was ready to meet the king, they finally decided. Now they would wait for him summons.
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Post by Terion, King of Ireland on Feb 29, 2008 16:02:09 GMT -5
Terion was still entertained late into the day and once he was finally let out into the court once again, he was hungry and wished for some dinner. He had long since gotten over Kayla’s stubbornness and found himself wishing to see her once again, at least for dinner. Terion turned to the closest handmaiden that he could find and requested that Kayla was brought to him in his quarters for dinner. He also told her not to tell Kayla that she would exactly be going to his quarters. The maiden nodded her head and did as her king requested. The maiden found Kayla amongst the women of the court and she was properly dressed and her hair was freaking beautiful at that point. The maiden requested that Kayla be brought to Terion and it wasn’t really like she had a choice because every other woman of the court began to shoo her with the maiden. It was like she was the most popular person in the world and everyone was telling her to go have dinner with like a king or something. Wait…. he was a king. In any case, the maiden brought Kayla to Terion’s rooms where a table had been set. The king that Kayla saw there was quite different from the one she had seen on the countryside. Terion looked like a king now. He still had a quilt, but it was red and made of a much fancier fabric. He wore a shirt that was made of silk and there were a few adornments on his clothes. He wore a ring on the index finger of his right hand and his hair was pulled back and tamed. The same smile was still on his face though, although it did seem that the features of his face had become quite stern.
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Post by Kayla on Mar 1, 2008 15:57:15 GMT -5
Finding herself ushered along by a gaggle of women, Kayla could only keep her head up and attempt to look elegant. It would not do to appear like a gangly colt in front of everyone. As she was hurried through the halls, Kayla attempted to begin observing what would be her new home. There wasn't too much she could observe at the speed they were pushing her along with, but she could see tapestries and much finery around the stone castle. At least it was not a barren stony castle, as was typical of an unmarried man. Maybe living here wouldn't be so bad after all. But she would have to ask for a tour eventually. Finally they came to a series of rooms, and there, at the end of a table, stood Terion. He was a far cry from the boyish, half dressed man who had come to her village. Now he wore a shirt, his hair, like hers, was tamed, and he looked more...kingly. Kayla didn't know what to think of that. The women around her were a bit flustered at the sight of him, curtseying and murmuring salutations. Kayla would not curtsy, for they were equals in her mind, but she did greet him with, "A pleasure to see you once more, King Terion."
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Post by Terion, King of Ireland on Mar 1, 2008 16:15:12 GMT -5
It took a few moments for the women to file out of the room leaving just Kayla for Terion to be with. Once she had all left, Terion bowed his head to her to show his respect for her, as he would with any queen of Ireland. Terion walked closer to Kayla, walking to the chair across from him that she was to sit in. He pulled it out for her and beckoned wordlessly for her to sit down in the chair that he presented. He then walked calmly and silently back to his seat. It was like the exploits of the day had taken the liveliness out of him and he almost looked like a much older man than he actually was. There were more lines visible on his face, his features were deeper and more mature it seemed. Terion's hair obviously made him look older when it was combed and taken care of. Terion returned to his seat and sat down in it as the first course of the their meal was brought for them. "How do you find the palace my dear?" Terion asked kindly, looking up from his food to look at her, "And you look stunning." Terion said with a smile, the boyish glint of in his eyes returning for a moment before it faded back into his more serious face.
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Post by Kayla on Mar 1, 2008 16:38:27 GMT -5
Kayla took a seat, dipping her head in thanks to him. She was not used to being pampered in such a way, but she would accept it. It was Terion's court now, not her countryside, and as such she would follow the court rules. He looked older than before. Being in court must be trying. All in all, Kayla's assessment of Terion was that he was a high action man. He preferred to be fighting in battle, recruiting. The 'sitting on the throne' part of kingship probably wore down on him after a while. Her observations were cut short as he spoke. "What I've seen of it is lovely," she said, returning his smile, "and you look quite kingly yourself." The first course was a good meal, and Kayla was hungry from riding all day yesterday and then the frenzied motions of today.
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Post by Terion, King of Ireland on Mar 2, 2008 8:37:23 GMT -5
The first course was soon taken away and the second course was brought for Kayla. Terion wondered if she knew to conserve herself during these dinners that usually consisted of around eight or so courses. She wouldn't make it past course four. Terion knew how to steady his eating and how to regulate his diet and his metabolism. Terion looked up from his meal every now and then too gaze at Kayla for a short time. His glances were friendly and probably a bit comforting. She did look quite stunning in her dress, her beautiful hair..... Her eyes were deep and thoughtful, as if she was taking in everything at once and it took her a while to process the information. Terion smiled at her, not saying anything really. He had compeltely changed from the rambunctious king she had seen the day before to a steady handed and firm king that she was probably expecting in the first place.
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Post by Kayla on Mar 2, 2008 12:16:39 GMT -5
Kayla wondered how many courses there would be. The whole idea was a bit nonsensical to her. At her house, they put out the bread, main course, and any vegetables or other appetizers all at once. That way you could get what you wanted and know how much there was to eat. Knowing this procession of food might continue for a while, Kayla resolved to eat only a bit of everything. That way she could taste everything but not be full before the end. Hopefully. The bread, though it was okay, made her homesick. There was something about having the bread made by people you loved that made it taste amazing. Oh, the cook here knew how to make the crust crunch, how to make the inside steamy and light, but Kayla knew she had tasted better. After all, she had been making bread for over half her lifetime. Terion's glances were a bit soothing, for this time she did not feel as if he would just leap across the table to kiss her. This Terion was more mellowed, somehow, more serious. She wasn't sure if she liked it yet. But for now it did her good, because now was when she needed a firm leader to watch and learn from. But she did hope the boyish side was not completely gone. It was what made Terion memorable and fun to be around. She supposed it was a matter of him finding a balance. Well, Kayla would help that balance if she could, she thought as she took another bite, because balance was something everyone needed. Especially a king.
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Post by Terion, King of Ireland on Mar 2, 2008 12:31:04 GMT -5
Dinner was rather quite and neither people really said anything during the whole ordeal. Terion finished his meal and waited for Kayla to do so before he said anything to her. Terion watched as one of the servants took away his plate and gave him a cup of wine. He smiled at the woman as she left and took a sip of the wine. He finally looked over at Kayla without his glances dropping back to his food or any other object in the room. He was a bit more relaxed than when she had first seen him before dinner started. “There are a few items of business…” Terion paused, “That I will need to see to tomorrow.” Terion said calmly, continuing in a deeper and more firm voice than she was probably used to from him, “Until then, I have a little bit of time to spend with you. I suppose,” He took a sip of his wine and paused, “That you wish to understand what it is that you must do as queen. Personally, I think that your duties are left up to me because from what I understand of history,” Terion set the wine glass down, “Was that the queen handled the matters the king chose not to. But be assured I will not give you the reject situation my dear.” Terion concluded. He then beckoned for her to come over to him, “Come over here, I wish to give you something.” Terion requested in a calm and almost stern voice.
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Post by Kayla on Mar 2, 2008 14:08:07 GMT -5
Finishing the food, Kayla politely waited for Terion to speak first. She supposed she might as well start acting with a semblance of respect towards him. It was not that she didn't respect him so much as she didn't see herself as a lower rank, nor would she scrape and bow in his presence. She listened as he spoke. It would seem that her rule as queen would not be as in depth as she would hope. That might have to change down the road. Her eyes narrowed almost inperceptively as he spoke of her duties being up to him. As if that would ever happen. Kayla was rightful queen, the blood inheritance of the throne. She would let him lead until she got her footing, then she would become a queen like no other. There would be no hiding in the masses of papers and regulations for her. Especially when there was a war going on. Then he commanded her to come to him. The thing about stubbornness was that you had to pick your battles, and Kayla decided this was something to just go along with. Approaching him, she asked curiously, "What is it?"
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Post by Terion, King of Ireland on Mar 2, 2008 14:24:58 GMT -5
Terion watched as she came over to him. At least she wasn’t being as stubborn as she usually was. Terion wasn’t sure exactly what was going on in her mind and that concerned him a bit. He knew that she would be a good queen, but he knew that she was going to need to learn things before she became that queen. He hoped that she wouldn’t be too willful. He hoped that she would let him actually teach her how to rule and not think that she knew it all and that she could simply assume her position with no prior knowledge whatsoever. Once she got closer to him, he stood up and walked to her, moving his hands to hers and leading her slowly back to his seat and he sat down, still holding her hands as she stood above him. Then, he dropped his right hand and took out a ring and gently slipped it onto her finger. Then he looked up at her, “This is the ring of your family, it has your crest, it’s a silver dragon surrounding a ruby, you can see it there.” Terion pointed out as he led her eyes to the silver ring shaped like a dragon with a ruby in the middle. “Now all will know who you are.”
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Post by Kayla on Mar 2, 2008 19:06:29 GMT -5
Following the young king's lead, Kayla sat in the seat, gazing at him wonderingly. His hands engulfed her slender fingers, making them seem small in comparison. His hands were not those of a pampered man, for they had a few callouses. The cool weight of something small slipped on her finger. As he talked, Kayla looked down at the ring. It was a curious thing, this crest, and she wondered what it meant. "Why a dragon?" she queried, her eyes flicking from Terion to the ring and back again, "and why a ruby? It seems like they should have some significance." Kayla would learn everything she could about being queen, especially about her blood relatives. She was willful, but she was willing to learn. She would not shun any who tried to help her out of friendly care. Especially not Terion.
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Post by Terion, King of Ireland on Mar 2, 2008 22:04:44 GMT -5
Terion figured that she would ask about her ring. She had been quick to ask questions and want to learn new things. Apparently she was one of those people that didn’t like to be kept in the dark about anything. Terion liked that kind of curiousness. Terion smiled up at her thought about asking a price for giving his information. She would undoubtedly know what he would ask for in such an attempt. However, he shook away his thoughts and just answered her question, “Well, the ruby is for the fire that you family had in them. I think the dragon is for strength, but I could be wrong. Again, I just found the ring, I did not read up on all of your information as of yet. I have yet known you for a few days. You should do some reading yourself. I am sure you will.” Terion said with a smile and kissed her hand gently before he looked back up at her with a smile. “Don’t worry, stubbornness runs in your family, that I am sure of.” He said and gave a slight laugh before his features became more stern again.
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Post by Kayla on Mar 3, 2008 9:56:36 GMT -5
Fire and strength. A powerful combination, in Kayla's mind. She liked this ring, with the delicate silver detail and the glimmering stone in the middle. It was a dangerous and unusual looking piece of jewelry. She resolved that she would not take this ring off now. It was her identification, and also the only other connection to her family besides the medallion. She still wore that as well; she could feel the metallic weight against her skin underneath all these layers of clothes. Her skin was caressed by his lips again, and she reflected that she must be a bit cold, because that kiss was very warm against her hands. She smiled back at his small joke. See, the old Terion was still in there. Now to figure out which one was the real one. Then she decided that both were facets of Terion, much like the facets of the glimmering red ruby that sparkled from her finger. Without really being aware of it, Kayla's thumbs gently stroked his hands as he held them, and she smiled more softly back up at him. Being king must be hard on him to make him look this old.
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Post by Terion, King of Ireland on Mar 4, 2008 19:13:50 GMT -5
Terion noticed her hands still on his and she hadn’t yet decided to pull away from him. Even more, she was actually caressing his hands with her thumbs. Terion thought this was a bid odd for her character; however, he didn’t make any mention of it because he enjoyed it. Terion looked into her eyes and smiled, kissing her hand again, “I am sure that you will enjoy learning everything that there is to learn for your people and about your own clan.” Terion assured, moving his hands from hers slowly and placing his hands gently on her wrists. “But come now, surely you do not wish to delve into that now?” Terion asked. He had finished his meal and assumed that Kayla had as well. Terion stood up, his eyes still on Kayla’s; not looking elsewhere no matter how much it tempted him. Kayla was very well developed and her curves did not go unseen. “I do not mind showing you to the old libraries….” Terion questioned. He wondered how persistent she would be to know her history. He was guessing that she would be rather persistent.
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