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[ 82] Llorana: Familial Obligation (1/3)
Wed Nov 3 16:14:06 2010
To: Shalonesti Shalonesti_kingdom Nianica Drondon Jinquil Azaros (storynote chain)
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The 'summer' cottage seemed more a work of elven art to Llorana's eye.
It was a sprawling manor, one floor, with multiple wings. She could see
pale lavender silk curtains wafting in the tall arched windows and beyond,
she could hear the sound of the sea against the cliff. Pale dark green
pillars bracketed the inner courtyard and between each stretched elegant
arches embroidered with gold and emerald. Within she knew that the reading
room, the dining room, the study and even the bedrooms were furnished with
high quality vallenwood, cherrywood and wicker.
Sighing quietly, Llorana glanced away from the cottage to the thick of the
Vallenwood forest beyond. The sun was going down over the sea and the
shadows were lengthening but the shading that touched the cottage was
beautiful, inspiring. It was one of the things she loved about this place
in particular, aside from the secret grove and the paths she and her sisters
had made in their forest backyard.
Lots of memories here, though it had quite often been a place of
punishment...for her anyway. That thought made her smile. There'd been
next to nothing worse for her than being made to settle down. Cities
offered her the ability to run wild. This place had made her stop and
breathe.
Caught up in all her nostalgia she about failed to notice the presence of
Drondon as he came up beside her. The touch of his hand to her back served
as gentle comfort, even though it nearly made her jump, and she turned her
head to smile crookedly at him. He matched her smile though he was gentler
about.
'So this is it?' He asked while looking out over the estate, to which she
nodded slowly. They were both nervous and there'd been no sign of anyone
else yet. She desperately didn't want her and Drondon to be the first on
scene.
'This is it' She replied very softly and then started the inevitable trek
toward the door, her attention shifting longingly to the long many-windowed
hallway that lead to the southern most wing. She'd had ways to get in and
out that alerted no one, which was what she wanted to do. She let it go
though and lead Drondon to the front door, taking a moment to look him over
before they knocked.
The trip had taken them three days by horseback and they were both dirty,
sore and tired but he was in high spirits as always. He smiled consolingly
at her and lifted his hand to knock on the tall arched door, surprising her.
It was dark green with gold and emerald embroidery, displaying a crest of
the Dalar family below a tall, elegant vallenwood tree in dark delicate
tones.
She had to bolster her resolve while they waited and by the time the door
open, she was ready, but she was met with a very different response as a
petite elf rushed out and grabbed her up in a hug, nearly squeeling!
Looking up from the familiar head of blond hair she found an equally
familiar wisened smile and her misgivings eased and she wrapped her arms
around the form squeezing her for her she was worth.
'Little Llora' Faewen, their 'nanny' spoke her name warmly. 'I couldn't
contain my daughter. Jai'ryn has missed you all dearly.'
Drondon was glancing askance at her. She tried to set him at ease with a
smile and whispered, 'I'll explain later'
'The lady and lord of the manor are resting from the long trip.' Faewen
continued as she gestured them all into the cottage and began leading the
way down the flowing corridors lined with art that could easily be
considered ancient and priceless. With much relief, she noted that the
elder elf was leading her to her own wing of the estate. 'They advised that
you take some time to refresh. Dinner is not for awhile yet and Jini has
not arrived.
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