Yuletide: The Yule Feast

The Yule Feast

Princess Endora got out of the Throne Room as soon as she could and went to her room. Dionne was already there preparing her a hot bath. She had slipped out before the Captain of the Sidhe Guard left to get Prince Paddrick.

“Why is Queen March here? Paddrick never said she was coming.” Princess Endora burst into the room.

“I’m sure he didn’t know.” Dionne said as she picked up the clothes that Princess Endora was throwing on the floor as she undressed.

“Well, that is going to shock him for sure, then.” Princess Endora said. “I was hoping to meet her dressed properly and when everything was about to be settled. You know after Yule.”

“Maybe she is here for the feast tonight. I’m sure the Queen invited her.” Dionne said as she looked through the cupboard for clean underthings and a court dress for the princess.

“Grandmother said nothing to me about inviting her.” Endora dunked her head in the hot water and scrubbed at her hair.

“It will be fine.” Dionne started to lay the clothes out on the bed.

“Not that one, Dionne. The one with the sash. I want to wear the broach.”

Dionne nodded and went to exchange dresses.

“Queen March was wearing a beautiful blue gown.” Princess Endora climbed out of the tub wrapped her hair in a towel and started to get dressed.

“I saw you looking at it.” Dionne said. “It was beautiful. There were flowers embroidered on the train in gold. Did you see them?”

“Yes. I wish I could wear more than just white.” Princess Endora said as she looked at the dress on the bed and sighed.

A short time later, Princess Endora came into the Throne Room and bowed to the two Queens. Princess Paddrick was there and looked uncomfortable in his Court clothes.

“There you are! I was just about to send someone for you.” Queen Taralen said. “We are just about to go to the Yule feast.” She turned to Queen March. “My daughter has been organizing it for days.”

Queen March smiled. “I’m glad I arrived just in time. Come Paddrick. Princess Endora is waiting for your arm.”   

Prince Paddrick looked sheepishly at Princess Endora and offered her his arm.     

Princess Endora gave him a knowing smile as she took his arm. They followed the two Queens into the Great Hall.

The tables were full of food and decorated with white cloths with gold embroidery. If Princess Endora didn’t know better, she would think it was a wedding feast.

Queen Taralen raised her goblet and made a toast. “Happy Yule to everyone!”

The musicians started to play as the guests dug into the mounds of food on the tables.

Princess Endora nudged Prince Paddrick who was sitting beside her. “Aura wants you to come to the family party. It’s at her cottage in Rosemont.”

Queen March leaned over. “Who is this ‘Aura’?”

“She is my sister.” Princess Endora told her. “We have different fathers, Your Majesty.”

“Taralen, you have another granddaughter?” Queen March asked.

“I have two others. Cara was married to a Draconian and had two children by him.” Queen Taralen admitted.

“A dragon man? How interesting! Why are they not here?”

“They have other obligations, Your Majesty. They are both High Priestesses.” Princess Endora told her. 

“Paddrick, have you met them?” Queen March asked her son.

“Yes Mother. They are quite normal.” Prince Paddrick said as he took a sip from his cup. He was getting embarrassed by his mother’s rude questions. “Endora, I have to pick up something tomorrow. Would you like to go with me?”

“I would love to. Just let me know what time to be ready.” Princess Endora said.

“Not until the afternoon. I think we will all need our rest after this party.” Prince Paddrick said with a sigh.

Princess Endora nodded as she took a sip from her goblet. “I agree.” 

Yuletide: Dragon Iron Works

 

Dragon Iron Works

Prince Paddrick and Princess Endora met in the courtyard the next afternoon and walked through the Mist Passage to the Village of Brimstone.

“Are you going to tell me where we are going, now?” Princess Endora said.

“There was is a blacksmith shop here. Aura told me about it. I need to pick something up I ordered. Good! It’s open.” Prince Paddrick said as he spotted the sign handing outside the shop.

“She loves that place, you know. They have swords there that are forged by the dragons breathing on them.” Princess Endora told him.

“Is that what you carry on quests?” Prince Paddrick asked

“Sometimes but it can be a bit heavy if you have to fight for a while. I still like my short sword. But there are times that a long sword is called for.” Princess Endora thought a moment. “Paddrick, you should train with me.”

“I think that is a wonderful idea. Especially, if we are going to go on more quests. I want to be able to handle myself. Here we are.” Prince Paddrick said as he entered the blacksmith shop.

“Hullo! There you are. I thought you were coming tomorrow.” The blacksmith said. “But never mind, the order is ready.”

The blacksmith took a small cloth bag off the shelf and handed it to Prince Paddrick. The man smiled at Princess Endora as Prince Paddrick looked inside the bag. Paddrick nodded and handed a coin purse to the blacksmith.

“That should be enough.” Prince Paddrick said.

The blacksmith poured the coins into his large palm and smiled. “Yes, My Lord. It is very generous. Thank you.” He bowed to the Princess. My Lady, if you will pardon me I need to get back to work.”

“Of course.” Princess Endora smiled and nodded.

Prince Paddrick put the cloth bag into his vest pocket. “Let’s go to the tavern and get something to warm us up.”

“That sounds really good.” Princess Endora said. “Are you going to tell me what is in the bag?”

Prince Paddrick shook his head. “It’s for my mother.”

“Then you should ask a woman’s opinion about it.” Princess Endora nudged him.

Prince Paddrick laughed and held the tavern door open for her. “Two mulled ciders please. He called out to Horace as they took seats by the fire.         

Yuletide: Santa Crackers

 

Santa Crackers

Horace brought the two Fae mugs of warm cider and a plate of cheese, bread and some winterberry jam. On the tray was a long cylinder wrapped in bright colored paper.

“Horace, what is that?” Princess Endora asked.

“It is a cracker, My Lady. The mundane’s celebrated their winter holiday with them and Father Christmas. Really, he looks just like the Holly King to me. Mundanes are so strange. I have a few left over from their party last night. I though you may like to share it with His Highness.” Horace leaned over and whispered to Princess Endora. “He doesn’t look much like a Prince does he?”

Princess Endora giggled. “Thank you but how does it work?”

“You each pull on an end until it busts. They have candy in them and trinkets. If you need anything just let me know.” Horace bowed and left them.  

“So shall we?” Prince Paddrick picked up the strange thing and held it out.

“Why not?” Princess Endora grabbed the other end and pulled. The cracker burst and candy spilled out on the table. Princess Endora picked up a toy and looked at it. “What’s this?”

“Looks like a bird.” Prince Paddrick said.

“It’s pretty. I can’t seem to get away from birds lately.” Princess Endora smiled. “Aura would call it a sign.”

“And the birds mean what?” Prince Paddrick leaned over towards her.

“I don’t know. I just think they are pretty.” Princess Endora smiled.

“Just like you.” Prince Paddrick said.

Princess Endora blushed. “We should be getting back soon.”

Prince Paddrick nodded and sipped his cider. “Not quite yet.”

“Agreed.” Princess Endora took a sip of her own drink.

They returned to the castle a few hours later just as the gifts were being given out to the servants.

Yuletide: Perfect Gift

 

Perfect Gift

Most of the servants were usually given a gold coin and a small basket of goodies at Yule. There were a few that were given more. The Captain of the Sidhe Guard was usually given a new cloak and gloves by the Royal Family. The three personal maids of the Royal Family were usually given cloth for new dresses.

The two Queens and the Prince and Princesses sat as the gifts were being distributed. The Castle servants and the kitchen maids had all received their gifts. The Captain of the Sidhe Guard graciously accepted his gift that left the three maids. The Crown Princess gave her maid the gift of cloth and some silver thread for embroidery. Queen Taralen’s maid  received the same thing. Dionne stepped up and a large bundle was given to her.

Dionne looked confused. “My Lady?”

“Happy Yule, Dionne.” Princess Endora said with a big smile. “Go ahead and open it.”

Dionne opened the bundle and gasped. There was a heavy wool cloak, a tunic with a wool vest and breeches. “My Lady, this is too much.”

“No it isn’t. You do more than any maid here so your gift should reflect that.” Princess Endora stood and hugged her then whispered in her ear. “The boots are in my chambers.”

Princess Endora sat back down and smiled at Dionne.

“Endora, you spoil her.” Queen Taralen said. “But you are correct. She has more than the usual duties being your maid.”

“I don’t understand. What does that mean?” Queen March asked.

“Dionne travels with Endora on her quests. She also acts as a companion.” Queen Taralen told the visiting monarch. “One is rarely far from the other.”

“She wasn’t with her today.” Queen March said.

“I was catching up on my chores, Your Majesty. Dionne said quickly. “Besides I think that the Prince and Princess wanted to talk privately.”

Queen March looked at her son. “Well?”

“We went to pick up a last minute gift and we went to the tavern to have a warm drink.” Prince Paddrick said. “We didn’t need a chaperone for that.”

Queen March looked annoyed at her son as if he was supposed to do something he hadn’t

Princess Endora looked at Queen Taralen, who was looking rather annoyed. “I agree. They were in public the entire time they were out.”

Princess Endora nodded. “We were, Your Majesty. The tap room was full as well.”

“Next time I expect you to be chaperoned.” Queen March hit Prince Paddrick on the arm with her fan.

Prince Paddrick rubbed his arm and nodded.

“I have some business to attend to. Please excuse me.” Queen Taralen dismissed the servants and turned to Endora and whispered. “I want to see you in my study.” She stood and walked over to the door and looked back to see if she was coming

Endora nodded, bowed to Queen March and followed her grandmother into the Royal Study.

Yuletide:Second Thoughts and Unwanted Gifts

 

Second Thoughts and Unwanted Gifts

“Endora….” Queen Taralen started.

Princess Endora held up her hands. “Grandmother, he has always been a perfect gentleman I have no worries about my honor. Besides we are quite compatible.”

“I was hoping you didn’t like him. She is insufferable. Always with the rudest questions and …. “ Queen Taralen sighed. “She just gets on my nerves.”

“Well she isn’t the one I will be betrothed to, is she? Don’t worry. it will all work out.” Princess Endora looked at the settee and saw the strangest thing. There was a feathered cloak made with many different colored feathers. “Was that a gift from Queen March?”

“It is hideous.” Queen Taralen sank down in the chair behind the desk. “So you want to marry him?”

“Yes I think so. It’s not what we planned for me but he is Royal.” Princess Endora picked up the cloak and looked at it more closely. “It’s pretty.”

“It has color.” Queen Taralen said.

“The world has color, Grandmother. Why is it that we only wear white?” Princess Endora asked

“The Northern Court wears white. We are an extension of them in a way.” Queen Taralen looked at her granddaughter. “I think you would like some color in your clothes.”

“Some but this is a bit too much. Maybe a sash here or a tunic there.” Princess Endora put the cloak back on the settee.

“You will be Queen someday and then you can change the dress of the Court.” Queen Taralen shook her finger at Princess Endora. “I know that you have let young Dionne wear color on more than one occasion.”

“She looks good in green with her wings and coloring.” Princess Endora said. “Not while we were here of course. I wore blue at Aura’s wedding.”

“Maybe a sash wouldn’t be so bad.” Queen Taralen said with a smile. “What will I do with that?”

“Wear it for the Bell Ringing at the New Year. It’s warm and you always complain of the cold during the ceremony.” Princess Endora laughed. “Besides it will be dark and no one will be sober enough to notice.”

“Endora!” Queen Taralen laughed with her granddaughter.

“I must go Paddrick invited me on a sleigh ride in the morning.” Princess Endora told her grandmother.

“Take Dionne. Queen March wasn’t happy that you two went off without a chaperone.” Queen Taralen told her.

“I will. Dionne could use some fun too.”

“Indeed!”

Princess Endora bowed and left for her chambers. 

Yuletide: Snow Fae

 

Snow Fae

Dionne, dressed in her new gear, and Princess Endora came down the front steps of the palace to meet Paddrick.

“Ah our chaperone!” Prince Paddrick said. “Hi Dionne.”

“Don’t think of her as a chaperone. She is just our friend coming along for a little fun.” Princess Endora told him.

“I could go back and scrub the floor.” Dionne said as she thought about her chores.

“Nonsense!” Prince Paddrick said. “Dionne, why don’t you tell me all her secrets?”

“If I told them then they wouldn’t be secrets.” Dionne looked at Prince Paddrick.

Prince Paddrick started laughing. The sleigh is over near the stable. The stable hands said they couldn’t bring it into the courtyard.” He offered his arm to both of them. 

“The snow isn’t deep enough here. It would scrape the cobbles.” Princess Endora said. “Grandmother would have a fit if she saw it.”

“The Queen had some replaced just last spring for the same reason.” Dionne reminded her mistress.  

“I remember. I thought she was going to have a fit then. It was a visiting dignitary from the Northern Court. Whooshed right in and when the snow melted there were big scrape marks everywhere. I can’t say that I blame her. The stones come from a quarry on the other side of Ogham-Duir. They are not easy to get.”

“I never had to think of things like that. I’m so far down the line there isn’t a hope that I will ever be on the throne.” Prince Paddrick admitted.

“If we marry, you will be. I will need a King.” Princess Endora told him as Prince Paddrick helped her into the sleigh.

Dionne hopped in without help and Prince Paddrick got in next to Princess Endora. The driver took off as soon as everyone was settled. They took the long rode around the Realm. They stopped near a frozen lake to have a snack. Dionne pulled a basket from under the driver’s seat. She carefully took the crock with the hot chocolate and poured it into the cups.

“How is it still hot?” Prince Paddrick asked as he looked into the cup.

“The inside crock is in a larger on that has coals in it. Lady Aura showed me how.” Dionne said.

“Handy!” Prince Paddrick smiled.

“She has to keep some of her poultices warm when she heals. Princess Endora explained.

Dionne looked around and started to roll the snow into large boulders.

“What are you doing?” Prince Paddrick asked.

“I’m making a snow Fae.” Dionne said. She built a figure out of snow, wings and all. She shaped it a sword and a big fat belly.

Dionne, that looks like the Captain of the Sidhe Guard. Princess Endora said as she poured a second cup of hot chocolate for her and Prince Paddrick

“That is exactly who it is.” Dionne smiled that they recognized her sculpture. “Do you think I made him too stout?”

“No. I think he looks perfect. Now come and have some more hot chocolate.” Princess Endora poured more steaming liquid in Dionne’s cup.

“Gladly.” Dionne took a sip and sat on the log next to Princess Endora. “What was Queen March upset with you about, My Lord? I heard she was yelling at you.”

“Who told you that?” Prince Paddrick looked a little panicked.

“I’m a servant. We know everything.” Dionne laughed. “My beau is a footman. He heard her yelling at you.”

“When did this happen?” Princess Endora looked at her suspiciously.

“Last night after supper.” Dionne said as she took a sip.

“No. When did you start walking out with a footman?” Princess Endora asked.

“Two weeks ago.” Dionne said. “We are just talking. It’s nothing really. He just got his hat handed to him by a kitchen maid. You know the one that…….” Dionne winked.

“Oh that one.” Princess Endora nodded knowingly. Princess Endora turned to Prince Paddrick. “So why was she upset with you?”

“I forgot to do something.” Prince Paddrick took a sip of his hot chocolate and avoided her eyes.

“You are coming with me tomorrow to the family party, aren’t you?” Princess Endora asked

“I wouldn’t dream of missing it.” Prince Paddrick said.

“Oh well. We should head back.” Endora stood up and brushed off her cloak. Dionne picked up their mess as Prince Paddrick helped Princess Endora into the sleigh.

They got back to the castle as the sun was starting to fade.