NANO UPDATE FOR 11/1-11/7

NANO UPDATE FOR 11/1-11/7

11923 / 50000 (23.85%)

Total words for the week: 14578

DAMEISELE CWĒN (Damsel Queen) 6

 The Dameisele’s Plan

After taking some time to get settled into a routine, Taralen started to think about the future. On one of those rare occasions she had to sit at the loom and weave she let her thoughts drift to what was going to need to be done.

The one thing that was worrying her the most was the fact she would have to have an heir to succeed her. When she was younger, she never thought of the possibility of having children. Her only thought was to become a priestess at Tara. Those days were long behind her now.

She stopped to reload her shuttlecock when she heard a knock at the door.

“Enter!” Taralen called out.

Miran came inside. “There are letters from the Tylwyth Teg and the Midsummer Courts. They are asking for a meeting to discuss alliances. The Midsummer Court is also asking fi the arranged marriage is still valid.”

“No. It is not. I was never going to honor it. It was the reason we fled in the first place. My father had just died and the Queen told my mother that I would be leaving for the Midsummer Court soon after the burial.” Taralen said. “I will have to make that clear to them. Schedule meetings for each court representative, Miran. The Midsummer Court’s envoy should be first.”

“Taralen, you will need a husband. How else will you have an heir?” Miran reminded her.

“If I marry, I will choose the man that makes me happy not a man that is part of a treaty agreement. It is so barbaric these arranged marriages. That is why there are so many bastards at the Courts now.” Taralen said with disgust.

Miran raised an eyebrow at the Queen. “I didn’t realize you had even thought of those things.”

“I think of a great deal of things when I weave.” Taralen said. “To be truthful I do not wish to marry at all but I need a daughter to take my place.”

Miran nodded. “There cannot be one without the other.”

“I know. I will weave a while longer and think on things. Let me know of the arrangements for the meetings. “Taralen said. 

“Yes My Lady.” Miran smiled and left the Queen to her weaving and thoughts.

The envoy from the Midsummer Court arrived two days later. Prince Daer was the same prince she had been betrothed to by her aunt.

“My Lady.” Prince Daer bowed. “You are even lovelier than I have heard. Your grace rivals that of a swan. I am in awe at your presence.”

Taralen rolled her eyes and Miran barely suppressed a chuckle.

“You may stop with the flattery, Prince Daer. I have no intention of marrying you.” Taralen said bluntly. “You are here to make a treaty not a betrothal.”

“I apologize if I have offended you.” Prince Daer bowed again. He held out a scroll. “My queen has sent these proposals for your review.”

Taralen waved him closer and took the scroll. She read it quickly while he stood there. She looked up. “I shall have to read this more thoroughly before we start negotiations. Chambers will be provided while you wait. I will hear from me again in the morning.”

“Yes My Lady.” Prince Daer said.

Sol came from beside Taralen and beckoned the young prince to follow him. Once they were out of the room, Taralen laughed.

“That was ridiculous. Did he believe that all that honey-tongue would work with me?” Taralen looked at Miran.

Miran shook her head. “I think he did.”

“The proposals are fine for the most part but the numbers are a bit large.” Taralen looked at the parchment again. “I will write up a counter offer and send him back in the morning. I don’t wish to be flattered to death.”

“He is handsome with his dark hair and sharp eyes.” Miran said.

“So is my favorite unicorn.” Taralen laughed. “I’m not going to marry it either.”

Miran laughed. “I should hope not. The envoy for the Tylwyth Teg will be her the day after next.”

“I hear from Sol that one of the guards is your son’s brother.” Taralen said.

“He is. We are welcoming him when he arrives.” Miran said. “He is family after all.”

Taralen nodded. “I hope he will have a good visit. I will take this to my chambers now. Go home and prepare for his arrival, Miran.”

Miran smiled and left.

Taralen went to her chambers and worked on the proposal until supper time. She just had it down with everything the way she liked and signed it when there was a knock at the door.

“Enter!” Taralen said as she rolled up the parchment.

Miran slipped in with her supper. She sat the tray on the table. “That prince has been a nuisance to the serving girls. I had to hear about the things he was requesting of them and how he tried to touch them. I have a footman serving him now.”

“You see. That is what the Midsummer Court is all about. They are legendary for their debauchery.” Taralen said. “I would never have peace as a wife with the likes of him. Handsome or not he is trouble.”

“I agree.” Miran said. “Maybe the envoy from the Tylwyth Teg court would be more to your liking.”

“Always the matchmaker.” Taralen smiled as she pulled the tray of food closer to her.

“I have hope that you will find what you want in a husband.” Miran said. “Good night Taralen.”

“Good night. I shall see you in the morning.” Taralen said as she looked at the tray.

Miran slipped out and headed home.

The next morning the Prince was sent on his way with the counter proposals tucked in his bag. Taralen had the footman take the scroll to the Prince and inform him a portal would be opened for him as soon as he came into the courtyard. When the Prince asked to say good bye to Taralen, he was told she was not available. He left without insisting to be seen.

Later that afternoon, Taralen was at her prayers when the warning bells started to ring. She hurried down to the courtyard to see a man being carried on a stretcher.

“Who is he? Where did he come from?” Taralen asked the guards.

“We found him unconscious by the edge of the mist. He looks like a warrior. The Mundanes are waging war with each other he must be one of their warriors.” The guard told her.       

Taralen nodded. “Take him to the west turret and fetch the healer. Tell me if he wakes. I will want to ask him questions.”

“Yes My Lady.” The guard said.

Miran came up behind Taralen. “What are you thinking? You should have him taken back through the mist to his own people. Their healers will take care of him.”

“I have an idea.” Taralen said. “Come with me and I will explain.”

Miran followed Taralen back to her chambers. Taralen took a book from the shelf and opened it to the page she wanted. She showed the book to Miran.

“Have you ever heard of this potion?” Taralen asked.

“Yes but I have never used it.” Miran looked up at the young queen. “Taralen, are you going to do what I think you are going to do?”

“His coloring is similar to the Tylwyth Teg. If I use this potion on him I will conceive without having to marry. Taralen said.

“If he lives and will take it.” Miran said. “I’m not even sure that a Fae and a mundane can have a child.”

“I don’t know either but I have heard stories of Halfling children.” Taralen said.

“Those are just tales, Taralen. If he refuses to help you, what will you do?” Miran asked.

“I am going to enchant him. “Taralen said. “I need a daughter and this is my best option.”

“A husband would be your best option.” Miran said. “What if the child is a boy or it favors its father?”

“I will keep him here until I have what I want.” Taralen said. “It is the only way.”

“Taralen, think about this. He is a mundane. His blood will weaken the child’s magick and the royal blood line.” Miran said.

“He is a warrior like my father. He will give the blood strength.” Taralen shrugged. “The royal line is not what it once was. We were a race of warriors but we are no longer.”

Miran sighed. “I promised your mother I would help you find a good husband.”

“That was her dream for me but not mine. I need to check on this mundane and then I would like your help with the preparations.” Taralen said.  

“I will do what you need me to because you are my Queen but not because I think you are right in this.” Miran said.  

“I understand and I don’t mean to put you in this position but I need a daughter and soon. I do not have time for a courtship or a lengthy engagement. I must do this.” Taralen said. She hugged Miran and went to check on the man in the turret.

“Well how is he?” Taralen asked the healer when she arrived in the turret.

“He will live, My Lady. The wound was not mortal and he will have a slight headache from that knot on his head in the morning.” The healer said.

“Thank you for looking after him. I want you to have a footman assigned to care for him until he is better.” Taralen said.

“He will be better tomorrow, My Lady. We should send him back before he wakes. This is no place for a mundane.” The healer said.

“I have already had an earful from Miran I don’t need one from you.” Taralen admonished the man. “He is to stay until I say he is fit to leave. Is that clear?”

“Yes My Lady.” The healer bowed and left without another word.

The young Queen studied the man’s features. He had reddish blonde hair and freckles on his cheeks. He was not bad looking. She looked at his build and found him short and thickly built.

Taralen sighed in resignation. She had chosen him as the father of her child and that was the end of it. There was nothing left to do but make the potion and proceed with her plan.

A footman appeared in the doorway.

“See that he is looked after. I want no female Fae in his presence but me and Miran. I fear we know little about his kind.” Taralen told the man.

“I will see to it, My Lady. The footman said. He bowed low to her.   

“Thank you.” Taralen left the man and the footman alone to get the plan started.

As she walked back to her chambers she realized it was not going to be easy. She would have to do the one thing she never wanted to do. She never wanted to lose her purity. Even now that she had realized that taking the veil was never going to happen, she still held on to the ways of an initiate.  

DAMEISELE CWĒN (Damsel Queen) 7

 An Enchantment For A Child

Taralen had made the potion and was ready when the mundane woke up. The footman watching him had sent for her as soon as the man woke. She and Miran went to the turret immediately.

“Where am I? What is this place?” The man was sitting up and asking when Taralen and Miran arrived.

“You are in the Southern Court of the Tuathe. I am Taralen. I am Queen here.” Taralen said. “What is your name?”

“I am Caleb dales. I was fighting the Cullen army for King Unbane.” The man said. “You are faeries. How did I get here?”

“You fell through a protective barrier around our land.” Taralen said. She turned to the footman. “You may go. I will call for you when I am ready to leave.”

“Yes my lady.” The footman bowed and left.

“I want to go back to the battle.” Caleb said. “I’m sure they are looking for me by now.”

“We will send someone to tell them you are recovering here.” Taralen said. She held out the small bottle with the potion. “Here, drink this it is a tonic to restore your strength.”

“Thank you but I feel strong enough.” Caleb said as he eyed the bottle the queen was holding.

Taralen frowned and opened her other hand. She had faerie dust in her palm. She blew it in his face.

“Hey! What are…..” Caleb went quiet.

“Drink this.” Taralen held out the bottle out to him again.

Caleb took the bottle and drank the potion.

Taralen took a deep breath and looked at Miran.

“My Lady, I will stay on the other side of the door to make sure you are not disturbed.” Miran said.

“Thank you.” Taralen whispered. She waited until Miran was out of the room and then turned to the man staring blankly at her.

“Remove your clothing.” Taralen said.

Caleb removed his clothes and stood naked in front of her. Taralen dropped her gown to the floor and lay down on the bed. Caleb looked at her and the potion took over. He climbed on top of her and took her purity. Taralen cried out but didn’t stop him.

On the other side of the door, Miran bit her lip and started to cry. She heard Taralen sobbing as the man grunted. Finally all was quiet. She peeked inside. Taralen was putting on her gown. The man was sleeping in the bed.

“Taralen?” Miran whispered.

“It’s done. We need to clean him up and get him dressed. The sheets will need to be changed as well.” Taralen said.

The two women put everything right so no one would know what happened there and left with the sheets and soiled towels.

“Footman! You may return.” Taralen called out to the footman as Miran went around the corner with the laundry.

The footman came around the corner and bowed. He quickly returned to his place. He found the mundane deeply sleeping.

They returned to Taralen’s chambers where Miran poured water in a basin and set it behind the changing screen.

“Are you all right?” Miran asked.

“It hurt more than I thought it would. It still hurts some.” Taralen went behind the screen to change and wash.

Miran shook her head. “You have the Tylwyth Teg envoy tomorrow. If you had waited you may have found a husband.”

“We have talked about this.” Taralen said as she came from behind the screen in her dressing gown. “Besides it is too late now. The man has the coloring of a Tylwyth Teg. I will use that to my advantage. If anyone asks who the child father is I will say he was one of the men from the envoy.”

“You will link the child on one of them?” Miran asked.

“No. I will not name anyone. I will say it was a heartbreaking experience and leave it at that.” Taralen said. She gingerly sat down on the settee. “I will use the potion on Caleb again the day after tomorrow. I will do this as often as I can stand it. I need to be with child as soon as possible.”

“The potion may not work on a mundane the way you want.” Miran said.

“It did work. It worked a little too well.” Taralen shook her head. “He was ….before I could tell him to. I should know soon, I suppose.”

“It will take weeks before you know. Are you prepared to do this for weeks?” Miran asked.

Taralen sighed. “I must. I need to rest.”

Miran nodded. “I will take these things to the laundry and bring you supper later.”

“Thank you Miran. I do appreciate all you do for me even when I don’t seem to.” Taralen said.

“I know.” Miran gave her a sad smile and left with the laundry.

The next day the envoy from the Tylwyth Teg came with their proposals for a treaty. The envoy was an older Fae that was a brother of the current Queen.

“My Lady, My sister, the Queen and I were saddened to hear of your mother’s passing. I hope you will think of the Tylwyth Teg Court as friends and allies for now and the future. The Fae said.

“I will see what you have proposed and then decide. What is your name?” Taralen asked.

“I am Prince Wans, My Lady.” The envoy said. He handed a scroll to Taralen. “I think we have been reasonable in out dealings with you.”

Taralen looked at the scroll then around at the delegation. Most of the males were older. There were a few that could have reasonably assumed to be her lover. She nodded and gave the scroll a quick read.

“I see you speak the truth.” Taralen said. “I have chambers prepared for you. I need to look at this more carefully before I give you my answer on this.”

“Of course My Lady.” The prince bowed as he was shown out of the throne room to the chambers that were waiting for them all.

Miran came up beside Taralen. “I saw you looking. There are a few that would be possible.”

“I saw that.” Taralen said. “I need to look this over more thoroughly and write out a counter proposal before tomorrow afternoon. I will pay our friend in the turret a visit early in the morning.”

“I will go with you. You should not go to him alone.” Miran said.

Taralen nodded. “I know. We will go after breakfast. I have more of the potion ready. The enchantment should still be holding. I will refresh it in any case to make sure.”

“That is wise.” Miran said. “I will tell Sol I have to help you plan the farewell feast for the Tylwyth Teg. I know we have done it already but I haven’t told him.”

Taralen smiled. “So many secrets will be kept for the sake of a child that isn’t even here yet. My mother would be appalled.”

“Not as appalled as you might think. Your mother kept secrets of her own.” Miran said. “It is the way of queens.”

“I really hope I will not have to tell many more before I die.” Taralen said.

“You are a Queen. There will be far too many before your crown is put upon your daughter’s head.” Miran said.

“That is not encouraging.” Taralen said as she started to walk to her chambers.

“It is not meant to be, My Lady.” Miran laughed as she followed the young Queen. 

Taralen worked on the proposal until supper. She said her prayers like always but included the wish for a child as quickly as possible. She went to sleep with thoughts of a baby in her arms.

The next morning after she had visited the mundane in the turret she rested until midday. She had the meeting with the envoy in the afternoon and it went well. There were some adjustments made but a treaty was quickly negotiated.

Arrangements for a signing celebration were made already so Taralen went for a walk in the garden alone. Prince Wans was standing at the rosebushes when she rounded the corner.

“Hello.” Taralen said. Those were my mother’s favorite. I have a fresh bouquet put on her tomb every day when they are in bloom.

The Prince bowed. “My wife loved them too. She passed in the same fever epidemic that took your mother. She was trapped at the Northern Court when she went to visit a friend. She passed without me being able to tell her I loved her one last time.”

“I am so sorry.” Taralen said. “The fever took many here as well.”

“I asked to be sent here my lady. I was hoping to talk to you about a betrothal.” The price said.

Between? Taralen asked as she sat on the stone bench.

“You and me. I know I am older but I have a great deal of experience in matters of state I would be an asset to your Court.” Prince Wans said.

“I am not looking for a husband.” Taralen said flatly. “I will handle my own matters as my mother did and hers before her. Your offer is generous and surprising. Why would you want to be tied to a young girl after the love of your life has died?”

“You are right, my lady. My wife was the love of my life. My queen suggested it as a way to give me a fresh start. I see now it was inappropriate. Please forgive me.” Prince Wans said.

“Tell me of your wife.” Taralen patted the bench beside her. “I know you must miss her. My mother talked of my father often after he fell in battle. This bench was put here because she and my father loved to sit in the gardens of the Northern Court near the roses.

“I will tell you all about her.” Prince Wans smiled and sat down.

They talked for hours until Miran came out to fetch Taralen.

“My Lady, it is getting chilly and I have supper waiting for you.” Miran said as she eyed the older prince.

“Thank you Miran. I need to go but thank you for talking with me. I will see you tomorrow at the signing.” Taralen said.

“Thank you My Lady. Rest well.” Prince w stood and bowed. He watched as Miran and Taralen went inside.

“He asked me to marry him.” Taralen said as soon as they were inside. “The Queen put him up to it.”

Miran shook her head. “You are too young for him. Surely the queen would see that.”

“She had a motive but it is of no importance. I turned him down. I could tell his heart wasn’t in it.” Taralen said.

Miran said. “Will he be the one?”

Taralen sighed. “I have no plans to link him to my child. If there is a child of which we are not certain.”

The next day the Queen of the Tylwyth Teg came and the treaty was signed. She seemed disappointed that there would be no betrothal between Prince Wans and the young Queen but did not comment on it.

Taralen was sure there had been a motive behind it when she saw the Queen’s face as Prince Wans told her there would be no betrothal. They left as soon as the celebration feast was over.