Yuletide: Perfect Gift

[sidhe_faerie]

 

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.