Yuletide: Snow Fae

[sidhe_faerie]

 

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.