The Stranger

Writers: Aaron, Yvonne
Date Posted: 4th May 2024

Characters: Elana, Corofel
Description: Elana encounters a strange man where no strange men ought to be.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 10, day 22 of Turn 11
Notes: Mentioned: Jylanya

Corofel

It was so hard not to be envious in the Lord Holder's childrens' suite. The rooms were large, sunlit and full of toys and books and child-sized chairs and tables. Everything was bright, soft and comfortable. The children were out with their nurse at the moment, so Elana could enter their rooms to fetch and replace their laundry without being spotted.

It wouldn't do to have the brats get frightened by their very own, personal laundress, after all.

She hummed tunelessly to herself as she carefully put away Collyn's washing, making sure that the folded clothes _stayed_ folded and that she refolded anything loose in the drawer. The fabrics were all bright and so soft. A child of the Blood wouldn't wear a cousin's hand-me-downs like she and her sister had growing up. **No nasty burlap dresses for you, little lordling. If you only knew how good you had it.**

The floor creaked behind her. Elana froze.

Someone else was _here_.

She whipped around and gasped-- a _stranger_ stood behind her, in the _children's_rooms_. She paled beneath her freckles, dropped the overalls she was holding and grabbed whatever was closest in self defense: a wooden runner on wheels sitting on the top of the dresser. "Get out now or I swear I'll scream so loud you'll go deaf!"

"Whoa! Hey!" Corofel's eyes went wide, and he put his hands up to show he meant no harm. "Sorry. I didn't realize they weren't back yet. I'm Corofel. What's your name?"

Her gaze darted to the knots on his shoulders. Those were... the Lord Holder's knots. But those could be faked. She narrowed her eyes and took another, closer look at him. Reddish hair, warm brown eyes... he was actually quite handsome, although there was still a bit of childish roundness to his face. Worse than that-- he did resemble Lord Corowal.

This was the new Lord Holder.

She'd threatened the new Lord Holder.

Elana flushed, looked at the wooden toy in her hand, then went to curtsey but couldn't manage when she was holding something. "I'm so sorry, I didn't know-- usually there's nobody here but people I know, I'm very sorry Lord."

"It's alright. Really." After all, there had only recently been a gruesome murder at the Hold. Anyone could be forgiven for being frightened by some strange man barging into a nursery.

Of course, he had not yet been formally introduced to this particular staffer. And it was possible for a woman to be a murderer, too. Then again, if she were waiting to ambush him, she would be hiding. Unless she had not been quite ready yet. He had obviously interrupted her in the midst of something.

Cleaning, obviously... He could not go around being suspicious of _everyone_ he did not know, especially if he wanted his people to trust him.

But then there was also the matter of being alone outside of a formal setting with a woman who was not his wife. Although, he supposed, as someone in the line of succession, he would hardly be forced to marry a servant... Knowing his father's reputation, though...

"I'm glad we have someone who would be so protective of them. My siblings. I only came to visit, but I see they're not here."

"No. I don't usually see them, really. I just do--" Laundry seemed too beneath him. She tried for a smile. "Mending and alterations. And sometimes sew them new things."

"Still growing like weeds, I see," said Corofel. "You know, I didn't think I would miss them so much when I went away. I was... a lot younger then." After everything that had happened, it seemed even longer. And without their father being there, well. Someone had to fill that role for them, too. "Well, whom should I thank Jylanya for the fine work you're doing...?" She never had said her name.

"Elana." She smiled, then looked down at the wooden runner in her hand. "I really am sorry about almost bashing your head in."

"No harm, no foul." Corofel smiled. "I wouldn't dare begrudge you being prepared to bash in the head of a strange man where he shouldn't be."

**You're probably the only one,** Elana thought. It wasn't a terribly lady-like reaction. She set the toy back down on the dresser and bent to pick up the overalls. Her hand still shook from the shock he'd given her. "I'll be finished in here soon and out of your way before the children are back."

"I'll get out of yours, then, until then." He smiled, nodded to her, and then left her to her work.

Last updated on the May 9th 2024

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The Stranger