A Golden Thread

Writers: Yvonne
Date Posted: 11th October 2024

Characters: Elana, Panna, Sellimere
Description: Elana is congratulated for her win at the embroidery competition
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 13, day 29 of Turn 11

"Congratulations!" Sellimere threw herself at Elana with a squeal. "You _won_! I knew you would!"

"Thank you!" Elana hugged her back. "I can't believe it!" Except... she could. She'd worked _hard_ on her little tapestry, and she'd earned that first prize ribbon. If she were honest with herself, it was one of the first things that Elana had actually accomplished on her own without stealing her sister's work. This victory was hers and hers alone.

"And you won the marks, and got to speak with Lord Corofel-- whatever did he say to you? You went the colour of a redfruit!"

**Blast!** People had noticed. Elana felt herself going red all over again. "Oh, he just wanted to discuss a commission. Nothing that exciting."

Sellimere gaped, just as Elana hoped she would. "The Lord Holder wants to commission something from you!?"

"I'm sure that it's just for appearances, because I won," Elana said offhandedly. "He _did_ say that my work was better than some of the work he's seen from the Weaver Hall, though."

"He did?!" Sellimere's eyes went wide. "No way!"

The Acting Lord Holder had not, in fact, said any such thing-- but Elana wasn't above embellishing the truth a little. It was like gold thread in a tapestry; a hint of a sparkle leant the whole thing a new dimension. She grinned at Sellimere. "I'll tell you all about it, but first I ought to go see Aunt Panna. Can I meet you at the front doors in a half candlemark? We can go see some of the events before the feast and dancing tonight."

Sellimere blew her a kiss. "Don't be late!"

Elana found her Aunt Panna right where she'd left her. Her aunt was beaming as she approached. "Congratulations, my dear. I am very proud of you."

"Thank you!" Elana grinned and hugged her aunt. "You taught me so much! The Lord Holder even said that my work is finer than some of what he's got from the Weaver's Hall!"

"Did he now?" Panna arched an eyebrow. "How nice of him. Is that why you went so red when he spoke to you after you stepped off the stage?"

**Double blast!** Panna had noticed too!? Everyone was going to be talking after this, speculating what Lord Corofel might have said. But... Elana started to wonder if she could turn the gossip in her favour somehow. Get ahead of it... She lowered her voice and leaned forward a bit. "He just... remembered me. From the Incident with the wooden runner. But he also said that he'd like to commission something from me. Isn't that marvellous?"

"Did he, now? That was kind of him to say, but temper your hopes, my girl. We shall see if he follows through." Panna held out a hand to her niece. "Help me up?"

Elana obliged. "I don't see why he wouldn't. He _said_ that he would."

"Young men are fickle," Panna said as she readjusted her skirts and took a better grip on her cane. "You'd best remember that."

Her niece rolled her eyes. "Oh auntie, I know he'll actually follow through with a commission." He'd better, after Elana told everyone about it. Although if he didn't... would that hurt his reputation more, or her own?

"We'll see. But I'll mention it to Gordenic so that he's prepared when the request is made." Panna patted her hand. "I am proud of you, my girl. You did well, and I am glad to see that you're being recognized for it. You're a credit to your family and your Hold."

"Thank you." The smile on Elana's face was genuine. It _was_ her turn to shine. She deserved it.

Last updated on the October 17th 2024

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A Golden Thread