Drastic Change in Character

Writers: Bree, Estelle, Nici
Date Posted: 3rd June 2005

Characters: Fielton, Badia, Alalir, Alajeran, Valand, Lindria, Enriline, Tyrome
Description: Fielton and Badia are married by Valand at the Vinter Hall, with Enriline, Alalir, Alajeran and Lindria in attendance.
Location: Vintner Hall
Date: month 6, day 7 of Turn 3

Fielton

Badia patted her intricately styled hair tentatively and looked at her reflection in the mirror. In less than a candlemark she'd be married and she wasn't quite sure how one moment she'd been trying to get out of being caught at a prank in the kitchens and sitting _here_ of all places the next.

"He'd just better not beat me or else he'll find out what a good throw I am with pottery...." she muttered under her breath.

"What was that, Badia?" Her mother turned, smiling. She'd been peeking through the door. The ceremony was taking place in the Vintner Hall's main hall and they were apparently waiting for the Lord Holder to arrive. Badia and her mother had been given a small room in which to get ready.

"Oh, nothing mother...." Badia turned and gave her a dazzling smile.

An apprentice scratched on the door before opening it a small crack. "They sent me to tell you that the Lord Holder's on his way in with his family, my lady. They should be ready for you any moment."

Badia beamed at the 'my lady' bit and wondered if that was how they'd all address her in the Hall from now on. If so, this marriage thing was already paying off! "Thank you. We await the signal," she replied with as much lady-like grace as she could.

***

Meanwhile, the guests from the Hold were arriving, the ladies in a state of high curiosity about the bride since none had spoken to her more than once or twice. Lady Enriline held herself aloof from gossip, of course, but she had made sure the drudges laid out the family's best finery for the occasion and that her husband and elder son-in-law were impeccably dressed before they left Amethyst Cliff. Fortunately, she didn't have to worry that Jeralir would turn up in anything less than the height of fashion.

"You did make sure there were guards around the nursery, didn't you?" Lindria asked her husband anxiously. She remembered only too well what had happened the last time they had set off for a celebration at the Vintner Hall.

"The answer is the same as it was this morning, and a candlemark earlier, love...." Alajeran took Lindria's hand and squeezed it gently. "We're well guarded." This was a much smaller affair and there were no visitors from outside so the level of security on the nursery wing was overkill, but after having had the children of a guest disappear, no one was taking any chances.

The Heir and eldest son of the Lord Holder yanked at the collar of his tunic, then glared at his brother when Jeralir nudged him. Little did Jeralir know but when Alajeran looked over, his father was mimicking his very gesture!

The final guests seated themselves. There were residents of the Hall in attendance of course and members of the Hold--all impressed by the presence of the Lord Holder and some of his family. But then, young Badia _had_ somehow managed to snag the Master of Vintner Hall...and many holders were there just to see if it were really true or not!

Fielton stood at the front of the room with Tyrome, eyeing the guests as he waited for Badia's arrival. The elderly Hallsecond had spent most of the morning following behind the Hallmaster and soothing the nerves of those trying to prepare for the ceremony. Fielton had proved even more impatient and short-tempered than usual, and Tyrome expected the only reason anyone had survived the morning was the expectation that the Hallmaster would be easier to deal with once he was happily married.

Valand arranged his papers and smoothed his harper-blue tunic. Another wedding! At this rate, he was thinking he should have made weddings his speciality and not composition! Still, he was coming to enjoy the ceremony--and the subsequent celebrations and food afterwards. The vintner at the Hall's main doors nodded to him, signalling that the last of the guests had been seated and he in turn nodded to the apprentice keeping watch in the small hallway leading to the impromptu bride's room.

The apprentice knocked once on the door before opening it and giving Badia a polite bow. "They're ready for you, my lady." He held the door open, proud that he'd been given such an important duty in the Hallmaster's wedding.

Badia's mother kissed her and left the room, leaving Badia to meet up with her father, who'd been peeking around the corner just as anxiously. Two nervous parents in one room had been two too many for her and so she'd chased her Papa out long before.

Now, her parents beamed at each other and her father took her arm to lead her formally towards her husband-to-be, her mother following at a discreet distance. All of her hold friends and their parents were there and Badia tried her best not to give them smug glances as she passed by them and toward Fielton.

Finally, after what seemed like forever, they were there and Badia gave Fielton her best curtsey and a brillant smile as she stood next to him. Hah, and most of her parents friends thought she was only good for making mischief or wrapping her parents 'round her little finger!

Fielton gave the girl an unusually warm smile, taking her hand in his and turning to face Valand. Behind him, the murmers fell silent as everyone waited for the ceremony to begin.

Badia would later try to remember every nuance and find herself unable to even remember the words she or Fielton had spoken--and she would wonder if it was the same for all brides. All she knew is that one momemt her Papa was handing her over, the next Fielton was giving her a chaste kiss on the brow and suddenly the Lord Holder and his Lady were giving him their congratulations while the rest of the attendees waited their turn.

"I can't tell you how happy I am that you've found happiness," Alalir said, reaching out to shake Fielton's hand. The man had moved quickly. The ink had barely been dry on the declaration making his previous marriage null and void when he'd heard the news. And apparently finding a bride was something that the Hallmaster had required none of his assistance with, that was for sure!

Fielton looked very pleased with himself as he wrapped his arm around Badia's shoulders. "I only hope that I will be as fortunate as you are."

"You honor us by coming, "Badia said, remembering her manners despite her excitement. She curtseyed to both Lord Alalir and his Lady. She was both Lady Lindria and Calanna's age if she remembered correctly and perhaps she might be able to befriend either or both--although Lady Lindria looked _much_ more approachable.

"We were both delighted by the invitation," Enriline replied, pleased by the girl's courtesy - which of course reflected well on the Hold. "Weddings remind me of my own recent happiness, and I join my husband in wishing you as much joy as I have found with Lord Alalir. And since we have been so generously received at the Hall, you must both come and have dinner with us at the Hold..." She glanced at Alalir. "That is, if my husband is agreeable."

"As if you need to ask!" Alalir smiled at her and turned to newly married pair again. "I look forward to it. I cannot ever forget how warmly you greeted my wife during your recent event." No matter that the event had ended in near tragedy--Fielton had still been more than gracious to his wife. Alalir could do nothing less than reciprocate.

Obviously more than a little affected by his pleasure in the day, Fielton beamed at Enriline with entirely uncharacteristic delight. "We'd be honored, of course. And I'm sure I know just the vintage to bring. One of our finest, just now at its peak. I can think of no finer company to enjoy it with--or two better reasons than the fine ladies we've found for ourselves."

Tyrome, standing at Fielton's elbow, did his best not to look shocked by the Hallmaster's drastic change in character. It would be rather ironic, after eight months of trying to keep Fielton's temper under control, to find that he could have avoided the entire mess by finding the man a pretty young woman to dote on.

Being a pessimist, however, Tyrome certainly didn't expect the change in temperment to last. Smiling, he reached out to offer his arm to Lady Enriline. "Please, let me escort you to the table we have set aside for you. Our cook has outdone herself this time, I must say..." A stern look from the Hallsecond had the rest of the assembled masters and senior journeymen--all of whom had been staring or outright gaping at the absurdly cheerful Hallmaster--scurrying to offer their assistance to the guests in finding places to sit and food to eat.

Last updated on the August 17th 2005

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Drastic Change in Character