A Special Gift

Writers: Suzee, Paula, Emma, Ames, AL
Date Posted: 14th January 2011

Characters: Royah, Benani, Zathris, Zelanka, Wirnan
Description: A surprise birthingday celebration for the Lady Holder
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 12, day 18 of Turn 5

Benani

Zathris

Wirnan

Wirnan set out the last candle and looked around at the others gathered,
awaiting the arrival of the Lady Holder. He hadn't been here long, but as
soon as he heard of the upcoming birthingday, Wirnan was eager to help.

"I hope she'll be surprised," he said, smiling and tucking his hands into
the belt loops on his pants. He wouldn't mind impressing the lady holder a
bit and the Lord holder as well. He still felt he had much to prove since
taking on the role of steward here.

Zelanka walked in from the kitchen, moving slowly and carefully. She was
carrying a large cake. She had used most of the day to make it and was not
going to trust anybody else to touch it. "Make space for the cake,
please," she asked.

"Did you get any of those pies my sister likes so much?" asked Royah. He'd
teased her mercilessly as a child about it.

"Oh, yes, they are cooling in the kitchen," Zelanka replied and placed the
cake to the table. She carefully straightened one of the pink sugar-roses
that had gotten tilted during the transportation.

Wirnan had quickly moved some decorations out of the way to make room for
the cake. "Shall we dim the lights so she won't see all the party fare?"
He gestured to the table which was full of food and decorations. **Now we
just need our guest of honor to arrive. Hopefully Zathris was able to pull
off the surprise**, Wirnan thought, wondering how the Lord Holder would
convince his lady wife to accompany him without a good explanation.

"I don't like it Benani." Zathris' voice boomed down the hallway,
well before he and his wife would come through the doors. "You shift
around stuff and I don't know where anything is! Can't you just leave
my papers alone?!"

She'd never seen him so upset at her before and her heart pounded as
she rushed after him. "I'm so sorry." she called. She'd never intended
to cause an issue but he'd left the papers all over her desk and she'd
just stacked them to the side to work on her own. "I didn't know you
were coming back. Zathis? Can you slow down?" she called near to tears
as she tried to catch up to him.

"They're coming," Wirnan whispered loudly to the gathered group. He gave a
motion with his hand for them all to move off to the sides so they were
not
so easily visible when the pair entered the dining chamber.

Zelanka quickly moved next to the wall and gestured some of the drudges to
wait outside.

Royah 'shushed' his children, reminding them that there would be no cake
if they spoiled the surprise for their Aunt.

She finally got her hand on the inside of his elbow just before they
got to the dining hall. "Zathris, please." she said swinging closer to
him. "I'm sorry" she added in a low voice. Turning around she was
suddenly puzzled. "Did you hear that?" she asked.

"All I hear is a buzzing in my ear." Zathris growled and stopped. His
hands settled upon Benani's arms and he turned her to face her fully. "I
have only one thing to say you." His voice was low, his face stern as he
glared down at her.

Her face showed her worry and puzzlement clearly as she turned back to
him an immediate repeat of her apology on her lips.

For a moment, Zathris glared at her. Then one hand released to raise a
finger in the air, as if about to make a point. Then his mouth curled
upward and his face brightened with his smile. The hand that was left upon
her arm slid around so that he could guide her into the room. "I just
want to say...happy birthingday!"

"Suprise!" called out Royah.

The sudden change caught her flatfooted for a moment. Frozen with her
mouth open expecting a lecture. She whipped around her mouth open in a
little O and her hands flew to her face as she colored prettily. She'd
never had a surprise party before.

"Happy birthday, dear Benani!" Zelanka called.

Zathris' grin brightened as the calls came out from one and all, each one
in honour of the Lady of the Hold. He kept one arm around her and gave
her a half hug. He leaned down and whispered into her ear, his breath
warm against her skin, "did you really think I'd be mad at you over
something so silly?"

Wirnan added his own birthday wishes as Benani entered the room.
"Happy Birthingday, Lady Benani," He called out, smiling as he
realized they had pulled off the surprise. He glanced towards Zathris,
sharing a knowing look. It had worked!

She laughed and shook her head at her own gullibility. She shivered
slightly at Zathris' whisper. She pulled her head back slightly and
looked into his eyes. Then just kissed him in front of everyone.
"Thank you" she said and turned to spread her hands out with a big
grin. "Thank you _all_!"

Benani twirled once then held her arms out to Yatia her young niece,
who was bouncing up and down with glee. She grinned at her brother and
then at the other children. "Who wants to help me open the gifts?"

"I'll be more than happy to help you, wife." Zathris leaned over and
whispered in her ear so not even Yatia could hear his whisper, "And I have a
special gift when we get back to our quarters."

Zelanka signaled the drudges to bring in the last of the food stuff,
including those before mentioned pies. She had a happy smile on her
face. Now, there were the parties she loved!

Last updated on the May 27th 2011

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A Special Gift