"Bes' twelve out of seventeen then, Fergus?"
Her whole reason for coming out to see him was completely forgotten with all the fun she was having without having to worry about offending anybody. One of the many reasons she loved being around him. If anyone knew though, there surely would be trouble for them both. She shook her head briefly to get those worries out of her mind.
Fergus was bent over himself heaving. They had been sword to sword for most of the party, a few rounds having been paused when either of her parents came out looking for her. Even if he wanted to, poor Fergus couldn't really say no to Elinor. For one thing she was the princess; that alone was enough. He sighed straightening up with his sword swung over his shoulder. There was no doubt in his mind that she would probably win against him but he was getting hungry and lying to their majesties was really starting to get to him.
He smiled shaking his head, earning an endearing pout from said princess. "Dinner's gonna be ready soon, lass. We should be headin' in before ye parents come out again. I can't really lie to 'em all the time, either. They'll have me head!"
Eli knew he was right and set the sword she was holding to lay againt the wall. She nodded and walked back in reluctantly. At least she had him with her so she would be able to tolerate what was about to happen next.
Things have already died down and everyone was settling into their seats. The table were covered with fresh-made rolls, beef, chicken, ham, and some fruits and ale to cleanse the pallets. The pair was just in time before anyone noticed they had snuck in. Elinor seated herself on the left-hand side of her father, she and her mother facing each other. Ailis gave her such a look, Eli had to will herself not to physically cringe. There was definitly going to be a long talk after the day was officially over. The room hushed to a silence as her father stood. He did have a way of demanding the attention of the room.
"Tomorrow will be a great and glorious day of competition and tradition," King Rahgnall began. "Tomorrow will be a grand day for us all as two clans will form into one. Tonight, however, we dine together in this great hall!"
Cheers roared and echoed for a few solid moments until his hands were raised for silence. He continued.
"Tonight! We toast to the future of our clans and may we all grow and prosper and banish our common enemies!"
The feast began and ended with non-stop singing and everyone smelling worse than before. This was her chance to ask about the fourth suitor. If he was from DunBroch then he was here in the hall. She had completely forgot to ask Fergus when they were practicing. Before she could even come up with an interrogation plan, she was already being surrounded. She smiled and politely avoided answering any questions until she felt a light touch on her shoulder. She twirled around to face her mother. All the blood drained from her face quietly being led away from everyone and up the sole staircase that was built into the side of the great room.
When the lords asked where they were headed, Ailis cleared her throat and smiled gently. "No need to worry, m' lords. Both Princess Elinor and myself shall return to your presence as soon as possible. For now, please excuse us for we need to speak privately."
They looked between themselves and started discussing among themselves. Young Dingwall poofed out his chest with a proud grin going from ear to ear. "I think we all know what's bein' talked about between the Queen an' wee princess!"
"How ye too short fer the princess?" Young MacIntosh joked. Arms crossed, "They're obviously discussin' what time tomorrow would be bes' for us to be together. I mean only one of us has everythin' she can ask for!"
Neither was letting up and Young MacGuffin just looked from to the other, rolling his eyes not wanting to have anything to do with it.
Meanwhile, upstairs and down the long narrow hall, Elinor and her mother were caught in an uncomfortable, tense density that was almost too much to handle. Finally, Ailis was the one to break the horrid silence.
"If I may ask where you had been for most of the evening?"
Elinor still kept to herself, muttering with each stitch crossed in the tapestry she had been forced to work on. Blue skies with running waters and green hills, mountain ranges of varying degree rising with every thread she pulled and pushed through the heavy fabric. It was a comforting hobby but it was also a burden seeing that it was what made a 'proper lady'.
Ailis sat next to her on another stool. "Elinor, my dear child, speak to me. Please. I only want what is best for you. I've had to go through the same thing when I was a wee one myself. I only want what is best for you-"
"I know all about when you were a wee lass, mum! I'm not like you at all! I don' want any of this at all, none of it! You only want what you think is bes' fer me, mother. Ya never asked what I wanted or what I thought was bes' fer meself!"
No words.
One could hear the faint flapping of the clan flags beyond the walls with how dead it had became once again. Her eyes averted, Eli's voice was barely a whisper when she spoke again, "I'm sorry mum. I really am, but I don' want the life ya makin' fer me...I want me own way, me own path that I make myself. Ya have to understand that...Please.."
"I do, Eli. I understan' that way of thinkin' more than ya know." Ailis looked with nostalgia at the scene that had unfolded so far on the tapestry that would soon be hung in the great halls. She smiled stroking it with delicate fingers, "A strong heart and will are very important to rule a kingdom. Showin' the world that ya can persevere through the thickes' fog and the mighty pound of rain strikes respect an' fear into the hearts of men." She then rose and started for the door, motioning for her daughter to follow.
As Eli stood, she became more aware of where this conversation was heading. She followed behind her, closing the door. Ailis continued, "That fear can always be turned against you as well. A fear that brews in ya own heart, one that can never let ye go until it's all over. A young prince many ages ago had that same spirit an' fear in his heart. He wanted everythin'! The whole knigdom should have been his, if it were not for his dying father an' his three brothers-"
"Ya just tryin' to scare me now. I know about Mor'du and him want...ing..." Elinor stopped walking and stared at her mother in confusion, "Are ya saying that I'm gonna go an' try to change me fate with the help of magic? I don't need any witch's spells to change it! I can do it all my own by callin' off this big bribery to sell me off to any man that wants to be king!"
Her mother went wide-eyed, mouth agape at her fiery words. "That's not what I'm sayin' dear. Listen to me an' listen well, there's nothing wrong with how you are an' who you are but you need to understand that all of this is not just about you! All of this is for you AND the clans! It's about everyone!" Her voice was rising by the second, "Ya act on impulse an' completely ignore advice that is given to you for your own good, ya own benefit! No one is against you Elinor so stop makin' everyone ya enemy!"
Before Eli could even utter a word, her mother turned away, soft sobbing the only sound that could be heard. "Mum? Mum, I'm...Look I jus' wnat to be able to choose who I marry for meself without havin' a giant banquet jus' to be hounded. I just want to make my own choices an' not have 'em made already without me knowin'. Mor'du was selfish an' payed the price of it by becomin' the vicious animal that he always was inside. I don't want that to happen either, but That's the part ya missin'.."
"What are you talkin' about child."
She smiled hugging her mother from behind, "I'm sayin' ya worryin' more than ya should about me! I have a great mother an' teacher to help me when I do make those mistakes becuase I don' listen. Aye, ya won' be here forever but you are for now? Ya wee lass isn' so 'wee' anymore mother, I know I can do things for myself if I jus' can be given the chance!"