A/N: The chapter has a long timeline and there's some cute bits with some animals. :)
The rest of the week was a flurry of cloth and jewels, Daine spent many hours being poked at by tailors and the seamstress, Thursday evening was spent collecting the last of the things from the room she spent the week in and packing the cart that would carry all of the girls' things. Daine went to the stable to meet the horse that would carry her on the ride and apologize to Cloud that she wouldn't be the only animal that Daine would be spending her time with. Don't be silly, you have to look like a delicate lady and I'm not exactly as lovely as those long-legged mares, don't get all worked up I'll carry your pretty clothes just fine, Cloud head-butted Daine making her laugh, she knew she was being silly but that's the way humans are, People make so much more sense when it came to these things. Daine gave Cloud a good rub down and then headed to her bed to catch some sleep before their long trip.
xxx
Morning came quickly, Jess helped Daine get ready, putting on one of the riding outfits made up of loose tan trousers, a matching tan shirt, and a knee-length royal blue tunic that had slits on the side, she put on new brown riding boots, her hair in an intricate but tight braid down her back and a scarf to keep any flyaways out of her face when they inevitably occurred. Jess finished packing the last bits of things around the room and followed Daine down to the stable. When they arrived Sarra, and her handmaid Cristina, along with 15 men at arms were waiting for them, with the arrival of Daine and Jess everyone was ready to go, Daine took a peek in the wagon and saw a large cage with a pile of sleeping pups, Daine smiled and covered them with a blanket. Daine returned to her horse, Butterscotch, and mounted up, thankful they weren't forcing her to ride sidesaddle, the girls all on their horses, the horses, or is Daines case pony, that were carrying their things, and the wagon, were surrounded by the ring of guards, and off they went.
Getting through the streets was slow going but they reached the gate after about 15 minutes of carefully weaving through the early morning risers, heading to work or about their chores. Once they reached outside the wall, the group picked up the speed. They rode for a few hours at an easy pace, the girls racing each other when they got bored, Daine showed the girls a few tricks like standing on the saddle or how to steer with her knees, the guards gave each other looks as they observed the strange noble running far ahead of the group. Two of the guards were some of the friends that Daine had made when she was still working in the stable, Jeremy Fletcher and Ekit Flax, they decided that they might as well take responsibility for the strange noble since the other guards were doing their job with a slight look of apprehension. So when Daine decided to take off at a run, testing the speed on her new mount, Jeremy and Ekit took off after her, the rest of the guards staying with the other ladies and the cart. Daine looked behind her and saw them and laughed, shouting a challenge, she slowed so they could catch up, and then the three took off in a race to the top of the hill. The rest of the group took their time, and by the time they reached the top of the hill and the three racers, they were laughing and talking about what the boys had been up to. The guards looked at their companions that were talking so freely with the strange noble lady with confusion, they normally didn't talk to them unless necessary or spoken to first, and definitely not with such freedom. The group continued on with Daine introducing Jeremy and Ekit to the girls and them in turn being introduced properly to the rest of the guards.
xxx
From then on the group seemed to relax a bit with the guards joking with each other and the girls talking more freely about their interests and lives beyond the shiny exterior of silks and jewels. Daine got to show off her skill with a bow when the guards decided to do some hunting. She tuned out the People in the area and shot 3 pheasants, 2 male rabbits, and even a buck in one day. She told the men that they had to aim for males if possible since it was just about time for the females to be having their babies for the year, the men agreed all just thinking this was one of those soft noble lady decisions, but they did try to get only males while they traveled. Many nights they stayed at inns along the way but did sleep out for a few nights much to Daine's enjoyment. They finally reached the Beneklan estate after 2 weeks of traveling. Those who came from the area and not the city seemed to audibly sigh in relief when they cleared the ridge and saw the manor, whereas Daine tensed, this was much closer to her home village than she wanted to be anytime soon. When they entered the courtyard in front of the manor it seemed that the entire house was waiting for them outside, the Dutchess at the front with 2 small children and a baby, Sarra jumped from her horse and ran to the woman and hugged her. Daine dismounted slower, handing her reins over to the stable hand who came to collect her and Sarra's and walked over slowly to the group of reuniting family. She hung back not wanting to intrude on their moment, it took a few minutes for any of them to realize she was there, one of the young children tugged at their mother's skirt getting all her attention and having the rest turn to look at her. Sarra got up from greeting the children and came to Daine.
"Mother this is Veralidaine of Beneklan, Daine this is Her Grace Dutchess Juliana of Beneklan. And these are Juliet and Annabelle, and this little one is Stephan. Daine is the girl that father wrote you about." Daine gave the Dutchess a deep curtsey, one that Sarra and the maids had been working with her on, it had gotten much better than it was when she first came to work for the family.
"It's lovely to meet you Daine, please call be Juliana," she handed the baby, Stephan, over to Sarra and took Daines hands into hers, "I am so sorry to hear about your parents, but I am glad my husband was able to offer you a place in our house." Obviously, Lord Thomas had decided that even his wife wasn't going to be included in the secret of Daine's true upbringing. "It's an honor that you have decided to trust me in assisting you in becoming a lady." Lady Juliana gave Daines hands a squeeze and let them go, taking Stephan back from Sarra. "Now girls why don't you go and collect your things and I'll have someone lead you to your room Daine, Sarra you know where your's is but I'll have someone ready to help bring your things up. Hurry along now I'm sure you want a warm bath and a good meal, we can talk over breakfast. Go on now." The girls grabbed their saddlebags and some other bits and bobs, including for Daine her bow and arrow which Lady Juliana gave very little indication of noticing.
Daine's room was beautiful, with a large sitting room, amazing bedroom, a closet that had a good collection of clothes in it already and spare room for more clothes than she had brought, and her very own washroom with a huge tub. There was also a second smaller bedroom off her sitting room for her handmaid, and the best part of all, a huge beautiful balcony that overlooked the woods. Daine was only on the second floor and there was a large, sturdy tree outside her room that she knew would be an easy escape from her room when she needed it. Daine was very pleased with the room that had been provided for her and had a suspicion that Sarra at least had some recommendations when it came to where to put Daine. She set her things down in the sitting room and went to the door to call for hot water. When the water arrived and was put in the tub Daine sunk in, breathing in the steam and scents that Jess added to the water. Daine had slowly gotten more comfortable with Jess helping her bathe and didn't try to hide from the other girl that much, which was much to the amusement of Jess, Daine did still insist that she could bathe herself but it was a battle that Jess was slowly winning. Jess left Daine to soak in the hot water while she put an oil of some type in her hair. Jess went to Daine's bedroom to start unpacking the beautiful dresses that had been stored in chests for the past 2 weeks. Daine sat in the water until it started cooling and her fingers were wrinkly, Jess came in to lather her hair and rinse her off. Daine stepped out of the bath and into a soft robe. She sat down at the vanity and started drying her own hair with a towel, trying to do it the way Jess did, as Jess was currently occupied with unpacking and picking out a comfortable casual dress for Daine. Jess tutted at her poor attempt and came over and took over, scrunching her curls, getting most of the water out much quicker than Daine could ever imagine doing, adding the oil, and putting her semi-damp hair in a loose hairstyle with the top tied back. They didn't fuss with makeup, and Daine put on her underclothes and a pale blue simple dress that was extremely comfortable. Just as they were lacing up the back and Daine was putting her shoes on, when a knock sounded at the door, Daine called out that she'd be right there but whoever it was that was at the door took that as an invitation to come in.
"Daaaiiiinnneeee you cant hide in here forever I'm hungry and I told mother that I was eating here so that I could put off talking with her until tomorrow. I'm ringing a servant to bring food, and take your shoes off I am." Sarra was definitely noble but sometimes she showed that she was still a kid. When Daine came into her sitting-room Sarra was at the door talking animatedly with a servant who was looking at her with an expression between annoyance and love, much like the one on Daine's face. Sarra's puppies were hopping around her ankles until Daine came in and then they ran to her and began jumping up her legs, playing tug of war with her skirt, and altogether making it nearly impossible for Daine to walk. Resigned to being ambushed by the fluff balls she sat down on the carpet in front of the fireplace, leaning against the couch instead of on it, and was subsequently bombarded by the 4 terrors.
"Hi there, it's not like I saw you a couple of hours - please don't bite me - ago or anything" the puppies were about 2 months now and were getting more and more characteristics that differentiated them. They were still very strange-looking puppies, especially for their age, they were quite fluffy, and their proportions were comedic with their head and feet being much too large for their bodies. Their markings were starting to be more clear except for the smallest one who was just becoming a more solid shade of pure white. "You guys are gonna love it out in the woods and stuff, you are gonna get to run around and chase rabbits. You're gonna be so big we'll need to build you your own stable." Daine continued talking to the puppies as they ran around her 2 of them play fighting, rolling around twisting Daine's skirts.
"Food should be here soon." Sarra sat down on the carpet next to Daine and started playing with the puppies who bounced into her lap. The only one who stayed in Daines lap was the little white one who seemed to have claimed her for every time Daine interacted with the puppies this one always stayed right by her side. 'I should probably name her but I don't want to intrude on Sarra' Daine thought, the little white pup in her lap nudged Daines hand with her head as if that was a response to her thought. Daine laughed and conceded to the puppy.
Smothered in puppies was how the servants who brought their dinner found them. Jess and Sarras maid Cristina joined them, both girls were used to the weird habits of the noble girls and they were correct when they assumed they were eating with them, Sarra had ordered more food than the 4 girls and the 4 puppies could eat. They ate casually, taking their time, talking with each other, and playing with the puppies as they went through their meal. Finally, when the meal was done Sarra got up and 3 of the puppies and Cristina followed her to the door, the white one having fallen asleep in Daines lap, and instead of moving her, they both decided she would just sleep there, especially since Daine got up earlier than Sarra so the little puppy wouldn't be away from her siblings all that long if she even cared.
With the floor cleared of puppies, dinner, and girls, everyone headed off to bed. Daine changed to her sleeping dress, leaving the doors to the balcony open, she and the little puppy crawled into bed and fell asleep immediately.
xxx
Daine woke up as usual right before the sun rose, shifting the animals from around her, the little puppy that had apparently claimed Daine, moved into the spot of Daines pillow she just vacated. Daine laughed at the tiny puppy and started her morning stretches, trying to duck out of the way when the birds that had slept in her room were flying out the balcony. Jess came in about a half-hour after Daine woke up with servants carrying hot water for a morning bath. Jess helped Daine wash, fix her hair, put on face paint, and get dressed. Daine was sad to see a corset among her things, the two weeks of traveling without wearing one were refreshing and liberating and now the idea of putting one back on made her skin crawl, but she complied, that was what was expected of her. She let Jess tighten the corset just enough, and then the pale blue dress over that. The dress was one of her favorites so she couldn't complain that much at least where the dress was concerned. It had long loose sleeves that cinched at the wrists, and it gave the appearance that she had a figure much more so than she did, and the color was nice. Daine split from Jess as they went their separate ways to breakfast.
Daine went down the stairs and entered the family dining room. Sarra was sitting listening to one of the twins tell her a story about everything and nothing, Lady Juliana was feeding the other twin while trying to eat herself. Daine walked in slowly not wanting to interrupt this wholesome family moment. Sarra noticed Daine first.
"Daine! How did you sleep? Come eat, Annie was just telling me about what has happened since I was last home." She smiled at Daine and shrugged at the end. Daine came over and Annabell climbed into her lap making Daine freeze but what was she going to do except accept that the 5-year-old now was sitting there. Daine reached around the child in her lap to spoon her porridge into her mouth. It wasn't the most difficult meal Daine had eaten but it was very amusing with a small girl wiggling around in her lap.
"I slept well, how bout you? Good morning Lady Juliana." Daine got a nod from the lady before she went back to dealing with her own wiggling child. Before Sarra could answer Annabell started on her storytelling again pausing only when Sarra shoveled food into her mouth and only briefly then. The meal was a battle with the twins trying to play and talk while trying to feed them as well as themselves, it made for a lot of amusement.
At the end of the meal, Lady Juliana had the twin's nursemaid come to collect them and then moved to sit next to Sarra and Daine. "So girls we have until just after midsummer until we're going to have company, we need to make Daine into the spitting image of a noble lady, they don't need to know anything past that really. Being a proper lady is all about knowing the rules and knowing when they don't matter. At least that's the way I think of it, don't tell my husband that though. Most men like to think their ladies are sweet, helpless, little things, but who do they think deals with all the day-to-day things at home when they're away. You just need to learn all the etiquette, manners, rules, and how to look pretty and meek, that Daine you seem to already have, but anyway we just need to work on refining what you already have. I don't want to change you no matter what my dear husband told you, I just want to give you a shiny outer coat." Lady Juliana smiled at Daine.
"Alright, thank you, Lady Juliana." Juliana took Daine's hand, and Daine was surprised that this time when she was really paying attention to the ladies hands, they were lightly callused, Daines surprise showed on her face, Juliana laughed at her.
"Old habits die hard I guess, my love for horses caught my husband and his family business gives me a reason to keep up with riding and not having lily soft hands." Juliana laughed and winked at Daine, making her blush and duck her head, which just made Sarra join in on the laughter.
xxx
The rest of the day Daine was led around the estate learning where everything was, meeting the staff, and then lessons. All of Daine's days would be full of lessons. Reading and writing would begin her days, how to write thank-yous and apologies and how to address different people, all the stuff that ladies were expected to write because of noble rules. Then on to etiquette, with a big focus on how to walk, dance, and curtsey, something Daine had improved in but was still desperately lacking in. On to maths, how to budget for a household, and so much more. During meals, they would work on how to properly eat and the manners for dinner especially. All of this was new to Daine and the next few months between now and the party after midsummer seemed like years away. Daine would need to work hard but with the help of this improper proper noble lady, Daine surely would be able to.
xxx
The following weeks were filled with lessons, all of which Banshee, the white puppy, accompanied her for. Banshee was affectionately named for her affinity for being loud when she wanted anything, much to the amusement of most who witnessed it. The puppies were becoming larger and larger and Daine's guess was confirmed the larger and more mature they grew and eventually it came to a point that Daine felt obligated to sit down with the ladies of the house.
"Sarra, remember what you told me when I asked about the puppies? That you found them in the woods? Well perchance did you find them in a cave of sorts, something dug into the ground even?" Daine looked at Sarra and saw that the younger girl looked down at her lap and nodded slightly. All eyes were on her. "Alright, I think you may have slightly, possibly, rescued a litter of wolf pups." It was Daine's turn to duck her head, she glanced through her lashes at Lady Juliana who was glaring at her daughter.
"I'm sorry mama, I didn't know… well for sure." Sarra had never looked younger, she was looking at her mother through lowered lashes.
"They've been with humans too long to return to the wild, we'll need to put a collar on them so that none of the hunters think they're wild. And the others should be named. We have Banshee," said puppy made herself known, "so now you just have to name the three that aren't attached at my hip." Daine giggled as Banshee laid her head on Daine's lap, and the other three playing on a rug by the fireplace. "We'll just have to make sure everyone knows them, and they've been getting training like the rest of the dogs, so their manners are better than most wolves I've met." Daine smiled at the bittersweet memory of her wolf friends back home, "they are quite domesticated in how they act, they've been handfed their whole lives, they're silly little things, but I'm sure they'd be good hunters or along with soldiers. These guys could be good in a fight once they get to their full-grown size. But Sarra, try not to get used to them being inside all the time, these aren't some cute lap dogs, they are still wild animals and when you go to the convent I cant see the ladies there welcoming a pack of wolves no matter how well behaved." Sarra sunk down into herself the longer Daine spoke, but she knew she was right.
"Wise words Daine, I think this is the most you've spoken since getting here, and if my daughter's face tells me anything this is the most you've said in her presence as well." Sarra nodded slightly, rising and then burying her face in one of the wolf pup's scruff. "I know darling, we need to think of what is best for them, and you still have a couple of years left until then, just savor the time you have now dear." Juliana moved to kneel next to her daughter and stroked her hair.
xxx
With the discovery of the nature of the puppies that Sarra had adopted, their training became more specified. Daine went to the tanner and got 4 collars with their names carved into them. Sarra insisted on a ceremony where each puppy sat as still as they were able, meaning they were wiggling in their spots. The servants and guards off duty and the villagers in the town below the manor, Sarra went to Breeze, the grey girl with black streaks, she was a willowy thing her legs growing faster than the rest of her. Next to Mayhem the only boy among the lot, the biggest one with white on the majority of him but black speckles on his extremities, his face, paws, and tail, he lived up to his name being the instigator of much of their mischief. Eclipse was next, a mix of black, white, and grey streaked fur, she stayed by Sarra's side most of the time, laying next to her calmly wherever she was. Finally, Daine put on Banshee's collar, the little pup raised her head high and wagged her fluffy tail.
After each of the wolf puppies got their collars, the crowd cheered, and in response the puppies took it upon themselves to join in on the cheering, demonstrating they really were wolves and howling a celebratory song. The cheers mixed with laughter at the young wolves' antics.