edited.
Karina Mikkleswife rarely missed her homeland of Aureluen but today she missed her homeland dreadfully.
For one reason and one reason only:
Floeris. Or well to be more specific the Floeris Festival held in Aureluen Fief every year.
There was dancing, both traditional and fa'alk dances held in the village square where people from every Fief gathered together to meet and celebrate.
The decorations alone! Flower chains hanging from every building, banners, ribbons and flowering Ivy Vines around every clothes line.
And the feasts! Karina never said anything to Hal (Or to Thorn) but they actually weren't doing well with the eating house and for a moment Karina's mouth watered at the thought of those feast.
Because Aureluen's main animal crops were sheep lamb and mutton were the most often used for feast but for the Floeris Festival it was Beef, the really good stuff. King Duncan had always been kindhearted but it was during the Floeris Festival that it really shone through.
Karina sighed as she realized the bread dough was sticking to her hands because she'd forgotten to knead it while she thought. "Don't be silly Karina Mikkleswife!" She told herself, convincing herself to act like today was just a normal day.
Later that night Hal smiled as he chose the best vase they had and placed the crumpled and slightly wilted flowers into the beautiful blue vase. Then he placed the vase on the kitchen table with the soft scarf he'd asked Stefan to knit for him.
He had often observed his mother looking out over the sea with a longing look on her face on days like today so he had decided that she needed a little cheering up. Maybe flowers would help, they always helped Stig's mother (Or so the other boy said.)
Karina stared in awe and happiness at the blue vase of purple and pink flowers. They were slightly wilted but Karina didn't care, she thought they were beautiful.
The Scarf was a sure indication of who had given them and Karina shook her head in fondness, she didn't know how Hal had known but she was glad enough for the gift.
"Thank you Hal."
She whispered as she watched the sun go down just beyond the nearby cliff. It wasn't a feast, or a brightly decorated festival but it was from her son and that's what made it great.