Chapter 461

The sound of tinkling bells caught Elain's attention as she walked through one of the city gardens. At first, she had no idea where it was coming from, but then she found herself approaching a tiny pop-up market sort of situation. Small brightly coloured tents populated one of the little corners of the garden, and there were faeries everywhere. Some were sitting on blankets on the ground, others clustered around with exciting looking food in their hands, and there was laughter mingling with the bells in the air. It was quite enchanting, and Elain moved closer.

Some of the stalls appeared to be selling food, most of which smelled delicious and, as she moved further along, she saw that some were selling jewellery. Most of it looked like the type of jewellery she was used to seeing around the Day Court, but perhaps a little less elaborate. Clearly not everybody could afford what Helion's Courtiers wore daily.

Elain continued on along the row of market stalls, looking at some of the dresses for sale and she stopped when she found a pretty little white tunic type dress. It was nothing elaborate or fancy, but she liked the small flowers embroidered around the hem and neckline. Reaching into her pocket, Elain pulled the small pouch of coins she carried, and then selected one of the tunics in a size she thought would fit her.

The faerie who owned the stall approached her, and Elain smiled. "This is lovely," she said to the female, checking the price tag and then handing over the correct number of coins.

"Are you sure that's the one you want?" The faerie asked, gesturing to her left. "I have some far more … delicate… dresses that look like they would suit you better…"

"Oh…" Elain looked at the dresses being indicated. It was true, they did look much more like the rest of her wardrobe and, in fact, the very dress she currently wore. But she shook her head. "They are very nice…" She said, "But I am after something a little more casual and comfortable." She knew that several faeries around the stall were watching her, that she had been noticed. "The embroidery on this caught my eye." She told the vendor. "I know that I will get a lot of wear out of it." This was true. The tunic dress was lightweight, and would breathe nicely. She would be able to wear it outside in the sun without sweltering in the heat.

"As you wish." The vendor gave her a small bag in which to carry the dress, bowing a little as she did so. Elain thanked her and moved away.

When she glanced back, Elain saw several other faeries approach the stall and select their own tunics in the same style. "Cauldron boil and fry me." She muttered, hurrying up to the next stall in an attempt to avoid being watched. If that sort of thing was going to happen, Elain knew that Sheera's idea about selling flowers and plants of her selection would certainly pay off. Elain had always wanted a quiet life; working in her garden and spending time with her family. She didn't know how she was going to handle having everything she did watched and imitated by strangers.

"What was it you were after, Lady?"

"Ah…" Elain blinked and glanced around. She hadn't noticed what kind of stall she had approached, but she looked now. She was surrounded by jewellery and small trinkets. "Oh…" She smiled at the vendor who stood nearby watching her.

"Or," he began, "perhaps you were only looking to hide…"

Elain gave a small smile of her own. "That was a part of the motivation…" She admitted. She then noticed that the tinkling of the bells was louder here, and she moved closer when she saw that there were several bells which had been hung on a small tree. "But these are delightful."

"Hand crafted bronze." The vendor said, approaching her.

Looking at the little bells on their little chains, Elain tilted her head. "I… am designing a garden…" She explained slowly, the image only coming into her head as she spoke the words. "It's intended to be a place for remembrance and reflection…"

"I have heard of such…"

"How many of these bells do you have?"

"Here," The vendor mused, "about twenty. I have more in my workshop, however…"

Elain turned her eyes on him. "If I pay you now," She began, "Would I be able to purchase these twenty, and have another thirty delivered to the palace from your workshop?"

The smile that met her question was bright. "Absolutely, Lady." He replied, "That would be my pleasure."

As Elain walked out of the garden a few minutes later, twenty bronze bells tucked away into her bag, she smiled again. The sounds they made were delightful, and would definitely add to the gentle mood she hoped the Memory Garden would embody. She could picture it in her mind, as clear as day. Tinkling gently among the trees they would have planted for the dead, tiny bells signifying the lingering presence of those they had lost, but would be remembered. Smiling at that thought, Elain lengthened her step, eager to get back.