Elsbet seems almost embarrassed, and Irena studies her face in the mirror for several minutes before asking, "you've never really looked at yourself, have you, Ellie?" She shakes her head. "Not really, no...I can't remember ever really caring," she says. "May I ask you something? You don't have to tell me, of course, but I am curious," Irena says, and Elsbet nods as they walk back over to the sitting room. "You can ask me anything," Elsbet tells her and Irena smiles. "Ellie," she begins as they sit down, "when Severus looks at you, how do you feel?" A light blush touches Elsbet's cheeks and she looks down. "Beautiful. I feel beautiful in his gaze." Irena gently lifts her chin up. "He makes you feel special." Elsbet nods. "Ellie, you are special. I hope he knows how lucky he is."
Elsbet sits up and fidgets with the trim of a sleeve cuff. "I know how lucky I am..." She takes a scone but doesn't eat it; she wraps it up in a napkin and Irena knows she's taking it for the birds. Before Elsbet can tell her that she can't afford the dress and boots, Irena tells her, "Ellie, I want you to have them for your birthday. We'll call it an early birthday gift. And I want you to take this," she hands the stunned young lady a small silver token, "and go over to Håkon's, and give this to Tyler. I shall know if you don't fulfill the token." Irena winks at Elsbet, then gives her a pat on the back and smiles contentedly as Elsbet leaves her shop.
Elsbet has no idea what the token is, but she's not about to disobey Irena. She heads just a few shops down to Håkon's Gems, Jewels & Dressings, where a very kind wizard named Tyler Coping works. She's always liked Tyler; he's always ready with a grin and a laugh, and his seven cats help him run the shop. They meow happily when she enters the shop, and the sound of fairy chimes announces her presence. Four of the cats gather and usher her in, and Tyler comes out of the back room immediately, and reaches out to her across the counter.
"Hello Ellie! You look simply ravishing today," she giggles and smiles down as one of the little calicos pats her leg, as if she likes the feel of the cloth of the dress. "Is today a special day?" She smiles back at him. "It must be, it certainly is now," she says as she hands him the token. "Irena told me to give this to you. I don't know what it is though," she says and his eyes widen with surprise, then his warm smile returns. "Aaaah, well, this, my dear," he holds it up, "is a Witch's Gift. This token entitles the bearer to a Silver Set of her choice. Whatever her heart desires. So have a look around Ellie, you may choose a necklace, a bracelet, a ring and a pair of earings. Just pick it, and it's yours."
It doesn't take her long, and with the cats' help, she makes the perfect set. The designs of each item are very different; the bracelet looks like a dragon encircling her wrist, the ring looks like a shield on her right index finger, the necklace is an intricate lace of Celtic Knotwork and the pendant on it is a silver horse, inlaid inside a stone, edged in turn with silver, and it sets suggestively upon her bodice laces. The ear rings dangle sensuously from her ears, each perfect dragon's claw clutching a perfect sphere. The gems set into each item, the stone of the pendant and the spheres are all the most beautiful green tourmaline.
Tyler asks her if she would like to put it all on, or have him wrap it for her to take home, and she tells him she wants to wear it. The tourmaline looks so good with the near-cream color of the dress, and he agrees, then tells her that the cats agree as well. He then asks her what made her choose the green tourmaline, rather than the topaz, since topaz is her birthstone. She tells him she doesn't know, that it just feels very right to her, it makes her feel warm. He smiles and tells "that's one of the birthstones for Capricorn. Do you know a Cappy?"
She smiles sweetly and her eyes tear up a little. "Yes, she says softly, "Severus is a Capricorn." Tyler laughs. "Well, that explains it. They were meant to be yours, Ellie. I have several Capricorn customers, and no one has asked to see these items in the month I have had them out. They've been waiting for you." Once she has them all on and sees herself, really looks at herself, she realizes that she had no idea her eyes were so blue. She feels silly suddenly and laughs at herself, then thanks Tyler for his kindness. "Ellie," says he, "it is always a joy to have you here, and it is my pleasure to make you happy. Now," he says, "you go out in this lovely day and shine."
She gives his hand a squeeze and gives all the cats a scratch, then takes her wrapped scone and heads back out into the sunlight. She feels shimmery, lovely, and as she heads toward the fountain in the park at the city's heart, she can't believe she felt bad when she got up this morning. She unwraps the scone and before she has even begun braking it up the birds have begun to gather. Little sparrows, a few wrens, doves, and even a single raven. She scatters enough bits and crumbs for everyone there, and keeps a few small chunks for the raven, whom she feeds by hand.
Cambion takes the chunks from her gingerly, giving her a little trilling sound as thanks. "It is good to see you today," she tells him, then gently strokes the feathers of his back. He caws softly and she's about to ask him about Therion when she hears a sound so dear to her heart, yet nearly forgotten, it's been so long...
A whinny.
There's a horse here somewhere, and she's filled with a need to find it. She hears the whinny again, then Cambion takes wing, calling for her to follow. She runs across the park, the dress seeming to flow around her. She finds Cambion sitting on the eaves of an old closed shop, and she stops at the stone wall just long enough to catch her breath. She passes through the gateway into the shaded walkway and finds a little grey mare standing near three men. The little mare sees Elsbet and whinnies excitedly, swivelling her ears inquisitively. Elsbet can't stay away. Slowly she walks toward the little mare, her heart pounding with excitement. It's been so very, very long...
She holds her hands out and the little mare comes forward to smell them. She gives a little nicker and Elsbet giggles, and the little mare greets Elsbet with a velvety soft nose on her forehead. The little mare's breath is sweet, like she's been eating sugargrass, and Elsbet can't help herself. She comes right up to the little mare, puts her hands on her neck, and smells her right back. Apparently, this is very funny to the mare because she whinnies happily and turns her beautiful head to nudge Elsbet. She wraps her arms around the graceful neck, and after a few more nudges, she takes a handful of grey mane, and hauls herself up onto the little mare's back.
One of the three men notices and steps around the other two. "Hello," he says, and Elsbet suddenly realizes what she's done. "Hello," she says back softly and apologises. "I'll get down," she says and the little mare shakes her head vigorously. The man looks at his mare with great astonishment, and the other two men, whom Elsbet recognizes, give their friend a reassuring pat, and vouch for Elsbet. "She's a true lady, you've naught to worry about. She loves all animals...you should see her with the birds here," the wizard says, and as if in confirmation, Cambion caws loudly. "Well," the man says, "in that case, and since she clearly likes you, you are welcome to ride her. Her name is Hasufel."
Elsbet feels a strange little tingle down her spine as the little mare responds to her name. "Hasufel?" Elsbet inclines her head slightly and leans forward to scratch the mare behind her ears. "That's the name of the horse Éomer gave Aragorn..." The man smiles widely and nods. "Yes. I find so few outside this city recognize the name." He offers his hand to her and she gives him hers; they shake hands and he tells her he is Eamon Cantridge, and that he is honored to meet her. Hasufel seems quite eager to go for a walk, so with a pat from Eamon, she sets off toward the park.
Elsbet sits up and fidgets with the trim of a sleeve cuff. "I know how lucky I am..." She takes a scone but doesn't eat it; she wraps it up in a napkin and Irena knows she's taking it for the birds. Before Elsbet can tell her that she can't afford the dress and boots, Irena tells her, "Ellie, I want you to have them for your birthday. We'll call it an early birthday gift. And I want you to take this," she hands the stunned young lady a small silver token, "and go over to Håkon's, and give this to Tyler. I shall know if you don't fulfill the token." Irena winks at Elsbet, then gives her a pat on the back and smiles contentedly as Elsbet leaves her shop.
Elsbet has no idea what the token is, but she's not about to disobey Irena. She heads just a few shops down to Håkon's Gems, Jewels & Dressings, where a very kind wizard named Tyler Coping works. She's always liked Tyler; he's always ready with a grin and a laugh, and his seven cats help him run the shop. They meow happily when she enters the shop, and the sound of fairy chimes announces her presence. Four of the cats gather and usher her in, and Tyler comes out of the back room immediately, and reaches out to her across the counter.
"Hello Ellie! You look simply ravishing today," she giggles and smiles down as one of the little calicos pats her leg, as if she likes the feel of the cloth of the dress. "Is today a special day?" She smiles back at him. "It must be, it certainly is now," she says as she hands him the token. "Irena told me to give this to you. I don't know what it is though," she says and his eyes widen with surprise, then his warm smile returns. "Aaaah, well, this, my dear," he holds it up, "is a Witch's Gift. This token entitles the bearer to a Silver Set of her choice. Whatever her heart desires. So have a look around Ellie, you may choose a necklace, a bracelet, a ring and a pair of earings. Just pick it, and it's yours."
It doesn't take her long, and with the cats' help, she makes the perfect set. The designs of each item are very different; the bracelet looks like a dragon encircling her wrist, the ring looks like a shield on her right index finger, the necklace is an intricate lace of Celtic Knotwork and the pendant on it is a silver horse, inlaid inside a stone, edged in turn with silver, and it sets suggestively upon her bodice laces. The ear rings dangle sensuously from her ears, each perfect dragon's claw clutching a perfect sphere. The gems set into each item, the stone of the pendant and the spheres are all the most beautiful green tourmaline.
Tyler asks her if she would like to put it all on, or have him wrap it for her to take home, and she tells him she wants to wear it. The tourmaline looks so good with the near-cream color of the dress, and he agrees, then tells her that the cats agree as well. He then asks her what made her choose the green tourmaline, rather than the topaz, since topaz is her birthstone. She tells him she doesn't know, that it just feels very right to her, it makes her feel warm. He smiles and tells "that's one of the birthstones for Capricorn. Do you know a Cappy?"
She smiles sweetly and her eyes tear up a little. "Yes, she says softly, "Severus is a Capricorn." Tyler laughs. "Well, that explains it. They were meant to be yours, Ellie. I have several Capricorn customers, and no one has asked to see these items in the month I have had them out. They've been waiting for you." Once she has them all on and sees herself, really looks at herself, she realizes that she had no idea her eyes were so blue. She feels silly suddenly and laughs at herself, then thanks Tyler for his kindness. "Ellie," says he, "it is always a joy to have you here, and it is my pleasure to make you happy. Now," he says, "you go out in this lovely day and shine."
She gives his hand a squeeze and gives all the cats a scratch, then takes her wrapped scone and heads back out into the sunlight. She feels shimmery, lovely, and as she heads toward the fountain in the park at the city's heart, she can't believe she felt bad when she got up this morning. She unwraps the scone and before she has even begun braking it up the birds have begun to gather. Little sparrows, a few wrens, doves, and even a single raven. She scatters enough bits and crumbs for everyone there, and keeps a few small chunks for the raven, whom she feeds by hand.
Cambion takes the chunks from her gingerly, giving her a little trilling sound as thanks. "It is good to see you today," she tells him, then gently strokes the feathers of his back. He caws softly and she's about to ask him about Therion when she hears a sound so dear to her heart, yet nearly forgotten, it's been so long...
A whinny.
There's a horse here somewhere, and she's filled with a need to find it. She hears the whinny again, then Cambion takes wing, calling for her to follow. She runs across the park, the dress seeming to flow around her. She finds Cambion sitting on the eaves of an old closed shop, and she stops at the stone wall just long enough to catch her breath. She passes through the gateway into the shaded walkway and finds a little grey mare standing near three men. The little mare sees Elsbet and whinnies excitedly, swivelling her ears inquisitively. Elsbet can't stay away. Slowly she walks toward the little mare, her heart pounding with excitement. It's been so very, very long...
She holds her hands out and the little mare comes forward to smell them. She gives a little nicker and Elsbet giggles, and the little mare greets Elsbet with a velvety soft nose on her forehead. The little mare's breath is sweet, like she's been eating sugargrass, and Elsbet can't help herself. She comes right up to the little mare, puts her hands on her neck, and smells her right back. Apparently, this is very funny to the mare because she whinnies happily and turns her beautiful head to nudge Elsbet. She wraps her arms around the graceful neck, and after a few more nudges, she takes a handful of grey mane, and hauls herself up onto the little mare's back.
One of the three men notices and steps around the other two. "Hello," he says, and Elsbet suddenly realizes what she's done. "Hello," she says back softly and apologises. "I'll get down," she says and the little mare shakes her head vigorously. The man looks at his mare with great astonishment, and the other two men, whom Elsbet recognizes, give their friend a reassuring pat, and vouch for Elsbet. "She's a true lady, you've naught to worry about. She loves all animals...you should see her with the birds here," the wizard says, and as if in confirmation, Cambion caws loudly. "Well," the man says, "in that case, and since she clearly likes you, you are welcome to ride her. Her name is Hasufel."
Elsbet feels a strange little tingle down her spine as the little mare responds to her name. "Hasufel?" Elsbet inclines her head slightly and leans forward to scratch the mare behind her ears. "That's the name of the horse Éomer gave Aragorn..." The man smiles widely and nods. "Yes. I find so few outside this city recognize the name." He offers his hand to her and she gives him hers; they shake hands and he tells her he is Eamon Cantridge, and that he is honored to meet her. Hasufel seems quite eager to go for a walk, so with a pat from Eamon, she sets off toward the park.