(no subject)

[equal_of_any_man]

{From here}

Olivier opens the door into a pleasant spring day. The sun warms the first buds on the trees and the freshly tilled earth in the fields beyond smells rich and warm.

They are in the woods just beyond Athelstan and Ragnar's holding, stepping out of a circle of stones.

"I should have known it was a doorway." Olivier smiles. "Perhaps the ancients of this land knew the bar too."

Mary squeaks with delight as a butterfly passes them, wriggling in Athelstan's arms to be put down.

Comments

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"It's not as if either of us had children of his own, here," Ragnar says.

His sons will inherit his world when he leaves -- that is enough.

[athelstanthescribe]

"Exactly. I can't think of anyone else in this world I'd rather have it when we're all gone - and as her own property, not her husband's."

[equal_of_any_man]

"I am very fortunate to have brothers like you. As my daughter is fortunate to have you as her uncle. I hope... it is my fondest hope Ermina and I will have many more children yet. And that they will love and cherish you also."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"We will love and cherish them," Ragnar promises, "and whatever happens, be there and care for them. I never expect children to love me back -- that just seems to happen anyway. Probably because I'm silly and funny, and good to sleep on."


[[OOC: Sorry, I lost track of this thread -- hope it's not too late!]]

[athelstanthescribe]

"Children will love whoever is around them, especially the very young ones", Athelstan notes. "And you don't mistreat them, so why would they not?"

[equal_of_any_man]

They turn the corner to the manor's courtyard just as Mary wakes, grumbling and unhappy.

Ermina comes down the steps to greet them, pleasantly to see Ragnar and Athelstan. "I was starting to wonder what had become of you." She holds her hands out to take the grizzling Mary, at the same time offering her cheek to be kissed by Athelstan and Ragnar. "Welcome home."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar kisses her cheek, smiling. "We are glad to be here again, too. What a wonderful welcome, Lady Ermina!"

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan follows suit with affection.

"Our little lady wanted to show us her decorations."

[equal_of_any_man]

"She is very fond of that little cottage of yours." She shifts the sleepy girl again as she beckons them inside. "At least I know where to find her if she wanders off."

"Make yourselves at home while I put Mary to bed."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"I'm sure the maids will be happy to get us some ale, and put another log on the fire," Ragnar says, smiling at her. "It is good so feel so thoroughly welcome by everyone, except maybe the miller, who might have bad memories of us."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Unless he's set the bottle aside and realized what treasures he has?"

[equal_of_any_man]

"No, alas." Olivier answers softly, sorrow in his voice. "He did not leave off drinking but got himself in such a state he went out in the worst of winter without cloak or coat. He was not found until the next day and by then, there was nothing to be done."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"And his daughters?" Ragnar asks.

[athelstanthescribe]

"Did the older girl marry her apprentice?"

[equal_of_any_man]

"She did indeed." A voice calls softly as the younger of the two girls brings them bread and ale. "And our Lord Olivier was very generous in giving her a dowry too. Better than our father would have offered."

She bats her lashes at Ragnar. "If he's as kind with me, perhaps there's hope of finding a good man yet."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"It is good to see you again, happy and well," Ragnar says to her. "Oh, thank you! And yes, there are many good men out there."

Who don't already belong to each other, that is. She can't have Athelstan. No way.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan, on the other hand, doesn't begrudge Ragnar his marital duties, or flirtations with women other than Aslaug. It is what it is.

"I don't think Olivier will refuse you what he gave your sister", he says with a smile. "Though a good man wouldn't demand a dowry."

Not of her station, at least, where love matches are the rule and not the exception.

[equal_of_any_man]

She laughs warmly and pours a cup for them each. "Clearly men are better where you come from. Perhaps," She purrs, "you can take me there one day?"

Olivier shakes his head with a smile. "These men are spoken for, I fear. But a bold beauty like yourself will find the right man."

Ermina joins them, laughing. "Or make a man want to be the right one."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"Queue up to prove he's the right one, and you get to pick," Ragnar says, grinning, ale in hand. "Is she asleep?" he adds, towards Ermina.

[athelstanthescribe]

Mary does seem to have gone very quiet, and Athelstan glances at her to check.

"I'm surprised they haven't already started lining up", he says to the girl.

[equal_of_any_man]

The girl, Kate, giggles and dimples, exactly the look designed to start such a queue.

Ermina waves her away with a hiss, clearly accustomed to the silliness of her younger maids.

"Deep asleep." The toddler in her arms is dead to world. "I admit her adventures with bar father do make it easier to get her to bed. Give me a moment to put her to bed and I'll join you."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar smiles at her, then at Athelstan, and stretches before the fire.

"So nice and warm, your hall," he says to Olivier.

It's a compliment, and a sign he feels very comfortable and at ease here, in this place with these people.

[athelstanthescribe]

"And always welcoming to visitors."

Athelstan makes his way to a chair.

[equal_of_any_man]

"We do our best but neither of you are visitors. You are both family and members of this community, even if you're not here often."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar sits in the next chair, stretches his long legs, smiles, and takes a deep draught of his ale.