Fable - Ask A Solstice Miracle

[House Ard an Greine]

Tag: @Amaryllis
Tag: @Peony / @Faolan
Theme

A Solstice Miracle

Today was a very special day, not only was it special because of the Solstice event but Áine and Ardghal were having their fourth child over the course of 400 years. While four kids might not seem like much to outsiders not familiar with the Duanann people, or High Fae, but the fact that Ardghal and Áine have managed to produce four children is nothing sort of a miracle.

And a miracle it was, and every one of the Summer Court was invited to take part in the "welcome to the world" party. Many of the guests had just arrived by the tasteful decorated main entrance, getting greeted by the many servants standing at the ready. The mansion was a grandiose marvel with gorgeous multicoloured gardens, white marble mixed with white wood and stone. It all mixed and matched beautifully together. To top it off, a river with the clearest blue water running underneath the garden walkway hugging the main building of the mansion.

Standing in the main hall was Riona, who had taken upon herself to greet all the guest as the representative of the ruling line within House Ard an Greine.

That was not to say that she was nervous as every single member of House Ard an Greine had accepted the invitation. Though she was also quite excited for the honour of having Princess Amaryllis come as a representative of the House of the Phoenix to the party. The first members of the House walked through the large ordinated double doors, which was that of the Caoilfhionn bloodline and lived in Laigin, and is part of the Autumn Court. With her fingers intertwined, Riona greeted Caoilfhionn and her husband, Niall, as out of respect. Followed that Riona greeted Callan, Conli and his wife Lavellan and then finishing off by welcoming Conall and Aoife with their son Cuán.

Servants were quick to carry silver trays filled with refreshments and starters to keep them going and there was plenty of drinks and food while beautiful melodies were played in a corner by some very talented musicians.

Just as Riona had greeted the first guests, the next arrived, travelling all the way from Underhill and was of the Diaimuid bloodline. While Diaimuid and his wife were no more, unfortunately, their son, Caoimhin with his wife, Eimeai were alive a kicking. Along with Caoimhin and Eimeai, was their son, Dáithi, with his wife Caoimhe. While Riona remained regal in her posture with a beautiful greeting smile, for that was expected of her, they was still the black sheep of the House. Riona still remembered the drama when Caoimhin married Eimeai out of love and while that wasn't worth drama, it was the fact that it was a Fae of Unseelie blood.

It didn't help calm down the drama in the house, when Eimeai gave birth to Dáithi, with some within the house, seeing it as a taint upon the pure Seelie blood. Nevertheless, they received the same greeting as everyone else and guided through the open halls and led into the main hall.

"Looking good baby sis" commented a voice, followed by Artan appearing out of thin air with his usual cocky smile. He was dressed in rather dashing silk vestments of blue and green billowing freely behind him. Riona didn't give him the pleasure of looking, for she was on an important duty as more guest would arrive any moment.

Besides, she hated when he called her "baby sis", as it made her feel like a little kid. "Shouldn't you be doing your duty as a host for the guests in the main hall?" Asked Riona sharply, making sure not to break face. Wrapping an arm around Riona, Artan pulled his little sister into his side. "Pfft, they can manage fine on their own with all that food and refreshments. Also, Grandma and Grandpa are in there to keep everyone company" said Artan with an expression of dismissal, waving his free hand in the air nonchalantly.

Right as Riona was about to tell her brother to piss off, more guests arrived, making Riona curse under her breath as Artan disappeared again with his cocky smile. "I'll get you for this later brother," thought Riona much to her own annoyance that her brother had managed to make her break face. However, she was quick to return with her beautiful smile, regal posture and accommodating greetings.

 

[Faolan]

It was not often that a Duanann House was blessed with multiple children. So few of their kind bore children at all, and yet they were celebrating not for a second or third time, but a fourth. All the family and anyone worth inviting was in attendance. Relatives from all over the Summer Court and even from Underhill and Laigin were arriving. The House Ard an Greine estate had been transformed into blooming glory to welcome both their guests and the new addition.

All a little ridiculous in his coarse, pragmatic opinion, but Faolan was here nonetheless. It had not been difficult to take a brief leave from work -- almost as easy as it would have been to use said employment as an excuse to skip the festivities. He told himself he should have, but he knew he was happy to be here.

Welcoming Riona had been just as exciting. A little less, perhaps, because he had been younger and hadn't fully appreciated the monumental occasion. Seeing his mother weakened and drained, holding the tiny, precious babe in awe of creation and the toil she had endured, however… He had matured a lot that day.

So he was in a very different mindset that he sat with his family this time. Generally, Faolan’s warm, golden features were wasted on his gloomy, dour moods. Today, however, he wore a smile in the place of his stoic frown. He was bright and animated as he spoke to his grandparents.

It was not every day that a duanann family added a fourth leaf to its family branch. He would celebrate and invite only joy into their home today.

Artan was slinking around like the enigmatic, charming bastard he was. Their older brother had little trouble knowing the perfect things to say and exactly when to say them. He was thoroughly enjoying himself and their family’s moment in the sun. The same with Riona. Faolan caught sight of her ushering in yet another string of guests, perfectly poised for the job. She was dazzling everyone, and he could only hear whispers of praise for her maturity and grace.

Artan would inherit the House before any of them, relieving them from most of the expectation to someday carry that heavy mantle. They were still expected to be perfection incarnate. They had to find their own way in the world -- Riona more than him. He supposed this fourth sibling would have the most liberty of all of them to pursue their dreams. Faolan hoped so.

He politely excused himself from his grandparents’ company to allow the other guests their time with them. He kissed his grandmother’s hand with a charming smile and meandered through the hall, weaving between pockets of conversation to where Riona was releasing the most recent arrivals into the fray.

“Darling sister,” he greeted her softly with a nod. Though he was not nearly as exuberant as Artan, there was the same degree of affection in the way he quietly linked arms with her to slowly promenade back to the foyer to await more partygoers. If Artan was a mote of light that danced at midday, then Faolan was the last flickers at dusk. He glanced over his shoulder to be sure they were in each other’s confidence in the hall.

“You must tell me how it is that you make being flawless look so easy.” His soft grin was warm, relaxed, and he spoke in hushed tones. “Did that rascal we call brother even offer to relieve you of your duties so you could take a break, or is only shirking his own responsibilities?”

 

[Amaryllis]

“Ardghal and Áine are having another daughter,” the princess of the summer court whispered in quiet awe and fiddled with her tiara. A string of disbelief tinted Amaryllis’ voice and the high fae could only marvel at the event of this child’s birth – it was nothing short of a miracle. Behind her, a slender figure stood in silence and carefully combed the princess’ hair. “To be blessed with so many healthy children is something I can only dream of,” she continued and sighed. Soft, brown curls framed her pretty face, but Ama’s features had grown weary, the yearning for a bond this fortunate and happy stronger than ever.

“Only patience, your highness, and your time will come. I’m sure of it.”​

♡ ♡ ♡
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Princess Amaryllis arrived fashionably late and the festivities were already in full bloom. The mansion of one of the largest houses in the summer court was beautifully decorated to match the ongoing event and Ama marveled at the river and the gardens, subconsciously taking notice of comfortable looking spots to nap at.

Of course the princess did not come empty handed: once Amaryllis had entered the premises, a multitude of servants emerged from behind her, carrying loads and loads of gifts for the family and the newborn babe. The beautiful music playing in the background distracted her for a moment, but the royal didn’t linger and instead approached Riona: the eldest – and until now only – daughter of the ruling line of House Ard an Greine.

Her brother Faolan, a member of the royal guard, stood by her side.

“Riona,” she offered the young female a warm smile and then turned to the knight. “Faolan.” In her hands, the princess carried a small, lovingly wrapped gift with a large, pink ribbon on top of it. “What a beautiful way to celebrate new life,” she gestured around. “Your family has outdone themselves once again. Congratulations on yet another sibling.” Amaryllis never made her love for children, babies in particular, a secret. The princess adored the little creatures, always dying to see one and hold on to it until she could have her own. Leaning forward, she lifted up the little package and spoke with a hushed voice.

“When the time is right, I have a personal gift for the little one.”

 

[House Ard an Greine]

The next guess was non-other than Barrfhionn with his wife, Niamh and their two daughters, Caragh and Mairead. Caragh came with her husband Aodham and their own child Eithne, and while Riona acted as professional and regal as ever, she did not like the great-uncle side of the family. It was a bit hush-hush within the Brighid bloodline of the house, but ever since Niamh received the designated title as heir as house head, have Barrfhionn and his daughters and granddaughter been a pain in the arse to be around.

And sadly, this time was no different as they waltz through the large decorated double doors with a gaze of disapproval. Not only that, but they always walked with a sense of entitlement with the knowledge that the House mansion they visited as guessed, could have been theirs.

While Barrfhionn wasn't the worse and managed to live with the decision of his mother, picking his sister over him as heir. No, it was his two daughters, Caragh and Mairead along with Caragh and Aodhan's daughter Eithne, that was the real pain in the ass to deal with.

However, Riona couldn't really blame Eithne... she guessed, as the girl was just a victim of her environment, being the daughter of Caragh and Aodhan. With that said, Caragh and Mairead were so difficult to deal with and often if not always made family gathering a real chore to get through. Riona's two first cousins always took the joy out of conversations as they always acted so superior to everyone else as they loved to show off.

So when her saviour and dear big brother, well, the favourite of her two brothers, came and led her away, she couldn't thank him enough. "Calahal, please take over from me" commented Riona to one of the many butlers standing ready.

If it wasn't for the public display of so many guests around them, Riona would have shown a pleasured grin from hearing Caragh scoffed and knowing Mairead staring daggers at her and Faolan from leaving a simple butler to greet them.

"Ever the dashing brother" smiled Riona gracefully back, while quickly after, under her breath, "Thank you for saving me back there".

Being led through the halls, Riona released a poised and ever so light laughter from Faolan's compliment, "It's all in the posture and smile" explained Riona with great affection, without breaking mask. The mentioning of their eldest brother, made Riona shake her head. That brother of theirs acted more like some rascal than the next in line for the biggest house within the Summer Court.

"Oh, you know our dear brother, always on the path to chaos and always finding a way to slither his way out of trouble" replied Riona as they entered the main hall arm-in-arm.

The last of the family to arrive was that of the Ceallach bloodline within the House, which was quite the interesting side of the family. Riona always liked many of the Faes on that side of the family, especially her second cousin, Cathán and instantly fell into conversation about the newest fashion in clothes, which Faolan had to be part of, whether he liked it or not.

Of course, couldn't forget about the special guest of the hour, despite Caragh and Mairead always expecting it to be them. When Amaryllis was announced by Calahal, everyone turned and she was greeted with great honour, just for the fact of being part of the ruling House in the Summer Court and Vhora.

Amaryllis was also one Riona instantly bonded with when they first met at one of the Summer balls held by one of the other houses. Riona's grandmother had introduced Amaryllis as Niamh and the princess had gotten to know each other quite well over many years now through various events and balls.
Ever since Amaryllis that first meeting, the princess had become a great ally and friend of the House and that the doors would always be open for her.

Amaryllis invitation was actually quite unique, as Amaryllis was invited to the event for two reasons, which the second reasoning hadn't been stated. Riona's smile spread, happy to see her friend finally arrive, "Ama" greeted the girl back with a warm smile of her own. "Thank you, you're too kind" expressed Riona happily and excused Faolan and Cathán as she led Amaryllis over to Ardghal and the very weary red-haired woman, Áine.

"Mama, Papa" greeted Riona with a smile of joy with Amaryllis's arm wrapped around hers "Ama is here" expressed Riona happily. She didn't really need to introduce Amaryllis, but nevertheless, she did as per custom. Cathán smiled proudly over his newly added daughter to his line as he bowed for the princess, "Princess Amaryllis, it's a great pleasure and joy, that you would attend such a joyous event" expressed Cathán officially as the ruler of the house when such an esteemed guess would grace his home with her presence.

However, when the custom thank yous and greetings were out of the picture, the man got much more personal and gave Ama a much more fatherly and warmly smile, "truly, thank you very much for being part of Nennu's welcome to our world" said Cathán finally.

Áine was just as happy and joyful of seeing Ama, but frankly, she was very tired and spent much of the time sitting down.

While Riona led Amaryllis away to Cathán and Áine, the otherwise stoic Faolan would hear the familiar cocky voice of Artan as he appeared right beside Faolan with a hugging arm around him. "Well, aren't you just a ball of sunshine today, little wolf" grinned Artan, knowing full well how much it annoyed the brave knight captain to be reminded of the meaning behind his name.