Private Tales Suadade

[Skuld Zajac]

"As though I need any more reason to stare." Skuld whispered to herself with a small laugh.

When approached with the dress, she did as asked and held her arms up. Giving the dress a look to examine it as best she could from her side. It was a beautiful thing. Much nicer than anything she owned.

"Hardly uncomfortable. Just, not what I'm used to." Skuld informed Ella. She gave the older woman a warm smile of greeting.

 

[Keiran MacArthur]

"Not the dress... This part." Ella said as her hands came in contact with Skulds hips. The young MacArthur was taking Skuld's measurements with skilled hands. Her hands would venture up from heir waist up along her side. All the while she was humming. Another trait of this family it seemed, they enjoyed music.

"Ella is in a trance now.. Just let her work and you'll be amazed at how well the dress looks." Lady MacArthur sauntered over and stood beside Skuld, taking a few strands of her hair in her hand. "After your bath, I'll brush your hair... Say we would it in a lovely braid."

It seemed the matriarch wasn't to far behind falling into a trance herself.

 

[Skuld Zajac]

A small yelp of surprise came from her as hands touched her hips. Shock more than embarrassment elicited the sound, and she settled quickly. It seemed much like being fitted for armor, but the touch had been unexpected.

The attention they paid to her was not unwelcome, but could easily be guessed as something new to Skuld. Dress fitting seemed a bit different to the templar, and interest in the difference in measuring was what caught her attention. She watched as best she could while Ella worked, before addressing Lady McArthur.

"It's been some time since I've done more than put it up out of the way or braid it for bed." Skuld admitted sheepishly. Her chocolate colored hair was perpetually pinned up, only undone to be brushed and braided. As it was, it would fall just above the small of her back of let out and brushed.

 

[Keiran MacArthur]

"We are afforded such days as today to be valued as small rewards for the harships we often face... When you are back upon your horse during your travels, spent after the trials you have face, think back to these moments... There is a comfort in having your hair brushed and braied in a fashion you are not use too...Wearing a fine gown in place of mail... In relaxing in a hot bath... And laughter shared over ale and food." Lady MacArthur imparted more wisdom.

Ella chuckled to herself, the yelp pretty much the surprise reposnse she was expecting. "Not to far off from what I expected... Washroom is there, water is still fairly hot.... Strip and leave everything by the door, I'll collect your garments, and see they are washed.... Now now hurry off."

Ella simply waved her off towards the direction of her private washroom, one of the larger vanities she afforded herself, as she took off to her bed with gown in hand. By the time the Templar returned, she would have something for her to wear.

 

[Skuld Zajac]

The soft smile was the only sign the wisdom had been heard. She would think on this, on the time she spent here. She gave a nod to Ella before thanking her and heading to the washroom. Leaving everything in a heap by the door, and stepping into the bath gingerly.

Gods it felt good.

She would relax for a while before getting the road muck off of her. She let her hair soak a bit, running her fingers through the floating strands for a short time. Her hair would be braided, and she would be wearing a dress. Oh what a strange sight she would make to her chapter, she thought idly.

 

[Keiran MacArthur]

Skuld was awarded her privacy, allowing her relaxation. True to her word, Ella made sure her clothes were being tended to before setting upon the gown. Lady MacArthur saw to it that everything else was taken care of as well, from the food preparation to the lodging of additional guest who had arrived. When telling Skuld this was a simple dinner, Ella may have held back. She had good reason to, as this was a surprise for her brother and a dinner to celebrate the life of William MacArthur.

Once the Templar had finished with the bath, Lady MacArthur was there to fawn over her, drying and then combing through her hair. She would talk and tell stories, straying form the topic of her son and choosing to focus on her own youth. She would tell Skuld of her up bringing and her family, Clan Reid. Stories of hunting and horse riding, of the time she ran away in search of her pet cat her father refused to look for. This led to tale of her encounter with William MacArthur, a boy who in his youth, she could best describe as annoying, filthy, and more often then not, bloodied from a fight.... Yet somehow, encountering him in her teens she gained a different opinion on him. Together, they explored the edges of Falwood until he escorted her home, lost cat in tow.This went beyond her station as the matriarch of this household. Her touch was endearing and her voice and laughter warm, that of a mother truth be told. In a sense, she was accepting Skuld into her family. Keiran was a good sense of character, he always had been, and so if her son would open himself to her so would she, be it as a friend or something more.

Before long, Ella would join in, fresh from her own bath. Much like Skuld, hands housing years of experience set upon her and the stories continued. Lady MacArthur spoke of her brush with "death" when she ate what she believed to be poison berries, until she discovered she had simply become allergic to blueberries. This started the blueberry war of Edenham as William made it clear no berries of any blue nature were to be around his wife. Till this day, there were no blueberry pies to be made in Edenham. Thankfully, the people were understanding and seemed to favor apple or raspberries any how.

By the time she was done, both ladies had their hair fashioned in the same style, differing only on the side their hair had been braided. For Skuld, two braids of interlocking trinity knots would circle around the left side of heir head where it was pinned with rest of her hair into a free flowing ponytail aside from the subtle ringlets that framed the sides of her face, fashioned with the use of a comb and special oils.

Meanwhile, while the ladies were upstairs, Keiran, Eddard, and a few others had been downstairs in the hall, seated and already sharing ale at the table, which had grown significantly since this morning to accommodate the large amount of food and guests to be seated there tonight. The hall was filled with laughter as the men shared stories of their own, and even Eddard held a grin on his face.

"So the great Keiran was chased down by a boar?" Eddard laughed as the tale of how a drunken Keiran wandered into tall grass to relieve himself only to emerge moments later with his trousers around his ankles and a wild pig hot in pursuit.

"Better then a goose o' Weiss the Blessed!" Keiran countered and the table erupted in laughter as the tale of Weis and his fight with a goose had been told just moments before.

To his total surprise, the reason his mother was adamant for him to go to the church was not only to pray, but to find his friends who had arrived that morning. Keiran looked to Howard, Duncan, and Weiss and smiled, realizing how much he had missed their company. It had only been little over two months, but it felt like a life time.

"You know when you told me your people wore dresses, I thought you were lying... It is comfortable though." Duncan said as he looked down to his attire.


"It's a kilt!" Both Eddard and Keiran shouted before laughing.

The men seated there were all kilted, great kilts of a yellow and black plaid design worn. Coupled with a simple white collared shirt, the men look every part the Highlander, especially with the remainder of the kilt fabric tossed over their shoulders and pinned in place. Sporrans made of leather housing the Stag family crest were worn in front and the traditional boots were traded in for knee high boots of suede, which added a nice touch to their appearance.

"Fine fine... I'll be sure to remember to call it a kilt. Wouldn't want to offend anyone and harm my chances with any of the ladies here." Duncan said as he looked about.

Besides them, there were other people seated. The captain of the guards and his lieutenant, the bakers daughter, the stable master, his wife, and two daughters, and other common folk. The doors had been left open as well, giving view to the courtyard which housed several tents and tables as well. Truth be told, everyone from the town below seemed to be there. The MacArthurs were always close with those they governed and in truth, these people were no strangers to celebrations being hosted there.

"Can you say that louder? I'm not sure everyone heard you." Howard spoke next with a shake of his head.

"How about you Keiran the Chaste? Any ladies here you fancy?" Weis asked as he sipped his ale.

"There has been no one in Edenham to catch his eye for a long time I'm afraid... Aside from the lady who visited today." Eddard answered with a lopsided grin.

Keiran just sighed and shook his head. He had earned many a teasing for his lack of interest in pursuing females even before his time in the garrison. For him, his gaze had been locked upon Seona... And after her passing.. he gave himself to other passions, namely, the sword. Of course, things had changed.

"You really expect us to believe that Skuld Zajac, the Female Warrior Templar is here?" Howard scoffed.

As Keiran had told Skuld, she had been the center of a great deal of their discussions. Word of her deeds were a favorite pass time. Of course by the time they reached them, there was no telling how exaggerated it had become.

"I find I care little for what knobs such as yourself believe." Keiran said with a shrug, trying to look bored with the conversation but found himself chuckling soon enough.

"And here I thought we were friends." Howard joined in on the laughter.

The jabs continued, back and forth across the table but would surely end when a certain someone joined them, at least that was what Keiran suspected as he occasionally glanced at the doorway.

 

[Skuld Zajac]

Skuld enjoyed the time spent watching them work in the mirror. It had been wondrous to watch something as simple as her hair be turned into what she considered a piece of art. Her hand came up to gingerly touch it, a twinge of admiration and disbelief that it was there.

The stories Lady McArthur shared were heard clearly, the occasional remark of surprise or of laughter added by Skuld as the woman spoke at length of her own youth. Ella joined them and soon they were dressed and done up splendidly.

"You are truly skilled in your art." Skuld remarked at the trinity knot, hand still gently feeling the intricate patterns. When ready, she would join the ladies to head downstairs, unaware of the large gathering and having brushed off the noise as the staff working.

When they came into the hall, Keiran was looking at her and she could not hide the smile that appeared. Then the rest of those gathered caught her attention as she looked about her, seeing the tents outside through the door. Color drained from her face and she looked to Ella quickly.

"I thought, what are-?" She stammered, eyes jumping back to the men at the table, looking over each of them before giving a questioning look to Keiran.

"What about dinner?" Skuld inquired of Ella, the noise had not been the staff, but rather a gathering of many people. Her face was almost red now at being seen as she was.

 

[Keiran MacArthur]

Oh how badly Ella wanted to poke fun at Skuld and say it was a surprise wedding for her. Of course, her mother had warned her away from teasing the Templar. Instead, she lead the way downstars.

"A dinner in honor of my late husband." Lady MacArthur informed the confused Templar as she came beside her and took her arm in her own.

As the trio enter, Keiran's eyes never left Skuld as he rose from his seat to greet them. No words escaped his mouth however as he was awestruck by her beauty it would seem. The others at the table joined, and soon all watched as they entered. By now, the hall was full with the fighting men and woman of Edenham and the common folk who had been invited to join them at the main table, and all seemed to marvel at the three.

"You didn't tell us you had another sister... Which one is married to him?" Duncan was the first to speak, his voice barely a whisper as he pointed at Eddard.

"You idiot, don't you see the markings on her face. It really is Skuld!" Howard replied in a sharp tone.

"Heaven's he wasn't spinning a tale... How do I look?" Weis cried as he brushed at he pawed at his shirt.

Keiran though remained quiet, his senses coming to him when Eddard gently nudged his side. Snapping out of his daze, Keiran stepped forward along with his brother in law and bowed to the three. Eddard took his wife by the and showed her to his seat beside him. Keiran looked to Skuld and then his mother, not sure what he should do. His mother stifled a chuckle and offered Skuld's hand to him.Then then smiled to everyone and moved to take her seat.

"Well... Do not stop on my account, please, drink." Lady MacArthur informed the lot who quickly returned to their drinks.

"You look... Breath taking." Keiran blurted as he took her hand in his.

A clearing of someones throat caught his attention and though it pained him to do so, he turned away to look back at his friends. They stood waiting for an introduction.

"My lady, this lot are my dear friends, Howard, Duncan, and Weiss.... Degenerates, this is Lady Skuld Zajac." Keiran beamed as he introduced her.

 

[Skuld Zajac]

Skuld gave a soft sound of surprise at the reason behind the gathering and was guided by the Lady McArthur down the stairs.

"Oh. I'm, honored that I could attend." Skuld offered as she blinked for a moment. The men around the table began whispering among one another, and one began to pat themselves down. Keiran had kept his gaze on her, and Eddard had to knock a bit of sense into the man. They both came forward, and Eddard took Ella before Keiran had a small crisis deciding between his mother and her.

When Lady McArthur handed her off, Skuld took the offered hand.

"You look good, too." Skuld replied quietly, and after an awkward silence, someone cleared their throat and the man finally looked towards the others around the table. Introductions were made, and she gave a bow. Her smile didn't quite seem right, but it was her best attempt as she recalled that Weiss had been chased by a goose and stifled her laughter.

"It is, a pleasure to meet you all. Though degenerates hardly seems fitting Keiran, if they are your friends." Skuld got a facetious remark in with a slight pat of his hand.

 

[Keiran MacArthur]

"She knows his name..." Weis said, stunned at the sight before him.

"She is scolding him..." Howard replied.

"She can hear you fools..." Duncan said next. "Sorry Lady Zajac... These men are uncultured as you can tell. They are just struck by your presence. As Keiran undoubtedly told you, you were a topic of discussion in our garrison. Our apologies for our behavior."

Duncan was on his way to making a good impression, or at least he hoped. He then turned to Ella and Eddard and bowed his head.

"Lady Ella MacArthur, it is a pleasure to finally meet you. Your brother spoke well of you... As does your husband. I understand you are quite skilled with a bow." Duncan continued on, carrying the attention to Keiran's younger sister. Both Howard and Weiss joined in the conversation soon after, leaving Keiran and Skuld to each other.

Keiran was thankful for that. Duncan had a way of telling when someone needed a moment,and more often than not he could steer a conversation where he wanted it to go.

Introductions made, they all sat and Keiran couldn't help but notice Skuld's face. He would lean in and found himself intoxicated by the scent of the soaps and oils granted to her. More so however, was her attempt to keep a straight face. "Yes, that is Weis the Blessed... And if at some point tonight you manage to scare him by shouting goose and pointing, I will owe you a life debt."

Keiran chuckled, unaware that he had yet to release his hold of her hand.

 

[Skuld Zajac]

Her amusement mounted as the men spoke. Before Duncan excused them and began to draw attention toward Eddard and Ella. A small relieved sigh came from her as they sat, but before long, found Keiran coming close to her. Which she could not ignore, no matter how hard she tried. Her lips would purse a little as she tried to keep her composure, unable to keep from glancing at him.

She leaned in when he spoke, and found it all the harder to not laugh aloud. Weis the blessed? Her eyes narrowed as he made an offer. A life's debt huh, she thought to herself. She would have to see about scaring the poor man upon their first meeting.

"Challenge accepted." Skuld informed him quietly, as to not interrupt the other guests. Her hand giving his a gentle squeeze of affirmation.

 

[Keiran MacArthur]

The thought of Skuld frightening Weis was enough to bring a wider smile to his face but the gentle squeeze she offered was a reminder that he still held her hand and a faint blush returned to his cheeks. He would in turn run his thumb along her hand before releasing his hold.

Now that they were seated, the food for the evening made it's entrance as Rosa lead the procession of kitchen workers.The turkeys were out first, two plump birds, cooked and golden, slices of braised hams, fresh water cod garnished with lemon, carrots and peas a plenty, bread which had already been buttered, grapes and apples, pears as well. In short, it was quite the feast.

As everyone set upon fixing their plates, Lady MacArthur wore a warm smile as she eased into her seat and simply watched. Keiran looked to her first, followed by Ella. No words were needed from the siblings to know what to do. Both of them raised from their seats to come to their mothers side and offer a quick hug.

"He would have loved this... Been a long while since we had a celebration like this." Keiran assured her.

"He would have had the entire table laughing with a tale so outrageous you knew he had to be lying. " Ella added.

"He was quite the story teller your father." Lady MacArthur smiled. "I'm sure he's enjoying a stout at this moment watching us...." She smile before going on. "Go you two... You have company to mind."

"And I thank you for that mother... This day has certainly been blessed." Keiran said as he looked to the table, his gaze starting at his friends but ending upon Skuld. With gusto he returned to her side to fix a plate for her and a healthy glass of red wine. Tonight was a night of celebration after all.

 

[Skuld Zajac]

His smile made her a bit giddy, the prospect of scaring the poor man still in her mind before she felt his thumb run over her hand. When he let go, he slightest turn of her head was her only response to his leaving as she turned back to watch the procession of staff and food enter.

All of it looked delicious, and after it had been set out, the gathering of people to fill their plates began. Lady McArthur eased into her seat, and had the siblings not stood, her gaze would have likely stayed on the party around the food. As it was, her eyes fell to her lap as they spoke to one another, knowing the words being spoken were from the heart.

Loss was never easy, even with a full life and family around you to help ease the hurt it left behind. She knew well how it felt, and did not want to intrude on the publicly private moment.

Upon his return, he gathered a plate for her, and a glass of red wine. The wine got a small chuckle from her before she thanked him in kind.

"You might watch how much of this I drink." She warned him quietly as she tipped the glass to her lips, her eyes moving to his with a knowing look. It had been some time since she last enjoyed the beverage, and had made a right fool of herself doing so.

She set the glass down before enjoying a bite of the buttered bread and moving to done on the fruits first.

 

[Keiran MacArthur]

"That is like asking a blind man to lead." Keiran said with a hearty laugh following. He had poured himself a healthy glass as well. "But I suppose I can make sure you don't over indulge."

Keiran had fixed himself a plate next and returned to his seat. Unlike Skuld, he went straight for the meat, choosing to alternate between turkey and ham. He hadn't realized how famished he was.

"So, Lady Zajac... How did our Highlander come to meet you... He told us you would be here but failed to tell us how you too met." Howard asked in between mouth fulls.

"If you are in distress, please say so now... Wouldn't put it past Keiran to have kidnapped you." Weis added in, his face all but serious except for his trembling bottom lip. He wanted to laugh so badly.

 

[Skuld Zajac]

"I will try to do the same for you." Her eyes went a little in surprise at the revelation. It seemed they both would likely be making a sight of themselves tonight.

Keiran started with a selection of meats rather than the fruit like she had when he returned with his plate. Which she soon switched to, as watching him devour his plate had made her want the meats over the apples and pears. A question had her stopping short of taking another sip of wine, the glass still in her hand as she looked to Howard, and then Weis.

Giving herself time to think on her reply, she began to take a sip, and ended up draining half of the glass while in thought. Setting it back, she gave the men a smile that touched her eyes.

"We met when I had come upon his camp in the night. I had rode from the Falwood, and was tired of traveling, so I asked to share his camp." Skuld continued to smile as she looked at Keiran. "And while he seems capable enough, I doubt he could kidnap me." Her gaze fell back to the men, the words a bit teasing to the man next to her.

"I am tickled though, to learn that I was such an interesting subject in your garrison." Skuld glanced to Keiran while addressing the other men.

 

[Keiran MacArthur]

A round of laughter followed Skuld's comment about Keiran not being able to kidnap her. Though in a gown, she still looked every part the warrior.

"Challenge accepted..." Keiran whispered to her, the faintest of grins making it's way to his face before he returned to eating.

Opposite them, all three men listened to the tale of their meeting with great interest, quiet as Skuld recanted the simple tale. Of course, hearing that she happened upon his camp conjured up an entire slew of follow up questions. Weis, not the most tactful of them all, was about to fire one off, no doubt asking if they shared a tent or something of that nature, when Duncan slapped his hand upon the back of his neck and squeezed, silencing him.

"Yes you were a favored topic in the garrison, our regiment in particular... We also spoke of the Falwood, the Pirate Blackfyre, and my particular favorite, the influx of mages traveling through the land." Duncan moved the conversation along. "We were fortunate enough to be stationed near a town frequented by merchants from the city. With them news flowed.. Not always accurate though.... One time we heard news that the eldest son of House Luana could turn into a wolf! The truth ended up he had taken in a pet wolf... We were rather disappointed."

 

[Skuld Zajac]

Skuld's lips pursed before she made a clicking noise with her tongue. She would have to be mindful of him for the rest of the evening now that she had done such a silly thing as inspire the man to a challenge. She recalled the story, she told them about their meeting, and she could very well tell which of the men was most certainly the one that got them into trouble as Weis prepared to speak.

Duncan stopped him though, and informed her that she had not been the only topic of discussion. The Falwood was always worthy of talk, and while she did not know of the pirate Blackfyre, it would be something she would ask Keiran about later. Mages travelling would concern the Broken Swords more than the Black Rose, but the conversations were likely old and had probably been investigated already.

"I can imagine that news from merchants tends to be a little wild, to get you to buy things." Skuld admitted, having heard her fair share of tales from merchants in an attempt to gain the Templar's coin. Her eyes went from man to man before looking at Keiran. "I am curious though, are you all skilled with the sword as Keiran is? Or do you have a different weapon you prefer?"

It may have been a silly question, but she was curious regardless.

 

[Keiran MacArthur]

"Skilled like Keiran eh?" Eddard said with a snicker.

"Still sour I bested you yesterday are we?" Keiran said, his gaze shifted to his brother in law.

"A welcome home present." Eddard countered. They weren't shy about their rivalry, and in truth the best term used to describe them would be frenemies.

"Ha... I think you've had your fare share of wine." Keiran replied back and earned an exaperated sigh from Eddard who's wife was quick to quiet him down with a gentle pat to his arm. Her signal for calm down. "Well I'd say out of the lot I was most skilled at the sword.. Though Duncan is rather adept with a bow... Howard with polearms... Now Weis the Blessed there is rather crafty with small blades..." Keiran broke down where each man excelled.

"And where do your talents lay Lady Zajac?" Howard asked sipping form his cup.

 

[Skuld Zajac]

Again, the rivalry between men came forward and made her snicker a little. She finished off her glass and held it out to to Keiran to fill up again.

"If you would please." Skuld asked quietly when the question came to her. She thought for a moment, recalling what all was equipped to her horse.

"Well, I prefer the hammer, or mace. The two are a touch different from each other so it isn't fair to compare using the two. I can best both my cousins with the sword. Bow is bulls eye more than half of the time. Crossbow isn't fair to compare but-" Skuld spoke calmly, though confidently. "I am proficient with polearms, and small blades are handy. It's kind of a mixed bag because you also have to throw a shield in for some of the swords-." Skuld stopped and went deathly quiet.

"I'm sorry, I tend to blather." Skuld admitted before retrieving the glass.

 

[Keiran MacArthur]

"I suppose the question that should have been asked is, is there anything you aren't skilled with." Howard said earning a chuckle from the table.

"I imagine your life as a Templar has afforded you enough opportunities to fine tune your skills. Any tales worth telling?" Duncan asked in earnest.

It was a simple question, rather, simple enough to ask, being that the food and drink were flowing. Keiran himself had been in the process of pouring Skuld another cup when Duncan had spoken. "The only tale I wish to here of is why you three seemed glued to this table when I see some fair maiden's outside this very hall peeking in at you lot."

Keiran was quick to deflect the question posed upon Skuld. Having her think back upon some of the trials she faced was not something he would have her deal with. And so he gladly played the role of shield at that moment. "I think that particular busty one has eyes for you Weis." He coaxed his friend further.

"Nuff said." The thinnest of the men spoke, wiping his mouth and hands on a cloth and grabbing at a bottle of wine so he could saunter over to the girls in question. Not to be left behind, Howard and Duncan excused themselves to follow after.

By now the majority of the patrons with in the hall and outside had enjoyed their meals and empty plates were hastily being taken away to make room for desert. To serve as a distraction from this transition, three local bards took to their instruments and began to play. The energetic rhythm of a lute, ocarina, pipe and tabor soon filled the hall, a sweet melodic tune filled with life.

"I take it they aren't the happiest of tales." Eddard said, looking over to Skuld and then Keiran.

"I just think my lady would rather enjoy her time spent here drinking wine and enjoying my company... And perhaps dance?" Keiran asked. He had poured himself a refill as well, and as if he were daring her to follow, drained it in a single gulp.

 

[Skuld Zajac]

"For most common arms, no, there is little I am not practiced with." Skuld informed Howard as Duncan began to ask about hearing a tale. The smile on her face remained, but her eyes seemed to lose the light of happiness that was there. Keiran was quick to reply, and held onto her glass for a moment before setting it on the table. She watched the men leave, a new goal in sight as she gave a small laugh to the bravado that was suddenly about them.

Once they had left, Eddard spoke and asked a question that she could happily answer.

"Life is full of trials for everyone, the templars go looking for them." Skuld quietly replied as she looked to Keiran when he asked his question.

"I would rather enjoy a dance right now, yes." Skuld replied as she drained her glass also, a hand covering her mouth for a time as she finished her drink without being rude.

 

[Keiran MacArthur]

Cups abandoned, Keiran took Skuld's hand in his own and pulled her up and away from her seat. This was no kings court, and as such this air itself felt unburden by rules or the misgivings of nobles. As such, this was a celebration of life and the music carried upon the wind, the notes striking life itself it seemed. Past his cohorts and the ladies they attempted to woo, Keiran lead Skuld out into the open air. The warmth of the hall was left behind and the chill of the night touched his face where the real celebration was to be had. Though the hall itself was fun, with the "nobility", a rather loose term when speaking about Highlanders, drinking and eating in modesty, while recanting stories the courtyard itself was a jubilation.

The bards played, children ran by filled with laughter, and most importantly, people danced.

"Forgive me.. I may be light on my feet when there is a matter of a sword being swung towards my head, but I cannot promise any such nimbleness from myself tonight." Keiran informed his date as he turned about to take her in his arms.

 

[Skuld Zajac]

When they had emptied their glasses, Keiran led them outside and into the celebration of people dancing and children playing. It was sight to see, and it warmed her heart to see so many people together and enjoying themselves.

"I ask the same. I know the dances, but have rarely practiced them. So we are on even ground there at least." Skuld joked as he took her in his arms.

 

[Keiran MacArthur]

"You say that now.. But you move so easily." he teased as he went through the motions. Thankfully, the bards knew well enough to play something that called for a simple dance. "I bet you didn't imagine you'd be dancing with this handsome young... Courageous and strong... Wildly alluring...Roguish and appealing warrior of a man when you first happened upon my camp now did you."

He tried to seem serious but that ever present grin could shine no truer then that moment. What ever spell Skuld had upon him, he was no scared to show it. Usually Keiran wore a scowl of sorts, eyes narrowed, lips tilted down in a frown, as he suspected something fowl was afoot. Yet with her, that was so easily forgotten. Much like the crowd that gathered and the others who opted to join them. He couldn't seem that at that moment. Only she remained in his vision.

 

[Skuld Zajac]

"I think that is the wine, not me." Skuld giggled as he spoke at length about himself. She couldn't help but laugh a little when she noticed the grin he wore throughout the entire speech. "I could never in my wildest dreams have imagined myself so fortunate." She teased him.

They danced and she couldn't seem to find interest in anyone besides him, her eyes always intent on seeing him laugh or his expressions as they moved. She had relaxed, her guarded look missing as smiles and laughed had replaced it.