Queen Mother Marielle's page

A bar? How common. Try walking into a distillery.

Oh bother

Queen Mother Marielle wrote:

Well, it's a good thing elves are long-lived. A royal wedding is such a laborous thing to plan, especially so soon after a coronation. State dignitaries to invite, assigning quarters at the castle, reserving hotel space for those you can't fit, catering, flowers. Oh...the wedding gown, the bridesmaids and bridegrooms. Maid/matron of honor, best man, the parties. Rehearsal dinner, parties to keep the guests straggling in occupied 'til everyone is there. Security. The honeymoon, the parties thanking guests for travelling here...how about 3 years? Even with Nimora's family helping. Is that enough time? ;)

You leave it that long and you might have some problems with the gown not fitting. ;)

lol. Just laying out the issues, dear. As any responsible mother-in-law would. Where do you think the term 'royal pain-in the-... comes from? ;) Feel free to write it up any way you wish. You'll be able to lead Mirathan around by his nose.

Well, it's a good thing elves are long-lived. A royal wedding is such a laborous thing to plan, especially so soon after a coronation. State dignitaries to invite, assigning quarters at the castle, reserving hotel space for those you can't fit, catering, flowers. Oh...the wedding gown, the bridesmaids and bridegrooms. Maid/matron of honor, best man, the parties. Rehearsal dinner, parties to keep the guests straggling in occupied 'til everyone is there. Security. The honeymoon, the parties thanking guests for travelling here...how about 3 years? Even with Nimora's family helping. Is that enough time? ;)

Queen Mother Marielle wrote:

"These are heavy things to discuss so late at night. Let us walk."

It's a bit weird that they don't run into any servants on their walk, which ends at Nimora's doors.

"You have a sharp mind, Nimora. And strong allies. Be careful that you do not attract strong enemies. And watch. Always. So that you may learn to spot a shark in a dolphin's skin. The Sea Furies may be either."

"What are the Sea Furies?"

"I am trying not to step on the wrong toes, but it's so much to learn. It is...interesting going from a place where I knew everything about everyone and all of the history to a place where I know virtually nothing. The political structure of Sandreef may be unconventional, but I knew it. Here I am constantly afraid that I'll make a terrible misstep that will cause no end of trouble."

"There is more than I can teach you in one century about our home. Fear not."

"As for the Furies, they are ancient beings. Deadly in their power. Most believe them to be myths, worshipped by fanatics."

good night

"These are heavy things to discuss so late at night. Let us walk."

It's a bit weird that they don't run into any servants on their walk, which ends at Nimora's doors.

"You have a sharp mind, Nimora. And strong allies. Be careful that you do not attract strong enemies. And watch. Always. So that you may learn to spot a shark in a dolphin's skin. The Sea Furies may be either."

"Know this. There are old societies in our city and lands. Very old. The waters here can be treacherous."

"You draw out that which is within people. Love, dedication,... passion. I fear that you may draw out other things. From the wrong people."

Queen Mother Marielle wrote:

"But why would Tempest fight for you...did fight for you, when she refused so many others thru the year?"

"I don't understand. She never really told me much about herself. She always sidestepped my questions when I tried to ask. She introduced herself to me after Mirathan's coronation, and after that she was pretty much there everywhere I went."

"What do you know of our Tempest? Hah, as if we could lay claim to her."

"And why would my son fall so completely, totally in love with you. One would almost say...consumed."

"I do not disparage you Nimora. You have an effect on people. A strong effect. A good effect."

Queen Mother Marielle wrote:

As Nimora heads out of the library she just happens to run into Mirathan's mother.

"Well, hello dear. I didn't get to greet you when you returned to our fair city, or to congratulate you on your military victory."

"Hello, your majesty. It's good to see you again. I'm sure you've been very busy, and I was er, rather occupied my first few days back," she said, blushing deeply.

"I appreciate the sentiment about the victory, but the truth was that we got lucky. We were outmatched plain and simple and if we hadn't been able to taunt the enemy leader into single combat we would most likely have lost and badly. It was Tempest's victory really."

"But why would Tempest fight for you...did fight for you, when she refused so many others thru the year?"

She stretched as best she could in her tightly fitted dress. It had been a long time since she had spent so much time poring over books. She had grown more accustomed to battlefields than libraries. And it was definitely time to pause her research. She could hardly read an entire library in an afternoon, she reminded herself, smiling a little at the absurdity of it. Not really knowing where else to go, she heads back to her room.

As Nimora heads out of the library she just happens to run into Mirathan's mother.

"Well, hello dear. I didn't get to greet you when you returned to our fair city, or to congratulate you on your military victory."

"Mother, I plan to ask Nimora for her hand."

"How do I make such an occasion truly special? Should I talk with her parents first?"

"Mirathan, follow your heart. What does Nimora love most?"

Marielle smirks as she hears the cause of the latest commotion.

... wrote:

A bellow sounds out from the other side of the palace

"What in the seven seas - what was that?"

"Sounds like your mother has been a bit too quick to try to negotiate. Or, that she was pressed."

"Well, help we shall...but a reception is hardly the place to think. How much time do you think we have before things...devolve?"

"Not at all,dear one."

"Telestial shared some information with me, but was hesitant to go into details. Most likely for some sense of decorum, but mayhaps out of a lack of hard facts."

"Mirathan knows nothing of this. Not even a hint."

"It sounds like your mother had you over a barrel, and took advantage." casting a stare at the retreating priestess

She muses "But what can be done to buy your freedom? It is not right that you should sacrifice so much. Negotiating with the Brightwaters will be difficult at best."

"Your nobility would be wasted on them."

Queen Mother Marielle wrote:

"Ahh, the nomad clan. They don't usually come to our gatherings."

Nimora wrinkles her nose. "They were at my parents' villa to talk about arrangements when the invitation arrived. I presume that they came because my mother could not find a way to politely leave them behind. Or because of some complex political maneuver I can't possibly understand no matter how hard I try to think things through."

"Arrangements? What sort of arrangements, dear?"

Queen Mother Marielle wrote:

Nimora Orlbereth wrote:

Nimora breathed a sigh of relief. That had been awful, but still not nearly as bad as it could have gone. And at least her mother was going to try to help her, albeit in a twisted sort of way.

Marielle approaches Nimora following a circuitous path, stopping to exchange brief greetings with the assembled guests.

"Nimora dear, how are you enjoying the festivities? Was that your mother that just left?"

Nimora sighs. "Yes, that was my mother. And the Brightwaters, although mercifully I didn't have to talk to them. Mother was bad enough all on her own."

"Ahh, the nomad clan. They don't usually come to our gatherings."

Nimora breathed a sigh of relief. That had been awful, but still not nearly as bad as it could have gone. And at least her mother was going to try to help her, albeit in a twisted sort of way.

Marielle approaches Nimora following a circuitous path, stopping to exchange brief greetings with the assembled guests.

"Nimora dear, how are you enjoying the festivities? Was that your mother that just left?"

Nimora Orlbereth wrote:

Queen Mother Marielle wrote:

"Does it melt, or is 'ice' more of a description?"

"It does not seem to melt at normal temperatures. Although Kaelar said not to get it too near fire."

"Normal fire can touch it, it's blue fire they cannot touch. Fire of any kind shouldn't be much of a problem underwater though."

Pulling a chunk of the ice from his robe pocket, Kaelar uses small magicks to change the red ice into an ornate armlet, which he then hands to the queen. "There we go, now you can call for our help no matter how far away we may be, and it just looks like a peice of jewelry. Do you like it?"

"Why thank you. It is most beautiful."

The Queen slips the armlet on, admiring the seamless beauty of the red ice.

"Well, it seems you have all sorts of talented people in your circle of friends."

Queen Mother Marielle wrote:

"Does it melt, or is 'ice' more of a description?"

"It does not seem to melt at normal temperatures. Although Kaelar said not to get it too near fire."

"Interesting, and the crystals conduct sound btwn similar crystals in a controlled manner?"

Nimora holds up the little crystal that she had fastened onto her amulet of true seeing.

"See? Like this. Kaelar has a whole bunch of it. I'm not really sure what it is, but it makes really good communication devices."

"Does it melt, or is 'ice' more of a description?"

"Red ice?"

"Mirathan is hard on himself because he underestimates his own strength. He is probably the bravest person I have ever known. But he'd never believe it if I told him so."

"He says the same about you, Sea Flower."

Queen Mother Marielle wrote:

The queen pauses. Nimora feels as if she's being measured again.

"Dooming you to the life of a nomad would be such a waste. Nomads are all well and good, but they often limit their views to their small groupings and simple lifestyles. Your mother underestimates you."

"Even as a Sister of the Trident you would better realize your potential."

"Sorry, I don't mean to offend."

"Of course you have not offended me. I am sorry for burdening you with my family troubles. I am not at all sure what my mother was thinking when she made her plans. From what I have been told of the character of the gentleman in question, it seems a match more likely to ignite a war rather than cement an alliance," she says with a wry smile.

"And in all fairness, my mother's original plans for me were to have me join the Order. I was...tired of having my life dictated for me, and less than diplomatic in my expression of such. I did a good amount of growing up after I left, but she had no way of knowing that."

"Life will do that to you." She looks at Mirathan as well.

"My son has always been the gentle one. Our dreamer. He chose the service of a Watcher for many reasons. His father is, was always a warrior, as is my youngest."

"Mirathan has changed much in the short time he's been away. Duty presses in upon him stronger than ever before. I never knew the depths of the strength he carried within him..."

"Perhaps the same holds true for your mother."

Queen Mother Marielle wrote:

"Thank you for your candor. It confirms other sources. But what of your mother's plans for you? What repercussions would follow if you chose another path?"

"I hope that she can be persuaded that other paths are better. It's a difficult thing, since that works best when she believes it to be her own idea, but it is far from impossible. Especially if she perceives there to be a political advantage to changing course." She grimaced distastefully as she said the last.

The queen pauses. Nimora feels as if she's being measured again.

"Dooming you to the life of a nomad would be such a waste. Nomads are all well and good, but they often limit their views to their small groupings and simple lifestyles. Your mother underestimates you."

"Even as a Sister of the Trident you would better realize your potential."

"Sorry, I don't mean to offend."

Queen Mother Marielle wrote:

The queen smiles wistfully, remembering a time long ago. She gives Nimora time to compose herself before speaking.

"So tell me, Nimora Olbereth. What of your family? Will they support my son during this turbulant time?...Will they support you?"

"I'm sure that Telestial has told you a little of my...conflict with my family. Nevertheless, they are still my family, and I have every reason to believe that they will support me. And of course they would support your son. Good will between Pearl and Sandreef is most desirable, and I am certain they would in no way work to jeopardize that. Sandreef is not a fortified city like this, and relies on alliances and friendships to stay safe. It is a policy that has worked well thus far. The best that can be said of the rulers of Sandreef is that they do not care. Which leaves the religious and mercantile leadership, in this case, my parents, to take care of the city. That always has to come first. As for my brother, he is an obnoxious prig. But he would also be the first to come to my defense if I truly needed it. Lecturing me all the while on all the things I should have done instead," she adds with a smile. "I apologize if that was more of an answer than you were looking for."

"Thank you for your candor. It confirms other sources. But what of your mother's plans for you? What repercussions would follow if you chose another path?"

The queen smiles wistfully, remembering a time long ago. She gives Nimora time to compose herself before speaking.

"So tell me, Nimora Olbereth. What of your family? Will they support my son during this turbulant time?...Will they support you?"

The Queen suddenly appears

"Ahh...the 3 champions are gathered once again. My thanks to you all for acting despite our distrust."

She bows her head.

The queen sweeps in to the rescue

"Gentle mages, pls forgive these two. This is the 1st time they have been able to speak since their own battle with the Black. Have you not heard the story? Pls allow me..."

she deftly leads the mages away from the two blushing, fumbling young ones

[Dressmistress] "I do so love doing that", she says as her face softens.

"If you'll forgive me my Queen, we have much to do."

[Marielle] "Of course, as do I. "

"Nimora, I shall see you soon. Let any of these ladies know if you need anything." she departs

"I'm sorry. I don't mean to be so scatter-brained. I've been asleep for most of the last two days. For some reason the healing spells in the water at the Sanctum seemed to think I needed it."

The Queen arches an eyebrow at Telestial's words.

"I'm not surprised. After all that you've been through. I promise we'll try not to wear you out too badly, but diplomacy can be wearing on the strongest of nerves."

"I must depart for now, but I leave you in capable hands. Do not hesitate to ask for anything. Anything at all."

"Will you be alone for the ceremonies, or should we expect any of your friends or family?"