====== Aleyn Fair ======

Adelise has locked herself in the study so that she can concentrate on composing. This means Aleyn has been left in charge of the children. He is thankful that this isn’t quite the ordeal it used to be: Demetrius is now old enough to share some of the burden and Vincent and Aelindis are at least responsible enough to keep themselves out of trouble - or they would be if they hadn’t gotten overexcited at the prospect of visiting Rhydian and Blodeuwedd’s garden. Fortunately Blodeuwedd herself is here to help keep an eye on them. Edgar the Raven keeps a bird’s eye view on everyone, although Aleyn knows better than to entrust him with any actual responsibility.

“Aelindis, stop doing that to your brother!”

“James, no, those are //not// for eating!”

“What did I tell you about teasing imps!? Vincent, get him away from that thing, will you?”

“See, now look what’s happened. It’s gone and bitten you, hasn’t it Samuel?”

As the afternoon wears on, the children’s initial burst of energy gives way to lazier games in the warmth of the midsummer sun. Blodeuwedd has managed to hold the attention of a couple of the more curious ones and is telling them all about the different plants in her garden.

Aleyn leans back on the bench. Edgar flutters down and hops over next to him, leaving sooty claw-prints on the wood.

“We’ve been through a lot, haven’t we Edgar? All of us, I mean. Do you think our children will have to go through something like that too?”

The raven caws.

“I guess you’re right.” Aleyn sighs. “Things did turn out all right in the end; and right now, that’s all that matters.”

------
\\

The fae sits back in his chair by the light of the flickering fire. A small human girl dozes on his knee, her head cradled in the crook of his arm. She stirs and mumbles sleepily, “Tell me a story, Uncle Peridot.”

The fae glances down at her with his glowing emerald eyes. “A story?” He says, “Let me see...” He stares up at the fire for a moment, lost in thought. His gaze comes to rest on the Iffley crest which hangs above the mantelpiece. It features a polecat surrounded by stylised leaves and flowers. “Do you know who that is?” He asks the girl, pointing at it.

She raises her head just enough to see the crest. “It’s a polecat.”

“A very special polecat. She was your great-grandfather’s closest friend. And do you know what her name was?”

“What?”

“Her name was Summer.”

“Just like me?” The fae has the girl’s full attention now. She rubs the doziness from her eyes and sits up attentively.

“Just like you,” Peridot says with a smile. “And she and Aleyn went on a great many adventures together. Did you ever hear about the time they rescued a Hob?” The girl shakes her head. “Then let me tell you.”

Peridot pauses, shifting his weight in the chair and considering where to start.

“It all began at a place called Godstow...”






{{tag>eternity}}