Sir Aeddan receives a reply to his letter to Sir Manhogan inviting him and his fellow knights to Christmas Court.  It is mostly just a feast, but also a chance for Sir Aeddan and Sir Abloc to spend a bit of time with Ladies Blodeuyn and Gwendolyn, respectively.  Sir Rhydwyn and Sir Daron are free to come along if they want, go to Christmas Court for their own Earl Guinier, or hang out in their manor and I will come up with something for them to do unless they have some specific short adventure in mind.

The Count's castle is decorated festively for the holidays with garlands of pine and holly, large candles, and the delicious smell of food.  Count Dingad greets his guests as they arrive.  The knights are seated at a table with Sir Enodoc, Sir Manhogan, and their daughters.

Sir Daron politely declines the opportunity to be an awkward spare guest at Count Dingad's home and, worn out by the events of the year, likewise decides against Christmas Court at Earl Guinier's.

Sir Abloc is excited to see Lady Gwendolyn again and do his best to appear at Count Dingad's home in style. For long he wonders about how to impress both Lady Gwendolyn and the Count. Perhaps the song he composed in Dartmoor Forest will be fitting for the feast? Luckily for all his annoying squire manage to persuade Sir Abloc that such a "manly poem" is not for a Christmas Feast.

So it is with great expectations that Sir Abloc arrives at Count Dingad's Christmas Court bearing gifts.

---

OOC: I know it is Christmas and Clethor Manor is in the middle of nowhere but is it possible to buy the following gifts:

• Imported perfume (for Lady Gwendolyn; price unknown)
• Tapestry, Fine (for Count Dingod; £2)

It is especially the tapestry that I wonder if it is possible. Such works had to be commisioned years before. When our Queen were given 17 tapestries for her 50th birthday it took the french weavers 10 years to finish them. Appearently one skilled weaver working full time can only manage to weave 1 square meter/year.

Of course this is a roleplaying game so ...
This message was last edited by the player at 22:51, Fri 18 Feb 2022.

In reply to Sir Abloc (msg # 3):

Although Sir Rhydwyn would love to go to either the Count's court or the Earl's, he is exhausted from the events of the year and likewise would stay at his manor for the winter.

Sir Aeddan is over the moon to receive an invitation that will give him the chance to see Lady Blodeuyn again.  He brings a customary gift for Count Dingad -- which the Count will no doubt forget 30 seconds later -- but really agonizes over an appropriate gift for Lady Blodeuyn.  Ultimately, Sir Aeddan decides to give her a length of delicate lace his sister made at the convent in Amesbury; in addition, he purchases a pretty collar for the puppy he gave her during the year.

Aware more than ever before of his appearance, Sir Aeddan spends more money than usual on his clothes, hoping to come across as successful and -- dare he think it? -- worthy of Sir Manoghan's lovely daughter.

As he arrives at the Count's castle, Sir Aeddan tries to express his thanks to Count Dingad for the honor of this invitation.  He also looks hopefully toward Sir Manhogan, hoping to be invited to sit at his table.  He is pleasantly surprised to be seated there, and he tries his best to be gracious in greeting his tablemates.

Sir Abloc and Sir Aeddan are welcomed warmly by the Count, who accepts the gifts appreciatively, commenting on the knights' generosity.  Each is given a chalice worth £2.  (Consider it as cash.)  They are then directed to their table, which is already occupied by the Ladies and their fathers.

There are some speeches and toasts, as well as a couple of courses, after which Lady Blodeuyn and Lady Gwendolyn invite Sir Aeddan and Sir Abloc respectively, to a tour of the castle.  Although each heads in a slightly different direction.  Both pairs are followed at a discrete distance by a Lady-in-waiting acting as a chaperone.

Sir Abloc finds some perfume for 100d and manages to find a nice tapestry for £2 at Archne's House of Slightly-Used Tapestries.  Sir Aeddan spends a comparable amount.

Sir Abloc is delighted. A chance to spend time with fair Lady Gwendolyn. To talk to her. To be near her. To almost touch her. Oh how the young knight has longed for it for months but now that he find himself near her his courage fails him. The young knight that is known for his courage and eloquence is now reduced to a shy mumbling fool.

This is his chance. His one chance. It is now or never! So at one point he stop and look back at the chaperone and sighs before turning to Lady Gwendolyn.

"I am a fool and I do not deserve you. I have spend the entire year thinking about you, my Lady. I thought about ways to win your heart like you have won mine but now I am here and I dont know what to say. And I fear that if I say nothing I will have lost you forever because ... because ... because I am just a young knight that people barely know. I have not won any glory worth mentioning. I am not rich and wealthy. I cant give you the world but oh by God I wish I could because you deserve the world. I hate war and dream of peace across the land yet I find myself off to war to defend the realm and also so your father will consider me worthy of you.

When I sleep I dream of the first smile you gave me when we first met. When I close my eyes I can still remember the sound of your laughter when we first dined. And now I stand here and I want time to stand still so I can be with you forever ... but the world is cruel and soon we will have to return to the Count. And then my nerves will fail me and I will spend the entire evening to come up with ways to make you notice me. I will sing songs - but I cant sing. I will ask for a dance - but I cant dance. I will ... I will be a complete fool and you dont deserve a fool for a man.

But ... " He pause and regains his breath. He tries to calm himself and dare not look into the eyes of the woman he has loved since the moment he first saw her. "... but ... do you think there is ever a chance for you to ... to ... to love ... I mean for us to ..." He looks back at the chaperone and wish she wasnt there. Oh if God is kind then He will strike him down and end his misery! He bite his lips and then he find the courage to look into the eyes of Lady Gwendolyn.

"I have loved you since the moment I saw you and if you feel the same way as I do then I will ask for your father's blessing and permission to marry you."

His heart stops beating as he awaits her answer.

Sir Aeddan is a little surprised at the opportunity to go for a private walk with Lady Blodeuyn; he takes care to ensure that their chaperone can see them at all times.  He asks to hear about the little dog he gave her, and hopes she'll keep talking about her year and her life in general.  Sir Aeddan is perfectly aware that the conversation will be more pleasant with the lady talking, rather than himself.

When Lady Blodeuyn inquires, Sir Aeddan will tell her a bit about his adventures this year, and about the letter he has received from his sister at Amesbury.  He is pleased that his sister is learning so much, and he's hoping she'll be satisfied to return home once her time in the convent is finished.

Before they return to the feast, Sir Aeddan asks, as gently as he's able, whether Lady Blodeuyn would object to his speaking with her father about marriage.  He's harbored that wish for more than a year, and he hopes he can manage to express it without doing too much damage.

Gwendolyn stops and stares at Sir Abloc with a faintly amused expression, waiting for him to blunder through his speech.   When he is done, she shakes her head ever so slightly, "Sir Abloc, 'barely known?'  Surely this is some sort of joke.  Even were no one else aware of your deeds, I would know that you saved me from the barbarous Salisbury knight who kidnapped me.  For that alone I will always be your greatest admirer.  Yet it is not so that none know of you, your name has been bandied about even here.  So in answer to your question, it would be my deepest honor to be your wife and should you be willing to speak to my father, I would be overjoyed."

She makes a little wave of her hand, and her chaperone looks off for a moment in the other direction, at which point she kisses him, before pulling back away, blushing.  The smell of cinnamon fills Sir Abloc's nostrils.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:23, Thu 03 Mar 2022.

Lady Blodeuyn recounts the adventures of the year, which are few, although she very much likes her new puppy, who sleeps with her at night.  It is nice to have some company in the darkness, she relates.

She is quite happy that he is safe, she worries terribly about him when he is off at war.  She is pleased that your sister is doing well at the convent, although she worries a little about the Lady Morgana's influence.

At Sir Aeddan's suggestion about talking to her father, her eyes get dewy and she notes enthusiastically, "would you?  I would truly be honored and I am sure he will approve so gallant a knight as yourself."  Turning slightly to block the view of her chaperone, she takes Sir Aeddan's hand in her own, squeezing it.

The rest of the tour of the castle seems lost to the poor young love-struck knight. He barely remembers any of it except how he wish the chaperone wasnt present. But when the tour ends and they return to the feast reality hits him - hard - when Lady Gwendolyn and her chaperone leaves him alone to think of a plan on how to ask Sir Enodoc for Lady Gwnedolyn's hand in marriage.

The poor knight almost panic. In fact he would have if his annoying squire hadnt slapped him - hard again - when they were alone for a moment in some dark quiet corner of the castle. Sir Abloc wonders for a brief moment if squire Wigan didnt seem to enjoy that slap a bit too much. He never has time to think about it though before Wigan gently and firmly push Sir Abloc in the direction of Sir Enodoc.

Sir Enodoc is known as a polite and warm man but to Sir Abloc the old knight seems as dangerous as a Dragon. Sir Abloc steels his nerves and when an appropiate time comes he ask if he can have a word with Sir Enodoc.

Once alone with the old knight he tells Sir Enodoc about his feelings for Lady Gwendolyn and ask for her hand in marriage promising him to always defend and honor Lady Gwendolyn and never shame her by failing in his duties as a husband and knight.

Sir Abloc awaits Sir Enodoc's answer - be it either his blessings or death by a fiery breath from the old Dragon.

Feeling emboldened by Lady Blodeuyn's words, Sir Aeddan raises the young lady's hand and kisses it.  His ears turn bright red as he haltingly tells her, "You are so much more than I deserve.  I will do all I can to provide for you and keep you safe."  Sir Aeddan is surprised to realize that his hands are trembling a bit, but is relieved to see that hers are, too.

Later, at the feast table, Sir Aeddan sees that Sir Manoghan has missed nothing and seems to be waiting for Sir Aeddan to talk.  Sir Aeddan communicates in his usual awkward manner that he would like to speak privately with the knight and, once he has the chance, he asks his question as graciously as he can manage.

Sir Manoghan and Sir Enodoc do not appear to be surprised by the knights' requests, each smiling.

"I have been impressed with you since you first brought home my little girl from Salisbury and although it has only been a bit over a year you have repeatedly proven yourself.  I see you going far in this world, Sir Abloc.  It would be my honor for you to marry my daughter.  I have already had a discussion about the subject with Earl Dingad, so if you can get the permission of Earl Guinier, you two can get married immediately," Sir Enodoc replies.  "As dowry, I will give you my manor at Landow and continue to act as its steward if you like.  In addition, I have 30£ saved for her."

Sir Abloc, rolled 4 using 1d20.  Courtesy.

Sir Abloc takes a check in Courtesy for next year.

Sir Manoghan replies, "I would be honored for you to take my daughter's hand to welcome you to my family, Sir Aeddan.  You have proven yourself to be a learned and courageous knight.  The Count approves of this union, so if you get your Earl's blessing, we can have the ceremony this winter.  Her dowry is 30£ and Meadwell Manor.  If you would like, I can continue to act as its steward," he offers.

Sir Aeddan, rolled 4 using 1d20.  Courtesy.

Sir Aeddan takes a check in Courtesy for next year.

His mind buzzing with excitement, Sir Aeddan thanks Sir Manoghan for his blessing, the generous dowry, and his offer to act as the steward of Meadwell.  "My mother has kept our manor at Altarnun these many years, so I will move Lady Blodeuyn there and have her gradually take over the manor from my mother.  Mother has earned a comfortable dotage, and I'm sure Lady Blodeuyn is eager to establish her own household."

When Sir Aeddan shares the news with Lady Blodeuyn, he is somewhat overwhelmed with his tender feelings for the young lady.  During a private moment, he even goes in for a kiss, hoping she isn't offended at his overfamiliarity.  "I know you will blossom as the lady of my small manor, and I know that it will prepare both of us for greater things I hope will come.  I would earn all of Cornwall for you if I could," he says eagerly. "I...I love you."

Sir Aeddan's next task is to visit Earl Guinier and request his permission to marry the young lady.  As usual, he tries to convey his request in the most honorable terms possible, but finds himself stumbling over his prepared words.

Practically speechless for a while Sir Abloc returns to his senses soon enough and thanks Sir Enodoc for his blessings, the generous dowry, and his offer to act as the stewart of Landow. The young knight is overjoyed and rush to Lady Gwendolyn to bring her the good news. The young lovers are lost to the world with giggles and words that drip with honey before the annoying squire Wigan politely show up and with a gentle cough reminds Sir Abloc that he is to see Earl Guinier.

As Sir Abloc part with Lady Gwendolyn and seek out the Earl he feel more and more nervous. On his way to the Earl he spots Sir Aeddan that seems to be heading in the same direction looking as nervous as Sir Abloc feels. He tries to say something to his Brother-Knight but all he manage to say before Sir Aeddan meet with the Earl behind closed doors is something like "... the Earl ... marriage ... Gwendolyn ... Landow ... what to say ...". Instead he now finds himself outside the closed door pacing back and forth biting his nails. When the door finally opens he push past Sir Aeddan and approach the Earl.

"My Lord. I beg forgiveness for the intrusion but I come from Sir Enodoc. I have asked for Lady Gwendolyn's hand in marriage even though she is too good for a lowly knight like me. Sir Enodoc was gracious enough to give us his blessing but now I come to you, my Lord, and ask for Your permission and blessing to marry the woman of my heart."

The Earl grants his approval of the matches, adding that he is pleased that Sir Abloc and Sir Aedden will be strengthening the bonds holding Cornwall together during these turbulent times.

The weddings are set for later in the Winter and are both well attended.  The knights head to their new manors to look over their lands.  Both receive 350 Glory from their wives.  Lady Blodeuyn and Lady Gwendolyn each receive a wedding gift from Queen Ygraine and her daughters.  A dress made of silk in the latest style.  They estimate the dresses to cost around £6 each.

Sir Aeddan is gobsmacked at the generosity of the Queen's gift to Blodeuyn.  He writes Queen Ygraine a letter, thanking her effusively for the gown, which (he writes) is the only thing he's ever seen that rivals the loveliness of his new wife.  He sends his wishes for the health and happiness of the Queen and her family.