The Elders Blessing

[Queen Nalaac Bravenrest]

"It's just magic Blaine. We elves like nice things, and this allows us to have those things without building massive structures." Nalaac noted his like of the wine, and she made a mental note to ensure that there was a supply stocked in the castle cellar for his enjoyment. She sipped at her glass, relishing the bouquet of flavor as it burst upon her palate, then sat in a chair near his feet, kicking off her shoes and curling her legs up beneath her. She enjoyed the quiet solitude of time with her husband for about a moment before he spoke and killed it all.

Why did he have to ask about that? She supposed she should have expected it, she should have known it would be on his mind. He could count as well as anyone else, so it shouldn't have been all that much of a surprise. The queen took another sip of her wine, before slowly lowering the glass to her lap. Although she looked relaxed and comfortable, she was anything but.

"Technically, I brought him here, but no. I believe the elders dismantled and burned that hut, as is customary after someone goes through the ceremony I did. The energy contained within the walls, as well as the emotions are to much to ever house anyone else. However, if you'd like to call an Elder and remove to a different place, I'm sure that they would be happy to accomidate you." Her voice wavered at the end, betraying the emotion she was trying so very hard to conceal. She forgave every one of his indiscretions, but he couldn't forgive her one lapse, her lapse that wouldn't have happened but for circumstances. Yes, she liked Brandon, cared for him a great deal, but had she not been in such distress, it was unlikely that she would have given in to him as she did. Nalaac was far to aware of what was on the line.

In an attempt to remain calm, Nalaac took a large swallow of the heady wine, and sighed. "Blaine, this ceremony is going to be very difficult for me. It should be easier for you, because you are human and male. I'm going to need your support afterwards, and I'd really like it if you were there. Can you please try to forget about that for tonight? We can fight, and you can hate me tomorrow, but for tonight, please, just let it go?" Nalaac's eyes shone with tears as she stared into the eyes of her husband, pleading with him to listen and agree with her.

[King Blaine Manning]

Blaine blinked when she explained.
"This is the kind of magic that we need in our kingdom. Maybe we could get some help in rebuilding a few houses like this. That would help the people with big families wouldn't it?"
Though Blaine was quite prone to being selfish, he did have a heart somewhere inside his chest that made him want to be loved by his people and be a good king for them. He was hoping to make his father proud in the future as dearly departed as he may be.

Blaine moved his hand to caress her hair when she settled down by his feet and smiled warmly at her sipping in gratitude at his wine. There was so much he needed to learn about where his wife came from and this was only the beginning for him, he could see. Blaine sighed heavily when she explained again in her polite an proper way. Sometimes he wished she wasn't so polite and proper. It would make him relax far more if she wasn't.

"No... um... it's okay. I'm okay. I was merely asking. This place is sufficient I guess."
He hated hearing her voice break like that. It was just that... she'd had a child with Brady and he... hadn't given her any sons or daughters yet. His eyes fell shut and he leaned back in his chair twirling one of her curlets around his finger. When she spoke of the ceremony he frowned down at her listening to her. Why was she doing this if it was going to be difficult for her? Why would she put herself through it?

"Difficult how?"
He asked with a hint of concern to his voice. They'd gotten on so well lately and seeing those tears in her eyes just broke him down instantly. He moved to pat his lap, setting down his wine glass on the nearby table.
"Come here. I don't hate you. Let me hold you."
He murmured soothingly.

It was his own insecurities that troubled him so much... not her... He felt guilty and he knew he was taking it out on her. He didn't mean to. It just happened.

[Queen Nalaac Bravenrest]

"I don't know if the magic will work outside of here, but we can ask the Elders. It hadn't even occurred to me to ask." Nalaac was a bit ashamed that she'd never even thought to ask about it. She cared for the people of the kingdom a great deal, but she had been rather wrapped up in her own problems lately. Mentally, she told herself to work on that.

She liked when he stroked her hair and twirled the curls around his fingers. It made her feel small and dainty, and gave her the impression that he cared deeply for her. Her explanation seemed to mollify him, and Nalaac gladly slid up into his lap, leaning her cheek against his shoulder. She wanted their marriage to work, and although she'd made a mistake, she knew that it wouldn't ever happen again.

"It's hard to explain. They are going to take us down to the circle, and lay hands on us. They will chant and sing over us. While this is going on, we are supposed to be thinking of what we want from our marriage, our life together and what we want for our kingdom and children." She paused, her brow knitting as she tried to find the words to tell him what was going to happen. "The power around us will grow and .... vibrate...through us, which will take energy from me, and should just make you feel tingly and slightly uncomfortable. Then they'll pronounce the blessing, pray, chant a few more things, and then we will be released. I'll be weak, and possibly other things." Nalaac blushed slightly, letting her silence speak for itself.

Nalaac snuggled into him more, enjoying the closeness and intimacy they were sharing. She had no idea how long it was going to last, and she was selfish enough to want to keep it for as long as possible. "Do you have any other questions?"

[King Blaine Manning]

She came to curl up in his lap and he smiled at her words. Yes. Neither had he until he saw this place, until he accepted magic, until he came to terms with the fact that he was king now and not his father who was terribly against the use of magic in the first place. Then here he was married to a magical being about to start his life with her and it was a wonderful feeling to have. He held her close to his and ran his fingers though her hair when she started talking about the ceremony and things surrounding it.

His brow furrowed however when she mentioned that she would be feeling other things. She didn't expand on that and he pulled back slightly so he could look into her face, into her eyes.
"What kind of other things will you be feeling? "
He questioned when she asked if he had more questions. Now he was intrigued and she also mentioned that he'd be feeling uncomfortable. He wasn't quite looking forward to that part. How much more discomfort would he have to go through for her?

He sighed heavily.
"Whatever it is, I'm ready for it my love."
He murmured to her. This was the calm before the storm but he was still ready to take on whatever lay before them...

[Queen Nalaac Bravenrest]

"Just ...other things...." Nalaac buried her face into his shoulder, unable to speak about what she had a good feeling was going to happen. She picked her head up and smiled at him when he said he was ready and she leaned forward to kiss him lightly. Just as her lips touched his, they were interrupted by a knock at the door. Nalaac sighed and pulled back, taking a deep breath and calming herself before moving to open the door.

"It is time, your Majesties." The Elf at the door bowed low, and waited for them to follow him as they were led to the sacred space prepared. The ceremony went much like Nalaac had described, and the drain on her was quite noticeable. However, Nalaac held up well as the power sizzled and cracked around them like lightning. The chanting grew to a crescendo, and then a deep voice cut through all the noise to resonate seemingly within their bodies.

"I, Ranrick, Elder of the Elven Tribe of Nomtoc, call down a blessing on the two of these people. The King and his Queen beg the indulgence of the Gods to ask that their marriage be blessed with children and prosperity. We ask that they be so blessed, that they in turn may bless this land with their knowledge and abilities."

Nalaac shuddered and then collapsed, falling against Blaine as the power around them abruptly stopped, and the Elders began to nod at one another. "Your Majesty, your queen will be weak and rather clingy for several hours. Generally, women will want to consummate the blessing after such an expenditure of power. The weaker her power, the more likely your seed is to take, if you wish to plant a child."

The elf that was speaking was doing so rather matter of factly, unaware of any discomfort he might be causing the King. In his mind, he was merely informing an outsider of how their ceremonies worked.