As I was waiting for Pendragon to arrive today, in the "Buttercup Bistro", my thoughts returned to the very first time we met at another waterside 7 years ago. It was the summer of 2001, I was beginning a seven week break from Dingley Dell Academy, and I was about to go on a week long landscape painting course on the outskirts of the Metropolis. I packed my materials and a few summer vestments ,and headed off for a well deserved break in the country. I stayed in a little farm cottage,fending for myself, knowing that I could always find a teahouse or restaurant if I did not want to cook. On the Monday I arrived at what was little more then a large shed to begin my artistic endeavours. This was to be our base, and where we would receive our instruction for the week. I wandered inside to find a couple of elven ladies already there,making themselves a cup of tea. I said a cheerful hello.They looked in my direction,mumbled a hello back,and then proceeded to finish their own conversation. I made my own tisane and found a seat,waiting for the others to arrive.They duly did,but my heart sank to find they all seemed to know each other,and were not much bothered about meeting anyone new. I hoped it would all become more convivial as we got started. There were ten of us, six elven ladies, two tubby dwarves, a boggart gentleman, and a wizard from the Southern Regions. The teaching artist was very nice, but she had her work cut out just doing the teaching and checking how we were all getting on. We mixed watercolours in the morning,stopped for lunch,and then were transported to the waterside in East Metropolis to do some outdoor sketching. When we stepped out of the transporter carriage ,everyone disappeared to find their own subjects to draw, leaving me on my own for the rest of the afternoon. I did not mind so much as I was busy sketching, but after a couple of hours,in a cold and increasingly rainy spot,I have to admit I could have done with hearing the sound of a friendly voice. Later in the afternoon, we all returned to the shed to show our work and have a final cuppa. Once again they all drifted off in their own little groups to chat, leaving me feeling like the village wallflower. I was cold and wet,and fed up,so I gathered my things and left. Back in my wee croft, I really wanted just to pack my things and come home. I had paid for a week's tuition, and I am usually made of sterner stuff, not allowing a few unsociable types to get the better of me. I decided to return to the course for one more day. If it failed to improve, then on Wednesday morning, I would go off and do my own thing,just painting for myself.
I was in the shed pretty early,and determined just to be myself.I had wrapped myself up in a blue woollen overtunic and my bright red waterproof cape, to stay warm. I had all the allure of a Metropolis bag-elf.
I said hello to everyone,to much the same response as on the Monday, and was just in about to speak again,when the door opened and an elven fellow,new to the course,walked in. He breezed over to the tea table, picked up a cup and said,with a transatlantic lilt in his voice ,"Hi,my name's Pendragon. Pendragon Willow.Pleased to meet you all. " As we drank our tisanes,he suggested that we find a seat together where we began setting up our things, chatting about this and that,till our drawing class began.During the day, he was never very far away, and by the time we went home, I knew that I would return the following day if he was there. On Wednesday we shared our evening meal in a nearby hostelry. I was glad to be able to show him that I looked much better when I was not wearing an old red cape and no makeup. We laughed and shared tales of our lives,the happinesses and sadnesses so far. We really enjoyed each other's company. On Friday at the end of the course, he asked for my woodland telephone number, and waved goodbye. I had had a very happy week,just getting to know him,and now he was gone. I drove back to my home in Brigantia, and never expected to hear from him again. On the Saturday morning the woodland phone rang. It was Pendragon. We talked for a couple of hours, before he asked me to catch a tram and meet him in Metropolis. The rest is history as they say. We still enjoy spending time together whatever the task,or pleasure. He is still my favourite elven gentleman, and undoubtedly my soulmate. To this day, neither of us can remember anything about the other members of that landscape painting course ,although we spent five days with them. We only had eyes for each other it seems.
We are home this weekend in our wonderful Flowerpot Cottage, and loving every minute despite recurrent showers,and intermittent thunder and lighting.
Much happiness to you all my friends in your little elfen homes, and may the tremors of this good earth not give you a poor night's rest. From Amarantha,soon to become Mrs. Willow, the Rainbow Faery.