Dingley Dell has cast off most of its winter weeds and today was bathed in sunshine. Bright blue warm sky was punctuated liberally with white puffy clouds and wherever we walked the heat of the new day followed us.
I have had another busy working week, selling new and used parchments to allcomers, and only found small pockets of time to rest, relax and celebrate my working freedom this week.
Pendragon was working into the early hours at Metropolis Infirmary last night, so I spent a lonesome Good Friday house cleaning, garden weeding, and reviewing our wedding arrangements.
I got lots done, but I do miss Pendragon when he is away. His sunny smile, his even temparent and his endless ability to encourage and see the best in me, were glaringly absent from our house ambience.
This week was littered with appointmnets. On Tuesday the Faery Seamstress
arried out her penultimate fitting of my bridal gown. It is so beautiful, and fits my elven frame so perfectly. My maid of honour, Catalysta, came with me to have her fitting ,and to make pertinent comments on the style and progress of my gown.
We shared a happy lunchhour in a sidestreet bistro before making our way down Dassunda Row to Seamstress Teggamarra's studio.
She is such a lovely person and her talents in gown design are manifold. Catalysta and I left an hour later feeling confident in how we are to look on Betrothal Day.We found an art gallery and teashop on our way back to the tram, where we shared our thoughts and contentment with Teggemarra's work to the accompaniment of two acorn lattes and a large chunk of pear and frangipani tartlet.
On Wednesday I met Pendragon in the High Street of Dingley Dell. He threw his arms around me, gave me a Pendragon sized hug, and we sought a quick lunch at the Buttercup Bistro.We were to seek an audience an hour later with one of Dingley Dell's wedding officials to rummage through our paperwork. We ordered soup and wheat-free brown rolls,and chatted gaily, one to the other. It was only as we scraped our lentil broth bowls clean that I noticed Aristotle, the Boggart boy, leaning forward on the food counter, to catch a closer look at my companion. Oh, dear, I thought, first of all,- Aristotle clearly hasn't thought that there might be a Mr. Rainbow Faery. Secondly I thought,- oh good, at last he will realise there is no longer any purpose in carrying around a crush for me as large as his maiden Auntie Jessamine.
He did look miffed,and kept scrubbing at the same spot on the glass counter so he could maintain a clear vantage point to monitor the happenings at table Willow. He twice passed our table on his way to delivering lunches to other diners,and on both occasions bumped Pendragon's chair quite hard before apologising profusely to him,then looking at me for some sign of recognition. I just kept my head down. I didn't want Aristotle's pathetic langouring to invade the peace and happiness of my day.
Pendragon surveyed Aristotle quizically at the second bumping,then purposely moved his chair permanently out of the Boggart boy's path.
"I think he's got it bad", was all he said,throwing me an amused glance,then laughing to himself quietly.
I just wanted to stand up and say, "Aristotle ! Stop this foolishness now ! " I am much too mature and sophisticated to be your companion at the teentime boggart allnight raves. Believe me , you'd be less than keen if you saw how I disintegrate after midnight.!"
But I didn't. I just hoped he would see sense when he was finally alone ,and able to contemplate what he had seen at the lunchtime service.
Pendragon finally put the seal on things,by waiting for my return from paying for our meal, then confidently throwing his arma around me and planting a Pendragon sized kiss on my elven scarlet lips.
I melted in his arms. I laughed at his sudden show of affection. I could hear the muffled giggles from the bistro waitresses behind us,but did not dare look in Aristotle's direction. Hopefully the die was cast and Pendragon's timely show of possession would be enough to wake him up from his delusional love mist and send him scurrying back to seeking after pixies of his own age.
We left and I didn't look back. Pendragon is a very wise man. He knew what was required . A simple show of dominance and territorialism from one elven male to another, was enough to bring protocols back to the norm.
We hope.
On Thursday I went parchment hunting in Brigantia. A wild and windy day, but it kept me moving from one treasure trove to another. I was standing in the middle of the main pedestrianised walkway, when I heard a scream of recognition. Not just a scream, but someone behind me actually laid hands on me and turned me around. It was Revillatta. Revillatta Windspa. My dearest friend of many years, but someone I have not met up with for quite some time.
"Amarantha !" she called again with a smile.
"Revillatta!" I called back, and we just hugged. we went for coffees,and talked well into the afternoon. Previous plans took flight,but the afternoon felt really worthwhile in her company,reminiscing, exchanging news,and meeting her new pixie grandson Sligo.
Revillatta and I will always be friends ,even though life's happenings separate us for long periods. In coming together the in-between years just fade into insignificance and we take up friendship together instantly. We danced together once in our theatrical histories, saw each other through ilnesses, family trials, and work successes. We are true friends. And now she is coming to my Betrothal Ceremony in May, to wish me well again. How wonderful.! How complete !
Tomorrow is Eastering Sunday. We hope for a long walk, one of Pendragon's fine dinners, a host of garden planting, and some letter writing in the SunRoom. I hope,my dear friends,that Eastering weekend is bringing you sunshine and as many flowers as you would wish.
Tulips and narcissi abounding, pansies and geraniums to the fore.
More tales from the fifth toadstool to the left - very,very soon.
From Amarantha Willow, the Rainbow Faery.
