Felena MacRorie - 05:15am Sep 19, 1998 MST
Lady Scribe and Webmistress of KoRT, Knight of KoRT

Grateful to Sil for the mist screen, Felena relished the freedom to bathe completely. She rubs a mixture of scented soap and fragrant herbs into her auburn tresses, taking extra care to rid herself of the dust from the trail. The bath was welcome and refreshing. Following her bath, she wrapped herself in a dressing gown to allow her hair to dry in the sun. Untangling her curls was always a job if she allowed her hair to completely dry before combing through it, so she sat on a large rock beside the river, first combing through it with her fingers, then with a wide tooth comb fashioned from the hipbone of a dragon. Her thoughts were far away, her expression pensive...she wished she could find peace in her heart, but that was still a long ways off.

She made her way to the privacy of her tent when her hair was dry enough to twist up and secure with a comb, allowing her curls to fall in soft ringlets to her shoulders. A few tendrils were kept free at her temples to soften the look. From her trunk she pulled a silken gown of peach, trimmed in tea colored lace with full sleeves inset with a silk that matched the lace. The gown was elegant yet simple in lines, fitting her closely to a "v" cut waist, the full skirt falling in soft folds around her feet. The laces were in front, making it easier for Felena to dress without aid, and for this she was grateful, for her thoughts were still troubled.

The dressmaker had seen that her slippers were dyed the perfect color to match the gown. She fingered the soft leather as she sat on the stool to pull them on, once again lost in thought. Startled back to the present by the entry of the other ladies, she quickly brushed away the lone tear that had escaped her strict controls and pulled her slippers on. It was nearly time for the feast, and it would not do to be late. And so, she reinforced her emotional controls, falling into her "diplomatic" personae and burying her "personal" feelings. Only those closest to her would be able to read her pain, so carefully hidden behind her mask of diplomacy.

As she exited the tent with the others, she saw that their escort had arrived to lead them to where the feast had been prepared. Murt offered her his arm as they followed behind the faery, through an opening in the thick trees that any of them would swear was not previously there. The trail was a blanket of soft grass surrounded on all sides by the dense forest, a short distance later opening into a meadow of wild flowers of every type and color. To one side, a feast had been laid upon a table crafted from stone. Toadstool chairs surrounded large tables shaped from fallen trees, as the elves were not a people to take nature's gifts lightly. They killed only what was necessary, and that included the trees of the forest.

Elven children played in the meadow, chasing butterflies in the late afternoon sun as they waited to be called to the meal. The KoRT party approached the elven king, stopping at a respectful distance. Felena fully expected Murt to move forward alone, as he had done upon their arrival, but he did not relinquish her arm. Instead, they approached Eldamari together, Murt bowing and Felena dropping a deep curtsey as Murt greeted him. To her surprise Eldamari rose and approached her, cupping her chin in his hand, gently urging her to meet his gaze. He looked deeply into her eyes, as though searching for something then touched her forehead just above her right eye. "Be at peace child," he said softly. "The heaviness in your heart will soon fade giving way to greater happiness." With that, a serenity washed over her like none other she had ever before felt. She smiled gratefully at the king as she and Murt stepped back so that he might address the entirety of the group. "Welcome friends of Murtano!!! We are pleased that you have joined us for this evening of feasting and music. Please be seated. The meal is now served." That said, Eldamari clapped his hands once and a group of faeries appeared to serve the now seated guests.
 

Jacella - 04:14pm Sep 18, 1998 MST

Jacella pretends she doesn't see Felena's distress. As Sir Murtano and Lady Felena lead the visitors to the feast, Jacella notices what a handsome couple they make. The elven folk are arrayed in fantastical garb of every color of the rainbow, the fabrics spun of spider silk and moonbeams, as fragile as the breath of a butterfly. The visitors also appear at their splendiferous best, adding a more mundane but equally artistic note to the festivities. Jacella seats herself with the other Squires, making room by her side for her sister and Warner. A delicate crystal goblet holds clear amber liquid, filled with tiny bubbles. Jacella lifts the glass and takes a tiny sip. This must be ambrosia! She feels suddenly lighter and happier, as if she could fly. Before her is a golden plate, heaped with exotic fruits and vegetables, each prepared with special herbs and spices. The aroma is exquisite. She samples what looks to be an ordinary pear, and it is as if she is tasting beautiful colors and fantastical music. She turns to Sil and smiles, but Sil has eyes only for Warner.
 

Murtano Laorte - 10:40pm Sep 18, 1998 MST
Knight of the Round Table - Lord of Tannisbury Brewmaster of the Realm Renowned Murt's Red! Weaponmaster of KoRT

After the faeries serve the meal, talk around the table is of joyous things. Yet the Elven King seated at the head of the table looks preoccupied. Jokingly Murtano laughs, and turning to Eldamari he sees his far away look.  "Milord, I know you have done all you can for the Lady Felena. Be at ease that while she is here at least, she will be happy and forgetful. It will be a while for her, as heartbreak takes time, but being human ... I know she will be happy again someday."
Eldamari gazes deeply at Murtano and once again breaks into a rare smile, "Murt, my son. You humans always surprise me with the optimism of youth, I can see that she will one day indeed be happy. Ahh.. if I were only two hundred years younger."  Eldamari then rises, and raises his hand for silence. Quickly a hush falls over the table.  "Friends of Murtano, it has been a long time since these woods have beheld a party of Elves and Humans together. It is a good sign for days to come. Let the friendships and loves formed at this table be eternal. I believe Murtano would say 'For the Good of the Realms!'" With that he raises his crystal goblet and they all toast their drinks.

"For the Good of the Realms!" is echoed by all, as the party goes into full swing again. Faeires dancing on evening breezes keep the table laden with wondrous foods. Hundreds of elves meld out of the forest, and bring instruments, wines, ales, and tasty morsels. Why even a few casks of Murt's Red are brought out, both wine and ale.  Laughingly Eldamari slaps Murtano on the back,
"Now, I really must tell you... my supply is running short. That brew is unusually addictive."

Soon the party is finished eating, and the make their way to a moonlit forest meadow. Musicians set up on a fallen tree, thanking it for it's willingness to be a stage, and thousands of fireflies alight on the nearby trees. The whole meadow seems mystical, and filled with elven magic. Faeries, Pixies, and Elves cavort merrily around the treeline, dancing with wild abandon.  Murtano steps forward, and bows before the Lady Felena. He wears a midnight blue shirt, and a black vest decorated in the same blue. Black trousers and black boots cover his legs, while a single golden hoop adorned with diamonds rests in his left ear. Rising, he extends his arm....
"May I have the honour of this dance?"

Felena MacRorie - 05:39am Sep 19, 1998 MST
Lady Scribe and Webmistress of KoRT, Knight of KoRT

The peace of their surroundings brings a lightness of heart Felena thought she would never again feel. It was like she drifted in this place of enchantment, their other world so far away. The feast was the most wonderful she had ever tasted, a seemingly endless supply of food and drink.
She spoke with those seated around her, smiling easily at the light conversation and camaraderie surrounding her. She and Jacie were discussing the possibilities of stocking a supply of ambrosia in the keep's cellars when Eldamari stood and asked for their attention.

"Friends of Murtano, it has been a long time since these woods have beheld a party of Elves and Humans together. It is a good sign for days to come. Let the friendships and loves formed at this table be eternal. I believe Murtano would say 'For the Good of the Realms!'"
The chorus of "For the good of the Realms!" echoed through the trees surrounding them as all types of desserts were offered, from the light to the decadent. She turned and smiled, touching Murt on the arm, eyes dancing. "Thank you...dearest Murt, for allowing me to accompany you on this trip."
 
Roaring laughter erupted at the far end of the table as one of their group shared a particularly funny anecdote about one of his quests to recover a piece of the Queen's jewelry. Soon after, the group headed through another area of the woods, down another trail that seemed to magically appear as they stepped closer. It opened onto a moonlit meadow where musicians had already begun to play hauntingly beautiful tunes.

She watched as several couples walked out a ways and began to dance. The music filled Felena's mind with happiness, and she closed her eyes to listen as a bard told a story with his songs. As she turned to Murt to comment on the song's beauty, she was surprised to see him bow before her and say, "May I have the honour of this dance?"

She smiled softly, meeting his gaze and answered, "I would be most pleased, milord." Taking his offered hand, she allowed him to lead her onto the soft grass covered "dance floor".
Warner von Koen - 10:06pm Sep 19, 1998 MST

Warner looked about with wide eyes; never before had he seen such splendor! Everything is arranged so that it is pleasing to the eye, and the food cured with various spices to make them pleasing to the mouth. To a man who had spent most of his life living off what could be hunted or taken from the forest it was all very strange, and somewhat frightening. As Warner bit into an apple his eyes went wide with surprise.

"Is something wrong Warner?" Silverelia asks.

"Oh, no no no." Warner stammers, "It's all very delicious, I just wasn't expecting an apple to taste this way, spicy, I believe the word is. Makes my tongue burn a bit." he explains, slightly embarrassed. Some would-be warrior; taken surprise by food!

Suddenly, Warner finds that the elven lord, Eldamari, is making a speech. At the end, everyone raises their drink in a cheer.  "To the good of the realms!" Warner says with much enthusiasm, and takes a large taste of his drink. It is like nothing he has ever had before! The taste of water and the juice of plants is all too familiar with him, but he had never tasted ambrosia before. Warner soon finds that he has drunk it all, and is served more.

The young warrior finds himself much more at ease, and talks with the lovely Silverelia in a much more relaxed manner. Warner finds himself served something called Murt's Red, and before he realizes it, is served another one. Having never been exposed to alcohol, Warner was at a complete loss for why he was suddenly too dizzy to stand. He felt that something was wrong, but couldn't quite put his finger on it, but Warner was completely fine with that. He was having a grand time talking with those around him. In the back of his mind, Tala once again compared his intelligence with that of a water fowl.
 

Felena MacRorie - 04:01am Sep 21, 1998 MST
Lady Scribe and Webmistress of KoRT, Knight of KoRT

The stars sparkled in the clear moonlit sky as Murtano swept her away. All thoughts of unhappiness or trouble seemed non-existent, even other-worldly. As the tunes began to blend into another, having no beginning and no end, so did their dance.  Everything else seemed to melt away until there was just the meadow surrounded by trees and a moonlit sky and no one else there but the two of them.

They spoke quietly of running through the muddy well of Floodblest as squires, chasing thieves through the maze below Triboar, and the antics of the "Squire Musketeers" as the two of them in cahoots with Str found more mischief than any three squires ever imagined finding. The three of them had been inseparable. They remembered fondly their knightings...only days apart, beginning with Str and ending with her. Then Str's departure from Camelot, leaving only two musketeers.  As knights, duties always seemed to place a physical distance between the two of them.  But each time they were reunited, it was as if they had seen each other only hours before. Nothing could match the closeness that they shared. And it was, as they walked once more in the mud of the well, that Felena told him that she had accepted Windgrey's proposal of marriage.

They had never spoken of love...strangely enough, they had not seen that which was right before their eyes until that day. She had seen the pain in his eyes...heard his words confessing his love for her...yet for the sake of honor, she was committed to marry, and could not break her vow. And so the two parted company...burying their feelings for one another in the name of honor. Not once...but three times had this occurred...once those many years before, and twice since their arrival in Havensburg.  Once with his commitment to another, twice with hers. Yet each time they sought love...they had lost.

Such had been their lives...ships passing in the night, destined to be apart for a lifetime...or were they?