#Meredith Gruksdottir

[aquadestinyswriting]

Hour of Denial

Summary: The Anvil of Souls has, presumably been mended and sent back to the heavens. But what of the Shaper responsible for this miracle?

Words: 941

Tags: @druidx @flashfictionfridayofficial, @blind-the-winds, @thesorcerersapprentice, @sparrow-orion-writes, @ashirisu, @philosophika, @the-down-upside-finch

Warnings: Major character death. And Grief, a lot of grief.

Notes: This is going to be part of a series telling the alternate story of mending the Anvil of Moradin. This section was written for the Flash Fiction Friday prompt 'Hour of Denial'. Please note the warnings, this one's pretty heavy.

Elowyn blinked back her vision and shook out the ringing in her ears. She took stock of her surroundings, trying to make sense of what had happened. Slowly, the memory came back to her. Meredith had been using her ability to Shape the Anvil, but something was going wrong. Elowyn and Yoruk had moved up to see how they could help, and then…

Elowyn’s eyes snapped wide open and she jerked her head up. The Anvil was gone and Meredith was –

“Merri!” Elowyn yelped, scrambling to her feet and rushing over next to the crumpled form of her best friend. Aurianna’s claws dug into her shoulder at the sudden movement, but the young dragon-turned-kitten managed to stay put. Yoruk was already at Meredith’s side, his hands shaking as he laid one of them on his wife’s shoulder,

“M– Merri?” he called softly, his voice quavering. “Come on, love. Now’s not the time –” he broke off as his voice cracked. He looked up at Elowyn, his face white under his beard, tears brimming but not yet falling from disbelieving eyes.

Elowyn swallowed down the lump in her throat, staring at the unnaturally still form that was her best friend as she kneeled. There was no movement, not even the slightest of breaths. The memory of Meredith lying in a pool of blood at the door to Watchhouse Eight flashed into her head. The woodling touched her badge, set her face into a determined grimace and yelled over her shoulder,

“‘Grut! Get the High Priestess in here!” she snapped, knowing full well that the goblin sneak was sitting right on the other side of the door, despite being told to go to the refectory to wait with the rest of their party. She then turned her attention to Yoruk, taking his face into her hands and forcing the dwarven paladin to look at her,

“Hey, come on, it’ll be alright.” she said, trying to keep her own voice from shaking, “We’ll have her back in no time. Then we can yell at her for being a damn idiot for thinking she was even close to being done.” she babbled. Aurianna leapt from her shoulder and rubbed against the dwarven man, purring. The Emerald Dragon rumbled sympathetically,

“My Lady Elowyn –” she began, but Elowyn shook her head and glared up at the crystalline being,

“We are getting her back.” The woodling snarled, before recalling herself and hanging her head, “My apologies, my Lady, but I – I can’t –” she broke off, sucked in a breath, looked back up into those amethyst eyes and continued, “I need to at least try.”��

Smaragh heaved a sigh and nodded,

“Very well.” She rumbled, gesturing to the door. The slab slid silently to one side, revealing the High Priestess and the shadowed form of a goblin waiting in the shadows behind her. Snotgrut took one look at Elowyn’s face, nodded, and stayed in the shadows, leaving only the high priestess to walk into the cavern. Elowyn was grateful that Snotgrut was a goblin of discretion. There wasn’t any need to alarm the others. Elowyn was getting their dwarven friend back, even if she had to march up to the heavens to drag the damn woman back herself!

It didn’t take long for all the preparations for a Resurrection ritual to be made. Yoruk had insisted on helping, clearly hoping that the sooner this was done, the sooner he would have his wife back. As soon as all the preparations were complete, the Emerald dragon spread her wings, while the high priestess took out her holy symbol and began intoning a prayer in what Elowyn assumed was some dialect of old dwarven. The woodling held Aurianna securely in her arms and bowed her head as a gentle emerald light lit up the cavern.

The thunder above them rumbled ever louder as the high priestess continued her prayer. Elowyn’s face pinched into a frown as several long moments passed with nothing happening. She felt Aurianna tense and clutched the kitten closer, her heart beginning to race. What was taking so long? The last time the dwarf was Resurrected, she’d woken up fairly quickly.

I’m sorry. I love you.

Meredith’s last words echoed disconcertingly in Elowyn’s head, even as a faint smell of forge smoke, damp earth and salt air hit her nose. Her heart squeezed painfully, even as she tried to shove the bubble of grief that rose in her stomach back down. No. This was going to work! It had to. 

Eventually, the emerald light dimmed and the high priestess’ prayer slowed to a stop. There was no rasping gasp for air, only the continuous thunder of the storm outside. The high priestess huffed a weary sigh,

“That’s that. I’m sorry.” she said, her voice hoarse. Yoruk sighed shakily,

“Ye – Ye did what ye could.” he said, his voice tight. 

As soon as Yoruk had spoken, Elowyn felt her heart shatter and her determined resolve fail entirely. She swallowed down her sob as she opened her eyes, let Aurianna go and stumbled to kneel next to Meredith’s body,

“Why?” she sobbed, “After everything – You promised!” she yelled, curling into herself with another sob. Aurianna was quick to attend to her soul-bonded, mewling quietly as she rubbed up against Elowyn as hard as she could. Elowyn picked the kitten up and hugged her tightly, burying her face into the soft, golden fur. As much as she wanted to pretend this was all just some twisted dream and deny it was even happening, the evidence lying in front of her was impossible to refute. Meredith was gone. And she wasn’t coming back.

[druidx]

The Tragedy of Elo & Merri's Unrequited Love

Hello dear readers. People who've been perusing my blog for some time now should be familiar with my OC, Elowyn O'Toreguarde, and that of my freind @aquadestinyswriting, Meredith Gruksdottir, Clan Bloodvein (née Ironforge). These two characters were ones we roleplayed in a D&D campaign set in the Fighting Fantasy World of Titan. And as much as we've talked about them and shared their stories, neither of us have explicitly spelled out the Tragedy of their Unrequited Love.

So without further ado I would like share a condensed version of the Destiny's New Servants Campaign, focusing on their not-love story. (Note, this is from my POV and is not impartial)

Elo & Merri hit it off as friends right from the start. They meet because of a ghoul situation, take one look at each other and decide – yes, I need you on my side. These are two women who were often overlooked, not least because of their heights, both strong proponents of justice with a go-getter attitude and a penchant for running head-first into trouble.

So, of course, off they go adventuring. They pulled each other through many trials, though most often it's Elo supporting Merri – Merri was the holy one at that time, she was the one with the special powers that no one else had, she was devout and tough and steadfast. They drew close after an incident where three of their party drowned, and closer still when the last reminding character of the originals, a Monk, drops off the face of the planet¹. They get new party members, but it takes a while for them to warm up and mesh in etc, especially as the new characters are younger and more inexperienced compared to our girls. So for a long while they feel like they can only rely on each other. Then Elowyn died, was made a vassal of Kurtulmak, a whole lot of shit went down, and they're kicked off to the other side of the world for Plot reasons.

Two very important things happened not long after this.

The first was that an insane half demon robot from a different plane mistook Elo for her Aunt and tried to attack her…. And Merri was the first to step in front of the woodling to defend her. As an aside, dear reader, I need you to understand that, out of game, I was going through A Time, and my feelings of abandonment, isolation and depression were feeding through into my gameplay. So Elo was also having Some Problems. She'd been ripped out of her life, away from the city and everyone who knew her and everything she'd known. She was feeling lost, abandoned, and suddenly burdened with the knowledge she'd become de facto leader of their group. She was holding together spectacularly². Anyway. She's facing off with this demented thing and fully expecting the party to kinda fuck off and make her deal with it on her own. And she's gearing up to do just that, when this woman, filled with righteous wrath, steps in front of her and says, "You'll have t'go through me if you want her." And, fuck me, if that didn't hit me right in the godsdamned chest.

Bear in mind that this was such a slow burn that us Players, let alone our characters, did not figure out anything until way later in the campaign. That said, I think that might have been the start of Elo falling in love.

Anyway. Elo's made a Paladin, a gold dragon drops out of the sky to be her mount³, they're sent back to the other side of the world for more Plot reasons, dear pain-in-the-ass Felix starts the rumours Elo's some kind of messiah or prophet⁴.

And the second important thing happens.

So they're at this village in the mountains, Felix has convinced half the population Elo's some kind of Saviour, and these random bandits rock up. One of them was a horny bard, who took one look at the pair of us womenfolk and announced that he's gonna take one of us home. And Merri goes, "Well it ain't gonna be me sunshine, I'm taken." We're in the middle of combat when this happens, probably got some better things to be focusing on, but Elo looks at Merri with a face like a slapped puppy and says, "What? You never told me that?" Like, this woman is her best friend, maybe her only true friend at that point⁵, they were close as anything, and not once has Merri mentioned she was engaged. So Elo's hurt because Merri didn't share this. But she's got a deeper hurt and she doesn't know why⁶.

Fast forward, we were conscripted to resurrect a god, Deep Sashelas. Merri is grievously injured by the required ritual. The others in the party are concerned, of course they are, but Elo is next level. Full on fretting by the bedside etc. And as they move on, Elo finds herself shielding Merri more and more. Which is, in game mechanics, frankly unnecessary, because Clerics are as tanky as Pallies are. But if I'm honest, Elo might have done this even as a pure rogue because, of course she would. Elo thinks she's just being a Friend. Merri thinks Elo is being a Friend. The rest of the party are picking up on Something, but no one knows what so no one says anything. Only the on-and-off Monk⁷ thinks he understand what's going on, but he's not around enough to do anything about it.

So now we come to a switch point. Out of game, Urbanvoodoman was tired of GMing and wanted to play so Aqua was going to take over from him. But we had a BBEG to fight first.

Before the fight Elo was contacted by the BBEG, saying she could either hand over Merri or he was going to destroy Toreguard. So Elo now has this horrible predicament. Does she sacrifice the person she's slowly realising might be the love of her life and save her home, or does she allow millions to be slaughtered for the love of one woman?

Elo told the BBEG she'd sacrifice Merri. Only then she didn't. The BBEG fight was a mess, and frankly not important to this story.

What is important, is that to transition Aqua over to GM, Merri had to be retired as a Player Character. So the morning after the BBEG fight Elo and co wake up… and Merri is not there. In her place are letters, apologising for having to leave for her home, Fangthane, and explaining why. Elo's letter contained apology after apology, and Merri's holy symbol to remember her by. It broke Elo's heart. Because now, of all possible times, Elo realises she's in love. Merri is many hours down the road by this point, Elo has no hope of finding her. And even if she did, Elo can't confess her feelings because Merri is already happily engaged to someone else. And Elo is never going to see Merri again because of the ban in Fangthane preventing non-dwarves from entering the city. Then, the world came knocking at the door, and Elo had to suck it all up and get on with her job.

You'd be forgiven, dear reader, for thinking that was the end of the tale. But it's not.

Rumour has made its way to Toreguarde that a young dwarven woman has been imprisoned in Fangthane for the crime of blasphemy. It doesn't take a genius to guess that young woman is Merri. She's due to be executed, unless someone can provide compelling evidence to the contrary. The main issue is that Fangthane still holds a grudge against Toreguard and her citizens. As a representative of Toreguard, Elo (who is still very much In Love with her unattainable dwarf, but Repressing with great success) refuses to break the line, once again putting her duty before her love. This leads one of the other Party members to accuse Elo of not caring about Merri, and, my gods, did I pitch a fit. Elo would have decked him if she thought she wouldn't accidentally kill him.

So the Party receives special dispensation from the Crown to enter Fangthane with evidence showing Merri is, of course, innocent. Elo is Not Allowed to see Merri while she's incarcerated for obscure legal reasons which escape me now, which just kills Elo. But she does her job, Merri is exonerated, everyone is joyful. And then Merri wants everyone to meet her fiance. Elo wants to hate him, wants him to be a bastard of epic proportions. But he's not. He's lovely, a cinnamon roll too good for this world, too pure etc. Yoruk is also a paladin, a decent, principled, loyal and devoted up-standing young gentleman of fine birth. Elo is, in a word, gutted. But she puts her big-girl pants on, pulls Yoruk outside and threatens to end his life if he ever hurts Merri and swears this on her power. He goes back to the party, suitably fearing for his life and his manhood, and Elo thinks she's just going to walk away and go have a cry in her beer, but Merri stops her. They share some words, embrace, and Elo parts from her saying, "With all the love in my heart, I wish you and Yoruk the best luck in the world."

I suppose the girls get a bit of a happy ending, inasmuch that after the Final BBEG is defeated and a little time passes, they grow close again in other ways. For that, please see Aqua's explanation of a Cridhe-dàime.

––– ¹ His player stopped being able to make sessions. ² I was not. ³ Because though the GM, UrbanVoodooman, can be a spectacular bastard for angst, he does love the fluffy stuff too. ⁴ Bless Felix's player, but he'd gotten a completely incorrect read on the situation, vis a vis Kurtulmak, St Cuthbert and Paladinship, which mean he – and therefore his Character – was convinced I was some kind of, IDK, minor deity? This never went away despite how many times we explained it. IDK if it makes it more or less funny to reveal Felix's Player is a very devout Anglican. ⁵ I don't think we'd managed to make it back to Toreguard by this point, and if we had, things were still on rocky ground, so Elo really didn't have many people on her side. ⁶ She was an idiot in love. Relatedly, IIRC, Aqua had only decided Merri was engaged prior to the session where this happened, so it was a bit difficult to retcon that fact in. ⁷ The Player who had previously dipped (See point 1) could now make intermittent sessions.

[aquadestinyswriting]

OK, so I'm going to tell you a bit about two, just because they're so heavily interconnected with each other and they're both the main stories of my blog.

First up is The Wizard's Tale:

This one follows the story of Selene Frigidwake, Grand Magus of the city-state of Toreguarde. Selene is an ex-adventurer that has now landed herself in a position of power and authority in the city that she helped to build. Unfortunately the Divine Seal over the Hellmouth beneath her tower is beginning to falter, and she needs to find a solution before a second Demon War is kicked off when it fails entirely. Not only that, but the darker forces that exist in the world are rising up once more in an attempt to seize control of the Hellmouth for themselves. And to top it all off, her adopted niece and her friends have been Called to defend the world they all call home, despite the Edict against Adventuring within Toreguarde. Basically, think of this as the background story of a D&D adventure focusing on one of the major NPCs of the campaign, because that's basically what this is. Given that Selene is a major political figure in Toreguarde, there is a lot to do with the internal politics of Toreguarde as a city-state and all the drama that can unfold in such an environment. I also explore Selene's more personal issues, such as the completely untreated PTSD from her adventuring days and the severe trust issues that have come from being forced to work with the slimiest politician in Allansia. Not to mention having to dodge a bunch of assassination attempts and trying her best to keep her public and privates lives as separate as possible.

Next up is Destiny's New Servants: Fangthane's Folly Edition

You might as well have the WIP synopsis for this one:

Fangthane has stood as the shining beacon of dwarven-kind upon Titan for millennia, but the aftermath of the Demon War ten years ago has left the city-state with wounds that have only barely begun to heal. Unfortunately, there are those both within and without that would see the mountain crumble. Relations with the city-state of Toreguarde have been fraught since the Drakemari Empire became involved in its construction, but things have been more or less amicable until recently. With the rise of the dread Necromancer, Darkhide, problems both old and new are threatening to ignite a war that Fangthane can barely cope with. In the midst of all of this, a young cleric of Moradin must attempt to navigate the lies and treachery of her own people to uncover the truth at the centre of all this madness. Whether anyone wishes to listen to said truth… well that’s another matter entirely.

This story follows Meredith Gruksdottir, cleric of Moradin, through the trials that she faces as part of the Destiny's New Servants D&D 3rd edition campaign. Expect your standard fantasy adventure shenanigans, including a bunch of angst and drama, character deaths and some comedy here and there.

Since Meredith is a cleric first and foremost, expect to see a lot of references to her religion and an exploration of her connection to her gods. There's also quite a lot of politics in this story as well since the relationship between the kingdom of Fangthane and the city-state of Toreguarde plays a major role in the plot.

Let’s get to know your main story! Tell us a little bit about it!

[dru-reblogs-stuff]

I posted 6,743 times in 2022

28 posts created (0%)

6,715 posts reblogged (100%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@/derinthescarletpescatarian

@/fireflysummers

@/headspace-hotel

@/tracle0

I tagged 6,685 of my posts in 2022

Only 1% of my posts had no tags

#q - 6,551 posts

#snrk 🤣 - 1,484 posts

#cute - 437 posts

#nature - 388 posts

#landscape - 245 posts

#planes trains and automobiles - 156 posts

#history - 151 posts

#eat all the things - 148 posts

#lbgt+ - 142 posts

#<3 - 137 posts

Longest Tag: 137 characters

#i'll prob go again tomorrow and maybe take a better vid of the waves from the sandy bit of beach. it was so clear but there were a lot of

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

Ten characters, ten fandoms

I was tagged by @downontheupside, thanks Choi <3

Hiccup, How to Train your Dragon: Race to the Edge

Meredith Gruksdottir, Titan Fighting Fantasy (Ssshh I know this is my friend's character, but we're a fandom all on our two-some, I swear)

Modryn Oreyn, TESIV: Oblivion

Edward Wong Hau Pepelu Tivrusky IV, Cowboy Bebop

Kei, Dirty Pair Flash

Thorin, son of Thrain, The Hobbit (films)

Sara Parvan, The Undeclared War

Donna Noble, Doctor Who (10th Doc)

Darian Frey, Tales of the Ketty Jay

Sypha Belnades, Castlevania (TV show)

Tagging: Anyone who fancies playing! (I really need to get a general games taglist ^.^')

4 notes - Posted September 19, 2022

#4

Happy Tag Game

I got retagged in this by @my-writblr, TY cariad :D

Rules: When you receive this, list 5 things that make you happy and send this to 10 of the last people in your notifications! :)

I just got a new desk! So much more space :D My brother kindly helped me with a tip-run so I also have less crap in the house overall ^.^

LIFX bulbs - Mine died a few months ago, so I've been putting up with a crappy CFL which makes waking up - even in summer - really difficult and makes me feel disassociated in the evening. I've just got a new LIFX bulb; being slowly woken by a bright white light in the mornings is wonderful.

Sun puddles - Now summer is getting closer, there're more puddles of sunlight in the lounge and the desire to just curl up and sleep in them is way too strong ^.^;

My tiny balcony garden (and adjacent indoor plants). Spurred on by the new desk purchase, I went out and bought some balcony baskets, so now my "garden" consists of: a blueberry bush from last year (B/Day gift from my Mum); an unwanted tomato plant from my Uncle; two flower pots; a strawberry plant; a Bird of Paradise; a cactus, a succulent, and an Amaryllis.

Having short hair - I hate having long hair during the summer, it's hard to handle, makes my face hot and itchy and is just a PITA. So I got it cut recently, and now it's blissfully short again :D

As I don't have a general tag games list, I'm going to tag the last 10 people in my notifs as instructed.

Dear last 10 people in my notifs, please feel free to ignore this if you don't fancy playing.

@lavender-hued-melancholy, @nostalgic-breton-girl, @downontheupside, @chasing-givenchy, @sleepyowlwrites, @endless-navigator, @asphaltvalkyrie, @strosmkai-rum, @catharticallysarcastic, @aalinaaaaaa

5 notes - Posted June 28, 2022

#3

Get to Know Tag

I got tagged in this by @iparisaltanwing and @lowslore. Thanks guys <3

Rules: tag 9 people you want to get to know/catch up with

Favorite color: Still purple, but am very much enjoying the “it’s just snowed and now the sky is clear again” brilliant-but-somehow-translucent blue

Last song: The Gent and I listened to a lot of classical rock while cooking over the Xmas break, but I cannot recall the last one I heard. Probably something by AC/DC or Led Zeppelin ^.^;

Currently reading: Nothing; I am between worlds right now. However I got given a load of books over Xmas, so I’ll probably start with “Rain: Four Walks in English Weather“ by Melissa Harrison

Last movie at home: Wish Dragon. It’s basically “Aladdin, only the Genie is a Dragon”, but it still gave me a punch to the heart.

Sweet, savory, or spicy: Spicy. I’m having a small craving for something with ginger in it rn (although I’m still all three as and when)

Currently working on: A prompt from the Homestead’s Fall Prompt Week; as yet untitled, it’s a short story turning the concept of good/ evil being light/ dark on its head. Also the first draft of The Ruby Falls, a modern/ fix-it AU of TESIV: Oblivion.

Tagging: @strosmkai-rum @chauceryfairytales @morganwriteblr @warriorbookworm @odysseywritings @spacetimewraithwrites @jaguarthecat @dreamwishing @alias-levi (IDK who’s still active or still wants tag games, so please let me know if you want taken off this list)

6 notes - Posted January 6, 2022

#2

Autumn This-or-That

Yoinked from @blind-the-winds, because it looked fun.

tea or hot chocolate | cozy books or halloween movies | plaid or corduroy | foggy mornings or twinkly nights | orange or black | pumpkin or apple pie | wool or velvet | picking fruit or carving pumpkins | libraries or coffee shops | cinnamon or peanut butter | spooky or cozy halloween | candles or fairy lights

Tagging: @lavender-hued-melancholy, @nostalgicyorkshiregirl and anyone else who fancies!

8 notes - Posted October 22, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

Pass the happy! Tag Game 🌻

Rules: When you receive this, list 5 things that make you happy and send this to 10 of the last people in your notifications! :)

I also got tagged by @shadowlight-inkedthoughts in this, the same million years ago ^.^' Hom...

Being so close to finally getting a certain someone out of my life

Rediscovering my passion for cooking

Yummy teas (raspberry lemonade, my beloved)

Yummy cocktails (went out to dinner now restrictions are lifting and had a Cherry Bakewell cocktail)

Lego flowers

I'm going to tag my usual writeblr tag game list. Again, this is outside the scope of that list, so there's zero pressure to play.

@strosmkai-rum @spacetimewraithwrites @wildswrites @tetrodotoxincs @odysseywritings @ayzrules @morganwriteblr @my-writblr @bexminx @writingingraves @dreamwishing @aalinaaaaaa @wardenoftheabyss @pleaseloathemyveryexistence @jaguarthecat @alias-levi

11 notes - Posted April 3, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

[aquadestinyswriting]

Writing Exercise 3

Ok, so I was looking through this post again to see if I wanted to do any of the other writing exercises on it and I came across the "Shuffle a playlist on your music player of choice. For whichever song plays, describe what you “see” with your imagination." exercise. Needless to say, since I have at least 4 different playlists just for my many WIP series, I needed to give this one a shot.

I'm just gonna go with shuffling my 'Emotional Songs' playlist since that's the most extensive one I have and I use it to plot with. Placing the song and my thoughts about it under a cut to save everyone's dashes.

Tagging: @davycoquette (as requested), @druidx, @lexiklecksi and @sparrow-orion-writes because you guys might get a kick out of this.

And shuffle chose the following song:

Oh man. Ok, so let's get into this.

I feel like I'm losing hope In my body and my soul And the sky, it looks so ominous And as time comes to a halt Silence starts to overflow My cries are inconspicuous

OK, so for this part of the first verse, I typically see Elowyn staring up at the ceiling of the cavern she, Meredith and Enezeage are shivering in after almost drowning trying to swim through some flooded mineshafts to get to some Bad Guys(tm). I think it's pretty accurate to say that at least the girls are feeling a bit hopeless since the other two members of their party have just drowned and Merri and Elowyn had just about followed suit not that long before.

Tell me, God, are you punishing me? Is this the price I'm paying for my past mistakes? This is my redemption song I need you more than ever right now Can you hear me now?

The scene in my head for this part skips ahead a little bit to when Elowyn dies for the first (or was it second?) time thanks to being ripped to shreds by a Dire Dire weasel (the thing stood about 4 feet at the shoulder, which is a bit taller than Elowyn). Elowyn's sitting in the waiting room when she suddenly gets pulled through a portal by a clawed, reptilian hand and is then told that she's now Kurtulmak's Vassal before she wakes up back in the real world pretty much naked and covered in ick. Bear in mind this takes place waaay before Elowyn finally gets ordained as a paladin, so she's a rogue at this point in the story of the campaign.

'Cause we're gonna shout it loud Even if our words seem meaningless It's like I'm carrying the weight of the world I wish that someway, somehow That I could save every one of us But the truth is that I'm only one girl Maybe if I keep believing, my dreams will come to life Come to life

There are a couple of scenes that flash into my head for this first chorus honestly. All of them involving Elowyn standing up for herself, her beliefs or others that are less fortunate than herself. The first one is when she's standing up to King Storri and Captain Bloodvein about the kobolds that the party ended up taking on as companions after that whole resurrection by Kurtulmak thing. The next one that comes to mind is quite a lot later when she's up on a box trying to calm a riotous mob that's trying to get into the Temple of Moradin in Toreguarde.

After all the laughter fades Signs of life all washed away I can still, still feel a gentle breeze No matter how hard I pray Signs of warning still remain And life has become my enemy

Now, I tend to switch POV over to Meredith for the second verse, only because this song is a definitive fit for both girls, for slightly different reasons. For this first part of the second verse, the scene that comes to mind is always one where Meredith is sitting in her room in Acacia Avenue after the celebrations for Darkhide's defeat are over and the party have been chucked out to go home and sleep. The scene is not a happy one, since she's trying to pray to Moradin and not getting an answer and is slowly realising that her people are still in grave danger, despite the defeat of one of the most powerful necromancers Allansia has seen in about a decade.

Tell me, God, are you punishing me? Is this the price I'm paying for my past mistakes? This is my redemption song I need you more than ever right now Can you hear me now?

For this second half-verse, I tend to visualise Meredith sitting in her cell waiting for her trial and likely execution date after she's discovered and arrested in Fangthane upon her return there. To be fair, she doesn't believe her gods are punishing her so much as kicking herself for getting caught because she has no evidence with which to exonerate herself, so she's spending herself praying for some sort of miracle.

'Cause we're gonna shout it loud Even if our words seem meaningless It's like I'm carrying the weight of the world I wish that someway, somehow That I could save every one of us But the truth is that I'm only one girl Maybe if I keep believing, my dreams will come to life Come to life

Like with Elowyn above, I tend to see various scenes for this chorus. Most of them involve Meredith standing up to the various enemies that her party met during their adventure. I also sometimes visualise a few scenes where Meredith is trying to keep her party or her people safe from some sort of danger, even if it's not immediately visible.

'Cause we're gonna shout it loud Even if our words seem meaningless Like I'm carrying the weight of the world I wish that someway, somehow That I could save every one of us But the truth is that I'm only one girl

For this chorus I visualise short flashes of both Elowyn and Meredith trying to talk some sense into their people as matters in both Toreguarde and Fangthane start to fall apart. Mostly it scenes of Elowyn trying to stem the corruption in the Council and the Brotherhood of Cleaving's reign of terror in Toreguarde and Meredith trying to talk some sense into the leadership of her Church as a full-on Schism starts erupting.

Still, we're gonna shout it loud Even if our words seem meaningless It's like I'm carrying the weight of the world I hope that someway, somehow That I could save every one of us But the truth is that I'm only one girl Maybe if I keep believing, my dreams will come to life Come to life

For this last chorus, I tend to visualise the lead-up to the final battle of the campaign. The first scene I visualise tends to be Elowyn getting ganked on top of a sea stack and Merri having to ress her mid-battle. However, the main scene I tend to see is Elowyn trying to talk Ionah (the Big Bad) down in attempt to, potentially, save what's left of the woman's soul. There was a whole heartfelt speech about understanding why Ionah followed the path she did and the fact that there was second chance still available. The body language I can see for both women in my head at this point is just heart-breaking, because Elowyn tried so hard, only for Ionah to turn around and basically murder her son (and Meredith's husband), who is off-screen and on another plane of existence at this point.

[aquadestinyswriting]

Writing Exercise 2

I was tagged by @druidx to do the 3rd writing exercise from this post as well; Describe a character by turning out their pockets.

While Meredith's vestments do have pockets, let's have the moment from Fangthane's Folly where she's being processed after being wrongfully arrested on the charges of Heresy and Treason since she wears and carries a bunch of stuff on her person that they really don't want her to have. Popping under a cut because there's some... creative swearing in here.

Tagging in @davycoquette as requested, along with @ashirisu, @lexiklecksi and @sparrow-orion-writes

The elderly Inquisitor behind the desk met the glower that was being levelled at him with a bored yawn. He eyed the young dwarven woman in front of him,

"Right, so we're gonna need ye to take off the armour and hand over your weapon and any items that could be considered property of the Church."

Meredith snorted,

"Well, unless ye've got something for me to change into, the vestments are gonna have to stay on." she sniped. Meredith grunted as Fergus shoved her into the desk,

"You better shut that mouth afore I shut it for you." he growled, tightening his grip on her wrists to an almost painful degree

"Oh, awa' and bile yer heid, ye scummy wankstain." Meredith spat, her patience having been left all the way back in the Contemplation Chamber. The desk officer heaved a sigh and glared at the two dwarves directly in front of him,

"Alright, that's enough!" he snapped, "Seeing as we're out of spare clothes, ye can keep the vestments on for now, but everything else is going to have to be handed in."

Meredith did not know how she managed to keep as still as she did as Agnar and Vera began divesting her of her possessions. Probably because neither of them were blazing red with Evil and were simply doing their job.

Her mace was and crossbow were, understandably, the first things to go. Both items were quickly taken to the storage room behind the desk. Well, she wasn't going to be seeing either of them again, of that Meredith was certain. She bristled as both her own Holy Book and the one that had belonged to Starhammer were unhooked from her belt and handed over to the desk officer. The longbeard inspected both books,

"Two?" he queried. Meredith grumbled out a sigh,

"The mythril-bound one belonged to Starhammer. I wasn't going to just leave it for the Brotherhood to find and flog off to the highest bidder." she said, a pang of grief and regret hitting her heart at the memory of how she had acquired it. The longbeard gave her a long look, while Fergus muttered something about 'lying whores' behind her. Meredith ignored the older Inquisitor, rising to the bait would only make this more difficult than it already was. Both books were, like her weapons, taken back into the storage room.

Next was the armour. It took everything Meredith had in her to allow Vera to unbuckle and take off every piece of it. She only hoped that, once this was all over with, that she could get it back. Explaining how and why she couldn't wear it to her uncle would be too damn awkward otherwise, especially given all the trouble he'd gone to to finish it on such short notice. Meredith noticed Vera and the desk officer marvelling at the runic inscriptions and the array of gemstones set into the metal. Well, she would be more than happy to recommend her uncle's runesmithing business if asked, he could use some extra work.

Vera frowned as she patted Meredith down, carefully pulling out the small, leather-bound book Meredith had found in the little chapel underneath the Contemplation Chamber. She felt Meredith's nervous twitch, nodded slightly and opened the book, pretending to leaf through the pages without actually reading them. When she was done, she looked at the desk officer,

"An old personal journal. Nothing in here that looks incriminating, it's mostly personal thoughts and some prayers." she said. The desk officer nodded and waved at the sandy-haired young woman,

"Aye, that's fine for her to keep." he said, ignoring the infuriated glare that Fergus sent him. Vera nodded, put the book back and continued her patdown, pulling out some sealed inkpots, a couple of small quills and some parchment from the other pockets, all of which Meredith was permitted to keep, though the coin purse was swiftly handed over once it was found.

Vera frowned as she half-pulled another book out of another pocket, but quickly put it back upon feeling Meredith tense. She finished fishing through the rest of the pockets - handing over some more loose change, a few loose bolt heads, about a dozen sticks of incense, a small bottle of oil and about a dozen vials filled with Blessed water- then stood up and dusted herself down,

"That's everything Eric, not much on her aside from the obvious."

Eric nodded and finished making a note of everything he was given,

"Right, good. Here's the papers for all the items ye gave me, and here's the paperwork ye need to fill out to finish booking her in." he said, smiling a little too widely as Fergus snatched the papers from his hands,

"Ye don't have to look so damned pleased about it." he grumbled, stalking off ahead of his prisoner and attending officers, "Goddamn bloody paperwork! I swear on Moradin's Beard, if I have to fill out one more set of bloody forms I'm gonna shove them down Grimbeard's throat so far..."

Fergus' voice trailed off down the hall as he vanished around a corner. Agnar shook his head and put a firm hand on Meredith's shoulder, starting to lead her down the corridor Fergus had disappeared down,

"Might as well follow the old grump." he said. Meredith didn't resist. As naked as she felt, despite still getting to wear her vestments, at least she'd managed to keep a hold of the two most important things she owned.

[aquadestinyswriting]

Ok so doing this for my main four (well, five really since Chrackle will want to get in on the action here) since Dru did it for her main three.

Selene: *sighs and casts Hold Person*

Chrackle: *flies down and lands on your shoulder and squawks in your ear, maybe nips it too for good measure*

Edwin: *Most likely casts Windwalk to catch up, then casts grasping vines to stop you in your tracks*

Meredith: *swears a whole bunch then swears a lot more because she needs to catch up to do anything that won't just kill you*

Yoruk: *chases after and grapples to the floor. Good luck pushing off a dwarf that's in full plate*

The two clerics and the paladin will most likely give you a very stern talking to before deciding if you need charges pressed against you. As for the wizard and her familiar.... that depends on how hard the smack was and whether you do anything else to them once the spell wears off.

i SMACK your oc in the back and then i run real fast

[druidx]

Her Countenance was Light - Chapter 41

CW: None AO3 ; Chapters: 01. 10. 20. 30. 40. Tag list (ask for +/-): @aquadestinyswriting, @hannah-heartstrings, @jacqueswriteblrlibrary, @babyblueetbaemonster @mr-orion

The sky is overcast, threatening rain, as Elo sits with Farren's phone, legs bunched on the green twill armchair, ear glued to the handset as she waits for the call to connect. "Emerald Star, Christopher speaking. How may I assist you?" "This is Detective O'Toreguarde, TPD. Could you put me through to room 1803?" The concierge pauses. "And may I enquire about the nature of your correspondence?" His Nibs is a high-profile guest; of course, they're screening his calls. "It's Triumvirate business. I'm afraid I'm not at liberty to disclose anything further." Another pause. "And whom should I say is calling?" Didn't she just–? But maybe the concierge is on her side… Elo sighs. "Lady Elowyn." "Very good, your Ladyship. Connecting you now." Elo can hear Farren humming from the bathroom, mingling with the drone of his electric razor. "Good morning, Lady Elowyn," comes a lilting, feminine voice. "This is Unka, His Majesty's personal assistant. What can I help you with?" "May I speak to His Majesty directly?" "I'm afraid he's still asleep at the moment. Perhaps I can help?" "I understand that making travel arrangements to return to Iceland may take some time. I thought, while that was completed, His Majesty and I could take in some more of the city sights. I'm still relieved of my duties as a policeman, and I suspect that neither of us is particularly keen to visit City Hall today." There's splashing coming from the bathroom now. The phone line stays quiet. Elo forges on, "Despite any implications made during yesterday's negotiation meeting, I have enjoyed His Majesty's company this past week, as a friend, and I have enjoyed showing him the city I love. If he's of the same mind, I would like to continue until he leaves." The silence from the other end of the phone continues, and Elo wonders if she's on speakerphone. In for a dollar… "I may also have a selfish motivation. The head of his security detail is my best friend. If these talks fall through I don't know when I'll be able to see her next. I already missed her wedding. I don't want to miss anything else. And His Majesty is the last link I have to my dear Aunt. I don't want to lose that either. "Please, Your Majesty, if you're listening, would you at least consider one final trip out with me?" The line stays silent. "I'm staying with Detective Breakwood at the moment. Or you can always reach me at the station." Elo gives Farren's number and her desk number, waits a few moments more, and sets the handset back in its cradle.

"Guess it didn't go well, huh?" Farren asks from the doorway. Elo scrunches herself further into the chair. "No. He wouldn't even speak to me." Farren bustles around the kitchen, making a cup of freeze-dry coffee. "You know, you were right. You're not expected at work or at City Hall." He keeps his back to her. "You could stay here and take a day?" Elo lets her head fall onto the backrest. Outside, central Toreguard is hidden by the haze of low clouds. The filigreed dome of the Theater d'Olidammara is a flat yellow. On the twin bridges, Comedy's traffic is nose-to-tail but Tragedy flows freely. She could take the day. But then do what �� sit around and mope? At the end of Farren's street is a deli/bodega. Elo watches the crowds on the sidewalk dipping in and out with take-out cups or bags of cheap convenience, watching as they hurry on their way to a job or school or to care for someone. She wonders how many of them are also having a crappy week. How many of them also ache and grieve and have to push on. She shouldn't be so selfish. Elo uncurls and stands. "Just because I'm not expected, doesn't mean there isn't work to be done." Farren's shoulders slump as he gives a heavy sigh. "Yeah. S'what I thought you'd say." He turns and holds out a mug of coffee. "Here. Get this down you and we'll head on."

–––

At the station, Elo busies herself with the ever-increasing stack of paperwork in her in-tray; there's not much more to be learnt from Evie's journals, Cobbleskater tells her, and he can handle it himself. Elo suspects he's in a snit because she wasn't prompt with finishing the translations.

It's just shy of mid-morning, she's in the breakroom getting coffee with Ayton, when there's a stir in the bullpen. They peek out to see King Storri leaning against Elo's desk. Merri is idly pawing through the in-tray. Ayton looks up at Elo with a delighted grin. "Oooh, girl! Is that who I think it is?" "Yeah." "And just what did you do to get him to show up here?" Elo looks at Storri, back at Ayton, and presses a hand to her forehead. "Technically, it wasn't me. But I can't talk about it right now. Ask me again when I've got something stronger than coffee in my hand." Ayton's face drops. "Oh, shit. That bad?" "Worse." Elo takes a gulp of coffee, hands it to Ayton, straightens her shirt and steps out, once again fully aware that she has the attention of the whole bullpen on her.

"Your Majesty," she says, giving him a bow from the waist. "What can I help you with?" Storri startles upright, covers his startling with a cough, and inclines his head. "Detective O'Toreguarde. Is there somewhere more private we may speak?" "Of course, Your Majesty." Elo glances at her old companion, and adds with a bite, "Agent Gruksdottir, do you mind?" Merri waves from where she's now poking around in Elo's top drawer. "Not at all. On you go." Elo purses her lips and huffs. Merri glances up, sees Elo's face, says, "Oh," and sheepishly closes the drawer. Elo inclines her head in sarcastic thanks, then gestures the king ahead of her. "This way," Elo says, leading the way from the bullpen.

They find a free interview room, and Elo flips the marker to 'in use' as she ushers the king in. Elo stops on the threshold, but Merri gives a quick shake of her head; she'll remain out here. Elo closes the door and steps away, crossing her arms. "So," she says. King Storri draws himself to full height. "I have acted, to you in specific, in a most unbecoming manner. Having heard your words this morning and knowing that you were the butt of yesterday's farce, I have considered my behaviour and found it lacking. If you are still willing, I would enjoy a final day in your company to further explore the city you and my beloved call home." His beloved… Elo doesn't think she's going to get used to hearing anyone refer to Aunt Alexis as 'their beloved'. She loosens her arms. "Your apology is accepted. And I would love to show you more of Toreguard. I'd still like to apologise for yesterday–" Storri holds up a hand. "I think, perhaps, it best to leave politics aside. I understand your desire to have our two nations on speaking terms again, but," he turns his head away with a shake, "I cannot countenance it. Not anymore. Not after Drakemar, and after what they did to your Aunt, and now what they've tried to do to you. This is the final coffin nail." Elo swallows, allowing her gaze to fall with her shoulders. "I understand. I'll be showing you the city today, not as Lady Elowyn, but as Elo who could have been your step-child." Storri crosses the space between them and clasps her shoulder. "It is for the best." "Right. Well then," Elo looks up and forces a smile. "I know the perfect place to start."

–––

"They did love her, you know," Elo says. "Despite the Triumvirate bowing to the Business Consortium's wishes and placing the Edict, they loved her and the others enough to make these statues." They are standing on the quayside of the Ring Canal, bundled up against the spring drizzle, and staring across the busy water at the statues which stand sentinel at the edge of the City Hall Plaza. The Ring of Heroes, which Elo has delivered a short lecture on, is too far to complete on foot, so instead Elo has chosen to show him Alexis' statue. The gracefully carved marble gazes watchfully out over the city, the long rifle Foreign Policy resting at ease in her hands. A phantom wind twitches her trench coat and cornrows. "They love her still, too. There're always parties on the anniversary of Greydown's defeat. Always toasts to her skill and bravery. Although," Elo's gaze falls away, "with each passing year they love the legend a little more and the person a little less." Storri is immersed in a thoughtful silence. "Why are we not up there?" Merri asks. "Enezeag, Felix and Darrius are," Elo says. "Technically, you're a traitor, and I keep – ahem – forgetting to attend the sculpture sittings." Merri laughs and loops an arm over Elo's shoulder. "Never change, cridhe. Never change."

They move on to the City Museum. It's a beautiful building, made of red brick and terracotta mouldings, and filled with the story of Toreguard's rise, fall, and phoenix-like regeneration. Elo focuses their attentions on the parts her aunts have played in the city's history, how they fought for it and saved it. She draws Storri's attention, too, to the descriptions of Greydown – the man who thought himself above others and brought ruin down on everyone, including himself. The King smiles tolerantly, and Elo has to remind herself of course he knows about it already; it's much more recent history for him than it is her. Storri strides past the section on Drakemar and his emissary with barely a glance. Elo doesn't understand what his issue with Drakemar is. She can't see what's wrong with taking money from a wealthy benefactor and turning it around to rebuild the city and rehome all the people displaced by the bombs and subsequent fighting. There've been some small concessions in governance which benefit Drakemar and his people, she knows that, but isn't that acceptable when, without him, Toreguard would not be standing? But he said no politics, so she doesn't bring it up, and they move on to the museum restaurant instead.

Elo finds herself wanting to apologise to the staff and other patrons as Storri's security sweeps in to clear a whole corner – one with the best view, no less. To their credit, the maître de doesn't bat an eye, and lunch, with a complimentary bottle of bubbly, goes down well; the cheque that Unka hands over, with such a great deal of zeros, probably helps a lot too. They linger up there, with Elo pointing out the dome of Theater d'Olidammara, now glittering in the sunlight pushing through fat clouds, and the university buildings behind it. City Hall takes up most of the view from the other direction, but in the distance, they can just make out the obelisk-shaped spire of the Temple of Heironeous.

Then it's time to move on, but not without one last little stop. The way up to the restaurant is lined with portraits, which had Storri pausing by each to examine and read over the placard. So Elo steers them out via the Ovoxi Hall, a large room of which one wall is taken up entirely by the faux-renaissance painting The Casting of Challenge Seeker. The mighty canvas depicts five heroes standing with their backs to the viewer at the top of a crenellated tower, while around them are littered the corpses of demons. In the tumultuous clouds above a titanic, Olympian-esque figure is visible from the waist up. This Titan has his arm outstretched in the starry heavens, as if he has just thrown the silver sword which glitters like the north star just beyond his grip. Storri reads the info plaque next to the recommended-viewing bench, making noise of exclamation as he learns the piece is younger than Elo, that it was gifted by an anonymous creator and donor almost as soon as the museum opened, and just what it represents. He then steps forward to take in the details of the smallest member of the party, and once he is done, turns back to Elo with a solemn nod.

Outside the museum, Elo hails a punt and asks the punter to take them a circuitous route to the covered markets at Olmsafon. As they travel – down the North Trunk then turning East into progressively smaller waterways – Elo finds herself giving a running commentary of each district and item of import they pass. Sometimes it's a grand event, sometimes it's a silly memory, but it builds up into a verbal cloth, woven of all the threads that tie her, and tied her Aunt, to the city they both love; a cloth which Elo, with all the skills she can, drapes around Storri to show him Toreguard and her people are worth his attention and alliance.

The markets are bustling as the punter pulls up to the docks. As they disembark, Merri shoots Elo a distinctly unimpressed look, which Elo accepts with a repentant tilted head. It's possible, having lost track of the days, she hadn't quite thought this one through – with so many locals doing their weekly shop and tourists enjoying the ambience, it makes the King much harder to protect. But equally, Elo reasons, if someone deliberately meant to do him harm they would need to know his movements in advance; and considering that none of them knew an hour ago where they were headed, Elo thinks it's probably safe. And anyway, she thinks – as she wanders around with him, their arms linked like a step-child and father aught, pointing out things that take his fancy and she explaining some particular oddity brought by the city being such a melting pot of culture, chatting with the vendors, sampling victuals, and buying an increasingly extravagant amount of goods – he's relaxed and having fun. She does not like the amount of grief that he had been subject to by Brauma; Merri said he was here in part to take a break from everyday stress, and Elo should be facilitating that, not causing more.

It's just past four when they exit the markets. A car is called to take all the parcels back to Storri's rooms, and then they move on for afternoon tea at a rather hidden, and thus exclusive, cafe that Aunt Selene liked to frequent. Elo hasn't been here in a while – it's one of those places that, on a copper's salary, is quite a lot out of her price range – but it's just as delightful as she recalls. They're tucked into a snug by themselves, bestowed with pots of tea, stands of petit four and finger sandwiches, and told to holler if anything more is needed. So they sit and chat, and Elo tries to absorb having Merri by her side, storing up the feeling like a squirrel stores food for the winter.

They've been having a ribald conversation on the knife-edge of decency – the sort they used to have, back when they travelled together – when they both become aware that King Storri has not said anything in some time. He's staring down at the tartlet on his plate with some intensity. "Kóngurinn minn?" Merri says gently. He sucks in a breath as if he was very far away. "While I am aware it was I who requested no political discussion, I have been thinking…" Both women set down their cups and pay attention. "Elowyn, it has been a joy getting to know you this past week. You are an expert conversationalist, knowledgeable in many areas and the love you feel for your city is tangible. That you have anticipated my want to learn more about the home of my beloved is a grace. As you wished not to lose connection with Agent Gruksdottir, I too, should not like to lose connection with you. "Thus, I would like to offer you citizenship of Iceland." Elo feels her mouth drop open as she stares. "That is… an incredible offer. Thank you." The cogs in her brain whirr at this opportunity, and she pounces on it. "I would be honoured to accept… "Except, and I am in no way trying to downplay or dismiss what you're offering, but I must ask. What of Toreguard's people – don't they deserve to see Iceland too? To see her sprawling mountains, volcanoes and geysers. To eat puffin in Fangthane and drink brennivín made from glacier waters. What of those who want to watch an aurora in the spray of a waterfall?" Storri's brow furrows. "You never give up, do you?" At this Merri laughs. "She'd fight to the bitter end if you let her." Storri takes a bite from his tartlet. "And what of your own people?" Elo asks. "I'm sure they'd relish the opportunity to eat as you've eaten. Cakes and curry and the Conquistador's Revenge. Puffin gets wearisome for every meal." An eyebrow raise. "It's not that bad," Storri mumbles. Elo looks at Merri. "With respect, Kóngurinn minn, it does get tiresome very quickly when it's your main source of protein." "And that is nothing to speak of when compared to a village's grain being turned to hardtack right after harvest." Something shifts on his face then, brows furrowed as he stares at his tartlet. He remains quiet and thoughtful, and Merri makes some comment, and she and Elo take up whatever thread they'd been talking about.

Storri sets his tartlet down, half-eaten, his expression so serious that it is just shy of a glower. Elo and Merri leave off their conversation again. "I will not truck with either the Master of the Exchequer nor the Acting Magister," Storri says. "Even if your tastes swayed towards men, even if I did not see you as the child of my beloved Alexis, even then your age would not allow me to accept you as a spouse. I remain infuriated with those prune-shriven runions for their blatant disregard, disrespect, and cavalier, vinegar stunt. "The actions of those black toads aside, you have shown me this day that Toreguard is as fair as one could hope, filled with as exotic sights and sensations as any traveller could dream of. The vibrancy of her people and the care and enthusiasm in which you have shown these things has convinced me that perhaps not all hope is lost for this city. "I will persevere with negotiations, but only with yourself or Strucker. I have no desire to engage with any other of your council." The elation rising in Elo's chest during Storri's little speech dies a cold, hard death. "You are aware that, despite my pretty title, I don't have any real power? You will have to deal with Clayrmantle eventually. After Greydown, it was decreed that no singular person would ever have that much executive power again. So while the Senate can vote in favour of a resolution, in order to pass, it requires the signatures of at least two Triumvirate members. Something as large as this may even require all three." The King regards her with a flat stare, eyes flashing like embers, and Elo thinks she's screwed the whole thing again. But these are the facts and there is no escaping them. He says, "I will not deal with Exchequer Brauma. I cannot guarantee my behaviour will befit my station while around him." "Alright. I can sit in and moderate any meetings with Clayrmantle. And, while I can't guarantee this will be accepted, I can request that the Secretary to the Treasury be the Exchequer's proxy in meetings that would require him. Is that acceptable?" Storri lifts his chin, considering the colourful bunting along the snug's picture rail. "This is acceptable. With this in place, I feel we could finalise an accord between our two states." Elo smiles, letting out a slow breath, feeling her spirit soar. He turns his gaze back to Elo. "I have one final condition." She feels her heart still in its victory dance. "I would expect that I will have to return several times to complete this deal. At each of these visits, you will take me to a different eatery or watering hole, and let me dine in anonymity with you." Elo grits her teeth, assuming a grim expression. "Agreed. Then I also have a further condition. I request a new artwork featuring your country that I can display in The Shield and proclaim you the donor." Storri nods in regal consideration. "It is done then," he says. His eyes never leave Elo's as he speaks, though his lips tremble in the suppression of a smile. "Unka will have the contract drawn up when we return to the Emerald. I will have this deal in writing." From the other table, Unka says, with laughter in her tone, "Já, Konungur minn." Merri stifles a chuckle. At that Storri breaks, his grin wide and mischievous, his laughter a roll of thunder, starting small as a chortle and rising to guffaw, and Elo finds herself following right along with him. "Oh, my child. Your face – it was a picture!" King Storri chuckles, as Elo finds she has to wipe her eyes at the mirth spilling from them – such is her nervous relief. "You rotten old troll!" she gasps out, grinning. "You had me really worried for a moment there." Storri finally finishes off his tartlet. "I look forward to being able to festoon your community hall with the finest art my countrymen have to offer." Elo smiles widely at that. "And it will be my pleasure to introduce you to all the flavours my city can offer your palette."

[dru-reblogs-stuff]

Ten characters, ten fandoms

I was tagged by @downontheupside, thanks Choi <3

Hiccup, How to Train your Dragon: Race to the Edge

Meredith Gruksdottir, Titan Fighting Fantasy (Ssshh I know this is my friend's character, but we're a fandom all on our two-some, I swear)

Modryn Oreyn, TESIV: Oblivion

Edward Wong Hau Pepelu Tivrusky IV, Cowboy Bebop

Kei, Dirty Pair Flash

Thorin, son of Thrain, The Hobbit (films)

Sara Parvan, The Undeclared War

Donna Noble, Doctor Who (10th Doc)

Darian Frey, Tales of the Ketty Jay

Sypha Belnades, Castlevania (TV show)

Tagging: Anyone who fancies playing! (I really need to get a general games taglist ^.^')

[aquadestinyswriting]

WIP Series: Life Goes On- Meredith's post-campaign stories

What it says on the tin. This is a collection of stories of Meredith's life after the end of the Destiny's New Servants campaign. Expect more slice of life stories and cute fluffiness in this series, though there may be some lower-stake "drama" at times.

All stories in in roughly chronological order, as usual

Stories

By Any Other Name

What's in a Name?

The Toddler's Adventure

A Promise to Break

Dion Mo Cridhe

Role Reversal

The Trouble with Cultists

Old Habits

Maternity Woes

A Most Desperate Plea

Sharing is Caring

A Minor Diplomatic Crisis

Tag list (dm for +/-): @druidx

[aquadestinyswriting]

Titan Modern AU- Chapter Four

Summary: Meredith and Elowyn have a chat with Starhammer regarding the shooting that took place two days ago, and what Fangthane's interest in it is.

Words: 1,798

Tags: @druidx, @sparrow-orion-writes @warriorbookworm, @thesorcerersapprentice, @blind-the-winds, @philosophika, @the-down-upside-finch, @hippiewrites

Warnings: Political BS incoming.

Notes: Had to do a little more worldbuilding for this one. Enjoy the little history lesson.

Meredith hovered in the door an extra moment, before Starhammer’s flat stare forced her to march in and stand at semi-attention next to the sofa that Detective O’Toreguarde was now sitting in. Starhammer ambled back to his desk and sat on the edge of it, stroking his impressive moustache,

“I had rather been hoping that I’d misheard the name Gruksdottir gave me, Detective. Not that I’m displeased to see ye, mind, but given why I need to talk to you…” he trailed off, glancing over to Meredith, who was looking between the Detective and her Lieutenant with a politely confused expression. He ‘harrumphed’ and looked back at Elowyn, “Given the situation, I think it’s only fair that one of us explains a few things to Constable Gruksdottir.” he said. 

Meredith stood a little more at attention,

“Sir, if necessary, I can leave the room and get back to my post –” she started, before Starhammer held up a hand to cut her off,

“Negative, Constable. Command has requested that you be informed of the situation as it pertains to the security of the Kingdom with Toreguarde’s borders, seeing as you’re the only officer here besides myself for the time being.” he replied. The Lieutenant’s statement caused both women to frown in wary confusion, first at each other, then at the old man sitting in front of them. Elowyn sighed, then nodded,

“I suppose it would be advantageous to explain why and how you know who I am.” she conceded. She looked over to the Constable, whose frown of confusion had only deepened, “Lady Frigidwake and I know each other on a personal basis. She, and her friends, took me under their wing after the chaos of the attacks that almost destroyed Toreguarde ten years ago died down and we started to rebuild. We’ve become close since then, and consider ourselves as family.” she explained.

Meredith nodded as she took in what Detective O’Toreguarde had said,

“I, of course, had heard about the attacks.” she said, finally sitting on the arm of the sofa, her voice low. “I was only a bairn at the time, but my Uncle Snorri and my brothers, Alfie and Magni, were deployed to help in the defence of Toreguarde, in honour of the alliance between our states.” Meredith looked down at the floor, her hands gripping at her kilt, “Only my uncle made it back in one piece.” she murmured. She shook her head to clear the memories away and looked back up at the Torejar Detective and Lieutenant Starhammer, “However, I fail to see what Detective O’Toreguarde’s relationship with Lady Frigidwake has to do with the shooting that occurred two days ago.” she said.

Elowyn’s face fell into a sympathetic grimace as Meredith spoke. No one had asked Fangthane to send reinforcements, but they had been enough to secure Toreguarde’s continued existence. Without them, Elowyn dreaded to think what would have become of her home and what remained of her family. She, likewise, shook her head to clear away the unwanted memories and looked up at Lieutenant Starhammer, her face twisting into an unhappy grimace,

“I’m guessing word has reached Fangthane about what happened?” she asked. Starhammer nodded, his face, likewise, falling into an unhappy frown,

“Aye, lass.” he confirmed. He glanced over to Meredith, who was looking more confused than ever. He sighed and shook his head, speaking directly to Meredith for the moment,

“D’ye remember the attempted assisination of King Storri a few years ago?” he asked. Meredith sat more upright and nodded,

“Aye, sir, I was a cadet at the time, but it was the only topic of conversation back at HQ for at least two months after.” she replied. She glanced over to Detective O’Toreguarde, who was staring at the window, not moving a muscle, “I also recall the… upset over Toreguarde’s refusal to extradite the suspects back to Fangthane when they fled here.” she added. Starhammer nodded,

“Aye, that caused quite a lot of upset alright.” he muttered. He stood and walked behind his desk, “It will not surprise you then, Constable, to hear that those same suspects are currently being investigated for the attempted assisination of the Triumverate Council of Toreguarde.” he said, leaning on the desk and looking at Elowyn.

To her credit, Meredith thought, the only reaction Detective O’Toreguarde had to the statement was a very slight twitch in her jaw. She watched as the Torejar woman sucked in a breath and slowly let it out before speaking,

“Olin, I understand that you have a duty to the Crown of Fangthane. But I’m just a detective, I’m not someone who has any authority over the decisions of the Toreguarde Council.” She stated, “I was put on this case to track down and bring in any and all individuals responsible for the crime that was committed. No more, no less.” she added firmly. 

Starhammer blustered for a moment at the candid reply, before huffing an irritated sigh and sitting in his seat, the metal and plastic creaking loudly as he leaned back,

“I know ye don’t have that kind of authority, lass. That’s not why I’m annoyed.” he groaned, “The point is that I’ve been ordered by High Command – at the behest of the King’s Guard, mind – to try and convince the Toreguarde Council to agree to their latest extradition request.” he sighed.

Elowyn frowned in confusion once more,

“I fail to see the problem, Lieutenant. Yes, the Toreguarde Council has previously refused to extradite any members of the Grimbeard Clan back to Fangthane, mostly because they were seeking political refuge, claiming they were being targeted due to being open Throffites –” she was cut off by Meredith’s snort of derision,

“Bloody bollocks is what that is.” the constable muttered in Ghàidheal. Starhammer sent her a sharp glare, cowing the younger officer, before gesturing for Elowyn to continue.

Elowyn glanced between the two Fangthanians warily. Clearly there was some contention there. She shrugged it off and continued,

“However, given this latest turn of events; should any members of the Grimbeard Clan be convicted of the attempted assassination of the Triumverate Council, then I’m sure they’ll be more than happy to extradite them to Fangthane afterwards.” she said. Starhammer grimaced,

“That’s the problem, hen, His Majesty wants them extradited now, not later. High Command isn’t convinced that having them tried in Toreguarde first will lead to the request being granted. The expectation is that the Toreguarde Council will stall for time by insisting that the criminals serve their time here first, which could be at least another twenty years.” He shook his head, “I’m already arguing the toss about this with yer aunt.” he added.

Elowyn sat more upright, her face set into a determined grimace,

“While I appreciate that you think you’re trying to prevent any issues pertaining to my relationship with Lady Frigidwake – and her involvement in the mess that is the relationship between Toreguarde and Fangthane – I can assure you that you have nothing to worry about. I’ve already cleared my involvement in the case with the Attorney General.” she said firmly. “In fact, I think she asked Fugit to put me on this case.” she added.

Starhammer blinked for a moment, ‘harrumphed’, then crossed his arms over his chest and grumbled,

“Right. Well now I know who to direct Selene to when she throws a fit about yer involvement.” 

“When she throws a fit about my almost getting shot you mean.” 

Starhammer pursed his lips, but said nothing in response. Instead, he turned his attention to Meredith, who was looking pointedly out of the office window,

“Gruksdottir, I do hope ye’ve been paying attention and not been daydreaming on the job.” he called. Meredith snapped her head around so she was looking at her Lieutenant,

“I have, sir, I simply believed it wise to not get directly involved in the latter part of your conversation as it seemed personal, sir.” she stated, trying her best not to look as offended by the comment as she felt. Starhammer nodded,

“Good.” he said, “Now that you know what’s what, I want you to look up any files we might still have here about the Grimbeard Clan and corroborate with Detective O’Toreguarde to make sure our records on them are up to date.” he ordered. “I might as well have something to give Sergeant Major Ragnarsson when he calls for an update.” he added with another grumble.

Meredith hopped off her perch, stood to attention and saluted,

“Aye sir.” she said. She looked over to Elowyn, who looked between both Fangthanians and nodded, also standing up. The detective gave the Lieutenant a short bow,

“I’ll have a talk with Captain Fugit about what other information we might be allowed to give you. I want to see justice done as much as you do, Lieutenant, and I’m not going to stop until those responsible are behind bars. Though, which ones those will be, I cannot say.” she told him. Starhammer sighed,

“I’m sure ye will, lass. Go on then, I’ll not keep you any longer. Gruksdottir, ye’re dismissed.” he said wearily.

Meredith saluted again, turned on her heel and marched to the door, holding it open for Detective O’Toreguarde and quickly following her out into the reception area. She gestured to another door across the small reception area,

“Why don’t we sort out that witness statement first?” the Constable suggested, hiding a small smile at the barely hidden flustered expression on the other woman’s face. Not that she thought the slightly shorter woman looked quite cute like this. Of course not.It was a strictly professional observation.

Elowyn’s eyes went wide and she ran a hand down her face,

“Cuthbert’s scales.” she groaned, but quickly collected herself, “Yes, of course. I apologise, that conversation with Lieutenant Starhammer derailed things a little bit.” she added. Meredith shook her head,

“It’s no trouble, I realised that we’d all gotten a bit waylaid.” she glanced at her watch. It was now 1:15. She grimaced as her stomach rumbled, loudly. Elowyn cleared her throat to cover up her snort of laughter at the flush of red that spread across the Fangthanian woman’s cheeks and nose,

“Tell you what, Constable, why don’t we grab you some lunch? Then, assuming Lieutenant Starhammer’s relieved you of guard duty in favour of looking into the Grimbeards, we can pop down the station and get the statement out of the way. Then I can find some information that might be of help to you after that’s done.” she suggested. Meredith blew her breath through her moustache with an annoyed huff, but nodded,

“Aye, that sounds like a plan.” she agreed. Both women then turned to the stairs and made their way down them in almost perfect lockstep.

[aquadestinyswriting]

Writing Share Tag

Thanks @aalinaaaaaa for the tag for this.

Tagging: @druidx, @warriorbookworm, @mariahwritesstuff, @lexiklecksi, @philosophika

@the-down-upside-finch, @acertainmoshke, @pluttskutt, @duckingwriting

Have an excerpt from a cute post-campaign story I need to get back to at some point

“Down p’ease.” he stated, already leaning away from his mother in anticipation of his request being granted. Meredith huffed another sigh as she readjusted her grip and hauled the little man back towards her, “Not yet, Gavid.” she said patiently, “It’s busy, and I don’t want ye getting lost before we’ve even got to where we’re staying.”  Gavid simply pouted and grumbled some more, crossing his chubby little arms defiantly, “Not get lost.” he muttered, “I a big boy.” Meredith bit back her chuckle and hugged the little boy, "I know ye are Gavid, but folks round here are a lot bigger than back home. I'll let ye down when we get to where we're staying, aye?" All she got in response was a huffy ‘harrumph’ while her son sulked. Yoruk shook his head, silver and mythril clasps jangling at the motion, “Want me to take him for a bit?” he asked. Meredith shook her head, “No, he’ll perk right up once he notices who’s waiting.” she replied, jerking her head towards a massive throng of people milling around the dockside, grinning.

[aquadestinyswriting]

A Mother's Intuition

Summary: Meredith finally makes it home, and her mother is waiting in the kitchen to have some choice words with her.

Words: 854

Tags: @druidx, @sparrow-orion-writes, @ashirisu, @thesorcerersapprentice, @blind-the-winds, @philosophika, @the-down-upside-finch

Warnings: Discussion of potential pregnancy. That's it .

Notes: Takes place pretty much immediately after 'A Lesson in Propriety'. Dru, I hope this makes up for breaking your heart the other day <3.

The Ironforge household was quiet and empty as Meredith quietly stepped in through the front door. She stepped inside and closed the door behind her as quietly as she could manage, not that it would help her any. The rest of her family were all at their various jobs, and the fact that the front door was unlocked meant that the only person that could be in the house was her mother. The young woman slowly put her pack on the seat beneath the coat rack, slipped off her borrowed cloak, sucked in a breath and nervously walked towards the kitchen door.

Morag was waiting, her arms crossed over her chest and a less than happy expression on her face, when Meredith finally slunk into the kitchen. The rotund dwarf was leaning against the counter facing the door. She glared at the sight of her youngest daughter and gestured to the dining table,

“Sit.” She directed simply, turning around and grabbing the kettle from over the fire and mixing up another mug of the vile concoction she had sent her daughter earlier. 

Meredith did as she was told, hanging her head and worrying her bottom lip. It was rare for Morag to be this upset with her youngest daughter. Normally Gruk was the one doing all the shouting and attempting to punish her, Morag had rarely had any real cause to raise her voice. On the few occasions that she had, Meredith had vowed to herself that she would never manage to do it again. Yet here she was. 

The younger woman winced as a steaming mug was slammed onto the table in front of her,

“Go on, before it gets cold.” Morag instructed tersely, taking the opportunity to roll her now greying hair back into its usual bun and sitting down opposite her daughter, still glaring at her. The silence in the small kitchen was deafening to Meredith as she blew on the ‘tea’ and drained the mug as quickly as she could manage, still trying to avoid eye contact with the middle aged dwarf in front of her.

“Right, that should help avoid any unwanted surprises.” She said, leaning back in her chair, “Now, would you care to explain exactly what the two of you were thinking last night?” she hissed, her brown eyes narrowing dangerously. Meredith shifted uncomfortably in her chair,

“Well… we kinda... didn’t.” she replied quietly, staring at the table rather than facing the angry and disappointed expression on her mother’s face. Morag sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose for a moment,

“Right, now that’s been established, can you remind me what I told you after Yoruk told us he wanted to openly court you?” she asked. Meredith nodded and began playing with one of the smaller braids in her beard,

“That ye didn’t want to hear the patter o’ little dwarven feet comin’ from our direction for at least another decade, and preferably after we got married.” She replied, only now daring to chance a glance up at her mother. Morag snorted,

“Exactly! The fact that ye’re even here tells me that at least Ionah doesn’t know about this. At least we can be grateful for small mercies.” The older woman sighed heavily, her stern expression lifting slightly, “I had just hoped that ye would actually tak’ the advice Merri. Ye’re not that long of age, and ye’ve been tellin’ me and yer da that ye feel that ye’re needed by Moradin outside the mountain. Ye canna do that if ye’ve got a baby to look after.” 

Meredith squirmed under the extreme disappointment in her mother’s voice and face,

“I ken,” she sighed, “I did say as much to Yoruk at breakfast.” 

Morag sent her daughter a small smile,

“Then ye ken full well that ye’re maybe better holdin’ off entirely until after that’s all sorted out?” she suggested. Meredith looked back down at the table again,

“Aye.” She agreed, “What about da though? He’s gonna put two and two together eventually.” She pointed out sullenly.  Morag shook her head,

“Dinna you mind aboot yer da, hen. I’ll deal with that.” She said firmly. The older woman reached across the table and lifted her daughter’s chin, “Mistake made and lesson learnt?” she asked gently. Meredith met her mother’s gaze and smiled sadly,

“Aye, the hard way. As usual.” 

Morag chuckled,

“I don’t think there’s ever been any other way for you to learn.” She teased. Her expression became a bit more serious, “Make a note o’ when yer next Moon’s due and if ye miss it by more than two weeks, or start to feel unwell in the mornings, tell me.” She ordered. Meredith nodded,

“I will mam.” She promised. Morag nodded in satisfaction, got up and hugged the younger woman. Meredith relaxed at the gesture. Yes she had been careless, but it seemed that her mother still had her back when it mattered. When the two women separated, Morag smiled cheekily at her daughter,

“Just in case though, have ye given any thought at all to names? And where’s the engagement present, for that matter?”

[aquadestinyswriting]

WIP Intro: Titan Modern AU

Genres- Low Fantasy, Modern Setting, buddy-cop drama and shenanigans,

Themes-  found family, cultural adjustments, fighting against injustices, breaking the veil, fictional politics

Synopsis: Constable Meredith Gruksdottir of the Stronghold Guardian Corps division for the Kingdom of Fangthane has screwed up. Royally. A bust gone wrong has led to her immediate transfer away from her home city to work in the Fangthane Consulate of Toreguarde.

While working her way back up from the bottom of the barrel, Meredith ends up literally bumping into Detective Elowyn O'Toreguarde while the latter is investigating the notorious Grimebeard Gang, who are suspected of attempting to assassinate the ruling Council of Toreguarde. When the Fangthane Consulate is attacked by what appears to be a Toreguarde-grown Nationalist group known only as the Brotherhood, the two women are forced to work together to try and prevent war from breaking out between the two nations.

Taglist: (dm to +/-): @druidx, @sparrow-orion-writes, @thesorcerersapprentice, @blind-the-winds, @philosophika, @the-down-upside-finch, @cljordan-imperium

Characters

Constable Meredith Ironforge (aka Gruksdottir)

Detective Elowyn O'Toreguarde

Captain Arthur Fugit

Lieutenant Olin Starhammer

Lady Selene Frigidwake

Chapters

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

[aquadestinyswriting]

You Never Cared

Summary: Llachlan and Pal-El enter one of the many chambers of the Hall of Heroes, having been told to go to this one in particular by the Hall's guardian. A one-sided argument ensues when the spirt they've been sent to see shows up.

Words: 1,003, a little over, but I can't make it much shorter.

Tags: @druidx, @sparrow-orion-writes,@flashfictionfridayofficial, @ashirisu, @blind-the-winds, @philosophika, @the-down-upside-finch

Warnings: Implied neglect, implied character death, implied ritual sacrifice, all of the angst

Notes: This is set during the current campaign! I have Pal-El's player's permission to use the character here. Based loosely on an actual session, mostly because I don't remember what exactly was said at the time and I'm not allowed to record sessions for this campaign.

Pal-El looked around the chamber he had been directed to by Aurianna. It was beautifully decorated, he thought, recognising the runic text of Moradhir scripture carved into the pillars on either side of him. The ceiling was vaulted and a large statue of Moradin stood at the far end of the chamber, the gaze of the Dwarf Father overlooking a simple shrine at His feet. A large barrel sat to one side of it and the shrine itself was adorned with offerings of various gemstones, various smithing tools and tankards that had once, presumably, been filled with ale and beer.

The warforged paladin turned his attention to the black-haired dwarf that walked alongside him. Llachlan was sullen and shifting uncomfortably, glaring at the statue of the god his people so revered. Pal-El sighed, he understood why the young dwarf was reluctant to be here. Hells, he was nervous, and he’d had a very good relationship with Archlector Bloodvein, all things considered.

Both paladin and forsaken warlock froze as the air in the chamber… shifted. The lights flickered briefly as a slight breeze wound between the two beings. Pal-El looked around as the breeze died down, standing ready just in case anything popped out of the shadows that were cast by the lights. His sensors didn’t pick up any intruders, or much of anything if he was honest with himself. Lachlan frowned as he too looked around the chamber, seeing nothing that seemed untoward. But that didn’t mean that they were alone, he knew all too well that there were ways for his enemies to cloak themselves even from his eldritch sight.

“Hello son.”

Both Llachlan and Pal-El jumped at the sound of the voice coming from behind them, both whirling around to come face to face with the semi-translucent form of a much younger dwarven woman than either of them remembered. The short, stout figure wore the vestments of an Inquisitor of Moradin over a set of heavy plate armour, which was heavily inscribed with scripture. Her beard was a bright auburn with no sign of white in it and only barely reached her stomach. A simple mace hung from her hip on one side while a mythril-bound book of Moradin hung from the other. 

Pal-El immediately bowed his head, his mechanisms clunking and his armour clanking as he immediately fell to one knee, a hand pressed flat across his chest where his Core sat,

“Your Eminence! Truly I am glad to see you face to face once more. You look… well.” he intoned, stumbling over his greeting as he tried to think of the correct words to say in this moment.

Llachlan, as Pal-El kneeled, glowered at the figure standing in front of him, crossing his arms over his chest. He snorted,

“Bit late for the whole ‘son’ thing, don’t you think?” he spat. 

The spirit’s hopeful expression immediately fell at the words. She closed her eyes and slowly shook her head,

“For all that she tried to convince you otherwise, you never stopped being ma wee baby boy, Llachlan.” she sighed, “I know there aren’t any words I can say that –'' She was cut off by Llachlan’s angry snarl,

“Then don’t!” he snapped, “Just – Get on with what you’re here to do, then get lost!”

Pal-El cautiously raised his head, frowning as he took in the hurt and lost expression that crossed his mistress’ face at the words. She said nothing more, nodded and turned her attention to the warforged that was still kneeling at her feet. The spirit smiled sadly at him,

“Pal-El… what’re ye doin’ still kneeling like that? Come on, get up.” she said, obviously trying not to let her voice quaver too much, and failing badly. Pal-El did as he was told and stood once more, towering over the short woman. He looked over to Llachlan,

“I know we’re here more for my sake, but maybe it would be a good idea to hear her out?” he suggested. Llachlan turned his glower to the warforged,

“Why should I?” he asked, “I don’t need, nor want, to hear whatever damned excuses she has!” he snapped. 

“I make no excuses for what I did and said.” The spirit interjected, her voice quiet, despondent, “As much as I cared, still care –”

Llachlan’s twisted into an ugly scowl, his face burning a deep red as he clenched his hands into fists at his side,

“You cared? You. Cared?! Bollocks you did!” he thundered, throwing a hand out to one side, “All you fucking cared about was your own damn self! If you actually cared, then why not tell me about my own damn heritage and where the powers I ended up with came from?! If you cared as much as you say you did, then why the hells was I made to feel like the monster you clearly thought I was?!” Lachlan didn’t bother trying to stop his tears from falling into his beard as he continued his rant, “If you cared as much as you say you did, then why did you let them take me just to kill me?!” he sobbed.

Meredith Gruksdottir shook her head, tears streaking into her own beard,

“Because I was too blind to see what was happening right under my nose.” she replied, her voice tight, “Hate me all you want, Llachlan, but I will not deny the fact that I still love you.” 

Lachlan’s scowl lifted into surprised shock as his mother’s words finally reached him. His heart ached. How could he have allowed himself to be manipulated into believing that the one person who loved him so unconditionally despised his existence? And yet, there was still a part of him that couldn’t bring himself to forgive her. Not yet. Instead, Lachlan settled for a grumble and nodded to Pal-El,

“Well, since ye’re here, ye might as well fix this idiot.” he grumbled. Meredith simply smiled sadly at him, then turned her attention to the warforged that was patiently waiting for her attention.

[aquadestinyswriting]

An Solas as Gràdhaiche

Summary: Meredith finally has to explain her relationship with Elowyn to Yoruk. An akward conversation ensues.

Words: 1,067

Tags: @druidx,@sparrow-orion-writes,@writeblrcafe, @ashirisu, @lexiklecksi

Warnings: None

Notes: Happy Birthday Dru <3. I know it's not something tailor-made for the day, but I think you'll enjoy this one.

Meredith sighed happily as she snuggled up against her fiance’s chest, finally able to sleep in her own bed after gods knew how long. She felt Yoruk shifting, trying to get comfortable. She tilted her head up, her face falling at his soft sigh,

“What’s the matter, mo goal.” she asked quietly, wondering why her beloved was suddenly looking so concerned. Yoruk glanced down at her and smiled,

“It’s probably nothin’ but…” the paladin trailed off, shifting so that he could face Meredith properly, “Ye any idea why yer wee woodlin’ friend was threatenin’ to kill me if she got any sort o’ word that ye were unhappy with me?” he asked.

Meredith cursed under her breath, then shook her head,

“I was wondering why ye were so pale when I went to have a word with her.” she muttered. The cleric whooshed out another breath before continuing, “We’ve been through a lot together over the last year and a bit, and we’ve gotten… pretty close.” she explained. Yoruk raised an eyebrow,

“Close?” he asked, “Do we need to have a talk talk?” 

Meredith shot upright, shaking her head vehemently,

“No! No! It’s not like that, I swear.” she exclaimed, flapping her hands. Yoruk propped himself up on his elbow, cocking his head in confusion,

“While that’s a relief in itself, there’s obviously somethin’ going on there.” he pointed out, “So what gives?” he asked. Meredith groaned, running a hand down her beard in frustration, though whether that was at the situation or herself, Yoruk couldn’t quite tell.

“I neglected to tell Elowyn that I was engaged before she caught feelings for me. Like I said, we went through a lot; fighting for our lives on a near constant basis at one point, being the last two left out of the group we originally started this whole damn thing with, spending all our time in each other’s company, ye ken, the usual adventuring things ye hear about.” she explained.

Yoruk nodded,

“Did ye ever get around to telling her ye were already spoken for before ye came back to Fangthane?” he asked. Meredith grimaced,

“Kind of?” she murmured, shifting uncomfortably and looking down at the bedsheets. Yoruk huffed out a sigh,

“Kind of?” he queried, “I need a bit more than that, love.” he said.There were a few moments silence as Meredith grumbled,

“I blurted out that I was spoken for in the middle of a fight while we were fending off the advances of a horny elf bard.” she finally said, “No, I never actually sat down to explain matters after that because I never found the time to.” she added.

Yoruk raised his eyebrow further,

“No time? C’mon Merri, I know you better than that.” he pointed out, “Look, if ye ended up catching feelings back, even if nothing ever came of them, then there’s no shame in that.” he said, reaching out and taking his fiancee’s hands into his own, “What I want you to be right now is honest. Both to me and yourself.” 

Merri finally looked up at the dwarven man sitting in front of her. Even in the almost pitch black of her bedroom she could see the patient expectancy on his face. Her heart skipped as she took in the details of it, but she pushed her immediate thoughts aside and thought through how to explain everything to the man she loved so much. 

“Alright, fine. Yeah, I basically avoided bringing up the engagement thing after that. Partially because there really were other, way more important, things to think about at the time, and partially because I knew I’d shattered Elowyn’s heart the minute I said it.” Meredith explained, her hands gripping at the sheet. “The problem is, I really didn’t, and don’t have any romantic feelings for her, but I still care about her. A lot. But how the hells do I even begin to explain the difference? I don’t even know if any other cultures have anything similar to Cridhe-dàime.” she groaned, burying her head into her hands.

Yoruk, who had been reaching over to lay his hand on his beloved’s shoulder, froze momentarily. Had Meredith just outright claimed that the woodling woman was someone she considered her Cridhe-dàime? He leaned forward with an indulgent smile and wrapped his arms around the despondent woman,

“Well, at least we don’t need to delay the wedding by almost three centuries.” he quipped, earning him a thump on the arm and a disgruntled mumble for his trouble. He squeezed Meredith and let her go so he could look at her face again. He gently tucked a strand of hair that had fallen into her face behind her ear,

“Look, I get it, it’s awkward. Probably about as awkward as when I finally gathered up the courage to ask ye out on that first date.” Yoruk said, “But unless ye tell Elowyn how much ye care about her, even if it’s not in any romantic sense, then she’s never gonna know. It doesn’t matter if Elowyn never really understands what Cridhe-dàime actually means, as long as she knows how much she means to you.” he insisted.

Meredith relaxed as Yoruk spoke. He was right; Elowyn was obviously under the impression that Meredith didn’t care for her as much as she did, so she needed to know sooner rather than later. She leaned her head on Yoruk’s shoulder,

“Ye’re right, I do need to say something. But I’d best leave it for a bit. Elowyn needs a bit o’ time to really come to terms with everything.” she murmured, recalling the look in the woodling’s eyes as she’d wished Merri the best of luck before walking away. She lifted her eyes to meet Yoruk’s. Yoruk shook his head,

“You know her better than I do.” was all he said in reply. He kissed his very soon-to-be-wife and laid his head back on the pillow. Meredith watched as Yoruk shifted onto his side and curled up into the blankets. She yawned and followed suit. While it would be an incredibly awkward conversation, at least she had until after the wedding to have it. That should give Elowyn plenty of time to settle things out in her own mind. 

With the happy thought of her Cridhe-dàime attending the happiest day of her life. Meredith rolled over, hugged Yoruk and finally drifted off to sleep.