The wall that Elana had build up over the years to keep her from constantly mourning over her husband and trying her best to find her daughter, had finally been broken with three simple, yet so complicated words. Elana moved her hands around Anastasia to hug her tightly, not wanting to let her go any time soon. It was so hard to keep on going, knowing that your true love was gone and your daughter was hidden, but she had to do it for the good ov the people. She cried and sobbed heavily as she stood there, unsure of what to say. "I love you too.. Anastasia..." She said quietly as a small smile formed on her face, happy to have her daughter there to allow her to vent the pent up emotions.
GM
Anastasia hugged her mother happily until she remembered Samsul was still there and thought how awkward the scene might be for him. She pulled away and wiped her eyes before taking back Elana's hand. She smiled at her mother and started to walk again, "Thank you for telling me all of that... I'm sure it is hard for you to talk about."
She looked over at Samsul and gave him a small smile. Anastasia looked around at all the flowers as they went along. She didn't have too many other question and not many of them were really just that important. She was just trying to get to know her mother. After sometime when they reached the front of the garden after walking a full circle, she looked up at her mother. She shifted between her feet, "What would you have named me? If you had the chance?"
She looked over at Samsul and gave him a small smile. Anastasia looked around at all the flowers as they went along. She didn't have too many other question and not many of them were really just that important. She was just trying to get to know her mother. After sometime when they reached the front of the garden after walking a full circle, she looked up at her mother. She shifted between her feet, "What would you have named me? If you had the chance?"
The question about naming her daughter had been a familiar one, and every once and a while when she was left to her thoughts, she would wonder about that same question. Anastasia was a lovely name, but she had been thinking like Gale, or Alison, or something rather simple. She loved the name Anastasia, though, and wondered why she had never thought of that one. With a small smile, she looked at her daughter and glanced at Samsul, who was standing patiently and as noble as ever. "Gale was the first thought, but many names had passed through my mind over the years. Gale was one of the more popular ones.."
GM
Anastasia smiled, that was a word she had Gerald had spoken about the night before, "Gale... Like wind or laughter..." She smiled, "I like it."
She glanced at Samsul and back to her mother, "Samsul and I should probably go get my dress.... To make it back before it starts to get late. Besides, Gerald says I have much to learn," she laughed a little, "Besides... I'm sure you have plenty of work to do..."
She squeezed her mother's hand, "This... was nice... Thank you for taking yourself away to spend sometime with me. I appreciate it. I got a lot of my questions answered."
She nodded again then looked at Samsul, "Are you okay with heading into the city?"
She glanced at Samsul and back to her mother, "Samsul and I should probably go get my dress.... To make it back before it starts to get late. Besides, Gerald says I have much to learn," she laughed a little, "Besides... I'm sure you have plenty of work to do..."
She squeezed her mother's hand, "This... was nice... Thank you for taking yourself away to spend sometime with me. I appreciate it. I got a lot of my questions answered."
She nodded again then looked at Samsul, "Are you okay with heading into the city?"
Elana nodded when Anastasia elaborated on it a little further, and smiled at her daughter. She then nodded again as she looked at Samsul, who was looking at Anastasia at the time. She didn't remember being informed about a new dress, but it could have been just a fault in her memory. "You're my daughter. You'll come before work. Always." She then felt suddenly bad, but held back the new emotion as she slipped her hand out of her daughter's and slowly began to walk away. "I'll see the two of you later then. Samsul, please take care of her." She smiled sweetly at the two of them and another guard appeared to take her back to the office.
Samsul nodded at the queen as she left and turned to Anastasia, smiling just slightly. "Yes, if it's what you want to do, you have no need to ask me. I thank you for the consideration, though."
Samsul nodded at the queen as she left and turned to Anastasia, smiling just slightly. "Yes, if it's what you want to do, you have no need to ask me. I thank you for the consideration, though."
GM
Anastasia smiled and nodded to her mother, waving as she left. She then looked at Samsul as he said she didn't need to ask if he was okay with heading to the city. She shrugged, "Well, I feel like I've just been dragging you around everywhere... I suppose I was just feeling bad because that isn't something I normally do. I just know that other Lords and Ladies don't ask... So, I didn't but that isn't what I should do."
She grinned at him and walked to the pasture where their horses were sure to be. She looked at him, "So you are going to be head of the Lost Elves... What does that mean?"
She grinned at him and walked to the pasture where their horses were sure to be. She looked at him, "So you are going to be head of the Lost Elves... What does that mean?"
He smiled a little as she explained herself, and followed his soon to be queen to the pasture. If he would be the head of the lost elves, she might as well know that that means since she did seem curious about his race. "When the Lost Elves were scattered throughout the land, many of them lived in clans, and some of the calns banded together to form one larger clan. Each clan would have a leader, or head, to lead them. Since all of the remains of the Lost Elves are here, being named head by all of them is a true honor. Women can also be Heads, and in many of the books, there are tales about strong female clan heads."
GM
Anastasia looked at him as he explained what it meant for him to be named the Head of the Lost Elves. She nodded and smiled before curtsying, "I think I would match the depth of your bow then."
She laughed a little, "That does seem like quite the honour though," She snuck into the pasture, not to alarm any of the horses and walked over to the stallion she had rode the other day. She grabbed his halter and guided him to the stables. When she got there a man jumped down from the hay loft and smiled at her, "You must be Princess Anastasia. It's a pleasure highness. Can I saddle up your horse for you?"
She was about to say that she was fine with doing it herself but hesitated. She could see the look on his face and how much he wanted to do it for her. She guessed that she wouldn't go into Eric's kitchen and cook for herself. She nodded, "Please... Umm..."
The stable hand smiled at her, "Benjamin."
She smiled, "Thank you, Benjamin."
She laughed a little, "That does seem like quite the honour though," She snuck into the pasture, not to alarm any of the horses and walked over to the stallion she had rode the other day. She grabbed his halter and guided him to the stables. When she got there a man jumped down from the hay loft and smiled at her, "You must be Princess Anastasia. It's a pleasure highness. Can I saddle up your horse for you?"
She was about to say that she was fine with doing it herself but hesitated. She could see the look on his face and how much he wanted to do it for her. She guessed that she wouldn't go into Eric's kitchen and cook for herself. She nodded, "Please... Umm..."
The stable hand smiled at her, "Benjamin."
She smiled, "Thank you, Benjamin."
Samsul accepted the curtsy and smiled slightly at the princess, feeling that it was a nice and honorable gesture, although he had not become the head just yet. It was quite the honor, and since all of the remaining clans grouped together in the castle, many of them had different views and beliefs about what a leader should be, so actually becoming the head was much more difficult.
As he entered the pasture, Samsul easily spotted his large and imposing horse, who was standing with a small group of other horses. The occasional neigh escaped it's mouth as Samsul got closer, and didn't react negatively. If it were anyone else handling it, the horse would have made it's top priority to escape and find it's master. The horse had been with Samsul since his young years, and the two have created a bond of trust. The horse had a name, but it was an old Lost Elf word, so whenever he called out to his horse, to many it would seem like he was shouting gibberish and nonsense. Samsul took his horse and led it to the stables, where he would saddle up with his own saddle. Like his armor and many other things, the Lost Elves would create their own saddles, used with their own horse or horses.
As he entered the pasture, Samsul easily spotted his large and imposing horse, who was standing with a small group of other horses. The occasional neigh escaped it's mouth as Samsul got closer, and didn't react negatively. If it were anyone else handling it, the horse would have made it's top priority to escape and find it's master. The horse had been with Samsul since his young years, and the two have created a bond of trust. The horse had a name, but it was an old Lost Elf word, so whenever he called out to his horse, to many it would seem like he was shouting gibberish and nonsense. Samsul took his horse and led it to the stables, where he would saddle up with his own saddle. Like his armor and many other things, the Lost Elves would create their own saddles, used with their own horse or horses.
GM
Anastasia stood back as the two men saddled their own horses. She held her hands behind her back and kept quiet as they worked, not wanting to distract them. When the two of them finished, Benjamin handed Ana her horse and she have him a small curtsy, "Thank you, Benjamin."
He bowed to her, "Any time, Princess."
Anastasia smiled then looked to Samsul and nodded, "Well, let's get out of here," She guided her horse, that she had yet to learn the name of andpulled herself up onto her smaller beast. She grinned at Samsul and pushed her horse forward, "Race to the city?" She wasn't sure why she wanted to race him. She knew well that he'd win, but she did anyways.
He bowed to her, "Any time, Princess."
Anastasia smiled then looked to Samsul and nodded, "Well, let's get out of here," She guided her horse, that she had yet to learn the name of andpulled herself up onto her smaller beast. She grinned at Samsul and pushed her horse forward, "Race to the city?" She wasn't sure why she wanted to race him. She knew well that he'd win, but she did anyways.
Samsul led his horse to follow Anastasia and hers, making their way to entrance of the stables. He easily pulled himself up onto his horse and grabbed the reins, smiling at the princess as she asked for a race. He would give her a head start, since he knew that his horse was much larger and faster than the one she rode. He wasn't sure about how much of a start he would give her, but he wanted to give her a chance against him. He nodded at Anastasia and motioned her forward. "I will allow you to start early, but this means that I will not hold back when me and Salmnir get started." As he remembered, it had been the first time in a while that he had actually called his horse by it's name. Salmnir moved it's head a little at the mentioning of it's name and looked at the other, smaller horse.
GM
Anastasia grinned and nodded when he said he would give her a head start, his horse was quite taller and faster than her's after all. When he said his horse's name, she looked at him, "Salmnir... I like that name..." She glanced at the stables, "I should have asked Benjamin what this guy's name is..." She shrugged, "Gale it is."
She looked at him, "Anyways, I'm off."
She snapped her the reins and her horse took off. She leaned forward on his neck as she urged him from a canter to a gallop. She laughed as she did, this was great. She couldn't believe she had stopped riding for fun. It was great. She heard a thundering behind her and looked to Samsul gaining on her. She giggled, "Oh no!"
She looked at him, "Anyways, I'm off."
She snapped her the reins and her horse took off. She leaned forward on his neck as she urged him from a canter to a gallop. She laughed as she did, this was great. She couldn't believe she had stopped riding for fun. It was great. She heard a thundering behind her and looked to Samsul gaining on her. She giggled, "Oh no!"
When she took off, Samsul nodded at Anastasia and petted his horse, speaking quietly in the base form of the Lost Elf language. He was taught the normal and current English before he learned his ancestor's tongue. He could speak in both languages fluently, and if ever needed for it, could translate back and fourth between the two. After a moment of waiting, Samsul snapped the reins connected to his horse and took off at a quick speed. Since it was just him on his horse, he didn't have to worry about anyone falling off, and was fully able to go as fast as possible.
In a quick amount of time, Samsul caught up to Anastasia and passed her, his horse leaving a thundering sound behind him as he passed her. He enjoyed this, racing his horse to it's fullest speed and testing the both of them. When he passed the princess, a smirk could be seen on his face as he neared the city.
In a quick amount of time, Samsul caught up to Anastasia and passed her, his horse leaving a thundering sound behind him as he passed her. He enjoyed this, racing his horse to it's fullest speed and testing the both of them. When he passed the princess, a smirk could be seen on his face as he neared the city.
GM
Anastasia laughed as he easily rode passed her. When all hopes of her even possibly winning her gone, she threw her hands in the air. She closed the distance to him without use of her hands and managed to slow Gale when they got slow. She rode up to him then stopped her horse entirely, her hands sitting casually on the saddle. She shook her head, "Two, nothing... But Gale and I will manage to win... one day, someday."
She smiled, "I never realized how much I actually missed riding," She looked at him, "Thanks for going along with my insanity."
She urged her horse forward into a walk to make their way to the seamstress, "So... What does Salmnir mean?"
She smiled, "I never realized how much I actually missed riding," She looked at him, "Thanks for going along with my insanity."
She urged her horse forward into a walk to make their way to the seamstress, "So... What does Salmnir mean?"
"It's nothing to worry about, Anastasia. Salmnir enjoys riding quickly like that." Samsul replied, his horse stopped and now walking slowly and casually, looking over at the other horse every so often. Samsul kept his eyes on Anastasia and thought about it, thinking of the easiest way to explain his horse's name. Typically, it meant 'Companion' or 'Ally' but in the horse's case, it meant 'Partner' specifically. "His name means 'Partner'." He spoke to her, nearing the seamstress, who would, without a doubt have finished the dress by now.
The Seamstress had a true talent for making things, and even with as many liberties that she took with the dress for Anastasia, the old woman would have finished it by then, and possibly with a few more changes to make it special. It was supposed to be a simple dress, but that didn't mean that it couldn't be unique and special. She wanted to make it a certain way, and tried to do that best she could with the limitations that she had when it came to making the dress.
The Seamstress had a true talent for making things, and even with as many liberties that she took with the dress for Anastasia, the old woman would have finished it by then, and possibly with a few more changes to make it special. It was supposed to be a simple dress, but that didn't mean that it couldn't be unique and special. She wanted to make it a certain way, and tried to do that best she could with the limitations that she had when it came to making the dress.
GM
Anastasia smiled as he explained the name, "That is a suiting name for a steed," When the reached the seamstress, Anastasia slid off of her horse and, as she had the time before, tied him to a near by post to insure that he didn't run off. She grinned at the horse, "I don't trust you that much yet, Gale."
She gave a good scratch on the neck before she turned and walked into the seamstress with Samsul. Seeing the woman she smiled and gave her a small curtsy, "A pleasure to see you again... Samsul and I were just wanted to check if you need more time... or anything in fact," she whispered loudly, "I'm trying to put off my lessons."
She chuckled slightly and glanced at Samsul. She wasn't sure how she felt about her lessons yet. She loved the parts where Gerald made her read or taught her. However, the etiquette and posture and manners was all so boring. Of course, she'd put up with it, not many people got the chance to be schooled at all, she should be grateful. Even if that meant having to endure the boring parts as much as the fun parts.
She gave a good scratch on the neck before she turned and walked into the seamstress with Samsul. Seeing the woman she smiled and gave her a small curtsy, "A pleasure to see you again... Samsul and I were just wanted to check if you need more time... or anything in fact," she whispered loudly, "I'm trying to put off my lessons."
She chuckled slightly and glanced at Samsul. She wasn't sure how she felt about her lessons yet. She loved the parts where Gerald made her read or taught her. However, the etiquette and posture and manners was all so boring. Of course, she'd put up with it, not many people got the chance to be schooled at all, she should be grateful. Even if that meant having to endure the boring parts as much as the fun parts.
When finally reaching the seamstress, Samsul slid off of his horse with ease and looked at his horse, almost as if he were speaking to it through his mind. It wasn't the case, but a conclusion like that could have been possible with the correct amounts and use of magic. The horse then slowly walked over to Anastasia's horse and stood there, keeping it's eyes on Samsul.
After that, Samsul quickly moved ahead to open the for for Anastasia, closing it behind him after she entered the building. After receiving a curtsy from the princess, the Seamstress bowed her head from her spot at her desk and smiled sweetly at the two, in a very grandmotherly fashion. When hearing about putting off her lessons, the old woman smiled and laughed a little. She stood up from her desk and began to walk to a closet where she had all of her finer dresses. "It's perfectly fine, and I finished it about an hour ago." She called out from her closet, trying to fish out the dress. "I worked on it to the best of my abilities, and I hope that you love it." The old woman came out of the closet holding a simple yet elegant dress. She flipped the dress to show the other side, revealing that it had no corset, and was more like a gown than a dress in a few ways.
After that, Samsul quickly moved ahead to open the for for Anastasia, closing it behind him after she entered the building. After receiving a curtsy from the princess, the Seamstress bowed her head from her spot at her desk and smiled sweetly at the two, in a very grandmotherly fashion. When hearing about putting off her lessons, the old woman smiled and laughed a little. She stood up from her desk and began to walk to a closet where she had all of her finer dresses. "It's perfectly fine, and I finished it about an hour ago." She called out from her closet, trying to fish out the dress. "I worked on it to the best of my abilities, and I hope that you love it." The old woman came out of the closet holding a simple yet elegant dress. She flipped the dress to show the other side, revealing that it had no corset, and was more like a gown than a dress in a few ways.
GM
Anastasia looked at the dress the seamstress produced from the closet. Her eyes widened as the woman showed it off. It was far more than she had imagined. She could see the lack of corset, which she was sure was probably difficult to pull off. Even if she had done before for her mother. She walked forward and took the skirt into her hands as the woman held the shoulders. It was light and soft on her callused fingers but it felt strong like it could endure a day in the fields. Not that she would ever wear it in the fields, it was far too fine for that. But she could wear it around the castle and maybe even to parties without any worries of being looked down upon for less than beautiful clothing choices. She looked at the seamstress, grinning, "It is absolutely beautiful... I do... I do love it. Thank you."
The old woman smiled once more, pleased to hear that the princess liked the dress so much. She kept her hands on the top half of the dress and looked at it, trying to picture the young princess in the dress. Once she had done so, her smiled widened a little more. She was happy to hear that she did a good job on it, Although she would usually ask for some sort of compensation, this was the first dress that she had made for Anastasia, and she hoped that the dress would make her want to buy more dresses from the old woman. The queen had many of her custom outfits made in this shop, and she always spread word that Old Autry was the best seamstress around. "You're welcome, dear. If you like the feel of it, then please spread word about my shop. My children and grandchildren, possibly even great-grandchildren will be running this store when you become queen, and they will all be sure to look up to you, thanking you for the kind business."
GM
Anastasia smiled at the older woman and nodded her head, "Of course, I will. You did such a wonderful job after all."
She took the dress from her and draped it over her arms before looking at the woman again. She grinned, "How much is it that I owe you?"
She didn't have money on her and she wasn't sure if Samsul had any either, not to mention she didn't want him paying for her dress. However, the woman knew where to find her if she wanted payment, so Anastasia assumed that if would be fine for her to return to the castle and retrieve the money and bring it to her. That would also take longer and hopefully delay her manners lesson even further.
She took the dress from her and draped it over her arms before looking at the woman again. She grinned, "How much is it that I owe you?"
She didn't have money on her and she wasn't sure if Samsul had any either, not to mention she didn't want him paying for her dress. However, the woman knew where to find her if she wanted payment, so Anastasia assumed that if would be fine for her to return to the castle and retrieve the money and bring it to her. That would also take longer and hopefully delay her manners lesson even further.
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