[D6 MN] Troubled (closed)

[Benedict Marsten]

Ellie tosses and turns in her bed sheets. Slight whimpers escape her sleeping form.

She steps toward a box on the table. Lifting the lid slowly, knowing what's inside. But not stopping. Inside is Ben's head with the seven sided star carved into his forward.

She bolts up from the bed. Her eyes wide and terror filled. Why did I listen to those guards!? Damn it! Tears well and flood in an instant. Ben needs his rest. What do I do?

The guard, Rykk, and a small cloaked figure wind their way through the dark to the specific tent.
Having learned her lesson earlier in the week. She has Rykk distract the guards as she rounds the tent to slip under the canvas.

She stands next to the figure in the bed, sobbing quietly. She whispers. "
My Lady. Corrine."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine stirs at the sound, and turns over to face the figure, blinking in the darkness.

"
Hm? Ellie? Is that you?"


She props herself up on her elbow and peers closer, her eyes adjusting, and verifying that, yes, it was indeed Ellie.

"
What's wrong? Are you having trouble sleeping?"
she asked gently.

[Benedict Marsten]

Ellie begins somewhat fluently, her cheeks tear stained. "
Ben is asleep and needs his rest and I know you said I could come to you if I ... and well Ben told me he had to ride out to face some bandits ... but I knew he wouldn't tell me ... so I asked... the guards... and"
Her speech becomes halting and racked by deep sobs. "
they told... me bout the box... I'm sorry.. I ... shouldn't ... have come..."
Her whole body is consumed by her sobbing, her head hung as tears flow untouched from eye to ground.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
He told me about it too. I understand."


Corrine lifts the edge of her blankets, beckoning for Ellie to join her in the bed.

"
You were right to come here. I said you could come to me. It was not mere sophistry, sweetling. Come, lie down."

[Benedict Marsten]

Ellie looks about hesitantly her body still shaking. She then slips of her dirty slippers and cloak. She slide into bed facing Corrine and through deep breaths and tears relays the dream she had of the box.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine cuddles Ellie close, Ellie's tear-streaked face buried in Corrine's soft, bergamot-scented hair. Corrine strokes Ellie's back as she recounts her nightmare. After she is finished, she speaks softly;


"
I'm so sorry, sweetling. That is a horrible dream to have. All I can really say is that it is just a bad dream. It will not necessarily come to pass. I think bad dreams tend to reflect things we're worried about, and losing Ben is a thing we're both very worried about. He's a fine knight though, and he will be with other fine knights. We must trust in his abilities, and pray to the Gods to protect him. Would it help you feel better if we prayed together just now?"

[Benedict Marsten]

She wanted to tell Corrine she didn't have much faith after what happened to her and Ben long ago, but then she remember what had happened to them recently. "
Yes, please."
She said quietly.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine took Ellie's hands, and bowed her head on the pillow, eyes closed;


"
Exalted Gods above, we humble souls ask for your aid. Father, Mother, please protect Ben from harm, and judge his foes unworthy of your favour, these men who falsely claim to do your will, who use cruelty and shadow as their sword &
shield. Warrior, Smith, please guide his sword to strike true, and his armour to deflect the blows of those he must fight. Maiden, Crone, grant him both wisdom and hope, that he might triumph, and return safely to those who love him. And Stranger, you who takes us all, in our time, please, do not let the coming dawn be his last, and take instead those who would harm him. This we beg of you with all our hearts."


She takes a deep breath, and lets her forehead rest on Ellie's.

"
There. He will have the Gods with him, as well as the others. He will be with six of the finest warriors here, and my cousin Dyana will be nearby with Marsten cavalry, to charge in if need be. Ben won't be alone. He'll come back, and all will be well."

[Benedict Marsten]

Ellie lay with her head resting on the pillow, her eyes squeezed shut tight as if the prayer would fail if otherwise. As Corrine's head touches hers she remembers to exhale. The closeness and touch comfort her small body. "
Yes."
She opens her eyes to look at Corrine. "
You are so very strong. And right. I know he will come back for us. He loves us very much."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine gently strokes Ellie's hair;


"
He does. And we love him. No just God would part us. Do you feel any better? It is alright if you don't. I won't take it personally."

[Benedict Marsten]

She nuzzles into Corrine's hand. Her voice is tiny and soft. "
I do. Being with you is like being with Ben, I feel ... safe. May I ... stay, please?"

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Of course you can, sweetling. Stay as long as you like. Ben did ask me to look after you while he is away, so I don't mind starting now. I'm glad I can help you feel safer."


She smiled warmly, her heavy-lidded eyes looking on Ellie with great affection.

"
We should try to rest though, or we'll be no good to anyone tomorrow. I could sing you a little song, to try and help you get back to sleep, if you like?"

[Benedict Marsten]

Her wide smile shifting the drying tear tracks across her freckled cheeks. "
I would like that very much."
She lets out a long yawn.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Alright then. Close your eyes, sweetling,"
Corrine says softly, gently wiping away Ellie's tears. She begins to sing quietly, slowly stroking Ellie's hair in a soothing rhythm, trying to lull her to sleep;


Oh if I was the king,
I would make you the queen.
I would roll you in my arms where the meadows are green.
I would roll you in my arms,
Lay you down to rest.
Beside my Northern fairy in the magpie's nest.
For the magpie's nest is a cottage neat and clean.
And it stands beside the river, where the meadows are green.
And I never saw a princess,
With beauty such as this.
My little Northern fairy in the magpie's nest.

[ooc: I modified the lyrics slightly, but it sounds like this - https://youtu.be/RDMjI6LwzwU]

[Benedict Marsten]

Ellie relaxes into the soft pillow. Her eyes flutter open occasionally to gaze affectionately at her sister. With in minutes her breathing becomes soft and slow and her eyes remain closed.

(Ooc: That was very sweet!)

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine smiles sleepily when she finishes, seeing Ellie breathing softly, seeming more peaceful. She gently holds holds her until she too dozes off again.

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