[D4, MM] Pray n Tell (Open)

[Benedict Marsten]

Ellie sprinted up the steps only slowing as she entered the Sept. Figuring she was early she went to kneel before the warrior. She lights one candle with another. I know I doubt you often, but please keep Ben safe today.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine was knelt before the Crone, head bowed in prayer.

"
Please guide me, wise Crone, in the choices I must make. Help me choose what is right and good. Help me banish the shadowed and false. Lead me into wisdom, and I will lead others onto your path of enlightenment, to bestow their homage upon you. I am ever your humble servant, wise one."
she murmured softly.

[Benedict Marsten]

Upon hearing Corrine's voice Ellie perks up, scanning the room to find her. She practically skips over to her an excited smile on her face. "
Good morning, my lady."
Her elation can be heard in her words.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine is just standing up when Ellie bounds over. She smiles warmly, though her eyes are tired;


"
Good morning, Ellie! It is good to see you again. Will you come sit with me so we might talk?"


She goes to the nearby seating in a quiet spot and sits, gesturing for Ellie to sit beside her.

[Benedict Marsten]

Ellie followed Corrine's lead and sat. Quickly pulling something from her sleeve before seated. "
Here take this before I open it. I ran all the way here so I would not be able to look. Ben made me promise. But its hard."
She holds out a tiny leather pouch.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine takes the pouch with a quizzical look. She carefully opens the pouch and pulls out its contents.

[Benedict Marsten]

Inside is a newly crafted arrow head and a folded note.

(ooc: post or pm Note? your call.)

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

[ooc: I'm fine with it being posted here]

Corrine turns the arrowhead in her hand for a moment, feeling its weight and smoothness, warm from being carried in Ellie's sleeve. She then opens the note and reads it silently.

[Benedict Marsten]

Dearest Huntress,

This gift is for the fine beast you wish to someday bring home to your family. And with it I send my hope that you may someday do so without fear of judgment or repercussions. I wish for nothing in return, but to see you again when and if time permits you.

Deepest Affections
Ben

P.S. Do not encourage her bad habits, please.


The hand writing is neat and legible. (thanks to Leopold)

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine couldn't contain the smile that spread across her face to read such lovely, thoughtful words. However, with that joy came a pang of sadness, feeling Ben's affection for her, and hers for him, with the still fresh memory of her promise to Athelstan in her mind, and the gnawing worry about whether or not she was making the right decision. When they were together, she felt swept up in a wave of emotion, but once he had left, her solitude made it easier for her fears to take hold. She held the note against her chest for a moment, her eyes welling up a little. She folded it again, and put both objects back into the pouch, tucking it into her own sleeve.

"
He's such a sweet man, your brother,"
she said tearfully, hurriedly taking out a handkerchief to dab at her eyes, suddenly embarrassed at getting overwhelmed. "
Don't mind me. I'm being rather silly,"
she apologised.

[Benedict Marsten]

"
It's just a crummy arrowhead he's a dolt. I guess his letter must have been real nice to make up for that."
She smiles weakly. "
It's alright, my lady. Is there something I might do. Besides clock him when I see him."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine laughs, Ellie's refreshing frankness and humour warming her aching heart.

"
You're so funny, Ellie. He's not a dolt... or, if he is, he's our dolt. I'd like you to find him, and tell him I'd like to see him this afternoon, before he jousts."

[Benedict Marsten]

Ellie stands then halts. "
Wait ... now or did you want to hear our ... story? It can wait I guess."
She stands, slightly confused, awaiting Corrine's input.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Oh I didn't mean right this minute,"
Corrine explains. "
Sorry, I should have been clearer. I do still want to hear the story you couldn't tell yesterday."

[Benedict Marsten]

"
Oh. okay."
She giggles at her own confusion. She scans their secluded area of the sept. When satisfied they are alone she looks to Corrine. "
It is know to some that years ago Ben and I were taken and ransomed, but few except our family know the whole story."


(Ooc: next post will probably be a wall of txt telling their story in bit more detail than the PC background. Any last words? )

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine's eyes widen, and her expression becomes one of concern, as what Ellie says sounds ominous, but she just nods slowly.

"
Alright. Go ahead. I'm listening."


[ooc: have at!]

[Benedict Marsten]

Ellie adjust her self in her seat getting comfortable. "
Ben and I were aboard one of my grandfathers ships sailing to Long Sister to see our family. Our ship was set upon by pirates. The Captain of our vessel held out till he had but two fingers left and then sold Ben and I out. Can't say that I blame him. I probably couldn't have lost one finger. Once they had us and what goods were aboard, they assimilated what crew they could and killed the rest."
She sighs. "
They were good men. My grandfathers men."


"
Captain Orwin, was the bastards name. The pirate that is. I guess I should be glad he was as honorable as he was. When brought onboard Ben feared for my safety, so he confronted Orwin. He will never tell me what was said, but the terms of his negotiation were obvious. A hand was never once laid upon me and I was fed. That's not to say that being in a four by four cell with flea ridden straw and an overflowing latrine bucket and maggot filled hard biscuits was nice."
A slight shiver. "
He on he other hand must have received both our sentences. They ... did it ... in front of my cell."
A slight twitch. "
He told me not to look, but I didn't always listen."
The tears form in the corners of her eyes. "
They started with beatings, but when they could no longer get him to scream they switched tactics."
A deep breath. "
That's when the blades came out. It started as random cuts, then... His back is scarred with the image of a ship. It took them a month. The blood."
Another twitch. She forces the tears to remain still. "
The fat greasy Pigface once told him they would stop if he released them from the bargain. He spat blood on him and got a boot to the face in return."
When their canvas was close to full Merk, the cabin boy came up with the next brilliant game."
Two quick breaths. "
Burns. First hot pokers, then brands."


"
We were aboard that ship 3 months, we learned each one of their names. We came to know them personally. Some were not as unkind as others. Hell some of them were traitors form our on ship. Our last month things changed. The torture stopped we dined with the captain on real food."
Her head drops. "
They had received word from our grandfather and had arranged the ransom. They were just fattening us up."


"
And one day it was over."
Twitch. "
We sailed home with our father and Orwin sailed off with his ransom. That was supposed to be that. But it wasn't ..."
Ellie looks up trying to be strong but the dam has broken and tears flow unhindered.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine listened in silence, but as the tale went on, her expression grew grave, and Ellie's tears gave rise to tears of her own, so heart-breaking was the story. When Ellie finished and broke down into sobs, Corrine could think of nothing else than to put her arms around the poor girl and hold her. She half-expected Ellie to wriggle away, but she tried to comfort her nonetheless.

"
Gods above, Ellie. I am so, so sorry. You poor souls. Monsters... such monsters,"
she said softly, lightly stroking Ellie's back and hair to try and soothe her.

[Benedict Marsten]

Ellie melts into Corrine embrace her body racked with sobs. She remained there for sometime. Her sobs subsiding and her breathing steadying. Her voice is muffled from her closeness. "
Thank you. It feels good to tell someone."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine lets Ellie cling to her, continuing to stroke her hair soothingly as she vents her tears. She doesn't know what else to say, so just stays silent until Ellie speaks again. Though her voice is muffled, Corrine understands her words. She offers her handkerchief to Ellie.

"
I am glad it helped to talk, sweetling, and I'm always willing to be here for you, though I'm sorry that it has been so upsetting for you to recount. I can only imagine how strong you and Ben are to have gotten through such a hellish experience. I think you're both extremely brave."

[Benedict Marsten]

She sits up accepting the handkerchief. I seem to be making a habit of this. Drying her eyes and straightening her dress. "
Ben is brave. I'm not I... can't sleep sometimes. Ben has always made me feel safe. It has been hard at Mountains Reach without him."
She breathes deep and exhales with a small smile. "
Someday I will repay him for all he has done for me."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Don't sell yourself short, Ellie,"
Corrine tells her friend. "
You trusted me with this very painful personal information. I think that was brave. And you survived, despite everything, and you are still a kind and good soul. That takes courage, to not let tragedy make your heart hard."


She squeezes Ellie's free hand.

"
And I'm sure Ben doesn't feel you owe him anything. Is there anything I can do to help? With the trouble sleeping, or anything?"

[Benedict Marsten]

My heart is hardened, aside form Ben you are the first I have let in. She squeezes back. "
Thank you my lady but having someone with me is all that has ever worked for sleep."
She giggles with a smirk. "
And the heir to House Marsten is no bed warmer."
She turns her eyes up to Corrine's. "
The only thing I can ask for is that you not hurt Ben. He is mad about you. I have not seen him this happy since before that day."
She laughs aloud, too loud for the sept , but doesn't care. "
He was singing this morning. 'My Lady Wife' at that. And his singing is atrocious."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine joins in the laugh about her being an inappropriate bed mate, the shared joke doing a great deal to ease her worry about Ellie's state of mind.

However, her heart twinges with guilt and uncertainty again when Ellie asks her to never hurt Ben.

You might have to. Then they will both despise you. Fool girl, promising so much so quickly to Athelstan. And after you told Baelon you wanted time to think as well! You have barely thought at all!

"
I will do all I can to shield him from harm, Ellie, I swear it. And I will do the same for you. I care about you both a great deal."


She held Ellie's hand and gave her a tight but affectionate smile.

"
So tell me about this song he was singing so dreadfully,"
she asks, hoping to lighten the mood.

[Benedict Marsten]

"
Its one of those romantic ones. Not sure the words. I have heard it at weddings. I know its mushy."
She shakes her head. "
It was cute to see him like that dancing around the tent. What a goof. He would have shite himself if you walked in."
You attempts to stifle her laughter this time.

(ooc: not sure if the words were in the novels or not it was sung at Joff and Margaery's wedding. Did you want to open this thread at this point. I know Loreia had said something about it. If not its fine Ellie can talk forever. Just ask Pudgy Paul. )

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