The Sweetest Revenge. (Elvi and Sherona)

[Elvi]

Ingram barked out a laugh.
"Impotent? Surely that's not the word you were looking for M'Lady."
He continued his hearty laugh, as though she had made the most wittiest jest he had ever heard.
"As ugly as sin....perhaps...but impotent I could never use to decribe Him."

Wiping a tear of laughter from the corner of his eye, Ingram stepped to the table and poured himself a goblet of mead.
"Though of course, if it were to be true then I am sure you will discover it this very night...."
He raised the goblet in salute.
"....Unless you are such a voracious slut that you need more than one man to satisfy you, in which case, my chambers are over the hall and you only need to call...."

[Sherona]

Sonja clenched her fists tighter as Ingram seems to make himself at home, apparently he is in no hurry. Tilting her head at his laughter, the black strands of hair falling in the same direction her own face straight and bland, though her eyes were flashing. "Impotence, lacking of power or ability. That is what it all comes down to isn't it, the need for power. Why do you suppose Borghast has to grasp so desperately when he should have the most power in the land as King?"

She watches as he poured himself the liquid, her own harsh chuckle mingles with her unlady-like snort. She is no Lady, and she has heard cruder words in her life, if he was expecting her to faint or rage then he is sorely mistaken. However a blush does color her cheeks, though her tones remain hard and almost lifeless. "I doubt either one of you have it within you to 'satisfy' me. My tastes run along the lines of better men then either you or Borghast." This last is said as she turns away from him, ostentatiously looking out the window at all the preparations, however she was really simply hoping for a glimpse of the children.

[Elvi]

"Well......"
Ingram sighed, looking at the goblet and then the jug, the mead was tepid, neither hot nor cold and it tasted the same.
"....he was 'potent' enough to capture you M'lady and I see no man grasping at anything. His Father now....he was a tooth and claw man, take everything by force and be damned...His son is a far better man...."

Picking up a pastry, he broke a piece off and popped it into his mouth as he walked over to join her at the window.
Taking a guess at what she was thinking, he pointed towards the large marquee filled fields.
"The children are in that field to the left, the one where the servants are to have their feast, if you look closely, you may be able to see their happy little figures darting around amongst the guards....."
He grinned as he placed another piece of food into his mouth.
"We like to have our children well protected..." 

[Sherona]

Sonja doesn't move as he speaks, though a quiver of a supressed sound runs through her shoulders at his words. "From your own words earlier he resorted to trafficking with an unmentioned creature to capture me..that seems grasping to me. Holding the lives of innocent children to gain a 'willing' bride is just a different kind of force then physical."

Turning her head toward him warily when he joins her at the window, her eyes barely cutting where he indicated, she does not move away just yet. Having had enough of people grinning at her, tired of passively reacting to their demands and threats, Sonja gives him an almost syrupy smile. "I am sure that they and their families appreciate your sort of ..protection." Saying such, she raises her hand with the intent of laying it firmly, but not really slapping, against Ingram's back. If she is correct in her assumptions of his stiffened bow, and if she succeeds, it probably would not be the most comfortable experiance for him.

[Elvi]

"Oh piffle.."
Ingram snorted at her retort.
"A man shows no weekness in using the right tools or weapons for the job. Only a fool would use a kitchen knife to try and kill a boar and Borghast would have been a fool to have attempted your capture, without the tool he needed."

He simply continued to eat as she spoke of the children, giving her an indifferent shrug of his shoulders.
Ingram did raise his eye brows at her slap on the shoulder, though he didn't even flinch.
"My......we must becoming such good friends...."
Giving her a beaming smile, he continued.
"Though I am so pleased that I wasn't standing on the other side of you....Damned well had a spill from my horse this morning, something spooked it in the woods and my shoulder is a little tender...."

[Sherona]

Disappointed that she had not caused any damage, Sonja simply snorts and moved away from the window. "He probably wasn't spooked, more just became bored with your incessant chatter." Moving, with little grace that one could often see by the women born and bred in pampered households, Sonja starts toward the door of 'her' room. Giving him what she hoped was a withering look she opens the door carefully.

"As I can not say I blame the horse, I do hope you enjoy yourself, I wouldn't eat too many of the pastries however, you might get a bellyache." Moving in toward her room she stops, and remarks "On second thought, eat as much as you like.."

[Elvi]

Still stood at the window, ingram watched her leave, a little clumsily due to the huge amount of heavy fabric she wore.
"Borghast was right...."
He spoke as she reached her door, not even acknowledgeing the barbed comments she made.
"You do a good flounce...though I would use it sparingly M'Lady, like a drawn blade, it looses it's effect after a while unless it is used to draw blood."

A sharp tap at the door took his attention, Ingram stood and stepped towards it as a guard, resplendant in ceremonial armour, opened it and gave him a quick nod.

"Ahhhhh......I am afraid our conversation must be cut short M'Lady."
Ingram turned and bowed to her, before sweeping his arm towards the door.
"Your Guard of Honour is here...."

[Sherona]

"I don't flounce!" Sonja insisted, her temper showing a bit in the way her words hissed lightly on the softer letters. Before she could say more however the tap sounds, and the guardsman enters. For some, this might seem a fairy tale, poor peasant girl catches the eye of royalty and is removed from poor conditions to ones of luxury. However for Sonja this is a nightmare come horribly true. In the fairy tales the peasant girl is always more then willing and eager for the prince's attentions, never had she heard of there being hostages.

"Too bad," She returns, her face losing the flush of anger becoming pale once more, "Just when you were starting to repeat yourself once more.." Lifting her chin, throwing the long loose strands of black hair over her shoulder, the Sorceress regards the Guard of 'Honour' somewhat sourly.

[Elvi]

"After you M'Lady?"
Ingram stepped towards her so that he could speak quietly.
"And with a less sour face I think, we wouldn't want the children to be upset now would we?"

With a nod to the guards, two young girls, no more than ten appeared in front of them.
Fresh faced and dressed in ivory silk, their hair brushed and adorned with ribbons, they were hardly recognisable to the two daughters of the Councilman, that Sonja knew.
They looked up expectantly at her, excited that they had been chosen, baskets of rose petals at the ready to throw on the ground before her feet.

"See how beautiful our little princesses are Lady Sonja?"
Ingram, now speaking in a louder voice hunched down so that his eyes became level with the girls.
"They have a wonderful life ahead of them, don't you think?"

[Sherona]

The life as the leader of a rebellion is one of sacrifice, Sonja knew this well when she took the mantle of leadership upon her slim shoulders. The appearance of the girls stole Sonja's breath, as she struggled to smooth out her face and pinched lips. She did not try a faked smile, but she did manage to compose her face into a semblance of neutrality.

"Don't you both look beautiful.." the Sorceress remarks, more out of wanting to keep their smiles on their faces as she swept ahead, toward the door that the guardsmen entered from. Her fingers were clasped together in front of her tightly, onlookers might suspect it to be simply bridal nerves, though in reality it was simply a gesture to stop the trembling that the anger dictates.

[Elvi]

"Your hand M'Lady."
Although polite, the words were more of an order than a request and as Ingram caught up with her, he took her right hand in his, looping her fingers under his thumb, her elbow resting in the crook of his arm.

Turning her so that she took the right path towards the wide stone stair case, he walked her at a reasonable pace, the children running ahead and the guards walking at a respectful distance behind.

[Sherona]

Hearing Ingram's 'request' Sonja does not slow, but neither does she hurry her steps. This simply was a calculated decision to show that while she had no intentions on letting Borghast harm the children of the rebel council, niether did she have the intentions of simply rolling over.

The touch of his hand sent a shudder through Sonja, the entrapment of her arm within his did not allow her to walk with too much space between them, though she pulled away as much as she could without actually attempting to break his hold. Her dark eyes set firmly upon the figures of the playful children ahead of her, and while her flesh might seem overly pale and her lips set in a firm line, there was little about her that might have suggested that she was under any duress.

[Elvi]

"That's it....nice and easy, we wouldn't want any accidental falls on the stairs would we?"
Ingram leaned close to her, so that he could speak quietly, patting her gently on the hand.
"I must say, you do a nervous bride so well..."

The castle was almost eerily silent, it seemed that no-one occupied it at all, though a few of the servants remained they were far to busy to watch the procession.

As they turned the corner and the stairs came into view, she could see Ursa waiting.
Dressed in a paler blue linen dress, obviously a remake, by the quality of the fabric, but so carefully done and her hair brushed and braided, she almost looked beautiful as her plain features took on a warm glow of youthful excitement and anticipation.

With a small smile and a quick curtsy, she hurried to gather up the long train of heavy fabric so that it didn't trip Sonja as they made their way down the stairs, falling in behind her and between the Guards as though she had done it so many times.

[Sherona]

Sonja jerks her head away as Ingram leans closer, and her eyes narrow pointedly at his hand patting hers. "Don't touch me.." She mutters under her breath, even though he already had her arm trapped within his. She does not know how far Borghast want's her to play this charade, but until the children were as far from danger as she could be sure of, Sonja was not willing to jeoparadize thier safety.

A quick terse smile is offered to Ursa, but the maid takes her place between the guards too quickly for Sonja to say anything. Instead she tries not to focus on the coming events, only on each step as she plants them. Focusing only on the now, and wondering briefly if she could possibly manage to 'fall' down the stairs and bring Ingram with her.

[Elvi]

Ingram chuckled at her retort, leaning even closer to her than before, his lips almost brushing her ear as he spoke.
"But I am afraid I must M'Lady, the King has charged me with your safety and to act as your escort and we can't dissapoint him....can we?"

Directly opposite the stairs the large double doors had been swung open to allow both the warmth of the sun and the cool breeze to blow through, warming the stone beneath their feet, yet cooling their bodies at the same time.
The court yard held more guards, lined along the procession route, they bowed as Sonja as she passed, their armour clanking behind her as they stood back to attention.

As they neared the high stone walls and the gate way that led from the castle, Ingram paused them.
Lightly squeezing Sonja's arm, his eyes fixed on the work of the six men, pulling away the heavy wooden bar and pushing the gates ajar.

"Not too far now M'Lady, prepare yourself to meet your people."

Even as he spoke, with the first movements of the doors, the noise rose from the crowds lining the route beyond. Shouts claps and whistles, sounds of children, laughter and merriment, all to greet their new Queen to be.....

[Sherona]

The whole moment had a feel of surrealness to it for the Sorceress, a churning in her belly threatening to release what little she had eaten this morning. His words, the brush of air against her ear causes her to cringe and the elbow that was trapped between him and her attempted to none-too-gently dig into his ribs briefly. "The ..King," sarcasm heavily on the title, "will inevitably be disappointed..M'Lord.."

The guards lining the courtyard, though ceremonial that they might be, served to remind Sonja of her inability to escape, the futility of attempting too. Their bows causing her to clench both her hands, regardless of the effect it might have upon Ingram's. Her steps slow enough to where she lags behind slightly, enough that her arm is slightly extended as the heavy doors are pushed open.

[Elvi]

"OH I am sure you do yourself an injustice m'lady."
Ingram gave her an ammused smile.
"I am sure you will not dissapoint him at all."

As the doors fully opened, Ingram moved them once more, giving Sonja a sharp, but descrete tug, so that she fell back into step.
The noise became deafening, the crowd roaring in chaotic celebration, guards having to push them back on occasion as small groups broke away to get a glimpse of the once Rebel Leader and soon to be new Queen.

The two excited young girls skipped and skittered in front of Sonja throwing flower petals on the ground in front of her, sadly lost in the deluge thrown by the crowd. A snowstorm of pinks and whites and reds to cover both Sonja and Ingram, Ursa and guards alike, sticking to their hair and faces, cascading from their shoulders.

Then the crowd thinned, less of the poorer and more of the noble coming into view. A thinner though more richly dressed and sedate line of people, standing in twos or threes. They nodded as she walked past, some giving a bow or curtsy, hurrying away as she passed, so that they may get nearer to the ceremony, having not been afforded seats.

[Sherona]

Pulled forward, the tug by Ingram does as it is intended, speeds her step. Though it is not really the tug that speeds them fully, if it were simply Ingram then she would have felt just as happy laying down and forcing him to drag her. However the pressing throng of people, the showers of petals that threaten to blind her, and the roar of the crowd did more to hurry her steps then anything.

Color rises to her cheeks, splotches of reds ride along her cheekbones at the ado that was given. Briefly she pondered if the people were truly this excited over Borghast or if they simply were play acting, playing a role desperately to win approval.

[Elvi]

Spitting out a rose petal, that had caught on his lip and been inhaled as he had attempted to speak, Ingram squeezed her arm once more.
"Almost there M'lady."
He gave a short laugh.
"Your gallows awaite"

A stage of some sort, a platform raised from the ground so that all may see, a brightly coloured canopy overhead to shelter those that stood upon it, from the sun, loomed in front of her.

They began to walk among the rows of chairs all who had one, standing and facing her way as she walked towards the wide wooden steps that would lead her onto the platform.

The Bishop sat upon a seat, resting in front of the altar, four aids around him.
The old man looked tired, he had already performed the crowning ceremony and had been up praying since dawn. In all earnest just wanted to retire to his rooms and nap, but, as with many, his duties came first and even though the service would be a short one, it would be thorough.

[Sherona]

"The gallows would be preferrable." Was her terse reply, ignoring the petals that clung to her cheek, the myriad that dotted her dark locks, some dislodging as the length swung with her movements. Her eyes focused on the Bishop, and briefly she wondered if the Gods would force her to honor her vows even though she was being forced to them. Somehow she did not think Borghast would take it kindly if she were to voice this question to the Bishop.

Unconciously she slowed once more, the dias both seeming to take forever to be crested, and at the same time seeming as if they were flying toward her fate. The heavy velvet of her robes seemed to weigh her down as each passing step brought her closer, and her breaths were coming ever faster, the churning in her belly kicking up another notch faster.

Lightheaded, Sonja lifts her free hand to press lightly to her brow, dizziness causing the people standing and, to what seemed to her, gawking at her seemed to spin. Having never fainted in her life, Sonja was terribly sure that she just might this day.

[Elvi]

With a visible sigh, the Bishop, upon her aproach stood, two of his aids helping him. With difficulty he bowed to her then turned to the altar to begin yet another round of prayers.

Ingram felt her falter, he moved so that he supported her more.
"Come on Sonja, surely you aren't going to faint on me are you?"
He squeezed her hand tightly as he whispered in her ear.
"I thought you were made of sterner stuff than that...."

He paused the procession, allowing her to catch her breath, making it seem that it was part of what they were supposed to be doing.
"A glass of water and a chair perhaps for the gentile little lady, overcome by the day?"

[Sherona]

"Genteel Lady my...." Sonja muttered, stopping only when she realized that people just might overhear her. The small pause, his chiding words, do help bring her focus back once more, though the churning in her stomach did not cease, and she was still faintly light-headed, the dizziness and the spinning seemed to diminish some.

"Let's just get this farce over with.." A tremulous smile is given the Bishop, forced and quick.

[Elvi]

Borghast made his appearance.
Dressed as he had described, his surcoat of the same fabric as her gown, though in contrast where she wore off white silk, he wore black leather.

He stood at the top of the stairs, looking down at the two of them as they took thier final steps towards the platform. Looking down, his face appeared drawn, he looked more tired than he should have, infact he appeared to look the way Sonja felt.

Ingram stopped them once more at the foot of the stairs, he bowed low, then stood to look up at his King.
"Your Majesty, in the stead of her Father, I offer you the hand of the Lady Sonja."

Borghast nodded his acceptance.
"I thank you my friend, for performing this duty for me, as I am sure the Lady Sonja does also."

Bowing once more, Ingram let go of her hand and stepped away from Sonja, leaving her alone as Borghast made his way down the steps towards her.

[Sherona]

Sonja could not help but notice that Borghast's attire flattered him almost as much as hers did herself. She did not care how tired he looked, she did not care how drawn or pale, serves him right if he was feeling poorly was an unkind thought that crossed her mind.

Stopping at the foot of the stairs, Sonja glares up at her would-be husband, her lips pressing firmly together to reign in her tongue. Struggling to stop the protesting, the mentioning of the fact that Ingram had no claim to her to offer her hand to anyone. Sonja simply presses her now free hands to her stomach, a gesture of nerves though she simply was doing so to stop the butterflies from bringing up the sparse breakfast.

Not trusting herself to speak kind words, to avoid the almost inevitable scene where she explodes from the pent up anger, fear, and remorse that seems to build as the seconds pass.

[Elvi]

Making his way down the wooden steps, Borghast seemed lithe enough, his usual cocky self, a smile now fixed upon his face. Only those that knew him and indeed close enough to see, could tell that his demeanour was false.

Ingram stepped forward, forgetting protacol and wrapped his arms around the King as he stepped towards him, the masculine show of affection welcomed by both.

Borghast then turned and nodded to Sonja, holding his hand out for her to take.
"You look beautiful M'Lady."