Elyriel Winters: You wished to speak with me, Your Majesty?
Jocelyn: *motions to the seats*
Elyriel Winters: *nods*
Jocelyn: *nods*
Elyriel Winters: *folds hands in lap*
Jocelyn: I wished to speak to thee again of thy desire to join the knighthood…
Jocelyn: And of the requirements therin.
Elyriel Winters: *listens*
Jocelyn: First…
Jocelyn: I wish to read thee the words of thy leige at Ser Aethal’s knighting but one…
Jocelyn: day hence.
Jocelyn: If thou wilt bear with me please.
Elyriel Winters: *nods*
Jocelyn: *lifts a parchment from the table and reads clearly*
Jocelyn: Right mindful of your prowess on the field and the repsonsive wishes of your
Jocelyn: peers we are minded to make you a Knight.
Jocelyn: Know that to wear the belt of a knight is to hold a sacred trust that the
Jocelyn: obligations of knighthood will demand your efforts every day of your life.
Jocelyn: A knight must respect all those who are weak or defenseless, whether of age,
Jocelyn: infirmity, poverty, or vow, and be steadfast in defending them.
Jocelyn: A knight must love his Kingdom, and his province, and fulfill most faithfully
Jocelyn: his feudal duties to his lord and his King.
Jocelyn: His word must be dependable beyond doubt or question.
Jocelyn: He must never flee from the face of his foes.
Jocelyn: He must be generous to all.
Jocelyn: *stresses the next line*
Jocelyn: And always, and everywhere, he must be champion of the right and the good.
Jocelyn: *lays the paper down and looks at her*
Jocelyn: As thy Queen… and a lady of this kingdom the duty hast fallen upon mineself…
Jocelyn: To see thee properly educated in the social graces and in matters of diplomacy.
Jocelyn: And to judge and test thy mettle in thine own heart and to guide thee in how…
Jocelyn: to follow the path thou hast set before thee.
Elyriel Winters: *nods slightly*
Jocelyn: Lord Sterling will teach thee much…
Jocelyn: But mostly of battle and of proper conduct therin.
Jocelyn: *taps a finger lightly on the arm of the throne and looks to Elyriel directly*
Jocelyn: Thou dost know that I do nay relish the idea of a lady of this kingdom…
Jocelyn: following the path of knighthood.
Jocelyn: However, thou hast shown thyself to be worthy in most things.
Elyriel Winters: *jaw tightens ever so slightly*
Jocelyn: And I am nay unyielding in mine opinions.
Jocelyn: So I am willing to give thee the opportunity to follow thy dream with nay…
Jocelyn: objections to thy leige
Jocelyn: However, Miss Winters, I will nay be an easy taskmaster in this path.
Jocelyn: Thou wilt be treated fairly and justly in all matters…
Jocelyn: But thou shalt find thyself like observed more closely as well.
Jocelyn: Since thou dost seek a path nay followed before…
Jocelyn: And a path of great interest to this Crown.
Elyriel Winters: *nods*
Jocelyn: Now I ask thee…
Jocelyn: Those words that His Majesy spake …
Jocelyn: Dost thou feel thou canst follow all these with pure heart?
Elyriel Winters: Aye, Majesty. I do.
Jocelyn: *nods*
Jocelyn: Now to the thing thou dost nay wish to hear and I do nay wish to have to discus
Jocelyn: It hast come to the attention of William and mineself…
Jocelyn: That thou’rt forming somewhat of a close relationship with Lord Daca.
Elyriel Winters: *stiffens*
Jocelyn: The nature of this is nay known to us nor doth we have any desire to know.
Jocelyn: However, I will say this concerning any future relations thou mayest have.
Jocelyn: Many of our people art friends with those of the Covenant…
Jocelyn: And in sooth they art our allies due to the honor and continued aid…
Jocelyn: Show to this kingdom by Lord Myca.
Jocelyn: Tis by his word and honor that we art allies in defense.
Jocelyn: But tis undeniable that our peoples art very different.
Jocelyn: And their path is nay ours.
Jocelyn: To be a knight in this kingdom thou wilt walk in the path of light…
Jocelyn: In all things
Jocelyn: They walk the path of darkness and we of the light.
Jocelyn: Though honor binds us Elyriel…
Jocelyn: Tis nay a bond that canst be breached for our knights.
Jocelyn: A knight can nay follow their path…
Jocelyn: As they can nay follow the path of a knight.
Jocelyn: Thy friendship to Lord Daca is nay a thing to sway thee from thy path…
Jocelyn: But a closer relationship would bring into question the path thy heart follows.
Elyriel Winters: *eyes darken*
Jocelyn: So I fear thou wilt have to choose if thou’rt so led…
Jocelyn: *watches her closely*
Jocelyn: I know nay thy heart Elyriel…
Jocelyn: *eyes soften and she looks at her sympathetically*
Jocelyn: But I know thy wish to be a knight…
Jocelyn: If thou’rt truly set to this path…
Jocelyn: Then please know that I doth wish thee to succeed.
Jocelyn: Despite mine reservations.
Jocelyn: *sits back*
Elyriel Winters: *quietly*
Elyriel Winters: Thank you, Your Majesty.
Jocelyn: Thou mayest speak thy mind…
Jocelyn: *nods*
Elyriel Winters: *looks down briefly*
Jocelyn: What thou dost say to me now Elyriel… is between us and thy liege.
Jocelyn: Twill go nay farther
Elyriel Winters: I know not what to say, Majesty.
Jocelyn: *nods*
Jocelyn: I do nay wish to hurt thee Elyriel
Jocelyn: But thou must see that a knight of this kingdom must conduct themselves…
Jocelyn: As befitting of such a station.
Jocelyn: Twould nay settle well with this crown or the citizens of this kingdom…
Jocelyn: To have a knight wed to a vampire.
Elyriel Winters: *frowns slightly*
Jocelyn: Though I do nay know that this was thy intent…
Jocelyn: Tis best to be open with thee I felt.
Jocelyn: I want nay misunderstandings in this.
Elyriel Winters: *nods*
Elyriel Winters: Majesty, I will do my utmost to walk this path…
Jocelyn: *nods*
Elyriel Winters: and truly I hope to earn the honor of knighthood someday.
Jocelyn: I am pleased by this though it may nay seem so by mine words.
Elyriel Winters: *nods*
Jocelyn: Thy path is one that marks a new path in this kingdom Elryiel
Jocelyn: And the first in any task usually find it much more difficult.
Jocelyn: Tis already others that wouldst follow in thy path once tis set.
Elyriel Winters: As I’ve said before, Majesty, I will do what is required of me…
Jocelyn: *nods*
Jocelyn: So be it
Elyriel Winters: but…
Elyriel Winters: I admit I am… uncertain… why my friendship
Elyriel Winters: with Master Ratavykos is of concern.
Jocelyn: Thy friendship is nay in question
Jocelyn: I am a woman as well Elyriel
Jocelyn: And I have seen the way thou dost light up when Lord Daca enters.
Jocelyn: Tis of concern that thy friendship might be developing into a closer relation.
Elyriel Winters: And that displeases the Crown, Majesty?
Jocelyn: And I wished thee to know where the Crown stood in such a matter.
Jocelyn: Indeed Elyriel…
Jocelyn: As I said…
Jocelyn: The path of a knight is in the light.
Jocelyn: The path of a vampire is in the darkness.
Jocelyn: Thou canst nay dance that closely to a path without it swaying thee.
Elyriel Winters: *softly*
Elyriel Winters: I know what he is, Majesty…
Jocelyn: *nods*
Elyriel Winters: and I want no more to do with that than I must.
Jocelyn: Tis why I ask thee Elyriel…
Jocelyn: Canst thou follow this path with pure heart?
Jocelyn: Tis nay person which is perfect…
Jocelyn: And nay person that canst follow the path straight at every moment.
Jocelyn: We art human and prone to mistakes
Jocelyn: But tis the purity of thy heart and the cleanness of thy conscious which…
Jocelyn: Will set thee apart from the rest and make thee worthy of being called knight.
Jocelyn: Thy deeds will reveal these to others.
Elyriel Winters: *nods*
Elyriel Winters: I pray I can show my loyalty lies with the Crown and the knighthood, Majesty.
Jocelyn: *smiles softly*
Elyriel Winters: But I cannot lie to you, Majesty…
Jocelyn: I have great faith thou canst Elyriel
Jocelyn: *nods*
Elyriel Winters: *sighs*
Elyriel Winters: May I speak freely a moment, Majesty?
Jocelyn: *nods*
Jocelyn: Please do
Elyriel Winters: *nods and meets your gaze*
Elyriel Winters: I cannot lie. Though the words have not been said…
Elyriel Winters: I love Daca, Majesty.
Jocelyn: *nods*
Elyriel Winters: Tis not what he is that matters to me…
Jocelyn: Some things need nay words to be obvious Elyriel
Elyriel Winters: Aye, I know, Majesty.
Jocelyn: Love knows nay reason and the heart nay rules in such matters.
Jocelyn: I do nay wish to hurt thee Elyriel…
Jocelyn: But thou hast to choose
Jocelyn: One path will nay lead to the other in this.
Jocelyn: *sighs softly*
Elyriel Winters: Majesty, I cannot believe that my feelings for him will lead me astray.
Jocelyn: *nods*
Jocelyn: Perhaps they would nay do so to thee.
Jocelyn: But tis nay a risk this Crown will take.
Elyriel Winters: *looks away*
Jocelyn: We have been betrayed by others of the knighthood.
Jocelyn: And tis our deepest wish to avoid any such situations in the future.
Elyriel Winters: *nods slightly*
Jocelyn: It may nay seem to thee that thy path would be swayed now Elyriel
Jocelyn: But twould come a time when thou’rt forced to choose loyalties.
Elyriel Winters: He knows that the Kingdom will always come first, Majesty.
Jocelyn: And thy heart must be pure in this.
Jocelyn: Perhaps so Elyriel
Jocelyn: But tis many others in this kingdom that would nay be so certain of this.
Jocelyn: Tis nay easy to place thyself on a path and follow it unswervingly.
Jocelyn: And to let thy heart be swayed by an opposing path…
Jocelyn: Would challenge its purity.
Jocelyn: *sighs deeply then sits back up straight*
Jocelyn: Please think on what hast been said Elyriel
Elyriel Winters: *nods*
Elyriel Winters: I will do so, Majesty.
Elyriel Winters: Though I will say now I like this not.
Jocelyn: I will nay keep thee any longer.
Jocelyn: *nods*
Jocelyn: Please know…
Jocelyn: That mine chamber will be open to thee if thou dost wish to discuss it further.
Elyriel Winters: Thank you, Majesty.
Jocelyn: Also, before thou dost go…
Jocelyn: I shall be speaking to Lord Sterling of having thee stationed as a guard…
Jocelyn: At times to William and mineself that thou mayest learn of diplomacy
Elyriel Winters: *nods*
Elyriel Winters: Twould be an honor, Majesty.
Jocelyn: Thy discretion and secrecy in all such meetings is required of thee.
Jocelyn: *nods*
Jocelyn: Thank thee Elyriel
Jocelyn: Paladeine be with thee.
Jocelyn: *quietly*
Elyriel Winters: And with you, Majesty.
Jocelyn: And for what tis worth… I amst sorry.
Elyriel Winters: *nods slightly*
Jocelyn: *bows her head*
Elyriel Winters: At your service, majesty.
Elyriel Winters: Farewell.
Jocelyn: Fare thee well
(Elyriel wanders off to think all this over, when her good friend Cinna finds her)
Elyriel Winters: *leaning against the tree*
Cinna: *hears something*
Elyriel Winters: *head bowed*
Cinna: Oh my
Cinna: I didnt even see ye
Cinna: Somthing wrong?
Elyriel Winters: *looks up, brushing away tears*
Cinna: Oh my….
Cinna: Elly….what happend..
Elyriel Winters: *attempts a smile*
Elyriel Winters: Hail, Cinna.
Cinna: Forget the hail…what happend
Cinna: Are ye ok?
Elyriel Winters: *looks away*
Elyriel Winters: *quietly*
Elyriel Winters: Nay…
Cinna: Well..tell me..
Cinna: What happend
Elyriel Winters: *fresh tears*
Cinna: We can talk here or in my study if ye wish
Elyriel Winters: Could we go there?
Elyriel Winters: I … I need to sit down.
Cinna: Aye but its underconstruction
Cinna: So be warned
Cinna: *smiles a little*
Elyriel Winters: *nods*
Cinna: Come
(They go to Cinna’s house, which he had just acquired)
Cinna: Take a seat
Elyriel Winters: *sits down heavily*
Cinna: Now then..
Cinna: Let’s hear it
Elyriel Winters: *quietly*
Elyriel Winters: Have you ever been in love, Cinna?
Cinna: Oh my….
Cinna: Love is a killer
Cinna: Aye i was with someone for 2 and a half years
Elyriel Winters: *shakes head*
Cinna: I am sure i was in love
Elyriel Winters: Tis not the love that is the problem…
Cinna: Oh?
Cinna: What is it?
Elyriel Winters: well… not in itself.
Elyriel Winters: *folds arms on the table, resting her chin on them*
Cinna: *Listens*
Elyriel Winters: The Crown is “displeased” with me…
Cinna: Oh my…
Cinna: Ye in trouble?
Elyriel Winters: Nay… but I’ve been told I must choose…
Cinna: Hm?….
Elyriel Winters: *more tears*
Cinna: Explain to me whats going on..
Elyriel Winters: I am told I cannot be a knight and love the man I love.
Cinna: Hmm…
Cinna: Why?
Elyriel Winters: *quietly*
Elyriel Winters: You mustn’t say anything to anyone, Cinna, please?
Cinna: I have forgoten more secrets by now
Cinna: Trust me
Elyriel Winters: *nods slightly*
Cinna: No one will know from me
Elyriel Winters: The Crown knows that Daca and I are close…
Cinna: *nods*
Elyriel Winters: and today I was told that it isn’t “acceptable”…
Elyriel Winters: not for one seeking knighthood.
Cinna: Because he is a vampire?
Elyriel Winters: *closes eyes*
Elyriel Winters: *nods*
Cinna: Hmm..
Cinna: Aww..elly…they told ye to choose?
Elyriel Winters: Aye, they did.
Cinna: That’s not quite fair..
Cinna: What will ye do?
Elyriel Winters: *softly*
Elyriel Winters: I don’t know, Cinna. I truly don’t.
Cinna: Hmm…
Cinna: Let me think
Cinna: Daca and ye are in love aye?
Elyriel Winters: *nods again*
Cinna: For how long?
Elyriel Winters: *shrugs*
Cinna: A while or?
Cinna: Newly
Elyriel Winters: I know I love him… I have for a while now.
Cinna: Interesting..
Elyriel Winters: And I honestly think he feels the same.
Cinna: Well then
Cinna: Before sppiting out advice
Cinna: Heres what i suggest
Cinna: Get a blank book..and write down all your feelings
Cinna: Even if ye have to do pros and cons
Cinna: Get it off your mind and onto paper
Cinna: That is what i suggest
Elyriel Winters: Do you think that will help?
Cinna: I do…but if it doesnt
Cinna: Ye can always come back
Cinna: *smile*
Cinna: But even if ye have to buy 2 books
Cinna: One for thoughts other for solutions
Elyriel Winters: *nods*
Elyriel Winters: I can try.
Elyriel Winters: *sighs*
Elyriel Winters: Would you mind if I found a corner here to nap?
Cinna: Will ye try it?
Cinna: Oh aye
Cinna: Go ahead
Elyriel Winters: Thank you, Cinna.
Cinna: Down stairs in my bed
Elyriel Winters: I have my sleeping roll with me.
Cinna: If ye will be there long I’ll sleep out
Cinna: Ok
Elyriel Winters: I’ll keep out of the way.
Elyriel Winters: I just need to rest…
Elyriel Winters: *sighs*
Cinna: *laughs*
Cinna: Keep out of the way?
Cinna: You’re not in it
Cinna: So ssh!
Cinna: *smile*
Elyriel Winters: *smiles faintly*
Elyriel Winters: Thank you.
Cinna: Go to sleep and dream a great dream
Cinna: I didnt do anything really
Cinna: *smile*
Elyriel Winters: You listened… twas a great deal, Cinna.
Cinna: *smile*
Cinna: Glad i could help