A new Year

The last of the tea drained from the pot into the rather dainty cup and she leaned back in her chair and savored the rich aroma before sipping it. Eyes still gazing over her desk, Meren sighed. Lists lay in their own seperate piles. A pile for things the Tower staff must get done or else. A stack of papers regarding which patients are to be moved from isolation to a regular ward. Instructions regarding the handling of patients released to their families for care or for burial as the case of several had been.

The "season" of illness this year had not been widespread or devestating. However, it had culled many a home or village of its weaker occupants. The old were strangely grateful for release from life. The young had been scared and did not understand what happened to them. One is not born alone so Meren made sure no one was left by themselves when they crossed from this life to the next.

Tea cup put down she rolled her head on her shoulders. She ached, but alas Michaels magic hands were not here to help. A soft, wistful smile played on her lips as she finished the list of supplies to be ordered and signed the last damned document that was needed to run this place. Heaven forbid she forgets to dot an i or cross a t, lest this whole Tower crumble to ruin.

Next task, which would have been firewood in the hearth, but for the young lass who tended to Meren's chambers beat her to it. Fire stoked, tea tray removed, all so fast Meren did not get the chance to give the girl a few days off while she was out of the City. Muttering with a chuckle as the door closed and breeze left in her wake settled. "I need some energy like that."

Come high tide on the morrow, Meren and Diana would sail out towards the Isle of Lions. Supplies and gifts alike would go with them. Diana was generously seeing to the Household, considering that with the two of them, even Michael would be gone for a stretch of time. Knowing Elspeth and Hobbie could run things blindfolded, Meren let the Cleric satisfy her sense of purpose through orginization. This would be half holiday for the Healer, she was taking a single change of clothes and going to shop while on the Island. Best way to travel light, and sneak in a lot of gifts for others as well. Folks always fell for the "I saw it and thought of you, I couldn't resist it" line and accepted the offerings. Didn't hurt that the Island offered things one could not get in the City, which meant another list. This one however came with much coin of the Realm. Shopping really was beneficial. No wonder the Queen was always indulging.

Here it was the middle of the first moon cycle of the year. Ibbe and Ikar had a baby due any day now. Had he not just risked his life in coming to Court to announce that he had put her in the family way? Father Time really was a busy fellow. She grinned as she recalled the way Ikar spoke of all the things he had done to prepare for their firstborn, including a cradle he built with his own hands. He was nervous about being a father, a good father, but Ibbe kept him grounded. It was going to be good to see the young woman again, more so to place that baby in her arms.

Meren was finished with work here, but had promised Michael she would wait for his return from Kate's Tavern so they could go home together. She loved him so much. It had been a sobering realization that what they had together was right. That which she had shared with Loras and Garth had been, forged in passion and loneliness. Someone once referred to her as desperate, and she discovered him to be right. Tyroth had labeled her as complex, he too was right. She liked that about herself. Meren liked the woman she had become thanks to all the men who had travelled this short life with her. No matter what parted them, she still loved each and every one of them.

Thoughts interrupted as she heard the door to her office being opened, a slightly disheveled Elven man walked in. Tea stains on his pale silk shirt, hand wrapped in a cloth, eyes tired and he still smiled at her. She smiled back.

(concluded under Echoes of the Past)