Post by Rosie on Jun 18, 2020 0:58:59 GMT 10
Title: Tea-dious
Rating: G
For: Kypriotha
Prompt: 1. Older SOTL gang hijinks
Summary: Roanna isn't a fan of the obligations which come with her role
Notes and Warnings: Well, this is a liberal interpretation of your prompt... but I know you'll forgive me for it
--
"Blyton says Tirragen is most unhappy with all the concessions being made to Tusaine." Lady Sylvie of Darroch had lowered her voice to the tone she used for the most salacious gossip.
Roanna thought that Tirragen might have reason to be most unhappy if he'd been forced into hosting a tea party for the least pleasant court vipers. Perhaps if they sent them all to Tirragen, Tusaine would have second thoughts about the Drell Valley. Who, after all, would seek to reduce the distance between themselves and people like this?
"Has Lord Tirragen raised this with his Majesty?" she asked blandly, more to raise the question of due process, as the wife of the Prime Minister should, rather than because she thought Tirragen would have chosen a course other than whinging. It wasn't that she didn't agree with Tirragen. Sometimes, she thought Roald would sign the throne over if King Ain suggested that he wanted it. Tirragen was an ass, though, and she was unhappy her brother-in-law had her siding with an ass.
Gareth also usually sought Roanna's opinion on such matters, particularly when she was staying in the capital. She flattered herself that he would have chosen this over regaling her with anecdotes from page training.
Lady Sylvie's eyes widened. "Oh, I am sure his lordship will have done so - these things are beyond my understanding, I am afraid." She tittered, and Roanna looked at her until she fell silent.
"You must be proud of his Grace," ventured Lady Mabel.
Roanna endeavoured not to purse her lips. Roald's lack of competence and Lianne's eagerness to keep her brother close had wrapped ties around Gareth so securely that he hadn't seen Naxen in months. If she wanted to see her husband, she had to stay in the capital and neglect their fief. Pride didn't enter into it, not on Roanna's side. She also often asked Gareth if she would return to Corus to find he'd been assigned scrubbing duties if the palace servants weren't up to muster.
The conversation topic was seized as something which must be pleasing to Roanna, however, and Lady Helena took it up with gusto. "Yes, of course, it is wonderful to have a strong leader. It must have been such a comfort to have a king who rigorously defended his borders."
This ran a little too close to treason for Roanna's tastes. Despite what she thought of Roald's weaknesses, she would never speak out against him to anyone other than her husband. "We must assume that his Majesty knows more about border defence than yourself, Lady Helena," she said silkily, though not tactfully, as she noted Lady Helena's emerald eyes flashing. Eldorne must have his hands full with his young wife - Roanna imagined she was inclined towards very impressive temper tantrums. Roanna chose to avoid association with Eldorne where possible, though their fiefs were practically neighbours. There were only so many embroidery sessions one could handle.
Lady Helena was saved from further recriminations by the door opening, and Roanna's young son toddling through. She could have easily called for a maid to deal with him, but she'd left Gareth in their private study, telling stories to Gary.
"Please excuse me, ladies," Roanna entreated, rising to her feet. "I appear to have an errant nursemaid to track down."
She knew without looking that the ladies would be trading glances behind her back, some smirking at the direct hand Roanna took in her household, others communicating pity for the absent nursemaid.
Roanna led the protesting Gary out of the room. As expected, her husband was on the other side of the door, amusement glimmering in his eyes. "My, Gary, look how easy it was to track down your nursemaid. You simply can't get the help these days." Free from critical eyes, she lifted Gary into her arms, not minding his shoes against her dress - she did not plan to return to the tea party.
"He was mounting a rescue party," Gareth murmured in her ear.
She slipped her hand in his, and led him back to their private study. "My little love has a head for diplomacy." Gareth seated himself in her favourite chair, as she closed the door and set Gary down on the floor next to his toys. "I hope he won't mind if I show my appreciation to his teacher instead."
Gareth grinned at her, holding his arms out, and all the pomp and bother of time in Corus was worth it in moments like this. "I think he'd agree that would be most appropriate."
Rating: G
For: Kypriotha
Prompt: 1. Older SOTL gang hijinks
Summary: Roanna isn't a fan of the obligations which come with her role
Notes and Warnings: Well, this is a liberal interpretation of your prompt... but I know you'll forgive me for it
--
"Blyton says Tirragen is most unhappy with all the concessions being made to Tusaine." Lady Sylvie of Darroch had lowered her voice to the tone she used for the most salacious gossip.
Roanna thought that Tirragen might have reason to be most unhappy if he'd been forced into hosting a tea party for the least pleasant court vipers. Perhaps if they sent them all to Tirragen, Tusaine would have second thoughts about the Drell Valley. Who, after all, would seek to reduce the distance between themselves and people like this?
"Has Lord Tirragen raised this with his Majesty?" she asked blandly, more to raise the question of due process, as the wife of the Prime Minister should, rather than because she thought Tirragen would have chosen a course other than whinging. It wasn't that she didn't agree with Tirragen. Sometimes, she thought Roald would sign the throne over if King Ain suggested that he wanted it. Tirragen was an ass, though, and she was unhappy her brother-in-law had her siding with an ass.
Gareth also usually sought Roanna's opinion on such matters, particularly when she was staying in the capital. She flattered herself that he would have chosen this over regaling her with anecdotes from page training.
Lady Sylvie's eyes widened. "Oh, I am sure his lordship will have done so - these things are beyond my understanding, I am afraid." She tittered, and Roanna looked at her until she fell silent.
"You must be proud of his Grace," ventured Lady Mabel.
Roanna endeavoured not to purse her lips. Roald's lack of competence and Lianne's eagerness to keep her brother close had wrapped ties around Gareth so securely that he hadn't seen Naxen in months. If she wanted to see her husband, she had to stay in the capital and neglect their fief. Pride didn't enter into it, not on Roanna's side. She also often asked Gareth if she would return to Corus to find he'd been assigned scrubbing duties if the palace servants weren't up to muster.
The conversation topic was seized as something which must be pleasing to Roanna, however, and Lady Helena took it up with gusto. "Yes, of course, it is wonderful to have a strong leader. It must have been such a comfort to have a king who rigorously defended his borders."
This ran a little too close to treason for Roanna's tastes. Despite what she thought of Roald's weaknesses, she would never speak out against him to anyone other than her husband. "We must assume that his Majesty knows more about border defence than yourself, Lady Helena," she said silkily, though not tactfully, as she noted Lady Helena's emerald eyes flashing. Eldorne must have his hands full with his young wife - Roanna imagined she was inclined towards very impressive temper tantrums. Roanna chose to avoid association with Eldorne where possible, though their fiefs were practically neighbours. There were only so many embroidery sessions one could handle.
Lady Helena was saved from further recriminations by the door opening, and Roanna's young son toddling through. She could have easily called for a maid to deal with him, but she'd left Gareth in their private study, telling stories to Gary.
"Please excuse me, ladies," Roanna entreated, rising to her feet. "I appear to have an errant nursemaid to track down."
She knew without looking that the ladies would be trading glances behind her back, some smirking at the direct hand Roanna took in her household, others communicating pity for the absent nursemaid.
Roanna led the protesting Gary out of the room. As expected, her husband was on the other side of the door, amusement glimmering in his eyes. "My, Gary, look how easy it was to track down your nursemaid. You simply can't get the help these days." Free from critical eyes, she lifted Gary into her arms, not minding his shoes against her dress - she did not plan to return to the tea party.
"He was mounting a rescue party," Gareth murmured in her ear.
She slipped her hand in his, and led him back to their private study. "My little love has a head for diplomacy." Gareth seated himself in her favourite chair, as she closed the door and set Gary down on the floor next to his toys. "I hope he won't mind if I show my appreciation to his teacher instead."
Gareth grinned at her, holding his arms out, and all the pomp and bother of time in Corus was worth it in moments like this. "I think he'd agree that would be most appropriate."