Vehement Arrival

[Willow]

The child’s mind only contained hollowed excitement. Willow had been told of a simple man, who was to lead them on a simple venture. Not at all shy about her birthright, she took great pride in dressing for any occasion and acting as a more grandeur creature. Willow squirmed in the comfort of the jostled carriage. She felt the potential impatience still hanging over everything and she knew something more was amidst than just a mere trip with Aunty Aerilla. What to do if the ‘curse’ of anticipation wasn’t quickly countered, it would descend in some ghastly form that no one could control. The child had a mind of her own. It hadn’t shed light on her, that she wouldn’t be seeing her mother for some time. Who could untangle something hopelessly snarled? Her Uncle Theo and nanny had always been the one to save her from a moment of discomfort. This time away from her mother, would prove to mature the young Princess.

In the carriage on the way back to the castle, shafts of light penetrated the forest canopy, creating slashes of golden light across green shadows, Willow turned to face her favored ‘Aunt’. She hadn’t been told exactly of the man. In the mind of the child, he was someone of the court for entertainment. “When will we see the jester? What’s his name? Will mommy be there?” Her voice rose steadily, demanding and no longer soaked in etiquette. The carriage came to a slow arrest as it came within sight of the castle ahead, a familiar view for Willow.

[Dr. Daniel Carter]

He had stayed out of duty. A promise to her Majesty the Queen and he was not about to leave for Invernis without fulfilling such a request. Besides, Raven needed her time to recooperate and rest anyhow. As the carraige drew up the young and newly made duke stood up a little straighter, tipped his chin up a little higher, trying to at least look the part he would rather not have. He would have much prefered to simply be Dr. Carter. But the Queen had asked, how could he refuse?

The little girl that came bounding out of the carriage did not look much like her mother, though there were a few similarities that Daniel could readily see. A small and slow smile crossed his face as she looked around presumably for the man that was going to care for her and deliever her into the hands of the maids and nurses in the absence of her mother and surrogate uncle. "Princess Willow O'Friedan." He said with a slight bow of his head and a gesture of respect to the little girl. His head went up to the carriage driver who also was looking for him, but knew not who to look for. Daniel moved to the side of the carriage and extended a hand.

"Dr. Daniel Carter. The Queen has instructed me to take Willow and see that she is delivered into the care of her nanny." The carriage driver looked relieved that someone was indeed coming and nodded to the servants who were to inform her of who this man was. Daniel waited, his hands in his pockets watching the little girl with some modicom of interest. When the servants had seemed to debrief her he offered a hand to her if she saw fit to take it. "If you would allow it, Princess, your mother has instructed me to make sure you are safely delievered." There was a small smile then. "I'm Daniel."

[Lady Aerillia Khisu]

The hour long carriage ride had proved to be a relatively enjoyable one. Resting a hand on her lower back, Aerillia sighs at the constant discomfort despite her belly not yet showing. The two days spent with Aerillia had been a wonderful pair and Aerillia was sad to see her go. The news of Kahlan being gone was also disheartening, Aerillia had wished to speak with the Queen about a few things.

Finally, when the carriage jolts to a stop, Aerillia hugs Willow tight against her for just a moment before the doors were held open. The dark beauty is obscured from Daniel Carter's eye as he greets Willow. Unable to sit any longer Aerillia slips out of the carraige with the aid of the driver and the footman.

To say that her presence is no less daunting and exquisite than a duchess or other noblewoman would be a lie. Today, Willow had picked out Aerillia's dress as she had allowed the young girl to do for the days that she had spent with her. For a girl of almost six years, Willow had a fine taste in garments that should be worn even if she couldnt dress herself. The desert rose is dressed in a long flowing silk cream colored gown. The gown is trimmed with pale rose lace about the modest neckline that descends in a v shape. The lace trim also runs under her breasts, cutting the dress so that the lines flatter her shape rather well. The sleeves of the dress are split and also lined with the lace.

Gathering the gown up, Aerillia walks toward Willow and smiles. The smile also shows relief after having her body jostled unendingly as it felt. Aerillia's ebony colored locks are held up in a fashion of the day. Small salt water pearls are threaded into the mass in places, making her appear to be more like a tanned siren set before the masses rather than a desert priestess. Reaching down for Willow's hand just as Doctor Carter does, Aerillia glances toward him with slightly surprised brilliant blue eyes.

"Doctor Carter it is an honor to meet you. Congratulations on your ascention to Grand Duke of Invernis." Her voice is almost like a melody and her smile is gentle. It was true that Theoren Roullier had become infatuated with her and that was no secret around these parts, however it was old news. Aerillia had not seen Theo for a while and as preoccupied as she was Aerillia did not expect Theoren to come running back to her side either. She was a practical girl and having Theo's admiration was something she could live with.

"Pardon my rudeness Doctor. I am Aerillia Khisu, a priestess of Avalon and currently residing within the newly rebuilt walls of Dun Caric. It is just on the edge of Invernis but still within the Emain Macha boundaries." Smiling warmly again, Aerillia reaches down and pats the top of Willow's head. "You must be a busy man, I can take Willow into the castle and get her settled Lord Duke if you do not have the time."

[Dr. Daniel Carter]

The sight that met Daniel's eyes was not what he had expected. Apparently the Queen had decided it was still alright to keep her company amongst thieves. He remembered Aerillia very well, though the last time they had seen each other he had looked far worse than he did now. Chained in a dungeon like basement, beaten and bloody by her would-be lover who was probably off trapsing around the globe wooing every other woman in sight, while Aerillia, who he thought to be nothing more than a fool for following him, was left here with his child. Daniel's countenance darkened for a moment as his blue eyes met hers.

Her mention of his Dukeship was noted though his face remained rather stoic even as she introduced herself. "I know who you are." He said taking her hand cortly, making it rather evident he was doing so out of politeness and not because they were particularly good friends. "I remember you from that quaint little tavern we met in. The Phoenix Rising, I believe." The snap was no mistake. Daniel still harbored, and rightly so, a lot of anger over the incident, and over learning that one of the Queen's own handmaidens may have been in on it. But he still gave her a firm handshake that marked his respect for her, even if he did dislike her taste in lovers.

He was about to protest her taking Willow by herself when eyes were drawn past the gate to the ragged company of men wearing the seal of Lucemedia dragging themselves into the Castle's main outdoor foyer. He did not know what was going on, but he did know that at the moment he was the only royalty other than Willow in the area to take issue with it. Eyes flitted back to Aerillia for a moment and seemed to have lost their fire. He was new to his job and responsibilities, and though his words with her were harsh and distancing, he was clearly not the malicious sort on the whole.

"I... think that I have just been given some business to attend to... please get the Princess settled while I take care of this." He paused for a moment, his eyes shifting to the group before he looked back to her once more. "Thank you..." And started off towards the leader...

[Willow]

Her nanny had told the young girl a fib, to merely get her dressed and out of the castle walls. The carriage ride had proved to be exciting, but soon dwindled and created a sour mood within the girl. Willow always became reluctant and uneasy, especially when she is forced to leave the sight of her nanny or mother. She became flustered, discovering that the colorful jester that had been promised her…was a doctor. Willow needed to realize that there were many different types. “I am not sick. Why do you need to escort me?” Eyes that had once been soft and angelic soon turned into the harsh and accusing glare. “Where is my mommy?” Thinking that her sudden fit of rage had succeeded, she watched the man hurry in a less-than-elegant pace. “Aunty, I don’t like this place. When can I see mommy?” Tresses of honey-colored locks fell along the young face. They held as much life as the one adorning them. Words continued to filter, from her small, petite mouth. Being one so young, yet highly trained in the court, she assumed that she was the one in control of most situations. The man’s way of speaking and sudden disruptions hadn’t impressed her, but rather gave an impression of how this place was advised. “I don’t like him. Do we have to see him again, Aunty Aerilla?”

[Lady Aerillia Khisu]

Carter's attitude toward her was not entirely unwarranted. In fact she was used to the stares, the whispers, and other snide things people often intended to do behind her back. Just as Daniel's countenance hardens so does hers.

Long lashes frame the exquisite pair of eyes. No doubt he felt sorry for her on some level, pregnant with a child gotten on her by a seemingly heartless man. If there was one thing that Aerillia understood about Theoren Roullier it was that he was not heartless. Indeed in a way she felt that his admiration was possibly the best thing she could ever attain from him. Lover he might have been, but Aerillia was in no way so enchanted by the man that she would waste away in his absence.

When Daniel's tone changes from fiery to flighty, Aerillia seems to drag herself out of a daze. "Thank you for your time Dr. Carter. I will see to it that Willow gets to her nanny." Her gaze is intense as she looks the man in the eyes before he turns aside to deal with the newcomers to the Castle. "Come Willow. Lets get you to your nanny."

When Willow asks where she had been taken Aerillia smiles lightly and remarks with a gentle tone that had been nonexistant around Carter. "We are at the Castle Emain child. Your mommy has some business to attend to and she'll be home straight away. Dont worry your pretty little head about trivial things. Your mum will arrive before you have the time to miss her darling." A smile dances over her lips as she guides the young princess up the stairs and into the castle proper. "He is trusted by your mother Willow. Whether we like him or not, he will be associating with you. Alot has happened to him and he doesnt like me because I like your Uncle Theo. Do not ask questions little one, just know that even when you dont like someone you must work together with them. Your mum does it everyday just remember that."

Tipping her chin with a knuckle, Aerillia kisses her forehead and hurries her past the soldiers that have gathered around the entrance hall. She would stay for a little while to rest her weary bones but then she would have to leave and go back to Dun Caric.