Naming a Daughter

[Cedwyn]

Cedwyn came home. He was happy to return to his real life at Winterbourne Stoke. The first thing he did was go to his wife.

"I beg forgiveness for not writing more this summer. I have been remiss as your husband."

[GM Craig]

She waves a hand to dismiss your concern. "No forgiveness is granted because I was not wronged. You had your duties, husband, as did I. Frankly I was far too busy overseeing the many construction projects to give much though to correspondence. It was kind of you to write, and your letters were appreciated, but do not fret on my behalf. I am not some delicate flower who waits in breathless anticipation for a letter from you."  She smiles politely to take any sting from her words.

[Cedwyn]

[ooc: assume I bought a hamd mirror and perfume in Salisbury. I'm assuming I wouldn't have access to imported perfume.]

Cedwyn offered her a smile.

"Nonetheless. I return with some small things I picked for you, to complement your beauty."

He brought forth two boxes. Upon opening them, Ysbail would find a hand mirror and perfume.

"You have done so much here and I hope you have enjoyed making a home here."

[GM Craig]

She looks at you a moment, and her eyebrows crease a little. "I have done my duty, husband." Then her expression softens and she relents a little. "It is not an unpleasant duty."

She opens the mirror first and smiles as she runs a finger over the silver engraving. The perfume she takes a scent of and smiles. "Thank you, husband. These are lovely gifts." Her smile softens a little, and she gives you a peck on the cheek. "I do not understand what I have done to deserve such tokens, but I thank you for them all the same. Sadly, I did not anticipate this. I have no gifts to offer you."

[Cedwyn]

Cedwyn takes her hands and looks into her eyes.

"You gave me a daughter and made a home here. That is gift enough." He smiled softly.

[GM Craig]

She blushes, violently, and turns away. She takes a moment to find her voice, hiding it by looking at the mirror. "What has come over you?" She looks back at you. "Why this sudden ardour? It is only a girl, not an heir." There is something in her voice. Fear perhaps?

[Cedwyn]

"I fought a three-eyed giant this summer," Cedwyn pointed to his face, "And nearly died. It is thanks to Merlin I only have this."

"I return, knowing what you wil have done and then seeing it with mine own eyes. I confess myself filled with happiness at seeing you, our daughter, and our home. Your wifely duty aside I want to share my happiness with you and hope that in sharing it you feel it as well."

[GM Craig]

She still seems confused. "I am glad you are happy to be home, my lord. I strive to provide you a comfortable domain. But I ... I do not know what to make of this."

[Cedwyn]

[ooc:?for welsh woman she's sure behaving like a Victorian Brit! Do I have any sense of the source of her confusion. I'm trying to rp out the Live-family thing here]

[GM Craig]

[OOC: She's not sure how to react to this (from her perspective) sudden affection and change of heart. She had settled into this marriage as a business relationship, so you've caught her off guard with tokens of affection.

She's probably also feeling like she failed you - part of her job is to produce an heir for you. She hasn't done that yet, so she's surprised by your apparent joy at a girl child. This was not something she is familiar with - in her live, boys were treasured, especially firstborn. Girls had value, only in the alliances they could produce.]

[Cedwyn]

Cedwyn took an apologetic tone.

"I'm sorry. This likely seems sudden to you but I have been feeling this more and more all summer as I found myself on garrison. And you are confused as to my joy over a daughter."

Cedwyn paused not sure how to explain what he felt. Family was important to him and he'd felt that growing over the summer. Yes, a boy, an heir would continue his name as the son of Cedwyn but a daughter was just as precious to him.

"Yes. I want an heir, but we are young and have years to make this happen. Our daughter will grow to be as beautiful as her mother. And for now, it is you, her and myself. My family," he finished, trying to make it clear that it was about all of them.

[GM Craig]

[OOC: In case it wasn't clear, her Love (Family) passion is not terribly high. ]

She cocks her head and smiles, but her eyebrow are still crinkled. "And what brought on this change of heart?"

he shakes her head, still confused. "I fear I have misunderstood you. You didn't try to win my heart. You got the Earl to approach my father on your behalf and arranged our marriage through him. I thought I understood the terms of this arrangement on that basis. Was I wrong?"

[Cedwyn]

Cedwyn sighed.

"That was not the plan," he motioned to chairs, "Come let us sit. The story may be long in telling."

After they sat, he began to explain, "After we spoke and the night grew long, I conversed with Rodric and as he departed for bed, I saw the Lady Elaine, sitting alone, wine in hand. The Earl's squire watching over her. She had been left alone for much of the night and I felt a need to be a courteous host, so I sat and spoke with her. She was...in a word, distraught over her situation and quite deep in her cups at that point."

"I offered her some kindness and understanding. I don't understand her pagan ways but Sir Gwynn had been a boon companion and Merlin himself has aided me on two occasions now. I offered her no judgment and some compassion, which to her was more than she had seen since her husband was murdered. In return, she offered the idea of a marriage proposal from me. I believe her to have been sincere and true in her words. She had become used to wielding the power of her manors and felt as though she was being used by the Earl."

He paused. This would be news to her.

"I confess that I was reticent but the draw of her manors and wealth was not unappealing. I told her I would think it over the night. She would have her answer in the morn based on who I dined with. And so I prayed to God for guidance and found it. My choice was clear to me, I wanted to win your heart. I wanted to take that chance with you."

"The Earl cornered me in the morning, having heard from his squire what had transpired. I informed him of my decision to pursue you and not the Lady Elaine. He said he would write a letter in my support, but..." Cedwyn paused, "I had only expected for the letter to your father to let him know that I was a knight of quality and honor and he should entertain a courtship."

"I...I still expected that I would need to win your heart," there was a certain amount of regret and not a little sadness in his voice as he spoke, "I would have preferred that...I had wanted that you would freely choose me for yourself. Instead..." Cedwyn simply shrugged.

"It was a contract match," Cedwyn took a knee on the floor in front of Ysbail, taking her hands into his, "Mayhap it is too late, but I apologize to you for the way our marriage took place. I would ask that you let me make up for that mistake as I can."

[GM Craig]

She looks confused still, but she is smiling, though in a "you may be crazy" sort of way.

"You wish to woo me? Woo your own wife?"

[Cedwyn]

Cedwyn smiled, "As mad as that sounds...yes."