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A Saining Tale
The Saining of Leonard the Long
Leonard's Saining was on a wonderful night. The Crystal Palace had just opened and so much of England was aflame with Dreamers and Glamour.
Duchess Elowyn had invited Fae from near and far to attend her latest Fosterling's special day. A handsome Troll ordinarily, she glowed with her pleasure that night as not only was it Leonard's Saining day, she knew that once his name was revealed to him he would be swearing his fealty to her formally and he promised to be a great boon to her court.
When the guests were arrayed before her she gave a small signal and her Seer came forth and took Leonard into an adjoining room.
The gathered guests chatted merrily as they waited for the joyful moment. Some played guessing games (for how long the Saining would take) while others told stories of their own Saining days. At first the anticipation was great but as time progressed the room grew steadily quieter. Then it seemed that all at once a total hush hit the room as all realised just how long the Seer and Leonard had been gone.
A muttering started and even Her Grace began to look nervous at the thought, that the childling Troll would not receive his True Name, crossed the minds of the gathered Fae. Even the childling Pookas and Nockers showed restraint as the consequences of such an event occurred to them.
Eventually, a sound drew all eyes to the door of the ante-chamber as the Seer emerged looking incredibly tired and worn. Leonard followed slowly, his eyes downcast so none could see them. As they approached Elowyn, all eyes followed the pair and the silence deepened as breathes were held en masse in anticipation of the forthcoming announcement.
Once they were standing in front of the Duchess, the Seer looked up at her and, in a voice clear to all, spoke. "Your Grace. When you asked me here to find the name of your fosterling, I had no idea that I would have to work so hard in an attempt to perform a task for you that I have succeeded in so many times before. I am at a loss for words to explain the reason for this night's most unusual of happenings."
A shiver ran around the room as a number of the guests gasped in shock at the words of the Seer. A wave of sympathy could be felt forming as all eyes looked to Leonard, he whose head was hung low, he whose eyes still refused to meet any else's, he who it seemed was not to know his true name that day. Leonard's head slowly lifted, his eyes closed that none may see into them. "'Tis true, my most gracious lady," he began. "Your Seer cast again and again and again in her endeavour and now it must be said, it must be said that..." he hesitated slightly as if carefully choosing his next words, "That she truly deserves whatever reward you will bestow upon her for her troubles."
The young Troll took a half step closer to the Duchess, opened his eyes and added, in a voice that matched the gleam in his eyes, "The Seer has had a hard night's work this night. With a name as long as mine, I thought it was going to take all night and tomorrow too to find out what it was."
A great cheer erupted throughout the room as, with great relief, all realised what he had said. The Pookas fell about themselves with laughter as they realised that Leonard and the Seer had played a great jest upon the gathering, the Eshu could be seen already creating a tale of the night to be told at future gatherings.
Leonard fell on his knees before the Duchess Elowyn and the room quieted as he fulfilled his pact and swore his fealty to her and she in turn, with great relief and joy, accepted his pledge.
At a later time, Sir Leonard (as he was to become) and the Duchess Elowyn led her court through many quests and adventures and even shared a love that all did marvel at but . . . these are other tales to be told at other times.
An event told as it was witnessed by the author of this tale.
Written by Druscilla who is played by Kai'.
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