Icelokk

The Shrine

Sebastien woke up and got dressed for breakfast. He read a piece of parchment from Hearthfire Village with information on upcoming celebrations and rituals. He snacked on buttery crumble bread with frostberry jam.

Agatha sat by his side, eating quietly at the table.

"I've moved Maeve into her new home." She said,

"Oh is that so?" Sebastien said amused.

“We moved her in at night so she didn’t get overwhelmed by too many people.” Agatha responded.

“Well I shall have to meet her then.” He sat up and slid the parchment away.

He cleared his plate and stood up. As he left the dining hall, Agatha scuttled behind him. They made their way into the courtyard. The courtyard was long and wide. It requires a long walk to get across. The courtyard was open to the elements, the dull gray sky with snow filled clouds hanging overhead. The floor was made from hand carved green marble with pyrite veins, which glittered gold. The walls surrounding the courtyard sheltered it from the bitter cold winds that swept through most of Icelokk. It was bare, devoid of plants or trees. A shallow frozen pond lay neglected in the center. The courtyard is hardly ever traversed by the castle folk as it was cold and boring. It was much easier to stay in the castle and take the warm passages to where you needed to go.

As Sebastien and Agatha approached the pond, he could see tiles that had been dug up and tossed aside. A great willow tree was planted beside the pond's edge, now lined with mossy boulders and small rocks. The pond had a more natural circular shape with soft edges. Rushes and lily pads floated in the defrosted water. Short green apple scented grass spread around the pond, covering the ground in a lush bright green carpet. A small waterfall had been erected beside the willow tree, water was trickling out over some large rocks.

Sebastien was awestruck by the beauty of the rebuilt pond. The colors were bright and in stark contrast to the surrounding dark dull colors of the castle. It had an exotic and otherworldly appearance, filled with so much lush greenery. He was used to the cold snowy tundra, mostly bare of plants except for evergreen trees and frostberry bushes.

Her greenhouse was situated about eight feet away from the pond. Inside was completely filled with plant life. They couldn’t see inside except for a bright chartreuse light emanating from inside. The greenhouse, which housed her Shrine, was eight sides of clear crystal, welded together with gold alloy. The top was a dome shape with windows that could be opened with a long pole. The door to go inside faced the pond, with a green carpeted trail leading to the willow tree. Sebastien and Agatha approached the door. They heard a lovely singing warbling low and high from inside the Shrine. Agatha looked over to Sebastien and saw the absolute wonder on his face. She reached out and knocked on the door. A voice called from inside.

“You may enter!” Maeve shouted and then resumed her singing.

Sebastien opened the door and entered the greenhouse. A wave of humid warm air that smelled sweet and earthy washed over his face and clung to his skin. A light sweat broke out on him as he stepped deeper into the Shrine. His fur coat quickly became unbearable to wear in this environment. But he quickly forgot his discomfort as he gazed amazed at the long vines, covered in purple flowers, climbing the walls of the greenhouse. Rows and rows of tables covered in plants of all shapes and sizes stretched across the greenhouse. He walked deeper still into the greenhouse until he came upon the Shrine.

It was a exotic wooden altar, made of wood he had never seen before. On top of the altar was a stone statue of a green goddess, naked and covered in garlands of flowers. A pot with a live plant was held in one hand and a staff held in the other. In front of it was Maeve, glowing with a bright green light. She turned to face Sebastien, her eyes glowing green and palms of her hands glowing brighter than the sun. The lights faded and he could see her eyes were a jade green. Her light auburn hair hung down, just to her shoulders, in wavy locks. She was wearing a bright green cloak, the texture of moss, with a turquoise robe underneath. A brown leather bag hung from her shoulder.

“Welcome to my Shrine.” She smiled and bowed gently to the King.

She gasped and grabbed her waist, a sharp pain radiating from inside.

“I think you might be overworking yourself, especially after what you’ve been through.”

Sebastien jumped as Agatha materialized beside him. He was so enchanted by the greenhouse and pond, he forgot that she had come along.

“Maybe you're right. I'm getting tired. I might lie down-'' Maeve began to stumble.

Sebastien grasped her by the waist as her knees buckled, holding her up.

“I’m so sorry, I got dizzy-” Maeve struggled to speak.

Sebastien cut her off, “You need to lie down. Now.”

“My hammock is over there.” She pointed to a corner of the greenhouse. He helped her walk to the brown linen hammock and she laid back in it.

"Get her some water Agatha." He demanded.

Agatha pulled a vial from her cloak. It was filled with a light yellow viscous fluid.

"She needs this. It’s called Nectar. It's produced by the beekeepers of Copperleaf forest."

She handed it to Maeve who drank it feebly. She looked over at Sebastien and smiled.

"Thank you."

Sebastien regarded her with a cool gaze. "Rest well. I need you at my Counsel tomorrow." He said.

"A Counsel?" Maeve inquired, confused.

"Yes, I meet with my Court every full moon and we decide what our kingdom needs- supplies, new buildings, roads, and so on." He began to turn away. But he stopped.

"I have a gift for you."

He pulled a small package from his cloak. He handed it to Maeve and she tore through the paper. Inside was a wind chime made from amethyst crystals.

"Its beautiful! Could you hang it up for me?" Maeve asked excitedly.

"I can get that-" Agatha started to intervene but was cut off by Sebastien.

"Of course." He took the small wind chime and hung it from the staff of the statue.

As he did, a ray of sunlight broke through the clouds and lit up the wind chime. Purple lights danced across the greenhouse.

"Oh what a very lovely gift. I'll have to find a way to repay you." Maeve sat up a little but laid back down, tired.

"Consider it a welcome gift, and a token of my appreciation. The courtyard is beautiful because of the changes you made.” He shoved his hands into his pockets awkwardly and walked away hurriedly.

“Agatha, make sure Maeve is well rested and restored by tomorrow.”

With that the King left the women's company. He ventured quickly to his private chambers.

Agatha looked back at Maeve with a grin on her face. “So, what did you think of the King?”

Maeve looked down at her hands, a blush blossoming on her face. “He’s very kind. I hope to repay him for his wonderful gift. And for helping me to my hammock.” She yawned and stretched her arms, fatigued from all the work she put in today. Agatha smiled, “I think he fancies you.”

Maeve quickly shot a hopeful glance at Agatha. “Really?” She exclaimed excitedly. But then she turned and looked away, a sad look spreading across her face. “It matters not, he’s a King and I’m a lowly Sylven. And besides, I’m Corrupted.” She traced the scars on her arm with her finger.

Agatha pulled Maeve’s chin so that she was looking into Agatha’s eyes. Her eyes were covered in black greasy soot but were filled with warmth and kindness.

“Give it time. Things will turn out best if you have faith in yourself. Look at how beautiful this Shrine is,” She gestured around vaguely, “That’s all because of you. It’s a small bit of spring in the dead of winter.” Agatha patted Maeve's hand gently. “I’ve never seen Sebastien so concerned about someone he barely knows. I think he’s quite attracted to your mystique.”

“My mystique? I’m not trying to be mysterious…” Maeve said, with a furrowed brow.

“You’ll understand what I mean once you meet more people from Icelokk.” Agatha stood.

“Now it's time to heal you.”

Maeve sat while Agatha made an herbal blend and brewed a tisane from it. She poured Nectar into the tisane and had Maeve drink it. It made her very sleepy, she soon fell into a very deep restful sleep.