What Curious Plants

Writers: Ainsley1, Vix
Date Posted: 9th June 2007

Characters: Evaleine, Benaran, Dahlbeni, Vidaben
Description: Evaleine meets up with two of Benaran's wayward children in the garden
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 4, day 4 of Turn 4

The afternoon sun was nice and took the chill off what might otherwise have
been a cool day. Feeling the fresh air calling, Evaleine decided to take
some time in the garden to practice her flute. She was not as good with
this instrument, but if no one was around for her to disturb she would not
mind playing outside for a change.

Barely had she settled on a stone bench, when she heard giggling from a bush
not far by. Curiosity got the best of Evaleine and she decided to
investigate. As she drew near she heard childish whispers hushing one
another.

"Hmmm, what curious plants they have here at Amber Hills. It almost seems
as if they have voices. I wonder if they like music?"

"We're not plants!" announced one young voice.

"Shhh!" came another. The second voice continued in a slight falsetto, as if
to disguise it. "We love music. Play for us and maybe we'll grow for you."

"Ooooh! How intriguing!" Bringing her flute to her lips she played a fun
tune that was popular in most harper classes.

Only a few notes issued from the flute before the younger voice joined in,
forming the words of the familiar rhyme.

"Vidaben! You're not supposed to sing - she'll know we're here!" The second
voice whispered these words loudly.

Evaleine couldn't help the chuckle that burst forth. "Well, you did tell me
that if I played for you, you might grow. I should very like to meet you
and could play another song once we were properly introduced."

Immediately a head appeared above the shrubbery, this one belonging to a
little boy. "I'm Vidaben. I'm four Turns old but soon I'll be five."

"Not for months and months," admonished the second voice as a slightly
taller girl made her appearance. "I'm Dahlbeni. I'm six Turns."

"Well, my name is Evaleine and it is very nice to meet you both. Who would
have thought such a strong handsome boy and beautiful smart girl would grow
right from a bush in the garden," she teased. "Shall we have another song?
Do you have any favorites?"

"The one about the wherry and the tunnelsnake!" the boy answered without
pause.

The little girl rolled her eyes. "He always asks for that one."

"It is a very good song. Will you both sing along as I play this time?"

"Yes!" Vidaben's reply was immediate.

Dahlbeni was slower on her response, though not by much. "I suppose we can."

"Good!" As she brought the flute back to her lips to start the song,
Evaleine smiled inwardly at the difference between the two children.
Vidaben was straightforward and possibly a bit impetuous while Dahlbeni was
more cautious. She wondered if it was their difference in age or more their
personalities. And who were their parents?

The little boy bounced in time with the music, his head dipping behind the
bush in which he had been hidden and then reappearing. He sang
enthusiastically to the short song.

The girl's voice may not have been as loud, but was definitely more on key,
ringing out clearly.

"I love that song!" Vidaben's eyes were on the woman as the tune ended, a
grin upon his face.

"But is that any reason to be standing in the middle of the plants?" A
masculine voice registered its disapproval. "The gardeners have warned you
to stay on the paths."

Both children scurried to stand upon the stone path. "Yes, Papa." The words
were uttered by the girl with the boy saying nothing, both pairs of eyes
looking downward rather than at their father.

"My apologies, sir," Evaleine said softly, stifling the animosity she felt
for the man whom she had been anxious to get to know better. It was not her
business, certainly, but the children had been doing no harm. Their
response to the man had somehow sent a chill through her. "I might have
encouraged them in an endeavor to which they are not allowed. They are such
delightful children," she added, hoping he might see the charming aspect of
their behavior.

He turned to the woman and recognized her at once as the one with ties to
Coral Bay, ties which he wished to explore. His expression turned to a smile
for her. "Indeed they are delightful, my Lady, but also wayward. They seem
to have escaped their caregiver and several rooms of the Hold are being torn
apart in the search for them."

Dahlbeni ventured a look at her father. "Ilassa was busy and kept telling us
to shush. She told us she'd bring us to play but didn't"

"Busy talking to that man like all the time." Vidaben's disgust was evident
in his words.

Benaran's eyes narrowed at that. "It seems that I need to find out what
Ilassa has been doing while she should have been looking after my children."

Though she still felt a tendril of unease, Evaleine realized that his
response might have been nothing more than that of a worried father. "Well,
idle young minds, particularly clever ones will tend to seek adventure.
Still, I'm sure there are those quite worried about the two of you," she
stated, "Perhaps you should go offer your aplogies to this Ilassa,"
Evaleine suggested. "If she and your father approve we can sing songs
another day."

"I think that Lady Evaleine is right about that apology." Benaran waited for
a reply from his children, which came quickly in the form of unison murmurs
of "Yes, Father." He nodded solemnly. "And what do you say to Lady
Evaleine?"

"Thank you, my Lady." Dahlbeni described a curtsey in her direction.

"Thank you!" Vidaben grinned broadly.

"Now off to the nursery." Benaran's words sent them scurrying, though the
boy turned and looked back. "Can we. . . can we sing with her again?"

The man nodded. "That depends on your behavior, but we'll try to arrange
it." The boy grinned broadly and joined his sister in the race back to the
Hold. Benaran turned to the woman. "I thank you as well. They tend to get
into trouble when they sneak away and you seem to have kept them from that."

"No thanks necessary. They were a great deal fun and a wonderful addition
to my afternoon."

Benaran nodded once more, appreciating still another quality of this woman.
"I'm glad that you enjoyed it, though I'll admit that it wears me out to be
with the two of them. They have too much energy for me to keep up. Have you
spent much time around children?"

"At Coral Bay, I have two nieces and a nephew who I spent as much time with
as possible. Also, before I was married I had several opportunities to help
care for the Lord Holder's grandchildren, but that has been some years ago.
I've missed being around children these last months. They _do_ have
tremendous reserves of energy, but I find that rubs off on me as I spend
more time with them. Ultimately, I end up feeling younger myself."

"Then perhaps I should spend some time with both you and my children. You
could satisfy that need to be around little ones and I could learn to
appreciate their energy through your eyes."

"I would be delighted to teach you," she smiled still having inner
reservations about the man. She had to admit that he was intriguing,
though, and could certainly be charming. His children were darling and she
wanted to believe that reflected somewhat on their father's character.

"I'll hold you to that, Lady Evaleine." He nodded his head and turned to
follow his children to assure that they had followed his instructions, but
paused to glance back at her with a sly grin. "And I'll tell Dahlbeni and
Vidaben and they will _definitely_ insist that you follow through."

Evaleine smiled in return, feeling a shiver go through her, though she was
not quite sure why.

Last updated on the June 10th 2007

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