10th of Rain's Hand, 428 3E
Apparently most of the town troublemakers were laying low for today was a slow news day. Of course there is a full moon tonight with the usual green tinge in the air and the possibility of zombies wandering around. Anyone with sense tends to remain at home, safely behind locked doors when the moon is full.
The only report that caught my interest as I went about my day was one that involved the creepy looking house that is known as "Gruesome Manor" is owned by House Telvanni's Mistress Therana and a rather unpleasant and mysterious mer named Vemyn;
There is no hard evidence, though plenty of speculation, surrounding the recent arson at Mistress Therana's Pelagiad residence. Law enforcement are investigating the destruction of a Cortinas Festivas as foul play, and are interested in speaking with Alandis Ivy Leaf, calling her a "person of interest".

Alandis is engaged to Neldor's cousin Basnik. I don't know her well, but she has a very quiet and somewhat shy demeanor. I don't care that the common saying is, "It's always the quiet ones". Alandis had nothing to do with the fire at Gruesome Manor. At most she may have been out for a walk and happened to walk by the manor when the fire was taking place. As for who actually started the fire, there are plenty of other likely candidates around here, not to mention candidates who are not residents of the Ascadian Isles.
As for me, I was not on the guild schedule today. I would have liked to take Gloria over to the equestrian center and practice the jumping course but the weather was foul, with a hard cold raining falling from mid morning to late into the evening. Oh well. Better to get the rain now than at the end of the week.
Since I was confined indoors this was a good day to spent time studying alchemy and making a list of the types of herbs and mushrooms I want to make sure to plant in our garden. Like Neloth and Gilvoth, I'm also going to be needed an assortment of gem powers which of course cannot be grown. And no, I'm not going to employ a werewolf to find some for me. I'll just need to keep an eye out for sources of gems when I'm out on my horse.

So, overall this day was quiet and uneventful...except for this evening. Neldor was late in returning home. I figured he was on a guild assignment but it turned out that he had gone to a jewel crafter for a certain item he had wanted to purchase.
When he did return home (fortunately there were no zombies hanging around our property tonight) we had a late a dinner and then sat down in the living room to watch programs on our Dwemer Entertainment Screen (more rediscovered and restored Dwemer technology). This device makes it possible to watch plays within the comfort of your own home, not that it isn't still enjoyable to dress up in fine clothes and go to the theater.
Following the conclusion of the program we were watching, Neldor asked, "Is Acacia all ready for the wedding? Darkfell is just itching for this weekend. He doesn't seem to have cold feet at all."
I replied, "Neither does Acacia. Sifina is dead certain that the weather will be perfect so that the reception can take place in the garden." Getting up to take a quick look out the window, I commented, "And then shortly after Acacia's and Darkfell's wedding there will be Thorinor's and Sarasvati's."
Neldor nodded slowly before saying, "Perhaps we should get a move on and book the chapel since it's looking like it's going to be a busy place over the next few months."
A bit surprised, I looked at him and replied after a moment's hesitation, "I...suppose we should. It's just that we haven't spoken about marriage in quite a while. We've been so busy, with Wulfren dumping the responsibilities of the Lokken village on us, and then moving here."
With another nod, Neldor agreed, "Things have been busy, not to mention how financially tight things were right after the move while we built our savings back up, but I think it's safe to say that our lives have settled down and we have everything under control. That's why after I left work I went and got this."
Now appearing giddy and fighting back nervous laughter, Neldor suddenly dropped down on one knee and presented a velvet box, which he slowly opened to display ring with a gorgeous and fairly large diamond. The gem caught the light from the living room lamps, making it appear to give off its own illumination.

Stunned, I put my fingers over my mouth as I let out a soft gasp and said, "That's breathtaking!"
Pleased with my reaction, Neldor said in jest, "Now, this is not for you to put in the gem grinder to turn into powder, even though I know alchemist do indeed use diamonds in potions. This is for you to wear." Taking the ring from the box, he held it up and asked, "Aeronwen, my gorgeous Gold Willow, will you marry me?"

Also letting out giddy laughter, I answered without hesitation, "Yes! Yes! Just try to stop me!"
Becoming engaged was not something I ever thought I would look forward to or be happy about (and Acacia knows exactly what I mean by this, for she has felt the same way). Indeed marriage was something I dreaded so deeply that the mere thought of it made me sick, but that was when I thought my marriage would be political and arranged by my father to someone who he would consider a valuable ally. Love and my feelings on the matter would have nothing to do with it. This was before I had any inkling that the fates would see to it that I could choose for myself.
After Neldor had placed the ring on my finger and rose to his feet, I flung my arms around him. He's one of those rare mers who is truly good to the core and only an idiot would allow such a mer to slip through her fingers.
Winding his arms around me, Neldor said softly, "Now as I warned you before, I am not secretly nobility. I am not a prince."

Still hanging onto him, I replied, "You are to me."

I felt to happy that I no longer noticed the sickly green tinge that colored the Ascadian Isles. For quite some time now Neldor and I had an understanding that we would marry "some day" and were faithful to each other, but it's nice to have it official. And after arrangements can be made we will have a definite date.
If it were still just Neldor and I alone and friendless on Vvardenfell, he and I against the world, we would probably just go and have a quick private ceremony, but now we have family and friends here with us. I know they want to be a part of our day just as we want to be a part of theirs. So we will book a day at the chapel, even if it means we have to wait a little while longer.
One big disadvantage with Neldor proposing so late in the evening was it made it more difficult for us to retire to our own rooms when it was time to sleep, but we managed to do so. At least our current sleeping arrangement won't have to go on much longer.
Not even the thought of the King hearing about our engagement and marriage bothers me. He is on the verge of loosing his crown and when that happens he will have far bigger problems to worry about besides his daughters marrying without permission. Helseth, along with my grandmother, is about to become a private citizen. He can't control the lives of his children anymore.
*~*~*
Apparently most of the town troublemakers were laying low for today was a slow news day. Of course there is a full moon tonight with the usual green tinge in the air and the possibility of zombies wandering around. Anyone with sense tends to remain at home, safely behind locked doors when the moon is full.
The only report that caught my interest as I went about my day was one that involved the creepy looking house that is known as "Gruesome Manor" is owned by House Telvanni's Mistress Therana and a rather unpleasant and mysterious mer named Vemyn;
There is no hard evidence, though plenty of speculation, surrounding the recent arson at Mistress Therana's Pelagiad residence. Law enforcement are investigating the destruction of a Cortinas Festivas as foul play, and are interested in speaking with Alandis Ivy Leaf, calling her a "person of interest".

Alandis is engaged to Neldor's cousin Basnik. I don't know her well, but she has a very quiet and somewhat shy demeanor. I don't care that the common saying is, "It's always the quiet ones". Alandis had nothing to do with the fire at Gruesome Manor. At most she may have been out for a walk and happened to walk by the manor when the fire was taking place. As for who actually started the fire, there are plenty of other likely candidates around here, not to mention candidates who are not residents of the Ascadian Isles.
As for me, I was not on the guild schedule today. I would have liked to take Gloria over to the equestrian center and practice the jumping course but the weather was foul, with a hard cold raining falling from mid morning to late into the evening. Oh well. Better to get the rain now than at the end of the week.
Since I was confined indoors this was a good day to spent time studying alchemy and making a list of the types of herbs and mushrooms I want to make sure to plant in our garden. Like Neloth and Gilvoth, I'm also going to be needed an assortment of gem powers which of course cannot be grown. And no, I'm not going to employ a werewolf to find some for me. I'll just need to keep an eye out for sources of gems when I'm out on my horse.

So, overall this day was quiet and uneventful...except for this evening. Neldor was late in returning home. I figured he was on a guild assignment but it turned out that he had gone to a jewel crafter for a certain item he had wanted to purchase.
When he did return home (fortunately there were no zombies hanging around our property tonight) we had a late a dinner and then sat down in the living room to watch programs on our Dwemer Entertainment Screen (more rediscovered and restored Dwemer technology). This device makes it possible to watch plays within the comfort of your own home, not that it isn't still enjoyable to dress up in fine clothes and go to the theater.
Following the conclusion of the program we were watching, Neldor asked, "Is Acacia all ready for the wedding? Darkfell is just itching for this weekend. He doesn't seem to have cold feet at all."
I replied, "Neither does Acacia. Sifina is dead certain that the weather will be perfect so that the reception can take place in the garden." Getting up to take a quick look out the window, I commented, "And then shortly after Acacia's and Darkfell's wedding there will be Thorinor's and Sarasvati's."
Neldor nodded slowly before saying, "Perhaps we should get a move on and book the chapel since it's looking like it's going to be a busy place over the next few months."
A bit surprised, I looked at him and replied after a moment's hesitation, "I...suppose we should. It's just that we haven't spoken about marriage in quite a while. We've been so busy, with Wulfren dumping the responsibilities of the Lokken village on us, and then moving here."
With another nod, Neldor agreed, "Things have been busy, not to mention how financially tight things were right after the move while we built our savings back up, but I think it's safe to say that our lives have settled down and we have everything under control. That's why after I left work I went and got this."
Now appearing giddy and fighting back nervous laughter, Neldor suddenly dropped down on one knee and presented a velvet box, which he slowly opened to display ring with a gorgeous and fairly large diamond. The gem caught the light from the living room lamps, making it appear to give off its own illumination.

Stunned, I put my fingers over my mouth as I let out a soft gasp and said, "That's breathtaking!"
Pleased with my reaction, Neldor said in jest, "Now, this is not for you to put in the gem grinder to turn into powder, even though I know alchemist do indeed use diamonds in potions. This is for you to wear." Taking the ring from the box, he held it up and asked, "Aeronwen, my gorgeous Gold Willow, will you marry me?"

Also letting out giddy laughter, I answered without hesitation, "Yes! Yes! Just try to stop me!"
Becoming engaged was not something I ever thought I would look forward to or be happy about (and Acacia knows exactly what I mean by this, for she has felt the same way). Indeed marriage was something I dreaded so deeply that the mere thought of it made me sick, but that was when I thought my marriage would be political and arranged by my father to someone who he would consider a valuable ally. Love and my feelings on the matter would have nothing to do with it. This was before I had any inkling that the fates would see to it that I could choose for myself.
After Neldor had placed the ring on my finger and rose to his feet, I flung my arms around him. He's one of those rare mers who is truly good to the core and only an idiot would allow such a mer to slip through her fingers.
Winding his arms around me, Neldor said softly, "Now as I warned you before, I am not secretly nobility. I am not a prince."

Still hanging onto him, I replied, "You are to me."

I felt to happy that I no longer noticed the sickly green tinge that colored the Ascadian Isles. For quite some time now Neldor and I had an understanding that we would marry "some day" and were faithful to each other, but it's nice to have it official. And after arrangements can be made we will have a definite date.
If it were still just Neldor and I alone and friendless on Vvardenfell, he and I against the world, we would probably just go and have a quick private ceremony, but now we have family and friends here with us. I know they want to be a part of our day just as we want to be a part of theirs. So we will book a day at the chapel, even if it means we have to wait a little while longer.
One big disadvantage with Neldor proposing so late in the evening was it made it more difficult for us to retire to our own rooms when it was time to sleep, but we managed to do so. At least our current sleeping arrangement won't have to go on much longer.
Not even the thought of the King hearing about our engagement and marriage bothers me. He is on the verge of loosing his crown and when that happens he will have far bigger problems to worry about besides his daughters marrying without permission. Helseth, along with my grandmother, is about to become a private citizen. He can't control the lives of his children anymore.