From: fogelinc@nmr1.Cyanamid.COM (Carl Fogelin) Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn Subject: [Errol] Is my tie on straight? Date: 28 Oct 1993 23:08:24 GMT Message-ID: <2apjd8$q38@c3po.jvnc.net> Errol was still mulling over the vision he and Erin had seen in the pool last night, as he slid a worsted garter up his right hose, and folded it out so the green flash was prominent. He then slid his gilded sgian-dubh behind the flash, right proper. Like all 'supposed' visions of the future, some were junk while others were real. It was up to those who witnessed them to decide for themselves. Straightening up, Errol looked at himself in a full length mirror and adjusted his fiele-beg so that it hung just right and pinned the opening with a silver clasp. Lifting a tan sporran off his dressing table, he attached it to his waist. Next came the pale green tartan vest with the stylized silver buttons. All that was left was his woolen jacket, folded plaid, and his Balmoral bonnet. Placing his hands on his waist, he turned around in front on the mirror, checking that all was right. After a quick twirl with his fingers on the ends of his handlebar mustache and a pull through his goatee, Errol leaned back and announced, "Smashing, if I do say so myself." ***** As Errol decended the balustraded staircase, he could hear the sound of a strummed lyre. Errol frowned, apparently Erin was brooding... It was the only time she ever played anymore. At the bottom of the steps, Errol turned back and walked through the formal reception area, pass the dining hall and down a side corridor towards the conservatory. As he got closer he could hear a pretty voice singing in elven a counter melody. 'Ahh, pretty serious brooding.' Errol opened the large mahagony door and announced as he entered, "Ah lassie, what worries furrow your brow that you take to music?" Sitting on a divan, holding a medium sized wooden lyre, Erin continued to play ignoring Errol's question. Errol mock-frowned and then continued, "Milady, thy sorrow sends this simple heart to tears. That the festive occassion which we are about to partake dost not gladden thee, fain dasheth this soul's mood." He finished with an exaggerated bow, his bonnet's pom-pom almost glancing the floor. That caught Erin's attention, as she looked up at Errol with a wry smile on her face. "Why kind Scotsman, dost thou take me for a fool? Your silver tongue spouts eloquence, yet I know thy true intention. Me marm warned me about yeer kind" she punctuated with an impish smile. Errol's frown slowly fluctuated into a smile before he broke out laughing. Erin too joined in the good laugh and put her lyre away. When the spell had passed, Errol placed his bonnet back on and did a quick turn around. "What do you think?" "Gordon clan?" "No, Forbes of Aberdeenshire. A similar tartan, but I wouldn't wear their crest on my bonnet. Besides, my badge is broom, not rock ivy." "Hmm, I haven't seen you in kilt for a long time, at least twenty years." "That long?" responded Errol, then frowning in thought "Not since my stay with the Highlander clans on Urth. I wish you could have been with me, you'd have liked those folks." "I wanted to go..." "That plane has never seen elves. Your looks would have caused trouble; probably would have thought you were demonic, or something." A sly look formed on Erin's face, causing Errol to laugh. "Well" continued Errol, "I'm just glad that ar'Elya invited us. It's been awhile since since I attended such a gathering." Then in a more serious tone, "Put the vision out of you mind. Tonight we are to party, not worry about the future." "But it raises so many questions. Who were those people? Where were we going? Were you dea...d?" Then looking away, "Why wasn't I there?.." "Shh... sh... If you worry about the future too much, you'll never live today." Putting his arm around her shoulders, drawing her head to his shoulder, he whispered "Did I tell you you look lovely?" She looked up into his face and said "But..." "No buts" he said and kissed her on the top of her head. Then in a more commanding voice, "Now let's take a look at you" as he swept her out so he could view her outfit. A simple white shift with embroidered elven designs, a braided tan rope belt, sandals, and a simple garland of wild flowers in her hair. "Ahh, many a heart will go thump tonight." ***** Errol escorted Erin down the rocky path that led to the brightly lit lighthouse, Erin's hand gently grasping Errol's right forearm. Sounds of music, talking, and laughter drifted up towards the pair, as they neared an an outer gate. Errol looked for some way to announce their presence. Finding none, he decided knocking was appropriate, but Erin grabbed his hand and said "Doesn't the invitation just say to place it on the gate and enter?" Putting his Pince-nez on the bridge of his nose, Errol re-read the in- vitation. He then put the glasses away and said "That's a very literal translation, my dear." Smiling one of her impish grins, she took the invitation from Errol and placed it on the gate's door, then opened the gate. Once open they could see a room full of people partying. Taking Errol's hand, she led him inside. "I say..." muttered Errol. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- [ ADMIN: Ok, that's half my brood, now to see how I can get Crombie and ] [ Eve there too. Errol and Erin are the property of Carl C. Fogelin, ] [ ar'Elyra belongs to Penny Hutchison. Thanks extended to Steve and ] [ Penny for proofing this story. ] --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Carl Fogelin (fogelinc@pt.cyanamid.com) "All opinions are strictly mine" Up the long ladder and down the short rope, To Hell with King Billy and God bless the Pope. -- traditional