5 To Serve

The 9 women were in a line and ranged in age from 16 to 22. All were pretty though some could easily be called beautiful. Some were short while others tall and all had a happy, eager look in their eyes and faces. Their dresses and hair also ranged in length, cut, style and color. All appeared lithe though a few had wider hips and a larger bosom than Ariana had. When they saw her they all bowed gracefully.
This garden was the finest in the city. Located just a short northern walk from the palace doors it was well kept during every season and in the heart of spring as they were it was in full bloom and gave off waves of fragrant perfume; A floral concoction of flowers, plants, shrubs and trees. Just back and away from the young women, older women stood and fidgeted anxiously. There were others there too, most likely retainers of the older women who were the matrons of each of the prospects families. Some looked to be mothers or aunts while others by their aged appearance were grandmothers or even great grandmothers. Each with hope in their eyes that Ariana would pick the woman that they had brought with them.

Kalliene Gordonal: 16, Long, wavy blonde hair, blue eyes and fair of skin. 5’5” tall and if she were 110# it wouldn't be by much. She is wearing a light blue dress.

Dashane Everett: 18, Long, straight dark brown hair, brown eyes and medium skin. 5’1” tall with the largest bosom and hips than the others. She weighs around 120”. She is wearing a dark blue dress.

Lialind Sapherd: 18, Long, curly blonde hair, hazel eyes and fair, almost ruddy skin. She is 5’3” tall with a medium build and weighs around 115#. She is wearing a light green dress.

Rossari Allard: 19, Long, wavy red hair with green eyes and very pale. She is the tallest at 5’10” with a lithe build and weighs around 125#.  She is wearing a pink dress.

Willow Hartford: 19, Medium length curly, gold blonde hair and hazel eyes. She is pale, 5’5” tall and weighs around 120#. She is wearing a yellow dress.

Caldori Balien: 20, Long, straight black hair tied back in a braid with piercing, gray eyes. She is the darkest of the 9, 5’7” but has a stouter look about her. She weighs around #125” and is wearing a violet dress.

Avalion Shariff: 20, Long, curly nut brown hair down to her waist. She is the most striking of the others with large, dark eyes and a determined look. She has almost olive skin and is 5’8” tall. She weighs around 120# and is wearing a cream-colored dress.

Morvren Niald: 21, Medium length wavy brown hair and bright hazel eyes. She is medium complected and about 5’4” tall. She weighs around 115# and is wearing a tan and cream dress.

Sarin Castlille: 22, Long, wavy black hair, light blue eyes and pale complection. She is 5’6” tall and weighs around 120#. She is wearing a flowery dress and was the only woman who did not seem as happy as the others to be here.

As Nauriel and Ariana met with Calista, Kressara and her 5 ladies in waiting they all began to move down the line in a gaggle and spoke directly to Ariana about each woman’s graces and disfavors. Obviously these women had been measured to the inch and weighed to the ounce before she arrived.

Ariana slowly walked with her mother into the garden. Like her other sisters, the garden was one of her favorite places to go, particularly in the spring. Flowers of all colors and sizes were in full bloom and a floral fragrance filled the air. The sky was a bright blue and nearly cloudless. Birds chirped and sang happily and Ariana could see butterflies and bees flying about from flower to flower. Ariana could not deny that her mind was rather preoccupied at the moment as thoughts of Einor and that kiss still lingered. She was rather certain of what he was going to do, though he would not be able to make his intentions known until after her father returned.

Ariana's eyes slowly scanned over the 9 women that stood in a single line before her. They were all young and unmarried, though a few appeared to be several years older than she. All of the young women were dressed nicely and behind them she could see female members of their families waiting anxiously for her choices. Of all the women there was only one she could see that did not seem happy to be there. In Ariana's mind she was already out.

Calista and Kressara were there. Kressara appeared to have already chosen her ladies in waiting and the group was examining her choices. Ariana could only assume that these ladies had already been judged by her sister in law and was curious as to her thoughts.

"Well, I can already see that the one on the end with the black hair does not appear happy to be here and so I would certainly say that she would not be one I would choose. What are your thoughts on the rest Calista?"

Calista leaned in to Ariana when Ariana leaned in to speak to her. These women would answer any question that was posed to them with the best of their ability. Most now had red cheeks and were working hard to remain meek at some of the questions that some of the women asked them.
“Don’t be so quick to dismiss her, she was betrothed recently to a man who died. If anyone needed a friend, Sarin certainly does but it is your decision Ariana, and it might be years so choose wisely,” Calista said softly.
“Caldori,” Calista continued, “Knows alot about horses and Falconing. Avalion is daughter to Helesha and knows much about fashion and Etiquette. Willow, I think is more sheltered than the others, but that only means that she will be more likely to be reliable where Rossari, to me might know more about men than she lets on,” she added in little more than whispers. “When I look at Kalliene all I think of is ‘innocent’ and Dashane...not so much?” She said with a grin. “Ooo, oo, she said and paused. Her hands went to her stomach and she smiled. “Oh they are kicking so much now,” she said.

Ariana listened to what her sister-in-law said about Sarin and glanced over at her slightly. She nodded a little, thinking perhaps her first judgement had been too quick. She would not make that mistake again. She continued to listen to Calista, glancing at each girl in turn. She of course would need to speak to them each herself, but Calista's thoughts were important to her. She thought highly of her sister-in-law and knew she would make a great Queen one day. She and Eldarion had survived what was surely to be the most difficult part of their lives together and had come out the other side an even stronger couple. She admired them both and hoped to one day have the same kind of happiness they did.

She was about to speak in reply to all Calista had told her when suddenly Calista felt the twins kick. She smiled at her. "May I?" she asked hoping to be able to feel her nieces or nephews. When Calista agreed she gently placed her hands upon her belly and smiled as she felt them kicking.

"They are quite active, aren't they?" she said with a smile. "Meliara never moved very much. In fact, for a short time I feared she might be dead, but then she would move a little, much to my relief."

After a moment Ariana removed her hands and straightened up and turned towards the young women. They all saw her looking at them and quickly righted themselves as she moved towards them. Ariana moved down the line, speaking to each girl individually. She asked them various questions and listened closely to their answers. She knew she wouldn't get to know them entirely in only a few questions, but she hoped to gauge enough about their personalities and character to pick the five she felt would be best for herself and each other. Finally, she walked back over to her mother and Calista.

"I have made my decisions. It will be Caldori, Willow, Avalion, Kalliene, and...Sarin."

Calista smiled at her decisions and Nauriel didn’t really look all that surprised at all. “Congratulations Ariana,” Kressara said and gave her big sister a hug. “Would you and Meliara be free for tea later today? We haven’t had time to talk lately, since your return and I feel I do not know my big sister as I shoud,” she said excitedly. She was all smiles and her hair was braided and set around ao nothing hung down from her head. It made her look older like that.

As Nauriel clapped her hands she began to call out the women’s names that Ariana had picked out. Everyone bowed as Ariana and her retinue departed though Calista and Nauriel remained to give instructions and soothe the wounded honor of those and their families that had not been selected. It wasn’t a required practice but bridges could sometimes be burned by those families not selected and Nauriel and Calista were strong in diplomacy.

“All excellent choices Ariana, you’ll see. You’ll have to pick Your first and what each one will do for you. Or pass the duties around to find out each ones strengths and weaknesss. Her ladies stayed several paces behind and they were just as different as her selections were. On the outside at least.

Ariana felt comfortable with her choices and knew that she had selected the best women for her. She felt bad for those she did not choose, but hopefully relationships would remain strong between their families. She smiled at her younger sister and returned her hug. She couldn't believe how much Kressara had grown since her return. She was becoming a strong, independent young woman and it amazed her how much she looked like their mother.

"I would love that," she replied with a smile. For a brief moment her thoughts went back to Einor and that kiss, but she managed to push those thoughts aside once more.

OOC-Was there anything more we wanted to do here?

Ooc: nope, feel free to start something

OOC-Maybe something with Merylan and Einor?

Sure

OOC-New thread. Sorry I'm at work today so I might be slower in replying.