Taking Demeter and Carlotta to Gotland

[ostro_goth]

Teja is sitting by the door, turning the snake bracelet in his hands.

He is waiting for his friends to to turn up, so they may go visit his people together.

Comments

[wheatencrown]

"To know how to keep safe is important, but not everyone is meant to be a warrior. We all have our own paths,"

Demeter moves closer to Carlotta and kisses the top of her head, she worries so much about her.

[fiery_ring]

Carlotta hugs Demeter with her baby free hand. She has to admit she worries a bit about herself at the moment!

Not that she would admit it, but she feels she's in a bit deeper than she's comfortable with.

[ostro_goth]

That is when Gotho turns to them, from the fire.

"Pancakes are ready!" she declares cheerfully.

[wheatencrown]

"Wonderful. Where would you like the twins while we eat?"

[fiery_ring]

"Pancakes, lovely!" Carlotta says, also looking for somewhere to put a twin.

[ostro_goth]

"Put them on the bench, and Rauthgundis shall sit beside them and mind them if they try to crawl away," Gotho decrees. "Now, please put up the tables and chairs so we may sit all together."

There are big plates stacked with pancakes by the fire.

[wheatencrown]

Demeter nods and takes Valeria over to Raughgundis before helping to set up the tables.

[fiery_ring]

Carlotta puts Myrtia down very carefully, in case she should fall off.

[ostro_goth]

Rauthgundis proudly sits beside the twins and watches everybody else be busy, set up the table and chairs, lay the table, bring food and drink.

She's important -- she is minding the babies.

The babies are half-sitting against her, watching with absolutely riveted fascination. Little Myrtia squeals with fascination when Hilde brings the old golden goblet. Ooooh shiny!!

[wheatencrown]

Its a wonderful scene and the pancakes smell delicious, Demeter meets Teja's gaze to share a beaming smile.

[fiery_ring]

Carlotta helps as she can, and waits to see what the protocol is for saying grace.

It's nice to be within a family, though it makes her pine for England a little.

[ostro_goth]

Gotho, who sits with her back to the hearth-fire, says thanks to the gods and goddesses for the food before Liuta starts distributing pancakes to everyone; then Gotho offers honey and cream and jams to go with them (making sure Hilde doesn't grab all the apple sauce for herself), and Adalgoth pours drinks -- wine, ale or cider for the grown-ups, sweet elderflower water for the children.

[wheatencrown]

Demeter gives Carlotta a quick hug before starting to eat, its good to see her here and someday she will have her own family when she's ready.

[fiery_ring]

Carlotta hugs her back and smiles brightly, not wanting to spoil the day by being worried. She tucks into the pancakes.

[ostro_goth]

Teja has been given the seat at the head of the table, in the old Roman folding-chair brought from the south-lands: - the place of honour.

He lifts the slightly dented goblet, looks at them all one by one -- the ones he knew and loved when he was alive, the women who are his family in his afterlife, and all the wonderful children that were born after his death -- and then drinks, saying nothing, just looking at them.

His eyes are very gentle, and full of love. Here he now is, with the proof his life and death was worth it. Even the bitterest moment of it all.-