[Oh, the first love. Grainne sighs and props her head on her free palm.]
It was many years before that whole sorry nonsense with Fionn. There was a boy... he was in my father's protection and trained with the men at Tara. [A fond look crosses her face, accompanied by a great pain that seemed old and well worn.] He was the ugliest young man you ever did lay eyes on, but... his voice and his soul were the gentlest and brightest. There was something special about him. Some inner goodness that seeped out and affected everything around him just by being there. I swear to this day colors seemed brighter in his presence.
Oh, it took me a long time to understand what I felt whenever he talked to me, but that young man, he was wise and full of life and love for life. Soon enough we started making plans for our future together. He was just as fascinated by the enemies that came from the south and north as I was, so we were to travel and learn what we may of the world outside Eire.
We never saw it through... [The pain is a bit more pronounced, and Grainne rubs an eye as if she might be wiping a tear away.] A battle came and he went out with the other men but never came back. I saw as they rolled the bodies back into the Hill for proper burial... and my heart... it was the first time my heart broke.
I turned down all the suitors that came after that, save the one I should have.
[She's quiet as she listens, even going so far as to stop Angus so she can focus on the story. Her brow furrows, wanting to be able to be there and give the other woman a hug. Instead, Merida gives her a small smile. She can't imagine witnessing such a thing, the war with the northern invaders long over before she was born.]
He sounds like he was amazin'. [Her voice is gentle, sympathetic, not even bothering to apologize for the title.] If you would allow it, I would be honored tae keep your first love in my thoughts.
[Grainne's laugh is a bit nervous now.] That would be why I was out and about. It will not be the first time I have had to find him and tell him he's being an idiot.
Have you had word of him lately? And what of you, where are you off to?
I cannae say I have. Last I spoke tae him was last month, durin' th' dogs. [Merida bites her bottom lip, then grins a little cheekily.] If I see him on th' road, I'll give him a good talkin' tae about makin' ye worry.
[Speaking of, she kicks Angus into gear again, causing a flutter of wings to appear in the feed as he whickers.]
Th' Barrel. A friend of mine said they were havin' a Yule party there.
Mayhap he will be smarter if he has two of us to nip at his heels then. [The idea is amusing! Ah, if only Druime were here and grown, they could likely reform the man.]
Oh, I heard of that. That's in a few days, isn't it? I wish you a good time. Be sure to show up the lads if they challenge you to a contest!
Ah, no, it would take me a week to reach it unless he shows up to be my steed to get us there in time. Besides, I've my fill of the road for now with all the hunting about.
You will have to tell me the tales of your exploits.
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[Oh, the first love. Grainne sighs and props her head on her free palm.]
It was many years before that whole sorry nonsense with Fionn. There was a boy... he was in my father's protection and trained with the men at Tara. [A fond look crosses her face, accompanied by a great pain that seemed old and well worn.] He was the ugliest young man you ever did lay eyes on, but... his voice and his soul were the gentlest and brightest. There was something special about him. Some inner goodness that seeped out and affected everything around him just by being there. I swear to this day colors seemed brighter in his presence.
Oh, it took me a long time to understand what I felt whenever he talked to me, but that young man, he was wise and full of life and love for life. Soon enough we started making plans for our future together. He was just as fascinated by the enemies that came from the south and north as I was, so we were to travel and learn what we may of the world outside Eire.
We never saw it through... [The pain is a bit more pronounced, and Grainne rubs an eye as if she might be wiping a tear away.] A battle came and he went out with the other men but never came back. I saw as they rolled the bodies back into the Hill for proper burial... and my heart... it was the first time my heart broke.
I turned down all the suitors that came after that, save the one I should have.
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[She's quiet as she listens, even going so far as to stop Angus so she can focus on the story. Her brow furrows, wanting to be able to be there and give the other woman a hug. Instead, Merida gives her a small smile. She can't imagine witnessing such a thing, the war with the northern invaders long over before she was born.]
He sounds like he was amazin'. [Her voice is gentle, sympathetic, not even bothering to apologize for the title.] If you would allow it, I would be honored tae keep your first love in my thoughts.
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If you like... I'm sure he would have liked that. His name was Ailill.
[The smile fades as something seems to occur to her then.]
Ah, if it isn't too much to ask, do not mention it to Diarmuid.
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[She blinks a bit before waving her hands.]
Of course! It'll just be between you an' me, m'lady.
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[Then, her expression changes to amusement, with just a hint of exasperation.]
I mean, Princess Merida of Dunbroch. [She's even bowing slightly!]
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[She rolls her eyes and makes this face.]
Och, don't ye start now.
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[See this face? It is the face of innocence. The same one that melted a certain father-king's heart when she'd been up to mischief.]
Start what, Princess Merida of Dunbroch?
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Honestly, it's bad enough tae get th' imps tae stop callin' me Hartslayer...
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[Merida. Merida. Why did you do that? She's got a new toy now. She has three brothers and nine sisters herself. She knows how to be a pest.]
But you'll not be calling me m'lady again any time soon, will you?
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[Grainne. Grainne plz. She laughs slightly.]
I am sorry about that. Force of habit.
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My lady Hartslayer, you are very easy to tease so. Ah, I should leave you be though. I only got in myself.
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Aye, go get yourself rested an' see tae th' whereabouts of that husband of yours. I'm sure he misses ye.
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Have you had word of him lately? And what of you, where are you off to?
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I cannae say I have. Last I spoke tae him was last month, durin' th' dogs. [Merida bites her bottom lip, then grins a little cheekily.] If I see him on th' road, I'll give him a good talkin' tae about makin' ye worry.
[Speaking of, she kicks Angus into gear again, causing a flutter of wings to appear in the feed as he whickers.]
Th' Barrel. A friend of mine said they were havin' a Yule party there.
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Oh, I heard of that. That's in a few days, isn't it? I wish you a good time. Be sure to show up the lads if they challenge you to a contest!
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[She chuckles a little before she pauses.]
You aren't attendin', Grainne? T'would be a shame for ye tae miss me wipe th' floor with them.
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You will have to tell me the tales of your exploits.
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[She grins and shuts off the feed before Grainne can respond.]