Everlong

The Dancing Deer

Ed woke up feeling groggy, but the fresh morning air pouring in from the open balcony where him and Olly had kissed last night welcomed him with sunlight and blue sky. He stretched, knowing today was the day he would get his head out of his ass and go downstairs to find Olly and tell her everything that had been hidden in his heart all this time.

Quickly he dressed, a nice white tunic with a brown leather vest, his boots being strapped tight to his feet as he walked briskly out of Kirwin's room, his golden headband keeping that snow white hair out of his face. Maybe he should give himself a trim, just to be sure he looked presentable when he spoke to her...

"No" he smiled as he shook his head "No time like the present."

He was going to do it, he was going to tell Olly everything

He nearly bounced down the golden stone steps that went to the main floor of the Keep, servants and trainees passing by much like he used to in his own temple. He could smell breakfast drifting from the kitchens, but his mind hungered for his Olly even more.

"Excuse me" he said stopping a trainee, her arms full of flowers as she stopped for the Cleric "Where is the Duer family? I need to speak with Olly."

"I haven't seen Lady Olly" the girl shook her head "But Lord Kirwin is out in the gardens right now if you need to see one of the family members."

"Thank you" Ed nodded, heading down a few more hallways till he reached the garden doors much as he had done the other day.

Outside the fresh air greeted him as he opened the massive glass doors, the smell of summer hitting his nose with a pleasant surprise. He could see druids walking through the gardens, baskets full of herbs and flowers, fruits and veggies in some as all seemed excited for the festival that was happening tonight. There in the middle of the green hedges Ed spotted blue haired Kirwin, talking to his younger brother and pointing at various spots in the garden. Ed quickly made his way to the boys, the two greeting him with wide, but hesitant smiles.

"Kirwin, Nole" Ed nodded taking in their expressions "How's the day going?"

"Getting ready, things are moving fast today" Kirwin smiled "How are you?"

"Did you talk to Olly yet?" Nole chimed in.

"I did" Ed nodded, a slight grimace on his face "And I've made a complete fool of myself."

"Well," Kirwin frowned "How was she?"

"I think we need to work on our communication" Ed smiled sheepishly "But I know this, I care about Olly. I want to be with her, no matter the circumstances. I want to find her and tell her before I muck this situation up anymore."

Nole beamed up at the Cleric, while Kirwin smiled in a knowing way before shrugging his shoulders "I'm afraid she's already gone off with our mother and sisters. We won't be able to see them until this evening for the festival."

"She can't see me at all?" Ed asked a bit confused and disappointed.

"Olly has to be one of the three maidens to do the ritual for the Dancing Deer" Nole shrugged "Part of that is being isolated from anyone until the ceremony."

"She informed our mother this morning that she would be the third" Kirwin said "We thought maybe you two had decided to separate, which is why we were pleased to see you come into the gardens."

"What do the maidens have to do in the ceremony?" Ed wondered.

Nole quickly excused himself with a red face, while Kirwin shook his head at the young man before looking back at Ed.

"The maidens have to do the ceremonial dance and then run into the woods to find a lover, it's a ritual to honor Mielikki. Those that want to find them will have to search just as followers do when trying to find the goddess" the Druid said plainly "Mother was going to use one of her girls, but Olly figured she could fill in the role since she was available, which made us all think the worst. She's never participated like this before, so we were understandably surprised."