1643

Ch1. The Heart of Era Gardenia

Lady Eleanor yearned for her elder brother, and she nibbled on her lower lip as she thought of the pleasant memories they had shared together. She let out a mournful sigh and looked yonder through thy frosted windows.

"Alas, Sir James," Lady Eleanor breathed as she watched him stumble out of a carriage nearby. Her brother was bruised horribly. "what have thee got into of present?"

The blonde got up daintily and smoothed down her gown, patting down any particles of dust that managed itself onto her bodice. Lady Eleanor swept out of the room briskly, her arms folded at her middle.

"I shall greet Sir James and beckon him to the manor," declared Lady Eleanor to herself determinedly. "T'is only just when war hath taken him for three years."

---

She strode with great confidence into thy sitting room and pasted a brilliant smile unto her delicate face. "Sir James, t'is good to see you here once more."

Sir James snorted despite himself. "Yes, sister, it is. What a fine young woman you have become," he complimented warmly. "I only miss the fact that I missed your ceremony of engagement to the Baron."

"Nonsense, Sir James," Lady Eleanor dissmissed easily. "you could not have missed such a fine ceremony if it had not taken place at all."

"But of course," frowned Sir James, bewildered. "Had the invitation addressed to thyself been of false trail?" he questions, curious.

"No, not all, brother," the young woman said, waving a hand in the air. "t'was called off."

"And, may I be so bold to enquire, why?"

"T'was found that the baron had some . . . illegal goings . . . in his sort of trade, brother," Lady Eleanor informed. "But, no matter, it is time to celebrate the arrival of the victor: you, my dear Sir James."

Sir James grinned, mischeif sparkling in his deep grey eyes. "Why, such a thing is to be expected after my return, is it not?" he asked cockily. "Anyhow, the matter of our engagements still stands upon us, Lady Eleanor."

She gasped dramatically. "Our engagements, Sir James?" Lady Eleanor repeated breathlessly.

"Whom else, my dear?" Sir James returned cheekily.

Lady Eleanor smiled lovingly at him. "Oh, dear brother, I had no idea that you had found a suitable bride!" she told him as an answer for her former dramatics. "So happy am I that the news shall reach Mother and Father at the quickest pace! I find myself already enamored with this young lady, do describe her, won't you?" Lady Eleanor questioned while motioning for a servant to bring news to her mother and father at the most fast pace available.

Her elder brother laughed heartily. "Her eyes are blue like the dawn's first breath of fresh air! Her skin so fair and pale, you'd think it be the milk of a cow! Her features are delicate like a china vase! Her hair the color of a fire burning bright! And her figure willowy like my favorite flower! Her blush adorns her face like a sprinkle of strawberry! I am in love, you see, Lady Eleanor!" Sir James exclaimed with great cheer.

Lady Eleanor gazed upon his eyes with giddy joy. "And while I must congratulate you on this wonderous find, I too find that her name remains unspoken!" she hinted.

"Her name is as beautiful as yourself," he compliments subtly. "her name is Amira of House Airilie! Is it not a house of riches, wealth, knowledge and power? Tell me, sister, is this not a bride destined to be mine?" Sir James demanded joyfully.

"It is, Sir James, and yet you know the traditions of a bride-to-be and a groom-to-be!" she scolded, most informally. "You are not to see her till the day of bonding," Lady Eleanor paused, considering, "did her father and Head of House agree to this alliance, brother?"

"Yes," he confessed openly. "and though I do not favor the man greatly, for his deeds are with malicious intent no doubt, this choice of his has not a motive insight! I can feel it, sister, I can!" Sir James chuckled at his own excitement seeping through his speech.

"Oh, Sir James," requested Lady Eleanor, "will you not walk with me in the gardens of Era Gardenia? I feel a craving for some fresh air, and you seem to be the nearest."

Sir James agreed immediately. "Would you not have asked me if I had not been near by you, sister?" he jested. "I find myself offended!"

Lady Eleanor scoffed softly and led him to the beautiful gardens. T'was filled with greenery of all sorts and looked to be made of magic, with all the hues it projected onto one's eye.

--- 

Brother and sister walked side by side compatibly and chattered amongst themselves for round a quarter of an hour till the servant came rushing back. "Lady Eleanor," he gasped, out of breath, "the message to your father and mother has been delivered with utmost haste, miss!" he told her and promptly went back into the manor at Lady Eleanor's command.

Sir James looked at her sadly. "And this, sister, is where I must part," he said with grief apparent in his voice. "I shall visit you in a count of seven days, no more, no less! I find that I have a work to do for the day of bonding!" and with that, he left, a word of goodbye his last to her.

Lady Eleanor sighed to herself. She was just about to flounder back hither into the manor and prepare for her parents' vist, and yet, she was pulled to wards the "heart of the garden", the center, it was oft called.

The young lady ventured to the center and gasped. With a hand placed femininely on her mouth, she looked upon the the battered young girl who lay right in the middle. The girl's attire was most odd, and she looked nothing like any of the lasses Lady Eleanor had seen in her lifetime, in fact, she looked as the most oddest of any Lady Eleanor had laid eyes upon.

The girl groaned and groggily woke up, blinking up at Lady Eleanor. "What year is it?!" the girl asked hysterically.

"1643," the ex-bride answered unsurely, "and I may ask of yours?"

The girl's eyes were impossibly wide. "2296," she said, and prompty passed out.

'Oh my,' thought Lady Eleanor grimly. 'It appears we have a traveler of time in our midst.'

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A/N: This one's a bit short, but I had to end it here since it was sort of a prologue. I'm trying my best with the "Olde English" but I'm not sure if I have it. And, I'll try to make the future chapters longer. Tell me what you think in the comments down below!