The Realm of the Sun

Eirainna's Confession

               Three more beautiful dawns had come and gone until Eirainna realized it was time to face her fears. She would have to confess her treasonous scandal to her closest friend in hopes that she could provide guidance in lieu of judgment. Once she was dressed and ready for her outing, she called for Una. The tired, but cheerful maid came in holding her tray of tea and Eirainna's morning meal, which even at a first glance, the thought of eating it—or eating anything, for that matter—repulsed her. The relentless nausea began to flurry around in her stomach again, but all she could think about was how her life depended on hiding it.

"What is it, Milady?"

"Una, I would like to go the village to see Nessie."

"Now?"

"Yes, right away, if possible."

"As you wish, Milady. I will pack your things for you," she said and set down the tray of tea. Without allowing herself to be curious, Una started for the wardrobe and began to put aside Eirainna's clothes for the journey.

"No, no, I will take care of all that. What I mean is I...don't...quite feel up to riding alone. I've not been myself lately, as you know, and though I have recovered significantly from the episode during the tournament, I would not want to have another...accident...on the way," Eirainna explained, calmly.

"Oh, of course, Milady. That is very thoughtful of you. I'll send for one of the knights to accompany you. I'm sure Sir Niall would be more than happy to do it. He's been asking me every day since you took ill if there's anything he can do to help, talks of nothin' else," she divulged as though it were highly secretive information. She shook her head with a smile as she recalled Niall's sweet, but nervous dedication to the princess.

"Thank you very much," she said with gratitude that Una asked no further questions, "I was thinking...if there was a wagon available for me, that would be most—"

"I'm afraid the wagons are being used for the ordnance and the bigger carriages are out bringin' more outside soldiers into Tara," Una explained as she compulsively dusted the mantle. She struggled to dust around the gold encrusted vase that held a single dying violet, long past its season, on the mantle over the hearth.

"I see," Eirainna said, not eager to ride a horse given the circumstances, but not wanting to arouse any suspicion by demanding a wagon. That would involve Maeve, she thought, and immediately she abandoned that possibility.

"This flower has seen its day," Una said with a pathetic smile at the lonely, lilting violet, which seemed so starved for sunlight and affection that Una imagined it stood in a mound of ashes instead of water.

"No, leave it," Eirainna responded hastily, "If you don't mind, Una."

"Very well," she laughed, a little addled by the request. "Is there anything else you wanted, Milady?" Una stood in the doorway, asking as a matter of courtesy even though Eirainna rarely wanted for anything. Asking for a carriage and an escort to the village on such short notice was already highly uncharacteristic.

"No, no that's—oh, yes as a matter of fact. Una?"

"Milady?" she nearly tripped over herself, not anticipating that Eirainna's answer would require her to stay.

"If it wouldn't be too much trouble, is there any way we can have Furbaide's bed moved up here, to the tower? He's very attached to me and really needs a mo—he needs to be looked after at this time in his life. You may think I'm spoiling him, but truthfully I think he's much too young to be in that big, gloomy chamber all by himself. You do understand, don't you, Una?"

"Of course, Milady. I will speak to the service about it. We can have it all arranged by the time you return, I'm sure."

"Thank you, Una," she sighed gratefully, with an affectionate smile.