The Painting

Chapter 4: Mid-Summer Festival(Pic of Isaretle)

"Annalise! Annalise get up right now!"

"Yeah, Annalise get your lazy butt out of- oh uhm I guess get up off that floor?"

Annalise groaned as her brothers burst into her room. "Why do you two have to be so loud?" She asked while rubbing her eyes.

"Why are you on the ground?" One brother, Sam maybe?, asked. Sitting up she attempted to explain but was interrupted with a yawn. Bright morning sunlight streamed through her widows drowning the light emitted from the candles still burning. Papers, ink, and scrolls littered the floor around her and she was surprised Namiavuh hadn't cleaned it up. Her answer soon came as her eyes rested on the woman herself curled up in the chair by the window.

"I was up most the night trying-" Annalise placed her hands on her hips and pierced her lips. "What in the heavens are you laughing at?"

"You- your-" Isaretle succumbed to another fit of laughter and simple pointed at her face.

"You got- some- some-" Sam didn't do much better and soon the two were literally rolling in the ground with laughter. Fed up with their immaturity Annalise walked to her mirror for a look. She exclaimed in despair at the sight, dark black ink was smudged all over her face with a large splotch on her right cheek.

"Oh my, m'lady that's quite the predicament you're in right there." Namiavuh's drowsy voice came from behind her, Annalise just noticing her reflection.

Turning to the boys wheezing on the floor she pointed to the door, "Out." Was all she said and they, still laughing, left the room in near tears. Turning to her maidservant she threw her hands up, "How on earth am I to fix this."

Namiavuh laughed curtly, "well maybe if you hadn't run off and done who knows what all evening you wouldn't have been up all hours of the night." She scolded while pouring a fresh bucket of steaming water into the bath. Annalise smiled sheepishly and began to untie her dress she still wore from the previous day.

Once the two got Annalise out of her corset she took in a deep breath, "Oh man, why didn't I take that off before working." She rubbed her back and stretched before sliding into the bath. The warmth of the water soothed her aching bones from sleeping on the floor. It took some hard scrubbing, and a whole lot of soap, before Annalise had gotten rid of all the ink on her face and hands. Looking in the mirror she stared contentedly at her clean reflection and allowed Namiavuh free reign to do what she wished with her hair.

"There we are milady, all clean and ready for the festival. Well that is once you pick a dress to wear." Namiavuh commented. Annalise looked at her choice of dresses and chose a loose fitting red dress with gold accents. "No corset today I'm assuming?" She asked.

"Definitely not! This dress is fitted enough to not need one anyways." Namiavuh pulled the lacing in the back tight and Annalise felt the familiar squeeze from the dress.

"There we are now. All ready for a fun day at the festival." Annalise looked at her reflection and marveled at the beautiful work Namiavuh had done on her hair.

Now that the two were ready the women made their way down to the foyer. Upon arrival they were greeted by Samuel's fiancé, Melody. "Annalise! Nami, how are you two?" She bubbled, Melody was the same age as Annalise and the two got along very well.

"We are great. Will you be joining us for the festivities today?" Annalise replied. The other women hooked her arm through Annalise's as they began walking out the door.

"I will, but Sam said he wanted to stay with your brothers and watch the duels." Annalise giggled, that was quite like them. They liked the fighting more than the actual festival. Annalise and Melody fell into a comfortable conversation as they walked to town. It wasn't a long walk and they were there in no time and were greeted with many cheers ad good wishes. Annalise, as always, ran off to be with the children and was soon surrounded by many girls who threw question after question at her.

Eventually Annalise broke away from the girls and boys and moved to the various stalls and carts set up along the road. "PRINCESSSSSS!!!" A sudden shout came up behind her and Annalise turned to see a young boy running breathlessly towards her. "Princess Annalise- your name-" he took a few deep breaths, "You've been- challenged by a towns-person!" He finally got out before taking an offered water jug. This news brought a smile to Annalise's face and she turned to Namiavuh.

"Please Nami!? Oh please will you let me do it?" She asked, her request echoed around her by the surrounding townsfolk.

Namiavuh let out a sigh, "I don't see the harm in doing one request." She gave in. Ecstatic, Annalise did a little hop and turned to the boy who brought the message.

"Thank you for telling me, do me a favor and accept the request on my behalf." She gave the boy two gold pieces and shooed him off. Turning to the man she had been earlier bargaining with she put down her item. "Sorry sir but I'll have to return for this, if it doesn't sell do send a messenger to the castle for the money. It is truly beautiful." Giving the man one last smile she turned and ran off towards the arena.

"Annalise! What have I told you about running in your dresses?" The sharp command stopped her in her tracks and she smiled at Namavuh sheepishly.

"Sorry Nami, its just hard to contain my excitement." She once again started off but this time at a much more controlled pace.