𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐞 ━━ 𝘙𝘦𝘣𝘦𝘬𝘢𝘩 𝘔𝘪𝘬𝘢𝘦𝘭𝘴𝘰𝘯

1|Daily life

IN THE PROSPEROUS TOWN OF COTTINGHAM, MANY THINGS WERE MOVING ALONG AS ALWAYS. The people were always busy yet they enjoyed it. Well, some did. Others had grueling responsibilities and jobs that weren't exactly joyful or fun.

Although, in the town, a young woman had been strolling through the streets to a friend. Of course, this girl was no other than Eleanor Tyrell, the daughter of a wealthy merchant who was known for having the best quality of items and selling for the right price. He had a certain standing in the village, earning him a variety of things. All of it was to provide for his family. For Eleanor. And, obviously, he had always wanted to be a merchant since he was a child. He was a man of the trade.

As she was strolling through the streets, many eyes were on her. She was known as a happy, bright girl who brought a smile to anyone's face. Hell, even some envied her for her beauty and social standing. Some wanted to court her, alas, none were good enough. They always tried but never successful. She did not care about their attempts but she did feel bad for them.

After walking on and on through the eyes of her village, she finally arrived at her friend's house. Her friend, Margaret Ainsworth had a similar reputation. Her father was a supplier for the king of the land. Although, she was known for something else, entirely. She was known for being quite tempermental, some would say. She was fierce, to say the least. Eleanor adored that about her. She was outgoing and not afraid to speak her mind. The same was said for Eleanor but she was more...quiet in comparison.

"Father, I am not going to meet that William boy! I am going to be with Eleanor!" Margaret screamed to her father as she ran out to get through the door of her abode. "Oh, sod off!" she yelled once again to her father in attepmts to get him off her back for the time being. "Ella!"

"Are you arguing with your father again, Marg?" she questioned with a small smile.

"I'm always arguing with him, but, yes I am. He wants me to meet some boy named William, the son of a snake charmer, I suppose. He doesn't get that I am not interested, at all!"

"Have you told him that?"

"Of course, I have! I mean, there's more curses than words but..." she leads off.

Eleanor giggles in response and links her arm with hers to continue on their path. They walk along the stone pavements of their village to the gardens that were so familiar to them. It was their favorite place to remain ever since they were children. The roses and sunflowers were Margaret's favorite while Eleanor really did favor the marigolds and snapdragons. The gardens withheld beautiful fields of flowers. They were originally meant for the royal family, the family that resided in close to the village.

As soon as they arrived at the gardens, they began to take in the arouma's of the various flowers. They welcomed it, since it was joyful in it's own right.

"They smell wonderful, as always" Margaret spoke up as the pair sat on a bench of sorts with stone bases.

"Yes, as always" she replied as smoothed her scarlet red dress out as they sat. Her clothing wasn't the best of finery but it was better than some. It had gold lined across the top and bottom of the dress while having several embellishments of diamonds across the bottom as well. Her shoulders were bare and her skin was definitely on display. Margaret's dress was similar to hers but it was of a porcelin pink that was of a light complexion, if possible.

Margaret then grabbed a red rose from behind her and proceeded to put it in Eleanor's hair. She wasn't expecting the gesture but smiled at it. The strawberry blonde tucked a strand of hair behind the girl's ear and chuckled. Even in silence, they enjoyed the other's company immensely.

"So, what is your father up to these days? I'm sure he is trying to have you betrothed sometime soon" she asks as she twirls another red rose in her grasp.

Eleanor sighs in response. Her father hadn't tried to have her married so soon but he just hoped that she would. He had taken notice of several suitors failed attempts to court her. It was common to be married at a young age. She was in her early 20's, the best age for courting. She was interested in none of them. "He's just trading, as per usual. He...I honestly do not know what he wants right now. Obviously, he wants me to be married at one point but I might just be disappointing him. I-I don't know, Margaret" she explains tiredly.

"You are not disappointing him, Eleanor. Getting married is not everything, I am sure. Your father is probably content as of now" she comforts the girl and rubs her back soothingly. She smiles in return and perks up slightly.

"I guess so. But, have you heard about the king's welcoming?"

"The what?"

"I heard from my father that the king shall be welcoming new nations into the villages. Even those who are from across the world!" she exclaimed with excitement.

"Oh!" she exclaimed with a small gasp in a joking tone, "Such news!"

"Oh, stop! I am excited to meet these newcomers. They could bare other customs or treats of a different land, Marg"

"I suppose so, but perhaps you might meet a new friend, maybe even something more than a friend" she teases with a wiggle of her eyebrows. Eleanor blushes but chuckles at her responses and replies.

"Oh, stop!" she laughs out and covers her wide smile with her hands to conceal it. It doesn't work, seeing as it outspreads the vicinity of her hand. Margaret further continues her jokes which makes her laughs even louder throughout the garden. The pair spend the day teasing one another and spekaing of non-serious matters. At the end of the day, they were certainly a pair to last forever.

|AUTHORS NOTE|

First chapter! I was very excited yet chill while writing this omf. I kept listening to sad yet soft songs oof. I just kinda wanted to show how Eleanor is before the Mikaelsons kinda roll into the village. Margaret and Eleanor are already my brotp, OOpS. Any thoughts on this so far? Hope y'all enjoyed this for some reason and hope y'all are having a great day/night!