the_lioness | (no subject)

(no subject)

*It's late when they arrive in the castle courtyard, packs slung over their shoulders and noses red from the cold. A few people are still about, most notably the hostler, an old, cranky man Alanna loves to tease. Luckily, he teases right back. She grins and waves as Adam opens the door. Ranulf looks them both over as if confused by their frequent comings and goings, but says nothing. Instead, he gestures to the library.*

Sir Myles is still awake, Lioness.

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*Adam nods at her and walks ahead, pushing the door to the library open slowly.*

Hullo?

*He looks back at Alanna and gestures her to his side.*

Myles is dressed in his dressing gown and a tattered, badly in need of a patch job - house coat of faded red velvet. His fingers are ink stained, he tried in vain to wash them after dinner - before giving it up as a lost cause. He has realized somewhat belatedly, that this is perhaps not the best mode of attire when greeting guests.. but it is late, and he's been awake since the before the sun rose.

At least his hair is brushed and his beard is trimmed.

He looks up as they enter the library - Alanna at her ease and Adam, slightly unsure of himself. Myles can see it in his stance.

Oh well. He'll do his best to put the young man - my new son in law, he reminds himself - at ease.

"Ah you're here." He rises to his feet. "Be welcome."

*No matter his brushed hair or trimmed beard, Alanna will always think of a shaggy bear and love him all the more for it. Smiling, she hurries over and gives him a huge hug.*

Good evening, Father. I'm sorry for the hour, but I thought we might find you still awake. How are you?

*She lets go and grins at Adam, dropping her pack by the fire.*

*Adam stands back and to the side, a comfortable grin on his face as he looks over the books on the shelves.*

I've brought back some of the books, as well. I worked on one of them, so you could take a look at it.

He hugs Alanna tightly.

"Nonsense. You could arrive any time day or night.. And if I were sleeping, well I'd just have to get up then." He smiles, letting go of her.

He addresses Adam.

"Oh! You've brought the books. Excellent. I should like to see them - "he trails off, smacking himself in the forehead. "Goodness, what am I thinking.. what kind of host am I? Come in, come in. Can I get you anything? Wine? Tea?"

[He's laying it on a bit thick for him. Though it's unlikely that anyone other than Alanna would notice..]

*Alanna quirks an eyebrow and smiles.*

The sort of host who should remember he doesn't have to play host at all. Not to us, anyway. After all, we've availed ourselves of your hospitality may times before.

*Adam laughs a bit awkwardly and smiles.*

Really, I'm fine. Thank you for letting me work on the books. It was a pleasure, really.

Myles smiles. "So sit down. And show me books."

*Alanna pulls an apple from her pack and presses it into Myles' hand before taking a seat.*

Good ones are hard to come by here at this time of year. *She turns to Adam, rather anxious to see the books herself.*

*He pulls out the books, setting them aside. He has them in different stages of work, with one completed, and he turns them so that Myles can see the bindings.*

If you look at the ones I've not done a lot of work on, you can see the places that needed it most. They were in fantastic shape, though, all things considered, and I didn't have to do much.

It takes all his self control to not pounce gleefully on/at the books. Instead, he accepts the book and reverently opens the cover - every inch the scholar - examining the binding.

Very pleased at what he sees.

"This is excellent work, Adam.."

*Alanna sits back with a smile. There's a sharp pang at the thought that Thom can't be here, but it doesn't last long. It would be too hard to maintain melancholy when confronted by the looks of excitement on their faces.*

You two both look like you're unwrapping gifts.

But it's almost exactly like that, Alanna. Because you've taken something that was falling apart, and made it new and useable again.

*He picks up one of the books and hands it to her, opening the front.*

The damage that time and people do... gone.

"I couldn't agree more!" Myles says, enthusiastically. "I feel like a small child on Midwinter morning.."

He grins.

*Running her finger down the first page, she smiles wistfully.*

I like doing that with swords. How many did you do?

I only started with a few. I wanted to make sure that Myles was happy with them before I did more.

*He looks up at Myles hesitantly.*

He clasps Adam on the shoulder.

"I'm extraordinarily happy with them Adam. You have my thanks."

He stifles a yawn.

"And now perhaps it's best we seek our beds? We can continue this tomorrow morning after breakfast?"

It had best be an early one. Adam has an appointment to keep with Liam. *She grins, leaning forward to kiss Adam's cheek.* And you and I have crop reports to discuss.

*He flushes a bit, shy for some reason in front of Myles.*

Thank you, really. And have a good night's sleep.

He plants a kiss on Alanna's cheek.

"Best the two of you get to bed then."

He winks.

Whatever they do there - sleep or otherwise - is entirely up to them.

"I bid you goodnight. And I'll see you both in the morning..."

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