![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
meridian_roseTitle: After Winter, Spring
Fandom: Legend of the Seeker
Pairing/Characters: Jennsen
Rating: PG
Word Count: Three drabbles totalling 700 words approx
Prompt: For the![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif)
peoplespalace second annual Twelve prompts of Rahlmas
Summary: Three interconnected drabbles about Jennsen's midwinter celebrations away from her family but surrounded by new friends.
Warnings: None
Title/Prompt: You Better Not Cry
Wordcount: 176
The whole village was gathering for the ceremony. Jennsen had been chosen to lead them because, she had been told, she had the best singing voice. She thought maybe it was a kind lie and they merely sought to include her and make her feel less alone at a time when family was the first thought on everyone's mind.
Jennsen was an orphan now, and Richard and Zedd were on their important quest, and Darken Rahl – well, that was a secret that few people knew lest they decide she were as evil as her half-brother, the tyrant ruler of D'Hara. Yet he was lonely too, Jennsen thought, remembering the short time she'd spent with him. He'd deny it, but the pain in his eyes when he'd talked about his father had been real.
She blinked away tears. All eyes would be on her shortly, and this was a time for rejoicing, not mourning. She'd better not cry.
Rahl pride and reserve rose up and gave her much needed strength, while Zorander compassion kept her warm inside.
Title/Prompt: Sing the Blessings
Wordcount: 290
Jennsen sang of the Creator and gave thanks for Her light. The oldest male in the village then lit the first candle, marking the return of the sun. Then Jennsen sang of things to be thankful for; the rain that filled the rivers, the sun that grew the crops, the food upon the table, the smiles of people around her.
When that song was over she softly sang a gentle refrain, over and over. Each person in the village took up a candle and, patiently waiting their turn, lit it from the centre candle. It represented the Creator's light in each of them, and the spreading of the sun's light and warmth to every corner of the world. When the candle was lit, the person would silently give thanks and then join in the song of blessing for the coming year.
Jennsen went last, and now her voice was silent but everyone else was chanting, their imperfect voices joining in glorious harmony. She lit her candle and thought of Richard and Zedd, Kahlan, Cara, and even Darken Rahl. She thought of her mother and hoped she was safe in the Creator's arms. She gave thanks for the kindness of these people who'd taken her in and who were fighting for freedom from tyranny.
After winter follows spring, after dark the light, bless us as we walk the path, hear our song tonight.
The song ended at a signal from the man who had lit the first candle and then there was a cheer from all assembled and they began to disperse toward the tables where warm wine and hot stew was waiting. Jennsen placed her candle close to the still burning centre candle, and then went to join her friends.
Title/Prompt: Wassail
Wordcount: 236
Jennsen watched with interest as several villagers picked up their mugs of warm wine and traipsed off towards the fruit trees.
"What are they doing?" she asked. She and her mother had kept to themselves but now she was learning about all sorts of customs that existed in various parts of the Midlands, some being fairly universal, while others were particular to just one town or village.
"Wassailing," she was told. "We thank the trees for their bounty."
Jennsen gathered up her skirts and carefully made her way over to the group who had been joined by many others; children with wooden spoons and cooking pots, women with rattles and bells, men with shields and daggers, and others with ladles to bang against the side of the their mugs. Wine was poured carefully at the base of a tree and then everyone sang. 'Blessings on this tree for the bounty of this year and hope for the next', followed by the cooking pots being rattled at, the bells rung, and shields hammered upon until the clatter was deafening.
It was an odd ritual, but soon Jennsen found herself joining in, stamping her feet in lieu of even an improvised musical instrument. By the finish she was red cheeked with the exertion though her breath showed up, white against the chilly air, and she was laughing with the others, and feeling hope for the return of spring.
Fandom: Legend of the Seeker
Pairing/Characters: Jennsen
Rating: PG
Word Count: Three drabbles totalling 700 words approx
Prompt: For the
peoplespalace second annual Twelve prompts of Rahlmas Summary: Three interconnected drabbles about Jennsen's midwinter celebrations away from her family but surrounded by new friends.
Warnings: None
Title/Prompt: You Better Not Cry
Wordcount: 176
The whole village was gathering for the ceremony. Jennsen had been chosen to lead them because, she had been told, she had the best singing voice. She thought maybe it was a kind lie and they merely sought to include her and make her feel less alone at a time when family was the first thought on everyone's mind.
Jennsen was an orphan now, and Richard and Zedd were on their important quest, and Darken Rahl – well, that was a secret that few people knew lest they decide she were as evil as her half-brother, the tyrant ruler of D'Hara. Yet he was lonely too, Jennsen thought, remembering the short time she'd spent with him. He'd deny it, but the pain in his eyes when he'd talked about his father had been real.
She blinked away tears. All eyes would be on her shortly, and this was a time for rejoicing, not mourning. She'd better not cry.
Rahl pride and reserve rose up and gave her much needed strength, while Zorander compassion kept her warm inside.
Title/Prompt: Sing the Blessings
Wordcount: 290
Jennsen sang of the Creator and gave thanks for Her light. The oldest male in the village then lit the first candle, marking the return of the sun. Then Jennsen sang of things to be thankful for; the rain that filled the rivers, the sun that grew the crops, the food upon the table, the smiles of people around her.
When that song was over she softly sang a gentle refrain, over and over. Each person in the village took up a candle and, patiently waiting their turn, lit it from the centre candle. It represented the Creator's light in each of them, and the spreading of the sun's light and warmth to every corner of the world. When the candle was lit, the person would silently give thanks and then join in the song of blessing for the coming year.
Jennsen went last, and now her voice was silent but everyone else was chanting, their imperfect voices joining in glorious harmony. She lit her candle and thought of Richard and Zedd, Kahlan, Cara, and even Darken Rahl. She thought of her mother and hoped she was safe in the Creator's arms. She gave thanks for the kindness of these people who'd taken her in and who were fighting for freedom from tyranny.
After winter follows spring, after dark the light, bless us as we walk the path, hear our song tonight.
The song ended at a signal from the man who had lit the first candle and then there was a cheer from all assembled and they began to disperse toward the tables where warm wine and hot stew was waiting. Jennsen placed her candle close to the still burning centre candle, and then went to join her friends.
Title/Prompt: Wassail
Wordcount: 236
Jennsen watched with interest as several villagers picked up their mugs of warm wine and traipsed off towards the fruit trees.
"What are they doing?" she asked. She and her mother had kept to themselves but now she was learning about all sorts of customs that existed in various parts of the Midlands, some being fairly universal, while others were particular to just one town or village.
"Wassailing," she was told. "We thank the trees for their bounty."
Jennsen gathered up her skirts and carefully made her way over to the group who had been joined by many others; children with wooden spoons and cooking pots, women with rattles and bells, men with shields and daggers, and others with ladles to bang against the side of the their mugs. Wine was poured carefully at the base of a tree and then everyone sang. 'Blessings on this tree for the bounty of this year and hope for the next', followed by the cooking pots being rattled at, the bells rung, and shields hammered upon until the clatter was deafening.
It was an odd ritual, but soon Jennsen found herself joining in, stamping her feet in lieu of even an improvised musical instrument. By the finish she was red cheeked with the exertion though her breath showed up, white against the chilly air, and she was laughing with the others, and feeling hope for the return of spring.
no subject
Date: 2011-12-24 07:12 pm (UTC)Rahl pride and reserve rose up and gave her much needed strength, while Zorander compassion kept her warm inside. What a lovely description :D
Each person in the village took up a candle and, patiently waiting their turn, lit it from the centre candle. It represented the Creator's light in each of them, and the spreading of the sun's light and warmth to every corner of the world. I love this ritual - although the various candle-lighting things in real life always scare me, because I start imagining things catching on fire and stuff... ;)
no subject
Date: 2011-12-26 11:01 am (UTC)Due to time and word count constraints I wasn't very clear on the setting; I think a ceremony like this would or should be outdoors because as you point out, so many candles in one place could be a fire hazard :D
no subject
Date: 2011-12-28 05:16 pm (UTC)Your descriptions of the different traditions was beautiful - Expecially the one of the Creator's light being present in each person and sharing the light between them.
Thanking the trees for their bounty - is that an actual tradition, or is it your own idea? Either way, I loved it.
I found these very touching, and you always have such a wonderful way with painting a feeling and atmosphere with words.
no subject
Date: 2011-12-28 05:25 pm (UTC)The wassailing ritual of honouring the apples trees with cider and songs is a real tradition which I just tweaked slightly. You can see an example here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KniDEjGQH7c&feature=related
no subject
Date: 2011-12-30 06:48 pm (UTC)Thank you so much for writing this! :D I was down today but now I'm all better. :D
This is so sweet and warm and hopeful. Just perfect! Thank you! :D
After winter follows spring
This made me think of Ned gravely announcing "Winter is coming" and all of those "what Starks say when it's winter" pics. LOL.
Off topic. Sorry. I'm a bit incoherent rn.
Thank you for these wonderful drabbles, bb! :D I enjoyed them a lot! :D
no subject
Date: 2012-01-01 07:48 pm (UTC)LOL, yes, when Winter comes, I hope someone does remind them that spring should follow.