After last night's 'entertainment' at the tavern, Godric wasn't quite so settled on sending his sister down to the village by herself today. He knew that someone needed to help the students with their wands and they had all agreed that Gwen could do it. However, there seemed to be some unsettled minds down at the trading post about the consequences of so many students, some of which being muggle born, being exposed to the sanctuary that was being set up there. Godric, of course, had argued that this would only increase their businesses and secure their safe hold. Some of the enchantments that they had lain on Hogwarts easily extended to the small village outside of it so why not embrace the possibility of growth.
An all-magical village! The first of it's kind even; what was so bad about that?
Apparently, there were a few men in the tavern last night who had disagreed which was why Godric was a little battered this morning. And why he was hesitant to send his known sister down there by herself.
Thus, he was standing in front of the door of the only teacher left available to escort her. Pounding on the door, Godric waited a few moments, then pounded again. Merrick was sometimes a heavy sleeper and it was hard to tell how loud the sound was, considering the thickness of the wood door as well as the thick stones that helped muffle sounds.
Roused from his sleep by pounding at the heavy wooden door, Merrick rolled out of bed. He was wearing a pair of loose pants, no shirt, and his hair was mused. He looked as though he had been awake until late into the night and in truth he had been. He had someone on his mind and it was making him question himself.
Merrick opened his door to find a slightly haggard-looking Godric there waiting for him. "Godric?" he asked as he squinted against the light coming in through the windows behind the other knight. "Wha' can I de fer ye?"
He hoped nothing was wrong, his gaze already going back toward his sword which was leaning against his end table where his wand rested. He turned back toward his friend and employer wondering what this early rise was for. His classes weren't until later this evening after dinner given his need to have the stars available.
"Ah Merrick, you're awake then! Good good." He noticed the state of partial dress but didn't give it much thought. He often worked out in the dueling arena in much the same way. Of course, Rowena had told him that would have to stop now that they would have students running the grounds but no one had arrived yet. And he was interrupting what could have been Raine's practice time in his room. It never occurred to him that the man was actually able to sleep, considering the excitement level of the day. Godric certainly hadn't had the time nor the ability.
"Now then, I have a job for you today. Lady Moore is heading down to the village to assist students with their wand choosing, if any are still requiring one upon arrival. It seems that there is a bit of concern down in the village and I would rather not have her go alone. Unfortunately mate, as I have to be here with the other three to greet our new students, I cannot do it. Thus..." He grinned at Merrick, feeling the sting on his lip from where it had been split when a particularly large man-child had tried punching him in the face.
"There is no one I would trust more with my sister than you, my friend."
When Godric brought up his beautiful sister, Merrick did his best to keep from looking guilty about the thoughts that had plagued him about Lady Moore. He was thoroughly attracted to her and he knew he shouldn't be. For one she was Godric's sister but for two, she was Sir Shelton's widow and he should have more respect for his poor departed colleague.
The man's final words felt like a kick to the gut to Merrick, given his slightly impure thoughts on the matter. He would simply have to do better, be better when it came to her. He nodded as he reached up to scratch at his stubbled jaw. What choice did he really have if he wanted to keep his job and the esteem of his friend?
"Alrigh', I'll loo' af'er 'er," he agreed after a moment of silence that could be attributed to being woken up. "I suppose I should get dressed then?" It was more of a statement than a question as he turned from the door and walked over to his bed to pull on his boots. His pants were in fine enough shape that they would do for the day. Once the boots were in place, he pulled on a loose shirt, trying the collar together so it wasn't hanging open sloppily. He then stood and grabbed a vest and fastened it closed almost up to his neck.
"Probably a good plan," Godric nodded, watching as Merrick went over to get dressed. "Good man, I knew I could depend on you. I believe she is breaking her fast in the staff room before heading down to the village so if you wanted to meet her there, grab a bite for yourself...?
"It is going to be a long day; not certain how many students will need wands so you might be at Ollivander's up until time for the feast. I would advise you grab something while you can. And of course, I will run down to the kitchen and see if the house elfs can bring the two of you up a hamper of something so you can eat when there is time. She might forget about food so you may have to remind her around the noon hour. There will be enough to share with any students with you at the time," He said, knowing his sister needed to eat. While he didn't know the exact details, as he was male and it wasn't his business (according to his mother), women with children still needing nursing apparently needed to eat regularly.
But Gwen should know it as well, after technically being a mother for almost two years. However, she could be as bad as he was sometimes - getting so caught up in something that she forgot about food. And helping people was one of the things that made her forget far too often. Especially when she was away from Lora for long periods of time, which she would be today.
"Tis mos' appreciated Godric," he said as he offered to have the house elves bring them up food later on. He nodded as he strapped on his sword and pocketed his wand before grabbing up his simple black cloak and hung it off of his arm. He slipped out of the room and into the hallway.
"I suppose I should mee' 'er there then," he said as he nodded to his friend and employer. "I 'ope teday goes well fer us all." With that, he gave another nod to Godric before starting off down the hallway toward the staff room which was separated from the main castle just like the staff quarters.
Merrick walked down, growing a little more nervous the closer he got to the room. He paused outside of the door, taking a moment to square up his resolve and shoulders. His hair was still messed up but at least he was dressed presentably. He walked into the room hoping he was prepared to meet with Gwen.
"Goo' mornin', Lady Moore," he said cordially as he entered.
Gwen was trying to feed Lora and herself at the same time. This morning they were trying a bit of ground up vegetables that the house elfs had made for the baby. Having already fed her the other way, the young lady was fully dressed and ready for the long day ahead - just stealing in a few last moments with her child before absconding for most of the rest of the day. So far, Lora had eaten very little, most of it dribbling down the front of her clothing. Fortunately, Gwen had learned long ago not to actually dress her for the day until after eating as it just created more work in the long run otherwise - for both the laundresses as well as herself having to change clothing on them both every few hours.
Today, however, Lora had been unwilling to try the spoon so at least nothing would be flung onto Gwen's red and gold dress that only fit to brighten the intensity of her hair, which caught back in a respectable net instead of the long, loose tresses it had been last evening. The infant's head against her chest seemed to match with only a few golden hairs here and there, a remnant of her departed father.
There was plenty of porridge left in both the serving dish as well as her bowl as the infant had decided that the porridge sweetened with a touch of honey was much preferable over the vegetables. While the vegetables were better for the babe in the long run, Gwen knew it was going to be a long day and thus, had given up the fight and was now feeding Lora from her own bowl.
At the opening of the door, she looked up in surprise, not having expected anyone to join her. The others, she had figured, would be far too busy. She had forgotten about Sir Raine (after spending an entire night forcing herself to do so over and over and over again). Forcing herself to sit a little straighter, she lowered the empty spoon from Lora's lips and nodded her head. "Good morning, Sir Raine. Have you come for breakfast? There is plenty left, if so. If you were seeking solitude, Lora and I can relocate." She offered, certain that the young man wouldn't want to share a meal with an infant. It seemed like so few men did.
"Aye, t'was suggested tha' I break me fast te prepare fer the long day a'ead," he said as he entered the room casually, his eyes taking in the small babe in her lap. He smiled kindly and shook his head. "Nay need te leave until it be time te get on te the studen's. I am te be actin' as ye escor' teday, though I know ye d'nae need it."
Merrick winked at her before casting his gaze back at the wee one she was holding. "An' this mus' be Miss Lora, aye?" he said as he knelt down next to the two of them. He wiggled his fingers at the baby, hoping to get a pleasant reaction akin to the ones his sister used to give when he was still a child. He had been only twelve when she was born but he remembered most of it fondly.
"She be beautiful," he said cheerfully. "Jus' as beautiful as 'er mother, te be sure."
He truly hoped she didn't mind the compliment. While the child didn't share her fiery hair, she was still a precious little thing and she seemed very interested in him. Her large eyes zeroed in on him like a hunter taking in its prey. He kept up his smile so that the little one would know that he meant no harm and kept his movements from being too quick not wanting to scare her.
Gwen was delighted to see Sir Raine again, until he mentioned what his purpose was. Her eyes narrowed slightly on him but his attention was for the infant in her arms, who smiled at the attention being bestowed upon her. All three of her teeth showed in her big grin, giggling and leaning forward in her mother's arms to reach for the wiggling fingers. Gwen tightened her hold just slightly, not wanting Lora to slip from her lap and go bumping onto the floor. Then she'd never be able to leave, the guilt just too much.
It was already weighing down upon her but she would not give in to it. Her brother had told her she was a mother. Her job was to be overseeing her child's rearing, no seeing to the education of others. For Godric it was okay but apparently not for a widow. Well, a pox on Gifford because she was going to do it all and do it so well that he would eat his words!
But now, she'd been assigned an important task and it seemed like her most supportive brother was starting to cave a little in that direction. Well, a pox on him as well! However, that was no reason to make Sir Raine's life miserable. Godric, on the other hand, had expect to get an earful when she found a private moment with him next!
When he called them both beautiful, Gwen forgot her anger for a moment, her cheeks brightening to match her hair. Lora only laughed again, hands waving in the air and managing to knock the spoon from her distracted mother's hand. Quickly checking her clothing, the elder Moore found that yet again, she'd narrowly missed the oatmeal hitting her shoulder. That would have been embarrassing to walk around in all day! And she really loved this dress, despite the fact that her mother said that the color looked horrible on her. It was beautiful and yet, with the way it cut her figure, screamed her roots as well as respectability.
"Be careful, she is quite the charmer when she wants something," Gwen sighed, abandoning the spoon on the floor as a lost cause. Instead, she grabbed the other one she'd been using in the vegetables and took a bite of the porridge for herself now that Lora was a little distracted.
Merrick was positively delighted by the little girl's reaction to him. Surprisingly, he had always liked kids and wanted more than a few of his own someday. He wiggled his fingers at her again before he reached for the loaf of bread on the table, to which he ripped off a piece and smeared some freshly churned butter onto it. He poured himself a little bit of juice that was available, hoping it would wake him up a little more.
He then slowly ate with one hand, the other entertaining the wee one which he had no problem doing. She even managed to grip onto his fingers and tugged his hand toward her with a cute little giggle. He chuckled softly and tucked away into the bread, hoping that they would have some sort of soup or perhaps fresh venison stew tonight.
"Aye, she could charm me any day," he said happily. "I d'nae mind babes. I quite li'e them in fact. I wanna 'ave a few o' me own someday."
Merrick took a quick drink and wiped his mouth on the back of his hand before reaching for his bread again. It was easing the discomfort in his stomach. He eyeballed the vegetables. "Were ye tryin' te get 'er te ea' tha'?" he asked, wondering if he could help someway.
