Drea's Divers Arts

This post has been in stops and starts for a week. I go to write it and am afraid that I will miss something. But, today I realize that each day I don't is another day for the memories to get just a bit fuzzier.

In the days leading up to the event, I was supposed to be at a conference in D.C. which was canceled because of SnowDoom 2010 (TM). I now realize the extra stress this put on Calli as he had planned to have those days to pack, plan, etc. prior to the event without me being around. So, not only did he have to deal with SNOW! in the north, SNOW! in the south, and even SNOW! still on the site he also suddenly didn't have the ease of getting things packed without my presence.

He had told me plainly that there were two vigils that were being set up. One for Baron Llwyd and one for a Laurel I wasn't supposed to know about but that we were providing infrastructure for. This was his cover for why we had to pack all our pavilions, tables, chairs, etc. Granted, we ended up leaving the pavilions at home due to above mentioned SNOW!

Friday evening I arrived to Ymir with few plans beyond cooking dinner for the staff that evening and hanging out with Hrothny on Saturday as had been requested. I checked in, helped offload Ysane's, Calli's, and my things into the cabin and then got the groceries into the kitchen. Looking back on my husband's request for me to cook dinner for the staff I now see it as his way of keeping me busy.

In fact, Hrothny came into the kitchen upset because the person who was supposed to be setting up the Laurel vigil hadn't shown and she was left to do it on her own.

Later than evening after preparing and serving dinner, I ended up going over to the Rec Hall where both vigils had been setup on the mezzanine. Here, I played cards and had a couple ciders with Hrothny, Arn, Ysane, Opi, Lauren and Ivarr. I never ventured upstairs to the vigil areas. Eventually Ysane and I got tired and headed to bed.

Saturday morning I got up and went to find Hrothny downstairs in the cabin but she had already dressed and left. So, I took a shower and went upstairs to get ready for the day. Ysane and I spent an hour or so hanging out, dressing, eating breakfast, etc. before she had to leave to find Calli. I finally finished dressing and went out in search of people. I hadn't gotten much further than the dining hall when I got asked to go to the Royal Room to do HRM's hair.

I then wandered over to the Rec Hall as it was to be a bit before morning court was to start and I wanted to find Hrothny and sit with her for court. Well, I didn't found her. So, I took a seat with Ysane to watch court. I did look up at one point and see Kisaiya's head pop up over the wall of the mezzanine and then wondered why she was up there.

TRM's gave Baroness Rhonwen a writ and then put Llwyd on vigil as the last piece of business. I didn't want to be in the way and there were so many people I figured I would catch Hrothny when they were done with that. I also knew they were doing a Laureling so they had to be putting that person on vigil shortly so they could sit for the day.

Except, then I was summoned by Hrothny. I was told that I was needed upstairs immediately. I came up to speak to her and found myself being placed on vigil. You really don't know for sure that it's happening until it does even if all the clues should have been like a brick to the forehead. I know I went white, had trouble breathing, and was shaking like a leaf for a good few minutes. Dame Hrothny then took my protege belt. I believe I were still shaking though my handwashing ceremony. Hanim Kisiaya Zingara spoke about letting the past go and letting this be a fresh, clean beginning. Mistress Iseulte made the blue glass bowl and my apprentice sister, Lady Sophia Kress, sent the pitcher. After placing me on vigil, they hung the banner Lady Chyna made for me in front of it along with red, black and white banners made by Hrothy.

I cannot tell you what food was provided, but I do know that the plates that were made for me were much appreciated. But, I never got any STC Hrothny.

I was then taken into my vigil tent to contemplate being elevated into the Order of the Pelican at evening court.

Misress Fiona MacLeod made my white linen vigil gown and the red gown I wore for my elevation ceremony based on a pattern I made for her vigil & elevation gowns. I was literally left in my veils, gown, stockings, and shoes. Apparently there was worry about having me freeze while sitting vigil at Ymir, well having all the vigils set up on the mezzanine meant we were actually warm. My thin linen gown actually kept me comfortable.

In my tent, there were two tables and three chairs set. The red gown made by Fiona and the cloak made by Mistress Mathilde Bourette hung on one wall while a banner needle-pointed by Hronthy hung on the other. It was a castle scene including the phrase, "Revel in your ability to overcome".

On the small table to my right, was the glass pitcher from Sophia, my favorite Eadric mug and sometimes a bit of food that had been brought to me.

On the table to my left had been placed my coronet, my protege belt, my award GD/Pearl double strand necklace that Hrothny had given me, a vase filled with red roses given to me by Calli and a small stuffed Pelican toy. On this table I placed gifts as they were given to me including a Pelican stress toy from Master Fritz, a children's book titled "Pelican and Pelican't" from Mistress Deidre, a Spike mug from Robin, and spur from Syr Timoch.

I spent the day being visited by friends and speaking with many about memories, thoughts, considerations on becoming a peer, and more.

I was given the list of individuals who came to talk with me and I am amazed at how many people came to see me. These pieces of paper are now tucked inside my vigil book. There are names of peers, dear friends, someone who was attending his first event and others who had never been inside a vigil tent.

The conversations were precious and I remember bits and pieces every now and then. With Rosalind, I joked about vigil tent bingo. Maitresse Ysolt told me to "judiciously flaunt your bling." Timoch spoke about a knight's spurs and gave me one of his. I really don't want to write about these words because they were precious and personal. I told Mistress Alesia I was worried about coming up with an oath and she told me she based hers on her motto. Perhaps they will go in a private entry or I will just carry them in my memories.

I do know that my vigil book is precious and I have already read through it twice at least. I have actually carried it with me in my purse everyday since.

About a half hour before court, I was told that I was to have a bit of time to myself to sit and think before getting dressed.

Finally, I finished dressing and headed down to wait at the back of court. My elevation was to be the last piece of business.

Lady Lyneya Allein and Lady Ysane de la Salle each held a bunch of roses and walked with me into court. Baron Christopher MacConing carried my banner and followed us in. They each made were dressed in 14th century clothing for this procession.

I then knelt before Their Majesties for my elevation ceremony. Sir Roland spoke as a member of the Order of the Chivalry. Countess Esa Kirkpatricke spoke as a Lady of the Rose. Mistress Elspet Byndalese spoke as a member of the Order of the Laurel. Mistress Isabel Bedingfield spoke as a member of the Order of the White Scarf and Mistress Genvieve d'Aquitaine spoke as a member of the Order of the Pelican.

Countess Bera Thorbjornsdottir then spoke about the cloak and placed it on my shoulders. Dame Hrothny then presented her medallion which was purchased at the same time and place as my Golden Dolphin medallion. Mestre Callistus Gill then pinned it on me.

I then gave my oath:

My motto is, "While I breathe, I hope."
To this end, while Atlantia exists I hope.
I hope to serve with love, dignity, humor and self-awareness.
I hope to honor the Crowns and the populace.
I hope to inspire others and continue being inspired.
I hope and swear this with all my heart.

The scroll was then read and presented. Baroness Rhonwen did the illumination on it and told me later that she was giggling after I congratulated her on her writ following morning court.

Flickr slideshow of pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/62073098@N00/sets/72157623448187440/show/

I feel so honored and loved. I am still riding high on it all and cannot appropriately express my gratitude.

- Dame Adriana la Bretonne