Ellany bent over, picking a cluster of violets from the ground and pressing them to her nose. Inhaling deeply, she smiled at the scent that had been familiar to her since her childhood. The summer breeze swept by and ruffled the golden waves of her hair. The season was passing and it would not be long before the wind was crisp and nipping at her nose. Ellany was ready for the change.
It had only been a few days since her father had embarked with his goods and wares, but it had taken all of those days to put her house to rights. Miss Charlotte had cleaned and managed their house whenever they were in town, but it hadn't been properly lived in for years. So, together, they had thrown open all the windows, letting fresh air into the house. They dusted, wiped, settled objects in their places, laundered fresh sheets, and fluffed pillows. Her room had been arranged this way and that until it satisfied her, and it was only wanting the last touches now.
Wandering inside with the violets in hand, she found a small vase, filled it with water, and took it upstairs to her room. The wooden drawer beside her bed seemed to somehow look more charming and elegant with the accent of the cream-colored vase and pale purple flowers. She was turning her gaze to look out the window, when her eyes caught her own reflection in the looking-glass.
The wind had tossed her golden hair about and her turn about the garden had bestowed a healthy glow of activity on her cheeks. She regarded herself partly in wonder at the change that had come over her features in the last few days. Being busy about the house was a welcome change to her usual lifestyle of sitting for long periods of time in her father's wagon. The pale complexion of her skin was given some color from her time in the sun, and her tresses had a new bounce that came from being wind-swept outdoors rather than careful brushing. It was true that her eyes had always shined with a wonder and excitement for new adventure, but never before had they held this same verdant hue, which shined back at her from the looking-glass now. In their depths was a yearning for something to be attained and a hope for that something to be kept.
Ellany had been born in the town of Bree, but as soon as she was old enough and her mother recovered from childbirth, their family had set off to distant places to further her father's trade. Constantly on the road, she had been exposed to differing lands and people, feeding her thirst for new knowledge. Yet, all of these were temporary and only made up the fleeting memories of her life that had no power to affect her profoundly.
But here she was now, back in the home of her childhood, with the intention to stay. For the first time, Ellany would have the chance to live in a town, acquainting herself with the locals, watching the prices at the market fluctuate, hearing the odd bits of gossip among the townsfolk...all of the things she had read about in storybooks, but did not have in her own life. A grin slowly spread across her lips as she gazed out the window to look over the expanse of the neighborhood. Perhaps, she could even make friends.
