The last of the snow had melted, the grass had turned green once more, new life was being born around the farms, flowers were starting to show themselves again and peoples spirits were being lifted now that the harsh winter was behind them.
There was excitement and merriment in the air this day as people from all over the settlement were starting to gather at the hill further outside the settlement. Long tables and benches had been sat out to host the villagers, the stage decorated and the dancing platform had been swept and cleaned for the occasion.
Those skilled with art of playing an instrument had already gathered to play, their songs heard throughout as the wind carried the melody. Through the night people had been busy with final preparations and now some of the women were finally starting to make their way up the road with baskets of freshly baked bread and other goods, some of the younger maidens making way with a skip in their step.
A few men tracked after the women in pairs and between them a cauldron of either stew or soup that had been prepared with the fresh spring herbs that now grew around the land.
This day the settlement would celebrate, feast, dance and be merry to welcome the spring and welcome it with cheer. This day the men would dress as kings and the women as queens as they'd adorn their finest attire inspired by their neighbors in the north. This day all the worries of the world would be pushed aside to make room for joy and company of family, friends and neighbors.
"Rîlhel stand still!" Glîrel mumbled where she sat kneeling down by the chair the child stood on, doing her best to sow together a rip the girl had managed to make in the short time she had put on the moss green dress, its formerly lovingly maintained fabrics stitched with floral patterns in golden threads, trimmed and decorated as the product of delicate handiwork.
"I told you not to go off climbing on those crates." The mother mumbled as she drew the needle through the cloth to bring the rip together with haste.
Rîlhel frowned and tried to remain still through with all the excitement it wasn't an easy task for the young child. She knew well what day it was and was she already eager to taste the pies that her grandmother had spent the day before and through the night making, the scent of them filling the household.
Rowan chuckled as he stood by the mirror and carefully trimmed his beard and adjusted his attire. For the celebration he wore a dark tunic of midnight hue contrasted by an intricate trim of many-coloured embroidery as stark as stars on the night sky.
Finally the family was ready to set out. The pies were placed in two baskets and carried to the festival grounds. People had already gathered in a large numbers and with each new arrival something new was set down on the pair of long tables that had been placed in the middle of the grounds to hold the great feast the settlement would enjoy later. Even so young mischievous children had already begun to sneak a pastry or two from the table, many of the young and old mothers shouting at them or sending a scolding look even a few wives needing to rush up to the table and smack the hands of their husband when they would try and sneak a taste themselves.
Old friends and family began to gather in groups now and then the chatter caught off guard when a yell of joy would be heard from a woman, whether it was a mother or a wife when men that had been away for long began to flock to the grounds; having returned home for the festivities and to meet with their loved ones again.
Rîlhel was already off to play with a group of children and dogs that ran around the field, tables and stage playing their games and laughing as they went.
Rowan huffed as he felt a heavy hand hit his back and his attention sharply turned to his left, a wide grin spreading upon spotting the familiar face of his brother. "Hathol, long time no see!" With a hearty chuckle Rowan pulled the man in for a quick embrace "Good to see you are still alive after the winter."
Hathol grinned and patted Rowan on the back a few times and pulling back after "Good to see you as well, been too long. I hear you are called Meneroch these days, is that true or just a rumor you started up yourself?" He flashed Rowan a smirk.
"It is all true. A shame you were away and missed it, Hathol. You won't be seeing anything like it in your lifetime, I'm sure." Rowan replied as his arms folded and his grin turned more smug.
Hathol scoffed and shook his head turning his attention towards the children and grinning as a certain copper-haired girl came rushing towards the pair with a wide smile "Hathol!" The girl yelled from the top of her lungs, loud enough to turn a few heads nearby and bring about smiles from others as they spotted the man who had been away for some months.
"Rîlhel!" He retorted bending his knees and spreading his arms to catch the girl as she rushed into his embrace, the man rising to his full height and hugging the girl tightly "How you have grown, child."
Although Rîlhel seemed to have much to share with the man she was soon dragged away by Rowan and held at his side for now. Looking down at the girl Rowan hushed the child as she tried to complain and pull from his grip.
Turning back to the man Rowan couldn't help but smile, nodding over Hathol's shoulder towards a woman that hastily approached with an infant in her arms "Congratulations, by the way." Rowan murmured reaching down after to pick Rîlhel up.
"What?" Hathol turned and his eyes widened at the sight of the woman, shock and joy finding him as he realized what had happened in his absence. "Is that...?" He started feeling a heavy pat on his back as Rowan stepped closer "Seems you're a father, Hathol." He gave the man a shove forward "Now go kiss your wife and greet your son!"
The man didn't need to be told twice as he stumbled forward, his smile ever growing as he approached his wife, the pair soon sharing a loving embrace and kiss before he was introduced to his first born.
"Can I go see the baby?" Rîlhel questioned looking at Rowan who answered with a shake of his head "Give Hathol some time with his wife and child. We'll see the baby later. Now come on. We need to find ourselves a seat!"
As the sun began to set the feast was soon to begin. The people had all gathered and taken their seats, listening to the speech given by the Elder. Cups were raised as the man finished "Hurrah!" the people yelled in unison before taking a swig of their wine, mead and ales while the children enjoyed a cup of fresh milk now that the birth of the calfs had brought milk back to the settlement.
Once the cups were put down again the people rose to their feet and turned to face west, a minute of complete silence following before they sat down to enjoy the feast that had been brought.
Stars had begun to dot the sky above when bellies started to grow full and many had begun to gather onto the platform. Both men and women, young and old, were coaxed to make their way and was Rowan one of them, pushed on by his mother.
With a laugh he downed the rest of his wine and wiped his mouth as he rose from the table, flashing a toothy smile as he jogged towards the stage to join the others.
Two rows were formed with the men on one side and the women on other. With the left hand behind their backs and the right at their front the men took a bow to their opposite partner who returned it with a curtsy.
The music began to play and the dancers began a rhythmic clapping and watched as the first pair joined together arm in arm and with a light skip in their step made their way through the pathway between the dancers, followed with the next pair and the next till all had joined and spread out onto the dance floor.
The pairs followed along with the merry music, turning and spinning on the platform with laughter and cheer filling the air around. Rowan's smile seemed to grow with each new partner he found himself with as the pairs split at the end of the step with the men marching left and joining with a new woman and the steps repeated.
Rîlhel grew eager to join as she watched the people and as the tune came to an end the people stopped, bowed respectfully to their partner before joining hands to applaud the musicians.
While some decided to sit back down others remained and was Rowan one of them as his niece hastily climbed up onto the stage to grab his hands eager to join the dance when the music started up again. He laughed and grasped the girl's hands with a scoff following as she stepped onto his toes "Hey, aren't you going to dance yourself?"
"I don't know the steps!" Rîlhel huffed as she stared up at her uncle. The man rolled his eyes and let out a hearty laugh, shaking his head "I will have to teach you." Deciding not to argue the matter further he soon began to waddle around in place with the young girl giggling and enjoying the awkward little dance.
The celebration lasted long into the night. There would be no work done in the morning.
