Dawn's first light was slowly creepong into the Keep's windows, and lighting the way for busy servants. A Lady walked through the halls with a slow pace. Her footfalls were quieted against the carpet, so as not to awake those woh still slept. he woman's sharp gray gaze was softened when the sunlight touched her pale face.

It warmed her skin and gave it a slightly golden glow. The skirts of her burgundy-shaded silk dress ruslted as she walked to the nearest window. From its view the Lady could see the city's people just starting to begin the day. No clouds were in the sky, which spoke of good weather, as her eyes searched for far-flying birds.

Farther still was a sight of the countryside. Its rolling green hills were occupied by cows and a number of other grazing animals. She could almost hear their noises as the moved from one patch of grass to another. Eyes closed and a sad smile came to the woman's mouth as she stood at the window.

Because of a late night event the day before, Elayne had been allowed to stay at the castle for the night. Some of the other young ladies were happy and eager to be allowed to stay there, yet Elayne didn't like leaving her father alone for the night. Nor did she like the feeling of being caged that the palace brought over her. It made her feel trapped and shut in with all the great stone walls around her.

Too restless to sleep any longer, she got up and slipped on one of her mother's old dresses. She braided her hair and then tiptoed out of the room to not wake her servant who always watched her like a hawk. She tiptoed all the way down the hall until she reached a small set of stairs which she quickly walked up. Just where to it went, she didn't know, but she trusted her own sense of direction enough to just go wherever she felt like.

The stairs brought her to another long hallway, but this one was set with windows. The soft light of the morning sun lit up the entire hall, and Elayne stopped by one of the windows to try and let to sun warm her up a bit. It didn't really help force away the chill in her, but just to stand there in the light felt nice.

A sudden sound brought her thoughts back to the now, though, and she looked up, only to find another lady enjoying the first sunlight, just as she had. Raised properly as she was, Elayne walked slowly forward and bowed slightly at the lady before uttering a slightly nervous "Good morning, m'lady."

Aislin slowly turned at the sound of a voice. She was surprised to see a girl of fifteen bowing at the waist in front of her. The woman swept a curtsy, just enough for a slight greeting and acknowledgment, then rose to look at the girl. "Good morning, child." She said in an airy tone that befetted[sp?] a slightly older woman to a teenage girl. A soft smile played upon her mouth as she viewed the unkwon girl's appearance.

Her clothes portrayed an older style that was not completely outlawed by the courtiers of fashion. It had a simple elegance, but it was slightly lost on the girl's frame. Though, Lady Aislin was troubled by the lack of a servant with the young girl. Shouldn't atleast a maid be accompanying her. Aislin had no room to talk, but she had been at court so long that the courtiers had become accustomed to Aislin's blatant lack of fashion sense.

But there was no obvious reason for a young girl, who seemed to just have come to court, to be out of fashion. The smile vanished.

The feeling of being naked hit Elayne as she stood before the other woman’s judgemental eyes. It was an odd feeling, really, to be watched in such a manner. Her own smile also faded slightly when the older woman lost hers. Why did she do that? Perhaps she didn’t wan to be disturbed this early in the morning? Perhaps she’d rather be alone?

Biting her lip, she contemplated what to say and do next. After all, to just leave would be impolite, but to say the wrong thing could be interpreted in just the same way. Why did things at court have to be so difficult? And why couldn’t someone just have told her some pointers? Of course, her servant helped her, but not with the essentials on how to be a proper lady!

Feeling she could no longer keep still any longer, Elayne grasped at something, anything to say, and when she did she realised it might not be the right thing to say to an older woman. “Were you not able to sleep any longer either, milady?”

Was that too familiar? Or was it acceptable? Nervously shifting her weight from one foot to the other, as she had of habit, Elayne shyly looked up at the woman again, as if afraid to be scolded. Let her talk to a man, and she’d do fairly well, but a lady… At least the court ladies were difficult for her to talk to, cause they always seemed to have their own set of rules. And to fulfil her uncle’s request, Elayne had no other choice but to try her best at the game, even if she didn’t know the rules. She’d have to play whatever she had to do as told. To try to do as told for her father’s sake.

An eyebrow was quirked at the girl's skirming, then the grin came. "Ah, child. I wake with the sun, as I always have." Her smile was meant to calm to girl down. Aislin could see the beginnings of frazzled nerves for the girl. The woman figured that it must be hard for a young girl to come to court for the first time. It looked as though no one had instructed her on proper court manner.

For instance, walking around outside of one's room with an outdated gown was cause for gossip within the court. They could call you an imposter of being rich, or just a lower court member, which was, to them, as bad as the first. These courtiers were haughty and could cut a novice court-goer down with no more than a look.

I'm not sure what it will do, but perhaps I should help the young child. She looks as though she could faint any moment. Aislin took a silent step forward and placed a warm, calming hand on the girl's shoulder. A smile came again, sweet in its gentleness.

Mayhap, I can help you a slight bit. I'm not one for the stricter sides of the Court, but I have been here long enough the pick up on things. Her hand rose from the child's shoulder and she took a step back.

But first, may I ask of you name and family relations? It is proper court manners. Aislin spoke in a nudging way, teaching the girl something of the court already, and hoping she would take note.

"Ah, child. I wake with the sun, as I always have."

“There’s always the calm of morning, isn’t it?” Elayne dared, her nerves calming down by the other woman’s smile. Ever since she had first come here, her mood had been completely ruled by her nerves, and her nerves sometimes got out of hand. But because of Elayne’s cheerful being, she normally just took a little while to overcome them and return to her ever so cheerful self.

Slightly surprised by the woman’s touch, Elayne only smiled back at her. She still was unsure how to reply to it, but a smile would have to do for now. The old lady who had used to care for her when her father and brothers were away at court or at war always seemed happy when Elayne smiled.

” Mayhap, I can help you a slight bit. I'm not one for the stricter sides of the Court, but I have been here long enough the pick up on things?”

Help? Elayne had to admit to herself that she didn’t fully understand what the woman wanted to help her with, but whatever it was….help should never be declined, should it? She did a small courtesy and offered the other a ‘thank you’ before straightening up again, ready to both listen and answer to new questions.

And so, when the woman spoke again, Elayne gave another courtesy before parting her lips to speak. “My name is Elayne Argyle, milady. Daughter of Edan Argyle and brother-daughter of Lord Elrich Argyle,” the young girl said, her voice clear as she spoke. No, she saw no further reason to hold back, since the woman wanted to help her, after all!

“My name is Elayne Argyle, milady. Daughter of Edan Argyle and brother-daughter of Lord Elrich Argyle.”

A slight frown wrinkled the woman's brow as she pondered those names. I regret to say that I have not heard of your brother or your father though. Her mouth turned in a embarassed smile. One hand found her long dark hair and brushed through it. Normally, the woman could care less about her appearance, but she had a sudden feeling that she looked atrocious. The hand smoothed the perfectly fine hair and came back to rest at her side.

Aislin looked to the window again. The streets below were now bustling with action despit the early hours. It always made the female feel athome to see those small crowds moving in perfect unison. That's how it was in the village-town Aislin used to live in. No one ever had anything bad to say about anyone else, unless it was a barbarian, and no one ever hurt anyone else. A small sadness washed through Aislin and she clutched her gown slightly.

How long have you been at court, Lady Elayne?

A simple nod and a smile was Elayne's reply to the lady. No, she was not surprised that this woman had not heard of her father, because few had. Elayne had believed that she would have known her uncle, though, but it couldn't be helped. Perhaps it was better that they were complete strangers, it was hard to say. It could be good, as then the other would not know much of Elrich's behaviour or of Elayne herself. On the other hand it could also be a bad thing, because some at court found it fruitless to talk to someone they did not know were of good family.

"I have been at court for about two weeks, milady," came Elayne's truthful reply. It might be a day less or a couple of days more, but the girl couldn't fully remember. Ever since she came to the Keep the days seemed more or less the same, leaving it difficult to count them. It wouldn't have taken much to make the days a bit less the same either, but no one seemed willing to do that for her. And she wasn't free enough to go do it for herself either! The two weeks had brought with them so much etiquette and so many rules that she couldn’t remember half of them.

Slender fingers moved over the soft material of her dress as Elayne nervously straightened it out a bit. It was a habit that went way back to when she was a little girl wanting candy from the cook back home. “Excuse me, my lady, but could I be so bold as to ask for you name?” she asked quietly, hoping it had not been too rude to ask such a question. Every question she asked would normally leave her worrying about whether it was good and appropriate or not.