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For a third necessary time in Anno Societatis XL did I leave my beloved Kingdom of Atenveldt, and this time traveled to the Land of Those Who Venerate the Ram, which is called Gleann Abhann.
After a long and torturous route, which led me from the Barony of Tir Ysgithr in Atenveldt, through the Barony of South Downs in Meridies (where I stopped and supped with Her Excellency, Baroness Jadi Fatima al-Ishfahani, O.L. and Lord Ahlric von dem Turlin, who formerly resided in our fair kingdom), I at long last arrived there in Gleann Abhann in the week following All Hallow’s Eve, on the fourth day of November, hoping, because – for a brief moment – the weather and sea were both tranquil for a change, that I should return to my own lands soon.
I was greeted upon my arrival in port at nearly midnight, by Her Royal Majesty, Angharad VI, Queen of All An Tir, along with a retinue of local people she knew there, being Lord Saran mac Amair, Lady Alina nic an Bhaird and her son, the young mister Tristan, of Clann Fhinn Mhoir, who were our hosts. After stopping for supplies, we proceeded on in the dark to the coronation site.
As we turned the last bend in the road, a field of glittering lights lay before us, the illumination from dozens and dozens of campfires, their smoke curling lazily into the night sky. The sound of laughter and drums reached our ears.
As we emerged from the wagon and stretched our legs, friendly faces came out of the night to assist us in unloading our belongings into tents already set up for us; Her Majesty in a beautiful round white pavilion and I in a Viking A-frame in a brilliant yellow color which reminded me of our glorious Atenveldt sun. Mugs of ale were pressed into our hands and greetings were given all around. The people seemed pleased to learn our identities and began thanking us for traveling so far to attend the following day’s festivities. Her Majesty An Tir, as always, was gracious, and we both thanked the people of Clann Fhinn Mhoir and the Blade Runners, a mercenary household affiliated with them, for their hospitality and for seeing to our needs.
Her Majesty and I checked in at Troll, where we were greeted cheerfully by Her Excellency, Countess Lailiane Asinina, the autocrat for the weekend’s happenings, as well as by the staff at the tables. After being presented with tokens commemorating the imminent coronation, we were treated to a warm greeting from Her Royal Majesty, Deirdre, Queen of Meridies, who thanked us for traveling so far and for our work as our respective kingdoms' disaster relief coordinators, and who spent considerable time visiting with us, ensuring that we were comfortable and taken care of.
We then removed to the camp of our hosts, where merriment ensued well into the morning hours. There, we met Lord Gerhardt, one of the Blade Runner chieftains, Their Excellencies, Viscount Uther and Viscountess Kenna, of Gleann Abhann, Lord Luther von Ziemer, Mistress Anyeta the Wanderer, a mercenary named Kubedon, as well as Alana, Sven, Dirk, Dex and many others in the encampment.
Later that morning, the dawn came, chasing the chill and (some of) the moisture from the air. Her Majesty and I awoke to the smell of frying bacon, sizzling eggs and freshly brewed coffee. Croissants there were and piles of fresh fruit and jams and jellies and all manner of delicious treats. Whilst we broke our fast, a herald approached and asked to meet with us regarding our participation in the upcoming coronation, which we were glad to do. After eating and performing our morning ablutions (they have a marvelous device called a “shower� in which hot water cascades down upon the body, allowing one to become clean!), we set out a short distance on foot to witness the final court of Their Stellar Highnesses, Stephen II & Jacqueline II, the last Prince & Princess of the Principality of Gleann Abhann.
Hundreds of members of the populace were in attendance in the gorgeous grassy glen amidst towering green trees. Her Majesty Angharad was seated in the front row of the court upon a beautiful wooden throne provided for Her comfort, where she was attended by myself as her guard and Lady Alina nic an Bhaird as her lady-in-waiting.
Upon Her right sat His Royal Highness Abd al-Mahdi II, Crown Prince of Ansteorra. On Her left sat Her Excellency, Viscountess Elashava bas Riva, Seneschal of the Kingdom of Northshield, and His Royal Majesty, Kitadate-Tenno, King of Northshield. To Their left sat His Royal Majesty Jason II, King of Ansteorra, His Royal Majesty Baldar VI, King of Trimaris, and His Royal Highness Gaston II, Crown Prince of Trimaris.
There were many awards given (a list of which will be forthcoming from the Heralds of Gleann Abhann in due time, I am certain), and many tearful farewells made. Their Highnesses were overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and appreciation from Their populace. Then, the Orders of the Principality of Gleann Abhann were closed.
Their Royal Majesties Boru III and Deirdre, King and Queen of Meridies, and Their Royal Highnesses Godwine and Francesca, Crown Prince and Princess of Meridies, then approached. All rose to pay their respects. Their Stellar Highnesses stood a moment before Their Monarchs, overcome with emotions. Then, Their Highnesses removed Their Coronets and passed them into the hands of Their King and Queen, forever ending the lineage of the Principality of Gleann Abhann.
Their Majesties had kind words for Their former Prince and Princess as They headed into retirement, and granted Them Royal Augmentations of Arms of the Kingdom of Meridies. Stephen and Jacqueline were overcome with emotion once again.
Many more awards were presented in the final Meridian court for Gleann Abhann. I do not know the populace there well enough yet to know who was given what, and I am certain a list will be provided soon.
I myself was honored by Their Royal Majesties of Meridies, who caught me off guard, rendering me temporarily speechless (aye, it does happen once in a time) with emotion when They inducted me into the Order of the Sovereign's Pleasure. Both said kind things to me and about me, although what they said exactly remains a haze. (It never ceases to amaze me that, while events occurring at a distance are easily recalled, events which involve oneself hide in shadow and mist. Of course I was suffering from blood loss, as well as stunned amazement, having just caught a jar that had slipped and having it shatter within my hands mere moments before being called before Their Majesties Presence!). Then They embraced me and bade me continue in my duties.
Many more awards were given, and many, including an Atenveldt legend, Duke Sir John the Bearkiller, bade farewell to Their Majesties of Meridies, who released the Territorial Barons and Baronesses (including Their Excellencies of Axemoor and Seleone, who were able to attend), the Orders of the Chivalry, Laurel and Pelican, the Officers of State, and then the Populace from their vows and oaths of service and fealty. The baskets at Their feet filled with Coronets, Knights' Chains, Laurel Wreaths and medallions of office. Their Excellencies, Viscount Uther and Viscountess Kenna, 10th Prince and Princess of Gleann Abhann, were among many who were overcome by emotions in those brief moments, as am I myself in recalling it.
A brief recess was called in Their Majesties of Meridies' Court, and the Royalty and Ambassadors met in a pavilion to finalize business. Then, Their Majesties of Meridies re-entered and re-opened Their Court, followed by a procession of the Royalty of the Kingdoms in Order of Creation. I myself was honored to serve as a guard for Her Majesty An Tir and an attendant to His Majesty Northshield.
Then, there, upon the fifth day of November, under the sun-drenched skies, was I honored to represent as ambassador and witness for my beloved King and Queen, Eduard and Ã…sa, the Solar Monarchs of the Sovereign Lands of Atenveldt, the Elevation of Their Highnesses Radu and Broinnfhionn to their rightful positions as the First Monarchs of the Sovereign Lands of Gleann Abhann.
The College of Heralds read the History and Lineage of Gleann Abhann. Then, to the sounds of the ram’s horn, His Highness came forth first attended by heralds and banner-bearers, as well as an honor guard, and was greeted by Their Majesties Meridies, who asked Radu if He had a consort to serve at His side.
Again the ram’s horn sounded, and Her Highness came forward, also attended by heralds and banner-bearers as well as ladies-in-waiting. Both looked resplendent in cloaks bearing the kingdom's colors and device, with tiny embroidered shields bearing the devices of the baronies, shires and other groups of the kingdom lining the edges.
Radu spoke of the great honor of being entrusted with the First Reign of the new Kingdom and how He was inspired by His Lady, Broinnfhionn. "With you at my side," He said to Her, "I am able to do these things," or words to that effect. All felt the enormous emotion in His words, and His Highness paused several times, ere His voice nearly betrayed Him.
Kneeling before Their King and Queen, Radu and Broinnfhionn had the silver Crowns of Gleann Abhann placed upon Their brows and were proclaimed King and Queen, Rightful Monarchs of the Sovereign Lands of Gleann Abhann.
The ram’s horns sounded and the populace gave a great roar of approval as Radu kissed his lady wife and Queen, Broinnfhionn.
Then the Kings and Queens and Princes of the world offered Their gifts to Their Majesties of Gleann Abhann, followed by myself, representing Atenveldt. I was not close enough to see what Ansteorra and Trimaris presented, but Her Majesty An Tir donated several swords (one of which was presented to Her Majesty's Champion to use in court), a beautiful painted leather arrow quiver and many other items. His Majesty Northshield presented 300 illuminated scroll blanks in a wooden box.
When Atenveldt's turn came, I presented a short sword forged by Master Kirby, donated by His Excellency, Thegn Otto Langenhurst von Baden (along with a crate of donations from the Populace of Atenveldt and Northshield to be donated to the populace of Gleann Abhann or used as largesse, containing fabric, illuminated scroll blanks, lucets, yarn, thread, candles, soaps, wooden pens, bottle stoppers, silk banners and favors, woven trim, and much, much more, donated by many fine artisans and populace.
Then, I read aloud words of greeting and congratulations from Their Royal Majesties of Atenveldt and presented a scroll (illuminated by Lady Selina Trastamara de Luna and calligraphy by Lady Sorcha Flannagan) with those words upon it. I also offered my vow of service to the Kingdom of Gleann Abhann as ambassador and whatever duties I could perform that will not break my oath of fealty and services to my own beloved Atenveldt, and invited Their Majesties, the gathered nobility and the populace to attend Estrella War.
In return, the King and Queen and populace of Gleann Abhann, including the Herbal Guild, offered gifts to the visiting Royals. I was honored to receive a modest package for our own King and Queen, which I shall present to Them at Southern Crusades.
The Territorial Baronies were then called forth, and the Orders of the Chivalry, the Laurel, and the Pelican, each in their own turn, who took up their coronets and chains and wreaths and mantles, and heralds read aloud words of greeting from each group. Then the dukes and duchesses, counts and countess, viscounts and viscountesses of Gleann Abhann, and finally the Populace was called forward.
All knelt before Their Majesties. Radu, towering above nearly all (at a height of, I believe, 6 feet 9 inches [206 cm]!), grasped the hilt of The Beast, the 65-inch [165 cm] great sword loaned to Gleann Abhann for as long as necessary by Atenveldt's own Lady Dianna and the Barony March of Mons Tonitrus, and drew the sword from His Chevalier's back in one smooth motion.
And in an incredible moment of honor, I listened, overcome with emotion at the respect shown to our kingdom, as His Majesty said, "Here, upon the sword of Atenveldt, our grandfather kingdom, honoring our ancient lineage, shall all Gleann Abhann swear fealty together at once!"
Their Graces Stephen and Jacqueline, were once again called into Court. Radu and Broinnfhionn spoke of Them highly and bestowed upon Them the first Augmentation of Arms of the Kingdom of Gleann Abhann. Again, Stephen and Jacqueline were overcome with emotion. The populace approved mightily.
The new Orders of the Kingdom were read aloud and premieres were made in order: the first Award of Arms, the first Grant of Arms, the first Court Baronetcy, etc. Again, I do not know the populace well enough to name who was honored at this time, although I do remember hearing Master Erik of Telemark's name called, as well as his lady wife's.
Then court was ended and the Royalty departed for a high-level luncheon. A fighting tournament was held, as well as Arts and Sciences display/competition. The Law Court was held as well. The feast that evening was fabulously delicious and mounds of food were to be had. Drumming and dancing, bardic presentations, and gifts were given to Their Majesties during dinner and the Presentation Court following. Radu and Broinnfhionn looked marvelous in a second set of crowns created by Mistress Katrei and Master TK of Calontir. And the remainder of the night was spent in merriment, drink and song!
Many, many people continued to thank the visiting Royals and Ambassadors for traveling from afar and attending their Coronation. Many from the disaster-affected areas came to thank us and our kingdoms for our outpouring of support and love to them. They are overwhelmed. They asked us to convey their thanks to all of you, and that they do not have the words, still. Everything all of you did made this last weekend possible and happier.
The following morning, Her Majesty and I were once again fed a marvelous fare for breakfast. Then, camp was struck – along with a brief thunderstorm and showers which thoroughly drenched everything a few hours before we were to be off-site. We were returned to port, where we spent much of the remainder of Sunday visiting with Clann Fhinn Mhoir and the Blade Runners and picnicking with them before our departure. A few hours' stop in the port at the Barony of Stargate in Ansteorra, and then Her Majesty was off to An Tir and I back to Atenveldt.
It was a truly wondrous trip for a truly wondrous occasion! I am so pleased to have been able to make this and witness history and experience the hospitality of the fine people of Meridies and Gleann Abhann! Thank you all!
