Gaer ran to the stable with high kicking spirits announcing proudly, "We're here!" He went straight to the other children and instantly began questioning what they were doing, why, and if he could help. The chatter of the stable was doubled.

A bold laugh announced Gaerwyn's own arrival, Lina's hand in his, and he led her over to make proper greetings to the Baroness. The young girl curtsied and accepted the kind attentions of the baroness before she escaped to go cuddle up Beata. The littlest girl did not seem to mind being treated like a live baby doll for the moment.

"I wonder how long that will last," Gaerwyn smirked as Beata started to play finger games and little nursery rhymes with Lina.

"Long enough, I hope," Sylvia grinned. "I am glad you all could come."

With a nod, he glanced over to make sure Gaer was not overtaking the project, but it seemed Cian had the upper hand still. "As am I. I have some other business in town as well with the warehouse and finally getting it fully staffed again."

"That is good news. I know it will ease your mind greatly as well." Sylvia offered him a cup of cider.

"Thank you," murmured as he took the cup and drank. "Yes, well, that and maybe you will see Hudson more often."

Her hand moved in a short fluttering gesture. "Hudson and I understand our limitations in seeing each other, or if we do not we will learn to understand it. Not all that different from my early days with Kieran in which several days sometimes weeks would go by."

Gaerwyn had to laugh. "So Lenika contends with as well. I find it remarkably odd that of our near friends, it is Ewan who has the most bizarre type of life manages to spend most of his days with his family." Gaerwyn looked about. "Where is that fellow anyway?"

A trio of notes spilled into warmer laughter. "I had never thought of it, but you are right. And I suppose they are on their way. You did bring extra clothes for the children, yes?"

"I did indeed. Dropped them off in the guest house to avoid them getting splattered by accident."

She nodded and then looked over to where the children were propping up the scarecrow. Sigh and glance up to the rafters of the stable as if seeking guidance from somewhere up there. "Well, I now know where Cian's second pair of clothes for today went."

Gaerwyn's hearty laugh burst free seeing the little britches and shirt stuffed with straw. The three boys looked triumphant beaming bright smiles to the adults and then showing off the little straw boy to the girls, pointing out the obvious eyes, the hands, and all.

Aidan came running up. "See my straw man? Cian says we should put him in the vegetable garden to scare things away." He looked up at his mother expectantly.

"Very well, Aidan, we will do so, though I do wish Cian had chosen some other clothes." Sylvia gave one last sigh and accepted it as Aidan ran back to announce that their project now had a place to be. But the little boy was not done yet, and ran back.

"Can we start the donnybrook?"

"Not everyone is here as yet," Sylvia admonished softly. "You would not want to start without them."

"Yes, Avery is not yet arrived with his family," Gaerwyn crouched down. "Are you going to let us adults have some fun, too?"

"Sure!" Aidan smiled and took Gaerwyn's hand to tug him along to see all that was arranged for fun, but he looked back and said to his mother, "We should wait for Mistress Elessaria, too."

"Why, Aidan, I must admit I did not invite Mistress Elessaria. I am not sure this party is quite her thing."

She might as well have told Aidan that the sun was not going to shine. "She doesn't like parties? She'll feel left out. I don't want her to feel left out."

Gaerwyn had seen such things in his own lad before and squeezed Aidan's hand. "I am sure she likes parties little lad, but this is a special party that is more for your age with silly things like donnybrooks. You know how well Mistress Elessaria dresses. Do you want to get her pretty clothes wet?"

Aidan had to think on that. He had to think on it a lot. In the end, he shrugged and was distracted by Beata's squealing loping run across the stables hand in hand with Lina as the boys chased the girls with the scarecrow.

Gaerwyn joined in the merriment pretending to get between the attacking monster and the girls, wielding his cup as if it were a weapon. The silliness had begun.

"It is so good to see you, Lenika," Sylvia smiled and greeted the woman warmly with a kiss to her cheek. "I hope you are feeling better." Sylvia turned to check on Beata who had given a particularly shrill cry, but it was a laughing cry not a scared or hurt one.

With a full laugh, pushing back a lock of black hair behind her ear. "Here, let me get you something to drink and eat." She offered up a light quarter sandwich of cucumber, toast, and herb oil dressing. Depending on Lenika's feeling, it was the safest of the offerings for an unsettled stomach. A mug of apple juice accompanied the sandwich.

"I am doing very well, thank you. Glad to be all in one piece," she laughed, rubbing her hand over her throat. It was easier to make light of the situation now that it was past.

When Lenika mentioned how much the children had grown, Sylvia stole that moment to look at them again. It struck her like a clap of thunder just how true that was. Usually it was in quiet times she noticed the changes, how much they had changed and all they could do -- all of it Kieran had missed. The smile was soft for Lenika. "Yes, so they have. Lina and Gaer are sprouting up as well, and you will not believe how big Kellan has gotten and just the happiest little baby I have ever seen. I don't think I've heard a fuss out of him yet. Quite different from my Bea who is most adamant about expressing her feelings."

Fortunately those feelings were still fun in the play along with the guests and siblings. Sylvia motioned for Lenika to take a seat on one of the crates next to a stable wall. It had a tired, rose patterned cushion upon the boards to offer some comfort in the sitting. For her own part she leaned against a post and sipped her cider, grateful for Gaerwyn's enthusiasm in playing and showing her children a little of what a father is like.

"It sounds like the festivities have begun without us." Ewan grinned as he pushed his way into the stables. He had been leading his family slightly, but as soon as there was room, Avery went dashing past him inside.

General cheers rose up from the children at Avery's arrival, but Gaerwyn had other words for his cousin. "I will have to remember this, Ewan."

"Remember what?" Ewan asked as he went to join the growing miniature warband.

"You're late." The seaman's laugh was bold like a full sail in a gale.

A thumb jerk over his shoulder to his youngest being carried by Storm, "Blame it on the wee one there. I pack less for a three day trip than that child needs for a three hour adventure."

A slap to his leg from Beata, she smiled and held her arms up. "Horsey!"

Well that started the new game. Soon, Ewan had Beata on his back and Gaerwyn had Aidan supposedly racing around the stable and back through with the other children running and skipping besides cheering for their chosen "horse" followed with calls for it to be their turn.

It did not help that the ladies gathered were encouraging the children to continue. Gaerwyn called to the ladies, "There are plenty of riders if you want to avail yourself of horsedom!" He leaned against a post to catch his breath, not surprised that most of the responses he heard were laughter filled denials.

Ewan laughed at his cousin. "Winded already?"

"I'm ready for the donnybrook." Gaerwyn grumbled, but then laughed as he took up Cian on his back and started another run.

With a wink over his shoulder to Avery, his new rider, Ewan whispered, "Let us give them a little head start. We would not want to see your uncle collapse from trying to keep up with us." While the term "uncle" was a stretch, it was suitable for the children's use. Avery nodded, a wicked grin in his firm belief that his father was the fastest "horse" in the stable.