Elsa Nheilweres

Seamstress. Mother. Daughter. Sister-in-law. Widow.

[camelotsownseamstress]

lincolnshirehealer‌:

“I need dresses that fit me!” Helen said with a laugh. “No, I am joking. Well… Perhaps half joking. I do enjoy your company very much. I do not always feel like I have friends. I consider you a friend in every sense of the word. Unless of course, you do not wish to be my friend. That is fine as well.”

Helen smiled sheepishly. She felt comfortable enough around Elsa to be herself, even if Helen did act a bit silly. 

Elsa chuckled. “Of course you are my friend, Helen. And of course, we’ll get you a new dress. Or I can amend your own if you’d prefer? Whichever is better for you,” she offered.

[camelotsownseamstress]

theother-guin‌:

“You have already done more than enough for me. This is the least I can do,” Guinevak insisted. If had not been for Elsa’s encouragement, Guinevak wasn’t sure she would have had the courage to approach the king about taking Aneirin in, and as far as she was concerned she would forever be in the seamstress’ debt for that. “Besides, it’s hardly any trouble. Just a few words in the right ear.”

Elsa wanted to protest but had a feeling it would be pointless. “Well thank you,” she smiled, shuffling in her seat. “So how’s the little prince settling down in his new life?” she asked as she leaned towards the babe in Guinevak’s arms.

[camelotsownseamstress]

theother-guin‌:

“Well, perhaps we can just start a new fashion,” Guinevak suggested, looking over it. It was truly beautifully made and it was clear that Elsa had laboured hard over it; another wave of anger rolled over her that anyone would just dismiss such work. “It’s a lovely dress, and I can think of a good number of ladies who would care to wear it.” She paused, then added with a faintly mischevious smile. “You never know, the original customer might even end up coming back for another if someone influential enough wears it.”

Elsa smiled. “I will make sure to take the money up front if that happens,” she chuckled, folding the dress neatly and setting it down. “I really don’t want to inconvenience you, though,” she added quickly. “Maybe I could sew you something in return for doing this for me?”

[camelotsownseamstress]

lincolnshirehealer‌:

“You are right. Tom wants me to be happy. It has always been that way. But I am always willing to sacrifice for him. Always. Though I suppose if I had to, it is much too late for it now.” She looked down at her growing belly and patted it absentmindedly. 

“Things will work themselves out. They always have.”

“I’m sure they will,” Elsa nodded with a smile. “You deserve to be happy and once Richard returns, you will have your full family here. It’s really amazing.” She squeezed her friend’s hand. “And I will be more than happy to help if you need anything.”

[camelotsownseamstress]

lincolnshirehealer‌:

“I cannot help but worry. Oh, Elsa. A mother’s worry is a burden she will carry forever. You know that. You little girl is so young and so full of love. If you were to find a man that loved you, would you worry whether little Rosa hated him or not? She is an innocent girl and so full of love.”

Elsa thought about it for a very short moment before laughing and shaking her head. “Rosa could never hate anyone. I doubt she knows what that word means. No, no, though I feel like the situation is quite different. But I’m sure your son would want you to be happy, first and foremost.”

[camelotsownseamstress]

theother-guin‌:

“Then thank you,” Guinevak said, smiling. Settling back in her chair, she shifted Aneirin to a more comfortable position in her arms. “Now, let me have a look at this dress. I’m sure we can find a way to salvage things.”

Elsa was really grateful for Guinevak’s willingness to help. She appreciated every single one of her friends but having one at the castle was strangely comforting. She spread the dress against her body for the princess to see. “I don’t know if it would be of any use to... well, anyone,” she commented, pointing out a couple of specifics the previous customer specifically asked for. “These sleeves are a bit odd, I suppose, considering what is usually worn around here. I don’t know.”

[camelotsownseamstress]

cadeyrnmacaodha‌:

“Oh…uh - I was just in the area and saw” he said, gesturing in the direction that Elsa’s customer had gone, “Guess I just wanted to make sure all is well”

Elsa felt a small blush appearing on her cheeks. Did he care about her wellbeing? “That’s so kind of you,” she smiled. “You’ve always been so kind to us. I wish I could repay you somehow.”

[camelotsownseamstress]

lincolnshirehealer‌:

“I… I have not told Tom yet. The thing is… Well, it has been so long since I have seen him. I hate writing about sensitive things. I need his reaction. I do not want him to read a letter from me. I am not sure how he would feel about it. I would never love him any less. It has only been him and I for so long. It is a lot of change not just for me, but for him as well. He has been the only man in my life.” She laughed a bit. “Now I have Richard and a little baby on the way. It would be a lot for anyone really. I have to at least try and take him into consideration so he does not end up feeling like I have forgotten about him. Or perhaps he already knows and that is why he has stayed away for so long. He has always been a sensitive and perceptive boy.”

Helen did not realize that she had spoken so much. She was nearly out of breath.

“I rambled. Oh, forgive me. Elsa, I never mean to talk so much! I can never help it!”

“Oh Helen, he will surely be happy for you,” Elsa said reassuringly. “He is probably busy on his knightly duties but when he comes back, he will be so very happy. Don’t you worry about that.” There was no way a man raised up by this woman could be anything but kind and caring, Elsa was sure. 

[camelotsownseamstress]

lucreziaslies‌:

“No I am not, though I wish to become one. But, you don’t hear of too many women being in music.” Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, Lucrezia felt a smile come to her lips. “It is true. Eleanor, I believe, has the biggest heart out of anyone that I know.” Pulling a pouch from her waist, Lucy pulled it open and then shook her head. “No, I believe this is the right one. I’ll take the cloak and the summer dresses that woman refused to pay for as well.” 

“You should try it. What does it matter; if you’re a good storyteller, you may as well be a woman bard. I’d personally find it refreshing,” she gave her an encouraging smile. “Everything is possible in Camelot.”

When the lady pulled out the coins, Elsa’s face brightened. “I’ll get these wrapped up for you straight away. I’m sure they will serve you well.” Maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad day after all. “If you try it on and find it needs some alterations, please do come back and I’ll fix it for you for free, of course.”

[camelotsownseamstress]

theother-guin‌:

“I would love that, if you’re sure you have the time?” Guinevak fully intended to pay for any work that Elsa did, of course, but she also knew the seamstress was stretched and did not wish to make things more difficult for her. 

“Of course! There’s always time to make blankets for babes.” She would probably do it during sleepless nights when it was too cold for sleeping because she’d give her blanket to Rosa. “I’ll be happy to.”

[camelotsownseamstress]

cadeyrnmacaodha‌:

Even if it were a more frequent problem there wasn’t something that Cadeyrn could have done about it. He just wanted to be sure that she was alright and that was more than a little troubling. “I’m glad to hear that”

Elsa caught herself staring at him for a moment before she shook her head and put on another smile. “What can I do for you, master Cadeyrn?” she asked, wondering for a split second if he perhaps came to collect payment for fixing her roof. But he wouldn’t.. would he?

[camelotsownseamstress]

Dear Elsa, Your inside is even more beautiful than your outside. Sincerely, Your secret admirer.

“Thank you, that’s... very kind of you.” Elsa felt the butterflies fluttering in her stomach. Sure, she’d been complimented before but this time it felt more real, more heartwarming. She couldn’t imagine why would anyone want to tell her this, but it was heard and much appreciated.

[camelotsownseamstress]

lincolnshirehealer‌:

“I am happy as well. I have wanted this for so long. A child of my own! I have Tom, of course. I love him dearly. But he is no longer the young boy that ran around my home. I do not believe anyone understood how a child of your own blood is a different kind of relationship. Tom came into my life and all seemed right. That was the past. Now, I have a new future to look forward to, with new love.”

Elsa smiled. “I wish you a long and happy life with your new family,” she said. “You deserve it, you’ve always been so helpful to the others. And I’m sure Tom will be happy for you too. Have you told him yet?”

[camelotsownseamstress]

cadeyrnmacaodha‌:

In his time away from her he had stayed mostly in the camp organizing the information he had obtained about Camelot into something that made some semblance of sense. By this point he was near certain that he knew the city fairly well. The only thing left unexplored was the palace but he would get to that in due time. “Is this a frequent problem?” he asked, thinking of her and her child. This was her livelihood and if this was her day to day than it couldn’t possibly be an easy one. 

“It happens sometimes,” she admitted hesitantly but followed the confession with a reassuring smile. “But it’s nothing I couldn’t manage. There are still plenty of paying customers who are loyal and pay on time. It’s not... too bad.”

[camelotsownseamstress]

theother-guin‌:

“That would be lovely. I can certainly sympathise - I enjoy parts of winter, but it so often seems so bare,” Guinevak said with a smile. She thought she had seen some silk flowers at the market the last time she had been and decided to see if she could get some for Rosa, as a thanks to Elsa. “When things are in bloom again, you’re welcome to bring her to the castle gardens.”

“I’m sure she would love that,” Elsa smiled. “I’m making her a blanket with some flowers embroidered to it in the meantime. I’m hoping it would keep her satisfied until the real ones start to grow in the spring.” She paused. “I could make you one for the little prince as well if you’d like?” Elsa offered.

[camelotsownseamstress]

lincolnshirehealer‌:

“Oh, that is so nice.” Helen said with a smile. “I am glad Rosa has been such a great help to you! When you mention spending time with her, I think about how happy it must make you to share your life with her. Children are such joys! I must tell you in advance that when my little one is born, I would love to bring them here to meet you.” 

“She’s my everything,” Elsa replies honestly. Without Rosa, who knew if she’d be still here? After her husband died, she wanted to follow him but stayed strong for their baby girl. “I can’t wait for you to bring the little one to show me. I am so very happy for you, Helen.”

[camelotsownseamstress]

theother-guin‌:

“No, I haven’t, but I shall certainly pick up some on my way back,” Guinevak said, grateful for the advice. She had consulted midwives and healers and was doing her best to learn as much as she could, but there was nothing quite like hearing from another mother who had a healthy and happy child. “How is Rosa?”

“She’s doing fine,” Elsa smiled. “She says she misses flowers in the winter so now she spends her days drawing flowers on everything.” She sighed fondly. Even when she was struggling, Elsa always made sure her daughter wouldn’t feel it when they were running low on food or money; Rosa always came first. “The other day she told me she would love to know how to do magic just so she could keep flowers around all year round.”