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It had been nearly a year since her mother had passed and she had come to take control of the woman's Court.  She missed the woman, though she had not spent much time with her.  Queen Eilyne had been more like a friend than a mother to her.  She was a rather crass person, swearing like a soldier and often making sexual remarks.  She found it funny growing up.  Now she realized it was likely the reason her mother had never advanced in Court.  Almost a year.  It still didn't seem quite real.  It sometimes felt Fatima had merely gone on a trip again and when she returned her mother would pull her into a bear hug.

She brushed the last of the dark, wavy strands of her silky hair up into the intricate bun at the back of her head.  The final pin in place, she observed herself in the mirror.  The dress she wore had been out of fashion for at least two decades.  The vibrant moss green color had not yet faded thanks to the masterful dye work of her people.  The dress fit well and showed her assets spectacularly.  What was it her mother used to say?  'Childbearing hips and village feeder tits.'  Fatima pressed a hand over her mouth in an attempt to suppress the gale of giggles that threatened to spill out, nearly turning to tears.  It would be her first day out of mourning black.

Once calmed, she took a deep breath and touched the dark circles under her eyes.  She hoped the Court wouldn't notice.  She had stayed up well into the morning hours in order to prepare all of her research for this meeting.  There was not much she could do, so Fatima swept from the room and moved down the halls of her warm, lavishly decorated home.  She settled into her chair at the table as the Court filled empty seats and discussions about their situation began.

It sounded worse than she had first thought.  A frown touched the corners of her lips as she listened to each of her people speak in turn.  She then felt the bristliness from Beneth and sighed.  She would have to put out this fire.  There was always a fire to put out it seemed.  The Queen stood from her place and moved around the table until she reached Beneth.  The tiny woman slid her hands over his shoulders before placing herself comfortably in his lap.  Leaning forward, Fatima touched her forehead to his.  [color=D399E0]"Prince,"[/color] she purred softly, [color=D399E0]"All things in due time.  For now, let us concentrate on fixing my lands and ensuring that my village thrives.  Once we are able to take care of them, then we may consider expanding."[/color]  She leaned back, an understanding smile lighting up her face.

She turned back toward the Court, not removing herself from her place on her previously snarly Master of the Guard.  [color=D399E0]"I think the new mines may be a good idea, though we might need more hands in order to build and work them.  There has not been much of an influx in the population, from my understanding.  My greatest concern is that my people should be fed and so too the sheep."[/color]  Using craft she called in a stack of books she had been looking through to gather insight. [color=D399E0] "I have found some crops which can help renew overused soils here and... here."[/color]  She pulled two books from the stack. [color=D399E0] "There is also some information in these books pertaining to foodstuffs that we can grow for our people and the sheep.  For example, beans.  Can be dried and stored through the winter and the sheep can eat the roughage.  One of the sorts of plants to help our farms flourish again.  In this book, I found some information on composting, which will be very helpful."[/color]  She called in a stack of papers next.  [color=D399E0]"These are notes with more specifics that I gathered from my journals I kept as I traveled.  They have insight from people I have encountered."[/color]

Next, she called in another stack of books.  [color=D399E0]"These discuss the preserving of more perishable food items so that they may be stored and eaten in the winter months.  I am sure many of our very clever ladies know what they are doing, but it would be a nice guide for those needing help to be more precise in their preservation.  Also, some information to help increase our honey production.  Clover, good for bees and sheep.  Also an earth rejuvenator."[/color]  It was now she removed herself from Berneth and walked around the table toward Durik.  As she moved she said, [color=D399E0]"I am not sure how practical all of this information could be for our needs.  But I would dearly love all of your input as to how to implement this.  And keep my name out of it, of course."[/color]  She took an empty spot beside Durik, his mound of papers nearly obscuring her face.