Elsa had never seen a feast at the royal court, but if she imagined one, she would picture it like the Midwinter Feast. To her mind, with it's few experiences outside of the Tower, nothing was more grand than the Midwinter Feast. In truth, the feast was nothing special, the strict rules of the Tower and the severe power of the chantry stopped anything too joyous or extravagant (hence making it nothing like the royal court at all); but it was the one time of year when even the Senior Enchanter could be seen to smile fatherly into his beard and when the young ladies of the Tower were allowed to show some vivacity, without being censored.
The great hall had been decorated by the tranquil, which was in itself no guarantee for a festive air, but got the job done. It also hindered the enchanters and apprentices from having to leave their studies earlier than usual. No one dressed up, everyone looking exactly like usual because no one had any other garments to change into. Some of the girls and women took time to dress their hair and try to improve their looks, but it was done in some secrecy. There was dancing, but only simple ring dances, nothing too fancy that might lead to too much excitement. Simply the fact that this night was slightly different from all other nights, was exciting though, to the young people of the tower.
Elsa had been worrying that Davio was unfaithful to her, because he had suddenly been very busy and she had heard the whispers in the dormitory at night. She had ignored the gossip though, raising her chin as she always did. Nonetheless, she was worried. She always worried about Davio, that he would tired of her, that he would find her too plain or too stupid or that she would drive him away. She could not ask him about this, instead she took steps, this Midwinter Feast, to draw him back to her. Her dress might be the usual dowdy one she always wore, but she knew how to arrange it over the bust to appear most to her advantage. She did not have any flowers or jewellery, but she arranged her glossy dark hair in a fashion she knew he liked. In everything she made sure she looked as to be a pleasure to rest his eyes on. It was the only weapon she had against his infidelities.
The meal was nothing special, the pudding a festive event, but nothing too fancy. Sitting next to Davio, Elsa made sure that she was as enchanting as she could, enveloping them in a small world of their own, her charm drawing him in. She was overjoyed when he seemed to have eyes only for her, and she knew that as the dancing started, the dormitories would be empty. Hand in hand they slipped away, neither dancers or enchanters noticing. Elsa imagined that she felt the black gaze of her secret enemy, but casting a glance over her shoulder, she saw no one looking her way. It did not matter, she had won him back and maybe this time she had secured his affection for good.
The darkest night of the year is also the longest. The Antivans in the Tower had their little Feast, which was nothing like the opulent celebrations at court. There was stories and dancing, happiness and company. To many of the Tower's inhabitants there was a measure of joy, larger than usual. To Elsa it was a triumph, another new beginning, a new start for her and Davio.
But if she had remembered this night, she would have thought of it as the beginning of the end.