Lady Eva

before you get the wrong impression and think that the only nobleborn in Aes Sidhe are of the male persuasion, it is time to introduce you to a very important member of the queen's court: namely, the Superintendent of the Queen's Household, Lady Eva Mendes.

Lady Eva is HRH's closest confidante. through a series of scandalous actions known throughout the kingdom that are often speculated upon, Eva and the queen became fast friends at a tender and impressionable age when both studied under the tutelage of Dame Schlueter. neither girl was particularly familiar with the cruel and often manipulative ways of court, but the dame's young charges clung to each other for support and camaraderie until each came of age. the two girls could often be found secreted away in the basement of the scullery. it is speculated that this is the place where our fine sovereign learned the art of aerobics and saucy chatter.  it is also assumed to be place she first developed her love of foreign film.

Lady Eva is one of only two sources the queen can depend upon to clearly discuss current matters of the court.  it is no great secret to anyone in Aes Sidhe that Eva currently favors one prince over the other, but she swiftly reminds the queen that hers is a single-ruler kingdom, and should remain so for a long time to come. Eva has the distinct honor of being the only woman in the queen's cortege who has seen both princes. The Other White Meat has been paraded around to a small number of ladies-in-waiting, and all have given their approval.  but only Eva has had the opportunity for formal introductions to The Real Megillah.  as i mentioned, Eva is indeed HRH's most trusted confidante.

Eva and i talk all the time. it wasn't always so.  when Judas was a fixture here, he didn't approve of Eva and so yours truly had to do what she thought was a wifely duty and distance herself from her friend for the sake of her spouse. in turn (and to her credit), Eva did not much like Judas from the start, and knew her dearest friend was destined for sadness and trouble.  Eva had no choice but to distance herself from her friend. but the moment that trouble hit, Eva was once again by my side.  so it is with the greatest of friendships, the ebb and flow of time not really disrupting the bonds created so many years ago. i hope you are lucky enough to find a friend such as Eva, Dear Readers. i know i try to give thanks for her every day.

Eva is the consummate single gal. she is witty, fun-loving, bawdy when encouraged but demure on a man's arm. in short, she is the perfect teacher for this fledgling adventurer-in-training. she finds this whole exercise -- my whole exercise -- to be entertaining and enlightening. we have always been able to play off one another, but in this field of interest she is the master and i the novice. i listen with rapt attention at her feet while she sits on my throne... while no one else is looking, of course. 

Eva reminds me i am a prize, a temptress, and a tease, with a dose of good laughs thrown in for good measure. she honestly feels i am a great queen, but castigates me when i revert to fears of worthlessness. she says she cannot understand how i have not yet come to realize my worth, that i am more than an average monarch. she is teaching me how to regain my regal bearing, how to hold my head during official ceremonies, and how to curtsy with a private wink and the barest hint of ankle. can i share a secret with you?  lean in close and i'll whisper it: Eva says i am already queen, but she thinks one day i may become Empress.

can you imagine?

"All arise from your rest; we'll find enough there to feed you.
Soon you'll belong to the blessed! Spare us your lives while we need you." ~Duran Duran