Queen's Diary: Sant Valentine's Day Massacre II

Dear Diary,

Happy Valentine’s Day! This past weekend We went to St Valentine’s Day Massacre II and had a wonderful time! This was Our first time going to this event and at first, I was a little unsure how it would go. I’ve never attended an indoor camping event and despite all the descriptions I had been given, I still couldn’t picture what this looked like. I had no doubts it would be a good time (that’s a given with this Kingdom!) but I couldn’t translate an outdoors event, like War of the Trilliums, to an indoor warehouse. I was taken aback as soon as We set foot inside. What a spectacle! A lot of folks had set up the night before and the fighting/fencing/archery fields were all laid out as well by the time We arrived Saturday morning. This place was vast! I was guided to Our day room and we just kept walking and walking. There were merchants, individual presences, meeting rooms, and people milling about everywhere. I even saw several dogs and puppies, which always warms my heart. It made me miss mine even more but it’s so nice to see those little family members out as well.

I had a very busy day to say the least! It seems like I blinked twice and it was already time to get ready for Court! We had a really good informal discussion with our BoD representative, Countess Kaellyn who spoke very well about the Tidings letter going electronic as well as a few other items pertaining to the insurance of the Society, etc. This was followed by a good meeting with those Laurels in attendance. I got to visit the fighting field, just in time to watch My husband get tangled up in a flying tackle by Lord Seamus Tableburner, which didn’t surprise Me at all *smile*. The melee team closest to where I was standing let Me have a little bit of fun with them by joining them in the shield wall with only My fists out to goad the other side with. Then the marshal saw Me and it was off to the side again for Me. The fencers seemed to having an equally good time although I did not visit with them as long. They were beside the loading dock doors and it was very drafty!

I loved the mood of the event; it was very light and joyful. I get the impression that Ealdormere loves camping and it doesn’t matter if it’s indoors or out. Our accommodations were ample and folks had fun with Our sliding window on one wall. It seems the joke “Want fries with that?” never gets old! We had a bit of an incident when Our Chamberlain and Chief Advisor, Their Graces Marion and Berus, got locked in Our room and it took some doing to get them out. I was very glad of Their release and would have been a bit upset if They were left to reside in there, as was teasingly threatened.

Both His Majesty and I were looking forward to Court. We had a few surprises in there that We were excited about springing. There was an extra one added just the day before as two Ealdormerians stepped up and delivered a beautiful last minute scroll for Us. The recipient was scheduled to receive this award at Winter War but We had just found out he was not going to be there. He was, however, going to be at St Valentine’s Day Massacre II. We send out many thanks and gratitude to Lord Albrecht and Lady Asa for making this possible at the last minute.

We had a lot of fun in Court and were very happy in how the populace showed their support for Lars and Seamus, who were inducted into the Order of the Thorbjorn’s Hammer and for Their Excellencies Streonwold and Seonag, who received Their Court Baronetcies that day.

We were stuffed again at Feast with plate after plate of delicious food and the hall rang out with many songs and laughter. A perfect way to end a great day. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I cannot imagine being Queen for any other Kingdom because no other Kingdom rivals Ours for generosity, dedication to each other and to having fun.

Until Winter War...