When Sir Beorn Collenfehrth won Crown Tournament, the folk of Axemoor were, of course, excited. Coronation was announced to take place at the time of Axemoor's annual Yule Feast and Revel and the good folk of the Barony immediately started to prepare. Lady Isolde started to make coronation garb for Her Highness and her ladies in waiting and a pre-cook was scheduled for the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
The Saturday morning of the pre-cook, Isolde and I went over to the Barony to help out. Isolde left early to do a final fitting on Megan's gown, so I valiantly stuck it out at the pre-cook with just the ladies of Axemoor for company. We were making a turkey and rice stuffing as part of the feast and by evening, I had made nine double batches of the dish. I helped with the washing up then left to rejoin Isolde at Beorn and Megan's residence.
When I got to their Highness's home I found that the folk there were just finishing dinner; they had ordered out for pizza. Her Highness, who is a very homey woman, offered me the remaining two slices of pizza and then added "I can heat up some turkey in the microwave if that isn't enough."
"Your Highness," I said, "thank you very much, but I don't think I can look at any more turkey right now. The pizza will be just fine."
The coronation was attended by a large contingent from eastern Ansteorra where Baron Beorn had many friends. Ansteorran feasts at this time had a the reputation of being rather mean, so when our Ansteorran guests were confronted with the Axemoorian custom of the groaning board, they fairly stuffed themselves. Then the second remove was announced! In a bit of a panic, an Ansteorran at our table asked "How many removes are there?"
"Three, plus a subtlety." I replied.
The Ansteorran gave a groan and tried to do justice to the new dishes being served. The plight of the poor fellow was not aided when the turkey with rice stuffing came around. I insisted on serving our table. Wearing my deadliest smile, I said "Have some turkey and rice stuffing, it's delicious."
By the time the revel rolled around, I was very tired. I had sat the Troll desk from 4:00 to 8:00 a.m. and hadn't had a chance to catch a nap all day. Isolde found me wandering the great hall with a glazed look saying, "This is Finn Normansson, I'm not in right now but if you leave your name and message, I'll get back to you as soon as possible." Afraid that I might windup looking like a bulletin board with messages pinned all over my good tunic, she shooed be back to the cabin and tucked me into bed.
On Sunday morning His Majesty Beorn held his first curia in the great hall. As he sat there and started to outline the plans for his reign, Sir Beorn was aware that something seemed wrong. Finally he realized that the populace was still standing. Not used to his new role as monarch, he had forgotten to give people leave to be seated. Hastily, His Majesty apologized for his oversight, gave the population leave to be seated and the curia continued.
So began the reign of Sir Beorn Collenfehrth, sixth King of Meridies.