LIFE IN THE FAIRY KINGDOM
Eileen doesn’t miss much in the way of Kingdom life now she’s on Earth though she misses Hanastrew and Melanbury and certain friends in the Palace. However, Eileen does miss the Library as the Kingdom has one of the most extensive collection of books anywhere. The Library has books not just from the realm but from all worlds the Kingdom is connected to or has reason to be wary of (in the case of Earth both apply) so there was no shortage of decent reading material here. Eileen can’t help but make comparisons every time she visits the library at Kirkham. One thing the fairy royals got right, and even Eileen acknowledges this, is that everybody can access the Library and the Household staff are positively encouraged to do so. The general public has to apply in writing to be allowed admission but they are made very welcome. The only thing they have to promise is not to start a fire by any means whatsover.
There are some libraries in the Kingdom at large, mainly in the bigger settlements, but the locals living there aren’t so generous about sharing their facilities with outsiders as the Queen is. Her Majesty has dropped considerable hints to do otherwise and to date has not wanted to take a firmer line, recognizing that a lot of the unsharing attitude is down to bad historical experiences between different groups. At some point though she will have to state that things will not get better unless people are prepared to “let go” of old resentments and hanging on to them for ever won’t do anyone any good. Eileen has urged the monarch to take a firmer line sooner though she does understand why Roxannadrell hasn’t. The Queen has genuinely wanted to give these settlements a chance to sort their attitudes out but time is running out… Eight centuries is quite enough to be going on with when it comes to grudge holding.
Illustrators are highly prized in the Kingdom, writers less so (the fairy tales have already been written and nobody in the realm likes Shakespeare’s Queen Mab, given both quean and mab were slang words for tart - let’s just say nobody, including Eileen, ever mentioned the Bard of Avon in front of Roxannadrell). Water colours are the favourite style, though works produced in oils are admired too. The Palace is full of wonderful examples of both kinds. Gwendolyn used to paint, Roxannadrell does not. Eileen has been known to sketch. Jenny has a talent developing here (though is as yet unaware of it). Art is encouraged at the magical schools. Many find it a nice change to have a lesson where a wand or a spell is not necessary.
There are some libraries in the Kingdom at large, mainly in the bigger settlements, but the locals living there aren’t so generous about sharing their facilities with outsiders as the Queen is. Her Majesty has dropped considerable hints to do otherwise and to date has not wanted to take a firmer line, recognizing that a lot of the unsharing attitude is down to bad historical experiences between different groups. At some point though she will have to state that things will not get better unless people are prepared to “let go” of old resentments and hanging on to them for ever won’t do anyone any good. Eileen has urged the monarch to take a firmer line sooner though she does understand why Roxannadrell hasn’t. The Queen has genuinely wanted to give these settlements a chance to sort their attitudes out but time is running out… Eight centuries is quite enough to be going on with when it comes to grudge holding.
Illustrators are highly prized in the Kingdom, writers less so (the fairy tales have already been written and nobody in the realm likes Shakespeare’s Queen Mab, given both quean and mab were slang words for tart - let’s just say nobody, including Eileen, ever mentioned the Bard of Avon in front of Roxannadrell). Water colours are the favourite style, though works produced in oils are admired too. The Palace is full of wonderful examples of both kinds. Gwendolyn used to paint, Roxannadrell does not. Eileen has been known to sketch. Jenny has a talent developing here (though is as yet unaware of it). Art is encouraged at the magical schools. Many find it a nice change to have a lesson where a wand or a spell is not necessary.