A Trip to the Georgia Renaissance Faire with Fae, Arndor, and Geri

Introductions Are in Order

So, a couple of Sundays ago, I was was preparing to go the Georgia Renaissance Festival, an event I have attended since the mid-1980s (yes, I'm really that old), and heard a knock on my front door. I was surprised to discover some family members who are technically fictional waiting there. They wanted to go to faire with me.

Fae, my Fictional Daughter

Fae stepped through the door first. Fae is my fictional daughter who is a surgeon and is now married to a young squire. She informed me that that she and the squire, Arndor, were on a sort of holiday after their recent marriage (actually, this marriage happened back in the fall. I did not get to attend. Serious timey-wimey problems.). They had heard of this faire I attended in the spring, and wanted to tag along. I worried since this was their first time in this time period, but then I saw that Geri was with them, and figured they could handle it, especially if he could.

Some of you remember Geri from previous posts. He is my fictional son, and has visited me several times. He has even been known to attempt playing on the Internet. Behind them was Arndor, my fictional son-in-law. I like him---a lot. He's  been very good to my children.  

Geri, my Fictional Son

Going to Faire

So, anyway, we went to faire. The first obstacle was the car. Geri and Arndor were certain that my red PT Cruiser was a demon of some sort. Fae was less afraid, but still did not like the idea of riding in such a thing. I had to show them that it was not alive and had no desire to take them to the underworld or kill them. There is, however, a scratch on the back of my car where Geri tried to hit it with his axe. :(

Fae was excited because she got to dress up a bit more than when she is home. She wore a corset (which she loves) and dressed herself up a bit. 

We made it to faire safely and without incident (although Geri and Arndor spent a lot of time yelling and waving weapons out my windows at the other cars. Thank goodness no cops saw us). We then parked and made it to the gate without incident. When we got in, I took some photos to mark their appearance at the faire. 

Marriage in the 11th century is an odd thing. This is not a marriage of love, necessarily, but more a marriage of political expedience. What I learned watching these two, however is that sometimes, political expedience can lead to something more. Arndor is devoted to Fae, and Fae would gladly stand by his side and fight with him. It's an extraordinary kind of thing, really.  

As the day progressed, this fact kept cropping up in their conversations and in how they acted with one another. 

After photos, the young couple, and Geri were ready to explore the fair and all it had to offer to us. We met Leonardo da Vinci (got hugs from him---made my day), and looked at many crafts and met several friends. 

The day was sunny but cool, which made them feel at home because Ottland is usually coolish (at least from what they've told me). 

Soon, the men were hungry, but because it was a faire day, Fae was not obligated to cook (cooking is actually something she loves to do, and is, according to the men, she is quite accomplished at this task0. I suggested my favorite dining experience at faire, the Peacock Tea Room. It was there that they had tea for the first time, as well as assorted cheeses, fruits, and breads. 

They all warmed to the place really quickly, which was a bit of surprise to me. I wasn't sure that the men would care for the place, but I think all it took was a little smile from Fae and some tea, and they became comfortable. Fae even relaxed and took her head covering off for a bit. It was a warmer than their home, and I'm sure she was getting hot. Arndor and Fae spent a good part of lunch teasing one another, and Fae was particularly excited because she could actually read the menu. She's only recently learned to read, so it was a treat. The were also a unsure about the forks at first, and decided they were weapons of war! 

Geri managed to see many, many beautiful women this day, however, the fact than none of them spoke his language made it difficult to for him to get to know anyone. Still he seemed to enjoy himself at the tea room. He also discovered that he loved tea. He loved it so much that he filled his drinking horn with the stuff and carried it around with him the rest of the afternoon.

After lunch the group sort of goofed around and looked at pretty things (Fae likes pretty things). We came upon a hat shop at one point, and things got a little crazy. I have to wonder what was in that tea...

Soon, it was time for us to leave, and we were all tired, but sad to do so. We had a lovely time at the faire. I was also sad to see this group of travelers go back to Ottenby, and hope they come to the present again soon.