Once, he would've laughed off compliments such as that, unneeded to bolster his overinflated ego and telling him nothing he didn't already assume about himself. These days, that sort of reassurance is a soothing balm to anxious aches that refuse to fully fade, propping up his confidence if he begins to falter. He smiles at her as he leads her through the next steps, a glimpse of his old boldness shining through for a moment.

"Oh there will be. Not sure where we'll do it, but Yule's not Yule without dancing by the fire." There's a lot of work ahead of him to finish the preparations for the holiday, and the thought of it makes him recoil from the responsibility. But he is the king, and it will be good for the people to celebrate the first turning of the Wheel in their new home, sharing their good fortune with their new neighbors. It will be worth it, he tells himself.

"I can show you some now, if you like," he says instead, forcing himself not to give in to the melancholy that's creeping up on him. It's easier these days, Eir's potion fighting back the worst of it for him.