Chapter 36: A Delicate Situation

Elara awoke with a start, her body tense and uncomfortable. The dim light filtering through the small window told her it was barely dawn. As she shifted in bed, a familiar cramping sensation made her freeze. With dawning horror, she realized what was happening.

"No, no, no," she muttered, throwing back the thin blanket. Sure enough, there was a telltale stain on the sheet. Elara's cheeks burned with embarrassment as panic set in. In her old life, her maids would have discretely handled everything. But here, in this tiny room above the Anchor Tavern, she was utterly unprepared.

Elara stumbled out of bed, her mind racing. What did common women do in this situation? She had vague memories of overhearing servants discussing cloth rags, but the details eluded her. Frantically, she began rummaging through the meagre belongings she'd acquired since arriving at the Anchor.

"There must be something," she muttered, tossing aside threadbare dresses and patched undergarments. But nothing seemed suitable for her current predicament.

A knock at the door made her jump. "Elara? You awake in there?" Nell's cheerful voice called out. "I've got an idea for your next song!"

Elara's heart pounded. "Just a moment!" she called back, her voice higher than usual. She glanced around the room in desperation, then made a split-second decision. Nell was her friend – surely she would understand and help.

Taking a deep breath, Elara cracked open the door. "Nell," she whispered urgently, "I need your help. It's... well, it's a delicate matter."

Nell's brow furrowed with concern. "What's wrong, duck? You look pale as a ghost."

Elara hesitated, then blurted out, "My monthly courses have started, and I don't know what to do. In the palace, my maids always... but here, I..."

Understanding dawned on Nell's face, followed quickly by a reassuring smile. "Oh, is that all? Don't fret, love. We'll get you sorted in no time."

Nell slipped into the room, closing the door behind her. "First things first," she said briskly, "let's get you cleaned up. Then we'll see about making you more comfortable."

Over the next hour, Nell proved to be a patient and understanding teacher. She showed Elara how to fashion makeshift pads from clean rags, explaining how to wash and reuse them. She demonstrated the best way to tie them in place with a length of string, ensuring they wouldn't slip.

"Now, for the cramps," Nell said, rummaging in a small pouch she'd brought. "Maggie swears by this herbal tea. It tastes like horse piss, mind you, but it does help with the pain."

As Elara sipped the bitter concoction, Nell chattered away, filling the silence with lighthearted stories and advice. "You know, my first time was a right disaster," she confided. "I was working in the kitchen of some fancy house, and I bled right through my skirt. The mistress was furious – thought I'd cut myself and was dripping blood all over her fine floors!"

Despite her discomfort, Elara found herself laughing at Nell's animated retelling. "What did you do?" she asked.

Nell grinned mischievously. "Told her it was beet juice, didn't I? Said I'd spilt it while preparing supper. She believed me, too – at least until the housekeeper pulled her aside for a quiet word. After that, well... let's just say I found myself looking for new employment rather quickly."

As the herbal tea began to take effect, Elara felt some of the tension leave her body. "Thank you, Nell," she said softly. "I don't know what I would have done without you."

Nell waved away her gratitude. "That's what friends are for, duck. Now, how about we talk about something more cheerful? Like that new song I mentioned."

Grateful for the distraction, Elara nodded eagerly. "Yes, please. What did you have in mind?"

Nell's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Well, I was thinking we could do something about a clever maid who outsmarts a bunch of stuffy nobles. You know, play up the whole 'common folk are smarter than they look' angle. The regulars would eat it up!"

As Nell outlined her ideas, complete with exaggerated impressions of haughty lords and cunning servants, Elara found herself drawn into the creative process. They spent the next hour brainstorming lyrics and melodies, with Nell occasionally breaking into spontaneous dance moves to illustrate a particular verse.

By the time Maggie's voice echoed up the stairs, calling them down for breakfast, Elara was feeling much more like herself. The cramps had subsided to a dull ache, and the initial panic of the morning seemed like a distant memory.

"Ready to face the day?" Nell asked, offering her hand to help Elara up.

Elara took a deep breath, squared her shoulders, and nodded. "Ready as I'll ever be," she replied with a small smile.

As they made their way downstairs, the familiar sounds and smells of the Anchor enveloped them. The clatter of dishes from the kitchen, the rich aroma of fresh bread, and the low murmur of early patrons all combined to create a comforting atmosphere.

Maggie looked up as they entered the main room, her mismatched eyes narrowing slightly as she took in Elara's appearance. "Everything alright, girls?" she asked, her gruff voice tinged with concern.

Before Elara could respond, Nell jumped in. "Right as rain, Mags! Just had a bit of a late start, that's all. Now, what's for breakfast? I'm starving!"

As they settled in at a corner table with bowls of hearty porridge, Elara marvelled at how quickly her world had changed. Just a few weeks ago, she would have been mortified at the thought of discussing such personal matters with anyone outside her closest circle of attendants. Now, here she was, sharing a meal with a former street urchin and the owner of a dockside tavern, feeling more at ease than she ever had in the palace.

"Copper for your thoughts?" Nell asked, nudging Elara gently.

Elara smiled, warmth spreading through her chest. "I was just thinking how grateful I am to be here, with you and Maggie. I never imagined I could feel so... comfortable, I suppose, in a place like this."

Nell's face softened. "Aw, duck. The Anchor may not be much to look at, but it's got heart. And so do you, by the way. Don't think I haven't noticed how you've been winning over the regulars with those songs of yours."

As if on cue, the door swung open, admitting a group of bleary-eyed dockworkers. One of them, a burly man with a bushy beard, caught sight of Elara and broke into a wide grin.

"Oi, it's our little songbird!" he called out. "How about a tune to start the day right, love?"

Elara felt a momentary flutter of panic. She wasn't prepared to perform, especially not in her current condition. But then she caught Nell's encouraging wink and Maggie's subtle nod, and something settled within her.

Standing up, Elara smoothed down her skirt and took a deep breath. "Well, gentlemen," she said, her voice growing stronger with each word, "I'm afraid I don't have anything new for you this morning. But how about we start with an old favourite?"

As she launched into a rousing rendition of "The Wily Tavern Maid," Elara felt a surge of confidence. She might not have all the answers, and might still be finding her footing in this new world, but she was no longer alone. With Nell's friendship, Maggie's quiet support, and the growing acceptance of the Anchor's patrons, she was carving out a place for herself – one song at a time.

The rest of the morning passed in a blur of activity. Elara helped Nell with various chores around the tavern, from wiping down tables to restocking the bar. Every now and then, she would pause to adjust her makeshift pad or sip some of Maggie's herbal tea, grateful for Nell's earlier lessons.

As the lunch crowd began to trickle in, Elara found herself observing the other women in the tavern with new eyes. She noticed the subtle ways they moved, the occasional grimaces quickly masked and realized that many of them were likely dealing with the same monthly challenges she was facing.

"It's a bit like a secret society, isn't it?" she mused aloud to Nell as they worked side by side in the kitchen.

Nell looked up from the potatoes she was peeling. "What's that, duck?"

Elara gestured vaguely. "All of this... women's business. It's something we all go through, but no one really talks about it. At least, not where I come from."

Nell snorted. "Aye, well, that's the upper crust for you. Always pretending the messy bits of life don't exist. Down here, we can't afford such delicate sensibilities. Life's too short and too hard to waste time being coy about natural things."

As Elara pondered this, Maggie poked her head into the kitchen. "Elara, love, think you're up for a midday performance? The crowd's getting a bit restless, and your voice always seems to settle them down."

For a moment, Elara hesitated. She still felt a bit tender and out of sorts. But then she caught sight of Nell's encouraging smile and felt a surge of determination.

"Of course, Maggie," she said, straightening her shoulders. "I'd be happy to sing for them."