Remind Him that You Need Him

Writers: Avery, Chelle
Date Posted: 30th January 2015

Characters: Rhosyn, Zelah
Description: The two of them have a chat at the hatching.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 10, day 15 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: Solieira, Bryvin (not by name), Yriadha, Lenala

Zelah

The Hatching was an excuse for Xeladrie to dress up in a pretty gown, add
a fine piece of jewelry in the form of a jeweled comb that held up her
hairstyle, and talk to people she didn't see often. And one of those she'd
hoped to speak with was the Weyrwoman herself.

Xeladrie approached the Weyrwoman when there was a lull in the party. She
smiled at the older woman. "That was such a beautiful Hatching. The gold
dragonet was quite lovely to see. You must be so proud."

"Grateful but there will still be challenges. Still, I am happy that she was
Orlaith's contribution." Rhosyn looked Xeladrie over and noticed she didn't
look any worse for wear. That was a good sign. "And how are you these days?"

"It must be an honor to produce a gold egg, yes? Was it her first?"
At the second question, she nodded. "It's not a bad Hold. Though I miss
electricity." A common refrain of hers.

"Her first at River Bluff, but not her very first no." Rhosyn had waited
quite some time for this second egg, however. "They seem to come when they're
needed the most." Thinking of the Weyr's electricity, Rhosyn smiled. That
was one thing that Dolphin Cove didn't have. "It is convenient. Especially
when you have to work late. At least you don't need heat."

"Well additional congratulations then. And yes, it is convenient to not
need heating. Would have protested more if he wanted to marry me to a man
from a frigid cold Hold not on the water," she said.

Chuckling, Rhosyn picked up on the undertones of that statement. "And...are
you still protesting at all then?" She hoped the young Lady Holder had made
herself a good match. Sometimes those things didn't work out but sometimes
they did.

"I - " She hesitated between honesty and politeness and obedience to her
Lord. "He hasn't hit me. Other Ladies have it worse."

"So there have been problems?" Indeed, violence wasn't a good thing but
sometimes the nonviolent ones were worse. Mental abuse could 'break' the
women and usually caused far more harm in the long run.

She shrugged slightly, but tried to keep her body language casual. "A
month and a half isn't long enough to know someone well. Maybe I'll come
to love him as I know him better. As long as he doesn't hurt me, I'd
settle for healthy children and my own free time."

That seemed to bode well then. She was probably just uncertain still. The
man didn't seem particularly vicious. "Usually if there is never a reason to
have a problem, there aren't any. A smart Lady would learn her husband-learn
how to manage him. He may think he is controlling her when in reality, she
is one step before. You seem smart enough to keep your happiness Xeladrie."
Rhosyn grinned, thinking she was one to be giving advice. Then again, she'd
never be able to marry so it was different.

"That's a good way of looking at it. My father runs over my mother 'cause
he's strong-willed. Me, I'd like to be a bit more than just a doormat."

"Mm.. you can be more a help to him in running the Hold if you tend to your
business. Most men appreciate a capable woman. Careful, though-don't ever
let him realize just how capable. Always remind him that you need him every
now and again." There had to be a balance. It was a fine line sure. Some
didn't have to walk it if it was a love match. Rhosyn had never had one of
those. Luckily she could never lose her position though.

Xeladrie nodded as she listened. "He needs me for heirs, but I need
him so I'm not homeless. We can't mistreat each other too much," she
agreed. "I hope to develop gardens and make a lovely space others can
admire, make the place harmonious - maybe one day, the envy of other
Holds."

"Oh he needs you for other things my dear, he just doesn't realize it. One
thing is for sure though..you'd better figure out things with your Headwoman
quickly." If Xeladrie didn't have her on her side, she might be climbing
uphill. Rhosyn had only met that woman very briefly so she didn't know how that was.
"Gardens are nice. You need to make the people love you, though. Do nice
things for them that they will appreciate. That will make it hard for him to
get rid of you if he ever had reason."

"Make the people themselves love me? Be kind and gentle, care about
their concerns, get to know them not just as people we nominally rule
over, but as their own selves?"

"You don't have to be gentle for them to love you but kindness does help.
And yes, get to know them and their needs and if you can improve their
lives, do so. Improving their lives will improve their feelings to the Hold and
most likely their productivity which your husband will like. Besides, it's not
ever a bad thing to have your folk loyal to you." She thought back to her old
Weyrwoman and what a despot she had been. No, Rhosyn had wanted no part of that and
had left as soon as she could.

"Did you learn all this from running a Weyr?" Xeladrie inquired. Was being
a goldrider similar in some respects to a lady, or entirely different, she
wondered.

"Being a leader is the same no matter where you are. As Weyrwoman, the
people are my responsibility. The Weyrleader takes care of the wings and the
Falls. Before I went to the Weyr, though, I was a holder. I remember sometimes
what it was like, everything being interdependent." Life had been so much
simpler then. Rhosyn secretly hoarded those memories. She wouldn't want to
give up Orlaith though.

"When you say the people, you mean all the weyrfolk who aren't riders? or
the riders too, when they're not in fall?"

"Everyone. It is my ultimate responsibility to make sure they are fed, clothed,
and taken care of. I have to make sure they are ready to fight and that there
are people to take care of them. The Headwoman helps me and she is invaluable
in this, but it is my duty to see it done. I handle the tithes, the crafters,
the fostering, and other things-some through the Headwoman." It was daunting
when one thought about it, especially since during a Pass Rhosyn also led her
own Wing. Lenala helped her though.

Xeladrie's eyes widened at the idea. "I'm glad you have helpers like
the other goldriders and the Headwoman. Otherwise it seems unmanageable."

"Ah but see...I've only had one other goldrider for some time. And it will be a
bit before our new one will be ready to take on duties as she's in training. But
it is what it is. The Headwoman is a big help." Solieira had been in this Weyr for
a long while and knew her business.

"That's good to know. I can only hope relations with mine will be as
well." But she suspected it wouldn't be.

Last updated on the February 10th 2015

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Remind Him that You Need Him