Between the Women

Writers: Chelle
Date Posted: 30th April 2015

Characters: Rhosyn, Zelah
Description: The Lady Holder and the Weyrwoman have a moment of private conversation.
Location: Sunstone Seahold
Date: month 13, day 12 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: Bryvin, N'vanik, Reeva

Zelah

The meal was over, and the Weyrwoman would probably be leaving soon. But Xeladrie had enjoyed talking to her, so she hunted for an excuse that might keep the other woman around for another candlemark.

"Would you like to take a brief walk and see the Hold's gardens,
Weyrwoman?" Xeladrie asked politely.

To tell the truth, she was hoping for just such an opportunity. Xeladrie looked healthy and didn't look overly stressed, which was a good sign. Rhosyn got up and brushed herself off. She'd retrieve her carisak later. "Sure." Following the Lady Holder, she found herself thinking about her early days as a holder.

Xeladrie was reasonably quiet, noting who was paying attention to them. Once they were outside, she settled onto a bench and looked around. "I do appreciate you stopping by, and it was so generous of you to bring a gift," she said.

Smiling, Rhosyn reached around to a flower and smelled it then leaned back. "Well I thought it might be a good gesture and why not? They're said to be useful. They can send and bring messages and retrieve things." Hopefully the message was clear. If Xeladrie needed something, it would be an easy way to have it said.

Xeladrie caught the Weyrwoman's eyes and nodded. "That'll be very useful when I can't leave the Hold for awhile."

"And why wouldn't you?" That was curious and the goldrider brought her head back around to consider those words. Maybe Xeladrie had something to do?

"It looks like I'm pregnant," Xeladrie said. "It's been making mornings interesting."

And thus she had sealed her fate. Xeladrie would truly be the Lady of Sunstone now. And she'd also never be able to get away from Bryvin even if she wanted to. Rhosyn herself didn't have a good view of pregnancy but she also understood that for the Lady Holder it meant cementing her position. If she bred an heir, that would lend her authority in the Hold and power. It would also help her relationship with her husband. "Congratulations."

"Thank you, ma'am. I was hoping it'd happen soon, but I hadn't
expected it quite this fast." But it made her husband very happy.

"Do you have anyone here you can talk to about being pregnant...." Thinking about how important Reeva had been for her, Rhosyn wondered. There wouldn't be any female healers in the Hold. Perhaps, though...there might be other pregnant women or mothers or someone...

"I'm trying to get to know some of the foster mothers and other
married women," Xeladrie answered. "I think spending time with others who have gone through it would help. And there are lady midwives." Even if not Healers.

"That's a good idea. It was hard for me when I had my daughter. Then again, my life was very different which made it harder. I have a good Master Healer, though. She brought me through it." Xeladrie wasn't likely to have half the problems she did. Rhosyn didn't want to scare her either.

"Your Healer was a woman?" But then again, she was a Weyrwoman...of course Weyrs would have women healers. "I suppose with a dragon it all must have been hard."

"Well I needed help with Orlaith, I had to put aside my wing duties. I think the worst part was being alone though. You see...I had no husband to dote on me or talk to." In that respect perhaps Xeladrie might be better off. Her burden, the Heir, would be precious after all.

"No husband to help... an example of the Weyr differences we hear so much about?" the younger woman asked softly.

Then she shook her head, realizing how it might have sounded. "Forgive me, I don't mean to be rude. It's just that I know what the constraints of my life are. Yours seems so much freer, with a dragon to bear you anywhere, and real authority over your people. I suppose I didn't think about the tradeoffs."

"There are those in the Weyr that have mates. I have never been one of them. Probably because I am very difficult to live with," Rhosyn answered baldly. "My lack has nothing to do with my rank or being a rider. Her father happens to live in a Weyr on the other side of the continent so that in itself prevented
any sort of closeness." She never said his name on purpose. Xeladrie wouldn't know anyhow. "But aye, there are other ways where I likely have far more freedom and control than you do."

"Do you see your child often?" Xeladrie pried gently.

Rhosyn shrugged, knowing if she gave a true answer she'd likely get a strange look. "Every now and again at meals and such. Briata is her mother for the most part and unfortunately I have a lot of demands on my time. You might choose to foster some of your children." A lot of the Holders did it for many reasons.

"I can see the appeal of it, especially if I find my time better spent elsewhere." Would she care about the child? Right now, with only a few signs of the pregnancy, she felt disconnected from it. It was a chance to get better into her husband's graces - and a sign she belonged to him and Sunstone.

"Aye well you definitely have plenty of duties as Lady Holder and when you have several children-as most inevitably do, it is hard to spend your time raising them. Besides, for me it is better since if something ever happens to me whether in Threadfall or otherwise Nisheyl will have a family she is
comfortable with who cares for her." That, to Rhosyn, made it better for her daughter. She had something she could never give her.

"It seems like a sensible way to handle it. And I don't know how I'd feel about raising several until I try it, I suppose," Xeladrie said.

Looking up and realizing how late it was and remembering she was alone, Rhosyn sighed. "Well Xeladrie, feel free to send me messages once your egg hatches. For now, though I'm afraid I better head back."

"Have a safe trip home. Thank you some much for visiting me," Xeladrie said, genuinely meaning it all.

Last updated on the May 5th 2015

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Between the Women