The Highest Regards
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Eimi
Date Posted: 29th May 2017
Characters: Merlish
Description: Merlish reflects on life as the Choir Master's wife.
Location: Harper Hall
Date: month 12, day 2 of Turn 8
Merlish closed her eyes, a gentle smile touching her lips as she heard the deep brassy voice of her husband drift out of his practice room.
**Oh, this is a good one...** she thought, immediately recognizing the piece.
She stood still, her hands still resting on the sink as the sunshine warmed her face through the cot window, and that beautiful sound sent shivers down her spine as his voice reached the peak of a powerful crescendo. These were the moments when she felt intensely happy. There was nothing she loved more than the sound of her husbands voice as he sang.
To say that Master Eilomar was a good singer was unquestionable. No one could doubt his amazing talent as a vocalist. It was perfection, especially in his wife's ears. As a husband, however, he certainly left room for improvement, though Merlish would never admit as much out loud and would staunchly defend the Choir Master to any who would imply as much. Over the Turns, she had come to understand that her husband was not the most popular of Masters at the Hall, but it did not matter to her. He had always been kind, gentle, patient and amazingly generous not only to her, but her whole family as well. For that alone, she held him in the highest regard.
Merlish could not say that she was in love with Master Eilomar. At least, not in the way Harper romances described the feeling. But she cared for him deeply. For all his faults, he was her husband, her family. She took care of him, and through him all her needs were more than met.
Her eyes slowly opened as he came to the end of his song. He had been practicing for a good long while now. She knew he would soon be ready for a break, or at the very least she should encourage him to take one. The kettle was still warm, but she put it back on the fire while she prepared a special blend of tea she had learned from the wives of other vocalists. It was filled with subtle herbs and spices that would sooth a tired throat and was perfect for after a long practice session.
When the water boiled she left a mug to steep as she stepped back over to the window to peek out at her small garden of spring flowers. She had become quite good at growing beautiful blossoms, though secretly she longed to try her hand at a vegetable patch. Wouldn't fresh vegetables on the table be lovely?
But, she thought with a sigh, Master Eilomar much preferred fried, fatty, oily food dishes. There was a time she had hoped to change his diet, but it did not seem to go over well with the Harper. Her body not only showed signs of the unhealthy fare on the outside, but her insides as well. Of course the Master would not object if _she_ ate a bit healthier... would he? He never denied her anything she truly desired. Maybe a garden was a good way to start introducing more variety into their meals. Perhaps she could broach the subject with him later.
As she was just about to turn to fetch his tea, she noticed little hands waving at her from the path in front of her cot. With a grin she waved back. Hikina and her family were out for a little walk, it seemed! They were both the same age, and she had bonded with the Journeyman Instrumentalist's wife and adored their three small children. Her friend herded her children on with a quick smile and wave, and as she turned sideways to her, Merlish noticed the small swelling at Hikina's belly. **She's showing already?**
The thought made her smile fade ever so slightly as her fingers unconsciously drifted to her own round belly. Only it was far more to do with the filling of her stomach than the filling of her womb. This Turns End it would be three Turns since she married Master Eilomar. **Three Turns, and still empty...** It was hard not to feel a bit jealous of her friend. Maybe it was time to talk to the Healers again. They always assured her every time that they could find nothing wrong, but she had been waiting three Turns...
She could once again hear her husbands voice drift down the corridor, but this time it made her snort with soft amusement. **You're going to try that song now? What voice will you have left?** A smile a mother might give to an over ambitious child pulled at the corners of her lips as she picked up his mug of tea. She decided she had better put a stop to this before he did his vocal chords a real injury! Suspecting he would be momentarily annoyed when she interrupted him mid-song, she also grabbed the plate with a scone on it she had prepared as a pacifying surprise in advance. How could he stay angry at her after that?
Last updated on the June 8th 2017