Toiling with the Soil

Writers: Paula, Eimi
Date Posted: 11th August 2017

Characters: Merlish, Eilomar
Description: Eilomar finds himself helping Merlish to plant her vegetable garden.
Location: Harper Hall
Date: month 13, day 14 of Turn 8

Merlish stood up and wiped her forehead with the back of her hand. "Oh husband, that row looks ready to plant! You are such a big help to me." Of course, she probably could have done it herself in as much time, but she wanted to encourage Master Eilomar as much as possible so that he would continue to help out in their new vegetable patch.

Eilomar couldn't understand how this had happened. He hated physical work, he had promised himself to find someone else to do this but here he was, digging dirt and turning it into neat rows for planting. He stopped and leaned to his shovel. "Pass me the waterskin, dear," he asked, panting and sweating. This garden was better to become a success, because he had probably sweated few pounds off for it.

"Of course," she said, walking the skin over to him and leaning up to give his cheek a kiss. "I couldn't do this without you."

"I'm happy when you're are happy," Eilomar croaked and took a long swing from the skin. If he didn't get a heart attack from all this drudgery. He was a harper, not a sharding farmhand.

"Now all we need to do is push these poles into the ground, and plant the cucumber plants next to them, and I think we're done," she said with an air of accomplishment. The end was in sight, and in a few months, she could have nice fresh vegetables, and hopefully even a watermelon or two for their table!

"I'm a master crafter, I could have ordered someone to do this for me," Eilomar grumbled. But he was also feeling pride from his accomplishment, a glow of work well done. Of course, he was also feeling sweaty and blisters were forming on his hands. He was also going to have sore muscles.

Merlish heard the complaint, but chose to ignore it. "Oh, husband, did I tell you that I made bubblies for our dessert?"

"You did? I love your bubblies," just the mere thought was making him cheer up.

"Well, you were being so kind to help me in my garden that I thought that after our walk tonight, I wanted to give you a special treat." She knew she had to reward him for the little steps or risk falling back into bad habits.

"How thoughtfull from you," Eilomar said. "Now, you said something about poles?" the faster they were done, the faster he could get to those bubblies. He was as bad as any brat with those.

"These poles here," she said pointing to four long shafts of wood lying next to the cot. "They need to be pushed into the ground and then I have a net we can tie to them for the cucumbers to climb as they grow. It should be easy since the soil is soft now."

"Yes, boss-ma'am," Eilomar replied and got to work. When he had set up the poles, he stopped to rest and wipe his forehead again. He watched her bend over to strung up the nets and plant the seeds. She really hade a nice bum, he noted almost absently, since it was turned towards him. Not too bony but not too round and flappy either.

Merlish stood up and rested her hands on her hips as she surveyed their work with satisfaction. "And now we just have to plant the cucumbers in the ground, give them a little water and we're done! Could you get the water, dear, while I stick them in?"

"Yes, dear," Eilomar said with long suffering sigh. He looked around hopefully, but alas, no apprentices around. If he had spotted one, he would had ordered him to fetch that water. So, he dutifully picked the watering can and headed for the well.

Merlish hid a smile as she turned to plant the first of the cucumbers. She knew he was doing this solely for her benefit, and she was grateful. Many at the Hall thought her husband gruff and arrogant, she had heard. But his kindness towards her made her feel a strong affection for him. It might not have been love like the Harpers wrote about, but it was enough for her.

There was no way Eilomar would had done this for his first wife. So, how did Merlish got such a hold of him? He was reflecting this when he filled the can. And he didn't mind it all, which was even stranger.

She had three of the four planted by the time he had returned. "Water those, will you my dear? I will have this one done in just a moment, and then we can go inside, wash up, and you can sip some nice cool iced tea while I get or dinner started."

"Cold ice tea sounds good right now," Eilomar replied and started to water the seedlings. "You know what sounds very appealing to me right now too? A swim in a cool water. I used to be avid swimmer in my youth."

"Oh, husband, that does sound nice!" And it was a form of exercise! Merlish was beaming at him with pride more than just the pleasure of a grand idea.

"I can't remember if I still have swimming trunks. Haven't needed them since Dolphin Cove."

"I'm not sure I have a bathing suit, either." It hadn't been a luxury her family had indulged in. Her brother could swim in just their under garments, but her... That would have been scandalous!

"We seem to have a bit of a dilemma here," Eilomar said and actually sounded disapointed. The cool river did sound so tempting.

"Well, I believe you have an old pair of work pants that need mending. Perhaps rather than fix them I could just cut them off at the knees and you can swim in that. I'll just wade around in the water." She could pull up her skirts and still be modest enough. "And now that the garden is planted, I can start working on a proper set of swim suits for the both of us."

"You're so amazing," her husband said with admiring tone.

Merlish actually blushed under his praise. It was nice to hear that she was appreciated. Having planted the last seedling, she stood, and walked over to him. She lifted her head to give him a grateful kiss on the cheek, not knowing what else to say to such a lovely compliment. "I'll go pour you a glass of tea and get to work on those pants."

"Alright, dear," Eilomar replied and actually gave that nice rump a little pat.

Last updated on the September 2nd 2017

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Toiling with the Soil