Once Upon a Dance

Writers: Heather, Suzee
Date Posted: 16th February 2019

Characters: Zathris, Benani, Benamil, Rizan
Description: Zathris remembers back to the first time he shared a dance with Benani
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 9, day 1 of Turn 9
Notes: Mentioned: Royan, Nimroy, Milroy

Zathris

Benani

Benamil

It had been an exceptionally long day, one complaint after another,
and while Zathris was used to that, it was still taxing. Now as he sat
watching Benani play with their children, he couldn't help but admire
his wife. Their course over the past few Turns had not been an easy
one, and there had been times when he'd almost lost himself, but here
they were, still married, still in love...

That last thought caused him to pause. Were they as in love as they
had once been? He liked to tell himself that but if he were honest, he
wasn't sure that he showed Benani the type of appreciation and romance
she deserved.

But then, she had always been far more than he deserved...

**Flashback**

"You could at least ask her to dance," Rizan said, "instead of just
staring at her from across the room."

Zathris flashed a warning look at his younger brother, "She's a Lord's
daughter and I don't... I don't know if I'm ready for that."

Rizan rolled his eyes, "And you're a Lord Holder's son, the Steward of
Willow Bend, and," he drew in a breath, "it's just a dance, Zathris.
You won't be doing Maisla, may she rest, any insult by that. This is
the second time in three months that we've come to Amber Hills on
'runner business' and both times you've watched Benani from a
distance. Go on."

He felt torn, torn between being a young widower who was grieving the
loss of his wife, and the interest and friendship he felt when he was
around Benani. They'd ridden, in the company of others of course, a
few times, and each time he'd found her easy to converse with but...

Rizan gave his brother the tiniest shove in the small of his back.

"I'm going," Zathris hissed over his shoulder. Rizan looked
unrepentant. She was standing with a group of girls, which was
intimidating, but Zathris figured the worst she could do was say no
and then he would allow Rizan to handle all future business relations with
Amber Hills... Simple as that!

"Benani," he greeted her with a smooth bow, "might I have this dance?"

"Zathris," Benani smiled. Her heart did a bit of a flip flop in her
chest. But when her friend Misera giggled behind her hand Benani
ruthlessly kicked her in the shin eliciting a muffled grunt but no
more giggles. "I would be happy to dance." She placed her hand on his
and turned to give another friend a quick glare over her shoulder.

"You look," his eyes swept over her, ignoring the girls, "beautiful this evening." She
looked beautiful every time he saw her, Zathris thought, pulling her
into the smooth rhythm of the dance.

"Thank you," she smiled shyly and dropped her eyes to the buttons on
his shirt. She didn't know if she should compliment him back or just
go with the flow of the dance. She breathed in the maleness of him and
though she was an innocent in things of an intimate nature she felt
very drawn to him in a way she never had before in her life. She
turned her head and saw her father watching them across the room.
"Don't look now but Lord Benaroy is watching you like a hungry watch
wher."

That made Zathris chuckle a bit, "And you have quite a posse of
brothers, too. I had better be on my best behavior." His eyes never
left hers as they had to break apart for a moment in the dance and
then come back together.

Her eyes scanned the room and sure enough Royan, and Benamil, and even
Nimroy and Milroy were all glowering in their direction. "You don't
think they're going to beat you up do you," she asked. "Maybe I should
talk to them."

"No need, I can handle it, I assure you. Besides, we're just dancing,
aren't we?" His hand slid along her waist as he led her through a
twirl. Rizan had been right, he was enjoying himself more than he had
thought he would.

"Yes," she smiled brilliantly. "But watch out for Nimroy, He's sneaky."

"I'll keep that in mind." Zathris murmured, withdrawing his hands as
the music came to an end.

She smiled at him and turned right into Benamil. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm here for the next dance," Benamil said, although his eyes were
staring at Zathris.

Zathris smirked a little at Benamil and tipped his head to Benani, "Thank you for the dance, Benani."

"Thank _you_ Zathris," she replied with a tiny curtsy. Then she turned
on her brother and punched him in the arm. "Would you get over
yourself? I'm perfectly fine in the middle of the dancefloor. What did
you think was going to happen?"

"Ow!" Zathris heard Benamil hiss. "I'm looking out for my sister,
that's what! You two were all gaga eyes over here. Everyone could see
it!" He lost the rest of the conversation as he retreated across the
dance floor to where Rizan was standing with an all too pleased
expression on his face.

"I told you," he said smugly.

"Told me what?" Zathris shoved his hands in his pockets.

"That you would have a good time. You like her."

"She's nice, okay? But I still don't know if I'm ready to even think -"

Rizan cut Zathris off, "You don't have to get married tomorrow. You
know where she lives, write her some letters and get to know her."

"We'll see," Zathris said, looking across the dance floor for one last
glimpse of Benaroy's daughter....

Last updated on the March 3rd 2019

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Once Upon a Dance