I Need A Husband

Writers: Bree, Eimi
Date Posted: 15th August 2006

Characters: Ryalane, Penryn
Description: Ryalane tells Penryn why she has been hiding from everyone in the Hold, and asks him for an unusual favor.
Location: Garnet Valley Hold
Date: month 13, day 2 of Turn 3

Ryalane lowered herself into the chair on the other side of Penryn's desk, smoothing her dress down self-consciously. She'd gotten into the habit over the last month, but it was getting to the point where not even carefully fitted dresses would hide the thing she'd been trying so hard to ignore. Soon there would be no more hope of hiding, which was why she'd finally come to Penryn. Forcing herself to fold her hands in her lap, Ryalane managed a wane smile. "Thank you for making time for me, Penryn."

"I always have time for you Ryalane," he said gently as he poured them both a cup of klah. "I'm just glad to see you up and about again." That murderous bastard Meijah had abused her badly after killing her husband right before her eyes. It still galled him even now that he had no good news to tell her. Meijah and Verora had still evaded capture and they were no closer now than they had been months before.

"Yes... that's why I came to see you." Steeling herself, Ryalane met Penryn's gaze. "I'm afraid that I won't be able to resume my usual duties as quickly as I'd hoped. I'm four months pregnant."

"You..." Penryn blinked in surprise. "Pregnant. Why, Ryalane, I'm so happy for you. I know you and Briton had tried so long before he was killed."

"Yes," Ryalane said quietly, firm in her resolve to keep the truth to herself. If she didn't have to see horror and pity reflected back at her from every face, maybe she could forget that there was no way this child could have been Briton's. "It changes things, though. I won't have time for my duties, of course."

"Of course," he nodded. "Any way I can help, Ryalane, you know you have just to ask."

"Thank you, Penryn. I'm afraid I may need your help more than I'd like."
Shifting slightly, Ryalane resisted the urge to smooth her dress down again. "I don't know if I can go through this pregnancy alone."

"I can certainly understand that," the steward said gently. "Just tell me what I can do for you."

Ryalane closed her eyes and sighed. "This is humiliating, Penryn... but I need you to help me find a husband." Penryn wasn't quite sure he had heard her correctly. "You want _me_ to help you find a husband?"

"I want to do what's right, Penryn... and it is right for me to find a husband. I just--" She opened her eyes and let him see the tears. "I will be a good wife to whoever I marry, but I'm not ready to look for love."

"I..." Looking into her eyes, he could see her pain, hear her conflict, and feel the terrible loneliness he was very familiar with. He could feel his own throat tighten as he looked at her, knowing to some degree how she felt, and at the same time, he couldn't fathom it. His wife had died naturally, and to be honest with himself, it was something they both knew was inevitable. But Briton had been in his prime, he had been healthy and full of life. His death was completely unnatural, and utterly wrong. And Ryalane had to watch as the life slowly drained out of him, in this very room. Behind his very desk was where he had found her, broken, abused...

He took a deep breath and looked down at his hands. Penryn couldn't look into those eyes. "I will find you a husband, Ryalane. I promise. And I promise he will be a good man. The best of men."

"I trust you, Penryn," Ryalane said quietly. "It's why I asked you."

He nodded thoughtfully. "May I ask... what are you looking for in a husband?"

"Someone who would be a good father," she said without hesitation.
"That's what I need most, Penryn."

And not only a good father, but a good father to a child that isn't his own... "I will start looking, discretely, of course."

"Thank you, Penryn. I appreciate it." "Of course. And... In the meantime, is there anything I can do for you?"

Ryalane hesitated for a moment and then shook her head. "I just would like to keep it as quiet as I can. I don't know if I can handle a lot of attention or congratulations. I have a lot to deal with still."

"All right. It will be kept quite. And next time we meet, hopefully I will have good news for you."

"I appreciate it. I know it's not exactly the sort of job you're used to..." She forced a pained looking smile. "You're the only person I could ask, though."

"Leave it to me," he nodded resolutely. Part of him already knew who the logical choice would be...

Last updated on the August 15th 2006

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

I Need A Husband