Helvar's Answer

Writers: AL, Kaysea
Date Posted: 9th July 2008

Characters: Fog, Eliste
Description: Fog goes with Eliste to find out the answer to whether or not Eliste is free from her husband.
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 11, day 8 of Turn 4

Eliste was nervously waiting for him at the docks. She had been asking occasionally what day it was, trying to keep track of it. It was a little easier now that she was able to go out more often, but somehow, the days still seemed to run together from time to time. She watched as the riverboat came to a stop. She supposed she should have waited. After all, Fog had work to do first, but she couldn't. She wanted to see him.
Being apart from him seemed to only increase her desire to be near him.
It was so hard being apart for so long, especially now that she knew how she felt about him - and he about her.

It seemed to take all day to unload, once they had docked. He had seen her sitting down on the dock waiting for him, had waved a couple of times, but hadn't been able to do more than that until everything was done. He'd encouraged Tahna to go down and talk to her, but his daughter, for some reason, had become shy at the suggestion. Even the usually open Linli had backed off, though both girls had been fine with his announcement. He would just have to organise an outing for them all during the short time they had here at the waypoint.

Tyno called to him from the upper deck that everything was done, he was free to go, and he felt his heart skip a beat. He glanced down to where Eliste sat and gave her a wave to come onboard.

The young woman made her way to the boat and onboard, closing the distance between her and the man of her heart. She embraced him, holding him close, then looked up at him and smiled. "I've missed you."

"I've missed you too, my sweet." he said, his arms encircling her tightly while reminding himself to not crush her in his enthusiasm. His mouth descended on hers, he didn't care who saw her right now, she was his - or would be soon.

The kiss surprised her, but Eliste returned it, gently but eagerly. It felt good to be kissed by him. The others had been tender but hesitant and light, but this...Eliste's hold upon him tightened and she pulled back, cheeks aflame. "Oh..."

"Oh..." he lifted his head, his face coloured deeply after letting his emotions overtake him - and her. "I...I'm sorry Eliste..." he said quietly.

"Don't be." Eliste's smile was gentle and she reached up to caress his face. "It was nice." So much nicer than with Helver, who made Eliste always feel like she was being crushed and pressed under a heavy weight.
"Don't be sorry."

"I...I don't ever want you to feel powerless..." he said softly, his eyes holding hers.

"You do hold power over me, Fog." Eliste said softly, lowering her gaze to stare at his chest. "But it's not the same as with Helvar. It's a power that I desire. I..." She hesitated, then shook her head, not certain if she could put her feelings into words. "It's okay, I promise."

"Come on..." he released her and took her hand in his own, "...let's get something to eat. And you can tell me what you've been up to since I left."

"Oh well, I was hoping..." Eliste held onto Fog's hand tightly. "I was hoping you'd go see the harper again with me." He should have news by then about Helvar.

"Oh... yes, of course. But - would you mind - I er, I haven't eaten yet?"
he looked a little abashed at thinking about his stomach when she had more important things to discover, but - he had rushed his morning meal to get a start on unloading.

"Oh, certainly." Eliste wasn't about to deny Fog something, especially not food. "Let's eat first."

~*~

Eliste got very quiet after they made their way toward the harper. She had a dread in her stomach, an uncertainty, and she was jittery. She clutched at Fog's hand with her own as if her own life depended upon his touched. She hoped beyond hope that she could start her life over with him. That would be a dream if it were so.

"Eliste..." he said her name, and squeezed her hand to bring her out of the dream she appeared to be walking in. "Hey, everything will be fine."
he said, suspecting where her thoughts lay.

Eliste's hand tightened in his and she nodded, looking away so he wouldn't see the worry in her gaze. "Where are the girls?"

"With Neke. They have quilts to deliver while we're here. They have an order with the traders, and they'll be here to collect the goods sometime in the next sevenday."

"I see." She wondered what they would think of the new arrangement.
Eliste hoped they would be happy. That is...if there was an arrangement at all. She went silent again as they came to the harper's cot.

"I was wondering...." he began, then stopped at the halted outside the harpers doorway. "Never mind, it can wait til later." he said, shaking his head.

Eliste glanced over at Fog, then looked to the doorway. She reached out and knocked upon it.

The same woman that greeted them last time did so again. She smiled, bustled them indoors and got them into two chairs. The harper came almost immediately, smiling a little. "Hello again." He nodded politely to both.

"Thank you for seeing us, again." Fog said, gripping the harpers hand in welcome. "We've picked a more suitable time of the day, today, I hope?"
he asked, ushering Eliste into one of the chairs, before taking a seat himself.

"Yes, a much better time of day." The harper smiled warmly, then sat down. "I'm afraid, however, I haven't very good news to give you."

Eliste stiffened visibly.

"Oh?" Fog tried to sound unconcerned, but even to himself, he sounded false. "Bad news? Or something we can work around?" He sat uneasily on the edge of the chair.

"It's something we can work around, I'm sure." The harper smiled as encouragingly as he could. "Helvar has contested the dissolving of the marriage. This means that if you wish to continue to dissolve it, you'll need to go before Lord Corowal and plead your case."

Eliste paled and looked away from the harper. She had hoped she could avoid having to go back to Emerald Falls and she certainly didn't want to have to face Helvar. It seemed, however, she wasn't going to have much choice.

"I'll come with you." Fog stated boldly, knowing how much the harper's words had had an effect on Eliste. "I won't let you go alone, nor will I let anything happen to you."

Eliste nodded, then stood. "Thank you, Harper..."

"Samanten." The harper stated as he too stood and gently patted Eliste's arm.

The young woman offered him a small smile, then turned and practically fled.

"Thank you, Samantan. For everything." Fog offered his hand to the harper, "She... this has come as a blow to her, not quite unexpected, but... I'll talk to her." he said quietly, before taking his leave.

~*~

Outside, Eliste had to take several deep breaths to keep from bursting into tears. She had a feeling it wouldn't be so easy. She had known he wouldn't let go of her so readily. Eliste hugged herself and rubbed her arms as if she were cold though the day certainly held no chill. She was ready to put her past behind her, but he wouldn't let her.

When Fog approached her, she said quietly, "I can't go until after the baby's born." She shook her head again. "The healer won't let me travel right now." Otherwise, she would have gone back on the Sungazer at the first chance.

"Shhh... Shhhh..." he folded her into his arms, feeling her whole body tremble against him. "Nothing can be done right now. So you need to forget everything for the next few sevendays. Calm yourself, before you upset the baby. I don't want you upsetting yourself and delivering while I'm away."
he said, his hands rubbing her back soothingly.

His touch was so soothing, his tone of voice calm, his words true. The young woman took a few more deep breaths and finally managed to stop shaking. Of course things couldn't be easy, but perhaps...perhaps she could get through this. If Fog were with her, "I wish you didn't have to go again. There's no guarantee I'll deliver in the short window you'll be here."

"I can... I'll speak with Lineal.. but," he shook his head, "I'm not sure it'll be... the right thing. The waypoint, well - its not like a Weyr."
he shook his head, more for her sake than his own.

"I...I don't understand." Eliste leaned into him, relishing in his touch.

"It may not look right if I stayed..." he answered, though he would be accommodated in one of the other areas of the smallhold. "I'll speak with Lineal." he nodded, not wanting to be away from her when the child was born, but wondering if the girls would understand if he stayed ashore during this trip.

"Oh, I see." She hadn't really thought about it, but it did make sense.
Eliste tilted her head back to look at him. "I don't want you to get into trouble, Fog, or cause you undo consternation."

"I'm fine." he reassured her, "But I'll talk to Lineal and see if I can find some accommodation for the next couple of sevendays." With extra crew coming aboard from the Moonflower, Lineal wouldn't be short of hands anytime soon, despite Nico's leaving and his request - or at least he hoped Lineal would see it that way.

"Only if you're sure." She would love to have Fog nearby. His presence was so calming to her, and Eliste knew it would help make her stay that much more bearable.

"We'll see what can be done. But -" his face creased in concern, "What happens if you get sick of me in the meantime? Will that mean the union is off?"

"Sick of you?" Astonishment crossed over her features. "Why would I get sick of you?"

"It'll be different for you having me around all the time." he laughed softly. "You may get sick of me." he smiled widely, but a small part of him was worried that she too, like Marilea, would eventually tire of having him around, having to see his face and scar day after day, after all - she was a young woman still.

"No." Eliste shook her head, managing a small smile. "That will never happen."

"I hope not..." he said quietly, then smiled warmly at her, trying to wipe the thoughts from his head. "Come on, let's go for a walk, and see if we can figure out where I can stay while I'm here."

"If you're sure..." Eliste hesitantly pulled back from his embrace, but her hand sought his on and slipped into his grasp.

Last updated on the July 9th 2008

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Helvar's Answer