Jibes and Gossip

Writers: AL, Kaysea
Date Posted: 26th August 2008

Characters: Fog, Eliste
Description: Fog hears rumours about him and Eliste and then has an argument with his betrothed.
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 11, day 22 of Turn 4
Notes: Takes place in the evening.

He hurried back to the cot, hoping she hadn't been out too far that day. He had seen the looks he had received from the people in the hold, and had finally stopped to ask why all the sympathetic glances. To find out that there were rumours he had been tricked into believing the child was his, well.... once more he rolled his eyes skyward. He knew where the rumours had come from, there was only one person nasty enough to let their secret out - Marilea. He would tear strips off her when he finally confronted her, but for now, he had to check on Eliste.

Eliste was just tying her tunic when Fog bustled in. She looked up, startled by his sudden entrance, but the baby, lulled to sleep by his mother's warmth and taste, barely stirred where he lay on the bed at her side. Eliste finished with her ties and eased off the bed, "Fog? What's wrong?"

"You haven't been out today?" he asked, his anger subsiding for a moment when he could see how calm Eliste appeared.

"No, not today." Eliste moved closer to Fog, her hand coming to lay gently upon his arm. "Did something happen?"

"Don't worry," he shook his head, "I'll sort it out." his relief was palpable, but it didn't stop the anger bubbling up slowly inside of him. "Just someone out to cause trouble - again, but I'll soon sort her out, and make sure her man keeps her in line from now on." his voice hardened as the image of Marilea came into his mind.

Eliste knew who he was talking about even if he didn't say her name. "Marilea?" She asked softly. "What did she do?"

"It doesn't matter." he shook his head, "Don't worry about it." he reached out and pulled her into his embrace, "Just know I love you - no matter what, okay?" he asked, his eyes meeting hers he dipped his head and kissed her warmly on the lips.

Eliste pulled back and placed a finger against his mouth. "No, tell me. What has she been saying?"

"Everyone in the hold is looking at me in pity." he admitted finally. "The bitch has spread rumours that I have been cuckolded into believing Follen is mine. But don't worry I've started setting the record straight." he words ground out harshly.

The words stung Eliste. She knew he hadn't meant it that way, but she couldn't help but feel pain at them regardless. "He...is..." She trailed off and shook her head. "What did you do, Fog?"

"Told the big mouth who blurted it out, that that isn't the way things are." he nodded decisively. "I only came back to make sure you hadn't been slighted by anyone. Now, I'm off to sort out Marilea and that spineless twit she married."

"Fog, don't." Eliste cast a glance to her son, but he didn't even stir. The newborn was far too gone into sleep to be disturbed by the fall and rise of their voices. "You shouldn't."

"Why not?" he asked, remembering just in time to keep his voice low. His eyes, too, traveled across the cot to the sleeping infant, "Sorry." he said, a little abashed.

"As much as what she says annoys and hurts, it doesn't do to go facing her. It will only make things worse." Eliste sighed softly wishing things didn't have to be so complicated. If only things could have been different. "Just...just let this run like water off a fowl's back. There's no need to retaliate."

"I don't think you understand just how bad she can be, even now..." he shook his head, he was only too well aware of how nasty things could become. He hadn't seen this side of his ex wife in a long time, but he hadn't forgotten it existed. "She needs to be told, warned off, that this behaviour won't be tolerated."

"That doesn't mean you should go storming over there and start yelling at her." Eliste insisted. Her hand fell across his arm, a gentle but physical barrier. "That wouldn't do any good."

"It might..." he sighed heavily, knowing that despite his anger, Eliste was probably right. But someone had to control Marilea before she did some real damage to his and Eliste's relationship even before their marriage had taken place - or it might never eventuate.

"It would only make things worse." Eliste continued, her hold tightening upon his arm. "Not for us...but for her."

"Worse for her? Who cares?" his voice raised again, he was incredulous of her concern for Marilea. "She's been putting you down all over the hold, and you're worried about making things worse for her?" he shook his head, his hand following the old habit of knuckling his forehead around his scar. "I must be going mad." he said, his voice harsh, but low. He glanced across at the baby again, and watched as he stirred.

"Shaffit, Fog!" Eliste's squeaked, then looked over at the baby. He moved, whimpered, then settled down. The young woman grabbed her intended's hand and dragged him out of the room. She eased the door until it was just cracked, then turned back to the man before her. "Marilea may be foul but she's doing this out of jealousy. If we let her know that it's bothering us, she'll have won. Worse, from what Fierla has told me, her situation seems to be much like mine was before and while I don't condone her actions, I will not bring about the wrath of her husband upon her when I know full well what that is like!"

He took a step back from her when the were outside, he hadn't ever seen her react this way, even in defence of him against Marilea. It was good to see that she was developing some spunk, but in defence of Marilea? It almost took his breath away that she could sympathise with the woman who was trying to tear them apart. But the news that Marilea wasn't as happy in her relationship... gave him pause for thought. Had she really fallen into a relationship similar to the one Eliste had escaped? He quietly considered Eliste's words, before finally nodding in agreement. "Do you think its true?" he asked, finally. "Or just another way of gaining sympathy while causing mischief?"

Eliste closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She hadn't meant to get so upset, but she couldn't help it. Helvar had affected her deeply, in many ways she probably didn't realise as of yet. "Fierla is not the kind to lie. I was confiding in her. She, in turn, confided in me regarding her situation. It gave me a chance to look upon things in a new light. Fierla evidently saw her husband strike ... and not only once. I don't want us to be the reason she gets a beating."

"Okay, okay." he nodded, not wishing to see Eliste even more upset than she had already gotten. He reached out and pulled her into his arms, kissing her tenderly on the forehead. "I'm sorry sweetheart, I didn't want to upset you. If... if I have to ignore what she has done, I will - but only for you, my love."

"It won't be like this forever." Eliste assured him, falling into his embrace and closing her eyes. Marilea was venomous, but she couldn't help but be sympathetic to her plight despite it. That was a situation she wouldn't wish upon anyone.

"I know. Soon we'll be away from her vindictiveness, but for now, I'll have to learn to ignore the jibes and gossip. I'll try my best." he would also have to keep his eye out for any sign that what she had heard about Marilea and her husband, being true. Much as his ex wife infuriated him, he didn't like to think of his children's mother suffering like Eliste had.

"I'm sorry I snapped at you." Eliste's voice was muffled against his chest. She was sorry, but at the same time she realised that her ability to do so merely showed how much she trusted this man. She would have never felt comfortable letting go of herself like that with anyone else.

"I probably deserved it, if for nothing else, than for almost waking Follen." His chin rested on her head, his arms draped warmly around her, "I love you, sweetheart."

"I love you too, Fog." It was true, and she knew that nothing would ever change that. No matter what people said.

Last updated on the August 26th 2008

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