Plots and Plans

Writers: AL, Kaysea
Date Posted: 20th September 2008

Characters: Fog, Eliste
Description: Eliste tells Fog her plan to help Marilea escape.
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 11, day 27 of Turn 4

Eliste was rocking Follen when Fog returned, her brow furrowed, lost in her thoughts. She didn't even realise he had entered her quarters until she heard the click of his feet against the floor as he approached her. When she realised he was there, she visibly relaxed and looked up from where she sat in the rocking chair. "Have a good day?"

"Not too bad. I think I've done well with the errands I've been set. Lineal will be surprised I think, when he see's is what we have for the coming trip. How was your day?" he asked, dropping a kiss lightly on her lips, then bending further bestowed one on Follen's forehead as well.

"It was fine." Eliste wasn't sure what his reaction was going to be. Maybe they should go outside in case it turned into another argument. "I've got a bit of news."

"Oh?" he stood up straight and stretched. "Anything important - another pregnancy?" he laughed, knowing it would be impossible, but he enjoyed teasing her nevertheless.

"Ah, no." Eliste flushed, lowering her gaze. Fog hadn't touched her beyond the innocent hand holding and kissing that they enjoyed. It wasn't that she didn't desire it but...The woman rocked a few more times before answering, "I have some news regarding Marilea."

"What now?" Fog asked, his voice deepening.

"Her situation is dangerous, Fog. I've asked her to join us when we go on the Riverboat, to get away from him." The young woman lifted her gaze so that it connected with her beloved's.

"What? You've invited her along. Are you sure what you've heard is true? This could be another one of her tales to gain attention." he said dismissively.

"I've seen the product of the relationship with my own eyes." Eliste's voice was hard. She had suffered similar injuries from her own husband. "That's not something you do to yourself, even for attention."

"When did this all happen? When did you see her?" he asked, crossing to her side once more, and falling to his knees before her. If what she said was true, he couldn't in all conscience leave Marilea here, but he would always put Eliste's safety first, her safety and her care.

"Well, yesterday. Then earlier today. That's when I talked to her about coming with us on the riverboat." Eliste admitted. "I told her about Helvar and...and Varel."

"Oh Eliste." his voice softened, as did the look on his face. "Are you sure that was wise? You are the bravest person, dear one." he pulled her and Follen into his arms and held her gently. "I'll do what you ask, _whatever_ you ask." He said quietly.

Eliste relaxed visibly. "I was so afraid you'd be mad at me."

"I could never be mad at you. I just can't fathom how you can be so forgiving. After all she's said and done, you can still reach out to her." he shook his head in amazement.

"Just because I've done this doesn't mean I like what she's done." Eliste sighed softly, closing her eyes as she leaned into Fog's embrace. "But I can't just stand by and let her go through the same thing I did."

"I know sweetheart. And truth be told, I can't allow her to stay in that situation, if for no other reason than she's my children's mother." he nodded in understanding. "So....how are we to organise this _escape_?"

"Marilea and I will be settling our differences and becoming friends. Every day we will meet for a bit, perhaps sew a little." Eliste explained, "Then one day, I will suddenly get ill and she will come to tend to her dear friend after she prepares dinner for her husband. Then she will come to us on the Sungazer just before we set off."

"You have it all planned, don't you?" Fog shook his head in amazement. "I suppose you want me to go and speak with Lineal about this when the boat returns?" he couldn't return to the boat with two woman in tow, not without raising everyone's eyebrows. He was concerned about this daughters' reactions to their mothers return, too. He would have to let them both know why Marilea was back aboard - something he really didn't relish.

"I thought that, perhaps, it would be my responsibility to bespeak Lineal." Eliste hated to think of Fog taking responsibility for something unpleasant that had been her idea. "I don't mind."

"No, its alright." he shook his head, his hand on her shoulder, "I'll do it. She's my ex wife, I'll speak with Lineal." And with Vaheri, if he was truthful - she was the one he needed to convince of Marilea's plight.

"I should at least go with you." Eliste insisted gently. "It was my idea after all."

"Yes, I think the girls would enjoy a visit from us. And I know the folk aboard the boat would love to see Follen again - especially Vaheri." He smiled down on the sleeping child.

"She did seem rather smitten with him." Eliste gently caressed her son's head. "She certainly insisted upon holding him quite a bit when she visited."

"I'm sure while we talk with Lineal, she'll be more than happy to look after him, to say nothing of Rahona and the girls."

"I'm beginning to wonder if I'll ever get to hold my son after we get on the riverboat." Eliste's voice was tinged with amusement. "At least I won't have to worry about volunteers in case I need my hands free and can't wear him."

"No, you definitely won't. I'm sure they're all looking forward to having a new baby onboard. The girls especially. They're very taken with him." He wondered how they would react to two babies coming aboard - both brothers. The thought took him by surprise, but that was exactly what the babies were - both were brothers to his girls. Would they be as accepting of Marilea's babe? "I just had a thought..." he said aloud.

"Oh?" Eliste's eyebrows raised, not in surprise but in curiosity. "What is it?"

"How will the girls react to having _two_ brothers aboard with them? I'm not sure they're ready for this - or for seeing Marilea again." his face creased in worry.

"Then we'd best sit down and have a talk with them." Eliste hadn't thought of that. "And we'd better make sure they understand what sort of danger she's in. Hopefully that will help."

"We'll need to talk to them before Marilea boards the boat, so she doesn't come as such a surprise..."

"We should do so as soon as they arrive." Eliste suggested, "No point in keeping it from them."

"I agree." he nodded. "Okay, that's enough discussion on the subject for now." he said, pushing himself to his feet, "Food and more pleasant talk is what I want and need, and time spent with you and Follen were we can just sit and cuddle. Okay?" he asked.

Eliste reached out and took Fog's hand, a gentle smile lighting her face. "That sounds like a lovely idea."

"Good." He leaned down and took Follen from her. "I'll look after my son, and you can busy yourself, how's that sound?"

"Are you going to feed him too?" Eliste asked, giggling as she allowed the babe to be taken from her.

"I would..." he said with a wry grin, "but somehow I don't think I'm quite equipped for the task. Why, is he due for a feed now?" he asked.

Eliste shook his head. "Not for another candlemark I would say."

"So its okay for me to sit down, hold him and watch you?" he asked, a smile back on his face.

"Watch me?" Eliste tilted her head to regard her betrothed. "That sounds like an awfully boring way to spend your day."

"Not at all." he grinned, "Quite enjoyable actually. You have a lovely form."

Colour danced over Eliste's cheeks and she looked down. She had gotten a little more comfortable with giving and receiving teasing from Fog, but it still felt odd most of the time. Any comments her husband had ever made had been lewd and unappealing. "I'll just be sewing."

"And I'll just sit and keep an eye on two of my most favourite people." he nodded, his eyes settling on his sleeping son.

Last updated on the September 20th 2008

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