A More Pleasant Life

Writers: Eimi, Paula
Date Posted: 7th February 2010

Characters: Eilomar, Merlish, Tantral
Description: Eilomar hurries to catch Merlish before she's due to leave
Location: Harper Hall
Date: month 7, day 1 of Turn 5

She could feel her heart flutter a bit at the thought of the Flight.
That was something she was not looking forward to! Well, one thing, if
Master Eilomar decided he did not want her, she would never have to ride
one of those beasts again! Not that she wasn't grateful for their
protection, of course. But if humans had been meant to fly, they also
would have wings!

There was a knock at the door. "Merlish, will you get
that?" Tantral
asked, still sitting in his easy chair with his feel propped up as he
tried to finish the last chapter in his book.

Eilomar had spent quite a few moments of thinking about Merlish and the
possibility of marrying her. All that mental work had actually given him
a headache. In the end, he had come to a resolution and he just couldn't
let her leave without talking her first.

"Master Eilomar," Merlish said with a polite curtsy and smile. "I had
thought that it was the dragonrider coming to collect me."

"Not yet," Eilomar smiled. "I need to talk with you," he said, becoming
serious. Shards, he felt nervous like a young apprentice at his first
solo-performance. His fingers played nervously with something in his
pocket.

"Oh..." He seemed as though something were wrong. "Perhaps you would
like to come in and sit down? My uncle is resting now, but he would be
happy to see you."

"He can come over and hear this too, if he wants to," Eilomar said. It
had been easier with his first wife, he had only talked to her father
about
it. But Merlish's father wasn't here.

"Then perhaps it is best if you were to come in. His arthritis is
giving him trouble today and moving is a little difficult for him," she
opened the door wider, hoping he would accept the invitation. Tantral
had been in a mood all morning.

"All right," the master harper followed her.

"Please have a seat, Master Eilomar," she said, waving to the sofa close
to her uncle's chair as gracefully as she could. "I believe there is
some klah still left in the pot, though I cannot say if it is warm."

"Forget the klah, Merlish, and sit down you too," Eilomar asked.

She did as he bid and took the seat opposite his on the sofa, an
appropriate distance between them. Folding her hands in her lap, she
could feel her heart beating a bit stronger in her chest.

"Well, Merlish," he swallowed," I've been doing lot of thinking. I would
like to have you as my wife. If you accept this old, overweight master
singer," he patted his chest with a glimmer of self-irony. "I don't want
a forced marriage, not this time, so, it's up to you. If you can think
the marriage is possible, then I will approach your father."

"I..." Shards. This was what they had all hoped for when they sent her
to Dragonsfall. Why was it now that she felt like she could not form a
sentence? Merlish knew the answer. The answer was 'yes'. It _had_ to
be. Her family was counting on her! And she done her duty to a
successful end it seemed! But he didn't want to force her... He was
not cruel, he was certainly not poor, and though he was not handsome or
even appealing in outward appearance, she did like his voice, and the
kind things he had said to her. Though she did not love him, nor
expected to ever love him romantically, his wealth and status was _more_
than any in her family could have hoped for!

"Sir," she finally said, her voice much more steady and sure, "I would
be proud to be your wife." And it was a completely true statement. She
was proud that she could bring such an honor to her family, proud that
she could help them in their time of need, and who would not be proud to
be married to not only a Master craftsman, but the Chorus Master of the
Harper Hall! Love was all good for harper romances, but the truth of it
was that for a woman of her age, her rather plain looks, and with her
family's financial circumstances, she could do no better and she felt
blessed by the chance enough that she rewarded Eilomar with a genuine
smile.

"Thank you, Merlish, you're making this old man's live more pleasant
one," Eilomar said and actually bent and gave her a kiss on a cheek.
Then he pulled out what he had been hiding on his pocket. "Take this as
show of
my appreciation," he handed her a golden bracelet.

She was as surprised by the kiss as by the present he lay in her hands.
Merlish had never owned anything so fine. It must have cost a pretty
mark! "I... don't know what to say. It's so beautiful. And I have
nothing for _you_..." Even if she had, it could never equal this
treasure! And he had bought it just for _her_?

"Just be you, that's enough," Eilomar said.

Merlish gave him another smile as she slipped the gold band around her
wrist. He had been more than generous to her. Now she could only hope
that his generosity would extend to her family as well...

"Well, now, this calls for a drink!" Tantral beamed, standing to his
feet without a trace of his arthritis bothering him. Bringing three
glasses, he poured them each a glass in turn. "Eilomar, you won't
regret this. My little niece will make you a proper wife. I'd stake my
honor on it."

"I hope so," Eilomar grinned. Some doupts still lingered, caused by his
past with Ailowyn.

"I promise I will make it my duty to make you happy," Merlish said
softly, admiring the way the red wine was reflected in the deep gold on
her wrist.

"Well, to a happy new future," Tantral grinned, clinking his glass
against his friend's. Now, all that was left to be seen was just how
much Eilomar thought his pretty young bride would be worth!

Last updated on the February 15th 2010

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A More Pleasant Life