Meeting the Family (1/2)

Writers: Eimi, Paula
Date Posted: 1st March 2010

Characters: Eilomar, Merlish, Mytan, Tellis, Mylis, Listal
Description: Eilomar meets his intended's family
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 7, day 14 of Turn 5
Notes: Part 1/2

Merlish looked over her brothers once more as they stood in a line
waiting for their guest to be escorted into the house. Her heart was
all aflutter, not necessarily to see her future husband so much as
worried what kind of an impression her family would make on him. He
seemed to be used to order and finery, and in their house there was very
little of either. She had a secret fear that he would take one look
them, turn around and they would never see him again. And she would
have failed, and she just couldn't stand that thought.

Even know she wanted to rush to a window and peer out to see just how
her father and the Master Harper were getting on, since he had insisted
on being the one to greet him as the dragon arrived. Merlish would have
liked to have been there, just to see first hand their first exchange,
but he had been firm. He had said it tempted luck too much to act as if
everything were already settled and arranged. Those were his words, but
she was fairly sure he just wanted to take the measure of the man alone.
But Faranth's Egg, she wished they would hurry up already!
A breath she hadn't even realized she had been holding escaped her lips
as she heard the sound of boots ascending the stairs. She shoved an
elbow in the ribs of her second brother. "Take your hands out of your
pockets, and for Faranth's sake, stand up straight."

Eilomar was quite curious to meet Merlish's family. The man who came to
greet him seemed decent enough, a hard working holder.

"This way, Master Eilomar," Mytan said as he opened the door.
The Hallmaster was greeted by five boys, with the end being held up by
his bride-to-be. They gave awkward bows as Merlish dipped as gracefully
as she could in a low curtsey. "Welcome, Master Eilomar."

"It's nice to see you again, Merlish," Eilomar greeted with polite peck
on her cheek.

Tellis smoothed down her skirts in nervous gesture. She was bit shocked
to see harper. He was so old, and fat! She could only hope he would make
her daughter happy. She hid her emotions behind a smile when Eilomar
turned
to greet her.

"And you must be Merlish's mother. I can see where she got her looks,"
Eilomar took her hand and kissed it.
Tellis wasn't used to such gestures and blushed, stammering nervous
welcome while her mind kept wondering if the master harper's comment was
mean as
compliment or insult.

Mytan also wasn't sure that this man would be right for his daughter.
He wasn't exactly what he had expected. Older, yes, but he was rather
large and seemed to have very little humor at all. But when Merlish had
returned, she had assured him that she could live quite comfortably with
him. She had certainly stopped short of love, but that was to be
expected, though he had secretly hoped they would grow to love each
other. Would his daughter ever truly love this man, though?

"These are my brothers, Master Eilomar. Mylis, Listel, Lettan, Telwud,
and Tanian." The older two nodded in turn while the younger just stared
up at the huge man.

"Nice to meet you all," Eilomar said. **Boys,** he thought, **Lot of
boys. That certainly bodes well...**

"Did you have a good flight, sir?" Merlish asked before they could fall
into awkward silence.

"I had," Eilomar replied. Although the dragon had given him a long
stare, like wondering if he could carry him...

"Won't you take a seat, Master Eilomar," Mytan asked, indicating the
largest and most comfortable chair. "Tellis, would you get us some
refreshments? Boys, let the adults have the room." Mylis and Listel
looked conflicted. They didn't want to admit they were not to be
considered adults, but they weren't sure sitting with the master Harper
was going to be much of a treat. Still, it was better than chores, they
thought, as they sat at the far end of the sofa.

"So," Eilomar wasn't sure how to begin. "I'm sure Merlish has been
telling you about my proposition?"

Tellis busied herself with the refreshments, listening keenly while she
served drinks and small finger-foods.

Mytan blinked once or twice as he thought the man had said 'proportion'.
**Don't be a fool!** Finally it dawned on him what he had said. "Ah,
yes. But let's talk about details when you and I can speak just man to
man." Money matters wasn't something he wanted to concern the women
with. "But, I will say that Merlish has spoken very highly of you,
which as I'm sure you can imagine is a great relief to me."

"Well, I think very highly of _her_," Eilomar replied.

"I'm sure you can understand how proud that makes me feel," her father
said, casting a loving smile of approval her way.

Last updated on the March 19th 2010

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Meeting the Family (1/2)