Would You Consider... (3/3)

Writers: Chelle, Eimi
Date Posted: 28th May 2010

Characters: Ioven, Parale
Description: Ioven finally admits to Parale what he has been considering.
Location: Garnet Valley Hold
Date: month 9, day 18 of Turn 5
Notes: Part 3 of 3
Mentions: Narys, Syren, Venrys

The smith wiped his hands on his pants, making no move to sit down
himself. He would much rather stand, or rather pace. Taking a few
steps, he turned on his heel and retraced them, trying to decide where
to begin. "Please just listen for a moment, I just need to say
everything first. I wanted you to listen to the girls tonight because I
want you to understand... I _need_ you to understand. I talk to my
girls constantly about their mother because they have to know that they
did have a mother who loved them very much. They have to know what she
looked like and what she sounded like. When they look in the mirror, I
want them to be able to recognize her in themselves, and never wonder
who she was.

"I think it's important for two reasons. First, to honor their mother's
memory. I would be ashamed if after all the love Narys gave those
girls, she faded from their memory. She deserves to be remembered. But
more than that, I never wanted my girls to feel as though they were
missing something by not having a mother. And yet, no matter how many
stories I tell them, and no matter how much I wished it could be, it is
no substitute for a real woman who cares for them. They way they look
at you and the way they talk about you has made that point clear to me
these past sevendays. They truly care for you, and I _believe_ you have
come to care for them as well." Here he stopped to gauge her reaction
to that assumption.

He hadn't looked like he was finished so she was quiet, watching him.
Wondering just where he was going with this, Parale had a curious
expression on her face. "They're good girls."

Not quite the enthusiastic affirmation he had been hoping for, but he
had gone too far now to give up. Though giving up was what he really
wanted to do. But this was for his girl's happiness, and so he
continued, wiping his hands on his trousers once more. "Thank you. As
I said, I am realizing that I cannot be enough for them as just a
father. There are things that I just don't know that a woman _should_
know, especially as they get older. Narys knew they would one day need
a mother to take care of those needs, and since she knew she could not
be there, she made me promise her that I would find a mother for Venrys
and Syren one day. I admit I have avoided doing so up to this point,
but now it seems my daughters have found one for themselves."

Taking a deep breath he stopped his pacing and forced himself to face
her. "I know I was asking all sorts of crazy questions earlier this
evening, and probably making myself look the utter fool, but the truth
is, for some days now, I have been considering asking you if you might
just consider the possibility of being a mother to my children in a more
permanent arrangement."

She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Just what did he mean?
Was he..no that couldn't be.. could it? Apeline had said that he
wouldn't work. Parale couldn't leave Garnet Valley. And yet, this was a
husband. If she stayed, perhaps she would wither up and die a virgin.
Apeline didn't know what that felt like.

"Let me get this straight. Are you asking me to go with you to be a
foster mother to the girls?" She hoped for more, but she couldn't allow
that to show. Parale didn't want to be made a fool if that wasn't being
offered.

"What? No!" Shards, had he not made himself clear? This had been so
much easier the first time! "No, Parale, I would like you to consider
being my _wife_." There. The words were out. And now, no matter what,
he could not take them back or reconsider. There was finality in the
sound of that word. His period for mourning Narys was now officially
over. Whether he was ready or not, he just had to accept it. "I'm
asking if you would marry me, Parale."

"And if I did, what then?" She had to know just what he was offering.
Did he still mean to go back? Would he stay? Would he take her there
and then leave? She liked to be prepared and she was a pragmatic sort.
There was also the smart matter of Ishek and wondering if he would find
out she'd helped his wife get away.

He answered her with a confused look. "Then... we would be married,
which I would assume would mean all the things that usually come with a
marriage." _All_ the things...

"Oh well..I meant..are you still going back to your Hold?" She was
mildly curious about what he meant by all the things, but flashes of him
from the day they'd been swimming were going through her mind and she
was having a hard time focusing.

"Ah." The details. That he was a bit more comfortable discussing.
"Yes. I would have to leave Garnet Valley, and soon, I'm afraid. I
wish I had more time for you to think it over, but we will have to leave
next month. My work here is nearly finished. I know it's a lot to ask
of you, especially with such short notice, but I think I can offer you a
comfortable life. I can provide for you, and for any children we may
have in the future. I would treat you kindly, and I have been told that
I am... gentle."

Trying to ignore that part of the discussion since it was something she
was still a bit inherently afraid of, she latched onto what she needed.
"Next month? So I have sevendays to get married?" Oh her mother
was going to have a fit. Then again, she might jump for joy.

"Well, we could also make arrangements for you to return with us and we
could marry at Sun Stone Seahold. Though I don't know if your family
would be too happy with that. Of course, they would be invited." He
wondered if she had a big family or not...

"If you had been waiting for Venrys to marry as long as my mother has,
you would realize the folly of that." Oh no, the entire Hold would be
invited.

"Then I would leave the timing up to you." He didn't care when or where
it happened. All that mattered to him was that his children would be
happy with the marriage.

"Have you spoken with the girls?" she asked, as if reading his mind.

"I didn't want to get their hopes up. But I wouldn't be asking if I
didn't know it would make them happy." Which was probably a good lead
in to another uncomfortable topic. "Parale, I don't want you to agree
to anything without completely understanding my motivation. It would
not be right to lead you on in any way as to my feelings towards you. I
miss my wife every day. I'm not ready to fall in love with anyone. I
am asking you to marry me for purely selfish reasons. I want a mother
for my girls, and from what I can tell, you are the one that would make
them happy. But, I can promise you that I will try to make you happy,
and that with time, I will try to love you as a husband should."

She wasn't a girl with illusions. She was a woman who knew her
prospects. This was likely the best chance she was ever going to get.
"Might I have time to speak with mother before I give you a definite
answer?"

"Of course. And, I'm sure you'll have a thousand questions, as well."
And he knew she was not afraid to ask them. She seemed to be good at
speaking her mind.

"Aye mayhap you'll have to answer hers." She stood, frowning and brushed
herself off. "I've got to go. It's getting late. Thank you again and I
will most certainly think on what we've talked about." Parale made her
exit then, wondering what her mother would say.

Last updated on the May 28th 2010

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Would You Consider... (3/3)