Family Visit 2/2

Writers: Eimi, Paula
Date Posted: 13th July 2012

Characters: Merlish, Maerly
Description: Merlish gets advice from Eilomar's sister.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 8, day 12 of Turn 6

After the dinner, or more like feast-supper was eaten, the group broke
up. Those with small children went to put the children into bed. Men
went to Hircine's study to enjoy some dessert-brandy and talk. Maerly
took the ladies, including Merlish and led them to the ladies solar.

Located in the hold's "tower" it was airy, light and feminine room where
woman
gathered to spend time and do handcrafts. Drudges had already set a
table with drinks and light snacks. The drinks varied from wine to
herbal-tea.

"Help yourself," Maerly said with a gesture towards the table and took a
seat. The large, almost throne-like armchair was obviously reserved for
_her only_.

Merlish couldn't help but notice the status the woman obviously claimed,
and commanded by her strong personality. While she had enjoyed
listening to the conversations around her that evening, she hadn't had
much to contribute herself. Now she felt even more like she aught to
use only the very manners. With a polite duck of her head, she poured
herself a cup of tea and tried to find a seat a little further away from
the large, imposing chair.

"Ah, don't you go hiding, Merlish, you're guest of honour," Maerly said
and patted a chair next to hers.

"Thank you," she said with a shy smile. Inwardly she was sighing. She
hated being singled out in a room full of women. "It was a lovely
dinner, Maerly."

"Thank you. If there's one thing I've learned in my youth, growing up
under Eilomar's care, it's how to set up a good dinner. He sure loves
good food," Maerly replied. Her smiled showed fondness towards her
brother.

"Thankfully, my mother was a good cook and taught me many of her
secrets." This time Merlish's smile was not forced. She felt safe
talking about womanly things. And the thought of her mother always
brought her a sense of comfort. There were still many nights when she
would shed a few lonely tears as she wondered what her family might be
doing at that very moment. "If you know anything Master Eilomar
especially is fond of, I would be most grateful for your advice."

"You were lucky. My mother died when I was a child," Maerly looked
wistful for a moment. "I learned to cook from the hall's kitchen staff.
Oh, his favourite? All good food, I supose. Although, he does like
avian-meat a
lot."

Merlish had heard that he had lost his mother long ago, but she had
never pressed for details. She could not imagine losing her mother,
even at this age. "If you know any particular recipes you could share,
I am always looking for ways to please the Master."

"Well, there's the one where you wrap it with beacon and cook slowly in
redwine. I usually save it for special occasions, since the ingredients
can be hard to get. Remind me to copy it for you before you leave," Maerly
replied. She laughed and added: "Mostly I had to do with ovine-meat."

"I would love a copy, if it's not too much trouble. Truth is, I like to
cook." Though, she was worried about just how much the Master seemed to
eat. It couldn't be healthy for a man his age, and she certainly could
feel the extra pounds as she performed her wifely duties. "I have a
delicious ovine salad recipe I love to make, though I don't know if
Master Eilomar would like it. I don't that he really likes salad so
much."

"He eats what you put in front of him," Maerly told her. "He may grumble
a bit if you serve him "herdbeast food" but he'll eat it," Maerly
continued with a smile.

"Oh, I wouldn't want to make him angry," Merlish said softly. It was
her job to feed him what he liked and to make him feel comfortable in
the home he provided for her. At least, that was the wife's role as she
understood it. But, she did wish she could eat more vegetables and less
fat. At least of her dresses was starting to feel tighter, and it
worried her.

"Don't worry about, " Maerly said, "he just makes lot of noise, that's
all. His never been violent man."

"Oh, no, of course not," the young woman said quickly. She had yet to
see her husband's temper, and she was hoping to keep it that way! "It's
just, as his wife, isn't it my duty to do things that please him?
Prepare the foods he likes and whatnot?"

"It's also wife's duty to look after her husband's health. Hmm, if you
do it gradually, just add salads and soups to his diet little bit at the
time and dimish the amount of meat and tubers...he probably won't even
notice it," Maerly said with a thoughtfull expression.

Merlish's mind mulled over that idea. "So by just making little changes
gradually, you think he won't notice?" She wondered if that piece of
advice might carry over to other situations as well. "Is that what you
do with your husband?"

"Yes. If you suggest something major, the men kind of put their foot
down and flat down refuse you. But it you feed the idea to them bit by
bit, they don't even notice they are agreeing with you," Maerly's eyes
laughed.

Merlish remembered something her mother said once. "Make them think it
was their idea in the first place."

"Yes, exactly, You'll make a fine wife," Maerly said with motherly tone.

The young woman smiled and blushed shyly under the praise, though her
mind was already running through all the possibilities.

Last updated on the August 3rd 2012

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Family Visit 2/2