A Good Little Wife

Writers: Eimi, Paula
Date Posted: 8th February 2013

Characters: Eilomar, Merlish
Description: Merlish brings her husband a cup of tea...
Location: Harper Hall
Date: month 12, day 5 of Turn 6

Merlish ran her hand over her stomach, frowning slightly at the

tightness of her skirt. She was sure it was leaving a red and painful

mark. She was gaining weight again. How she hated it! Eating the

foods Master Eilomar seemed to like best just left her feeling
lethargic

and tired all the time. It was so greasy and oily. So much meat and

starch and so little leafy greens. Even though she was mindful of the

proportions, it still added on the pounds.

She had tried once to incorporate more healthy food into their diet,
but

that had just lead to her husband getting angry at her. To tell the

truth, Merlish couldn't even remember what he had gotten angry about.

Just the fact that he had spoken to her in such a fierce tone had been

enough to make her forget the success that he had actually in the end

eaten the food she had put before him, and only remembered that she had

displeased him. She gave up on the idea quickly, not wanting to be on

the wrong side of his temper again, though had one of his apprentices

been there, they would have found his tone to be practically gentle.

But Merlish had never heard her husband speak in anger before, and it

had made quite an impression.

So she went back to cooking for him as he liked, and all seemed to be

forgiven. But here she was with her clothes starting to feel like they

didn't fit, and her feminine pride smarting as much as her feelings had

after his harsh words. At night she threw off her clothes and donned

her nightgown as quickly as possible so as to save herself the

embarrassment of having to look at herself for longer than she had to.

She wondered if Eilomar noticed when he reached for her. Merlish

doubted it. Besides, he certainly didn't have room to talk. She had

let his clothes out twice since their marriage not even a turn ago!

Hearing her husband clear his voice once more in the other room, she

checked on the tea to see if it was ready. To tell the truth, she
liked

hearing him practice. Sometimes as he sang in his deep, rich, bass

voice, she would stop what she was doing and just close her eyes and

listen. A smile would touch the corners of her lips, and for a moment,

she could almost fall in love with him the way she had always hoped she

would. It was wishful thinking, she knew, but still, in those moments,

she was more than just content in her circumstances. She was happy.

If only he could sing all the time, she thought wistfully as she set
the

tea on a tray with a slice of cake. Pushing the door open with her
hip,

she walked into the room with a practiced, and not wholly forced smile.

"Your voice is tired, husband. I have brought you something to soothe

your throat."

Flicker of annoyance crossed the master harper's face when he was
interrupted.

"There's Turn over feast comming," he said. "But you're right, it
wouldn't be good to loose my voice because of over reaching."

"You voice is so beautiful," Merlish said to smooth over the unwelcome
intrusion. "I was listening to it in the other room. Is that a new
song you're working on?"

Nothing pleased Eilomar like being flattered and he was all ready to
forgive the intrusion. "Yes, it's. The first performance will be Turn
Over," Eilomar replied with much more amiable voice. "You're
priviledged to hear it already."

"Yes, I am," she agreed, hiding the smile that threatened to spread
across her face. Merlish found her husband's ego more amusing than
impressive most days. "But I shall be proud to hear you sing it on
Turn Over for all those people." That was an honest admission. She
was very aware of just how respected her husband was for his talents,
and it did fill her with a sense of pride to know that he was _her_
husband.

"Well, it also means that the choir will be practising more and I'm
doing longer days. So you will see less of me," Eilomar sounded almost
regretful that he was not going to be home much for the next month. He
liked being married to Merlish. She was so much more pleasant than his
first wife.

"I can bring your tea to the office if you would wish," she said
helpfully, though she was rather looking forward to a little time
without him. Maybe then she could eat a bit healthier! And go for a
long walk around the new Hall. It seemed to change every day! The
Harpers would all be moving in soon, she knew.

"That's a lovely idea," Eilomar replied. And it wouldn't hurt him to
show off a bit, how nice wife he had, to the other harpers.

"Will you be eating with the other Harpers as well?" If she had to
bring him meals, too, at least she could get a bit more exercise that
way!

"Probably," Eilomar replied. [cleardot.gif]

Thank Faranth for that. "It will be quiet around here with out you,
but I understand it must be done."

[cleardot.gif]
"The rest of the harpers and their families should start arriving soon,
so you'll have company and you can socialize with the other wives,"
Eilomar said. He had no glue if Merlish even had befriended any of the
other Hall's women.

"It will be nice to get to know the women a bit more." She hadn't
lived in the Weyr's Hall long before Master Eilomar was sent to help
set up the new Hall. "And I'm sure you will be happy to teach the
apprentices when they come."

"Yes I am. It's what I do best, that and singing," Eilomar replied. His
tea was now cooled down to drinkable and his drank it.

"I have never watched you teach, but I have heard your voice. If you
are as good a teacher as you are a singer, you must be one of the best
Masters on Pern," she said, leaning over to give his cheek a soft kiss.
"I'll be back to collect your plate later."

"Thank you, love. I must get back to practising," Eilomar said. Wasn't
she a wonderful wife.

Last updated on the March 13th 2013

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A Good Little Wife