Rare moments

Writers: Paula, Suzee
Date Posted: 13th June 2014

Characters: Corowal, Dinalee
Description: Corowal slips in to see Dinalee while visiting Green Valley.
Location: Green Valley Hold
Date: month 7, day 12 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: L'cor, Oria, Felyna, Benani

She knew he'd arrived at Green Valley today and even as she worked the
evening away, she expected to see his tall form in the doorway. But
the evening ran down and the last guest was finally shown the door.
She'd sent her mother to bed more than a candlemark before and her
father was heading up the stairs.

It was at times like this that she missed her son the most. He'd
always been the one to help her close up at night so she began
sweeping up in the dim light of the dying fire.

It was much later than he would a have prefered, when Corowal was
finally free to leave. "You closing already?" he asked, leaning
against the door frame.

She looked up and her questioning look turned into a smile. "Not for
you," she said and dodged through the tables toward him. "I hoped
you'd come."

"I had difficulties to sneak away without creating too many
questions," Corowal answered and walked to meet her. He planted a
kiss on her cheek. "How are you doing?"

"Of course," she smiled. "You're a very important man." She took his
hand and squeezed it. "I'm doing pretty well," she tilted her head
looking up at him. "I miss L'cor of course. It's not the same without
him here."

"I bet you do," Corowal replied. "He's doing great from what I've
heard. He's given us plenty of reason to be proud of him."

"Oh," she sighed. "I'm so glad to hear that." She knew she was farther
out of touch with her son that his father. Corowal's position assured
that he would be kept informed of his son's progress. Of all the ways
he could have gone she'd never dreamed he'd be a bronzerider one day.
It was a dream far bigger than she'd ever dared.

"How are you doing," she said still looking up at him. He looked tired
to her. "Can I get you anything?"

"I could ask for drink except I already had several," he grinned
impishly. "So I'll just settle for nice, relaxing herbal tea, thank
you."

"Come with me into the kitchen," she smiled and pulled at his hand.
Once she was there it was only a matter of moments before the fire in
the stove was stoked and she was heating water for his tea. She slid
into the seat next to him at the table with a smile. "How are things
going for you?"

"Better now. Things are going better between me and Felyna. Of course,
then she rushed to Amber Hills hold to help with missing Lady Benani,"
Corowal told her. They might be no longer lovers but she was still the
one he confided with.

"I heard about that," she said with a concerned expression. "I hope
they find the lady. I wonder if it's the same kind of thing that
happened to our own Holder Reven? Such a nice young man." She turned
with a smile to run her hand through Corowals graying hair. "A lot
like you were at that age." Her smile was warm with remembered
closeness. Corowal had never been anything but kindness and generosity
to her and their son. But then of course she'd never demanded anything
of him either. Well... other than support for their son. Only love,
and that she gave him in abundance. They, neither of them, could fight
their stations in life. There was no fault and no recrimination. He
was simply her love.

Corowal wasn't always sure what he felt for Dinalee. But when he was
in her company...he knew he could be truly himself around her. No
roles to play, no masks. He had once loved her, with passion, when they had
been younger.

"Faranth only knows," he replied to Dinalee's comment. "If this keeps
up, I need more guards."

"Then you get them," she nodded. "Keep yourself and your family safe."
The kettle began to whistle telling her the water was hot. So she got
up and brought it back to the table along with the cup and a teaball.
She poured the hot water over the teaball in the cup and began dipping
it in and out of the water to steep the tea. "What would you like in
it?"

"Tad bit of sweetener, thank you. I already have guards trailing me.
Sometimes it feels like I have no space left for me."

She added the sweetener to his and then to her own. "Have you seen
L'cor recently?"

"Not for few months, " Corowal replied and took the cup. "There should
be Hatching soon enough, so I'll be visiting Weyr then."

"Well be sure you talk to him," she smiled. "I think he has some news
for you. He's found a sweetheart at the Weyr."

"Good for him. I think I may know who she is. Met her in last
Hatching, and stole a dance with her," Corowal replied. He wasn't
surprised, remembering L'cor's reaction when he took Oria to dance.

Dinalee knew Corowal was a shrewd judge of character and she trusted
his judgement. "What did you think of her? Did you like her?"

"Yes, she seemed like good girl. Very pretty and seemed to have a laid
back personality," Corowal replied.

"That's good," she said though she wasn't entirely convinced. But that
was just her mothering instinct worrying over her only child. She
worried about him quite a lot now that he was flying against Thread.
She sighed and rubbed her temples. "I worry too much."

"It's just natural. Mothers do that, I've noted," Corowal replied.

She grinned and laid her head against his shoulder with a big sigh.
She treasured the moments she had just alone with him which were very
few and far between. In public she had always treated him with the
utmost respect and never revealed their secret until he had decided
the time. They'd both come so far from their youthful days and yet at
times like these she could feel the closeness that only comes from
knowing someone for such a long time.

They may not be lovers any

longer but he was still very attached to her. She was friend and confident,
something rare to be treasured.

Last updated on the June 13th 2014

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Rare moments