Wedding Guests

Writers: Eimi, Paula
Date Posted: 27th February 2019

Characters: Eilomar, Merlish, Corowal, Hircael
Description: Eilomar and Merlish inadvertently end up as a welcome committee
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 9, day 18 of Turn 9

Eilomar and Merlish had arrived to Black Hold for his niece's wedding.
Aileyan couldn't attend the wedding due having a Threadfall, so she had taken them there day before. Maerly's mood had been swinging from stressed out to weepy "I can't believe my baby is getting married," which Eilomar had found extremely annoying. Still, she had offered them a nice family supper, before every one went to bed early. (Except the groom, his friends and bride's brothers, they had gone to drinking).

This morning, all the women seem to have disappeared to cackle around the young bride. Hircine and his sons were either busy with the final preparations or having a hangover.

Eilomar was just wandering around aimlessly. The Black Rock's resident
harper was going to officiate the ceremony, while Eilomar was going to
sing them a ballad afterwards.

Merlish had sat with the women for most of the morning, listening to
them argue over the way the bride should wear her dress, which
necklace she should choose, which perfume she should wear. And then
there was the gossiping about all the guests who were not present, or
any which stepped out. It all made Merlish feel very uncomfortable.
Not only did she feel completely unqualified to give advice about the
latest fashions, she had to wonder just what would be said about her
should she leave the room. So stay she did as long as she could stand
it, but eventually it all got to be too much and she excused herself
to make sure that her husband had eaten something. She hoped he was
still practicing his ballad. The sound of his voice, she knew, would
calm her frazzled nerves.

Eilomar had gotten himself a klah when he spotted his wife. "Merlish?
Did you get enough of the gossip?" he asked.

She sighed and shook her head. "I don't even know most of the people
they were talking about, and if I do meet them, I don't know how I
will be able to look some of them in the eye."

Eilomar actually chuckled at that. "Care to keep me company then?
Those cakes they've carrying from kitchen look too tempting, so brief
walk outside?"

"Yes, husband, that sounds like a lovely idea," Merlish said as she
took his arm with a smile. She was glad he was so understanding of
her insecurities. "But won't you need to practice for tonight?"

"I can sing that particular song backwards if needed," Eilomar snorted
confidentally. "I'll run rehersal with the musicians later." He
escorted her outside. Since Black Rock was built on top of a hill,
there wasn't much of a court yard. The view was spectacular though.
They had to side step group of children chasing each other around.

His wife had felt a little disappointed. She had hoped he would sing
for her, but maybe he would let her listen when he practiced later.
At least she hoped he would not leave her to that gaggle of gossips
again! "I'm sad your daughters could not come tonight," she said,
wishing that Aileyan had brought her son. Merlish loved little
children.

"Yes, it's disappointing," Eilomar agreed. "Look," he pointed to the
sky, "dragons coming in, more guests, I suppose"

"Must be someone important. It looks like a bronze," Merlish said,
shading her eyes as she looked to the sky.

The dragon had obvious troubles landing on the wall surrounded
courtyard. Once he had landed, Corowal dismounted and hurried to give
the dragon distance it needed to launch back into the air. Once the
dragon had left, drudge appeared to take his flight jacket. Corowal
used few moments to groom his hair and straighten up his tunic.

"Ah, the Lord Holder himself," Eilomar murmured to Merlish when he saw
who arrived. "Shall we greet him?"

Merlish gripped his arm tighter, resisting the urge to hide completely
behind him. **The Lord Holder!** She had of course met him on
occasion, but she always felt like she was making a fool of herself
and every time she opened her mouth he was judging her as being
exactly what she was - a nobody from a backwater hold. "He looks
busy..." she said hopefully.

"He's not busy and it's only polite, since Hircine isn't here,"
Eilomar didn't notice her discomfort and just pulled her along to meet
Corowal.
"My Lord, welcome to Black Rock Hold," Eilomar greeted with polite bow.

"Ah, master Eilomar and wife, always pleasure to see you. Oh, yes, the
Holder's wife is your sister, correct?" Corowal replied, trying
furiously remember what the mousy woman's name was. It was his job to
remember who was who but the master singer's wife's name always
slipped past him.

"Yes, she is," Eilomar replied.

Merlish gave the Lord Holder a polite curtsy, but looked quickly up at
her husband when she realized that Corowal was looking at her
curiously for some reason. It looked like he was thinking something.
This was more excruciating than when the women looked her up and down!
At least she knew they were judging her! His expression was
unreadable.

"I'm sure Hircine will be here shortly," Eilomar said, oblivious to
all social awkwardness going around him.

"I'm sure he must be busy, with his daughter marrying," Corowal
murmured with mild amusement.

Merlish became suddenly very interested in all of their shoes. It was
better that than making eye contact with the Lord Holder. Her other
alternative was to hide behind her husbands massive frame, and she
knew that was not lady like. More childlike, really. Shards, she was
not fit for such lofty company! This immature impulse just confirmed
it!

"So, did you meet the lucky groom already?" Corowal asked. just to keep
conversation going.

"Yes, yesterday when we arrived," Eilomar replied.

The young woman looked back towards the Hold. Surely someone had
noticed the Lord Holder had come and would save them from playing
host!

"Do we have a pleasure to hear you sing tonight, master?" Corowal asked.

"Yes, I'll be performing for the newly weds after the ceremony,"
Eilomar replied.

They were saved from further awkwardness when Hircael, Hircine's
oldest son, hurried out. "My Lord Corowal, welcome. I apologize for
the lack of proper reception."

"Oh, I was welcomed by Master Eilomar, so no problem," Corowal flashed
one of his charming smiles.

"Thanks uncle Eilomar, Merlish," Hircael said to them.

The Choir Master's young wife let out an audible, though soft sight.
**Thank the Egg!** Someone had come to rescue them at last!

"No problem," Eilomar waived his thank's away.

Merlish smiled and curtsied again, but thankfully was able to hold in
her giant sigh of relief until after the Lord Holder and walked away
with his true host. She held her husband's arm tighter, grateful that
she had him to hide behind, even when she was standing by his side.

Last updated on the February 28th 2019

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