Dinner Date

Writers: Eimi, Paula
Date Posted: 8th December 2009

Characters: Eilomar, Merlish, Tantral
Description: Eilomar meets Tantral's grandniece at a dinner.
Location: Harper Hall
Date: month 6, day 10 of Turn 5

Eilomar looked his image from the mirror and straightened his collar a bit. He had to admit he still looked rather good. Overweight, yes, and his hair was thinning on the top, but he was stylish, and his own eyes he looked respectable and dignified. He had agreed to meet Tantral's niece, or was it grand-niece. He would eat a dinner, with Tantral as chaperone, with the young woman. If he liked her, who knows.

"Now, remember girl," Tantral murmured softly as they stood outside his door in the corridor, "I put down a lot of money to bring you here to meet this man. It is my wish _and_ your fathers that if he finds you pleasing, you should marry Master Eilomar. I don't want you to hold on to any silly notions you may have heard from your friends about love and romance and all that. This man can help your family and can bring honor to both you and your kin. Do not rain shame down on all of us. Do you understand?"

"I know my duty, uncle. And I will do as my father wishes." Though his speech certainly did nothing to calm her stretched nerves. She kept repeating to herself that her father loved her and would only choose whom he thought best for her.

"Good girl," the harper smiled approvingly, looking her up and down once more. "Yes, that dress was a good choice. You certainly look ready to do your father proud. Shall we knock then?"

Merlish took a deep breath and nodded once. **I will not bring shame on my family...**

Eilomar went to open the door. "Welcome, welcome! Tantral and ..."
**Shards, what was that girl's name?**

Faranth's name, she knew he was old but they didn't tell her he was _fat_! She caught her breath, shocked at the terrible thought that had just run through her mind. **You must not disappoint Papa!** "Merlish, sir," she murmured, dropping her eyes to the ground as she curtsied politely.

"Good evening, old friend! As you can see, I have brought my niece to meet you," Tantral smiled, not at all phased by the fact that Eilomar had forgotten her name, but pleased that she had supplied it so politely.

"It's nice to meet you Merlish," Eilomar said, "please get in." He moved away from the door so that they would fit in. The girl looked so young! She was about same age than his daughters. And they both had a child already, he reminded himself.

"Thank you," she said, mustering a brave smile as she finally looked up at his face. It was only a quick glance. Really all she saw was his nose. It was rather big. But that didn't bother her too much. Her nose wasn't exactly small.

Eilomar led them to the table. He had asked the kitchen staff to give it their best effort and it showed. The smell was mouth-wateringly delicious, wine just at the perfect temperature, silverware shone and the china was so fine that a sneeze could break it. In other words, he was showing off his wealth.

"It... smells so wonderful, Master Eilomar," she breathed, her eyes large as the saucers their soup bowls sat in. Merlish was certainly surprised and impressed. Everything looked so fine! Her people had not lived on the verge of starvation by any means, but she had never seen such expense paid for just one meal. The young woman's heart raced a little as she suddenly felt a little... out of place. Would he know that her family had never splurged on such luxuries just by looking at her? Was she too far in over her head?

"You have certainly outdone yourself, Eilomar," Tantral grinned approvingly.

"Thank you," Eilomar beamed. "Now, shall we take a seat, before it gets cold?" he suggested and hold out a chair for Merlish. You didn't become master harper without learning polite manners.

She smiled shyly as she took the chair he offered, rather flattered. Merlish had lived in a home full of men, but none of them had ever offered such a sign of respect. "Thank you, Master Eilomar."

"You're welcome. Wine?" he took the bottle out of the cooler. Merlish glanced over at Tantral. She wasn't sure she should accept. Her family did not drink wine. She had only sampled it once, and didn't like it much. But it would be rude to refuse, wouldn't it? "May I have a half glass?"

"Certainly. And I know Tantral won't refuse a glass, will you?" Eilomar said and poured them glasses. He then took his seat.

"Of course not," the harper grinned, picking up the glass and bringing it to his nose. "Hmmmm... That does smell delicious. Any particular vintage?"

"Pre-earthquake Amethyst Cliff hold," Eilomar replied with a proud chuckle. "And you have no idea how much it costed, so savor it with care and respect it deserves."

"You are full of all sorts of surprises, Eilomar," Tantral chuckled. Well, if that didn't get the girls attention, he didn't know what would!

Merlish clutched the glass carefully. She wasn't sure what the difference was between an Amethyst Cliff vintage or a Amber Hills one, but her uncle was impressed and that was enough to tell her that it was both generous and expensive. This man could just throw around money just like that? The food, the fine dishes, the rare wine... And if his generosity extended to her family as well... **This man can help your family and can bring honor to both you and your kin.** Her uncle's words rang in her mind as she looked deep into the fine red wine. So, this was it. This was her fate. To help her family, to secure a happy future, this man was the key to all of it. She could live in comfort and stability here, if this man chose her. Would that really be so bad? The choice to marry her would be his, but the choice to be happy in that arrangement or not... Well, that would be totally up to her, wouldn't it.

Taking a deep breath she felt determined that, come what may, she would make the best of it. "Master Eilomar, I would like to hear more about what you do here."

"Well, I am the choir master and master of vocals. That means I'm teaching apprentices to sing and lead the hall's choir..." Eilomar was quite flattered by her interest. She seemed like a good-natured and well behaving girl. She wasn't prettiest one, but that didn't matter. She was not a nagging wher, like Ailowyn had been. Perhaps he should seriously start to think about this marriage-business.

"You must be a very good singer then." She glanced at her uncle to see if he approved of her behavior. The way he smiled at her told her she was doing well.

"The best bass-singer in my generation," Eilomar said without even a hint of modestly.

"Really?" Merlish asked, her eyes raising in surprise.

"He is absolutely amazing," Tantral agreed, knowing when to flatter his friend's ego to move their suit along.

That was certainly impressive! She had always loved to listen to the performers when they played and sang. To have a husband that could sing better than any of them ever did, well, that would certainly be something to look forward to. "I would be honored if I could someday hear you sing."

"I would be happy to sing you," Eilomar replied. Now, Ailowyn had never been interested in his doing. This girl was genuine treasure. And she was still unmarried!

Last updated on the December 10th 2009

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Dinner Date