Don't Want to Rush Into Anything

Writers: Eimi, Paula
Date Posted: 15th March 2010

Characters: Eilomar, Merlish, Mytan
Description: Plans are made for Eilomar and Merlish's wedding
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 7, day 14 of Turn 5

"Come in, child," Merlish's father said with a wave towards his study.
After dinner he and the Master Harper retreated there to have a long,
private conversation.

His daughter was a little nervous as she obeyed, wondering just what the
outcome of their talk would be. Had the master been generous in his
proposal? Had they quarreled over her bride price and that was to be
the end of their association? Merlish hoped Master Eilomar had been
impressed with her enough to be generous. All her family's hopes were
pinned on this opportunity.

Eilomar was nursing a drink in his hand and flashed a smile to her.
This was when things got serious.

Her father's face was unreadable for a moment before he leaned down and
kissed her check softly with a smile. "Hope you and your new husband
will have many happy turns together," he murmured, the look in her eye
telling her it was all that they had hoped for, if not more.

Merlish's eyes beamed as she looked at the Choir Master, grateful beyond
words that he had made her family happy. "Thank you, father. I
promise, sir, I will do everything I can to make it a happy marriage for
you."

"And I do my best to be a good husband to you," Eilomar said seriously
and meant it. He intended to be better to her that he had been to
Ailowyn.

"Well, then, now all we have to do is decide on a date for the
occasion," her father said as he lead her over to the sofa close to her
husband-to-be. "As choir master, I'm sure you have a lot of duties and
responsibilities, so I believe you should have the stronger say, Master
Eilomar."

"Yes, I do tend to have full days and I don't want to rush into
anything," Eilomar frowned.

"And we certainly do not want to rush you," Mytan assured him. "But we
should probably decide where Merlish will live up until the wedding.
Here with her family? Or at the Hall?" Her father had his preference,
but he knew his days of being first in his daughter's interests was
coming to an end.

Eilomar nodded. "The turnover and the month's before it is busiest time
in the Hall, so we should avoid that. Where she would live? Proper thing
would be her to live with her family."

"We certainly would be happy to keep her here with us," her father
reassured him. "That all is only four months away. Are you expecting
to marry before or after the Turn?"

Eilomar shrugged. "It doesn't really matter to me. How do you feel about
it, Merlish?"

"I..." She didn't know that _she_ would have a say in any of the plans!
"I haven't really thought about it, I guess." All she had wanted to
know was if they could come to an agreement or not! Now suddenly it was
hitting her - Master Eilomar would soon be her _husband_. And that
would be permanent. "I... Think I need time..."

"It is a big decission," Eilomar said with all kindess he could muster.
What surprised even himself, was how much there was it. Was he growing
soft
on his old days?

Was it better to get it over with? Or did she want to enjoy what
freedom she had left before she was tasked the responsibility of a home
and family? Merlish wasn't accustomed to making such big decisions, and
she liked it that way. "Master Eilomar, you are older and wiser than I
am. I wish you would decide the date. I can't decide."

Well, that was nice, and she probably wasn't going to nag either.
Eilomar turned to Mytan. "How about you and your family? Do you need
much time
for the preparations?"

Mytan supposed it would all depend on what the groom had in mind. "Do
you want a large wedding?"

"Suitably large," Eilomar admitted. "I have family who I want to attend
it."

"Then perhaps we could catch two wherries with one net, as it were," her
father suggested. "Could we not plan the wedding for Turn's Beginning?"

Eilomar rubbed his chin and thought. It was traditional time for
Wedding, would his get lost in the mass? On the other hand, everyone had
free during that time (expect dragonriders if there was Thread falling).
"That sounds good to me," he finally said.

"Merlish?" her father asked, looking over at his daughter for her
approval of the plan.

"That sounds fine, if Master Eilomar agrees." Anything sounded fine, so
long as she didn't have to make the choice.

Mytan held his hand out to the choir master. "Turn's Beginning it is,
then."

Eilomar replied the handshake, wincing a bit at the holder's firm hold.
This was just the first of many things they should settle before the
marriage could happen.

Last updated on the March 19th 2010

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Don't Want to Rush Into Anything