Can't believe it myself

Writers: Eimi, Paula
Date Posted: 5th May 2010

Characters: Eilomar, Almonteo
Description: Eilomar tells the Hallmaster his news
Location: Harper Hall
Date: month 9, day 3 of Turn 5
Notes: Mentions: Merlish

Almonteo

"Another request for the morning off?" the Hallmaster asked, eyebrows
raised. "This isn't like you, Eilomar."

"I know it isn't, hallmaster," Eilomar said and pulled the collar off
from his neck.

"Is there something I should know about?" Almonteo asked, eying the
Choral master suspiciously. "You're not sick, are you?"

"No, it's not that," he shifted his weight from foot to foot nervously,
wondering how the hallmaster was going to react to his news. "I'm
engaged you see. With Tantral's young relative. I'm trying to get to
know her
bit better... I want to do it right this time," he was at the brink of
babbling.

The Hallmaster was stunned into silence. Eilmoar was _engaged_? He
would have been less surprised if he had walked in and declared his
intentions to become a Candidate for the next Hatching! "I... uh...
Who exactly?"

"Her name is Merlish," Eilomar sounded rather sheepish in his own ears.

"Merlish," Almonteo repeated, though trying hard not to sound surprised.
"And she's Tantral's relative? Same age?"

"Well, she's same age with my daughters," even he realized how that
sounded.

"Oh, I see." Well, this would indeed be interesting. "Well, I think
it's wonderful, Eilomar. I think... it's good that you're taking the
chance again."

"Is it? Sometimes I wonder what's gotten into me. Is it wise, when my
first marriage failed so badly?" Eilomar asked, his doupts resurfacing.

Oh shards, giving Eilomar love advice... "Well, I don't know the young
woman. What can you tell me about her?"

"Well, she's sweet natured and seems much more mature than her turns,"
Eilomar replied, wondering if he sounded like love-struck fool.
"Frankly, she not pretty, she is rather plain looking, which is probably
why she's accepting old man like me."

"I'm sure that's not true," Almonteo quickly interjected, though
secretly he was sure it was.

Eilomar just shrugged at that. "I've gotten rather fond of her," he
admitted.

"Good for you then." The Hallmaster really meant it. It was a bit
surprising that a young woman would willingly to agree to marry Eilomar,
who was known for being disagreeable and self-centered. But she did
seem to be bringing a softer side out of him, which could be nothing but
a good thing! "I think it's wonderful that you're starting life over
with her."

"I would never thought this would happen...", Eilomar still didn't quite
believe it himself.

Almonteo was sure _no one_ saw this coming. "And when will the happy
event take place?"

"At the Turn's beginning. We haven't sent invitations yet. You and your
family will receive one naturally," Eilomar replied.

"Thank you, we'll be honored. Though I do hope you plan to be married
here at the Hall." The Hallmaster could not lose the lovestruck Choir
Master on one of the Halls most important performance days.

"Of course, where else?" Eilomar replied, not able to imagine any other
place. "Perhaps we shall ask you to perform the ceremony?"

"I'd be delighted." Performing weddings was one of Almonteo's favorite
duties as a Harper, probably because he was a hopeless romantic himself.
"And I suppose you will need larger quarters?"

"Yes, I suppose so," Eilomar replied again.

"And how shall you like being a family man again?" The Hallmaster
wasn't sure if the idea of Eilomar surrounded by children amusing, or
frightening!

"I don't know...makes me nervous to think about it," Eilomar admitted.

"Oh, well, as it does any man. I was terrified too, even on my fourth."
Perhaps _especially_ on the last. Arteo had been rather unexpected.

"I'm grandfather already," Eilomar murmured. Just the thought of more
children made him break into a sweat.

"You're still young enough you can see your children grow into
adulthood." Most of them, at least.

"Yeah, well, I'm not married yet, so we shall see what happens," Eilomar
replied nervously.

"Of course." The Hallmaster opened his bottem drawer and pulled out a
bottle he always kept hidden there. "Shall we have a drink to your new
nuptials?"

"Aye," the master singer agreed.

Almonteo poured them eat a glass and handed one to him. "Here you are.
To the health and happiness of you and your future bride... What was her
name?"

"Merlish," Eilomar said and lifted his glass. "To Merlish."

The Hallmaster grinned. "Indeed. To Merlish."

Last updated on the May 18th 2010

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Can't believe it myself