A Small Vacation

Writers: Miriah
Date Posted: 31st January 2020

Characters: Yriadha, Yavin
Description: Yriadha enjoys a little vacation with Yavin.
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 2, day 1 of Turn 10
Notes: Mentioned: Bryvin, Brina

Yriadha

The sun shown down on the little cove, revealing a small cottage built
just above the beach. Beside it were tethered a tall dun runner,
delicately built and fine boned with a healthy sheen that glistened
when Rukbat's rays filtered through the shade of overhead leaves.
Beside it was a smaller, squatter black and white spotted runner, half
the size of the larger and lazily munching on fresh grass. It too was
healthy and of obvious good breeding. The cottage too looked freshly
built, mortar still appearing clean and fresh. On the beach sat two
figures, one smaller and playing in the sand, the other stretched out
beside the child. There was the sound of chatter from the young boy as
he played, piling sand on his mother's feet as she soaked in the sun.

Yriadha enjoyed sitting in the sun and the opportunity to wear a brief
bathing suit that her position didn't allow for due to propriety. But
there was no one here to watch them or make comment on their
activities. Yriadha smiled at Yavin, pushing her hair back from her
face and enjoying how the unbound length drifted around her shoulders.
She felt completely relaxed and at ease for the first time in turns.
There was no need to be guarded or watchful here, there were no
concerns.

Captain Dormin had indeed spoken the truth about the little cottage
he'd provided. It was fully stocked with everything she had Yavin
needed for the few days they'd be staying here. It was well worth the
price. Between purchasing the runners for herself and Yavin and a
sevenday here at the cottage, Yridha finally felt relaxed. She felt
the constant tension between her shoulders ease and her spine seemed
to relax in the warmth of the sun. Even Yavin seemed happier.

He'd been thrilled with his own little runner pony, promptly naming
him Pudgy. She'd laughed at the moniker, for the runner pony did
indeed have a rounded belly but promised Yavin that he could indeed
ride the little pony and it was his alone, never having to be shared.
Her own mare had been far more expensive, feisty but well-trained. The
pair was worth every mark she'd spent on them.

She pushed her hair back from her face once again, staring out over
the water. She didn't want to have to go back from this idyllic
retreat, even though she knew she'd have to. The sun felt marvelous on
her bare skin and being able to be completely open with her son,
though he still couldn't call her mother, was a treasure. She smiled
gently down at Yavin as he began to pile damp sand into a bucket,
humming softly to himself. Lifting her hand, she stroked a hand over
his dark hair. He looked up at her and smiled, an open, beautiful
smile.

They would, of course, have to go back. But before they did, she
planned on teaching Yavin how to float, how to swim in the ocean, and
how to properly seat himself on that pudgy little runner pony. Then a
two-day ride back to the Hold and back to stiff propriety and those
damnable fosterlings. Faranth, she didn't even want to think about
that. The fact that Oufelle was still at the Hold rankled her, but she
pushed that thought aside. This was time for simple pleasures.

She wondered, idly, what a few days like this with Bryvin would be.
Would he be just as relaxed as she? What would it be like to hear
Yavin call him 'Father' or 'Da' like Brylex did? What would it be like
to be completely unguarded around each other without worry of
consequences? To see him laugh openly and honestly, to see him play
with his son without hiding who their son was. It was a simple, happy
dream.

Her contentment faded just a little with a sad realization. It would
never happen. He would marry one of the girls and she would provide
him with more children who would always be placed ahead of Yavin in
importance. Despite Bryvin's words, she doubted that Yavin would ever
be able to address him as a child would to his father. Perhaps one
day, before her own death, she would be able to tell Yavin the truth
about what she was to him.

She worried about Yavin's future. What future did a child who was seen
as an orphan have? Crafting perhaps. He had no legal birthright to
anything, but she was certain at least, that Bryvin would arrange a
decent apprenticeship for him. Away from his legal sons, of course,
where he would never be a threat to legitimate heirs. That bitter
thought couldn't be ignored. She'd hoped and planned so fervently so
that Yavin would have more, be recognized for all that he was, have
status. Instead, she'd trapped the poor boy by her own designs. She
had so little power over his future except what she was able to grasp
for him. And with that, she had to be so very careful.

She continued stroking his hair, sadness now lingering in her gaze. It
hurt her so deeply that Yavin wasn't able to call her mother. It was a
daily pain that she suffered, but to protect him from repudiation, she
had no other choice. No one could know and it was like a constant deep
stab in her heart. He'd tried to once and she'd had to quickly correct
him, though it gutted her to do so. She recalled the tears she'd felt
slipping down her cheeks that night.

It was her own fault. She accepted that. She'd agreed to bear him and
couldn't regret it. But she'd miscalculated Bryvin's own will over
both she and their child. And when Oufelle had hurt him and she'd not
been allowed to do anything, it struck home that perhaps to him, Yavin
was simply another lever of control that he could employ. Care for
Yavin? Perhaps he did, but as a valuable tool, much like herself.
Faranth knew he showed more care for his legitimate children.

They were disposable and replaceable, she even more than Yavin. Yavin
could be fostered, for she doubted that even Bryvin would cause real
harm to him, but herself? It would be a simple matter to place Lady
Brina in her own position. Bryvin had come to her aid, had protected
her when she needed it. Had soothed her. She wondered though, if it
was more because she was still valuable to him rather than any
personal attachment or affection. She could no longer deny how she
felt about him and couldn't honestly say when it had started. She
loved him but knew it wouldn't ever be returned. The moment she was no
longer valuable…

"Ti ti?"

She looked down at Yavin and blinked. He was staring up at her in
concern. "What is it sweet?"

"You cryin'. Why? You hurt?" He crawled forward and wrapped his little
arms around her neck. "I love you."

She blinked and wiped her face, surprised to find it damp. "I'm not
hurt, sweet. Just sand in my eyes. It's okay." She returned the hug,
pressing her cheek against his. "And I you, sweet." When he tilted his
head, still obviously troubled, she forced a bright smile and pushed
away the thoughts she didn't want to consider. "Want to go to the
water to play with me for a little while? Ti ti will teach you how to
swim!"

"Swim!" Concern forgotten, Yavin jumped to his feet with a happier smile.

That smile was enough to lighten Yridha's heart as it never failed to
do. Brushing sand off of her bare legs, she walked with Yavin into the
waves, troubles momentarily forgotten as Yavin began to squeal with
delight as the water lapped his feet.

Last updated on the February 1st 2020

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A Small Vacation