Freedom

Writers: Heather
Date Posted: 10th February 2024

Characters: Gyllie, Dysmin
Description: Dysmin and Gyllie end their marriage and open up new possibilities for them both.
Location: Amber Hills Hold, Barrier Lake Weyrhold
Date: month 10, day 5 of Turn 10
Notes: This follows "BLW/AHH: Saying Goodbye"

Gyllie wasn't sure what to think as she sat across the table from her husband. It had been Turns since she'd seen his eyes so clear and sober. There was also a gentler atmosphere about him... less rage. It made her wonder what had taken place on his trip to the Amber Hills region.

On the table between them, there was a bouquet of simple flowers. They were Gyllie's favorite flowers and Dysmin never failed to return with them each time he came home from one of his trips. She typically waited until he wasn't looking to throw them in the midden.

"I did quite a bit of thinking on my trip," Dysmin started the conversation. He knew Gyllie was puzzled, he could see the questions lurking behind her blue eyes. He avoided looking at them because looking at them was like looking at Eyllie.

"Oh?" Was he about to tell her he wanted to leave Barrier Lake? If so... she didn't think she could do that. Coming to live at the Weyr had finally made her feel as though there might be a place on Pern where she could fit in.

"I stopped by Eyllie and Dysmillia's graves," he said, shocking Gyllie. They _never_ talked about Eyllie or the child he'd lost with her. Ever.

She remained silent, waiting for him to say whatever it was that he was building up to.

"I think it's time we quit holding on to the promises we made Eyllie. We're both miserable. We've both become people we didn't want to be. _I_ have become someone I abhor." Dysmin spoke the words without an accusatory tone, watching Gyllie's face as he did.

Surprise made her eyebrows raise a fraction. A tiny bit of hope began to blossom in her chest. Was he saying that they should...

"I'll file the hidework to absolve our marriage. You already have a job here at the Weyr so I am sure they would let you stay if that is what you wish to do. I am going to ask the Harper Hall to be assigned there." The Hall would be a new place with no bad memories to plague him.

He doubted there would ever be happiness in his life again, but at least there might be some contentment.

Dysmin glanced back up at Gyllie. "Well? What do you think?"

Gyllie opened her mouth to reply and then snapped it shut. Was this some sort of trick? A baited question so that he could blame her for their horrible marriage? She searched his eyes. No, she didn't think it was a trap.

"I think that's the best decision we could make, Dysmin. I think Eyllie would not want us to be the way we are." Shards, she could barely contain the giddy feelings running amok in her chest.

FREEDOM! Freedom from Dysmin's rules and expectations! Freedom to choose whatever life she wanted! Freedom! Freedom! Freedom!

Dysmin nodded slowly, a sad smile tipping his lips. "I never wanted to hurt you, Gyllie. I apologize because I know I have... Repeatedly. I didn't realize the monster I have living inside me."

Gyllie's joyous thoughts of liberation had to be pushed aside for a moment by the little wiggle of guilt she felt.

"It's not all your fault," she said grudgingly because it was the truth. "I purposely tried to make things difficult. To sabotage anything we might have built."

The Master Harper acknowledged the truth in her words with a nod of his head. "Still. There's never an excuse to lay a hand on a woman, and I did. Those actions are mine to answer for."

She pursed her lips, not knowing what to say because she agreed with him.

"It will take me a few days to secure passage to the Harper Hall. To pack my things." Dysmin said.

"It's not a problem. I'll ask the Headwoman for a new weyr. I can't hold this family weyr on my own, anyway."

Her own place to do _whatever_ she wanted with - no matter how small... Her heart soared at the endless possibilities.

There was only one thing left to do....

Twisting the ring on her left hand, Gyllie took it off and placed it on the table in front of Dysmin.

The harper stared down at the ring. It symbolized two marriages. The wonderful one he'd had with Eyllie, and the disastrous one he'd tried to have with Gyllie. Picking it up, he slipped it into his shirt pocket.

"Good luck with everything, Gyllian. I hope you find happiness."

"I will, Dysmin. I hope you find some as well."

Last updated on the February 14th 2024

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Freedom