Tea time

Writers: Eimi, Paula
Date Posted: 12th May 2006

Characters: Benaroy, Zelanka
Description: The Headwoman is there to watch out for her Lord Holder
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 11, day 20 of Turn 3

The Lord Holder sat back with a weary smile as he watched the Headwoman walk into his office, completely uninvited, carrying a tray full of food and hot tea from the healers, heading straight for him with purposeful steps and he knew absolutely nothing would dissuade her from carrying out her intended mission. But it was always fun trying. "Thank you, Zelanka, but I'm really not hungry at the moment. I'll send word down to the kitchens when I am though."

"Hah!" Zelanka said and lowered the tray down to his table, first sweeping some files away to make room for it. "You know you should keep regular mealtimes. If I waited till you are hungry, you would never eat." "Really, Zelanka, is all this _necessary_? Just a snack would suit me fine," the Lord Holder said as he looked woofuly down at the plate of food.

"Well, you need to keep your strength. Besides, I'm joining you. It's been a while since we have been able to just sit and talk properly," Zelanka replied with a smile. She took a seat without waiting permission. "Yes," he nodded, a pleased smile spreading across his lips. "It surely has been a while, Zela."

"This month, feels like we been just staggering from crisis to crisis," Zelanka sighed. She poured both of them a cup of tea. "It has seemed that way," Benaroy nodded. "But when was the last time _anything_ at Amber Hills was easy?"

Zelanka was quiet for a moment, trying to remember. "You're right," she laughed finally. "If things were easy, we would had gotten bored." She sipped her tea. "I was sorry to hear about Shayven. And bit frighted. He's only few turns older than I am." "Well, I think you and I both know how strong your heart is," the Lord Holder said with a knowing smile.

Zelanka answered the smile with a her own and purposely lifted a plate and waived it under his nose. "Smells good, doesn't it?" "You always knew how to tempt me," Benaroy chuckled as he reached for his fork. "Put my plate down now, please, so I can eat it. Maybe then you will leave me in peace."

Zelanka put the plate down and picked up her own. For someone so slim, she had a good appetite. "Temptation is what I do" she said with a wink. Benaroy just smiled as he reached for his cup of tea. "So... how are your children?"

"All well and busy. The foaling season is keeping Zetriv busy, Pelanka has been helping the refugees to settle down and Lantriv is actually talking about a second child. He really dotes his young wife and daughter," Zelanka told with a warm voice. He smiled fondly. "I'm so happy he could find such a wonderful young woman to marry. I know he truly loves her. He's a very lucky man in his family."

"That he is," Zelanka said. "How old is his daughter now?" Benaroy asked thoughtfully. "I... I have to admit, I forgot."

"A bit over a turn, fifteen months," Zelanka said. He frowned as he stared into his teacup, trying to recall a piece of information that just wouldn't come... "And her name is..."

"Lanalya," Zelanka said and the look she gave him was both tender and concerned. His failing memory hadn't escaped her notice. He was getting old. Luckily, the succession of the Blood line was well secured, but without him naming a heir, it could become a dirty competition for the lordship. "Lanalya... It's a pretty name." Benaroy gave her an apologetic smile. Of all the people who surrounded him, she was the one he could open up to the easiest. "It's so frustrating, Zela. Sometimes I remember the smallest, most mindless details, and yet at the same time I can't even remember how to spell my own name."

Zelanka put her hand over his. "Then it's a good thing I'm here to remind you," she said with the kind of cheery but brittle voice people use when they really want is to cry.

He covered her hand with his other with a long sigh. "I'm glad you're still with me. I don't think I could do this if you weren't here to watch out for me."

Last updated on the May 13th 2006

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Tea time