Feelings, Memories, Heartbeats

Writers: Avery, Yvonne
Date Posted: 12th July 2006

Characters: Thalia, Ishek
Description: Thalia and Ishek go out for a ride
Location: Garnet Valley Hold
Date: month 13, day 7 of Turn 3

"Lord Ishek!" Thalia waved her hand in the air, although it was obvious that the Lord Warder had already seen her. Nipper had just been led outside for her and she was about to go riding when she'd spotted him, and belatedly remembered that she'd agreed to go riding with him at some point. Nipper stood quietly behind her, held by a solemn looking stable boy, and watched her rider curiously.

Ishek hadn't expected to see Thalia out here, so he didn't wave immediately when he did. He saw the runner and realized why she must be out. He hastened his pace and came over to her. "Lady Thalia." he greeted her. "How are you on this fine day?"

"Very well, thank you for asking." Thalia said, smiling. "I don't suppose you could spare a candlemark, or even half of one? I do believe at one point you promised me that you'd come riding."

"I did indeed." Ishek said with a faint smile. "I have a candlemark to spare, unfortunately I'm not quite dressed for riding." He gestured at himself, knowing that his pants were suitable but his tunic wasn't. "Could I ask you to have a runner set up for me while I run and change?" he asked. "Then I'd be suitable to ride."

Thalia nodded. "Of course. I'll be happy to wait."

Ishek walked as quickly as possible. As soon as he was out of sight, he broke into a jog and headed for his rooms. Quickly he rifled through his things- yes, there was his jacket! He slipped it on and ran back out, slowing to a sedate pace before he came into sight. He didn't want the lady thinking he was childish- he had to maintain some dignity, didn't he? The jacket was his favorite, if getting along in Turns- it had been brand new the day after his wedding to Shama, and he had worn it every time they ridden. The distinct smell of the jacket, something pleasant, reminded him of their times together, as did the feel of the well-worn, slightly fading dark blue leather.

"Back!" he declared as he came up to Thalia. "Alright, what am I riding?" Shells, sometimes he wished for his own runner. But he would ride anything, today. He was actually looking forward to spending the ride with Thalia, getting to know her better.

"The Stablemaster says that you've been riding Shade when you go out, so I had him saddled for you again," Thalia said, gesturing to the dark gelding that stood a little behind Nipper. The stablehand holding Nipper's reins gave them a bored look, then helped Thalia mount using a stepping block. She took a moment to get comfortable on the sidesaddle before turning back to Ishek, who had already mounted without assistance. "Where would you like to go?"

Ishek shrugged slightly. "Do you have a personal preference?" he countered gently. "I'll go anywhere you wish, although there's a nice trail to the north..."

"That's fine. I'll follow your lead, my Lord."

Ishek started them off to the trail. "I must say," he commented, "it feels good to be riding again. It's so...peaceful, and much better than work." Of course, it brought up memories...

"Many things are! And I do enjoy riding more than, oh, embroidery. I simply hate getting cooped up inside the Hold and never seeing the sun. I cannot _fathom_ how miners can work!"

"Neither can I. It must be a miserable job." Ishek admitted. "I'm thinking of making a designated "walk" candlemark on my schedule so I never get too bogged down to go outside."

"You should. It's not healthy to sit to long." Thalia hesitated, then ploughed on. If Ishek thought she was being too intrusive, then she could bear his anger knowing she'd followed her instincts. "You're...
doing all right, and are happy? I- can't imagine that it would be any easier for you to step into my husband's place as it is for us to have you here..."

Ishek hesitated. But she'd mentioned their own unease, so... "As happy as can be." he said quietly. "The sounds are still new, sometimes, at night. Maybe that's my perception of things. I won't say it was easy to step in, because...it wasn't. Some people looked at me as if I didn't belong, you know? And I wasn't sure I belonged.
And sometimes, when it comes to matters of protocol, or other things...sometimes I still don't feel like I belong." he admitted.

Thalia smiled slightly. "How do you think I felt, as the first Lady Holder in more turns than people cared to remember? I can empathize more than you know. Garnet Valley is... slow to accept change, I think."

Ishek nodded. "I think it is- but then, what place is quick to accept change? All we can do is make the best of it..." He paused before speaking again. "You seem to have adapted well, despite what they may have thought of you originally. Are you happy, now, with how things are?"

**What a vague question,** she thought. There were so many ways to answer; that she was lonely, that she still wasn't accepted, that she was tired of being looked down on. Instead she smiled. "Neither my son nor myself want for anything. And besides - now I have a garden to play in. What more could I possibly ask for?"

Ishek smiled back, thinking that she sounded content, at the least.
"You know, of course, that if you ever wish for anything, you can just ask me. I would do all in my power to insure your happiness- and that of your son, as well." And Ishek meant it. He wanted to protect women, and that included making Thalia's life as comfortable as she wished it.

The Lady's expression became wry. "Don't tempt me like that, Ishek, or any day now I'll have you ordering enough bolts of fabulously dyed cloth and jewelry to bankrupt the Hold!"

Ishek laughed slightly. "Somehow I cannot picture that from you, Thalia." he said with a smile. "I..." he stumbled, slightly, unsure of what to say, before finally bringing up the courage. They had been so honest, until now... "Do you ever resent me as... an interloper?"
He knew some of the Hold did, did she?

She shook her head. "You haven't thrown me back to my family, or- or arranged an- 'accident' for Aslian. How could I resent you?"

"I would never do those things!" he said fervently. "I'm not a cruel man, I could never do such things. But I can see why you might fear that some might." he added. "Some Holders are self-centered and not so worried about others." He noted she hadn't mentioned anything else, and worried maybe she didn't actually _like_ him. "I hope never to be like that, and to always care for my people."

"If you worry about it, then you'll never be that man," Thalia said matter-of-factly. "The only thing I've ever heard anyone complain about you is your lack of formality, and that's _hardly_ something to be concerned over. Besides - sometimes etiquette is stuffy. And speaking of what's proper and what's not... last one to the tree at the top of that hill is a wherry's dinner!" Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she gathered up Nipper's reins and kneed the surly mare into a gallop before Ishek could reply.

Ishek was about to reply to her comments when she and Nipper were off. Surprised, he wasted a second before squeezing his own knees and urging on his runner. Shards, but that was surprising- he hadn't thought she would do that! Well, well now his opinion changed a bit-
what she did was what Shama would have done... Ishek lowered his head and blinked back the tears, and concentrated on racing the runner faster to the tree. Suddenly he didn't care if he'd win anymore.

The wind whistled in her ears and Thalia enjoyed the feel of speed as Nipper flew along the road and hurtled up the hill. The grass flowed by in a blurred stream and when they jumped a small ditch she felt like she was flying. The sunshine and fresh air was a drug and she found herself laughing dizzily as she reined Nipper in beneath the tree, raking her windblown hair out of her eyes with one hand as she waited for Ishek to catch up. "Surprise counts for everything, my Lord! You wouldn't have beaten me otherwise," she said as he joined her.

She looked lovely like that, Ishek had to admit- different from Shama in that she was shorter and softer, and her hair was blonde and not reddish-brown, but oh the look on her face, the joy of it all, was the same. It made him want to cry, but at the same time, reminded him of how wonderful riding used to be, and so he smiled. "At least it was a pleasant surprise." He shook his head, letting hair fall everywhere. "I haven't done that in Turns."

Thalia opened her mouth to reply, then paused and took a closer look at him. "Are you all right? Your eyes look red,"

"I think it's the...wind. In my eyes." That was the lamest excuse he'd ever made. Shaking his head, he corrected it. "Actually...you look like Shama did, when she rode." There, it was out. He blinked a bit more.

The Lady's expression softened, and she edged Nipper close enough to Ishek's mount that she could lay a hand on his arm. "I'm sorry. But-
I hope that it was a happy memory, or at least one that makes you smile more than cry."

He nodded. "I met her while riding, and we always used to ride together, and that was the happiest moments of my life. To be honest, that's why I haven't been riding- I'm afraid of what it brings up.
Today, though...it's been wonderful, and reminded me of everything I love about it." He was finally starting to heal, he supposed people would say to him. Maybe it was, and maybe it was time.

Thalia gave his arm a final pat before moving Nipper away from Shade before the mare could bite him. Banishing the ghosts of the past...
that was something she was all too familiar with. The air was soft with summer around them, and as their runners walked their hooves sounded like drums. Or heartbeats.

Last updated on the July 12th 2006

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Feelings, Memories, Heartbeats