Promise me a dance

Writers: Eimi, Paula
Date Posted: 7th September 2006

Characters: Benaroy, Zelanka
Description: Benaroy takes time to visit his Headwoman
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 13, day 16 of Turn 3

"Milroy's wife is going to have twins," the Lord Holder sighed as he slipped into the chair across from the Headwoman. It had been a long time since he had visited her on her own ground he was long over due.
Besides, seeing her sounded so much nicer than working. Again.

"Twins? How wonderful!" Zelanka smiled.

"Yes," he smiled. "That will be a nice addition to the family."

"Addition indeed! Twice the work, and twice the joy," Zelanka chuckled.

"Twice the feedings, twice the burpings, twice the changing," Benaroy said with a wistful smile. He remembered those days. Sometimes he even missed those days.

"Twice the changing" Zelanka repeated and wrinkled her nose.

"It smells sweeter when its your first," the Lord Holder chuckled. "But Milroy will certainly have his hands full."

"You can safely bet your marks on it," Zelanka agreed.

"No thank you, I save my marks for the races." He rubbed his forehead tiredly. Ah yes, there was Turn's End coming up. Well, they would have plenty of roast. What he would love to offer them would be fresh vegetables. It was enough to make his head hurt.

"Speaking of races..." Zelanka reached for a list. "I've planning this with your son, but it needs your approval too. The planned menu for the Turn over," she presented the list for him.

"What do we have here?" he asked, looking down at the list with a sigh.
Work always seemed to follow the Lord Holder.

"Roasted herdbeast for the ranking guests, plus some fish-dishes, game and wild vegetable salad. Heardbeast stew for the unranked masses. Not to forget the wide variety of desserts, snacks and wine."

"No roast for the holders?" he asked, rather surprised. "If there is anything we have plenty of, it should be roast."

"And what would you offer them with the roast? No, the lacks are easier to hide in stew. There's some barbecue ribs though," Zelanka replied.

"There's got to be something more," Benaroy sighed as he leaned back in his chair. "There has to be somewhere else that can sell us fresh vegetables."

"I've been asking around," Zelanka sighed. "Either the prize is too high or there's none to sell. It's the time of the Turn, new crop is just planted and the old one almost eaten."

"Perhaps I should do a little asking," the Lord Holder said
thoughtfully. He knew there were ways. "Have you asked at the
Farmcraft Hall? Perhaps they grow vegetables in one of their glass houses they are so fond of. Or they may know what climates are in season at least."

Zelanka shook her head. "I don't have any contacts there. I've mostly been in contact with other headwomen or stewards of various holds."

"Let me try at least. It's Turns End and everyone has been through so much. I want it to be... special." **Especially since I'm sure it will be my last...**

"You're the Lord. And if you can do something to improve the menu, I'm just grateful," Zelanka said. Such a lousy menu rankled her too.

They sat in silence for a moment before a small smile started twitching at the corner of his lips. "So... do you think this cracked brain of mine just might remember how to dance?"

"If you're brains doesn't, your feet will," Zelanka replied with a smile.

"If I forget, can I steal you for a dance and can you help me remember?" he asked with a slight twitch of his eyebrows.

"Of course you can," Zelanka replied warmly.

"When was the last time we danced together, Zela?" Benroy asked, crossing his arms across his chest and gazing back along the Turns. It couldn't have been _that_ long ago, could it?

"Oh..."Zelanka's brow's furrowed. "Must have been your son's wedding."

"Which son?" He had several, after all.

"Good question" Zelanka laughed.

"I'm starting to lose track of them all," the Lord Holder chuckled.

"Oh, that's bad. But I think it was Royah's wedding," Zelanka said with a wince.

"That long ago?" Shards, he couldn't believe it! That long? "His first or his second wedding?"

"The current ones," Zelanka said. "It is been while."

"Six turns at least. Well, we shall have to rectify that, won't we."

"Yes, we do. Has it really been that long? Man, how the turns fly."

"If only my runners ran as fast," he smiled, pushing himself to his feet. "Will you promise me a dance then, Zela?"

"I will," the headwoman said.

"Then I promise to find us more vegetables. Our stores seem to be running low again. I swear, will we ever not be on the verge of starvation?" the Lord Holder sighed.

"The situation will improve when the summer progresses. There's plenty of new fields being planted now," it was her turn to reassure.

"That is indeed a welcome thought," he smiled as her reached down to pat her hand affectionately. "I'll see we make it through until then. Don't you worry about it."

"Only if you don't," Zelanka retorted.

Last updated on the September 10th 2006

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Promise me a dance