Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows

Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold

Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold

Elsewhere on Pern
NPC Weyr
River Bluff Weyr
Seacraft Hall

Story Listing
Series Listing

Weyrling Training

Writers: Ainsley1
Date Posted: 12th May 2007

Characters: Evaleine
Description: Evaleine relives some difficult memories while watching the river go by
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 3, day 23 of Turn 4

Restlessness had driven Evaleine from the main Hold this afternoon. Not having visited the docks yet, she made that her destination, but found little enthusiasm for it once she arrived. The late afternoon sun felt good, however, though a cooler breeze was blowing so she walked along the river and found a comfortable spot to sit and contemplate the changes in her life in just the past two turns. As she watched the river rush by, she smiled at the swirling current. How often was life compared to flowing water in harper ballads and for good reason? She watched the water surge around obstacles or push them out of its way. Swallowing she remembered the day Flylonn's lifeless body was pulled from the water.
Then she remembered a day long before that one.

********

"It isn't safe up so high just after the rain. The rocks are slippery," Evaleine admonished her husband trying to keep her tone fairly light and teasing. Since the accident he had not been the same and these dark moods of his frightened her. "Perhaps it would be best for all," he stated flatly. Her heart pounded within her chest. "What's that?"
she asked not really wanting to hear his answer. "An accident," he replied. "That's nonsense! We have plans you and I. Or don't you remember?" she asked rather sharply frustrated with his self pity.

"We _had_ plans, Evaleine, but everything has changed and I think it's time we faced up to that." She refused to give in to the point he was trying to make. Refused to relinquish the dreams they had begun to dream together. Though she knew how much the accident had taken from him, she was not willing to give up just yet. They might not yet have found love with one another, but they were fond of each other and there was hope that their feelings would grow. "This Hold has as much potential as ever to flourish and prosper, and we have our lives ahead of us." "And if the Hold should prosper? Who would inherit? Flyloman is right. The Hold deserves an heir and you deserve a whole man."

"You are ten times the man your brother is Flylonn,"
she stated angrily. "I cannot give you children, cannot even be a real husband to you," his voice broke and he turned from her. She placed a gentle hand on his arm, knowing that nothing she could say could take this pain from him. This was not the first time since the horrible incident she had wondered if he shouldn't see a mind healer, but she had promised not to bring it up again.

"I could leave. You could marry Flyloman. Live out your dreams. Produce an heir."

Her pale green eyes flashed dangerously and her nostrils flared. Carefully she took his face in hers and looked deep into his brown eyes so that he was sure to understand. "Know this, husband, no matter what happens, there is no power on Pern great enough to compel me to marry _that_ man," the utter loathing with which she spoke the words was poignant enough to make her point, particularly as she seldom spoke ill of anyone. "I do not belittle what you lost when that beast gored you, but do not think to rearrange my life because of your own despair. If aught should happen to you or if you should choose to depart, then I will take my leave as well."

The broken man looked deeply into the eyes of this woman he had taken as his wife and saw the truth in her words, though he could not understand them. He didn't think he truly could pick up the pieces of his shattered dreams and move forward, but for this woman, he would try. "I will try."

***********

A bittersweet smile settled on Evaleine's face. He had tried, but though he had put everything into the Hold and it had prospered, Flylonn had never been able to rid himself of the depression and self-depreciation. No more than a certain sense of camaraderie and fondness had developed between them over the turns. As a heavy sigh escaped her lips, Evaleine wondered if anything ever would have changed if he had lived. Finally, she gave herself a good shake as she realized the air had cooled considerably and that the last rays of sunlight were hitting the water. Why in the name of Faranth had she allowed her thoughts to wonder in that direction? Dwelling on the past was not going to help with her future. She was starting over and she needed to keep her mind on the opportunities ahead not the disappointments of the past. Rising to brush herself off, she threw a stray stick into the water and watched it travel down the stream. If only the aches and doubts of one's past could be as easily carried away with the swiftly moving current.

Last updated on the May 14th 2007