Nothing In Pern

Writers: AL, Kaysea
Date Posted: 27th June 2008

Characters: Fog, Eliste
Description: Fog and Eliste talk aboard the Sungazer.
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 10, day 23 of Turn 4

Going back aboard the Sungazer almost felt like going home. With as little time as she spent there, it felt like a familiar friend returning after a long time away. Her hand skipped over the railing and a small smile flitted over her lips as she walked alongside Fog, her arm around her shoulder. It felt so good. It felt right.

"The common room, or would you prefer to come down to my bunk? With Nico gone, there's only Tyno and I sharing, and he's gone up to the hold to visit his mother."

Eliste hesitated, uncertain. She was about to suggest the common room, but to be honest, if they were going to continue their conversation, she didn't want to be where others could hear. "Your bunk is fine. I don't think I want to be with a group of people right now."

"That's fine with me." he nodded and turned her towards the crew quarters.
"I...I missed you." he said quietly.

"I missed you as well." Eliste looked up and smiled at him, following alongside until he came to a stop, then followed again as he led her into his quarters. "I miss the riverboat too." She said as she made her way over to the chair.

"We need to talk." he said finally, dropping onto the bunk and bending his head a little so as not to bump it on the bunk above.

Eliste nodded and turned so that she faced Fog. She folded her hands over her belly, large and round with the life inside her. "All right."

"Oh shards, just seeing you again." Fog's hand ruffled through his hair, his head resting in his hands, as he looked down at his feet. Just looking at her, and knowing she wasn't his, possibly would never be his.
It was all he could do to hold himself in check. "I want to have you with me... always." he said, finally.

Eliste took a deep breath and let it out slowly, more to keep herself from bursting into tears than anything. As it was, she had to lower her gaze to hide the wetness of her eyes. And it was easier if she didn't look at him. "I'm still married..."

"I know." he said, lifting his head to look at her finally. "But there is a way for us to be together, you just have to be strong enough, with my help, to take the first step."

"I'm scared, Fog." Eliste shook her head, shivering a little at the thought of her husband. "I'm scared what he'll try to do. He'll try to hurt you, I know he we'll. It'd be better if I just left..."

"You're not leaving." he said quickly, "I can't lose you, you can't leave me..." he gripped her hands in his, "Please... You need to search out the harper and get him to petition the Lord Holder on your behalf."

"But what if Helvar comes?" Eliste couldn't stop trembling at the thought and her hands clenched his. "What if he comes?"

"We'll deal with that when we have to. He won't chance causing trouble anyway. He's a steward, it wouldn't look good for him to be taken in charge by the local guards, now would it?"

"No." Eliste didn't sound entirely convinced. Helvar was a force, but he also drank. And when he drank, he got worse. "I will talk to the harper Fog. I'm just scared."

"I know you are." he squeezed her hands softly, "I am too. Scared that when I come back again, you won't be here." his eyes fixed on her face, the pleading in them obvious.

Eliste lifted her gaze and met his. Her eyes searched his and she knew, just knew, that she couldn't leave him. She had the strength to leave Helvar, to start a new life without knowing anyone, uncertain as to how, exactly, she would make her way. But she knew, just knew that she did not have the strength to leave this man who had captured her heart, "Ask me to stay," She whispered, "and nothing in Pern will convince me to leave."

Last updated on the June 28th 2008

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Nothing In Pern