Alone at Last

Writers: Devin, AL
Date Posted: 27th November 2008

Characters: Jerroll, Edele
Description: Jerroll talks to Edele alone.
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 12, day 10 of Turn 4
Notes: Esper Bay

Daren personally took Lerra's arm to escort her to where her quarters would be for the duration of her stay. Drudges took up the various crewmembers and took them to their own rooms. Before he left, Daren had conversed with Edele in quiet tones, receiving answers in the form of nods or shakes of her head. A drudge approached Jerroll as the last of the members left and the swirling skirts of Edele's dress retreated through the door. "I can show you to your quarters, sir."

"I can find them myself. Thank you for the offer."

"Oh..." Surprise registered on the drudges face, but she didn't argue. Instead, she gave him a bob of a curtsey, then hurried off, evidently to some other venture.

He went to Edele's door and knocked. He might not get another chance to talk to her alone.

Edele started at the sound of someone at her door. She had just gotten there not a moment before. She had expected her husband to come, but not for a while as he had wanted to talk to Lerra in detail as to how he could accommodate her. She sincerely hoped that he didn't promise too much. While she had come to care about those on the ship, she also knew that they would certainly take advantage of him if given the chance.

So who was it? Had Lerra asked Daren to talk later? If so, she would have expected her husband to just walk in without knocking. The woman went to the door and cracked it open. When she saw who it was, she opened it wider, giving him a soft smile that held a hint of sadness. "Hello Jerroll. I thought you would be in your quarters." There was still three hours or so until dinner - enough time for everyone to take some time to relax if they so desired. Evidently Jerroll had other thoughts on his mind.

"I wanted to talk to you." He shifted, uncomfortable. This wasn't Edele, the ship's cook any more. This was Alita, a man's wife.

She supposed she should be hesitant about letting him into their quarters - but she wasn't. Edele - or Alita - stepped aside and motioned for him to enter. "Then please, come in and talk to me."

He closed the door behind him. "I want to make sure you're .... comfortable here."

"I guess as comfortable as I can be in a place that seems familiar but without any memories of it." Edele sighed and moved over to a settee, lowering herself upon it. "But this is obviously my home."

"Because it feels like home, or because someone says it is?"

"Because it feels like..." It felt like she was a visitor coming back to a place she had been to maybe a few times before, but no...it didn't feel like home. The ship felt like home. The hold didn't seem to be more than a friendly acquaintance. "I...I know this place. I just can't remember it." It didn't make any sense and Edele found herself struggling for words.

He'd hoped for a somewhat different response, maybe some crying. "You don't have to stay here," he said quietly.

"You don't have to go." The words were out of her mouth before Edele realised what she said and her eyes widened at her own response.

He studied her for a moment. "And where would I fit in?"

"You could be the Harbour Master." Edele suggested. She thought she knew what his answer would be, but the words were said, she couldn't just retract them. "Daren needs one."

"Work for your husband? I'm sure I'd love that." Being bound to the land and watching Edele settle into a domestic life? No thanks.

Edele lowered her gaze. "I'm sorry Jerroll. I just wanted..." She just wanted what? She just wanted him near. She wanted to stay on the ship just so she could see him every day. But she couldn't. She was the wife of a holder, and a well respected and prosperous holder at that. Edele had a duty, even if she didn't have her memories. "You wouldn't want to stay here anyway. Besides, I'm sure you'll be fine...I just hope that you'll remember me among all the pretty faces that you see."

"I couldn't forget you." The ship would feel empty without her, but if she wanted to stay, that was her choice. It shouldn't be this hard, though. He'd said good-bye to crewmembers before.

Would that it were so easy to believe him. Jerroll had made himself quite clear. Perhaps it was best this way. She wouldn't have to watch him be with other women, wouldn't have to watch him go from lady friend to lady friend. It was better not to have him at all than to have to share him. "You will stay for a few days at least?"

"Of course. We have things to discuss with your husband," he said. And it would give Edele time to change her mind about staying.

"Good." A tremulous smile formed. "Well, you should...probably go. It's not seemly to have you here with me unescorted. I will see you at dinner tonight."

He was being dismissed. "Yes. See you at dinner." He opened the door and stepped out.

Edele watched him go til the door hid him from view. Then she lowered herself back onto the settle. It was so hard. Why was this so hard? He seemed to want to make sure she was all right, but Jerroll had given her no indication that his concern was anything more than as a friend. If he had, Edele would have been back on the boat and ordered Lerra herself to set sail at once, never giving Esper Bay a backward glance. She had suggested he stay, but the thought was obviously distasteful. It had been a foolish suggestion. Jerroll was a seaman - he would wilt upon dry land. The woman leaned forward, rubbing her eyes with her hand. For a moment it almost seemed as if there might have been something more. Something about the way he had responded. Yet, he had truly revealed nothing, and Edele gave up the inclination to believe he had meant more. No. He was concerned with her as a friend. Humoured her a bit, perhaps, but there was nothing more to it. So really, there was nothing to keep her on the Silver Sails.

Was there?

Last updated on the November 27th 2008

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Alone at Last