Silly Thoughts

Writers: Eimi, Paula
Date Posted: 18th March 2009

Characters: Corowal, Erassa
Description: Erassa and Corowal spend some time alone with their thoughts.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 2, day 1 of Turn 5

There was something very homey in the way Erassa worked with his children. He found out that he enjoyed just watching it. The words: if only, blobbed into his conciousness, but he didn't let it dwell there. If onlies just led into the trouble. No regrets, that was his motto.

"All right now, Corolia, did you brush your teeth? You did? All right, off to bed with you. You too, Ofewal. Corofel, don't leave the glowlight on too bright if you read in bed tonight. You know how that keeps your brother up." Erassa adjusted Felcorn on her hip. He was already half asleep for all that he was trying to fight it. She had already lain Wallia and her own son into their beds and now was the chore of rounding up the last of them. "Say a quick good night to your father now."

Corowal smiled softly. Shards, she was almost like mother to them.

She watched as each kissed their father on the cheek and murmured their good nights. Smiling approvingly she walked them to the doorway and watched as they climbed under the covers. "Only a chapter, Corofel," she said sternly, though she smiled despite her strong tone. She closed the door behind them behind turning back to face him. "I will put Felcorn to bed and then I can get you your warm milk and rum if you like."

"Not tonight thanks," Corowal replied.

"As you like, sir." She carried the boy into his room, ignoring his protests as she laid him in the bed and gently covered him. Erassa began humming soothingly as she ran her fingers through his soft hair, calming him with her soft touch. As he listened to her voice his resistance melted away as he drifted softly off to sleep. When she was sure he would not wake up, she leaned down and kiss his forehead softly.

Shards, she would make a fine wife to some lucky guy, Corowal thought. Again the if only -surfaced. If only she had more rank, if only she didn't have that bastard son.

She was not thinking of what might have been, but what was as she exited the children's room to join him in the living area. Picking up Corofel's shirt to mend she noticed his eyes were on her. To her his look was unreadable. It made her uncomfortable and she felt a need to break the silence. "Corofel is growing so fast. Soon he will have no shirts left to fit him."

"Yes, he is. Is he still pouting about that runner incident?" Corowal asked and chuckled.

Erassa actually smiled. "I think he's learning that I'm not the only one who in not impressed by his being the Lord Holder's son."

"It's a good lesson to learn," Corowal said.

"I just hope he isn't trying to 'Lord' over the boys in his harper classes. That could lead to all sorts of trouble," she said, her face turning thoughtful. "Perhaps I should speak to the Harper about that."

"I hope he doesn't. You do that and I try to find a moment to talk with Corofel about it," Corowal replied.

"Yes, sir. I will make sure of that." After all, he would listen to his father's censure much more than hers. He would do anything to please his father, she thought with an affectionate smile.

Corowal liked when she smiled like that. Of course, she was thinking the children and not him.

Erassa couldn't help but smile that way as she did as she carefully mended a torn seam. She only had one boy of her own, but his children were almost as dear to her. She had learned their likes and dislikes, shared their moments of sadness and joy, congratulated them in the triumphs and encouraged them in their failures. If only their father had been a good man, she thought, her brow furrowing slightly, not even thinking of the fact that the very man of whom she was thinking had his eyes on her.

Corowal wondered what she was thinking about. She was so intriguing woman. "A quarter mark for your thoughts."

Her face turned bright red as she looked up at the man whom she had been secretly bemoaning. "They really wouldn't be worth half that much," she said, quickly ducking her head and turning her eyes back on her work. Shards, she shouldn't have allowed herself to get lost like that!

"How can you say that?" Corowal asked.

"Because they were silly thoughts of no consequence," she replied softly, still not wanting to meet his eye.

"I don't believe in silly thoughts. Random wanderings of the mind yes, but they are not silly, they may reveal something of ourselves."

Erassa smiled humourlessly. "I'm not sure I like what my random thoughts reveal about me."

"No one else can tell you that either," Corowal said and stood up. "I'm going to retire for the night. Good night, Erassa," he said. He walked past her, letting his hand brush against her cheek, very briefly and very gently.

It surprised her just how that subtle touch made her stomach flutter. She hadn't realized that, even after so long, she missed being touched by a man. But why in Faranth's name did it have to have come from _him_? **Sharding man...** her mind whispered softly, as she fough the urge to follow him with her eyes.

Last updated on the March 18th 2009

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Silly Thoughts