The Bargain

Writers: Clancey, Paula
Date Posted: 29th January 2010

Characters: Corowal, Felyna
Description: Felyna has an offer for Corowal that he can't refuse ... probably.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 6, day 20 of Turn 5

Felyna

It was late in the evening, the children were all asleep, including the youngest, Wallia, and the Lord Holder and his wife were wonderfully, finally alone in their sitting room. He was reading and she was embroidering some finery on one of Corolia's dresses. It was something she enjoyed doing, and a way she could please the children without spending _all_ her time with them as Erassa did.

A lovely domestic scene, indeed, but it wasn't going to last. Not with the thoughts in Felyna's mind, anyway.

"Corowal, my darling husband... " and her tone was kind, warm even, "...do you think you married a Lady who was simply beautiful, and not extremely intelligent?" Curiousity, really.

"No, dear. I married a Lady who was both beautiful, smart and sure of herself," Corowal replied, placing the book aside. He could sense she wanted to talk.

"Indeed. All of which lead to my... curiousity... about why you are so strongly defending Erassa staying here, living with us." He had continued to defend it, after their last conversation with Erassa. Nothing had really changed and it was more than a month later.

She stood up and went to sit near him, leaving her embroidery in the basket. "A smart woman, even one as beautiful and sure of herself as ..myself.... begins to wonder at her husband's true motives. So, what are they? All the excuses I hear are rather thin." Still, no true anger. For now, she wondered if he would own up to his true feelings for Erassa.

Unlikely.

But she also wondered if she really _wanted_ him to...

Corowal pondered how honest he should be. "I like Erassa. She was great help when Ofelia died. I wouldn't been able to handle it without her. And yes, I do find her sexually attractive too, she is young and pretty."

He considered his options for a brief moment before continuing: "I did try to get her into my bed, before our marrige. She refused. I respect her indepence and admire her resistance to my charm. For now, I've settled to be friends with her." And that was, surprisingly, pretty much the whole truth. Oh, it lacked some details and depths, their relationsship was more complex than that.

She crossed her arms and looked at him, some of the anger and irritation sucked out of her as he told her what seemed to be the truth. Or the truth as he wanted to believe. She considered telling him how she really felt, and decided some of the truth would go far toward rewarding him for being honest with her. It was critical, if they were going to stay married, that they be honest with each other. The one thing she would _not_ surrender was her marriage. She would never let him put her aside for a fostermother! Never. No matter how much she liked said fostermother. Or how much _he_ liked her.

"Well, you'd be blind not to find her attractive, dear." Her nose crinkled with her smile, though it didn't reach her eyes. "I find it tiresome to remind you that your wife is young and pretty..too..." She shook her head. "You lucky man, surrounded by young, pretty women who seem quite attached to you."

She paused to gather her thoughts,then went on. "Friends, is it? But you'd take her to your bed in a moment, wouldn't you?"

"Yes, I would," Corowal replied. He cringed a bit. "Not exactly what you like to hear from your husband."

She allowed the anger to show as she nodded in agreement. "Not even close, Corowal. However, I must say I'd rather you be honest with me." She lay a hand on his arm, this time in warning and not her normal possessive touch. "I can't say that I'm happy you do not find me.. enough... for your bed, I should be more than enough for you. But I will make you a bargain." She waited a moment, watching his eyes.

"You will find that I am ... pragmatic... about your physical interest in Erassa, and do not precisely _mind_ if you take her to bed. But there are ..conditions." Now she fell silent. Had he ever considered that a true partner, a true wife and Lady Holder, would be willing to share him? She knew she was definitely in the minority of women, never mind Lady Holders. But she had her own desires, and they involved staying happily married to the man next to her. Whatever the cost.

"I'm all ears," Corowal said, watching her curiously. This was unexpected.

"Understand me, Corowal." And now her voice was a tad sharp, her irritation that she was not enough for his bed showing. "I can be your best friend in all of Pern if we understand each other well enough, and I very much enjoy being your wife. So, in order to make our marriage work, I am willing to share you with Erassa. Only Erassa. But I will not have you out of _my_ bed for hers. Nor would I like it if you gave her a child. In fact, I would be very ....upset... should she turn up pregnant and name you as the father. One scandalous child is enough. Only I will bear your children. The last thing is that I expect you to do everything in your power to keep your...bedroom activities... the subject of rumor and not fact. And I'd like to do without the rumor at all, though Faranth knows the Hold talks enough about the three of us as it is."

She paused, her list a tad long, but she thought, fair. She looked at him for a moment, letting her true feelings - a warmth that could bloom to love if he wanted it to - show in her eyes. And if she was willing to surrender. "I do not want to share you, nor will I precisely like it, but I desire a happy, complete marriage, family, and husband more than I value my own ..opinions.. shall we say. I am... " She stumbled a bit... "....quite fond of you. And I enjoy the bedfurs with you in them. And I am...me. What man needs another woman with me willing in his bed? But if you do... "

She ended then, curious to hear what he thought of her "deal". Would he be angry? Or leap at the chance to have her approval? It would save him the trouble of lying to her.

Corowal was quiet and thoughtful for a long, silent moment. "You certainly do surprise me," he said finally. "Would it make you feel better, if you knew that I wasn't exactly faitful for my first wife? I loved Ofelia, but," he shrugged a bit. "I've been faithful to you our whole marriage. Admiting it hasn't been long yet. I don't know what's wrong with me, when I can't settle for just one woman," he paused and watched for her reaction.

She was struck by that, and inordinately pleased. She had thought he had been faithful - a new woman in the bed usually lasted for a short time anyway - and found she was happy that it was true. "That does make me happy, Corowal, thank you." A passing caress of his face as the sharpness melted away in her voice. Admittedly, she was very surprised to hear about Ofelia. She knew how much he had loved her.

That by itself made her feel better.

"But honestly, my dear husband, there is nothing wrong with you. My mother educated me well on men and their needs. I always thought, despite her warnings, that I might just be enough, but I am not wholly surprised. Our Erassa is quite lovely and I doubt very many men stay true to their wives. Its my opinion that most simply don't get caught."

She grinned a bit, then went on. "Part of my duties as your wife involve making you happy, and I want you to be happy, and I want _us_ to be happy. If it requires this, I am willing to allow it, though you do not precisely need my permission or approval do you? You could sneak around and lie to me - as you must have to Ofelia - but its much nicer if you don't have to, don't you think?"

"Ofelia never knew. She was happier not knowing. You are completely different, I see," Corowal said. "You're right, I could keep it secret from you. But that can get tiring. Honesty is much nicer." And less complicated... you could get entangled to the lies, if you forgot what you were telling and to who. Although that was also part of the fun. The excitement, that he was going to miss. "And I can promise you not to sire any bastards while we are married," he continued.

She crossed her arms again, watching him narrowly. Some of the anger remained, flashing a bit in her eyes. Why was _she_ not enough? Ah well. She had come to terms with it long before this conversation began, so she would see it through.

"We are agreed then? Full honesty? And no one but Erassa, and no children." She was aware she had no real methods to _enforce_ the deal. But she hoped the offering would be enough.

"Full honesty," Corowal agreed. He had no idea what would happen with Erassa, if anything. The problem was, if nothing happened, would Felyna believe him?

Felyna smiled, pleased at that much at least. And that he was still faithful. She unbuttoned the top button of her dress and leaned forward to kiss him with purpose. "You don't have to run off to her bed right away, you know."

"I know," Corowal replied and at the moment, he was not interested in Erassa's bed either.

And she would keep him that way as long as possible, with every talent and skill she possessed.

Last updated on the January 31st 2010

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The Bargain