How Harpers Dance
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
Writers: Bree, Eimi
Date Posted: 3rd December 2005
Characters: Almonteo, Carmora
Description: Almonteo and Carmora share a dance
Location: Harper Hall
Date: month 8, day 28 of Turn 3
"I have been wondering were you disappeared to," Almonteo smiled as he took his wife's hand. "I told Traelyn that I was afraid you had been stolen away from my by some handsome bronzerider."
"They may be handsome, but none of them dance half as well as you do,"
Carmora replied with a wide smile, leaning in to kiss her husband's cheek. "We'll have to show them how it's done!"
"That we will. But first I asked for a slow song," he gave her a loving smile. "It gives me an excuse to hold the love of my life close." The Hallmaster wrapped an arm around her and pulled her to him.
Carmora couldn't help but laugh. "You are a hopeless romantic, Almonteo... even at your age."
"I know it's the only reason you have put up with me so long," he grinned. "I would have been permanently assigned to sleep on the couch turns ago otherwise."
"Possibly," she admitted, leaning up to kiss his cheek. "But somehow you always manage to win your way back into my affections." "And such wonderful affections they are," he said with a suggestive eyebrow wiggle. "How do you think things are going so far? Does everyone seem to be having a good time to you?"
Carmora rolled her eyes. "You know they are. But you're adorable when you're nervous." She reached up to straighten his tunic with a twinkle in her eye. "Everything's perfect... just like you planned." "I can't help but think that something may yet go wrong. I want so much for Hall and Weyr to live harmoniously. But all it takes is a dragonrider dancing a little too close to someone's daughter, saying something a little too flirtatious to a wife, a journeyman becoming a little too free with one of the Weyr ladies..."
"Everyone seems to be on their best behavior," Carmora reassured him. "I think they like having so many Harpers around... They might be worried that they'll lose them!" She had her own concerns about what would happen once people started getting comfortable--but tonight she didn't want to worry about anything but her husband's happiness. Her husband sighed as he gracefully twirled them both out of the way of a drunken pair that seemed to be on a crash course straight for them. "There have already been whispers of harpers who just don't even want to _try_ go get along here. I dread looking at the transfer requests that I've already noticed are being dropped quietly in my box." "And where do they want to go?" Carmora retorted angrily. "Back to Emerald Falls, where the Lord Holder's own guards nearly killed them?" "Oh, my Carmora," he smiled, "you belong in the Weyr. You have the heart of a queen guarding over her eggs - strong and golden." Almonteo pulled her closer and murmured soothingly, "Don't be angry, wife. They are not harming _me_."
"But they are, Almonteo." She reached up to brush her thumb across his cheek. "Don't lie to me. I know it hurts you." "A bit. It hurts to know that I can't bring everyone happiness, even as a Hallmaster." He sighed. "But I must admit someday that I am just as human as the rest. But lets not talk of work. Enough of possible troubles. We are here together, and there is beautiful music to be danced to and enjoyed." Taking her hand in his he kissed it gently.
When the song changed, she smiled up at him. "You're right. Let's show these weyrfolk how harpers dance."
Last updated on the December 3rd 2005