At Last. Will It Last?

Writers: Avery, Leigh M-F.
Date Posted: 22nd February 2017

Characters: Corran, Nohria
Description: They come to terms.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 10, day 7 of Turn 8
Notes: Mentioned: Jisalle

She had made her choice. It wasn't a good one in the least, but Nohria had put it off long enough, and believed it was what she had to work with. Now she had to see if it could work in practice instead of theory. Thus, once her chores were done late in the afternoon, she went to the guards' barracks in the hopes of finding Corran before she lost what nerve she had.

Corran had been working a day shift and was ready for dinner. As he was switching his snow boots out in favor of a pair of indoor shoes, he noticed Warden lift up his head, swivel it around, and cheep loudly.

"What's going on, buddy?" he asked the flit.

Warden yawned, mouth opening wide to show teeth.

"Yeah, I'm hungry too," Corran said. He stood up, held out his hand, and let the flit swarm up his shoulder to the reinforced padding. "Come on, time to eat."

As he headed into the hallway, he spotted a familiar figure. "Nohria?" he called.

"Yes, Guard Corran," she answered, coming closer and trying to ignore how her heart was racing. "Do you have a moment? I'd like to speak with you."

"Sure, I do. I was just going to go to dinner, but we can take a walk first," he offered.

"Good." Nohria fell into step with him, looking about to suss out any potential onlookers or eavesdroppers before she spoke up. "I want to be your woman, Corran," she said bluntly. "But I don't wish to marry you, I certainly don't want to stop working-" especially not after the kind of freedom she had found in working for Jisalle "-and under no circumstances whatsoever will I bear your children. Is it permissible for a guard -a man- of your standing to have that kind of involvement with someone? And if it is, are my desires a deal-breaker?"

Corran's eyes widened as she talked. He hadn't expected Nohria to say anything like this to him. When she'd stopped seeing him around as much, he'd assumed that the feelings he was developing for her had been unwanted, and he'd backed off. To hear her say now that she might be interested in him after all was certainly a surprise. He was so busy stuck on the first part that he was finding it hard to process the rest.

Warden let out a startled noise, flapping his wings and whirling his eyes. He wasn't used to his person being such a confusion of feeling.

He stopped and leaned against the wall. "I think I need a minute," he said honestly. "I hadn't expected you to have any interest in me. I thought I was unwelcome."

Nohria thought fast, relieved he wasn't rejecting her outright. "I needed some time," she lied. "I'm a widow, and I had to be sure I was ready to move on. I am."

He could understand that part. "I see. As for your desires... You ask if it's permissible for a guard to have a relationship like that, and... it's expected for things to go a certain way, in the Holds. If you and I start courting, that's one thing, but if it becomes serious, won't others soon be concerned for your reputation?"

"No," Nohria said frankly, heart beating even faster. "I have no friends here, no family left anywhere; even my late husband's last living relative is refusing to speak to me. Jisalle, whom I report to, would have no objections to how I live my life. I just need to keep doing the best job possible."

The guard felt more reassured by her statements. He'd still keep an ear out - he didn't want her reputation ruined by association with him. Even if he did care for her. But she seemed so confident...

He stepped closer, but not crowding her. "I'm happy to follow your terms, Nohria. I don't want to put you into a box you don't want."

The herbalist's heart slowed and broke. Why was she doing such a horrible thing to this wonderful man? And yet she was also so relieved she couldn't help but smile brightly at him. Her own feet took her into arms' reach. "I don't want to shove you into one either. I do want to hear your desires too."

"When I was younger I wanted a wife, children, the things they said I was supposed to. Now that I'm older and still unwed, it doesn't seem to matter as much. I want to not always be alone, to have someone to share the good times with."

Nohria moved in until she could rest a hand on his chest. "I can be there for you, Corran." Damn her for saying so, but it was mostly true. "I want to be there. And, if possible, I want to make you happy."

The guard reached out and wrapped her in his arms. "I'd like that," he said. This hadn't been what he expected and yet it felt very right.

"Er, I had been going to dinner. Have you eaten yet?"

Nohria smiled against his chest. "Well, there's _something_ I'd like to put in my mouth," she purred, and pulled away, but not far, grinning at him. "But no. I haven't had dinner."

Corran blushed at her words. "Well, how about dinner first?"

"That sounds wonderful." Nohria laced her fingers through his and fell into step with him once more, feeling conflicted, and yet content.

"I hear there's stew, do you happen to know?" he asked. It was an inane question because his head was spinning. He was so surprised - and pleased - by this reversal that.

"I've been too busy to pay attention today," Nohria admitted. "But I'm sure whatever is being served, we can enjoy it together."

He smiled at her as they continued to walk, feeling more contented than he'd expected. "I hope so. It would be a shame to have a terrible dinner."

Warden flew around them both, making delighted little noises.

Last updated on the March 2nd 2017

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At Last. Will It Last?