Allow Me.

Writers: Eimi, Leigh M-F.
Date Posted: 12th June 2017

Characters: Eionen, Merlish
Description: Eionen lends Merlish a hand.
Location: Harper Hall
Date: month 12, day 8 of Turn 8

The weather just could not seem to make up it's mind! One day it was
stormy, then the next sunny but chilly, then thunder and lightning,
and now sunny and unbearably hot! Squinting as she turned her face up
to the midday sky, she decided walking all the way around the East
Wing to reach the North Wing was just too far to walk in this heat,
especially loaded down with an Eilomar-sized lunch. It might be
further to walk through the East Wing to get to the choir practice
rooms, but at least it would be out of this sunshine!

As Merlish reached the door and reached for the handle, a group of
boys came charging out through it, knocking her back and making her
drop her basket to the ground. Most of the apprentices just kept
running, though one did turn to look back, giving her a quick nod and
a "Sorry, miss!" though his pace did not slow.

"You're lucky you kept running or I'd..." Merlish muttered as she
bent over to pick up the round of cheese that had rolled out onto the
ground. Though she had a sweet personality and a lot of patience, she
had still been raised with brothers and could more than hold her own.
**Be an adult,** she reminded herself and banished away any thoughts
of how she might have finished the previous thought.

"Here, allow me," an adult voice said, and a man came around from
behind her, kneeling by the food to gather it neatly and methodically.
"This is sort of my fault; I had to tell those boys off, so I
apologize for your inconvenience," the tall, freckled redhead added.

Merlish dipped her head, both in thanks and to cover the fact that she
pursed her lips, thinking **Your talking to didn't seem to have much
affect...** But that was ungracious. Letting that thought go she
said, "Thank you, Journeyman. I always carry too much in my basket,
anyway."

"You're welcome." Eionen checked a parchment-wrapped sandwich for
damage, found none, and deposited it in the basket. "Would you happen
to need some assistance in carrying said troublesome basket?"

For a split second, she almost said no, but temptation won out. "Yes,
Journeyman Eionen, that would be most kind. I am just cutting through
the East Wing to the Choir room. If it would not be too far out of
your way?"

"No, not at all. I like a good walk. It reminds me of being out and
about," Eionen said with a slightly baffled look. "I'm sorry, but
could I ask how you know me? I've seen you around, but I'm afraid I
never caught your name."

"Master Eiomar is my husband. I am Merlish," she said with a slight
curtsy. "I have heard your name many times. I know you are one of
the teachers here at the Hall."

Eionen immediately brightened. "The Mastersinger didn't tell me he was
so lucky as to be wed," he said, straightening and hooking the now
replenished basket over his forearm. "But then, it's almost always
business when we have a chance to speak, which is largely my fault.
It's a pleasure to meet you, Merlish."

"Well met, Journeyman Eionen." She gave him another polite head bob
now that they had been properly introduced. "I hope I am not pulling
you away from anything important."

The journeyman shook his head. "No, you're not. I have plenty of time
to help you and go on my next errand," he explained. "Shall we?"

"Thank you." She slipped through the open door and then waited for
the journeyman to follow. "How are you settling into the Hall, sir? I
seem to remember you only recently transferred here."

"I've come to enjoy the familiarity and solidarity, and I always did
enjoy teaching," Eionen said, falling into step with her. "Thank you
for asking. How have you enjoyed your life here?"

"I have been very happy. Luckily Master Eilomar and I were able to
move here shortly after our wedding." She would not have wanted to
live at the Weyr long term as other Harper's wives had done after the
burning of the previous Hall.

"That's wonderful. I'm glad to hear things have been going well for
you," Eionen said, even as he felt a brief pang of envy. He smothered
it, though, not wanting to sour anything. "I wish you both continued
happiness and harmony."

"Thank you," she said with a slight blush, not knowing if what she and
Master Eilomar as much 'happiness and harmony' as 'comfort and
contentment', though that was just fine with her. "I'm sorry,
Journeyman, but I don't know if you have family at the Hall."

"I- No, not here. I used to, but my parents passed away some time
ago." The tall redhead paused, and told her something he had only told
his old friend Maerin. "I have two children at Dragonsfall Weyr. My
daughter is apprenticed to the Weyr harpers as a singer, and my son is
a bronzerider. I- I'm very proud of them. I hear about them from a
friend of theirs." He needed to write Genna again, actually, see how
she had been doing.

This news was not as shocking to Merlish as it may have been to others
at the Hall. "Indeed? Have you been there? Master Eilomar's
daughter and grandson live at Dragonsfall, but I have not yet been to
that Weyr. Only Dolphin Cove."

"Once," Eionen admitted. "I didn't know the Mastersinger had family
there. How did you like Dolphin Cove? The last time I was there, it
was pouring rain."

The question always made Merlish uncomfortable. After all, the Weyr
had been most generous to allow the Harpers to keep their Hall there
while a more suitable location could be found. But it was so very
alien to anything she had known, and there had been many a clash of
culture. "I found the climate quite pleasant," she finally said,
latching on to his talk of the weather as a safe topic. "Master
Eilomar and I enjoyed walking on the beaches." As long as the
dragonriders kept their clothes on.

"Oh, the beach," her momentary companion sighed dreamily. "I do miss
that. There's very little like picnicking with fellow travelers on a
beach."

Unfortunately most of their meals had been taken indoors, so Merlish
really couldn't say much on that score. "I am sure that's so. But I
think the mountains around Emerald Falls also provide an excellent
backdrop for a picnic."

Eionen glanced out a window as they passed it, head tilting
thoughtfully. "I agree," he said. "That's another thing I like about
being here: The scenery. I should stop and appreciate it more often."

"I suppose it is easy to take for granted the view you see out your
window every day." They rounded a corner and were at the Choir
Master's door at last. "Thank you for your help, Journeyman. It was
much appreciated."

"My pleasure, Merlish," the journeyman said, inclining his head
politely. "I hope you and the Mastersinger enjoy your lunch together."

Last updated on the July 6th 2017

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