It's Not Fair

Writers: Yvonne
Date Posted: 23rd September 2019

Characters: Elana
Description: Elana receives a letter from her mother informing her of Alina's weyrmating
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 12, day 15 of Turn 9
Notes: Mentioned: Alina, J'ackt, Elibra (NPC)

The runner found her at the evening meal to press a beat-up looking envelope into her hands. Elana slipped it into her l=pocket and waited until she was in her room, alone, before taking it out and unfolding it. It was from her mother. Elana's hands shook as she read it.

~*~

Dearest Elana,

You'll never believe what's happened. I can hardly believe it myself. Your sister has married the bronzerider J'ackt. You'll remember him-- he was Holdless before he was a Candidate with your sister, and his dragon was the one who walked on Alina at the Hatching. He came to meet us a few sevendays ago and seems to be quite a nice young man, perhaps a bit quiet. I was surprised that I liked him as much as I did but I trust your sister's judgement. People can and do change. We held a celebration for them at Nadol Cothold yesterday. I wish you could have been there! We had music and dancing, and two other dragonriders came who introduced themselves as J'ackt's parents, which surprised me as I remember him being orphaned when we went to the Weyr for Imarith's Hatching. None the less, your sister has welcomed him into our family, and so have we.

I look forward to hearing of your engagement and having a proper wedding. I'm not sure about these Weyr traditions. They call it 'weyrmating' and apparently it's different than marriage but no one has fully explained to me how. I hope your fostering with Aunt Panna is well. Please send her my love.

Much love to you as well. I am anxious to hear how you are faring, and if any young men have caught your fancy!

Your mother

~*~

Thankfully she'd chosen to read the letter alone in her room. Thankfully she'd kept her mouth shut about her sister. Because this was a _disaster_. Elana felt heartsick. **How could you!?**

She stood and began to pace her tiny room. Alina had married-- weyrmated-- to J'ackt?! Her hands balled into fists. **Stupid!!** He would hurt her. He wasn't to be trusted. He was a murderous _criminal_ and he was now sleeping beside her twin! She remembered meeting him at the Harper Hall two Turnovers back-- not only was he a criminal, he was unpleasant and rude. It was only a matter of time before he turned on Alina.

What the heck did she see in J'ackt, anyway!? He must have tricked her somehow.

And if anyone found out... a chill washed down her spine. Just the day before someone had played that tune about J'ackt in the dining room. He wasn't a well-liked figure at Emerald Falls Hold and if anyone found out that her own twin sister had married him, she'd be ostracized. Ruined for life!

And worse, she hadn't even been invited to their wedding. Elana sat down on her bed in a huff. **Weyrmated. Whatever!** Furiously she folded the letter as small as it would go and stuffed it beneath her pillow. It wasn't _fair_. Alina had no right to attach herself to someone like J'ackt. She had no right to make decisions that would ruin Elana's life. And she had no business getting married before Elana herself! **I'm older. I'm prettier. I should get to be married first!**

Worst of all, she had no way to fix the situation. If Alina was closer she could have turned her sister against J'ackt from the first day, but now there was no _way_ she could allow Alina to come visit her at the Hold. Everyone would _know_. She sniffled. "It's not fair," she whispered. To her horror, two hot tears slipped down her cheeks.

And for the first time in ages, Elana couldn't think of a good way to turn this bit of news in her favour.

Last updated on the October 14th 2019

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It's Not Fair