A Convenient Marriage (1/2)

Writers: Estelle, Miriah
Date Posted: 29th October 2020
Series: The Assassin's Husband

Characters: Lorican, Lusilk, Dunrik, Silgan
Description: Lorican marries Lusilk
Location: Barrier Lake Weyr
Date: month 6, day 5 of Turn 10
Notes: Mentioned: Jayzine, Varlin

Pt 1

Lusilk

The ceremony had been short and sweet and something she'd never
imagined she would actually do. Dunrik and Jayzine had stood as
witnesses with the Harper, but surprisingly a few staff and Dunrik's
apprentices had been in attendance as well. The dress she'd worn, a
light pewter grey had actually been loaned to her, but the delicate
embroidery had been lovely. A drudge had taken the time to create a
crown of flowers for her loosened hair that somehow matched the
embroidery.

Silgan stood proud, his little chest puffed out, as he watched the
Harper bind her and Lorican together officially. And as she looked at
Lorican, she felt like a bride. It was a funny feeling to know that
this man, this shy, blushing man, was now officially her husband. Her
eyes watered, but it wasn't out of happiness. **Varlin...why?** She
had to push the thought away and offered Lorican a smile; let him
believe it was for him and she was completely content with it.

The hands that held hers throughout the ceremony were callused from
turns of holding a hammer and seemed large in comparison to hers. He
looked almost proud, it seemed to her. It made what was going to
happen feel like it would be harder to do. Harder on him. She felt a
momentary frisson of guilt. But as the vows were spoken, she met
Lorican's eyes and didn't stumble over the words once. Then, she
couldn't look away. It wasn't possible. She felt a warmth in her
chest. Her husband.

When he'd seen her in her simple wedding dress, her dark hair tumbling
loose around her shoulders and entwined with the pale petals of flowers,
Lorican had caught his breath, his eyes going wide in awe. Since he'd
known her, Lusilk had always been tough and practical, with a biting wit
that cut as keenly as her dagger, always wary and alert to danger. Now
she seemed...gentler, a soft glimmer in her eye, and he felt a sudden,
overwhelming desire to hold her close, to promise her the kind of life
she should have had, far from the shadows and darkness she'd come from.
To learn more about this unexpected side to her, now that they had the
rest of their lives to do so.

He'd tried to let that silent promise speak through the words of the
marriage vows, and to put aside the bittersweet memory of his hope that
one day, he'd have been standing before the harper with Urlene. When it
was done, with the applause and congratulations of the witnesses ringing
in his ears, he smiled down at her, then drew her close and bent his
head to kiss his new wife.

"Are you happy?" he asked, softly, as their lips parted.

The kiss stunned her. It was gentle and so sweet that it rocked her;
she wasn't used to sweetness from any partner. Lust, certainly, but
not that gentle touch that completely threw her. There was a quick
intake of breath as he pulled away and her eyes held nothing of her
usual cynicism. She stared up at Lorican, and that bloom of warmth
spread for this good, gentle man who held her so closely. At that
moment, she didn't have to lie to him. For that moment, she could hold
on to what he was silently promising her before she had to ruthlessly
discard it. "Yes." Then she smiled. A wide, honest, happy smile that
very few people had ever seen from her. "Yes, I am."

Silgan darted forward, hugging Lorican around the leg tightly. Lusilk
looked down and smiled gently at her son, running a hand through his
hair. He would not be staying with them that night. Dunrik had offered
to care for him at his cothold so the newly married couple could have
privacy and while she'd initially wanted to decline the offer, for
Silgan's safety, she believed the smith was capable of protecting him
for one evening.

Lorican looked down at the bright eyes that were turned up towards him.
"Hello, son," he said, softly, and patted the boy's shoulder. Then he
smiled. "Are you looking forward to staying with Master Dunrik and
Rikol? If you're very good, perhaps he might show you around the forge
before bedtime."

The word 'son' made Silgan beam even brighter, clearly pleased. At
that moment, Lorican was his favorite person in the entire word. He
had a Da and one that liked him! He nodded vigorously, and looked over
at the smith and his son.

Dunrik approached, patting Lorican on the shoulder and bent to kiss
Lusilk's cheek, which she surprisingly allowed. "Congratulations to
both of you. About time, I say." He winked at Lorican. "Now, can't
afford for you to stop working for more than a few days, mind, but as
soon as you've achieved your Masters level, I think I might be able to
help out with a real vacation for both of you, if you don't mind
waiting. I can pull a few strings and it'll be my treat as a gift to
both of you."He looked down at Silgan and offered his hand. "Come on,
boyo. I've found you a hammer all your own you can use. Want to try it
out?" Silgan grinned, immediately interested and let go of Lorican,
taking Dunrik's hand while he bounced with excitement.
Dunkrik chuckled and looked at Lorican. "Try not to overextend yourself
before you come back. to the forge."

Lusilk gave a wry, smug little smile. "I'm afraid he can't make that
promise."

Thoroughly embarrassed, Lorican ducked his head and squeezed her waist a
little tighter. "Well, seems like my wife's in charge now, Master
Dunrik. But I'll be back at the forge when I'm needed, no matter what,
uh, condition I'm in." The prospect of his Master's knots gave him a
momentary pang, now that his original reason for earning them - to
request a post back at Dolphin Cove - no longer existed. Still, they'd
give an extra level of protection to Lusilk and Silgan, and he couldn't
deny he'd be honored by the recognition of his Craft. "Thank you, sir."

She leaned in to speak softly. "Only now?" Lusilk arched a brow and
lightly nudged his side before turning to Dunrik. "Thank you, Master
Dunrik. I promise to get him back to you in one piece." She slipped her
arm around his waist, enjoying the warmth at her side. "And thank you
for taking Silgan in tonight. I'll come for him in the afternoon. "

That brought a chuckle. "There's no rush."

Lusilk nodded with another smile. "Thank you. " With her arm around
Lorican's waist, she said her good evenings to the others and began
leading Lorican away to the laughter and snickers of the others.

As they reached the bottom of the stairs leading up to the staff
quarters, there were still plenty of people milling around, going in and
out of the dining hall. Lorican caught sight of a few knowing looks from
his fellow crafters at the sight of him with Lusilk in her bridal gown.
He thought back over all the months of nudges and winks, of Lusilk's
wicked little smirk when she was mocking his holder scruples - which
made him feel hot all over just to think of it - and he decided that
unless he wanted to spend the rest of his life as a victim of endless
teasing, it was time to get a little of his own back.

He looked down at her, considering, and remembered his training, the
lessons learned from many humiliating defeats at her hands. **Don't do
what she expects.** After waiting just long enough for her to wonder
what he was thinking, he bent, scooped her up in his arms before she
could object and proceeded up the spiral stairs in full view of the
weyrfolk, pretending not to notice the laughter and cheers and hoping he
wouldn't trip. He didn't stop until he got to the door of her
apartments, fumbled it open and stepped inside.

"What the...Hey!" Her exclamation of surprise was followed by her own
laughter and she grabbed hold of his shoulders and and back for support.
Her feet gave a little kick, but after a token false show of struggling,
relaxed and let him carry her. She snickered to herself until he
stepped onto their rooms holding still so she wasn't accidentally dropped.

Last updated on the November 11th 2020

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A Convenient Marriage (1/2)