Fate and Duty

Writers: Miriah, Suzee
Date Posted: 4th December 2020

Characters: Riadem, Noriya, Nortise
Description: Riadem and Noriya dance at Bryvin's wedding
Location: Sunstone Seahold
Date: month 5, day 24 of Turn 10
Notes: Mentioned: Bryvin, Asaile, Yriadha

Riadem walked along the edges of the dance, watching the couples move
to the steady beat of the fast-paced reel. He didn't feel like dancing
to something that made so many laugh and smile, not when his own
heart felt like a leaden weight in his chest. Even his own mother was
dancing, but at least it wasn't with Bryvin; he seemed to be
conversing with an elderly Lord Holder. His eyes searched the crowd,
but he didn't find _her_, the one he most wanted and also dreaded
seeing.

His demands to Bryvin for the entirety of his inheritance had fallen
on deaf ears. The man had refused him and his claims, despite the
fact that he was the eldest son of his mother. It had been all he
would have been able to offer Noriya. But he'd hoped, even without
it, she would have accepted his proposal. He should have known before
he'd asked her that she'd never agree without her family's consent and
they hadn't given it. He was just a Healer and he'd not even received
his Master knots. It was hopeless and his heart broken when she'd
refused him with unshed tears in her own eyes.

He loved her. Utterly. And he knew, deep in his own heart, that she
felt the same but couldn't speak of it. His eyes found her in the
crowd. She wasn't dancing, but she looked so beautiful. She always
looked beautiful, but now there seemed to be a resigned hopelessness
in her that echoed his own. He couldn't resist going to her, moving
to stand beside her. He said nothing at first, then sighed. "How is my
Lady today?"

She looked at him for a moment with her heart in her eyes and sadness
almost overwhelmed her. Then she closed them for a moment and opened
them again with an appropriate sentiment on her lips. "I am very happy
for Lady Asaile. She is so happy with her Lord."

The look in her eyes almost broke his heart into further pieces and he
had to look away for a moment. "Yes, she is." **If only she knew what
he was really like. I wish for one moment that I could tell her what
kind of man she married.** But it would do little good and only cause
more harm; he doubted Bryvin would ever forgive or forget any such
action. Riadem's eyes moved to stare daggers at the Lord Holder if
only for a moment before he lowered them.

He looked back at Noriya and as the music changed to something softer
and sweeter, he offered his hand. "One dance with me?" He shouldn't
torture either of them with the dance, but he wanted her in his arms
if only for a short time.

She shouldn't and she knew it but she put her hand in his anyway and
allowed him to lead her to the floor.

His eyes were only for her at that moment and for a while, while he
began to dance with her, he could imagine that the music was just for
them. She was in his arms and moving with such grace with him that his
eyes shone with his feelings for her; he couldn't help it. "Noriya...I
wish.." He fell silent then he spoke softly for her ears alone.
"There's so many things that I wish for."

"I know," she said, not looking at him as they danced. She could feel
her mother's eyes on her and knew exactly what she would say when she
finally returned to her side. "But I can't Riadem," she said his name
with all the intensity of her feelings. Then she looked at him.
"Certainly not after what Oufelle has done running away to the Weyr.
I just can't go against my family."

"I know. I understand." His quiet answer was choked with emotion. "I
just...I love you." He held her just a fraction closer. "So much." His
thumb stroked over her fingers held in his hand, just enough for her
to feel the caress. "Can you say that you don't feel that way for me?
Can you tell me...just once? I'd just like to hear you say it one
time."

"No, I can't say that," she said with tears trembling on her lashes.
"You know how much I care for you. But it doesn't matter, my family is
unforgiving and my mother is watching me."

His chest ached, both at the tears in her eyes, her steadfast refusal,
and his own hopeless love for the woman in his arms. He wished that
he could flame both her family and Bryvin to /between/, and even his
own mother for not trying harder to convince Bryvin. Riadem longed to
press his lips to her brow, to comfort her, to hold her close, but
knew that it was impossible. "I will always love you, Noriya," he
started softly and firmly. "You will always have my heart." As the
music began to slow, then finally stop, he pulled back, then bowed
over her hand. He took that chance then, to press his lips against
her knuckles fervently. "Always."

Tears filled her eyes, she did love him even if she was forbidden from
speaking the word. "I must marry blood Riadem. You know that. It's no
one's fault, it just is."

"I know." He murmured quietly. "But that doesn't change how I feel. I
won't love any other woman but you. You always and only." He bowed
over her hand again and stepped away. "I give you my oath on that."
His eyes were tormented as he turned away, walking towards the crowd
and away from the woman he loved.

Noriya tried valiantly to regain her composure and walked directly to
her mother who looked at her concerned the whole way.

"I'm sorry sweetheart," Nortise peered into her daughter's face. Her
Noriya had always been so bidable and smart. She had a fine head on
her shoulders unlike most of the other young ladies that had come here
in hopes of attaching Lord Bryvin. "Too bad Lord Bryvin didn't pick
you love. You'd have made him a fine Lady Holder."

Noriya shook her head and watched her friend dancing with a half smile
curving her lips. "But I don't love him mama," she said. "Asaile does
though, with her whole heart. She'll be good for him. I think that's
what he needs. Someone who actually loves him." She shuddered.

"What's wrong? He is handsome and tall and a good dancer. Why couldn't
you fall for him instead of some no name Healer?" Nortise's tone
implied some failing in her daughter's approach.

Maybe it was because she wasn't half in love with the Lord Holder,
but there was just something about him she couldn't entirely like. She
couldn't quite put her finger on what it was exactly. "I don't know
mama," she said. "But my heart is gone with Riadem. so if you're going
to find me another match. just do it."

"Noriya," her mother gasped.

"What?" She turned sad eyes to the identical pair in her mothers face.
"I know what I am, a broodmare for the Garnet Valley line. It is my
fate and duty."

Last updated on the December 14th 2020

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Fate and Duty