Uncertain Futures

Writers: Yvonne
Date Posted: 20th April 2024

Characters: Elana, Panna
Description: Elana and her great aunt Panna wait for the results from the Conclave and discuss the Hold's future - and their own.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 10, day 12 of Turn 11

The candlemarks were stubborn in their refusal to melt. Elana glared at the tallow candle at the corner, then threw her mending aside in disgust. Letting out little Collyn's trousers - _again_ - could wait until tomorrow. It wasn't as if the tot was waiting on them.

The Conclave was today. The Conclave that would decide the Hold's fate-- her fate. Someone would have to step in with the Lord Holder gone, especially since they had no Steward or Headwoman. Either it was the Lord Holder's eldest son, Corofel, or it would be some... some _stranger_.

She wasn't sure what she preferred.

Elana bit her lip and rose from her seat to stare out the window. It was narrow, as was appropriate to guard against Thread, but she could see a slice of the Hold wall and the verdant green forests beyond. It seemed both fragile and menacing, those dark green shadows able to hide bandits and murderers as easily as they could be melted away by Thread.

There was a light knock at the door as Panna entered. The elderly lady leaned heavily on her cane but managed a smile when she saw Elana. "I hope I'm not disturbing you?"

"You couldn't," Elana said. This was Panna's suite, after all. "Any news?"

"None. The Conclave is still going on." Panna locked the door, then settled into her usual chair with a sigh. "I suspect that the Lords will uphold Corofel's claim, much to our detriment. He's a know-nothing boy. He hasn't even been here for Turns. What good is it to have an inexperienced child wearing knots in times like these?"

"You don't know that." Elana wasn't sure if she was referring to the heir or the Conclave's decisions. How had she ever become interested in politics? She was just a woman... **But I'm still smarter than those puffed up Blooded men.**

Her great-aunt sighed. "Ach, Elana. I forget that you are so young... what on Pern is that young pup going to do to scare those Holdless into behaving? He couldn't frighten a trundlebug."

"Don't judge people before you have even met or seen them. He might be very smart, and terrifying."

Panna's gaze sharpened. "Having a potential heir come home, young and unmarried... that wouldn't shape your view at all, would it?"

Elana sniffed. "Don't be ridiculous." Of course it had crossed her mind. It had crossed the mind of every single unmarried woman at the Hold.

The elderly woman chuckled. "Oh Elana my dear, you have as much of a chance at attracting that young man's eye as you have Impressing a gold dragon."

Elana bristled. "It's not impossible--"

Panna's sharp eyes took in her beautiful niece-- but missed nothing. "Perhaps your first thought ought to be heading home for a Turn until all this nonsense settles down. Emerald Falls Hold isn't safe for you right now."

"Absolutely not," Elana snapped. "I'm twenty one Turns old, Aunt Panna. It might be dangerous here but I don't have much time left. If I don't stay, if I don't find a match..." she trailed off.

"I hate that Pern has reduced its young women to this," Panna said softly. "You could be so much more than a marriage, Elana."

"Maybe I could have been, but I can't now." Elana crossed the room and knelt before her great-aunt to take her wrinkled hands in her own. "Things have changed since the Plague. If I don't secure a good match... there's nothing for me, Auntie. I can't... if I can't be a wife and mother, I can't do _anything_"

Panna gripped her hands in her own. "You could Craft--"

But Elana laughed. "Auntie, I'm too old to apprentice even if a Crafthall decided to let me in. You know it and I know it. I have no options... I can marry, or I can go home and take care of my brother's children. I have no interest in that."

"I don't want you to get hurt." Panna's hands tightened around Elana's. "You are talented and smart, and you are young. I don't care if some Holdless brigand comes for me but I couldn't bear it if anything happened to you. Your parents entrusted you to me to foster, and they would never forgive me."

"I will be just fine, Auntie." Elana smiled with more bravado than she felt. "In a few months time I'm sure that we'll all be laughing about this."

"I hope you're right."

Elana smiled and kissed her great-aunt on the cheek. It was a nice little lie, but if it kept her at Emerald Falls Hold then it would be enough. Better to brave some danger for the chance at a better life than to hide at home and end up a miserable old maid. Her choices were limited but she still had a choice-- and a chance. And she wasn't going to let some stupid Holdless idiots take it away from her.

Last updated on the April 22nd 2024

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Uncertain Futures