Strong Enough

Writers: Bree, Dana
Date Posted: 18th December 2006

Characters: Fielton, Ailyn
Description: Fielton asks Ailyn if she would like to switch from bossing him around to bossing the entire Hall around.
Location: Vintner Hall
Date: month 13, day 29 of Turn 3

Fielton

Ailyn

"She looks very happy," Ailyn murmured softly as she came to stand at the Hallmaster's side, eyes following the cook and her husband as they whirled around the dance floor. "And so does he."

Fielton didn't take his eyes off the pair, though he struggled to compose his features into a slightly more passive expression. "They do indeed," he replied, more envious of Daigoro than he wanted to admit. Badia had never looked at him in quite that way... not even after they'd been married for a few months.

Shards, she wished he wouldn't do that. The Hallmaster had seemed so...approachable a few moments ago, before he had pulled that harsh mask back on. Ailyn couldn't quite name what she had seen in his face, but something in her had responded to it--had made her want to approach him.
Determined not to feel awkward--after all, _she_ had no reason to--she folded her hands lightly together. "Turn's End could not have come at a better time, I think. Everyone has needed this. The lights, the music, the dancing..."

"I hope it raises spirits." Though he'd never been much of a gentleman, Fielton knew the proper thing to do next. And maybe dancing would keep Ailyn from asking her inevitable too-pressing questions. "Would you like to dance, Ailyn?"

She studied him for a moment; handsome, stern face with an equally stern expression to match. But she had seen a sort of...vulnerability there but moments before. It intrigued her. Maybe there _was_ a decent man beneath the wry sarcasm. Maybe. "I would, Hallmaster."

Fielton waited for her to put her hand into his, and lead her into the dancing. Dancing was not something that had come naturally to him at first, but he had done his best to learn how to do it perfectly while he'd still been Hallsecond. Embarrassing himself by stepping on the feet of Lady Holders and their well-bred daughters was out of the question, after all.

"I saw Jielta earlier," Ailyn said, attempting to make conversation as they swept across the dancing square. "She looked so happy." As if a great weight had been lifted from the girl's shoulders. Not that she could really say the same about Fielton...

"I'm thinking about taking her on a trip to visit her sister," Fielton said, figuring it would be a safe enough topic. "The girls haven't seen each other since Fieyaz was sent to foster at the Smith Hall."

She peered up at him, admittedly surprised. It was about time he took his own family under his wing again...perhaps he was starting to realize just how important it was for him to be there for his children? "That is very good of you."

He wasn't going to mention his intentions to discuss trade matters with the new Lord Warder then, not when Ailyn had finally stopped looking at him as if he was a misbehaving boy who deserved a rap on the knuckles with a wooden spoon. Though that ability made him wonder if he could coax her to come to the Hall and rap a few knuckles. He'd been without a Headwoman for a long time. "So what are you doing with yourself now?"

A dark brow arched in query.

Fielton frowned. "Did I say something confusing?"

Her expression was wryly amused. Obviously he wasn't often asked to specify much. "You mean, what am I doing with myself at the Hold?"

"Yes. Now that you won't be looking after my children anymore."

She shrugged a delicate shoulder as he spun her expertly out of the way of another couple. "I figure I would help anyone who needs an extra pair of hands--for anything." Ailyn needed to keep herself busy. It helped ease the ache inside of her.

"How would you feel about helping out in the Hall?" he asked, trying to keep his voice casual. He didn't like asking people for things unless he knew they were going to agree. Being turned down tended to provoke his temper.

The Hall... She and Firon were going to move there with the beginning of this new Turn. Her throat felt tight suddenly, and she looked down to recover her composure. Shards. **I can't think of him now.** Looking back up, she met his eyes steadily. "Do you need my help, Hallmaster?"

"I need _someone_'s help," he replied gruffly. "And since you seem more than willing to tell me exactly what's on your mind, maybe you'd be good at keeping everyone else in line."

Unabashed, Ailyn felt the corners of her lips curve into a grin--briefly.
"Perhaps. But it sounds like you're offering me a rather...high position.
Or am I wrong in that assumption?" The dry amusement was back. Why couldn't he just speak clearly to her?

"You're not wrong. I need a Headwoman. It's not as prestigious as being Headwoman of a Hold or Weyr, but it's still a good work." Not the sort of work that required experience exactly, as much as a firm will and the ability to keep people in line. And if Ailyn could make _him_ feel guilty, she should have no problem setting the Hall to rights.

Headwoman... Shards. Under normal circumstances, she would have asked if she could think on making such a big decision before announcing her intentions one way or another. But since the quake...nothing had been normal. And what better way to stay busy and try and fill the aching part of her than to be Headwoman of the Hall? She didn't have much experience in that department, but if she could be strong enough.... "And you're sure you want _me_ to fill the position?" she asked after a long moment, expression serious when she tilted her head up to look at him.

Fielton twirled her out of the way of a couple who had obviously had too much to drink, glad that he'd spent so many candlemarks practicing. "I'd like to give it a try. Maybe a few months to see how it works?"

After another, longer, moment, Ailyn nodded slowly. And it would be good to keep on seeing Fielton's children. She'd grown especially fond of them over the long months they had stayed with her. Sometimes they lessened the ache. "I'd like to try as well, Hallmaster."

"Good. There's already a nice set of rooms upstairs set aside for whomever takes the post. Let me know if you have any things that need moving...
I'll send a few apprentices to help you."

She nodded. "I will."

As the song wound to a close, Fielton moved them back toward the edge of the dance square before releasing her. Putting on his best manners, he gave her a polite bow that didn't quite make up for the stern set of his features. "I look forward to working with you, my lady." And he _certainly_ looked forward to having her too busy to poke her nose into his personal life, though he assured himself hastily that he hadn't assigned her to an important position on such a flimsy excuse.

Last updated on the December 20th 2006

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