Only for a Short Time

Writers: AL, Kaysea
Date Posted: 10th October 2008

Characters: Luter, Alia
Description: Luter spends the morning with his family before leaving for Emerald Falls Hold again.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 12, day 12 of Turn 4
Notes: Green Valley Hold

He didn't like to leave the small holding for longer than a day or so, but this time would be the longest since they had settled at Green Valley Hold. But he had promised Lord Holder Corowal that he would return to the main Hold when Gentle Bess was due to foal, and by his reckoning, that was anytime with the sevenday.

He had made sure to leave instructions for the two mares he currently had in foal, since they would also foal within the next month, and they would start his new line. It wasn't a good time to leave, but he had much to be grateful to Corowal for and a promise was a promise and he was a man of his word.

He left the stable and made his way across the courtyard to the main house. Alia had been making his morning meal when he left earlier, and his stomach had been rumbling for the past candlemark, so hopefully the meal would still be warm.

Alia was bent to the oven when he opened the door. He watched her for a moment, before closing the door. He would always be grateful to his father for allowing him on that fateful trip to the Weyr - and the chance to meet his future wife. "Is there any left?" he asked as she turned to greet him.

The woman turned, a smile greeting her husband. From underneath the table where she played with a doll while her brother lay on his back at the floor, bubbling up at the furniture, Siri looked up and squealed in delight. She popped out from under the table and threw herself at her father. "Daddy! Daddy! Daddy!"

"Of course, darling, there is plenty left. Siri, let your daddy sit down and eat dear."

"Hello sweetling." Luter picked up his daughter and gave her their ritual morning snuggle. The three year old giggled in delight as he nuzzled her neck and then blew bubbles against her skin.

"Sit, eat." Alia pointed at the kitchen table with a spoon, around which there were several stools, empty since the morning rush in the dining hall had pretty much cleared out. Alia had kept some food warm knowing her husband would be along later than the rest.

He moved around to his wife and slipped an arm around her waist, dropping a kiss on her cheek. "Thank you, my love." he said, slipping into a seat at the table. "I'm going to miss your miss your cooking, while I'm gone." he said, looking to the plate before him.

"Are you sure?" Alia laughed softly and turned back to the oven to take another peak at the bread. The extra minute or two from her husband's distraction had been enough and she took up potholders and began to pluck them from within. "Surely you'll be grateful for someone else's cooking. After all, I do belive you've accused me on more than one occasion of trying to poison you."

"Yes, but you've improved since then." he retorted, ducking his head at the expected swat she usually aimed at him. "But seriously, I'll miss your cooking, and you, and the children..." he only stopped listing the things he would miss when he took a mouthful of breakfast.

"You won't miss me." Alia sniffed dramatically, one pot holder wrapped hand fluttering over heart. "Alas, I am unloved."

He almost choked on his food in his hurry to clear his mouth, "I said I'd miss you!" he exclaimed, spinning around to face her, "I'll miss your cooking, I'll miss _you_ and the children... But - mainly your cooking." he finished with a grin.

"You are a bad liar." After Alia took the last loaf of bread out of the oven, she flung a potholder at his head. "Now look what you made me do."

Siri, who had climbed back under the table, scrambled out once more to pick up the potholder and rush it over to her mother. "Here mommy!"

"What did I make you do?" he turned around to her once more, an innocent look on his face, "All I did was compliment your cooking, and what do I get for my trouble?" His hand sneaked out and grabbed the back of her skirts. "Come here, woman."

Alia squealed, then laughed as she was 'forced' over to her husband and fell into his lap. Siri giggled jumping up and down.

"What do I get for my troubles?" he asked, his eyebrows raising in question, as he winked at his daughter.

"Let me go you brute." Alia smacked one of the potholders over Luter's head as she tried to wriggle out of his grasp.

Siri stood beside them laughing and giggling, she was used to her parents lighthearted playing and tried to join in when she could. "Mummy, mummy don't hit daddy!" she laughed and playfully tried to grab the potholder from her mothers hand.

"But he's been bad!" Alia insisted tugging with her child for a moment before releasing the potholder. "He needs a spanking."

"No! Daddy not get spanked!" the child was adamant and took the stance her mother often did when telling her off. Her left hand on hip and right hand wagging a finger in her mothers direction.

Luter let out a bark of laughter as he saw just how much like her mother she was. "I recognise that look!" he finally choked out.

"Oh hush." Alia wriggled out of Luter's grasp. "You're food's cold by now I'm sure. Eat!"

"Alright, but I will expect something off you once I'm finished."

"Oh?" Alia glanced over at Siri who, had by that time turned back to her brother under the table. "What, exactly?"

"Hmmmm... let me think on it." he laughed softly, hoisting Siri onto his lap in place of her mother, "You know I'm going to be away for almost a sevenday, so I'll need something to tide me over."

"I wish you didn't have to go." Alia stated, turning the tide on her mood.

"I do as well, but I did promise I'd be there for the delivery. My reputation as a breeder will rest on the next couple of foals that are born."

"It would be easier if there was more of a definite timeline." Alia watched as Siri wriggled from her father's lap. "She could go overdue by a full two sevendays, like Shaisi did."

"Yes, I know, but I'm hoping the dates I gave Corowal are almost exact. If they are I'll be home by the end of the next sevenday." he chucked Siri under the chin, "And I should be back for little ones birthingday."

"My birthday!" Siri threw her hands up and began to run around the room laughing.

Alia shook her head. "I just hope that foal comes in a timely fashion."

"It will..." he nodded, "I can't be late back, someone is counting on me being here." he said, his eyes following his daughter around the table. "Is there anything she would really like, do you think?" he had seen one of her hair ties out in the yard, trampled underfoot, and wondered if more ribbons would please her?

"Anything. As long as it's just for her." Alia laughed and moved back over to her husband to plant a kiss upon his head. "Eat. Your food must be as cold as if it sat in the snow by now."

"It is." he said taking a bite of the cold meat and pulling a face. "But it still tastes good."

"I suppose that's the mark of a good cook." Alia patted his back and grinned. "It's good even when it's cold. Now eat up."

He didn't speak for a while, finishing the meal she had prepared for him. He would really miss this, being with Alia and the children, though Tomi, down on the floor wasn't up to more than crawling around, he was still a presence. Pushing away his finished plate, Luter pushed his chair away from the table and leaning down, scooped up his son in his hands. "And will my little man miss me?" he asked, as Tomi's eyes met his, and the child let out a gurgle.

"I think that means no because you don't lactate." Alia laughed brightly and danced out of Luter's reach.

"Your mummy's too smart for words, isn't she?" he asked the child, aware his wife was only paces behind him. "Well dear ones, I have to get back out to the stables and make sure the wagon and horses are hitched correctly." he stood up and passed the baby to Alia. "I'll be leaving in a candlemark, and I need to make sure Horgan is ready, too." He said, referring to one of the workers.

"Don't you go running off without saying goodbye." Alia chided good naturedly as she shifted the child in her arms. "Otherwise you might not be able to come back!"

"I wouldn't leave without coming in for a farewell kiss from my sweetheart," he said with a smile, then turned to Siri, "would I little one?" He turned around and gave Alia a wink and an airborn kiss, and quickly exited the room before he could be delayed further. He would use any excuse to stay a little bit longer with his family, but he knew the longer he left leaving, the longer it would take to return.

Last updated on the October 11th 2008

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Only for a Short Time