A Thoughtful Gift

Writers: Heather, Miriah
Date Posted: 28th April 2019
Series: The Hallmaster's New Wife

Characters: Thayde, Enamra
Description: Thayde brings a gift to his new wife
Location: Dolphin Hall
Date: month 10, day 27 of Turn 9
Notes: Mentioned: Jylanya

Thayde

Enamra

Thayde was rather proud of himself as he carried a box tucked under
his arm and entered his quarters. As had become the usual over the
past couple of days, Enamra already had dinner prepared and the room
was spotless. It really was nice, he decided, coming home to a meal
rather than having to fend for himself in the Dining Hall.

"Enamra?" he called for his young wife, not seeing her immediately.

"I'm in here." Enamra called out from the storage room, where
rummaging was heard. "Do you have any needles? Or thread?" She poked
her head out, a smear of dust spread over her nose. "A pair of your
trousers need to be mended and I can't find what I need. " She paused,
seeing the box. "What's that?"

"I got you a little something, well, it's the first of a few things
really." Thayde admitted as he handed her the box. He had plenty of
marks saved up from his Turns as a bachelor, might as well use them.

"You got me something?" She smiled with excitement and hurried over to
the table with the box, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear.
"It's not even my birthingday." Enamra bounced a little on her toes
before opening the box and as she saw the folded dress, she gasped. "A
new dress?" Quickly pulling it out, she held it up. "Oh...it's so
pretty! And it's blue! That's my favorite color!" She peeked inside
the box and pulled out the wherhide slippers that matched the dress.
"And shoes!" She hugged the gifts to her for a moment, then laid them
down and on impulse lifted up on her toes to hug Thayde tightly around
the neck. "Thank you!" She kissed his cheek, then turned back to her
dress, holding up to herself. "It's perfect!" She looked up at him.
"But I didn't get you anything."

"Of course you have," Thayde said, cheek still lightly tingling from
the kiss. He jerked his thumb toward their dining room table, "You
have dinner prepared every evening, you keep the quarters clean, and
most importantly, you deserve nice things."

The bright smile remained on her lips and in her eyes, clearing
marking the simple joy she took in his gift. He hadn't had to give her
anything, she would have continued to do what he was thankful for
without the need for anything in return. That he felt she deserved it
warmed her. "I'm going to go try it on. Give me a moment." She carried
the dress into their bedroom closing the door behind her. Shimmying
out of her plain gown, she slid the new over her shift and quickly
tied the laces at the back. She inhaled, stroking down the skirts and
reveled in the soft material. The gown did dip lower in the front, the
square neckline cut just low enough to reveal the swells of the curves
that she had begun to develop, and the bodice far more fitted than the
baggy drudge dresses she was used to. Giggling with happiness, she
stepped out and held out her arms. "How does it look?"

Thayde's throat felt suspiciously dry as his wife came back into the
room looking more like a woman and less like a girl. He had not
anticipated what a properly fitted dress would do for her figure. Her
face looked radiant, he thought, and her smile was breathtaking,
transforming her features.

"You look great," he said. "The dress fits? It's comfortable?"

"It's very comfortable." She spun just a little, letting the skirt
flare out around her calves. "It's a little roomy around the middle
and hips, but maybe it's supposed to be like that." She stopped with
a laugh, catching herself at the table before she could get dizzy.
"How did you know what would fit me?"

The dolphineer grinned a little. "I snuck out with one of your dresses
so the tailor could get the measurements right. She still has it. If
you're happy with this dress and feel as though it fits, she's got
others in the works. A few more for day wear, a couple of nicer ones
for special occasions, and some beach clothes."

Enamra stared at him, her mouth parted in surprise. "You're getting me
more clothes? Thayde, you don't have to do all that. I don't need
much." Even as she spoke, she stroked her hands down her new dress
with obvious pleasure and delight. Still, she paused and with a little
pleased smile, bounced on her toes at the thought. "What kind of beach
clothes? Cause the bathing suit I've been using...well, I guess I'm
gaining weight because now it's a little small. I was going to ask
Jylanya if I could get another one but I just haven't done it yet."

She reached and hugged him again, thrilled with the gifts. "Thank you
so much. I didn't expect anything like this at all."

"Some linen pants to wear down on the beach over your swimsuit before
you swim. She's making you some sun dresses and shorts as well."
Thayde had tried to think of everything that she might need- he'd even
commissioned some new underclothes for her. He wrapped his arms around
her, returning the hug, glad to see her happy. He remembered sitting
with her out on the rock overlooking the water when she'd been too
afraid to open up, much less smile the way she was now.

"You didn't have to do any of this." She squeezed another hug, then
pulled just a little away, looking up at him. "You really didn't. But
I love it so far." Her smile was warm, eyes sparkling. "Thank you."

He leaned in and said in her ear, "Imagine Hista's face when she sees
you in your new clothes."

His breath on her ear sent an unexpected shiver up her spine, and she
gave a breathless giggle at his words. "Her eyes will pop out of her
head." The smile she gave him then was surprisingly a little wickedly
gleeful at the thought. Jylanya had been right, the other drudge
hadn't expected that Thayde and she would actually marry. "I think she
was hoping I'd get sent away."

That's probably what Enamra had thought would happen too, he thought.
It reaffirmed to him that he had made the right decision in marrying
Enamra.

Thayde bent at the waist and offered Enamra his arm, "Shall we have
dinner then, milady?"

She smiled up at him and took his arm. "I'd love to." It was the first
time she'd ever been called that, but in the new dress, she felt like
someone special. "Jylanya taught me how to cook a roast."

"It smells delicious," he admitted, walking her to her chair, pulling
it out for her, and then tucking it in beneath her as she sat.

"I can't promise it tastes as good as it smells. It's my first time."
She eyed the covered dish and glanced at him. "We can hope."

"I am sure it will be fine," he said, taking his seat. And even if it
wasn't, Thayde thought, he would choke it down with a smile, for her
sake.

She dished them both out a serving of the roast, giving him twice as
much as herself, before she settled back to her chair. Glad that it
smelled decent, she was hopeful when she took a bite. An odd look
came over her face which quickly became pinched as she chewed. She
glanced at Thayde, then swallowed with a grimace. "Don't." She
grabbed her glass, taking several sips. "It's awful."

He popped a piece into his mouth while saying, "I'm sure it's -" but
as he chewed down into it, the tough leathery meat and its
overpowering seasoning kicked in. "Ah," Thayde's eyes watered a bit as
he washed the bite down quickly with his cup of water. "Well, it was a
good first try."

She winced. "Sorry...maybe I should stick with seafood. At least I can
cook that." She glanced at the platter of roast and then back up at
Thayde. "Maybe the dining hall tonight might be better. "

"I'm sure it will go better next time. Don't give up." Thayde told
her, folding his napkin and laying it over his plate. "But I think
you're right about the Dining Hall." The dolphineer stood and offered
her his hand. "Shall we, milady?"

She wasn't too sure about trying again. It went against everything
she'd knew to waste good food with mistakes. Enamra took his hand and
rose, cheeks pink with his words. "Yes. And I can show off my new
dress, so it's not a complete loss. "

"You'll be the prettiest one there," he said, finding even as he said
it that he meant it.

Enamra ducked her head, her cheeks bright. He didn't have to say
that; she knew it wasn't true, but it was so nice to hear it.

Last updated on the May 3rd 2019

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A Thoughtful Gift