A Space of Your Own

Writers: Heather, Miriah
Date Posted: 15th January 2020
Series: The Hallmaster's New Wife

Characters: Thayde, Enamra
Description: Thayde tries to help Enamra in her transition to Hallmaster's wife... he isn't very successful.
Location: Dolphin Hall
Date: month 1, day 20 of Turn 10

Thayde

Enamra

Thayde had not quite realized how much he had bitten off, taking over
for Endarin, but he was loving every second of it. There was something
he relished about the quiet of his office, the Hallmaster's office,
while he was sorting through ledgers, hides, and information. He had
moved his books and hides out of the small room that had served as his
office back in his quarters with Enamra and now all of his things
resided with him in the Hallmaster's office.

"Honey, I'm home," he called as he came through the door. He smiled
when he found Enamra sitting on the couch. "How did your first
luncheon go?" he asked, dropping a kiss to the top of her head.

Enamra looked up and did her best to give him a happy smile. He was
so pleased with himself and obviously was enjoying his new position;
she didn't want to take away from his pleasure. "Oh, it went just
fine. Everyone's so nice." It was the first time she'd ever really
lied to him. It had been horrible. "They've asked me to schedule
some social events with the Headwoman. Maybe a family ball to welcome
you. I hope you don't mind. "

"I don't mind at all. Social events sound fun. I was thinking at some
point we might schedule an event, in the water with the dolphins, and
invite the weyrbrats down to see them. It could be a good way to
interest some of them in joining the craft when they're of age."
Thayde slipped his arm around her shoulders and hugged her up against
him as he settled onto the couch beside of her.

"Oh. I'm certain we can." Her smile faked for only a moment. Another
event? Already she felt overwhelmed by the idea of planning just the
one! She had no idea where to start that one, much less plan several
or even schedule more than one. "I can talk to the Headwoman about
that." Inside she quailed at the idea. Would Jylanya be willing to
help do all that? What would she have to do? She couldn't let Thayde
down, especially since he was just in the position.

"You should," he said, hand rubbing her shoulder, "that's what the
Headwoman is for, to assist you in whatever pursuits around the Hall
you have." Thayde glanced at the side of her face, trying to study her
inconspicuously. She sounded a little ... off... but perhaps that was
just natural exhaustion after a busy day. "Hey, come with me, I want
to show you something." He took her hand and pulled her off the couch,
toward the now empty room that had been in his office. Pushing the
door open and flicking on the light, Thayde gestured expansively at
the empty room. "Tell me what you see."

Pursuits? All she'd ever done is clean their apartments and go to her
Harper classes, perhaps occasionally helping Jylanya in the kitchens.
She didn't have any pursuits beyond that. She'd never prepared or
thought of doing more than that and now felt more than a little lost.
She looked up as he rose and obediently rose herself when he tugged
her upwards, following him as directed. "Okay..." She paused at the
door and blinked. When had that happened? She glanced in the room,
surprised at the stark blankness of the now empty space. Her brow
furrowed. "Your empty office? I guess you moved everything into the
big office now, right?"

"I did," Thayde confessed, having moved the last of his things while
she was entertaining the ladies. "Let me tell you what I see," he
stepped into the empty room and began gesturing as he spoke. "On this
wall I see a table and shelves to hold all of your sewing supplies.
Over here, an easel for painting or drawing. Here, on this wall, a
desk where you can work on your lessons." He held up his hands. "I see
a room just for you. An office. What do you think?"

For a moment, she was terrified that he'd seen a nursery in his mind,
and relief flooded her when he began speaking otherwise. But even as
he gestured to each wall, she felt a surge of panic and growing alarm.
So much change...and all at once when she was just getting used to
being a normal wife. Was he expecting her to learn to paint too? When
would she possibly have the time now? Her mouth parted, closed, and
opened again. "Uhm..yes...that would be wonderful. An office!" She
pasted on a smile and nodded vigorously, trying to assure him with the
expression that every thing would be just like he wanted.

Thayde had witnessed Enamra's real smile often enough that the one she
wore now concerned him. "What's wrong, Enamra?" He reached out for her
hands. "Is it the room? It doesn't have to be an office or anything,
you can do whatever you want with it."

"Oh no, nothing's wrong." Enamra hurried to reassure him. "I think you
have wonderful ideas. I'm just a little tired, that's all. It's all
been a little sudden, you know, and I'm just getting used to
everything. It'll be fine." She glanced around the room. "An office
would be really helpful for everything. It's very thoughtful of you to
think of that for me." After everything he'd done for her, the least
she could do, she thought, would be to be the perfect Hallmaster's
wife for him. "I'm sure that I'll make good use of it, thank you." She
reached up on her toes to kiss his cheek.

Maybe it was just that, he told himself, the sudden changes that had
her acting differently. "I just want you to be happy," he said,
hooking a finger beneath her chin as he looked down into her eyes.

"I know." She offered a bit more of a smile, this one more genuine. "I
just need a little time to get used to everything, that's all." And
try to figure out _how_ to do everything expected of her. "I don't
want to disappoint anyone and I've got responsibilities now and all.
So, it's all kinda new."

"I know it's a lot to take in," he said apologetically. "You'll get
the hang of everything though, I know it."

She wasn't so sure. It seemed like so much at that very moment and
when she glanced around the empty room again, it felt like so much
more. She'd never been ambitious, nor had she ever imagined her life
as being so suddenly complex. Desperate to feel some sort of
normality, she changed the subject. "Are you ready for dinner?"

"Yes," he said. "Do you have something already prepared?"

Her face blanked and her mouth parted in surprise. In all the
excitement of the day, she'd completely forgotten to make dinner!
Flushing, she looked at the kitchen, then back at Thayde. "Oh, Thayde,
I'm so sorry. I forgot!" She hurried to the kitchen, opening cabinets
to see what quick meal she could make. She had _never_ forgotten to
make dinner before! Not ever! "Uh...go take a bath. I'll fix something
really quick."

Thayde came after her and put his hands on her shoulders to steer her
out of the kitchen. "Actually, that's what I'd hoped you'd say. Now, I
will fix us something. You've been busy all day. Go put your feet up
or take a bath, or better yet, pick out something to wear for
dessert," he waggled his eyebrows.

"But...I'm supposed to..." Her voice trailed off as she was steered
out of the kitchen. He'd been busy too, hadn't he? But a bath did
sound good. Very good, especially with steaming hot water to help
forget her troubles. That sounded even better than Thayde's last
suggestion, which she normally would have been very eager for. "Okay."
She nodded and went to get the bathtub ready, thinking only of hot
water with scented oils to calm her mind.

**Good,** he thought with relief when she set about filling up the tub
with hot water. She had been acting... differently, Thayde decided,
all evening, but he wasn't sure what he could do to help. Suddenly
becoming the Hallmaster's wife had not been her choice, and for that
Thayde felt a bit guilty, but it as ultimately a station that would
benefit them both, he thought. She was being raised from the nothing
she'd had when she'd lived with her father, to being the mistress of a
Hall, surely that was worth the hiccups during the transition period?

Last updated on the January 18th 2020

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