Returning the Favor

Writers: Devin, Eimi
Date Posted: 30th November 2006

Characters: Benaroy, Iadell
Description: Benaroy and Iadell talk about her adopting Fellia permanently
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 13, day 29 of Turn 3

The music was beautiful. The lighting was perfect. The night was beautiful, though still had a bit of a spring chill in the air. Benaroy was restless. He mumbled a quiet excuse and moved back to the edge of the runner beast track. The Lord Holder had always loved the track, even when it was quiet and still. It was nice to lean on the fence, look up at the stars. He could still enjoy the music, but he didn't have to be a part of the crowd, trapped in a throng of people and the bindings of protocol. He could just... be.

Looking down the rail, he noticed he was not the only one who was enjoying getting away from the crowds. "It's a beautiful night," he called down to her.

Iadell turned to see who had spoken to her and blushed a bit when she saw it was the Lord Holder. "Yes it is, Lord Benaroy." "You are not from Amber Hills originally, are you?" he asked. The Lord Holder thought he knew all his people's faces, especially the ones who had lived in his Hold as long as she would have, judging by her age.

"No. I came here from Amethyst Cliff." She had heard things about the aging Lord Holder; some good and some bad, but at the moment she was more inclined to believe the good things she'd heard. He nodded his acknowledgement. Benaroy really hadn't had much chance to meet too many of the refugees. He had been too busy making arrangements for them. "How are you settling into to Amber Hills then?"

"I'm doing well." It was true, for the most part. "Royani has been very helpful to all of us. Everyone has." Although there were a few that seemed to be unhappy with the refugees taking up their resources.

"I'm glad to hear it." Benaroy was not unaware that not everyone was as happy to be there. The praise was welcome. "Royani is my youngest, you know," he added, almost as an afterthought.

"She's told me. I get the feeling she has a lot of love for you." Iadell smiled at him, feeling a little more comfortable. "All of mine are grown with families of their own."

"Well, she's my last unmarried daughter. I have a few sons who aren't married yet. But..." A soft smile touched the Lord Holder's face. "She will be very missed when she starts her own life."

"I still miss my babies," Iadell said. "No matter how old they are, they'll still be my babies." And speaking of children, there was Fellia.
She'd been meaning to talk to someone about her, but everyone was so busy. She hoped she wasn't being rude by asking. "Lord Benary? May I ask you something?"

"Yes, of course," he nodded, turning slightly to lean back against the rail a bit more comfortably.

"I've been taking care of a girl. Her parents died in the earthquake, and she has no relatives that I know of." She took a breath. "I know you're a very busy man, but could you find someone to help me officially adopt her?" Iadell had grown too close to Fellia to think of handing her off to a foster mother. Fellia need her. They needed each other.

There were so many orphans after the quake, he personally felt no reason why the woman couldn't take over care of the child on a permanent basis.
As long as all other possibilities had been exhausted. "Have you spoken with Cyrek's staff about helping to locate any relatives?"

"I've spoken to a few people, and they haven't been able to find anyone," Iadell told him. "Well, I would suggest speaking to a harper. They would be able to arbitrate your case. But I would have no objection to finding a loving home for one of our orphaned children. We will help you anyway we can."

"Thank you, Lord Benaroy. I appreciate everything Amber Hills has done for us." She knew it wasn't easy to suddenly have so many more people to care for. She'd seen the strain it caused the Hold staff. The Lord was silent a moment as he contemplated the strange turn of events over the last months. "Our history tells us that it was Amythest Cliff which helped out ancestors first when they were still looking for a land of their own. Perhaps it was time we returned the favor."

"I'm glad it was your Hold that took us in. Not every Lord Holder would be as generous as you have been." Iadell traced a hand along the rail.
"Amber Hills doesn't feel like home yet, but I think it could, in time."
If any place could feel like home without Gormand.

"Well, I'm happy to hear that," the Lord Holder smiled. He perked his ear at the sound of a musical change. "Sounds like the dancing is about to start. I'd best get back. Shall we?" he asked, offering her his arm.

Iadell blushed again as she took his arm. "Do you still dance, Lord Benaroy?"

"Sometimes, yes," he nodded. "Though I can't dance the night away like I used to."

She smiled at him. "I used to dance with my husband for candlemarks when we were young. That was _after_ he learned not to step on my toes,"
Iadell chuckled.

"A skill all young men must learn," Benaroy smiled. "My father made sure I was properly taught. I would have rather been down watching the racers."

"They're very beautiful animals. I love to watch the way they move," she said.

"Did you see the races today? There will be more tomorrow if you enjoy races." Benaroy smiled at thought of how many marks he'd already won from the races that day. It was a small indulgence he still allowed himself. "We're known for our racers, you know."

"Yes, I've heard," the woman smiled. "I took Fellia out to see a few races today, and I promised her I'd take her out again." Fellia seemed to enjoy watching the runners more than Iadell herself did. "Perhaps I will see you there, then," the Lord Holder said with a small, approving smile.

"I look forward to it, my Lord."

Last updated on the December 1st 2006

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Returning the Favor