I Want To Protect You

Writers: Dana, Eimi
Date Posted: 7th January 2007

Characters: Larken, Ojisan
Description: Larken and her husband talk about the differences between Weyr and Hall, and their discussion brings a couple things to light in Larken's mind
Location: Harper Hall
Date: month 1, day 10 of Turn 4

"Look, Ojisan. To your left. There's an empty table." Larken pointed with her free hand as she began to weave her way through the bustling crowd. The dining cavern wasn't quite as mobbed as it usually was, but she still had to deftly turn on her heels and toes this way and that to avoid crashing into someone.

"Oh yes, I see it," he nodded, changing his course towards the table she had suggested. "Here, why don't you give me the tray and I will claim it.
Could you grab a pot of klah for us?"

"Of course." Carefully she helped him steady it on his palm, holding his wrist lightly--but firmly--for a moment to make sure he had it. "I'll be right back," she smiled when she met his eyes, and then slipped back into the throng, doing her best--again--not to step all over anyone.

The journeyman nodded politely to the dragonriders and various weyrfolk as he passed and sidestepped them on the way to the table. Somehow claiming a table of your own in a Weyr felt like a minor victory for him. He settled himself and waited for his wife to arrive, plates and utensils neatly organized and laid out in anticipation of her coming.

She truly hoped M'tone wouldn't show up here. After what had passed between them the last time they saw each other, Larken didn't know how she would act. Hopefully she'd be in a position where she could ignore him. Sneaking a glance behind her, she edged towards the table with the pots of klah and carefully grabbed one. A man stepped up beside her--a dragonrider with a shock blonde hair. She started, did a double take. But it wasn't M'tone.

Realizing that she was staring, she flushed a dark red and quickly averted her eyes. The dragonrider grinned down at her, amused. "Need my help with something, darlin'?" he drawled, fingering the top of the pot she held.

Oh shards! Shaking her head, she took a step back. "No. I'm fine." Did they _all_ think about that kind of thing all the time? Sharding male hormones... She turned around and fled before he could reply.

Ojisan waved her over and gently took the pot from her hands. "The rider wasn't bothering you, was he?" He had noticed the way he had looked at her, and her hasty retreat.

She shook her head as she slipped into her seat, forcing a reassuring smile for him. "No, Ojisan."

"All right," he nodded, knowing she didn't want to upset him. Her husband gave her a gentle smile. She was always thinking of the feelings of others. Even those who don't deserve it. "Just remember that if a rider does say or do anything inappropriate, you just need to be firm in telling him you are married and not interested. They will accept it if you are firm with them. They are honorable men, but they must learn that marriage for us is a serious thing."

Larken reached over and busied herself with pouring klah for them both. "And they should respect it. But for them, perhaps it is too much to ask." It'd been too much for M'tone. But shards, who was she to talk? She'd let herself throw decency and propriety, not to mention Ojisan's trust and her virtue, to the wind because she'd let herself get caught up in the Weyr and its temptations. In the passion that flared between her and M'tone. But it had been more than just passion.... Her eyes flickered up to gaze out behind her husband's shoulder, searching all those faces of milling dragonriders for the familiar one. **Oh, Larken...you think you're contrite, but you _still_ look for him!** Shaking herself, she picked up her napkin and spread it across her lap.

"Now now," he said gently, "that's not entirely true. Some of them were born outside the Weyr and just need a reminder. And the ones who were not, well, they can learn. As long as we hold to our values and our way of life they will learn. Perhaps they will even come to understand the _good_ points of marriage."

Frowning, she took a sip of klah. "They think marriage is inhibiting, Ojisan. How will they ever learn to respect it if they're so set in that mindframe?"

"We don't know they are set. They just need time, is all." He had to believe better of them. They were _dragonriders_ and deserved respect, and therefore the benefit of the doubt.

"Of course." Time? The Hall wouldn't stay here at the Weyr forever. Larken took a bite of her roast, evading that train of thought. Leaving the Weyr....it made a part of her uneasy. Tight and anxious. Again she looked up, her gaze lingering on the back of another man's blonde head as he passed by. It wasn't M'tone. His walk was more confident than that. His stride was longer too.

"But I certainly don't want you to feel nervous about telling me if someone is bothering you, Larken," her husand continued. "It's all right to ask for help in dealing with someone who is too forward. You are my wife and I am here to protect if you need me to."

Larken hoped he wouldn't notice her flush. "I won't hesitate to ask, my love," she murmured, turning a shyly sweet smile on him. Of course, she had let M'tone be too forward....and had enjoyed every moment of it.
**Stop it, Larken.**

Her husband gave her a warm, loving smile. Tearing his eyes away from her lovely face, he picked up his fork. "Well, we'd better eat before it get's cold."

Last updated on the January 9th 2007

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I Want To Protect You