(no subject)
So, I need a title for this. And I'm not sure about the ending. Help and comments appreciated, of course.
Marlina Tendrath leaned forward on her saddle, looking out over the Lancoon plains, trying to decide why Fate or Fey had let her out near the Troven clan. She could see their brightly colored wagons easily ahead of her. It would take only a short gallop to catch up with them and be with her own kind again; if she could call the Trovens her own kind. She was still iffy on that, though she knew that they would welcome her and give her a good meal and conversation with someone other than her horse, something she hadn’t had in a long time. That might be worth the price… maybe. Gloved fingers tapped a leather armored thigh as she pondered this out. Her horse stamped a foot, tossing its horned head, indicating that it would like to get moving.
“In a minute,” she said, patting its brown neck. “I suppose it couldn’t hurt, could it?” The horse snorted. “Right then, off we go.” She nudged the horse into a walk over the grasses that had started to yellow in the summer’s heat. She wasn’t going to gallop up to them, that would show that she was eager to see them. Something she didn’t want to do. Wouldn’t do them … him… to get any ideas.
Alright, there, she had admitted it to herself. She was worried about seeing him again. He always made things so complicated. She had her life. It wasn’t a great life, but it was a good life, she liked what she did. See new worlds, meet new creatures, kill them sometimes, but that was part of the job. A one person job. Just her and the horse and the rest of the world, or worlds, depending on where she was sent. He would be a complication. No other word for it.
Even if it would be nice to see him.
No. She wasn’t going to think those sorts of thoughts. Those thoughts would lead to problems. They always did.
She approached the wagon train from the side, getting a good view of the multicolored wagons pulled by teams of two or four horses, depending on the wagon’s size. On the sides of the wagons were fanciful designs and paintings though some that clashed with the colors of the wagon. As she closed in, she could hear the train’s bard singing lazily and see one of the train’s scouts spot her. He rode up to her on a dun colored horse, bow knocked and at the ready.
Marlina smiled at him, bringing her horse to a stop. He relaxed as he saw her, recognizing her. Of course anyone would recognize her, or at least the mark she bore on the right side of her face, a blue crescent moon showing that she belonged to the Fey court. Nothing pretty or right about that, it really, in some places, made her a walking target. But, at least, people knew what it meant.
No hostility here though. The scout relaxed his grip on the bow and smiled back, “Mystra, it’s good to see you.”
“It is good to see you too, Scout. Are things well with yours?”
“Well enough for visitors,” the scout said, tucking a strand of that blond hair that almost all the Trovens had behind an ear, his Troven blue eyes sparkling. “Come, people will be glad for news and stories.”
“I doubt I have much news, but stories I have.”
“The children will be delighted,” the scout said, turning his hose so that it would go back to the slow moving caravan.
“Then I shall tell my stories for them to hear.”
She found her self breathing in snatches as she approached, glancing at all the blond heads wondering where he was. Probably up at the head wagon. He did lead them after all and he liked being the first to know and see. Which meant that she could stave off seeing him a little while longer. Even if it were only a few minutes. Gods, why was she doing this? She didn’t need complications. No, there wouldn’t be any complications. She was here for the company of her people and some time to relax. There didn’t need to be any complications, if she didn’t make any for herself. Right.
Marlina relaxed a little as she rode at the caravan’s easy pace, smiling at the various people around her. They all smiled back at her. She was a novelty, someone new after being with the same people for weeks at a time in between cities or villages.
And then she saw him. He was riding back on a rare black horse with a black horn, looking like the quintessential Troven. The crooked nose, the gray eyes set in a square jawed face and the yellow golden hair, every thing about him said Troven. And he was coming right at her. Taking a deep breath she put on a smile.
“Hello Wolf,” she said.
“Hello Marlina,” Wolf said. “You look like you’ve come off a long trail.”
“I have. Found myself near the wagons and decided to come by.”
“I’m glad that you did,” he said sincerely, but staring straight ahead so that she couldn’t see his face. “What news do you have from the worlds beyond?”
“Nothing that can be spoken of and nothing to worry about.”
“I see,” he said, scratching his chin lightly. It was full of fuzz that wasn’t there the last time she had seen him. Was he growing a beard? “We have a guest, besides you.”
“Oh?” she asked, looking at him directly. But he was still staring ahead.
“One of the fair folk, Alasdair is the name he gave.”
If Marlina had been drinking something, she would have choked on it. Instead she gasped in surprise. “The Queen’s brother is here? Whatever for?”
Wolf, now, looked at her with a slightly amused expression on his face. “Do the Fey ever tell you all their reasons?”
“No, they do not. Where is he?”
He shrugged, “In one of the wagons.”
“I should pay my respects,” she said looking down at the line of wagons.
“You can do that later, tonight,” he said. She swung her head back to look at him, but he was back to staring ahead of him. “Come, I could use your eyes on the road. There has been news of bandits on this stretch.”
Marlina wanted to say, “But that’s why you have scouts.” She didn’t though. She didn’t know why, but she didn’t. Instead, she rode up in the front with Wolf, telling herself that he did just want to use her eyes, even though they spent the entire time just talking. She did keep an eye on the road, just so that people couldn’t say that she wasn’t doing her job.
The wagons circled a few hours before sunset, in two circles, the animals in the outer ring and the humans in the inner. Marlina watched as they worked to set up for the night. The younger children were kept captive by lessons while the others did chores along with the adults. They tended to the wagons and animals, making the necessary repairs that required their attention. One of the large draft horses had come up lame and there was discussion on what to do with it. Wolf supervised it all. As a guest, Marlina didn’t have to do anything. She just sat on one of the wagons and watched.
Out of one of the wagons, someone stepped out. He caught her eye immediately for his hair was not blond like the rest of the Trovens. Alasdair, stood looking around, tall with brown eyes and honey brown hair, he was dressed in a noble’s idea of traveling clothes, having no practical use for actual traveling. This didn’t seem to bother him at all. He turned to the wagon and helped a girl down, a Troven girl from the looks of her. She seemed rather shy and almost embarrassed at being helped down from the wagon. He leaned over and whispered something in her ear and she giggled softly before moving out to join the others. Alasdair the stood by the wagon, watching everyone work.
Marlina, however, watched him. After a few moments she leapt off the wagon and approached the fey. He straightened from his slight slouch as he saw her approach a surprised expression on his face.
“Did my sister send you to bring me home?” he asked after she had bowed to him.
“No M’lord. I have just returned from my duties and came upon my kin.”
“Your kin?”
“We are all wizards, M’lord.”
“Ah, yes… yes…” And he looked distracted for a moment. Marlina felt uncomfortable while he stared out at no where, wondering if she was dismissed or not. “Ah, dinner appears to be ready.” And he walked over to the large central fire, leaving her alone by the wagons. She watched as he went up to that one girl and then noticed that several of the adults, Wolf included, looked very upset at this.
She wandered over to him. He welcomed her with an inclination of his head. “Who is that with Lord Alasdair?” she asked.
Wolf grunted, “Lucia. Spider’s daughter.”
Spider was Wolf’s second cousin; and the blacksmith for the train, a large man with thick arms and soot constantly on his face. She could see him watching Lucia, a stony expression on his face.
“Ah.”
“Come, sit with me,” he said, gesturing for her to follow him to the table.
“Are you sure that’s appropriate?” she asked, following him nonetheless. He smiled at her.
“You are a guest, of course it is.”
They did not sit at the head of the table, but on one of the sides, next to each other. The table was so full of people that they were sitting leg to leg and at times Marlina felt rather squashed. She noticed, further along the table, Alasdair didn’t have such room problems. He had plenty of elbow room and didn’t seem to notice that people were avoiding him as he talked to Lucia. Spider sat across from them, watching them intently.
Most of the people appeared to be trying not to watch them intently. Though they would all shoot glances down to that part of the table as the meal progressed. Wolf did manage to talk to her with out consciously looking over at him every few moments.
“Is my conversation that boring?” she asked him with a teasing smile. He looked startled and then sheepish.
“I’m sorry Marlina, I didn’t mean to, no your conversation is quite interesting,” Wolf stammered. She laughed at him and shook her head, but before she could reply Spider erupted with
a bellow.
“You’re what?!” he yelled out, standing up. His daughter leaned away from him, panicked looking. Wolf shot Marlina an apologetic look before hurrying over there to lay a calming hand on the large smith.
“What is going on?”
Spider jabbed an accusatory finger at Alasdair, “He got my little girl pregnant!”
With that statement the entire mood of the table changed from curiosity to murderous intent. As one they moved. The fighters and Scouts converging around Alasdair, drawing their weapons, while the others pulled themselves back, keeping a hand on the smaller children. Lucia had been pulled away with the others and one of the Scouts stood near her, two short swords drawn.
Alasdair seemed to be completely unperturbed to be surrounded by a ring of iron weapons. He didn’t even seem to notice that they were there in the first place, as he quietly sipped his wine. This seemed to make the Trovens edgier, and they constantly glanced to Wolf for instructions. Wolf, himself seemed to be at a loss because their threat didn’t seem to be acting like a threat.
“Is it true,” he finally asked, breaking the tense silence.
Putting down his wine, the Fey answered, “I believe it is true, though I am no expert when it comes to such things. It is what she told me.”
“So you’re just going to leave her now, aren’t you? To raise the child by herself?” Spider barked. He held no weapons, but his fists were clenched and he looked ready to slug Alasdair. Wolf stood near and slightly in front of him to prevent the man from doing that.
“Of course not.” His eyes then flickered down the table and caught Marlina’s gaze. She had removed herself from the ring of metal and the table, but had not joined the bystanders. She was a fighter, but she also hoped that there could be something she could do to prevent a fight. “Marlina, come here, would you please?” His voice brokered no argument and reluctantly she shouldered past the Trovens to stand by him.
“M’Lord?” she asked politely, eyeing the swords around her wairly. She knew that Alasdair could get seriously hurt, if not killed if the Trovens decided to attack. And for the Queen’s brother to get injured by the Trovens’ hands would not end well for anyone, Troven or wizard.
“How are you this evening? Would you like some wine?”
“No thank you,” she said, wondering where he was going with this line of conversation. The others around them also appeared to be wondering this, from the bewildered looks they kept on giving each other.
He nodded and poured himself some more wine. “It’s not that bad, for human wine. Now, tell me, how do you feel about our master Wolf Troven?”
She shot him a cold and dirty look. “That is none of your concern, M’lord,” she said, her voice flat and brittle.
He looked at her with calculating eyes, “Oh, my dear, but I believe it is.” He looked at the Trovens around him, as if noticing them for the first time. “I believe your feelings are quite important in this matter. If only because I’m certain that mine are just as strong for Spider’s daughter as yours are for Wolf.”
“You’re in love with Lucia?” she said, and then grimaced. His sentiment had caught her completely off guard and she had not meant to say such a thing, if only because it reflected her own uncertain feelings for Wolf. She didn’t dare look at him.
“To put it simply, yes.”
Spider snorted.
“You do not believe that I could love?”
“I do not believe that you could love a mortal, and care for her as a human would. I believe that this is nothing more than some passing infatuation and I will not see my daughter hurt because of it.”
Alasdair gave him a hard look, making his features seem like stone, “And I say that you are wrong. How may I prove to you that this is not a passing infatuation? Not some by product of lust?”
“Marry her. Take care of her and her child. Live with us,” Wolf said, before Spider could speak. Marlina glanced at him, but he did not look at her. His attention focused solely on the Fey.
“Live with you?” He seemed aghast at the idea.
“If you loved her, you would,” Marlina said quietly. “You would agree to these terms.
You wouldn’t mind living here with her. You would want to.”
Silently, Alasdair regarded her and then the Trovens. His long fingers tapped the table before he nodded. For a long moment Marlina thought that he would explode in anger at the demand, but instead he sighed, “I will stay with her and the child.”
“Very well, we hope that you will continue to love Lucia and your child and enjoy your time with us,” Wolf said before sheathing his sword.
The Trovens, taking their cue from Wolf, stood down. They moved reluctantly away from Alasdair, but did not return to their seats. The mood and time for eating had apparently past. Marlina let out a sigh of relief before glancing at the Fey. He seemed to be completely unconcerned about this entire matter. It was rather disconcerting. But when Lucia came to him, his demeanor softened and he spoke to her quietly, touching her face gently and holding her hands.
Marlina turned away from them and walked beyond the edge of the wagons’ circle. Here the firelight barely reached out to show her way. She thought about making a light to see, but decided against it. She wanted to see the stars. On some world she remembered hearing that the sun was actually a star and that worlds revolved around it. It was a foolish idea, but still it was something to think about, looking at up at them. She crossed her arms and sighed, not knowing what to do next. She didn’t want to go back to the camp, not after the near fight. Not after what she had admitted. Gods she hated the fey sometimes, how they would play with her… with mortals like they were only toys. Never thinking about the feelings involved, only looking to their own ends, trying to get to it in the most dramatic way as possible. Now her feelings, her uncertain feelings, had been exposed to not only Wolf but the entire Troven family. She
would leave in the morning and try to avoid Wolf until then.
“How are you?” Wolf asked her, spoiling any sort of plans of avoidance. She glanced at him, trying to keep an expressionless face.
“The Queen will have to be told, she won’t be happy.” Marlina said, avoiding the question.
He stepped next to her, touching her arm lightly, “That isn’t what I asked.”
“But is what I answered.” She continued looking up the stars.
“Is what you said true?”
“I said nothing.”
“I heard the intent in what you said. When you said that Lord Alasdair was in love with Lucia, your expression…”
The darkness hid the flush she could feel on her face, for which she was glad. “My intent?”
Wolf sighed, “Marlina… “ And he reached up to brush some hair from her face, “I feel the same way.”
“Do you now?” she asked with a tilt of her head, “Do you really?”
“Yes, I do.”
She took this in, her chest contracting, perhaps in joy, perhaps in fear, trying to think of something to say. Finally, she smiled at him. “I think we work with that.”
Marlina Tendrath leaned forward on her saddle, looking out over the Lancoon plains, trying to decide why Fate or Fey had let her out near the Troven clan. She could see their brightly colored wagons easily ahead of her. It would take only a short gallop to catch up with them and be with her own kind again; if she could call the Trovens her own kind. She was still iffy on that, though she knew that they would welcome her and give her a good meal and conversation with someone other than her horse, something she hadn’t had in a long time. That might be worth the price… maybe. Gloved fingers tapped a leather armored thigh as she pondered this out. Her horse stamped a foot, tossing its horned head, indicating that it would like to get moving.
“In a minute,” she said, patting its brown neck. “I suppose it couldn’t hurt, could it?” The horse snorted. “Right then, off we go.” She nudged the horse into a walk over the grasses that had started to yellow in the summer’s heat. She wasn’t going to gallop up to them, that would show that she was eager to see them. Something she didn’t want to do. Wouldn’t do them … him… to get any ideas.
Alright, there, she had admitted it to herself. She was worried about seeing him again. He always made things so complicated. She had her life. It wasn’t a great life, but it was a good life, she liked what she did. See new worlds, meet new creatures, kill them sometimes, but that was part of the job. A one person job. Just her and the horse and the rest of the world, or worlds, depending on where she was sent. He would be a complication. No other word for it.
Even if it would be nice to see him.
No. She wasn’t going to think those sorts of thoughts. Those thoughts would lead to problems. They always did.
She approached the wagon train from the side, getting a good view of the multicolored wagons pulled by teams of two or four horses, depending on the wagon’s size. On the sides of the wagons were fanciful designs and paintings though some that clashed with the colors of the wagon. As she closed in, she could hear the train’s bard singing lazily and see one of the train’s scouts spot her. He rode up to her on a dun colored horse, bow knocked and at the ready.
Marlina smiled at him, bringing her horse to a stop. He relaxed as he saw her, recognizing her. Of course anyone would recognize her, or at least the mark she bore on the right side of her face, a blue crescent moon showing that she belonged to the Fey court. Nothing pretty or right about that, it really, in some places, made her a walking target. But, at least, people knew what it meant.
No hostility here though. The scout relaxed his grip on the bow and smiled back, “Mystra, it’s good to see you.”
“It is good to see you too, Scout. Are things well with yours?”
“Well enough for visitors,” the scout said, tucking a strand of that blond hair that almost all the Trovens had behind an ear, his Troven blue eyes sparkling. “Come, people will be glad for news and stories.”
“I doubt I have much news, but stories I have.”
“The children will be delighted,” the scout said, turning his hose so that it would go back to the slow moving caravan.
“Then I shall tell my stories for them to hear.”
She found her self breathing in snatches as she approached, glancing at all the blond heads wondering where he was. Probably up at the head wagon. He did lead them after all and he liked being the first to know and see. Which meant that she could stave off seeing him a little while longer. Even if it were only a few minutes. Gods, why was she doing this? She didn’t need complications. No, there wouldn’t be any complications. She was here for the company of her people and some time to relax. There didn’t need to be any complications, if she didn’t make any for herself. Right.
Marlina relaxed a little as she rode at the caravan’s easy pace, smiling at the various people around her. They all smiled back at her. She was a novelty, someone new after being with the same people for weeks at a time in between cities or villages.
And then she saw him. He was riding back on a rare black horse with a black horn, looking like the quintessential Troven. The crooked nose, the gray eyes set in a square jawed face and the yellow golden hair, every thing about him said Troven. And he was coming right at her. Taking a deep breath she put on a smile.
“Hello Wolf,” she said.
“Hello Marlina,” Wolf said. “You look like you’ve come off a long trail.”
“I have. Found myself near the wagons and decided to come by.”
“I’m glad that you did,” he said sincerely, but staring straight ahead so that she couldn’t see his face. “What news do you have from the worlds beyond?”
“Nothing that can be spoken of and nothing to worry about.”
“I see,” he said, scratching his chin lightly. It was full of fuzz that wasn’t there the last time she had seen him. Was he growing a beard? “We have a guest, besides you.”
“Oh?” she asked, looking at him directly. But he was still staring ahead.
“One of the fair folk, Alasdair is the name he gave.”
If Marlina had been drinking something, she would have choked on it. Instead she gasped in surprise. “The Queen’s brother is here? Whatever for?”
Wolf, now, looked at her with a slightly amused expression on his face. “Do the Fey ever tell you all their reasons?”
“No, they do not. Where is he?”
He shrugged, “In one of the wagons.”
“I should pay my respects,” she said looking down at the line of wagons.
“You can do that later, tonight,” he said. She swung her head back to look at him, but he was back to staring ahead of him. “Come, I could use your eyes on the road. There has been news of bandits on this stretch.”
Marlina wanted to say, “But that’s why you have scouts.” She didn’t though. She didn’t know why, but she didn’t. Instead, she rode up in the front with Wolf, telling herself that he did just want to use her eyes, even though they spent the entire time just talking. She did keep an eye on the road, just so that people couldn’t say that she wasn’t doing her job.
The wagons circled a few hours before sunset, in two circles, the animals in the outer ring and the humans in the inner. Marlina watched as they worked to set up for the night. The younger children were kept captive by lessons while the others did chores along with the adults. They tended to the wagons and animals, making the necessary repairs that required their attention. One of the large draft horses had come up lame and there was discussion on what to do with it. Wolf supervised it all. As a guest, Marlina didn’t have to do anything. She just sat on one of the wagons and watched.
Out of one of the wagons, someone stepped out. He caught her eye immediately for his hair was not blond like the rest of the Trovens. Alasdair, stood looking around, tall with brown eyes and honey brown hair, he was dressed in a noble’s idea of traveling clothes, having no practical use for actual traveling. This didn’t seem to bother him at all. He turned to the wagon and helped a girl down, a Troven girl from the looks of her. She seemed rather shy and almost embarrassed at being helped down from the wagon. He leaned over and whispered something in her ear and she giggled softly before moving out to join the others. Alasdair the stood by the wagon, watching everyone work.
Marlina, however, watched him. After a few moments she leapt off the wagon and approached the fey. He straightened from his slight slouch as he saw her approach a surprised expression on his face.
“Did my sister send you to bring me home?” he asked after she had bowed to him.
“No M’lord. I have just returned from my duties and came upon my kin.”
“Your kin?”
“We are all wizards, M’lord.”
“Ah, yes… yes…” And he looked distracted for a moment. Marlina felt uncomfortable while he stared out at no where, wondering if she was dismissed or not. “Ah, dinner appears to be ready.” And he walked over to the large central fire, leaving her alone by the wagons. She watched as he went up to that one girl and then noticed that several of the adults, Wolf included, looked very upset at this.
She wandered over to him. He welcomed her with an inclination of his head. “Who is that with Lord Alasdair?” she asked.
Wolf grunted, “Lucia. Spider’s daughter.”
Spider was Wolf’s second cousin; and the blacksmith for the train, a large man with thick arms and soot constantly on his face. She could see him watching Lucia, a stony expression on his face.
“Ah.”
“Come, sit with me,” he said, gesturing for her to follow him to the table.
“Are you sure that’s appropriate?” she asked, following him nonetheless. He smiled at her.
“You are a guest, of course it is.”
They did not sit at the head of the table, but on one of the sides, next to each other. The table was so full of people that they were sitting leg to leg and at times Marlina felt rather squashed. She noticed, further along the table, Alasdair didn’t have such room problems. He had plenty of elbow room and didn’t seem to notice that people were avoiding him as he talked to Lucia. Spider sat across from them, watching them intently.
Most of the people appeared to be trying not to watch them intently. Though they would all shoot glances down to that part of the table as the meal progressed. Wolf did manage to talk to her with out consciously looking over at him every few moments.
“Is my conversation that boring?” she asked him with a teasing smile. He looked startled and then sheepish.
“I’m sorry Marlina, I didn’t mean to, no your conversation is quite interesting,” Wolf stammered. She laughed at him and shook her head, but before she could reply Spider erupted with
a bellow.
“You’re what?!” he yelled out, standing up. His daughter leaned away from him, panicked looking. Wolf shot Marlina an apologetic look before hurrying over there to lay a calming hand on the large smith.
“What is going on?”
Spider jabbed an accusatory finger at Alasdair, “He got my little girl pregnant!”
With that statement the entire mood of the table changed from curiosity to murderous intent. As one they moved. The fighters and Scouts converging around Alasdair, drawing their weapons, while the others pulled themselves back, keeping a hand on the smaller children. Lucia had been pulled away with the others and one of the Scouts stood near her, two short swords drawn.
Alasdair seemed to be completely unperturbed to be surrounded by a ring of iron weapons. He didn’t even seem to notice that they were there in the first place, as he quietly sipped his wine. This seemed to make the Trovens edgier, and they constantly glanced to Wolf for instructions. Wolf, himself seemed to be at a loss because their threat didn’t seem to be acting like a threat.
“Is it true,” he finally asked, breaking the tense silence.
Putting down his wine, the Fey answered, “I believe it is true, though I am no expert when it comes to such things. It is what she told me.”
“So you’re just going to leave her now, aren’t you? To raise the child by herself?” Spider barked. He held no weapons, but his fists were clenched and he looked ready to slug Alasdair. Wolf stood near and slightly in front of him to prevent the man from doing that.
“Of course not.” His eyes then flickered down the table and caught Marlina’s gaze. She had removed herself from the ring of metal and the table, but had not joined the bystanders. She was a fighter, but she also hoped that there could be something she could do to prevent a fight. “Marlina, come here, would you please?” His voice brokered no argument and reluctantly she shouldered past the Trovens to stand by him.
“M’Lord?” she asked politely, eyeing the swords around her wairly. She knew that Alasdair could get seriously hurt, if not killed if the Trovens decided to attack. And for the Queen’s brother to get injured by the Trovens’ hands would not end well for anyone, Troven or wizard.
“How are you this evening? Would you like some wine?”
“No thank you,” she said, wondering where he was going with this line of conversation. The others around them also appeared to be wondering this, from the bewildered looks they kept on giving each other.
He nodded and poured himself some more wine. “It’s not that bad, for human wine. Now, tell me, how do you feel about our master Wolf Troven?”
She shot him a cold and dirty look. “That is none of your concern, M’lord,” she said, her voice flat and brittle.
He looked at her with calculating eyes, “Oh, my dear, but I believe it is.” He looked at the Trovens around him, as if noticing them for the first time. “I believe your feelings are quite important in this matter. If only because I’m certain that mine are just as strong for Spider’s daughter as yours are for Wolf.”
“You’re in love with Lucia?” she said, and then grimaced. His sentiment had caught her completely off guard and she had not meant to say such a thing, if only because it reflected her own uncertain feelings for Wolf. She didn’t dare look at him.
“To put it simply, yes.”
Spider snorted.
“You do not believe that I could love?”
“I do not believe that you could love a mortal, and care for her as a human would. I believe that this is nothing more than some passing infatuation and I will not see my daughter hurt because of it.”
Alasdair gave him a hard look, making his features seem like stone, “And I say that you are wrong. How may I prove to you that this is not a passing infatuation? Not some by product of lust?”
“Marry her. Take care of her and her child. Live with us,” Wolf said, before Spider could speak. Marlina glanced at him, but he did not look at her. His attention focused solely on the Fey.
“Live with you?” He seemed aghast at the idea.
“If you loved her, you would,” Marlina said quietly. “You would agree to these terms.
You wouldn’t mind living here with her. You would want to.”
Silently, Alasdair regarded her and then the Trovens. His long fingers tapped the table before he nodded. For a long moment Marlina thought that he would explode in anger at the demand, but instead he sighed, “I will stay with her and the child.”
“Very well, we hope that you will continue to love Lucia and your child and enjoy your time with us,” Wolf said before sheathing his sword.
The Trovens, taking their cue from Wolf, stood down. They moved reluctantly away from Alasdair, but did not return to their seats. The mood and time for eating had apparently past. Marlina let out a sigh of relief before glancing at the Fey. He seemed to be completely unconcerned about this entire matter. It was rather disconcerting. But when Lucia came to him, his demeanor softened and he spoke to her quietly, touching her face gently and holding her hands.
Marlina turned away from them and walked beyond the edge of the wagons’ circle. Here the firelight barely reached out to show her way. She thought about making a light to see, but decided against it. She wanted to see the stars. On some world she remembered hearing that the sun was actually a star and that worlds revolved around it. It was a foolish idea, but still it was something to think about, looking at up at them. She crossed her arms and sighed, not knowing what to do next. She didn’t want to go back to the camp, not after the near fight. Not after what she had admitted. Gods she hated the fey sometimes, how they would play with her… with mortals like they were only toys. Never thinking about the feelings involved, only looking to their own ends, trying to get to it in the most dramatic way as possible. Now her feelings, her uncertain feelings, had been exposed to not only Wolf but the entire Troven family. She
would leave in the morning and try to avoid Wolf until then.
“How are you?” Wolf asked her, spoiling any sort of plans of avoidance. She glanced at him, trying to keep an expressionless face.
“The Queen will have to be told, she won’t be happy.” Marlina said, avoiding the question.
He stepped next to her, touching her arm lightly, “That isn’t what I asked.”
“But is what I answered.” She continued looking up the stars.
“Is what you said true?”
“I said nothing.”
“I heard the intent in what you said. When you said that Lord Alasdair was in love with Lucia, your expression…”
The darkness hid the flush she could feel on her face, for which she was glad. “My intent?”
Wolf sighed, “Marlina… “ And he reached up to brush some hair from her face, “I feel the same way.”
“Do you now?” she asked with a tilt of her head, “Do you really?”
“Yes, I do.”
She took this in, her chest contracting, perhaps in joy, perhaps in fear, trying to think of something to say. Finally, she smiled at him. “I think we work with that.”