Chapter Three: Between the friends.
Forlay! Forlay!
Forlay looked up, and removed her hoof from the stream she had placed there during the morning ritual. Binald was galloping towards her, emerald eyes bright with excitement.
What is it? Forlay asked concerned. Binald stopped in front of her panting.
I was just over by the scoop, uprooting that bala bush and replacing it with the one that was by the old Therant tree. Binald told her.
You really should stop that. This is Apalth's family land and his ancestors were the ones who landscaped it. Forlay scolded.
Yes, I know. Binald conceded. To anyone else their rearranging was just an odd, annoying quirk, but Forlay knew it was just a stress relief. A way to deal with their parent's death and the forced leave of their childhood home.
Anyway, so I overheard Kalafid and Apalth speaking. Binald continued. They said you are betrothed and that your future husband will be here within three day's time.
Forlay sighed, It was only a matter of time.
You knew.
Not of who and when my betrothed would come, but I knew my parents would choose for me soon enough. Being the only daughter and therefore the one designated to carry on the family line. Forlay explained. Binald moved a front hoof in understanding.
Kalafid said it would be a good match. His name is Noorlin-Sirinial-Coorat and is apparently a warrior who has been on patrol in the nine shifter and is just now coming home. Binald said.
Forlay had always viewed marriage with some anxiety. She had always known she would be married; she was not in a position of default by being a younger sister. In addition, she felt overwhelmed by the thought that someone who would be a total stranger to her at first she would have to lay beneath him, answer to him, go through the pain of childbirth for him, and live with until the day she died to fulfill her side of the marriage agreement. An agreement that she did not have much say in.
Forlay? You will not leave will you? I mean you can if you want to, but will you take me with you? Binald asked softly.
'Run away?' Forlay thought,' yes I would like to do that very much.' Go some place with Binald where they could still be as free as they had been on the Moon of Wilk. Then, Forlay thought of her mother, how hard life had been on those last few months on the Moon of Wilk. What would she do, if her daughter ran away, dishonoring a marriage agreement, shaming the family? With her husband's death fresher in her mind than even her new husband thought? Forlay realized that she was going to have like a responsible adult, and do as her mother had, do what was best for the family even if it could change your life for the worst and hope it turned out as well as it had for mother.
It is aright, Binald, I will not behave like a child and run away from my duty to my family. Forlay said.
That is good, I guess, but I was hoping for another adventure, it is so dull here. Binald said.
Forlay chuckled, Do not worry, knowing you adventure will find you eventually.
So, you are actually going to go through with it. Did I mention that your future husband's next assignment is going to take him to the Moon of Wilk? That is why he wants to marry very soon. Binald asked.
A quick courtship as well? Well, at least one good thing will come from my marriage, I will be able to see all of our old friends once again. Forlay said.
Yes, but I will not be there with you, so just put in keep me in mind. Binald said.
I could never forget you, and if Danar gets his way, we will be family. Forlay teased.
Binald blinked, embarrassed and then pushed Forlay into the stream, and Forlay pulled her right in after her.
Forlay! Forlay!
Forlay looked up, and removed her hoof from the stream she had placed there during the morning ritual. Binald was galloping towards her, emerald eyes bright with excitement.
What is it? Forlay asked concerned. Binald stopped in front of her panting.
I was just over by the scoop, uprooting that bala bush and replacing it with the one that was by the old Therant tree. Binald told her.
You really should stop that. This is Apalth's family land and his ancestors were the ones who landscaped it. Forlay scolded.
Yes, I know. Binald conceded. To anyone else their rearranging was just an odd, annoying quirk, but Forlay knew it was just a stress relief. A way to deal with their parent's death and the forced leave of their childhood home.
Anyway, so I overheard Kalafid and Apalth speaking. Binald continued. They said you are betrothed and that your future husband will be here within three day's time.
Forlay sighed, It was only a matter of time.
You knew.
Not of who and when my betrothed would come, but I knew my parents would choose for me soon enough. Being the only daughter and therefore the one designated to carry on the family line. Forlay explained. Binald moved a front hoof in understanding.
Kalafid said it would be a good match. His name is Noorlin-Sirinial-Coorat and is apparently a warrior who has been on patrol in the nine shifter and is just now coming home. Binald said.
Forlay had always viewed marriage with some anxiety. She had always known she would be married; she was not in a position of default by being a younger sister. In addition, she felt overwhelmed by the thought that someone who would be a total stranger to her at first she would have to lay beneath him, answer to him, go through the pain of childbirth for him, and live with until the day she died to fulfill her side of the marriage agreement. An agreement that she did not have much say in.
Forlay? You will not leave will you? I mean you can if you want to, but will you take me with you? Binald asked softly.
'Run away?' Forlay thought,' yes I would like to do that very much.' Go some place with Binald where they could still be as free as they had been on the Moon of Wilk. Then, Forlay thought of her mother, how hard life had been on those last few months on the Moon of Wilk. What would she do, if her daughter ran away, dishonoring a marriage agreement, shaming the family? With her husband's death fresher in her mind than even her new husband thought? Forlay realized that she was going to have like a responsible adult, and do as her mother had, do what was best for the family even if it could change your life for the worst and hope it turned out as well as it had for mother.
It is aright, Binald, I will not behave like a child and run away from my duty to my family. Forlay said.
That is good, I guess, but I was hoping for another adventure, it is so dull here. Binald said.
Forlay chuckled, Do not worry, knowing you adventure will find you eventually.
So, you are actually going to go through with it. Did I mention that your future husband's next assignment is going to take him to the Moon of Wilk? That is why he wants to marry very soon. Binald asked.
A quick courtship as well? Well, at least one good thing will come from my marriage, I will be able to see all of our old friends once again. Forlay said.
Yes, but I will not be there with you, so just put in keep me in mind. Binald said.
I could never forget you, and if Danar gets his way, we will be family. Forlay teased.
Binald blinked, embarrassed and then pushed Forlay into the stream, and Forlay pulled her right in after her.