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Marryn ~~~
Lord-Elect of Southern Boll Hold
'Dragonriders of Pern' characters from
Dragonsfire MOO
AURORA
Smithy
A small but functional shop, built to service one. No expense has been spared as the room is lavished with every tool possibly needed in the art of smithing neatly hung on pegs, stored on organized shelves or tidily arranged where it'd be most convenient. Large windows brighten the tableau with natural light and will brace open for plenty of fresh air when needed. The arched roof and thick beams overhead give the room a spacious feel despite its size, as well as providing even more space for storage or rigging. To see more of the room type any of the following: look right, look left, look straight, look sign.
The sun is finally rising, casting soft reddish-orange light through the windows of the Smithy, brightening that already provided by the copious amount of glowbaskets that have been opened inside the small building. The single cot is occupied by an unconscious woman and a lone visitor yet remains to watch over her. The room is quiet, the world outside still asleep. The only sound is the soft pad of sandaled feet as Lady Auryn slowly paces and the gentle sh-sh-sh as she whispers to the newborn child cradled in her arms.
Were it not for Aeroulyn's propensity to work in her smithy late into the night when virtually no one is around, Aerou might now be comfortably resting in the infirmary. But by the time she noted her state, it was too late for her to propel herself to the infirmary under her own speed, so she did the best she could do - made it to the cot and shouted until a guard on his rounds heard and summoned the healer to the small smithy. The labor was much shorter than her first ordeal, but much lonelier too. She had her attending healer, but beyond that, simply the midwife and the dim glows of the smithy and the smell of the forge. There was no would-be-betrayer in the cot across the aisle, no flutter of activity. And Marryn did not come - though certainly, not for lack of trying, Aerou told herself as she sank into exhausted dreams. The babe was swathed and taken away to be bathed and examined for healthfulness, but not yet returned when dawn breaks and Aerou wakes, startled. Perhaps it was some small noise, some disturbance in her world that drags her abruptly from dreams. Reality washes over her and wide eyes flit around the room, finding only the lone figure of the Lady of the Hold and not the babe that she knows was born. "I--my baby?" Perhaps this is not the best greeting from an etiquette standpoint, but concern before ceremony.
Auryn’s bobbing gait doesn’t change in the slightest as she completes her turn, bringing the swaddled babe into the mother’s view. Her path continues, bringing her back toward the cot. Eyes the same dark copper as the thick braid wound behind her head look to the young woman, betraying some of the night’s exertions in deeper shadows beneath and heavy lids above. Called as soon as the news became known she has been keeping a vigilant presence since. “Good morning, Aeroulyn,” she says, sounding tired but pleased. Coming to a stop beside the woman she leans to offer the bundled girl. “Here is your daughter. Sound asleep as you were.”
"Good morning, Lady Auryn," The words only manage to come out because the babe is not yet in her arms, for in the moment that she collects the little bundle of sleeping child, her attention is completely captured away. Tears spring happily to Aerou's stormy eyes and she can't resist leaning her face down to press a kiss to the girl's forehead. Little eyes flutter open and lungs inflate to let out a squalling protest to being awakened. "Oh, shhh, shhh, Rory. Mommy's here." There's moments of this that ensue but the child gradually quiets as she's rocked gently in Rou's arms. Now that the question of the child has been answered, another question springs to mind. "Marryn?" The questioning look is turned on Auryn, not entirely sure how to interact with the woman that likely once had just such a tender moment with the man who sired this little girl.
Auryn doesn’t cry, but in her own way she is at her softest right now. Becoming a grandmother wasn’t an easy thing for her to accept but since then love for the boy who made her such has smoothed the road as it was repeated several times. And now that boy’s mother has produced yet another – a girl, a girl who will, like her big brother, be raised in the hold itself and that pleases Auryn to no end. A sigh lifts her shoulders as arms are stretched to encourage circulation. Holding a baby that long, no matter how small and slight, wears on those arm muscles! Auryn didn’t mind though. “He should be along shortly. I sent word as soon as we knew what was happening but it’s several hours ride back.” She snorts lightly. “Though knowing Marryn he’ll wear the runner out getting back in record time. Toncho will want to skin him alive, I’m sure.”
A half-amused, half-adoring smile sneaks onto Aeroulyn's lips at the thought of Marryn riding like the wind towards the Hold just to be with her. She clears her throat and smoothes over her expression into quiet happiness. "I might just let him if he puts himself in harm's way to get here faster. His daughter will still be here when he gets back." Her fingers worm into the blanket to count toes and fingers, "She's been given a clean bill of health from the healers?" The question comes laced with concern, but the assurance that there's 10 and 10, two eyes, a nose, a mouth, and two ears seem to reassure the mother that her daughter is whole and healthy. This pregnancy, after all, was much less fraught with drama than the last. "I-- have you been properly introduced?" She indicates the babe with a nod of her head.
Auryn resists the urge to kneel down beside the cot and admire the girl further. She had several candlemarks to herself. Now it’s Aeroulyn’s turn. Pulling a high chair from under the sideboard Auryn hitches a seat, bracing one leg on the rungs below. She merely smiles at the smith’s threat, musing in return, “That won’t matter to him. He’ll be upset he wasn’t here.” A nod will reassure the mother that her child is sound, healer-sealed and delivered. Stray strands of auburn sway as she tilts her head, not all caught in the hastily-made braid. One hand rises to tuck them behind an ear as her gaze slides to the baby and she’ll nod again. “We’ve been having quite a chat, her and I,” she’ll reply with a soft smile, not realizing what Aeroulyn means.
"Mm, yes, that's Myn for you." Aerou gives a tolerant sort of smile and a shake of her head before turning her face back to the child who has her eyes, though sleepy the lids are getting once more. Fingers feather over the girls cheeks and she smiles softly. "Oh, were you? Is she very talkative? Or simply a good listener?" Then she shifts the girl in her lap to better face the older woman, "I don't suppose she had manners enough to tell you her name." Not that the babe knew it, "This is Aurora, if it pleases you, Lady Auryn." The 'if it pleases you' is really more of a gesture of politeness, for even if it displeased Auryn to have the babe so similarly named, the name would stay. "Rory, we figured, for short. If it was a girl. Which. It is." That last is a bit awkward, but it comes back to being unexpectedly in more private contact with this woman that she's had in the whole rest of her time at Boll put together.
Surprise takes some of the tired droop from Auryn’s expression, turning it instead into obvious pleasure. Aeroulyn is monitored with an intense steady gaze of several seconds, then, it moves on to the little girl who will bear a name similar to hers. “She did not,” is replied, tone changing as thoughts pick up a tangent, “And neither did her father.” She assumes he knew of the choice of name and purposely didn’t tell her – chiding is in order for holding out. “It’s a lovely name, perfect for a lovely little girl.” A thoughtful lilt coats her features as the nickname is considered but she likes Aurora too much to shorten it yet. Genuine smile takes in Aeroulyn again, a silent offer of approval and gratitude for the honor. “She’s been fairly quiet since you fell asleep. You might actually luck out with an easy child, despite who her father is.”
"Laeryn was a sweet child in early months." Aeroulyn murmurs softly in response, though she watches Aurora now, "Perhaps fate saw fit to grant Marryn and I easy children after everything we've been through, though. There have been enough tears in our family." And a glance towards Auryn include her in this sobering estimation, though a quiet revelation will bring to light in the smith's mind that she knows startlingly little of the history of the family to which she is becoming ever closer with every child of shared blood. "I think my father might argue that I might've challenged Marryn's tempestuousness in my youth. But it remains to be seen if Ryn and Rory will out-do us both yet." As Aurora's eyes slide closed and her breathing re-settles into slumber, Aerou asks of her other child, "Is Laeryn still sleeping? Did you wake him when you got word?" The obvious assumption is no, since if Laeryn had been awakened to hear of a baby, he likely would have insisted in his very young, but decisive way, to accompany Lady Auryn.
Auryn listens without comment, mahogany gaze watching the young woman with a steady but relaxed air. Being under that regard for too long under normal circumstances might make someone nervous, but in this case she’s much too tired and pleased to be the slightest bit tense. As a question rises she pulls her thoughts together to form a reply, thoughts jumping to her sleeping grandson within the hold. “He was sleeping when I left. I checked in on him but saw no reason to wake him for the birth. I’m sure he’ll be along the second he’s awake.” A soft smile for that. Then a bit more serious regard, “You should move into the infirmary as soon as you can. You can be better attended inside.”
Just then the door slams open and Marryn rushes in, heedless of what might be going on inside. Sleeping? Not any more! “Mother,” he greets with a quick nod as he passes by her and drops to one knee beside the cot. “Rou? Are you alright? This...this is her.” Dark eyes catch copper hints from the brightening sunlight, rounded more than usual with amazement as he looks from mother to child. It’s a statement, not a question.
So much for Grand-ma-ma having any of the mother's attention as the father comes bursting in. Though Aeroulyn looks understandably exhausted, brow still touched with sweat as a result of a combination of both the heat that the smoldering embers of the nearby forge produce, the natural heat of Boll, and the exertions of the night. Despite it, Rou's laughter rises pleasantly to tickle Marryn's ears, one hand reaching out to catch one of his own and give it a squeeze. "I'm fine, love. She's fine. We're all fine. I'd like you to meet your daughter, Aurora." The babe is shifted, and Aerou's hand slips away to better handle the bundle as she makes move to deposit the dozing baby into Papa's arms. "Are you alright?" She questions then, as Auryn did make the excellent point of what a rush Marryn would be in to get back. "She has my eyes." This is added to fill in what isn't presently known due to Rory's sleeping state.
Marryn squeezes her hand in return, lifting it to brush a kiss over her knuckles. The touch is ticklish from the ever-so-slight shadowed surrounding his goatee - the growth that forever plagues males if they don’t shave every morning. Obsidian lengths are disheveled and fall about his face in various feathered angles, clothes just rumpled enough to mark the rush with which he left. His manner is all solicitous caution as he takes the baby girl, smile wide enough to crack a window if he should turn his head too quick. “Hello my little girl,” he breathes, tilting her so he can observe her face. “I’m Daddy.”
Though Rory doesn't wake, there is some degree of response to the soothing sound of Marryn's deep voice as a particularly deep breath is taken and a little tiny sigh is loosed from her lips. Aeroulyn watches Marryn's face intently, smile claiming her lips broadly. The tenderness displayed to the product of their love is something she can't help but become enthralled by. "Did we take you away from something particularly important?" Rou questions softly after several moments of silently allowing the man to marvel at his kin.
“Hm?” Marryn siphens off part of his fascination with Aurora’s adorable little button nose to answer Aeroulyn, still wearing that silly grin as he glances aside and shakes his head. “What I was doing? Oh, don’t worry. I left Zarl behind to maintain the peace till I get back.” A neighborly dispute, in fact, quelled quite firmly by the presence of the renowned Captain of the Guard. Dark eyes become a little more focused as he lowers his tone to ask, “Did you tell her the name?”
"Mm." Aeroulyn confirms, letting stormy gaze drift away from Marryn to seek out his mother - just to ensure she's still there. "I made the introductions." Her voice lowers to a mock-whisper, "I think you're grounded for not telling her sooner." There's a teasing lilt to the murmur. She shifts in the cot then, slowly, carefully. She tests sore muscles, flexing feet and relaxing, turning feet towards the floor of the smithy, hands then moving to adjust the loose shirt she wears - one of Marryn's.
Marryn merely returns a boyish grin, obviously fearless in the face of his mother’s wrath. Holding the bundled girl close he rocks back on his heels and stands, turning toward Auryn still seated on the high chair, watching quietly. “What do you think of your new grand-daughter, Aurora, Mother? Isn’t she gorgeous?!” Supplying a ready answer to his own question he holds the baby girl out and turns in a swift circle. The quick movement will no doubt give the women a heart attack but he did restrain from tossing her upward instead like he was going to do.
Auryn does react quickly, one arm darting out toward her son as he manhandles the child. “Yes, Marryn!” she agrees with a chiding laugh. “Now do be careful so I can enjoy her for a long time to come, hm?”
Aeroulyn's maternal instincts are no less swift to respond to the twirl, though she's less able to actually make a difference. Eyes widen and arms reach out toward the babe, giving Marryn a stern look of consternation. "If you're not careful," She threatens with an impressive degree of sincerity, "I'll ground you from seeing your daughter. You're like Laeryn with a new toy. You have it less than five blinks and you're already trying to break it." Hands now make the wanting gesture of desiring Aurora safely back into her arms. Its not that she doesn't trust Marryn, its just that... that's her baby he's swinging around! Auryn can be the level head of wisdom. Aerou? Aerou, as ever, is the hot-headed voice of stubbornness.
Marryn merely laughs, a deep hearty sound that rolls from his chest as if to defy the seriousness of the women. “Oh look!” he suddenly exclaims, calming to hold the girl still only to look at her again. “She does have your eyes, Rou.”
That statement is made in a tone both warm and soft, one not heard often enough in Auryn’s estimation. Lips is caught as she watches the tableau, glance slipping toward the cot to take in the woman who holds such a large piece of her son’s happiness in her hands. Uncertainty is there, but resolve too. Aeroulyn has become a more permanent fixture at the hold now, giving Auryn all the more opportunity to observe. Clearing her throat she perks a brow at Marryn. “Aeroulyn only just woke up herself, Marryn. You have to share.”
Having shifted on the cot, Aeroulyn now sits horizontal to the length of the bed, offering Auryn a thankful smile at her words of quiet insistence. A hand pats the bed beside her in invitation to Marryn to join her so that they /both/ can share in the little bundle of joy. Rou remains quiet now, the initial moments of chatter having subsided and now being left in an unfamiliar situation with Lady Auryn in the mix. Maybe-one-day-mother-in-laws and Aerou simply is an awkward combination for the smith, never having had a mother to relate to herself. Now, if Marryn's father were still alive, that would be a figure she could easily relate to - but a mother? Its foreign territory.
Marryn gives in, albeit reluctantly, in the face of feminine tag-teaming. Still seeming to bounce his step and sway alarmingly he actually has a hold that would never falter on the child, even it it doesn’t look that secure to observers. The cot creaks its protest as he joins Aeroulyn, though he doesn’t give up the babe right away. First she is drawn close, almost nose to nose, and then he angles to kiss her lightly on the forehead. Only then does he hand her over to her mother. “Has Laeryn seen her?” he asks suddenly.
Aerou is only half-patient in regaining her daughter, leaning in close to direct a stubborn pout towards Marryn's visage in a vain attempt to hurry him along in returning her. She gathers the girl close, but shifts closer still to Marryn so that the girl is not far from his eyes and within easy reach. "Not yet. Your mother said he was sleeping when she left to come down here. I was working late last night so he was staying in the family quarters." This is explained succinctly. "I'd like to send word to my father. I'm sure he'd like to see another grandchild."
Auryn takes advantage of the conversation to slide off her stool and stretch, then cast a baleful look to the two young people, settling on Marryn as she repeats her suggestion he interrupted by his arrival. “She should be taken inside for better care, Marryn. I trust you can see to it? I’ll check on Laeryn and if he’s awake bring him to the infirmary to see his new little sister.” Auburn head slants toward the brightening windows as she adds, “Though I /hope/ he isn’t up already.” Her comfy bed and a nice big pillow sound grand about now.
Marryn nods, pulling his gaze away to really look at her for the first time. Something in her tone tweaks a mental alarm and he frowns, assuring with only a quick glance at Aeroulyn. “I will Mother. You should go rest, you look exhausted. Don’t worry about Laeryn. I’ll come fetch him once these two are settled.”
Babies are so distracting. Especially when one is in search of distraction. Aeroulyn, rather than intensify the awkwardness of interactions, she's settled on busying herself with cooing softly over Aurora to coax her back into sleep. But as discussion of Auryn's imminent departure occurs, Aerou offers a smile up towards the woman. Her words are simple, but heart-felt, "Lady Auryn, I--" And awkward. Was awkward mentioned? "-- Thank you." She settles on as the best way to phrase her appreciation for Auryn's simple presence through the night. Then eyes turn expectantly towards Marryn, "I don't suppose you feel up to carrying me and our daughter to the infirmary?" Her fingers go running up one of his arms in a mock-testing manner, "I'm not sure you can handle it. Especially if you have to resist twirling." There's gentle tease in her voice - ever the challenging mate.
Auryn pauses to regard Aeroulyn a moment, then returns the smile and walks over to brush the baby’s cheek with one finger. “No, thank you Aeroulyn.” And with that said she turns to go, closing the door softly behind her.
Marryn turns a slow smile on Aeroulyn, thick brows arching. A small gurgle pulls his attention downward and he chuckles, tracing the touch of Auryn’s finger on the girl’s cheek with his own. “That, Aurora, was your Grandmother.” Mirth remains as he looks up to find those familiar stormy blue eyes, coppery mischief bright. “I think I can manage,” he croons, not specifying if he means just carrying her or carrying her and twisting. Knowing him, it’s the former, not the latter. Turning, he leans across her and rises at the same time that he slides one arm around her back and the other beneath her thighs. Both females are lifted in one fluid movement, muscles taunt across his shoulders and chest as he is careful of the babe she carries. Bouncing them slightly, easily, he turns toward the door, pausing only to allow her to assist by turning the handle. Show-off.
He won't get away with things so easily. Before Rou gives way to his expectancy of her opening the door, she leans up, careful not to squish the baby or over-exert her sore muscles, and claims a soft, deep tender kiss from his lips, eyes quietly adoring. "I love you, Myn." She whispers, waiting on a return of affections before the handle is pulled to allow them to exit and for her and the child to be delivered into the hands of the vigilant healers of Boll.
Marryn nearly returns to the cot then, feeling a rush of emotion for the woman in his arms. The kiss is returned as fully as he can manage balancing the three of them, his arms tightening around her and squeezing her tight against his chest. As lips part he tilts his head to brush cheek to cheek, returning, “I love you too, Rou. And I love our new little girl.” Protective instinct rears strong and he makes sure the pair are delivered safely to the good hands of the healers before going to check on their son and introduce him to their growing family.
END OF LOG.