In Which Aldhein Takes a Side

June 8, 1168

"Oh, and you're never going to believe who I ran into at the silversmith's shop yesterday," Alsina chattered on, her rich red hair ignoring her previous flip and falling back in front of her shoulder. "Master Indruion!"

It was the same routine, one-sided conversation that occured every time Aldhein's wife saw her sister; so-and-so was in town, and by the way, he's available. Aldhein liked Nora, but Alsina's constant need to meddle in the other woman's love life made him almost wish she'd stop visiting. Yes, Alsina was young and giddy and wanted what was best for her sister, but it was so obvious that Nora didn't appreciate her meddling--how did she not see that?

That, and Aldhein would have been lying if he said he wasn't embarrassed on Alsina's behalf.

Just as he could have predicted, Nora's face scrunched into an uncomfortable mask of silent panic. She was far too clever to miss the motives behind her sister's wiles. "He's a good man. How is he doing? He lost his wife last February, remember?"

He lost his wife last February. The literal translation of that was He's nice and all, but I'm not interested. Alsina had been forced to grow up quickly. She still spoke girl; she'd never had time to learn the language of women.

Trying to think of some way to help both of them without being too blunt, Aldhein bounced his son in his arms. "I heard he's been frequenting the castle at Tetran lately--apparently some pretty young maid has caught his eye." It was a lie, but a glare from Alsina and a grateful nod from Nora told him that it had served its purposes.

"I heard that too," Nora played along. "The poor man's been through so much lately; I hope he can find some happiness."

Alsina's hands fell to her lap as she began to gape at her sister. "How did I not hear about this? Thetis was here just yesterday, and she always brings all the juiciest gossip from Tetran."

"It seems that poor Sparron's failed attempts to woo my sister are all anyone can talk about there," piped up Eilyssa, much to Aldhein's surprise. He couldn't be sure whether she had been reading the situation or had relayed honest information that just happened to be convenient as well; he would have to ask her later.

Nora nodded. "Exactly. I get the same news from Florian and Thetis; I learned about Master Indruion's girl from the baron himself the last time he met with Lord Severin."

A new light shone from Alsina's face; Aldhein's hold on Dalston tightened, much to the boy's annoyance. "Speaking of his lordship..." She trailed off, as if expecting her sister to fill in the blank.

It was clear from every aspect of her posture that Nora knew what Alsina wanted her to say. It was just as clear that she did not want to say it. "What about him?"

"Well, he's going to have to start looking one of these days himself, isn't he?"

Aldhein opened his mouth to interrupt, but Nora beat him to it--taking the very words he'd been thinking, at that. "I can't even begin to tell you how many problems there are with that idea."

Silence--Nora had said her piece, and Alsina had to rethink hers. Aldhein rubbed Dalston's back after the boy let out a small hiccup. "Son, moments like this are why women usually try to keep talking for as long as possible."

Alsina raised an eyebrow. "What did you say?"

With fortunate timing, the baby's stomach grumbled. "Alsina, I think Dalston's hungry."

Sighing, Alsina pulled herself out of her chair and crossed the room, allowing Aldhein to transfer the child into her arms. "You know, you wouldn't be so hungry all the time if you would just start eating real food already."

After several attempts at weaning Dalston, the boy was still refusing any form of nourishment other than his mother's breast. Alsina was quite tired of nursing and Aldhein didn't like seeing her so frustrated, but at least it gave her a reason to leave the room and give her sister a moment's peace.

He watched as she carried their son into the bedroom, then turned to his daughter. "Lyssie, why don't you go see if Xeta's home?"

Smiling, Eilyssa leapt from the couch, her face alight with delighted surprise. "You mean I can ride to the keep all by myself?"

"Of course you can," he told her. "You're a big girl now. Besides, it's only a few minutes away and there are no more homicidal humanoids running around unchecked; you'll be fine."

"Thank you, Father!" She kissed him on the cheek, then hurried out the door, leaving him alone with Nora.

Anxious to set things straight, Aldhein collapsed onto Eilyssa's now-vacant half of the couch and groaned. "Sorry about Alsina."

"Don't be," Nora assured him, though her voice sounded to be concealing a sigh. "She's happy, and she wants to see everyone else happy as well."

He shrugged. "You don't seem completely miserable."

"I'm not. For the most part, I'm fine." She tucked back a loose lock of hair and shook her head. "People just seem to think that every problem just disappears with a wedding."

"I know what you mean. If only I had a coin for every time someone tried to force a wife on me when Lyssie was younger, you know? And I imagine you've had to put up with worse, seeing as you're a woman."

Nora's brows arched, a knowing smile on her face. "Nobody knows how to mind their own business these days."

"Amen to that."

"I'm just glad someone understands." She clasped her hands together and closed her eyes. "Thank you."

He hadn't really done anything, but he grinned nonetheless; even if he was powerless, Nora deserved someone on her side. "I can talk to Alsina for you, if you want."

"She'll just find some other way to try to improve my life from her point of view," she insisted, rolling her eyes as she glanced toward the bedroom door. She sent him one last smile, then stood, stepping around the couch toward the door. "Anyway, I should probably leave; I can't risk Uncle Rifden teaching the twins any more new words."

Nodding, Aldhein followed her to the entrance and planted a parting kiss on her cheek. "Well, at least you have someone to watch the children, right?"

"Exactly," she agreed. "The kids are supervised and there's food on the table; what more do I need?"

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