Meeting Vedran's Mom

Aleyn wasn't sure how much to read into her comments. She obviously knew that her son had been unhappy, that there had been problems in his marriage, but he didn't know how much she knew about the details, or where she placed the blame (although that bit about 'people he chooses' was suggestive, anyway.) "I... hope so?" he hazarded. "He's definitely doing better from when I first met him, at least, and I hope things will keep improving."

"I hope so too - I was very worried about him for a while. He takes everything so much to heart, even when they're not his fault or not anything he can control. But he seems so much more relaxed an happy today, though I'm sure things must still be difficult at times."

"Sometimes," Aleyn agreed. "For both of us. Mostly it's things that are beyond his control, like you said..." He paused, not sure how much to say to her. "I'm glad that I'm able to make him happy," he said at last, "even if I can't fix everything. He deserves it."

"I hope you make each other happy, Aleyn, and thank you."

"Oh, um, you don't have to thank me," Aleyn said, blushing.

"No, I know it doesn't really have anything to do with me, I'm just grateful that he has someone who seems to care so much for him. I know his marriage was hurting him more than he would admit. I don't know if it is all the kind of damage that can be *fixed*, exactly - I can tell its changed him, but if he believes he can be, and deserves to be happy, its progress I am very gratified to see."

"Well... we're working on it." Aleyn gave a little shrug. "I worry sometimes that even if he is happy, he might put that aside because he feels that's what he's supposed to do, what's expected of him. He's very aware of how things look, what people might say... So, um, today was the first time he's ever called me his boyfriend, at least as far as I know. And I doubt I'm going to get invited over for tea at his father's house anytime soon," he added dryly.

"I think he's much less like to take his happiness for granted, now, but you're right - he does take all of his responsibilities very seriously. That's something he got from his father. Do you know anything about Jeseryn?"

"Well, let's see. He's a Councilor, of course, everyone knows that. He's an elf, and a druid, and he does some kind of work dealing with the shifting lands. I know he has a dragonmark, because Vedran's talked a bit about that, mostly in terms of Macen's... He's very powerful and terrifying, and he'll probably hate me if he finds out about me and Vedran. Or, I imagine he already knows," he said, grimacing. "And he set up Vedran's first marriage and he intends for him to get married again. And I am, in every possible way, totally inappropriate by his standards." He glanced across the room to Vinalia. "How am I doing so far?"

Vinalia sighed and gave a little smile. "Oh dear. That's a very harsh assessment. I can't say you're wrong, not completely, but maybe a little pessimistic. He can be very intimidating, and you're right that he's not likely to invite you up for tea any time soon. But he does understand that sometimes a little impropriety is the right thing to do."

"Well, since I haven't met him and I'm not likely to anytime soon, I'll take your word for that," Aleyn said with a sigh. "I'm sure he has his good points. I don't mean to suggest he's some kind of monster. Even Brenn says he's not, and I know they don't really get along. And I know Vedran has a lot of respect for him..." He shrugged, trailing off, not sure of Vinalia's current feelings for her son's father.

"He's a good man, but he tends to get too focused on the future and lose track of what's happening right in front of him, like people, and their feelings. He's not heartless, and I know he's been worried about Vedran too, though his grasp on the situation is probably a little, hmm...abstracted, perhaps.

She thought for a moment as she took a sip of her tea. "Have you talked to Vedran about any of this? Or do you think that would be too much for him?"

"Not... not really, no. I mean, when things were just sort of getting started between us, he explained about how... it mattered how things looked, how we couldn't go out on dates together or hold hands where people might see or things like that... And about the ... the next marriage, whenever that might be. But there's so many other things to worry about right now that are more important than all of that. And I really am happy to be with him, so I shouldn't complain. I know there's nothing to be done about it, it's just the way things are..." He bit his lip, trying not to get too upset.

She reached over to squeeze his hand. "I know, it is difficult. I don't know if it will be any consolation but, sometimes, things done in secret have more power. Especially love."

"He hasn't said he loves me," Aleyn said quietly, not meeting her eyes. He didn't really know why he was telling her this, but somehow he trusted her to keep his secrets.

"Give him time, dear. He's still hurting, and its hard to sort through that kind of pain. For now... You love him," she said confidently, smiling, "and he needs you."

"I don't know what he needs..." Aleyn shook his head unhappily, trying to find the right words. "I try to understand, and I do what I can, but I'm afraid it won't be enough."

"Enough to help him? I wish I knew what that was, beyond someone who cares for him and respects his feelings. Enough for him to love you? I hope there will be plenty of good reasons for that - I think there will, but that's not something either of us can know. If you're happy with him now, its best to focus on that, and not gamble too much on the future. Avandra isn't the Lady you want to trust your heart with."

"No, I know," said Aleyn, sniffing slightly. "I am happy, most of the time - I'm still amazed every day that he could feel this way for me, that it's real, because it wasn't that long ago that I figured it was hopeless and I should just try and forget about it. And today has been really nice, with getting to spend so much time with him, and with Macen, and getting to meet you..." He mustered a smile for Vinalia, giving her hand a squeeze in return.

"That's very sweet of you - I'm glad we had a chance to talk too, and I'm always here if there's more you need to say." She petted his hand and let it go, smiling up at the door as footsteps in the hallway heralded Vedran's return.

"That's a very sweet man you've found, dear, I think you should keep him. Or you should at least both stay for dinner."

Vedran smiled, blushing and looking over at Aleyn. "Dinner I think we can managed - as for the other, I'll try."