He feels Éowyn tense, and immediately concern wells up within him ... concern, and a pointed frustration with himself.
Of course someone born of Rohan - raised in their ways, with their expectations - would be revolted by the very idea. Even if someone chafed under those same expectations, that didn't mean that something so alien to what they viewed as decency would be received well. He had meant no insult, but in attempt to lay out the paths before her, he may have offered one anyway -- he had, judging by the guarded stare she regarded him with now.
A piece of him - the cold, blunt pragmatic part - thought that this might be for the best, even how it happened was unfortunate. Better to learn now how different life amongst the tribes of Fenris would be, rather than let the wave crash over her all at once when she was already in the middle of it.
But it should have happened under better circumstances, and that mistake was his without doubt.
And that is why he stays quiet as Éowyn tries to sort through all the thoughts wheeling madly through her head. He waits, patiently, for what question she might ask him or what rebuke she might lash him with, as he owes her the former and has earned the latter. When that question finally does come ...
He favors directness in almost all matters, but he hadn't expected her to carve past the issue at hand and dive directly to the heart of the matter before stopping to ask about the world she was entering regardless of what he wanted. Seeing her do just that surprises him, and the way his eyes widen betrays that.
He is not, however, waylaid by it for long.
"Any man who finds a wife or frylla as fair you should thank the gods."
Aleifr doesn't hesitate in saying it, nor does he halt or stumble. That is the truth, and rarely does he find speaking the truth as he sees it difficult.
He struggles more with feelings. Not in speaking them, but in finding the words to convey them whole. That's why what he says next carries all the plainfaced honesty that she would expect from him, but less of the easy, stone-sure certainty ...
"You're kind. And true. And you've a braver heart than you let yourself believe. You deserve better than you've been allowed to have."
... at least at first. The more words slip past his lips, the easier he finds the next one.
"I've seen you smile. It's something I'd see more, if it were my choice. And whether it was with that sword in your hand or a babe in your arms, it would be sweeter still to know you smiled because of me, even in part. I meant it when I said that I would never abandon someone who'd done for me what you have ... but that is why I'd have you as a wife if you'd have me as your husband. That is why I'd have you as my frylla, if that suited you better."
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sforzinda
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Date: 2025-04-04 05:46 am (UTC)Of course someone born of Rohan - raised in their ways, with their expectations - would be revolted by the very idea. Even if someone chafed under those same expectations, that didn't mean that something so alien to what they viewed as decency would be received well. He had meant no insult, but in attempt to lay out the paths before her, he may have offered one anyway -- he had, judging by the guarded stare she regarded him with now.
A piece of him - the cold, blunt pragmatic part - thought that this might be for the best, even how it happened was unfortunate. Better to learn now how different life amongst the tribes of Fenris would be, rather than let the wave crash over her all at once when she was already in the middle of it.
But it should have happened under better circumstances, and that mistake was his without doubt.
And that is why he stays quiet as Éowyn tries to sort through all the thoughts wheeling madly through her head. He waits, patiently, for what question she might ask him or what rebuke she might lash him with, as he owes her the former and has earned the latter. When that question finally does come ...
He favors directness in almost all matters, but he hadn't expected her to carve past the issue at hand and dive directly to the heart of the matter before stopping to ask about the world she was entering regardless of what he wanted. Seeing her do just that surprises him, and the way his eyes widen betrays that.
He is not, however, waylaid by it for long.
"Any man who finds a wife or frylla as fair you should thank the gods."
Aleifr doesn't hesitate in saying it, nor does he halt or stumble. That is the truth, and rarely does he find speaking the truth as he sees it difficult.
He struggles more with feelings. Not in speaking them, but in finding the words to convey them whole. That's why what he says next carries all the plainfaced honesty that she would expect from him, but less of the easy, stone-sure certainty ...
"You're kind. And true. And you've a braver heart than you let yourself believe. You deserve better than you've been allowed to have."
... at least at first. The more words slip past his lips, the easier he finds the next one.
"I've seen you smile. It's something I'd see more, if it were my choice. And whether it was with that sword in your hand or a babe in your arms, it would be sweeter still to know you smiled because of me, even in part. I meant it when I said that I would never abandon someone who'd done for me what you have ... but that is why I'd have you as a wife if you'd have me as your husband. That is why I'd have you as my frylla, if that suited you better."