• Closed • Fall At Your Feet [Zedarius]

[Odessa Andaris]

65th of Ashan, 717

Odessa sat, silent and stiff, watching the reflection her handmaiden, Matilda, button up her dress. Both the women were tense, well aware of what the mornings happenings suggested; another day lacking the onset of her monthly bleeds, and another morning of heaving over her chamberpot. It had gotten to such an extent and frequency that Matilda had taken to bringing two pots with her in the evenings, knowing that Odessa would inevitably leap out of bed the next morning like a bat out of hell. Matilda finished with her buttons, her worn hands smoothing over Odessa's slim shoulders before squeezing soothingly, her eye's full of empathy as she met her Lady's gaze in the mirror. "Well dear, what shall we do?" She said finally, breaking the fearful silence that had settled over Odessa.

The young nobles mind was a mess, full of disbelief and anxiety at what could no longer be ignored. For so long I've been good. She thought to herself, her gaze falling to her hands, folded neatly in her lap. Never played around like the other girls. How could this happen to me. She sniffed, willing back frustrated and frightened tears. To have a child out of wedlock was an unacceptable insult to the Andaris name, and the thought that one silly night could potentially ruin Odessa's life frightened her, making the young woman feel more out of control than she had in her whole life.

"You need to go to your mother." Matilda said finally, taking Odessa's arm and coaxing the young woman to stand. Sniffling, Dessa followed her lead, completely silent as they made their way through the Andaris family manor, towards the wing that her mother and father occupied. Odessa's hands trembled, struggling to come to terms with the gravity of her situation. She hoped that the short walk would help to compose her thoughts, but they were such a mess that it seemed only a moment before she was looking up from the carpet, having come to a stop outside of Lily Andaris' study.

"Be strong love." Matilda whispered as she knocked and opened the door for her, ushering the still hesitant Odessa inside. Lily Andaris sat inside, stern and silent behind her great carved table, her gaze expectant and already mildly irritated. "Yes? Why are you interrupting my work?" Odessa blinked, moving forward to lower herself into one of the large armchairs, her gaze straying across the room as she fret over what to say. Perhaps it would be better to come right out with it, no excuses and now apologies, nothing but the brutal, terrifying truth. Gulping, Odessa fortified her, her back straight as a board and stiff, her head high and simply said it.

"I'm with child."

Moments ticked by as her mother regarded her, apparently struck speechless by the revelations, which Odessa would have previously thought impossible to do. Dessa was beginning to fidget under the cold attention, and it was only then that Lily spoke. "I wish I could say I'm surprised, but you've always been rather stupid, havent you?" Odessa blinked, not quite sure how to respond to that, but her mother continued on before she even had the chance. "Luckily for you, there are herbs, medicines, that will end your mistake before it can impact the family's reputation."

Odessa froze, for a long moment wondering if she'd somehow misunderstood what her mother was saying, and the implications of the words. Till now she hadn't even thought of Zedarius, her concerns had been focused solely on her worries for her own life. But the thought of ending what would soon be his child chilled her, her icey blue eyes growing wide at the mere thought. Zedarius was a loving man, a man who valued family, and it was obvious to even the most oblivious fool that he'd make a brilliant father. If he ever found out that I'd... Odessa stopped herself immediately, mind and body both recoiling at the mere thought, knowing that the knight would not take such a betrayal of trust well. Odessa's gaze rose once more, meeting her mother's, stronger now with the thought of Zeds role, his involvement in all of this.

"If you so much as suggest that again, mother, I'll send word to the Gazette this moment, announcing that I'm expecting my first bastard child." She snarled, her voice dripping with anger and dark sincerity, making it clear that she wasn't even willing to discuss the matter any longer.Her mother's face hardened, her eye's going flat as she seemed to asses her daughter, no doubt wondering if she could bully and pressure the woman into doing as she wanted. A long, tense silence came over them, and Odessa remound resolute under the harsh, emotionless gaze, her nails digging gouges into her palms as her hands curled into fists. Finally her mother stood, gathering her shawls about her and dismissing her daughter with a flick of her long fingers. "Fine, leave. I need to find a way to remedy your idiotic actions." She snapped, turning away as Odessa rose silently, her legs trembling as she escaped the room.

Outside Matilda blinked at her, her face immediately falling, and the handmaiden came forward to wrap an arm around Odessa's waist, guiding her charge down the hall. "My dear, what happened? What did she say?" Matilda whispered, her tone grim, as though she knew already what the outcome of the meeting had been. Odessa merely shook her head, eyes welling with tears as she hurried her way along the hall, back in the direction of her rooms.

"I have to speak with Zed."

[Zedarius]

He'd read the letter. No, that was misleading. He'd read the letter, then he'd re-read the letter, then he read the letter again, going over Odessa's script multiple times to ensure he'd not missed anything. He could tell from her handwriting that she was shaking, and the thoughts that raced through his mind had been terrifying him since he'd read the first line. "We need to talk" echoed in his mind, it whirring like a never-ending machine through horrible scenario after horrible scenario. She could have been disowned, she could have been raped. She could be sentenced to death... Or worse, the Seven could be nullifying their "marriage", dissolving it so that Odessa could be forced to marry some stuffy noble. Zedarius knew that it was her destiny, and that their romp was just that: a romp.

But he loved her, and if the need arose, he would fight for her. His background was nothing, dirt and steel and sweat, but he'd built himself into something valuable. Much like the arms and armor he'd spent his life making, he forged himself in the heat of the forge and molded himself into a strong and unyielding metal. Should he need to, he would fight for her honour. To his death, if that is what it took. He would take her for his wife, if it meant he had to bring down the aristocracy of Rynmere around him to do it. He'd hoped it wouldn't come to that, but he was prepared if it did.

Those and more scenarios raced through his head as he dressed himself. He did so without care, flinging on his dark clothing haphazardly as he struggled to get out of the door. The ride to the Andaris compound was not a long one, but he knew that every trill would seem an eternity until he held his darling Odessa in his arms. He would be her support, her solid oak in the storm, even if she told him he must go. He would love her unconditionally.

And perhaps this was nothing. Perhaps she considered some small slight a mortal error, and expected Zedarius to avenge her honour. Maybe one of her attendants looked at her oddly, and Odessa felt fat. Or the cook offered her salad, instead of pork... She was sensitive, though she buried it under knives sharper than any Zedarius had ever forged. Still, she asked for Zedarius, and there was nothing that could keep him from being there for her.

And so he rode the stallion that the Hand had assigned him. He was old and ornery, but he let Zedarius break him. The two had become companions since, and old Hrunting was as trusty as he was ornery. With a smile, Zedarius patted the beast below him as they galloped, making all haste to the Andaris compound.

As he dismounted outside the compound, a stableboy rushed out, covered in muck and straw. He took Hrunting's reins from Zedarius, barely looking at the massive knight. Zed's large hand caught the boy by the shoulder, turning him to stare into his eyes. The boy was fearful, quaking under Zed's unwavering gaze, which was not unkind.

"Take good care of him, yea? He's been through enough in his life. Here. A silver nel for your trouble, yea?"

He handed the boy a silver nel with a wink, eliciting a wide grin. Zedarius returned the expression and moved to the door, the pit in his stomach replacing the elation of the boy's smile. He lifted his large hand and knocked, solid thuds against the wooden door. He waited with bated breath, anticipating the worst but hoping for the best.

[Odessa Andaris]

Odessa sat as quiet and still as she was able, waiting patiently for word that her fiance had arrived. Patiently was of course a bit of a stretch, as Odessa was rarely patient about anything, especially on such a troublesome trial, about such life changing news. She sat, prim and proper in one of the smaller, more private and intimate receiving rooms, her clothing dark as usual and her make-up made up perfectly. She was careful to conceal her emotions to the best of her abilities, face carefully arranged in the politely flat expression that she usually relied on for tedious family meetings or stuffy noble dinners. The young woman was petrified that her secret would be found out if her composure slipped. The very last thing she wanted or needed was the help tittering about her behind their hands, or worse, going to the gazette with gossip and rumors.

A knock sounded at the door, and Matilda moved from her place across the room to answer it, turning back after a short moment of quiet murmuring to set her comforting gaze on her charge. "Ser Steel has arrived." She called calmly, waving away the messenger outside the doorway. Odessa's back stiffened with nerves, hands knotting in her lap, nausea washing over her for the second time that day. "I'll fetch him, and bring him back here. But do try to relax dear, you're looking pale." Her tone was soft and kind, and not for the first time Odessa was grateful to have the older woman here to take care of her. She watched, nerves increasing by the second as her former wet-maid closed the door carefully behind herself, leaving Odessa alone to her thoughts. With little else to do as she waited, Odessa worried over what the react might be when she finally had her chance to share her life changing news with her husband. Would he be excited? Or perhaps scared and worried, as Odessa was. Surely he wouldn't be as angry and disappointed as her mother was, though Odessa had to acknowledge that anything may be possible.

Unable to help herself, Odessa stood and made her way to the door, waiting anxiously for it to open and Zedarius to enter. Every few moments her hands would stray to her flat stomach, smoothing over the fabric of her dress and lingering there, until the noble noticed and jerked her hands away and back to the side. She couldn't help but wonder after her growing child; how quickly would she show, was it to be a girl or boy, who would they look the most like? She'd been unable to pay attention to much else over the last few days, her mind constantly moving between the baby, Zedarius and herself. When her fiance finally did arrive, lead by Matilda, she'd them throw her arms around the tall mans neck and press herself close to him, trembling from head to foot with suppressed emotion.

[Zedarius]

As he stood on the steps, a thousand scenarios rushed through his mind. It was impossible the amount of tragedy that raced across his consciousness, from Odessa's being wed off to some stuffy noble to her having been diagnosed with some sort of sickness. He was worried for her, and worried about her. Since the party at Ser Malcolm's, she'd seemed strange and distant, and Zedarius was sure that she had been different. She was slighter, more frail, like she would blow away in a strong breeze.

And Zedarius was terrified, of course, because losing her would crush him. He wasn't sure that he could survive without her, and he needed to make sure that she was okay. If she was being married off, he would run off with her. They did not need the Andaris name. Plenty of the nobility had slipped from their noble bondings and become civilians, and Zedarius knew that he could provide for the two of them. Flashes of places he'd been or heard of blinked behind his eyes, and for each one, he knew it wasn't good enough for his Odessa. Nothing was, and Zedarius knew that she was far too attached to her lifestyle here to forgo it in favor of poverty and hard times with him. Perhaps one trial he would assume a Lordship and would be able to give her the things she deserved. Perhaps.

Finally, at what seemed an eternity, the door slowly inched open. Standing there, looking worn and tired, was Mathilda. Zedarius smiled weakly, his piercing eyes searching every dark circle and wrinkle on her face for some hint, any hint, at what ailed his beautiful beloved. Mathilda sighed, just shaking her head, as Zedarius knew she would. He knew that whatever the severity of the news, Odessa would want to tell him herself. With that, he waited for her to offer him the threshold, and then strode in large strides to the room where his love waited. Mathilda struggled to keep up with his quick gait. He waited for Mathilda to open the door, allowing her her duty, before stepping into the room.

And immediately he caught Odessa, who wrapped delicate arms around his powerful neck. Effortlessly, for she barely weighed anything, he lifted her into his arms and held her into his chest, breathing the sweet scent of her hair. Full lips kissed the top of her head, maintaining the symbolic nature of their natural melding. And so he held her there, trembling in his arms, for two bits. Each trill was punctuated with a whispered nothing, or an 'I love you' or a kiss to the crown of her head. He filled the time with affection, because he was unsure how much more time he would have.

"Odessa, my love... What has happened? What ails you, my dear? Because no matter what it is, we will conquer it. Nothing is stronger than we are. Not my steel, or your parents' fortune. We are the strength, and they are the bending world around us." He held her there, now looking into her pale eyes with a smile.

[Odessa Andaris]

Odessa didn't cry, but when she did finally step back from Zedarius' embrace her eyes gleamed, the tears held back with an iron will. The young woman was silent for a long moment, eyes taking in her beloved as he spoke, her heart seizing at the mix of worry and love on his face. Zedarius was always open with her, honest not only in his words, but in everything, even down to his expression. Everything he felt and thought was laid out over his handsome face, a quality Odessa was far from used to amongst her noble peers. "Come, sit with me." She croaked finally, her own face drawn and pale with anxiety, her eye's wide and shifting. The small woman took his hand, the tremble of her hands calming somewhat in his large, rough grip as she lead him across the room to a plush loveseat.

Odessa waited for him to sit first, and huffed when Zedarius paused, waiting for her to take her seat first. A perfect gentleman, as usual, and while Odessa would have enjoyed to attention, she wanted even more to be in control of the situation in that moment. Reaching up, she set a hand on his shoulder, her face flattening out into an imperious and stern expression as she pushed ineffectively at his shoulder. "Zed, sit." She repeated, her tone eerily similar to the one Mailda had used on Dessa and her siblings as cheeky children. Finally, Zedarius humoured her, and Odessa's face softened, a soft smile twitching her lips as she then folded herself carefully onto the cushions next to him, her lean legs pulled up onto the lounge and pressed against Zedarius'. She was turned in towards him, sitting sideways on the lounge in a rather unlady-like fashion, though she couldn't bring herself to care now that she was alone with the love of her life. Avoiding his gaze, Odessa occupied herself for a moment by smoothing her hands over her skirt, freeing the fabric of wrinkles and creases. "Nothing ails me." She began, her tone a touch defensive, the wording reminding her of her mother's horrid "solution". "In fact, I'm likely as well as I've ever been." She mussed, her smoothing hands straying closer and closer to her flat stomach with each pass. Finally her gaze strayed back to Zedarius' handsome face. "I love you, you know that right?" She said suddenly, eye's prickling yet again, though she held it all back. "I know I can be a brat, and a pain. And I was awful when we were first engaged. But I do love you, and I want to be with you... Have a family with you..." Odessa trailed off, gnawing at her plump lips uncertainly, examining Zedarius' face closely for any hint of reaction.

She stalled, hands knotting in her skirts and gaze fleeing again, the young woman swallowing harshly as she tried her best to force the words out. With a jerky movement her hands yanked free of her skirt and snatched Zedarius' own, pulling them up to her lips and pressing a soft kiss to his knuckles, her worried gaze locking on him as she lowered them, her fingers winding with his own to rest in her lap. "Zed, love." She whispered shakily, finally finding the courage to reveal her news. "I'm with child."

[Zedarius]

Zedarius could not help it; being a gentleman was in his blood. But he could sense that there was something eating at Odessa, so rather than push the point, he allowed her to push him down on the seat. His face was a mash of concern and confusion, and it was quite evident as the time drew on that he was only growing more curious.

He could not help but smile when she sat next to him. Often, her handmaiden had chastised her for her posture, or being "un-ladylike". Zedarius found it endearing. As much training and instruction she'd had in the course of her life, and still she could be unrefined and uncouth around him. It made him more comfortable, though he dare not tell her that. His very being there was a poignant reminder that he was from common stock. He pushed the thought aside, though, as she began speaking. He smiled assuredly and squeezed her thigh when she said she loved him.

"Of course I want to start a--" When she cut him off, he already knew what she was going to say. His heart leapt into his throat as the words fell from her exquisite lips, and he nearly choked on the word as it got stuck. Instead, though, he tossed his head back and took a deep breath. To Odessa, it must have looked like a negative reaction, but it was not at all. Instead, Zedarius' breath was taken by the amazement that he was going to be a father. His face was blank as he lowered it back to look at her.

"With child? My dear, are you sure? You're certain you are not just... stressed, or have eaten something funny? A bad whelk, perhaps?" His eyes were pleading, though not for her to be lying. He was excited to have a child, though the adrenaline accounted for a lot of his inability to think clearly about the situation.

"I'm going to be a father... You're going to have a b--" And he passed out.