Time Will Tell

Ellie waited patiently by the fireplace in the kitchen, fumbling with the broken edge of the brick as she stared into the low burning flames. Aimlessly she watched as they grew, consuming the small cherry logs. One of her fathers' trees last summer had been split apart by lightning and he was forced to fell the rest of the tree. Cherry trees have the most delightful smell as they burn. Calm and warmth waft from the fireplace as it crackles in its final moments. Such a contrast to the sweet and tangy fruit it would have provided had it lived.

“I suppose that's how all death can be perceived, a sharp contrast to life.” she whispered to herself.

A small grin crept on Ellie’s face as she laughed at how ridiculous her daydreaming had become. At that moment, the closed door to her right quickly opened and an alarmed young man swung himself around the door and promptly closed it. He struggled to find his breath as he leaned heavily on his shoulder upon the door frame. Ellie’s eyebrows rose as she tried to think of a way to announce herself, sense he had so clearly missed her in his violent haste to rid himself of standing in the hallway.

“I have often found that to be a drafty hallway, though I did not know it was so bad these days that it could sweep one into a room.” she chimed lightly to ease her presence into his conscious.

There was a quick hitch in his breath as his back stiffened, trying to conceal his regret of not finding a vacant lavatory. He stood up straight and adjusted his jacket and confidently turned around to face her, smoothing his thick dark hair back with his hand and with a good, humored grin he quickly retorted,

“Ah, yes, I ...I suppose someone should look into that. I certainly felt as though I had to …”

His cheeks reddened as he trailed off, finally fully noticing the young woman standing by the fireplace. The calm glow of the dying fire dancing off of her soft dark red curls and giving center stage to the strands of golden hair strewed throughout it. Her skin was not as dark as his native southern skin was but was certainly not as light as most of the residents in this particular clan. One of her parents must have been from another region than this. Possibly more southern like himself.

Though in these times, most of the clans had been intermingled for a few centuries. Ambrosia has only been United Ambrosia for the past 300 years and only in the last 200 years had the clans been able to accept each other into their families. For the most part it was to continue the peace between clans, such was his purpose here today.

Ellie tried not to make any sudden movements as this man was clearly having a moment only he was privy to while eyeing her. She raised her eyebrows in continuation for him.

“...had to?” she eased.

“...I had to…had to be here.” Slowly, the words stumbled out, as he cleared his throat and hopefully his head of his previous rabbit trail of thoughts. This was not like him and unfortunately this woman was witnessing his unraveling. She must think him a complete idiot, hopefully he would be able to collect himself for the meeting later. His family and the family of this household depended on this him being a good connection.

“I apologize sir, would you prefer a seat?” Ellie tried to make her voice as hospitable as she could. If this man felt he could accommodate any room he pleased, she would certainly like to know why.

“A seat?” He blinked at her. Get yourself together man! He thought as he drew in a deep breath and calmed himself.

“Yes, I would. Thank you, that is exceedingly kind.”

Ellie motioned for him to take the chair to her right as she stepped away from the safety of her fire and sat across from him.

Her room was simple and not lavishly furnished like one might expect of her family. She preferred to think of herself as a minimalist, only having what was necessary for comfort and an orderly style. The front part of her apartment was only adorned with a small couch on the back wall, two chairs and a middle table placed in front of the fire. Of course, she also had her craft chest next to her chair that housed all her yarn, needles, and various fabrics. Here her sisters and friends would come and visit with the latest gossip or personal tragedy that would be divulged over coffee and knitting.

“I may be going out on a limb here, but you seem to be in some distress. I am known around here as a safe ear to share one's thoughts with. My quarters are no courtroom, you won't find judgments passed here.” Ellie said.

“Oh, um. Yes, I would say that I am a bit distressed. I do not normally go around people’s houses and fling myself in their rooms unannounced, I promise. Which I do, m...most ardently apologize for.” He quickly spoke as he adjusted his position, uneasy in his borrowed seat.

Ellie grinned in encouragement for him to continue.

The crackle of the fire briefly seemed to increase in sound as she waited.

“How about we start with your name.” Ellie chimed when he did not speak after her subtle encouragement.

“My friends call me Sam.” He replied.

Ellie gently smiled and in the warmest tone she could muster.

“Well Sam, what has you so startled?

Sam took a deep breath and dried the palms of his hands on his dark pants.

“My father is a very influential man in our home clan. Actually, he works directly with the chief. Eventually I will take up that position. Part of that requires that I have a household. A...a full household that is. I have to prove to my people that I am sound enough in mind to lead my house successfully, then I can take up the position my father has now when the chief's eldest daughter becomes chief.”

“ I can see how that would give one some great anxiety. Is this change taking place now? Will the chief’s daughter be placed in authority soon?” Ellie asked.

“No!” Sam exhaled abruptly.

“No, that will not be happening, hopefully, for quite some time.” He said, rubbing his hands again on his pants in a clear sign of discomfort.

Confused Ellie pondered why he had brought up that piece of seemingly random information at all if it was not what was weighing so heavily on his mind.

Seconds that seemed like an eternity passed between them before Ellie decided to cut in.

“Ah! Well then, that is a good thing then. You have plenty of time to develop what you need in the meantime. I do hope that all goes well for you.”

Sam looked away towards the fire, biting his lower lip and said, “That is only the eventual goal.” He turned back to her. A worried pinch on his forehead.

“I am here today because the head of this household has agreed with my father that I am to marry this man’s eldest daughter within the week...actually I.”

He frantically looked down at his pocket watch.

“ I am supposed to be touring the house with my family right now, I ended up here in a blind panic thinking this was the lavatory I was directed to. Nonchalantly talking about banister carvings and remodel years was too much for me to handle politely when I, myself, only received the news of this life event shortly before we made our way over here."

I twinge of anger strode across his face.

"I was originally under the impression we were here on a friendly diplomatic meeting. Dinner with my father’s old friend while we were in town securing a few trade agreements. We are currently waiting for the head of the household to gather all his family to announce the news.”

Ellie’s face was incredulous. Her hand had found its way to a death grip on the collar of her blouse. Her mouth was agape and speechless for once in her life.

“You know, I do believe having just acknowledged the reality of this has made it a bit more bearable, at least for this moment. It is not just information whirling around in my mind. I still fear she will not like me, I am...I think I would be considered shy on most accounts. Not instantly impressive in the first meeting I have been told.“

Sam placed his watch back in his vest pocket and not noticing her shock decided it was time to gather his courage and face the music with his family. Surely by now they had made it to the sitting room where the two families would meet.

Sam stood up, adjusted his vest and jacket, and turned to Ellie.

“Again, I am so sorry for barging into your room here. I am however very appreciative of the few moments of kindness you have given me to gather myself and for listening. You are a kind soul to not have immediately screamed and thrown me out.” He said with a bit of a chuckle.

He briefly looked at the young girl again with a farewell nod and began toward the door. Pausing he doubled back with a troubled look on his face.

“ I hope it would not be too much to ask for another kindness from you mam, I do wish that my brief time in turmoil would not be made known to your employer...nor his daughter. I am not anxious so much about her as I am about being ready to take this step myself.”

He fidgeted waiting for her assurance.

Ellie finally moved her white knuckles from her blouse. Closing her mouth, she absently wet her lips and quietly croaked out a “mhmm” or something to that effect with a small smile and quick nod. Not fully satisfied, but having to take what he could, Sam bid her farewell and quickly left the room, closing the door behind him.

Ellie did not move for a few minutes as she slowly kept repeating the words over and over again in her head.

She was getting married.

She. Was. Getting. Married.

...and it was to that man.