Enderron had awoken at six that morning. He snuck out for a jog to think about the wedding. He only wore his light leather armor, not wanting to get to hot.

***

'What will I do about her. She is beautiful but cold and indifferent. She poses a puzzle. She is one of the few who will not bid my every whim. Indeed she has responded icily to all my attempts to woo her. She is so different than everyone here. Perhaps living in the North keeps her too cold to feel the impulses that caused me to be so enamoured with her.'

'Has father made the right choice? He said that she was intelligent but how could I know that from the conversations that she cuts so short? I'm sure it will be okay though. We will make the best out of it. And if I go into the Marlas army, perhaps she will be better off alone at home. It may suit her tastes more from what my impressions have been on what she thinks of me.'

***

He wrapped up his jog by running to the stables. He jumped onto his horse, Goodfellow, and road to the lake. The forest ride was pleasant but he felt compelled to clear his mind of his almost negative thoughts. 'Doubt only leads to regret,' as he so liked to say. Fog hung low over the still lake, creating the illusion of endless mist.

He tied Goodfellow to a willow tree, leaving him to gnaw on the grass. He stripped his armor and underclothing and stepped into the water. It was chilly and he gasped as he dove under. He swam for some time and then he laid on the sandy edge, drying under the now warm morning sun. Soon, he heard a horse trotting up the road, but he made no move toward his clothing.

Tsuko got up late the morning after he bought the horses from the Fair, and immediately wished he hadn't. There was so much to do, so much to prepare for! Had all the food for the great feast been ordered? Who would take care of the horses (that Miss Horsehand seemed talented, perhaps he should speak with her...)? Had all the invitations to noble houses been mailed off? And why on earth had the head of House Calendae responded so quickly? And in the affirmative? And had even said he was going to come himself, personally? Why, Tsuko had only intended it as an acknowledgement of his noble rank (like Calendae deserved to be noble), not as an actual invitation... those Calendae simply could not be trusted. By the gods, so much to do! To make matters worse, Emeila had teased him so thoroughly about sending so many messengers scurrying around the castle that Tsuko had finally said, unequivocally, that he would deliver all the messages he wished to send personally.

Emeila had chortled, but soon a horse was procured for Tsuko, and he went riding off (or rather, the horse went riding with Tsuko bouncing awkwardly on the saddle) to see to some minor details that he had never much cared for. He was used to telling messengers general orders of course, expecting them to follow through with all the details eventually. But he hadn't know how much had to be prepared for. Why, he even looked at an inventory of the stores to find some detail or other about the meal plans! Tsuko, an inventory! The clerks had stared at him almost as if they had never seen him before.

Ages later (or perhaps an hour or two, but it seemed a lifetime) Tsuko found himself on his saddle, heading for... well, he didn't really know where. A clerk had mumbled something about some business somewhere in town, but Tsuko had no idea where it was. He instead rode in the direction of the stables, where he thought he would just give up and turn his horse in, and beg forgiveness of his wife for their stupid argument.

As he neared the stables, he noticed his son's horse (what was its name? Happyheather? Lightfeather?) tied up to a willow tree near a lake by the stables. Not able to see his son, he tied up his horse next to that of his son's. It didn't take long to find Enderron; he was lounging by the banks of the lake. The surprising thing was that he was stark naked.

"Enderron Kelesi! Just what do you think you are doing laying about naked out here?" barked Tsuko, hoping to catch his son by surprise. "I have told you countless times... you are not to go running about naked where people can see you! Why, you worry your mother and me sick!" Tsuko paused, hoping his son would don his clothes quickly, before anyone saw him like this so soon before his wedding. Well, of course, there were some hushed whispers that some outside his immediate family had seen him that way... but Tsuko summarily dismissed those as slander. Some things were just not to be believed, not even of 16-year-old teenagers who seemed to enjoy wandering about naked.

"Enderron Kelesi! Just what do you think you are doing laying about naked out here? I have told you countless times... you are not to go running about naked where people can see you! Why, you worry your mother and me sick!"

How did he find me? Sometimes that man is way too much trouble. A jog, a swim, my horse, and some peace is all I ask for. It's not as if I have anything else to do. He wants to plan the whole wedding by himself. At least he has enough sense to let Mom handle the purchases. That man can blow through gold pieces like no other.

I don't know why he's so worried about the wedding. I mean, nothing's going to go wrong. He's just a worrywort. The wedding is a month away and already he has everything set up as best he can. (Mom has set most of it up, although he thinks he helps). Jenin is so excited.

I'm worried that we won't get along. He and Mom got lucky, they just kind of fit together. I wonder why she refuses to talk to me. I swear she is colder than Midwinter's Night. She is constantly nagging about my childish behavior. Well, she better live with it as she has to marry me soon.

Why couldn't I have had just a little longer. Two more years and I could have joined Uncle's army and been much happier flirting and playing with girls I'll never see again. That way, even if they did get mad at me, they would never cause any trouble. I suppose it's fitting that I'm to be married. After all, Jenin's only fourteen. Parents force these things way too early.

I suppose I'll have to start a trade in horses. I'll need someway to keep my wealth up. Perhaps I'll buy out a stable. I hope that she likes horses. Goodfellow will have to come with me. Now I suppose I'll have to quit school too. That's a shame, I could have done so much for the kingdom.

I should start my own library. It's the only solace I'll get from the frigid femme in the my new home. I'm excited to move out though. I need the space. I really hope she won't get in my way.

"Sorry Dad. I was just finishing drying off. It's not like anyone comes out here anyway. Come on, you must have a lot to do back at the manor. Why don't you tell me the latest wedding planning developments as we ride back?"

As if I care.

Tsuko waited for his oldest child to answer, frowning. He seemed to be taking his time. Had he finally learned the important skill of thinking? That was one thing Tsuko was unhappy about; his son never seemed to think. Everything was about acting... acting immediately, acting decisively, and acting without forethought. Tsuko wondered how on earth he did it.

Finally, after much... deliberation? (no... that could not be it... perhaps the sun had temporarily fried his wits...) Enderron answered, "Sorry Dad. I was just finishing drying off." Tsuko scoffed at this. Likely he was just enjoying lolling about, free from his clothes. Not that there was anything wrong with nakedness of course; but some things were just not done in public!

"Come on, you must have a lot to do back at the manor. Why don't you tell me the latest wedding planning developments as we ride back?" queried Enderron. Tsuko frowned at him again. Was this some sort of joke? Was he being sarcastic? He wasn't usually very sarcastic, but it seemed that these days he was getting worse and worse.

But, Tsuko decided he was in earnest. "It is good to see you taking an interest in your wedding, son! You will only have one of those in your lifetime... gods willing," he said, silently saying a prayer to Lelahiah that that would be so. He slapped his son on the back affectionately, saying "Now, come on, get some clothes on. You are going to put your old man to shame!" Well, it was the truth. Maybe he had been as good looking when he was his son's age, but Enderron had grown into a fine young man, strong but not hulking, masculine but not brutish. He hoped that, even if his wife-to-be would not see anything else, she would see his good looks... it would be a start, at least.

((feel free to start us on the walk down the path, if you wish, though don't go too far down. of course, with all this thinking you're doing, you might not even make it into the stirrup before your post gets too long :D))

"It is good to see you taking an interest in your wedding, son! You will only have one of those in your lifetime... gods willing," he said, "Now, come on, get some clothes on. You are going to put your old man to shame!"

There is still something wrong, I can see it in his face. Probably a problem with the wedding caterer or something like that. Why did this wedding have to be such a big deal? Jenin, of course. I love him, but lately, his position has caused nothing but problems for the House. Perhaps I should go see him later. He probably isn't excited about being married either.

Yes, going to Jenin's is a good idea. I could also stop at the training grounds on the way back. Uncle is sure to be there. Perhaps he will have some real advice for me, rather than worrying about the wedding streamers.

***

He donned his clothing and armor and walked to the horse. He marveled at the simple life of Goodfellow and wished it could be his. His father swung up onto his horse and they were off down the path.

((Feel free to do what ever godmoding you need to with riding down the path. If I need to be in a certain place, put me there, etc.))

Tsuko frowned at his son. He was being so... so... quiet! He seemed to be contemplating something as he got into the horse, instead of being the usual talkative fellow he tended to be. Well, nothing wrong with contemplation! Tsuko himself had done some hard thinking about the wedding before him. He had tried to find a good match for his son... reliable contacts he had in the land from where his son's bride-to-be came expressed confidence that she was of the finest noble stock, with excellent bloodlines and a flawless reputation. Jenin's marriage had been a bit more difficult, but Tsuko had felt he was successful is choosing a wife who would help expand the horizons of Marlas... and perhaps its lands as well.

Enderron donned his clothing and armor, saving Tsuko the indignity of having to try to force clothes on him. The sun began reaching its zenith, making Tsuko wish he had hurried his child into his clothes. There was so much to do! He awkwardly attempted to vault into the saddle of his horse before settling for merely getting on it. The fool thing looked at him like he knew what he had attempted to do and found it amusing. Tsuko glared at it. Silly horse!

As he and his son started on the path, with Enderron still not saying a word, Tsuko looked at his son with eyes of pity. What issue could be troubling Enderron so much right now? Tsuko tried to recall what his greatest concerns had been when he was married. Of course, his primary concern was whether his mother's influence would be diminished now that he had a wife, but Tsuko did not think that was the case now. Perhaps... hmm... Tsuko wondered about the phrasing of his next question. "Enderron, my boy," he started, continuing, "perhaps you are wondering whether you will be able to properly treat your wife. You know certainly by now your father is open to any question." That didn't quite sound interrogative enough. "Well, do you have any questions?" he asked, hoping his son would be tempted into asking something. This quiet just could not be countenanced.

'Questions. Where to start? But my questions are not the kind that he knows how to answer. He just wanted to keep his family line strong. I don't even have that motivation.'

"So Dad, how do you properly treat a woman? Do you pamper her? Do you fawn over her because she is the three suns of your world? Should one give her easy tasks to do so she does not feel inadequate?"

'I should really be talking to Mother. After all, she is the one who pulls all the strings. Dad can be such an airhead sometimes.'

"If you have time later we should go to Uncle's. I'm sure you need to check wedding status with your sister. I also need to talk to Jenin. I need to know what color he has chosen to wear so I can get my ceremonial plate waxed to match. I will go pick out cakes tomorrow. I must also groom the horses that we will exchange. You really do not know how to pick a horse. Just how to spend money. No matter. I'll make sure that your money was worth it. You still need to take care of centerpieces and seating numbers before weeks end or else Mom will be furious with you. If you want I can pick out the centerpieces."

It seemed that Enderron was indeed curious. "So Dad, how do you properly treat a woman? Do you pamper her? Do you fawn over her because she is the three suns of your world? Should one give her easy tasks to do so she does not feel inadequate?"

Tsuko chuckled at his son's questions. So earnest, so naive. He wondered how hard it was for his son to just come out and ask, but he decided it didn't matter now that the horse was out of the pasture. "Well, son, of course you should fawn over your wife," he said, nodding sagely. "She needs to learn she is the center of your cosmos. But do not do that so soon, or else she will push you away. First, you must build up a bond of friendship before it can progress to love, or else your love is empty."

He paused, reflecting on his own friendship with his wife, then continued, "but you must not let her know that you are fawning over her. Women do not like when they are openly treated as if they are the fairer sex. They may make such airs to timidity in public, but in private they like nothing less." That sounded appropriately fatherly.

Apparently that loosed up Enderron's tongue. "If you have time later we should go to Uncle's. I'm sure you need to check wedding status with your sister. I also need to talk to Jenin. I need to know what color he has chosen to wear so I can get my ceremonial plate waxed to match. I will go pick out cakes tomorrow. I must also groom the horses that we will exchange. You really do not know how to pick a horse. Just how to spend money. No matter. I'll make sure that your money was worth it. You still need to take care of centerpieces and seating numbers before weeks end or else Mom will be furious with you. If you want I can pick out the centerpieces." Tsuko nodded and made a small sound of approval in the back of his throat for each point that his son hit. By the time Enderron finished, they had already reached the stable. Tsuko's spirits were much cheered. It was clear from their little chat that Enderron was as excited for the wedding as Tsuko was. All those little rumors had been rumors after all about his... dalliances.

"Well, son, I am glad you are excited about your wedding. I will of course defer to your judgment on the centerpieces," said Tsuko, wondering what bizzare notion had gotten into Enderron's mind to think of centerpieces. "Perhaps I will talk to your mother about procuring the right materials! I have heard delightful things about..." and he continued on, prattling about random decorative tips as they got off their horses. The grooms looked at him curiously, wondering what he was doing back so quickly.

((OOC: I'm giving you an opportunity to end this now if you feel you're too busy to continue, though we can keep going if you wish))

((I don't know if this one will ever truly finish. Let's keep going for now. Ignore what you know of my personal life. I did a little God moding, tell me if its too much. You can bring yourself to the house later if you want.))

Well, son, of course you should fawn over your wife. She needs to learn she is the center of your cosmos. But do not do that so soon, or else she will push you away. First, you must build up a bond of friendship before it can progress to love, or else your love is empty. But you must not let her know that you are fawning over her. Women do not like when they are openly treated as if they are the fairer sex. They may make such airs to timidity in public, but in private they like nothing less."

'Father is promising love will form from friendship. I already have lots of friends. Good ones at that. The new army recruits are my friends, some my age, some older. I like being able to spend time as I wish. But soon, I will have to start a household. I hope there will still be time for friends. I think I will join the military, if my new life and wife allow me to.'

***

That afternoon, he rode to Jenin's. His father had found another excuse to stay home. He rode Goodfellow hard to another of the House's manors, the Head of Mothers manor. The building was old, older than any other still standing in Marlas. It had been built long ago by a Head of House for his sister. As a result though, it was always undergoing small renovations to either make it prettier or to keep it from falling in on itself.

"Jenin! Are you home?" yelled Enderron.

"Enderron! Take off those boots and hang up your cloak. Stand up straight. Jenin is doing his figures. You will wait until he is finished to play. Your uncle is running drills right now. Go out back."

"Yes, Auntie. Sorry 'bout the muddy boots. Has Jenin picked a color yet?"

"Sky blue. I picked it. You think I would trust something as important as color to you boys?"

"No, Auntie. I'll be out back if either of my parents come calling. They said they might."