The Shady Tree

[Viea Greyjoy]

"Well I havent had pheasent for some time, so I would have to go with that." Mari replied with a smile. "Though Im sure the stew and the venison are delightful too."

[The Smith]

Tybolt stood, "I shall fetch it for you." Just out of the corner of her eye she sees him turn and make a motion to his brother that looks desperate.

As soon as Tybolt leaves, Oscar stands up. "I did not think it was proper for two betrothed to be alone in a room."

[Viea Greyjoy]

"Am I that bad?" She asked him softly. "That you dont even like to look at me"

[The Smith]

Oscar looked up at her, and opened his mouth, "Oh no.. you are fair. It is the situation I despise not you."

[Viea Greyjoy]

"Maybe it could work in time." She said after a small pause. "I know that not all betrothals or marriages work at first, but maybe this could be good."

[The Smith]

"I will do this because I must. I... I am sorry. You are being made to suffer." Oscar replied. "This will never get better, not between us. If you need a happy marriage look somewhere else first. I will not doom another to my fate."

[Viea Greyjoy]

"My uncle only married my mother because of duty. She said that somewhere down the line she came to love him." Marianne said.

[The Smith]

"I truly wish I thought that fate awaited me. But I can assure it does not. I will marry you for duty, and I will visit our marriage bed until we have an heir, but after that... I will not." Oscar said, "Choose another... you are too good to be wasted on me."

[Viea Greyjoy]

"Why do you think that?" She asked, resting her head on her hands. "no-one can be sure of their fate until it happens to them. Why such a dark look on life?"

[The Smith]

"I am not like other men. And will never find contentment in the hand of a woman." Oscar said slowly.

[Viea Greyjoy]

She was silent for a few moments. "If you really feel like that then that is your choice. How do I explain to Steffon."

[The Smith]

"Please do not tell him...." Oscar cut off quickly as the door reopened.

Tybolt walked back in carrying two plates, and dining ware. He place one down in front of Mari, and took the other seat at the table, "The pheasant looked good tonight so I grabbed some as well. How is everything going up here? I heard you actually speaking Oscar, that is a good sign."

[Viea Greyjoy]

Marianne smiled, as if nothing had happened while he had been gone.

"We were just discussing some things." She said lightly, not looking at Oscar at the moment.

[The Smith]

Oscar stared at his empty bowl of stew, and stood slowly, "I think I need... to get some more stew. I will return shortly."

Tybolt slowly looked between the two of them until his brother had left, and then he looked back to Marianne, "I hope he did not insult you while I was gone. Did he say something in err?"

[Viea Greyjoy]

She shook her head. "No I just dont think that this match was such a brillient idea that my brother does, and neither does he."