#bergen_county

Another nod. "All of this speaks well for taking the oath."

She tilts her head. "Is he honest with you?"

She nods.

"I trust him."

A very direct look and a quiet moment.

Another slow nod.

"What of...other relationships? Things were difficult between you and Symon when you and Nadeen were...in a relationship. If you or he should find other partners, those relationships must still function in the context of your clasped hands."

She nods.

"I mean, I'm probably not..."

"I mean..." She frowns, shifting uncomfortably.

Raised brows. "Yes?"

"I wasn't going to give up Symon just because I liked Nadeen." A flicker of a twinge on the Gwydion-dar- 'liked,' past tense?

"No, that was clear, you were not. You remained a loyal friend to him." A slight pause. "And I am sorry to mention Nadeen."

"She's really happy."

"She is."

"Symon... he.. Symon didn't want me to just.." She frowns, gaze on her hands.

A pause. "Tell me."

"He didn't want me to be second."

"Second," she repeats. A moment's puzzlement, then clarity. "Ah. Second for Nadeen. After Baron Aiden."

She nods, suddenly blinking very hard.

"Mm." She nods.

"What if... what if that's what I'm doing to him?"

"I like him, but I don't.. I don't know if it's fair?"

"To Symon? In what way?"

"I don't know."

"I don't think it's equal?"

"Dagmar...Clasped Hands is not Truehearts."

She rubs at her eyes with the heel of her hand.

"If he were to find a partner that you felt would harm him, what would you do?"

"Try.. try to help him see? Try to protect him?"

"As he did for you, yes?"

Sniff. Nod.

"Did he try to harm Nadeen in an effort to protect you?"

"No. He put up with a lot because she mattered to me."

She nods. "If the situation were reversed...would you do the same?"

"I don't know if I would do as good a job. I'd want to, but I'm not always... I get mad."

A slow nod. "That is a danger you and I must guard against. Perhaps you should speak with Symon about this concern?"

"Something to consider, though...the Oath of Clasped Hands might help you to keep your temper within your control."

"Because Oaths give strength?"

"Yes, but in this case, strength of will as well as strength of arm."

She bites her lip and nods.

"Dagmar...let me say this: if you chose this oath, I believe that you would keep it well. I believe it is in your nature to do so. I do not doubt whether you could serve this oath."

"I know how serious they are."

"Yes, but that is not why I trust your ability to do it. I believe you value his friendship that deeply."

"I do!"

A nod, perhaps a slightly bemused grin.

"It's... it's a big deal, him offering this. Wanting to do this."

"He initiated this," she says, checking her understanding of something that had not been said directly until now.

She nods.

"Then he values your friendship just as deeply."