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[chosenbylight]

Greetings, friends.

I am hoping that you might be able to help me with a bit of advice.

[It's definitely not similar enough to Anduin's own personal dilemmas to have caught his attention and tugged extra hard on his heartstrings, don't look at him like that.]

There is a young girl in the village who comes to the wise man's house, asking for advice. Most of the other visitors are only there to unburden themselves of the frustrations of their day, but her situation stands out in particular.

This girl's family has arranged for her to be married since she was but a child. It is, as most such arrangements are, more of a trade negotiation than a love match. She has tried to put the marriage off for as long as she can, but she is of marrying age and her family is growing impatient.

The crux of the matter is that the girl is in love with another village boy. One from a family her parents most certainly would not approve of any sort of relationship with. She does not wish to upset her parents, they are depending on this arranged marriage to shore up their family's well-being for years to come.

If she does her duty, she may never be happy. But if she follows her heart, her family may suffer the consequences of her actions.

What should she do?

Comments

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[bearshermark]

As I weighed the obligations that would come of my future, a friend once told me that I'm the one that has to live my life.

I think that holds true here.

[chosenbylight]

This is true, of course. You are the only one to live the life you are given. As are we all.

But what of those whose lives are affected by the consequences of the decisions that are made?

[bearshermark]

They aren't the ones living your life.

But if you wouldn't be able to live with yourself for those consequences, then your path is also clear.

[chosenbylight]

[This is... A difficult question, for Anduin himself. There are some that would argue it does not matter what he wants, he has a duty to fulfill to Stormwind as the last remaining Wrynn to continue the family line.

The question of what he might be able to live with himself is another matter.

But let us pretend we are not talking about that. Since there truly is a girl who is depending on Anduin's reply.]

I suppose that you are right. It feels a lonely position to find oneself in, though. I feel for this girl and the choices that have been forced upon her.

[bearshermark]

I well understand. It's a difficult one.

Is marriage truly the only way to ease her family's burdens? Will they suffer terribly for it or simply lose some comfort? Can she live for herself while carrying a broken heart?

She's the one that understands these consequences more keenly than anyone else.

[chosenbylight]

[Remember, Anduin, we are talking about the girl, now.]

Thank you. This is wise advice to give her.

Her intended is not the only man with a trade. Just because they do not approve of the boy that she has fallen for does not mean he will not give their family some income. Perhaps there are other benefits he will supply them which her intended might not.

Money is not everything.

[bearshermark]

[Wise advice?? That would be a first coming from him, but maybe he's learned something after all]

I pray she finds a way to live at peace with herself and her family.

[chosenbylight]

Thank you. I am sure she would be grateful for your support.

Such decisions are never easy, even once you have made your choice.

[Careful now, Anduin...]

[bearshermark]

There will always be doubts I suppose, but once you've accepted your decision, I've found there's some relief in it.

[chosenbylight]

That is also true. Once you determine what is most important to you, you will know you can never let it go.

[He knows that from personal experience himself.]