Lois’s answer to “Hi, Lois. When did Cordelia’s mother and Aral first meet and did they get along? Did he finally v…” > Likes and Comments

In Shards, the travel time to Beta Colony from Barrayar was two months. By the time Miles, Elena and Bothari go there approx. 18 years later in WA, it's down to just two weeks. THAT'S JUST ONE-WAY, don't forget! Even if in the later end of the Regency, given the nature of Barrayaran politics, could Aral have been able to be away and out of immediate contact for that long?

In my headcanon, Elizabeth Naismith would have had to go to Barrayar. I can see how it would be awkward at first, but I can see Aral winning her over with gushing comments about how much she reminds him of his grandmother, the princess.

I doubt Aral would gush, but some grave reminiscence seems probable.

Given travel times, yes, Aral going to Beta seems more likely after the Regency sometime.

Ta, L.

In my mind, I see Aral being extremely nervous - maybe anxious is a better word - about their first meeting, and super eager to make a good impression, setting off a wee bit of Milesian gushing. After all, one of the first personal things Aral told Cordelia about was his Betan grandmother. The grave reminiscence would have come a little later... The potential future fanfic is percolating...