(Day 3 - Early Morning}

Adjusting the bundle of straw on her back Pandora strolled along her
clear voice filling the morning air.  She still couldn't believe she
had
been so brazen as to invite D'Altar on her search.  He was a very
handsome man and looked so worldly that she was surprised when he had
said yes to her invitation.  Actually she had  invited him along
mainly
just to torment Samson but found she really enjoyed his company.  She
dearly loved the big red dragon but sometimes he had a tendency to be
overzealous in his protection of her.  And once in a while the Big
Guy
needed a lesson in humility.

Pandora's sweet voice made D'Altar's fingers tremble slightly, making
him wish he had his harp.  He was in awe as he listened to the happy
tune she sang.  Her voice was a little untrained but her range was
phenomenal.  Not too many people were blessed with such a pureness.
D'Altar couldn't help but be enchanted by the beautiful dark haired
woman as he followed her through the woods. His eyes roamed over her
taking in her flawless beauty and he noticed how her dress fit her so
perfectly, revealing just enough but not too much. Her silky straight
black hair glistened in the first rays of sunlight as it fluttered in
the breeze gently caressing her perfectly rounded hips.  The young
man
also couldn't help but think that aside from one big red huffing
dragon
there was something almost untouchable about the beautiful young
woman.
*A woman fit for Royalty* crossed his mine as he noticed her shyly
glancing back back at him on occasion.

[Watch the eyeballs buddy!] Samson huffed belligerently bringing his
scowling face close to the young man trying once more to intimidate
him.

<My rider is an honorable man, Samson. You should not insult him in
such
a way.>

[Insult him! He'd better keep himself to himself or he'll be in
trouble!]

Raven tried to remember all the times D'Altar had told him about
controlling his anger, for both their sakes. He counted off eight on
his
claws and, taking a deep breath, spoke again.

<He is a gentleman. He would never take advantage of a lady, let
alone
one as nice as her.>

Raven had considered that the kind of talk his master used -
flattery,
that was what he called it - might help the situation.

[A gentleman, Hah! I know what you were doing at the lake Buster!]
Samson snorted at the man.

Throwing up his hands D'Altar said, "Samson, It's ok! I really am
harmless I promise I won't touch her! I'm perfectly content to just
talk!" D'Altar said exasperated really hoping the red dragon would
quit
snorting on him, it was getting rather tedious not to mention hard on
the leather. He inwardly smiled as he would just have to get Sharees
help with the cleaning.

[Just talk! You telling me she's not good enough! I think not, there
isn't a man alive good enough for my Panda!] Samson said snorting on
the
young man again.

Pandora groaned and rolled her eyes at the exchange, she really
needed
to talk to Samson and soon.  At this rate she was going to end up
being
a virgin for the rest of her life.  Not that she wanted to jump in
bed
with anyone it would just be nice knowing she had that option.
Shaking
her head she continued on.

<She is not your rider, Samson. What is she to you?>

[My rider's sister, so he better watch it! My rider is Alexis -
surely
you have seen him. He is *very* big!]

Raven smiled as he thought of his rider's fighting abilities, but was
becoming quite good at being calm right now - it made him feel
superior.

<So what did she do at your last warren?>

[None of *his* business,] Samson said, his large head indicating
D'Altar.

Pandora could feel D'Altar's eyes roaming over her as they walked.
She
frowned slightly then glanced back again and was  shocked at his
expression.  It wasn't the normal leering or the she's too good look,
but something totally different.  Her eyes scanned the surrounding
area
as she thought about this new development.  Shortly her deep blue
eyes
lit up with excitement and she almost ran to the small meadow up
ahead.

"D'Altar this is perfect! I just need more straw!" she said
breathlessly
as she dropped the bundle.

Seeing the puzzled look on the young man's face Pandora smiled
sweetly,
"It's a secret recipe of mine."  Unconsciously her movements were
seductive as she unwrapped the bundle and spread it out the straw,
now
firmly in her element.

<What is she doing now?> Raven asked.

[No, don't...!] Samson cried out.

Raven stepped forward curious to see what the young woman was doing.
A
flash of fear crossed Pandora's face as she saw Raven move closer.
The
young woman stepped backwards cringing slightly.

<What is wrong, my rider?> Raven asked, confused by her reaction to
his
investigations.

<I do not know,> he replied, puzzled.

[Panda's afraid of Dragon's, Human! Isn't that obvious!]  Glaring at
Raven, Samson said,  [Back off ya big lug before you scare her
worse!]

Raven took his snout away from the young woman.

<Well no, it is not *obvious*.  She tolerates you easily enough,>
Raven
put in, wondering how she managed to do it.

[I'm her friend - you're not!]

"I..I'm sorry!" Pandora said trying to control her trembling.
"It...it's
just that.....! Oh dear, I'm afraid I've bungled things again."she
added
her face showing her vulnerability.

"Raven would never hurt you, and I am very sorry he scared you. I
realize he looks big and mean.."

<Thanks a lot!!> the black sulked...

"... but he's a real gentle giant. I promise you, you are safe here
with
us. Would you prefer it if he left?"

"Oh no," she shivered slightly, "just ... if he could stay back a
little."

"Of course," he said, reinforcing this with Raven.

Pandora couldn't help but like D'Altar, so far he had been the
perfect
gentlemen.  She was relieved that he didn't make fun of her fears
instead he was gentle and kind and more than willing to help.
Hearing
the puffing of the big red she knew the offer hadn't gone over well
with
Samson.

*Hey Bud! I need ya!* Lexi's voice entered Samson's head.

Samson groaned torn between his rider and his sibling.  He didn't
dare
leave Panda with this..this playboy, but Lexi needed him.  [What's
up?]
he asked hoping it wasn't something important.  But then humans had a
tendency to considered a hangnail of great importance.

*New boss wants to put us through the paces!* came the answer.

Moaning he leaned down and nuzzled Pandora's hand.  "Ah, I take it
big
brother is calling." she said trying not to grin at the woeful look
on
Samson's face. Wrapping her arms around the large neck she whispered
softly. ""I know you love me Big Guy!   Samson, you are my very best
friend in the whole world, but how am I supposed to have a life if
you
scare away every man that comes around."

[Ah Panda!] the big red said shuffling his claw in the dirt.  Looking
at
Raven he said [I will be back and as far as I'm concerned your boy
there
better keep his hands in his pockets and his eyeballs in his head!]
With that the large red and orange dragon stepped clear and launched
skyward.

They couple continued to look around the idyllic setting they found
themselves in. Pandora was still nervous when she caught Raven in the
corner of her eye, but anytime she looked scared, D'Altar just smiled
towards her and he seemed to give her strength in some curious way.
He
told her stories of the wild lands he had banished himself too and of
how he had learned to survive. He told her the tale of his capture by
Raven's mother, who offered him up as food to the young black and his
siblings.

"You mean you were supposed to be *eaten* by him?" Panda asked, once
again looking at Raven with fear.

"Yes. That is what should have happened. But look how strong the bond
between dragon and rider is - he could not have eaten me and would
have
died to protect me from the others, even though he was weak and so
very
young. His mother could not harm me then and he has protected me ever
since. That is why you have nothing to be afraid of from a joined
dragon."

Panda looked at the big black for as long as she could manage. He
certainly seemed to look upon her gently, almost delicately. She was
still very afraid of him, but perhaps D'Altar was right and he would
never do anything to hurt her. If Samson had thought he might, he
would
never have left her there with them.

The couple talked some more as Pandora picked cuttings from different
wild herbs she found. Then after agreeing to sing for him when he had
his harp the young man mounted his dragon and flew off.

[..]

Humming to herself Panda noticed the sun was getting higher in the
sky.
"Hmmm, I think it's time for a coffee break!" She said to herself
happily.  Grabbing her basket she headed back along the same trail
she
had come. The sound of a twig snapping caught her attention.

"Who's there?" she called out wishing D'Altar hadn't left so soon.

Pandora's eyes widened and her mouth formed a perfect O as a hulking
man
stepped out of the bushes.  Her eyes widened as she stared in shock
at
the huge man.

Olaf stood there with a big grin on his face, "I asked around and
you're
Miss Pandora. Hi, I'm Olaf! I'm a dragon rider. I'm gonna be part of
T'rells Eee-leet Squad!

Pandora clamped her mouth shut to keep from grinning at the exuberant
speech. The man was enormous but looked sort of like an overgrown
kid.
He had one hand behind his back and seemed to be hiding something.
She
relaxed a bit realizing he was essentially harmless. "Hello Olaf, how
are you today?' She asked politely still keeping her distance.

"I think you're real purdy!" He said with a big grin. "And you sing
awful nice."  Seeing the look on her face he added. "I wasn't really
spying on ya."  The big man blushed furiously as Pandora smiled
gently.

Shuffling his foot in the grass he finally brought out what he was
hiding.  Pandora gasped at the beautiful bouquet of bluish-purple
forget-me-nots he held in his massive hands. "Why they're beautiful
Olaf!"

"Well, they're for you cause you're so purdy!" his face reddening
even
more. "They kinda match your eyes."

"Why thank you so much, that is very nice of you!" Pandora exclaimed,
immediately liking the gentle giant.  Taking the offered bouquet she
said, "I was just going back to get a cup of coffee and some more
straw,
would you like to come along."

Olaf's face brightened at the invitation. "I sure would, Miss
Pandora!"

**************

Respectfully submitted,
Pandora & Samson
aka
Tree Deutscher
treedr@yelmtel.com
and
Peter Shillan,
aka
D'Altar and Raven, Beta Wing, Daere Warren.

"Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons - you are crunchy and taste
good with ketchup!"