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Day of egg-laying

Madyllin left Lady Amberylle and headed for her office. She was already a
little late - Isara would be waiting. The Nomad woman was coming along
surprisingly well in her reading lessons. Her understanding of warren
ways, on the other hand, was still struggling. Madyllin grimaced, her
good mood dissipating. With this new position Amber had offered -
assuming Cynthia approved of Madyllin taking it - she would be having to
deal a lot with the Nomads. More than she had anticipated. More than she
really wanted. She was heading down the hall to her office when she
spotted Andahar. Swalloing her nervousness at seeing him, she headed for
him. She had promised Isara - and Andorra - that she would explain the
differences in brideprice and dowry to him.

<snip>
"Andahar, your cousin wanted me to talk to you...."
Andahar didn't hear her, all he heard was Bohoc saying, <*I am on the
green.*> and he took off running, leaving Madyllin to stare at his
retreating back.

<end snip>

Madyllin gaped in shock. How DARE he just walk out on her like that? She
stalked toward her office and only just refrained from slamming the door.
Of all the nerve - the self-centered, egotistical MEN...

"Is problem?"

Madyllin jerked her head up to stare at Isara. "Did I say that out loud?"
When Isara nodded, Madyllin groaned. "It's Andahar. I tried to talk to
him and he just walked away. Tell Andorra I will try again later, but I
can't promise anything."

Isara nodded and they turned their heads to the day's lessons.

*****

<snip>

"Got to go love!" Lonnie reached out and pulled Maddy to him for a brief
but
emotionally filled kiss then turned and ran after the other riders who
where
heading towards the dragons landing on the green near by.

<end snip>

Madyllin watched him leave, turning over his words in her mind. Love?
Surely not...but her heart still did a strange flip-flop to hear the word
on his lips. She must be crazy to even consider it....though last night
had been - she smiled in memory - something else. Still, she wasn't a
foolish child to make something of it that it wasn't. After all, this was
Lonnie she was thinking about. Shaking her head, she firmly turned her
thoughts away. Andahar was no doubt in the Med Center, paying for his
idiocy in going out to hunt wraiths with only an untrained dragon for
back-up. She turned her feet in that direction.

Madyllin stormed into the Med Center, eyes blazing. Her worry over Lonnie
only added to her fury at Andahar's "rudeness". She spotted her quarry,
being helped by Trevor into a chair. "Andahar! You're not running away
this time!"

Andahar looked up at the junior queenrider, confused. The pain adding to
his befuddled state of mind. "Running away?"

"Yes, running away like you did to me this morning. I promised Isara I
would speak to you and now I shall".

Andahar looked up at Trevor, but the other rider only shook his head. "I
did not run from you, Lady Madyllin. I was on patrol this morning,
then... with Bohoc and Trissana."

"I called out to you and you turned your back on me! But never mind that
now, I can't expect better from you. Isara wants me to explain dowries to
you."

"Isara? What does she have to do with this?" Andahar glared at the
insufferable woman. Had she just insulted him?

"Andorra asked her to intervene. Apparently, you expected Nikol's father
to buy Andorra?" Her voice carried the full weight of her scorn.

Andahar's eyes narrowed. "And you expect me to buy Nikol?"

Madyllin growled in frustration. "Don't be an idiot. You don't buy and
sell people. Normally, the bride brings with her some dowry, but seeing
as how Nikol's family are only crafters, they likely won't care. Besides,
her healing could be construed as a dowry, if it comes to that..."
Madyllin's voice trailed off as she began mentally planning out
negotiations with the blaster's family.

Andahar closed his eyes. The woman's words swirled around him, blurring.
A soft moan escaped him.

Andahar's moan returned Madyllin's mind to the present situation. Just
like a man to complain about the imporant things! She gave him a shake.
"Andahar!"

A gasp of pain made Andahar's eyes fly open. His strong hands snapped up
and gripped Madyllin's wrists. Their eyes locked. He ground out between
clenched teeth, "If Nikol wants to marry my cousin. He will have to speak
with me... as a man... not send woman to do his bargaining! Now! Leave me
alone! Can you not see that I am in pain?"

Madyllin's voice was icy as she strove not to wince - the Nomad's grip
was downright painful. "I shall leave as soon as you release my wrists."

Andahar looked down his arms to where he was gripping Madyllin's
wrists... slowly he released the grip. "I am sorry... if I hurt you..."
His amber eyes softened as they met the junior queenrider's.

Madyllin frowned slightly. He had released her, but the expression on his
face was still so drawn. With a start, she realized he truly was in pain.
"You really are hurt? The discussion can wait, but not for long." She
turned to leave.

Madyllin turned at the doorway, her eyes twinkling. "Oh, and Trevor? You
might want to explain to your ignorant Nomad friend not to stand in front
of a flaming dragon."

{Tag, Arle or John...}

******

Madyllin was just leaving the Med Center when she noticed Amber and
Cynthia returning from their trip to Vorbis's camp. She headed over to
make sure Amber hadn't overtired herself....and to give herself something
else to think about besides wraiths.

"Ah, Madyllin, good. I wanted to see you. I need to speak to the riders
who went to the camp last night - about Vorbis's death. I'd like you to
be there, as your first act as liason - if Cynthia can spare you?"

{Tag Darren and Alton}

 

*****
<snip>
"You got this for me?" she asked.

He nodded. "It's a momento. Something to remember your Queen's first
laying."

Slowly she unwrapped it and he watched her eyes as they took in the
crystal
like copy of her Queen. How Kat had found the metallic silvery-black
color,
he didn't know for he had never seen it's like before, maybe that was
what
drew his attention to it the first time he had seen it. But now as Maddy
looked it over he stood there waiting to see if she liked it.
<end snip>

Madyllin gazed at the figurine balanced on her palm. It truly was a
remarkable likeness of Ayesha...down to the shimmering red stones of her
eyes. She'd seen some of Katrina's work, but had been unaware the girl
had done Ayesha. With the loss of her collection of figurines to the
flood, this was a marvelous gift. She could feel tears of joy brimming in
her eyes.

"Oh, Lonnie, it's...it's magnificent."

Mere words could not express her emotions, so she threw her arms around
Lonnie's neck and kissed him soundly. Not surprisingly, he returned the
favor. Madyllin sighed happily. Lonnie could drive her nuts fast than any
man she'd ever known, but his kisses were intoxicating..and the things he
could do with just his touch.... She surrendered blissfully to his
attentions.

His hand slid down her body, pulling her tight against him, as his lips
drew out the sweetness of her mouth. Madyllin was losing her mind in the
sensations.

<Don't I even get to see this marvelous thing? Here I am, stuck in the
Hatching Cavern and you haven't even visited since this morning.>

Madyllin chuckled wryly. "Ayesha is feeling neglected."

Lonnie sighed and pulled away. "So am I," he quipped.

Madyllin kissed him thoroughly. "You'll get yours later. My queen needs
me."

Leaving Lonnie grumbling, Madyllin hurried to the Hatching Cavern to show
Ayesha the little figurine and spend some time cossetting her.

******

Madyllin hurried into the dining hall. While she had placed the figurine
neatly on the repaired shelf in her quarters she had been struck with
inspiration. Perhaps she could find Lonnie something nice. After all, he
had made sure Turner fixed her door promptly. She should encourage his
obedience, she thought grinning.

In the hall, she noticed one of the Nomad trainees....Ankara, she thought
that was her name. The girl was sitting alone at a corner table, looking
sad. Madyllin admired the brightly colored - if outlandish - garments the
girl wore and remembered that this had been the Nomad who'd given Amber
clothes to wear while in hiding. Perhaps there was something the girl
could make for her to give to Lonnie? Madyllin headed over to the table
and sat down.

"Hello...Ankara?"

{Tag Gabby!}

________

This post brought to you by:

Katrina (with a lot of help from Arle - THANKS!!!!)

aka Madyllin and Ayesha

________________________________________________________________________________

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