[DL]

Darlea had been having dreams all night about her father. She woke with a
strong desire to see him. He had flown in briefly several weeks ago, and
they had spent some time together. She had been at practice with Wynn and
Almiron when he flew in on Porthios.

"Daddy!" she had called seeing the large brown dragon land. Wynn had walked
up and greeted the Marrid Dragonrider, but Almiron had stayed a short
distance away. He was hesitant to meet Darlea's father, especially since
Sheltie was still cold to him, even now long after Makayla's mating flight.

Darlea had introduced them, however, whispering in her father's ear,
"Almiron's dragon, Darshan won Makayla in her mating flight." D'nar had
smiled and put the small man at ease right away with his good-natured
chatting. Darlea knew that her father would not be like her mother, and
hadn't been concerned over thier meeting. 

Darlea and her father had visited the dining hall and saw many of D'nar's
old friends from growing up in Keldarra. They had visited and chatted until
it was time for D'nar to leave. Sheltie had made a brief appearance, but as
always did not intrude on D'nar's time with his daughter. They had run into
M'ressan on thier way out of the dining hall and the two had chatted a
while. D'nar noted his daughter's behavior around M'ressan, knowing that
despite the fact that she had become a dragonrider and grown up a lot, she
still retained her childhood crush on the Keldarra Wingleader. He was sure
that M'ressan was aware of it, as the man playfully accepted her admiration.
 
Unfortunately their visit had been a short one, as D'nar had other
obligations. It was strange how thier relationship had changed. While her
mother continued to treat her like a little girl, her father now treated her
like the woman she was. Darlea was pleased at their new relationship.

Now, on this bright new morning, she really had a strong urge to fly out to
see him. Makayla was still sleeping, so Darlea got out of bed and began to
wake her dragon gently with an oiling.

<I want to sleep longer, Darlea-pet> the dragon protested while 'purring' at
the rub down.

"I know, deary, but I want to take a trip today." Darlea told her gently.

<To see Porthios?> asked the dragon brightly. She liked the large, amiable
dragon of her rider's father. 

Darlea gave the dragon a soft laugh. "Yes, deary. To see Porthios. I see
you've been sharing my dreams again." The dragon laughed as only a dragon
could. The two snuggled a bit before gathering their gear and preparing for
the long teleport to Marrid Warren.

"Makayla, tell Malekith to let Wynn know we will be away today, and where we
will be."

After a brief moment, Makayla answered her, <Malekith tells me that Wynn
thinks a trip to Marrid would be good for you.>

Darlea smiled. Those were here thoughts exactly.

****
Marrid Warren

<Makayla, call to Porthios and tell him we have arrived.>

<He is there on that ledge, Darlea-pet. He has come out to greet us. See!>
Makayla aimed for the ledge of D'nar and Porthios' apartment. As Makayla
landed and greeted her friend Porthios, Darlea hopped off and ran into her
father's waiting arms.

"Darlea! What a nice surprise. Keldarra didn't need you today?" he asked
teasing her.

Darlea laughed, "No, daddy, not today. Besides I really wanted to see you."

"I'm glad," he smiled, hugging her tight. "Are you hungry? I was just about
to head down to the dining hall for something to eat."

"You don't ever eat up here?" she asked looking around his small apartment.
D'nar had had this apartment for as long as Darlea could remember. And he
had always lived in it alone. He had never chosen another mate after his
split with Sheltie. Darlea knew that their breakup still bothered him.
However, more and more she was beginning to understand her fathers reasons
for leaving Keldarra. While her mother had lived in the Warren most of her
life, she had never understood what it meant to be joined to a Dragon.

"Once in a while, I'll hide away up here, but not often. Wouldn't you like
to see everyone?" asked D'nar.

"Yes, I would," said Darlea brightly. She had visited Marrid often while
growing up, and had gotten to know many of her father's friend. She
especially liked soft spoken T'rend, whose excitability always charmed her.
T'rend was overly dramatic and very friendly.

So father and daughter jumped up on their dragons, and glided down to the
courtyard, where Porthios and Makayla deposited them.  D'nar grabbed her
hand and together they walked into the dining hall. 

T'rend was already sitting at a table when the entered. He waved his hand
enthusiastically. Jumping up, he ran over and grabbed Darlea in a big bear
hug.  "Darlea, my girl, you have come to visit me again." 

"Of course, T'rend. I have missed you." she smiled.

"And I you, my golden girl."

"Now T'rend," chuckled D'nar, "she is a grown woman now with her own dragon."

"Oh yes, Darlea. I knew that. Old habits die hard." T'rend said properly
contrite.

"Don't worry, T'rend I don't mind it from you." she smiled. T'rend had
always lived in Marrid Warren and had joined with his blue dragon, Grall
about 3 years after D'nar had moved to Marrid. But the two had become fast
friends quickly.

There was a deep female voice behind her, "Welcome back, Darlea."

Darlea turned to see Waylene, Marrid's Warrenlady. She had only just become
the Warrenlady just over a year ago when the senior Warrenlady had died. At
the time she was the only queenrider in Marrid. But that changed about the
same time as Darlea joined with Makayla. Aura had laid her first metallic
egg producing Larith, who joined with Keanne. 

Waylene looked at D'nar, "Please, D'nar, bring your daughter over to sit
with me. I should like to hear how she is doing."

D'nar nodded and Darlea and T'rend followed her to her table. Darlea shared
the news of Keldarra. Waylene was please to hear that Keldarra's newest
queen had laid a metallic egg.

"That gives me hope for Larith," she smiled. She told Darlea of her junior
queens mating flight, which had just happened a few days ago. It wouldn't be
long now before she laid her eggs. The Warren was feeling very jovial and
spirits were high.

Darlea was glad that she had come to visit, as she was having a splendid
time. They continued to visit through breakfast and on into the afternoon.
Waylene didn't stay long after breakfast as her duties pulled her away.
Darlea stayed just a time longer chatting with her father and several of his
friends, before deciding it was time to head back to Keldarra.

****
Keldarra Warren

Darlea and Makayla arrived over the heights of Keldarra to dragon's
trumpeting and the ground swarming with excited people.

<The eggs are starting to hatch!> cried Makayla.

With the exciting news, their concern over events at Marrid were forgotten
for the time being. Quickly both swooped into the hatching grounds in time
to see the candidates walking carefully onto the hot sands where the eggs lay.

--Darlea & Makayla
****
NRPG: Several points:)

1. The quick flashback in the beginning happens 3-4 weeks after the wagon
attack and Darlea's flight to Marrid 3-4 weeks after that.

2. This also briefly introduces a couple of those NPC's at Marrid. And of
course, Waylene.

3. This also brings Darlea back in time for the hatching... she would have
been very upset if she missed it:)

4. I purposely left V'rdeen out of this post, as I don't know if it will be
solved prior to hatching or not. Hopefully this leaves lots of room for
others to fill in anything else. I am more the willing to do back posts also.

Kristen
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Kristen and Scott Gant
http://homepage.interaccess.com/~sgant/gant.htm
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