[DL] Darlea

Darlea watched as Briana led Almiron away. She frowned slightly as she
noticed his walk was different. He definitely looked as though he had really
been hurt... though she didn't buy his explanation of the fall. Once they
were gone, she turned to Michel. 

"He didn't say anything to you?"

"No, just that it was a long story." Michel told her.

Darlea nodded. "I don't believe he fell. I am concerned because of what
happened to his room a couple of months ago..."

Michel nodded. He had been there to help. He had seen the mess. "You think
someone hurt him?"

"I don't know, but you can be sure that I'm going to try and find out." She
then let the subject drop and turned to Michel with a slight smile. "But
what about you, Michel. I haven't seen much of you lately."

"I've been locked away." he said chuckling. "Doing some reading and watching
after my sister, Carie."

Darlea smiled, "Oh yes, Carie! I saw her join during the hatching. To a
queen no less. You must be very excited for her."

Michel frowned slightly, "Well, yes, I am.... but... She's transferring to
Marrid. Since they lost thier junior queen, they need her."

Darlea nodded, "I'm sure Waylene will be glad to have her.  Does that mean
you're going with her?"

He shook his head. "No. I've made this my home. Carie will make her own
home, now."

"Marrid is a nice place. My father lives there. They'll take care of her
there." said Darlea, trying to comfort him.

She was surprised when Michel began to laugh. "Oh yes, I'm sure. But my
concern is who will take care of them after she takes over." Michel's
laughter was infectious and Darlea soon found herself joining in.  

It was then that Briana brought Almiron back to the table. She thanked
Almiron for taking the time to talk with her and then bid her good-byes to
Darlea and Michel. "Are you sure you wouldn't want to join us?" Darlea asked
her, making sure Almiron was comfortable first.

Briana smiled and sat down, "I would like to, thank you."

"I've seen you working with the little ones in passing once or twice. You
really are wonderful with them." Said Darlea. She liked Briana's sparkle.

****
As the dinner crowd was beginning to break up, Almiron announced that he was
ready to go home. He bid his good-byes to the group and got up. Darlea got
up quickly and followed him. He met Darshan outside the dining hall, Makayla
following close behind the deep purple dragon.

"Almiron," she called to him, "would you mind if I came over tonight? I just
wanna make sure you're alright."

He hesitated for a moment, then relented, "I would not mind." 

Darlea smiled in delight, "Then you go. I want to get something first."  She
helped him up on Darshan. "I won't be long."  She watched as the dragon and
his rider flew off.

"Makayla wait here," she said turning to her dragon, "I'll be right back."
Darlea ran off toward the medical building. Within a few minutes she was
back, her quest complete. She hopped on Makayla's back and the two of them
were at Almiron's ledge in no time. Makayla dropped her off and went in
search of Darshan.

Almiron was laying on his bed when she arrived. She took her package and set
it on a table close by, that sat down next to him, "Now why don't you tell
me what really happened? Did someone do this to you?"

Apparently he had already decided there was no point in dodging the issue
with the persistent girl, because he told her what had happened without
trying to dodge or cover up what had happened. He however did not discuss
B'kez, with her. Those thoughts he kept to himself.

"You pushed yourself again!" Darlea scolded him, "Oh Almiron... you're
supposed to be careful."

 He nodded,  "I know."

"I can't believe Kyvan let you do this to yourself." she said distressed.

"He didn't. I did not let him see." the young man said softly.

Darlea nodded. That would certainly be Almiron's way. He was very good at
covering up what was truly bothering him. "Let me help you out of those
clothes. Since you couldn't take care of yourself, I'm going to have to do
it for you tonight."

Almiron submitted to her mothering and allowed her to help him undress. She
tried to maintain her calm as she saw the bruises that were hidden under his
clothing. She took her package from the table and unwrapped it, exposing a
jar of healing salve. She began carefully dabbing it on his bruises,
starting with his eye.

"Almiron..." she said softly, "I've been doing a lot of thinking today.
Actually it was Makayla that made me think about it in the first place."

He nodded, knowing that Darshan did the same for him quite frequently. She
continued, "Does it bother you that we haven't moved in together?" She
continued quickly, not giving him a chance to answer. "I mean some of our
friends have... David and Minty... Wynn and Evelle..." She concentrated on
putting the healing salve on him and didn't look at his face.

"I know that it isn't the normal thing for Dragonfolk, but for those raised
landbound... like you... it is." She found herself looking in his eyes, but
she was unable to read his thoughts, and he wasn't saying anything.

"You know, my father hasn't lived here in Keldarra for a very long time.
I've always known why, though neither he nor my mother ever talk about it.
But others do... not necessarily in front of me, ...but it's almost
impossible to keep secrets here in the Warren. I know that he left because
of her... because of my mother, I mean. I've never held it against her,
because she is a good woman and a wonderful mother, and I love her dearly.
She can't help the way she feels..."  Darlea stopped because she knew she
was rambling. She quickly went back to applying the salve.

But Almiron urged her to continue, "Go on." he said gently.

"One day Makayla will fly again, but you and I both know that Darshan isn't
going to wait for that day. And what if he doesn't win her the next time...
It's the way it with dragons," she paused. She took his hand in hers,
holding it tightly, "I just want you to know, that I like things the way
they are. I like knowing that you and I can spend time together whenever we
want to and share... well, what we share. I like caring for you like I do.
It's become very important to me. But I don't want to feel... obligated...
That's what drove my father away." She stopped so that she wouldn't start to
cry. Then setting her chin she continued, much more matter-of-factly.
"Neither of us should.  And I just wanted to be sure that you knew how I felt."

--Darlea & Makayla

****
NRPG: Kat and ChrisC: Feel free to continue the conversation. I would like
to hear more about Michel and Briana :)

Lyn: I figured he wouldn't really be willing to discuss B'kez... so I made
sure he didn't:) Now it's your turn, be gentle to the poor girl :)

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