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[DL]New Home

Having eaten her fill Makalya got very tired. Her eyes drooped and her 
body relaxed. Before long she was sleeping. Darlea found herself to be 
as tired. She had to make a concerted effort to keep her eyes open. She 
couldnât wait to fly with Makalya. To soar through the open skies. She 
remembered the first time her father had taken her for a ride on 
Porthios. She had been 6 and it had been the most thrilling experience 
of her life. She could remember begging her mother to let her go and her 
father promising Sheltie that he would bring her daughter back without a 
scratch. Sheltie, like most unjoined Dragonfolk still had a certain fear 
relating to dragons. It was hard not to. Dragons were very imposing.

ăDarlea...ä someone was calling her.  She shook herself, and realized 
that she had been nodding off.

ăIâm sorry, I wonât fall asleep.ä

ăNo, you should sleep. Let me help you get your little one to your new 
home. There will be warm linens for you to curl up in.ä It was her 
father.

ăOh, Daddy. Iâm so glad you could make it. Did you see? Isnât she 
beautiful? Her name is Makalya.ä

ăI know sweet one. Porthios told me.ä He smiled down at her and helped 
her up. Together they carried Makalya.

*No, let me sleep* mumbled the dragonet whining.

ăWe will, Makalya. We are taking you somewhere very comfortable.ä Darlea 
told her soothingly.

Once in her room in the barracks, Darlea snuggled down with Makalya. She 
was asleep almost before she lay down. DâNar carefully covered her up. 
He bent down and kissed her cheek before turning to leave.

There in the door was Sheltie. 

ăHello, DâNar.ä

ăSheltie,ä DâNar was still struck by her beauty whenever he saw her. 
There were many times that he wished things had been different. If only 
she had joined. But Sheltie never had the calling. ăDid you see her. Iâm 
so proud of her.ä

ăNo, unfortunately I was busy in the kitchen. I got away as soon as I 
could. I saw you help her over here.ä

ăYou could have gotten away to see her, you know.ä

ăI suppose youÎre right,ä Sheltie looked down. ăBut as happy as I am for 
her. I am still a little sad. Sheâll no longer be my little girl. Sheâs 
grown up now.ä

DâNar moved over to the woman and wrapped his arms around her. ăYouâve 
done your job, Sheltie. And youâve done it well.  Sheâs a wonderful 
young woman.ä

Sheltie grabbed on to DâNar and began to cry. She was losing her 
daughter to the dragons the same way she had lost him. He understood and 
allowed her to cry.  When her crying subsided, she looked up at him, 
ăIâm sorry. Iâm glad for her, as I was for you. But I will probably 
never truly understand.ä

DâNar nodded. She was right. He wished she was wrong, but he knew she 
wasnât. He leaned down and kissed her. ăI have to go, Sheltie.  It was 
good to see you.ä

She nodded.  She watched as he turned and left. It wasnât the first time 
she had watched him leave, and she knew that it wouldnât be the last. 
While they couldnât be together, they would never be truly apart.

--Darlea
(AKA Kristen)