[Timeframe: Between the time Almiron and Darlea become mates and the time
she discovers she's pregnant.]

	Almiron was siting alone in the Dining Hall, picking over his
breakfast thoughtfully, when a figure slid into the seat in front of him.
He looked up, then widened his eyes in surprise.  "Aleta!"

	"I'm sorry we didn't come to see you sooner," she said.  "Is this
a good time to talk?"

	"As good as any," Almiron replied with an uneasy smile.  "How are
you and M'tan?" 

	"It's taking a lot of work," she admitted.  "We knew it would when
we decided to start over.  But we're making it, slowly."

	"I am glad to hear that," Almiron replied, his voice both ernest
and sad. "I want you to be happy.  Both of you.  Tell M'tan that." 

	"He's not avoiding you," Aleta said quickly.  Then she sat back
and sighed.  "No, that's a lie.  But it's not the way you're probably
thinking.  Just give him time and he'll come to talk to you on his own.
Right now, just trust me that he wants you to be happy too.  He thinks
settling down with Darlea is the right thing to do."

	"We hope so."

	She reached across suddenly and lay her hand over his.  Her face
was ernest.  "I want you to know that we don't expect anything from you.
We want you to be happy with Darlea, and we'll do our best not to get in
you way."  

	He opened his mouth to say something, but she pressed on before he
had a chance.  "But I wanted to understand that the offer I made to you a
year ago was a real offer then and it's a real offer now.  It's still open
if your life should ever change.  We both mean that."

	His face flushed.  "I... I thank you... thank you for offer...
but..." He shifted nervously.  "I'm sorry.  I have talked to Darlea and...
she... does not like..."  He sighed.  "Well, she hated idea and I...
backed off."

	"I'm sorry too, but you shouldn't be," Aleta said firmly.  "You
should be happy with Darlea.  I just wanted you to know that's how we
felt.  And... give M'tan time.  Don't give up on him.  He'll come back
when he's ready to talk."

Respectfully Submitted,

Susan Rati
Creator, DragonLands
with help from Lynette Cowper

  Susan Rati (echo@indy.net) http://www.indy.net/~echo | And this only
   Creator, DragonLands ** http://www.indy.net/~dlands | covers the
   George, InConJunction ** http://www.indy.net/~incon | stuff I can
 MIB #0110 (Secret Rep SJGames) http://www.sjgames.com | print here ;]