>"Well, Greta, Lars, and Alyne all had dragon affinity" Lacey quickly let 
>it out.


"They what?"  Naomi turned and looked at Lacey, astonished by her announcement


"I'm sorry sis.  I know I should have told you before, but it never seemed
to be the right time.  Amethyst was taking up most of your time, then there
was Harkon's unpleasantness to Greta and Alyne.  I didn't want to give him
any more reasons to be awful to her.... and he would have been if he'd
known!!!!  And I knew Greta wouldn't leave Lars for Harkon to bring up...
and then he'd go after Demee again and Meena would be upset...." 


Lacey was babbling now, and Naomi held her close for a moment.  


"Hush love.  They were all goods reasons not to say anything.  So why are
you telling me now?"


"T'grat!"  Lacey said miserably  "I hadn't realised  just how miserable he's
been all these weeks without Greta.  He came alive when he was with her...."


"Did anyone else realise do you think?"  Naomi interrupted anxiously  "Lord
Harkon or one of his company?  Greta's lot is hard enough without Harkon
being able to hold this over her head!"


"Harkon's too wrapped up in himself to see anything but his own concerns."
Lacey made a disgusted face  "And now that he has Lars with him.... well!"


"Hm!  You're right there.  He sees Greta as someone to torment and degrade.
I don't suppose it would occur to him that anyone would see another side to
her!  So?  How do we go about getting Greta and her family back here to the
Warren without starting an open feud with Harkon?  I can't see him being
happy to lose another heir to Norwall's dragons... can you?"  Naomi paced up
and down as she spoke, wanting to do something to ease Greta's hardship.


"I really don't know Naomi."  Lacey shrugged  "That's one of the reasons I
put off telling you... I couldn't think of any way to do it.  I was thinking
about going to T'grat and telling him...."


"And raise his hopes of having Greta here with him permanently?"  Naomi
shook her head  "I'd like to get it all sorted out first.  Then if we can't
find a way he won't ever have to know about any of this."


"He might not thank you for keeping it from him Naomi."  Lacey warned


"I'll take that chance."  was the reply  "T'grat is one of my oldest
friends... I don't want him hurt if I can avoid it."


Naomi stood up, and linked arms with Lacey.  "Leave it with me sis.  I'll
think of something!  Now I have to go see M'lent and young C'rrin...and
that's something I'm dreading to be honest.  Will I see you later or do you
have a meeting arranged with Darrkon?"


"I'm meeting Darrkon later."  Lacey smiled happily at the thought  "That's
if there's nothing you want me to do?"


"No.  You go enjoy yourself for a while."  Naomi kissed her cheek  "You were
a big help while Amethyst was so broody."  She watched Lacey skip happily
away, a wistful smile on her lips....


<..>

<After "Gathering of the fans">


Naomi was halfway back to her office when she remembered that she'd intended
to speak to Meena about the business with Greta and her children.  After all
anything they decided would impact on Meena's life to a great extent.  And
it might be a good idea to talk with A'shair and G'raint too, since they
were closet to T'grat.


<*Vonn.  Sirus. Prase.  Would you tell your riders I'd like to see them
after they've eaten lunch please.*>


She waited only long enough to get acknowledgements from all three dragons,
then she continued on to her office to snatch a quick sandwich, and finish
her paperwork.


Submitted by

Naomi & Amethyst
-- 
Les

the voice and soul of

Timi Caplain  CMO    USS Javelin        T'beth  Counsellor     USS Magellan 
Lillith the Mage         Broken Lands      Minty, Kirimith's rider  Dragon Lands
                          Caliban, Lute's human,  Dragon Lands
Naomi, QueenRider to Amethyst, Norwall's WarrenLady,  Dragon Lands

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