Meena
***

Well they'd almost made it out of Cleft, Meena thought with a sigh as she
watch Farr'in go and join the other men filled with Dragonlust.  She really
didn't mind. She'd thoroughly enjoyed their stay here so far. Cleft had a
certain charm. She could see why so many chose to come to the rustic
frontier of the Lands.

She looked around, searching for a familiar face .. She never found it ..
thought two identical smaller ones found her. "Hi! Can we take Demee for a
moment. We've got something we promised to show him."

Meena looked back toward the men gathering for the mating flight and
shrugged, "Sure we've got time."

Demee squealed happily and allowed himself to be pulled off by Farr'in twin
nieces.

<How's Tergath doing Vonn?>

<Very very good, Meena. It is easy to see why I felt him worthy.>

Meena sighed, <So we'll be here a while longer?>

<Umm .. not sure. There are several incredible looking dragons here ..>
Vonn purred as she watched them from her shady spot.

Meena chuckled. Her eye caught a rather upset looking young man. Clearly he
wanted to be a part of the throng.. but just as clearly she could see the
dragonlust did not burn within him. *Must be new to mating flights,* She
thought.

She moved up behind him and placed a hand on his arm. When he turned, she
smiled easily, "That's part of a mating flight," she told him. "Only riders
are involved."

[[NRPG: I've included a large portion of John's Cleft post for reference
for Norwall readers.[[

>"I know," he said tensely. "I'm one myself."

>The woman cocked her head and eyed him curiously. "Your dragon's not
>participating then? He must not be...you've still got your wits about
>you." She smiled at him, but he could see that she, also, was casting
>nervous glances at the assembled riders.

>"No," he said. "She's not."

>"Oh," said the woman, nodding her head in sudden understanding. "You're
>Trevor the Mapmaker, aren't you? People around here still talk about the
>night you joined."

>"Yes," he replied, nodding ruefully. "That's me."

>"You haven't seen a little boy around, have you?" she asked. "I was taking
>my son over to Yarik and Danki's, but Dan'yar's twins came and told him
>there was something he just had to see - I let him go with her, but then
>got to thinking that it might be this they wanted him to see! Fortunately,
>I was wrong."

>"They might have gone to see my dragon," he replied. "The twins are great
>friends of hers." He sent a thought to his dragon.

>*Triss, are Arly and Leyean with you? and a little boy?*

><Yes, my rider. They just got here.>

>"Trissana's with them," he told the woman. "She's over by the hatchling
>barracks."

>Suddenly, he heard the dreaded words from Cynthia. "You are worthy..."

>Both he and the woman turned to see who had won, and Trevor felt his blood
>turn to ice. Farr'in!! Farr'in, who hated and despised her, had won!! He
>started forward, knowing he could not let this happen; there was no
>telling what Farr'in might do to her once the mating passions of their
>dragons had ebbed. If necessary, he would separate them by force.

>Again, the woman grabbed him by the arm. "You can't!" she told him.
>"Tergath won Syren! You can't stop this!"

>"Do you know what's apt to happen if I don't stop it?" he demanded. "Do
>you know who that is who's leading her off?"

>"I do," she said, nodding her head gravely. "Believe me, I do... I'm
>Meena, Vonn's rider, from Norwall."

"Norwall? That's .. that's where he moved to. Are you his mate?"

She shook her head, "No. We're just friends, and I can promise you Farr'in
wouldn't hurt her. Time has passed."

"Not enough .."

"Perhaps not enough to heal the hurt.. but definitely enough for the anger
to fade. Anger is a funny thing .. it burns out fairly quickly compared to
most other emotions."

"She was afraid of him. She wouldn't show it .. she's to strong for that.
But he still scares her .." the man's face hardened, "I won't let her be
scared .." he turned to follow them once again."

"Stop!" She said grasping his arm firmly. "He needs this. They both do!"

He spun on her, "How can you say that! You don't even know her!"

"No, I don't. But I do know Farr'in. And I know that he came to Cleft with
an open mind. I think deep inside he wanted a chance to put fires to rest
between them." She shook her head, "It's been hard for him to be away from
his family. To not even be able to just pop in, for fear of running into
her."

She looked at him pleadingly, "If you don't let them finish this, it will
never end. Not for Farr'in and not for Cynthia either. Let it end .. let
them finish this."

[[NRPG: Well John.. Trevor gonna let them .. er.. finish :)]]

***

Teleporting back into Norwall, Meena's eyes took in the now dead pyre on
the ridge that had obviously been for Lacey the night before. She felt
tears well up into her eyes. <Vonn .. ask Amethyst how Naomi is doing ..
and tell her we're back.>

<I will ..> Vonn said, hesitating slightly.

Meena could feel the dragon hesitation, <Vonn, what is it?>

<Haroc .. is gone.>

<Haroc?? H'tor??>

As the dragon's landed on the green, Meena could see Demee hugging Farr'in
closing .. sobbing loudly. She slid off Vonn's back and hurried to Tergath.
Farr'in looked down at her helplessly, "I .. I don't know what happened. He
just .. started crying."

"Come here, Baby .." Meena cooed.

Demee looked up at her. His arms stretched for her and Farr'in helped the
boy down to her. She hugged him tightly, "It's okay, hon .. It's okay."

Farr'in moved beside her, "What is it?"

"Haroc and H'tor .."

Farr'in's eyes blanked as he talked to his dragon and heard that the rider
and his dragon would not be returning to Norwall. "I .. I'm sorry."

She gave him a weak smile, "Demee .. was attached to him. I admit, I didn't
always approve.. but .."

Farr'in put an arm around her, "I understand. So many deaths .. none of
them pleasant."

"Oh gods .." Meena whispered, "Naomi.." To lose H'tor and Lacey both ..

Her eyes locked with Farr'in's and he nodded, reaching out to take Demee,
"How would you like some sweets from Uncle?"

Demee nodded sadly, sniffling a bit. He allowed himself to be put down and
took Farr'in's hand. Farr'in looked at Meena, "Just let us know if you need
us."

Meena nodded gratefully and raced of to where Vonn told her Naomi was.

***

Naomi was, of course, not alone. S'ran and his mother Ruth were there, both
looking a bit haggard themselves. Lacey's death hadn't been easy on
anyone.. and certainly not on her brother and her mother.. nor her sister.
"Naomi .." she said weakly as the red-head warrenlady turned at her
approach.

Meena could see the sadness in her eyes, even if her countenance was still
that of a Warrenlady. She moved to take her into her arms, "I'm so sorry,
Naomi .." she said hugging her friend.

[[NRPG: Les, wasn't sure how Naomi would be holding up, but I figured this
was probably pretty close..]]

Meena got S'ran to take his mother home, promising that she would not leave
Naomi alone. While Naomi  sat with her queen, Meena put together a simple
meal.. Nothing exciting, but enough to give the woman energy to continue

Harkon
***

"Open up!" Harkon roared at the gate to the warren. Even as the large gate
creaked and groaned unhappily at being moved, Harkon continued to yell,
"Hurry up! I don't have all day!"

Once the gate was opened far enough for Harkon's carriage and guardsmen to
get through, he urged the carriage driver on, "Get going now!"

 The carriage came to stop and Lord Harkon got out, "Where the devil is
that warrenlady of yours! I demand to see her now! And my daughter too.
Tell her to bring Lars and Demee!"

The gatesman looked at the rotund Lord dumbly for a moment.

"NOW!!" Harkon roared.

"But .. sir .. The warren is .."

"I don't care for your excuses! I have a blood debt to collect and I intend
to collect it now!"

Regards,
Meena & Vonn
***
NRPG: I figure Harkon arrives evening of the day Meena and Farr'in
returned.. and umm.. he's a bit upset! :)

Kris

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       \oo/     Kristen Gant
        ~~      (AKA: Darlea & Makayla, Keldarra Warren, Courier
                      Waylene & Aura, Marrid Warren, Warrenlady
                      Meena & Vonn, Norwall Warren, Wingleader
                      Kalewyn & Sabbith, Telnor Warren, Dragonrider
                      Saul & Fayloth, Whiteriver Warren, Searcher
                      Merybelle Barmen, City of Ralengarde, Innkeeper
                      Ce'lot & Britche, Xylain Warren, Wingleader
                http://homepage.interaccess.com/~sgant/Kris/kris.htm
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