Merissa had spent her day wandering around the beautiful gardens.  She 
liked to keep a low profile during daylight hours and generally avoided 
talking to people.  She had visited the kitchen early in the morning and 
had taken some cheese, bread and fruit, so when she found the "perfect" 
spot in the garden from which to view the comings and goings of the 
"guests" of Lord Fowler, she settled down to munch and observe.

Many of Lord Fowler's men were busy errecting the pavillion where the 
feast would take place and she was engrossed in watching their project. 

She was unaware that her hiding place was also the favorite spot of 
Jared, Lord Fowler's son.

As she dozed in that secluded place she was suddenly disturbed by the 
arrival of a young man who swung down from a low branch--giving her a 
good fright.

"Hello!"  He was as startled as she and quite awkwardly managed to land 
on her lunch.  Merissa stared at him open mouthed, feeling a very odd 
blush at being found out.

"I, I, I..." she started and faded away.  Why was it always so difficult 
to just talk!

"I am so sorry, I didn't mean to, I mean, I didn't know, I didn't see you 
there...Did I frighten you, I'm sorry...I think that this is yours..." 
Jared gushed as he pulled the loaf of bread off the bottom of his foot.  
He obviously had no problems talking to strangers.

Merissa grabbed the bread and started to make a run for it.  She'd have to 
find another hiding place.  But, Jared's voice called out to her, 

"No, please don't go."  And for some reason she stopped.  There was 
something almost charming about his innocense and adolesence, and not at 
all threatening.  "I'm Jared, and I would love some company, please stay."

"I'm Merissa" she whispered in a musical voice that sent shivers down to 
bottom of Jared's soul.  "It would be nice to have someone to talk to."

She returned to the secluded spot behind the hanging willow branches, and 
together they sat and observed the "guests" while Jared kept up a 
constant dialog, describing all who came and went, thrilled that someone 
as enchanting as Merissa would listen to him, while Merissa sat and 
soaked up all the information she could, afterall bards were also 
supposed to know all the gossip.

The day passed and Jared sighed as he realized that everyone seemed to be 
gathering and he should be getting ready for the party that his father 
insisted on throwing every hatching.  His father had always wanted to 
join and had great respect for the dragon riders.  Unfortunately he'd 
been without the affinity, and though he'd always attended the hatchings, 
he'd never been a joining candidate, so Lord Fowler was greatly pleased 
that Jared seemed to have the affinity, though disappointed that he 
hadn't joined previously.  Lord Fowler always gave more than his share of 
tithings, and had great hopes for Jared's becoming joined to a dragon 
that might one day fly with the Queen Cricket.

So, sadly Jared and Merissa left their haven and joined the festivities.  

After the feasting, Merissa was called upon to perform.  This she lived 
for.  She had planned on singing some of the great dragon rider and 
dragon battle ballads for the occasion.  She selected the songs to begin 
with moving, emotional pieces and end with the great heart warming song 
of the lovers who had thought each other lost, only to be reunited when 
their dragons sensed each other.  

She sang with her whole heart.  She played with her whole soul.  And the 
music poured out from deep within her.  She lost herself in it, and in 
the smokey fire pits and the sea of faces which cried or laughed with her as 
she sang.

As the last note echoed away, she sank into the caress of the 
applause--but with the ending of the music, so ended her feelings of 
peace and security.  The panic returned and she felt she had to flee from 
the party.  

As she left the stage she was stopped by a young girl.  This girl, 
despite her appearance, acted like she expected Merissa to heed her.  
Merissa thought of brushing by when she was suddenly surprised by the 
girl's comments:

"Merissa?" Merissa found herself nodding shyly, "I am Trinale, Warrenlady 
of Whiteriver Warren. I would like you to stand as a candidate for the 
hatching that will occur soon. You have the dragon affinity and I think 
you should come. Your dragon may be awaiting you."

Merissa began to protest, "You must be mistaken..."

However, Trinale replied "Please, won't you come? Your aura is very 
strong and we need good candidates. Please say yes."

"I'm sorry, but I really think you must be mistaken, I don't think a 
dragon would be interested in someone like me."

Trinale responded, "Of course!  The affinity is something you are born 
with, and you have it.  I can see it around you.  It was so bright as you 
sang, and the way you sang, as if you already new what it was like to be 
joined...".

Anther woman appeared beside Trinale.  "My dragon says you sing 
beautifully! and we must bring you back with us.  How would you like to 
ride back with us to the Warren?"

"On a dragon??"  Merissa asked with disbelief.  Well, wouldn't this be a 
story!  She could write her own tale (embellish it a bit, but she could 
actually sing about what it would be like to ride on a dragon).  "Yes," 
she breathed, "I'll come".

Cali grinned at Trinale.  "Knew she couldn't refuse that!"

-----------------------
-Arlene (aka Merissa of Whiteriver Warren)