The garden air was refreshing.  Merissa had been playing with Chrysthal, 
who had been enjoying her scratch and oil.  They had gotten into a good 
routine now, and the newness and insecurity had become a calm 
companionship, which both enjoyed.  The oiling, however, had reminded 
Merissa that she had made plans to meet Thorin in the gardens, where she 
now stood drinking in the fragance of the night blossoms.

Chrysthal had encouraged her to go, but now Merissa thought to her sleepy 
dragon: <What am I doing here?>

<Oh, go enjoy yourself! and let me sleep!>  Chrysthal thought back.

And before Merissa could think further of why she had made arrangements 
for this meeting, Thorin was there.

They awkwardly stood together waiting for the other to break the silence.

"I brought the oil," Thorin spoke as Merisa asked, "Did bring the 
oil..." and they broke into laughter, breaking the ice.

"It is a beautiful night, would you mind walking with me a bit?"  Merissa 
invited, and Thorin nodded.

Merissa held the jar of oil, she broke the seal and sniffed it gently.  
It was even more fragrant than the batch that Thorin had made for Kalyth, 
slightly more delicate.  "I like this one even better."  She smiled at 
Thorin.

He was glad that in the darkness she could not see the hot blush that 
crept up his neck and cheeks.  He had formulated it with her in mind.  "I 
hope Chyrsthal likes it."  He replied nervously.

"I'm sure she will."  Merissa answered.  Merissa had chosen a beautiful 
white blouse and long skirt that billowed in the evening breeze with a 
brightly colored scarf tied about her waist.  She felt alive.  Tomorrow 
she would be leaving for the council, but tonight she was free.

Her mind reached out for Chrysthal, but the young queen was off in her 
dreams, and Merissa felt a <Do Not Disturb> response, and sighed.

Thorin mistook the sigh, thinking that he was boring Merissa, "I'm sure 
you must have better things to do..." he trailed off.

"Oh, no!  Actually I was just thinking how I've never stayed at one place 
for so long, except when I was a young girl at the Bard's hall in 
Ralengarde, and now I am so nervous about leaving here!  It is amazing.  
I've never had a home and family before, and now..."  Merissa stopped, 
with her voice choking slightly.

"And now?" Thorin prompted.

"And now I have Chrysthal, and the Warren, and Trinale, and..., and..., a 
home," she finished in a whisper.

They had walked to a secluded place in the gardens.  The moon was up and 
the fragrance of the flowers were overwhelming.  They stood in the 
silence of the moment.  Close but not touching.  

Merissa looked at Thorin.  He seemed so insecure, so nervous.  She wanted 
him to feel more at ease.  To get him talking again.  So she asked about 
the oil.  "You did something different with this batch of oil, what is 
that fragrance?"

"It's jasmine, mostly, though I had to make an extract for the fragrance 
out of some alcohol and other plants." and as he talked about the process 
of making the oil he became more relaxed.  Merissa interspersed questions 
appropriately as he lagged, using her skills for extracting information 
that she'd learned in the Bard's hall to facilitate the conversation.  
But even as he rambled on about oils and fragrances, and how he might be 
able to make different oils with aromas to suit individual dragons, 
Merissa watched his eyes, enjoyed his movements and they slowly drew 
closer together.

There was a gazebo in the center of this area of the gardens and they 
made their way towards it as Thorin rambled on, and as they entered it, 
Thorin was talking about his disappointment with not being joined.  

"I have the affinity, everyone knows, but I've never joined with a 
dragon."  He murmured.

"Perhaps your dragon just hasn't hatched yet."  Merissa commiserated.

"My father doesn't think I'm dragon rider material."  Thorin complained. 

"He sounds just like my Mother,"  Merissa sighed.

"Your mother?  I didn't realize, I mean I didn't think, well you said you 
didn't have any family..."

"She isn't family.  Not like all of the Warren is a family.  She has 
never cared about me.  She has always been too busy traveling to care for 
me, and I really think I'm a disapointment to her.  She is so beautiful, 
and I'm...not."  

"NOT?!"  Thorin exclaimed in surprise.  "She must be blind!  You are so 
beautiful Merissa," as he stared down at her.

Merissa felt tears come into her eyes.  She looked away.  "no, I'm small 
and dark, and not at all like my Mother.  She is beautiful."

Thorin protested again, and this time he showed her that he truely felt 
that she was beautiful by taking her into his arms.  He was a bit 
awkward, but slowly they drew together and their lips met.  He kissed her 
softly, gently.  Then let her go.

Merissa smiled up at him.  Invitingly.  She hadn't been with a man since 
the night before Lord Fowler's party, and she suddenly realized that this 
was why she had come to the garden this evening.

"I'm too nervous to sleep tonight." Merissa said to Thorin, "with the 
council tomorrow and all.  Would you care to keep me company?"

Thorin couldn't believe his ears.  Merissa, the junior queenrider, wanted 
him to keep her company?  What could he say?  "I'd love to".
***************************
Tag Kris.  You decide where the conversation goes.  But she leaves in the 
morning.
***************************

Merissa couldn't believe that morning had come already.  Chrysthal was 
impatiently mind-nudging her to hurry up.  Merissa showered and dressed 
in her new leather riding pants and a bright red shirt.  She tied her 
long black hair back with a matching red scarf.  She checked her gear and 
placed the Tack on Chrysthal, securing the synches.  They left their 
rooms and waited on the green for Trinale to join them.

 On Fri, 6 Sep 1996, Kat Harris wrote:
> Trinale hurried to the green where she saw Merissa waiting on her.
> 
> "Ready?" she asked.
> 
> Merissa nodded.
She felt terrified.  <What am I doing here??> 

And Chrysthal replied, <I've heard that question before!  Relax, Merissa, 
this will be fun!>

<That's easy for you to say!  You just get to be pampered and fussed 
over.  I have to actually talk to some people!>

<Hrmph!>  Chrysthal returned in reply.

> (Cricket, did you get the picture of Keldarra from Fayloth?)
> 
> (Of course and I have already given it to Chrysthal)
> 
> They both mounted their Queens and soon were in the air.  Trinale nodded 
> at Merissa and they both blinked out.
> 
> They appeared within a fraction of a second over Keldarra. There was much 
> activity below and the warren seemed to be bustling. They landed and 
> Trinale noticed a young woman headed over towards them.
> 
> "Hello, I am Christalla, the Dragonlady. You must be Trinale from 
> Whiteriver." she said.
> 
> Trinale nodded and gestured towards Merissa. "Yes, I am and this is 
> Merissa, my new junior Queenrider, who will serve as my second.
> 

Submitted by:

Arlene (aka Merissa of Whiteriver Warren rider of Chrysthal)