Chrysthal's mood improved dramtically with the miraculous healing of
Merissa.  <She's awake!>  Chrysthal announced to all dragons within range.
Her joy at Merissa's waking was short-lived, though, as she remembered her
lost eggs.

Areena nudged Chrysthal gently.  <They may yet return to you, they are not
dead, only gone.>

This soothed Chrysthal.  Areena's presence soother her as well.  Her
disapointment with Lute's not being able to tell her where her babies had
been taken was only slightly mollified by her report that at least who
ever had taken the eggs were apparently caring for them.

*****

Merissa awoke with odd feelings of lightheadedness and nausea.  "Where am
I?"  she murmured.  Odd pieces of memory and conversation floated in her
mind and she had extreme difficulty on focusing on anything -- except... 

"Th'rin?"  Her own voice sounded so far away.

His tears of joy amazed and bewildered her.  He was asking her
questions....  What did they mean?

"Where am I?"  she repeated.  She felt a presence in her mind, but could
not understand.

Thorin's face appeared worried.  Why was he worried?  Merissa didn't
understand.  She felt tired.  She closed her eyes....

*****
<Areena!  Merissa doesn't answer me!>  Chrysthal exclaimed nervously.  <I
know she is awake!  Why won't she answer me!?>

<I'm sure she will be fine>  Areena soothed.

Chrysthal snorted and a bit of smoke drifted from her nostrils.  Her
temper was barely in check.  Her tail lashed like an angry cat's.  And in
her agitation she barely noticed the sounds and "voices" coming from her
own remaining eggs.

It was Areena who alerted her of the changes.

Chrysthal reeled back in surprise.  The eggs are hatching -- are they
early?  <Cricket?  I think they are hatching!>  Chrysthal called to the
Queen.

Suddenly the warren was filled with the sounds of dragons trumpeting with
the announcement of the eggs beginning to hatch.

The eggs were starting to rock as all the people of the warren suddenly
came racing towards the hatching grounds.  

<They are attacking again!!>  Chrysthal roared!  Her confusion and fear
exploding in a burst of flame, as warren folk dove for cover.  <Merissa!
Merissa!  Help me!>  Chrysthal's mental control snapped as her mind
reached for her soulmate and found -- nothing!  

The little dragon, Areena, stepped forward boldly. <They are here for the
hatching>  Areena reminded Chrysthal gently, <Your babies need them to
join.  Chrysthal, these are your friends!>

Trinale's thoughts reached for Chrysthal's chaotic mind.  She had to calm
her down, or the joining candidates would never be able to reach the
hatchlings....
******
Tag all!

Submitted by
Arlene aka Merissa of Whiteriver Warren, and very agitated Junior Queen
Chrysthal.