Thorin
***

>"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....

"Merissa!" he said urgently as she closed her eyes. They fluttered back at
him weakly. Thorin panicked again. He ran to the door, "B'ril! B'ril come
here!"

The healer ran into the room, "What is it, Thorin?"

"She gone back under .." his panicked voice sounded.

B'ril moved over to the young queenrider, checking her over closely before
turning back to Thorin.

"Thorin, did you bother to check her over before you panicked?" the healer
asked calmly with a gentle smile.

"What do you mean?" Thorin asked looking worriedly back at Merissa.

"She's asleep. She's not back in a coma. She's just sleeping. Something her
body needs desperately."

"She's .. sleeping .." Thorin repeated, the relief in his voice evident.
"I'm sorry, B'ril .. I .. I should've checked."

B'ril put a calming hand on his shoulder, "It's okay. Why don't you go get
some rest too."

"I will," Thorin assured him, "I just want to sit with her a bit longer."

B'ril nodded. He'd really expected nothing less. The young man had not left
the girl's side since she was brought in. Why would he now?

Thorin moved to sit next to the sleeping Merissa and noticed that her face
was a bit less pale and drawn. Why hadn't he noticed that before. <Because
you were too busy worrying!> Areena teased him.

Thorin smiled at the voice in his head, <I've missed you, Areena.>

<I know,> she smiled, <But you need to be with Merissa. And Chrysthal needs
me right now. Soon all of us will be back together.>

Suddenly there was a loud trumpeting, <Areena??> Thorin asked.

<It's Reekor. Pa'gan and Aradia are going to have a baby.>

Thorin smiled, there was good news everywhere. He was drawn out of his
conversation with his small dragon by the sound of the door opening. He was
greeted by Aradia's smiling face. He couldn't help but think she was glowing.

>"I don't mean to interrupt, I just wanted to see how Merissa is doing
now," Aradia said quietly.

"She's just sleeping, she'll be okay," Thorin smiled back at her. "I hear
congratulations are in order," he said.

>"What do you mean?" Aradia asked.

>"Why, Reekor told every dragon in the warren, you are going to have a baby."

>"Oh no!" Aradia gasped. She was too late. Pa'gan had gone too far. This
would be a mess to straighten out. "It's a mistake," she explained.

Thorin looked at her in confusion but Aradia didn't stay to explain as she
ran quickly out of the room.

****

When morning came, Thorin sat up on the second hospital bed in Merissa's
room. He yawned, stretching, then moved over to check on Merissa. She was
still sleeping, but her vital signs were all where they should be. She was
okay. Yet that dread that she would never wake up burrowed into his soul.

"I'm going to run out and get cleaned up, Merissa," He said quietly. "I
promise I'll hurry and come right back to you."

There was no response, and Thorin sighed heavily. How he missed her dark
eyes looking up at him, and hearing her musical laughter. Well he
definitely needed a bath, he didn't want her to turn away from him when she
did wake up, so he kissed her lightly and hurried to his apartment to wash up.

****

It took longer then he had expected, simply because the hot water in the
bathtub felt so good and relaxing that he actually dozed in the water.  He
woke to loud trumpeting and nearly drowned himself as he startled and
slipped under the water.

He pulled himself out, sputtering as he called to Areena, <What now?>

<Chrysthal's eggs are hatching!> she cried joyfully, <Isn't this exciting!
Chrysthal's a little nervous around the people but Trinale and I are
keeping her calm.>

<I'll be there soon, dear.>

He jumped out of the now chilled water and dried himself and dressed as
quickly as he could. As he ran out of the apartment, he could see the
throngs of visitors and Warrenfolk heading toward the hatching grounds. He
had to see Merissa first. Maybe this would wake her. Maybe she'd want to
see the hatching.

He headed off to the med center.

Regards,
Thorin & Areena
***
NRPG: Just sorting out the time line a bit and writing for Thorin. I'm not
sure what time the hatching happens, I'm just assuming it's sometime after
where Shawnee and Saul are written too, so I had Thorin take a bath-nap
:}:} I'm looking forward to the hatching posts :}

BTW, Super Congratulations and Best Wishes to Keeper and Morgie!! I wish I
could be there!!

Kristen

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