Chrysthal stomped her foot impatiently.  <Yes, these people are needed if
my babies are to have partners, but they aren't all going to come in!>

Areena soothingly replied <So, only let in those that are joining...>

Chrysthal aproved this and moved slightly out of the way of the entrance
to the hatching caverns.

The eggs were rocking and she heard her babies' voices calling. <Yes,
Doshayne, I will let your soul-mate enter> as a young blonde woman
approached apprehensively and curtsied.

Chrysthal lowered her head and allowed Shawnee to enter.  Other hatching
candidates were approaching, and Trinale's voice gently reminded Chrysthal
who they were.  A young girl came next, and joined to Eddath.  Then a boy
joined to Cocquyt.

Another woman -- she seemed familiar -- passed with the blank look of one
searching for her dragon.  Chrysthal felt Futhark's mind calling to her,
so let her pass.

The kitchen staff and some other human dragon riders were coming with
buckets of raw meat.  Yes, these people she would let pass.

Another dragonette called to her.  Trefoil's rider approached bowing
gracefully.  <Trefoil, your rider is galant.>  Chrysthal called
appreciatively.

Satinka's mind opened to Chrysthal.  Yes, she saw the girl.  She was one
of the ones on horseback, fighting to save her babies.  Chrysthal watched
her enter and fall...  

<Mother, she fell, she needs help!>  Satinka called.

<I see her sibling, Satinka, she will be alright!>  Chrysthal allowed the
other horse-rider to enter the hatching grounds.  He bowed graciously and 
moved cautiously past her.

Then suddenly Futhark's mind called out in fear.  Chrysthal spun to look
for her hurt baby...

<Please, help my human!>  Futhark called out as he began to keen in
distress.

Chrysthal saw a large human hovering over the pair.  How had he gotten in?
Had he slipped by when the girl had fallen and Chrysthal had been
distracted??  <Rogue!! Do not harm my baby!> Chrysthal roared, drawing in
a deep breath to singe the man to a crisp.

<NO!!>  Voices distracted her...

<No, my beautiful Queen, my rider will not harm your baby or his rider>
Reekor assured Chrysthal. 

<No, Mother, Pa'gan saved me!  He wants to help Aradia!>  Futhark called.

<No, Chrysthal, he is not a rogue... he wants to help> came the calm voice
of Areena.

<No, Chrysthal, Pa'gan is a friend> insisted Trinale.

Chrysthal exhaled slowly.  Oh, how she wished Merissa were here!

Chrysthal remembered fondly her own hatching and joining with Merissa --
how Merissa had fed her and then oiled her.  How they had curled up to
sleep together...  <Merissa??  They are hatching!  Wake up>  Chrysthal
called to her soul-mate.

******
Merissa

The presence again, Merissa moaned softly.  It was insistent.  Like the
sound of a silver bell...  No a crystal bell...  <Chrysthal!>  Yes!  Her
dragon.  She remembered.  <My love!>

<The eggs...>  Chrysthal started.

<Oh, yes, darling, I am sooo sorry!  I wanted to stop them.  I just didn't
know how!>  Merissa sobbed.

<No, not my stolen eggs.  The ones that are here, they are hatching!>

Merissa's eyes popped open and she suddenly tried to sit up.  The room
spun and she heard a familiar voice call out her name...

"Merissa!  You are awake!"  Thorin's voice was filled with joy.

"I have to go!  Th'rin!  Chrysthal needs me!"  Merissa cried.  But the
room would not stay stable, and suddenly she felt/heard a rushing sound in
her ears.

"Oh no, my love!  You are not going anywhere!"  Thorin, gently eased
Merissa back into the pillows of the bed.  And as he held her, he noticed
a streak of red hair growing near her right temple where the awful gash
had been before Aradia had healed it -- a streak of red hair, the color of
Aradia's hair....

******
Chrysthal

With Merissa awake, Chrysthal could feel more relaxed.  She moved away
from the entrance of the hatching grounds, and the people moved in.
Areena came and leaned against her, and the two sat back and watched the
hatching unfold.

She watched the babies being fed.

She watched as they were led off to the hatchling baracks.

And it was all over.

******
Respectfully submitted by,
Arlene (aka Merissa, rider of Junior Queen Chrysthal of Whiteriver Warren)