Thorin
***

>"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....

"I feel dizzy .." she said, "But Chrysthal .."

"Areena says that now that you are awake Chrysthal is calming down." Thorin
assured her, "And the dizziness is most likely from lack of food and lying
in bed far to long." He smiled down at her, "Normally I wouldn't complain
about that .."

She looked up at him with eyes that had been asleep far too long. He was
pleased when she smiled up at him, a hint of humor in her eyes. "I wouldn't
either, if I remembered it."

"Figures," a voice said from the doorway. Thorin turned to Merissa's mother
standing there looking at the two of them. "So is that why you're in here?"

Thorin frowned, "She was attacked by a rogue rider." His voice was tight as
he squeezed Merissa's hand.

"Oh," she purred, "Did that put a cramp in your style? I see you're here
the moment she wakes up .. all ready for a cheap lay."

"How can you talk that way about her! She's your daughter!" Thorin hissed
at her.

<Thorin? I do not like these angry feelings, and Chrysthal is getting upset
again.> Thorin hear Areena's sweet voice in his head.

Thorin looked down at Merissa and saw the tears streaming down her face,
this only served to make him angrier. He moved from his spot next to her,
to face Analise, "Now I want you to get out of here. She doesn't need to be
upset by you anymore."

<NRPG: Tag, Arlene! I figured if they're going to be in the med center
missing the party, we ought to have a little fun .. and if they still make
it to the party later .. all the better :}>

Saul
***

The sounds of the party were already in full swing, when Shawnee and Saul
arrived. He looked around but saw no signs of Merybelle or her son, Byrin.
He did see Timma dancing with a very young, very handsome young noble's
son. She spotted him and puckered her lips throwing him a kiss. He looked
quickly over at  Shawnee, but was relieved to see that she had not noticed it.

>Barry had still not arrived with the kids by the time they arrived for the
festivities. Nor was there any sight of Merybelle or her son. Saul led her
to a seat and then went off to get them something to drink.

He moved with his usual confidence toward the refreshment table, and began
filling two glasses. "Saul!" he heard someone call out his name. 

He turned to see his friend Galin heading towards him. Galin was one of his
card buddies from Marketa, "Galin, how have you been," Saul asked. "I
haven't seen much of you lately."

Galin grinned happily, "I got married. Pretty little thing, too."

Saul chuckled, "I'm sure."

"I hear from the guys that you are hanging out at the inn much either," he
raised a teasing eyebrow to the dragonrider. "They say you've been caught
yourself. Never thought I'd see the day."

"Oh no," Saul assured him, "I am not caught. I simply have found someone I
enjoy spending time with."

Galin nodded, "I'm sure .. I thought the same thing for the first couple of
weeks myself. But I soon learned different." He laughed, "Not that I mind.
I couldn't be happier. And I'm happy for you too my friend."

"Saul .." a voice purred in his, as his ear was nibbled. "I've been waiting
all afternoon for a dance."

He turned to face Timma, "You'll have to wait a bit longer, Timma."

"Oh no," smiled Galin. "Don't let me stop you from dancing with your lady
fair. I've got to find mine anyway before she comes looking for me. I'll
see you later, Saul."

"Bye Galin," he said as his friend walked away. Then he turned back to
Timma who had gone back to nibbling at his neck. He pushed her away once
again.

"Saul .. you're friend said it was all right .." she protested.

"Yes, but Galin doesn't know my plans, and tonight they are devoted to
someone else." He looked into her dark eyes, "I'm sorry, Timma."

"Who?" she pouted, "That tiny little blonde you came in with. Come on Saul,
you know me. Don't tell me you've forgotten our .. chemistry."

"No I haven't forgotten, I just made promises elsewhere, so if you'll
excuse me .." He turned quickly and headed back to the table where Shawnee
sat. He did not see the ugly frown which crossed Timma's beautiful face.

>Within seconds Pa'gan had intercepted Saul and took one drink from his
hand and toasted the powers that be for love, life, happiness, AND DRAGONS!

>Saul sheepishly drank the second drink even thought the two drinks were
meant for himself and his sweet Shawnee. Then Pa'gan had a strange smile
come upon his face and a loud happy roar escaped the large man as he tossed
the cup over his shoulder and grabbed Saul and began dancing as the music
once again filled the room.

>After a moment or two Pa'gan let Saul go and began dancing on his own
while trying to play music on his flute.

Saul sighed and turned back to the refreshment table for two more drinks.
He was relieved to find Timma had wondered off somewhere else.

***

>"Why didn't you tell me?" she asked when their eyes met. "About finding
out that Aradia and Pa'gan were going to have a baby."

Saul frowned, "I didn't want to upset you anymore."

"Did you really think I'd never notice? She was bound to start showing
sometime!" Shawnee said, not letting her hurt down.

"Shawnee, you were upset .. you'd passed out not that much earlier." He
took her hand, his face contrite, "Gods, I'm sorry. I was selfish."

Her anger began to diminish, as she heard the self-recrimination in his
voice. "Selfish? For not wanting to upset me?"

"No, for being afraid .."

"Afraid of what?" she asked. Then she frowned, "Afraid that I might want a
baby of our own."

"Afraid that you might decide to find someone who would make a good father
to your children, not some old dragonrider like me." He kissed her hand
gently, "I know how disappointed you were that you were not going to have a
baby."

"What?" She looked at him in disbelief. "Saul I was disappointed that I
wasn't going to have you child. I wanted your baby .. no someone else's.
You have to know that I would rather be childless and with you, then with
someone else and have a child."

"You say that now .. but .."

"No, I say that for always."

She moved to put her arms around him, "Please never fear that fact, my
love." She gently kissed his cheek before moving to whisper in his ear,
"Now where's my dance?"

***

Saul had Shawnee wrapped tightly in his arms on the dance floor when he
spotted Mery and Byrin as they walked into the dining hall. "Their here,"
he whispered in Shawnee's ear. He felt her stiffen and he pulled back
looking deeply into her aqua eyes, "If you don't want to do this .."

"No, I'm fine." She smiled at him, "Let's do it .."

He nodded at her and took her hand pulling her toward the entrance where
the two from Ralengarde stood.

All four looked nervous but Merybelle smiled politely, "Thank you for
inviting us to dinner."

Saul nodded, "I'm glad you could come." He turned to Byrin, "I'm .. sorry
.. that I didn't come see you sooner .."

Byrin nodded, "It's okay. I guess I was a pretty big surprise."

"You could say that," Saul grinned. Byrin grinned back and Shawnee's heart
melted looking at the boy. He even had Saul's smile .. "I'd like you both
to meet Shawnee. Shawnee this is Merybelle and Byrin."

Shawnee smiled, "It's nice to meet you .. officially." Mery and Byrin
exchanged their cordial greetings as well.

"Well, if you'll come this way," Saul said, "We can get some of our
excellent Whiteriver faire just over here at the buffet."

They raided the Buffet tables and then took a seat a table near the back of
the room where it wasn't quite so noisy and they could talk. Saul asked
about their life in Ralengarde, and about Byrin's childhood. He showed an
interest in the boy's likes and dislikes and both woman could see that the
two were getting along very well.

Suddenly from across the room there was a loud voice shouting, "I WONDER IF
THOSE BUSHES WILL HOLD THREE!" The room feel silent for a moment.

Saul turned to see Pa'gan laughing jovially as Trinale ran out of the room.
His eyes darkened and he moved to stand, his hands drawn into fists. "Saul,
no!" Shawnee said, as the music started up again.

Saul continued to stand and Shawnee moved quickly in front of him, "Stop it!"

"Shawnee," he said through gritted teeth, "You saw what that animal did to
her!"

"It's done .. starting a fight with him isn't going to help. It's only
going to land you in the medical center." She said trying to reason with him.

"He needs to be taught a lesson!"

"He's had too much to drink. He's celebrating .. his mate just joined to a
dragon, and they are expecting .."

Saul looked at her, his eyes still full of anger, "But Trinale .."

"I saw Aradia follow her out. She'll be fine. But you know how angry she'll
be if you go off half-cocked and try and pound on Pa'gan."

"She just a little girl .."

Shawnee rolled her eyes, "You know better then that. No please, love,
please. Sit down and lets have dinner."

Saul turned to look at Merybelle and Byrin both of whom were staring at
him. His anger deflated and he nodded, "I'm sorry," he said to the two of
them. He took his seat again. Shawnee could still see his muscles, taunt
with adrenaline, and his eyes still fighting back the anger. She took his
hand in hers and gently held it, hoping to help him calm down faster.

Mery watched the loving way Shawnee touched his hand, his arm.  She could
see the love shining in the woman's eyes. There was obviously some
affection from Saul's side as well, but Mery didn't trust it. She'd thought
he'd cared for her as well. She felt sorry for the girl, who would most
likely only end up getting hurt.

She also watched her son as he watched the dragonrider. She could see that
he was quickly falling under Saul of Whiteriver's spell .. and it filled
her with dread. She did not want to see Byrin hurt as she had been.

"Would you really have hit him?" Byrin asked.

Saul lifted his eyes and suddenly felt guilty. How often had he watched his
own father fly off the handle and begin a barroom brawl. In the end it had
been what had gotten him killed. "I .. I got carried away. I apologize."

Regards,
Saul & Fayloth
Merybelle & Byrin
Thorin & Areena
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  |\  /^~~^\  /|
 -qqQ-\O||O/-Qpp------------------------------------------------------
       \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
 --d----------b-------------------------------------------------------
        ()
       \()/
        \/