Thorin
***

>Analise snorted.  Completely ignoring Thorin, she strode into the room.
"And what have you been doing with your hair?  So, now you're dying it
strange colors?  I bet this was *his* idea."

>Merissa looked at Thorin in confusion.  "Mother, I certainly have *not*
been coloring my hair!"

Thorin realized that Merissa could not possibly know about the streak of
dark red that now ran through her ebony tresses. "I don't know how to tell
you...."

>"That red streak!  Merissa how could you.  RED!"  Analise jumped in,
fuming.  "Oh, I come in here to see how you are, oh, I obviously made a
mistake!  Your *lover* is all you need now.  You have been corrupted by
these people. And you...." Analise turned to Thorin.

>Thorin visibly cringed.  Her eyes glaring at him, just like K'leev...

>"You have ruined her. Look at her!  Pale and sniveling. You have made her
the laughing stock of the warren!  Everyone is talking about it. Your
joining to a *female* dragon!  What type of man is that for the Junior
Queenrider??  You are no man at all!"  And with that pronouncement, Analise
stormed out of the room.

<Thorin!> he heard Areena's voice echo through his head, <Thorin, please ..
please answer me! Chrysthal's getting upset too!>

At the mention of Chrysthal's name, Thorin spun to see Merissa. Her face
was shattered and she was looking to the ground. Thorin immediately forgot
his own pain and gathered her up in his arms. "Merissa," he whispered
holding her close, "I'm so sorry."

The queenrider began to sob as she clung to him. He gently caressed her
dark hair as he held her close. Gods what if her mother was right? What if
his father were right? Maybe it would be best if he let her find someone
else. Someone worthy of her.

<Thorin, you are being very silly. You make Chrysthal's rider very happy.
She makes you happy, why are you thinking these things?> Areena intruded on
his thoughts again.

<Because, dear one, I'm not a real dragonrider.>

<You are! Are you saying I'm not a real dragon?>

<No love, you are. But you are too small for me to rider .. and .. and ..>

<You are upset because I'm female, aren't you?> Areena accused.

<Oh, Areena. It's not you ..> Thorin thought, <It's me .. >

<You are not the only cross-joined rider you know.>

<I know.>

<One of Chrysthal's babies chose a female for his rider.  In fact he chose
the girl who tried to hurt herself .. remember?>

Thorin thought for a moment, <You mean Aradia?>

<Yes, that's the one.>

<But .. she's got a mate ..>

<I don't understand why it upset's you so much.> Areena said. <He chose
her. I chose you. Why is that wrong? Do you not want to be mine?>

<I do. I'm sorry Areena. I didn't mean to upset you ..> Thorin tried to
soothe the dragon's hurt feelings. <There is just a lot I don't understand
right now.>

<You human's make it very hard .. It's really very simple.>

"Th'rin?" he heard Merissa's voice.

He looked down in to her beautiful eyes, "Yes Merissa .."

"I'm sorry about my mother .."

"It's not you're fault," he said squeezing her tighter. He didn't want her
to think about that any more. She had been through enough. "Hey, are you
hungry?" He asked, hoping a little food would make her feel better. 

She looked up at him, for a moment before nodding, "Yes. I am."

"Good," He smiled. Eating would definitely help her to feel better, "Stay
right here, and I'll get you something." He turned to leave the room, but
Merissa's voice beckoned him back.

"What about the party? Are we going to go?"

He looked at her and gently reached out to touch her face, "Are you feeling
up to it?"

Merissa frowned, "I don't know. But I do know I don't want to stay here .."

"I don't blame you," he chuckled, "How about I go and make B'ril let you
out of here, and I'll make you dinner in your apartment. I'm sure Chrysthal
would love to see you home."

Merissa smiled a bit brighter, "Oh yes, I'd like that."

***

"Ouch!" he screamed as the knife sliced over his finger rather then the
carrot. He quickly grabbed a towel to stop the bleeding. He hissed at the
stinging when he heard Merissa behind him.

"Are you okay?"

He turned to her, looking sheepish, "Just a little slip."

"Th'rin, let me do it," she said gingerly taking his hand to look at the cut.

"Hey, who's the healer here?" he teased her.

She grinned and he couldn't help but notice how beautiful she was. And it
seemed so long since he had seen her outside of the med center. His heart
filled with joy and he couldn't resist the urge to throw his arms around
her and hug her once again.

"Th'rin?" she questioned with a bit of a laugh at his exuberance.

"I'm just so glad you're okay. I was really scared," Thorin continued to
hold her tightly, and Merissa allowed it, as she wrapped her arms around him.

Finally he released her and smiled sadly, "I'm sorry. I'm supposed to be
making you dinner."

"Let me do that," she smiled, "I don't want you to cut off your hand."

He chuckled for a moment before his face turned serious. "Merissa?"

"What?"

Then he shook his head, "Nevermind.  I .. I just .. well I am supposed to
be cooking." She smiled and he felt guilty for his falsehood. How he longed
to ask her about the things her mother had said. But he was afraid .. what
if she was beginning to agree with her mother .. what if ..??

"Th'rin, we're out of salt," she said turning to show him the empty salt
shaker. 

He took it from her. "I'll run down and get some."

She nodded, "Hurry back."

"I will," he said and he headed out of the kitchen. He stopped briefly in
the main to caress Areena before he headed down the steps to the hatching
cavern. 

<Let me fly you down, Thorin.> the 12-ft dragon asked.

<No Areena,> He told her gently, <K'rine says you are too small. And he's
the trainer.>

<Thunder thinks I could if I was careful. You're not that big.>

<No, dear one .. maybe someday .. when K'rine says its okay. But not
today.> Thorin sighed, <Besides I need the walk.> It wasn't as though he
was used to walking the long distance back and forth from the medical
center. He could certainly make it to the much closer dining hall.

***

Thorin was almost to the dining hall when he saw Aradia brush past him in a
fit of tears. "Aradia??" he asked. But she didn't seem to hear him.

<Futhark says his rider is upset .. maybe you should help her ..>

<Me??>

<Please, Thorin .. Futhark is so upset.>

Thorin watched as the girl ran toward the hatchling barracks. He put the
salt shaker in his pocket and turned to follow her.

Regards,
Thorin & Areena
***
NRPG: Well, Morgie, can Thorin help? Maybe they can help each other :}
Arlene, how long before Merissa misses him :}

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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        ()
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