Merissa returned to her apartments.  She was so agitated after Pa'gan's
odd ritual, and the way that he had appeared to address some of it towards
her Th'rin.  

J'red had wanted to accompany her, but he had first watch, and Firefly
reminded him that he needed caring for first.   It was just as well, as
Merissa did not really want to hear anymore about J'red's self-centered
existance.  

Chrysthal informed her that Firefly had spotted two *visitors* from
another warren, <Do I need to see to them as Trinale is in a meeting with
Pa'gan?> Merissa wondered, but Chrysthal assured her that they were going
to meet with Cali.

Merissa had stopped and picked up a double serving of meat for Chrysthal
and Areena, as Chrysthal was complaining that they were both hungry.  She
smiled at the two dragons, the large lavendar queen and the small
opulescent female -- closer than Mother and Daughter (well than she and
*her* mother, at any rate!), maybe like....Sisters!  And her mind drifted
to thoughts of Titania....

<Areena likes that idea> Chrysthal chimed in, and Merissa laughed softly.
<But she says that Th'rin is very sad, something to do with Fayloth's
rider.>

<Fayloth's?  Saul?  Did he say something to upset Th'rin??>  Merissa
wondered.  She had always thought of Saul as a "big brother" to Thorin and
couldn't imagine him saying something that would hurt him.

<Areena won't say.  But she is worried about Th'rin>  Chrysthal replied.

<Where is he now?>  Merissa queried.

<In the med-center>  Chrysthal answered.

<I can't disturb him if he is working...maybe at lunch time...he has to
eat lunch...>  Merissa pondered.

<Areena has an idea.  Just leave it up to her and she'll get him to come
here>  Chrysthal said mysteriously.

Merissa nodded to the little dragon, who seemed to be smiling at her.  She
went about oiling and caring for the two dragons.  Areena, being such a
small dragon, hardly added any extra work at all.  While she oiled she
sang in her clear voice old ballads of dragonriders and daring battles.

<Hmph.  They make it sound like the dragonriders did all the battling!>
Chrysthal snorted.

Merissa laughed at her friend.  "Well, I guess I'll just have to write
some new ones...from the dragon perspective"  Merissa spoke outloud.

As she was suddenly aware of two pairs of eyes watching her.  Two young
girls were peeking in at the lovely lavendar queen, and Chrysthal seemed
to puff herself up just a little more.

*****
NRPG: Tag Les, just though Lorelie and Faith might be interested in
meeting a queen (or perhaps they already have and Merissa didn't know it?)

*****
Merissa had gone about her work when she Chrysthal informed her that
"they" were hungry again, and perhaps Merissa could come out.  Merissa
smiled as she put down the tedious figures and briefs that littered her
desk area.

Merissa stood in front of the two dragons.  Areena seemed to be enjoying
herself, and winked at her, suddenly sqeezing her eyes shut.

<Areena says he is coming>  Chrysthal announced, and shortly Thorin
entered the cavern.  He went straight to Areena with a large plate of
meat.  Suddenly he straightened, as if bitten, turning sharply.

"Th'rin...?"  Merissa looked at him, feeling very nervous.  Was he angry?
"Can we talk?"

Thorin looked like he wanted to bolt and run, but he glanced down at
Areena, and appeared to be deep in conversation with her.  Finally, he
turned back to the expectant Merissa and said, "Yes, but not here."

Merissa nodded.  But as they were leaving, Chrysthal interrupted,
<Merissa, Th'rin is needed in the med-center.  One of the visiting
dragonriders has colapsed!>

Thorin was already racing ahead, obviously having been told by Areena.
Merissa felt tears of frustration well up in her eyes as she followed him
to the med-center.  If she couldn't help medically, perhaps she could
assist emotionally.  

*****
NRPG:  Tag Kris, Les and Kat :)

Hmmm, do you think my dragon needs a longer neck??

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
   /^\      /^\                                 Submitted  By
  /  `._   /  `._                               Arlene Jacobs
 ( : :  `.(  : : `.    \^=^/                         aka
 | : :`. `:_ : : `|_   | '.O'--^-^:                Merissa
  \/^|._ _. \_  ._ _\  | '.')__..''              Junior-Queen
     \/. :-._`|  .: | / .'_.-|    __              Rider  of
        \/. ..,`.\__/.,',...')__/^;;)             Chrysthal
          ^\/ ._,_... | ., )-)____/           
            <> \/ | ..  \__)_ __               jacobs@wsnet.com
                __| ., \____(,;;)          
            ../. / . \)____)\      
 _/\_/\__/\/..  ( ... )____)_)___
<__|__|__|__|___(__|___;;; ___;;;) aej

             http://www.neosoft.com/~acoustic/arlenejhp.html