Again Merissa felt left out.  Th'rin and Xanthia raced off with Racine,
leaving Merissa standing in the hall way of the med center.

<I hate it!>  Merissa sighed and looked around the empty med center
hallway.  <I feel so useless.>  She found herself standing there
unconsciously twisting the ring that was around her finger.

<You are not useless, my rider, you are simply not a healer.>  Chrysthal
soothed.  <Your talents lie elsewhere.>

<Elsewhere is right!  What I want to know is where!>  Merissa walked
slowly out of the med center, again thinking back to lunch, wondering if
Lord Daltem had already left the dining hall.  She still had unfinished
business with the Lord.

<There, see.>  stated Chrysthal emphatically.

<See?  See what?> 

<Your talent.  You are a wonderful diplomat.>

<Hmph, comes with the Bard training -- listen and learn, get the other
person talking about themselves -- and all that.  Not much of a talent.>
Merissa sighed merosely, as she entered the dining hall and noticed it
mostly empty, including no Lord Daltem.

<But a talent very much needed here in the Warren.  You never know what
type of people you need to deal with, and Trinale has very little
experience dealing with others outside the Warren.>  Chrysthal reminded.
<and here is a perfect oportunity...>

Merissa had walked out of the dining hall and noticed two riders coming
across the green.  There was a tall, slim woman with long brown hair and
an even taller, thin man, with long black hair, who apeared to be gypsies
from their manner of dress and were obviously not used to being around
dragons, as their mounts shied and snorted at the unusual sights and
smells.

<Tell Trinale that I'll handle these two, as I know she has her hands full
with K'leev.>  Merissa actually smiled.  She wondered if they had perhaps
come for the hatching, and all the trade that would bring.  After all, a
hatching attracted a lot of different people to the Warren and that would
be good for business.

She approached the riders, smiling, and noticed that the man was indeed
quite tall as he dismounted from his horse, his brown eyes searched hers
as he spoke:

"I'm Chinol, and I'd like to speak with the Lady Trinale."  He bowed,
folding his lanky frame in half, yet executing a very elegant bow.

Merissa smiled warmly, her dark eyes dancing with amusement, as she saw
the other woman's mouth drop open as if in surprise.  "I'm Merissa, and
I'm the Junior Queenrider of Whiteriver Warren.  May I welcome you and
offer our hospitality?"  

"Thank you, I could tell by your bearing, Lady Merissa, that you must be
a person of great import," Chinol replied smoothly.

Merissa's bell-like laugh came unexpected.  "Well, yes, thank you..." She
stumbled.

<But you are a woman of great importance!  You are my rider!>  Chrysthal
reminded Merissa.  <Do you think I would choose unwisely?>

<Oh, no my friend!>  Merissa responded, <Don't mistake my laughter, I was
just amused by the contradiction of this man's appearance and his courtly
manners ... Oh, I hope I didn't offend him!>

"But, please, I'm just Merissa, and your companion?"

"This is Aeryin, a woman with numerous and valuable skills.  We are
traveling with a large caravan, and would ask the Warren Lady's permission
to tarry."  Chinol replied.

<Chysthal, could you ask Trinale if she has any objections to a traveling
caravan stopping to do some trade?>  Merissa asked of her lavendar queen.

After a second her reply, <Trinale says if you think they are okay... she
has no objections.>  Chrysthal responded.

Aeryin and Chinol noticed the distant look that crossed Merissa's face as
she spoke with her dragon, then Merissa turned and smiled, "I see no
objection to your camping here, and Trinale has given her aproval.  Why
don't we see where your company can stay?  We have some green area around
the market place just outside the Warren itself, where your group might
feel more comfortable?"  Merissa lead the way, as the two dismounted
riders accompanied her to the area of which she had spoken.

As they walked, Merissa asked brief questions to each, unaware of her
using her talents to gather information about the two. 

"So, you play the harp?"  Merissa was surprised by Aeryin's admital.  "I
do too!  Perhaps while you are here we can play together?"  Merissa smiled
making Aeryin feel at ease.

Chinol had become quiet while Aeryin and Merissa chatted amicably, Merissa
noted, which must obviously be his more natural state.

He did brighten as he noticed the area which Merissa indicated for a camp
location.  "Yes, this will do nicely!"

Merissa smiled, as she recalled the group who had recently occupied this
area -- Damion's Delights -- and wondered if this caravan would be
anything like that one.

"Please, if there is anything you need, do not hesitate to ask.  I usually
can be found in my office in the morning..."  Merissa trailed off, as she
waved to the newcomers, and turned to take her leave.

"Thank you, Merissa!  And I look forward to playing with you,"  Aeryin
called back, as she turned to her companion.

*****
<Xanthia is looking for you>  Chrysthal remarked.

<Xanthia?  I thought she was looking after Racine...?>

<She was, and she looked after Doshayne's rider, as well.  But now she is
looking for you... and Th'rin...>  Chyrsthal relayed.

<Shawnee?>

<She was having contactions and Xanthia has stopped them.>

<Okay, tell her and Areena that I'm out by the market place and will be
back shortly.>  Merissa walked back by way of Racine's apartment.  She
felt a certain emptiness, almost a physical ache, and realized she wanted
to see Oberon....

<Th'rin and Xanthia have met up and are going to your apartment.  Areena
says that her rider wants to show Xanthia something, something of
Aradia's.  Shall I come get you?>  Chrysthal asked from her favorite spot
by the waterfall.

<No, I'm on my way... I'm just going to check on Oberon...>  Merissa
knocked softly on the door of Racine's apartment.  

Mara opened it almost imediately.  "Merissa!  Oh, he is wonderful."  Mara
gushed, "He is the happiest baby!  I hope our new baby will be half as
nice."  It was the most that Merissa had ever heard Mara talk.  "Thank
you so much for letting me watch him!  I would love to watch him any time,
really, he is so much fun."

Merissa laughed at the girl's exuberance.  "Of course!  And you can come
to my apartment any time you want to visit, I hope you know that."
Merissa's eyes sparkled as she gathered Oberon up, finding it naturally
easy to cuddle the baby.

"Oh, Mara, Racine had a fainting spell and Th'rin examined her, but she is
okay.  I think she's still in the med center..."

"I saw *your* mother, Analise, today -- just a little while ago -- she is
really taken by Oberon, too -- I think she'd love to have you come and
visit her with him..."  Mira fumbled to a stop, noticing the cloud that
suddenly covered the normally cheerful countenance of the junior
queenrider at the mention of her mother.

"Yes, well..., thanks again for watching him, Mara, and I do mean it about
stopping in anytime,"  Merissa turned suddenly to leave, "I've got to get
back home, Th'rin is waiting... Bye!"  

Mara stood sadly in the doorway wondering what she had said to make her
brother's mate leave so quickly.  

*****
Merissa returned to the apartment where she found Th'rin and Xanthia going
through Aradia's belongings.  It was so odd to see that red hair and lythe
figure beside Th'rin -- so much like Aradia....Oberon's mother.

"Merissa, you're home!"  Th'rin gushed.  "and Oberon!"  Th'rin rushed over
to take Oberon out of Merissa's arms, and turned to Xanthia stating,
"Xanthia, this is Aradia's son -- your nephew!"

*****
NRPG: Tag everyone :)
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
   /^\      /^\              \^=^/            Submitted  By
  /  `._   /  `._            | `,O'--^-^:     Arlene Jacobs
 ( : :  `.(  : : `.         /|'.^.)___.''     -=-=-=-=-=-=-     
 | : :`. `:_ : : `|_       /`. '.)               Merissa
  \/^|._ _. \_  ._ _\_   /`. '.')'             Junior-Queen
     \/. :-._`|  .: |_\/`.'_.-.).\     __       Rider  of
        \/. ..,`.\__/.,'^\...'-)  )__/^;;)     Chrysthal of
          ^\/ ._,_... |   \.,--)______/     Whiteriver Warren
            <> \/ | .. (   \._)___ __       -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
                __| ., '\________(,;;)           Andahar
                |. /^\')______)                  Rider of
            __/. / . \)______)\                  Bohoc of
 _/\_/\__/\/..  ( ... )______)_)___           Cleft Warren
<__|__|__|__|___(__|____;;; ____;;;) aej     -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

"Arlene E. Jacobs" <jacobs@wsnet.com>
Visit my Home Page: http://www.neosoft.com/~acoustic/arlenejhp.html