Mara
***

Mara listened in wonder to the beautiful song from the young woman. She
wished she could sing half as well! "Wasn't that wonderful, Oberon .." she
whispered to the baby.  She grinned as a tiny ping tongue poked out at her.
He was so cute!

Then the young girl recognized the Warren's bard coming toward them and
leaned toward Ashelle when she sat down after her song, "*That's* Analise!"

"Mara, are you going to introduce me to your friend," Merissa's mother
asked stepping up to them.

Mara nodded. Not having any kind of musical talant at all, the woman had
never paid anymore attention to her then did anyone else. Well at least she
did remember her name, "This is Ashelle."

"That was an wonderful song, Ashelle."

"Thank you." Ashelle blushed, "Acutally it was just something I made up for
the baby."

"Baby??" Analise looked down at the carriage, noticing the baby for the
first time. "Oh, how beautiful." She began to fawn over the child.

Mara grinned, "It's Oberon. Merissa and Th'rin's baby."

<<NRPG: I thought I'd like you answer ~THAT~ Arlene :):)>>***

Mara'd noticed him the moment he stepped into the dining hall. And try as
she might, she couldn't stop herself from following him with her eyes. She
felt her face burn as he noticed her and smiled.

>"Hello Mara," he said with a friendly grin. He nodded to the black haired,
>odd eyed girl and flashed a dazzling smile at the baby.

"Hi," Mara said softly, trying not to let her voice crack as she spoke.
That was about all she could do as she sat watching him. She studied his
face, thinking how nice it was .. She grinned stupidly. He did have a nice
face ..

>"I'm Ashelle," she said with a smile. "Join us?"

>He shrugged and sat down. "I'm Nalin- no N'lin now I suppose," he said
>with a half smile. Being N'lin was going to take a bit more getting used
>to. "You here for the hatching?"

Mara continued to watch the young man as he talked to Ashelle. She felt a
silly grin on her face .. he was sooo nice!

It wasn't to much later when Mara had to leave N'lin and Ashelle. She had
to get Oberon back to the apartment before Merissa or Th'rin decided to go
looking for him. She didn't want them to worry.

She sadly waved to the two and headed home.

Saul
***

Saul walked into the dining hall, having been chased out to go get
something to eat while Shawnee slept. The experience had been draining for
him and he could feel the tension in his shoulders, as pain shot across
them when he picked up a plate.

Suddenly warm hands began to knead his shoulder muscles gently, and he
groaned as the pain turned to pleasure. "Oh that feels good .." he said.

"Poor Saul," the woman's voice said. "You look so tired. I heard about
Shawnee. She's all right isn't she."

Saul turned and smiled, "She's fine, Gwynna."

"I'm so glad." She took the plate from him,  "Go sit down, I'll get you
something to eat. You need to relax a little so that you can be there for
Shawnee."

"I'm fine."

"You don't look fine, Saul. Please let me help you."

"Can I get another back rub?" He grinned.

"Of course, dear," she smiled and shooed him to a table as she filled his
plate for him, a happy smile on her face.

Th'rin
***

>"Xanthia, you and Aradia are sisters!"

>"Sisters?" Xanthia asked in disbelief.

"Of course! It all makes sense," He was about to try and explain it to her
when the door opened and Merissa came in carrying Oberon.

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

>"Nephew?" Xanthia asked, looking at the child as if he were an insect.

Th'rin watched her in surprise. She didn't seem all that happy to know that
she had family. What was wrong with her? She should be thrilled! Especially
when it came to such a perfect baby as Oberon.

>"No." Xanthia said finally, after considering all the facts.

>"No?" Th'rin asked.

>"Not my nephew. Hair and skin, too dark. Eyes are violet, not blue."

>"I already explained that," Th'rin told the redheaded girl, "Pa'gan's skin
>was very tan and his hair was black, like Oberon's. But his mother Aradia,
>had violet eyes. Oberon has his father's hair and complexion, his mother's
>eyes."

He stared in shock as she suddenly took off in a run. He and Merissa looked
at each other for a moment. "Maybe I should .." he began.

Merissa shook her head. "No, love. I think she needs some time to sort all
this out. It's a lot for a person to take in. Let her be for now."

She wrapped an arm around him, gently caressing his face, "It's been a long
day for all of us."

He nodded, still frowning. He looked down at Oberon who was sleeping
soundly in his arms. "It's all right, little bear, she'll come around
someday. And you'll always have us." He kissed thebaby softly on the cheek .

Merissa grinned, "Maybe we should put him in his crib and let him sleep.
Then you and I can spend some much needed time together .."

He looked up at her and smiled, "I'd like that."

They kissed briefly before Th'rin moved to carry the baby to his crib. He
settled the infant in and covered him with a light blanket before heading
into the bedroom to be with his love.

Merissa was standing in front of the mirror brushing her ebony hair. Th'rin
moved behind her and began nuzzling her neck, "I love you, Merissa."

She smiled and set the brush down. Then she stood and turned, moving to
wrap her arms around him. He pulled her into a kiss which quickly ignated
their desires. He pulled her to their bed, running his hands over her
slight figure .. undoing a button here .. a snap there .. until his lips
could taste the soft sweetness of her skin.

She shivered in delight as her hands pushed his shirt off his shoulders and
the two fell to the mattress as they continued their exploration of each
other .. pants slid over hips .. their naked bodies entwined ..

A howl  shot through the air, stopping all movement as the couple listened.
Th'rin groaned, "Not now, little bear .."

Merissa chuckled lightly, "I guess we'd better go see what he wants."

Th'rin nodded,  "Do all babies have just horrible timing."

Merissa shrugged, "Maybe."

They kissed once again, with a lot less passion as they got up to attend to
the newborn.

Regards,
Saul & Fayloth
Th'rin & Areena
Mara
***
NRPG: Morgie, I thought maybe Xanthia could use some time alone. Th'rin
will be looking for her in the morning tho.

Kris

------------------------------------
Kristen & Scott Gant
http://homepage.interaccess.com/~sgant/gant.htm