Th'rin
***
<<The funeral - before Th'rin talks to Trinale about the baby>>

Th'rin was in with the baby when he heard a soft cough behind him. He
turned to see Merissa standing in the doorway. He was struck by her dark
beauty every time he saw her. He smiled, and whispered, "Hi."

Merissa smiled down at the sleeping babe for a moment then spoke, "It's
time for the funeral .. are you ready?"

Th'rin frown, "I .. I don't know if .. I mean, I shouldn't leave Oberon alone."

"There are others who can care for him. This will be your last chance to
say good-bye to your friend."

"But the baby was born so early .."

"Is he sick?"

"Well, no .. but what if something happens to him while I'm gone," his
voice broke slightly, "I let Aradia go home .. and now look. If I'd kept
her in the medical center .."

Merissa sighed, gently running her hand down his cheek, "It's not your
fault. She was a head strong woman. You can't take responsibility for
everything that goes wrong." She kissed him gently on the forehead,
snuggling her face in his hair. "Please come, Th'rin .. for me .. and for
Aradia."

He looked up at her. Both hating that she was right, and grateful that she
had the sense to tell him so. "All right .. can you get J'lile for me, and
I'll put him in his crib."

She smiled and nodded, hurrying out to the the nurse.  Th'rin stood up and
place the babe gently in his crib. The boy frowned slightly, but quickly
settled in the mattress and did not wake up. "I'll find a way to keep you
safe, Oberon," he whispered. Then stood by the door until Merissa came back
down the hall with J'lile.

"If anything happens .. call me! I mean anything. The slightest irregular
breathing .. anything."

"Come on Th'rin. I'm sure J'lile nows what he's doing."

Th'rin nodded, and let her pull him down the hall, "He does .. I just .."

She squeezed his hand, "I know .."

He looked down at her, "You look beautiful this morning. I miss waking up
with you."

"So work on getting your schedule changed .."

He sighed, "I wish .. but not likely."

They exited the medical center and headed up to the funeral pyre.

***
<<After talking with Trinale.>>

The healer left Trinale's office. His eyes fell on the large lavendar queen
on the green and he began to run. He could see the tiny dark woman climbing
on her back. <Areena, tell Chrysthal to wait.>

<She will wait for you, dear one.>

<Thank you, love, > He sighed in relief. There were definite advantages to
having a dragon, he thought.

<Is that all you think of me as? A messanger?>

<Of course not, Areena .. but this was an emergency. I have to tell Merissa
we are having a baby!>

Merissa was climbing back off her dragon's back as Th'rin, out of breath,
reached them. "Is something wrong?" she asked.

"Oh no!" he grinned, he spoke between pants for breath, "Something is very
right. Where are you off too anyway?"

"I'm helping spread the word about the reward for Ojean and Cill. I've
going to visit a couple of the Lord's homes," she grimaced slightly,
"Diplomacy .."

He nodded, "Well, I won't keep you long, I just wanted to tell you the good
news."

"What?"

"You and I .. We are gonna take care of Oberon."

She looked at him blankly, "What?"

"I asked Trinale, and she said it would be okay. We're going to bring
Aradia's son to live with us. Isn't that great!"

Regards,
Th'rin & Areena
***
NRPG: Arlene .. what does Merissa think of that!!

Kristen


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       \oo/     Kristen Gant
        ~~      (AKA: Darlea & Makayla, Keldarra Warren, Courier
                      Waylene & Aura, Marrid Warren, Warrenlady
                      Meena & Vonn, Norwall Warren, Wingleader
                      Kalewyn & Sabbith, Telnor Warren, Dragonrider
                      Saul & Fayloth, Whiteriver Warren, Searcher
                      Merybelle Barmen, City of Ralengarde, Innkeeper
                      Ce'lot & Britche, Xylain Warren, Wingleader
                http://homepage.interaccess.com/~sgant/Kris/kris.htm
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