Th'rin
***
<<night>>

Th'rin went to bed happy as he had visions of his life with Merissa and
Oberon. All thoughts of Areena's near accident were driven from his head as
he snuggled next to the small body of the woman next to him. They were
going to be so happy. He just knew it!

He would decorate the spare room with a cradle and toys and have the babe
moved in by dinner time. Merissa wouldn't have to do a thing. He would take
care of the baby, and she could just relax and enjoy him. It would be
perfect. There was a smile on his face as he drifted off to sleep ..

***
<<morning>>

He slept well, with dreams filled with coos and giggles and the smell of
baby powder, waking in a good mood. Merissa was still sleeping so he
quickly slipped in the shower. He wanted to hurry down and check on Oberon.

He hummed as he lathered up and then dipped his head under the water. He
was happier then he could remember being in a long time. And it was all due
to that tiny little baby .. and Merissa of course, for allowing it. They
were going to be so happy!

He stepped out of the shower drying off and then wrapping the towel around
his waist. He moved to the mirror and grabbed a hand towel, swirling it on
the mirror so he could see himself. It was the same face he looked at every
morning, yet today it seemed different. He was not longer Thorin, failure
son of K'leev. He was Th'rin, Rider of Areena and Guardian to Oberon. He
ran a comb through his sandy brown hair, darkened with moisture, and then
headed back into the bedroom to dress.

Merissa raised an eyebrow at him, "You're up early."

He nodded and grinned mischievously at her. Then he headed over to the bed
and straddled her, planting butterfly kisses all over her face.

"Th'rin!" she giggled, "Your getting me wet!"

"I love you Merissa." he said between kisses, "And we are going to be so
happy."

Then he leaped back up and headed toward the bureau, a spring in his step.
"I'm going over to check on Oberon now. Will I see you for lunch?"

She sat up, as she watched him practically dance his way into his clothes.
"I don't think so. I've got so much to do today. And I'm going with Trianle
to have dinner with some nobleman tonight."

Th'rin frown briefly, "I was looking forward to having lunch with you."

"I wish I could .."

Th'rin shrugged, "Well, then I'll be waiting for you when you get home
tonight .."

"I've still got some time this morning," she said smiling enticingly at him.

He grinned and moved over to the bed taking her into his arms and kissing
her passionately. Her arms enfolded him. "Hmm," He whispered, "Let's save
that for tonight. I've got to go check on the baby."

He kissed her gently again and then stood. "I'll see you tonight," he
called before turning and running out the door.

Saul
***
<<mid morning>>

>Saul didn't leave to join the others until he was sure that his mate was
>sleeping soundly. Then he called Fayloth and had him fly him down to the
>green where the others who were going were waiting.

>"Is everyone ready?" he asked and looked around to see the others nodding
>their heads. "Then Katla have Sakinka show us all a picture of where we're
>going, and let's all pray we can bring the kids home where they belong."

Derry nodded, "The thing is the actual sale isn't until tonight. Which
means that likely they will have the kids on the move all day today."

"My sources say that they're coming from somewhere northwest, but I
couldn't get a clear idea of where they were at .. We'll have a hard time
finding these people until the sale."

"Ralengarde is Northwest .." Saul said thoughtfully.
"There's no way they could come all the way from Ralengarde." Derry pointed
out.

Saul nodded and N'lin piped up, "They could on Dragonback .."

"K'leev wouldn't do anything like that to Cill himself. I know he loves
that little girl. But it wouldn't take anything for K'leev to fly to
Ralengarde from anywhere in the lands .." Saul said, a bit frustrated, "And
normally he'd not be recognized there .."

Just then the four were approached by Caliban ..

***

>"I've arranged for Shawnee to stay here this morning too, but knowing how
>stubborn she can be I'd like you to keep an eye on her to see that she
>doesn't sneak off...."

>Cali grinned back  "That's OK with me.  Seeya later!"

Saul turned back as the trainer moved off back to her dragon,  "Well, we
still can't be 100% sure that these kids are Cill and Ojean yet."

Katla shook her head, "No, we can't."

Saul nodded, "So we just have to keep searching in the meantime. Shawnee's
gonna want to out this afternoon, once she's rested like Clarissa asked.
However, I think Caliban can keep her here and busy. So what if we searched
the roads northwest of Marketa to see if we can catch a glimpse of the kids
and see if it's them .. maybe even skip the sale altogether .." Saul didn't
relish the idea of Cill and Ojean having to go through all that.

"That's a good idea. These are very dangerous men," Katla said. "They'd as
soon kill the kids as get caught for the scum they are."

Saul's face whitened, "So if they thought someone was going to catch them .."
Katla nodded, "We have to be sure the kids are safe first."

Saul nodded, "All right. I would like to search around Ralengarde .. See if
we can't find a trail on K'leev in the meantime."

"What about this evening .. for the sale?"

"By this evening Shawnee will be tired, and Fawna will be out of school and
will want sometime with her. It's better that she not be involved in
anything that might be dangerous. I can come up with an excuse to get
away."

He left the planning of the sale to Katla, since she seemed to be much more
versed in this that he was. He'd do anything to keep the kids safe.

Cill
***
<<afternoon>>

Cill woke groggily, to the gently bumping of a moving wagon Her hands were
bond tightly behind her and there was a gag wound tightly across her face.
She felt a tickling on her leg and forced her eyes to open. There was a man
gently rubbing her leg .. with that awful look in his eyes. She wanted to
scream but couldn't. Instead she kicked out, scoring just right on that
awful man.

He screamed out in pain and she saw some light peer in as a flap of curtain
was pulled back, "What's going on in there!"

"She kicked me," the man squeeked.

"You shouldn't be close enough that she could kick ya!" the other man
roared, "Now back away and just watch 'em. You can't afford 'em .. so don't
touch 'em."

"I wasn't doing anything," the man spat back.

"Keep it that way!"

Cill looked away from the man who had been touching her and saw Ojean a
short distance away. He was sleeping .. or so it looked anyway. She
wondered where they were and where they were going .. Where was her daddy?

Tears streaked out of her eyes and the man chuckled, drawing her attention
back to him. "Crying won't stop it .. In fact, some of 'em like it better
that way. Rich sadistic men with nothing better to do .."

The man continued looking at the girl and chuckled again as she cringed
away from them. Perhaps he'd been working this trick far to long .. He was
getting a taste for the young ones too. And it bit deeply into his take on
jobs like these. But his partner was right, he'd never be able to afford
such as these .. and they couldn't pass up the money they could get for
them. But someday .. someday ..

K'leev
***
<<afternoon>>

K'leev had listened to her tale, a look of anger on his face. He knew she
was greedy, and they had lots of plans for using Ojean as they had the
other day to ambush caravans .. Now she was in the bathroom cleaning up,
leaving him to decide what to do. The way she looked at him ..he could
almost believe her. What choice did he have..

"Apparently this series of caves isn't as empty as I thought," Owlean said
coming out of the bathrrom. "They must have been scoping us out since we
arrived."

"Bruteth never saw anything."

"That dragon sleeps all the time."

"He only looks like he's sleeping!" K'leev roared, "And when I catch
whoever did this, he's gonna roast them!"

"You can't blame me, anymore then I blame myself, K'leev. If I'd been more
ready .." She sobbed slightly again, and K'leev's eyes narrowed but he said
nothing.

She moved over toward him and shimmied onto his lap nuzzling into his neck,
"What am I gonna do .. I've lost my meal ticket .." She was rubbing ever so
slightly against him, and he began to get distracted.

"Stop that!" he ordered.

"I'm sorry .." she said apologetically, "I .. I just need to know I still h
ave you. That you don't hate me for being so stupid and not protecting our
kids."

"I'm gonna find them!" he said, "I just have to think of how."

"Maybe .." she said beginning her subtle rubbings again, "Maybe I can
stimulate your thinking .."

His eyes looked at her and he was about to order her to stop again. But she
was indeed stimulating parts of him. Finally he shrugged, and began ripping
off the clothes she'd just put on.  He might as well take advantage of her
now, while he was trying to figure out how to find Cill.

Th'rin
***
<<Early evening>>

The young healer was pleased with his charge's health. The boy was thriving
despite his rough start. "I want to take him home tonight, B'ril."

"Are you sure you're ready?"
Th'rin nodded, "Merissa and I discussed it last night." Though in reality
'discussed' wasn't actually the word.. but that didn't matter to Th'rin.
He'd not been aware that she wasn't as excitd as he was. He was only aware
of the fact that she'd said 'yes'!

"If you're sure?" B'ril said hesitantly. There was no reason to keep the
baby here. He just hoped the young man knew what he was getting into.

"Oh I am!" Th'rin said without hesitation.  "I've even got a special
surprise for Merissa." He lay the baby back in his crib and pulled a small
box out of his lab coat. He opened it for the man, "Normand made it for me.
Isn't it beautiful!"

B'ril looked at the delicate ring. A simple gold band with three hearts
engraved on it, each linked with the other. "It is beautiful. I'm sure
she'll love it."

"It's gonna be offical, B'ril. We're gonna be a family, and I'm gonna ask
Merissa to be my mate .. officially."

"That's great, Th'rin!" B'ril smiled at the man and held out his hand,
"Congratulations."

Th'rin grinned from ear to ear. He had never been this happy.

***

A short time later as he was just about ready to take the baby home a med
tech caught his attention. "Th'rin, Racine is here to see you."

Th'rin nodded, "Okay, send her in." He suddenly felt a little guilty in his
happiness, knowing that Racine was so unhappy with Cill missing. He'd been
so caught up in Oberon, he'd not given anything else much thought.

The door pushed open and Racine came in, her eyes looked a bit sunken in
and she was very pale. He moved toward her, "Racine? What's wrong?"

"I need an exam."

"Why?" The young man asked

"I .. I'm pregnant .. and I'm afraid the stress .." her eyes teared up,
"I'm bleeding a little bit."

Th'rin looked at her in surprise, "I didn't know."

"No one does .." she shook her head, "Well, almost no one. I didn't tell
your father .."

Th'rin nodded, "Come on, let's go take a look a you."

Racine looked at the baby, "Is that the baby you're taking in?"

Th'rin nodded, "Yes .."

"I've heard a bit about it." She said, and Th'rin felt a wave of guilt.
She, Mara and Cill were his family .. at least as close to family as he
had. Racine spoke again, "I'm very proud of you."

"Thanks," he said.

Racine
***
<<a short time later>>

"You can get dressed now," he told her pulling off his examination gloves
and heading toward the door.

"Thorin?" She asked with concern.

He turned back. "Everything looks fine. Your measure correctly for the
dates you gave me. Your cervix is closed .. These are both very good signs."

She nodded, "Good."

"I'll be back when your dressed." Racine sat up slowly, and got down off
the table. She ran her hands over her slightly protruding belly. It seemed
she was showing faster then she did with Cill even this time. It both
excited her and scared her. K'leev was gone, and she was alone .. Cill was
missing .. and now what if there was a problem with her baby ..

She wiped back a tear and dressed. Then sat back to wait for Th'rin. He
knocked almost immediately, "Ready?"

"Yes."

He pushed the door open and moved to take a seat next to her. "Like I said,
I can't find anything wrong with the baby. But it's too early to listen for
a heartbeat. Hopefully you'll begin to feel movement soon. If you don't .."

She nodded, "I already have .. just little ones .. not regular or anything."

"That's as it should be at this stage. I want you to take it easy though.
Don't stay on your feet for too long at anyone time. From what I can tell
you aren't bleeding now .. if it starts again, feel free to come and see me
or B'ril .. or Clarissa."

"Thanks, Thorin .. I .. guess maybe it's the stress .."

Th'rin nodded. "Try not to worry about Cill. Everyone is looking for her
.." He didn't tell her about the possible lead, cause he didn't want to get
her hopes up .. not yet. "Besides, my .. father .. wouldn't let anything
happen to her."

She nodded, "I know." K'leev loved that little girl .. but Racine wasn't so
sure about the woman that went with them .. that was what scared her the
most.

Th'rin
***
<<a short time later>>

After Racine left, he headed back into Oberon's room. "Hello, beautiful,
are you ready to go home now." he crooned.

The baby looked toward his voice and Th'rin could almost see him smile.
Well, maybe it was too early yet for spontaneous smiles.. but it was close
enough that it made Th'rin very happy. H gathered together a bunch of
supplies into a bag, which he slung over his shoulder and then he picked
the baby up, "We are going home, Oberon." He frowned slightly. That was an
awfully big name for a baby. One he would have to grow into, "Maybe I
should call you Oby in the meantime .. or better yet, Ronny .. hmmm," he
hummed. "I'll have to put some thought into this," he grinned down at the
baby. "Maybe your new mommy can help."

He headed out the door and toward home, cooing all the way with a happy
smile on his face.

***
<<After Merissa returns>>

Oberon was sleeping soundly when Merissa got home, having been fed, changed
and burbed by Th'rin, who was completely enjoying his new role of
fatherhood.

He had candles lit on the table and the box with the ring wrapped up in
bright ribbon. He was glowing when Chrysthal landed and Merissa climbed
down. He moved toward her holding out his hand. "I have something I need to
talk to you about, Merissa." he said.

"You aren't going to believe what I have to tell you either," the junior
queenrider told him.

"Me first," Th'rin said, "This is very important." He pulled her toward the
table where the box sat.

She looked at it,  and then up at him, "What's this?"

"It's for you."

"For me?" she asked a slight smile adorning her face. He nodded and she
picked it up, "Why?"

"You'll see," he grinned.

She pulled on the ribbon, releasing it then opened the box. She smiled when
she saw the ring, "It's lovely, Th'rin."

"You really like it?"

She nodded, pulling it out of it's box. "I do."

"It's for us .. for our family. I want you to be my mate, Merissa. Oberon
needs a family .. and I need you." He gripped her hand tightly, "Please
say, 'yes'."

Regards,
Saul & Fayloth
Th'rin & Areena
***
NRPG: I'm assuming the Sale is very late and that Merissa makes it back to
the Warren for this to happen before word of the kids come. So .. uh Arlene
.. Th'rin's got his own little made up fantasy world going here .. what's
Merissa thinking :):)

Morgie, if you absolutely hate the idea of Oberon having a nickname let me
know and I'll drop it :) But Oberon does seem very big for a tiny baby ..
Definitely something he will grow into :)

Oh I also figure that Th'rin has Aradia's daggar someplace safe to be given
to Oberon .. So it will be handy once he actually sees that Xanthia has one
that is identical ..

Jill, I hope I gave you enough to work with, I figured Katla would
definitely know more about this then Saul .. he may be a 'rogue', but he
was never into anything illegal like this .. (well, that is if you don't
call being a bit of a card shark illegal :)

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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