Th'rin
***

Th'rin left the med center shortly after Xanthia arrived. For a while he'd
been able to forget about Areena's sudden growth spurt. But now as he
headed home, it all began to swallow him up again. If she kept growing ..
oh gods..

<You are very tense, Th'rin. You must relax.>

<I'm sorry Areena .. I can't.>

<You are worried about what will happen when I mate.>

<You won't!> he retorted.

<Dear heart .. you mustn't work yourself up.>

He trudged up the steps. Sure that was easy for her to say. He stepped
through the door, "Merissa .."

The blonde that came out of the apartment was not his mate .. but Saul's.
He stopped as she smiled at him, "Hi Th'rin."

"Shawnee .. where's Merissa?"

"She had things to do. I told her I'd watch Oberon while she did them."

He nodded and walked past her. "Where is he?"

"In his high chair. He was starting to fuss so I gave him some toast to
chew on until dinner."

Th'rin nodded, "Thanks." He walked past her, throwing a passing glance over
Areena as she lay curled up in the sandy bed she shared with Chrysthal.
There in that familiar place, he could see she was indeed larger. He paled

A frown crossed Shawnee's pretty face, "Th'rin? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," he said walking into the kitchen.

She followed him and smiled as she watched Oberon bound excitedly to see
his 'dada'. Th'rin grabbed a towel and began to wipe down the mess the boy
had made of the toast Shawnee had given him. "You do so well with him,
Th'rin."

Th'rin looked at her. A smile finally settled on his face, "I hope Aradia
would think so as well."

Now it was Shawnee's turn to lose her smile. She quickly changed the
subject. "I noticed that Areena is looking very good. Is she getting
bigger?"

Saul
***

"Oh Xanthia," Saul  sighed, "I feel like that's my fault."

"Why?"

"Because I had you pretend to be Aradia .. remember."

She nodded, "Yes, I told you I didn't like to lie."

He nodded, "I know. And I probably shouldn't have made you do it. That's
probably what's up here now."

"Just because I pretended to be Aradia?"

He shrugged, "Maybe. But I'm sure she doesn't hate you. It's just that she
misses Aradia so much.. and you remind her of that. So every time she sees
you .. it's like Aradia dying all over again."

"So there's nothing I can do?"

He shrugged, "I don't really know. I would hope time will heal those
wounds.. but, only time  will tell."

***

Shawnee was feeding Lynnie when Saul stepped into the dining room of their
apartment. "How was your day?" he asked.

She smiled, "It was good. I had a nice lunch with Merissa. You know Saul,
Merissa and I have a lot in common. And not just our rotten childhood's.
She misses Aradia as much as I do."

"Maybe she'll help you come to terms with the woman's death then."

She frowned at him, "I have come to terms with it."

"Have you really?"

"Yes!"

"They why do you still avoid Xanthia?"

"I don't want to talk about that, " she said turning away from him.

"Shawnee .."

"You know I saw Th'rin .." she said changing the subject as she glared at
him. Her message to him was clear .. *Drop it!*

"All right, I get the message," He  turned and coo'd a bit at Lynnie before
asking, "So how is Th'rin?"

She shrugged, "A bit touchy. I asked him about Areena and he got very tight
lipped and said he needed to  take a shower and change before Merissa got
home."

"Who can tell. That boy has always been very sensitive."

Just then a challenging roar sounded in the skies. They both recognized the
mating call. "It's Clarissa's .." they both said at the same time, as their
dragons informed them.

They smiled and Saul stood, kissing her gently on the cheek, "Keep dinner
warm. I'll be back soon .."

"Not if Fayloth has his way," Shawnee said.

Saul spread his hands in a signal of helpless and headed out to meet his
anxious dragon.

Th'rin
***

Th'rin stood on the ledge of the apartment, his eyes glued to the events
down on the ground. Areena's eyes were sparkling as she watched the events
in the sky.

<I can't do that Areena ..> Th'rin said.

<When it is time .. you can.>

<NO!>

Areena moved over to him and bumped him gently with her head. He softened
and wrapped an arm around her neck, <I'm sorry Areena. I'm worrying about
nothing anyway. I'm sure this growing thing is going to stop.>

<If it makes you feel better to think so ..>

<It does ..>

<Of course, dear heart,> she nuzzled, <But will you please get me a new
saddle? The little one is beginning to chaff my stomach ..>

***

He was still tense and distracted when Merissa arrived home. He was snippy
and he knew it, but he also knew that there was no way to explain it to her
.. How could he ..

She seemed distracted as well, and for once he was almost glad of it. While
dinner was filled with long silences.. it was at least better then talking
about Areena and what the implications of her growing might be.

Regards,
Saul & Fayloth
Th'rin & (a growing) Areena
***
NRPG: I wasn't sure when the attack on Oldreth occurs. I have it on the
time line as after the mating flight... But I wasn't sure so I stopped just
after the mating flight.

Kris


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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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