T'jellan
***
<<Evening Trinale hits her head>>

>Finally, she looked at the ground, and sighed softly. Better to get it
>said and over with. "I'm 15, T'jellan." Then she simply went quiet...
>closing her eyes and waiting to hear him rise and leave.. as she was sure
>he was going to.

T'jellan closed his eyes and groaned, "Oh gods .."

<Why is her age such a problem to you. She has eased your mind for the
first time in a very long time.>

<It just does ..>

He looked down at Ashelle, whose head was buried in his chest. He didn't
know what to do. She was just a child .. but yet he found himself drawn to
her. 15! What kind of a sick man was he!

<My rider! Why do you do this to yourself.>

But T'jellan tuned him out as he continued to berate himself. He pushed
Ashelle up a bit looking into her worried eyes with his own troubled ones.

"T'jellan .." she whispered, ".. I'm not a child .."

His eyes ran over her face and down over the perfect flesh that was showing
as her shirt feel open slightly. His pulse raced and he squeezed his eyes
tight to shut out the thoughts that started to assail him. "You're 15 .."

"I'm a woman .." she insisted, "Please T'jellan .. please .." then she
stopped and when he opened his eyes to look at her, he saw that she had
pulled her knees up to her chest and was resting her chin on them. She
looked so sad and he just wanted to kiss that sadness away.

He sure knew how to pick them.. one that was mated and now one that was
young enough to be his daughter ..

It was then that Grunth told his rider about Trinale. His eyes met
Ashelle's as a worried look crossed her face, "Do you think we should go .."

>He shook his head, "No. We'd only be chased out by B'ril .. We might as
>well wait here."

>Ashelle blinked, looking quite surprised. "You still want to sit with me,
>even after knowing how young I am? T'jellan... you don't, well.." she
>shrugged softly, looking just a bit lost. "..you don't regret what
>happened, do you? I wanted it too, you know."

"You would want an old man like me?" he asked shaking his head. "When you
could have any number of handsome young men .."

"You aren't old .." she said lowering her eyes, "I liked you from the first
time we met .. when Xanthia was sick with that headache .."

He smiled, "I remember."

"You barely noticed me .."

"Ashelle, you're young enough to be my daughter .."

"But I'm not." She looked up at him, "And I knew I liked you from that
first night .. I even told Oaklah .. Then she went wide-eyed. "T'jellan...
if Cricket can't hear Trinale... won't she, well... if the link is gone
between rider and dragon, doesn't the dragon suicide? What's going to
happen? Oaklah said that Trinale can't hear Cricket! That means that
Cricket can't talk to her!"

>Ashelle shivered, and snuggled close against T'jellan... worried that they
>might lose their Warrenlady.

T'jellan's arms when around her comfortingly. "If that was going to happen,
it all ready would have. It'll be all right .. You'll see."

"I hope so," she whispered.

"I should get you back to the Barracks .." he said suddenly becoming all to
aware of her closeness again.

She looked up at him sadly, "Does that mean you do regret what happened?"

He shook his head, "No .. I don't." She seemed to relax a little, and he
continued, "But Ashelle .." he said, "I think .. that we .. well .." he
frowned, "Maybe we shouldn't .." He found the words didn't want to come out
of his mouth. And he could see that his words were hurting her and he shook
his head, "Ashelle, I don't want to hurt you."

"Then don't say that you don't want to see me again .." she said, "Because
that *would* hurt me."

He nodded, "All right, I won't say it .." Still silently he vowed to
respect her .. and not continue to take advantage of her youth.

***
<<Next day - early afternoon>>

>T'jellan stood watching from the background as Ashelle mounted Oaklah, and
>glanced almost nervously at Cali and Xanthia before telling Oaklah to
>launch.

The wingleader had fully intended to stay away from Ashelle .. but he soon
found himself standing on the green watching her as she saddled up Oaklah
and took her first flight. A grin covered his face as he could see the pure
joy on her face as the short flight came to an end and the young dragon
landed.

>She hopped off Oaklah's back, and ran to give Xanthia a hug.. then she
>spotted T'jellan. She ran and made a flying leap, wrapping her arms around
>him with a happy squeal. "I flew! I flew!"

He grinned and accepted her embrace. "You were great .." He loved her
exuberance .. he loved her passion for life. It made him feel young ..

>Cali arched a brow, watching the two, then smiled.. seeing the relaxed
>look of happiness on T'jellan's face. About time he was at peace with
>himself. She turned to let another pair take their turn, and Ashelle
>bounced with delight.

>"Can we fly together now, T'jellan? When will we get assigned to wings and
>such? Oh drat... I need an apartment! Who do I see? Can you help me find
>one?"

"Stop stop," he laughed, "On question at a time." He felt invigorated by
her, "First we will find you an apartment," It wasn't until he said it that
he realized what exactly he had said. He had committed himself to spending
time with her. Well so much for his earlier resolve ..

But at that moment in time.. he didn't care. He wanted to help her .. She
wanted him to help her .. so he was.

Saul
***
<<Lunch>>

Saul smiled happily when Fayloth told him Shawnee was home for lunch. He
hoped perhaps her resolve to be angry with him had faded a bit. And even
when lunch proceeded coolly .. and he could see she had not yet forgiven
him .. at least not fully .. he didn't care. Because at least she was
there, and he could spend sometime with her. He paid extra attention to his
tiny daughter, determined to prove to Shawnee he was serious about the
three of them being a family.

>Once while cleaning up what was left from their meal, he brushed up
>against her and she moved quickly away from him.

He tried not to grimace .. but he couldn't help himself. He'd really hoped
she'd be warming to him by now. Still he wanted to reassure her that he
would give her all the time she needed.

>"You don't need to be afraid that I'll hurt you or force you do to
>something you didn't want to do Shawnee," he said quietly. "I would never
>do something like that to you."

>"I know that Saul..." she said quickly, wanting to explain. "It's just..."

>"I know..." he said, but she didn't think he did. Not really. "I promise I
>won't touch you until your ready and ask me to," he told her.

He turned and left the room. He had to get away .. because truly there
wasn't anything he wanted more then to take her in his arms and kiss her
and force her to forgive him. But he knew that wasn't the way to get what
he wanted. He didn't want her like that. He wanted her of her own free will.

***
<<Dinner time>>

>"I just wanted to tell you I was going to take Shaulyn down to Th'rin's to
>see Aradia's son," she told. "We won't be gone long," she added then
>turned to walk out onto the dragon's ledge.

>She didn't know Saul had followed her out until his hand reached past hers
>when she was reaching for Doshy's saddle.

>"Here...let me saddle her for you," he said, still in a the same quiet
>tone he'd used at dinner. "You hold Lynnie."

>She moved aside and let him work, then he took the carry from her and held
>it while she slipped her arms into the straps. He stood back away from her
>when she turned to mount the little teal dragon so as not to touch her.

>He was keeping his promise.

Saul watched her leave, daunted a bit by her rejection of him. *You have to
be patient with her ..* he reminded himself. As the teal shrank into the
early evening sky, he sighed and turned to Fayloth.

<I don't want to stay here along. Let's go to the dining hall for a bit.>

<What about Binette's rider. You promised your mate you would stay away
from her and she might be there.>

<Not you too,> he said irritably at the brilliant blue dragon. <I just
don't understand why you all are picking on Gwyna, she didn't do anything
wrong.>

<I'm only thinking of your promise to Doshayne's rider .>

<Yes that and you're cold sandy bed ..>

<Yes .. my bed would be cold if Doshayne's rider took her away.>

Saul shook his head. <I'll keep my promise ..>

Th'rin
***

Th'rin and his beautiful mate met Shawnee as she landed. She slid off her
dragon and then turned to unhook her infant, only scant months younger then
Oberon .. but very tiny. Th'rin didn't think Oberon was even that small
when he was born .. even though he was born early.

He moved to take the tiny girl from her mother as Merissa led Shawnee over
to where their child lay sleeping. The baby barely weighed anything at all
.. very different from carrying Oberon.

>"He's so big compared to Lynnie," she exclaimed as she looked down at him.
>"I can't believe they're so close in age. Why they're only a few months
>apart."

>"They do grow quickly," the Queenrider chuckled at Shawnee's amazement.
>"Even though he was born premature, he's been growing stronger every day.
>Why I do believe he'll be as big as Pa'gan by the time he's a young man."

Th'rin's own eyes glazed over as he remembered his now dead friends. They
were very nearly the first to ever accept him for who he was .. to believe
in him even when his own father didn't.

>"Aradia would be proud of him. She gave birth to a fine healthy son,"
>Merissa said quietly by her side as if sensing where her thoughts laid.

>"Yes... she would have," Shawnee agreed and then forced herself to smile.
>"He's lucky he has the two of you to love him in her absence."

Th'rin moved with Lynnie over to Oberon, who still slept soundly, as
Merissa and Shawnee moved to the other side of the room to chat. "This is
Oberon, little Shaulyn. I'm sure when you grow the two of you will be great
friends." He studied the infant's face. She did resemble her father .. and
those eyes .. so like Shawnee's. She was indeed a beautiful baby.

He took a seat in the rocking chair next to Oberon's crib and began rocking
the little girl, who watched him solemnly with enchanting aqua eyes. "I
heard your mommy and daddy are fighting a little .." he said in a sweet
singsong voice, ".. well don't you worry .. I know they love each other.
Just like I love Merissa .."

He rocked back and forth continuing to ramble on ..

***

>There was a knock at the door and Th'rin who was still holding Shaulyn
>when to answer it. A moment later he came back followed by the woman who
>was a twin to the woman they had just been taking about.

>"Look who's here," Th'rin was grinning as he led the young healer into the
>living room. Shawnee looked up and felt her heart jump. The likeness was
>so uncanny that it scared her. Seeing the girl was almost like seeing a
>ghost. One she wasn't ready to face yet.

>She stood. Went to Th'rin and reached for her daughter. She had to get out
>of here.

>"I'm sorry.... but Doshy tells me Saul is asking for us to come home," she
>said knowing the excuse sounded weak. She couldn't help it.

Th'rin frowned. He could see Xanthia's presence upset the young woman, and
he could understand. It had taken him a while to get used to see Aradia's
face. Though now when he looked at her, he no longer saw his dead friend.
Xanthia had become her own person, and the differences between her and her
sister .. and there were minor differences .. stood out more and more.
Shawnee had been close to Aradia.. it would take her some time.

>"Shawnee wait..." Merissa called out and followed her outside when she
>didn't stop at the call. "Please Shawnee... is something wrong?"

Merissa followed her leaving Th'rin to see to Xanthia. The young girl
didn't seem to notice that Shawnee had taken such an abrupt leave .. for
that he was glad.

***
<<NRPG: There are a few changes of Morgie's post since it sort of crossed
Barb's .. just a few wording changes and it fits great  :) Hope you don't
mind!>>
***

He led her into the living room. "Why don't you sit, and I'll go get Oberon."

Xanthia nodded and Th'rin headed to get the baby. Merissa came in at that
point and smiled at Xanthia, "Well, did you find an apartment you like?"

>Xanthia nodded. "The highest one, up there." she pointed.

>Merissa paled, "That was Aradia and Pa'gan's apartment."

>"So I can't have it?" Xanthia frowned, disappointed.

>"No... no... I didn't say that. It's just a surprise is all. Of course you
>are welcome to have your sister's apartment."

Th'rin reappeared with a howling Oberon, "Merissa, he won't stop crying."

><Stop that noise! It hurts my ears!> Xanthia told the baby in a stern
>mental voice.

>Oberon quickly quieted and reached up for Xanthia.

>"There, he listened to me." Xanthia smiled.

>"Are you sure?" Th'rin asked skeptically.

>"Lets take him on the dragon ledge." Xanthia suggested.

***

>"Ask Areena what Oberon is playing with," Xanthia shrugged.

<Areena, can you see what the baby is playing with.>

<No. But I know .. he told me.>

<He did.>

<Yes .. in a surprisingly strong voice for one so young.>

<He talks to you.>

<Well, sort of .. but not exactly. It's mostly pictures.. some names .. For
instance he did not tell me he was playing with the red ring. He showed me
.. in a picture. I imagine as he gets older and learns his colors .. and
the names of other things, he will tell me.>

<So he's definitely telepathic?>

<Yes he is.>

<<NRPG: Hope this is okay Morgie. I know he's smart, but he is still, after
all, a baby :)>>

Saul
***

Saul had been relieved not to see Gwyna in the dining hall when he arrived.
That made his job of keeping his promise to Shawnee much easier! He relaxed
with a couple of other dragonriders, and even indulged in a mug of the
hall's bitter ale and a hand of cards.

He quit early however, when Fayloth informed him that Doshayne was on her
way back to their apartment. He was chided a bit by the guys, something
about being a hen-pecked man .. But he didn't care. Shawnee was his only
concern.

That is until he ran into Gwyna as he hurried out to meet Fayloth.

"Saul!" She said smiling at him, "I've been wanting to talk to you .."

".. Gwyna .." he stuttered, suddenly guilty. "I can't right now .. later.."

"Saul .." she protested as he pushed past her. But he was already mounting
Fayloth and urging him home.

<Doshayne says her rider is in the hatchling's room,> Fayloth told him as
they landed on the ledge. Saul slipped off the dragon and headed down the
hallway.

Shawnee stepped out of the baby's room and stopped when she saw him in the
hallway. He could see right away that there was something wrong.

>"Shawnee what is it?" he asked but made no move to reach for her. When she
>didn't reply he became worried. "Did someone say something to you
>about..."

>Her eyes moved up to look in to his. "No... I don't think anyone will,"
>she said quietly. "It was... something else."

>"Tell me...I want to ... help if I still can."

>"That girl... the one I saw in the med center... Xanthia. She showed up at
>Th'rin and Merissa's while we were talking and I just couldn't stand to
>see her standing there... It made me think of Aradia...and... I
>left...Gods I miss her..."

>She turned towards him without thinking, and his arms closed around her in
>comfort. He left her cry herself out, but made no other move.

She felt so good in his arms. He never wanted her to leave his embrace. He
took deep breaths of her sweet scent, trying hard to control himself .. he
was there to support her .. not to be thinking of himself. But it was so
hard when she was so close!

When he felt her sobs growing weaker he found the strength to push her to
arms length.

>"Feeling better?" his deep blue eyes searched her face when she nodded,
>then he pulled her close for a minute more before releasing her and
>turning her towards their bedroom. "You're exhausted. Why don't you try to
>get some sleep."

>He opened the door and watched as she entered the room.

>"I'll see you in the morning," he said then turned and walked towards the
>living room.

He'd barely made it to the living room when he heard a dragon's roar and
Fayloth's urgent cry, <Now Saul! It's the queen!>

He felt his dragon's growing heat as the queen rose to mate, <Fayloth ..>
he started to protest .. but he knew there would be no putting the dragon
off. So rather then heading to the couch he headed to the ledge to catch a
ride to the warren floor and chase Merissa like all the other riders of the
swarming males.

"Saul .." he heard Shawnee say, "Are you going?"

He nodded, "Fayloth won't be put off .."

"I'll go too."

"Are you sure .." After all he would be in the running for a mating flight?

She nodded, and he turned and climbed on Fayloth who was practically
screaming in his head to get going.

It wasn't until Fayloth let him off that he realized the queen zipping
through the sky was not Merissa's Chrysthal .. but the silver Cricket!
She'd flown only a few months ago .. this was highly unusual. He hoped that
mean that Trinale was better.

A short time later Shawnee was at his side, Shaulyn in her arms. "Trinale's
still in the med center," she said looking toward where a group of men were
heading.

He nodded, "Fayloth's a bit behind the rest .." he said feeling the pull to
follow the other men, yet wanting to stay with Shawnee.

"He'll catch up. Doshy say's he's a fine dragon .." Shawnee said, then
motioned him toward the med center, "Go on .."

Seeing Shawnee's acceptance of it he turned toward the med center.
Fayloth's heat was growing, burning in his blood, and he gave himself over
to it, going in search of his prize, as Fayloth's experience helped him
gain on several dragons.

Gwyna
***

Gwyna saw Saul with Shawnee and frowned .. until she watched Saul head into
the med center, leaving Shawnee to wait outside for him. This was her
change .. Saul would be filled with dragonlust .. Now if only she could be
sure Fayloth would lose.

She looked up toward the winging dragons trying to gauge the brilliant
blue's position in relation to the queen. He was still quite a way back ..
chances were he would not win.

Gwyna smiled and made a point of walking in front of Shawnee's line of
vision as she headed into the medical center.

Saul
***

He made his way into the med center, but didn't make it to Trinale's room
before he felt Fayloth's disappointment as he watched a much younger male
get his claws in the queen's hide. Taking a deep breath to try and calm his
raging hormones before heading back out to where Shawnee was waiting for
him.

Just as he was almost to the door he felt hand grab him and pull him into a
nearby room. He was barely aware of what was happening when he felt hot
lips on his. The passion took his breath away, sending his already
heightened senses soaring.

As he fumbled, his hands found the bare flesh of a breast that was suddenly
right there ..

"Love me .." a raspy voice whispered, as he began to kiss the woman back ..

Regards,
Saul & Fayloth.






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  |\  /^~~^\  /|
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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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        \/