Th'rin
***
<< Day 40 - Morning >>

>"I love her..."

>"But... That... that isn't love! Love should make you feel good when you are
with the other person, or think about them. People who love each other
shouldn't make each other unhappy. It doesn't make sense..."

Th'rin looked up at her and gently touched her cheek, "I'm sorry Xanthia,
don't mind me .." He knew she would not understand, and it was horrible of
him to dump his problems on her.

"But .." Xanthia frowned at his sudden change in demeanor.

"It's just something that's hard to explain .." he told her.  "You shouldn't
even be thinking about such things. I'll be okay .. really. Go on and get
some rest."

"But .." She stood for a moment unhappily, then nodded, "Okay." Slowly she
left him alone and Th'rin sighed heavily.

Th'rin wondered how to get out of this mess. He cared about Xanthia more
then he'd just shown her this morning. He'd been taking advantage of her
sweetness .. her innocence .. He had to find a way to make that up to her.

He was contemplating just that when he heard the door to his office slam
shut. He looked up in surprise to see Eleanora glaring at him.

>"Just what did you think you were doing with Xanthia?"

"What?" he gasped.

"I saw you!" she said accusingly. "You are Merissa's mate .. and you were ..
KISSING her!"

"Oh gods," he groaned.

"Yeah .. caught red handed." She circled his desk, moving around and leaning
in. "I'm not as worried about Merissa, she's strong - though how you could
do this to your mate now...  But Xanthia?  She doesn't know how to deal with
creeps like you - and she doesn't deserve what you're doing to her!"

Th'rin shook his head, "No .. she didn't. But it was a just a slip .. I
swear."

"A slip? What is that supposed to mean?"

"We were working this morning .. and we had a break through. And she was so
excited, she kissed me .."

"She kissed you?" Eleanora interrupted, disbelief showing in her eyes.

"Yes .. and then, dammit, I blew it." He dropped his head for a moment,
raising it to continue so Eleanora could see his words. "I don't know what
came over me, I just .. kissed her back. It's just .. things with Merissa
have been so .. tense. And Xanthia's kiss was so .. uninhibited."

"She doesn't know anything else!"

"I know .. I know .." Th'rin groaned again. "I told you, I know I screwed
this up. I'm going to try and make things up to her .. honest. I can promise
you I'm not trying to hurt her. I only want to help. Believe me I feel
terrible about this .."

Eleanora looked at him for a few moments and then grudgingly nodded, "I
believe you, Th'rin."  She sighed.  "But it has to stop, all right?"

He nodded, "I never meant for anything to start .. and I swear, it will
never happen again."

***
<< Day 40 - Mid-Morning >>

Th'rin was mixing some salve for a rather nasty wraith burn when Tarv'renon
came up behind him. "Th'rin I need to speak to you .. It's important."

"I've gotta get this salve to a patient .."

"It'll only take a moment." Tarv insisted. "It's about Xanthia."

Th'rin tenses, "Okay .." he said slowly, wondering if now Tarv knew about
the kiss ..

"I'm really worried about her and this new searcher."

Th'rin's face blanked for a moment, "New searcher?"

"He's a Playboy! And I think he's targeting Xanthia."

Th'rin studied Tarv's face for a moment, then finally shook his head, when
he realized his friend was serious. "Com'on, Tarv. I've met the man, and I
don't think Xanthia's his type."

"She's female .. she's his type." Tarv insisted. "Look you've been watching
over her, and I know you care about what happens to her, so I wanted to let
you know so you could watch her. I'm gonna be watching this area especially
too."

Th'rin shrugged, "Well if you're that worried .."

"I am!" Tarv said quickly. "I .. still care about her you know."

Th'rin nodded, "I know, I didn't mean to imply otherwise." He lifted his
hand to brush Tarv's cheek endearingly. Despite the problems around them,
and even Th'rin's own misgivings about what was between them, the healer
deeply cared for him. Tarv grabbed his hand and squeezed gently, "So you'll
watch for him too .."

Th'rin nodded, "I will. But you know, I think there are others that might be
more of a problem .." He was starting to feel guilty again, and was
considering confessing what had happened this morning to his friend.

"Nah .." Tarv shook his head, a smug grin coming to his face. "Don't worry
about those soldiers. I'm on the job there. It's Har'son I don't have time
to watch .. not with everything else."

Th'rin nodded, deciding maybe he wouldn't bring it up the kiss after all.

Elissa
***
<< Day 40 - Mid morning >>

>He just started to look over the paperwork when there was a knock on the door.
He opened the door and a lovely young woman stood there.  At a second glance
he recognized her.  "Elissa?"

>She smiled.  "Are you busy Har'son?"  She looked into the room past him.

>"I guess not, want a drink?"  He let her in, but before he shut the door. "Is
your brother here?"

"No." She said, grinning as she stepped into the sitting area.  She was glad
that Saul's horrible behavior had not driven Har'son away. Not the way J'red
had been driven away .. "This is a nice place."

She smelled faintly of perfume and had a subtle color on her cheeks and
lips. In the weeks since their first encounter, she'd learned a bit more
about beauty from 'the girls'. She hadn't seen him much, cause he was busy
searching. She understood that .. though she hated it. She'd finally got up
enough courage to seek him out on her own.

>"Really, I haven't got to see much of it.  Searching has kept me very busy." He
fixed some drinks in the kitchen area and when he turned to give one to her
she was behind him.

"I know.  I have missed you."  She said in a low tone. Her eyes watched him
carefully. Watching for cues .. those things that let you know a man is
interested. She'd been talking to some of the girls .. and after much
practicing in front of a mirror .. she was ready.

>She has been studying up, he thought.  "I've missed you as well."  He leaned
down and kissed her softly.  "How much have you missed me?"

>She ran a hand down his cheek to his neck.  "A lot.  I have thought a lot about
last time we were together."

>He pulled her close and kissed her deeply, her small form pressed next to his.
"Would you like to try it again."

Oh yes! This worked better then expected, she thought as he quickly aroused
every part of body. She nodded at him, and pressed her mouth to his, begging
for more. Saul had been so wrong about him .. she knew it. And right now ..
at this moment .. what J'red thought didn't matter at all.

***

When she woke up later  he was gone. She frown unhappily for a moment ..
until she spotted a delicate white daisy cast leisurely on the pillow beside
her.

She picked it up, bringing it to her nose and taking a deep breath. How
sweet he was to not want to wake her when he had to leave for work. She lay
back for a moment stretching happily. The girls would never believe this ..
and they would be soooo jealous!

<We need to head to the bizarre,> Patinari called to her. <We're on duty.>

Elissa groaned, <I just want to wait for Har'son to come back.>

<Elissa, we just got done being in trouble. Please don't put us back on
night watches again .. please?>

<Okay .. Okay,> Elissa groaned. She sat up and started to gather her
clothes. Pitty Pat was right. They definitely didn't want to screw up again!
Not even for Har'son!

Mara
***
<< Day 40 - Lunch time >>

>"Good for you!  Oh, I am so glad!"  Mara grinned.  "Do you think it will work?"

>Merissa pulled out some plates and helped Mara prepare the lunch, "I'm counting
on it... and if it doesn't... then the Lords will learn to take me
seriously!"

"Who wouldn't take you seriously." Mara insisted. "You're doing a great job,
Merissa. I know Trinale would be proud of you."

Merissa smiled at the younger girl, "Thanks you, Mara."

Their discussion was interrupted by the loud pounding of small feet, as the
little bear trounced into the room and grabbed his mamma around the knees.
"MA!"

Merissa held onto a chair to maintain her balance while she untangled
herself from the large toddlers grasp. She picked him up and cuddled
lovingly for a few moments, chattering at him and hoping beyond hope that he
would start coping her words .. but he just laughed and snuggled.

When he'd had enough he pushed away from her and scrambled to his chair,
pounding on the table at his Aunt Mara .. making clear exactly what it was
he wanted without saying a word. And soon, thanks to Mara's efficiency, his
mouth was full, as he happily gobbled down lunch.

Merissa sat and began eating as well, as she tried to ask casually if Th'rin
was coming home for lunch. Mara tried to just as casually shrug. The rest of
lunch was quiet until the two women were once again alone, when Oberon ran
off to play with his toys.

"Merissa, do you still love him?" Mara asked. "I mean .. I know he can be
unlovable sometimes .. but well .. I also know how very much he loves you
.."

Regards,
Th'rin & Areena
***

<< NRPG: Mara is curious about their relationship, both cause she cares
about them, but also cause she's kinda gotten herself stuck in the middle of
it, but living with both of them.. She may see more then either of them
think she does :) >>

*****************************************************************
  |\  /^~~^\  /| 
--qqQ-\O||O/-Qpp-------------------------------------------------
       \oo/     Kristen Gant
        ~~      (AKA: Waylene & Aura, Marrid Warren, Warrenlady
                      Meena & Vonn, Norwall Warren, Wingleader
                      Th'rin & Areena,Whiteriver Warren, Head Healer
                      Merybelle Barmen, City of Ralengarde, Innkeeper
                      Ce'lot & Britche, Xylain Warren, Wingleader
                      Saul & Fayloth, Jasra Warren, Searcher
                      Darlea & Makayla, Courier
                      Kalewyn & Sabbith, Dragonrider
                      Devon & Xanith, Dragonrider
                http://members.home.net/sgant/kristen/kris.htm
 --d----------b---------------------------------------------------
        ()
       \()/
        \/