*Day 35*

*Tinobal*

"Are you ready to go?" Latnem asked. His eyes glistened with pride as 
he looked at his prized patient even as his palms sweated in response 
to the uncharacteristic nervousness he felt. Though his father, he 
was told, was a dragonrider, Latnem had never once experience the 
pleasure of riding on dragonback.

"Ready as ever," Xanthia replied. Her long plait of red hair bobbed 
up and down along her back as she nodded gayly. A practical style for 
the trip, several fiery strands had escaped the bonds and fell in 
soft waves around her face, framing it prettily. Anxious about the 
prospect of returning to WhiteRiver after so long, she grasped her 
mind healer's hands for emotional support and  took a deep breath in 
an attempt to calm herself. Feeling the cool moisture of Latnem's 
palms, Xanthia's nose wrinkled in displeasure at the sensation. She 
quickly withdrew her hands and wiped them on her skirt.

"Are you ill?" she asked with concern, reaching up to feel his 
forehead.

"Fine... fine... Just a little apprehensive," Latnem shifted 
anxiously.

Xanthia giggled, "What have you to be nervous about?"

"Well, I've never ridden a dragon before."

Xanthia's brow wrinkled up as she considered the meaning of the mind 
healer's confession. "And you are going to ride a dragon now?"

"Why yes," Latnem replied, "Someone has to make sure that you make it 
to Whiteriver safely and ease you into the transition to life outside 
the hallowed halls of Tinobal."

"You... You're going with me?" Xanthia asked.

"Yes, Xanthia," Latnem said, "I'm going with you." He couldn't help 
but smile as she bounced in front of him. To think that she'd been so 
dependent on a crutch and brace when she'd first come in here, and 
now she used but a cane.

"Well, then, if we've got everything, let's go!"

***

*WhiteRiver*

Xanthia squealed with delight. Maxima blinked in right over the 
warren, then glided down and landed in front of the Med 
Center. "Home!" she announced as Latnem dismounted from behind her.

Latnem brushed the wrinkles from his clothes once he set foot on the 
ground and then unfastened Xanthia's saddle straps from her legs and 
hips. "Easy there!" he cautioned her, "Don't take it too quick now, 
remember your balance is off."

"Ah... I thought you'd never ridden before." Xanthia teased.

"I hadn't, but you need to remember..."

"I know, I know..." Xanthia interrupted, smoothing her skirt.

"So... Is this where your apartment is?" Latnem asked.

"No..." Xanthia said, "This it the Med Center, my apartment is up 
there," she pointed in the opposite direction, toward the mountains 
which contained the apartments of the residents of Whiteriver. "Up 
there" she repeated after a pause, "On the highest peak."

"That will never do, not anymore," Latnem said with concern.

"I know, that's why we're here, to see Pav'lo about a new apartment, 
and one for you too, if you're staying a while. But first I want to 
check in here... see Th'rin and Corra!" Xanthia bubbled.

"I'm to stay as long as I'm needed," Latnem responded.

"Come on!" Xanthia encouraged, taking her cane in one hand and 
pulling Latnem along with another. "I can't wait to introduce you."

Latnem's brow furrowed. While Xanthia's excitement was admittedly 
contagious, he could not help but wonder how enthused others would be 
at her arrival.

"How much have you said in your letters home?" Latnem asked as 
delicately as possible.

"Letters?" Xanthia blinked.

"You haven't written??? Nobody knows???" Latnem gasped, his fears 
multiplying tenfold.

"What was there to write about? Everyone knows why I was away."

"Xanthia..." Latnem groaned.

The pert redhead relentlessly pulled Latnem through the corridors of 
the med center until they reached the door of Th'rin's office. "I 
can't wait to see the look on Th'rin's face when he sees I'm back!" 
she squealed, then opened the door as if she'd never been away even a 
single day.

Xanthia's heart caught in her throat and as she entered the office 
and she clutched Latnem's hand anxiously as she caught sight of not 
Th'rin, but Merissa, standing at the window. Her first instinct was 
to turn and run, but it was too late; already Merissa had turned 
around and met her gaze.

Xanthia waited anxiously as Merissa regarded her slowly from head to 
toe, her eyes then fixating on the red head's  midsection.

"Whose?" Merissa asked.

"I beg your pardon?" Xanthia blinked in confusion.

"Whose *baby*?" Merissa asked.

"My baby," Xanthia stroked her fecund form, confused by the seemingly 
absurd question.

Latnem cleared his throat, hoping Xanthia would get a clue, but 
Merissa was faster.

"Who is the *father* of your baby?" Merissa clarified, then took note 
of the throat clearing though Xanthia was oblivious. Her expression 
relaxed somewhat as she realized the source of the interruption was a 
the tall blond gentleman attached to Xanthia's hand. 

"Oh, hello..." Merissa said sweetly.  "Xanthia, you never told me..."

"I'm Latnem... Latnem Troppus." the handsome young man responded, 
pulling his hand free of Xanthia's and holding it out to shake 
Merissa's hand. 

"Merissa, warrenlady of WhiteRiver Warren." the raven haired woman 
responded.

"I'm Xanthia's mind healer, " Latnem continued,  "It was decided that 
it was in the best interest for me to accompany her here and stay a 
while to make for a smoother transition. While I'm here I'd be happy 
to offer my services where needed, though."

"Ah..." Merissa replied, her expression darkening once more. "So 
you're not..." she gestured toward the petite pregnant healer beside 
him.

"No... My lady, that would be a serious breach of ethics. I would 
never..." Latnem responded, eyeing Xanthia with concern. Through this 
whole exchange she stood there as if in shock.

"Th'rin." Xanthia finally responded, coming out of her fugue. "Th'rin 
is the father of my baby."

*****

NRPG: Tag Arlene! Kris, is Th'rin in the background as Xanthia 
announces this or not? If so, tag to you, too! Any other eves 
droppers? Remember, no one closed the office door! ;>


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