**Tarv'renon**

Day 3, Evening



<So I have to look for the wench...> Tarv sneered as he took off with the 

patrol to look for the three women.



<Now be nice! Remember, Merissa is with them!> Murkash reminded him.



<Ah yes, the sweet Merissa!> Tarv's lips curved into a genuine smile as he 

thought of his beloved. <Damn Xanthia anyhow! Why did she have to get 

*pregnant*?> he scowled.



<Well, Th'rin did choose to mate with her,> the brown reminded him.



<Leave Th'rin out of this! He's a VICTIM! Just like me, just like Merissa, 

we are VICTIMS of her devious nature!> Tarv raved at his dragon as they 

scouted the areas that were considered most likely for finding herbs.



***



<I see them! All three dragons, and all four humans! I'll tell the others!> 

Murkash reported excitedly after having flown over several other locations.



<Four? There are three humans, you twit!> Tarv scoffed.



<No, four! A'rillia, Merissa, Xanthia, and a human hatchling!>



<A... hatchling?> Tarv frowned as the hairs on the back of his neck stood 

on end. <She wasn't due for another couple weeks... Fine, tell the others, 

take me home and let *them* deal with it!>  Tarv'renon ordered, <Tell them 

and then take us home.>



<We should stay with the others,> Murkash reminded, <There will be 

consequences for breaking formation.>



<Let there be consequences! I just can't... I can't go down there... Take 

me home.> Tarv'renon insisted.



<As you wish,> Murkash replied coldly as he turned and teleported to 

WhiteRiver against his better judgement. He wondered what was happening to 

his rider, and worried.



*****



*Tarv's apartment, a while later*



"ARGH!!!!" Tarv'renon screamed in frustration, throwing his paint brush 

across the room.



<Problems?> Murkash asked.



<I can't think.... I need Th'rin.> Tarv'renon went over to the brown and 

saddled him, <Find out where Th'rin is and take me to him.>



<As you wish,> Murkash replied obediently, taking off in the direction of 

Xanthia's apartment.



As they landed, Tarv'renon could feel his blood pressure rise. <Not here... 

no...> he felt his skin prickle on the back of his neck.



<He's greeting his hatchling. He's your mate, so you should greet her, 

too.> Murkash advised.



Tarv approached the door, but curiosity drew his gaze toward the window 

just before knocked. What he saw stopped him in his tracks. <What's Merissa 

doing in there?!?>



<Same as Th'rin, greeting the hatchling> Murkash said, in explanation of 

the obvious.



<But they look so... happy!> he seethed.



<Hatchlings normally bring one joy,> Murkash reminded him.



<Not this one...> Tarv replied, feeling betrayed. <Take me home.>



<As you wish,> Murkash sighed.



**********



NRPG: Just a short one for Tarv, getting his reaction to the birth. Well, 

did you expect him to be joyous? <G>



Respectfully submitted by,



Morgan