*B'lin*

[Inside room with fruit and serving girls...and oh yeah, his arch nemesis
:) ]

He had been keeping an eye on his little sister and that wretched
wingleader...  Ce'Lot's eyes had been practically glued on Bel since she had
made her first appearance.  Not only was it disgusting him...it also was
keeping his attention from the cute little serving girl who was dangling
grapes just above his mouth.

"Reach over there and hand me one of those cigars, will ya sweetie?" he
smiled charmingly as the woman smiled and handed over one to him.
"Thanks..." B'Lin winked as he lit up and took a large puff.

Oh but this was the life!  He slumped down lazily against a large fluffy
pillow.  How many times had he stood outside of the castle, wondering what
it was like to be inside those walls?

And now...here he was...B'Lin!  Lying in the lap of luxury... he could
definitely get used to this!

"Look guys, the best thing to do is to leave Bella here and get our
butts out of this place."  Carlynee waved off the protests and
continued on with her schpiel, "We found out that she's alright and
Gerard is trying to get the backing of the Warren and he won't get
that if he hurts her right?  Besides, from what information I gleaned
out of you guys on our little adventure, the Warren Lady is not going
to be a happy camper if she hears that you two are here.  We had best
get moving before Gerard decides to use the fact that an extra two
dragonriders are here to his own gain."

"No offense Bel, I think you look wonderful and I was worried about
you too." Carlynee smiled at the red head and gave her a swift hug,
wincing a little as Bel's arm hit her sore ribs.

"What???"  B'Lin sat up frowning.  "We're not going anywhere...."

He promptly pulled Carlynee down on the floor beside him and shoved a slice
of pear in her mouth.  "Now listen Carly honey...just relax some and eat
some of this fruit.  I think this little trip has gotten to that pretty
little head of yours."

B'Lin tapped her head lightly before patting her on the back.  "Just sit
here...and close your eyes if you have to.  I've waited years to end up in a
joint like this and I'm not about to leave...not while I can lay here and
have sweet little babies feed me grapes."

"I should go find the Duchess..." Bella repeated....Ce'Lot still standing a
little too close to her for B'Lin's taste.

"I have to agree with Carlynee..." the wingleader announced.  "Lotherra is
not a safe place for anyone right now."

A light knock on the door interrupted them and all turned their heads to
stare at a young man who entered the room.

"Greetings..." the man, or rather boy, said in a pseudo-cheery tone.  "The
Lord of Lotherra extends his warmest welcome to you and also invites you to
join him at dinner this evening."

"I'm afraid that we won't be able to accept that invitation....although, we
do appreciate his kindness." Ce'Lot replied.  "We'll be heading back to the
warren now."

The boy looked a tad frightened at first, before he cleared his throat and
said shakily.  "But Sir...a horrible storm is on it's way...  Travelling at
this point in time wouldn't be wise."

"Yeah..." B'Lin scowled.  "It wouldn't be wise...we can stay for dinner."

The young servant smiled and sighed with relief.  "Very good sir...I'll tell
the kitchen to plan for the Lord's guests.."

"B'Lin..." Ce'Lot said through gritted teeth after the boy left.  "I said
that we were leaving."

"Look," Carlynee spoke up.  "You stay here B'Lin...you stay here and smoke
your cigars...and eat your fruit....but I'm not spending the night in this
place...no way....no how"

"It does look awfully bad out there..." Halyn shook her head.  "It's as dark
as night."

Ce'Lot sighed heavily as he rested both hands on Bel's shoulders and turned
to look outside.  "Fine...but if it begins to clear up, then we're
leaving...is that understood?"

B'Lin rolled his eyes and didn't answer.

"Come with me..." Bella tugged Ce'Lot's hand gently as she headed towards
the door.

"B.B......" B'Lin whined.  "You're a big girl...you don't need any one to go
see the big bad Duchess with you. I'm sure you'll be just fine by yourself."

He scowled some more as Ce'Lot started to follow his sister.

"Relax B'Lin..." Hero smirked at him.  "We're staying for dinner like you
asked aren't we?  Just remember we don't always get what we want."

B'Lin's mouth drooped even more as he watched his sister disappear with the
other dragonrider, his hand still twined with hers.

"Well....it looks like it's just you and us..." Carlynee said slowly as she
chucked an apple heavily into the palm of her hand as she eyed him.

<NRPG:  Cheryl, I thought Carl could get even with B'Lin now for manhandling
her! :)>

*Bella*

"So he's been a pain?" she asked sympathetically as she walked lightly down
a long hallway.

"Well...."

"You don't have to be nice just because he's my brother...I know how he can
be..." she laughed a little before spying Tara.

"Tara, have you seen the Duchess?" Belarade asked.

"Not lately ma'am...I do believe that she was going on a tour of the city
with Ger- Lothar," a tight smile pasted itself on the other girl's face,
before she moved past the two dragonriders.

Before she had a chance to respond to Tara, Ce'Lot grabbed her and quickly
pulled her into an empty room and shut the door.

"Gods..what is it?" she whispered in shock.

"I saw someone...or thought I did..just...let's wait here until they pass,"
he whispered against her ear as she shivered.

"Who did you think it was?" Belarade shifted uneasily as Ce'Lot listened
carefully before shaking his head.

"It doesn't matter...I think they've walked past now.." he smiled some down
at her and Bel realized how close they were.

"Well...that's good..." she whispered as her nose nuzzled against his.

<NRPG:  All right...I figure Ce'Lot and Bel can have a few moments alone at
least.>

Respectfully Submitted,
Belarade and B'Lin

~Tracee Taylor-Schneider~
http://www.geocities.com/~_sierra_

When shall they meet?  I cannot tell,
Indeed, when they shall meet again,
Except some day in Paradise;
For this they wait, one waits in pain.
Beyond the sea of death love lies
For ever, yesterday, today
            ~Christina Rossetti "One Day"