Ce'lot
***

The blonde wingleader slept fitfully that night. Waking as pain crept
though his insides. But each time he woke Bel was there, running a
comforting hand over his head. Speaking sweet soft words to him. Easing him
gently back into sleep.

As early morning began to dawn, he woke yet again, moaning as the pain was
again made it's presence known yet again.

"It's all right, love .. shh.." Bel's comforting voice breathed on his cheek.

"It hurts, Bel .." he said wincing.

She ran a comforting hand on his cheek, "I know. Shall I get Nineve to give
you more pain killer?"

He shook his head, "No .. I don't want you to leave."

"Just for a moment .."

He shook his head again, "I'll be all right .."

She kissed him gently, "You are very brave."

He shook his head, "I was stupid. I didn't watch .."

"If what Nineve has told me is true .. then you did well to be alive."

"I just wanted to get her, Bel. I just wanted to .. win." He breathed
heavily, "Maybe B'Lin is right about me."

"No .. shh. You did what you had to do for the warren. If that dragon had
gotten to the settlement by the lake all those refugees from Lotherra would
be dead. As it is several innocents were hurt by her attack on the warren."

"But to approach her on my own .. that wasn't smart. It almost got me
killed .."

Bel nodded, "Yes it did, but it had to be done. You slowed her down enough
for her to get caught."

They turned as they heard the door open, Bel slid carefully from the bed
where she'd been holding Ce'lot and looked guiltily at Nineve.  The healer
shook her head and moved toward her patient. "How are you feeling?"

"It hurts .."

"I imagine it does. Now let me have a look."

Belarade moved in as Nineve began to check the bandage. "How does it look?"
she asked over the tiny woman's shoulder.

"Stop worrying, Bella. He's going to be fine.

Ce'lot's blue eyes looked up at her, and he reached out and she took his
hand holding tightly as he winced when Nineve pulled at the bandages.

The healer shook her head as she looked at the wound, "I just can't believe
it."

"Is it bad?" he asked.

"No .. I've never seen anything heal so fast."

"It doesn't feel like it's healed," he complained.

"Well, it's going to hurt, but at this rate it won't hurt long." She
grabbed some clean gauze and tape and re-bandaged the wound in his abdomen.
"I'll get you something for the pain in moment."

She turned and rested a hand on Belarade's shoulder, seeing the worry in
her eyes, "It really is getting better quickly. Deep down no man handles
pain well .."

Bella nodded with a smile, "Thank you, Nineve."

***

It wasn't long and Ce'lot was feeling much better. The medication Nineve
had given him was acting quickly. Now that the pain was alleviated .. his
spirits were up. He smiled and joked and was glad to have Bel with him.

That was when the challenging roar of a mating female rang through the
warren. Ce'lot soon got caught up in the rush of heat he felt from his
dragon. But he also felt a pain in his tail .. He looked up confused at
Bella who was chuckling.

"Seems you aren't the only one who has a 'nurse."

<Menia won't let me go ..> Brit said huffily. <She's got a hold of my tail!>

<I think that's best,> the rider said, <You were hurt as well as I.>

<But this is a ~queen~ ..> Britche whined, but eventually  gave in to them.
<Two mating flight in two days, and one a  ~queen~. It's not fair you know.
You can mate anytime you like .. but I have to wait .. and then you won't
let .. it's not fair ..>

Brit continued to grumble as Ce'lot focused on Belarade. "He's agreed not
to give chase."

She nodded, "Is he upset .. Menia says he's grumbling."

Ce'lot shrugged, "I think deep down he knows he couldn't have caught her
with his injury. So this at least saves a little pride."

"I see .."

"But you know there is one very good side effect to the mating heat .."

"What's that?"

He clasped her hand in his and pulled her closer, "I've got an undeniable
urge to kiss you .."

Lecia
***

>"Where are you going??" Lecia asked, standing up herself as if she were to
>go with him.

>"Sit back down..." he instructed her. "It's nothing you can go to..."

>"But what is it..." she grabbed his arm as he tried to walk through the door.

>"A mating flight..." B'Lin pushed her back some and then grinned again.
>"Funny we were just talking about those weren't we? Well, here it is
>Lish... your first experience with one.."

>And with that, he walked through the door, making his way towards the
>warren where a large group of riders were all ready huddled about the
>junior queenrider.

Eurielle moved to pull Lecia back to the table. "Come dear, you still need
to eat."

"But .. but .."

"Hon, it doesn't mean anything. It's something that comes with being a
dragonrider." Lecia looked at her skeptically. But Eurielle's smile was
soothing, "Let's finish breakfast and not worry about dragon business."

"But if he wins .." Her face paled. What if he found the other woman more
satisfying then her. What if she was prettier.. and not throwing up .. or
starting to look pudgy! The more she thought about it, the more she worried.

Eurielle gently pushed her back into her chair and handed her the fork,
"Now eat."

Lecia nodded and the fork dropped to the plate. Tears started to roll down
her pale cheeks. Her elbows went to the table and her face went into her
hands as her sobs became unstoppable.

"Mama?" Anadia said watching the girl ..

"Shh, it's all right," she hushed her daughter. Then she grabbed up Lecia
and pulled her out of the kitchen, "Come on Lish, It'll be okay .."

"He's gonna leave me .." Lecia sobbed as she leaned into B'Lin's mother.

"Oh no dear .. he loves  you."

She shook her head, ".. no .. I'm not pretty anymore .. I'm getting fat ..
and .. and I .."

"Hush now," Eurielle cooed as she sat her on the couch and pulled her head
to her breast, "B'Lin's a good boy. He loves you and he understands .. shh
.. shh .."

Lecia sobbed for a while longer and then almost as suddenly as they had
begun, the tears stopped. "I'm sorry .." she sniffed, not sure how to
explain her actions.

"It's all right." She smiled, "I used to cry at the drop of a hat when I
was pregnant too."

"You did?"

Eurielle nodded, "All pregnant women do."

Lecia frowned, "I don't .. I don't want to be pregnant."

Regards,
Ce'lot & Britche
Lecia
***
NRPG: Well I don't know about all pregnant women crying suddenly over
nothing .. but I always did <G>

Kris

*********************************************************************
  |\  /^~~^\  /|
 -qqQ-\O||O/-Qpp------------------------------------------------------
       \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
 --d----------b-------------------------------------------------------
        ()
       \()/
        \/