Labour Time Pt 1
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Avery, Paula
Date Posted: 25th September 2015
Characters: Lenala, A'kades
Description: Vilarth lays her eggs.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 2, day 21 of Turn 8
Notes: Pt 1 of 2
Lenala woke up, Lenala threw up. She was not enjoying this. She had to keep bucket next to her bed. Then she realized what had awakened her up. Vilarth was leaving her ledge, something she hadn't done for days.
It was time.
}: Well, are you coming to watch? :{ Vilarth demanded crankily.
**Of course, but I need a moment, ** Lenala replied. She needed a moment to clean up, eat a cracker, dress up and empty the bucket.
**Are you calling for Volaith?**
}: A bit later, :{ Vilarth replied. She entered the Hatching cavern and started to look for spot to make her nest. As usual, she ended up digging a wallow near the back wall of the Cavern. She snarled at the curious firelizards that flocked around them. The Weyr was waking up and the dragons had started to hum.
Lenala took a waterskin with her when she left. She joined Vilarth in the Sands.
Volaith had been keeping a careful eye on his golden mate as she became more egg-heavy. The bronze was possessive of her because of his own interest from the flight and because of his rider's interest in hers. So he hovered when she allowed him, and went away when she told him to. Now he noticed her moving off the ledge.
}:Wake up!:{ he demanded his rider in a loud voice.
A'kades sat bolt up, adrenaline hammering through him. **Huh? What is it?** His mind raced, wondering if there was a problem with a weyrling.
}:Vilarth will lay her eggs. We should go.:{
**Has she asked you?** He knew golds could be touchy.
}:She will.:{ Volaith said.
A'kades ruffled through his closet. Waiting in the Stands could take awhile, he imagined, and since Vilarth wasn't likely to let any others in, he didn't have to worry about his appearance for anyone other than Lenala. He still wanted to look nice for her, so he found a comfortable loose tunic with no holes or stains and slipped it on.
He took the time to stop by the Dining Cavern for cool juice and then carried it to the outside of the Grounds, waiting for approval.
}:May we come in?:{ the bronze addressed Vilarth respectfully.
}: Not quite yet, :{ Vilarth replied but her tone was kind. }: A little while later until I'm ready. :{ she was still not happy with her wallow.
A'kades took the news in stride. He took the extra time to head back to his weyr, thankful it was on the ground level so he could easily go back. Then he picked out some hides to sketch on and carried them back. He had some half-baked ideas and he'd need to get to work early if they were to be done in time.
Finally Vilarth was satisfied and settled down. }: You can come now.:{
Volaith came in through the dragon's entrance of the Hatching Ground, respectfully settling higher up and not daring to set foot on the sands.
He crooned encouragingly at her, excited for the eggs. }:You are glorious.:{
A'kades stepped in and made sure to bow respectfully at Vilarth before making his way to Lenala. "I brought juice," he said when he approached.
"Thank you. Vilarth was in a hurry to get _me_ here and _then_ she took her sweet time in preparations," Lenala said. She patted the bench next to her.
"Is she always like that?" he asked, feeling nervous as he sat down. This was his clutch. His to train, and his by siring. It felt a little overwhelming.
"More or less, just the degree varies," Lenala replied. "She pretty much keeps me tied in here while the eggs harden."
"That doesn't sound fun," he said with sympathy in his tone. "I'll help keep you company when I can, if she allows."
"She probably won't mind you, much. The hardest part is to make her accept visits from candidates. Look she's started!" Lenala replied and took A'kades hands. No matter who many times they did it, Vilarth's Clutching never ceased to amaze and awe her.
The first egg, glittering wetly, rolled on to the Sands and Vilarth sniffed it before gently moving it to what she felt was correct position. Then she settled to lay the next one.
"It's beautiful," he breathed, curling his fingers around hers. "I can't believe that Volaith had a part in them."
The bronze thrummed a reassuring note. }:They will be handsomer when they hatch. But they are marvelous now.:{
}: Of course they are marvelous, they are mine, :{ Vilarth said arrogantly, like only a gold could. The next ten eggs came in fast pace. Then she took a moment to rest and arrange them.
A'kades had thought he'd have time to sketch out something pretty for Lenala, but he didn't. It was fascinating being this close to a clutching dragon, getting a whole new perspective. Volaith had chased but never won before. These were his first.
"You're both beautiful," he said softly.
"Thank you," Lenala said. She sipped some water while Vilarth continued her laboring.
Last updated on the October 26th 2015