Congratulations

Writers: AL, Kaysea
Date Posted: 12th April 2008

Characters: Kaldyn, Karei, Reia, Minall
Description: Kladyn's sister comes to vsiit her baby, and learns of the mating flight mishap
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 9, day 2 of Turn 4

"She's here! She's here!" Reia raced into the front room, and immediately the sound of screaming infant rose throughout the house.

"Reai!" Karei reprimanded her youngest daughter but smiled to soften the blow, she really couldn't be angry with her for showing excitement at the appearance of her aunt. "You go and get Allini and I'll go and call your father, though I doubt he has missed her arrival."

It would be hard missing the arrival of a huge green dragon in the fallow paddock beyond the barn, and the runners always became skittish whenever one of the dragonrider members of the family called to visit.

"Kaldyn!" she called across the courtyard, "She's here."

His figure appeared from around the side of the barn with his sister in tow.

The green snorted softly, which certainly didn't help the mood of the runners. The rider atop her leaned forward and patted her before dismounting with the help of a thoughtful foreleg. Minall blinked in the bright sunshine and grinned, then began to cross the distance between the paddock and the people she had come to see. She lifted an arm and waved in greeting, then picked up her pace to a trot.

"Well met, Minall! And welcome back to Amber Hills." Kaldyn strode forward, bowing slightly to the green before returning his attention to his sister. "It's good to see you again Min, and wait 'til you see your little one!"

"Where is she?" Minall grinned at her niece who had come running toward her by that time. She opened her eyes wide for an expected and rather exuberant hug.

"Mam has Allini," Reia said, as she hugged her aunt tightly, "she doesn't let me walk too far with her, in case I trip." she explained.
"But she's getting big now, and heavy."

"Come into the house, Min." Kaldyn drew her close, laying a comfortable arm across his sisters shoulder.

"I bet you help take good care of her, don't you Reia?" Minall gently clasped Reia's hand and let her free hand slip around her brother's waist. "I've missed you all."

"We miss you too." Kaldyn smiled down, "And I know mam and dad'll be pleased to see you - you are staying for a few candlemarks, aren't you?" he asked, eyeing his parents house across the paddock from his and Karei's. "They're up at the Hold, mam had to see the healer."

"Yes, I have enough time to stay for that long." Minall gave Kaldyn a grin. "Although I expect to be fed!"

"And fed you shall be." He agreed, guiding her towards the house.
"Karei waited at the door with the baby in her arms. "You'll probably not recognise Allini now, she's grown so much."

"Oh!" Minall held out her arms for the baby and then cradled her once Allini was placed into her reach. "Oh my beautiful girl, how I've missed you!" She caressed the baby's cheek and kissed her on the forehead. "They grow too fast. Tell me what she's been doing!"

"Well come inside and you can witness for yourself just what she is accomplishing now." Karei hugged Minall briefly, before ushering her inside. Her eyes caught and held her husbands over his sisters shoulder, and he winked at her - she couldn't hide the smile that broke across her face as well as she could the thickening of her waist, but that could wait a while, she mused.

Minall caught the gaze between husband and wife and both eyebrows shot up. She then shrugged it off and grinned down at her daughter. "I need to figure out a way to come more often, I really do."

"She'll understand - as she gets older, that your time isn't really your own." Karei assured her sister in law, as they sat down at the kitchen table. "Have something to drink - and I've made some of those cookies you like so much..." she pushed forward the plate of freshly baked goods.

"I know. I just wish it were easier." Minall clicked her tongue and Allini cooed back at her. "If only I could transfer you all to the weyr." She cradled Allini in one arm, then grabbed a cookie and took a big chunk out of it.

"She will always be your child, Minall, and we have that painting of you hanging near her cot. She'll know who her mother is." Karei leaned forward and took Minall's hand in her own. "She must recognise you, she isn't good with people she doesn't know, and look- she's smiling and coo-ing to you."

"Aunt Minall..." Reia came forward and tugged at her aunts jacket to gain her attention, "Mam and dar have some news." she could barely keep their secret to herself, and felt she would burst if she didn't force her parents into revealing their secret.

"Do you remember me?" Minall whispered to her daughter, clutching her close as if she couldn't bear to let her go. She wished she could take care of her own child, but her life was a harsh one and left little time for children. She supposed she could have had Allini fostered at the weyr, but Minall preferred to have her with family. She trusted Kaldyn and Karei implicitly.

Reia took her attention from her thoughts and Minall smiled down at her. "News? What news?"

"Reia!" Karei admonished lightly, though she couldn't fault the child much, they were all on pins as far as her news went. Minall would be one of the first to know, even before her older children.

Reia grinned up at her mother, "Sorry Mam." she answered, but it was obvious to the adults in the room that she wasn't.

"We have some news - Allini is to have another cousin and foster sibling." Karei said, with a roll of her eyes towards her daughter.
"That's why the big mouth couldn't stay silent. She's always wanted a younger brother or sister, and now she may have one of each, or even two younger sisters."

"Really? Is Karemyn? Or perhaps..." The look on their faces made her pause and when she realised what they meant, Minall's mouth dropped open. "You're not serious?"

With a laugh Karei nodded. "Yes, I am." her colour deepened as she admitted the truth. "I didn't know whether to laugh or cry when the healer up at the Hall confirmed it, but.. in about five months we'll have another babe." she reached out and took her husbands hand and appreciated the squeeze of comfort her gave her.

For a moment or two, Minall just stood there. Several emotions ran through her. Happiness for Karei and Kaldyn, but there was also a bit of concern. Karei looked wonderful, but she was also past the point that most women bore children. Minall couldn't help but wonder if this pregnancy was a good thing. Finally, she decided it would be best to just congratulate them. Her worries were not something they really needed. A smile slowly crept across her face and she moved forward to embrace Karei with her free arm. "Congratulations!"

"Thank you." she hugged Minall back, "and you don't need to worry about me taking care of Allini, she'll be no problem - after all I have Reia's help; and your mother is across the way." Though after her trip to the healers today, they would have to see what was draining Minaretta's strength.

"Well, you let me know if that changes." Minall switched her daughter from one arm to the other. "But congratulations! Now...can we get some food? I'm starving."

Karei glanced at Kaldyn and gave a brief shrug, "Okay, let's have somethign to eat, and then you can tell us what's been happening at the Weyr."

Last updated on the April 17th 2008

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Congratulations