Long Lost Family

Writers: AL, Cali
Date Posted: 5th December 2008

Characters: Ri'len, J'far, Serend, Karai, Lenlee
Description: J'far comes for Lenlee and meets his long lost family.
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 13, day 5 of Turn 4
Notes: Willet Grove Hold

J'far circled above Willet Grove looking for a place for his green to land. He was still marveling at the different paths family took, and how stretched out they were when they set down in the courtyard. He'd been to Willet Grove at least a few times over the turns, but he'd never known he had family here- even if it _was_ distant.

"Hello." he said to the young man who approached him. "My name's J'far, is Karai or her daughter Lenlee here?"

"I'm Railen, Karai's son and Lenlee's brother." The young man held out his hand for the greenrider to take. "We've been expecting you."

He took the offered hand and gave a warm grin. "Well then you're long lost family as well! I'm ashamed to admit it, but I didn't know anything about you all. I vaguely remember Karai from when we were both children, but after I impressed my green beauty we all lost touch." Well, his family chose to lose touch with him.

"I'm sorry to hear that." Railen stepped to the side and motioned for the greenrider to walk with him. "I'm sure my mother will be glad to see you after all these turns. Please, come with me. We've got some klah if you would like."

J'far went in step with Railen into the hold, admiring the large stables and noticed with pleasure that there was no greenery anywhere in the courtyard. "Klah is always welcome, thank you."

"Certainly." Railen offered a small smile as he led the greenrider to the hold proper, calling for his sisters in the rush of children who were eager to see the dragonrider.

Karai walked in, Lenlee and Raise by her side, and instructed the younger to go and fetch Serend. "Hello, are you J'far by any chance?"

"I am." the greenrider said cheerily, "And I take it that you are my dear cousin?"

"Yes," she replied and reciprocated with a smile. "This is Lenlee, my daughter, and I take it by your presence that you're open to caring for her while she's at the Weyr?"

J'far looked the girl over, she was young, but he'd seen plenty younger a dragonback. "Good day Lenlee. And of course, she's family after all. I'll take her to the Headwoman for placement myself."

"Thank you, sir." Lenlee stated softly, suddenly shy now that the dragonrider was there. She shuffled her feet and glanced over at her mother and her brother.

"We appreciate your willingness to look after her." Railen stated, placing a hand upon Lenlee's shoulder. "It's going to be a big adjustment."

"Well she won't be alone, there'll be more than fifty other candidates in the same situation as she is." He assured them all with a smile, "And then there's me. You are always welcome to come to me with anything you might need. Ogaith is very excited to meet one of my family, by the way, so I'm sure she'll want you to visit our weyr often."

"You are both welcome to visit any time." Railen piped up as Serend appeared then, making his way toward him.

"Of course." Serend echoed his son, catching the invitation. The holder paused for a moment as if to take a good look at the rider, then stuck out his hand in greeting.

J'far took the hand happily, "Well if she Impresses, she won't be able to leave the Weyr until her dragon is old enough to take her, but if she doesn't Impress this time I'd be more than happy to fly her back here on restdays until the next clutch."

"Ah, well, if she doesn't Impress this time she'll be returning to the hold." Serend cast a glance toward Lenlee who nodded. "That was our agreement."

The greenrider hid his frown as he looked at the young girl. An agreement might have been made, but once she was at the Weyr she could make up her own mind on the matter. "Well, would anyone like to attend the Hatching? Ogaith and I would be happy to come and get a couple of you so you can support Lenlee."

Karai looked to her husband before answering, "That would be wonderful J'far, but it would all depend on the timing. We're traveling for Railen's wedding about the time of the Hatching so we might not be here. If it wouldn't be too much trouble, when the time came, could you check and see if we're here?"

Railen glanced over at his mother. "Perhaps if we moved things up a bit. Then he could come get us at Green Bend."

"We can come and look at both holds" the greenrider offered. "Green Bend is a seahold right?"

"Yes." Railen nodded, "I'll be wedding my betrothed there."

"So can we go?" Lenlee piped up, her eyes bright and obviously eager to leave for the Weyr. She was so excited!

"If you have time," Karai started as she looked up at her long lost cousin, "You're welcome to stay for lunch. It'd be nice to catch up."

J'far grinned, it was nice to know he wasn't just wanted for transport. "That would be wonderful Karai, I'd love to. And don't worry Lenlee, we'll have plenty of time this afternoon to get you settled in."

"Okay." The girl deflated a bit, but there was still a spring in her step as she turned and headed to the hold proper.

"Please." Railen motioned for J'far to start before him and his father followed after the small group, his normally quiet self.

Last updated on the December 7th 2008

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Long Lost Family