A Fond Farewell

Writers: AL, Cali
Date Posted: 31st January 2009

Characters: Sorsha, Ri'len, Balisor, Karai
Description: Sorsha and Ri'len bid their family goodbye.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 1, day 3 of Turn 5

The men were all helping ready the Balisor's ship, and Raise was with Lenlee saying goodbye to some of the friends she'd made while at the Weyr. That left Karai alone with Sorsha and Ri'len for a few moments. "I'm going to miss you both so much."

"We're going to miss you too, Ma." Ri'len enfolded his mother into his arms and held onto her tightly. "But once we've graduated, we'll have the ability to come and visit from time to time. It won't be so bad."

Sorsha nodded, "It's only a few months."

"You're both right, I know." Karai assured them, pulling away from Ri'len and giving them a sad smile. "It's just so permanant now. I'd so looked forward to your future at Willet Grove."

"I know." Ri'len offered his mother a smile. "But I wouldn't trade Monilath for all the holds in Pern. Besides, Lenlee and Raise will eventually marry, or perhaps one of our sons will wish to take over the hold."

"J'far and I talked a bit about children at a Weyr." She was going to broach the subject at a later date, but since he brought it up... "He told me that rider's are encouraged to foster out from birth. Serend and I discussed it, and we'd very much like to keep any children you might have at the Hold."

Ri'len's smile broadened. It was a subject that had been discussed with them as well and Ri'len had known before he stood upon those sands how different things were in regards to children. "I would like that very much." As a rider, it would be easy to visit his children, bring them to the Weyr for visits, and spend his freetime and rest days with them. Well, maybe not _easy_, but certainly easier than if he wasn't able to travel such great distances so quickly. "And I would be more at ease knowing they were with you."

Sorsha hesistated, while children weren't anywhere near a priority for her right now, she didn't know if she liked the idea of promising them away before she'd even had a chance to know them. It wasn't really worth arguing about now though. It could be turns before she became pregnant, if at all since she rode green now, so she gave a smile and nodded. "That's very kind of you Karai, thank you."

"And of course Ri'len, if you have any ah..." she didn't want to use the word 'bastard' when referring to possible future grandchildren, "flight indiscretions, those would be welcome as well since they'd be of the blood."

That was one thing Ri'len had _not_ thought about. His smile wavered a bit, but he nodded. "Thank you, Ma." He hoped there wouldn't be. He certainly didn't plan on being with anyone other than Sorsha - outside of flights. He had been told bronzes didn't often go after greens, but he hoped Monilath would chase Sorsha's. He wouldn't complain if he didn't chase any others, however.

Sorsha noticed that Karai didn't offer the same courtesy to _her_, but didn't let it bother her. It probably wasn't intentional and she didn't want to dwell on the thought of Ri'len's 'indiscretions'.

"Well, we'll need _somebody_ to take over the hold one day." Karai explained with a sigh, "With the way Raise talks, she'll be wanting to come to the Weyr too."

"It will be okay, Ma, you'll see." Ri'len gave his mother another hug, then motioned toward the gangplank as his father appeared and descended. "It looks like they're ready to go. We'll visit you as soon as we graduate."

Sorsha saw Lenlee and Raise running towards them and gave them both hugs before they all but tackled their brother. As she watched them board the ship she wondered again if Lenlee would be allowed to come back for the next hatching. "Take care everyone, we'll miss you."

All of the family members called out their farewells and waved as the plank was drawn up, the doors closed, and the boat eased out of the dock. Ri'len kept his own hand raised and waving until they were a black dot upon the shoreline. He placed his arm around Sorsha and hugged her, then gently guided her around and back toward the barracks. A new chapter in their lives had started, but they were together, and he couldn't be happier about that.

Last updated on the January 31st 2009

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A Fond Farewell