Another Present For Meledei

Writers: AL, Ames
Date Posted: 1st May 2011

Characters: T'nom, Meledei
Description: It's Tanom's turn to give Meledei a present.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 1, day 10 of Turn 6
Notes: Follows "A Present For Meledei"
Mentioned: Z'ku

T'nom

He'd arrived just moments before the other rider, except Tanom was
still in one of the side passageways and hadn't been spotted. The
weight in his hand reminded him of why he'd come here. His fingers
glided over the wood. He hadn't known what to do for her, but this had
seemed right. It wasn't much by some people's standards, but it was
what he could offer.

He froze when he heard her voice and recognized that of Z'ku, the
bronzerider she often spent time with. He stilled. Tanom knew he
probably shouldn't stay here, but he found himself curious about their
conversation, so he remained, listening. When he heard the door open,
he had a sinking feeling in his stomach. She was inviting him in.
Perhaps they were more than friends after all. The door didn't close
and Tanom was privy to much of their conversation, a conversation that
tore at his heart. He cared for Meledei, though he had never told her
that much, nor did he have plans to do so. She was still grieving the
loss of what she'd lost. His breath caught and his eyes opened wider
as he heard Z'ku ask if they could be more.

That was enough. Tanom did not wish to hear anymore. He turned and
hurried away down the corridor, the little statue he'd crafted for her
all but forgotten in his hand. What would she want with that when Z'ku
gave her jewelery and company which clearly pleased her. He should
have known better, he chided himself, moving quickly back to his
workshop where he dropped the wood with a thunk.

Candlemarks passed as he moped and lamented the fact that he cared for
her. Shoving himself into a job, Tanom spent much of the evening and
wee hours of the night working, needing to do anything but think of
her and...him...together. "Shardit," he grumbled, tossing the wood
he'd been trying to shape to the side with force. It wasn't doing what
he wanted, nothing was going the way he'd wanted. He glanced up at the
small dragon. He'd worked on it over the past sevenday. He knew it
hardly compared to Elleth's likeness, but he'd wanted to make her
happy when she looked upon it. Frowning at it, he moved across the
room and picked up the small wooden carving, squeezing it in his hand.
Tanom was angry at himself and made to hurl the carving across the
room. Yet, when he looked into the tiny dragon's eye he simply could
not bare to do it. For the creature, like Elleth seemed to live and
breathe. He'd tried to catch her essence in wood and in some small way
it was as though Elleth was looking out at him.

Sitting the statue back down on the table, Tanom made a decision. Just
because he could never have her the way he'd hoped, that did not mean
he would ever dare turn away from her. He caressed the tiny dragon's
head with his finger and then scooped it up in his hand. In a few
moments he was once again outside her weyr. He didn't knock, he hardly
made a sound. Tanom moved forward in the night, set the small carving
down by her door and then left. He only hoped Z'ku would make her
happy. That was all that really mattered. He wanted her to be happy
more than anything else in the world.

Z'ku had spent some time with her and Meledei had been glad for the
company. She always enjoyed having her friends over, even if they
didn't do much. Sometimes it was just nice to sit and drink some wine
and chat. Eventually, though, he had to go. They both had duties to
attend to in the morning. Once he was gone, she set about to her
normal night time routine, setting out things she needed to take with
her, her clothes lying over one of the chair. She watched her face
and hung the cloth, then slipped into a tunic that came down to mid
thigh.

She did a sweep of her quarters and realised she had some dishes she
had yet to give to a drudge. Well, if she just put them out, someone
would pick them up. She gathered them and the empty glasses, then
carried them to the door and opened it. Movement caught her eye and
she blinked, the form a familiar one and before he could turn the
corner she called out, "Tanom?" She stepped forward and her foot hit
something, making it skitter a little. She looked down and saw an
object in the shadows. The dishes were set to the side and she
reached for the carving and picked it up. "Oh!"

He stopped when he heard his name. Tanom turned and his eyes gazed at
her. "Meledei. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to disturb you. I just, well,
I," he blew out an exasperated breath. "I hope I didn't some how wake
you," he added, taking in her night shift. "I wanted to, well, come
earlier, but, well, it just didn't work out. Anyway, Happy
Birthingday," he added quietly. He hadn't moved closer, assuming
perhaps that she still had company, which was something he did _not_
wish to see.

"Did you make this?" The carving was turned over and over in her hand
and Meledei's face lit up. "It's Elleth! You carved Elleth!" Her
bright eyes lifted from the miniature dragon to the man who had made.
"Tanom, this is beautiful!" She moved forward and drew closer to her
friend.

A smile started to form on his lips when he saw her reaction. "I did.
It's not much, really, but," he shrugged. "I hope you like it."

"I love it!" It was as nice a gift as the bracelet had been. Z'ku
came to mind and she smiled. She was so lucky to have Tanom and Z'ku
in her life. "Thank you. It's very sweet, and I appreciate it. You
did beautiful work. You got her head just right, her wings, the taper
of her tail. You've caught her."

"I'm glad you like her," he said quietly. He'd been watching Elleth
for some time just so he could capture her and even when he'd finished
he wasn't sure he'd really succeeded, but seeing her happiness made
him smile, forgetting how he'd felt only candlemarks before. "I
probably should go. It's late. I just wanted to make sure I got it to
you before the day was over." He wondered if Z'ku was still inside or
if the rider had already left. Had they.... No, he couldn't think
about that. It wasn't right. She was his _friend_. Friends did not
think about each other in that way.

"Yeah, it is late. But I _am_ glad you came by. And I'm especially
glad you did this for me." Meledei's birthingday had been made a lot
happier because of her friends. She was going to have to figure out
something to do for them in return. But what? She wasn't sure.
Maybe she'd come up with something after some sleep. "Catch you for
lunch tomorrow?" She asked by way of invitation.

"Sure," he replied, happy to think about spending time with her again
soon. "Good night then, Meledei." He wanted to ask her if she had
company still, but Tanom managed to keep that question from erupting
forth. If she was happy with Z'ku than he would be happy for her.
That's what real friends did for each other, even if the thought made
them feel a bit sick to the stomach. "See you tomorrow."

Last updated on the May 3rd 2011

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