If Wishes Were Runners

Writers: AL, Devin
Date Posted: 4th February 2012

Characters: N'vanik, Meledei
Description: N'vanik comes to check in on Meledei, Elleth, and the eggs.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 6, day 2 of Turn 6

N'vanik

N'vanik poked his head into the Hatching Grounds. "Meledei? Can I come
in?" Every gold was different, and since this was Elleth's first time,
he want to be extra careful.

Meledei's head popped from where she was sitting on the first row of
the stands. In her lap she had a stack of parchment and in one hand a
quill. Beside her was an inkwell, but one hand was free and this she
lifted to wave at the Weyrleader. "Sure, come on down. Elleth doesn't
mind." Indeed, the gold was the most laid back Meledei had ever seen,
not usually declining visitors.

The Weyrleader smiled and walked in. He gave a nod to the gold as he
passed. "You're looking very lovely, Elleth."

"She says thank you." Meledei passed along after a brief pause. "So
have you come to take a look at the eggs?"

"Yes. And to congratulate you on your first Clutch." He made his way
over to the young goldrider. "How was it? Did she have any problems
laying?"

"Thanks!" It would be difficult to imagine that Meledei could beam any
brighter, but the grin widened and she did just that. "No, no problems
at all. In fact, she was really sneaky and waited with the last one,
but finally laid it after we ate. But no, no problems. Everything
went really smoothly. Though I think we both kinda miss the normality
of our previous schedule."

"I can only imagine." He wouldn't be happy if he had to sit out drills
and Threadfall. Well, missing drills might not be so bad. "Thirty-two
eggs, right? A very good number for her first Clutch." Some people had
been worried Elleth wouldn't produce much since she was so small, but
the gold had done just fine.

"She wobbled instead of walked, but yes, she did very well. It was a
decently long flight." Though Meledei's memory of the passing of time
was rather vague at best. It was difficult to judge those things when
thrown into the middle of it. "People are already placing bets, I'm
sure. I'm also sure quite a few people lost some money already."

He chuckled. "Maybe that'll teach them to underestimate her." N'vanik
sat down next to Meledei. "Are you happy it was R'enh?"

"Well, I'm not _un_happy." To be honest, Meledei hadn't expected
R'enh. Sure she had a good rapport with him, but there had been
another she had thought would win. Maybe he would next time. "It just
wasn't quite the outcome I had imagined, if that makes sense."

He arched an eyebrow. "Did you want someone else?"

"Well...I kinda thought...another guy would catch, you know." Meledei
shrugged and looked back down at the parchment. "I mean, like I said,
I have a good rapport with R'ehn, but the other guy I'm closer to.
Just goes to show that dragons really do choose."

"But riders do have an influence, at least in some cases." So Meledei
had her eye on someone? He hoped that meant she was getting over her
heartache. N'vanik suspected this other guy was a bronzerider friend
of hers, and he wasn't sure he trusted the young man, but maybe this
would turn out to be a good thing. "I'm happy it was R'enh. He's a
good man and I knew he'd treat you well and respect you. I'd hate to
have to strangle the winner of your Flight."

"He is. And I'm not unhappy, like I said, was just different. I do
like him - a lot. And Mnoranth has been really good to Elleth. She
adores him." Meledei's face lit up with a grin. "She just said she
knew he was the best mate and that was why she chose him."

N'vanik chuckled. "Gotta love dragon confidence. Do you have a dress
picked out for the Hatching?"

"Oh yes, and R'enh even got me earrings to match." Meledei brightens
at that memory. "He really is sweet. He didn't have to do that."

"He strikes me as the thoughtful type. You'll be the center of
attention, so you should look your best."

"I'm going to do my best to _look_ my best." Meledei had gone over the
plans for the dress and more than one fitting. It was going to be
gorgeous and just perfect with those earrings. She'd gotten a necklace
commissioned to match as well and bracelets too. It was going to be
the fanciest she'd ever been - but this was a good reason.

He leaned over and -- on impulse -- kissed her temple. "I'm really
proud of you."

"Thanks N'vanik." Meledei was surprised but pleased by the display of
affection. It _was_ important to her that he be proud of her. "That
means a lot to me."

"Elleth chose very well." Loseth's first gold daughter, from the very
first clutch he sired. It brought a pang as he thought of Traelyn.

"Sometimes I wander, but thanks." He was heaping compliments on her
and Meledei couldn't help but beam. She saw the look on his face,
however, and her expression faded. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah, just ... wishing some things had been different."

Meledei knew exactly how she felt and she didn't have to ask what he
meant. Impulsively, she set aside the work and moved to encircle
N'vanik with her arms, bringing him into a hug, head against his
chest. "Yeah. I do too." About several things.

He wrapped an arm around her, returning the hug. "Sorry. I didn't mean
to bring the mood down."

"It's okay. Sometimes it's hard not to think about things like that."
Especially when the mood was particularly bright. Meledei could
identify with that.

N'vanik gently pulled back. "You still miss him, don't you? Your
bluerider?"

Meledei's mouth twisted. "Yeah. I guess. I mean...I do but at the
same time, I can't...I just can't go back. He's shattered my trust and
he doesn't think he did anything wrong." That was the worst part.
What he did was fine and dandy and she was the one who was wrong for
taking offense at it.

"You'll find someone else, Mel. Someone who deserves you."

"Thanks for the encouragement." Meledei grinned and pulled away.
"Some day. But not today. I'd better get back to my work. You can
stay and look at the eggs if you want, Elleth's protective, but she
trusts you."

He was very flattered the gold trusted him. "Nah, I've got hidework to
get back to, unfortunately." He got up.

"All right. She says you're welcome to later." Meledei passes along
the message and sighs. "Yep...work for me too." Waiting just for her
right where she left it. Some things just never end - even with all
the catching up she did!

Last updated on the February 18th 2012

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

If Wishes Were Runners