[20.12.1164] Needing to Make things Right(M'riel)

[kendrall]

M'riel nodded as Shayna seemed to agree with his assessment on the two Weyrwoman Seconds. "I know you want to help, Shay," he said. "And you will, once Eodira clears you for duty."

He gave the Weyrwoman a loving smile as she tried to fight back tears, listening as she expressed her grief over the fact her now-former weyrmate tried to be there, but couldn't quite do so due to his rank. "The only way you'll get rid of me, Shayna, is if Josiath doesn't think I'm fit to be Weyrleader, and she'll make that known if she chooses another over Oreath. That, or I go down fighting or die from old age. But otherwise, I don't plan on leaving your side anytime soon." M'riel's heart skipped a beat when he heard Shayna say the simplest three words in Pernese. It meant so much to him to hear her tell him that she loved him.

All he wanted to do was to listen as she talked more about Venteran, how proud she was of her son. Then she shifted the conversation back to her daughter, and he had to chuckle with Shayna about trying to figure out how to give her a break, knowing full well she was still nursing the infant. "Well, if you want I can always stay up with you, hold you close while you're nursing Sanyara. It doesn't bother me watching you nurse her, you know." M'riel had always thought that watching his weyrmate nurse her daughter was a prime example of nature in all its beauty, even though he'd only seen her do so on very few occasions.

He simply smiled as Shayna called him on his promise to warm her up again after their visit with Venteran. As soon as she finished pulling her boots on, M'riel helped her with her cloak, then donned his own. "These winter storms will be around for a while longer," he reminded her. "Hopefully in the next few days, we'll catch a bit of a reprieve so that supply boat can get here." He held open the door for her with a gloved hand, then would close the door behind him after the Weyrwoman walked through. Once out in the hallway, he would offer his arm to her and escort her down the hallway.

[sorra]

"I know. I shouldn't be so impatient. I still get tired easily and I know I lost a lot of blood with Sanyara." She sighed softly. It kind of scared her to think about having any other children.

She looked up at him with a soft smile. "I don't know if Jo will choose someone else. I don't forsee her doing that, but you know how dragons are. They don't always listen to us." She furrowed her brow and shook her head. "Don't you even think of dying on me," she warned lowly. She was not losing him too. Not when she just willingly gave him her heart. She didn't want to miss him like she did V'ter and L'rai and how she feared she might miss R'bao too if he left her.

She definitely wished there was someway for him to be able to feed Sanyara, but she would never give up her chance and time of nursing her daughter. It had made her close with Venteran and she didn't want to lose that with Sanyara. She looked at him in surprise. "You would really stay up with me?" she asked softly. Sanyara was still wanting to wake up every couple of candlemarks. Shayna hoped that they would pass with her getting older. A blush crept up her cheeks. "That really doesn't bother you?" Of course she was certain that R'bao would have been the same way. This almost felt like a betrayal to him though. She wanted R'bao to be in his daughter's life. She would have to see what she could do about that.

She rubbed her hands together to warm herself up more. Right now winter was really not a friend to her. Normally she didn't mind the cooler temperatures, but she wasn't completely healed yet and she got cold a lot easier. "I wouldn't mind a break in the weather," she agreed. They would definitely need supplies soon and if the weather continued to be bad they wouldn't be able to get them through. She stepped into the hallway and waited for him, slipping her arm through his. She was still a bit unsteady on her feet.

[kendrall]

M'riel didn't say anything when Shayna mentioned how difficult and physically taxing it was for her when she gave birth to Sanyara. He was no Healer, but he hoped his weyrmate would recover soon enough. Ever since that night Shayna woke up from her nightmare, she and M'riel had been spending almost every night in a rather intimate fashion under the furs. Not that the Weyrleader minded, but there was always a possibility, always a risk, that the Weyrwoman could conceive at any time. It was highly unlikely, though, but one never knew for sure.

He gave an internal shrug. He and Shayna would cross that bridge if they ever got there.

"I know how dragons are, Shay," M'riel spoke after his weyrmate replied to his comment on Josiath choosing someone else. "But, again, I would tend to think Josiath will keep choosing Oreath as long as I treat you with the love and respect you deserve, and as long as I prove to be a capable Weyrleader. And the only way I would die on you is if Thread were ever to return to the skies, and Oreath and I make a critical error - or Faranth forbid the Holders decide to raise an army to attack us and we're overwhelmed." He shook his head at her. "I'll vouch for Oreath; he possesses a keen insight I don't think I've ever seen in any other. He's a strategist, Shay. He also knows how you feel about me since that's reflected in Josiath." He stopped for a moment to look into her eyes. "I also have a very nasty surprise planned for the Holders if they do decide to escalate things. Only one other person knows what that surprise is. It's something that I learned a long time ago, when I spent some time with the woodsmen near High Reaches."

M'riel managed to pick up on the subtle hint that Shayna had willingly given him her heart, and he wasn't about to play with it. He loved her dearly, and yet he wouldn't think twice about laying down his own life for her and her children. It was a part of him, a part of his nature. But until that day came, if ever, he would stay right by her side.

He nodded when Shayna asked him about staying up with her, surprise evident on her face which seemed to turn into a little embarrassment. "It doesn't bother me, Shay," M'riel replied softly. "I've seen Noemi nurse Riemi many times. Granted, I know Sanyara isn't mine...but the way I look at it, it's just one more way to show you that I love you." He gave her a quick kiss on her lips. He knew R'bao would probably have something to say about it, but M'riel would simply remind the Bluerider of long-standing tradition. If Shayna wanted R'bao to watch her nurse their daughter, that was fine with the Weyrleader...just as long as R'bao remembered to whom the Weyrwoman was bound to.

M'riel closed the door behind him when Shayna stepped into the hallway, then once she took his arm he walked slowly with her. There was no point in rushing her, especially with everything she had been through recently. "You might want to let R'bao know we're coming," M'riel suggested. "I can always wait outside in the hallway for you and Venteran."

[sorra]

Shayna closed her eyes briefly. She hoped if she ever had more children that the labor wouldn't be that bad. She wasn't sure how she had survived this one, but somehow her and Sanyara were both there. She glanced up at M'riel. Although if she wasn't careful it was very possible that she could get pregnant sooner then she wanted to. Especially with how the two of them had been. Hmm she would deal with that later. Right now there was other things to think about.

"True enough," she agreed. She would be surprised if Josiath chose another. Especially if M'riel and Oreath did continue to uphold their Leadership position and she would be surprised if M'riel didn't treat her kindly. "We still have a while before she rises again though," she said softly. She wasn't in any hurry for her queen to rise again. Besides, they had to get through Josiath's clutching and then hatching first. She just hoped it would be a good size clutch. They could use the extra dragons. She narrowed her pretty eyes. "You better not let Thread get you," she warned. "Or the Holders." She didn't want to think about the Holders actually attacking the Weyr. It still was hard for her to believe that any Holder would sink that low. "I don't think I want to know what you have planned. As long as you have it figured out," she said softly.

Shayna gave him a gentle smile. "Well, I may just take you up on that offer sometime. With the way Sanyara needs fed every couple of candlemarks I'm running on empty," she said softly. She would have to talk to R'bao, just so that he knew and it didn't come as a surprise. It wasn't like she could keep her nursing a secret. And besides, M'riel had already seen all of her, more then once if she was honest. She just hoped that R'bao wouldn't be upset. She was going to make sure that he still got to see his daughter any time he wanted to though, even if M'riel wasn't happy about that.

She stayed close to him as they started to walk. She hadn't really been up moving much, so this would be a real test of her strength. Shayna nodded a bit. "I'll have Josiath warn Serguth. That way we don't surprise him. I'm thinking I'll see if he wants to keep Sanyara with him a bit longer though." She knew he hadn't gotten a chance to see his daughter much. And she would let Venteran decide what he wanted to do afterward.

[kendrall]

"About another full Turn or so," M'riel reminded Shayna as they continued their slow progress down the corridor. "Plenty of time for Josiath and Oreath to get to know each other, and for you and I to do the same. Honestly, it feels like I've known you for a long time, Shay." He didn't know if it was because she was so much like Noemi, or the fact both he and the Weyrwoman were able to see right through each other. Regardless, he was very thankful to have Shayna by his side. "As for Thread or the Holders, we'll cross those bridges when we get there. All we can do in the meantime is plan for either event, conduct our drills as well as we can, and try to continue our negotiations with the Holders." M'riel didn't have to say out loud that last part wasn't going to be much of a success. He also just nodded when Shayna mentioned she didn't want to know what he had in mind. It was probably best for her not to know at this point. "I promise you that once I have some more answers, I'll let you in on it. Besides, Shay, I seem to recall a conversation where you said you were a good shot with a bow." He winked suggestively at his weyrmate.

M'riel nodded again when Shayna accepted his offer to stay up with her when she had to nurse Sanyara. He had a pretty good idea of how demanding and physically exhausting it was for her to nurse her daughter every two candlemarks or so. He also knew that once Sanyara was a little older, her feeding needs could be extended to every three or four.

"Go ahead and have Josiath tell Serguth we're coming. If R'bao wants to keep Sanyara for a little while longer, that's fine. Just be sure to stress the point that I'm not coming into his private quarters out of respect for him."

[sorra]

The Weyrwoman nodded. "Hopefully it will be a quiet Turn or so. We could all use that." She couldn't recall a time when they had actually gotten a bit of a break lately. There was always something going on. She chuckled softly. "Well, right now Jo seems quite content with Oreath." Although she knew the gold had called Serguth over to her ledge a couple times. She couldn't blame the gold. The two had snuggled for many Turns and it was hard to change everything. "Oh, you think you know me huh?" she asked softly, leaning against him. "Well, honestly I feel the same. At least for the most part." She knew they all still had a lot to accomplish and she hoped they could sort out the Holders peacefully. She looked up at him in surprise. "Well, yes, I am. At least I used to be," she smiled. She missed shooting her bow. Although she was going to have to see if she could get a new bow made as she had left hers at Fort.

She smiled a bit. It would be nice to have someone to talk to and lean on while nursing Sanyara. L'rai had been there a little bit when Venteran had been a baby, but she had missed having the closeness. She knew R'bao would have been there for her, but they still hadn't become an item when Venteran was an infant.

"I will," she promised. Shayna had Josiath let R'bao know that they were coming and she made sure that her gold told him that only she would be coming into his quarters. At least M'riel was being respectful there. "Alright, Jo let Serguth know. I just hope this will help with Venteran."

[kendrall]

He didn't know why, nor could he explain it, but something told M'riel this Turn would be anything but quiet. There were very few times he wished he was wrong, and this was one of them. The Weyrleader tried his best to keep it from his face, so Shayna wouldn't notice, but let a genuine smile crease the corner of his mouth when it was mentioned how Josiath felt about Oreath. "And you already know how Oreath feels about Josiath," he replied. He'd heard rumors that Blue Serguth had came over to visit the Senior Queen on occasion, but there wasn't anything he could do about that. Serguth always paid respect to Oreath, and although the Bronze was highly protective of his mate, he wasn't going to openly defy Josiath's wishes, either.

Shayna managed a playful retort to M'riel's comment about how he felt as if he'd known the Weyrwoman for much longer than they had been together, which prompted him to let out a silent laugh but his nostrils flared in and out a little as he did so. "I won't argue there, Weyrwoman," he said, gently squeezing her hand. "As for you being out of practice with your bow, it shouldn't take you long to reacquire that skill. Which reminds me, don't you have a bow of your own?" M'riel blinked inquisitively at his weyrmate.

The Weyrleader nodded when the Weyrwoman confirmed the fact R'bao was aware of the pending visit, which was perfect timing as the leaders were now nearing R'bao's personal quarters. M'riel slowed down a little, but was courteous enough to let Shayna's arm slip out of his. "Go on," he said softly. "I'll be out here in the corridor waiting."

[sorra]

Shayna didn't know M'riel well enough yet to figure out when he was hiding something. If it would have been R'bao she would have known just what he was thinking, but she was still learning all of M'riel's little quirks. "oh, I can see that everyday as I step out of our room and catch sight of the two of them snuggled together." Oreath certainly paid close attention to Josiath and the gold seemed to love it. She didn't want to think about this Turn being bad though. She just wanted to enjoy watching her daughter and son grow and getting used to the role of Weyrwoman. She didn't need anything crazy to happen.

She returned his gentle hand squeeze, grinning when she caught sight of the look on his face. Apparently he was trying very hard not to laugh. "I would hope not. I used to practice everyday." She hadn't had time lately. The Weyrwoman shook her head. "I don't anymore. I left it in Fort when I came forward in time. I couldn't figure out a way to take it and not cause V'ter to get suspicious," she admitted. She missed her bow though.

She carefully slipped her arm out of his and got her balance before heading for R'bao's weyr. "I'll be right back," she promised. She hoped R'bao would alright with all this and Venteran wouldn't be annoyed. She returned a few minutes later with a very unhappy little 4-Turn-Old. Sanyara had been sleeping in R'bao's arms and she had gladly left their daughter with her father.

[kendrall]

M'riel chuckled when Shayna mentioned how obvious it was of how Josiath and Oreath felt about each other, then nodded when she mentioned she used to practice with a bow every day, but no longer had one when she Timed it forward because she wasn't sure how to bring it with her. "I can always craft you another one, Shay," M'riel offered. "You've seen my craftsmanship with wood. It shouldn't take me long to make you another."

He nodded as he waited outside R'bao's weyr, then watched as Venteran came out with his mother. The little boy didn't seem to be pleased. M'riel knelt down to look him in the eye. "Hello, Venteran," the Weyrleader greeted him softly.

[sorra]

Shayna's silvery eyes widened a bit. " Really? You would do that?" she asked softly. She had practiced with a couple of the bows that were around the Weyr, but it wasn't the same as having her own. One that was set to her height and ability. She truly missed her bow and couldn't wait for the day she could pick one up again. Maybe Venteran would even enjoy learning how to shoot.

Venteran glared at his mother and then M'riel. He had come only because he wanted to make sure that his mother was being taken care of. Shayna sighed softly as she stood beside her son. This was not going to go well she feared. "Hello," the boy said, but still crossed his arms. It was easy to see that he wasn't going to give in easy.

[kendrall]

M'riel nodded at his weyrmate. "I'll see what we have on hand. Hopefully, I can find the right type of wood that is durable, but won't break so easily under stressed conditions. Should be light enough for you to handle." He then looked at Venteran, and noted that his arms were crossed. Shards, he thought. This isn't going to be easy...

"Venteran," he said gently, "I know you, your mother, and your father had a long talk. I'm sorry you had to be dragged into all this, that everything is so new to you now that your mother is the Weyrwoman and I'm the new Weyrleader. But that was something none of us could have anticipated. I do have an idea, though." M'riel brightened a little. "I understand you like to be up close to the dragons. How would you like to meet my Bronze, Oreath?"

[sorra]

Shayna smiled a bit. "Thank you," she said. "I do miss my bow terribly." It had been one of her ways to vent her frustrations or just relax. She stayed quiet as Venteran watched M'riel with eyes the same color as his mother's. She bit her lip, hoping that Venteran would open up a bit and be the happy and friendly child she knew he really was.

Venteran made a growl type sound in his throat that surprised Shayna. She didn't know he knew how to make such a sound. "Why didn't anyone tell me before?" he demanded. Unfortunately in this situation the boy was very bright and Shayna's shoulders slumped. She knew her and R'bao had needed to talk to him, but she had never foreseen this happening. Venteran wavered briefly, not sure how to respond. He did love dragons. "Okay," he finally agreed.

[kendrall]

M'riel sighed when Venteran demanded to know why no one bothered to warn him of the pending changes. But, he had to at least try. "I don't know how familiar you are when a dragon's about to Rise, Venteran, nor can anyone else can predict when it's about to happen. Some say there are subtle changes in a dragon's demeanor just before Rising, but I can't be positive about that. But when Authanth went Between, everyone was waiting to see which of the remaining Golds would Rise first, to become the new Senior Queen. I don't think anyone knew for certain it would wind up being Josiath."

"Oreath, my Bronze, had been courting her from the first day my Riders and I arrived. Josiath seemed to think Oreath would make a fine mate, especially after the way he outsmarted her, but I also think Josiath knew the Weyr needed a new leader. She knew the Weyr needed someone whom not only had plenty of leadership ability, but someone who'd been a proven leader before. I also came to the conclusion Josiath knew that same person needed to be capable of protecting everyone, including your mother and little sister. That same person also would have to treat your mother with kindness, love, and respect, to be her guide and adviser in her new role as Weyrwoman."

He looked up at Shayna for a moment, looking into her eyes, then looked back at Venteran. "Your mother told me how protective you are of her and your little sister, and I think you're a very brave young man. I know that I could never take your father's place, Venteran, and I don't want to. I'd rather be your friend first, if you'll have me." It wasn't often that M'riel opened himself up like this, but if he could get the boy to at least give him the benefit of the doubt, it would be a start.

The Weyrleader rose to his feet, then waved Shayna and Venteran back towards his mother's weyr. "Come on. While you're deciding on whether or not to accept me as a friend, let's go meet Oreath. I think you'll find for yourself that you'll probably never find a larger Bronze in the entire Weyr."

[sorra]

Venteran still kept his arms crossed as he listened to M'riel. He didn't understand everything since was young yet, but he knew that Taenia's gold had died and that they didn't have a Weyrwoman. he looked at his mother accusingly. "You and Jo always know what's going on." At least in his eyes they did. That was why he couldn't understand why she hadn't known this time.

"Sweetie, she caught me by surprise this time. I was preoccupied with your little sister," she admitted softly. She hadn't even noticed the signs that Josiath had shown before she rose. Which was odd. Shayna could always tell when her gold was going to rise.

Venteran let that one go for the moment and turned back to M'riel. "Why did she think you would be a good leader?" the boy asked, more curious then anything. He still watched M'riel closely though. To him his daddy would be a good leader. Of course he still didn't understand that a blue rider could never be a Weyrleader. Although Serguth would always be special to Venteran. "You better be nice to her," the boy warned. He didn't know what he would do, but he would not let M'riel hurt his mother.

He nodded. "She's my mother," he answered as Shayna managed a weak smile in M'riel's direction. "And my sister is tiny." He narrowed his blue eyes. "I don't want another daddy. I love my daddy," he answered. He cocked his head to the side for a minute. "Maybe," he finally answered. He wasn't sure if he wanted M'riel as a friend yet or not.

He didn't argue when it came time to see Oreath though. The boy loved dragons after all. "Not bigger then Josiath!" he said proudly. At least in his mind no dragon could be bigger then his mother's gold. Even though Tsunath was larger. Shayna stayed by her son as they walked back to the weyr.

[kendrall]

"Well," M'riel started as the trio headed back. "That's a fair question. It's said that a Rider's personality is reflected in his or her dragon's, and the dragon's is likewise reflected in his or her Rider. I was the second-in-command of the Guards at High Reaches Hold, and the top advisor to my brother who was the Captain of the Guards, when I became a Candidate. When I stood on the Hatching Sands much later, Oreath somehow knew that I had been an experienced and proven leader, otherwise he would have Impressed to someone else. I don't know how or why, but he just knew. Insight, I guess." M'riel shrugged. "Dragons just seem to have this gift of insight that none of us will ever quite fully understand, Venteran. But I trust Oreath's insight, the same as your mother trusts Josiath's. I guess that was why Josiath chose Oreath."

Like Shayna, M'riel knew the little boy was too young to understand that a Blue could never participate in a Goldflight. But the Weyrleader knew eventually, Venteran would know why. Along with another painful truth that the Weyrleader dared not bring up.

M'riel let out a gentle laugh when Venteran warned him to be nice to his mother. "I'll be nice to your mother, Venteran. You have my word on that. And I know you love your father, which is why I could never take his place. Like I said, I'd rather be your friend first."

The Weyrleader spared a glance at Shayna when her son said that it wasn't possible for Oreath to be bigger than Josiath. Just about every Rider in the entire Weyr knew Oreath easily rivaled Tsunath in size, and was slightly larger compared to the Senior Queen. Venteran was about to be surprised.

By the time the trio made it back to Shayna's weyr, M'riel opened the door for his weyrmate and her son. "Oreath," the Weyrleader called. "We have a guest." A delighted croon could be heard in the back, and M'riel waved Venteran on through. "Go on," he encouraged. "Go say hello to him."