Another Possibility

Writers: Chelle, Suzee
Date Posted: 1st March 2015

Characters: R'enh, Rhosyn
Description: Rhosyn ends up dreaming about what might have been.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 11, day 21 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: K'sedel, Hygalia, Traelyn, Jyramikah, N'vanik, Reeva, Janani,
Meledei; In response to Emma's What If Challenge

R'enh

Alone in her bed, the Weyrwoman rolled over and moved her legs just a bit.
She didn't snore but Rhosyn didn't sleep with many bedfurs. All that covered
her was a sheet due to the heat. She was comfortable, though, and by her
noises it was clear it was a good dream.

~*~

Smiling to herself, River Bluff's new Weyrwoman woke up reminding
herself just how clever her Queen was. Now there was no one who could
ever tell Rhosyn what to do or how to do it. This was her Weyr for the
rest of her life. Then, she remembered. The Flight...the
Flight...Turning over, she reached for the male body beside her. Some
of the urges of the Mating Flight were still swirling in her brain,
clouding it. Still, the body was familiar. Pulling herself against it,
she reached out and fitted against the tall man that had flown with
her, caught her. "Tell me Weyrleader...what is going to be your first
order of business hm?"

"Taking you back to bed for one," R'enh grinned and rolled over to
look at her. "After that, I suppose I'll need to talk to the former
Weyrleader and make the transition."

She squealed and squirmed beneath him. "I don't think there's any hurry."
She thought about K'sedel for a moment. Well Orlaith had chosen and River
Bluff would have young Weyrleaders. Perhaps it was for the best. R'enh would
learn given time. And she had already made the transition into most of
her duties anyway. "This is going to be so much fun." Those hazel eyes
twinkled with her happiness while her hands moved beneath the furs.

~*~
"Yes," he said standing behind the desk in his office. "That's all
for today gentlemen," he said when he spotted Rhosyn in the doorway.
He motioned her in and when the other Wingleaders had left the room he
smiled. "Good to see you today love."

She was quiet and the look on her face said she wasn't happy at all.
He might have already heard something, but they needed to talk about
it. "Hygalia came...something happened at Dolphin Cove. Something...
Traelyn is gone. Her queen is gone. That's all we can figure out without
going over there. Of course they still have their Weyrleader but now
all he has is Jyramikah and a very young gold." Rhosyn was confused
by it and didn't understand but it wasn't exactly her business. However,
if Dolphin Cove couldn't meet thread or couldn't function without a
senior queen, then it became their business.

Her hands shook slightly, afraid. **What could make a Weyrwoman up and
leave their Weyr so suddenly and take their queen with them?**

"Hey," he said and quickly went toward her to enfold her in his arms.
"I have no idea what was going through Traelyn's head but it's obvious
she needs a mindhealer." He personally had never known the Dolphin
Cove Weyrwoman nor suffered from the malady that seemed to turn
bronzeriders into lovesick boys in her presence. He was very happy
and content with his Rhosyn.

"I've had a recent communication from an old friend," he smiled down
at her. "I'll send him the name."

"Send who what name?" She was still focused on trying to figure out what
had happened, but she responded to him pushing herself into his big frame.
That was one good thing about being small. "I don't think she's coming back
from what Orlaith got..but I don't know exactly where she went. But yes,
he'll need help." She went over it in her mind. All they had was herself and
Lenala and a young gold of their own. Rhosyn couldn't spare her Second either.

"I'll send N'vanik the name of a Goldrider who might be interested in
transferring to Dolphin Cove." He tilted Rhosyn's chin up. "Don't you
worry about Traelyn, She's gone to the mindhealers. They'll help her I
promise you."

~*~

"Another one?" R'enh threw the hide on the table and stared across it
at his Weyrwoman. "They can't seem to keep a Senior Goldrider in
place. What was Janani thinking? Now, N'vanik has to promote his
'second and he's _not_ happy about it at all."

"I'm of the opinion that she wasn't. Here's the thing though. Traelyn was
from Dragonsfall. Janani was from Dragonsfall." She let that sit there
before going further. "Meledei is too young and Jyramikah...well...give up
on that one."

Her mood was just as sour as his. This time, there was no real reason except
plain and simple abandonment. Goldriders didn't abandon their Weyrs! And in
a Pass! "Shells at this point, Lenala would be better than anything they
have. If I had another breeding gold here..." But she didn't. And that was
the problem.

R'enh tilted his head down with a smirk. "Lenala? Really? I know she's
improved but she'll never be a senior weyrwoman." He shook his head
and chuckled.

"Sometimes in a Pass people have to make the best of it. She could surprise
us. Besides, Lenala is better than Jyramikah. Moot point though since
we're keeping her." Looking at the tapestry on the wall, Rhosyn started to
think. "Sending him a note and offering our help is about all we can do."

~*~

He whooped his joy and swung her around him in a circle before picking
her up. He knew he was grinning like a young boy but he couldn't help
it. "You're sure," he asked as he set her back on her feet.

It had been wonderful when Mnoranth had caught Orlaith again and Rhosyn
had breathed a sigh of relief. Then to find out she was pregnant and hadn't
managed to lose the baby had put another surprise on top of it. Since
everything was going so well, she thought it was the perfect time to
finally have the experience. "As sure as the dolphins are."

He hugged her to him for a moment. "This is wonderful," he said and
sat pulling her into his lap and looking into her eyes. He knew her
well enough to realize this might not be as happy a moment for her as
it was for him. "How do you feel about it?"

And just like that, she was at ease. She could tell him without fear
of him being upset with her because he had been her friend for so
long. The truth was-he already knew. "I'm nervous. About...labor and
all of that but also about after. I mean I know it will be fostered
but I've never been a mother and I'm not that good with young kids."
Her mouth quirked up at the left as she considered that facet of her
personality.

"I'll be there for you all the way," he said fervently. This little
fireball had lit up his life like no other and he had to admit he
loved her. "I love being a father to Zorenh and this little one will
be no different. Don't worry so much sweetheart." His hand caressed
her abdomen. "A baby," he murmured happily and kissed her again.

"Actually we probably should worry. Any child of mine...." Chances are
whether it was a boy or girl, it was going to be trouble as soon as it could
walk.

"Trust me," he grinned. "If I can handle you, I can handle them. Now
come back to bed."

"I reserve the right to say I told you so later." Following him, she decided
it would probably work itself out. After all, other goldriders had children.
And she didn't have to raise the baby. Besides, it was a long ways off.

~*~

The screaming was over and finally there was crying. Rhosyn heard it but
she was too tired to care. She just wanted to sleep. She knew Reeva was
there. Something was said and then she went to sleep. **Please just let the
pain end.**

He held the tiny bundle and looked down as he rocked back and forth.
"He's perfect sweetheart," R'enh said looking down at her. He couldn't
tell if she was just closing her eyes or asleep. He reached out with
his free hand to smooth her hair and leaned down to tenderly kiss her
temple. "You did great," he said fervently.

She made a small noise but didn't move much. Finally, though, she managed to
open her eyes and she saw him there. That was good. If he was there and
talking to her, then she hadn't died. She reached out and felt a happy Orlaith
butting up against her consciousness. That was good as well. "Shenro he is
then," she agreed since it was a boy like they had talked about.
"Want...sleep...wetnurse?" she asked in broken sentences, feeling just how
tired and dehydrated her body was.

"Yes sweetheart," he said softly. "Kiss him goodnight and you can go to
sleep."

It was hard to reach the baby in his arms and Rhosyn didn't want to move
much. With some turning and leaning on both their parts, she managed it. His
skin was soft, she remembered thinking. He was quiet, but his body was warm and
pink. **Will probably have my skin poor thing.** "Goodnight, trundlebug. Don't
give your father a fit. I give him enough." Leaning back against the pillow, she
adjusted herself, ready to take a nap. As her first labor, it had been long.
Thankfully as a rider she was in shape so after a bit of rest and food, she'd
likely be ready to greet the world.

He squeezed Rhosyn's hand and smiled gently down at the tiny face at
peace with the world as it should be. Tomorrow was another day to
fight Thread. But they and the Weyr would be ready for it.

Last updated on the March 1st 2015

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Another Possibility