Somewhere They Would Rather Be

Writers: Dana, Eimi
Date Posted: 7th September 2005

Characters: Traelyn, U'kaiah
Description: Trae's visit with U'kaiah is interrupted by the start of the Hatching
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 7, day 20 of Turn 3

U'kaiah had been awake for the last candlemark, lying flat on his back and resting. **Resting... just how much rest does a body need?**

}: As much as the healers and the Weyrwoman say it needs. :{ Kalamath responded forcefully.

**You're in a rare mood. Did they put you on bed rest too?** U'kaiah asked grumpily.

}: I know that I need sleep and rest so I am sleeping and resting. But the sun is not warm today. :{ the bronze complained.

**At least you have the option.** his rider grumbled back. Just what did they expect him to do with himself for days in bed?

}: Sleep. :{ His bronze responded.

U'kaiah rolled his eyes ceiling-ward. **I _was_ sleeping. I have been sleeping. And I'm sure soon I will sleep again. Why don't you make yourself useful. Is there no gossip or exciting news that you can entertain me with? Have the eggs Hatched yet?**

}: No. They will soon. :{ Kalamath replied. }: _Really_ soon now. :{ His lifemate could hear the bronze's excitement. A queen egg would hatch. A potential new mate. U'kaiah set his mind to wondering just who it might be. If he wasn't stuck in bed he would have been asked to escort one of the candidates to the sands as was tradition. He would have worked it so it would have been Kamira, U'kaiah thought with a lazy smile. Now wouldn't it be nice if _she_ Impressed the gold. }: I can fly a green too, you know.:{ Kalamath murmured sleepily.

**That you could, my friend, and quite well.** U'kaiah settled back into his pillows, happily recalling the night he had spent with Kamira before the last Fall at Dolphin Cove. It was a much more pleasant thing to think about than how bored he had been the past few days. He remembered her enthusiasm, her smile, her languid eyes...

"Sometimes you worry me when you smile like that," Traelyn told him teasingly as she took her usual seat in the chair next to his bedside.

"Trae!" U'kaiah said, startled out of his reverie. "I didn't notice you come in." He turned a broad, though thoroughly guilty smile towards the gold rider. "Come to keep a dying man company?"

She snorted. "You're certainly _not_ dying." She gave him a thorough once-over and then glared good-naturedly at him. "Not _any_ part of you." The look she gave him was knowing, and the grin that turned up the corners of her lips was rather impish.

"But I am dying, my dear Trae," U'kaiah said piteously, having regained his composure easily. At least it hadn't been Jaela! "I'm dying of boredom and... a lack of recreation. I think you are just the right person to help me in at least _one_ of those areas."

One pale brow rose. "I'm glad you think so, U'kaiah. Now, which one of those areas shall I help you with?" She gave him an innocent look, but her gray eyes flickered. She was laughing at him. "Well, I'm not sure. Which one of those are you _good_ at?" he asked challengingly.

"Both." Deciding to take him up on his little challenge, she added, "I can please a man both between the furs," she smiled sweetly at him, "and out." Traelyn patted his arm gently, like she had done to teasingly consol Birigundi many times. "But I think that we should stick to what's easier for you, hmm?" "Unfortunately, the healers wouldn't approve of that. And what the healer's know Jaela knows, no doubt. Therefore we are left with only using our mouths for talking." He sighed dramatically.

"That's what I was _getting_ at," she told him, rolling her eyes before giving him an amused look. Apparently their views about what was "easy"
weren't quite the same. "Oh, well, why didn't you just _say_ so instead of getting my hopes up."
U'kaiah gave her a little wink.

She grinned, leaning forward to rest her forearms on the bed. "My poor bronzerider...he suffers so much." The bronzerider grinned. "Trust me, as soon as I'm cleared by the healers all the women in the Weyr better go into hiding. I just might land myself back in this bed for a much more pleasant exertion than fighting Thread."

"Who says they'll _want_ to go into hiding? I _know_ of your infamous reputation with the ladies, U'kaiah. I think they'll throw a party instead to celebrate your return from the celibate..." "Stop, please! It's torture enough now," the bronzerider chuckled. "Talking about it is making it ten times worse!"

"Men." She shook her head, chuckling, before she moved to affectionately rest her forehead briefly on his shoulder. "Well, if you like I'll invite you to my party," he said in a teasingly magnanamous tone.

"Oh, how _nice_ of you." She lifted her head to look at him. "But I think that party would just be too wild for me," she winked. "You're probably right." U'kaiah nodded. "It might even be a little too wild for me, but I'm willing to risk it."

"Typical response," she laughed. The bronzerider suddenly cocked his head to the side, straining to hear.
"Wait a moment," he whispered.

}:Yes, our new queen is coming!:{ Kalamath cried with great anticipation.

Traelyn met U'kaiah's gaze and her eyes were suddenly lit with anticipation.

}:It begins, Trae.:{ The melodious humming of the dragons began to resound throught the Weyr.
Trae stood, still looking at her friend. "You're not planning on wearing _that_ to the Hatching of our newest queen, are you?" U'kaiah asked softly. She had nothing to appologize for, and he had nothing to regret. He resented not being able to attend the Hatching and the great feast that would undoubtably follow, but it was all done in the service of Pern and he would do it again if called on. "Go make yourself beautiful. Well, _more_ beautiful, if that's possible. But you'd better hurry or you'll be late."

Traelyn gave him a smile, reached for his hand and squeezed it gently for a moment, looking at him. Then she turned and disappeared between the opening of the curtain.

U'kaiah watched her go and leaned his head back onto the pillows. He listened to the excited whispers and footsteps rushing for the doors.

"Healer!" he called as loud he could muster.

The flushed face of an apprentice peeked inside the curtain, obviously annoyed at being stopped before she could make her escape. "Yes, wingleader?"

"Could you just open the curtains for me?" he asked, pointing to the cloth that encircled him.

"Certainly, sir," she said as she began pulling and tying the cutains out of the way. He found it admirable that she was able to keep all but the barest hint of annoyance out of her voice. When the task was done she took a hesitant step towards the door, the humming much louder now. "Anything else, sir?"

"Yes. Dance once for me down there," the bronzerider replied with a wink.

"Yes, sir," she smiled before quickly heading for the door.

U'kaiah could look around the infirmiry now and see the other riders who were awake enough to know what was happening. They all had their heads cocked to the side, listening. He could read the expression on their faces as easily as he could hear his own thoughts. They all had somewhere they would rather be.

Last updated on the September 7th 2005

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Somewhere They Would Rather Be