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She Who Watched Him Birthed Twice

Writers: KC
Date Posted: 20th October 2025

Characters: K'daen, Sira
Description: K'daen and his mother had a chat and a laugh
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 10, day 18 of Turn 12


The afternoon sun shimmered over Dolphin Cove’s lake, turning the surface into molten bronze. The scent of wet dragon hide and sweet oil hung in the air as K’daen worked the brush across Zarenth’s shoulder, the young brown crooning in contentment. Ripples spread where Zarenth’s tail swished lazily through the water, his hide gleaming dark gold-brown beneath the light.

“You’ve got to stop flicking your tail like that,” K’daen said with mock sternness, squinting as water splashed up and dotted his shirt. “You’re going to soak me before I even finish your wing.”

}:You’re already wet from scrubbing me. It makes no difference.:{ Zarenth’s tone was calm, factual, and thoroughly unbothered. }:Besides, the water feels nice. You should relax more.:{

K’daen huffed softly, though the edge of a smile tugged at his mouth. “If I relaxed any more, I’d sink.”

He was just reaching for the oil pot when a voice behind him cut through the gentle hum of the lake. “You always did talk too much to your chores.”

Before he could turn, hands met his back with a decisive shove, and K’daen went flailing into the water with a startled yelp and a spectacular splash.

When he surfaced, sputtering and slick-haired, his mother stood on the shore with her hands on her hips and a grin sharp enough to outshine the sun.

“Mother!” he gasped, shoving wet hair out of his eyes. “What in Faranth’s name"”

“Oh, don’t look at me like that,” she said, laughing, her voice full of unrepentant delight. “You needed cooling off. You always get too serious when you’re doing...well anything. A fine Weyrling you’ll make, all solemn and stiff like a bronze.”

“That’s because I’m trying to do it right,” K’daen said, half choking on a laugh of his own. “And I’m not solemn!”

Sira kicked off her sandals and waded in up to her knees, no thought given to her clothing l. “Mm-hm. You’re my son, love. I’ve seen your ‘doing it right’ face since you were old enough to hold a brush. It’s the same one you made when you used to polish your my boots trying to let me sleep beside my green beauty.”

That earned her a quiet snort from K’daen. “That was a lifetime ago.”

“And yet here you are,” she said, cupping his cheek for a brief moment before turning to look at Zarenth, who rumbled a greeting so deep it stirred the water around them. “And now you’ve done it. After all those Hatchings, all those turns… you finally found your place.”

Her smile softened, the laughter slipping into something brighter, prouder. “I always knew you would, K’daen. I just worried you’d stop believing it yourself.”

K’daen’s throat tightened as he looked from her to the young dragon, who had gone very still, his eyes whirling a tranquil blue-green.

}:She is warm, like the morning after rain:{ Zarenth said softly to the older green dragon sunning on the rocks nearby. }:She makes him feel… light. Like he forgets the weight he carries.:{

Deythath’s mindvoice was a shimmer of laughter and leaves brushing in the wind. }:Of course she does, little one. She has loved him since before his first breath. You must keep him safe now, as she once did.:{

}:I will:{ Zarenth promised, his tone a rumble of certainty that seemed to vibrate through the ground itself. }:He is mine as much as he is hers. I will make her proud of him, too:{

Deythath’s eyes glimmered with approval as she lowered her muzzle toward the lake, sending a ripple of blue-green light through the shallows. }:Then you will do well, Zarenth. That is all any of us can ask.:{

On the shore, Sira watched the dragons in companionable silence, her eyes tracing the lines of her son’s face. He looked older now, though it had only been days. There was something steadier in him; something that hadn’t been there before Zarenth.

“You know,” she said finally, reaching out to flick a droplet from his hair, “I don’t think I’ve ever been prouder of anyone in my life.”

K’daen smiled, and this time it reached all the way to his eyes. “You’re just saying that because you birthed me.”

“Oh please,” Sira scoffed, though her laughter caught in her throat she looked at Zarenth, her gaze tender, “he suits you. Steady, kind, and stronger than you think.”

“I get that last part from you,” K’daen said quietly.

Sira leaned in and kissed his temple. “Then I did something right.”

They stood together in the lake, the water reflecting the warm colors of the setting sun, Zarenth humming faintly as Deythath’s tail stirred the water nearby. For the first time in a long while, K’daen didn’t feel the ache of waiting. Only the peace of belonging.

Last updated on the October 28th 2025


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All references to worlds and characters based on Anne McCaffrey's fiction are © Anne McCaffrey 1967, 2013, all rights reserved, and used by permission of the author. The Dragonriders of Pern© is registered U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, by Anne McCaffrey, used here with permission. Use or reproduction without a license is strictly prohibited.