The Happy Event

Writers: Emma, Paula
Date Posted: 28th January 2014

Characters: Lenala, K'reyel
Description: Vilarth is clutching
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 5, day 21 of Turn 7

Lenala

K'reyel

Vilarth was moving slowly and difficultly but with determined purpose. Her
mid section was distorted and bulging with eggs. Good thing her ledge wasn't
far from the Hatching cavern. It was raining, which didn't improve the
queen's foul mood.

}: Erdenth! It's the time, :{ she called for her current mate. Like every
dragon in the Weyr didn't already know.

The Watch dragon's station was directly above the Hatching Cavern's entrance
and the young green was craning her neck down, watching the gold's painful
progress.

}: Stop oggling me, like you never seen egg heavy queen before!:{ Vilarth
snapped at her. Considering the green's age, she just might not have seen a
gold about to Clutch before.

Erdenth wasted no time in passing the message to his rider, a note of
smugness in his tone. }:Vilarth clutches,:{ he told any dragon listening.

K'reyel meanwhile, grabbed a waterproof and headed to the entrance of the
hatching caverns, unsure whether Vilarth would permit him entrance. Some
gold dragons preferred privacy at this time, others were happy to allow
spectators as they clutched.

Vilarth didn't mind spectators as long as there wasn't too many of them.

}: Hurry up! :{ she shot at her rider. Reaching her destination, she started
to push the sand around to form a wallow for her eggs.

** I'm coming!** Lenala replied. **I just need to dropp off some hides
first,** she had been busy working when Vilarth' has declared the time had
come. She just threw the hides to her desk and rushed to the Hatching
cavern.

K'reyel risked entering, asking his Erdenth to check with Vilarth that it
was all right for him to do so.

}: I let him come, :{ Vilarth replied to Erdenth's question. Satisfied with
the nest she had made, she positioned herself for laying the eggs.

Lenala ran in. "You haven't started yet? Did I make it in time?" she asked.

}; Just about to start,:{ Vilarth snorted.

"I hope we haven't missed anything yet." K'reyel watched as the gold began
to settle herself.

"No, just the preparations," Lenala said, eyes on her dragon too. "Come,
let's take a seat. If it's a big clutch this will take a long time."

"It'a a good job I haven't made any other plans."

"I have some hidework but they can wait," Lenala said. Just as they had
gotten seated, Vilarth crouched and pushed out the first egg. It was large
one with metallic sheen. "That just may be a bronze," Lenala pondered.

"I hope so," K'reyel said as he admired it. "That would be a good sign."

"Yes, it would be," Lenala agreed and leaned against her hand, while Vilarth
set to do all the labour. She laid egg after egg in a good, fast pace.

"Is that twenty out there already?" asked K'reyel

"Yes, just now," Lenala answered, she had been keeping a count. This time
the eggs seemed to come faster than last time. No matter how many times
Vilarth Clutched, it was never the same and never ceased to amaze her.

"How many do you think there will be?" mused K'reyel.

"She's been so big that it has to go over forty," Lenala estimated.

"A good, sizable cluitch then. Just what we need."

Lenala nodded. Since they were only a half way thru and Vilarth was too busy
to notice, she thought it was safe to get something to eat for them. "Do you
want something? I stop by in the kitchen for refreshments. This will last a
while yet."

"A cold drink would be good."

It didn't take long Lenala to stop by at the kitchen. It was close to the
Hatching Cavern.

"How many eggs I missed?" she asked when she came back with the tray.

"Three," he said, rising to take the tray. "And I think that's another one
now."

"And the total tally is now...what...twenty five?" Lenala asked and sat back
to her seat. If Vilarth was now at the half way, at this rate, it would be
late night before she was done.

K'reyel counted quickly, to make sure his numbers agreed with Lenala. "Yes,
that last one does make 25."

"We're going to be here for a long time yet," Lenala remarked.

~*~

Lenala had actually dozed off after the 31th egg, her head resting against
K'reyel. Vilarth had slowed down her pace.

She was jolted wake by Vilarth's sudden buggle and loud declaration, }:
That's the last one.:{

"Whuh? You're done? How many?" She rubbed the sleep off from her eyes and
got up to count the final tally.

K'reyel moved to stand slowly. "I'm not sure."

Lenala walked around the eggs, counting. "I got 39 eggs, that's a nice
tally," she said.

** How are you feeling, beloved?** she asked Vilarth.

}: I'm tired and thirsty. Erdenth, don't leave them out of your sight, I go
for a drink,:{ Vilarth replied and talked to her mate with commanding tone.

}:I will be here,:{ Erdenth told Vilarth. }:Our eggs will not be left
alone.:{

"It's a great clutch," K'reyel said, even as he took in the sight before
them. "They've done us proud."

"They have indeed. Good work, Vilarth," Lenala said. Vilarth nodded her
head, radiating maternal pride and then headed out for a drink.

Last updated on the January 28th 2014

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The Happy Event