Leaving is Never Easy

Writers: Chelle, Suzee
Date Posted: 21st October 2014

Characters: Rhosyn, R'enh
Description: A look at some of their history as she prepares for another clutch.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 9, day 14 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: K'sedel

R'enh

It had been a few sevendays since Orlaith had Risen and Rhosyn was
both happy and disappointed. On the one hand, she knew K'sedel and
could handle working with him. No changes there and the sameness
helped her to focus on the other areas of her life that were upside
down. Deep down, though, she had wondered if someone else had caught
if there might have been something-someone-to come into her life and
give her something different to look forward to. She had gone down to
inspect the Hatching Sands since it wouldn't be too much longer before
her Queen would be nesting and found herself distracted. Her mind was
going to other Hatchings, other Flights-from before. And then it
stopped on one night, nine turns ago. Her hand went to her chest,
remembering.

~*~
He was young and she was lovely. All that glorious hair tumbled around
her shoulders and splashed across his chest in waves.
He hugged her to him. "You're beautiful Rhosyn," R'enh whispered so as
not to wake her. He just wanted to glory in the moment. They'd done
it. All that bravado had finally been proven and they'd won gold, not
to mention the fact that he held his crush in his arms.

The noise roused her, but it was a slow waking since she didn't move much.
Her body was languorous and her muscles had taken a bit of a beating, albeit
a good one. His words filtered through and it brought a smile. Hazel
eyes opened and she saw him. Of course she had known R'enh somewhat,
growing up, but she had been older so he was in a different crowd of
brats than her. However, when he had Impressed bronze, he'd made her
list of need-to-knows. Now, however, he was on another list entirely.
"You're not so bad yourself. Matter of fact, come here..." She moved
up, sliding up his body, to capture his lips in a kiss.

~*~
Pain was what he felt, Pain swept up his arm and down his thigh but
the first thing he heard was a brass bellow and the exultant voice in
his head.

}:You're awake,:{

**Yes,** he groaned and felt a cool touch on his forehead. "Not so
loud," he croaked. He was confused, "What happened?" he asked the
hand.

"Shhhh don't move," came the soothing voice. The rest of the room was
quiet which was probably the first sign that R'enh wasn't in the Infirmary.
Rather, the bronzerider was in a nice comfortable bed. "You were scored,
but you're going to survive. Mnoranth is alright, just a bit scarred. It's
not major." And for that Rhosyn was thankful.

When she had heard, she had immediately gone after them. Orlaith's size
had come in handy and the golden pair managed to catch the injured to get
them to the Weyr. It had been the sight of R'enh-the rider that didn't judge
her-hanging in the straps that had sent Rhosyn's heart into her lungs.
Handing him over to the healers had been hard, but when he was well
enough she'd had him moved to her weyr. A bad goldrider-but still a
goldrider-she had gotten her way.

~*~
"Friends?" He practically yelled the question at her. "Is that all we
are then?" He shook his head and his eyes narrowed. "Fine," he said
after a moment of hard staring. "I don't want to get in your way and I
appreciate everything you've done," he softened his attitude and took
a deep breath. "I honestly mean that."

"Not it's not but....you're better than me." She gave a soft smile. Besides
that, she wasn't stupid. Rhosyn knew better than anyone that R'enh wasn't
good tied down-he never was. "I won't hold you, knowing just how it feels
to be tied down to duties and responsibilities that choke you. Be what you
want and who you want." In the back of her mind, it was hurting to do this,
but she knew it was for the best. At least now they didn't hate each other
yet. "You can't tell me you would be happy with just me." The look in her eyes
was sad, tinged with something else-vulnerability maybe?

He looked at her a long moment then closed his eyes and shook his
head. "I wanted to be," he said softly and took her into his arms.
"You're worth it."

~*~

"I have to go. I can't do this anymore. I can't stand being held down to the
ground when all I want to do is fly. It's killing me everyday to the point
where I don't even want to wake up some mornings." Rhosyn was reaching the point
of frustration where she was afraid she would resort to violence.
Right now, she took her revenge in little ways-not wearing the proper
dress or showing up late to feasts. It wasn't enough, though.

"This is my chance. They don't know me there. I could be anything, R'enh."
She was torn between leaving him and knowing this was probably the only
opportunity she would get.

"I know," R'enh smiled sadly. She was one of his dearest friends in so
many ways and he didn't want her to leave. But she wasn't being given
a fair shot here. "You have to go and see if you can make a real
difference there. They need you Rhosyn." Then he smiled and when his
arms enfolded her he made a promise. "I'll always be your friend, no
matter where we are."

"Maybe....someday you might come?" She tried to keep the hope out of
her voice. She wasn't pulling a promise from him, just a possibility.
Rhosyn would never order him to do anything-not after all the orders
she'd received during her career as a dragonrider. "And if you need
anything, you can tell me. If there's something I can do, I will."

She disappeared into his arms, younger than hers, but just as capable.
So well she knew them. Now she'd be on her own, alone. Could she do it
without him always there? Goldrider or not, he'd been her refuge in
more ways than one, and it scared her to think he wouldn't be right
there. "I'll miss you." She could feel it, though, a change coming.
She wouldn't be standing still, pushing against the wall anymore.

"Maybe someday," he told her. He knew he'd have to get on the ball
soon and figure out a way to advance himself. He was ready for a
Wingsecond slot and he knew it. But for some reason he was hitting a
stone wall. "You have to find your place and so do I," he held her
close just savoring the warmth and strength of her. "I know you'll be
great and I'll never be more than a thought away. Remember that
Rhosyn. Call me and I'll come."

After awhile, she finally let him go and stepped back. "I have to go now,
before I don't. This isn't goodbye." Capturing him as he looked just then
into her memory, she lifted her head up. Turning to go, she ran for her
queen, pulling onto the harness and mounting before she couldn't. And into the
wind, she said softly, "I love you."

~*~

Blinking, she saw again the hot sands of the Hatching Grounds and wondered
what might have happened if he hadn't gone to Dolphin Cove. He'd never
disappointed her, after all. But now there was that greenrider wasn't
there? Sighing, Rhosyn turned to head back into the Bowl.

Last updated on the October 27th 2014

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Leaving is Never Easy