lox2

Lox was in the Candidate barracks, thinking over this whole 'sensing dragons' thing, yet one more time. How confusing could life be right now? Of course her father had contacted her, just one brief note ordering her home. She had refused and sent her own message to him. Nothing came from her family from that point, but word had it she was officially disowned.
It had better be worth it. Loxen thought, laying on her cot and staring at the ceiling. It had better be worth it. But deep down inside she knew it wouldn't be. She had run away, 'to the Weyr', and would never Impress. She knew she wasn't meant for a dragon, that no dragon would really want her. She let one tear slide down her cheek before she chided herself for being stupid.
Way to go Lox, you've officially ruined you life. Perhaps you should run away to the dolphins afterall, maybe then you'd learn some sense! Nallian would beat it into you!
Lox sighed, again, and continued to scrutinize the ceiling.
"Eggs are Hatching! All Candidates to the Hatching grounds.............The eggs are Hatching, hurry!" A voice and footsteps came 'shouting' their way through the corridors. The eggs? Hatching? Loxen had no time to waste, why hadn't the dragons hummed? No matter, she must hurry.
She slipped the white Candidates garb over her forhead, and rushed out to meet the other Candidates racing down the hall. She didn't think not to bother, as she'd been considering, she only knew she must be there.
Of course she got there late, panting and dirty like the rest of the Candidates; no proper way to present yourself to the dragonets, but what could they do? She watched in half-dazed clarity as the first dragons chose their riders. She watched eagerly as a green past her by, creeling for some other girl, and wistfully as yet another hatched and made a skyline directly for the girl, what was her name? Ah yes, Ruinta.
As she watched the males Impress, Loxen suddenly realized that life had been moving very quickly these past few minutes, and what would come of it? She probably wouldn't Impress, not at all. A sudden pang of loneliness filtered through her, and she didn't notice a green dragonet breaking through her shell, and start running right towards her. She didn't notice the tiny creature until the little female stopped, halfway from her egg, and then looked at Loxen. Loxen felt her breath catch in her throat and her heart stop as thousands of feelings and emotions flittered through her body. But mostly there was love there, and recognition, and respect, and love.
Loxen ran to meet her new dragonet, her life partner, he friend. She dropped to the sand beside the tiny creature, reassuring the green the whole time. The green's eyes whirled as they locked once more with Loxen's.
Lox? I am Tiernith. I'm glad you waited for me! Loxen laughed as she dashed tears from her own eyes.
I'm glad I waited too. Loxen replied, hugging Tiernith tightly.
Lox? Tiernith's young voice was a delight to Loxen.
Yes Tiernith? Are you hungry? Loxen had been informed that all the dragonets would be hungry, and tried to anticipate Tiernith's needs. She felt a warm ray of approval and admiration coming from the tiny green.
You are so smart Lox, no wonder I chose you! Loxen smiled, hugged her dragonet one more time, and led the green Tiernith from the Sands.

Loxen stretched lazily. A day off from weyrling practice suited her just fine; and she was sure Tiernith felt the same way. It seemed the greenriders had to work twice as hard, because they were in the most danger during Threadfall.
It does not seem that way to me Loxen. The appearingly sleeping Tiernith said, without so much as flicking a closed eyelid. The two were stretched out in the grassy area of the weyrbowl, a favourite place for rider to rest and relax with their dragons. Loxen and her green weren't alone on the green that day, they were joined by several other weyrling and their riders as well.
I thought you were sleeping. Loxen told her dragon dryly, laying back into the grass and looking up at the clouds; she yawned, and Tiernith lifted her great head and did the same. Snapping her jaws a few times, Tiernith looked about the green, and then shifted to lay her head close to her rider.
Did you? Well, I'm not. Tiernith turned her head slightly, indicating that she wanted scratching from Loxen. My head itches. The young dragon informed her rider, and Loxen smiled.
Of course it does lovely. You're still growing. And she sat up to relieve her itching beast. Tiernith began crooning immediately, and Lox smiled. You are such a baby. Loxen told her beast.
So what if I am? It's much more fun than being mean like Diedileth!
"Too true lovely, too true."
Tiernith 'hmmphed' and lowered her head again to take a nap. Lox petted at her dragon's neck before doing the same. But just before they were both asleep, Tiernith's voice came into Loxen's mind.
Lox?
Yes lovely?
Is fighting Thread really more dangerous for a green?
No lovely, it's not that much more dangerous. Loxen tried to comfort her beast. Fighting Thread is dangerous for all dragons; it's just greens are so small they have to be in and out of it a lot more. But don't worry Tiernith, hardly any greens ever get hurt. Mostly it's the bigger dragons that take scores. Clumsy things that they are. Loxen heard Tiernith's mental chuckle and "listened" as her dragon went off to sleep. Despite Tiernith's size, she was still a child in many ways. She was full of gentle questions and the need to be comforted.
But Lox loved Tiernith, and the dragon's calming presence had mellowed Loxen out somewhat, and given her a bit more confidence. Until Tiernith, Loxen had considered it daring to make her own decisions, and now, well, it was just routine.
Loxen hadn't heard much from her family in about a month. What did it bother her? She had a new family now, the dragonriders. Dragonriders were supportive and caring towards one another, they formed close bonds with those they worked with, and they understood each other- for the most part. No, Lox was perfectly happy where she was and with what she was doing. Afterall, who'd want to be locked away in a Hold when you could be sitting on a green with your very own dragon?

I hate this. Tiernith said as Loxen gave her more firestone.
I know love, so do I. But we are dragonriders, and dragonriders must sear Thread from the sky! Loxen smiled ruefully at the words of the song. Tiernith snuffed but willingly took more firestone.
I know.
Why does it bother you so much now sweetling? It never did before. You used to love it all, killing the enemy, protecting the Weyr...
Gameleth didn't die of Thread before! Tiernith sputtered, and Lox grimaced. Gameleth had been Tiernith's mate. When Tiernith had flown, the blue Gameleth had always caught her, and Tiernith developed an affinity for him. Lox semi-liked Gameleth's rider, C'rol, as well, so it was a good thing all around.
But nearly a month ago (is that all it was? Loxen mused), Gameleth had taken a full on hit, he didn't even have time to duck between before it ate half of him and all of C'rol. Loxen shuddered at the memory. She had been part of Gameleth's wing, and had witnessed the whole thing.
I know Tiernith, but we must move on. Thread must be fought, as always. You are clever, and quick, you will not perish like Gameleth did.
I know that. Tiernith wailed, and nudged as Loxen as the young woman mounted. But I miss Gameleth, and I don't want anyone else to fly me. Lox smiled and patted her dragon affectionately.
Of course not dear. Not that they can catch you anyways. Now let's stop thinking about this and listen to our orders. Tiernith complied with a warble that made Lox laugh.