Melisande wiped the tears from her eyes and watched slowly as Kath flew out over the ocean. The blue dragon wasn’t flying straight, it looked like it was barely keeping itself in the air. He’s too thin. Melisande decided. He hasn’t eaten since, since.... The breath caught in Melisande throat and tears flowed from her eyes. Faith chirped and rubbed her head against Melisande’s cheek.
Melisande sniffled and finished the thought. Since I’wen died. Since my husband died.
Melisande was now 35 turns and still living at Adanuk Weyr. She’d stood for a few more searchings, but only until she met I’wen. It had been love at first sight. He’d courted her for two turns before they were married. Melisande cried and cried remembering. She remembered the first time she’d met I’wen’s dragon, Kath. She remembered when she first discovered she was pregnant. She remembered her son, Kamlin’s birth. She remembered I’wen and it hurt.
Faith began to make a sobbing sound herself and even Kath gave a sad roar. The fact that the blue had stuck around even after I’wen’s death was a miracle. It had been almost two seven-day and the dragon was still here. He hadn’t eaten or slept, but he was alive. Lucky dragon, Melisande thought. You can disappear between and no one will blame you. What about me? How am I supposed to go on without him? How am I supposed to continue living? Melisande collapsed to the ground and sobbed until it hurt. Kath landed beside her, much to Faith’s dismay. The golden firelizard had never grown accustomed to having the big blue around. Kath touched his head to Melisande’s. I won’t leave you alone Mel. I’wen wouldn’t want me to.
Melisande stroked the blue’s eyeridges. Kath had bespoken her once or twice before. It took a lot of effort on the blue’s part, but because she was so close to I’wen it made it easier. Melisande leaned on the blue and the two made their way back to Adanuk Weyr.
"Mommy!" Kamlin screamed and ran to Melisande. Melisande picked up her child and cried into his blond hair. He looks so much like his father....
Iltar looked sorrowfully at her. As soon as she set Kamlin down, she was swooped up in his embrace. "Gods Mel. I’m so sorry."
She simply cried onto his shoulder.
Kamlin, who was only 8 turns, realized why Melisande was crying and took this opportunity to break out into tears himself. Melisande quickly ran to her son. "Shhh....love." Melisande rocked him back and forth. She felt so alone. Kath’s words echoed in her mind. I won’t leave you alone Mel. I’wen wouldn’t want me to. Melisande found herself sarcastically thinking. Exactly who would you leave me with? Kamlin fell asleep in her arms, but Melisande continued to silently cry. I’m alone.
"Kamlin, come back here." The child quickly continued running along the beach though. Melisande smiled and raised her eyes heavenward. "What am I supposed to do with that child?"
Faith chirped happily in response, glad to see her friend smiling.
Kath smiled as well. The blue was way too thin. He was weak and barely alive. Everyone knew that it was sheer determination that kept Kath on his feet. Determination and devotion to Melisande. The blue walked with Melisande and her son along the beach. It’d been almost a turn since I’wen’s death.
Kamlin came back covered in sand and grinning. "Come look, mom."
Melisande obediently followed her nine turn son down to a hole he’d found. She smiled and laughed as she watched him dig in the sand for buried treasure. She finally helped him out of the hole when it got to deep and, dirty and sweaty, the two headed for home. Melisande laughed and played with Faith all the way back. She hadn’t had this much fun since ...... well ..... she couldn’t remember. When they were within sight of the weyr, Melisande turned to her son. "Race you home."
She gave Kamlin a good two minutes head start before taking off at a leisurely jog. She watched Kamlin run his little heart out and smiled. Somehow the girl who always managed to out run her older brother, couldn’t out run her child. Tonight is a good night. She decided. I’ve finally had a good night. Things are looking up.
Melisande entered the weyr and was amazed to find a small green-gold dragon there. Beside it stood Senior Queen Hyth, Weyrwoman Magika, and a woman Melisande had never seen before. Kamlin was already standing next to Weyrwoman Magika telling the Weyrwoman all about the hole. Melisande smiled and approached. "Sorry Weyrwoman. He’s just excited. C’mon Kamlin. Home."
Magika smiled and put a restraining hand on Melisande’s shoulder. "No, don’t go. You’re just the person I wanted to talk to."
Melisande raised a brow and waited for the Weyrwoman to continue.
Magika smiled. "First allow me to introduce Weyrwoman Baeris of the Healing Den. Baeris, Dulath, this is Melisande. The person Kath told you about."
Melisande politely shook Baeris’ hand and wondered what this was all about. What was Kath telling strange Weyrwomen?
Instead of continuing Magika just watched Baeris and the smaller dragoness, Dulath. Melisande was bemused. Where was Kath anyways?
Baeris grinned. "You always send me the odd ones Magika. You must purposely save them up."
Magika laughed. "Sure. So you’ll take her?"
Baeris nodded after a quick glance to Dulath. "Yep."
Melisande opened her mouth, but Kamlin beat her to it. "Take my mom where?"
"The Healing Den, of course." Baeris stated matter-of-factly. "To stand for the second frenzy clutch."
Melisande almost fainted. "Me.....impress...but.....but......" Her mind finally caught up with her. "But I’m 36 turns! Aren’t I too old?"
Magika smiled. "How old was Helena when she impressed at the last frenzy clutch. About 32 turns would you say? I don’t think 4 more would make that much more difference."
Melisande’s knees grew weak. "You’re serious aren’t you? After all this time, I’m going to be a candidate." Melisande smiled and hugged Faith, then Kamlin, who still didn’t know what was going on.
"So you’re going to impress a dragon. Just like dad?" Kamlin asked her quietly.
Melisande immediately understood her son’s fear. "Oh, honey. Don’t worry. I’ll be fine. I won’t leave you ever." She quickly hugged Kamlin again, this time removing his fears. She then thought of a problem. She turned to Baeris. "I will be taking Kamlin with me." It wasn’t a question.
Baeris laughed. "Of course. The more the merrier." Dulath, on the other hand, snorted at the thought of carrying another person.
Melisande’s smile quickly returned. "How did you find me?"
Baeris’ smile faded slightly. "Kath. He told Dulath to come here and look at you. He thought you should impress. He thought you needed someone. But most importantly, he knows you. He knew you would make an ‘impressive’ (pardon the pun) candidate."
Melisande let out a noise of joy and spun Kamlin around. Faith quickly retreated to Magika’s shoulder at this odd behaviour from her owner.
When he was free from his mother’s excited embrace Kamlin raised another problem. "What about Kath?"
Melisande stopped dead in her tracks. "Where is Kath?"
Hyth’s voice echoed through all their minds. You won’t have to worry about Kath any more.
Melisande ran. She ran all out the weyr doors, down to the beach and right up beside the collapsed blue dragon. She’d been so excited, she’d forgotten him. She laid against his flank as it heaved up and down. She softly cried. "You’re leaving."
Kath almost smiled. I was supposed to be gone along time ago.
Melisande sobbed softly. "Then why did you stay?"
I couldn’t leave you alone. Now Baeris and Dulath are here. They will take you to somewhere safe. You will impress Melisande. You’ll have someone to protect you.
Melisande wiped her tears away. She could no longer cry. It was best. Every moment away from I’wen was pure agony for Kath. Melisande realized how selfish she was being. She stepped away from the blue, ready to let him find peace at last.
Will you be okay without me, Mel?
Melisande smiled. "Yes, old friend. Thank you for everything. I’m fine now." She smiled and pat the blue’s side. "I’m going to be okay. Tell...." She faltered momentarily. "When you see him, tell I’wen that both me and Kamlin miss him and that we love him."
Kath nodded and disappeared between for the last time.
Melisande turned to the approaching people. Magika, Hyth, Baeris, Dulath, Kamlin and Iltar all came running down the beach. Faith appeared on Melisande’s shoulders. Kamlin reached his mother crying. He knew Kath was gone. Melisande started to explain about how Kath was in a better place now, but she stopped. Kamlin already knew. Melisande smiled at Baeris. "I’ve waited 20 turns to say this. I’d be honoured to stand at your sands. Let me grab a few things and I’ll be with you."
Iltar laughed and gave his younger sister a hug. "Told ya things would work out." He murmured as he rubbed the golden firelizard’s head. "You just gotta have ‘faith’."
Melisande is a candidate at The Healing Den.
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