Ronarian

We are all shaped and fashioned by what we love. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
* * *

"Shhhhh beauty....calm down. Have I ever hurt you? Have I ever not taken care of you? Quiet love..shhhhhh...." The youth stroked the beautiful gray mare and spoke to her calmly as he put on her saddle and bridle.

The mare rolled her eyes back and flattened her ears. She reared slightly, but appeared to be calming down with the boy’s presence.

As Ronarian mounted she danced a little to the right, but, surprisingly, the presence of a small blue flit seemed to calm her down. Ren, Ronarian’s tiny blue birthingday present, chirped and happily nuzzled the racing horse. Ronarian smiled. "See Shadow? It’s just me and Ren. We’re good friends remember." Ren flew to his bonded’s shoulder as he lead the runner into the field.

"Now Shadow, we’re gonna go easy on you today seeing as you’re so spooked. Just a few laps, a few jumps to keep you in shape, okay?" Ronarian stroked her mane from his position on her back.

The beast stomped her feet and snorted in response, obviously eager to be doing something after the scare that morning. Ronarian clicked his tongue and kicked her gently with his heels and she was off. As he rode he thought about how lucky he was to still have his gorgeous runner. A thief and assassin who’d been cornered in their Hold had tried to make an escape on one of their runners. As soon as he’d gotten into the stables, the Guard Dragon that had been called to help arrived. The criminal, now realizing he was trapped, barricaded himself in Shadow’s stall. The brown dragon had ripped the roof off the stall to catch the man and thoroughly spooked the poor mare.

Ren flew alongside the racer as she did her laps and jumps. The flit enjoyed the exercise as much as Shadow did. Unfortunately, Ronarian didn’t have enough time to play with Ren as often as the hyper-active blue would have liked. Go farther... The blue urged his friend with his mind.

Ronarian looked across the field. If I let Shadow go full out it should only be a few minutes. Ren could use the exercise. I could use the exercise. He sighed. He hadn’t got out to put his runner through her paces himself in a long time. Usually he just let one of the stable hands do it, although it was obvious that Shadow only preformed her best for Ronarian and his blue Ren. He had a lot of duties around his Hold, being the only son to Irol and Reia, the Lord and Lady Holder.

"C’mon Shadow. One good sprint." He snapped her reins and the runner was off like a flash. The Lord Holder’s heir laughed as the wind blew his hat off. Funny, He thought. There seems to be more wind then usual...

Shadow gave the runner’s version of a scream and bucked violently, almost throwing Ronarian. Ren screeched and threw himself behind Ronarian, digging his tiny claws into the mare’s backside as he tried to hold on. Shadow bluntly refused this treatment and bucked until she threw both Ronarian and his flit. The Lord Holder’s son moaned and put his hand to his head to make sure he was all still intact. He looked to see what could have spooked his runner, again. A rather large blue dragon stood over the runner looking down at Ronarian.

I am Mitanth, my rider is Head Searchrider Nora. Are you okay? The blue’s rider dismounted and ran to help him.

Ronarian pointedly ignored the pair and went to survey Shadow’s condition. The mare was hysterical, having had two dragon scares in a single day. She refused to let anyone near her, constantly bucking and kicking out with her sharp front hooves. The bluerider said something, but Ronarian ignored her too, focussing all his energy on Shadow. "Shh..." He murmured, like he had earlier. "Calm down. You’re going to hurt yourself, Shadow " A hoof barely missed him. ", or me. Shhhh...." He made a desperate grasp for her reins and nabbed them. He wound them around his hand tightly, so the runner couldn’t rear without lifting him off the ground. Although the strong creature probably could have, Shadow decided to heed Ronarian’s warning and calm down. After his pet was as calm as she was going to get, Ronarian finally acknowledged the bluerider and her mount.

He turned to them with a glare. "Yes? I presume you want something."

The bluerider, his mind told him Nora, but he wasn’t sure, raised an eyebrow. "You could be more polite." She handed him back his battered hat.

"To those who nearly gave my runner a heart attack and me a concussion?" He continued to glare. His head still hurt, but he shoved the cap on it none the less.

The rider sighed. "Point made. Anyways. I’m Head Searchrider Nora for Talor Cliff Weyr and this is my dragon Mitanth," the blue nodded and his rider continued, "I’m not on search, but I am looking for someone. I was supposed to meet an apprentice Harper named Gars in a Hold that’s supposed to be close to here. It’s called Kysim. We saw a settlement a bit to the west of here and guessed that was probably it. Since we’re not on search, we didn’t want to just drop in on you. When we saw you racing we thought we might make sure we’re in the right place and perhaps I could enter the city on foot while Mitanth waits here."

Ronarian waited a minute before replying. He examined both the rider and dragon to make sure that they were who they said they were. He nodded once, apparently deciding to believe their story. "I’m Ronarian, son of Irol, the Lord Holder of Kysim Hold. You can ride back to the Hold on Shadow, if you don’t mind sharing the saddle. I haven’t heard of this Gars person, but that’s not really a surprise. A whole caravan of people entered the Hold yesterday for a gather day."

Nora smiled and nodded. "See, isn’t it so much more fun to be polite and courteous?"

Ronarian said nothing, still a little ticked that his morning ride was interrupted and that now he had to ferry a dragonrider into the Hold. He mounted his runner and waited for the woman to climb up behind him. Ren landed on Ronarian’s shoulder and cocked his head at the Searchrider.

"He’s cute." Nora scratched the creature’s head. "What’s his name?"

"Ren." Ronarian replied without looking back. "And the horse’s name is Shadow of a Doubt. Just Shadow for short." The youth clicked his tongue and the runner moved forward at a smooth gallop.

"Shadow of a Doubt? Where did you come up with something like that?" Nora clasped the Holder’s back as she almost lost her balance.

Ronarian smiled, any attempt at an aloof atmosphere destroyed by his love to talk about his runner. "I got my first runner, Child’s Play, when I was only 5 turns. I immediately took to riding and training runners. I’ve been interested in them ever since. Racing them, raising them, riding them..." He grinned. "Mostly the riding. I love the feel of the wind blowing against me and the runner moving beneath me. When I first saw Shadow of a Doubt she was a little colt being sold for beans at a gather. Neither of her parents were racers, so no one expected anything of her. I guess you could say I took to her immediately. I went up to the trader who was selling her and offered him a very large sum. He sold her instantly and told me straight out that I was wasting my money, she’d never win a race. I replied ‘Without a shadow of a doubt.’ He laughed at me and asked me why I bought the runner then. I grinned at him. ‘That’s her name.’ I said. ‘She’ll win without a shadow of a doubt.’"

By the time the story was over they were back in the fenced in field that held the other runners. Shadow jumped the fence and trotted back into the stables. Both riders dismounted, and turned to face each other.

Nora smiled. "Thanks for the lift. If I’m ever around here again, I’ll look you up. I’d like to talk some more."

"Sure." Ronarian shook her hand and Ren chirped a good-bye as she left the stables. Ronarian watched her leave, wondering what she meant about ‘talking some more’. He sighed and shook his head. "No use wondering eh Ren? We’ll figure out when the time comes." He began to de-saddle his runner and wash her off.

The firelizard cheeped happily. Big blue...he like you...

"What?" Ronarian spun around. Ren usually wasn’t so talkative, or clear with his messages. "Big blue? Like me?"

The firelizard just cheeped and sent him happy, and oddly proud, thoughts.

Ronarian shook his head. "Crazy flitters." Shadow snorted.

* * *

"Ronarian!" Irol caught his son trying to sneak into their home, late for dinner, as usual. "For shards’ sake boy what were you doing? You’re late! Again!"

Ronarian froze as his father called his name. "I was just taking Shadow out for a run. She was so worked up after this morning’s events. I’m sorry. I’ll just go wash my hands and then I’ll be down for dinner..."

Reia put her arm around her husband and sighed. "‘rian you look like you let Shadow drag you behind her. You’re the heir to this hold. Try to look the part."

Ronarian looked down at his dirty, sweaty, ripped, old clothing. He had to admit that his mother had a point, he did look like a drudge. The dirty hat tipped sideways on his head finished the awful ensemble. He smiled and kissed his mother on the cheek. "If you’ll let this drudge go change and wash he’ll come downstairs looking like a passable heir. Deal?"

His mother smiled. "Deal."

Just as Ronarian turned to dash up the stairs his father called after him, "We have some big news for you tonight anyways."

He stopped dead on the stairs, Ren slamming into his back, unprepared for the sudden stop. "What?"

"It’s a surprise." Ronarian was about to demand an answer when his father cut him off. "And I know you’ll love it."

Ronarian sighed as Ren landed on his shoulder. He knew he wasn’t going to get anything else out of his parents until after he changed.

A record time of ten minutes later, Ronarian descended the stairs looking presentable. At the bottom were his mother and father and another man and woman, probably husband and wife by the way they were looking at each other. Ronarian smiled pleasantly and sent Ren back to his room. The blue firelizard cheeped once and disappeared. Ronarian knew he was on display. He sighed inwardly, but outwardly he appeared every inch the gentlemen. Great. More parents of perspective brides. Someone aught to describe surprise to my parents and tell them that talking to the parents of a possible future bride does not fall under ‘good surprise’.

"This is Lord Holder Karat and Lady Holder Vienna." His father introduced them. "This is my son Ronarian."

Irol beamed with fatherly pride as Ronarian finished descending the steps and clasped each of their hands in turn. "I’m honoured to meet you both. To what does Kysim owe the honour of your visit?"

The two smiled at each other, obviously impressed. "You’re right Reia," The woman, Vienna, said. "He is a perfect gentleman. A perfect match for Eden."

"Eden?" The Holder’s son rolled the name over his tongue. Pretty name....very pretty...

Reia smiled. "Yes Eden. Ronarian and Eden. It’s a done deal." Reia shook hands with Vienna, while Irol shook hands with Karat.

Ronarian tried to keep the horror from his voice. "Done deal?"

"Yes son." Irol was pleased as could be. "We’ve been talking with Lord Karat and Lady Vienna quite extensively. We believe you would be a perfect match."

Despite his best efforts to act civil in front of his guests, Ronarian lost his temper. "Perfect match? You said you’d let me meet the girls you liked and then I could choose which one I wanted to marry. You said you’d not force me into anything. You said...."

"Sh." When Reia spoke in that tone, dragons obeyed.

Ronarian sighed and fell silent. He glared pointedly at his mother and father, as well as Karat and Vienna.

Reia was obviously disappointed by his reaction, but what did she honestly expect him to do? She continued to use her dragon-taming voice as Ronarian had once dubbed it. "You will go to the Lower Caverns and get the three firelizard eggs we have there and prepare them for transport. We leave first thing in the morning for Lord Karat and Lady Vienna’s Hold. There you will meet your future bride. Understood?"

"Yes sir." Ronarian mocked a salute and stormed into the Lower Caverns swearing to himself and at Ren, who chose that moment in time to reappear.

The blue cringed under his master’s scorn. Ronarian sighed and rubbed the flits head. "I’m sorry. I’m not mad at you. I just wondering." He began to heat a clay pot of sand next to the fire. "Can this day get any worse?"

* * *

The next day, Ronarian found himself standing in a beautifully decorated Dining Hall in his best clothes waiting to meet the woman he was going to marry. Irol and Reia had strictly forbidden that Ren and his antics attend, so Ronarian didn’t even have that small friend to fall back on. He was miserable and feeling sorry for himself. He thought he had the worst lot in the world. Until he found out that Eden didn’t even know yet. Poor girl... He thought to himself. Her parents have the same idea of surprise as mine...

Just then the door to the Dining Hall opened and in walked the most beautiful woman Ronarian had ever seen. He saw her eyes light up when she saw the firelizard eggs and he couldn’t think of anything to say to her. "Umm...." He stammered.

She completely ignored him. Her and her three brothers all rushed to the eggs. "You got us firelizards?" She asked her parents, obviously amazed.

"Well..." Her father started, but he never got to finish. Eden interrupted him with a hug.

"I can’t believe it! This is so wonderful! This is..." She stopped as she recounted the eggs. "Why are there only three?"

Ronarian felt his heart fall as he watched her. And your consolation prize is... He sighed. Poor girl.

"As I was going to say, we got your brothers firelizard eggs. We got you something better." Karat and Vienna were both smiled broadly.

Now Eden was suspicious and confused. "What?"

She was facing her parents and Ronarian was standing right behind her. Never had he wished to be elsewhere more than he did right then, but he tried to look friendly. He smiled for her. Most girls loved his smile.

"Turn around." Vienna looked just like Reia had.

She turned around and came face to face with Ronarian. To his disappointment and embarrassment, Eden’s smile fell from her face as she began to get the picture. "Yes?"

Ronarian laughed warmly, hoping she’s see that he was feeling just as awkward as she was. "My name is Ronarian."

To her credit, Eden tried to smile. "I’m Eden."

Vienna was oblivious to the awkward situation. "You really don’’t get it, do you honey? Your father and I have done a lot of talking with Ronarian’s mother and fathers and it’s all decided for you darling. You’re going to be married."

Ow. Ronarian inwardly flinched. Way to break the news.

Eden looked dazed and like she might faint. Ronarian quickly took her arm and led her to a bench. He sat beside her as she continued to stare into space. "I’m going to be married?!?"

Karat was grinning as much as Vienna. "Yes Eden. We’re so happy we finally found someone who’ll have you, you’re so headstrong sometimes."

"Nobody told me that." He whispered to her. "This is as big a shock to you as it is to me." Eden didn’t hear him.

Something within Eden seemed to snap. "Headstrong sometimes? Married? I can’t believe you did this to me."

"Umm...." Ronarian wasn’t sure exactly what he was supposed to be doing. He felt out of place and embarrassed for no in particular reason. He wondered if he should put his arm around Eden to comfort her, but her look warned against it.

Karat glared at his daughter. "I knew you’d make a big deal out of this."

Vienna looked hurt, like Eden had purposefully done this to injure her. "It was supposed to be a wonderful winter surprise."

Eden was too shocked to register her mother’s pain. "You know what’s a good surprise? Cake, or a gather-day, or firelizards. A husband is not a good surprise!" She put her hands on her hips and glared at her parents.

Ronarian smiled, silently congratulating the girl. Now why didn’t I just say that? "I guess I’’ll just be going..." Ronarian decided to take this opportunity to leave and stop this wedding nonsense once and for all.

"Wait a moment please, milord. We’ll just have a word with our daughter." Karat glared at Eden, grabbed her arm and pulled her into a small room just off the Dining Hall. Vienna sadly followed.

Ronarian sighed as they disappeared. "Poor girl." He muttered to himself. "I guess she doesn’t get along with her parents too well. That’s sad."

A few minutes later Eden stormed out of the Dining Hall only to return 10 or 15 minutes later, soaked through from the snow. Winter’s sure come early... Ronarian couldn’t help thinking, even as he registered the fact that Eden was still as beautiful as ever, soaked or not.

She entered the Dining Hall in complete control of her emotions again. She was calm, collected and outright cold. "I’m going to marry Ronarian."

For some reason that didn’t cheer Ronarian up as much as he thought it would.

* * *

"And she can ride almost as good as I can..." Ronarian continued his two sided debate with himself. He’d gotten to know Eden a little better over their four month engagement, but he still wasn’t sure if he wanted to marry her. He was going to marry her that afternoon, so the god-like parents had decreed, but he wasn’t sure if he wanted to yet. He sighed. "What am I going to do Ren?"

The blue firelizard seemed to shrug. You like pretty Eden...

"‘corse I like her. She’s nice and beautiful and she has the most amazing smile..." He stared off into space for a moment picturing the few smiles she’d chosen to give him. He sighed again. "She also happens to hate my guts. I don’t blame her either."

Ren chirped once, obviously undecided on the matter. Ronarian smiled. "Thanks for your wise council." He examined himself in the mirror one more time. "I’m only 20 turns and I’m getting married." Somehow it didn’t sound as scary when he said it out loud. "I also talk to myself and answer myself. I think I’m crazy."

Ren chirped once in agreement. Ronarian swatted the creature. "Now remember, no landing on the suit or mom will kill you."

The blue nodded and winked between to reappear at the site of the wedding.

Ronarian smiled and headed out the door and down the stairs. "I’m calm, I’m okay, I’m getting married..." He repeated the phrase over and over to himself until he reached the wedding site where all hopes of calmness, okayness and the wedding were thrown out to thread. The bride had ran away.

* * *

"Gars!" Ronarian saw Eden’s older brother and ran to catch up with him. He’d only met the apprentice Harper once before and knew that the older man hated him with a passion. "Gars! Please stop."

The man finally turned around. "What do you want, milord?" He accented the word ‘milord’ just enough to make it sound insulting.

Ronarian flinched, grit his teeth, but held his temper. "Where’s Eden? I know you know."

The apprentice Harper laughed at him. "Can’t even keep track of your bride milord?"

The same slurred insult set Ronarian teeth on edge. "Don’t joke around with me. I want to know where she went."

Gars looked down on Ronarian with disgust. "You’ll never catch her now Holder. You can’t force Eden to do anything she doesn’t want to. She doesn’t love you and she won’t be made your property."

Ronarian had held in his temper long enough. He punched Gars, hard, in the face. His nose started to bleed and he swore under his breath. Gars took a swing at Ronarian, but the rider was too fast. He was also a lot stronger than he looked, having spent most of his childhood with runners. He hit Gars one more time and then grabbed his shirt collar, lifting the older man off his feet and slamming him against a wall. "Look. I know you don’t like me and I don’t like you, but I do like Eden, a lot. I know you have a lot of control over her, whether you know it or not, and I know she’d listen to something you’d say. I didn’t arrange this stupid marriage, my parents did ....and your parents. If Eden is in any sort of danger or trouble because of your stupid advise so help me I’ll..." Ronarian stopped as he realized that Gars was laughing. "What?"

"You really are worried about her, aren’t you? Not what people will think, not your ‘possession’, you’re worried about Eden. And if you got her back only to have her spit in your face you’d just accept that and be glad she was out of harm’s way wouldn’t you?" Gars continued laughing.

Ronarian blushed and set the apprentice Harper back on his feet. "So what?"

"So what?!? So you’re in love with her and she doesn’t even care that you exist. So there." Gars snapped at his sister’s almost husband. His words were harsh and had obviously hurt Ronarian. He sighed. "Forget her. Don’t worry about her. Eden’s a big, strong girl, she can take care of herself. She doesn’t need you, she doesn’t want you."

Ronarian looked up at Gars, tears almost in his eyes. No matter what, Ronarian promised himself. I’m not going to cry in front of this idiot. "Where is she?" His voice was amazingly quiet and calm.

Gars sighed. "It’s hopeless. You’ll never get there in time to change her mind."

"I’ve got to try. Where is she?" Ronarian grabbed Gars arm, applying pressure to it. "Please."

"Talor Cliff Weyr." The older man murmured it quietly, transfixed by Ronarian’s piercing gaze. "But there’s no way you can get there. It’s half-way across the continent."

"I have Shadow of a Doubt. We’ll make it." He raced off towards the stables, calling Ren to him at the same time. "Tell my parents where I’ve gone and not to worry."

"Okay." Gars called back. He had to admit he saw Ronarian in a new light now. He almost liked the kid.

"Oh and Gars?" Ronarain smiled. "Thanks." He disappeared into the stables.

"He breaks my nose and then thanks me. Maybe he can take Eden." Gars smiled and wondered off to break the news to the general populus. The groom’s run off as well.

Continue...

* * *
Ronarian is a candidate at Talor Cliff Weyr.
Ronarian’s pictures from The Woman Says.
Ronarian impressed Ren from Rohlen Hold.
Ronarian received Shadow of a Doubt from Dark Moon Weyr.
Background from Myrror Images.