Safe
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Devin
Date Posted: 27th November 2008
Series: Proving His Worth
Characters: N'vanik, Talryne
Description: After Threadfall, a very relieved N'vanik goes to a very relieved Talryne.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 12, day 4 of Turn 4
She tried to knit. She really did. But Talryne's hands kept shaking. She kept telling herself that this wasn't much different than all the other times she'd waited for him to come back from Threadfall. But it _was_ different. He was leading this time, and she knew more than anyone how responsible he felt for other people in Fall. If he tried to save someone, if he did something reckless ...
Talryne shuddered. **He'll come back. He'll be safe. He'll be safe.** She tucked her knees up under her chin and rocked on the couch, repeating the words over and over. **He'll be safe ...** Somewhere over Dolphin Cove's territory, Thread fell and dragons flamed.
An eternity later, Loseth broke into her thoughts. }:Fall is over. We're fine.:{ Talryne choked on a sob of relief.
As soon as he left Traelyn in the Bowl, N'vanik went straight to his ledge. The smile faded from his face when he saw Tal standing in the entrance to the weyr. The aching look in her eyes was too much. She had her arms wrapped around herself despite the heat. N'vanik slid from Loseth's neck, dropping his gloves and helmet on the ledge. He went up to her and put his arms around her in a tight embrace. Her arms slipped around his waist and she leaned her head against his chest. Both of them closed their eyes. Neither one of them said a word. They didn't need to.
N'vanik pressed a kiss to the top of her head and her body shook as she started to sob. Tears stung his own eyes as he held her tighter. "It's okay, Tal. I'm here."
"I was so scared ..." she whispered against his chest. He reeked of firestone but she didn't care. She clung to him like she never wanted to let go.
"I know." She'd been so brave the last few days, trying to hide her fear. But he'd seen it in her eyes, and in her actions. The way she'd made love to him this morning had been fierce and yet gentle, as if she was afraid to let him go. As if she was afraid this might be the last time. And he realized now that she had much more to lose than he did. The worst that could happen to him to him when he faced Thread was to not come back. To die. But Talryne ... she could be left behind. Alone.
Loseth crooned as they held each other, lending comfort to them both. After a while N'vanik eased his hold and steered her toward the couch. There she sat curled in his lap, as close as she could get to him. It was like those early days after she'd lost her dragon, desperately needing closeness and comfort. She thought she'd come so far since then, moving into her own weyr, starting a craft, learning to interact with people again. But every time he went to fly Thread, and today especially, she was reminded of how fragile her hold on life was. N'vanik was still her anchor to the world, and if he died -- her hands clenched his jacket -- if he died, she didn't think she would be able to hold on.
N'vanik's hands rubbed at her back. "Shhh ... it's okay. There were no deaths today, Tal. I can do this." He tipped her chin up and kissed her. "And I'll do everything I can to come back to you. Always."
It was a small assurance -- Thread could take anyone at any time, no matter how careful or experienced -- but it was the best promise he could make. She dug her hand into his hair and kissed him, hoping that he would always come back to her. That against all the odds, he would always be safe.
Last updated on the November 27th 2008
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