A High Cost
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: Clancey, Dana
Date Posted: 2nd January 2006
Characters: J'darin, Traelyn
Description: J'darin and Traelyn try to comfort each other after the sad news from Dragonsfall
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 9, day 6 of Turn 3
Nyith's keening could still be heard echoing throughout the stone caverns as Traelyn rushed down the corridors towards J'darin's weyr. She went right on in without knocking, her lips pressed into a thin, white line.
"No doubt you've heard?" she asked quietly, her voice low, her gray eyes distressed as she approached.
J'darin hurriedly dried the tears that had formed in his eyes as Hasaarth began to keen, when he heard Traelyn's voice. Not all the dragons in the Weyr were keening, but the bronzes were and every dragon felt the pain when the two golds began. Such a heartbreaking loss for Dragonsfall, and for Pern.
He turned toward her and caught her in his arms as she came close enough. For both of their comforts. "It's hearbreaking." Was all he said, holding her tight against his chest, as if making sure she was real and here.
Grateful for the touch, Traelyn rested her head on his chest. She bit her lower lip against the tears that threatened to surface. She'd always hated that terrible, terrible keening noise...she'd always been affected by it. Even as a girl. "She was young, J'darin." **Too young.**
He held her easily, molding her against him. His fingers rested along her cheek lightly. "I know, dear one. I know." His voice was soft. "All we can do is remember that she lived and died doing what she loved." Even if she didn't do it fighting Thread, exactly.
She nodded, her eyes seeing nothing as she listened to the echoing keen as the last, eerie note drifted away...and a defeaning silence followed it.
Traelyn tried to suppress a shudder, but she didn't quite succeed. Her fingers tightened on his shirt.
"Its going to be alright, Traelyn." He said in the same soft voice, kissing the top of her head. "Would you like some wine or a hot bath? I can get you anything." He sighed a bit. "I'll have to go to Dragonsfall."
He went on, looking down at her. "I wish you could go, though your own beautiful queen just clutched."
She offered him a small, reassuring smile. "I'll wait for you here..."
J'darin smiled back slowly, faintly. "I'd like that, Traelyn." He bent to kiss her softly. "Before I go do you want anything?" He would offer her whatever - his arms, his love, his care, his tea, his bath, his wine..
anything she wanted.
Gently, she brushed her cheek against him. "No, J'darin... I'll be fine.
But thank you." She lifted her eyes to his. She'd wait for him. No one should be alone tonight. No one.
~*~
Night had fallen over Dolphin Cove and Traelyn had just settled back down into J'darin's bed when she heard a sweep of long wings and claws on stone on the ledge outside. He was back.
**Does Hasaarth say anything, Nyith?**
}:No. He is quiet. It was hard to be there.:{ J'darin was quiet and looking haggard and pale when he came into his Weyr.
He found Traelyn sitting up in his bed and his heart turned over. Oh...
if he could come home to his Weyr every night and find her there waiting, or if he could have her coming home to him. His blue eyes began to shine with more unshed tears, these for another reason.
"Faranth save me from living through anymore tragedies in the Weyrs." He breathed, before climbing into bed beside her, minus his boots.
She moved closer, looking at him, hoping that her proximity would be a comfort to him. "What did they say?" she asked softly, wrapping her arms around her knees.
J'darin looked at her again, tracing her profile with his face as she sat huddled around her knees. After a moment, he moved around on the bed until he was behind her, cradling her with his arms and leaning against her back.
He didn't answer right away, but finally said, "I've told D'wrayt we'll help however we can, and that perhaps he might send to Jyra to ask for a little help if he needs that kind of help. I wouldn't presume to volunteer either of you, though I suppose I could have." He sighed softly, thinking it over. Technically, both Jyramikah and Traelyn were in the Wings, which meant he could order them about, but they were _goldriders_.
"The man is just going to try to keep the Weyr going until he can get a replacement goldrider, which needs to be faster than ever."
His face creased as he realized something. "Oh, lass.. how you must feel, since its only been a month since you left there unexpectedly." He did not say Dragonsfall would be her's now, and she might have had her U'kaiah as a mate, the way it seemed she wanted. The words were painful enough in his head, never mind coming out of his mouth.
She thought she knew and understood some of what he meant by his words. Traelyn glanced out of the corner of her eye at him before she gazed down at her knees, her expression thoughtful, and sad. "I don't...I don't hurt for me, J'darin. I hurt for those who knew Jaela, and loved her." **In their own ways...** Like D'wrayt. And U'kaiah. Oh shards, U'kaiah... Her eyes closed briefly of their own volition. To lose something just when he had found it...
"Yes, you're right. It will be those who are hurting the most. Losing something so precious..." He trailed off. If he had known about U'kaiah and Jaela, he would have understood losing something just when you'd found it. In many ways, it was almost better for death to be the reason. The other way, you had to live without them, knowing a chance existed.
"I don't ever want to lose you." He murmured softly, so she could barely hear. "Please stay with me." His arms tightened around her convulsively, need in the strong lines of his forearms.
I'm not going anywhere... But the words were lodged in her throat. She bent her head, her cheek brushing against his arm before she gently pushed his sleeve up, her lips caressing the skin she bared.
Shifting his weight, he pulled her around and down with him on the bed, but it was not to kiss her. He did trail his lips down her cheek for a moment, but then he just pulled her against him, wishing he had enough energy to shed his clothes so they could lay skin to skin. "I just want to hold you.. all night. To remind myself you're here. And why we do what we do at such a high, high cost."
Last updated on the January 2nd 2006