Teal Aran and Weather Storm
Teal Aran kneaded the bread dough and checked on her cooking stew. She loved baking and it always seemed to help her get out of moods. Today she was feeling a little down so she’d decided to make some bread to go with the rest of dinner. Dinner at Latharna’s house was usually not a big event but tonight they were having company. Finger foods had already been made and were now sitting on the large table in the dinning room. After all the main food had been made Aran had chased everyone out of the kitchen and took over the last of the cooking herself.
Aran gazed out the window and saw Drag’enKnight, Demetra, and Astemus standing in the gardens. Beside them sat two eggs in a large basket. They all laughed at something and smiled down proudly at their unhatched children. Aran turned away and stirred the stew pretending she didn’t feel the tug of her heart. *It’s just because I miss Storm!* She nodded and let herself believe that was the only thing making her slip deeper into her depression.
* * * * * * * * * *
Weather Storm flew beside his friend beaming happily. He had come with Pier thinking it was just to help Shay look for a new home. Instead, he’d ended up rocking his friend’s new egg in his arms. Briana, Pier’s mate, had kissed both of his cheeks and showed him how to hold the egg. Briana’s bond, Shay, sat watching the whole thing with a grin on his rough face. Latharna hugged each of memeber of the small family circled around the egg.
Now Storm wanted to get home as fast as he could. Aran would want to know about the new egg! ~Pier, why did you not invite Aran on this trip?~ Storm narrowed his eyes as the thought just came to him.
Pier looked guilty and shook his head. ~Aran’s been acting weird lately. I didn’t want her to have to worry about a trip to Shay's. I will tell her today when we get home.~ Pier smiled again. ~Shay is going to bring Murrough when he and Briana come to dinner tonight!~
Storm nodded, *Pier is right. Aran has been acting a little strange lately. I will ask her what is wrong when we get home.* He thought to himself as they glided ever closer to the Fens.
* * * * * * * * * *
Healer Anna stepped into the kitchen expecting to find her friend humming happily and baking. Instead the kitchen was quiet and deserted. The smell of bread in the oven was the only thing that gave Anna a reason to believe Aran was still there. ~Aran?~ Anna called out and gazed around the kitchen with a sisterly eye. Aran and Anna had shared many hiding placing in the kitchen when they were hatchling and Anna remembered them all.
First she opened one of the lower cabinet that held the pots and pans. There was no sign of Aran so she moved on. She heard a small sniffing sound and she walked over to its source. It had come from the cupboard that held the table clothes and dishrags. She opened at and found her best friend curled up at the very back of the cabinet crying silently. Her heart broke from the sight and she stepped into the cabinet to hold Aran.
~What is wrong?~ Anna gently rocked as her friend clung to her like she hadn’t done in years. ~What has made you so sad?~
Aran sighed deeply, ~Oh Anna, I want children!~ Having told someone her heart’s secret she began to cry even more. ~Don’t tell Storm I said that!~
Anna looked at her friend feeling a mix of pity and undeniable love. ~And why shouldn’t Storm know? He is your mate!~ A thought struck her then. ~You still love him don’t you?~
Aran held her friend tighter and buried her head in the warm blue scales. ~I love him more now then when we first met. I just don’t think he wants clutch. We talked about them when we frist became mates. But then my bond abandoned me and, well the subject seemed to become closed. We aren’t young anymore, anyways. It doesn’t make sense to have children now.~ Then she seemed to crumble all at once and started to sob helplessly. ~But I want them so badly. All around me are happy young couples with beautiful eggs. And I just can’t stand not having my one of my own.~
* * * * * * * * * *
Latharna guided Shay and his minidragons into her home. She looked around but there was no sign of Storm or Pier. *They must have stopped for something on the way back,* she thought to herself. She steered her guests into the cozy living room of her house. Gold Lightning and Guardian Zeus were already in the room playing a game of chess. “Make yourselves comfortable and I’ll go check on dinner.” She made sure they’d all settle in before she headed to her kitchen.
When she opened the door the smell of burnt bread clogged her nose. She hurried over to open the kitchen’s window then put a cloth over her hand. She pulled the bread out with her clothed hand and switched off the oven with the other. She leaned back against the counter and combed a hand through her hair. *Where is Aran?* She wondered. *She has nevered burned anything she has cooked in her life!*
Right when Latharna was about to go in search of Aran, Fisher Bait flew into the open window. ~Latharna!~ The hatchling dropped onto Latharna’s shoulder and snuggled into her neck. ~I have missed you, you be gone to long! You not stay away anymore, k?~ The little hatchling’s eyes glowed with happiness to see her bond. ~Oh, I have message for you! It’s from Anna!~
~Well then you must make sure to tell me exactly what she said!~ Latharna chucked and decided to get one of the Scholars to help the little hatchling with her talking.
The Fisher stood up taller and began to recite the message from Anna. ~Lath, Aran is with me in the attic. I’ll be down soon but please excuse Aran from dinner tonight; she just isn’t feeling up to it.~ The hatchling grinned and nodded. ~Puurfet! I didn’ make one mistake!~
Latharna nodded to the Fisher absently and wondered what was going on with her Teal. ~Very good, thanks Bait.~ The little dragon took off after a butterfly that was right outside the window, forgetting to even say goodbye. Latharna peaked into the dinning hall. The table was all set up and ready for guests. She decided she would get her guests to start eating then slip away to talk to Aran as soon as she could.
* * * * * * * * * *
When Storm and Pier finally reached their home they flew right into the kitchen. They had decided to stop along with way and pick some flowers for Aran hoping to bring her out of the sad mood she had been stuck in lately. Both stopped short when the they found the kitchen empty. Then they heard a booming laugh from the next room.
~Dinner must have started without us!~ Pier said as he raced through the door and into the dinning area. The large table that stood in the middle of the room was full of minidragons. Latharna and Shay each sat on one end. Pier’s gaze locked onto Briana and held there when her eyes met his. Her slow smile sent a thrill through him and he dove down quickly to join her. He handed her the flowers he held and kissed her cheek.
Storm beamed at Pier and Briana. When he surveyed the room for Aran his smile fell when he realized she wasn’t there. Then he caught Latharna motioning for him to come over to her. He flew over and landed on the arm of her chair. ~Where is Aran?~ He asked instantly.
~She’s in the attic. Anna is there with her but I haven’t had a chance to go up and talk to her myself so I don’t know what is wrong.~ Lathanra looked at the table full of minis and sighed. ~I’m glad you are back. Please go and try to cheer Aran up. She’s been very depressed about something these past few days.~
Storm nodded, ~I’ll do whatever I can to make her happy again!~ He looked over to see Pier watching him with a concerned look on his face. Storm smiled at Pier, hoping it looked genuine. He would talk to Aran first and make sure she was okay before Pier told her the news.
* * * * * * * * * *
Aran curled up on the spare bed in the attic. She sipped an herbal tea Anna had made and let her eyes close as her friend hummed a soft tune. She felt so tired; letting her emotions run free had drained her. Now she was numb and had no more tears left.
A knock on the door made Aran jump and almost splash her tea. She carefully set her cup down on the table beside her. ~I’ll see who it is,~ Anna went over to the door. As she opened the door and she stepped out of the room. Aran sighed and settled back down into the blanket. It smelled of Latharna, which made her feel a little better.
When the door opened again Aran looked over expecting to see her friend in the doorway, instead Storm flew over to her. ~Oh my love, what is wrong?~ He set the flowers he carried on the table beside her and pulled her into his arms. She blew out a shaky sigh and let her head rest on Storm’s shoulder.
~Oh nothing too important. Just feeling a little down because you and Latharna were gone.~ Aran felt terrible. She was lying to her mate and yet it would save her from the heartbreak he would cause if he rejected her need for a clutch.
~Well I’m here now! Latharna is back too.~ Storm felt as if his mate was holding something back from him. *What does she not want to tell me?* Anna had warned him not to upset her. *How, if she missed me so much, would coming to see her upset her? Maybe Pier’s news will cheer her up…* ~Pier has a surprise for everyone! If you came downstairs I’m sure he’d be more then happy to tell what it is!~
~Alright, I’ll come down now.~ She stood up and followed Storm to the door. ~Storm, I love you, always. Don’t ever doubt that, no matter what happens.~ Storm’s eyes widened as Aran breezed past him and headed downstairs.
* * * * * * * * * *
Latharna smiled when she saw Aran fly gracefully into the room. Aran automatically came straight to her. She landed on Latharna’s shoulder and rubbed her nose on Latharna’s cheek. “Ah here’s my Teal. You’ve been giving me quite a scare. Are you okay now?”
Aran felt the calm she had been waiting for wash over her. Latharna always made her feel better. ~I am fine.~ Aran gazed down the long table. She found Pier and his mate sitting with their heads together whispering happily to eachother.
When Pier caught Aran’s gaze he grinned and winked at her. ~Aran, I’m happy you came down! I have the greatest news!~ Pier leapt up and hovered in the middle of the table. ~Listen up everyone! Briana and I have an announcement to make!~
Storm came in and found his mate with their bond. He flew over and perched on the arm of Latharna’s chair and took Aran’s talon into his own. She turned and smiled warmly down at him but he noticed that the warmth didn’t reach her eyes. They were full of hopelessness that he wished he knew the reason for.
Pier beamed at all the faces that stared up him. ~Briana and I have a new little Shipwright egg!~
As soon as it was said Aran felt her heart break. She cried out and leapt into the air. Storm stopped her with the hold he had on her talon. ~Let me go!~ She cried and struggled out of his grasp. When she became free she flew out the nearest window and kept on going without a thought of her destination.
Storm sat stunned at his mate behavior. He had never heard a sound as sad as the one his mate had made. It rocked him to the core and he felt his heart break. ~Aran!!~ He called to her but she didn’t answer. He stumbled in his hurry to take off and Latharna caught him.
“Find her, Storm! Please!” His bond was openly weeping which was a rare sight. He nodded and took off out of the same window as Aran.
* * * * * * * * * *
Pier looked at Briana with a worried expression on his face. His friend liked his mate as much as he did. *So why did she fly off like that?* Briana shook her head in confusion.
Shay stood up holding a small Shipwright egg. “I don’t know what exactly is going on but I’m sure those two who left will be able to handle it themselves. Meanwhile, we should all celebrate the new addition to the family!” He held up the egg for everyone to see.
Latharna wiped her eyes and looked over to Anna. The Healer looked out the window after Aran and Storm. When she looked over to Latharna she frowned just slightly and flew over. ~Lath, Aran wants children.~ She chuckled at Latharna’s look of astonishment. Then stopped quickly and frowned deeper. ~For some reason she believes Storm doesn’t want a clutch and so she refuses to tell him her wish.~
“Oh dear my poor darling!” Lathanra looked out the window with a frown. “I hope she tells him. I’m sure they’d be able to work it out!” Anna nodded but didn’t answer.
* * * * * * * * * *
Aran landed in the Meadows. She dove into the dense blanket of flowers and let her breathing settle to normal. The smell of flowers washed over her reminding her of when her and Storm had first met. She stretched out in the grass and looked up at the full moon. It felt good to have a moment away from all the new eggs sitting around the house. Here she’d finally be able to deal with her silliness. Then she would go home and be happy for Pier and Briana instead of jealous of them.
Aran groaned when she heard wing beats coming closer to her. She had known Storm would come after her but she wished he had given her a little more time to think. *Too late now,* she thought as he spotted her and began to land.
Storm was tired and a little annoyed. He loved his mate but sometimes she would hold things back from him that they could have worked out together. He had a feeling this was another of those times where she thought not telling him would be better then just dealing with it. *I still just want to know what it is...* Storm landed next to his mate and laid down beside her.
~I am sorry. I didn’t mean to leave like that…I just lost control for a moment.~ Aran tried to smiling hoping it would reassure her mate.
Storm narrowed his eyes and felt his annoyance start to boil over into anger. He was usually an even-tempered mini but he couldn’t help himself sometimes. ~Aran, tell me what is wrong. I know you aren’t telling me what’s really bothering you so don’t pretend like it’s nothing.~ Storm watched his mate look everywhere but at him and sighed. ~Is this about Pier and Briana? I thought you were happy that they became mates…~
Aran’s eyes snapped to his. ~I was, am, happy for Pier and everything he has.~ Aran held her breath wishing Storm would just let the subject drop.
Storm growled in the back of his throat and grabbed Aran’s shoulders. ~Aran, you are still avoiding the subject. If you don’t want to tell me…fine! If you want to keep this inside and let it eat away at you alone then I’ll just go home!~ He saw Aran wince. He cursed himself and let her go.
~Fine!~ Aran stood and faced Storm. ~You want to know what’s wrong, then I will tell you. I want a clutch!!~ The moment she said it she whirled around and started to walk away.
Storm stood dumbfounded as his anger quicly dissolved. All of the things he thought could have been on her mind that was not one of them. He’d never thought she’d wanted kids. They had only talked about it before she'd been abandoned. Then after they'd delt with the scars that had left on her heart she seemed to emotionally drained to think of having eggs. He'd wanted them but he had given up hope of having them long ago. Now that Aran had admitted she wanted a clutch... ~Aran, wait!~ He called as he ran to catch up with her.
Aran kept walking until Storm stopped her by stepping in front of her. She looked away not wanting to hear all the reasons he would give for not wanting a clutch.
~Aran, please look at me.~ When she finally did look into his eyes she felt her bones melt. ~I want a clutch too.~ Her heart burst with joy as she flung herself into her mate’s open wings. As Storm’s wings came around her she kissed him slowly.
~I thought you wouldn’t want an clutch and so I didn’t want to tell you that I did.~ She confessed everything as she and Storm melted down to the soft grass of the meadow holding eachother tightly.
* * * * * * * * * *
Latharna woke at dawn to the sound of giggles outside of her window. She crawled out of bed and wiped her eyes. As she looked out of her window she saw Storm chasing Aran around the garden like a hatchling with a new crush. She shook her head thinking maybe she was seeing things. But sure enough when she looked again Storm and Aran were there only now they were kissing. When they released one another they headed toward attic's open window and dissappead inside. Latharna grinned and jumped back into her bed. She fell instantly back to sleep and dreamt of a cute new egg coming to live with her.
The End!
Aran and Storm
Borders by Silverhair