Morning Star Weyr

S’ron searched the skies. Several females had come and gone, but none of them had been able to get Aith to come back, but he had a good feeling about Akelei. He had like her since he had first laid eyes on her at the Winter Gather. Aith had liked her, too, but if she and her cream Tuiath were lost between because of that sharding blue…   They had been gone way too long.  Even Zearia, who had extreme faith in the cream and her rider, was beginning to get worried. A dragon may be able to survive that long in between, but a rider certainly couldn’t. J’gon placed his hand on S’ron’s shoulder.   “Not back yet?” J’gon asked the bluerider who had yet to stop watching the sky.   “No,” S’ron sighed.   "Do you think they could have gone on to a different place?" J'gon asked.   Zearia shook her head sadly. "I don't think so. Every Weyr, Hold, and Hall on Pern's been told to look for them. And if they'd been found, Khithika would know." She gestured down at Akelei’s little green fire lizard, who lay listlessly on the hearth. Her normally bright eyes were first-lidded, but sleepless, and she shivered, despite the roaring fire.   "They've been gone over a candlemark," S'ron whispered, speaking half to himself. "If they're still between..." He trailed off, unwilling to speak of what might happen.   But Zearia nodded resolutely. "Better that we do. If they don't come back soon, they could die between."   J'gon bit his lip. "Aside from the ancient Harpers' tales of Lessa, no one's ever been gone this long."   At that moment, little Khithika roused with a high, agonized shriek of pain. Seconds later, she launched herself between.   The Weyrleaders exchanged worried glances. ***   It was several days after Khithika had vanished and no sign of Akelei and Tuiath had been found by any Weyr anywhere on Pern. S’ron felt worse than he had before. Every dragon had always come back, but Tuiath, had she really sacrificed herself and her rider to get Aith to return to him. Had she really cared that much?   Suddenly, the watch dragon bulged, Aith! Tuiath! They’ve returned!   S’ron shot to his feet. Tuiath and Akelei were back, and they had Aith?! It was almost too good to believe, but sure enough, he could hear Aith loud and clear now shouting encouraging words to him.   “Zearia! I need to talk to the Weyrwoman!” S’ron heard Akelei shout.   That was enough for him. He was on his feet, rushing to the Weyrbowl. He saw her looking about frantically. There was something familiar about her expression, but he couldn’t place it, and he didn’t want to. He was far too happy to see her here and alive.   “Akelei! You found him!” He exclaimed happily as he scooped her into his arms around twirled her as tears of joy demanded to fall from his eyes.   "Yes, Tuiath wouldn't let us go until he came. It's a pretty long story..." Akelei started, but was cut off by Tuiath, who bugled sharply, challengingly, her ivory hide almost giving off light. "I'd better tell you later."   Suddenly, S’ron felt Aith’s voice reenter his mind, as strong as ever, S'ron, Akelei, what shall I do?   Akelei grinned. "Don't worry, Aith. I don't think Tuiath would even think of letting anyone else touch her."   S’ron looked over at her. If Tuiath wouldn’t let anyone else touch her…   “Akelei, I’m going to ask…Why did you go?” S’ron sighed as Aith and Tuiath blooded together.   “I…I owed it to you, S’ron,” Akelei sighed.   “I heard that much,” S’ron sighed, his voice but a whisper, “but…why?”   “S’ron,” Was all Akelei had to utter. Her eyes spoke the rest. ***   The flight didn’t last long. With no other competitors to worry about, Aith was fast. Akelei and S’ron laid together as their dragons rest in Aith’s weyr.   “Akelei?” S’ron questioned as he noticed her simply staring at him. “What’s wrong?”   “Nothing,” Akelei sighed. “Absolutely nothing.” Read the information on the next gather...