Mirogol
:Story::Search::Hatchling::Weyrling::Adult:
:Starburst Weyr::Tripaldi Weyr:

Several days later Mirogol woke early, seeing the sun shine through the window above where he slept. He grinned and dressed himself, hurrying outside to enjoy the sunshine. He stopped in the doorway to the Cothold when he saw Elziba was already up. She stood in the sunshine, arms spread wide, eyes closed, head back, wild uncombed hair blowing gently in the slight breeze. The sight caught his breath she truly was beautiful. He sighed, and then she whirled around and flashed him a delighted grin, beckoning for him to join her. He smiled shyly in return and suddenly it occurred to him, she liked him almost as much s he liked her! He’d thought she was just being kind to him all this time and that she’d refused the lordlings simply because she wasn’t interested! But why would she be beckoning him to join her in her exultance if she didn’t genuinely like him?

His reflections were suddenly halted as he caught sight of a large green dragon landing directly behind Elziba. She turned to see what he was staring at and yelped in surprise. She stumbled backwards and Mirogol ran to her as fast as he could but only in time to gently lift her back to her feet.

“Are you alright?” he whispered, concern evident in his tone.

“I’m fine,” she whispered back, a small smile on her lips. Then she pulled away and he guiltily stepped away from her.

By this time the dragonrider had dismounted and was smiling at the two of them. Mirogol watched the ground and barely heard her as she spoke with Elziba until he realized she’d addressed him. What would a dragonrider want with him? But he stuttered out his name and age as she had requested. “Mirogol, ma’am, sixteen.”

The occurrences of the next few minutes were lost on him. All he comprehended was that Elziba's parents had joined them until he heard Elziba hiss at him from where she was standing beside him. “Did you hear that, Mirogol? We’re going to be Candidates!”

Her words sunk in slowly, but when they did in fact sink in he acted entirely without thinking. He turned to Elziba and took her in his arms, swinging her around and around then setting her down and planting a kiss on her unsuspecting lips. She pulled away and he blushed, thinking perhaps she had mistook her feelings for him, but a slow smile started to creep across her face until her mother stormed up to them.

“What is the meaning of this?” Katriana demanded, anger flashing in her eyes. “Don’t tell me this drudge is the reason you won’t accept Lord Rarken’s advances, Elziba?”

Elziba was obviously too shocked to respond and Mirogol leaped to her aide as Katriana tried to shake an answer from her daughter. He grabbed the woman by the arm and pulled her away from her daughter, then backed away as he saw she meant to slap him. But before she could the dragonrider had stepped between them.

“Strike him at your own risk,” said the greenrider, stepping between the woman and the boy. “I declared this young man Searched and unless he declines the honor you no longer hold any sway over him. Woe to the person who trifles with a future dragonrider.”

Katriana just stood there in shock as Elziba edged around her mother to stand beside the dragonrider.

“Elziba?” her mother asked, her brow creasing as if in pain.

“I accept the Search mother,” replied Elziba, standing tall. “I’ll not stay here to be abused by the nearby Lord Holders and what you wish of me. It’s time for me to go out and make my own life. I choose the Weyr.”

Katriana’s brow creased further but she nodded, a stray tear leaking out of her eye. “Alright Elziba. I understand.”

“Good for you, Elziba,” said Elzid, stepping up behind her mother. “The Weyr will be lucky to have you,” then he turned to look at Mirogol who was now standing on the dragonrider’s other side. “Good luck boy, you be nice to my daughter.”

Mirogol smiled proudly at his love’s father then turned his gaze to Elziba who grinned back at him. His heart swelled at the loving look in her eyes and he could not bear to look at her anymore. He turned his gaze to the dragonrider who smiled and silently led them to the dragon. They mounted, the Searchrider, Quiralla, in front and Mirogol behind, with Elziba between them. Elziba waved as the green took off, and Mirogol held on to her tightly lest she fall off. They were on their way…