+- World of Pern (https://pern.second-pass.net/forum)
+-- Forum: Fort Territories (https://pern.second-pass.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?fid=7)
+--- Forum: Fort Weyr (https://pern.second-pass.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?fid=123)
+--- Thread: [G] [C] [C] 740.12.15 | Interruptions Are a Part of Life (/showthread.php?tid=4584)
740.12.15 | Interruptions Are a Part of Life - Rhaedalyn - 19.Dec.19
It felt like she hadn’t had a true break in months. They weren’t even the ones moving to Benden Weyr, but Rhaedalyn wanted to make sure Fort always supported the other Weyrs and was constantly on the go with getting needed supplies together and keeping their riders organized. The fact that Aradissicath was sand-bound and while she didn’t mind Xyreith taking her on short trips, spending day after day at Benden didn’t fly with her. So Rhaedalyn put in extra effort to show she was definitely still helping while also making sure her daughters still spent time with her and knew she’d always have time for them.
That meant she was left exhausted, stressed, and tense most nights. R’nya wasn’t fairing any better since he was just as involved in the help while maintaining his own Weyr and raising his girls as well. Most nights saw them barely finish a glass of wine before crawling into bed for sleep. That night, however, R’nya had convinced her to pack it up early so he could spoil her with a bath, wine, and a massage to help her relax.
They had predicted Aradissicath would clutch around the thirteenth and while that was only two days ago and her sweet girl never had issues with any portion of the pregnancy, Rhaedalyn was still worrying about it. Somehow, R’nya had managed to get her to unwind and let go of everything and the wonderful massage led to a bit more—something that had been few and far between and most definitely welcomed now that they had time and energy.
So of course that was when Rhaedalyn picked up on Aradissicath’s mood through their bond and she tapped R’nya’s shoulder to get him to slow down if not stop all together. She frowned at the sensations that her dragon was clearly trying to hide from her but they knew each other too well and Rhaedalyn reached out in comfort and sat up when R’nya rolled free of her.
I’m sorry. You stay where you are. There’s no need for you to come down right now. Aradissicath tried her best at persuasion but Rhaedalyn wasn’t having any of it. The bundle of nerves had returned, but this time more as excitement and she flashed a smile at R’nya as she jumped out of bed to grab her nightgown.
“Dissi’s finally clutching!” A moment later she had her robe wrapped around her, covering the light gown she normally wore in the warmer months but hadn’t had time to put away for the season. “You can come if you’d like or get some sleep. I promise we’ll pick this up again soon.” Rhaedalyn bent down and kissed her mate’s nose before dashing out of their home and down to her dragon. She knew R’nya would be along shortly, giving the girls some time to be alone before he and Xyreith risked peeking in. Well, assuming he didn’t fall asleep and Rhaedalyn hoped he would. It often felt like he got less sleep than her and sometimes he worked through the night and never made it to their bed.
Rhaedalyn made it down before the first egg appeared so she gave Aradissicath some hugs and rubbed her neck as they waited for the first one to pass. Once it did, she gave the dragon space, moving to sit in the stands and lend her support. After about twenty eggs when Aradissicath seemed to be faltering with energy, their wonderful bronze mates appeared. Xyreith kept his distance, giving the fierce mama her space but Rhaedalyn smiled when she heard him croon and no doubt give encouragement and support that she couldn’t hear. R’nya, for his part, appeared with two steaming mugs that turned out to be hot chocolate and just what she needed. It was never cold on the Sands but the chill of the night still reached her, likely due to exhaustion she herself was feeling, and simply holding the mug between her hands was doing wonders.
They didn’t speak, simply watched, R’nya with an arm around Rhaedalyn as she curled into his side, sniffing and sipping her drink while silently sending her love to Aradissicath. This was a routine now as it was their eighth clutch together and they knew what was normal and what to expect.
What Rhaedalyn hadn’t expected, when Aradissicath finally announced it was over and they gathered to count and inspect the eggs a bit more closely, was what they found within the total of forty-two eggs.
“Two golds?” She whispered, not quite believing what she was seeing. It wasn’t uncommon as some of the other golds had clutched two in previous years but Aradissicath hadn’t; she hadn’t even had a gold for a while. Perhaps this was making up for it. Perhaps they were all tired and seeing a glint on a second egg when there wasn’t one.
Two golds and only the best ladies will Stand for them. Rhaedalyn rolled her eyes at the order but knew Aradissicath wouldn’t actually kick anyone out if they weren’t considered the ‘best’. If they were unruly, certainly, but they never turned away a Candidate. At least she knew there were indeed two golden eggs.
Turning to R’nya, Rhaedalyn threw her arms around his neck and grinned up at him. “Well, my love. Shall we write the letters to the other Weyrs to alert them of the clutch and then go celebrate privately? I’m sure everyone will understand if we sleep in a bit tomorrow.”