RCW: Bronze Rider Catch Up

Posted on Thu Aug 14th, 2025 @ 8:52pm by Bronze Rider I'han & Bronze Rider A'ren

Mission: 3531 AL
Location: River Cove Weyr
Timeline: M3 D10

A'ren grabbed a skin of wine and two wine glasses. It was about time he took a little time out to talk with an old friend. Lana had herself buried in hides again and was still nursing her injuries. She had actually shooed him out.

He headed for the infirmary, figuring to start there. If need be he could always ask Zarminth.

I’han was hanging out with Nikolai whilst he man prepared for fall in a couple of days. Both men stood up as they saw the Weyrleader walking towards them. “I am not meant to be here I know. I am a wingrider and not a healer but I have to take pity on the man Sir.” I’han commented with a smirk as he

“Please take him away Weyrleader. I will never get finished if he comments on everything and then some.” Nikolai commented.

A'ren smiled when the other two quickly stood. “Thought I might find you here, I'han,” he chuckled, holding up the wine and glasses. “Gotta keep my healer happy so out you go bronze rider,” he said cheerily.

Well he was either bothering Nikolai or Marika so it was a pretty solid hedge bet in his opinion. I’han raised an eyebrow at the wine and the fact the man was looking for him so cheerily especially after the Weyrwoman had been so injured. “Yes Sir. Bye Journeyman.” I’han called grinning thinking it was the first time he had ever called the man by his rank. They had bounced off each other instantly that it had never been uttered. Nikolai just rolled his eyes and returned to his duties in peace . “So A’ren what brings you on the prowl? Oh shards have you and the Weyrwoman had an argument?” He wondered.

“I'll try to keep him occupied for a bit, Nikolai,” he promised. A'ren walked out of the infirmary with I'han. “Oh no not at all. Think I was getting in her way so she shooed me out,” the Weyrleader answered.

I’han followed looking at the man carrying the glasses and a skin of wine and searching him out. “You were hovering but that does not explain what you are doing here?” He wondered where they were going too but that was a second question.

A'ren lifted a shoulder. “Thought I'd catch up with an old friend,” he answered, heading for a spot by the lake to enjoy the day. “or am I keeping you from something important?”

“Only annoying Nikolai or Marika until something is thrown at me or Kanoth tells me off.” I’han shrugged and grinned as he followed. He smiled as he realized the Weyrleader thought of him as a friend. He knew it was hard to keep a balance in Weyrleadership between being the leader and being friends with riders. “How is Lana?” The man wondered.

“Well judging by Nikolai's attitude that probably wasn't far off,” he chuckled. A'ren was trying to do better at keeping friendships especially as they would still be there if anything ever happened. “She's doing well. Still recouping from that injury but determined to be up and about.”

I’han laughed and smiled innocently. He was not going to deny or agree on that part. Nikolai had a short fuse compared to him sometimes and it seemed today was a day for it with the man. “Well that is positive but you know what she is like when it comes to showing signs of weakness.” He knew Lana far too well to not comment even if their relationship was fragile thanks to something he had said such a long time ago.

A'ren found a spot to sit and poured them both a glass of wine. He nodded a bit as he knew what I'han said was true. He had seen it himself. “I do know that. I'll give her a little time and then go check on her. Don't think she can hurt herself right now.”

“Glasses? Why thank you. I know you know that A’ren. I am just reiterating that fact.” The bronze rider assured not wanting sour the catch up. “Records room?” I’han laughed softly as he sat down on the grass looking across the lake as he stretched out. It looked undignified but it had been a long time since he had just sat there and watched the Weyrbowl.

“Would you rather just pass the skin back and forth?” The Weyrleader laughed. He nodded. “Records room. Figured she can't get into too much trouble there.” Well with Lana anything was possible. A'ren sipped on his wine as he enjoyed for view.

“I am a simple man. I normally just have a mug.” He chuckled, taking a gulp from the glass. It as a simple wine that they had in the Weyr in bulk but he appreciated the man coming to find him. It was a good theory but you never knew especially if Lana was in one of her moods but they had been growing less and less he felt as things settled down again “Not alone anyway.” I’han muttered, raising an eyebrow at the Weyrleader. “Is he staying away?”

A'ren laughed. “True. I just grabbed the closest glass,” he admitted, not really having thought about it. “Not with all those hides.” He glanced over at his friend, knowing just what he meant. “As far as I know he has been.”

“Well he looks miserable most of the time so I can’t imagine he is getting lucky especially with the way they spoke to each other at the last wingleader meeting. Downright artic between them so you must be doing something right.” He teased saluting him with his glass.

A'ren shook his head. “I honestly do not know what is going on with those two. Lana never mentions him and I do my best to stay civil for our wing leader meetings.” He chuckled a bit. “I haven't heard any complaints,” he grinned.

I’han grinned back. He was happy to hear that as a happy weyrleadership meant a happy Weyr and the new riders and father had certainly helped. Even if afterwards the Weyrwoman had been injured thanks to a weyrling accident and her goggles malfunctioning. “As someone who your mate held a grudge against for over four turns due to a shocked reaction and misunderstanding it could be anything.” I’han said thoughtfully.

“Four turns?” Shards, he hadn't realized Lana had held a grudge that long. “Didn't realize that.” It explained a lot though.

“All because of that night where Dragon Hold tried to make us believe that Lana committed sucide. I asked if she had done it on first seeing the scene in a moment of pure shock. She heard me and … well it’s all been since then.” The man shrugged. “But we are okay now. Got her to smile at one of my jokes and she let me check the stitches.” In his opinion that was better than the last 4 turns of silence and pure venom towards him at points.

A'ren remembered that night well. They had all been shocked. “Ah now I get it,” he answered. She would not have liked that one bit. “Glad you guys got that sorted out.”

“Me too so maybe it’s F’cone’s turn for the arctic. Four turns should give you a chance to have a couple of kids and get things done.” He teased and drank some more wine from his glassstsring up at the sun beating down on them in the late afternoon. “But it does bring up why our Weyrwoman is so absorbed in the records at the moment.”

A'ren shook his head with a laugh. “Oh yes. Ari keeps asking,” he chuckled. Not that Lana and him had really discussed it. He sipped on his own wine, just enjoying a few quiet moments. “It has something to do with the ruins. I'm not sure what she hopes to find.”

I’han had no response to that when the place had given him a strange feeling when he had been a weyrling let alone now as an adult. Nor on the Weyrleaders having another child, he was not so sure Lana would be willing after her last pregnancy ending with her being posioned. “Who knows.” He finally ventured out of his thoughts. “Let’s hope it keeps her absorbed for a bit and out of trouble. You are a lot happier when things are like that.”

The ruins had an odd feeling to them. A'ren didn't much care for them, but they seemed to intrigue Lana. And he also wasn't ready to broach any topic about children. “Well at least for a bit,” he chuckled..

“For sure. This is nice and we do not need to stir anything.” I’han declared hopeful that the bit might last longer. A’ren deserved more than a bit of happiness.

“Good let's talk about something good. How is Tanly?” He asked, not always getting a chance to see the green rider. He was ready to just relax a bit.

“But you and the Weyrwoman are good but alright.” I’han relented. He grinned at the mention of his own mate. The mention of her always perked him up more than just existing.

}: And me!:{ Kanoth declared waking up from sleeping on the heights in the sun. I’han glanced to where the big bronze was and grinned more if it was at all possible.

*** And yes you Kanoth. I always perk up when you are declared handsome.***

“She is perfectly beautiful and all mine.” He said simply. He was more than happy with his mate and the family that she came with in the form of her 2 brothers. “I have become a family man some how with in laws and kids.”

“Lana and I are good,” A'ren promised. “No worries there.” He grinned as he listened to I'han. him and Tanly made quite a pair. “you certainly gained a family quickly.”

“I blame you for opening the Weyr up and letting in all these new riders over the last 3 turns.”

}: It is not the Weyrleader's fault! Zarmainth’s rider cannot be blamed for that. I needed more friends.:{ Kanoth said making the bronze rider snort into his wine.

“Kanoth defends your honour, Weyrleader,” I’han smirked finding it funny that the dragons referred to A’ren as Weyrleader.

“Had to get someone in here that works,” A'ren laughed. It had been nice to see new faces. “Really? Well thank him for me. It sounds like he doesn't mind the new riders,” A'ren teased.

The younger man rolled his eyes. “Yes. The Dragons do it quite often to be fair. You are simply Weyrleader to them. That notion goes deep but I joke but I do enjoy having brothers. S’lei and K’vin are good riders and they drive Tanly mad sometimes so that works in my favour.” He laughed, reaching out for the wine skin pouring another glass.

A'ren raised a sandy brow. “Zar never mentioned that,” he admitted. He was surprised the dragons did that. “Oh poor Tanly “ he laughed, filling his glass after I'han. “And I'm sure you don't egg it on.”

“Maybe I do… just a little to make sure we all get our share of Tanly being cross.” I’han laid back on the grass more and put his hands behind his head feeling happy. “Truly A’ren you have done a great job the last two turns in turning this weyr around and burning Dragon Hold from Pern.”

The Weyrleader laughed. “Better not tell her that.” A'ren leaned back on an elbow, enjoying the warm sun. “Thank you. I do wish we had done something about Dragon Hold sooner.”

“What could you have done?” I’han wondered genuinely interested in how the man could have changed any of it by simply doing something when Dragon Riders could not do anything towards Holders—even Holders who caused no end of damage to them.

“I honestly don't know. That is why the place got away with it for so long.” A'ren had hated every moment of it but I'han was right. They hadn't been able to do anything against a Hold.

“You weren’t the only Weyrleader in that time and this started before you were Weyrleader. M’nor was an old problem.” I’han reminded bluntly. F’cone had not fared any better against the problem but they had both solved it when Pern came together to end it after the massacre.

“You are right,” A'ren agreed. There had only been so much they could do till the Holders finally got behind them too.

“If only I had a way to savour being right in an argument with you A’ren.” The man sighed happily as he looked from the sky to A’ren and grinned. “Nothing you could have done would have changed anything but bringing back docking rights, Dolphineer Hall and all the other things that have changed in the last turn really have helped. Our home is thriving.”

A'ren rolled his eyes. “Don’t get used to it,” he grinned. Although it felt good to be joking and relaxing. “It is now. A lot of good has happened.”

“Yes Sir.” The Bronze Rider snorted. “It has. It is starting to outweigh the badness.” I’han said thinking about all the ways that the good had become good. I’han was relieved that Dragon Hold would eventually be a distant memory for the children of the Weyr.

He knew I'han wouldn't let him live it down. That was okay. the man was helping him remember all the good things that had happened recently and not the bad that tried to destroy them .

“What has been your favourite thing from the last turn?” I’han wondered thinking about his favourite thing. It was hard to work out what it was when there were so many of them.

“Oh that is a hard one,” A'ren admitted. There had been so many good changes. “I think just seeing the Weyr get back to a good place and being at peace with the Holds again.”

“That is cheating Weyrleader. Mine is seeing the Dolphins so close. Kanoth enjoys them and they are a great help in making sure no weyrbrats get up to mischief on the beaches now. Less soggy children coming into sickbay according to Terliyn.” He said thoughtfully.

The Weyrleader laughed. “Yes I knew it was. But I couldn't just pick one.” He nodded. “Zar likes the dolphins too. He says they scratch his stomach. Ooh I hadn't thought about the weyrbrats. That is a good thing.”

The Dragons certainly loved the Dolphins. It made him happy to know that the dolphins enjoyed their new hall. “So come on then your thing? Pick 3 then?” He asked, wanting to offer him a fighting chance at thinking on all the positives.

“Seriously?” A'ren asked. They were still playing the game? “Being able to open the Weyr to the new riders has been great. I've really enjoyed getting to know the different riders. “

I’han grinned looking over at the older man. This was better than them lecturing each other over wine. “First one and yes seriously. Your mate has made me appreciate simple games.” He said thinking back to the wingleader meeting where they had sorted out the new wing riders.

The Weyrleader groaned. “Yes, Lana has become quite good at that.” Although the game with the wings had been good. “Okay so I named 1. What about you?”

“Is this where the snark comes out towards your mate thanks to wine. What games has she been playing?” He laughed digging into that comment.

“Oh no,” A'ren laughed. “We're not going into that.” He wasn't being baited that way. Although he still laughed.

I’han laughed. “We are A’ren. You started it.” I’han challenged with a shake of his head as he reached out for his glass.

“Nope not happening,” A'ren answered. “What happens between Lana and I is for us only,” he warned with a smile.

“Spoil sport. Apart from when you make scenes in dining cavern.” I’han laughed and rolled his eyes. “My favourite thing is the fact you bribe the weyrbrats to find new and ingenious ways to come in and out of the Weyr. That is impressive.” I’han commented on his favourite change. “Actively challenging the child of the Weyr to be engaged in Weyr security for reward if they find a way.”

“Most definitely,” A'ren laughed. He grinned. “Gotta keep them busy somehow. Have you seen how much mischief your twins and my daughter get into together?” He enjoyed watching the weyrbrats with the game. “Now to figure something with the weyrlings.”

“I try not to get too involved in their lives for fear they will take more after me than they do with mischief already.” I’han knew the man knew he regularly kept in contact with their foster mother especially as they had moved recently to another woman due to their needs. But he was also trying to avoid getting too attached for fear of emotionally damaging them if he died in fall. “So what else?” He wondered.

A'ren could understand I’han's concern but he still had to visit Ariana and he had caught both I'han and Tanly at different times visiting the twins. “Hmm let's see,” he said thoughtfully. “I have enjoyed getting to see a few new crafts getting started.”

I’han had not thought about that but the splicing off of a few crafts had given people so much more opportunities which was amazing in his opinion. It gave people opportunities to really thrive which he was all about. “It is. I like the skillful way you and the Weyrwoman handled Elysia and the other riders' requests to leave by throwing the Weyr open to them offering paradise to them and elevating the overcrowding up there despite how I mock that I will never remember all the names.” It was a great move that would have earn them a few friends as well as enemies in the north but it was needed.

The Weyrleader chuckled. “Names are definitely going to be hard. Good thing our dragons can help there.” He definitely relied on Zarminath for help. “And it's been good to see the riders enjoying life and making new friends.”

“Kanoth is working hard at the moment so he deserves his sunshine nap.” I’han declared.

}: I always work hard for you.:{

*** As do I for you *** I’han commented smiling at the dragon’s indignation at that being in doubt.

A'ren shook his head. “I wish I could take the naps like our dragons do.” He knew the dragons worked hard but it would be nice to have a nap every once in a while.

“Me too. Maybe that could be your next decree A’ren mandatory nap times.” I’han said grinning sounding like Z’ran for a moment when he was being ridiculous or trying to avoid getting into trouble in his younger days. “But to make this fair my last thing that I like about the Weyr is how happy you look, my friend. Being weyrleader is hard work but sometimes you make it look easy.”

“Hmm that might not be a bad idea,” A'ren grinned. Not that he could really do anything but it was a good thought. He looked over at I'han in surprise. “I do?” It certainly wasn't easy but I'han's words really helped.

“You do. You look happy and you make being Weyrleader look easy with how you handle things.” He repeated his statements. “But you know it could be the wine speaking.” He teased knowing it was not. He had complimented the man before the wine had kicked in.

“I am happy.” For the first time in a long time, he felt truly happy. A'ren laughed. “Well, that makes me feel so much better. I see how you really feel,” he smiled.

“So your last one dear Weyrleader?” I’han questioned softly sitting up finally to drink the dregs of his glass. He was going to stop but as he lifted the skin up to slosh the contents he realised there was enough for them both pouring the last of the contents into both glasses.

“Mmm how bout just having good friends who have stuck by each other through everything,” he answered, holding his glass over to finish off the wine.

“Well I guess I can let you have that one.” I’han declared. “But I do think that last one is a given.” He added just grinning at the Weyrleader thinking indeed he was lucky to have friends who had stuck by him through his own issues with self worth.