You Can Hear Them All?

Posted on Sun Oct 5th, 2025 @ 1:22pm by Jr Journeyman Nerlyn & Bronze Rider K'ron

Mission: 3531 AL
Location: RCW
Timeline: M3 D18

K'ron sat on his weyr ledge, looking out over the Weyr. He left in the morning and he still wasn't sure where he stood with Nerlyn. He really wished he had never learned about that sharding timing it.

Koda cheeped softly from his spot on K'ron's lap while Tyreth grumbled softly. Both were trying to encourage him.

):Nerlyn will understand and be okay :( Tyreth crooned. The bronze had learned Nerlyn’s name not long after she had lost her green.

Raen’s voice came from inside sounding confused. “But mama, why are we spending a few nights at the craft hall?” He demanded holding a dragon toy in his hand as Nerlyn moved around packing her clothes for the nights away.

K'ron closed his eyes, listening to his son's voice. This was not good at all. Poor Raen didn't understand what was going on and K'ron had no idea how to explain. It was Nerlyn’s choice to stay at the craft hall. Koda chirped softly.

“Because your daddy is going north and it’ll be easier for us to stay there so you have someone looking after you,” Nerlyn explained in her usual matter-of-fact way. “My shifts have changed a little with me waking the tables and the baby so I am doing more shore watches.”

“But why cannot I stay with Aunty Cathlyn or …” the boy started to argue.

“Because I cannot expect Riders to look after you all the time now can I? What would happen with an unexpected threadful or something?” Nerlyn said gently getting up from where she was crouching trying to retrieve the brush that she had dropped. She watched as her little green hopped under the table and pulled it out. “Thank you little one.”

K'ron finally pushed to his feet and headed back inside. Poor Raen was the one suffering from this. He had no idea how he was going to make it up to them.

“How’s it going in here?” He asked, seeing Nerlyn still packing.

Raen threw a confused look at K’ron and came over to wrap his arms around the bronze rider's legs. “Mama is making me pack some toys.” He complained quietly not able to make a choice.

“It is 2 or 3 nights. It’s not like we are leaving forever.” Nerlyn reminded quietly.

K'ron lifted his son into his arms. “Well let's pick out a couple of favorites then. Then when you come back we can play with the others together,” He offered, walking over to where Raen had his toys..

Nerlyn sighed and disappeared off to the bathing chamber to gather up a few items. She hated that she was packing up to leave for a little bit but it was what needed to happen. Raen was not at all impressed with the offer but agreed. “I don’t want to go. Weyr is home.” He declared even as he was picking up several toys to put in his bag.

K'ron sat down beside his son as Raen gathered a couple toys. “It'sIt's only a couple days. you'll have fun and you'll be able to see Oceania more,” he pointed out with a smile. “Then you can tell me all your new adventures when we both get home.”

“But why?” The boy asked softly. He did not understand because when his mum went away he went to live with Tula for a few nights and K’ron saw him at meal times and other parts of the day so what was the difference with his dad going away that he couldn’t do the same.

“I have to go with Weyrwoman Lana. She asked me to go to a Weyr north of here. We won't be gone long,” he promised. “But until I get back you be good for Mum. She needs you with her.” He didn't really know how to explain why Nerlyn didn't want to stay in the weyr.

Raen sighed looking like R’kig for a moment as that was not a washing his question. “Of course mama needs me. I need her more though Daddy as she makes sure I have hugs.” Raen commented looking sad as Nerlyn leaned against the doorway.

“Are you packed Raen?” She asked softly.

K'ron pressed his lips together to keep from laughing. His son looked just like his little brother. “You are very right, Raen. I did not think about that.” he looked up at Nerlyn, giving her a smile. “Now did you get everything you wanted to take?”

Raen nodded sadly. “We are staying here tonight right?” He asked, holding the 2 toys he wanted to take. He knew that there would be other children there and there were always papers and charcoal to draw if he wanted. Nerlyn nodded confirming that they were staying and took the items. “We need to make her happy again.”

So she was going to do that? Not even acknowledge him? Perfect, how was he supposed to fix this one? “We will, bud. We will,” K'ron promised. He didn't know how yet but somehow that would make her happy again. He just didn't know if it would be before he left.

“Mama will miss you like me. She is just cross. She did that to Auntie Neilla last month when she told Mama off for not having breakfast with her like normal.” Raen sighed, not really understanding as he flung his arms around K’ron. “Mama won’t move us to Dolphin Hall permanently will she?”

K'ron didn't realize that had happened. “Whoa,” he managed, catching Raen up in his arms as he held his son close. “No she will not move you there permanently,” he promised, glancing up at Nerlyn. “It will only be a couple of days then we’ll all be together again.”

Nerlyn said nothing as she held the items to her chest looking tearful. “Look Raen… I am not a rider so this place without our rider just isn’t proper.” Nerlyn tried to explain gently ignoring his comment about her and Neilla. Nerlyn had been cross at her sister but it had been forgotten in days.

K'ron sighed. He knew still living in the Weyr was hard for Nerlyn but until Raen was a bit older there was no good way to explain that to him. “And I won't be gone long. Then we'll all go on a picnic and let Ty swim with Oceania. What do you think?”

Raen looked between his parents and then stood up walking over to Nerlyn and hugged her legs for a moment before she sat down in the doorway to hug him. “Is this because you lost your dragon?” He finally asked making Nerlyn look to K’ron in horror holding the boy close.

“H… R…Little one how… how do you know that?” She wondered her voice shaking. They had never told Raen she had been a rider and everyone knew never to say anything.

“The dragons,” Raen said wiggling a little at the tight hold Nerlyn had on him.

K'ron blinked with shock and a bit of horror. How had Raen learned that? “The dragons?” He asked softly. He knew Tyreth talked to Raen every so often but he didn't know anyone else did. He shook his head, not sure how to answer or handle this new one.

“They talk to me sometimes,” Raen said quietly making Nerlyn pull back to look at his little face.

“The dragons talk to you?” Nerlyn wondered softly. “You can hear all of them?”

“It can be a little loud sometimes but Tyreth tells them not to speak to me all the time or only when I want to talk. They call you the dragonless rider Mama,” Raen explained softly watching Nerlyn’s eyes close tightly. He glanced at his dad wondering if he had said too much.

K'ron still couldn't believe it. His son could hear and talk to all the dragons? He glanced out at Tyreth.

):It is true,:( the bronze answered. ): we try to be careful but you know how excited the greens and blues can get.:(

The bronze rider shook his head. “They are right,” He told Raen. “Your mama had been a rider.” There was no sense in hiding it now.

Nerlyn took a deep breath and opened her eyes as the grip on the boy loosened. “Yes. Her name was Leaneth. I impressed her when I was very young and I lost her in an accident that left us both injured when you were a baby and she did not make it but I would not change anything because being your mama is amazing.” Nerlyn said gently as she leaned back against the door frame. The little boy smiled.

K'ron moved over to sit next to Nerlyn. He still couldn't believe that Raen could hear the dragons. “You are very special Raen,” he said softly. “And yes that is why your mama doesn't want to stay here without me. But as soon as I am back you guys will come back too,” he promised.

“I understand,” Raen promised and nodded. He understood a little bit more about his mum for the first time. Nerlyn watched the boy as he climbed up off of her and went back into his bedroom leaving the adult sitting there in stunned silence.

K'ron looked over at his mate. “Well that was unexpected,” he said softly. He still wasn't quite sure how to react to the new information.

“It explains so much though,” Nerlyn said, looking at the door frame. She was trying to process all of it herself and not panic at the thought of her little son being able to speak to the dragons. “I hate this,” Nerlyn whispered, her hands shaking.

It did if he was honest. It just wasn't anything he expected. “Can’t change it,” he said softly. “Thankfully Ty is trying to help keep it under control.” What else could they do?

“I am going to the Weyrwoman.” Nerlyn said firmly as she staggered to her feet. She wanted the Weyrwoman to get Kalaith to order the dragons to not talk to her son unless he spoke first. If Raen had a degree of control over it she was going to find a way to help him.

K'ron knew better than to argue. Especially with that tone. “Just don't lose your temper,” he said softly. He didn't want her overreacting to what they had just learned.

Nerlyn gave him a look that in another life would have been her about to do something dumb or worse but his words tempered her and her gaze softened slightly. “She needs to otherwise I can’t bring him back from Dolphin Hall. I am not losing him because of all the voices.” Nerlyn whispered, feeling her heart beating too fast and her breath catching in her throat.

K'ron quickly got to his feet, seeing how upset she was. “I'll go talk to her. You calm down and help Raen.” Would she really keep Raen away from the Weyr? Surely not. Shards, why was this all happening now?

The woman nodded and moved to sit on the sofa hanging her head as she took in deep breaths to try and weather the emotional upheaval she was feeling. She knew adults that came to the Weyr who could talk to all dragons were fine but children it rarely happened and Nerlyn was not risking her child.

He moved over and squeezed her shoulder. “It will be okay,” he promised. “I'll be back soon and we can have dinner together. Sound okay?” Would this craziness never end?