Coming Home

Posted on Sat Nov 22nd, 2025 @ 10:02pm by Gold Rider Lana & Bronze Rider A'ren

Mission: 3531 AL
Location: River Cove Weyr
Timeline: M3 D21

Lana glanced back at the group that were all heading back to River Cove Weyr and the little dragonet that was secured with Kanoth who seemed quite happy with his passengers for the moment it would take to travel to the south. Lana let out a whistle as she found her voice did not travel as well as male riders but it worked and soon everyone was above High Reaches.

}: Home :{ Kalaith prompted with the clear vision of River Cove and how the sun was setting over the bay and A’ren stood in the bowl watching the skies.

Laliy was excited and nervous all at the same time. Her little feline was buried deep in her jacket to keep warm and Micayith was happy as could be with Kanoth. The little gold kept looking around.

Laliy gripped I'han's jacket. “This is so odd and scary,” she commented.

“The blackness only lasts 3 heartbeats. It’ll be fine.” I’han assured quickly as Kanoth jumped aloof glancing across his riders to check on the tiny dragonet before he blinked between and then later they above River Cove Weyr and spirally down to the bowl. “Welcome to River CoveWeyr Laliy and Micayith.” I’han declared as he waved to the watch pie and Kanoth bugled a greeting to his green mate.

Neilla and Sandith landed first and the green Rider turned to see several confused greetings at the gold dragonet. She glanced up to see Lana just observing things and obviously surveying just how cross A’ren was with her.

The girl nodded. Between still scared her a bit. When they reappeared her eyes widened in disbelief. “this is River Cove?” She asked in awe. “Its beautiful.”

Micayith bugled happily, seeing all the dragons. The little gold was excited beyond words as she shifted against Kanoth.

A'ren stood in the Bowl with Zarminath at his shoulder. He wasn't sure if he should mad or happy to see her safe. He had known this trip wasn't a good thing. But wait… **Zar?***

):Her name is Micayith. She is young but will grow strong. Kaliath has assured me of that.:(

I’han jumped down, helping Laily down as Kanoth lowered himself for the dragonet to tumble down his wing and onto the ground. He crooned to the tiny gold before he launched himself back up to see his mate not even allowing I’han to remove his straps. “Laily meet the Weyrleader of River Cove Weyr A’ren.” I’han said quietly as he glanced up to Kalaith still hovered up near the watch pair.

Micayith righted herself and crooned back at the bronze. she then trotted over to her rider, nudging her arm. Cadalayith crooned at her mate as Kanoth joined her on the ledge.

Laliy put her hand on her gold’s head, scratching her eye ridge. Micayith sat down happily, looking up at A'ren and Zarminath.

“Welcome to River Cove, Laliy,” A'ren smiled at the girl. He could see she was nervous and young. Laliy inclined her head. “I do hope you like it.”
“She will. Welcome Laliy.” V’ros said rushing across the bowl to get the Weyrling pair and take them to the barracks. “They’ll be fine with Kalaith and Zarminath’s last clutch.” The man assured as he saw Kirala catching up.

}: We do have to go down there Lana :{ Kalaith prompted quietly as she felt her rider's reluctance but finally Lana gave the instruction to Lana and Lana slide down taking her time with the straps to avoid the eventuality that was going to happen.

Laliy smiled at V'ros. She remembered him quite well and had drilled him with a zillion questions. Micayith bounced around at her rider's feet. “Thank you, V'ros.

A'ren nodded. He knew the girl would be safe with V'ros and Kirala. He then turned to watch as Kaliath finally landed.

Lana sighed as she felt his eyes on her and turned to look at him as Kalaith leapt to the air to head to her familiar weyr and get over the chill from High Reaches.

*** Traitor*** Lana commented to the Queen who just chuckled.

Zarminath soon moved to join his mate on their ledge, leaving A'ren standing. The Weyrleader sighed as he slowly walked toward his mate. “Lana?”

Lana slowly turned to look at the man for a moment before she looked at the floor again. “Hello.” She greeted tightening her hands on the straps.

A'ren blew out a breath as he tried to keep calm. “Why didn't you come back with V'ros and K'ron?” He tried not to demand. She never should have been there alone.

“Because how could I leave a Weyr without a queen rider to control the mess that had been created.” Lana said, hearing the tone from him as she slowly brave looking up at him.

The Weyrleader shook his head. “It wasn't safe,” he said slowly. “You could have been hurt just like K'ron is now. Then what would we have done?” He had been scared he would lose her .

“It was perfectly safe once I stepped in with S’cir.” Lana assured him trying to not poke the beast she could see brewing behind his eyes. He was angry but trying to hold it back. “The Weyr would have survived.”

He stared at his mate in disbelief. “Seriously? The Weyr would have survived?” A'ren started to pace a bit, trying not to get angry. You could have been lying in that bed next to K'ron. Maybe even dying,” he snarled lowly.

“What do you want me to say A’ren… I did my duty to Pern. I saved my riders… I saved that Weyr.” She responded watching him pace in front of her back and forth.

“I knew this was a bad idea,” he growled. He hadn't liked it from the beginning. “Why could you not listen to me this one time?”

“Stop growling at me, Weyrleader. Or I will just go back to High Reaches.” She shot back finally unable to hold her own tongue. “I found the answers and I was on my way back when some Bronze Rider made an error and took it out on K’ron.”

A'ren spun on her. “You wouldn't dare,” he shot back, now just angry. This whole trip had been a fiasco from the start. “And that could have been you just as easily.”

“Wanna bet.” Well she would if Kalaith was firmly telling her state’s not going back to the snow yet but the Weyrleader did front heed to know that. “No it couldn’t have been.” Lana knew it could have been but she was too annoyed at the anger that A’ren was throwing her way.

The Weyrleader threw his hands in the air. “Fine, it couldn't have been you. Nothing bad could ever happen. Tell that to K'ron lying in the infirmary!” He cried. “I don't want to lose you.”

“You think I wanted K’ron hurt? You think I wanted this to end like this? I used every political tool I had to stop it going any further and to settle down a Weyr.” Lana demanded stepping back from his anger.

“No, I don't think you wanted it like this,” he answered. He knew that for a fact, but it had happened. “None of you should have been there,” he groaned. “None of this should have happened.”

“I know it should not have but it did. I did not listen because I felt we were missing someone as a Weyr. So we are at an impasse then Weyrleader. Shout at me if it’ll make you feel better.” Lana commented, folding her arms looking up at him.

A'ren growled in frustration. “I don't want to shout at you, Lana. I was worried sick about you this whole time and then K'ron and V’ros came back without you I nearly lost it.” Couldn't she understand that?

Lana had never seen him like this in eight turns and she was very much regretting her need to know when they had been so good together recently. “Which is why I got Kalaith to ground Zaramanith and Caladoth.” Lana said simply. “I would rather have faced trouble knowing you were safe here because I love you that much.”

“You didn't want me there to help?” He asked, hurt sounding in his voice. He had thought they were on a good page now. What had happened? “I'm just glad you're safe,” he finally said quietly.

“I did not want you there facing danger or tearing Pern apart to get to me. If they did hurt me we would not have ended up like High Reaches as you and Jena were safe here.” Lana said, relieved a little that he did not erupt anymore. She could handle hurt but the anger was not something she was accustomed too.

A'ren narrowed his eyes. “And then I would have had to go and tear that rider limb from limb even if I had to have someone else drop me off there.” He wasn't liking this and should have pressed harder to change her mind.

Lana sighed and shook her head. She knew he would but she had hoped that Jena would get a handle on the situation before anyone came seeking revenge. The Weyrwoman looked up at his hurt face and narrowed eyes. Slowly she stepped up to him and spread her hand over his heart. “I am sorry.” She whispered.

His shoulders slowly slumped. He knew he really wouldn't have gone for revenge as it would have ended bad but he hated to think about Lana being hurt. “I know. And I'm sorry for yelling.”

“No you are not.” Lana commented quietly looking up at him. She knew his anger was not misplaced or not valued, she had needed to find anwsered.

He shook his head. Apparently apologizing wasn't going to work either. “Please tell me you aren't going back though and you found what you needed to.”

“Timing is normal in the north. I do not need to. I am not going back.” Lana said quietly and stepped back dropping her straps to the floor as she finally felt the stress leaving her body as she leaned over bracing herself on her knees. She

“It's normal?” he asked in surprise. That he has not expected to hear. But her not going back was good. “whoa,” he exclaimed as she seemed to fade. “come on, inside and resting.”

Lana did not need to be told twice as she picked up the straps and started up to her Weyr reluctant to break the silence but she needed to tell him everything now that she was home. “It’s normal in the north. They never lost that knowledge. But A’ren I’han, Neilla and K’vin know. We are not going to keep this under wraps.” Lana said quietly as they reached their Weyr and Lana stopped dead in the doorway, relief written all over her features.

A'ren stayed beside her as they walked to the weyr. She looked ready to fall over. “Then why did we?” He wondered. He puffed out a breath. “Yeah that definitely won't stay under wraps long. Maybe that is good.” He stepped up next to her. “All good?

“I think the south just lost that knowledge.” Lana sighed and nodded. “I am good. I did not sleep well trying to keep in contact here. Control High Reaches with Kaliath but it’s sorted, they can get some adult pairs there and we can train Lalily properly and safely. Neilla is already bursting for a fight with Nerlyn over it.” Lana scrubbed at her face. “But I am good.” She assured wishing she could be true to that she knew she had so much to do.

That kind of made sense. At least they knew now. “Yeah that was a bit much,” he agreed. He cringed. “Poor Nerlyn. although right now I doubt she will leave K'ron's side.” Maybe to check on Raen but that Seemed the only possibility. He gently gestured her inside. “How about you rest for a bit and then tackle whatever is going through that mind of your?”

“No. I need to sort it all out now. It needs to be sorted before I forget.” Lana sighed moving to her desk area and sat heavily onto the chair and dropped her straps to the floor. She was trying to remember every single thing she had learned about timing. She sighed frustrated and looked at A’ren stood there watching her.

He did wish she would relax but knew she wouldn't. “Why don’t I get some food and klah for you?” He offered. “I know I'm not going to talk you into resting before you are ready to.” He knew that would never work .

That would be nice, Lana thought to herself and turned to look at him and nodded. “Please. That would be nice.” She confirmed. She watched him leave with a smile and settled to work on writing out what she knew. Before he returned she had fallen asleep sat at the desk with her head on her hand.

A'ren left her to her notes as he headed down to the dining cavern. He got a tray together before heading back up. A smile touched his lips when he entered the weyr. A'ren set the tray down before kneeling by Lana. “Hey love,” he whispered.

Lana shifted and looked confused sitting up. “I was just resting my eyes.” She assured quickly as she spotted the food and the mess she had made of her notes.

He tried not to laugh. “Love it's fine. You need the sleep,” he said gently. He could see she was exhausted.

“No… I need to do this.” Lana said picking up the quill again before she sighed, rubbing her eyes. “I need sleep.” She said shaking a little as she shook her head. This would not do.

She did need to sleep and the shaking of her hand only proved it. “Why don’t I take the notes and you tell me what to write?” He suggested.

“No your hand writing it awful.” Lana teased turning to look at him. “You win.” She sighed. “It can wait. Food and then you can put me to bed like a child.” She hated knowing that she needed sleep but she knew it and so did he.

“Hey now,” he laughed. “I try, but that sounds like a good compromise.” He turned to grab the tray and move it over beside her.

Lana smiled a little relieved the anger was gone and he no longer looked like he wanted to shake her or yell. “I am trying Weyrleader,” Lana conceded.

A'ren slowly nodded. He knew she was and he had agreed to this trip north. He had just never pictured something like that happening. He would have to check on K'ron and Nerlyn later. “So sleep after this?” He asked.

“Yeah.” Lana felt guilty that she was not able to focus enough to do what was needed but she would have to sort herself out properly in the morning. “I do not think I have a choice right now.” She admitted slowly turning to pick up a meat roll.

“No, you don't,” he agreed gently. He hated seeing her so worn out. A'ren picked up his own mug of klah and sipped on. “After you've had some rest we can talk about what you discovered and about the new gold weyrling we have,” he smiled.

Lana just nodded at his words. She was not willing to argue or talk anymore when she just needed sleep and to know she was safe in her own bed, in her own Weyr with her mate.