RCW: After ‘Kidnapping’ (1/2)

Posted on Wed Feb 4th, 2026 @ 10:25pm by Jr Journeyman Nerlyn & Bronze Rider K'ron & Blue Rider R’kig

Mission: 3531 AL

Nerlyn felt tired like she had slept for longer than she normally did and frowned as she rolled over and felt someone’s presence sat there. She blinked half expecting to see Raen but she lay back on her back as she opened her eyes fully and saw K’ron sat there. “What? Are you doing at Dolphin Hall?” She demanded confused before she blinked and realised she was back in K’ron’s Weyr. “What am I doing here? Where’s Raen?”

K'ron had been shocked when R'kig had returned with Nerlyn and Raen. That was not at all what he had expected, especially from his brother. He sat back in his chair. “He's with Cathlyn and T'mil. You're home where you should be.”

“No… he sharding kidnapped me!” She hissed as Peridot nudged her cheek glad to see her awake. “Why?” She asked slowly sitting up feeling her stomach roll that indicated fellis juice had been given to her.

“Why what?” K'ron asked, not understanding the question. And he still couldn't believe his brother had done that.

“I did not kidnap you,” R'kig grumbled, stepping into the room. “I did try to reason with you.”

“Why kidnap me? And yes you kidnapped me. You did fly straight, yes?” She demanded using the bedside table to stand shakily on her feet using the bedside cabinet to pull herself up.

“Of course I flew straight,” R'kig growled as K'ron blinked in confusion. “If you wouldn't have been so hard headed I wouldn't have done it. And I knew if I didn’t then K'ron would come fetch you and my wherryheaded brother probably would have betweened.”

“Hey!” K'ron cried, cradling his arm against his chest. “What is with you two?”

“He drugged me with fellis. Me and your unborn child instead of just letting me have a few more days to get myself together.” Nerlyn said not raising her voice but if she was feeling herself she would have been sharper than standing there swaying.

The
R'kig growled. “Cause you didn't say that. You just said you couldn't come back and be a I told you so,” he snarled. He was not in the mood to play nice.

“Whoa, whoa,” K'ron cried, jumping to his feet to steady Nerlyn and stay between them. “Mistakes were made. let's take a breath.”

“Seriously?” R'kig cried. “That's it. I'm done. “You guys deserve each other.”

“Get off me. I can stand.” Nerlyn muttered angrily as she tried to take in a deep breath but it just made her stomach roll again. “I’m going to be sick.” She said stumbling past both of them into the bathing chamber where she promptly threw up. Peridot chirped confused at all the emotions.

The blue rider threw his hands in the air. “See if I ever try to help again,” he said angrily, turning to walk out.

K'ron stared at his mate. Shards, what had gotten into her? He stood in confusion as his brother turned to leave and Nerlyn dashed past him. Koda chittered and went after R'kig, leaving K'ron with Nerlyn.

“I don’t want to talk to anyone.” Nerlyn muttered heaving again as her stomach rolled. She hated fellis as it always left her dizzy afterwards unless she slept it off enough.

“Too bad,” K'ron said, grabbing her a mug of water. He knew how she reacted to fellis but R'kig didn't know that and if his brother was right he had only used a couple drops. “What is going on?”

“I was kidnapped and drugged.” Nerlyn muttered as she threw up again for several moments before she sat back and took the offered mug with a whispered thanks as she sat back and lay her head back on the cool wall.

“R'kig said he only used a couple drops. What happened that he thought he had to do that?” None of this made sense. That wasn't like R'kig at all. And why hadn't Nerlyn wanted to come back anyhow?

“Because he knew you’d come and get me if I did not come back soon.” Nerlyn muttered, taking a few more sips of the water. “I did not want to come back cause I wanted you to rest.” She sighed. “I also did not want to be a smug wherhead. Truly your brother is on my hit list once I am feeling better. I’m feeding him to any dragon I can get to understand.” She muttered partly to herself as another wave hit.

K'ron frowned. “I have been resting. Now though I would like my family back. My wing second offered to come get you but I figured R’kig was the safer bet.” He shook his head. “You can not feed my little brother to a dragon. Why didn't you just tell him what was going on?”

“Because it is none of his business.” Nerlyn sighed. “I did not realise that we had resorted to drugging and kidnapping around here.” She winced at his soft tone. He was scolding her in the same tone he used with Tyreth when he was being silly.

The bronze rider rolled his eyes. “Something must have been said that made him think he had to do that,” K'ron pointed out. “He was looking out for my safety and he didn't know how fellis affected you. How could he?” K'ron carefully sat down by the door, cradling his arm still to keep from jolting it. “Why didn't you just agree to come home?c

“Because I did not want to be the person who said I told you so… so I wanted to stay there.” She told him again and then he fixed me a new mug of klah and then somehow got me back here.”

The bronze rider shook his head. “Even if you would have stayed away you still would have said I told you so,” he pointed out gently. And she had been right, but he couldn't tell the Weyrleaders no. “I am sorry he felt he had to do that though.”

“But my tone would have been less.” She whispered quietly looking up at him before finally looking away. “Me too.” She said softly thinking that she had been emotional and stubborn.

K'ron chuckled a bit. “I doubt that,” he pointed out. “But I promise I'm gonna live despite your I told you so.” He shifted to see her better. “Do you know why he would have thought he had to do that? He never told me.”

R’kig had done what he thought best at the time to get her back. “Because he wanted to protect you and he could not get me back. I just do not feel like I’m needed here when you are not here. ” She murmured softly, not looking proud of herself at all.

Now that sounded like his brother. “But I was here,” he said gently. “I just couldn't get out of the infirmary.” he shook his head a bit. “You're always needed. I need you.”

“And I need you more but I wanted you to heal up without worrying about me having a moment or anything.” She took another sip of the water and settled down closing her eyes.

K'ron slowly shook his head. “And you don't think I worried about you still?” He asked gently. “Ner, I'll always worry. No matter where we are,” he pointed out.

“Yes but you knew where I was. Me and Raen were safe watching the ocean.” She sighed before looking up at him.

“But I couldn't get there,” he answered. Yes he knew they were safe but he couldn't be with them and he hated it. “You're here now and i yes I know I deserve the I told you so.”

Nerlyn sighed as she looked at what she was wearing - K’ron shirt and her dolphineer jacket. She really had been kidnapped in not much. “I do not think I need to say it now. You know it.” She murmured putting the water cup down.

The bronze rider hid a smile behind his hand. At least R'kig had gotten her a jacket. “Yes I know it,” he smiled. “I am very glad to be home and have you home.”

Nerlyn leaned up and touched his hand for a moment before she tried to push herself up from the floor and just about managed it in the small space. “Okay then.” She said quietly as she stood there looking up at the man.

K'ron didn't work on getting to his own feet until Nerlyn was up. He hadn't really thought about how much you used your arm in trying to stand. “So, back to bed?” He asked, knowing she would feel bad after.

“I will in a minute. I want to brush my teeth.” She said shooing him away so she could have some privacy. It felt string to ask that of him but she needed a moment to use the bathroom and get rid of the taste in her mouth from throwing up fellis laced klah.

K'ron knew better than to argue. He just nodded and stepped away to give her her privacy. “I'll wait out here for you then,” he agreed, walking over to carefully sit on the couch.

Nerlyn said nothing but set about brushing her teeth until she felt happy the taste was gone and confirmed that she was not bleeding before she finally came out to the living area. She took in the absence of a few items that she had taken to dolphin hall. “So…?” She wondered as she sat down.

K'ron yawned a bit as he leaned back against the couch to wait. It had been a long day even with not flying in Fall. “So?” He teased, tapping the couch next to him.

Nerlyn made a face but slowly moved closer to sit next to him. She did not say anything but she did at least calm down taking a deep breath. “You should get some sleep.” She finally spoke up.

He raised a brow. “Really? You're gonna make faces about sitting with me?” He chuckled. K'ron nodded a bit. “I'm okay.”

“This is awkward.” She admitted with a shrug. “You better be. I am not explained to our son why you are gone.” Other than losing her mate the biggest fear had been having to tell Raen that his dad was no more.

“And why is it awkward?” He asked curiously. that didn't make sense to him. He slowly nodded at her words. “I am not going anywhere,” he promised.

“Because I have just been kidnapped into returning.”

K'ron frowned as he shifted to look at her better. “Do you want to leave?” He asked.

“No. I want to be here but I like to have the choice.” She said quietly looking up at him and caressed his cheek softly. “I know this is where I belong but I also know that without you here I am just a dolphineer who belongs at the craft hall. I wanted you to be healthy before I came back to cause chaos.”

He shook his head a little. That did make sense but he had been here. “well I am here and I am not going anywhere,” he whispered, kissing her hair. “Don’t be too hard on R'kig. he did what he thought he had to.”

“I know.” She knew the man had done what he had thought he had to but it did not change the turmoil she was feeling right now over it all. “I feel guilty over him resorting to that.” She admitted not responding to the kiss over than leaning faints him a little.

K'ron could understand that. He knew how stubborn Nerlyn could be and if he knew R'kig his younger brother was trying to keep them both safe. “you were trying to do what was best for you. I understand.”

“Thank you.” She said quietly as peridot came over and nudged Nerlyn. The little fire lizard nudged her again making the dolphineer pick the fire lizard up and press a kiss to her little face. Peridot let out a contented sound at the affection to felt.

K'ron chuckled a bit. “She seems to be doing well,” he commented as Koda reappeared and settled on a shelf to watch his family. The bronze rider was glad that Nerlyn seemed to like the little green.

“She is. She’s growing each and every day.” Nerlyn assured as the green moved up her arm and wrapped herself around Nerlyn’s neck to sleep. She had seen Koda doing it and decided she liked that place too

“Uh oh. Looks like she's learning from Koda,” he smiled as the little green found Koda's favorite spot to lay. “I'm glad you two are doing well together.”

“Course she is. Koda is the best.” Nerlyn said quietly as she leaned back a little more against K’ron trying to not be so awkward now that she was there and trying to enjoy being together again.

Koda cheeped from his perch, happily. K'ron gently wrapped his good arm around her. “I’m glad you're back.”

“I know.” Nerlyn whispered freezing at the arm around her until he felt like he was comfortable and then she relaxed again. “I am too.” She assured him despite her awkwardness. She wanted nothing more than to wrap herself around him and take comfort in the fact he was alive.

Koda fluttered down to curl up beside Nerlyn on the other end of the couch. K'ron was glad to see her finally relax a bit. “I am sorry for scaring you so badly,” he said, rubbing her arm.

“I know you are. And it’s okay,” she assured, shivering at his touch on her arm. “We are here together again.” She soothed him and herself as she turned a little to look at him.

“We are,” K'ron agreed. He still couldn't believe it had happened. He had never seen a rider react the way T'han had. No one wanted to purposely chance losing a dragon.

Nerlyn nodded and leaned up and kissed him hard, trying to reassure them both that things were okay. “Don’t ever do that again.” She whispered, stroking his stubbled cheek.

K'ron was surprised by the passion and anger behind her kiss but soon gave into it. “i don't want to do it again,” he assured her. “River Cove is where I want to stay.”

“Settled then.” She whispered against his lips as she sighed. “You took off at least five turns of my life seeing all that blood.” She admitted and shook her head thinking of the shock that had coursed through her body seeing K’ron lying with all the blood.

“You and me both,” he answered truthfully. It had shocked him to his core as all he could think about is not getting back to Nerlyn.

“I hit A’ren as he tried to stop me getting to you which was why I was sedated.” She said awkwardly. “Another reason I wanted to hide for a bit longer. I hit the Weyrleader.”

K'ron stared at his mate. “You seriously hit the Weyrleader?” He asked in surprise. Well that explained a lot. He tried not to laugh as he could definitely see Nerlyn doing just that.

“Yeah… He called me a stubborn mule and then hauled my ass over his shoulder away.” She frowned. “It’s why I ended up sedated. So yeah… I need you.” She summed up a lot of emotions into three words.

K'ron couldn't help himself as he laughed. “I would have liked to see the look on his face,” he chuckled. Poor A'ren. He rubbed her arm gently. “Then it's a good thing I am not leaving, ever,” he whispered.

“Good. Then let's go to bed.” Nerlyn said looking over her shoulder at the man. “If that is okay. I can sleep in Raen’s bed if your shoulder is hurting too much.” She said quietly.

“My shoulder will be fine,” K'ron promised. As long as he kept her on his other side then he was fine. “Besides I would rather have you beside me.”

Nerlyn nodded. She was trying to be softer, trying to be less harsh especially when she had to apologise to A’ren tomorrow and possibly R’kig too. She slowly pushed up from the couch and looked down at her stomach realising she was starting to show enough that her centre of gravity was off.

K'ron got up behind her, being careful of his arm. “How are you feeling?” He asked, smiling as he realized she was showing. He still couldn't believe they were having a second one.

“I am not going to throw up anymore but I do want sleep.” She murmured shifting out of the jacket she had on over her shirt, chucking it on the edge of the sofa. “You?” She asked back seeing him holding his arm. “You should wear a sling until your shoulder is better.”

“That's a plus,” he agreed. He hated seeing her like that. “Sleep is good,” he answered. He could definitely go for some sleep. “I should. After some sleep I'll find a sling,” he promised.

Nerlyn just nodded and disappeared into the bathin chamber returning with 2 mugs of water for them both before she curled up on the wrong side of the bed knowing it would be better for him.

“Thanks,” he smiled, seeing her switch sides for him. It would be odd but definitely easier on him. He yawned a bit as he sat on the other side.

Nerlyn said nothing as she cuddled under the sheets but did not pull up the furs as it was a little too hot for her but she left them free for him. She lay on her side looking away from him as she tried to will herself to relax and get some sleep.

K'ron lay on his back after sliding under the furs. He kept his arm propped across his chest to keep from injuring it worse. He yawned a bit, not realizing how tired he still was.