KH: A Gather Wedding Part 1

Posted on Thu Apr 17th, 2025 @ 7:05pm by Gold Rider Jena & Bronze Rider I'han & Sr Journeyman Halia & Sr Journeyman Rena & Brown Rider S'lei & Green Rider Tanly

Mission: 3531 AL
Location: Kymos Hold
Timeline: M2 D29

Rena had eaten more that evening than she felt she had in sevendays. All eyes had been on her and it had been hard to not enjoy the company and the love she felt towards her at the table. She had split off from the group after the formal dinner to get some air and had ended up standing on the balcony looking down as she listened to the slow, stately music and then watched the fire lizard display. She had been surprised when her green had blinked away to join them but she had smiled enjoying the display. It had been a long time since she had watched a fire lizard sunset dance as she always referred to it in her head.

Bensen hadn't been able to stop smiling. The day had been good and he was glad to see Rena eating again. After he saw her slip off he gave her some time by herself before following. “That's quite a display,” he whispered as he watched the dancing firelizards.

Rena had felt someone’s eyes on her but had not wanted to break the moment by looking away to figure it out. “It is. I had forgotten how beautiful the daily celebrations are.” She admitted smiling at whose voice she could hear. She had thought she could be alone for a while before she was found.

The young man nodded. “I think we take simple things for granted sometimes,” he said slowly. He knew he did. He could get so caught up in daily life that he forgot to just enjoy it. “I see the firelizards are helping us remember though.”

Rena could not help but agree. She had been so caught up in her grief and anger she had forgotten. She watched it enjoying the display before the trained fire lizards stopped just leaving wild ones to continue on. It left Rena concerned for a moment in how she was going to get her green to come back before she realised how she normally did it. “The little queen all golden, flew hissing at the sea, to stop each wave, her clutch to save,” Rena started to sing for the first time in months and a little green fire lizard came chittering excitedly to her as much to say there you are.

Bensen enjoyed watching the firelizards. It was nice to have a moment of peace and one he could spend with Rena. He was surprised though when Rena started to sing. He hadn't heard her voice in so long. Bensen smiled when her little green returned. “That is quite a way to call your flit back.”

The green carried on chittering away flying around Rena excitedly making it impossible for her to continue the song. The little green settled on her shoulder nuzzling her cheek softly looking happier than she had been seen in 7 months. “Cadence is unique in what she likes and I know she cannot resist a note or two.” She said grinning a little as she took in a deep calming breath. “Did you need something?” She wondered.

Bensen smiled as he watched Cadence. The green seemed quite happy and he was amused by how Rena got her to come back. “That is very appropriate with you being a Harper,” he agreed. Bensen shook his head. “No I just wanted to check on you.”

“I am fine.” She assured as the fire lizard settled down finally and curled around her neck being careful as her dress had thin material. “I just needed some air as it’s going to be a long evening. I saw that Lenya and you spoke?” She wondered gently hoping he was okay after it all. She knew he had loved the woman and her disappearance had rocked his self worth for a long time.

“I can understand that. It is a lot,” he agreed. He didn't blame her at all for needing some air. “We did. I really didn't expect to run into her,” he admitted. It had been a real shock. “I think we're okay now though.”

“Good. Did it give you some closure?” She wondered gently. She had noticed as she had left the grand hall that there had been smiles instead of yelling.

He nodded. “I will say though I am tired of the women I like thinking they're not good enough for me,” he answered, giving her a pointed look. Lenya and Rena had almost given him the same reasoning.

“Because we are not. You do not realise just how great you are.” Rena said, turning from his look embarrassed at his pointed look. She did not feel worthy of him but there was no escaping marrying him. “But I am not running. I am going to marry you, Bensen. I’d marry you right now if we could find a harper sober enough to appease everyone to give us some breathing space.” She teased him just a little.

Bensen shook his head. “I don't think so but I am glad you are not running this time.” He was tired of having the women he cared about decide to go other ways. He laughed a bit. “Well we can always try to find one,” he grinned.

“I was teasing you do not deserve a quick wedding.” She told him shaking her head as she leaned against the balcony wall looking at him carefully smiling still.

“I do not have to have a huge wedding,” he assured her. “Quick is quite fine by me.” He would rather avoid a huge wedding but he had a feeling he wasn't going to escape that.

Rena looked at him and smiled, leaning out to touch his hand. She was a touchy feely person and cutting herself off from the world in her grief had made things so much harder. ”You are perfect.” She told him gently.

Bensen gave her hand a light squeeze. It was nice to see her coming out of her grief a bit. He had missed his friend as much as he missed his brother. “Thank you. As are you to me.”

The woman smiled and rolled her eyes a little at him at what he was saying. She was not perfect but she was honest about herself and what was going on in her head. She leaned up and caressed his cheek. “I am not but I am trying, I promise.” She assured.

He had known she wouldn't agree but it didn't mean he didn't think she was. Bensen smiled down into her eyes. “We both have a lot of trying to work through,” he assured her.

The woman nodded and leaned up kissing his cheek for a moment before she stepped back. “Trying is all we can do but I am wondering how to explain all of this to Brenna.” She admitted as she watched a group of riders arriving from the knots at their shoulders.

“Hmm,” Bensen said thoughtfully. “I guess we take that a step at a time.” He wasn't quite sure either but he did smile at her light kiss. With Brenna being so young yet it was going to be a bit tricky.

“Bensen?!” A voice called and Rena glanced over to see I’han stood there with a small group of riders and one small harper who was looking perplexed at the sudden stop. The bronze rider was well known by the Far Site Holder having been placed there for a long time; he also knew the man from being the person K’yar nearly lost Lenya too. “I did not expect to see you.” The bronze rider said holding out his hand in greeting.

Bensen turned at the voice and smiled. “Well good evening to you too, I'han,” he answered, shaking the bronze rider’s hand. “Feels like ages since I saw you.” He nodded to the others. “What brings you this way?”

Rena smiled and stepped back from Bensen as the other Harper acknowledged her with an incline of her head as they both wore their knots despite the formality of the clothing and event. “Wing second so I have been invited to the ball.” I’han explained as he smirked back at Tanly. It was the first time he had ever been invited to something simply for being a rider and not a healer. “This is my mate Tanly and her brother’s S’lei and K’vinwho are on their best behaviour as they have their much better half’s with them. Halia and Jena.”

“Not because I am with you all now is it I’han?” Jena commented as she looked At Rena and smiled. “And who are you?”

“Wingsecond huh? Congratulations,” Bensen grinned. He bit back a smile. “It is a pleasure to meet all of you,” he added. “This is my fiancee, Rena.”

Tanly rolled her eyes with a laugh. “You’re wrong, Jena. I'han wouldn't behave even if the Weyrleaders were standing here.”

K'vin smiled a bit. “I always behave,” the bronze rider pointed out.

“He is right. He is most likely the best behaved out of us all.” Jena commented with a laugh at the thought that I’han would not behave even if the Weyrleaders were there. “As it is to meet you, Lord Bensen, Lady Rena.” The Queen rider said with a little more respect. “The Weyrleaders told me about your engagement at dinner. Your parents were eager to make it known. Congratulations.” Halia stayed quiet smiling fondly at the riders, they were a lot more outgoing than her but their enthusiasm for everything was infectious.

“Congratulations to the pair of you. When is the wedding?” I’han wondered brightly.

K'vin just grinned as Tanly shook her head. Her oldest brother had always been that way. S'lei slipped an arm around Halia's shoulders. He knew they were all a lot more outgoing than her but her smile was infectious.

Bensen shook his head as he looked at Rena. “We don't know. We keep joking we are just going to run off,” he smiled.

Rena smiled back at him and took his hand again. It had been a stray thought to avoid all the pressures. “Well if you do run away I could marry you both.” Halia said with a shrug as I’han grinned seeing what exactly S’lei meant about her ability to surprise him. Halia could see the pregnancy easily enough but she did not think that was the whole reason they were considering running away to get married. She felt like she was missing something important.

Bensen blinked as he thought about Halia'a offer. It would certainly make things a lot easier for him and Rena, but did Rena want that? “Well looks like we found a Harper who isn't drunk,” he commented, squeezing Rena's hand gently.

“Oh, I am sober. I have just arrived,” Halia said as the riders looked at her like she had just caused them the ultimate fun. “What?” she asked, looking at the riders.

S'lei smiled at his mate. “Nothing love,” he assured her.

Bensen looked at Rena. “What do you think, Rena? Do we do it?” He could really care less about a big wedding and they could still let his parents know.

Rena bit her lip for a second before she looked at Halia. “You can access the Hold Records,” Rena asked the woman. She knew that a Harper had to record the marriage in the Hold’s records.

“If I am unable to here I will record in the Weyr’s if you are agreeable,” Halia assured quietly.

“I will make it happen at the Weyr,” Jena said. “Queen Rider oath.” She could see the seriousness of the situation now. Rena looked at the man and smiled relaxing for the first time since the discussion had started.

“Go get your parents.” She said quietly leaning up to kiss him on the lips gently.

Bensen couldn't stop smiling. Rena was actually agreeable and they were going to do this. He leaned into her gentle kiss. “Be back soon,” he promised, moving off to find his parents.

Tanly looked at I'han. “Looks like we showed up at the right time,” she chuckled, moving to slip under his arm.