RCW: Time and Time Again (2/3)

Posted on Sun Nov 10th, 2024 @ 8:42pm by Gold Rider Lana & Bronze Rider A'ren

Mission: 3531 AL
Location: River Cove Weyr
Timeline: MD 2 D5

A'ren blew out a breath as Nerlyn disappeared. “That didn't go very well,” he commented.

Lana watched for a moment as the atmosphere changed to anger from K’ron and then genuine horror as the Weyrleaders were left alone. Lana shook her head letting out the breath that she had been holding and sat back in the chair looking washed out.

The Weyrleader scrubbed a hand through his hair. “Not quite sure how we're going to make this one better,” he admitted. Nerlyn had looked a wreck and he was pretty sure there was a lot more that K'ron had wanted to say.

Lana looked at A’ren and shook her head. “I…” Lana started before she shook her head again. She was not at all sure how to approach this. She was angry and horrified at the same time. “All those times she looked washed out and no one knew. She was just a kid when this started and…Oh… A’ren is that why she lost her Dragon.” Lana put her head in her hands wanting to cry but the anger kept the tears from brewing.

He nodded in understanding. Nerlyn had just been a kid and what had their predecessors been thinking? Why hadn’t they tried to stop her? A'ren's eyes widened at Lana's question. “Surely not. That was just a horrible accident.”

“But what if it was? What if…” Lana asked before the tears finally came out at all the emotional damage that Nerlyn had suffered thinking it was her only way to help the Weyr. She sat up wiping angrily at the tears that she felt she did not deserve to shed when she had opened the wounds again for the woman. “What if something did happen and they between-ed time and that is why it took so long to find them.” She asked the potential of the situation in her head now. “By the First Egg… this cannot get out.”

“Hey hey,” he soothed. He honestly hadn't considered that but it wasn't going to help anyone right now. “Lana, easy,” he soothed, squeezing her hand. “We don't know that and we can't change it. But we will make sure it doesn't happen again.”

}: It will not happen again.:{ Lana nodded as she heard Kalaith repeating the Weyrleader's words back in the same soothing tone. “I am okay. This is just a shock which I have no right to be. I thought she was just going to say she had a system or contact not this. A’ren if I had known it was this I would never have. Oh, Shards K’ron looked so angry.”

Zarminath bobbed his head. }: We will make sure it doesn't,:{ The bronze agreed.

A'ren sighed softly. “I know. I wasn't expecting that either. It will definitely take some thinking about.” He nodded a bit. “Must admit I don't believe I have ever seen him like that before. We'll have to see what we can do.”

Lana agreed silently as she squeezed his hand and rose shakily to her feet. “He has never been that angry,” Lana said, looking around A’ren’s office. “Do you have any wine?” She demanded knowing it was far too early in the day but at the moment she needed something to take the edge off.

A'ren had to agree. That young man had always been level-headed and never acted like some bronze riders. “I do actually,” he answered, moving through his office to find the wine skin. It was just something he kept on hand. He pulled two glasses and poured wine in both before handing one to Lana.

“Thank you A’ren.” She took a huge gulp of it and frowned at the taste thinking it must have been there awhile. She hugged the glass to her chest as she tried to think clearly. “What do we do now?” She asked seeking his guidance.

“Sorry. it's probably not the best but it works in a pinch.” A'ren sipped on his own wine, realising he needed to get some fresh wine. “first I think we need to give Nerlyn and K’ron some time before we try talking to them again. Then we make sure no one ever sees those notes. She did a wonderful but dangerous thing for the Weyr and I don't want anyone else thinking they have to do that.”

Lana nodded as she started to pace in an attempt to get rid of the nervous energy that she had. It was her flight or fight and there was nothing she could do about it other than pace. “We will wait for them to come to us again,” Lana decreed as she downed the way of the glass and set about pulling the notebook apart.

A'ren knew better than to try to stop her pacing. He had tried that before and it hadn't gone well. “That is a good idea.” He wouldn't be surprised if K'ron snapped at them if they approached now. The younger man was too wound up right now and very protective of his mate to see straight.

Lana looked up from pulling the notebook apart and frowned. She left it there broken as she grabbed the skin pouring more into her empty glass. “Only idea I have,” she admitted holding the glass protectively. “The junior weyrlings are not going on the first flight between for a while so there is no danger there,” Lana said the last bit aloud almost to herself

This was a very complicated matter for sure. A'ren sighed a bit as he ran his hand through his sandy hair again. “That's true. At least we won't have to worry about that for a while. Must say this isn't something I ever thought we would be dealing with.”

}: I will check all of their between images myself.:{ Kalaith promised speaking to both Weyrleaders uncharacteristically.

He startled just a little when Kaliath spoke to him as well. “Looks like your lovely gold has things in hand right now.”

Lana raised an eyebrow at Kalaith speaking to A’ren too. She certainly showed her preference for the man last month or so. Lana knew the queen was not due to rise for another couple of months especially with the northern rider bolstering their ranks but she was certainly making things clear. “Seems so.” Lana agreed, holding the glass close feeling like it was the only thing stopping her from falling into her emotions. She needed a clear head to focus on the situation.

A'ren moved over to his mate. “Hey we'll get through this,” he promised. “Just like we have everything else.” They would just have to figure out a good way to handle this new knowledge and how much to say.

“I know,” Lana assured putting the glass down clutching him to her leaning her head against his shoulder not caring he was still in his flight gear or anything she just needed him there then and there. “We can do anything together but I feel like a wher head for opening this wound,” Lana admitted.

A'ren gently wrapped his arms around her. He completely understood how she felt. They had certainly caused some issues and brought up old memories. “Not sure it could have been avoided though.”

“Not at all. I still have questions after the sketches but it is horrific. What were Lornea and G’gil playing at letting Nerlyn do that?” Lana could not see herself even at her most desperate, allowing a weyrling to do that. She knew it had been a slightly different time with Thread just having started but even then she just could not see herself doing it.

}: We would not allow it. :{ Kalaith assured.

“I'm sure there are still a lot of questions to ask once everyone has calmed down again.” He shook his head a bit. “I do not know what they were thinking. It should have not been allowed.” he was sure they had had their reasons.

Lana nodded, laying her head still on his shoulder just needing the clarity that he offered by being close. “Promise me Weyrleader you have never done something so dangerous,” Lana whispered worried that they had done something as horrific in the name of the Weyr and fighting Thread.

A'ren kept his arms around her and gently rubbed her back. “Nothing like that,” he promised. “Maybe been wherry-brained during a Fall but I think we all have.” Poor Nerlyn. She had been so young and trying to help.

“Good.” Lana sighed a little and closed her eyes trying to get rid of the emotions. “And don’t you dare go and test out the theory,” Lana added knowing she most likely did not for the man but she had to remind him.

“Not a chance,” he assured her. He had never been the reckless type and wasn't about to try it now. “You either,” A'ren said quietly.

Lana gave him a look but nodded. She would not risk the Weyr in such a capacity, let alone leave A’ren alone or leave Jena at the mercy of the Bronze Riders. “I would not dare.” She assured quickly knowing for a split second she had considered it before the ramifications of what it had done to Nerlyn had hit her.

The Weyrleader nodded. It was almost tempting if you didn't stop to think about what could happen but it certainly wasn't worth the risk. “Good. Then we will just have to be diligent and make sure no one else figures it out.”

“That is a conversation with V’ros.” The Weyrwoman surmised despite not knowing if the man was fully aware. “But… I think that might be another difficult conversation that can wait a few days.” It was most likely to drag up memories for the man and a part of his life that was difficult.

“Very true.” He didn't really want to think about that conversation just now. The conversation with Nerlyn had been bad enough. “I agree. Putting it off for just a little longer will be good. We need to prepare for that conversation anyhow.” How were they going to approach this one?