The Hardest Thing
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Heather, Yvonne
Date Posted: 8th September 2025
Characters: Thiseta, Teigan, T'erin
Description: Thiseta encourages Teigan to reach out to his son, even though Teigan isn't thrilled that his son has Impressed.
Location: Barrier Lake Weyr
Date: month 8, day 21 of Turn 12
"There you are!" Thiseta flew at Teigan and melted into his arms the moment she could escape from her official duties as Weyrwoman. The Hatching Feast was still in its early stages and she was only partially done her rounds speaking with the various families, Holders and newly-Impressed and somewhat dazed looking riders, but she'd missed her weyrmate all evening. "Wasn't that a lovely Hatching? Imbeth's first clutch at Barrier Lake Weyr and it's all going so well!"
Teigan's smile for his weyrmate did not reach his eyes. Somewhere, in the depths of his being, he was happy for his weyrmate. Happy that the Hatching had gone off without a hitch and that everything was fine. Except, everything wasn't fine. His worst nightmare had happened. Temrin had Impressed. For most of the month he had been living with the one hope that maybe Temrin would not find a dragon lifemate and that the crushing blow of it would send him back to healercrafting full time. Watching him leave the Sands with his ocean blue dragonet had been the most bittersweet moment of Teigan's life.
"It was very lovely. You and Imbeth were spectacular, as usual," he said, pressing a kiss to her cheek. For the evening, the healer was out of his typical work clothes and wearing a fetching tunic and trousers that had been designed to match Thiseta. (Her idea, he insisted.)
"Honestly, I'm glad its over and I can move back in with you. But before that-- your son, Temrin! He Impressed!" She was beaming. Imbeth's first Hatching, and her weyrmate's son was among the new weyrlings. "I'm so excited to meet him."
"Yes, I daresay, he'll be excited to meet you as well." The words came out of Teigan's mouth but he felt as if someone else were speaking them. He didn't even know his son's new name. He had not gone down with all the other excited parents in the hopes of catching their children outside the feeding rooms. He was afraid his face would show his disappointment, and he didn't want to ruin what was supposed to be the happiest day of his son's life.
"I hope so." Something in Teigan's tone gave her pause. She hadn't pushed to meet his son when Temrin had arrived at the Weyr since she didn't want to intrude on his family uninvited, but now... perhaps he didn't want to meet her at all? The Weyrwoman tucked her hand into the crook of Teigan's elbow. "Is everything all right?"
Teigan stared down at Thiseta's lovely face for a moment. It never ceased to amaze him how she could read him so well. His first wife had never been able to. "I know I should be happy for him, but.... When I held him in my arms, when he was born, I imagined everything his life could be. I never imagined him a dragonrider. Now, all I can imagine is him in my arms in the infirmary, torn up by Thread." It was a drab thought for a Hatching celebration, and he hated himself for bringing it up to his weyrmate. This was supposed to be her night to celebrate.
Thiseta nodded and tugged him toward the exit. This was a conversation that should be had with fewer listening ears. Night had fallen and the air was brisk, and she huddled next to Teigan's bulk for warmth. "You love him and you're terrified for him."
"I didn't have to worry about him when he was at the Healer Hall," Teigan lamented.
"I know." She laced her fingers with his and kissed his knuckles. "And now you have to worry over two of us. I'm sorry, my love. I hate that it's a Pass. It's not fair to all you on the ground, to have to watch us fly into Thread. Especially for you because you see us come home again."
Teigan cupped her cheek in his hand. "Thank you for understanding."
She smiled and closed her eyes, leaning into his touch. "I know you are conflicted. But your son's entire life changed today, and he needs you. Impressing is... beautiful, but also terrifying. He needs someone he loves to say that he's proud of him, to steady him and give him an anchor to hold onto for the days ahead." She opened her eyes. "Can you do that?"
It would be hard to pretend. To hide how he really felt. "Yes, I'll try," he said. Temrin. _T'erin_ deserved that much.
"And I'll be there with you. Chances are, he'll be too distracted by his new lifemate to notice us anyway," she said lightly. "Are you ready?"
"As ready as I can be," he said, squeezing her hand reassuringly.
They found T'erin standing beside his handsome blue dragon, a proud smile on his face. A smile that faltered when he saw his father and _the Weyrwoman_ approaching.
"Dad, Weyrwoman Thiseta," he inclined his head smartly to the goldrider.
"Please, just Thiseta." She extended her hand to Temrin with a smile. "I am so happy to meet you, and to congratulate you on Impressing Alemeth! He's so beautiful, isn't he Teigan? You must be so pleased... I'm sorry, have you chosen an elided name yet?"
"I didn't have to," the new bluerider said, using his best healer bedside manner. "Alemeth called me T'erin and that's fine with me."
**T'erin,** Teigan thought, not Temrin, not the name he and his first wife had so painstakingly chosen after months of deliberation. "You have a handsome dragon, son," he managed to bite out.
Alemeth preened.
"T'erin." Thiseta let the new name hang in the air for a moment. "Selfishly I'm also very pleased that you Impressed Alemeth from Imbeth's clutch. I'm sorry that I wasn't more available before the Hatching, but if the Weyrlingmasters will allow it I'd love to have you join us for dinner sometime soon?"
T'erin glanced at his father's face, unable to discern his expression. "I would like that," he said to the Weyrwoman.
In his mind's eye, all Teigan could see standing before him was the toddler with the mischievous grin and bright eyes. But he wasn't that kid anymore. As he blinked, T'erin came into focus again. A strapping young man standing beside a fetching blue dragon, who was rubbing the side of his head against T'erin's leg and making little warbling noises.
"I should get him to bed," T'erin said.
"Temrin... T'erin." Teigan reached out and put a hand on his son's shoulder. "I'm proud of you." That was it. He'd said it. He'd said what a father should.
"We'll get out of your way," Thiseta said with a smile. "I look forward to seeing you later."
"Thank you, Dad. And thank you, Weyrwoman." He ducked his head at her as he passed with Alemeth. Despite his father saying what he'd always needed to hear, Alemeth had already filled the spaces in his heart that had been empty before.
Last updated on the October 3rd 2025