Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
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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

Elsewhere on Pern
NPC Weyr
River Bluff Weyr
Seacraft Hall

Story Listing
Series Listing

Weyrling Training

Writers: Estelle, Lexy
Date Posted: 17th April 2005

Characters: Anaia, Enriline
Description: Anaia wakes and Enriline tells her the babies have still not been found.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 5, day 1 of Turn 3

Anaia woke slowly, blinking her eyes and trying to fight back the haze she felt her mind was in. Glancing to her side, she noticed Enriline sitting next to her and just as she started wondering why her mother was there, it all came rushing back to her in a wave of memories and pain. She pushed herself up and glanced around, almost wildly. "My babies...have they found them?"

Lady Enriline's look of compassion was answer enough. "We have had no news yet, Anaia. There are still so many places to search..."

Pushing back the hysterics that were so unlike her, she nodded in understanding. Shards, what had happened? Had it been Enrizial? Jerandra, thinking the babes were Alajeran and Jeralir's? Or was this a completely new menace that had ripped her children from their cradles and their mother's arms to take them away?

"Has Enrizial been notified? He needs to be told." She was gathering herself as much as she could, a sense of calm descending on her as she pushed away her own fear to deal with what needed to be done. When she'd first seen her babies were gone, she'd managed a slight breakdown and Targe had been called to sedate her. The Emerald Falls Lady Holder refused to give in to the terror that filled and instead decided it was time to act.

"Lord Alalir said that he would inform Enrizial in the morning, if the babies were not found." Enriline glanced at the window behind her, where the sun was just rising over the mountains and the dawn light was beginning to fill the bedchamber. "He will be sending word to Emerald Falls soon."

"I knew someone would tell him...I had just hoped..." She sighed as she swung her legs over the side of her bed. "I need to get up, perhaps I can send Sweetie."

"I'll have the drudges prepare a bath and clean clothing," Enriline said firmly, reassured by her daughter's new calmness. "You'll feel better for it - you know that they will send word here at once if there's any news."

Anaia nodded. "I know they will. Did you stay here all night, Mama?"

Enriline looked slightly guilty. "I didn't want you to wake up alone..."

"You should have gotten some sleep! It's not good for you to stay up all night." She leaned down and hugged Enriline, doing her best to focus on the mundane and keep her mind off her missing babies.

"I don't think I would have slept in any case...I know Alalir didn't." It had been a long night for Enriline, watching her daughter's uneasy sleep and wondering where her two beloved grandchildren were now. No-one who had lived in Amethyst Cliff for very long could escape the horrible thought that they were with Jerandra, who took joy in killing. "Let's get you up and dressed and then we'll go and find out how the search is progressing."

"I want to send Sweetie to Enrizial to let him know. It's already been so long..." Her voice shook, but she refused to give in to the terror of wondering where her babies were.

"I'll write a letter for her to carry while you bathe, and send someone to find out whether Alalir has informed him yet," Enriline suggested. She sat down at the writing desk and took out a pen and paper. It was going to be difficult to explain to Enrizial that his daughters were missing, and Anaia did not need to worry about that as well.

Nodding, Anaia took her robe and entered her small bathing chamber. Quickly washing up, she tied back her hair at the nape of her neck and came back out into her room. Now she was moving as quickly as she could. She had to find out if there was any word on her children!

"It's done." Enriline signed the letter and stood, offering the chair to Anaia. "I've left space for you to add a note for him, if you wish - and then I think we should both go to Alalir and find out what the news is before we send anything to Emerald Falls."

"Of course." Ana sighed and stepped over to the table. It didn't take her long to add her comments to the bottom of the letter; urging him to join her as she needed him by her side. She had a feeling he'd need the support as much as she did.

Last updated on the July 10th 2006