I Can't Stay

Writers: AL, Francesca
Date Posted: 26th January 2009

Characters: G'len, Lenlee
Description: After the Hatching, Lenlee tells G'len her future plans.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 13, day 23 of Turn 4

G'len had kept his eyes open for the girl throughout the Hatching feast, but had not seen her. It had been sad when she had not Impressed, but it was her first time Standing and he hoped she would stay and try again. Finally, he did see her, apparently leaving the celebration. He walked quickly to catch up with her and, when he got close enough, called out, "Lenlee!"

Lenlee paused and turned when she heard her name. She had come to the hatching feast, made her congratulations and was on her way to try and find her family. Somehow she had missed them, which really wasn't that surprising considering the crowd. She offered a smile to the Weyrlingmaster Third and waited for him to close the distance between them. "Hello, G'len." She greeted softly.

The greenrider hugged her for a moment, then drew away. "How are you?" he asked softly, concern on his face.

"I'm fine." Well, maybe that wasn't the complete truth. To be honest, she was disappointed. Lenlee had gotten so excited about standing for the hatching, about getting a dragon. She had gotten her hopes up _too_ high and she had been left standing. Sorsha had impressed, and Lenlee was glad for her. What had shocked her was that Railen had impressed, and he hadn't even been searched! She was trying to be happy for him too, but the girl couldn't help but think that it wasn't quite fair.

"Tobereth Searched you and she's rarely wrong," he said encouragingly. "If you stay here and Stand, you would have a good chance of Impressing." After his conversation with Sorsha not long before, he didn't have much hope that she would stay. But it would be good to know what she wanted and not just what her parents wanted for her.

"I can't stay." Lenlee shook her head. She wanted to, there was no doubt about that, but she had made a promise that she wasn't going to break. "But...maybe I can convince Da to let me come back."

That was what he had feared. "You know, as a Candidate, you have every right to stay. But, if you do choose to go home, I'll be sure to drop by when the next clutch is laid." Creating a rift between father and daughter would be unfortunate, but she really looked like she wanted to Impress. No one had the right to hold her back from trying.

"My father and I made an agreement, I can't go back on it." No matter how much she wanted to, Lenlee wouldn't betray her father like that. She knew that if she really worked on him, he would let her. She just had to keep working on him and there would be plenty of time until the next hatching. "But I'll try to convince him."

G'len nodded. He knew he would not be able to change her mind, at least not until another clutch was laid. "I heard your parents are here now? You will be going back with them?"

"Yes." Lenlee was wishing she didn't have to. She had grown to really like the Weyr. But, as she had said, she made a promise. "But not for a couple of days, I think."

"Good. That will give them a chance to see the Weyr and maybe get used to it. Has it been overwhelming for them?" He hoped spending time there wouldn't make them even less likely to let their daughter return.

"Yeah, a bit." Lenlee couldn't help but smile in amusement. Of course, she had been rather overwhelmed herself, but she hadn't had so much happen at once either. "As soon as they got here, they found out Ri'len and Sorsha were already married. Then the hatching happened. Then both of them impressed. I think they feel like they've hit the ground running as soon as the boat docked."

"Well, they have a few months to relax before the next queen even rises." Plenty of time for Lenlee to think about what she wanted to do and hopefully choose to return to the Weyr. "I'll see you again before the next Hatching then, whatever you decide."

"Yes sir. Thank you sir." Lenlee smiled. Then, before she ran off, she threw her arms around G'len and gave him a hug. When she released him, she waved before disappearing into the crowd of people.

G'len watched her leave and gave a little sigh. Hopefully, she would be back at the Weyr soon. Whether she chose to return or not, he hoped she was happy.

Last updated on the January 27th 2009

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I Can't Stay