A Perfect Gentleman
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: Bree, Eimi
Date Posted: 2nd December 2005
Characters: Lenala, M'galec
Description: Lenala goes to M'galec for comfort and is pleasantly surprised to find he doesn't want anything in return.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 9, day 5 of Turn 3
In spite of Vilarth's sleepy offer to fly her to M'galec's ledge, Lenala had decided that the walk through the hallways was exactly what she needed. She might rethink what she was doing on the way there, after all... Considering their confusing relationship, it was probably the last thing she needed right now. But if there was one thing Lenala _did_ need, it was the simplicity of feeling safe, and for all that M'galec could make her feel like a foolish child with a few words, she felt _safe_ with him. Safe enough that she didn't hesitate before knocking when she found herself facing his door. She could imagine what a sight she'd make when he opened the door--the bruises on her neck and face had turned a truly unfortunate shade of blue, and she had more than one scratch left visible by her robe. The bronzerider had been sleeping and was more than a little annoyed and being summoned to consciousness so soon. But as a healer, he was accustomed to being awoken at all hours to attend a patient. He was not accustomed to opening his door to find roughed up goldriders. "Lenala?" M'galec looked at the blue patches, her scratches, her troubled eyes. "Come in, let me have a good look a you."
"I'm sorry... I know it's late..." She slipped into his weyr, wrapping her arms around her waist as she waited for him to close the door. He quietly shut the door and laid a gentle hand on her back. "Please, sit down, Lenala."
She obeyed numbly, letting him guide her to a chair. "I'm all right... I just can't sleep. I need something to help me sleep." "What happened to you?" he asked gently as his fingers ran lightly over the bruises on her face. This could not be the result of a _flight_! This looked more like... rape...
Lenala shook her head, not able to meet his eyes. "Abrei said that nothing is serious... Ar'lis made me see her after the flight." "He was right to do so," M'galec nodded. He took both her hands in his.
"Lenala, what _happened_?"
She slumped in the chair, looking fragile and young. "I messed it up so badly, M'galec. I hurt Ar'lis and I could have lost Vilarth." He ran his thumbs over the knuckles of her hands gently as he asked, "What did you do?"
"I was scared. I was angry..." She shook her head, closing her eyes. "It doesn't matter... I let my emotions get in the way, and I was stupid."
M'galec reached up to softly caress her cheek. "Are you all right, Lenala?"
"No," she whispered, leaning into the soft touch with her eyes still closed.
"I don't think I'm all right at all, M'galec. I'm not sure who I am anymore, or who I want to be." "We spend our entire lives trying to find out who we are and who we want to me," he murmured as he ran his fingers through her dark wavy hair. "You don't need to know the answers all at once."
"But I don't know anything." She opened her eyes and looked up at him, willing him to understand. "I've spent the past ten turns being whoever I had to be to protect myself. And I'm not sure I even like the person I became." M'galec squeeze her hand gently. "I like the person you became. I like her very much, Lenala."
"No... you didn't meet her," Lenala said softly. "I've been trying to forget about her for the past few months... trying to remember who I was before I came to the Weyr and everything changed. And this is what happened to the Lenala who you like very much." She slid her fingers to her neck, to the worst of the bruises. "This is what happens to a woman who waits for men to protect her, M'galec." He gently moved her fingers from her bruise and leaned down to kiss if softly. "Then let me protect you from yourself."
Lenala's voice sounded old and weary. "And what do you want in return?" "I want you to sleep soundly," he replied as he stood and offered her his hand, "and I promise, Lady, that is the only compensation I expect from you."
Shyly, she reached out to take his hand. "Thank you, M'galec." The bronzerider smiled gently. "Now come to bed with me, Lenala. I swear on Dwarkanath's hide, you can trust me to be a gentleman."
Last updated on the December 2nd 2005