Better Than a Harper's Tale

Writers: Bree, Eimi
Date Posted: 12th December 2005

Characters: Lenala, M'galec
Description: Lenala decides that M'galec might be the sort of man she has been looking for.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 9, day 12 of Turn 3

Lenala

M'galec opened the door in only his sleeping pants. He was not expecting company. Usually the only people who woke him up at this time of night were frantic apprentices requesting the surgeons immediate presence in the infirmary. He was surprised to see a goldrider standing out in the hall.
But one look into her face and he knew. He reached for her hand and gently lead her into his weyr.

Talking wasn't necessary. She'd tried to return to her own weyr to sleep for the past two nights, but the shadows under her eyes told him everything he needed to know. She followed him through his weyr, the tight, nervous grip on his hand the only indication that there were strong emotions beneath her blank expression.

M'galec lead her to the bed and pulled back the covers. He smiled at her tenderly, silently encouraging her to slip in. The bronzerider gently touched her cheek with the back of his fingers, soothing the turmoil in her eyes as best he could. Finally he lay the blankets over her, tucking them around her gently. He lay down on top of the blankets, close enough that she could feel the comfort of the warmth, so that even with her eyes closed, she would know he was with her.

Tension seeped out of her slowly, and lulled by his quiet protectiveness and the undeniable feeling of safety, Lenala finally drifted off to sleep. All through the night, the bronzerider laid beside her, a silent sentry guarding her in the night. He didn't move from her side until the sun had begun to chase the darkness away. As his mind slowly eased into consciousness, he listened to her deep breathing, a slight smile touching his lips. Disturbing her and the blankets the covered her as little as possible he turned onto his side to face her. He watched her eye lashes flutter, chasing morning dreams. She looked so beautiful and vulnerable.
It took all his strength not kiss those shapely lips, so full and soft. He sighed and settled into the pillows. M'galec knew he could wait for her to wake, with such a lovely face to keep him company.

Her lips curved into a gentle smile as her breathing changed, but she didn't open her eyes. "You're not watching me, are you?" she murmured quietly. He was caught and he knew it. But there was no reason to deny it. He had good reason to be watching her. "How could I resist watch you? You're almost more beautiful when you're sleeping. I'm a strong man, but not _that_ strong."

"Are you always this charming in the morning?" Lenala opened her eyes, looking like more of her old self finally. He laughed softly. "I think so. There just usually isn't anyone to witness it."

"Well I like it." Lenala slid her hand down until she found his, twining their fingers together. "Thank you for letting me sleep here." His thumb caressed her lightly. "I like you sleeping her. I like waking up next to you."

She'd heard it before. She'd heard it more times than she could count. But she'd never heard it from someone who hadn't done anything more than sleep.
"I like waking up next to you, too." And that she'd never said before. It certainly wasn't that he didn't want to do more than sleep with her, but with all that had happened between her and Ar'lis, he would never dream of rushing into anything. There was plenty of time, after all. No need to hurry. "You are welcome to wake up next to me anytime you need to. Or want to."

"Oh, be careful with that sort of invitation," she replied lightly. "The next thing you know, I'll have moved in with you." "You better be careful teasing me like that," he chuckled softly.

Lenala stilled, her eyes meeting his as she tried to judge just how serious he was. "I wouldn't think the idea would be that appealing, considering all I seem to do is sniffle on you and sleep..." He squeezed her hand gently. "Listen, I will admit that as a man, it is very hard to just lay next to you and not touch you. You are beautiful, and soft, and everything I think a woman should be. But I ask nothing of you that you do not want to give me."

It was too good to be true, and because of that, Lenala felt doubt intrude.
"You're willing to wait?" M'galec smiled at her reassuringly. Of course he was willing to wait. He had no doubt that she would eventually come to him. The last few days had proven that beyond a shadow of a doubt in his mind. She needed him as much as he wanted her. "Yes, Lenala. I can wait for you."

"Even if I'm sleeping here?" she pressed. He looked so sharding calm... no, he looked _confident_. And she wasn't sure why. "Yes. Even if you only come here to sleep."

She wanted to believe him. Part of her did, but there was a deeper voice that warned her to be cautious. Men always had a reason... _everyone_ had a reason. No one did something expecting nothing in return. But he made her feel safe, and she liked the idea of having a protective bronzerider guarding over her. It was a better story than any of her harper tales... And maybe he'd surprise her and give her a happy ending. So she smiled and leaned over to kiss him chastely on the cheek. "Then I expect you'll be seeing more of me." He smiled. "Well, then, I better run down to the store rooms for more blankets. It's gets a bit chilly at night."

"That's because you're supposed to sleep _under_ the blankets," she responded lightly. "I trust you." "Good because goose flesh," he smiled holding up his arm as proof. Of course, he could attribute only some of that to the cold.

She pushed at his chest, shaking her head. "Move, you big foolish bronzerider..." Once she'd gotten him to shift far enough, she tugged the blankets out from under him and pulled them up over both of them. "How are you supposed to keep me warm if you're shivering? Didn't you realize that was part of your job?" "Oh, well, let me not be remiss in my duties," he murmured as he slipped an arm under her head to curl around her and pulled her closer.

It shouldn't have felt as right as it did... but tucking her head under his chin and snuggling into his chest was wonderful. Feeling his arms wrap around her was better. She sighed happily and let her eyes close. "There's only one problem, of course. We're supposed to be getting up, aren't we?" He chuckled softly, nesting his chin into her dark beautiful hair. "As your healer, I am recommending that we stay in bed a little longer. It could only do us good."

Last updated on the December 12th 2005

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Better Than a Harper's Tale