To Help, Teach and Guide

Writers: Bree, Eimi
Date Posted: 3rd January 2006

Characters: Lenala, M'galec
Description: Lenala and M'galec make a rather unusual decision, which is bound to set the Weyr to gossiping.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 9, day 16 of Turn 3

Lenala

M'galec straightened the blanket one more time. He then checked the sky again. Still no clouds. The night was not too chilly, just enough that they should wrap themselves up in a blanket, hopefully together.

He checked everything off one more time - blankets, stars, perfect temperature... but no goldrider. **You're sure she knows to come?**

}:I gave Vilarth the message.:{
**And she will come?**

}:She didn't say she's _not_ coming,:{ Dwarkanath answered sleepily.

**Yes, but will Lenala come?**

}:Do you want me to ask?:{ "No," M'galec grumbled outloud. No, he would look like an over-eager fool if he pressed too much. "No, I will wait."

He didn't have long to wait, though the gold dragon took her time circling before she landed next to Dwarkanath. Lenala sat perched on her dragon's neck for a few moments before unhooking a bag from behind her and sliding to the ground. "Sorry I'm late."

"I was not worried," he lied as he walked towards her. "I had Dwarkanath to keep me company." He offered her his arm to walk her back to the blanket.

She held up the bag with a smile. "I couldn't come without bringing a gift.
Mulled wine. It should help keep us warm if it gets too chilly."

"Ah, mulled wine. What a wonderful idea," he smiled as offered her a seat on the blanket. "Thank you for coming. I know it was rather spontaneous."

"But it was sweet if you to think of it." She settled down gracefully, pulling him to the ground next to her. "I certainly could use the break."

He sat down lightly beside her and pulled out a second blanket to bundle them up in. "I know I could use a break. I was actully surprised I could get away from the infirmary so early tonight."

"I hope that doesn't mean someone was injured," she replied, snuggling comfortably against his side and tucking the blanket up to her chin.

"Just a few post-surgery check-ups. No emergencies for me tonight." At least there had _better_ not be! "Tonight you have me all yourself."

"Good." He was just tall enough that she could rest her head comfortably on his shoulder, but she tilted her face up so she could look at him. "I think I like having you all to myself."

"More than just having a warm body to lean against?" It was a question that he was sure he knew the answer to. He just wasn't sure if she had thought beyond that yet. M'galec had no intentions of pushing her after what had happened with Ar'lis, but he did want to know that their relationship was heading in the right direction.

"Sometimes I feel guilty," she said quietly, her eyes closing. "I think about how wonderful it would be to be with you all the time. To let you help me, to let you teach me and guide me. To stop trying to be like Tsaera and Abrei and all of those women who make me feel so stupid. Is there something wrong with me, M'galec? All I want to do is come home and curl up in your arms and know I'll be safe. Does that mean I'm not a good Weyrwoman?"

"No, Lenala, it means you are a _woman_," he said gently, pulling her closer. "You can try and fight it all you like, but you will never be a Tsaera or an Abrei. You will always be who you were born to be. We have enough Tsaeras and Abreis on Pern. But there is only one Lenala. That makes you precious, and valuable, and prized. And I want to keep you."

She thought about what she'd have to give up. The flirting, the sexual encounters... they were fun, but they'd always served a purpose. She'd always kept track of each man in her head, knowing that she had something he wanted. Would she miss that freedom?

Maybe. But having a man who could care for her... M'galec was brilliant. He was strong. And he was like a hero out of a harper's tale, willing to wait for her as long as necessary. Willing to protect her.

She looked up at him again, her smile shy. Here was a question she'd never even thought to ask a man before, but there was no doubt in her that this was the time. And this was the man. "I know you've only just settled in, but I don't suppose you'd consider moving again? My weyr can be lonely at night..."

There was only way he could answer that question. He tilted her chin and kissed her softly. M'galec didn't need to consider it. He had thought about it enough. She was the perfect fit for him. He was well aware that as far as bronzeriders go he was not the most handsome or dashing, but his mind more than made up for it. And she was everything he ever needed -
beautiful, soft, vulnerable. The fact that she was a goldrider only confirmed the fact that she was perfect for him, and he had no doubt he was perfect for her.

Lenala pulled away and smiled. "We're doing this all wrong for the Weyr, you know. If we tell anyone that I invited you to live with me when we hadn't even kissed, they'll think I've lost my mind." And maybe she had, a little.
But for the first time in her life, she had a relationship that wasn't actually based on how much fun they could have in bed.

He shook his head and smiled. "I am not concerned with what the Weyr would think. I am only concerned with what is right for us. And this feels very right to me."

There wasn't much to say to that, so Lenala contented herself with kissing him again.

Last updated on the January 3rd 2006

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