Roza hummed to herself quietly as she moved around the near deserted halls of Dark Moon Weyr. It was very early in the morning, and all sensible people were still in bed, but no one had ever called Roza sensible. Lilium chirped once or twice, but Roza quickly quieted her. Even thought the gypsy was used to getting up at the crack of dawn, she quickly discovered that most of the other people, especially the other candidates, weren't. A volley of pillows on her second morning here told her that if she was going to get up this early, be quiet.
The green flitter didn't make another noise, but her eyes were verging on red and she was sending rather annoyed pictures of meat.
Roza bit her lip to keep herself from laughing. "All right." She whispered. "I get the picture, you're hungrey."
Lilium opened her mouth to chirp, but Roza clamped her fingers over it. "Only if you're quiet." She stressed the last word. Lilium disappeared between, leaving the singer to only pray that she wasn't causing trouble.
"When I get my hands on you Lilium..." Roza was cut off as she ran into a drudge. "Sorry. Not paying attention to where I'm going." Roza helped the other woman up. "By the way, you wouldn't have happened to see a green firelizard, about yay big, noisy?"
The drudge gave her a funny look and Roza smiled. "Are you a candidate?" The drudge finally asked, ignoring the question about the firelizard.
"Yes. Why?" Roza know could see that the girl was nervous and obviously anxious.
"Tell me you're Roza!" The girl grabbed Roza's shoulder's and was almost going to shake her.
"I am..." Roza was now worried.
"Thank Faranth!" The drudge began dragging her towards the Sands. "The clutch is hatching! I've looked everywhere for you! What are you doing up and about at this time of the morning?"
Roza let herself be dragged off. "Looking for Lilium?"
The drudge didn't bother responding as she gave Roza her candidate robe and pushed her onto the hot, already crowded, sands.
* * * How can these things already be so hot? Roza struggled not to jump from foot to foot as the heat from the sands seemed to burn through the thick sandles to burn her feet. I hate shoes. She tried to focus on the hatching, but found it difficult. With every new dragon that entered the world she found herself thinking about her friends. About how Amaryliss would have reacted to seeing her on the sands, about Nik and how she wished he was here, about Mother and what she'd think of this whole affair...about Lilika...and how she'd have loved to see the dragons...
Even as I search the sands for you, you think of someone else... The hatchling's voice was sad and lonely.
Roza looked up, fighting back the tears that she felt coming to her eyes. The golden dragonet was right, she hadn't noticed it. She would have spoken, but she didn't trust her voice. If she said one word she'd start crying. Damn! I thought I was over this... She bit her lip as her eyes met her hatchlings.
You miss her a lot...and him too...I fear you'll leave me for love of them. The hatchling refused to come any closer to her.
Roza finally gave into her emotions and began sobbing. "Yes, Miurath.. I miss Lilika a lot. I wish I could see her again, but I'd never give you up to find her. Never." She through her arms around Miurath and dried her tears.
The gold's eyes whirled blue. You have room in your heart to love me to Roza?
Of course! She wasted no time answering that question.
How? I don't understand. How can you love more than one thing like that without breaking? Miurath began to walk towards the food, still needing an answer to her question, but hunger forcing action.
Lilium reappared, eager for breakfast. The green happily sent pictures of Nik, Lilika, Amaryliss, Mother...everyone as Miurath let her share the wherry.
I still don't understand. Miurath turned to face Roza.
I guess I do get broken sometimes Miurath, but it's worth it. Hearts are funny things. The more things in your life to love, the more love you have in it. Roza never imagined she'd be explaining philosophy to a golden hatchling.
Then that poses another problem rider-mine. Miurath found that she liked calling Roza by that nick-name.
What love? Roza stroked her back, not able to take her eyes off of her.
How does a big heart full of love stay in a small body? Miurath finished her meal and lay down, putting her head in Roza's lap. Lilium curled up beside her, having gorged herself.
Roza laughed, running her fingers along Miurath's eyeridges. That's the trick. When you love someone, you're not keeping the love inside your heart...you're giving it all to the other person, trusting them with it.
What if they're not trustworthy?
Roza closed her eyes and began to sing under her breath. "I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance, never settle for the path of least resistance. Livin' might mean takin' chances but they're worth takin', lovin' might be a mistake but it's worth makin'. Don't let some hell bent heart leave you bitter. When you come close to sellin' out reconsider. Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance. And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance. I hope you dance"
Oh. Miurath seemed pleased, something in the song having convinced her. There was only one problem. Roza, what is dance?
Roza laughed. "I'll need to find Nik to show you that."
Miurath nudged Roza with her head. Or Lilika...
Roza was amazed to find that she didn't wince at the mention of her deseased friend. Pain fades with time, but memories don't. She smiled and hugged Miurath tight. "Or Lilika."
Continue...* * *
Roza impressed Miurath from Dark Moon Weyr.
Roza impressed Lilium from Dark Moon Weyr.
Song is "I Hope You Dance" by Lee Ann Womack. Lyrics found at A to Z Lyrics.
Background from Myrror Images.
