I do not know how long I spent sitting there on my own.
I know I changed into my pajamas at one point, though.
And I know that I dozed off eventually and when I woke up, the bed across the room was still empty.
It then began to rain.
It rained for days and days, the droplets pouring in rivulets down whatever so dared to try to support it.
"It's only been three days." I told myself, sitting on the floor of the hall outside my room.
I could not sleep lately, I had been a horrible sleeper since I reached Pern.
Ayukay, Detrenim and Neiden had been particularily sleepy as the damp days went on.
I did not share the sentiment.
"Hatching!" Someone yelled, soon joined by other voices as feet stomped and people ran around the halls.
I heaved myself to my feet - as I had never been particularily graceful - and ran to the hatching grounds.
I had heard all the rumours during the previous week and had taken to wearing robes constantly.
Now it came in handy, as it was one less detour to make.
I soon found myself falling in line with the other candidates at a halting trundling walk.
It was annoying, to say the least, but it gave Ayukay and Neiden time to carry Detrenim to me.
Of course, the brown miniature ran on the ground for the last bit - he was too independant to let himself be so humiliated.
When we finally reached the sands, we were forced into a semi-circle to stare at the dragons.
Then a fralamar spoke a magical spell, which seemed to be a poem at first.
And, finally, the dragons began to hatch.
The first was a bronze.
Then was a green, but I could instantly tell the green was not 'normal', so to speak.
She set off with her two brothers, letting one of the blues bond before her.
She then set off importantly.
I got lost, She said, looking right at me.
I could simply stare at her.
A bronzed green?
Mine?
Staring at me?
This was so wierd.
"Well, you did find your way eventually Alfirinth." I said, a grin slowly forming across my face.
You know, it's a rather precarious place, these sands.
I hope that Enzan Shi place you cre- "Alfirinth." you want to go to is less... lumpy.
"I'm pretty sure it isn't, lovely." I told her,
"Hungry?"
