Ever the Twain

"Neru, grab some of this meat and feed your dragon," Nian said, struggling to help her brother and grateful that there was still some meat in her bowl.

Quinth roared with anger that her own rider would feed her food to another's dragon. But three riders instantly leaped to help and Nian stuffed Quinth until her mouth was so full that the little queen had to start chewing or choke. Neru was given a full bowl and Nian's was replaced so that very shortly both the gold and the little bronze were contented.

H'ran and the Weyrwoman began examining the bronze dragon, opening and closing its wet wing membranes, tapping its chest, checking its legs and tail to be sure it was healthy.

"He keeps saying that he was so weak with hunger, it was hard to make the shell crack, but see, he had almost broken through when Nian tripped," Neru was saying, stroking his dragon. "He's wonderful, isn't he?"

"He certainly seems whole and healthy," was H'ran's decision, although he looked to the Weyrwoman to see if she agreed.

Oh, he is, he is, Quinth said to Nian.

"So, was your stumble accidental?" the Weyrwoman asked, looking from Nian to Quinth. "After what I had just told you?"

"She was trying to get the last of the meat in the bowl," Nian said, boldly staring back at the Weyrwoman.

I am still hungry, Quinth said as if that justified everything. Dutifully, Nian held out another handful, careful to see that every piece went into the queen's mouth. It was sheer luck that I had enough strength to break my own shell, Quinth added, swallowing the last mouthful before she pointed her head at Nian. And then you kept walking away from me!

I am sorry, dearling, Nian said as contritely as she could, holding out another handful of meat. I simply never thought that I'd Impress a dragon.

"Well, we're all here now, and together," Nian said, "and Larinth looks like a fine fellow."

Thank you, Larinth said, his eyes glowing as he regarded Nian and Quinth intently.

Beside her, Quinth said quite distincty, You're welcome. Obviously, she didn't like Nian to have much to do with Larinth. But then that's what H’ran had said about newly Impressed dragons. They were jealous of their new partners.

"Let us help you toward the barracks then, Nian and Neru, and settle your dragons," the Weyrwoman suggested.

"No more staggering into me either, please, Quinth," Nian said, passing her the last of the food in this latest bowl. "Can she have more?" she queried the Weyrwoman dubiously.

"She'll probably need it," the Weyrwoman said. "After all, it's a long walk for a newly hatched dragonet."

Somehow, Nian did not think she had fooled the Weyrwoman with her desperate ploy but Neru had Impressed a bronze and that was justification enough. Sometimes things just needed a little push to come right.

One small detail, Quinth said in a firm mental tone, I am your dragon. And Larinth is your brother's. Let us keep that in order.

Of course, dear Quinth, of course. I am all yours.

Yes, you are, and Quinth moved as close to Nian as she could.

"Hey, watch it, Quinth, you can't sit on my lap, you know," Nian spoke out loud to her dragon. "I've already got a bloody nose and sore ribs from you knocking me about. Can we please make it back to our weyr in an orderly fashion?" And a gentle note crept into Nian's voice that took the sting out of her words.

Of course, Quinth replied in a suspiciously demure tone. As they passed H'ran, he put yet another bowl of meat cubes into Nian's hand and gave her the barest smile and a wink that Nian decided to ignore. After all, her plan had worked.

Just then, Conna came forward to congratulate Nian. She saw Neru with Larinth and raised her shoulders in a shrug. Nian held her breath. Would Conna tell the Weyrwoman that her twin's candidacy was dubious? At last Conna's eyes met hers. The green rider merely grinned.

"It is always what the hatchling decides, my dear," she said kindly. "And I'm very pleased for all your sakes."

Nian leaned weakly against her queen for support. And Quinth graciously supported her. She kept a hand on her dragon's neck as they proceeded on their way to the weyrling barracks.

Halfway across the Hatching Ground, they saw Robina patiently feeding the little green dragon that had pursued her half across the Bowl to succeed in making Impression. Robina's expression was that of a love-struck young woman, and her little green dragon looked ecstatic.