All references to worlds and characters based on Anne McCaffrey's fiction are copyright © Anne McCaffrey 1967,2000, all rights reserved, and used by permission of the author. The Dragonriders of Pern(r) is registered U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, by Anne McCaffrey, used here with permission. Use or reproduction without a license is strictly prohibited. For more information, visit the Worlds of Anne McCaffrey.

17-06-02: Drowsy mornings
On a drowsy morning in bed, Lydiere and G'wain make plans.

G'wain lies on his side in the bed the pair have shared for what seems like an eternity, eyes wandering over Lydiere's slightly exposed shoulder before he shuffles in closer to kiss her skin softly, gently, draping almost protectively over his mate. Resting his head upon the pillow, his eyes close. He doesn't want to wake, as usual, a smile on his face. True, it's rare to see him without one, these days.

Lydiere's dozing - something she's been doing a lot of, lying on her back when it's too uncomfortable to try and lie on her ballooning stomach - with her head lolling to the side, eyes shut lazily. G'wain's soft kiss draws up her eyelashes, a contentedly warm smile falling into place across her lips as she turns to snuggle against him, feet, complete with swollen ankles, drawing to wrap about his. "Mmm," she says, murmuring softly towards his ear.

Once she moves, his eyes are slowly unveiled once more. "How're you feeling?" It's almost an automatic question, and one that Lydiere is probably sick of by now, he's asked it that much. Though never more than twice a day. So he's concerned... it's his first child. He doesn't particularly wait for the answer, though he will take note of it, a comment made soon after, "It's a beautiful day." Of course. It's a restday.

"I'm good, I'm good." Lydiere responses, though she never did loose that pale, gaunt look-- she's smiling, though, and if not quite blossoming, then certainly gaining something of a pale glow. "And yes, it is a beautiful day. Couldn't be anything but." She, after all, is getting to cuddle closer to her weyrmate, and avoid the stack of hides that are waiting for her-- although not for today.

G'wain doesn't get any ideas, for he's not sure he'd want to... tax... Lydiere in any way, but he does lean forward to bequeath a kiss upon her lips. It isn't a passion filled kiss, gentle and full of another emotion - love. "Have you got anything planned for today?" He asks without seeming to care. He may or may not have something planned, and just wants to see what she's up to.

Lydiere lifts her head from the pillows to meet and match that kiss, smiling around it, and after it as she draws back again, making herself a comfortable, half-sitting position. "Nothing important," she declares, with a lazy, thoughtful tone. "The usual sand-sitting for a while, no doubt, but otherwise, nothing at all." She tilts her head, allowing her gaze to catch G'wain's face. "What about you?"

G'wain smiles at something that can't be heard, at least by Lydiere. "Ahreluth just mentioned to me that he commends you on your demeanour before you... clutch." G'wain chuckles softly, and nods his head. "Yes, I'll tell her. He thinks that you should have a talk to Llysereth about the way you're taking it, and the way she takes it." He pauses a moment, and shakes his head. "Sorry, got a little off track. I've got nothing planned either, but I was figuring that the water might take some of the strain off your back, so we migth schedule a swim?"

Lydiere chokes on a burst of laughter, unable to keep a hugely broad smile from stretching to the corners of her lips. "Dear Faranth!" she chortles, expression relaxing, slowly, into that of the lazily amused. "I'm not sure if I dare pass that along - she doesn't understand how she can be the more upset about my pregnancy. She's not been so bad this time, though. Not even with the clutch, now. She actually let W'yn on, when I wasn't there." She glances down at her middle, ruefully, nodding. "That would be a good thing, I think. I can understand Llysereth's delight in water when pregnant, more than ever."

G'wain's expression is echoed in G'wain, for he wore something of a more serious face as he relayed that information. "I think Ahreluth is quite serious, dear. But I'll tell him to tell her himself... I think that he understands that the information that he suggests is potientially volatile." Carefully he snuggles closer to Lydiere, his smile soft. "For the moment though, I think that I don't quite mind lying here. Only if you don't, of course." He's quick to add that.

"I know that, love," responds Lydiere with a lazy, arching stretch of her shoulders, "But that doesn't make it less amusing. Imagine telling Llysereth that, especially with a clutch on the sands. She's too much an emotional creature, I'm afraid. I'll see what I can do, though." She tangles her feet about G'wain's more firmly, stretching toes so that they smooth against his skin. "I certainly shan't object to that."

G'wain rolls his head back a moment, looking at the ceiling for the briefest of moments before turning back. "I think I'd prefer... not to think about what might happen to Ahreluth if he mentioned it to her now. Does Llysereth talk to you much about Ahreluth? I don't get all that much from him, about her. He's generally quiet when it comes to her. I think he's insecure. Do you know how things are going along with them?" G'wain's feet respond in turn, G'wain's expression clouding lightly at her swollen ankles... but the Healers said that was normal, didn't they?

Lydiere gives a rueful glance down at her ankles, grimacing briefly at them-- they can't be particularly comfortable, after all. "She doesn't," admits Lydiere, chewing on her lip, shoulders going slightly more stiff. "I know she dotes on him, although, at the same time, she dotes on Zymanth, too. I guess he's probably right to be a little insecure. She's... far more a friend, than a devoted mate, I think. It can't be particularly comforting, to him."

G'wain nods his head, the smile never leaving his face. "If he weren't a dragon, I'd think he was holdbred. Even moreso than I, though I'm learning. Learning slowly, but learning." He didn't even try to bash up the one who won Llysereth's flight this time... no, wait. That was Ahreluth. G'wain isn't all that sure that he's happy about doting on Zymanth too, but W'yn's nice. He doesn't know about Zymanth. "And Ahreluth's totally gone." The hand resting on Lydiere lifts to make a dismissive gesture, "He's probably devoted enough for the both of them."

Lydiere turns her gaze back, querying, very slowly, "Does that bother you, about Zymanth? I have to feel sorry for him. During the flight, he /knew/, and he was there, mentally, but he couldn't get there." Trust Lydiere, to go onto such tangents in the middle of a cozy morning under the covers with the man she loves. "You are learning, I know. I have faith in you." A deep breath is expelled, her head nodding slowly. "I know, he is. And she loves that in him."

There's a musing thought that G'wain voices as Lydiere speaks, more a mutter than anything. "I wonder what would happen if Ahreluth were to lose interest. Would she let him go, or..." G'wain did listen though to what Lydiere said, and responds. "A little. W'yn is a good man, though... I don't think I'd... mind... so much if he..." It's hard enough for him to say it, but he means it. "I can't say thought that I'm not glad that Zymanth didn't get to Llysereth, for the flight, though... I don't know if, after all that happened, if I, or you, could have coped with that."

"She's attached to him." Lydiere is forceful in this, stating it without a doubt. "She would never let Ahreluth go completely." She shifts, making herself more comfortable, partially leaning against G'wain. "I know what you mean. Of all the other men on Pern, W'yn is the one that would be my second choice to end up with, but I'd far rather not have to deal with it, all the same. I don't know if-- escaping, like we did this time, is a good idea, though. Too many people made comments, made me feel bad."

G'wain nods his head ever so slowly. "I have to cope... get used to it. I can't run forever. It's not like you're the problem." His frown though is one of the first in a while, at least in Lydiere's presence alone. He's not too happy with something, and only after a moment does he voice it. No love without trust, no trust without honesty. "It... does worry me, though. I don't think Ahreluth realises about Zymanth, or he doesn't want to realise. I think... but I'm not sure, that Llysereth holds him in her talons, and only needs to squeeze to crush his heart." He's worried for his dragon, careful not to let Ahreluth listen to his conversation, or be privvy to his thoughts.

Lydiere's expression - her whole face - turns impassive, a true poker-face as she stares in front of her, across the cavern towards the entrance, and the ledge beyond. Llysereth, of course, is not there, but Lydiere's eyes fall towards there nonetheless. "Oh," she says, as if there are no other words in the world that could better describe what she wants to get across than that. "I... I can honestly swear that Llysereth will never, intentionally, squeeze those talons. She cares too much. But that's her downfall, as well as her redemption, isn't it." It's not a question, but an emotionless statement. "It would break her heart, if she hurt him, but she can't help but care for Zymanth, as well."

G'wain looks concerned as Lydiere's expression turns to neutral, another question, one closer to his heart is expressed. "And what of you? As she cares for Zymanth, do you care for W'yn?" In his 'parallel' there might be something else apparent... Lydiere, like Llysereth holds G'wain in her hand. G'wain is just as insecure as Lydiere, mainly from his previous actions, and his question is evidence to this, carefully worded and bland.

Lydiere turns her head, directly her gaze so that it focuses upon G'wain's eyes, seeking deeper. "W'yn is my best friend, but I have not thought of him as a lover in more than three turns, and even then it was flight related." Her gaze is unwavering in this, positive in her words. "But, I repeat: friend, not love. /You/ are the one that I love, G'wain, and I would never forsake that for another." She knows - at least, she has an inkling - of that parallel.

G'wain's breath is released - he didn't even realise that he was holding it. He does however lower his eyes from that gaze rather quickly, ashamed that he even could think such a thing. "I'm sorry.. I didn't mean that you d--." He breaks off rather suddenly, and smiles. "Ahreluth tells me to shut my mouth." Seems that the dragon was allowed to listen in on this last, afterall. "I think I'll takes his advice."

Lydiere lifts her head, drawing lips close to G'wain's to press a gentle, tender kiss upon them. She draws back, shaking her head. "Shh, don't fret about it-- I don't mind what you say. We all have doubts." Lydiere, as much as the next. She gives a wry, quiet laugh. "Look at us. A cozy morning, together, and we start delving into our secret fears and worries. We're hopeless."

G'wain lets his eyes close briefly as his fears are somewhat allayed by the kiss. "I don't think it's possible for us to not turn deep at the slightest opportunity." His shoulders shrug lightly, as if he doesn't seem to mind. "I guess it might just be that we don't get to really talk all that often, past a 'How was your day', at night. Lets forget all this, then... and just continue the cozy morning?"

"True," agrees Lydiere, snuggling back down against G'wain with a lazy motion, using one hand to puff up the pillows behind her. "We work too hard, I think. But-- don't respond to that. Forgetting all of the deep stuff is a good idea, because I'd rather just spend the time with you. After all, in a few months, there'll be thr-- well, five-- of us. Although at least there'll be J'ey and M'kan, to help out." Did she mention that? It may well have slipped her mind.

G'wain raises an eyebrow. It indeed did slip her mind. "J'ey and M'kan?" He doesn't sound too worried... yet. "They're going to be... helping out?" Is Keid back yet? G'wain hardly sees the lad as it is. "Anyway, you're right. I doubt we'll get too much time to ourselves once the baby's born."

"Oops." Lydiere does not, however, sound particularly worried. "M'kan asked, well, if perhaps he and J'ey could help us out-- rather than us having to foster specifically, since we don't really have the time. He's got kids that he doesn't know, and he feels guilty. I said I didn't mind, if you didn't, and it /would/ be helpful." She's still babbling, though. And Keid, for the record, is indeed back - although happily off in the nurseries more often than not.

G'wain shakes his head. "No, I think it's a good idea. Though I really do intend at least trying to be a major part of the sproglet's life." The word stuck, it seems. "I'll make time, just as I do for you. And I'm sure I can bring hides home and read over them while I watch him." G'wain's got it in his head it's going to be a boy. Awww. "I'm sure that they'll look after him well."

Lydiere's expression is nothing less than approving - both at the use of 'sproglet', and at G'wain's words themselves. "As do I. I feel guilty enough over Keid, that I'm so busy, and broke up with his father, not to mention ended up Impressing, and all but disappearing from his life for a while. I don't want that to happen, with this one." She brings her hand towards her middle, and then grasps for G'wain's, drawing it closer: "It's kicking."

G'wain's face lights up at Lydiere's words - specifically, the last two. At least she's using 'it'. "Really?" His hand moves as hers grasps, and he lets his hand be guided. He's /so/ going to spoil this child. His face beaming as he waits and hopes for another kick, he chuckles, "I glad that the little one isn't doing self-defence or combat training in the wombs as I was said to have done."

Lydiere brings G'wain's hand down to rest on her abdomen, her smile growing broader-- she, who worried about having no connection to her child, seems to have recovered all too well. "Oh, really? I can imagine, though. Mum had the same with my brothers. D'you think that means that this one's a girl, then? Although Keidire was quiet. Hardly moved at all, it seemed."

G'wain shakes his head a little. "Nah. It's got to be a boy. Keep the bloodline going, since I'm an only child. I'm not too sure about that blood, however." Does Lydiere know about G'wain's father? "I should go and bring mother here. In fact, I'm sure she'd love to come, at least to see the child. She's a capable midwife. At least I think she still is. It isn't like you lose those skills. And maybe.. if /he/ has gotten worse, she'll stay."

"We're dragonriders," Lydiere corrects, immediately, "A girl can carry along the bloodline just as much as a boy! Although," she admits, biting at her lip, "I think I want a boy, too." She turns her head, going quiet as her gaze seeks at G'wain's eyes again. "That would be nice. Having her around. I've never met her." She knows enough of his father, evidently, to know better than to mention him.

Indeed she does. "She's a wonderful woman... I take after her much more. Got more of her blood, I hope. She does like to gossip a little too much, but then, that's not such a failing here, is it?" No more is said about the sex of the child, the bronzerider content to speak of his mother. "I'm sure you two would get along well - she could probably swear better than you, even if she's not searcrafter. She apprenticed into healer at an early age, but she had to give that up. She learned enough though. She gave it all up to have me... /he/," the word is practically spat, "Didn't have the courtesy to at least wait until she was a journeyman..." G'wain shakes his head. "Still, she never complained. Never does."

Lydiere listens in silence, a warmer smile spreading across her face as she watches her weyrmate speak of his mother. "She sounds wonderful," the woman agrees, quietly twining her fingers through G'wain's. "Perhaps she could pick up that healing, again, if she came here? I'm sure the healers wouldn't object to having an extra hand around the place, especially if she's had that experience."

G'wain thinks about this a long moment, his hand squeezing Lydiere's gently once he starts to speak, a little excited, though restraining it. He loves his mother, that's clear. "You mean, they'd take her on? She's got to be at least in her late thirties..." He's a little sceptical. "Still, she might not want to stay."

"Why not!" retorts Lydiere. "She's still an apprentice, even if she hasn't done it in turns, and healers always have too much to do. They let dragonriders pick up crafts, besides, why not nonriders, too?" She brings her other hand over, resting it on top of her first hand, and G'wain's. "Maybe not, but it's worth asking, I think. I'm sure she would like to be near her first grandchild, and her only son."

G'wain's smile blooms, "You know, you're right... As usual. And I will ask her. Perhaps I could go today... I've got the rest of the day off. You could come too, if you liked. They live at Ista Hold, so it's not that far to fly straight." He's not risking the child between, no matter /what/ anyone says. "Only if you want to..." the question's posed, and he waits for the answer.

Lydiere is pleased, by her expression, satisfied at this conclusion. "I'd like to come," she declares firmly, "Although your mother will probably berate you for taking me, in my condition, and with Llysereth on the sands. Oh--" She pauses, grimacing. "Well, maybe I can get W'yn to get Zymanth to keep Llysereth company. I don't /think/ she'll mind that."

G'wain nods his head softly. "Probably." His grin is rueful, but not all that apologetic. "She knows what I'm like though, and even if she'll give me a good verbal lashing, she'll love me for thinking of her. She'll get such a shock... her son, arriving on a dragon..." So he /hasn't/ visited.

"Her son and his pregnant girlfriend, arriving on a dragon," ammends Lydiere, her lips twitching wryly, although her expression turns concerned. "You haven't visited, then. Not since you left." Her voice is neutral.

G'wain shakes his head. "I think we'll stop at Ista Hold, and send someone to see if... if he's home. He shouldn't be - he used to spend his restdays over at the Carnhaen's, and I doubt that would have changed... But just in case." He doesn't sound all that repentant, "Or maybe we'll just show up, and I'll threaten to have Ahreluth eat him, or something." Snort.

Lydiere tightens her hand around G'wains in a silent gesture of support, nodding her head slowly. "You're grown up now, love, and you're probably just as strong as he is. I don't think you need to fear him, though I won't try and insist that you need to love him, because I know that isn't true."

G'wain nods his head. "Well, it's settled then. We'll head off... once we both can be bothered to get up. How about that?"

Lydiere nods firmly, although she sinks back into the pillows, stretching back out beneath the covers. "Agreed," is her warm, quiet comment, as she snuggles against G'wain. "If that ever happens."