Until We Meet Again

Writers: Heather, Paula
Date Posted: 11th December 2015

Characters: Raghad, Runnfreya, Runha
Description: Runnfreya tells her daughter how she and Raghad met.
Location: Citrus Bay Hold
Date: month 3, day 12 of Turn 8
Notes: Mentioned: Hadrid, Torianna

"Mama, why did Hadrid get in trouble?" Runha tilted her head questioningly up at her mother.

"Because he was fighting with some of the hold boys." Runnfreya answered honestly as she fished through her large jewelry box. Delicately she untangled each piece and draped it over her vanity desk.

"How come?"

One silky black eyebrow arched a little, and Runnfreya's lips pursed together, "Because the boys had some inappropriate things to say about your sister."

Runha's big brown eyes showed that she was mulling this over, "What kind of things?"

Runnfreya turned around and caught Runha's chin in her hand, "Things that should not be said in front of little ladies." Tapping the end of her daughter's nose, she turned back to her jewelry box.

"Is it because Torianna is a woman now?" she asked.

"Who told you that?" Runnfreya looked over her shoulder at her youngest child.

Runha lifted her shoulders, "Everyone says it."

"Yes, that has a little to do with it." she told Runha, finding no need to lie.

"Well I don't want to grow up and be a woman then!" Runha crossed her arms over her chest.

Runnfreya laughed and abandoned her jewelry box to come and scoop her daughter up and plant her in her lap. "Oh really? What are you going to become then? A silly wherry?"

"No, mama, I am going to be a dragonrider!" Pride filled the little girl's voice as she jutted her chin out a bit.

"Is that right? Are you going to be the next goldrider of Pern?" she asked, playing along.

Runha rolled her eyes, "No, mama, I want to a _blue_ dragon!"

Runnfreya laughed again and shook her head, "I'm afraid that can't be, my love. Blue dragons only Impress to men, and you, my dear, are not a man."

The little girl's mouth fell open, "But blues are the prettiest!"

"Ah, now see? There's even limitations for women at the Weyr, the same as the Hold. Will you still go to the Weyr if you cannot have a blue dragon?"

Having had her dream thoroughly doused, Runha sighed and shrugged her shoulders, "I dunno. Maybe I'll just marry a man like Papa. How did you and Papa meet?" The question made her perk up a little with interest.

Runnfreya thought back to all those Turns ago when she'd first laid eyes on Raghad....

**** Flash Back ****

"'Scrub the floor, Runnfreya! Empty the chamber pots, Runnfreya!' Why don' ya get off your fat bottom and do it yerself!" Runnfreya spat as she angrily scrubbed at the stone floor in the corridor that led between the kitchens and the Dining Hall. All morning the Headwoman had done nothing but dole out orders and Runnfreya was on her last ounce of patience. Sloshing some more of the soapy water onto the floor, the drudge flicked her long, inky black hair out of her face and then continued to scrub with the thick, bristled-brush she gripped with both hands.

Raghad had stopped to watch and listen the young drudge. He had came to Jade Harbour Hold on business. He was on a good mood after he had managed to contract well qualified healer for Citrus Bay. "Runnfreya is apparently meant for something better," his tone was amused.

Runnfreya was startled by the voice. She'd thought she was alone in the hall. Looking up she realized immediately that she was looking at someone of money by the quality of clothing that he wore. "My apologies, milord, I tho't I was alone. Overlook a drudge's mumblin's would ya?"

Those eyes, Raghad looked straight into them and was captivated. So dark and full of fire. He saw rebellion there and intelligence. She was too good for this kind of life. The thought of marrying again had crossed his mind before, after all, it's been five Turns since that infection had taken away Vevina. "Oh, I don't know about that, perhaps the drudge has a valid reason to mumble," Raghad said slowly.

"Perhaps." Runnfreya agreed. She noticed the way the man looked at her, she had seen it in men's eyes before, right before they tried to take one of the drudges off to their bedchambers.

Raghad was however thinking of more long term than just a night in bedchamber. He was getting older. She looked like woman who could keep him warm at nights and his mind alert on days. "So, Runnfreya, have you ever considered marrying and moving away from here?"

Runnfreya continued scrubbing the floor, knowing that if she didn't get finished the Headwoman would have her head, "Not really, milord, a drudge doesn't have a lot of marryin' prospects." She knew what her position was in life, there was no use daydreaming otherwise.

There were people who considered being a trader barely better than being a drudge. He had to remind himself he was no longer a trader but a holder. "There are people who consider skills and abilities more important than back grounds."

"Are you needing someone to cook and clean then, milord?" Runnfreya asked, grinning a little.

"No, I have plenty of those people. I need someone to sweeten my twilight Turns," Raghad's expression was serious.

Runnfreya didn't know what to make of that statement. Was he making her an offer? "Best wishes to finding someone then, milord."

"Oh, I think I already found one," he smiled slowly. Part of his success as a trader had been his ability to plan ahead and make quick decisions when situation so demanded.

There was no mistaking the look in the man's eyes, he was definitely talking about her. "But.... But you don't even know me?"

"I can read people," Raghad replied. "A whole life as a trader teaches you to do that."

Runnfreya stared up at the man, entranced for a moment before the Headwoman's sharp voice cracked through the air, "Runnfreya! We need you back in the kitchens..... now!"

Cutting her eyes toward the sound of the woman's voice, Runnfreya grabbed her things and pushed up from the floor. "It was a pleasure meeting you, milord." She curtsied and back away.

"Until we meet again, my lady," Raghad replied with enigmatic expression on his face.

***End Flashback***

Last updated on the December 14th 2015

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Until We Meet Again