Finding My Way Back Home
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: AL, Devin
Date Posted: 29th April 2025
Characters: N'vanik, Meledei
Description: Of course, Meledei is going to go see N’vanik!
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 5, day 1 of Turn 12
Notes: Mentioned: Cyradis, Kapera, M’gan
Once Meledei finished with Cyradis, she had someone else she was eager to see. Well, she had a large number of people she was eager to see, but even if they hadn’t been Weyrleaders, they were the first people she sought out. With her father gone, they were the closest thing she had to parents left. So, upon leaving the Weyrwoman’s office, she made a beeline for the Weyrleader’s. After that, she had a list of names to seek out and say hello, but for now, she focused on N’vanik.
Approaching the door, she felt a sense of deja vu as she rapped upon the door and then entered once given leave. And there he was, unchanged somehow, timeless even though time marched on whether they liked it or not. Light sprang into her face as she saw him there, and she grinned broadly. “Hey.”
“Mel, hey! Welcome back!” N’vanik got up and stepped around the desk to give her a hug.
Immediately, Meledei welcomed his embrace. How she had missed him! And Cyradis! And everyone! Turnover was always a fact of life at a weyr, but she was certain there were plenty of people she knew still around. “It’s so good to see you! How have you been?”
“Doing all right. Had some ups and downs.”
That response drew a single eyebrow upward, and the goldrider eyed her mentor suspiciously. “Okay, tell me about those.”
“Well, I’m still Weyrleader, so there’s that.” N’vanik headed back to his chair and gestured for Meledei to sit. “But also there’s what happened to Kapera . . .” He took a deep breath. “Tal has been helping her. Me too, a little.”
Immediately, Meledei’s smile faded, and she nodded. Word had spread even up to the North what had occurred several months before the Weyrwoman, and everyone mourned, even those who didn’t know her. “I’m sorry.”
It was one of those times Meledei had wished she’d been down there. When those she cared about grieved, she grieved. However, all of Pern mourned when a Werywoman and her gold passed on. “Is there anything I can do?”
“I’m not sure, but I’ll keep you in mind. It was awful and it hasn’t been easy, but . . . I’m hopeful,” he said. “What about you, what have you been up to?”
Hope. Hope was good. That meant it wasn’t all lost, and perhaps Kapera could come back from the tragedy. Would she ever be the same? No. But she was still a life, a part of the Weyr, even if her lifemate was gone. She wasn’t, and Meledei hoped she would choose to stay. “Well, Elleth has successfully had multiple clutches over the last few turns, and the contract has come to an end.”
“How was it up North?” N’vanik asked.
“It was good.” Meledei shrugged slightly, her smile amused. “It was the North. In the Holds, women hold a lot more respect and autonomy, which was nice.” She wished the South was as progressive, but times were changing, and she had a feeling the status quo wouldn’t remain forever. Would she live to see such changes? She didn’t know, but she hoped so. “And the contract ended, so now I’m back.”
“You seem happy to be home,” N’vanik said. It didn’t seem like she’d enjoyed her time away much. He wondered if anything bad had happened or if she’d just been homesick.
“I am.” Meledei agreed, then lifted her hands and crossed them together. “Don’t get me wrong, the people there were nice, and I made friends but…” She trailed offer, her eyes unfocusing as she envisioned something that was not there. “It’s not Dolphin Cove. Or even the South. Down here is my home.”
“I know the feeling. I never really felt like anywhere was home until I came here.” His weyr at Dream’s End had felt a bit like home, but that might have just been because he lived there so long. It didn’t extend to Dream’s End as a whole. Tal felt like home, but she was one person. Dolphin Cove, from the deep tunnels of the Lower Caverns to the beach, from the riders to the weyrbrats " this was a home he wanted to protect and help thrive.
“Then you understand my sentiment.” And there, she was back with her family. N’vanik like a father, Cyradis like a mother. It didn’t matter if they weren’t blood-related, there was more to family than biology. “And I’ll be glad to get back to work. Is there anything I should know?” Cyradis gave a rundown of some things, but Meledei thought it was always good to get multiple perspectives.
“It’s been a little quieter, but we’re still watching out for those anti-weyr holders.” He hoped the attack on R’ayl was the last of it. “I don’t want you to be afraid, but . . . keep an eye out.”
Life in the Weyr wasn’t easy, no matter what some Holders thought. They worked just as hard and even harder, especially during Threadfall. To have such sentiments run through a population who benefited from their protection didn’t make sense, but it was an unfortunate fact. “I will.” And just like that, Meledei found herself involved in the problems of the Weyr, but that was all right. She was back where she belonged, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. “Anything else?”
“Did you hear about M’gan?” N’vanik asked.
All the news was so very grave. No, not all of it, but what they focused on in that moment was all the bad news. At some point, surely they would turn to happier tidings. “Yes, he’s disappeared. I’m assuming the dragons didn’t keen?” If they had, surely they would talk about death rather than disappearance.
N’vanik shook his head. “I kinda wonder if he timed it and got lost. It’s not like him, he was so responsible, but . . . I don’t know what else could have happened.”
Timing was a possibility, but why would he do so? Shaking her head, she couldn’t fathom any reasons herself. Hopefully he was all right and there was an good explanation for his sudden departure. “Hopefully that’s all the bad news?” She offered a small smile. “And that the good things that happen outweigh them.”
“Shards, we can use more good news around here. You bein’ back is firmly in the good news column,” the Weyrleader said with a smile.
At that, Meledei couldn’t help but smile, and she felt the same way. Although going North presented a fine opportunity, she had missed her home quite dearly. “Thank you for that. I’ll try to make sure it stays that way.” For her, it was good news. Even with all the clouds that hung over Dolphin Cove as of late, she didn’t regret her return. “And hopefully, I will be here to stay.”
Last updated on the April 30th 2025