A Dream Realized

Writers: AL, Cali
Date Posted: 24th October 2008

Characters: Sorsha, Ri'len
Description: Sorsha chooses Railen.
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 12, day 13 of Turn 4

As Sorsha jogged towards the big barn, she saw her cousin and Serend lashing down supplies for the day's job in the big wagon. She waved at them then rushed inside hoping Railen hadn't gone on ahead. She saw him at the far end of the barn giving instructions to two younger boys. "Can I talk to you for a minute." she asked, slightly out of breath from her haste.

"Of course. Just a moment." Railen turned back to the boys who quickly ran off, then returned his focus to Sorsha. "Is something wrong?"

She could still see the wagon out front so she took his arm and pulled him out the back and out of view. She felt sort of giddy after her dream and her rush to find him but then she realized she didn't know what to say to him. After a moment she blurted out, "Did you mean it? Do you still love me?"

"Yes." There was no hesitation between her question and his answer and his face hardened with seriousness. "I meant it, Sorsha. Each word, each syllable, I meant it."

"And you want us to be together? Forever?" She asked, her high making her rush out the words. She had to make sure, the dream kept flashing in her mind.

"No." Railen shook his head, then took a step forward, gently grasping her by the arms. "Forever and beyond."

That was what she needed to hear, the confirming echo from her dream. She didn't need to hold on to the memory of someone who didn't love her, not when she had someone real right in front of her who did. She pulled him down to her and wrapped her arms around his neck as she kissed him. It wasn't a soft hesitant kiss like the two she'd received before, but a strong powerful kiss full of certainty and longing.

Railen hesitated in surprise, but that didn't last long. He held her close, his mouth crushing against her as he deepened the kiss, his heart beating in his chest, about to burst. Here he had thought she would never come to him, but there she was, of her own volition, right in his arms.

A moment later, the young man pulled back, his breathing heavy. "If we keep this up, I may not be able to contain myself."

She grinned. Just a few days ago all they had been were friends, it was amazing how quickly feelings could be realized and things changed by just a few pieces of information. She reached out to kiss him again but paused when she heard Serend call Railen's name. She shot a brief glance around her, but no one had come looking for him yet. "Are you really going to be gone all day?"

"No." Railen knew exactly what he was going to tell his father too. He leaned down to kiss Sorsha once more. "I've decided to stay with you today. I'm going to tell my mother and father that there's been a change of plans." He hesitated, then asked softly. "Will you marry me, Sorsha?"

Her breath caught, she'd been about to chide him for wanting to abandon his father and her cousin to all the hard work, but she forgot it all at his words. The whole world could have been enveloped by Thread and she would not have noticed. Marriage really did mean _forever_, he really meant it! She jumped into his arms, twining her legs around his waist, and kissed him soundly. "Yes" she finally breathed in between the kisses that were coming fast and furious.

If Railen had his way, he would have taken her right then and there. Alas, such a thing was not possible without a load of embarrassment to both of them. He returned the kisses, then broke off their feverish embrace. "I must go talk with my parents."

His words brought her back to her senses and she let go of him, "What? No, you can't!"

"What? Why?" Railen's face fell and the excitement fizzled.

"Because that's not how it's done!" she exclaimed. She tried to get herself under control, she had acted rashly and needed to convince Railen to do the proper thing. "You need to write a letter to my father and ask permission for my hand. I'm sure he wouldn't refuse you, I told him that you were very nice before I left, and he obviously approves of the family since he had me foster here."

Railen laughed, then turned to take her hands in his. "Oh no worries, no worries my dear, darling Sorsha. Your father will not be left out of this, I promise." He took a moment to embrace her again, mouth seeking hers eagerly. "You'd best get packed, though." He whispered when he finally broke off the kiss. "We're leaving for Green Bend in the morning."

"Railen" his giddiness made it hard for her to remain calm but she realized she would have to be the reasonable one of the two. "Come back down to Pern will you. We don't need to rush anything, let's send the letter to my father and go from there."

"But I want you Sorsha." Railen tightened his hold upon her as if he were afraid she might fly away should he let go. "Emotionally, physically, in every way. Waiting is going to be torture."

She heard Serend calling Railen's name again, "But worth it. You'd better answer him before he sends out a hunting party."

"All right." Yet, he still hesitated. "I'll see you at dinner then and...perhaps we can spend some time together afterwards?"

"Sounds wonderful." she said happily and gave him another quick kiss before sending him back into the barn.

Last updated on the October 27th 2008

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A Dream Realized