Sorsha's Nightmare (1)

Writers: Cali, AL
Date Posted: 9th December 2008

Characters: Sorsha, Ri'len
Description: Sorsha's nightmares spur a surprise decision.
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 13, day 10 of Turn 4

Sorsha was standing on the hatching ground sands, draped in her white candidates robes, and before a massive collection of wobbling dragon eggs. She looked around her and saw several girls and boys, all of whom looked familiar, standing on either sides of her excitedly waiting for the eventual first crack.

They didn't have to wait long. First one, then more of the eggs started to wobble more frantically. Little cracks started to form on their shells then larger ones. Finally, a nose poked through the shell and a small wet dragonet broke through and pushed himself on to the sands. All at once it seemed like they all had cracked open, and Sorsha watched in fascination as the dragonets went to and bonded with the various familiar faces all around her.

She noticed one little green crying out and stumbling towards one group and then another, searching for her lifemate. Sorsha looked around, wondering where they were, but everyone was already walking away. She heard a voice in her head }: Where are you? Why are you not here? You were supposed to be here. Why don't you want me? :{

The cry was piteous, and she knew in an instant that the green must be meant for _her_. She ran to the little dragonet, to try to console it and show it just how much she loved it, but it walked right past her. She went to touch the little green, to pull her head around so she would have to look Sorsha in the eyes, but her hands slid right through the soft hide.

She wasn't really there, the green couldn't find her because Sorsha wasn't at the hatching, she had chosen to stay at Willet Grove, and now the green was all alone. Sorsha watched helplessly as the green continued to cry out for her other half. }: Why aren't you here? Why don't you want me?:{ Sorsha collapsed down onto the hatching ground sands and cried until the sounds of the green faded from her mind and she was left alone.

~ ~ ~

Sorsha woke, her chest clenched tight and her face and hair soaked with tears. She'd had another nightmare, but this one had been more vivid, and the outcome all new. It was still very dark outside her window, and she briefly wondered how long she'd been asleep. The dream had been so real, the little dragon so alive. Thinking about the dragonet started the tears to start flowing freely down her face and though she tried to stop them, she couldn't seem to get them under control.

Sliding out from under her sheet, she slipped out of her room and down the empty hall towards Railen's. He'd said to come to her if she had more bad dreams, and right now she didn't care if it was improper or if she got caught, she needed his warm safe arms around her. She needed the protection and comfort that only he could give. When she got to his room, she didn't knock, just opened the door and quickly closed it behind her. She could see the outline of him asleep in his bed, and without so much as a word slipped in next to him and buried herself against his chest.

The feel of the warm body pressing itself against him woke Railen from slumber. His body knew who it was before his mind did, arms encircling Sorsha and drawing her close. After a moment, he woke up enough to realize what was happening and his hold upon her tightened. "Bad dream?" He asked softly, though he knew what the answer would be. He had hoped that they would stay away. She hadn't come to him, had seemed more rested as of late, so had assumed they had gone. Evidently, not for all that long.

"Will they ever stop?" she mumbled, her face pressed against him. His arms around her had released whatever small amount of control she'd had on her tears and now she was just attempting to stop herself from wailing.

"It's okay." Railen assured her, squeezing her gently. One hand released her, but only to stroke her hair, caressing tenderly. How he hated to see her upset! It was worse than having something upset him. He waited silently, patiently, letting her cry and sob, not worrying about the way the tears wet his shirt. When she had managed to calm down a little bit, he whispered softly, "Tell me about it. Maybe talking about it will help."

Sorsha shook her head at first, if she didn't talk about it, maybe it would go away. She'd tried that though, with her other nightmares, only this one was worse and now she was willing to try anything to make them stop. "I... I was at the hatching. Only I wasn't, no one could see me. And the eggs hatched, and there was a dragon looking for me. It was so scared and lonely and I could hear it in my head calling for me, but I wasn't there, it couldn't see me. And it just cried and cried and cried and never stopped. Railen, I killed it! I killed it because I wasn't there!" She started sobbing hysterically again, not caring if anyone could hear.

"Shh...shh, it was just a dream." Railen resumed his gentle stroking, fingers tracing over her hair, then over her face to wipe away the tears. He let her cry again, held her close. The second outburst took longer to subside than the first, but he didn't push, didn't rush. As she cried, he thought over what she had told him. Were those the nightmares? Were they all the same? A pang of guilt shot through him. He didn't want her to go to the Weyr. He wanted her there beside him always. Yet, he didn't want her to continue with the nightmares that surely plagued her. So what were they to do? Let her suffer? Sorsha had said she wanted to stay with him rather than go to the Weyr but it was obvious that deep in her heart, she wanted to stand. That was the only reason he could see for these nightmares.

Last updated on the December 12th 2008

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Sorsha's Nightmare (1)