T'rin

"Wow, Rajinath, when did you suddenly get so big?" T'rin exclaimed suddenly one morning. It was true that he hadn't realized his brown lifemate had gotten so large. Maybe not as large as the biggest browns, but of course T'rin didn't care. Rajinath was now an adult, and they were done with the weyrling training and ready to move into their own weyr! Is that bad? the brown dragon inquired anxiously. T'rin chuckled and scratched his dragon's soft-downed eyeridges. "Of course not, dearest, it's great that you're big! And not too big, either, just the right size for maneuvering!" he reassured Rajinath quickly. And good for winning mating flights! the brown dragon added.

"Hmmm, Triviara's queen is flying soon..." T'rin murmured to himself as he studied the flight board, his mind picturing the beautiful queenrider. I like Veralineth a lot. She's a good queen. She said her rider will be Weyrwoman Third at a new Weyr once she flies. What's a Weyrwoman Third? Rajinath's tone became puzzled. T'rin laughed. "It's like a Weyrwoman's helper, I think. Triviara'd make a good Weyrwoman any day." the rider explained to his brown dragon. I like Veralineth better than any of the other queens. She's very pretty and very smart and has a better memory than most. I could fly her. I think she likes me. Rajinath declared. T'rin smiled as he went to look for M'leor. At this point, my dear dragon, Veralineth likes all the males. She's big, strong queen; I've seen her flying. But you're the best brown on all Pern! And you'll be even better once I take you out for...shall we say, flight training. I hope you win...then Triviara might like me! the brownrider thought back to his dragon with a soft sigh. The goldrider was very pretty, very kind, and very unaware of him. He hoped that would soon change.

T'riiiiiiiiinnnnnnn! Rajinath bellowed for his rider both mentally and physically. The brownrider came running over. "What it is, Raj?" T'rin asked anxiously. One of the bronzes has signed up for my golden beauty's flight! But I will beat him! I will! I can! No one will win Veralineth but me! I'm faster than the bronzes, even if they're bigger, and you will take me out for more practice, won't you? the big brown dragon exclaimed indignantly. T'rin patted his dragon's neck. "Don't worry, love, of course I'll take you out for extra practice. I'm as set on winning this flight as you are. I just hope Triviara doesn't have any preference for the bronzerider." he mused reassuringly. I must go visit Veralineth; I'll ask her if she likes Ulonyth. wiht that, Rajinath took off from the ledge, gliding down gracefully to settle near the glowing queen, though the brown dragon was careful not to get near enough to irritate the object of his adoration. "Great. Just great. Rajinath's a big strong brown, but with a bronze in competition...what'll I do? No Talor Cliff queen has ever been caught by a brown before. I thought maybe this could be the first time. Oh, Triviara...hello!" T'rin looked up from his contemplations to see the queenrider standing before him. "Oh! Er, hello." he stammered again. "Hey T'rin, what exactly were you muttering about?" Triviara cocked an eyebrow. "Just wondering...uh, do you have any personal preference for who flies Veralineth?" the brownrider asked tentatively, not quite sure if that was the right thing to do. The goldrider laughed and wagged a finger at him. "You should know better than to ask me that! I'm not going to tell anyone until after the flight!" she replied jauntily, striding away towards her queen. Oh great, T'rin. That went well. T'rin thought to himself, and went to get his flying gear. He and Rajinath were going to do some major flying...

Many others have signed up for Veralineth's flight. But I was the first! Most of the others only signed up after they failed in other flights. All they want to do is catch a queen, any queen! They do not really care about Veralineth, but about flying her! But they cannot have her, for I am the only one who truly wants to win! And not because of the prestige that comes with a brown flying a gold, but because of the dragon! Because I care for Veralineth! Veralineth... Rajinath ended, with a lonesome bugling of the queen's name, the longest and most touching speech T'rin had ever heard from his dragon. "Oh Rajinath, I'm sure the other males aren't as bad as you make out! But that was very moving, my love. I'm sure Veralineth thinks the same. You've as good a chance at winning as any! After all, we didn't practice all those sevendays for nothing!" T'rin hugged his dragon's warm, muscled brown neck tightly in reassurance.

If anyone wondered why T'rin was walking around the Weyr with a broad, silly grin on his face for several sevendays, they were quickly informed why by their neighbors, or saw for themselves.

Outside on her weyr ledge, Veralineth was sleeping contentedly, watched over by her mate, brown Rajinath. Quite the protective wherry, aren't we? T'rin asked his dragon, amusement tinging the rider's mental tone. Rajinath rumbled and shifted on the ledge. She is my mate and no harm shall come to her. was the brown's retort. I'm pretty sure nothing would dare to attack a queen, Raj...