Foreword:
This story is an AU. The Weyrleaders and all other characters have never (to my knowledge at least) been mentioned in any of the actual Dragonriders of Pern series. There is no particular time that this story takes place, know only that it begins near the very end of a Pass, so there will be no fighting Tread.
Please bear with me and and any possible mistakes that I make.
"Bloody freezing," L'roden swore as he cupped his hands before his mouth, breathing onto his stiff fingers.
You should have brought your riding gear, Jaffoth commented, the blue dragon shifting closer to offer his rider some protection from the biting wind.
"Didn't think it'd be so damned cold," L'roden huffed, grateful for Jaffoth's warmth. It still amazed him how difficult it was for the cold to pierce dragons' soft hide.
Between is colder, Jaffoth reminded him, making L'roden shiver. It was true. Nothing beat the awesome cold and nothingness that was between.
For a while they stood in silence, L'roden huddled against Jaffoth's chest, staring out across the Bowl of Telgar Weyr. There was very little activity at this early morning hour, just a few of the women from the Lower Caverns. L'roden released a pent-up breath, grimacing at how the air fogged before his face. Spring couldn't come fast enough. In the back of his mind the old rider realized that Jaffoth was speaking to someone, Sorth? No, the green would still be sleeping. Abruptly L'roden longed for the warm bed he shared with R'bren.
Vinna comes, she is bringing your gear, Jaffoth suddenly announced.
Jaffoth! L'roden mentally berated, "You didn't wake her did you?"
No, Jaffoth replied calmly, craning his long neck to peer behind him, eyes whirling bright green. She was already awake, D'gran had wanted to speak to her,
L'roden shifted his weight from one foot to another. Was it really necessary for the Weyrleader to have the girl up at this hour?
The Weyrleaders want her to be fully prepared to take on the responsibility of a weyrwoman,
"The queen has yet to be impressed," L'roden said automatically, but the comment held no weight. Only a few in the Weyr still argued that the girl would impress. Almost another half-dozen candidates had been brought to stand on the sands for the golden egg, but there was no doubt in L'roden's mind who the little queen would choose.
Nor in mine,Jaffoth hummed, then again L'roden felt the blue speaking to another.
There was another reason for Vinna being so valuable: the girl's incredible ability to speak to any dragon, even Branna's queen, Yiirmith.
She comes, Daniiel is with her,
Jaffoth's humming took on a slightly higher pitch as L'roden struggled to remember who Daniiel was. He wasn't a resident of the Weyr, so he had to be a candidate found on Search for the upcoming hatching. How many were there again? A total of fifty or so. Strong young lads all of them. Plenty for the twenty-two unhatched dragons to choose from.
Trying to recall which Hall or Hold Daniiel had been from, L'roden nearly missed the quick steps of the two children as they climbed the steep stairs to the watchdragon's post. Unfortunately, Jaffoth moved to greet them just as a particularly cold gust of wind blew over them.
"Shards! Don't leave me to freeze!" he swore as Vinna and Daniiel stepped onto the outcropping of rock. Jaffoth crooned in apology as Vinna stepped forward to hand him his wherhide riding jacket and gloves. He almost wished she'd brought the cap too.
"Thank you, girl," he huffed, quickly shrugging into the familiar attire. He took a moment to really look at the girl as Jaffoth arched his neck to have his eye ridges scratched.
Vinna was a sturdy girl, with pretty brown hair and hard green eyes. Lean, with high, sharp cheekbones. Broad shoulders and long legs, she'd taken to wearing heavy wherhide boots. She'd abandoned skirts in favor of the thicker trousers most boys in the weyr wore.
She already looks the part, L'roden thought bitterly as Daniiel respectfully bowed his head to both rider and dragon.
D'gran and Branna both are being very firm in her instruction, Jaffoth swiveled his head to gazed at his rider, They don't want another accident,
L'roden paled slightly at the comment. Dragons weren't known for their memory, but even after nearly half-a-Turn, the dragons of Telgar Weyr could still recall that day. Accident! They'd lost two queens! Poor tutelage had not been the issue, it had been-
Enough, Jaffoth interjected, firmly but still warmly, It is too early to think of such things. Look, the sun rises, M'sor and Ufuth have come to take the watch,
L'roden looked up. Sure enough, the green dragon was hovering off to the side, leaving enough room for Jaffoth to take off from the ledge. Vinna and Daniiel had already begun their descent as L'roden mounted the blue's neck.
Are you hungry at all? L'roden asked.
No, I ate well two days ago, Jaffoth curved is wings as they spiraled above Telgar Weyr.
Then back to our weyr, L'roden requested. Obediently the blue banked down, as eager to get to Sorth as L'roden was to get to R'bren. In their enthusiasm to get home, the pair were oblivious to the awed expressions of two candidates standing at the edge of the Bowl.