AN: This one is set sometime after they get together - though if it suits you, you can imagine it beforehand - but obviously before the conception/birth/whatever of Felessan.

Theme: Enchantment

"She's so beautiful," Lessa murmured to Manora; her expression almost awed as she looked upon the tiny bundle in Alikasa's arms. The woman – a journeywoman harper who had been assigned to Benden Weyr ten months ago, and had, in that time, managed to attach herself to K'net – looked up and gave Lessa a tired but warm smile.

"Would you like to hold her Weyrwoman?" she asked softly.

Lessa's eyes widened in surprise and fear and she took a half step back.

"I…I don't want to hurt her."

"You wouldn't hurt her Weyrwoman," K'net grinned at her from Alikasa's side reassuringly. He'd surprised them all, turning up for the birth as he had. Not many riders, particularly bronze riders, had much to do with any of their children and K'net, as a young rider, seemed the least likely to. However, it seemed people could surprise you.

"Sit down Lessa, if you're unsure." Manora gently guided the Weyrwoman to a stool beside Alikasa's cot, and with the ease of experience, she took the little girl from Alikasa and placed her carefully in Lessa's arms.

"Relax Lessa, you'll upset her if you sit all stiff and frozen like that." Manora chuckled. "See, you're already holding her the right way."

Lessa forced herself to relax, looking down on the baby as it slept. One slender hand came up uncertainly to touch the soft fuzz on her head, moving down the child's downy cheek and finally coming to rest on a tiny hand. Lessa inhaled in surprise when the baby stirred, and despite herself, she felt her cold mask slipping away as the little girl blindly gripped her thumb, and unconsciously, Lessa began moving it back and forth.

A sleepy gurgle caused her mouth to twitch and her eyes to soften, and when blue-grey eyes opened blearily to meet hers the queen rider could no longer deny that she was utterly mesmerized by this little bundle, this creature that was so tiny and helpless, yet so indefinably beautiful.

At that point F'lar entered the room, obviously in search of Manora or Lessa. However, all previous intentions flew out of his mind as he stopped in his tracks, eyes wide and expression startled, before unconsciously softening to a look that was captivated and captivating. The sight of his mate cradling a child…the expression on her face…it was utterly enchanting.

He stared for a time before realizing the room had gone silent, and a thought occurred to him. It was evident that, if he was awed at the sight of Lessa and the child, then everyone else would be utterly dumbstruck at the sight of the reserved Weyrleader staring at her in such a way. Warmth crept along his cheeks and he cleared his throat, hastily composing himself as he greeted the parents.

"Congratulations K'net, Alikasa." He clapped the younger bronze rider's shoulder. The sound of his voice broke her from her preoccupation, and Lessa looked up at him just as he looked at her. The look in her eyes caused the bronze rider's heart to skip a beat and everything seemed to fade into the background as they looked into one another's eyes.

"Lessa would make a good mother, don't you think so Weyrleader?" Alikasa asked, breaking the spell. They started at her voice and F'lar cleared his throat again as Lessa studied the wall behind him with slightly red cheeks. She never heard his answer though, for at that moment, she sensed the infant stirring restlessly in her arms. A small hand reached up, and Lessa's cheeks darkened to a beautiful shade of red as the hand felt along the front of her tunic, just below the swell of her breasts. The little one was hungry.

"I think she needs her mother now." Lessa shifted uncomfortably, leaning over to hand the child back to Alikasa. A sudden thought struck her, and she glared up at the men.

"If either of you breathe a word of this I'll make sure you're arses are threaded next Fall." she threatened.

"Wouldn't dream of it." F'lar drawled, causing his weyrmate to blush again, eliciting laughter from the others in the room.

It was a rare time, a special time.