Author's Note - Thank you all again for reviewing! I am officially doing a sequel, so expect that to start in early June or something. Please review if you've been reading and haven't done so yet. I can take the flames, don't worry!
Anyways, enjoy!
Epilogue
That evening, Skyfire Weyr was a flourish of activity.
Tables were set up in the nearby Gather grounds, one of the largest covered in what was left over from the food that had been served. The wine stall was just now starting its own business, and firelizards were flitting about in every direction over everyone's heads. Several other Weyrleaders had come, too. It was a night to be celebrated, the one after a Hatching. Dragons lined the ledges and rock face surrounding the open field. A group of Harpers had already set up a stage, and they were now readying their instruments, for a lot of people had finished eating already.
At one of the tables near the center, most of those who had Impressed from Jasleneth's clutch were talking amongst themselves. And near the center of the table sat J'kel, F'raj, and Marlya. Brown Kaj was off on the ledges somewhere, as was blue Zailos. Kira was wrapped around J'kel's neck, eyes wide as she watched everything around her, even though her stomach was full. J'kel himself was still in shock.
He had Impressed, and a bronze at that. F'raj had gotten blue, Ariala a green, and Marlya…had ended up with the queen.
Kaiser, as well as Nadezna, had not Impressed. Besides a quick congratulations from both of his friends, J'kel had not had the chance to talk to either of them.
A flourish of activity near the front of the group of tables caused everyone to look up, the noise that had not wavered ever since the meal had started dying instantly as the two Weyrleaders stood.
"Thank you, everyone, for coming." L'ki, started, a smile on his lips as his confident voice carried across the clearing. "And once again, congratulations to our new Weyrlings." He glanced at the table where the said new riders were sitting for a moment. "Though this is only Skyfire Weyr's fifteenth Turn on its own as an official Weyr, we have come far."
A surge of cheers in agreement went up from those gathered, and L'ki allowed them to die away before continuing.
"And now, we have another queen in our ranks, and a strong group of Weyrlings to open up a new generation of dragons. May the next Turns continue to be prosperous, so that we may meet every Fall with the strength that we have created here on Pern. So, though they will be working hard, and will struggle for the next two Turns, let us celebrate our new Werylings." Here the Weyrleader raised his glass, which was filled with wine, and inclined his head to the new Weyrlings. "To our newest Weyrlings, and Skyfire Weyr!"
Even J'kel cheered along with the crowd now, and most of the dragons above them let out their own bulges to add to the noise. Before anyone even blinked, the Harpers had started playing, and now everyone was milling about again.
"Short and to the point." F'raj yelled from next to J'kel. Marlya gave a light laugh as most of the new Weyrlings got up to meet with friends and family.
"Yes. Yaslinoth wanted to know why there was so much noise out here when they are all trying to sleep in the Barracks. Ah, and here are my parents…" She trailed off, and J'kel and F'raj turned to see Lord Taren and Lady Capris heading towards them.
"Congrats my daughter! And you also, Jaikel!" Katno Hold's Lord Holder exclaimed, throwing his arms around his Marlya. "I'm so proud. Who would have thought, two of the three Searched from my Hold Impressing, and bronze and gold! I'm sure Kaiser will Impress eventually, too. He's still young!" He added, as both Kaiser and Nadezna appeared a pace away, smiling to the Holder. "I'll be sure to tell Siara that her favorite Drudge Impressed a bronze!"
J'kel smiled, trying to imagine the look on the Headwoman's face when she was told. He'd proved the whole Hold wrong!
"Try and come visit us, dear." Lady Capris cut in, hugging her daughter after her husband had finally released Marlya.
"I'm sure I can get Yaslinoth to stop by…but after lessons, it'll be a while before we even learn to fly." Marlya replied, a smile on her face as well.
"Why of course. As L'ki said, you all have work ahead of you." Taren agreed, actually clapping J'kel on the shoulder, which almost caused him to jump. "I should go talk to the Weyrleaders, actually. We'll see you again before we leave, go enjoy yourselves, you deserve it!"
And then the Lord Holders were gone, disappearing into the crowd. Marlya had a flushed look on her face as she watched her parents walk away. A moment later and Kaiser, along with Nadezna, were congratulating their three friends.
"I'm actually not that upset." Kaiser finally said as the group fell quiet. "I mean, there will be other clutches."
"Yes, there will be." Ariala cut in. She was suddenly standing next to J'kel. She had eaten as quickly as possible, in order to go talk to her sister and R'dim. Out of all of them, Impressing probably meant the most to her. "Kaiser, I want you to take care of Sasha for me. I won't have time, and that poor canine needs a good owner. That is, if you want."
F'raj and J'kel both chuckled as Kaiser blinked in surprise before answering yes in a mumble.
"We'll keep each other company." Nadezna added, winking at the younger lad. Not Impressing had seemed to have not phased her, either.
"Well, as much as standing around and talking is, I think we should go dance." F'raj suddenly said, a smirk on his lips. "Who knows how, besides myself?"
"I do." Marlya replied.
"Same here. I'm actually rather good at it." Nadezna giggled.
"I've grown up in this Weyr, I think I can handle dancing by now." Ariala added.
"Well enough." Kaiser sighed, though his blue eyes were shining.
"Um…" J'kel started, feeling out of place. He had know idea. Being a Drudge all his life was still going to have some set-backs. Hopefully he wouldn't make a fool of himself too much during lessons.
I won't let you. A sleepy Talzynth voiced.
J'kel smirked, running a hand through his blond hair. "…who wants to help me?"
The other five looked at each other, before all of them laughed.
"I'll start." Marlya finally replied.
J'kel eyed Skyfire's newest queenrider. Well, he probably would never have thought he'd hear her say anything like that. Then again, he never though any of this would happen.
"And you can watch the rest of us, too. The ladies can rotate to help you." Kaiser agreed.
"Well, let's go, they're starting a new song." F'raj said, taking Ariala's hand and starting to lead her away.
As he offered a hand to Marlya, J'kel mentally sent Kira a picture of Zailos. The little queen chittered a moment, then rubbed her small head on her owner's cheek before taking off to find the blue.
"Think you can handle all of us trying to teach you at once?" Marlya offered, stopping when she spotted the others waiting for them.
"After the last few days, I think I can handle anything."