Situation – Hestia has persuaded Opalith to choose Wirreth on her first mating flight, despite J'vor's insistence that he doesn't like girls that way. This conversation takes place a few weeks later. Lissenthe is L'san and Jassenthe's daughter, born the day of the hatching.

Posted in sfr3 going solo

They were all gathered together, the usual gang, L'san and Jassenth, Hestia and J'than, J'vor, Z'kiel, Cassie, U'friec. It was a rest day and they were free to do as they chose. So they'd decided on a picnic in a pleasant spot with trees for shade and a pool deep enough to swim in.

They were relaxing after their meal watching Lissenthe as she toddled around from one to another dragging a long-legged rag doll behind her. Inevitably perhaps she tripped over the doll's legs and fell, beginning to cry as she scraped her knee on the rough ground. Jassenthe started to get to her feet, but before she could move far J'vor, closest to the child, had scooped her up and pulled her onto his lap.

"Hush now, Lissi," he soothed her.

"Let's have a look at your knee. See that's not so bad. All we need to do is wash the dirt off and you'll be fine. Hey, Z'kiel (he poked his dozing weyrmate) get us some water, would you."

The green rider rolled over and reached for a nearby bottle of fresh water. J'vor took it and poured enough over the child's leg to wash away the dirt.

"Now..." he fished a handkerchief from his pocket, folded it into a bandage which he tied gently round her knee.

"There you go, all better now."

He set the child on her feet and she toddled off, happy once more.

"J'vor, you have a magic touch. Normally she'd fuss over something like that for ages," L'san commented.

"It was nothing. She saw I wasn't worried so she realised she had nothing to worry about"

"J'vor would make someone a wonderful father," Jassenthe mused.

"Well that's never happening," retorted the blue rider.

"You know I don't like girls."

"There must be someone you could accept."

"No. Not a one. Leave it, L'san. It's not up for discussion."

"Don't say never," Hestia said softly, so softly J'vor hardly heard her. She moved to sit next to the blue rider and reached out to touch his hand.

"J'vor, there was a reason I wanted Wirreth to win Opalith's mating flight. I asked her to choose him and she agreed with my reason."

"But why? I know you can't have J'than because he also rides green, but there must be other men you could have accepted."

"I'm sure there are, but I wanted you. And now I can tell you why."

She leant forward and whispered,

"J'vor, I'm carrying your child."

For long moments he stared at her, stunned beyond belief.

"You're what?..."

"I'm carrying your child."

This time she spoke loud enough for the others to hear, but no one said anything.

"I can't believe you'd do that for me when you and J'than must want your own children. "

"There's time enough for us. This one is for you. Oh, J'vor, please don't cry. I wanted you to be happy."

J'vor brushed away the tears he couldn't help.

"I am happy. It's such a wonderful gift you've given me."

He pulled her into a hug and bestowed a kiss on her forehead.

"Thank you so much, my friend."