Disclaimer: I do not own or operate Pern.

Chapter 3: Let's Give Them Something to Talk About

The first thing Jeff and Trina did when they got back the Weyr was land in front of the entrance to the Lower Caverns so Trina could move her things. Several of the women were astonished when they saw J'fren land his brown there and kiss Trina in full view. She slid off the dragon's back and they were even more taken aback when they heard him say, "Let me go to the weyr and unload this stuff and talk to my Wingleader. You pack and shout for Shimuth when you're ready for me to come back to help you. He knows to listen for you."

"All right," she said. And to the dragon, "My thanks for a smooth flight, dear Shimuth."

"You are most welcome," the brown returned, to Trina's delight. She walked in as dragon and rider went to their own weyr.

As Trina went to her room, Dunan caught her, "So what's up with you and J'fren?" she asked.

Trina smiled and blushed. "You'll have to ask him," she answered.

"He said something about you packing and he would come to get you. You're weyrmating him?" Dunan demanded.

Trina's smile widened and she said, "Just ask him. He'll be back soon enough."

The woman narrowed her eyes. "How in Faranth's name did you catch him? And where did you two go, anyway? No one seemed to know."

"You need to talk to J'fren. Anything he wants you to know, he'll tell you. Meanwhile, I have some packing to do," Trina sweetly answered.

Dunan let her go, a stunned look on her face. The gossip spread faster than flits could carry it: the Lower Caverns misfit, the know-all who never seemed to have any friends, was weyrmated with one of the more eligible riders in the Weyr. It was past believing.

A small crowd had gathered when Trina had her things ready to move. She said out loud, "Shimuth, do you hear me?"

"I hear," came his deep voice in her mind.

"I'm ready now," she said.

"Jeff comes," was the answer.

Trina moved her few things to the cavern entrance: bedding, the clothing in her trunk, her sewing goods.

In a few minutes, J'fren came into the Caverns, grinning at Trina. "Is this it?" he said.

She nodded and a shadow crossed his face, as if before now, he hadn't realized how truly alone she was. "Fine then. Let's get it moved."

Trina walked out with her furs and tied them down to her trunk. Two of the women started to grab a handle to assist and J'fren stopped them. "No need," he said. "You never gave a thought for her when she lived down here. I'm her weyrmate and I'll see to it." His tone was solid ice. He motioned to one of the riders nearby, who was a wingmate, and together, they hauled the trunk abck to the Wingsecond's weyr.

Trina followed with her sewing box and a few subdries and thanked the other rider for his help. As they settled into his--their -- weyr, she said, "Was that necessary?"

"I thought it was," he replied. "I'd say more, but I'll control myself."

The women watched as J'fren and his new weyrmate went to their weyr, and muttered angrily among themselves. The Headwoman observed the whole scene and said to a few of them, "Well, I don't know what under the sun you expected J'fren to do. He's not stupid and he knows how some of you lot treated that girl. You're lucky he didn't give you the rough side of his tongue. I've heard him do it -- not something you want directed at you." She turned and walked away.

It hadn't been difficult to convince Jeff's Wingleader that a new weyrmate was what he needed. While Trina was packing, Jeff had a word with him. "I'm all for it, Jeff," R'shad said. "You've been sharding lonely and she seems a nice girl. Always has a smile for you. She's attractive enough, and young enough for children, if you want it."

"Maybe in a while," Jeff said.

"Well, if you were looking for my approval, you have it," he replied.

"Thanks."

"Don't mention it," said his Wingleader, who was even more pleased than he let on. A weyrmate could only be a good thing for his Wingsecond.

Trina had never had the occasion to visit anyone in a ground-level weyr before. She'd never even cleaned one -- had hardly walked past one. She looked all around at the spacious rooms. "The whole cot where I grew up wasn't much bigger than this," she said.

He laughed as he helped spread out her things around their weyr, and it looked more like home. A little foresight on his part had them a meal ready -- just bread, cheese, stew and the day's sweet -- but enough. They ate and seeing Trina looking ready to drop, and knowing he had to fight Thread the next day, Jeff suggested they turn in and she gratefully agreed. They made up the bed with all the bedding, making it much more comfortable.

She shyly came out in her night shift and Jeff, already in bed, patted the space beside him invitingly. "Come on, love. I can tell you're just about asleep on your feet." Trina lay down, and Jeff closed the glowbasket beside the bed and cuddled her against his body.

"Now then," he said. "This is more like it. Good night, dear one. He kissed her and gave a pleased murmur as she responded and returned his kiss. "If you weren't so worn out.." he said. "But plenty of time for that." They slept deeply, both hearts at peace.