The Little Run Away Queen {Jilli/Derek?}

[Zara]

Iirla picked herself up again and started to move through the caverns, stopping every so often to be sick again. Oh... how was she going to make it. She didn't feel like she could make it... She felt light headed... dizzy... sick.

She was about to fall when she felt arms around her. She heard her name and her heart fluttered slightly. "D'rian..." she whispered . "I'm sorry..." she said softly, opening her eyes and trying to look at him even as her head swam. He had always been so good to her when... she had not trusted him. When she hadn't wanted him there. And here he was, protecting her again. "D'rian." Ama landed on D'rian's shoulder and crooned softly, nuzzling him. Seeming to say thank you for protecting Hers while Trivol curled up on Iirla's chest and rumbled softly. Sure he was self-centered and annoying... but.... this was His who was sick and not doing well. He would protect her.

Kelath'sOwn... Is mine... okay....? Her tone was worried and almost faint as she spoke to the young man. She didn't call anyone else. Though... she thought of calling the healer... But... Maybe D'rian could take care of it.

Iirla gently grasped one of D'rian's hands and rested her head against him, feeling very tired. "Will you take me back to my weyr, D'rian...?" she whispered softly. "And stay with me...? Please...?" She just didn't want to be alone. And... she depended on him and... She looked to him for comfort. He had been there for her for such a long time. Since the day she had Impressed more or less... Since the day they had met.

She had fallen in love with S'bel in what could only be described as a whirlwind romance. She had never doubted anything before... But now she was all confused. D'rian... S'bel... it was all confusing now.

[jillianna]

His heart twisted painfully in his chest as he cradled her against his chest, smiling softly when her ama seemed to apologize for earlier. She started trying to apologize but her voice was so weak. It wasn't the vibrant or tired voice he'd come to relate to the woman that made him smile, or his heart skip a beat. She really was ill.

"Shush Iirla. Don't even worry about such things now. You're ill and we need to take care of you."

He walked with her, fully intending to carry her all the way to the healers, when Izanycorth piped up. He still felt the pain of his own disappointed hopes, but that was nothing compared to the feelings Kelath was still trying to wall up within his own mind. He had a hard time not mentioning it, so he settled for the shortest answer he could give her.

"She'll be fine. I've got her now Izanycorth." I've got her now, and if this is all I ever have with her, I'll take care of her until the day I die.

His fierce thought was in defiance of s'bel's claim to Iirla, and his determination to be there for her wether she wanted him there or not, was set in stone at that moment. He gently stroked his thumb over her hand as she held his.

"I will Iirla. To the weyr, and I'll stay with you. Forever, you should already know that my darling Iirla." His voice was rich and soothing, he made it soft. He loved her, and he'd stay with her for as long as it took for her to see that.

[Zara]

Kelath... MyBronzeBrother... Forgive me... I.... I did not mean to hurt you... I do not mean to. If it means that... That you will not be angry with me... I will leave Maerath to his own devices.... I'll come sit with you. I don't want you to be upset. You mean much to me. You have been there for me for so long... Treated me as more than just a queen... As something... truly special... Maerath... he loves me. He would only ever fly after me... He wants to protect me... but... so do you. Kelath... I am... confused... Meaerath... I am confused. I love you both. She snorted. But... I suppose... I need to choose one of you. She huffed and flew to the weyr where hers was. She didn't have time to think of this now. Please... don't shut me out... not yet.... MyKelath.... She turned her attention to Maerath. Maerath... please... give me a little time and space. I do love you. Love you very much... but... My brother and I have had a special relationship for a long time.... I need time to... think... Please, don't take this personally, DearestLovemine.

With that she fell silent to wait for Hers to arrive.

"But... D'rian..." she sighed and settled for something else entirely. "Thank you..." Her tone was still so soft, each breath a bit difficult as her chest rose and fell.

The words.... the words that he said. The resonated in her for a long moment. "Forever D'rian...?" He... would be with her forever. But... why? Why would he do that....? Her tired mind did not put together the pieces... not at first... Not fore the longest time... Then... "D'rian... You... you... love... me...?" she said softly, faintly, a question that almost seemed to trail away.

It was too much. How could he love her. How could he still love her after... S'bel. And what about S'bel. She loved S'bel. Didn't she? She went flying with him. He protected her. He looked after her... But it was harder to talk about her frustratiosn with him... While D'rian... she felt like she could talk about anything with him. She had always counted him a best friend or brother.... she hadn't truly considered the possibility. It made her head spin more... It was more than a possibility, though... She should have realized it went beyond that... the day that they had been talking over lunch.

But she didn't want to leave S'bel. It didn't feel right to do that to him... especially after Alyara... She would have to think about it... she would have to consider... Her mind was having a hard time keeping up. "I should... already know that...?" the words... They were back with such implied meaning. She felt like a fool.