Saying Goodbye (Tag R'hard)

[shinska]

((This is for the Obsidian Rebellion plot!))

Aela made her choice. She was leaving Trelis Weyr. It had been very difficult and it broke her heart, but in her heart she knew she had to. "Tal. Ask Kaith to come here with R'hard please." The Obsidian did so and all Aela could do now was wait. The sun was sinking and night was fast approaching. Soon it would be time for Aela and Talath to leave. She wasn't going to stay when Loraketh was dead and rumors traveled the Weyr behind her back. The young woman was going to miss her friends, but it was a small price to pay to keep Talath safe.

Aela stood in the shadows of Talath's wings and it helped her blend in better if anyone, but R'hard came along. The woman didn't want anyone to know she was leaving. She was telling R'hard because he was a dear friend to her and deep down she loved him. She was beginning to get nervous. What if he had been caught? What if he didn't come? What if she waited for him here all night? Aela didn't want to be found out by the ones who didn't like Talath or by their supporters.

Her breath was tarting to become shaky and Talath had to gently nudge her to calm her down. Aela leaned against Talath's side with Crest and Spots hiding underneath the Obsidian. "Please behave you two. If others wander around here and they are not R'hard do not make a sound." Crest and Spots gave their own versions of they understood and all Aela could do was wait.

[kitsuneko]

Things had been going downhill in Trelis ever since Loraketh's death, but R'hard didn't know just how bad things were going to get. It was rapidly approaching night when Kaith contacted him from their weyr. The brownrider was in the dining hall at the time, but quickly finished when he heard what the brown had to say.

R'hard, Talath and her rider want us to meet them immediately. She says they're in the forest. It sounds important.

The brown was already up and ready to go when R'hard arrived back in their weyr. He quickly put on the riding straps and asked Kaith to take him to where Aela was waiting. He couldn't help wondering what it was she wanted to talk to him about. He quietly told Hari and Sahar to stay put, which Hari at least was content to do; Sahar pouted a bit, wanting to go with him, but soon the green flit settled back down as well. And then they were off.

It didn't take Kaith too long to find the obsidian and her rider, although the two of them did a good job blending into the shadows. Kaith landed as quietly as he could manage and R'hard dismounted, smiling at his oldest friend. "Hello, Talath. Hey, Aela; Kaith said you wanted to talk to us. What is it that brought us all the way out here?" His head tilted to one side as he asked the question, curious.

[shinska]

R'hard had arrived. Aela stepped forward with a sad smile, "I'm glad you came R'hard." She turned away for a moment to wipe the tears. This was going to be difficult. With a deep breath she turned to her friend, "I'm leaving the Weyr. I am going to join the Rebellion side." Tears welled up again, but this time Aela didn't hide them, "I wanted to meet you here where it was darkest so I could say goodbye to you. Your a great friend R'hard and I didn't want to leave without saying goodbye." She gave a small smile. Brushing back her hair Aela reached forward and hugged her friend, "I-I was wondering if you wanted to come with me?" She cared about her friend and wanted him to have the option of going with her.

She loved him and cared a great deal for him as Talath did for her Clutchbrother. The Obsidian female had snaked her head forward and was nuzzling her brother. Goodbye Clutchbrother. You were the sweetest one and I care for you a great deal and the invitation to come is extended to you as well. Well of course it does! R'hard needed Kaith as they completed each other. Aela and Talath waited for their friends to respond. Aela hoped for a yes, but she didn't expect it. Now all she could do was wait. Crest gave a sad creel and Spots whimpered.

[kitsuneko]

R'hard's smile fell when he realized Aela was crying. He wanted to ask her what was wrong, but she was already talking. For a moment, he could do no more than blink stupidly at her. His friend, a girl R'hard was pretty sure he liked a lot (maybe even loved), was leaving to join the Rebellion?

He was eager to return Aela's hug, but she asked him to come with her, and he pulled away. R'hard made a sound that was somewhere between a groan and a sigh and turned away from her. Kaith crooned, butting his head gently against R'hard's side. R'hard stroked his head softly. What are we going to do, Kaith? I don't want them to leave!

Kaith surprised R'hard by returning Talath's nuzzle fondly, and replied to both his rider and his sister, I will follow R'hardMine's decision. I am sorry, Talath.

R'hard sighed and faced Aela again. "Aela, I...I like you, but I can't. I understand you want to protect Talath, and I don't blame you for that, but are you really okay with the things they've done? That business with the Lord Holder's death, and stealing the tithes and candidates we need? This rebellion is just going to lead to more violence. Can't you stay here?" He pleaded with her. He knew Aela well enough that he didn't have any real hope of changing her mind, however.

[shinska]

"Oh R'hard there is violence everywhere no matter who does its. Even when we fight Thread we use violence, but it is for the good of others. I wish I could stay, but as long as the mutated colors are shown such dislike I can't stay. At least you'll be safe. Kaith is a Brown and one of the traditional colors, but.... can we still stay in contact?" Aela smiled up at her friend. She would miss him, but she wouldn't push him to leave with her. He had made his choice and she respected it, "R'hard no matter what happens I will never forget you. If anything I will do my best to try and get this stupid, bitter fight ended so we can be together again." She hugged her friend. "I would rather be with you than anywhere, but for Talath's sake I must go."

Aela looked up at her friend and brushed on hand against his cheek, "Before I go you must know I have always liked you. Since the first moment we met I found you attractive and was glad we were friends though I wish now it had become something more. Even for a moment." She then kissed R'hard gently on the lips and stepped back, "I do hope we will see each other again. I have always enjoyed your company and your friendship. Nothing pleases me more than to be your friend." She smiled and said, "And because I cared for you so much at the Hatching I was brought to my Talath. I will never forget that." She hugged R'hard tightly, "I hope this bitter war ends. Everyone should be at peace and love all the creatures equally, but I guess we can't all get what we want."

Aela stood back and took a good look at R'hard to keep him fresh in her mind. "I will never, EVER forget you R'hard. Every day that passes I will hope that this ends and we can be together again as friends. You mean more to me than life itself. You, Talath, and Kaith are my family and family shouldn't have to be apart like this. Be well R'hard. Please stay alive for me. Be happy and don't worry about me." She smiled again. Much as she loved him she was letting him go to move on with his life. Aela would not hold him back. She loved him and Talath loved Kaith. They were a family to Aela and she loved them all equally.

[kitsuneko]

R'hard shook his head sadly, but accepted that he wasn't going to change her mind. "Fighting against Thread is one thing, but I'm afraid this is going to pit dragon against dragon. But...fine. I can't say I agree with your decision, but I understand. I don't know if we'll be able to keep in touch, but I'll try."

He smiled bitterly and returned her hug. "Yeah, I hope this war ends soon too. Farewell, Aela, and good luck."

And you as well, Talath, Kaith said.

[shinska]

"Goodbye R'hard.... Kaith. We'll miss you." Aela gave a small smile and turned away with tears in her eyes. It was time to go. She let Talath nuzzle Kaith one last time before Aela got on her back, "If things permit it I will send Crest to you with how I am settling. And to respond to what you said it would still be Dragon against Dragon if I stayed. Its a hopeless battle and I wish everyone would just accepted the mutated Dragons." She gave a small smile to her friend and ordered Spots to get on. The canine whimpered, but did as he was told. He hadn't liked flying to the spot and he wasn't going to like the trip Between either.

Aela looked at her friend, "Stay alive R'hard. If the only way to stay alive is give my rebellion away so be it. I just don't want to see anything happen to you my dear, sweet friend. I care too much about you to see you die or have Talath feel the absence of Kaith. You two mean too much to me. Stay or go this battle is useless. I will do what I can to get the side I have chosen to stop. You should try as well, but.... be careful." She smiled at her friend and then gently squeezed her heels into Talath's sides. The Obsidian took to the skies and Aela called back, "I will never forget you R'hard! You will always be in my heart!"

With that the pair disappeared Between to head for the Rebellion side. Somehow, someway Aela would see R'hard again if it was the last thing she did. The Obsidianrider would never forget her friend and she would do all she could to be in his presence again and see this bitterness end. She had friends at the Weyr like R'hard, but she didn't want to chance Talath's life. The Obsidian meant more to Aela than life itself.