Tri Again

by Amazon X

Pairing: Tri-Lorn, Andromeda

Rated: A...het...seriously!

Summary: Who was Tri-Lorn before he was a Triumvir? Broken hearts, babies and a strangely colored planet.

Disclaimer: Not mine, never were, I have no money.

Author's Notes: This is one of my rare het moments. Don't worry, I'll slash Tri-Lorn soon enough. Other than that, I'm just getting to learn the character, while there's not much, I'm sure this would be an adorable aside in Andromeda's boring usual storyline. There is one part in here referring to a story I have no finished but will do so within a few weeks. Its pre-Tri-Lorn, so you may not be interested. It refers to a What if I wrote following Bruce Harwoods appearance on Andromeda in the ep All Too Human. The idea was what if Phillip Kim hadnt died on that planet, but lived? He'd have shagged Rommie! So I allude to that. Thanks, Erynn for beta, you are my sweetie! This is for Sue, who needs it. Love you, list mom.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~oo(O)oo~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dylan stood on the helm of the Andromeda Ascendant, waiting for the message from the Triumvirs to be displayed, when he was graced with all three faces on the screen. He smiled, remember how Beka had crowed that there were two female Triumvirs, who kept Tri-Lorn as their love slave. The three faces were as calm and serene as ever, but it was Tri-Jema that spoke up. Tri-Camille and Tri-Lorn just continued to look nonplussed.

"Captain Hunt, you are requested to go straight to the Ardoin system to Ardoin 4 for a rescue mission," she began.

"Tri-Jema!" Dylan shouted. "I'm fine, thank you, how are you?" he said, trying to remind her of her manners.

"Captain Hunt, there isn't time for pleasantries. Young Lady Ferize Petron, daughter of High Lord Azus Petron of Caromar, is missing and has been for some time. She was reported to be spotted on Ardoin 4 and you are the only Captain in the Commonwealth that we trust."

"You all trust?" Dylan asked.

"That *I* trust," Tri-Lorn admitted. "Caromar is my home world, Dylan. I know Lord Petron personally, and I grew up with Ferize. This was a personal favor asked of me. As I ask of you."

"What makes you think I'll find this woman?" Dylan asked, and turned to Beka at the helm, who shrugged. Rommie listened intently.

"I have faith in you, Dylan," Tri-Lorn said.

"Please alert us as to when you have apprehended Lady Ferize," Tri-Jema said.

The screens went blank. Dylan turned to his crew and said, "Apprehended? What did this girl do?"

"I'm accessing the files of the recent messages dispatched from the Triumvirate," Rommie stated. "Caromar released a request for anyone having given passage to a young woman fitting the description of the Lady Petron. A young woman, going by the name of Petra Ferra booked passage from Caromar, to Tarazed, to the port of the Triumvirate."

"Curious," Dylan said. "OK, Rommie, please set a course for Ardoin 4 and make sure you use the slipstream effectively. I want to meet the woman who has the Triumvirate in such an uproar."

"Well, they hardly looked like they were in an uproar," Beka said.

"Oh, they were quite upset," Trance Gemini interjected. "I distinctly remember Tri-Lorn calling our faithful captain 'Dylan'. That has to count for something."

"I guess so," Beka agreed.

"This isn't going to be any fun, is it?" Harper asked.

"No, Harper, it won't," Trance said. "And I'm sure once we find her, it will be downright horrible."

"You can say that again," Dylan said.

"Why would I want to do that? I said it once."

Beka and Dylan turned to each other and laughed. "Beka, make for Ardoin 4, please. And step on it."

~~~~~~~oo(O)oo~~~~~~~

The five crew members walked into the watering hole and were not shocked by the raggedy inhabitants. Ardoin 4 was a farming and animal husbandry world, not very sophisticated and not very clean. Trance refused to touch anything outside of the ship. They looked around the cantina and the various and sundry species didn't even turn their heads toward them. Dylan instructed the crew members to spread out and try to find the runaway Lady.

It wasn't hard. Dylan followed the ruckus and found three males...well, he thought they were males, pushing a slight young woman back and forth in a strange mating ritual. Dylan held aloft his weapon and stated loudly, "Lady Ferize Petron?"

Everyone stopped and turned toward the man with the huge weapon. The young woman with a smudged face and her hair covered couldn't be mistaken for anyone but the Lady Petron. "I am Dylan Hunt, Captain of the Andromeda Ascendant and I am on a mission from the Triumvirate of Tarazed to return you to your family. If you'll come with me..."

"The wench stays," one of the males said.

Dylan fired a warning shot past the male's head and soon had the Lady Petron grabbing at his middle, holding him for dear life. "You're safe now," he said as the males headed in the other direction and out of the cantina. The young woman looked up into his face and then her expression turned to one of sadness. She looked at his uniform and then pulled away.

"No, I'm not going!" she screamed and turned to run away. Beka and Telemachus Rhade stepped into her line of escape, effectively cutting her off. She stopped short and looked around to find another exit, giving the crew of the Andromeda time to surround her. She sighed deeply, realizing the futility of her action and began to cry.

"Lady Petron, as I said, I'm Captain Dylan Hunt of the Andromeda Ascendant. I'm here to escort you home." He looked the young woman up and down, seeing her filthy peasant clothes, torn and badly mended in places, her dirty hands and face, hair tangled and wrapped in an old scarf, and could not see why she wouldn't want to go back to her life of luxury and wealth. Before alerting the Triumvirate, he would have to investigate further.

~~~~~~~oo(O)oo~~~~~~~

"Dylan, I am receiving an alert from one of my escape pods," Rommie announced. "It seems the Lady Petron is trying to enter a pod using a Commonwealth high court code, one I do not recognize."

Dylan sighed wearily. "Beka, you have control. Rhade, come on, lets go ‘apprehend' an aristocrat."

They followed the corridors to the hall where the young woman was pounding on a door with her fists. She'd barely been in her quarters for five minutes before making her way to the escape pod. Dylan and Rhade stopped and watched her for a few moments before slowly walking to her. When she raised her foot to kick the door, Dylan spoke up.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you. Rommie is very sensitive about her hatches."

The young woman spun about and looked up into Dylan's smiling face. She wore the look of a scared rabbit. She must have reached into her breeding stores, for despite the fact that she hadn't even washed her hands or her face, she stood straight up and gave Dylan a glare that shouldn't have amused him so much.

"How dare you keep me prisoner on this ship! As a Lady of Caromar, I demand you release me with a ship and take me to Tarazed. Immediately!" She stood with a straight back and tilted her chin high.

Dylan stood before her, towering over her, looking down into her flashing azure eyes. They reminded him of the early morning sky just before sunrise, an uncanny deep blue. "Lady Petron, you are not in charge on this ship. And your rule isn't recognized. I was asked by the Triumvirate to escort you home. Actually, I was ordered to apprehend you. But I can't see that you've committed a crime, thus I offered you our must luxurious accommodations. I can see that you need to be...observed more closely. If you'll follow me, I'll show you to your *new* accommodations."

Dylan motioned to Rhade to follow the procession and propel the young woman forward. They descended several decks to the holding cells. She stopped short when she realized where she was going. "A cell? You're putting me in prison?"

"Actually, it's called the brig on a ship. I obviously can't trust you not to escape, and after your little tirade in the passageway, I consider you a threat of sabotage..."

"Sabotage! This is outrageous! My father will..."

"Your father did not ask for my help! The Triumvirate did. So you just pipe down, little girl, and wash your face!" Dylan grabbed her arm and pushed her into the brig cell, and set the electronic field for stun and repel only. Normally, they're set for burn. Once he'd had to set it for destroy. That was not the case here.

Back at the helm, Dylan hailed the Triumvirate and reached Tri-Lorn only. He looked anxious, which was odd for a Triumvir. "Captain Hunt, I take it you've found Lady Ferize."

"Uh, yeah, I have her. Spirited little girl, isn't she?" Dylan said, laughing.

"Request permission to board and see her, Captain," he said, back to business.

"Yeah, sure, but...I'll be at Tarazed soon..." Dylan started.

"I'm not on Tarazed, Dylan. I'm on my way to you. Please remain at your current coordinates. I will explain all in person."

Tri-Lorn blinked off abruptly, as was his way. Dylan turned to Beka and said, "I don't like this."

"Don't like what? The bratty escapee or the heavy-handed politician?"

Dylan had to laugh at Beka's accurate appraisal of the situation. "I don't like being caught in the middle of all this. Give full access to Tri-Lorn on the ship. We *do* owe him our lives. I want to talk to him as soon as he gets here."

~~~~~~~oo(O)oo~~~~~~~

Tri-Lorn walked down the gangplank of his transport and met Dylan and Rhade in the landing bay.

"Gentlemen, I wish I could say it's a pleasure to be here, but I'm sorry to say it isn't. Have you heard from the other Triumvirs?"

Dylan led the way from the landing bay and said, "No, no one has contacted us."

"Good. I appreciate the swiftness of the rescue. Well done, Captain. Please, where is she?"

"The brig. She was..."

"The brig?" Tri-Lorn's eyes flashed hotly. "You put a noble's daughter in a prison cell? Are you mad?"

They'd stopped in the passageway and Dylan stepped up to Tri-Lorn, reminding him of their size difference, and that being the captain of a warship was more muscle-building than addressing other politicians. "Tri-Lorn, I put her there because she was trying to steal an escape pod. I thought she would be safer there than left to her own devices, wandering the ship. She started out in the dignitary's stateroom."

"Is she your official prisoner?" Tri-Lorn asked, softening his tone.

"Officially, she isn't even on this ship. I want to know everything, Tri-Lorn. I'm in the middle of some noble's spat with his daughter, and I don't like that one bit."

Tri-Lorn took a deep breath and looked up at Dylan. "You are correct, I owe you an explanation. Um, we should go somewhere private, Captain?"

Both men turned to Rhade who said, "I'll be on the bridge if you need me, Captain." Dylan and Tri-Lorn watched him leave before going to the dignitary's stateroom, closing the door and requesting privacy. Dylan prepared two cups of coffee in the replicator and sat in the outer room with Tri-Lorn.

"As I mentioned earlier, I grew up on Caromar. My parents were part of the court there, as were Ferize's parents. We were childhood friends, throughout our educations and through university. We...um..."

"You were lovers?" Dylan asked innocently.

"No! I mean, we couldn't. As far as I know, she is a virgin. She must be upon her marriage, she knows that. It's our custom. We...played, though. We were in love, I guess. I still think about her, every day. But she is a Lady, I am not a Lord. I am not an heir, but a spare. My oldest brother took over the title in our family. I went into the Triumvirate. She will marry a Lord or better, the crowned Prince of Caromar, whom her father has always wanted to pair her with. He's...disgusting, fat, unkempt, and absolutely horrible. He's a good and honest ruler, though. He's just...unpleasant to a woman, I guess."

"I can understand that. I can see why she made her choice," Dylan agreed. He held his cup aloft to Tri-Lorn. The man smiled back and ducked his head in modesty.

"I cannot let her ruin her life by denouncing her family and position to be with me. I was not raised that way, and neither was she. She must go home. I'm here to see to that."

Dylan shrugged his shoulders and said, "I don't know nothin', I just woik here." [has he ever done dialect before???]

Tri-Lorn laughed and requested to see the Lady Petron. Dylan alerted Trance to meet them at the brig to release the Lady. Tri-Lorn greeted Trance demurely and waited as Dylan released the energy field and allowed him to walk in.

Ferize was curled in a ball on the cot, face hidden in her grubby clothes. Tri-Lorn stopped short and said, "Gods, Ferra, what have you done to yourself?"

The young woman looked up and her tear streaked face broke out in the first genuine smile she'd had in weeks. "Lorn! I knew you'd come for me!"

She jumped up and ran to him with open arms, but he grabbed her shoulders and stopped her short. "No! You're absolutely filthy! Captain Hunt afforded you a lovely suite and you ignored it to escape? No, you're going to wash and dress before I touch you again."

She pulled back and retreated to the wall, looking as if she were struck. Tri-Lorn turned to Trance and said, "Please escort the Lady Petron to the dignitary suite and make sure she removes those smelly rags and washes thoroughly. I have brought her more clothing. I will get them for her. Thank you."

Tri-Lorn turned and left the room, almost steaming from his ears. Dylan turned to Ferize who looked as if he'd told her to drop dead. He felt sorry for the girl. She wasn't really a girl; in her late twenties, waiting to be married off, an old maid by her planet's standards. It was pathetic, really. But there was nothing Dylan could do about it.

~~~~~~~oo(O)oo~~~~~~~

Tri-Lorn waited until he was admitted to the suite and entered, carrying the bag packed by Ferize's maid. He entered the suite and saw the young woman brushing her clean hair, wearing a pink satin robe, sitting on one of the dainty settees. Tri-Lorn put the bag down and waited for Ferize to acknowledge him. She did not.

"You look much better now that I can gaze upon your lovely countenance again," he almost purred to her.

"Save your kind words for someone you actually care about, Lorn," she spat. "I am not interested in your flowery hyperbole."

He nodded and sat across from her. "I want you to know that I'm sorry that all this has happened. I should have..."

"What, Lorn? You should have what? You refused to ask for me. Many times. And Father wouldn't let me choose my own husband, not in a million years. It would take a miracle. Or a tragedy."

Tri-Lorn nodded sadly. "I'm sorry, Ferra, what else can I say? I am not the oldest in my family. I inherited only a small trust. Your father never would have approved and you know it!"

Tri-Lorn stood to leave, but Ferize jumped up to stop him. "No, don't go, stay with me. Please, I have a meal being brought. Eat with me?"

"Being brought? You still haven't learned to use a replicator, have you?"

"I'm not allowed near one at home, you know that," she explained. "Please stay."

"I've missed supping with you. I've always loved your gift of conversation."

The alert rang and Tri-Lorn admitted Harper who carried the large tray. "Thank you, Mr. Harper," Tri-Lorn said. "We'll be fine for a while."

"OK, so, play nice kids," he said as he left.

Tri-Lorn served them both generous portions and Ferize was obviously ravenous. She didn't worry about false manners in front of him, he was her friend. He was probably the only man, other than the doctor who delivered her, to have seen her naked. They reminisced of their times together, Ferize being inebriated with their native wine, a heavy, almost syrup-like sweet wine that was usually watered. They forewent the watering. They recreated the wine several times over the evening.

When they were finished eating, they sat on the couch and curled together, talking and laughing. Tri-Lorn, reluctantly, stood and straightened his uniform. "I'm afraid I must go, Ferra. My head swims with wine."

"Just wine?" she asked, flirting.

"Wine, and you," he said, holding his hand out to her. "I have missed you so, Ferra. But I must go to my own quarters." Dylan will be taking us to Caromar tomorrow as ordered. You have this last night of freedom."

Tri-Lorn turned toward the door to leave, but Ferize jumped up to call him back. "Why don't you stay here?"

"Ferize, I cannot, you know that." He didn't even turn toward her, knowing just looking at her he'd be lost.

"Well, then, I'll just have to spend the night on this strange ship all alone," she said, turning toward the bed chamber beyond the doorway. Tri-Lorn turned to watch her slip the robe from her naked form to puddle on the floor at her feet. She sashayed into the other room and arranged herself on the bed in a sensual pose and waited.

Tri-Lorn stood in the outer room a moment, then sighed. "Andromeda, we wish total privacy and not to be disturbed unless it is a red alert emergency."

He locked the outer door and went to the bedchamber to see his childhood sweetheart laying back. Time had only served to enhance her figure. Her breasts had filled in, her hips spread out and she was absolutely ravishing. The thatch between her thighs had deepened in color a bit to amber, but it was still partial to her natural golden blonde. He was lost and he knew it.

"Ferra, what are you doing to me?" he asked, removing his uniform, one piece at a time.

"Come lay with me, like we used to. We've played before. Come be with me," she begged, holding her hands out to him. Tri-Lorn followed.

He crawled onto the bed, naked, painfully hard and still drunk from dinner. He slipped his arms around her body and pulled her close to kiss her, to touch her body, relish in her softness. He wasn't a man to keep lovers, or to have casual partners, so it have been a while for him since his last lover. He caressed her back, reaching down to cup her bottom in both hands and pull her against him.

"We should not be doing this," he whispered against her neck. "This is so very wrong."

Ferize pressed her mouth to his, knowing he was lost and wouldn't stop. "It isn't anything we haven't done before. Please, Lorn, before I must go home, show me how much you love me."

Tri-Lorn dove to her mouth and kissed her with a passion he hadn't felt in years, since he'd left his home planet to forge a new Commonwealth. She responded with equal force, wrapping her arms about his shoulders to press her ample bosom to him. Her nipples tickled his mostly hairless skin and he nuzzled her neck, giggling. He began trailing his kisses downward, paying close attention to her breasts.

Ferize writhed beneath him, pulling at his shoulders and whimpering in pleasure. Tri-Lorn continued his southward path, pausing at her navel to tickle her with his tongue and then onto the place where he'd tasted her many times before. They'd played as youths on Caromar, and they had known each other's bodies inside out. Yet, they had never made that last step. It would have meant a great catastrophe with their families.

Tri-Lorn was adept at bringing Ferize pleasure and thought to do so quickly, so as not to continue their tryst any longer than necessary. He knew the longer he was with her, the weaker his will became. As she shuddered and cried out above him, he smiled against her hot, wet folds of flesh, knowing she was putty in his hands.

The putty stirred quickly from her post-orgasmic haze of rest and quickly turned him on his back to give back as she had gotten. Many a lover had tried to use her mouth on him, but none compared to his sweet Ferra. She knew what he liked, how to tickle and pleasure him. He felt every movement of her lips and tongue, some bold and swift, some lazy and soft. Some he barely felt. She touched him so lightly, he felt almost as if she wasn't touching him at all. He kept his eyes pressed closed, to enhance the feeling even more.

There was movement on the bed and Tri-Lorn thought Ferize was just arranging herself better to finish his pleasure, but when he felt the insides of her thighs, that soft, and creamy smooth flesh spread out across his lap, he was too slow in his drunken movements to stop her. In almost horror, he watched as she dropped her open wetness onto him, and they both cried out. Hers was the pain of taking her first lover. His was the thought that he knew nothing could ever be right for them again. Damage done, move forward.

Taking her hips in his hands, he began guiding her body on him. They moved in rhythm, a beat, maybe their hearts, maybe Andromeda's engines, Tri-Lorn moved with Ferize. She leaned down, latching onto his mouth, kissing his breath away. He wasn't far away from his own completion. A few more grinds together and he came, bathing her insides with his seed.

When Tri-Lorn caught his breath, he realized he was lying on his side, Ferize in his arms, and she was dozing lightly. He kissed her brow and followed her down into dreamland.

~~~~~~~oo(O)oo~~~~~~~

Tri-Lorn awoke in the low light of the room. Andromeda had adjusted the lighting for the sleeping pair. He stood from the bed and collected his discarded clothing to dress and leave. He did not see Ferize's eyes open as the door slid closed behind him.

In his own quarters, he summoned Rommie to him, to take the clothing to Ferize. She looked at him and didn't leave right away.

"Is there something I can do for you?" he asked, waiting to go and shower.

"I know I should not pry into human matters of health, but I am detecting blood on your person, sir. Do you require medical assistance?" Her straightforward concern almost embarrassed Tri-Lorn until he remembered she was A.I. and didn't understand.

"No, Rommie, thank you. This...isn't my blood." He took a deep breath to thwart the tears that threatened to spill over his lashes.

"I know, sir. I know who's blood it is. Contrary to popular belief, A.I. can interpret and understand human emotions. I do have a detailed understanding of last night in the dignitary stateroom, although it was not officially recorded in my sensors and will be erased. I just wanted you to know that I understand what you are feeling."

Tri-Lorn turned to Rommie and the tears fell from his eyes, making his smile all the more tragic. "Do you? Can you know how I feel? I have ruined her life. I have...she will never be allowed to marry. She is disgraced. I am...disgraced among my people. How can you possibly understand that?"

Rommie took a deep breath. "I do care for someone not of my crew. I know that the concept of A.I. caring for a human is beyond most humans' scope of comprehension, but it is true. I knew a man I cared for, and...he is gone. He's in hiding from the Collectors, and anyone else who wants to kill him. I may never see him again."

Tri-Lorn spared her a sad smile. "I'm sorry you have to go through that, Rommie. I hope that the man you care for can come back to you soon."

"Thank you, sir. I'll inform Captain Hunt that you are preparing for your day. We should be reaching Caromar within the hour."

"Thank you, Rommie. I will be ready by then. Please send Trance Gemini to assist Lady Petron for her day. Trance will understand what Ferize is feeling, I think. Besides, you're too important to waste your time cleaning up my messes, aren't you?"

Rommie nodded and smiled, leaving Tri-Lorn alone. He removed his clothes and looked down at himself. A huge rust stain covered his loins, a mixture of his juices, hers and her blood. He was disgusted, felt his stomach roll over and quickly showered before expelling the empty contents of his stomach into the basin. Just liquid and bile exited, making his throat burn.

He dressed with care and put on his ceremonial clothes, knowing he would be addressing the royal family with the return of Ferize. He was not prepared to be met on board Andromeda by Lord Petron and guards only. The High Lord, as he was promoted to, looked down at his daughter and slapped her face with the back of his hand, knocking her to the ground. "You whore! How dare you ruin yourself! You will be secluded until your death, you slut!"

Dylan and Rhade had both winced at the slap, wanting to say something, but Tri-Lorn held them back with a hand and, "This is our custom. He will not hurt her further."

"It's your custom to beat your children?" Rhade asked. He was not of Earth, either, but his home planet cherished their children above adults, citing that child is the father of man. He did not understand beating one's child.

"No, it is not. But Ferize has shamed her family by running away. She must be punished." Tri-Lorn didn't even believe that himself. Ferize gave him one last longing look, before she boarded the shuttle to go home.

Lord Petron looked at Tri-Lorn and said, "Lorn, your parents send their regards. Thank you for finding her." With a curt nod, the man followed his daughter on board and the shuttle returned to the surface of Caromar.

Tri-Lorn turned to Dylan and said, "My apologies for his lordship's abruptness. One's child's...ruination...is not something one wants to express anger for in public. He was quite embarrassed."

"And what about you, Tri-Lorn?" Dylan asked, turning to the smaller man.

"Excuse me?" The stress level in both men rose exponentially, but neither showed their tension.

Dylan dismissed Rhade, who left happily with a sneer to Tri-Lorn's back. "I know where you spent the night, Tri-Lorn," he admitted in quiet tones, as they went to Tri-Lorn's ship. "You're going to tell me that you're letting her go home to her parents and get shunned like that."

"I have no choice. Shall I go with her, marry her, and stay there, have a family? Or should I continue with the Triumvirate, strengthen the Commonwealth for all galaxies [and universes -- there are multiple universes?] to live in harmony and peace, and do exactly what it is that my family sent me out here to do? If I marry her and bring her with me, or leave her home, there is the chance that she can be used against me. You think I've never considered these possibilities? Tell me, Dylan, what would you do?" There was silence for a moment, and Dylan looked away. "I thought so. Don't suppose to tell me how to act, Captain Hunt. I'll take my leave now, and I'll be in contact with you when it's convenient."

Tri-Lorn, followed by his guard detail, entered his shuttle and the ship took off for Tarazed. Dylan and Rhade were quick getting back to the bridge to head away from the planet. They'd had enough of dignitaries, lords, ladies and politicians to last a lifetime.

~~~~~~~oo(O)oo~~~~~~~

nine months later, andromeda ascendant, bridge

Dylan walked to where Rommie stood, watching the star map change as they slipstreamed between galaxies. He put his hand on her shoulder so she would turn to him.

"Yes, Dylan, how can I help you?" she asked.

"I wanted to ask if we should stop by Machen Alpha. I hear there are some returning heroes of war. I was thinking we could spend a week or so there. We deserve some furlough. What do you think?" he asked, watching the small smile grow on Rommie's face, then quickly returned to her normal stern look.

"I think that would be a good idea, Dylan. We'll set course for Machen Alpha immediately."

"Yeah!" Harper shouted! "Furlough! Furlough!"

They quickly changed course and slipstreamed on their way.

Dylan stood beside Beka who stood with her arms folded, staring at him. "That was nice of you," she said.

"Well, Phillip Kim may not be the bravest man in the world, going into hiding, but he cares for Rommie. And she knew he would return to her."

The two shipmates looked at each other sadly. "Dylan, do you think..."

"Beka, today, the Prince is marrying Tri-Lorn's sister. I'm sure he's there, playing the conquering hero, having destroyed the Collectors and their collaborators. He'll...I don't know. Maybe he'll go see her."

There was a moment of silence before Beka said, "I got a message from Tri-Lorn's sister who'd visited her a few months ago. She was pregnant. I'm sure she's had it by now."

"I know. I just hope that now that the danger is gone, he'll do the right thing," Dylan said sadly.

"One can only hope," she concurred.

~~~~~~~oo(O)oo~~~~~~~

caromar, royal palace

Tri-Lorn hugged his sister Ardile as she cried after her wedding. "Arda, why are you crying?" he asked, dabbing at her cheeks with his handkerchief.

"Oh, I'm happy, Lorn!" she said. "I'm very happy. Who would believe Prince Dovin would do all that he's done for me? He's lost over one hundred pounds, has groomed himself prettier than you are, dearest brother, and has...he's just wonderful!"

It was true. Prince Dovin had expressed interest in Ardile, who wanted nothing to do with him. Dovin and Tri-Lorn talked the issue over, why Ferize would disgrace herself rather than marry him. Tri-Lorn refused to tell him that she had given herself to the man she loved, and not just tried to escape him. It was apparent that Dovin had taken Tri-Lorn's counsel and found an advisor to assist in his physical, and social, transformation. Ardile accepted his courting and his proposal without hesitation.

Tri-Lorn looked around the room, but knew the person he was looking for was ensconced in a convent on a remote island of Corradon in the middle of the calm, cool waters of the Sentraea Ocean. She would be there for the rest of her life, disgraced from proper society. Her father had disowned her, and with that went all the money that would help take care of her. When it was discovered she was pregnant, the sisters of the Order of Corradon offered to care for her and the child.

Tri-Lorn had returned to Caromar only days before the wedding and was so busy with family and state obligations, he did not even have a moment to think about Ferize. At the reception, though, taking capture after capture with family, he was thinking of the young woman who he knew had given birth to a fine son. She had named him Lorin.

Lady Sarita Ryal stepped before her son and held him tightly. "Lorn, this is one of the happiest days of all our lives, is it not?" she asked. He gave her the best smile he could, but she was his mother. She knew something was wrong. "Tell me, son, how can I help you? What shall we do to unite your family?"

She had taken his arm and he walked her to a quiet corner of the outdoor gathering. The sun shone bright on the azure grasses where the tents and tables were set up for the reception repast. The found two chairs off to the side and sat together, holding hands. Tri-Lorn gazed into the pinkish skies and smiled. A woman visiting from Earth had mentioned that the unique coloring of the planet's atmosphere and surface served to give everyone a healthy and happy glow.

"Mother, I can only try to...see her, to talk to her. She is probably quite angry with me." Tri-Lorn dropped his head and Sarita clutched his hand.

"I have seen her. She is well, healthy, and your son looks just like you. He has the family nose," she said, smiling and brushing her fingers down his face. "Speak with Dovin, ask his counsel the way he had asked yours. He will help you. You have helped make him the happiest man on this planet, have you not?"

"Mother, I cannot propose to request assistance from the crown..." he began but she held her hand up to stop him and went to rejoin the party. Mother had spoken.

Tri-Lorn returned with his mother to the party and was swept up in the joy of the festivity. When coffee and desserts were being served, Dovin took Tri-Lorn aside to talk in private. Tri-Lorn had some idea what was going to be said.

"Lorn, I would like to firstly thank you for helping me win my bride."

Smiling, Tri-Lorn started, "Your highness, I didn't..."

"Silence! I shall be king soon and you will listen to me. Lord Petron and I have had a conversation regarding his daughter. I understand from my mother-in-law that I am an uncle. Well, the nephew of the future king should not languish on a convent isle. Bring her here. Marry her. I am drawing up your title degree. Your lands will be conscripted and you will be paid well."

"Your highness, I thank you..."

"Silence! There is no demurring from this. You will accept your position. You have done well for the Commonwealth and for Caromar. You are home."

Tri-Lorn nodded, knowing Dovin would not be denied his due. The man had lived a shunned crown, being tolerated as the prince, but not truly being accepted. Caromites were not a vain or shallow people, but they were not the most tolerant of deviations to their culture. A prince who refused to look as the courtiers insisted was almost a travesty. Tri-Lorn had changed that. This was his reward.

~~~~~~~oo(O)oo~~~~~~~

ISLE OF CORRADON

SENTRAEA OCEAN

Lorn Ryal, Lord and Ambassador of King Dovin stepped onto the green sands of Corradon along with his entourage, to be greeted by the Mother Superior of the Order of Corradon. The sisters were a great group of Caromar Mothers, who cared for the planet and people by cultivating plants and herbs that could only grow on those special green sands in the middle of that massive emerald ocean.

It had been weeks since the wedding of Dovin to Ardile, during which King Nattiah had taken ill and died shortly afterward. A lonely note, written by Ferize's hand and sent with a shipment spice was delivered to King Dovin, lending condolences on the loss of his father. Dovin wept as he ordered Lorn to claim his bride, and he would grant her title and absolution for her son, for her kindness and thoughtfulness in his time of great sorrow.

"Lord Ryal! I am so glad you could visit!" Mother Superior took his hands and allowed him to lead her up the shores. When planetside, Lorn preferred more terrestrial modes of travel. Oh, using an airship would have taken hours off his trip, but the feel of the ocean below the deck was heaven to the man.

"Please, I am Lorn. This title and nobility business doesn't suit me."

"It shows well on you," she said, patting his hand.

Lorn stopped her and looked down into her pale yellow eyes. "Please, I can't...where is she? I want to take her home."

Mother Superior smiled. "It has been our pleasure to host her. She worked very hard, though nothing was asked of her. You will find her in the clover patch with your son. He seems to like their sweet smell best."

Lorn followed the path she directed him upon and through a dense copse of trees spread the most beautiful expanse of yellow, red and purple plants known to man. Caromar clover was a powerful medicine, used by humans throughout twelve galaxies. And there was his future bride, playing with their child in the middle. She wore the simple white shift dress all sisters wore, but her hair was not bound by the veil the sisters wore. The long golden tresses flowed in the gently breeze that swept over the plain.

He stood and watched as she played with the golden-haired boy. He was big for his age, taking after himself. Even from the distance, he could see his image in the boy's face. He wasn't aware of the tears that rolled down his cheeks as the woman held the boy aloft in the breeze and he giggled. Lorn moved forward, needing to touch him, touch her, hold them both. Seeing the boy, knowing there were times he was in grave danger, that letting them stay in this paradise, cared for and protected, he could be thankful.

Ferize turned to Lorn and started laughing through tears as he started toward her. She stood, holding Lorin close to her and walked toward him. They stopped a few feet apart, and Ferize dropped her head as she thrust the baby to him. She took a deep breath and turned to leave, but Lorn reached out to grab her wrist. She looked up at him, tears flowing freely.

"Ferra, I've come for you both. I'm taking you home. A royal order. King Dovin would have my head if I didn't bring you back."

Quickly, she shook her head. "No, I can't. The sisters...I...I am disgraced. My father called me a whore. He thinks I paid...to get away...I can't go back to that house, ever. Tell King Dovin that I am so grateful of his fancy, but..."

Lorn leaned down and kissed her quiet. "He is married to my sister. You know that. He has granted me title and ambassadorship of our people. You are to claim your place at my side, by his decree. I want you and my son in my home. I want you in my bed."

She took a deep breath and the defiant young woman he fell in love with sparked back into the glowing blue eyes. "Once upon a time I offered you that. I recall you not even stepping forward when my father struck me. And our son was just beginning to grow inside me." She looked over at the boy who was clinging to Lorn as if a toy that would be taken away. Ferize visibly deflated. "I have worked very hard here. Planting, cleaning, cooking and other things I would never have even thought about before. I owe...everything to these sisters, my life. I was prepared to give up, until they made me realize that even though I could not have you, I had your son. But...make sure that he is well cared for. He loves all the sisters, he will take to a nanny well."

"No! Please, Ferra, you are coming home with me. Don't do this to me, to us. I worked so hard to make it safe for you, to settle the Commonwealth and arrest the traitorous Collectors. Ferra...I have never stopped loving you."

Lorin began to cry, effectively ending Ferize's thoughts of living alone on the island for a moment, and she took him from Lorn's arms to settle him. "Yes, baby, Mommy has you. No, Daddy wasn't being mean, and neither was I. We're going home now, sweetie." She bounced him, patted his back, kissed his head. Lorn saw the glow about her as she tended their son. She looked up at him, at the tears flowing down his cheek. She nodded.

~~~~~~~oo(O)oo~~~~~~~

ryal manor, caromar, wedding day

Four short weeks after returning to the mainland, Lady Ferize Ryal stood in her lemon yellow wedding gown, son dressed like his father, in full black dress, holding Lorin in her arms. He was so good and quiet through the ceremony, sitting with Sarita like an angel. Lorn's mother had taken right to the baby, and to Ferize again, as if nothing was wrong. Lord Davda Ryal spent more time entertaining his grandson than paying attention to the wedding. Conversely, Lord Azus and Lady Utura Petron sat stoic and silent throughout the ceremony.

Both had not seen their daughter nor grandson since her return and had thought it was best. They did not count on King Dovin wanting to perform the marriage ceremony himself, and Queen Ardile as Lady of Honor for Ferize. Dylan Hunt stood beside Lorn as best man, honored to be included, as were the entire of the Andromeda crew in the pews of the church. At the back, in the balcony singing softly were the Sisters of Corradon, sweetly serenading the nuptials.

At the reception, Ferize stood beside her husband[add a comma] who held Lorin, and looked at her parents. They nodded, to her, giving her token kisses on her cheeks, but they soon left the party. Ferize was well and truly gone from them.

That night, after having personally seen to putting their son to bed, almost unheard of in the nobility, Ferize sat at her dressing table, brushing her hair. Lorn knocked on the door to her salon before entering at her entreaty. He wore a deep green silk robe over his black silk pajamas, reminding her of the waters surrounding her last home.

"Love, come to bed. You are beautiful, you know that. You get more and more beautiful with each passing day." He stood behind her, lightly massaging her shoulders.

"Please keep doing that. Lorin was so nervous around the revelers today that he clung to me like a monkey. I got more than a few comments that I didn't even know well enough to have the wet nurse handle my infant."

"Those women will be cast out of the court if you tell me who they were. How dare they..."

Ferize stood and slipped her arms around her husband. "They are only stating what they know. I was raised like that, Lorn. So were you. I had to care for Lorin every moment alone on the island as none of the sisters were allowed to have physical contact with a male. I even moved us to a storage closet so that we were on the other side of the abbey..."

"You slept in a storage..." Lorn's hand clenched gathering the folds of her gown. Ferize reached up to smooth away the lines that appeared above his nose.

"Dearest husband, I would have slept in a crèche to be next to my son. It's a wonder I let him sleep on the other side of that door away from us. Had I my way, he'd be nestled between us."

"What an interesting method of birth control," he noted. They both laughed. Then Ferize reached down to touch her belly. Lorn's face lit in happiness. "Another? A baby?" She nodded. "Please, this time, give me a girl."

"I will try. Take me to bed."

And so they commenced their wedding night.

The End

~~~~~~~oo(O)oo~~~~~~~

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