Oharan kept on playing, nodding at Mirrim to be quiet so they could all hear the fire lizards while T’gellan craned his head and cocked his ears, first at Beauty, then at Rocky and Diver and Brownie who were near him.

“I don’t believe it,” said T’gellan.

“Don’t scare them! Just let them do it,” said Oharan in a low voice as he modulated his chords into another verse.

They finished the song with the fire lizards humming obediently along with Menolly. Mirrim demanded then to know how on earth Menolly had gotten her lizards to sing with her.

“I used to play and sing for them in the cave, you know, to keep us company. Just little twiddles.”

“Just little twiddles! I’ve had my three much longer, and I never even knew they liked music.”

“Just shows that you don’t know all there is to know, doesn’t it, young Mirrim?” teased T’gellan.

“Now that isn’t fair,” Menolly interceded and then hiccuped. To her embarrassment she hiccuped again.

“How much wine have you been giving her, T’gellan?” demanded Mirrim, frowning at the bronze rider.

“Certainly not enough to put her in her cups.”

Menolly hiccuped again.

“Get her some water!”

“Hold your breath,” Oharan suggested.

T’gellan brought water and, with quick sips, Menolly managed to stop her hiccuping. She kept insisting that she didn’t feel the wine, but she was very tired. If someone would watch the eggs ... it was so late ... With solicitous help, T’gellan and Oharan supported her to her sleeping chamber, Mirrim fussing at them that they were two great big numbwits who hadn’t a lick of sense between them.

Menolly was very glad to lie down and let Mirrim remove the slippers and the new clothes and cover her. She was asleep before the fire lizards had disposed themselves about her for the night

Chapter 12

Dragonman, Dragonman,

Between thee and thine,

Share me that glimpse of love

Greater than mine.

Mirrim roused Menolly early the next morning, impatiently shushing the fire lizards who hissed at her rough shaking of their mistress.

“Menolly, wake up. We need every hand in the kitchen. The eggs will Hatch today and half Pern’s invited. Turn over. Manora’s coming to look at your feet.”

“Ouch! You’re too rough!”

“Tell Beauty ... ouch ... I’m not hurting you. Beauty! Behave or I’ll tell Ramoth!”

To Menolly’s surprise, Beauty stopped diving at Mirrim and retreated with a squeak to the far comer of the room.

“You were hurting me,” said Menolly, too sleepy to be tactful.

“Well, I said I was sorry. Hmmm. Your feet really do look a lot better.”

“We won’t use such heavy bandages today,” said Manora, entering at that moment. “The slippers give enough protection.”

Menolly craned her head about as she felt Manora’s strong gentle fingers turn first one foot and then the other.