Contrary to all expectations, runnerbeasts provide unrivaled opportunites for romance. This is something Bronwyn, a resident of Fort Weyr, decided upon about six turns before the tenth pass, when she encouraged Melan of Sea Mist Cothold to ask for her hand in marriage. Melan, a herder whose fancy was breeding runners, passed by the Fort area at least once a Turn taking his beasts to various holds for selling and racing from his home in Southern Boll. Their chance meeting one Turn led to a prolonged romance over the next five -- lasting so long mainly because Melan hardly had time to visit that way -- after which Bronwyn wrangled herself a handfasting, figuring any time spent with her love had to be good, even if he was spending nights with the herds out to pasture.

Despite the slow start, Melan and Bronwyn's family grew fairly rapidly -- especially considering the couple never missed any opportunity to be together whenever possible, to the extent of occasionally neglecting the children in order to gain that opportunity. And the children, well -- they were plentiful enough that they could keep themselves fairly well occupied. For, beginning roughly one turn after their marriage, they produced offspring in such supply that their resulting progeny could nearly fill the hold on their own -- as all were constantly reminded by fellow holders and even casually passing traders. Rather fortunately for the population statistics of Pern, however, the youngest child in the family, was last, as Bronwyn's labour was very difficult.

The oldest of this family of children is Maeve who is currently a Journeywoman Harper, posted to Fort Weyr. Padraig, a Journeyman Herder, is the next eldest, and it is he who is following in their father's footsteps with breeding runners. Following these are the twins Eithne, an Apprentice Harper, and Ginevra, a Dragonhealer Trainee at Igen Weyr; Kieran a Journeyman Healer at Benden Hold; Portia, an Apprentice Seacrafter, and Breana, Blue Altaith 's Rider at Telgar Weyr.

Maeve, or Mae, is the eldest of the thirteen siblings. When she lived at home, it was always Mae who went out with their father to watch the herd graze -- such an exciting occupation that Melan had plenty of time free on his hands to teach his daughter an appreciation of music, the two spending many hours accompanying each other in song and tune, Maeve singing in her untrained soprano, Melan playing on the pipes. Other times, she could be found -- or rather, one might attempt to find her -- in the company of Merellia, daughter of the neighbouring holder of Bright Sky, the two usually pranking on their own or with the help of both girls' siblings -- Mae's younger brother Padraig and Merellia's sister Kerella.

When Mae was fourteen, and not yet having managed to cause herself serious harm in any of the pranks, a Journeyman Harper passed by the small hold on his journeys, Sea Mist being too small -- like many of its neighbours -- to support a posted Harper. After hearing the young girl's voice, the Journeyman suggested she apply to Harper Hall for formal training. Thus, with a short pause in his trip to Ruatha, Melan took his daughter to the Hall -- being moderately surprised when she was accepted as an apprentice there.

Managing to terrorise the Hall for a number of turns, Mae still managed to make her promotion to Senior Apprentice and even MasterHarper Varoni's special. Eventually, through these pranks (such as painting the drum heights Harper blue, writing cheeky songs and limericks and many others she'll admit to other apprentices though never Masters), caught up with her and she got posted to Fort Weyr under the guidance of Journeywomen Uma and Shirana. Unfortunately for the Hall, Mae still attended lessons and gathers. After spending a number of Turns at Fort Weyr, Mae finally made Junior Journeywoman with the ominous words -- 'Tag, you're it!" -- from Journeyman Belcary when he was traversing the apprentice tables. Reposted to the Hall, Mae found herself teaching apprentices -- Faranth help us all -- occasionally disappearing on various fact-finding duties for MasterHarper Natalia, before eventually being reposted to Fort Weyr as their WeyrHarper, where she was recently promoted to Journeyman by the then new MasterHarper Rathenna. Now her old mentors -- Uma and Shirana -- are Craftsecond and Craftmaster respectively and Mae finds yet another chapter of her life unfolding.

Maeve's personality is very distinct; she's a young woman, often finding many things to smile about, particularly food. When she makes up her mind, however, she is can be stubborn and won't let things beat her. Forthright without being rude, she is calm in most cases and tends to make the best of a bad situation. Despite the pranks, she does work hard, putting in as many hours as she can with practice and classes with her voice -- a high, lilting soprano -- and her gitar -- her favourite instrument. After the posting to Fort, Mae seemed to grow up quickly, pranking sinking lower on her list of priorities, although pinching Baker Ebisu's cakes was still high on her agenda.

All good things do come to an end, or so Maeve found when she was eventually recalled to the Hall. Had now MasterHarper Shirana heard the lastest bawdy Mae had written? Likely, but those weren't the reasons she was recalled. She took up the position of Chorus Journeyman, studying again under Varoni, until one night at dinner they completely put her off her appetite -- they gave -her- a Master's knot! Eeek! Oh help, run, Maeve's a Master now. Quickly appointed as the Master Composter, Maeve took on more teaching, still managing to spend time with her mentee, Divya, who quickly rose to the rank of Junior Journeywoman.