Chosen

Inspired by Mercedes Lackey's Heralds of Valdemar Series (Mainly Foundation and Brightly Burning) Hey this is my first story here and I'm just testing this out.

I never dreamed that my life would end so quickly.

I knew it was a possibility, considering the dangerous tasks I'm assigned but still…

It always happened to other people. There was no way that my companion and I would fall, we're unstoppable. At least, so I thought. I suppressed a shiver, as the sound of our pursuers grew louder.

: Don't be afraid, Chosen. I am here. We will go to the other Haven together: Daran's cool voice soothed my fears and allowed me to calmly face the inevitable.

We would die today, and yet I didn't regret the choices I had made or more importantly the Choice that had been made for me.

Daran sent a wave of love and happiness through me, even as he ran at breakneck speed through the forest.

: Nor I, dearheart. You are my Chosen and I would make the same choice every time:

I grinned through the tears that streamed down my face. "Love you Daran."

: And I you, Nia:

A brief exchange of love was sent through our mental link before Daran abruptly spun and faced our enemies. I drew my sword as Daran reared to his full height. Pitching my voice as loud as I could, I yelled, "For Valdemar!"

Yes, we would die. But not without a fight.

Chp 1

I despise cats. Absolutely loathe them. So when I woke up to see my sister's cat peering at me from the top of my desk I knew it was going to be a bad day.

" Alexi! Get that nasty thing out of my room! " Overreaction on my part? Possible, but after the incident with Midwife Tama's cat I wasn't going to take chances. I jumped out of bed, using my pillow as a shield between the feline and myself. It merely gave me the 'that-pillow-won't-save-you-from-my-super-sharp-claws' look.

Which was also true. Damnit

I was searching for a new shield, while attempting to keep my eye on the wild beast, Midwife Tama's cat has a habit of attacking the moment your back is turned, when Alexi strolled in. She gazed around the room, taking in me with my fluffy shield and her evil beast that had put on an innocent expression as soon as she walked into the room.

"Honestly Nia, she's just a little kitten. The way you act one would think a demon had entered the house." Alexi rolled her eyes as she gently lifted the creature from its place on my desk.

"It is a demon and I would appreciate it if you kept the monster out of my room." I muttered, still keeping my eye on it, as Alexi stroked the deceptively soft looking fur.

My older sister snorted and walked out the room saying, "By the way, mum wants you to run to the market for her."

Yes! Going to the market is one the (very few) fun things to do in this god forsaken land. My family lives on a farm about a two-hour ride from the nearest village. It wasn't often that one of us girls got released from our chores for a market trip. I quickly got dressed, got the list of needed goods from mum, was warned to come straight home once I bought the necessities, and saddled one of the farm horses. Within minutes I was mounted and riding out past the green fields of home.

I spent most of the ride to market daydreaming about adventures and romance, creating stories with happily ever after's at the end, so when the village came into sight I was slightly disappointed. So close to finishing my newest masterpiece. I muttered a few mild curses before dismounting. I carefully led my horse to a nearby stable, telling the stable boy I wouldn't be long.

Ha, right, and Bards wear purple.

I was about halfway through my shopping when it happened. I was in the middle of haggling with a fat merchant who wanted me to pay a ridiculous price for the knife I needed to buy. He was being very adamant, insisting I pay far more than the knife was worth. I briefly considered chucking a book at his head when I felt a gentle nudge on my back.

I waved my hand airily, "Could you hold on? I'm trying to make this man see sense right now!"

The merchant was staring wide eyed, just over my shoulder at whoever was standing behind me so I snapped my fingers in front of his face.

"Hey buddy! Paying customer in front of you. Focus, please!"

Then, another nudge on my back. I huffed in frustration, "Could you please wait your turn? This man was helping me first."

A third nudge. That's it, no more playing nice.

I spun around and-

Fell head over heels into the most beautiful sapphire eyes I had ever seen. Waves of love and adoration swept through me, filling a hole in my heart that I had never known existed.

: My name is Daran and I Choose you, Nia:

His voice was gentle and soft yet so full of strength and courage. I knew without a doubt that I would go to world's end for Daran…and that he would do the same for me.

: Always, Chosen. Right now, however, I need to get you to Haven. So, climb aboard.:

I finally pulled my eyes away from his and just marveled at him. He was the most beautiful stallion I had ever laid eyes on. His coat was the purest white, while his mane and tail looked to be the softest silk.

: Flattery gets you everywhere, Chosen: His whicker was filled with laughter. I felt the heat of a light blush spread across my cheeks before grinning back.

"Yes, well, you better get used to it cause you're going to be getting a lot more now that I'm around." I said, trying to hold back my own laughter. As I spoke I climbed carefully into the saddle.

:Oh, the horror!: Daran snickered. He started carefully maneuvering his way through the crowd that had witnessed my choosing. My choosing, I sighed. It feels almost like a dream and I briefly wondered if I would be waking up anytime soon.

:IF this is a dream then we're never waking up: Daran said, filling me with that never-ending feeling of being loved. The two of us were already at the edge of market when a new thought pierced through the fog that had filled my mind.

"Daran, what about my family? Shouldn't I go say goodbye? Get my clothes? Let them know that I wasn't, you know, kidnapped and ravaged? Any of this ringing bells?"

I felt Daran's amusement through the mental link that bound us.

: Knowing small villages like yours, chances are they already know I've chosen you. Clothes will be provided for you at the Collegium, you'll be back to visit soon, and if anyone tried to kidnap and ravage you they would have to deal with me first.:

The second part was said with such fierce protectiveness that I couldn't resist wrapping my arms around his neck and giving him a hug.

: Thank you, Chosen. Now off we go to Haven!:

With that he broke into a ground-eating gallop towards my new home.

So there you go. A short intro to Nia and Daran's beginning. There will be a second (much longer chapter) hopefully sometime this week. So tell me what you guys think