2ND TIME AROUND
CHAPTER 1
One of the riders from the Grassy Ocean opened the tent flap. He was covered in black mud. "I have grave news," he said. Atreyu and the Village Elder looked at him with questioning looks.
"What is it?" asked the Elder. "Morla The Ancient One is dying," he said. Atreyu had shivers go down his spine. He remembered her. She had given Atreyu information on who he should go to to get some advice on how to stop the Nothing. "What is it you propose to do? There's nothing we can do if she's dying," stated Atreyu.
"Well, she never gets visitors, so I suggest one of us go to her and say farewell and hopes she has a nice journey into the afterlife," said the rider.
"That's a good idea. Who has been to see her before?" asked The Elder. The rider and Elder both looked at Atreyu. "Don't go there," said Atreyu.
"I know, but this time, you know what's in store," said the Elder. "What's in store?" asked Atreyu getting mad. "Last time I was in the Swamps Of Sadness, Artax died and I almost drowned," he said.
"What can we do to get you to go?" asked the rider. "Nothing because I'm not going," said Atreyu. He stomped out of the tent and over to his horse, Artax, who was tied up near his tent. He was tacked up.
Artax looked at his rider. He whinnied a little shoving Atreyu. Atreyu smiled at his white horse. "It's ok," he said. Artax looked at him with his huge kind eyes as if to say "What's wrong? You can tell me."
"Morla is dying and Elder wants me to go and wish her Good-bye for our people," said Atreyu.
Artax neighed with horror. "I know boy. It's ok," said Atreyu.
He walked into his tent and slumped on his bed made of buffalo skin. He sighed inwardly. He put his hands on his face until he was asleep.
A few hours later, he woke to neighing outside his tent. He bolted up and ran outside to find Artax rearing up.
"Whoa boy," said Atreyu as he grabbed the laced reins. "Easy. Calm down. What's wrong?" asked Atreyu.
Artax stomped his leg. Atreyu looked to the side and saw The Childlike Empress herself riding a white unicorn. "Moon Child," said Atreyu bowing. She still looked exaclty as she did when Atreyu had met her to tell her that he had failed.
"My son," she said as she dismounted. "You look the same," she said. "As do you," replied Atreyu. "I know you had a hard life, but now another is ending. Please take this and go to Morla," she said.
Around her neck she wore Auryn. Moon Child took off the necklace and clasped it around Atreyu's neck. He felt a surge of energy go through him in a protective embrace.
Moon Child smiled at Atreyu as she mounted her unicorn and headed back to the Ivory Tower. The whole village had watched the scene. Everyone whispered to themselves until Elder shooed them away.
"You have protection now. Will you go?" asked Elder. Atreyu looked up at him. His eyes were full of determination. He mounted Artax and took off to the Swamps of Sadness, much to Artax;s dismay.