Disclaimer: I own dragons! But not Tolkien's ideas...*sigh*
A/N ~ I still live? Go me?
Italic is dragon tongue and normal type is Westron.
Dracon
Niyan (Niya) = Child
Niyansi = Children
Migove = Welcome
Mrer = My/possessive noun
Tyshayn = literally meaning "prince". Deeper meaning is explained by Wiseheart.
Estel ~ Trust
Maethin left him alone when Morroch requested it a short time after the knowledge Kinwa had brought him to the cavern. The black dragon wandered the large cavern, studying the tapestries on the wall first. The skill that had created them was amazing, the stories they portrayed...gave him chills and sent his heart racing. Everywhere he turned, no matter which picture he looked at...there was a portrayal of his kind bringing peace between races. Evidence of the Rishten was plain to see in the design of many tapestries. Dragons with riders, two-legs with clear dragon wildness and features beside another calmer, but no less noble two-leg...and each pictured showed his people negotiating, fighting for another race against evil, celebrating with another race of free people...
What had he been born into? Morroch looked around, feeling the legacy of his kin in this place they'd left behind. They had been warriors, loyal, trustworthy, but more then anything, what they had been was bringers of peace. They had used their abilities not to hurt others, but to understand and help them. The shape-shifter closed his eyes, feeling a grief that had not been present for his kind until now. He knew them now, or at least as well as he could ever know them, and now...their deaths hurt.
It is said that dragons do not cry unless they feel true grief and pain over a parting of a loved one. Morroch's heart hurt in a way he'd never felt before for his kin and a tear slipped from each of his eyes to splash on the red-rock under his clawed feet. The black dragon did not hear the other dragon, but he felt the tail that wrapped around his shoulders and over his wings, pulling him close. Wiseheart's scent and presence were comforting things that Morroch accepted gladly as the other dragon laid down close to his side. The knowledge dragon laid his much larger head over the shape-shifter's gently, as if Morroch were only a dragonling in need of comfort. "They would not want you to grieve, Niyan, but to do the best you can to be a testament to their lives." His voice was deep and his words carried a warmth with them. Morroch was grateful the larger dragon spoke Westron for his sake. He missed his 'native' language.
Morroch nodded slowly and finally opened his gold eyes - though, he didn't move away from the older dragon - before he spoke. "Was I right to challenge the others like that?" Had he caused more harm then good? Wiseheart allayed his fears with a quiet chuckle that the black dragon felt against his own scales. "I think you told them what they have needed to hear for some time, Dagoryn. I cannot say that this will make them listen, though."
A growl. "Why do they care for no one but their own? Other children have been taken! Why do they not see that by working together with the two-legs we can accomplish more?" Morroch raised his head and Wiseheart moved his to look at the younger dragon with solemn eyes. "They do not trust what they do not understand. They do not understand the two-legs, they understand nothing beyond these caves and these mountains. The shape-shifters were the ones who kept peace between dragons and the other races. It pains the Clan to enter this cavern because it reminds them of their folly in destroying their most valuable ally."
Morroch studied the light green eyes that looked into his gold for a long moment and when he next spoke, his question did not surprise the Knowledge Ancient. "What about me? Do they treat me as they do because of my kind, because of what I am?"
"Yes. I have told you that your influence is great, Dagoryn and some of the others fear this. Much as they might regret the slaughter of the shape-shifters, they also do not want them back because to have your kind back would mean change. I am ashamed to say that most in this Clan are adverse to change unless given no choice."
The black dragon's eyes narrowed and he didn't immediately reply to that, looking away as he thought. Wiseheart kept saying he had influence, that the other Ancients feared that influence, that they were afraid of change. And Morroch represented change. The shape-shifter spoke slowly as his mind spun in a potentially crazy direction. "What if change was forced on them? What would they do then?"
"Would they still have a choice?"
"Yes."
There was a long pause before the reply came. "I would imagine the Clan would be split in their decision. The ones who did not want this change would live here as they have for years. The others...I feel they would follow you." Wiseheart watched as Morroch nodded, still deep in thought. The knowledge dragon did not ask, but simply laid his head down on the stone and waited, his tail still around the younger dragon's shoulders. Morroch for his part was wondering if the older dragon was right. If he asked it of them, would dragons follow him against the will of the Ancients?
The shape-shifter sighed and laid his own head down on the cave floor. He started slightly as Wiseheart spoke, his deep voice both soothing and attention-getting. "Dagoryn, I would like you to keep out of the Ancients' way for a time. They are angry at you and it will matter little what you say, they will not change their minds."
"You want me to keep my peace?"
"For a time, yes, but that does not mean you cannot talk to others." Morroch blinked, not having expected that bit of permission. The older dragon had just told him he could undermine the Ancients' authority in the Clan! The shape-shifter must have been thinking and shocked longer then he'd thought because Wiseheart was already asleep by the time he looked over, the green and gray knowledge dragon's deep breathing echoing through the cavern. Morroch sighed, his head full of new ideas and curled closer to the older dragon, a dragon he was starting to think of as a father-figure and drifted off to sleep.
The black dragon followed Firespirit with patience as the fire Kinwa led him to a tunnel between the Flight Tunnel and the Ancient Cavern, past four small lava pools. Firespirit wouldn't tell him which species of dragon he was taking Morroch to and so the shape-shifter followed with some curiosity, but even more wariness, remembering all the different types of greetings he'd gotten from each species. The treasure dragons had not even allowed him to speak with them and with Emeraldsong as their Ancient...he wasn't surprised. The fire dragons had been polite but distant, much like their Ancient, Voronflame. The dragons were quiet and not much for talking - Morroch wasn't sure if that was because of personality or grief. He had been attacked by Sharpmist upon visiting that battle dragons and the Battle Ancient had fought with him as well. So far each greeting and experience had been different...what was in store for him with this cavern of dragons?
He had woken that morning alone, but the shape-shifter hadn't mind. His head was clearer then it had been in days and for some reason, Morroch thought it had a great deal to do with the Shape-shifter Cavern itself. He had yet to find his place in the Clan since he arrived, but it would appear that he finally had discovered where he was most comfortable, even if he did not know what he was to do. Morroch had exited the Shape-shifter Cavern only to be captured by the his new fire-breathing friend. He thought maybe Wiseheart had something to do with his meeting with Firespirit, but he followed the other black dragon anyway, glad for the distraction.
Firespirit led him through the tunnel and Morroch sniffed, smelling the dragons further down the tunnel, but also fresh air. The fire dragon grinned. "This cavern has a tunnel that leads to the Flight Ledge, too. That is where the fresh wind comes from." The shape-shifter nodded and then blinked at the natural light that suddenly brightened the red walls and caused him to blink rapidly. As his sight cleared he took in the many ledges in the large cavern, most of them high up along the walls. The dragons that accompanied many of the shelves were only slightly bigger then him with no horns, spikes or back ridges. Their wings were large, feathery and almost too big for their slender and nimble bodies. Even from a distance Morroch could see that their scales were light and thin, almost looking see-through. The dragons in this cavern were the colors of the sky, being white, gray, light blue with a few dark blues. They looked over at his presence, but none of them seemed to care that he was there.
His black-scaled companion walked further into the cave and spoke quietly. "There are nine sky dragons in this cavern. The three males are Nightwind, Lightningfang and Skyfang. The females are Starflight, Mirwind and Cloudwing. Wind, Thunder and Moon are the dragonlings. Moon is the only female and Wind is the next To-be Ancient. There have been no skyling taken from the Clan."
So these are sky dragons. Morroch nodded and looked around with a bit more confidence and curiosity. Mirwind was the Sky Ancient of these dragons and she had not seemed opposed to him. Perhaps her kin would be accepting as well. Morroch found that while the sky dragons didn't seem to mind his presence, they were also not overly welcome as two of the male approached. The dark blue one spoke first. He nodded to Firespirit in acknowledgment and then studied Morroch with light blue eyes. "Migove, Dagoryn. I am Nightwind and this is my brother Lightningfang." The white dragon at Nightwind's side inclined his head, but remained quiet as his darker sibling spoke again. "Our Ancient told us to greet you, but also that we may decide for ourselves our impression of you. Know that we are not a kind to trust easily."
Morroch's gold eyes blinked, but he thought he understood what the other dragon was saying. Mirwind had told her dragons to be polite, but she was not going to force them to like him and it was his responsibility to gain their loyalty or not bother. The shape-shifter couldn't suppress a small smile and nodded. This could be interesting. Firespirit looked sidelong at him, unsure whether he should be insulted for his friend or not, but seeing that the smaller black dragon made no sign of being offended, he relaxed slightly, unsure when he'd even grown agitated in Morroch's defense.
"I am unsure how you want me to prove myself to you, but I appreciate your honesty, even if it is blunter then it needs to be." Gold eyes flashed with laughter and Lightningfang, silent up until this point and with little expression on his white face, gave an amused smile. "Do not mind my brother. He has always had a way with words." The white sky dragon laughed as he ducked his brother's swinging tail. The two siblings bowed their necks slightly before departing back to their kin, who watched their approach with interest, wanting to hear what they had to say.
Neither Firespirit or Morroch had an idea of what to do next, but the decision was soon solved as Mirwind emerged from the Sky Tunnel that led to the outside. She smiled when she saw the two visiting dragons and cast a look to the dragons in her cavern. They nodded back to show they had greeted the newcomers and she smiled, pleased. The young Ancient approached the two black-scaled males with confidence and a graceful gait. Morroch glanced at Firespirit to see that the fire dragon watched her every move. It would appear that his friend was interested in finding a mate...
"I am sorry if the greeting of my dragons was less then polite. We tend to be a very blunt kind." She looked slightly apologetic, but smiled and Morroch snorted. "Nightwind was rather prompt with his message, but I do not think he was coming at it with a harsh intent. I think I will end up liking your dragons, Mirwind."
The gray sky dragoness grinned and Morroch wanted to laugh at the way Firespirit's scales shivered slightly, barely noticeable unless looked for. It was clear that he wanted very much to be more then a friend to Mirwind, but when the fire dragon and the Sky Ancient seemed to share a look that had nothing to do with attraction, Morroch's eyes narrowed. What was he missing? Mirwind sighed suddenly and met his eyes, her own green ones determined. "Dagoryn, I want to apologize for the way I acted yesterday. Your words to the Ancients caught me off-guard, but I in no way disagree with them. I should have not remained silent on the matter and I regret that I was. I will not make such a mistake again, mrer Tyshayn."
Morroch blinked, surprised, but Firespirit seemed more startled then the shape-shifter. He gave Mirwind a look that the dragoness returned stubbornly. The fire dragon seemed to come to a decision and nodded slowly, a smile growing on his face as he turned his red eyes to the smaller dragon's gold. "You have my loyalty as well, Tyshayn."
"What does that mean?" Why did he suddenly feel like he'd been given another kind of responsibility?
Tyshayn. The name kept going through his head. Mirwind had called him it with such confidence, Firespirit had said it as if it should mean something to him and Wiseheart had seemed to agree with the two Kinwa. Morroch shook his head as he remembered the strange conversation he'd had after his new friends refused to tell him what the word meant, instead leading him outside through the Sky Tunnel to possibly go hunting. They had run into Wiseheart instead...
(flashback) "Where are you off to, niyansi?" The three Kinwa froze almost guiltily and Morroch came around first, walking forward to greet the Knowledge Ancient. "Firespirit and Mirwind were going to take me hunting, but I am glad to see you Wiseheart. Would you please tell me what Tyshayn means?" He watched as the green and gray dragon's light green eyes widened with pure surprise and he gave the gray and black dragon behind the shape-shifter a startled and searching look. Morroch was suddenly very sure that the three were speaking through their minds and he was suddenly unsure if it was wise to know what it was that had the knowledge dragon so agitated.
"Wiseheart?"
The older dragon sighed and looked away from Firespirit and Mirwind to meet the gold eyes of the shape-shifter. "Tyshayn... Firespirit and Mirwind have given you a title that very few in our history had been privileged and burdened with, but they feel it is yours to bear. I cannot say I disagree with them. I am just surprised they would feel this strongly so soon. The name Tyshayn literally means 'prince', but it is much deeper then that. It is a word that means trust, loyalty and the confidence that the follower is sure of who they follow. It is name that says you have the complete will and life of your people. These two Kinwa...are saying they will follow you against the very will of the Clan."
Morroch was beyond words and when he looked at Firespirit and Mirwind, he could see the truth of that matter was in their eyes. Not knowing him, unsure of his plans or where he might lead them...they trusted him. (end flashback)
Morroch wandered the woods now, just needing to think. He had excused himself with a few mumbled words and the three had let him go, understanding. The black, large-cat now padded through the forest quietly, deep in thought, but with one ear open for any presence near him. Tyshayn. Prince. The Clan did not have royalty and yet there was a word for it. That meant that someone in the past must have been in the same position as him, right? What had that person done to inspire such loyalty? Morroch didn't feel like he'd done anything worthy of such trust. He had told Wiseheart and the earth dragons that he could find their dragonlings and he'd argued with the Ancients, but how did that inspire loyalty in dragons he'd only just met? It was not something he could understand. Apparently it didn't matter if he agreed or understood it anyway as both Firespirit and Mirwind seemed to agree on what they felt.
The shape-shifter stopped in his mindless wandering as his nose caught the scent of blood and something foul, something familiar. The large cat didn't hesitate to spring into a tree, sharp claws helping him to cling and pull himself into the branches. The black feline walked the thick limbs carefully, growing closer to the horrible smell of decay. His nose wrinkled and gold eyes narrowed as he peered through the green leaves of the tree, crouched on the large tree branch. Morroch hissed quietly at what met his gaze.
Two male humans lay in leaves and dirt below, both their necks slashed and their bodies mutilated. The strong smell of dried blood, rot and orc wafted through the air and Morroch felt like he might choke on the smell. Something was horribly wrong here. And he had a strong suspicion that it had something to do with the missing children. First dragonlings, elflings and humans went missing, the dragons were blamed for it among the two-legs and orcs were now in the forest? It was too coincidental for the black cat and his mind started to work overtime as he leaped from the tree and came closer to the bodies to investigate.
Yes, they were from the village he and Alagos had gone to. They appeared to be only a day or two dead, but it was clear that their enemies were long gone. That's what confused Morroch as he sniffed and looked around the area. Orcs or goblins, even Uruk-hai were not stealthy creatures and yet...just as the forest began to thicken, the trail ended. No more footprints, no smell, nothing. Now he was angry. Why would his kin not help? Surely there was one among them that could track better then he... There was something sinister going on here and no one wanted to do a thing about it!
The shape-shifter heard the sound of footfalls before he saw Alagos' white fur and he locked his gold eyes with his brother's amber. "Do you know what happened here?" The white shape-shifter was the Talikan, he always seemed to know what was going on. Morroch held some hope that Alagos might know what was happening now. The white wolf disappointed him though as Alagos shook his head, looking at the bodies with no emotion. "I do not understand this anymore then you do, Dagoryn." He wound not meet the cat's eyes and Morroch felt something within him snap.
"You're lying."
Amber eyes snapped up to meet his gold, fury in their depths. They were only a match for Morroch's own anger and neither gave in as they held each other's gaze. The black shape-shifter's words were spat angrily, hissed. "Why will you not tell me what you know? Why won't you help me?"
"I know nothing that would help you figure this mystery out, Dagoryn! There is no action I am willing to take for this problem." The white wolf's stance was tense, as if he might flee or maybe attack, but Morroch was not about to let up, not this time. "No action you are willing to take? Do you think I want to go against the Clan? Do you think I want the responsibility of knowing what to do and convincing others to follow? Do you think I am not terrified that I am wrong in the path I am going to take? You are not the only one with burdens and choices, Alagos, but at least I seek help!"
Alagos stood frozen, his fur on end, but his eyes blank like a sheet of ice, revealing nothing. His voice was equally as emotionless when he responded and Morroch could not tell what his brother might be thinking. "What do you plan to do?" Morroch's gold eyes narrowed and he gave a bitter hiss, looking away and shaking his head. "Why is it that I must constantly trust you, but you refuse to trust me, Alagos?"
The white shape-shifter seemed to flinch as if he'd been struck, but his voice was still steady and his amber eyes revealed none of his inner thoughts. "I trust no one, Dagoryn. I cannot, but I know you well enough to know you have some sort of plan."
Morroch growled in frustration, pacing, but spoke because he had no one else he trusted enough to tell without receiving instant judgment. "I want to gain the villagers help in searching for the missing children. Some of the dragons already trust and would follow me. The Ancients are adverse to doing anything with the other races, but I am beginning to see that I do not need their approval."
"Tyshayn. They call you Tyshayn." The white wolf seemed surprised.
Gold eyes narrowed at the slightly glazed look in Alagos' amber, but Morroch nodded slowly. The words he spoke had nothing to do with his title, though. "You know something about the enemy and about the children that you will not tell me." Those amber eyes cleared quickly and Morroch thought he saw a flash of something - guilt? fear? - before they closed off again and the white shape-shifter shook his head. "I cannot help you, Dagoryn."
"Why not? If you know something, why will you not tell me? Why do you always run from your problems!" He shouted the words after the fleeing white wolf with anger. An anger that Morroch did not regret this time. He needed to find these children and Alagos was just one more being who would not do anything to help out of fear of change or something else. Morroch took one last look at the bodies of the two men before before sprinting away from them himself, in the opposite directing his brother had taken, back to the Clan.
Three days passed before Morroch met another two branches of his kin. Since his harsh meeting with Alagos, his time had been accompanied with gaining a stronger relationship with Mirwind, Maethin, Sharpmist and Firespirit. The four had taken to coming to the Shape-shifter Cavern where he frequently was, braving the memories of the walls and finding that it was not as horrible as their elders made it out to be. It helped that they had been only dragonlings at the time of the massacre and remembered little of the deaths around them, nor were they involved. Morroch gladly welcomed their company, finding he genuinely enjoyed being with the four, learning the ways of their species and hearing what they had to say. Firespirit and Mirwind were the most fun to watch as they tried to find a balance between being friends and their budding interest in each other as a potential mate. Sharpmist kept the group on their claws with her harsh and sometimes startling antics and Maethin was by far, the most forceful one when it came to arguments and differing opinions.
Morroch had been pushed into the role of the peacemaker and the leader of the five. It was not something he sought, but it came to him naturally, being able to see past the emotions of a situation and find the root problem. The others seemed to easily submit to his authority and Morroch had to wonder at his own growth. Was he not the same dragon that had tried to attack Galadriel not a few months before? Where had that impulsiveness gone? Was it just now being put to better use? The shape-shifter didn't know.
What he did know was that he was hoping more dragons could be acquired over time to help with what he was tentatively planning. So it was that the black dragon was eager to go with Mirwind as she retrieved him from the Shape-shifter Cavern one afternoon and led him through the dragons in the Great Cavern to a tunnel near the lake. She had said they would visit the water dragons first.
Morroch found them much like the sky dragons, but more active and almost playful in countenance. They were a sleek race of dragons, bigger then the sky dragons by a bit with scales smooth and almost seamless. Their bodies were thin for swimming and they had webbing between their clawed feet. Like their sky dragon kin, they sported no spikes or horns - though, they did have small, soft ridges on their backs, much like the webbing between their feet. Very few of the water dragons - actually, Celestream was the only one being a light blue dragoness - came in solid shades, most being a mix or blend of two or three colors. Their primary ones were light blue, blue, dark blue, brown and a greenish color. Morroch listened carefully as Mirwind explained this species of dragon to him as they walked toward the huge lake to the back of the cavern. It was fed by an underground river that came through one wall, dumped into the lake and left through another wall on the opposite side of the cavern.
"Water dragons don't like to live near fire, which is why this cavern has no lava pool. The algae in the water glows, though, lighting up this cavern nicely. The water dragons are not very sociable unless they feel like playing or they need to work with you. Their job in the Clan is very simple as they only have to make sure the water in the Great Cavern remains clean and drinkable. They also control many of the snow and rain storms we have in the mountains." Mirwind nodded to a blue and greenish-blue Kinwa male as they settled by the lake and Morroch looked around at the dragons as the Sky Ancient spoke again. "There are eleven water dragons at this time, though, three of the dragonlings are halfbreeds, one of earth and water dragon and the other two of fire and water dragon. Desert is the earth and water dragonling that is missing and she is without parents. The Clan cares for her. Fire and Flame are Waterfang and Flamemoon's children and they are both safe."
Morroch nodded, suddenly reminded once more of the loss within the Clan and his own mission to bring the children back. "Will you tell me the names of the other dragons here?"
"Oceanclaw, Rapidwater and Waterfang are the male dragons. Hurricanesong, Celestream and Seawing are the dragoness and Storm, Rain, Desert, Fire and Flame are the dragonlings." Mirwind looked around at the resting water dragons, knowing they were going to get little response and stood with a sigh. "Come, I will show you the messenger dragons. You are not going to find welcome here."
The Messenger Dragon Cavern was on the opposite side of the Great Cavern from the water dragon tunnel. Its entrance was placed between the Earth Dragon Cavern and the Fire Dragon Cavern. A lava pool was close to the entrance, providing light that bounced off the red-rock tunnel warmly. The messenger dragons lived in the smallest cavern, seeing as they were the smallest dragons and didn't like to stay confined in one place for long anyway.
Morroch felt a sense of peace and yet playful excitement when he entered their cavern. Small, thin and light dragons flitted from ledge to ledge like dragonflies, playing tag and just in constant motion, seeming not to tire. It took some time, but he soon discovered that they had no no back ridges or spikes, but only sported two small horns on the tops of their heads. The messenger dragons wings were the biggest parts about them, being almost double their size in body, strong and feathery. Their colors were very simple and solid, being only green, white and blue. Only two dragons had mixture of these colors, a male being white and green and a female being green-to-white. Morroch didn't think they were siblings despite their color similarities.
The shape-shifter's presence was noted immediately and within moments he had all the smaller dragons gathered around him, touching scales with him and telling their names. The females were friendly and told him their names politely - Runningheart, the mother of Maethin, and the sisters Sprintwing and Swiftflight - before talking to Mirwind at a rapid pace that the Sky Ancient seemed used to - Morroch found out later that there were three dragonlings, one male, Runner, and two females, Speed and Fast. Morroch, in the meantime, found out that there were only two males, Quickscale and Dashheart. The older, Quickscale, was easily recognized as the Messenger Ancient and Dashheart...he was the only Kinwa and the dragon Wiseheart suspected was the Sanitanaas. The Messenger Ancient was polite and active as he always was, having to leave soon after greeting the shape-shifter, but if Morroch thought Quickscale was fast, he was sorely mistaken as Dashheart's movements defied the eyes and his speech left one wondering what they'd been hearing.
The green and white Kinwa spoke a mile a minute and it was all Morroch could do to follow one topic to another. Despite the smaller dragons quick, impulsive movements and his excited mouth, he gave off a warmth and a genuine feeling of caring that the shape-shifter liked. Dashheart did not talk quickly or refuse to be still because he felt smarter or had no attention span; that was just the way he spoke and acted. It was part of his nature. Alert and bright black eyes looked into his gold when the messenger dragon finally stopped speaking and Morroch couldn't help but grin.
"I did not understand a word of that."
Dashheart merely laughed and sprang into the air, giving a flying loop before landing again. He shrugged and smiled, being very careful to make his words slower as he spoke once more. "I know, but Sharpmist told me you wouldn't mind. She said that you accepted every dragon for themselves. I am glad to see it is true."
A black eye-ridge rose. "Really? What else did she tell you?" The shape-shifter watched as Dashheart's expression became serious and he actually stilled. "She said that you do not mock Maethin for his stutter." The messenger dragon smiled, but it was more of a baring of teeth then a smile. "This makes you a friend in my mind and anyone Maethin follows, I will as well. You have my support, Tyshayn."
Morroch closed his gold eyes for a moment as a sudden flood of doubt came over him. Every time he heard that name...the true weight of what he was doing came on him. He was splitting up this Clan, little by little he was causing the trouble the Ancients had feared he'd bring from the very beginning. Was he ready for this? Did he have a choice? The black dragon sighed silently and opened his eyes to see Dashheart - moving once more - and Mirwind looking at him expectantly. He gave them a small smile and shook his head. No, no he really didn't have a choice anymore, but somehow...he was alright with that.
"Thank you, Dashheart. I pray I can live up to your loyalty."
Morroch found that he couldn't sleep. He had kept his peace with the Ancients for a total of eleven days at Wiseheart's request, but it was getting harder to do as all he could think about were the children missing and the dead men from the village. How much longer would the Clan wait before they acted? How much longer did Wiseheart think the shape-shifter would wait? The black dragon rose with a soundless grace he'd never known while with Arienel or the other two-legs. Being here, with his kind, was giving him traits he'd never known he could have. Morroch just hoped it wouldn't change who he was.
The last week had been much the same in routine. He still slept in the Shape-shifter Cavern and was usually awake at dawn to hunt with Firespirit and Sharpmist. Maethin and Mirwind appeared sometime in the late afternoon to talk and Dashheart was seen at all the odd hours in-between. There were also times when he spoke with Wiseheart, but the older dragon seemed to have his claws full with Ancient business, most of which was in the defense of Morroch. Needless to say, the shape-shifter was getting bored and anxious for something to happen.
The Great Cavern was empty, but as bright as ever due to the consistent light of the lava pools when he emerged from the Shape-shifter Cavern. He didn't like to sleep anywhere else at this point, feeling safe with the memories of his true kin and being in the place they had accompanied for so long. Gold eyes flickered to each tunnel, judging which one would be open to him this late in the night. The messenger dragons would be willing to talk or fly with him, but he knew they should be getting the little sleep they would let their bodies have, being an active race. The fire, water, battle, treasure and sky dragon were not even an option as none of them liked to be disturbed during the night once they'd settled. The earth dragons were not good company at this time as they still grieved for their dragonlings and were angry with the Clan for not making any decisions concerning the little ones yet. That left only one species of dragon...one he'd yet to meet in number... He headed toward the one tunnel he had not gone down, the one right next to the shape-shifter's own cavern, a lava pool between the two entrances.
The black dragon walked quietly through the cave tunnel. He knew he probably shouldn't be exploring alone and wait for morning, but he was suddenly curious and no longer bored or restless. Morroch blinked as he suddenly saw light - humanlike light that he soon discovered was from contained fires and lamps! - and a minute later the shape-shifter was on a ledge, looking over a vast library-like cavern. Unlike the other tunnels for the dragon caverns, one had to fly down in order to reach the main floor of this red-rock cave. Dragons of many colors were in various scholar-like activities below and every dragon was around the same size and smaller then he. Gold eyes took everything in and Morroch didn't sense the dragoness that approached him - didn't even realize she was on the large ledge - until she spoke.
"You aren't supposed to wander alone, you know." The voice was teasing rather then accusing and Morroch turned his head to see a beautiful creature beside him. The dragoness was dark red in the body with sand colored wings, face and tail. A hint of indigo blue played about her laughing eyes, cheek bones and the tip of her claws. She was fine-boned and smaller then Morroch by a bit. Her long tail was twitching at the end in amusement as he stared. How could he have not seen this amazing dragoness before?. "Will you tell me your name?"
The gentle reminder snapped Morroch back to the present and he struggled for a moment before speaking, his mouth not wanting to work. "Dagoryn."
A smile that seemed to light up the cave. "My name is Freewalker."
Review! Please? *puppy-dog eyes*
