Arianna Ballard

Summary: The night after Draco gets his name and before meeting up with Kara, Bowen gets drunk to the point of not being able to function, a nearly incoherent ramble lets Draco know how to help and introduces two of my OC's. Side-fic to my story "Dragonheart: A New Age", hope you enjoy enough to read more!

Chapter Four

Friendly Encounters

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Bowen had staggered as fast as his dizzy mind would allow, up off the bed and out of the lodge, barely registering what he was doing...

"Arianna!"

He and Boromir froze, Bowen's sister was cradled gently in the talons of Draco's left fore paw against his chest as the dragon landed awkwardly.

Arianna was shaking as the dragon gently lowered her to the ground, moving to help her to her feet, only Arianna was too deep in shock to barely remember to breathe.

Bowen stepped forward just before the lady crumpled to the ground, wrapping her in his arms protectively.

"Damn it Arianna! What the hell were you doing on that barn!"

"I was sight seeing brother! That's what all lunatic little sisters do when their sibling gets themselves drunk and poisoned to the point they get to finally see each other after nine years when one of them is on their deathbed!"

Bowen leaned back from her a bit, shaking his head to stop the ringing, she was as bad as Draco.

"Not my fault!"

"Oh really? So a random stranger shoved mead down you throat?"

"Arianna."

"No, why do you always have to be such a jerk about this!"

"'cause you always come home drunk, injured, or dying!"

"Bowen."

"Not always! Just most of the time!"

"Oh come on!"

"Hey!"

"Will you two settle down please?"

"Bowen! Gawd! You're such an ass brother!"

"Right back atcha sister!"

"Oh will someone just shut them up!"

"Bow-"

"Ari-"

ROAR!

The two closest to Draco winced and covered their ears, leaning away from the draogn.

Boromir smirked, running a hand through his dirty blond hair that fell to his jaw, met Draco's eyes, "Thanks for that dragon, never did figure out how to shut 'em up without water or a brick."

Draco just nodded and backed up a step as Arianna rested her eyes on the massive dragon.

She raised her eye brow delicately, her eyes taking in every detail as she slowly slid her hands to her hips.

"Well?"

Bowen's brows furrowed as Boromir snickered behind them.

"What Arianna?"

"*sigh* Damn Bowen you're dense, tell me why you've ended up in the company of a dragon of all creatures..."

Bowen groaned loudly, "Now that will take awhile."

Arianna turned to him and crossed her arms, "Boromir will feed the studs, I have a stew simmering, you still need rest before I'll let you near that horse, and you..."

She turned to Draco, making Bowen groan again as he slapped his forehead, he really should've warned the dragon about his sister.

"And you dragon, find your own meal, if you touch those horses I'll give you a matching pair of scars that run down your wings."

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It was dark when Draco crept back to the farm, the horses were munching on hay, the lodge was dimly lit, the hearth and a single candle in a separate room the only light, two deep, low voices were talking near the hearth, Boromir and Bowen, Draco discovered since Arianna opened a pair of shutters and blew out the single candle before going to bed.

"So...Now what are you going to do? If word gets to far...the rest of us will come looking for more profit, or a few hotheads looking to make a name...one of these days Bowen you're going to slip up..."

"I know, I know Boromir...but what other option do I have? I can't go and murder Einon that won't do much if Brok and Felton are still kicking...and the dragon I wanted is dead..."

"Looks like you've got yourself a business partner until you do think of something..."

"Mhm..."

"Hey, Bowen?"

"Yeah?"

"She's...been askin' for you...at the lodge with a few other decent enough slayers to keep her safe but..."

"They're not me..."

"Mmm..."

"*sigh*...if I get that way I'll see her, but if I die before hand..."

"What?"

"Tell 'er I want my dagger back."

Boromir laughed softly, then hugged the man who was like his brother.

"Take care, I don't want to have to escort your sister to another funeral...the last was bad enough..."

"I shall, keep Arianna safe as well, I'll try to stop by again soon."

"Not about to die though right?"

"Nope, but drunk or broken at least."

The pair laughed before Boromir extinguished the remaining lights besides the hearth, and Bowen left the lodge.

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Draco watched Bowen's slow movements as he readied his blankets for bed, they'd traveled only a few miles, but enough to get away from the farm.

The man was silent, too quiet for Draco's liking, and it only grew worse when Bowen sighed heavily, laying down and draping his forearm over his eyes, a soft hitch in his breathing grew a little louder as he rolled away from Draco, lying on his side and staring into the dark night.

Draco listened silently, his acute ears hearing the ever so faint shifts in Bowen's breath as he let the tears fall...

As he cried for what he'd lost, even though it was right in front of him...

Thank you for reading, review please...