Disclaimer: I dO nOt OwN lOrD oF tHe RiNgS! I aM nOt ToLkIen!
A/N ~ I am on a roll! Hope you enjoy this chapter and seriously, thank NaNoWriMo for these speedy updates. I am taking the challenge and love seeing my word-count go up! LOL
Tsuban
Oniisan = Brother
Kaleikazuko = Dragon-kin
Band ~ Safe
Alagos broke eye-contact with Gweltari, his expression blank, his mind anything but calm. His amber eyes surveyed the battle-field. The majority of bodies that littered the blood-stained ground were orcs and men dressed poorly or in black. The shape-shifter's eyes lingered on the bodies of two elves and five Tsubasa. As far as he could see, there were no dragon deaths but for the Dark Dragons that had fallen from the sky. The Rangers seemed to have been spared as well. A sharp tug, almost painful made him tense and Alagos growled under his breath, but looked back once more at the woman behind him.
Her green-gray eyes seemed to draw him in, puzzled and full of pain. The shape-shifter found himself walking toward her with little thought, but he stopped just out of her reach. Her arm was broken, he could see that easily and there two instincts waring in him. It wasn't something he wanted to deal with right now, but his life had never been easy. After leaving Edonar, the shape-shifter had used his control over wind to speed his journey to Harad. Finding the immortal had been easier then he'd expected, but what he'd found had been concerning. How in the world was he going to tell his brother that his rider had lost her memory? Alagos shook the thought away. After leaving Harad the journey had been...interesting. It was not that anything had really happened, the traveling itself had been boring, but the way his gift flared and ebbed, the way the Rishten pulled on him and dreams had been stranger, more...intense.
The battle had been nearly done when he arrived, but Alagos hadn't noticed that. The only thing he had seen...was her. Gwelutarien. The bond had taken over completely at her scream and the shape-shifter hadn't thought before springing into action. It was only as he stood, snarling over a dead enemy that reason had returned. And then anger had come, anger at the enemy around him, at the dragons he smelled in the distance and the woman who had drawn him here against his will...though, a part of him knew it wasn't her fault. Amber eyes cleared of their distant look when Gweltari spoke, her voice hoarse and Alagos tensed, but couldn't keep himself from listening.
"What is your name?"
Gweltari watched the blank eyes watching her and felt a flutter of indecision that she knew was not hers. She knew the wolf was not telling the whole truth the minute the word left his mouth. "Brassen." The ranger woman's eyes hardened and her mouth went into a thin line, but she didn't say the words bubbling to her mouth, merely nodding sharply and cradling her arm close her chest. "Thank you for your help, Brassen." She stood with difficulty and hissed between clenched teeth as the movement jostled her broken arm. Curiosity, anger, shock, sorrow, fear and many different emotions she wasn't even sure should have been in her head were buzzing around like a swarm of angry bees in her mind and Gweltari closed her eyes as her vision wavered, making her stomach roll as the ground seemed to move.
Alagos watched the human, but made no move toward her despite the persistent nudge in his mind that told him to do so. His ears flicked back to catch the sound of running feet and the wolf literally disappeared in a flash of white, his movements swifter then most people could comprehend as he blended into the shadows. Gweltari, however, her eyes found him immediately, sending an unexpected shiver down the shape-shifter's spine before her green-gray eyes looked away and at the people coming toward her. The ranger woman smiled in relief and joy to see her father and she noted that there were tears in his eyes, too, as he approached her. Thalos looked his child over with both happiness and anger, noting the many cuts and even whip marks that stood out on her skin, disappearing under her clothes. Her hair was matted with dirt, tear-tracks ran down her dirty face and she was much too thin, but at least she was alive. The man laughed as his sons came running up, both looking beyond relieved to see their sister and Thalos had to remind them to be gentle otherwise they would have hurt her in their exuberant greeting.
Gweltari found herself crying and smiling at the same time, something in her finally relaxing, the anger leaving and the fear with it. She was with her father, her brothers. She was safe and she was home. The feeling was the greatest thing she could have asked for at that moment, to have the warmth of the love of her family washing over her. Both her brothers were exclaiming over her arm and that was when the woman remembered Brassen. Her green-gray eyes sought him out, snapping to the place she knew instinctively he resided. She froze, her eyes widening in astonishment as what she beheld was not a canine, but a man. He stood silently, white hair shaggy about his face, shielding his eyes, blowing gently in the wind that seemed to surround him. It was the eyes that caught her though. Amber, blank amber eyes and yet...expressive in a way too. She didn't understand it. What she saw was no emotion...what she knew was entirely different and it didn't make sense in her head yet.
Her father and brothers had followed her gaze and now stood tense. They knew every Ranger - only six - that had come with them and they knew the villagers were not part of the battle. The only explanation was that the man before them was an enemy. Their daughter and sister's reaction and movement, therefore, surprised them. Gweltari stepped out of their protective circle, her arm cradled close to her body and regarded Brassen with a raised brow. "Where are you going?" She wasn't sure how she knew, but the urge to move was strong and she knew it was not her emotion. She was fine right where she was, with her family.
Alagos didn't answer, his eyes holding hers for a long moment before he turned and started to walk away. The ranger woman looked after him, no longer mad, now interested. Her green-gray eyes met her brothers and father's before she started after the white-haired shape-shifter. After all, he was going the same way there were and if this was her bonded...she was definitely not going to let him out of her sight, not when he seemed so keen on avoiding her and especially when he was turning out to be a mystery in need of solving so quickly.
Morroch watched as their allies trickled in slowly further down in the canyon, gathering together in a large, loose group. He leaped off the ledge he was currently on and felt the strain in his wing-muscles as he glided to the ground. Freewalker and the other dragons looked up at his approach. In fact, everyone did and it made the shape-shifter pause, wondering if something was wrong. His mate smiled at the confusion in his eyes and walked forward, pressing her face to his gently, mindful of the blood leaking from numerous scratches on his body. She had her own to be wary of, too. They all did. "They are happy to see you." she whispered and the shape-shifter nodded slowly.
"The dragons I understand, but what of the others?"
Freewalker chuckled quietly and walked with him as they entered the makeshift 'camp'. "Everyone here understands that you were the leader in this battle, Dagoryn." Morroch shook his head, but didn't comment, greeting his friends as the came forward. Everywhere his gold eyes looked there were injuries and blood, pained expressions, but in the midst of all the discomfort...there was joy and relief and tears of happiness. Morroch saw both Forestwalker and Dawnflower purring mightily over Leaf as the dragonling wiggled and chirped in her own version of giggles at their caresses. Rosclaw, the Earth Ancient, had his tail quietly wrapped around his sleeping son, Earth, and didn't seem to hear or see anything around him, simply looking down at his child.
Emeraldsong had brought the villagers from further up the mountain - a place of safety - down here to rejoin their children and shrieks of laughter and shouted names, cries of 'mother' and 'father' could be heard as families were reunited and parents hugged and rejoiced over having their children back. It was a sight that made all the worry, the pain and the bloodshed worth it. It made not sleeping worth it. Valar, he was tired...
Morroch continued through the people and a dragoness he didn't recognize, the color of gold, caught his eye. She was playfully wrestling with a gold-black dragonling and a gold dragonling, clearly related to them in some way. Redaya stood a short distance away from the other three dragons, having no family to greet her and now only looking for the one the Rishten said was her dragon. The dragoness suddenly looked up at her, studying the girl and Morroch watched as their eyes met. He found himself holding his breath. The golden dragoness spoke something soft to her siblings and they stayed where she'd told them to as she approached Redaya. The Haradrim girl didn't move as the dragoness came to stand almost over her. There was no hostility in the movement, only interest and even from where he was, the shape-shifter could tell that the conversation between the two was friendly.
"That is Sunwing. She is a fire dragoness." Freewalker's words made Morroch nod slowly and he smiled, a pleased rumble coming from his throat. "It would seem she and Redaya have found each other." Morroch's attention turned to two small figures sitting together not far from Sunwing and Redaya and he quickly identified them as Calenhir and Spark. The fireling apparently wanted to stay close to the older fire dragon and Calenhir didn't seem to mind - after all, the elflings parents weren't here. Morroch knew that would have to be fixed soon, but for now he continued on as his mate nudged him, starting toward the place where the injured were being helped. They soon came to the west end of the 'camp' and the dragon's concern heightened. Every being here was injured, many being cared for by elves. Dashheart was rushing around from dragon to dragon, a Catiniis in training, and he looked worn out, but not worried which relieved Morroch as the black dragon followed after the green-white dragon. Runner, Dashheart's little brother, running behind the older messenger dragon, following him where ever he went elicited a smile from the shape-shifter, though, and from anyone else who saw the small dragonling.
Sharpmist was in the worst condition, but the dragoness merely glared at him when Morroch asked if she was all right. "They're scratches, Gold-eyes. Go see to someone that needs it." Morroch grinned, more then relieved. If Sharpmist was giving him orders in her lovely way then she must be well despite the claw-marks that gouged her scales and the blood the covered her white body. Battle dragons were not known as the hardiest and fiercest dragons for nothing. The shape-shifter turned to leave, but the dragoness' tail stopped him and Morroch raised an eye-ridge at the battle dragoness as she looked hesitant to speak. Well, this was new.
"Dagoryn...Seregon...I am my kin have shamed you." The words seemed to pain her, but in Sharpmist's mind, her type of dragon were her closest kin, her family and one of her family had betrayed the Tyshayn. She was ashamed to face the Clan, but her leader, the one she'd chosen as her prince deserved an apology. The battle dragoness watched as Morroch blinked, his gold eyes startled and his voice came out harsh. "Sharpmist, you have brought me no shame! Seregon's choice was his own, not yours and I don't hold you responsible for it. You have been nothing but a good friend and a great fighter."
"I killed a dragon, Dagoryn. That Clan is not going to like that."
"The Clan will have to use their minds and make an exception." The voice surprised both the young dragons and they looked over to see Emeraldsong approaching them, her gait tired, but smiling slightly. Tigeki was riding on her large head, holding a small dragonling and it would seem the girl's presence truly had helped the treasure dragoness to come into herself, to change and truly start feeling the things around her. Morroch was amazed by the change to say the least, but pleased by it. "If Sharpmist goes on trial, I will stand by her for I helped her fight Seregon." The Treasure Ancient raised an eye-ridge and looked at the battle dragoness in surprise. Sharpmist merely snorted and turned her head away, pretending to examine a wound on her shoulder. Emeraldsong smiled.
Battle dragons were very prideful, not easily letting others help them and one of the things they were most possessive about was their right to fight an enemy without assistance. It was a great show of trust and respect that Sharpmist had let Morroch help her at all, much less fought beside him. The shape-shifter surely was changing things around them for the better and Emeraldsong inclined her head to the male in respect. They had not gotten along at first, but...well, things had changed. Tigeki's laughter made the treasure dragoness look up in amusement, seeing both her bonded and Jewel - asleep in Tigeki's arms - on her head. "What?"
"Yur goin' soft."
Morroch watched the two, shaking his head as they argued and continued on his way, checking on the rest of his dragons. Mirwind was injured, but not badly. She had seemed quieter then normal last time he'd looked over while going to Sharpmist, but Firespirit had been with her and the shape-shifter knew her mate would care for her. The black dragon could now see that the fire dragon was restless, though, looking around like he might suddenly find something and Morroch questioned him as a he walked over to the fire dragon and the sky dragoness.
"Firespirit? What's wrong?"
Red eyes met his gold and the bigger dragon looked worried. "My bonded, I...he is here, but...I can't find him. I think he's injured." Firespirit's tail was lashing back and forth and his nose kept twitching, searching. Mirwind was asleep by his side, curled up and covered in a dragon-specialized paste to help with her injuries. A dragonling that the shape-shifter recognized as Thunder was curled up against her stomach, sleeping as many dragonlings were right now. Morroch looked at Freewalker, the knowledge dragoness having been silent until now, merely following him. "Do you know if all the children got here safely?" It was something he should have thought of right away and the shape-shifter now had a sick feeling in his middle. What if one of the little ones had been struck down? What if a guide had been killed and they couldn't find safety? So much could have gone wrong... Freewalker was shaking her head, looking around herself and Morroch turned to the fire dragon, meeting his eyes.
"We'll find him, Firespirit. I promise."
Skyfang looked up at a familiar roar and saw that everyone's attention had been gained. The halfbreed looked down briefly at the Haradrim sleeping beside him - he didn't even know the boy's name yet - noting the gray light that surrounded the human. After that battle, seeing black around enemies and light around friends...he was nervous to the see the color of death and sickness around his bonded. His tail wrapped around the boy gently and he then looked back up at his Tyshayn. Morroch spoke to the entire group of dragons, humans, elves and Tsubasa. "We have a child missing! We don't know who it is and this is a problem. If you have reunited with your children, whether you are human or dragon, please migrate to the south of this camp."
The light blue dragon watched as villagers scooped their children up immediately, setting an amazing example as they complied with the shape-shifter's request without comment, question or complaint. They trusted Morroch. He had found their children, just like he said he would and now they were back in their arms. They would walk into the mouth of a dragon if the black dragon asked it of them at this point. And that wasn't out of blind loyalty. No, it was with the confidence and assurance that Morroch would never ask something like that of them. One can trust a leader wholeheartedly and still use one's brain if one has found a leader worth following.
Skyfang watched his Tyshayn go among the families - worried black shapes around him, the light trying to battle them away - figuring out which children was fine and which were missing. All the village children seemed to be accounted for, though, the halfbreed noted that there was one dragonling that kept trying to get away from Sunwing. It was Smoke and a little girl with gold hair and blue eyes was pulling her mother by the hand toward the dragonling. The two children finally met and so did the mother and Sunwing's eyes. Both adults finally understood and Skyfang saw Sunwing look down at Redaya at her own side. Yes, they were starting to understand now and with that understanding...would come comprise, growth and perhaps some great struggle of heart.
The Ranger children...well, if they could truly be called children, seemed to be finally reuniting with their parents. A ranger boy, about sixteen was carrying a girl of about thirteen and two men ran for them, looking immensely relieved and worried. One man, obviously the girl's father, took her in his arm and she wrapped hers around his neck. It would appear her leg was broken and had been treated by an elf. The ranger boy had apparently gone looking for her, forgetting to tell HIS father what he was doing. Still, they were all alive and that was what mattered. A few brave warriors had not made it and every life that had was precious at this point.
Skyfang noted that Maethin, usually one to stay away from children, was actually telling a story to three dragonlings and many elven children as they listened in rapt attention. A brown-haired elfling had Desert in her lap, stroking the dragonling's head and three more elflings sat close to her, but did not seem to be connected to the other two dragonlings there. It was an interesting turn of developments, seeing so many Rishten in one place and at such young ages. How were they going to maneuver around this dilemma? The dragon didn't know, but he also knew it would not be his problem to fix. He would go where ever the Haradrim against his side wanted to go. There was nothing holding him here anymore now that he'd become a grown dragon. He turned his attention back to Morroch as the black shape-shifter continued to search, finally satisfied with the children already reunited with their parents or guardians. The only ones left were those who might be injured - and a few dragonlings that could clearly be seen with the Tsubasa - and Skyfang looked down at his own bonded with worried gray eyes. Was it normal for humans to not wake after so many injuries? He didn't know.
The teenage boy was covered in bruises and whip-marks, his skin an angry color of red around the wounds. Skyfang gave a small keening sound without conscious thought and was surprised when a small hand touched his leg. Gray eyes looked down into light blue and a golden-haired elfling smiled up at him. "Actreo will get a healer." Her voice was soft, quiet and just as gentle as the rest of her and Skyfang found himself merely nodding. The little girl didn't offer her name and it wasn't until an elven boy with gold hair and dark blue eyes came running up, Dashheart in tow, did he find out what she was called.
"Acwyn! I found him!" Actreo seemed to be talking about more then just a healer as Acwyn's face lit up and she smiled at her brother in amusement. "I know. I feel him, too, brother." While her twin seemed loud and full of energy, the girl was more subdued, but no less interesting to be around. Skyfang met Dashheart's black eyes with a questioning look and the messenger dragon merely grinned. "I seem to have two bondeds. They're twins. I can feel both of them and they me. I wonder if Morroch knows this is possible?"
"No, he doesn't. Shouldn't you be looking at Amr?" The voice startled everyone, well, everyone but Actreo and Acwyn for some reason, and the two dragons looked over at a white-haired man with wary and confused expressions. He smelled like a... Skyfang's eyes widened and it seemed the shape-shifter's amber eyes darkened threateningly, his body tensing. "I have no quarrel with your generation, Skyfang. Don't give me a reason to have one now." The words were soft, almost hissed and the light blue dragon watched the light and dark patches, the aura around the shape-shifter pulse and move, unsure which to decide on. He was fighting both fear and anger, trying to stay in some form of control and the halfbreed found he respected that even if he didn't entirely trust it.
Alagos knew they didn't trust him, but the feeling was mutual and the shape-shifter didn't care at the moment. Or at least he told himself he didn't. A small voice he was beginning to dislike said otherwise. This voice also told him to go back to Gweltari, but he ignored both suggestions. Even if he'd wanted to go back to the woman, there was no need. She was being cared for by the elves and her family was with her. If he was lucky he might be able to slip away entirely unnoticed. The shape-shifter snorted inwardly. Right, like that was going to happen. She was already much too...observant then he had thought she'd be, but it made sense in a irritating kind of way. Why would the Rishten pair him with someone that wouldn't challenge him at all?
The Creator had a sense of humor, of that Alagos was sure. He moved forward as he shook the thought away and stopped again as Dashheart looked like he was going to step forward, too. The dragons all looked at each other, at an impasse and Actreo rolled his eyes, less tactful then his sister when he spoke. "The battle is over. I thought you knew this." The elven child knelt beside the Haradrim prince and glared up at them, only looking down with a shamed face when both Acwyn and Dashheart gave him a reproving look. The messenger dragon might have been hyper and the sort of dragon who talked a mile-a-minute, but he tried to keep what he said lighthearted and he usually didn't insult the people around him. It would appear he would have to teach Actreo this talent.
The child's words did have a positive effect, though, as Alagos moved to crouch beside Amr, checking his pulse and running his eyes over the youth's back, ripping his shirt away gently as he did. It was strange. The shape-shifter was loath to touch or be near humans when they were awake, no matter how nice they were, but give him someone, human or not, that was injured and those feelings seemed to disappear. Alagos wasn't a healer, but he couldn't leave anyone as hurt as this alone. If you could stand, walk or get to help yourself, then he wasn't going to get near you, but Amr...the Haradrim prince needed help and badly.
Amber eyes, blank, but not unkind looked up to meet gray. "Have you tried contacting him?" The boy wasn't in any real danger as long as his wounds were cleaned and he was kept warm and hydrated, but Dashheart already knew to do all that. What the shape-shifter was concerned about was the fact that the boy might still think he was in danger and so would close down on himself to avoid more pain. Skyfang would have to draw him out if that was the case.
Skyfang blinked. "What?"
Alagos suppressed a sigh. He would have to talk to Morroch and get his brother to tell these new Rishten pairs what was going on and how each bond might work. Definitely explain the basics of mind-speech, mind-reading, feeling what the other felt and contacting from a distance. "Did he accept that you were his dragon before he lost consciousness?" Why was he even bothering with this? Alagos ignored the little voice that said it was because he cared, because he was tired of being alone and tired of hate being his constant companion.
The halfbreed dragon nodded slowly, looking down at the boy...Amr. "Yes." Yes, Amr had accepted him if that grin had been anything to go by. Skyfang couldn't get it out of his head. He wanted to see it again, to get to know the Haradrim who'd filled his heart with happiness and who'd already started to fill a place in him that a mate never would be able to. Maybe it was the feeling one had for a brother. Skyfang didn't know. He only had a sister. The light blue dragon watched as amber eyes lightened a bit, looking almost relieved, though, they remained blank of emotions. "Then you should be able to enter his mind and call him just like you would a dragon."
Dashheart looked surprised. "They're minds will accept that?"
A white eyebrow rose and Alagos stood. "A normal human's mind won't. But a Rishten bound human is not a normal human." Dashheart looked at him with a confused expression and no small amount of curiosity. Everyone knew OF Alagos, but no one KNEW the shape-shifter and his life was a mystery. He, himself, was a puzzle. "How do you know that?" The messenger dragon never knew if the white-haired male would have answered him as Alagos' amber eyes dilated and he clenched his teeth against what looked to be an onslaught of pain. A short and cut off scream rang through the camp and Alagos sprang away like a startled deer, Skyfang and Dashheart looking after him as he ran for the west side of the camp.
Gweltari's body shook from the pain. She couldn't help it as she let the elf wrap her arm. Her father was holding her other hand, both to keep her from trying to jerk away and to comfort her, but it didn't stop the tears the dripped off her chin. Her ragged breathing was just starting to slow when one of her brother's, Taurnar, exclaimed in surprise as he was pushed away with force, stumbling back. The woman wasn't entirely sure what was happening as the elf's body blocked some of her sight, but Thalbor, having gone for whoever had pushed his brother, stilled very suddenly and a savage snarl could be heard not far from where he stood. Gweltari quickly stood, forcing her way carefully past her father and the elf to see what was wrong. The scene that met her eyes was both startling and thought provoking.
Her two brothers stood a bit apart, one completely still, one hand on his dagger and the other slightly crouched, a dagger already in his hand. Both their gray eyes were focused on Brassen and the white-haired male was like nothing the woman had ever seen before. He was snarling at the twins, his hands curled like claws and Gweltari was nervous to see that his nails actually were claws and his canines like fangs. His amber eyes were feral and the woman saw that his body trembled as if he were afraid, trapped. She wasn't sure if it was courage or something else that made slip by her brothers before they could react and stand between them and the shape-shifter before her, but something unexpected happened when she did.
Her green-gray eyes met his amber calmly, as calm as she felt on the inside and Brassen's eyes slowly lost their wild quality as he stared at her. In place of the feral expression came a flash of fear that she didn't miss, that she felt. It was suffocating and it left her with the cold sweat that had broken out quickly on her body. Was this what he felt? Was this why he wouldn't approach her? Why was he afraid of her? Gweltari didn't have any answers, but right now, that truly didn't matter. She was sure they would come in time. Why was she sure? She didn't know that anymore then she knew the reason for Brassen's fear. The ranger woman walked forward slowly, as if approaching a wild animal and in a way, that was what the shape-shifter was to her. She hadn't taken more then three steps when the man before her tensed and his teeth showed again in a low growl. Gweltari stopped and put her good hand on her hip.
"Why did you come here if all you are going to do is growl at me?"
The question, along with the simple emotions that came with them took Alagos by surprise and his growl stopped. He didn't understand why he was over here. All he knew was that when the pain had run through him - Gweltari's arm being set - and he'd heard her scream, his first instinct, a pull stronger then he'd ever felt, had been to go to her, to protect her, to possibly hurt whoever was hurting her. It had defied logic and his reasons for not wanting her at all...and it confused him. On one hand Alagos knew he was being an idiot. He could tell anyone about the Rishten, probably knew more then most about it, but when it came to his own bond...it was as if his mind went as blank as his eyes. He knew what was going on, but in the moment, nothing ever made sense.
The shape-shifter shook his head, almost as if he were trying to clear it, but the emotions, the calmness, irritation and curiosity he felt from the woman wouldn't leave. They were almost comforting in a way, not that he would admit it, but the simplicity of them, the...innocence of them was something his mind was not used to and his gift, well, it was strangely silent right now, something that both alarmed Alagos and sent relief through him. His gift's absence was strange, but at the moment, not unwelcome as he found his emotions and thoughts were being pushed beyond his limits anyway. He hadn't meant to react to Thalbor the way he had, but he hadn't thought. The man had grabbed his arm from behind and every dark memory involving humans had flashed through his head before he'd lashed out and the trapped, scared and wild feeling had come over him. His body had screamed at him to fight or flee, but something stronger and surprising had held him in check.
And Alagos now knew it had been Gweltari. He met her eyes again and shook his head, unable to explain. The woman almost looked disappointed, but sighed and Alagos was sparred anymore questions she might have asked as a familiar voice broke through the tense silence.
"Alagos!" The shape-shifter's head snapped around and he missed seeing the annoyed, but triumphant look that crossed Gweltari's face as she heard his real name. The shape-shifter might have felt the emotion had he been paying any attention, but at the moment, they were not nearly connected enough for that and he was glad for the distraction from the woman. Morroch was coming toward him quickly in dragon form and Alagos couldn't help the way his lips curved at the corners as he walked forward, constantly aware of the humans at his back, but deciding to ignore them for the moment. His brother looked worried and Morroch confirmed this with his next words.
"I am glad you are here. I need your help." Gold eyes met amber and both siblings couldn't help but think of the last time they'd seen one another. They'd argued, words had been said that they both regretted, but neither could find it in them to hold it against the other. Alagos merely nodded, willing to do what Morroch asked. Besides, it was almost fun to see Morroch blink in surprise at his compliance, but the black shape-shifter shook it off, looking back the way he'd come. "It's Malek. He's a little boy from Rhûn and...he's hurt. Firespirit is his bonded." Morroch wasn't sure what he was asking to be honest, but Alagos' eyes suddenly went cloudy in a way the black shape-shifter recognized and the white-haired male nodded. "Take me to him."
Skyfang didn't know what he was doing and it made him nervous, but Alagos had said to contact Amr like he would a dragon. And while he didn't have a good reason for trusting the shape-shifter, he also didn't have any good reason to doubt him. The halfbreed dragon decided to take a chance and brought his head close to the boy's, exhaling gently on him as his gray eyes drifted closed and he let his mind seep into the Haradrim's own.
It was surprisingly easy, much easier then entering a fellow dragon's mind and Skyfang found himself in the desert...
Sand, something he'd never seen before, was everywhere and his claws sunk into it. The light blue dragon breathed in the harsh, hot air of Harad and found he liked the heat in a way he hadn't expected he would. His gray eyes looked around at the bare land and they focused on the spot of green in the distance. He couldn't see his bonded anywhere and that speck of green looked like the likeliest place to look. The dragon leaped into the air without difficulty and found that flying in this land was easier. The hot air from the desert sands created wonderful updrafts and he practically glided to the oasis.
A black-haired youth looked up as he landed by the water and the grin that he'd wanted to see spread across Amr's face. The teen stood, dusting his strange clothes off. They were brightly colored, but the vest he wore was sleeveless and didn't button up in the front. His pants seemed to billow out at the sides and were made of a very light, loose material. On his feet were boots of a strange mixture of animal and cloth. Amr seemed entirely comfortable in the heat and walked across the sand with practiced ease, making it look easy even as he sank up to his ankles in certain places.
"I am not sure how you got here, but I am glad to see you, Skyfang."
The dragon tilted his head. "How do you know who I am when I didn't know you?"
The Haradrim smiled, his black eyes sparkling with amusement and intelligence. He had a kind face, the type of face that inspired trust, but had room to grow into wisdom. "Morroch figured out who I was bonding to while we were trapped in the cave. I think I was seeing through your eyes." The teenager watched the dragon's eyes register some surprise and then a simple acceptance that the human liked. He stepped closer to the dragon and hesitated before touching the light blue scales of the halfbreed's nose. Skyfang seemed to like the contact just as much as Amr did and the two met each other's eyes before starting to laugh. The Haradrim soon found himself leaning back against the dragon's leg as they watched the sun play off the water. Skyfang was laying down, his head on the sand and Amr's hand lay settled on his neck.
"Sky, why are you here?" It had been at least an hour in this desert world and the teenager was finally ready to face the real reason why Skyfang would be in a place that neither of them was supposed to be in. The dragon sighed and Amr felt it against his back, a great heave of air that left the halfbreed's body. "You're injured and you won't wake. A dragon suggested that I call you back to consciousness."
Amr nodded and stood, smiling at the dragon when Skyfang raised his head. "Well, then it's time we went back, don't you think?" It would hurt, of that he had no doubt. His body had hurt before, even in the caves, but he was ready to face it and truthfully...he was ready to start the process of going home.
Dashheart was playing chase. It had been years since he'd done this, but it was fun and Actreo and Acwyn...were a lot faster then they looked! Each elfling appeared to be around seven or eight, but they were much more mature and yet younger then that at the same time. They spoke like older children, but they mostly behaved like younger little ones. Now the twins were hiding and dashing among the rocks of the canyon, but Dashheart had no worries about losing them.
The Rishten had been surprisingly easy to accept and adapt to. He could feel each emotion from the twins and the funny thing was that they were entirely different in each child...and yet, it was beyond easy to understand both of them. Acwyn was the quieter emotion, the feeling of calmness and peace and these things seemed to flow through BOTH Dashheart and Actreo. It was as if the twins had developed a very Rishten-like bond before the dragon had even shown up. Perhaps this was why he was now bonded to both of them and not only one?
Actreo was the more outspoken and excitable one of the two and his emotions were ups and downs like his sisters, but more aggressive in how they showed themselves. Dashheart found himself leaning toward neither of them over the other. He found he liked each twin for how they were. Actreo was not complete without Acwyn and Acwyn was not complete without Actreo. And now, neither twin was complete without him. It was a circle of three and each of them seemed to be all right with that. How could they not be? It seemed natural as if they'd simply been waiting for all the puzzle pieces to click together and form the full picture.
The messenger dragon now darted behind the boulder he knew Acwyn resided behind, but the girl was already running away, laughing...and going much faster then a child her age, even an elven one, should have been going. In fact...the elfling was going almost as fast as HE could on land! And here came Actreo, catching up to his sister easily. The dragon stared after them, but leaped forward at the laughter that was now in his head. Whatever was going on here...it wasn't a bad thing so why worry about it? They were playing and chase was much more fun then discussing strange powers in all three of their opinions.
Alagos cursed when he saw the boy. Malek was surrounded by elves and they were trying to get him to breathe. A golden-haired elf, Glorfindel his gift supplied quite suddenly, was pressing on the child's chest, trying to keep his heart going and another elf breathed into the boy's mouth. A wound on the child's chest bled freely, showing that he was not yet dead, but it spurted sluggishly and the elves were hard-pressed to get it to stop. The shape-shifter came forward quickly and knelt on the child's left side, opposite Glorfindel. He brought his hand to Malek's wound and the air between the child's body and his fingers condensed, building a shield that stopped the blood immediately. The two elves looked at him with grateful eyes, but Malek was still refusing to breath. Alagos growled under his breath, knowing the headache and potential flare up from his gift that might result from this, but it was not going to keep him from trying to save the child's life.
He kept one hand on the child's injury, but moved the other hand to the child's mouth as the elf there sat back for a moment. The two being watched him with confusion as he passed his hand over Malek's mouth, pushing air in and out with each pass of his hand. It was all oxygen and it was what the child's lungs needed. The moments ticked by and Alagos looked up at a sound of grief, clearly coming from a dragon. His amber eyes met Firespirit's red ones and the other dragon gave him a pleading look. Alagos merely barked an order, his own head starting to pound. He was exhausted, but would never show it.
"Come here and pull him back! You're his dragon for Valar's sake!" Did they know nothing! Was the Rishten that rare of conversation in the Clan? Firespirit appeared startled, as did Freewalker, Morroch and the two elves working on Malek, but Alagos was past caring. They were not making this any easier with their ignorance and he wasn't going to have this child's death on his hands. Not another one.
The fire dragon came over quickly and for a moment, looked like he might panic. Alagos' warning growl told Firespirit he'd better not and the dragon closed his eyes, his body growing tense as he seemed to find something. There was a minute of complete silence, only broken by Glorfindel's movements as he pushed on Malek's chest and then quite suddenly, the boy's body drew in a lungful of air on its own and Glorfindel breathed a prayer of thanks as the heart under his hand started to beat slowly and then faster, waking. Alagos sat back, relief flooding his heart, but soon stood and managed to slip away before everyone converged on the child.
Firespirit was crooning gently to the small eleven year old, comforting him as the elves started treating his wound and preparing to move him to a better spot, but the fire dragon looked up and his red eyes followed Alagos' retreating figure with gratitude. He'd saved his bonded's life.
Alagos wondered if he was ever going to be able to sleep when Morroch, still in dragon form, came up beside him. His brother seemed to almost sense his mood and chuckled. "I know you want to disappear and sleep, but the Tsubasa will not leave until they talk to you and they say that while they respect me, you are their oniisan." The black shape-shifter looked greatly amused and Alagos growled under his breath, but followed his brother toward the Tsubasa at the eastern end of the camp.
The sky was starting to get dark and the white shape-shifter knew what the problem was immediately when he came into the winged-cats' midst. Aki greeted him warmly and the white-haired male found himself relaxing bit by bit. He was tense around his kin and he knew it, but with the Tsubasa, things were different. They were like family and they had tried to raise him as best they could when he was younger. They were friendly and they had no secrets. A Tsubasa is a very honest, smart and compassionate creature. They are fierce warriors, but prefer peace.
And peace did they both bring and get. It was funny how knowing when and how you were going to die could give you peace if you chose to simply accept the information. The Tsubasa grew up knowing this information. The five Tsubasa who'd died today in the battle, they'd known this was the end of their time and they accepted it. The concept was strange to Alagos and yet he found that being with the creatures gave him a type of peace, too, though, not a lasting one.
The shape-shifter greeted each winged-cat that spoke to him, hearing Morroch do the same behind him, but who the white shape-shifter was really looking for was the leader, Isao. He found the gold Tsubasa after a moment and Isao purred a welcome, but didn't waste time before making his concerns known. "Kei, you know that with the setting of the sun we must be back at our nests. Can you not convince our Kaleikatei to fly home now? We wish to help take the two-legs, but we cannot stay much longer now that the sun is setting."
Alagos felt a shiver run down his spine, but nodded stiffly, simply walking away, something the Tsubasa were used to and did not comment on as he rejoined Morroch who was waiting with curiosity. "What did they want?" These creatures, much like the now vanished Anikrrn, had helped them and the black dragon just wanted to make sure the Tsubasa got what they needed now that the battle was over. Alagos didn't answer right away, instead stopping and running a hand through his hair, eyes closed. His head was killing him, making it hard to think and his limbs cried out for rest. His gift was starting to build the familiar pressure behind his eyes, wanting out, wanting to be acknowledge and he pushed it back with the strength he had left. It wasn't going to be nearly enough and Alagos knew it, but what more could he do right now?
Blank amber eyes opened to meet Morroch's gold ones. "The Tsubasa need to get home before sundown and that means getting the dragons back to the Clan along with the elves and humans." His brother nodded and looked toward the dragons further in camp, his eyes scanning all the children who had fallen asleep next to their parents or their dragons, including Amr and Zainaben, the two older boys. Morroch sighed, his eyes going to the healing section of the camp and the injured they had there. Some of the major problems in moving to the Great Caverns would be Niluphel's broken leg, Sharpmist's total condition, Malek's fragile state and just the sheer exhaustion everyone felt, but the black shape-shifter knew that Isao was right. They needed better shelter, healing supplies and food. They could find that only with the Clan at this point.
The black dragon looked down at the white-haired man beside him. "Alagos...thank you. You didn't have to come back." The smirk that he had missed crossed his brother's face and amber eyes danced with the mocking laughter Morroch was used to. Alagos ran his hand through his hair again, feeling tense and tired, but unexpectedly warmed by his brother's words. "Yes I did. I would never have heard the end of it the next time I met with your immortal had I not." Alagos suddenly had Morroch's undivided attention at the mention of Arienel and the white shape-shifter's expression softened slightly in a way Morroch had never seen before.
"She's fine, Dagoryn. She made it to Harad and while she doesn't remember anything about her past, she does remember you." The shocked expression on his brother's face made Alagos hit himself over the head mentally a few times at his own lack of concern. He was tired, yes. His head was starting to grow foggy, yes, but that didn't excuse the way he'd just delivered this news to Morroch. The white shape-shifter shook his head. "She got caught in a sandstorm, a common thing in Harad and lost her memory. The Sand Dragons found her and helped her find the group again. She remember you and me to some extent, but no else."
Morroch felt like someone had struck him. Arienel was not all right and he wasn't with her. And right now, he was not all right either. The dragon growled deep in his throat, his gold eyes drawn without hesitation to the south. He wanted nothing more then to fly off right now and find her. He missed his rider. It was a constant ache that he could partially ignore throughout the day, but he was starting to grow sick with the longing to be back with her. He hadn't eaten in more then three days. Why he was just now noticing...who knew, but the sensation of hunger hadn't registered for a while and it was only because he WAS a dragon and able to go longer without food that he hadn't collapsed by now. He knew it was starting to worry Freewalker, hence the reason she kept giving him worried looks as interacted with the other dragons, his mind in a small cloud of fog that worsened every single time he saw a new Rishten pair. He wanted his rider.
Alagos hesitated, watching his brother's spirit grow dimmer, but reached up and laid his hand on the black dragon's nose. He kept it there as his amber eyes clouded over against his will and his gift lapped at the front of his mind, still held at bay by his stubbornness alone, but starting to seep in. "The Eldanarë, Arienel has met with the King of Harad, Ikrimah. The Haradrim King will make peace for the return of his son, Amr." Amber eyes cleared and Alagos mentally looked at his gift with confusion. Since when did it start showing him things he actually needed to know when he needed to know them? His eyes strayed to the location he knew Gweltari resided and the shape-shifter growled to himself before looking up at his brother with a small grin.
"I think you will be seeing the immortal sooner then you might think. Stop moping." He ignored the glare Morroch gave him and leaped forward, landing on four paws. The white Tsubasa looked back at the black dragon. "The sooner we get these two-legs to the Clan, the sooner you can leave." It was the only explanation he gave before sprinting off. Morroch looked after him in irritation, but also fondness. Alagos had changed a great deal, same as he had, but perhaps some things would not change at all. The black dragon sighed, gathering himself and keeping the cryptic words his brother had said close. They brought some comfort and the dragon raised his head, hope kindled in his eyes once more as he went to get the elves, humans, dragons and Tsubasa prepared to leave.
About three hours later - Flight Ledge, Great Caverns. Home of the Dragon Clan.
The dragons had never been so relieved to see home as they landed on the large plateau of the mountain. The wind bit at their scales and ripped through the two-legs' clothes, but no one complained. After an hour of flying, their skin was already as cold as it was going to get, numb to the small snowflakes that fell against their skin. The warmth of the dragons and Tsubasa was welcome and they were slow to dismount from the creatures. Each Tsubasa bid farewell to the human or elf with them as soon as the two-leg was off their backs. Evening had set in and it was vital they get back to their nests before it got too dark and too cold. The dragons seemed to understand this and took no offense as one by one, the Tsubasa left. Edonar and Aki shared a warm goodbye and both looked around for Alagos.
Edonar spotted the white shape-shifter first and frowned. Alagos was the farthest back in the crowd of bodies and he was staying away from everyone. His body was still, but as the Rohirrim made his way to the shape-shifter, he saw that the white winged-cat was trembling. It took him a moment to realize it wasn't from cold and Edonar didn't even attempt to touch Alagos, merely running back into the crowd to find Morroch. Emeraldsong had started to lead the humans, elves and other dragons into the Flight Tunnel. She and Rosclaw would be the first to greet the Clan and an instant defense against the protests and shock that would come from the other dragons. The black shape-shifter looked down at his rider's brother with a question in his eyes as Edonar almost skidded to a stop beside him, the ice under the snow making the ground treacherous for anyone with two legs and no claws. The Rohirrim's breath came in thick clouds as he spoke quietly.
"Morroch, it's Alagos." Gold eyes suddenly gained understanding and Morroch's gaze immediately focused on his brother. The crowd of bodies was beginning to thin and Edonar noticed that a woman was stalling having to go in, her brothers and father talking to her. She appeared to only be half listening and her green-gray eyes kept returning to Alagos, worry in them. The Rohirrim knew the feeling. His own Rishten was hammering at his heart, his mind. His dragon was HERE, but he didn't know where and he hadn't known since the urgent feeling had started. Now, though, he had to help get Alagos into the Caverns and then...maybe someone would be able to help him. He followed Morroch as the black dragon approached the winged-cat.
"Alagos?"
Morroch was worried. The last time he'd seen his brother here, Alagos had left. Would he actually go in this time? The dragon lowered his head slightly and the white shape-shifter backed up, eyes dilated and wide. He was seeing things that Morroch could not and the black shape-shifter's head snapped around at a sudden angry voice. "Let me go!" It was Gweltari and her father looked surprised by her outburst, but didn't release his daughter. Morroch watched as the ranger woman took a deep breath, seeming to calm herself, though, her eyes flickered once more to Alagos. Morroch looked between the two quickly and suddenly understood. She was his brother's bonded!
Gweltari couldn't help jerking again at her father's hand and she glared at Thalbor as he spoke. "Tari, stop. He's dangerous." The woman shook her head, dirty and snowy curls brushing her face. Her voice was quiet, but fierce. "No." Taurnar looked at his sister incredulously and grabbed her good shoulder as their father let go of her arm. "Yes, he is! What is wrong with you that you cannot see that? Let the dragons handle their own, Tari."
The woman shook her head again, green-gray eyes locked onto Alagos. Her voice was a whisper. "You don't understand." Valar! She didn't understand! But she knew that despite every hostile thing the shape-shifter had done toward her or her family he wouldn't harm her. Ever. And right now, she was filled with so much fear that it made it hard to breath. His fear. If she could get to him...if only she could touch him, talk to him... He would stop being so afraid. She knew he would. Why did no one else see that? He wasn't mean. He was scared and he was hurt. And he heard strange things in his head, of that she was sure as earlier she'd heard a voice telling her about the King of Harad. Gweltari knew that hadn't come from her own mind.
Her father's voice cut through her thoughts and she looked at him reluctantly, unknowing that her eyes were dilated and glazed with an amber hue. Her mind almost seemed sluggish, trying to understand what he was saying when she really didn't want to. What she wanted was to go to the white dragon. Her dragon. The possessive feeling came without surprise. Why should it? He was her's as surely as she was breathing. She could feel it with everything that was in her. She didn't know him, didn't understand him, she knew he didn't like her...it didn't matter.
"Gwelutarien?" Green-gray eyes, an amber ring on the outer edges, looking at Thalos. She hadn't been listening again and the father felt a jolt of worry. What was wrong with his daughter? His sons were at a loss and they both looked toward the white dragon who'd backed up even further from the man and black dragon in front of him. The twins saw the dragon called Dagoryn - or Morroch, depending on who you asked - look over at them and then approach. "You need to let her go. She might be the only one who can reach him right now." It was said calmly and Thalos' eyes narrowed as he looked from his daughter to the white winged-cat. "What do you mean? Why?"
Gold eyes met the man's gray. "Gweltari is now bonded to Alagos whether you or he or anyone else likes it or not, Ranger. It is the Rishten and many have been feeling its pull as of late. Your daughter is not the only one. If you don't let her go and try to keep her from Alagos, you will only hurt them both." The black shape-shifter held the man's eyes and his ground as Thalos, Thalbor and Taurnar glared at him, at his blunt words, but Morroch knew now was not the time to be arguing about this. He needed to get inside and deal with the Clan, he needed to know Alagos was safe and functional and he needed to get back to Arienel. He didn't have time for this.
Thalos looked down at his daughter again and finally seemed to make up his mind. He released her, watching her closely as she practically bolted for the winged-cat. He held up a hand, warning his sons to stay. They looked mutinous for a moment, but complied in the end, displeasure on their faces as Gweltari slid to a halt about three feet from her bonded and her eyes met his. Dark shapes suddenly moved in the corner of the woman's vision and Gweltari stilled, her eyes widening as an image suddenly developed in her mind's eyes.
She was hiding, her body trembling in the rock hollow that hid her. No, wait...not her...HE was hiding. Alagos was hiding. Roars and shrieks of pain echoed in the cavern and he would see flashes of scales, teeth and claws before all would be obscured from his sight again. But the noises, the sounds of battle and dying could not be shut out. His home was being invaded. The young Kinwa shut his eyes as a the sound of a dragon's last desperate, blood-filled breaths stopped close to where he hid. Fear kept him still long after the sound of battle had moved out of the cave, but the desire to find his mother won out in the end and he darted from his hiding place and into the open.
Amber eyes darted around the Shape-shifter Cavern, home. It was now a nightmare that he could have never imagined seeing. Blood made puddles on the floor, pooling under the dragons that lay dead on the ground. There were at least ten and he knew them all. They were shape-shifter's. Family. The young dragon stopped the keening cry of horror that wanted to break loose with a struggle of control. The same type of control he kept over his gift. Where was his mother! His eyes frantically searched the bodies around him, but she was not in the Cavern. The sounds of battle could be heard from the tunnel that led to the Great Cavern, but he was afraid to venture out there. Not when five feet from him lay one of his friends, a Kinwa just like him. They would not hesitate to kill the young.
Alagos trembled, waiting, not knowing what to do. He could not fight his kin. He wasn't skilled or big enough and he knew it. And so he waited, trying not to make a sound. Where was his mother? Why was the Clan doing this? The answer to the last question came without bidding and the white dragon bared his teeth at the new pain in his head that matched the agony in his heart. His gift provided the answer, but he wasn't sure he understood it anymore then he had before. Hate. They hated his kind. What Alagos didn't understand was why and his gift couldn't tell him. All he knew was that his kin were lying dead around him and he didn't know if his mother had shared their fate.
Gweltari was thrown back into the real word with force, making her stumble. Her legs were numb, her face, her hands, but her heart was racing and she looked at her bonded in horror before turning to look behind her at the opening that led to the place of his nightmare. She now understood his fear...or at least part of it because she was sure there was more to that story, terrible as it was. Alagos was caught in a memory that wouldn't let him escape. Gweltari didn't think he had one. She found her feet moving slowly but surely forward. Her eyes held his with every step and the shape-shifter didn't move back, even when it seemed that the clouds in his eyes began to thin. There was was a point where she thought she saw genuine recognition in his gaze and he still didn't move from her.
The woman finally reached out a shaky, cold hand and touched the fur around the winged-cat's neck. Her hand seemed to have a mind of its own as it buried itself in the white fur, holding on tightly. It was as if she'd finally gotten a hold on him and she wasn't going to let go. And she didn't. Not even when he suddenly moved, his sharp teeth coming around her slender arm, halting just before they closed. Gweltari hadn't moved and still didn't, her eyes locked with his. She couldn't feel the pricks of pain that were surely coming from his sharp teeth, but she saw the small rivets of blood that started down her arm before congealing halfway in the cold. Alagos continued to stare at her for a long moment until it suddenly seemed to click in his head. Gweltari couldn't help but grin as his amber eyes flashed with recognition and then widened as he realized how close she was and just what he was holding dangerously in his mouth. Her other arm was broken and he was threatening this one.
The shape-shifter let her go abruptly and would have leaped back if her hand hadn't made itself known, tightening its hold on his fur. He stilled, his trembling starting all over again and Gweltari frowned, feeling the fear that had left come back, but different this time. Nothing showed in his blank amber eyes, but she didn't need them to know what was going on even if she didn't understand the reason.
"Let go." It was a harsh whisper and the ranger woman didn't immediately comply, standing there with him as the wind whipped around them, lifting his white fur and blowing her tangled hair about. They were both oblivious to the things going on around them as they looked at each other and Gweltari spoke softly. "I am sorry." Alagos knew what she was talking about. How could he not? She'd quite suddenly come into his head, into his very being and he could feel her just as easily as he could feel himself. There would be no backing out now, no matter how far they had to go to gain even a friendship. She was part of him and the funny thing was, the shape-shifter wasn't even sure when it had happened. He'd been trying to get away from her since they'd met and even before then. He closed his eyes, blocking out her eyes, but it didn't change the connection he felt in his heart, strange as it was.
"Please."
A moment's hesitation and the hand in his fur was removed, but Gweltari didn't step away. The white shape-shifter took a shuddering breath and then let it out, the air creating a cloud of fog from his mouth. He wasn't sure how her very presence had helped the panic recede, kept the memories overwhelming him, but when Alagos finally opened his eyes and looked at the Flight Tunnel, the familiar feeling of fear returned, but the terror was gone. Or maybe not gone...maybe it had just been helped, begun to heal. His amber eyes met the human's green-gray again and Gweltari raised a brow, smiling. The winged-cat merely gave her a look that he reserved for the most annoying people he met, but she only laughed softly and stepped away from him, giving him the room his body was begging for. He didn't trust her yet...no, that wasn't true. His instincts trusted her, his heart was starting to, but his body and mind would need a lot more convincing.
Gweltari somehow knew this and she accepted it. He was hers, no matter how difficult that statement might prove to be. She followed the white shape-shifter as he stepped past her, heading toward the tunnel. He joined up with Morroch and Edonar on the way and she went back among her brother and father, but both the woman and the shape-shifter knew this was just the start of a very interesting journey for both of them.
Otay then! Kinda interesting and yet a nothing-happened-chapter, but hey, they needed to recover! LOL Ahem, anyway, more Clan interaction, Edonar's bonded, Alagos-Gweltari and much more in the next chapter! Review, please!
