Chapter 21: Onward

Lilia had watched the dragon's movements for two weeks. He stayed in his cave almost all of the time. He only left for three hours each night to hunt. Lilia kept herself busy while he was gone. She started digging her tunnel. At first she used her wand and was able to chip away little bits of rock at a time with magic. Progress went slowly at first. She didn't get very far the first year. By the end of the second year, the tunnel was large enough for her to fit herself and at least one other person inside.

The dragon never noticed her digging. He was a very self absorbed person. He usually slept when he wasn't hunting. He fed her any leftovers from his kills. He would breath fire and cook the rations before giving them to her, and for that she was grateful. The dragon was good to her. He treated her like a pampered pet.

Lilia once asked it what its name was and it told her that it was none of her business. She nicknamed him Frank.

As year four came, Lilia had become stronger. Her magic allowed her to chip away more and more rock and her tunnel increased in sized. Sometimes she took a break from using magic and dug by hand. Her muscles were getting stronger and stronger. During the day she would pretend she had a sword and would practice her moves.

Over the next few years, she had become mentally stronger as well. She was able to read Frank's mind with ease. He never thought anything interesting so she read the thoughts of creatures in nearby proximity. Mostly she only heard animals, struggling for survival. She sent messages to Rion every night, hoping that he could hear her. He never sent anything back though.

By the beginning of her eighth year of imprisonment, her tunnel was almost complete. Lilia had grown into a beautiful, strong woman. It was one night when Frank was out, that Lilia finally saw roots jutting out of the ceiling of her tunnel. She dug faster. The earth became softer. She pulled out her wand and cleared excess dirt. Soon she felt fresh air on her face. She pushed upwards and felt nothing above her. She climbed up and saw the moon for the first time in eight years. She jumped up and down for joy. She was free. She looked at her surroundings. Her tunnel opened up on the opposite side of the cliff entrance in the swamp. She was no longer in muck and mud, but in a grassy area far away from the swamp. Frank wouldn't dare follow.

In the distance Lilia could see a castle. Lilia became excited. She knew where she was. She imagined the grove that she remembered from their entrance there. She had been too far away to apparate before, but now, with a pop, she apparated and landed back where it began.

Rion was sitting in Wash's hut. They had been there for three days planning their trip. Fitzen's soldiers had been patrolling the land constantly ever since the break in at the castle. The five of them decided to lay low for a while.

Rion was pretending to listen to Sirius and Wash argue over something. He gave a yawn and then sat up straight, his eyes wide. He felt someone nearby.

Harry was nearby and saw him sit at attention. "What's wrong?"

Sirius and Wash shut up. Cornelius and all of the others stared at Rion.

Rion then slowly said, "Someone's nearby."

Wash asked, "Soldiers?"

Rion shook his head. He stood up and walked out of the cabin, leaving his sword behind. He knew who it was. Harry followed him They made their way to the grove. At the entrance Rion stopped and smiled. There was a figure standing in the distance.

Lilia felt Rion coming closer. She turned and saw him. She ran to him and he embraced her in his arms. Both of them started laughing as they held each other tight. Lilia broke out into tears and Rion just kissed her on the forehead, saying everything would be alright.

Harry stood off to the side, letting Rion greet her first. Lilia calmed down and saw Harry. Rion let her go and she wrapped her arms around Harry. She let go and Rion came up behind her. "Let's get back shall we."

They took Lilia back to Wash's and introduced her to everyone. After telling them her tale, it was late and everyone went to bed. Rion and Lilia hung behind and went outside to talk.

Lilia was the first to speak. "I called to you sometimes. Mentally. I called but you never answered."

"I never heard you. I called to you to. I've been weak for a long time. I'm stronger now."

"Where have you been?"

"Prison." Rion told her about getting captured and escaping.

Lilia turned to him with tears in her eyes. "I hate that it turned out this way. I hate that we were separated, but I know that it was necessary. We were both weak. All of this is just a test to make us stronger."

Rion replied. "Yes, and we are greater than we were and maybe being separated made us this way, but I have one request."

"Yes?"

Rion pulled her into his arms and kissed her. He pulled his lips away from hers and whispered, "Never leave me like that again."

Lilia smiled. "I won't if you won't"

Rion captured her lips again. "Promise."

The two went back inside and curled up near the fire and fell into the first peaceful sleep either of them had had since they arrived.