Hey everyone, I'm sorry you had to wait so long for such a short chapter but to be honest...it's been a hell of an April and it took effort to power through this one. I'm going work as hard as heavenly possible to bring you guys the next chapter but for now please enjoy this one.
Chapter 33: Flight of the Dragon
The Palace courtyard resounded with the sounds of a very agitated and stubborn Trolgon. His trumpeting roars entertained a small crowd of guards and castle staff as they watched with a mix of anxiety and humor at the show being put on. Gillian and his workers were attempting to convince him to be still long enough to fasten a saddle but the young ice dragon wasn't having any of it, he continued side stepping and hissing at his 'assailants' as they danced around him in vain. While he was distracted, Gillian dashed at the dragon and threw the saddle over his neck and began quickly fastening the buckles. But Trolgon only reached back and lightly grasped the saddle in his jaws and threw it away, along with a screaming Gillian through the air.
The old man braced himself for a hard landing but was spared the cobblestone when he felt himself stop in midair. Looking up he saw lord Aldren and queen Elsa, now in full battle dress, her hand held outwards creating the wind that kept him from bloodying his face. He smiled sheepishly, "Your grace."
She smiled back as she lowered him gently to the ground, "Gillian, everything going well?"
They helped him off the ground and he dusted himself off, chuckling dryly, "Not that I would ever hope to insult one of your creations my queen but...that scaly lummox is trying my patience!" Trolgon overheard and hissed at him scornfully from the distance, the elder artisan turned and waved a fist at him, "Well Same to you! You unruly beast!"
The dragon responded by rattling his frills and swiping his tail against the ground as if to challenge him and say, 'Come and try it!'
Gillian raised his fists as if to box the dragon, "Oh don't tempt me you-"
He was silenced when Elsa put a hand on his shoulder, "Perhaps this requires a woman's touch?"
He looked at her and lowered his hands and head, "Mayhaps."
Aldren stood next to Gillian as she walked past him, picked up the saddle and made her way towards her creation. Trolgon's colors were now fully bloomed; the shades of crimson, orange and subtle violets on his frills, horns and chest blended beautifully with the teal and white of his body. But now his fins lowered as he lowered himself submissively to his creator as she approached. He purred and she smiled lovingly, though he would occasionally glance at the saddle in her hand, she shook her head ran a hand along the side of his head, "Trolgon...If I'm to fly with you I need to be able to hold on, you wouldn't want me to fall would you?" she said, using her best 'mother knows best' look.
He groaned pitifully as he looked away, eventually growling softly before begrudgingly lowering himself to her height. She turned and offered the saddle to Gillian who smiled and moved quickly to loop the saddle around Trolgon's neck and fasten the buckles, making sure it was secure. Once he finished he nodded and turned away, muttering under his breath, "Momma's boy."
The dragon overheard him once again and fired a light stream of powder that coated the old man, who only grumbled and dusted himself off as he walked away while Trolgon hissed rapidly in a sort of raspy laugh. Aldren walked over, chuckling slightly and holding Trolgon's head in his hands while ruffling his scales, "Oh we did give you the perfect name didn't we." The dragon's fins rattled as he trilled gutturally and gave Aldren an affectionate nudge.
Elsa chuckled and walked over to her Master of War, placing a hand on his shoulder, "At least he's not too much trouble for us."
"Indeed."
They both turned to see Anna, Olaf and Kristoff coming to see her off before she left, at the head of the group was Anna who got there first. Aldren stepped back to interact with the rest of the group as the two sisters met and took each other's hands, Anna smiled and looked between Trolgon and Elsa, "I'm kind of jealous...but I guess you arriving on a dragon will get their attention."
Elsa couldn't help but snicker at the thought as she nodded, "Yeah, yeah I think that will certainly help."
They both laughed for a moment before Elsa then sensed the unease in her sister and shot her a questioning gaze, Anna sighed, "I'm not a fan of us being separated for this long; if you must know what's bugging me." she said, rolling her eyes.
Elsa shook her head, squeezing her sister's hands, "I know...neither am I. But then what part of any of this are we supposed to be fans of?" She managed to get a chuckle from Anna before sighing "This is monsters, dark magic and war and... more than are parents could have ever prepared us for."
Anna grinned, "We made it this far didn't we?"
Elsa smirked at her sister before both their expressions softened and Anna noticed her elder sister's eyes starting to water slightly, without any further prompting needed she seized Elsa in a tight embrace that she returned immediately. The snow queen let out a soft, shuddering breath as she closed her eyes and whispered, "If you need to, you tell that arrogant king that if anything happens to you; his precious isles won't see another summer again!"
Anna pulled away and smiled at her, "Elsa..." she scolded lightly, putting a hand on her shoulder, "I'll be fine...were all going to be fine, you hear me?" she said, looking into her eyes.
Elsa smiled back, "I know Anna." she then kissed her sister on the forehead and sighed, "I know..."
They both looked over to see Olaf, looking up at Trolgon with a melancholy expression, "I wish I could fly..." he murmured sadly to himself.
Elsa released her sister and walked over to the snowman, swooping him up in her arms, "Well...how would you like the chance Olaf?"
He looked up at her wide eyed, "Really?"
"Of course, you can be my adviser while were in Corona."
Olaf hopped down and did his own brand of a happy dance while Anna poked Elsa, "Oh so he gets to ride on the dragon but I don't?" she asked with mock offense.
"Well I'm not sending him to the southern Isles now am I?"
"You'll be safe...right Anna?" Their conversation was broken by Olaf's small voice, lined with worry as he walked up to the princess. She knelt down in front of her small friend, though on a small level she was getting a little tired of everyone worrying over her, Olaf's concern was always welcome. "Of course I will Olaf, I survived her didn't I?" she said gesturing with her eyes to Elsa who tilted her head and smirked back at her.
Olaf chuckled slightly, Anna then took his stick hands, "Besides, I need you to keep Elsa safe while she's away...can you do that for me?"
He smiled, nodding and holding his hand in a salute, "You can count on me."
She smiled back and clutched him close in a tight hug, "I know I can."
Kristoff then stepped forward after Anna, somewhat hesitant in his approach, "Well...-good luck Elsa." he held out his hand.
The queen rolled her eyes, stepping forward and grabbing him in a hug, he smiled and hugged her back. She released him and grinned, "Try not to get captured again."
He smirked back at her, "Wasn't trying to the first time."
She chuckled, squeezing his shoulder and walked back towards Trolgon. Aldren reentered the group as the rest of the council members emerged from the castle to wish her farewell. He turned to Elsa, reaching past her to grip the tip of Dragon's Flight, rubbing the smooth blade between his fingers, "Hmm, looks like that spear will live up to its name after all."
She smiled and nodded before her face dropped and she looked towards the rest of the group, taking a step forward she addressed them, "I am confident, nearly certain actually, that I will return with help and I pray that I return to you all as soon as possible...and that all of us who will be leaving; return safe...no matter what." She glanced up at the castle for a brief moment.
Lady Sol noticed this and stepped forward, "You needn't worry your majesty; it'll still be standing when you get back."
Elsa looked to her future cousin in law and smiled, "Of that lady Sol; I have no doubt."
She turned back to Aldren who despite their new relationship, gave her a formal bow...it was time to break etiquette again; with a coy smile she reached forward, grabbing the collar of his breastplate and pulling him into a passionate kiss. He was caught by surprise and hesitant to reciprocate in front of the others, but her other hand on the side of his face made it clear she wasn't releasing him until he did. Closing his eyes and moving his hands to her sides, he sunk into the kiss with her, a few teasing chuckles came from the crowd as a result.
They broke the kiss, Elsa's hand still on the side of his face, he reached up and grasped her arm affectionately, "Be safe..." he said softly.
"And you...my love."
There was little chance for either of them to contain the red now present in their cheeks, with a final smile they released each other; Aldren put his hands together for her to place her foot, boosting her up to the saddle and then he lifted Olaf and sat him behind her. Resting a hand on Trolgon's scaly hide he looked up at them both with a smile, "I hope you both take to flying well...it was quite exhilarating my first time."
Elsa cocked her head at him with a curious grin, "You've...flown before."
"Another time my queen."
She gave him a slightly disappointed look to which he simply chuckled, turning to walk towards the dragon's head, running his hand along his skin until he was eye level with him, "Fly Trolgon, show them the meaning of haste."
Trolgon shook and vibrated subtly, stretching his shoulders and neck with a guttural chortle to signal his readiness. Aldren then stepped back with the others, smiling at Anna who along with holding Kristoff's hand, took his arm and they all watched with anticipation.
Olaf looked ahead of Elsa and then back to her, "Do you think flying will be scary for you?"
She shook her head, though with some uncertainty, "I'm sure there's nothing to-IT!" The last word came out in a shriek as Trolgon suddenly began running forward on all fours to the other side of the courtyard, his steps rapidly pounding against the cobblestone. The others watched with slight worry, except for Aldren who only smiled. Elsa leaned forward and gripped the saddle tightly with Olaf gripping her waist even tighter, the wind rushing past her face so much that it almost stung her eyes. Risking to open them she could see they were about to collide with the castle gate but at the last moment it seemed, Trolgon spread his wings and with one powerful motion they lifted into the air, higher and higher they did as the great dragon's wings flapped.
Down below everyone watched in awe and happiness; Anna, Kristoff and Sol cheered and whooped for her while Aldren only continued to smile from below. Elsa looked back and very soon the cheers of her friends and family faded to the sound of rushing air currents and the city below seemed much smaller from above. Eventually the two sat up and looked around them as Trolgon now glided more calmly on the wind, his wings occasionally beating against the sky to carry them further west. Elsa did not feel fear as she honestly expected she would, looking down on her country which now only appeared as rolling hills of snow and forests of trees, she felt a new sense of freedom. With some hesitance she slowly lifted her arms outwards, closing her eyes and feeling the rushing breeze against her skin...to be honest she could barely breathe and yet...she felt more alive up here than she did on the ground.
Breathing deeply, she let loose a joyful call that barely made a sound in the sky but for her was as loud as a lightning strike. Olaf too joined her, the two laughing and cheering at an experience they would not soon forget, Trolgon added to their song with a trumpeting screech, contributing to Elsa's rush of adrenaline. Though she was undeniably having fun, the urgency of her mission was not lost to her; turning her gaze to the horizon, with smile on her face focused on her destination and the vision of a free Arendelle...she would make it so...they would make it so.
Yey...Flying :)
