OPENING: BRON AND ARIANNA
Bron was walking with the brown-colored, violet-eyed Longneck. It was clear that she was different from most other Longnecks. She had actually said hi to a Flyer who was flying past her. The Flyer was so shocked that he had crashed into a tree. Most Longnecks were wary of being around Arianna, but Bron liked her personality. Bron know that her parents were the same way, but they kept their opinions to themselves. While Arianna never tried to break the status quo, at least not openly, Bron knew that she didn't support it.
"You don't find me odd, Littlefoot?" she asked him. Bron's childhood nickname was Littlefoot.
"I do, but not in a bad way." he replied.
"I don't see why we can't be with non-Longnecks." Arianna said.
"But they won't even like us Arianna." said Bron.
"I know. I've tried before. It seems that the Leaf Eaters all keep to their own kinds." Arianna replied.
"Perhaps it's best that way." Bron said.
"I don't think so." Arianna said.
"Well, it's always been that way, us being apart." Bron said.
"No, technically it hasn't." she demurred.
"What do you mean?" Bron asked.
"I asked my father about the matter. He is a Story Speaker, as you know. Travels around telling the Longneck stories. He told me the Story of the Four Kinds." Arianna said.
"What is that about?" Bron asked. Arianna told him. When she was done, he said "That sounds pretty hard to believe that one dinosaur could do that and get Leaf Eaters together again. Whoever even attempted it would have to be pretty bold. And I've never even heard of a Fanged Flattooth before, much less seen one."
"I've never seen one before either." Arianna said.
"That's because they don't exist!" laughed Bron.
"Just because you've never seen something doesn't mean it doesn't exist." Arianna argued.
"I suppose so. But this whole story sounds hard to buy. Getting four Leaf Eaters of different types would be a big challenge in itself, let alone also get four different types of Sharpteeth, Egg Stealers, and Bothteeth. It couldn't be done in a lifetime, let alone before ones 25th Hatch Day." Bron said.
"Come Bron." called Bron's father.
"See you later Arianna." Bron said, leaving.
Bron met Arianna again the next day. "So, Arianna, do you think that you are this Great One?" Bron asked her jokingly.
"I don't think so. I've tried, without any luck, to befriend other types of Leaf Eaters. I'm too afraid to approach a Sharptooth." she replied.
"Do you even think these valleys mentioned in the Four Kinds Quest story are real? They sound like just childish stories to me." Bron asked her.
"I have heard of the Great Valley and some have said they've been there. But the other place, nobody has been to or seen." Arianna said.
"What makes you think there really will be a Great One? That they could find these two valleys and befriend four types of each kind before they come of age sounds so impossible." Bron said.
"Some things you see with your eyes. Others, you see with your heart." Arianna replied.
Bron and Arianna continued to meet. "What's it like having a Story Speaker as a father?" Bron asked Arianna.
"It's amazing knowing all the Longneck stories, though the part of traveling around a lot is annoying." Arianna said.
"What places have you been to?" Bron inquired.
"The Land of Jumping Fire. The Great Mountains. The White Fields. And many others too." Arianna replied.
"Wow, you've been everywhere!" said Bron in awe.
"I've never been to the Great Valley." Arianna said.
The two continued to meet as time went by. Bron's parents weren't actually thrilled about his friendship with Arianna. "I don't think that girl is good for you dear. She thinks being with non-Longnecks would be normal." said Bron's father.
"I like her. I don't think the idea is that crazy." Bron replied.
"It could never happen. The other kinds are too uncivilized." Bron's mother argued.
Bron sighed. He hadn't seen enough of the other kinds to know if what they said was true. And they never seemed to want to try it.
Bron kept meeting with Arianna anyway. One day, near when they were fully grown, Bron asked her if she wanted to be his mate for the Time of Choosing. She agreed. When Bron told his parents, they were upset and told him no and that they were going to leave and stop traveling with Arianna's herd the next day. They did indeed leave the next day and Bron went with them. However, that night, while they were asleep, Bron snuck off and went to Arianna. He went with her herd and they had a union ceremony.
Sometime after their wedding, a horrible leaf famine struck the land. Green food was scarce. The herd began to head west toward the fabled Great Valley, supposedly one of the two valleys from the story of the Four Kinds Quest and the Great One. However, Bron wondered, both in private as well as aloud, if such a place could exist. He wanted to take his wife and her family with him and go look for food. However, Arianna had become pregnant and would need a place to nest. She couldn't go on a long journey. Bron didn't want to leave her alone with her aging parents, for most of her herd had died in an accident. Bron knew that Sharpteeth picked on small herds such as hers and wanted to be with her. However, he finally left, after being reassured by Arianna's brother Kaha that he would look after her. "I'll be back." Bron told her before leaving.
"I love you.' Arianna said. The two hugged and kissed before Bron departed in search of green food. Bron would never see Arianna alive again.
Sometime after Bron's departure, Arianna had laid several eggs. She made a nest for them. However, one tragic night, Egg Stealers snuck into the nest and ate all but one egg. She and her parents caught the Egg Stealer before he could make off with the last egg. After a short fight, the Egg Stealer fled. Arianna was sad about the loss of her eggs. At least she still had one left.
"I don't know why the Bright Circle enabled this one to make it. I can only hope that the child will do great things and change the world." Arianna told her parents. Little did she realize how true her words would be.