DISCLAIMER: I own nothing, except for Emer and the plot.
Everything else is owned by Universal Studios, ILM, and anyone else who
I don't know about.
And now, the story.
DragonHeart - A Love Story
Part 3
The voyage back home was uneventful, for the first two days the group kept talking and making jokes through the day. Drake was flying next to the carriage, because maintaining his human guise for long periods of time was difficult. On the third day, the closer they came to her father's land, the quieter Emer became. Drake and Geoff assumed it was because she was reminded of her father's illness, but Emer and Anne knew better. Anne, looking at Emer and taking her hand, said "Milady, you better tell him soon. You know is very dangerous for him to parade like that in your father's lands."
Emer nodded, and said "Lord Geoff, could we stop to rest? I really need to stretch my legs." Lord Geoff nodded and stopped in a clearing. Drake landed to meet with them, and seeing his beloved's face, he asked "Emer, what's wrong?" Looking at the dragon's face, but avoiding his eyes, she said "We need to talk."
Drake sat down under a tree, and motioned for her to sit beside him. Stroking her hair with one claw, he asked "Love, what is troubling you?" Biting her lip, Emer said "I never told you anything about my father, except that he was a powerful lord. What I did not tell you is that is very dangerous for you to be seen as a dragon in this parts. My father is a dragon slayer. You will have to be in your human form until it is time to sleep. I think I know of a place where you can hide and rest as a dragon during the night. I understand if you do not desire for me to be your companion anymore. I thought I should let you know."
Drake looked at the woman he loved, and said "I love you for who you are, not because of what your family might be. This only means we will have to be more careful. Are we close to your father's lands?" Emer nodded, and said "I think it will be better if you travel as a human from now on. We still have two days of travel ahead of us." Drake sighed, and nodded in understanding, a white light enveloping his body and leaving a knight were a dragon was moments ago.
Offering his hand to her, he pulled her up from the floor and wrapped his arms around her, while saying "Don't worry, love. Everything will be alright and we'll be back into our kingdom soon." She nodded, her head still looking downwards, afraid to meet his gaze. Lifting her chin up, he kissed her gently, savoring the salt from the tears that were streaming her face.
Cupping her face with his hands and wiping away her tears with his thumbs, he gently asked, "Why do you cry, beloved?" Finally able to meet his eyes, she said "I truly do not deserve you. I love you." He smiled, and responded, "I love you too, beloved", and kissed her again, this time a little bit more passionate. They walked to the carriage, holding hands.
Lord Geoff was looking at his friends and said, "About time you showed up. We need to make up for the lost time. Get in." Emer got inside the carriage, while Drake sat next to Lord Geoff in the driver's seat. They were making good time, and Lord Geoff said to his friend "Lady Anne told me about lady Emer's father. You are sure you can last two days?"
Drake sighed and said, "According to the ancient books, I should be able to hold on for weeks. The females in other hand, could maintain their human guise for years, and I'm not talking two or three. We are talking two or three decades." Geoff only raised an eyebrow as response to that statement.
That night they decided to camp out on a remote area, so Drake could recuperate and rest in his dragon form, sheltered in the darkness of the forest. When morning came, everybody was exhausted, not only for sleeping on the floor, but also with worry that someone might discover Drake while they were sleeping. Jokingly, Geoff said "That's it. Tonight I sleep on a bed." Emer smiled, and said "My sentiments exactly." They continued their journey, they were very close to the castle now.
When night fell, they found shelter inside an Inn, where they recognized Emer, and sent a messenger immediately to announce her arrival the next day. They received the best rooms and the best food the little Inn could offer. Early the next day, after a hearty breakfast, they were ready to continue their journey. They made good speed, as the horses were well rested and well treated the night before. They arrived at the castle by midday.
It was obvious that they were being expected, there were lots of people on the streets greeting their Lord's daughter welcome. Emer was looking outside the carriage, and a smile spread on her face. Still looking outside, she said "I forgot how much I missed this place, Anne. The people here were always so nice to me." Anne smiled and said "That's because you always treated your subjects with kindness and respect. They love you very much."
When they arrived at the steps of the castle, a committee was waiting for them. An old man came to the carriage to greet them, while two servants helped the ladies get out of the carriage. He bowed reverently and said "Lady Emer, we have been praying for your return." As soon as she saw him, Emer smiled and said "Lord Hubert, is nice to see you again. May I present my escorts, Lord Geoff and Lord Drake, the best knights of my uncle's kingdom."
Lord Hubert bowed to them, and addressing Emer, he said "Your mother wants to see you immediately." With a nod she looked at the gentleman and said "If you excuse me, there are some matters I need to attend to. Lord Hubert, please see to the accommodations for the lords. Anne, come with me." She turned around and went into the castle, in the direction of her mother's chambers.
When she arrived at the door of her mother's chambers, a servant announced her, "Lady Rosalind, your daughter is here." The middle aged woman's face lit up at the news "What are you waiting for? Let her come in!" She still had most of the beauty of her youth, traced by lines of hardship and suffering for many years. As soon as she saw her daughter entering the room, her beauty could be seen once more.
"Mother!", was all Emer said, before embracing her mother, tears running through her face. Lady Rosalind was crying as well, holding her daughter tight while saying, "My little Emer. I missed you so much! Let me look at you." Pulling away, she looked critically at her daughter. There was something different about her, but she could not quite place it. Dismissing it for the fact that she has not seen her daughter for a long time, she motioned for her to sit.
Lady Rosalind gave her daughter a scrutinizing look and said "Tell me, I've heard rumors that there is a Dragon in my brother's kingdom. Is this true?" Emer knew she could trust her mother. Unlike her father, her mother loved dragons, and tried to protect them as much as she could. She remembered how her mother was severely punished several times by her father, because a dragon escaped with her help.
Emer bit her lip, and said "Yes, is true. There is a dragon living in the old caves were Draco the Dragon used to live." Lady Rosalind asked more curiously now, "Have you seen the dragon?" Emer nodded, "Yes, he flies around the kingdom." Lady Rosalind continued her inquiry "Have you talked to the dragon?" Emer was more cautious of her answers now, "Yes, and why so many questions?"
Lady Rosalind looked at her daughter with a pale face and a shocked expression, "You have? Oh, dear." Emer was worried about her mother, what could have caused that reaction? "Mother? Do you feel well?" Lady Rosalind shook her head, like if she was coming out of a trance, and said "Once you see your father, you and I need to talk, my dear." Worried about her mother's condition, she only nodded and followed her mother to her father's chambers.
When they got there, she saw that her father's advisors were leaving the bedchambers, as well as two men she had seen before, but could not quite place them where. Dismissing them from her thoughts, she concentrated on her father. He looked quite frail, compared to the energetic man she used to remember. He shifted on his bed, and looking up, saw his daughter coming towards him, "Ah, princess, you are home at last."
She smiled, and sat on the bed next to him while holding one of his hands with both of hers "Hello, father. How are you feeling today?" He smiled, and said "My precious child, I am feeling much better now that you are home." She kissed the back of his hand, and said "And I am glad to be back." He looked at her "I heard that your escort was two Knights of Edwin's kingdom." She nodded, and said "Yes, Lord Geoff and Lord Drake brought me here in the fastest time possible. We only took five and a half days to get here."
Her father nodded with surprise, and said "I would like to meet this brave Knights. I feel well enough to have dinner in the dining room tonight." Lady Rosalind looked at her husband with concern, "Are you sure, Rupert?" Lord Rupert looked back at his wife and said, "I feel better than I have in a long time. I'm sure dinner would not be that bad." Smiling, Lady Rosalind said "I'm glad you feel better, dear. I will go and order dinner."
Once Lady Rosalind left the room, Lord Rupert caressed his daughter's cheek, and said "Princess, you know I'm dying. I hate to leave you alone with the vulture lords trying to get our lands from you because you are a woman. That's why I've decided that you should marry as soon as possible. I have chosen the idea husband for you. You two always got along well when you were children, so I know you will now." Pausing and looking at the door leading to his private study, he said "Please come in.", not noticing the color draining from his daughter's face.
The doors opened, and Emer turned around to see a very handsome young
man, with flaming red hair tied up in a ponytail and very intense green
eyes. She opened her eyes wide, only one word crossing her lips,
"Ivan". Giving her a devilish smile, he took the her hand and kissed
it on the back, while saying "Emer, you are lovelier than I remember.
I would be honored for you to be my wife."
TO BE CONTINUED…
A/N: Here is where I need your reviews people. They will
help battle the dreaded writer's block!!! Any grammar errors, let
me know and I will fix them, English is not my first language. Please
review, any suggestions, ideas and plot bunnies are always welcome.
Thanks!!!!! =-)
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