Tears in the Twilight
Echo the Nymph
Disclaimer: I don't own Tolkien's characters or plot lines.
Seasons wheeled twice more,
Fifteen shimmering eggs ready to hatch.
Mightiest among all the noble ones
Was the ancestress of the clutch.
Yet the darkness gathered,
Searched for its greatest power.
And as such, an omen coming near...
Chapter 3
Phoenix watched as her mentor cared for Blaze. All the years she spent with her had paid off and now she was ready to be on her own. Almost. Part of her still needed the mother figure that Firespirit had been in her life. Her eyes took in the loving companionship that her mentor had with Blaze. Ever since she'd returned from the Havens, she'd yearned for that kind of companionship.
But then, there was her family. Her brother and grandfather were encouraging her to stand with the others at the hatching. What hope could she have when so many others were much more favorable? Within, she had little hope of becoming dragon-bound.
A red-gold head was lifted off the ground as the dragoness gave off an excited chirp. She fluttered into the air and flew to the nest that was filled with nineteen eggs. Almost as though she had been prompted by Blaze's action, Firespirit rose to her hooves. "Come Phoenix. It is time." She gently led her pupil to the same nest and placed her among the others.
Arora, golden like the sun, lifted her head and began to croon her greeting song. The other dragons sang with her as the eggs rocked for the hatchlings were struggling to get out.
A resounding crack came from one of the shells. The sound repeated as unexpectedly as it had been at first. A bronze baby staggered away from the remains of the shell before lifting his head. With a happy cry, he made a beeline for the fox red spotted blanket colt that stood near. In that time, two more of the eggs had hatched, a brass girl and a red boy. They quickly paired themselves off with those who were right for them. All was silent as the dragons continued their song.
One shell splintered into tiny flakes, almost like snow, allowing a light blue to emerge. Her dark blue brother rose from his sleeping position and yawned as he walked over to a husky colt. The light blue gazed from child to child then let out a relieved chirp as she leapt towards a clear bay frost tip filly.
Another crack made the gathered people jump. An iridescent white! Danger was near! The white dragoness crooned softly and staggered over to Radiant Star.
The other pairings had been taking place out of Phoenix's sight. The two eggs closest to her were rocking violently. They were the only two left unhatched.
Suddenly, a black nose thrust its way out. All eyes widened as they took in the red hue the dragon's eyes bore. An ill omen! With a predatory screech, the hatchling ran from the circle and into the woods. Finally, the last egg shattered. A brilliant iridescent green dragoness with warm brown eyes. Alone of the remaining candidates, Phoenix curled up her golden legs and held a hand out to the crying hatchling. "I'm here, little one." Her soft, musical voice caught the youngster's attention. With and ecstatic cry, she leapt over to the young huntress.
You're here! You're here! a young voice squealed as Phoenix's mind was sent reeling from the contact of another. Yet at the same time, she could feel relief flooding through the young dragon. The happiness that she had at finding her huntress, the adoration she had for the golden filly. I was so scared that you wouldn't get here in time! We are together, Phoenix! The Princess felt the deep connection that had been forged between them. A bond that only death could break.
Slowly, the filly's strokes calmed her new friend. Suddenly, the dragoness turned with a snarl. What was that colt thinking?! She had made her choice, he couldn't change it! Startled, the ill-mannered colt backed off.
"You are Talitha." Phoenix gathered the damp, hungry hatchling into her arms. Rising to her hooves, she walked back over to her mentor, who had the hatchling's meal ready.
"I knew you could do it." Firespirit beamed happily. "You've named her Talitha?" Phoenix nodded as she accepted the bowl of meat for her dragon. "It suits her, for she definitely is one."
"Chew." Phoenix commanded as she shielded the bowl from the overeager Talitha. Talitha obeyed her instantly, chewing what she had in her mouth before getting another mouthful. "I don't know much about lesser dragons."
Firespirit's gaze came back to Phoenix. "They began long ago; in the First Age of this world. Galarung the Golden was the father of all dragons. He brought terror and shame to the five houses of the Edain. This dragon grew to an enormous size. Before the First Age was half over, the mother of all dragons laid a clutch of sixty-one eggs. Six months later, these eggs hatched. Yet the youngest, smallest one forsook her dark name and flew away from her family.
"Many years later, when Elros and Elrond were children, she heard her brothers attacking the Children of Iluvatar. She flew quickly, with the sun at her back. The sudden appearance of their sister, glowing in the light of the sun, scared them away. Slowly she flew overhead and found her brothers' victims were unharmed. She then flew away, knowing that her presence would only frighten them and endanger her. After they had calmed, they called her Anar the Pure, Flame of the Sun. All the noble ones after her were smaller, braver and more noble than their dark foreparents."
Firespirit then gazed at the sleeping hatchling that had found its way into Phoenix's arms. "Your Talitha promises to be one of the largest since Amira had her growth."
A soft noise came from her. I itch. Her aggrieved tone surprised Phoenix.
"She's itchy." The Princess blinked when a birch bark jar was handed to her. Upon opening it, she found the lotion she had learned how to make so quickly. Recalling how Firespirit had used it on Blaze, she took a small amount of the lotion and gently spread it over Talitha's scales.
Thank you. A yawn escaped her. Sleepy time. She curled up in her huntress's arms, content.
Firespirit gazed at the filly that had been as her daughter for so long. "Phoenix, there is nothing more I can teach you." Sapphire blue eyes widened in shock. "You have your own choices to make, my Princess. All of the abilities handed down by your fore mothers live in you, Daughter of Aman. My guidance is no longer needed." The huntress rose to her hooves gracefully, then found that Phoenix had stood as well.
"Where will you go?" She queried, sounding frightened.
"I have friends among the Kindreds of Arda. Fire is guided by wind, pulled by forces Eleboreth set into motion with the other Ainur. I will go where I am needed." The pair vanished into the forest around the village, leaving those who were young behind them.
The Princess cradled her sleeping dragon in her arms. Tears streamed down her face, glittering like crystals in the fading light of evening. At least I'm not entirely alone. Talitha is with me. Her gaze shifted to the sky, aglow with twilight. This was not the first time sorrow had come at the mingling of day and night. It looks so much as it did when I was told that my parents didn't survive. She had wept uncontrollably when she had been told.
But finally, she understood. Great joy would come and she would know it at all times of the day. Nothing would dampen the light she had within. Her friends would come someday, and free her from the restrictions she could not yet fight.
Echo the Nymph
Disclaimer: I don't own Tolkien's characters or plot lines.
Seasons wheeled twice more,
Fifteen shimmering eggs ready to hatch.
Mightiest among all the noble ones
Was the ancestress of the clutch.
Yet the darkness gathered,
Searched for its greatest power.
And as such, an omen coming near...
Chapter 3
Phoenix watched as her mentor cared for Blaze. All the years she spent with her had paid off and now she was ready to be on her own. Almost. Part of her still needed the mother figure that Firespirit had been in her life. Her eyes took in the loving companionship that her mentor had with Blaze. Ever since she'd returned from the Havens, she'd yearned for that kind of companionship.
But then, there was her family. Her brother and grandfather were encouraging her to stand with the others at the hatching. What hope could she have when so many others were much more favorable? Within, she had little hope of becoming dragon-bound.
A red-gold head was lifted off the ground as the dragoness gave off an excited chirp. She fluttered into the air and flew to the nest that was filled with nineteen eggs. Almost as though she had been prompted by Blaze's action, Firespirit rose to her hooves. "Come Phoenix. It is time." She gently led her pupil to the same nest and placed her among the others.
Arora, golden like the sun, lifted her head and began to croon her greeting song. The other dragons sang with her as the eggs rocked for the hatchlings were struggling to get out.
A resounding crack came from one of the shells. The sound repeated as unexpectedly as it had been at first. A bronze baby staggered away from the remains of the shell before lifting his head. With a happy cry, he made a beeline for the fox red spotted blanket colt that stood near. In that time, two more of the eggs had hatched, a brass girl and a red boy. They quickly paired themselves off with those who were right for them. All was silent as the dragons continued their song.
One shell splintered into tiny flakes, almost like snow, allowing a light blue to emerge. Her dark blue brother rose from his sleeping position and yawned as he walked over to a husky colt. The light blue gazed from child to child then let out a relieved chirp as she leapt towards a clear bay frost tip filly.
Another crack made the gathered people jump. An iridescent white! Danger was near! The white dragoness crooned softly and staggered over to Radiant Star.
The other pairings had been taking place out of Phoenix's sight. The two eggs closest to her were rocking violently. They were the only two left unhatched.
Suddenly, a black nose thrust its way out. All eyes widened as they took in the red hue the dragon's eyes bore. An ill omen! With a predatory screech, the hatchling ran from the circle and into the woods. Finally, the last egg shattered. A brilliant iridescent green dragoness with warm brown eyes. Alone of the remaining candidates, Phoenix curled up her golden legs and held a hand out to the crying hatchling. "I'm here, little one." Her soft, musical voice caught the youngster's attention. With and ecstatic cry, she leapt over to the young huntress.
You're here! You're here! a young voice squealed as Phoenix's mind was sent reeling from the contact of another. Yet at the same time, she could feel relief flooding through the young dragon. The happiness that she had at finding her huntress, the adoration she had for the golden filly. I was so scared that you wouldn't get here in time! We are together, Phoenix! The Princess felt the deep connection that had been forged between them. A bond that only death could break.
Slowly, the filly's strokes calmed her new friend. Suddenly, the dragoness turned with a snarl. What was that colt thinking?! She had made her choice, he couldn't change it! Startled, the ill-mannered colt backed off.
"You are Talitha." Phoenix gathered the damp, hungry hatchling into her arms. Rising to her hooves, she walked back over to her mentor, who had the hatchling's meal ready.
"I knew you could do it." Firespirit beamed happily. "You've named her Talitha?" Phoenix nodded as she accepted the bowl of meat for her dragon. "It suits her, for she definitely is one."
"Chew." Phoenix commanded as she shielded the bowl from the overeager Talitha. Talitha obeyed her instantly, chewing what she had in her mouth before getting another mouthful. "I don't know much about lesser dragons."
Firespirit's gaze came back to Phoenix. "They began long ago; in the First Age of this world. Galarung the Golden was the father of all dragons. He brought terror and shame to the five houses of the Edain. This dragon grew to an enormous size. Before the First Age was half over, the mother of all dragons laid a clutch of sixty-one eggs. Six months later, these eggs hatched. Yet the youngest, smallest one forsook her dark name and flew away from her family.
"Many years later, when Elros and Elrond were children, she heard her brothers attacking the Children of Iluvatar. She flew quickly, with the sun at her back. The sudden appearance of their sister, glowing in the light of the sun, scared them away. Slowly she flew overhead and found her brothers' victims were unharmed. She then flew away, knowing that her presence would only frighten them and endanger her. After they had calmed, they called her Anar the Pure, Flame of the Sun. All the noble ones after her were smaller, braver and more noble than their dark foreparents."
Firespirit then gazed at the sleeping hatchling that had found its way into Phoenix's arms. "Your Talitha promises to be one of the largest since Amira had her growth."
A soft noise came from her. I itch. Her aggrieved tone surprised Phoenix.
"She's itchy." The Princess blinked when a birch bark jar was handed to her. Upon opening it, she found the lotion she had learned how to make so quickly. Recalling how Firespirit had used it on Blaze, she took a small amount of the lotion and gently spread it over Talitha's scales.
Thank you. A yawn escaped her. Sleepy time. She curled up in her huntress's arms, content.
Firespirit gazed at the filly that had been as her daughter for so long. "Phoenix, there is nothing more I can teach you." Sapphire blue eyes widened in shock. "You have your own choices to make, my Princess. All of the abilities handed down by your fore mothers live in you, Daughter of Aman. My guidance is no longer needed." The huntress rose to her hooves gracefully, then found that Phoenix had stood as well.
"Where will you go?" She queried, sounding frightened.
"I have friends among the Kindreds of Arda. Fire is guided by wind, pulled by forces Eleboreth set into motion with the other Ainur. I will go where I am needed." The pair vanished into the forest around the village, leaving those who were young behind them.
The Princess cradled her sleeping dragon in her arms. Tears streamed down her face, glittering like crystals in the fading light of evening. At least I'm not entirely alone. Talitha is with me. Her gaze shifted to the sky, aglow with twilight. This was not the first time sorrow had come at the mingling of day and night. It looks so much as it did when I was told that my parents didn't survive. She had wept uncontrollably when she had been told.
But finally, she understood. Great joy would come and she would know it at all times of the day. Nothing would dampen the light she had within. Her friends would come someday, and free her from the restrictions she could not yet fight.