Oct 2002
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters, I'm just borrowing them. The story, however, is
mine.
A New Beginning
Chapter 13
Gilthanas strode into his room with a scowl. Tonight had not gone exactly as
planned, but then, why had he expected it to? A dragon, especially one as confused as
his love, certainly didn't change her mind over night. He sighed, releasing his anger.
He had no right to be angry with her; her reactions were justified. After searching
for the better part of thirty years, he couldn't help be disappointed they couldn't
pick up where they'd left off.
Gilthanas thought back to their time in the garden earlier in the evening. She'd
been honest with him then, allowing him to show her he could pleasure her as a dragon.
Would she ever allow him to show the same kind of devotion and acceptance as a human?
He hoped so. He crossed to the window, staring out into the night, but not seeing the
darkness or the singular moon. His gaze saw only Arlena in three shapes, one beside
the other. Silvara, as a Dragon and wilder elf, and lastly, as a proud Knight. She
was all three, he knew that, he also knew there was much more to her than he'd had the
privilege to see. Could it be possible for him, an elf who would live a fraction of
her lifetime, to see everything she was?
He stared out the window, unmoving, as he mulled over the thoughts. Hopefully,
she could find it in her heart to forgive him. If she didn't, he was sure to go mad.
*****
The next morning, Lady Arlena didn't come down for breaking her fast. Her lady
conveyed her regrets, saying the Lady Knight wasn't feeling well and would more than
likely be absent for the day.
The murmuring through the hall belayed the fears of her people, showing Gilthanas
and Leth just how loved she was. Gilthanas suspected she was staying in her room to
avoid him and found himself torn between being flattered and exasperated. He had never
found her to be a coward.
"Lady, did the Lady Arlena send for the healer?"
The woman shook her head, eyes widening as the noble elf spoke to her. "N-no, my
lord. She is a skilled healer, I suspect she will mix a draught for herself and sleep
most of the day."
Gilthanas inclined his head in thanks and resumed eating his meal. Leth looked
worried as he dug into his bread and porridge. "Do you think it's serious, sire?"
Gilthanas shook his head, "I doubt it, Leth. The Lady is most likely taking a
rest day. The pressures of administrating a fortress this size, I would think."
"You were certainly in a deep discussion with her last night." Leth eyed his
companion with a degree of caution, "What did you say to make her cry?"
Gilthanas blinked. Leth was angry with him for making Arlena cry? "I didn't make
her cry."
"You said something to her and the next thing anyone knew she was in tears and
leaving the hall."
"Do you remember the song, Leth?"
Leth slowly shook his head, flushing slightly, "No, I was too busy watching you
dance with her and wondering if it would be polite to cut in."
Gilthanas clenched the eating knife in his fist, the only outward sign of his
sudden jealousy. Surely Leth couldn't be thinking of courting, or attempting to court,
his lady. "I wouldn't have allowed you."
"But, my lord!"
Gilthanas left it at that, pushing back from the table and striding from the hall
before Leth could say anything else. He needed to get away before he cheerfully
punched the other elf and told him to stay away from Arlena. Outside, he inhaled
deeply, nodding to several Knights as he strode towards the gates. His stride was even
and purposeful as he departed from the keep. Arlena had given him much to think about,
including the infatuation of young Leth. Leth. He frowned as he walked. What could
he say to the younger elf to make him understand? He couldn't exactly tell him the
truth; Silv- Arlena's secret wouldn't last.
He walked towards the sea, down to the shore, bending to scoop shells from the
sandy beach. The occasional pebble fell into his hand and he skipped it into the surf
crashing along the shore. What to do about Leth? A half smile cracked his face. Here
he was, worried about Leth's infatuation with his Lady when his time could be better
spent trying to prove to her his own sincerity. She'd asked for time, and though he
was relatively young, he didn't think he could give her years of time to work her
feelings out. He craved her, needed her, like oxygen. He skipped another pebble. The
possibility of being sent away from her was a daunting one. She might send him on some
quest to prove his love. He frowned. No, his Silver Lady wouldn't do that.
The soft sound of a woman singing drifted to his ears and he looked back towards
the keep. The song was sad, and he knew it. Knew it, and the woman singing it, inside
and out. It was what she had sung to him the last time they'd seen each other.
Banishing the thought, his mind wandered back to the night he'd first admitted he was
in love with her.
His mind was filled with moonlight, water running silver and the shadow of a
beautiful, naked wilder elf. His blood burned with the memory of that night, the
passion they'd awakened in each other. His throat tightened. He'd promised her she'd
never be alone again and he'd broken that promise.
"Do you remember the first time you saw me?"
He whirled, is eyes widening as he realized how far he'd come from the castle and
who he'd past while deep in thought. The Silver Dragon gleamed in the sunlight, the
sparkle muted by the sand on her back. She was lounging, her eyes covered by her inner
eyelid, her muzzle pointed at the sea.
"The first time I saw you? Which you? As you are now, Silver Lady, or as the elf
you took the shape of?"
She turned her head to him. "The elf, of course. I doubt you could forget the
first time you realized I was a Dragon."
He sighed. "I was very young, though I thought myself wise. I will never forget
either meeting. That of your elven shape, nor that of your true self. I remember you
were covered in grime, your hair matted and dulled. I remember thinking you'd be
irresistible if you were clean."
Her eyes opened completely as she assessed him. "Did you?"
"I thought you were beautiful in spite of the dirt. I wouldn't touch you though,
not injured nor healthy, while you were being a servant to my sister."
She slowly shifted, becoming the Lady Arlena. "That was a long time ago. I
remember that day as if it were yesterday."
"If you'll excuse me, my lady, you asked for space and I will grant it. I didn't
mean to intrude on your solitude."
"Stay awhile, My Lord." she motioned for him to take a seat on the rocks as she
took one herself. Dressed in a split skirt and chain mail, but little else, Gilthanas
marveled at her ability to resist the chill breeze coming off the ocean.
"Are you certain? I don't wish to intrude."
She nodded. "I'm certain."
He picked his way carefully along the rocks to where she was seated, the beach
spread out below them, the sea lapping at the cliffs further along the beach. He
copied her, staring out to sea while the wind tugged at his hair. "Why did you wish to
know if I remembered our first meeting? I could hardly forget it."
"But you tried."
He couldn't respond. Yes, he had tried. He'd been desperate to forget about her
and the hole her desertion had torn in his heart. He could only nod his head, dropping
his eyes in shame.
"Why? Why did you wish to forget the day you met the other half of your soul?
Did I hurt you that badly you wished to be released?"
"I drove you away, Lady. That was the part that hurt. I couldn't accept you for
who and what you are and, in doing so, I drove you from me. Never had I thought that
could happen, but it did. It almost killed me when I realized it."
She was silent, staring off to sea. "Did you even think of the consequences? The
ripple effects of your actions?"
He shook his head. "I was selfish and young, Silver Lady. I was also so in love
it blinded me. I couldn't stay away from you, but it hurt to be deceived into loving
you, for that was how I understood it. I felt you'd tricked me into loving you. It
took me a long time to understand that I couldn't be tricked into loving anyone. I'm
sorry I hurt you."
"So you've said. Why didn't you trust your heart?"
He looked out to sea, searching for the right answer. Finally, reluctantly, he
answered. "I thought it was wrong. I thought what I felt was too powerful to ever be
real and was simply and infatuation. I thought, if I worked hard and long enough, it
might simply disappear. It was a harsh lesson when I realized distance only made me
feel worse instead of better. I was in agony when you left."
"And I was not? I waited for you, Gilthanas, I waited in vain for you to
understand your own heart. When I finally realized you wouldn't be coming for me, I
vowed to put my life right again, to put you behind me and make something of myself. I
hoped you would search for me, that you would come and find me, for so many years.
Long, lonely years in which I worked hard to become what I am today. Now, you're here,
threatening to destroy all I've worked for."
"I would never do that, Silver Lady."
"So you say now. The story of the Silver Dragon and the elf lord is well known,
Gilthanas. People know of you because of that story. They know who you search for.
What would become of me, of the life I've built without you, if I were to suddenly
take up with you?"
He couldn't answer that. Even though he knew what would happen, he couldn't speak
the words aloud.
"Your silence speaks for itself. Good day, Elf lord."
He made no move to stop her as she left his side. She was walking away, her back
ramrod straight when he found his voice again. "Lady Arlena?"
She paused, but didn't look back.
He swallowed hard, fighting the disappointment at the dismissal in her gesture.
"My elven friend Leth has developed a tender for you."
He saw her jerk in surprise. "I have no encouraged him. Thank you for the
warning. Good day."
He watched her disappear in the distance and sighed. Getting through to her would
be a challenge. A smile appeared on his lips. Winning her back would be difficult,
but he would succeed. No other outcome was acceptable.
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters, I'm just borrowing them. The story, however, is
mine.
A New Beginning
Chapter 13
Gilthanas strode into his room with a scowl. Tonight had not gone exactly as
planned, but then, why had he expected it to? A dragon, especially one as confused as
his love, certainly didn't change her mind over night. He sighed, releasing his anger.
He had no right to be angry with her; her reactions were justified. After searching
for the better part of thirty years, he couldn't help be disappointed they couldn't
pick up where they'd left off.
Gilthanas thought back to their time in the garden earlier in the evening. She'd
been honest with him then, allowing him to show her he could pleasure her as a dragon.
Would she ever allow him to show the same kind of devotion and acceptance as a human?
He hoped so. He crossed to the window, staring out into the night, but not seeing the
darkness or the singular moon. His gaze saw only Arlena in three shapes, one beside
the other. Silvara, as a Dragon and wilder elf, and lastly, as a proud Knight. She
was all three, he knew that, he also knew there was much more to her than he'd had the
privilege to see. Could it be possible for him, an elf who would live a fraction of
her lifetime, to see everything she was?
He stared out the window, unmoving, as he mulled over the thoughts. Hopefully,
she could find it in her heart to forgive him. If she didn't, he was sure to go mad.
*****
The next morning, Lady Arlena didn't come down for breaking her fast. Her lady
conveyed her regrets, saying the Lady Knight wasn't feeling well and would more than
likely be absent for the day.
The murmuring through the hall belayed the fears of her people, showing Gilthanas
and Leth just how loved she was. Gilthanas suspected she was staying in her room to
avoid him and found himself torn between being flattered and exasperated. He had never
found her to be a coward.
"Lady, did the Lady Arlena send for the healer?"
The woman shook her head, eyes widening as the noble elf spoke to her. "N-no, my
lord. She is a skilled healer, I suspect she will mix a draught for herself and sleep
most of the day."
Gilthanas inclined his head in thanks and resumed eating his meal. Leth looked
worried as he dug into his bread and porridge. "Do you think it's serious, sire?"
Gilthanas shook his head, "I doubt it, Leth. The Lady is most likely taking a
rest day. The pressures of administrating a fortress this size, I would think."
"You were certainly in a deep discussion with her last night." Leth eyed his
companion with a degree of caution, "What did you say to make her cry?"
Gilthanas blinked. Leth was angry with him for making Arlena cry? "I didn't make
her cry."
"You said something to her and the next thing anyone knew she was in tears and
leaving the hall."
"Do you remember the song, Leth?"
Leth slowly shook his head, flushing slightly, "No, I was too busy watching you
dance with her and wondering if it would be polite to cut in."
Gilthanas clenched the eating knife in his fist, the only outward sign of his
sudden jealousy. Surely Leth couldn't be thinking of courting, or attempting to court,
his lady. "I wouldn't have allowed you."
"But, my lord!"
Gilthanas left it at that, pushing back from the table and striding from the hall
before Leth could say anything else. He needed to get away before he cheerfully
punched the other elf and told him to stay away from Arlena. Outside, he inhaled
deeply, nodding to several Knights as he strode towards the gates. His stride was even
and purposeful as he departed from the keep. Arlena had given him much to think about,
including the infatuation of young Leth. Leth. He frowned as he walked. What could
he say to the younger elf to make him understand? He couldn't exactly tell him the
truth; Silv- Arlena's secret wouldn't last.
He walked towards the sea, down to the shore, bending to scoop shells from the
sandy beach. The occasional pebble fell into his hand and he skipped it into the surf
crashing along the shore. What to do about Leth? A half smile cracked his face. Here
he was, worried about Leth's infatuation with his Lady when his time could be better
spent trying to prove to her his own sincerity. She'd asked for time, and though he
was relatively young, he didn't think he could give her years of time to work her
feelings out. He craved her, needed her, like oxygen. He skipped another pebble. The
possibility of being sent away from her was a daunting one. She might send him on some
quest to prove his love. He frowned. No, his Silver Lady wouldn't do that.
The soft sound of a woman singing drifted to his ears and he looked back towards
the keep. The song was sad, and he knew it. Knew it, and the woman singing it, inside
and out. It was what she had sung to him the last time they'd seen each other.
Banishing the thought, his mind wandered back to the night he'd first admitted he was
in love with her.
His mind was filled with moonlight, water running silver and the shadow of a
beautiful, naked wilder elf. His blood burned with the memory of that night, the
passion they'd awakened in each other. His throat tightened. He'd promised her she'd
never be alone again and he'd broken that promise.
"Do you remember the first time you saw me?"
He whirled, is eyes widening as he realized how far he'd come from the castle and
who he'd past while deep in thought. The Silver Dragon gleamed in the sunlight, the
sparkle muted by the sand on her back. She was lounging, her eyes covered by her inner
eyelid, her muzzle pointed at the sea.
"The first time I saw you? Which you? As you are now, Silver Lady, or as the elf
you took the shape of?"
She turned her head to him. "The elf, of course. I doubt you could forget the
first time you realized I was a Dragon."
He sighed. "I was very young, though I thought myself wise. I will never forget
either meeting. That of your elven shape, nor that of your true self. I remember you
were covered in grime, your hair matted and dulled. I remember thinking you'd be
irresistible if you were clean."
Her eyes opened completely as she assessed him. "Did you?"
"I thought you were beautiful in spite of the dirt. I wouldn't touch you though,
not injured nor healthy, while you were being a servant to my sister."
She slowly shifted, becoming the Lady Arlena. "That was a long time ago. I
remember that day as if it were yesterday."
"If you'll excuse me, my lady, you asked for space and I will grant it. I didn't
mean to intrude on your solitude."
"Stay awhile, My Lord." she motioned for him to take a seat on the rocks as she
took one herself. Dressed in a split skirt and chain mail, but little else, Gilthanas
marveled at her ability to resist the chill breeze coming off the ocean.
"Are you certain? I don't wish to intrude."
She nodded. "I'm certain."
He picked his way carefully along the rocks to where she was seated, the beach
spread out below them, the sea lapping at the cliffs further along the beach. He
copied her, staring out to sea while the wind tugged at his hair. "Why did you wish to
know if I remembered our first meeting? I could hardly forget it."
"But you tried."
He couldn't respond. Yes, he had tried. He'd been desperate to forget about her
and the hole her desertion had torn in his heart. He could only nod his head, dropping
his eyes in shame.
"Why? Why did you wish to forget the day you met the other half of your soul?
Did I hurt you that badly you wished to be released?"
"I drove you away, Lady. That was the part that hurt. I couldn't accept you for
who and what you are and, in doing so, I drove you from me. Never had I thought that
could happen, but it did. It almost killed me when I realized it."
She was silent, staring off to sea. "Did you even think of the consequences? The
ripple effects of your actions?"
He shook his head. "I was selfish and young, Silver Lady. I was also so in love
it blinded me. I couldn't stay away from you, but it hurt to be deceived into loving
you, for that was how I understood it. I felt you'd tricked me into loving you. It
took me a long time to understand that I couldn't be tricked into loving anyone. I'm
sorry I hurt you."
"So you've said. Why didn't you trust your heart?"
He looked out to sea, searching for the right answer. Finally, reluctantly, he
answered. "I thought it was wrong. I thought what I felt was too powerful to ever be
real and was simply and infatuation. I thought, if I worked hard and long enough, it
might simply disappear. It was a harsh lesson when I realized distance only made me
feel worse instead of better. I was in agony when you left."
"And I was not? I waited for you, Gilthanas, I waited in vain for you to
understand your own heart. When I finally realized you wouldn't be coming for me, I
vowed to put my life right again, to put you behind me and make something of myself. I
hoped you would search for me, that you would come and find me, for so many years.
Long, lonely years in which I worked hard to become what I am today. Now, you're here,
threatening to destroy all I've worked for."
"I would never do that, Silver Lady."
"So you say now. The story of the Silver Dragon and the elf lord is well known,
Gilthanas. People know of you because of that story. They know who you search for.
What would become of me, of the life I've built without you, if I were to suddenly
take up with you?"
He couldn't answer that. Even though he knew what would happen, he couldn't speak
the words aloud.
"Your silence speaks for itself. Good day, Elf lord."
He made no move to stop her as she left his side. She was walking away, her back
ramrod straight when he found his voice again. "Lady Arlena?"
She paused, but didn't look back.
He swallowed hard, fighting the disappointment at the dismissal in her gesture.
"My elven friend Leth has developed a tender for you."
He saw her jerk in surprise. "I have no encouraged him. Thank you for the
warning. Good day."
He watched her disappear in the distance and sighed. Getting through to her would
be a challenge. A smile appeared on his lips. Winning her back would be difficult,
but he would succeed. No other outcome was acceptable.