Chapter 20
It took three days to cover the distance back to the keep. Gilthanas kept near Arlena's side, lending her strength in action, if not in word. They discussed the battle in low tones and the Blue's strange actions near the end. Yet none of these appeared to quell the strange tubulance she was feeling. The feeling like she'd done something horribly wrong - or that something would go wrong.
Yet, as the days passed and their caravan approached the keep, nothing happened. No enemies approached them, no bandits plagued them. They remained at an ever plodding pace. A pace which gave the men time to think and discuss. Most of the discussions revolved around the Silver and her place as their leader. Others spoke of the Blue, which many thought a dream, bowing to her. Others still spoke of Arthur's daring in facing the green a-dragonback when he'd never before been trained to ride a dragon.
Yet the mood was somber, resigned. They'd lost many good men in that battle. A battle which could probably have been avoided had the Silver shown herself sooner. None spoke such thoughts aloud, yet it was there in their demeanor and their gaze whenever they looked her way. The resentment was slowly being fostered, and Arlena could feel it.
Her deception wasn't helping. In keeping her form human, many began to doubt that they'd seen her turn from a human to a Dragon and back. Those who hadn't seen the transformation at all began to doubt their fellow Knights, believing the Silver they spoke of to have been in the battle with the green all along - she'd just shown herself later than the green and their colum had been a target of opportunity.
Their last night in the wilderness, the keep walls glowing in the distance, Arlena gathered her men to speak with them. Many came reluctantly, others with something resembling enthusiasm, but all were verging on exhaustion. They just wanted to be home. Yet they came because their respect for their commander, who had never sent them into battle unwisely, hadn't yet been shaken.
Arlena watched them come and settle in. There were less than two hundred of them, many wounded, some ablebodied, but all heavy of heart. She sighed softly, wishing she didn't have to further their burden. Her Keep's strength had been cut in half and the Knights would either send reenforcements or would bid her to another locale. She waited as those without wounds assisted those with.
Finally, after long minutes, they settled around in a tight group. She stood before them in a plain tunic and leggings, unable to wear the trappings of her station when these men had paid the price for her pride.
"Men, I can't thank you enough for the strength which you have all shown in the last days. You have faced trials which few men have lived to talk about and hardships no man - no men - have seen since the War of the Lance." She paced in front of them, her hands clasped behind her back, her gaze searching the faces before her.
"Many of you are wondering if you should doubt your senses after days of reflection. I tell you now that what you saw was the truth. I am a Silver Dragon. I fought in the War of the Lance and I fought in Huma's war. I am kin to the dragon which Huma loved. I have rarely met men more noble than those of Paladine's Knights. These men include you. I have asked you here today because, with a heavy heart, I must as your forgiveness. Forgiveness for my pride and my fear, which caused me to delay assisting with the green. The deaths of those men, of those comrades, does not weigh easy on my soul. Before you pass jugment, I offer you my position as your commander. I led and lived a deception to protect myself from those dragons who would seek my death. No more. If I am to remain your commander, you are all to acknowledge it as such with open eyes."
Her gaze met those of the gathered Knights, and it didn't take a psychic to feel their shock. "I only ask that, should you wish me as your commander, you be discreet with this information. The more who know that a I am here, the more dragons will hear, and the more death we will all face. I do not take my position lightly, and offering my resignation at your hands is not easy to do. But, in good conscience, I can do no less. What say you all?"
There was silence for long minuted before the murmure of discussion began.
Gilthanas waited to the side as Arlena addressed her men. He watched her move, noting the commanding presence she'd always had with a pride that made his heart swell. She wasn't shying from her responsibility to these men and, for that, he was very proud of her. But then, she'd never been one to shy - that had been his department.
She glanced his way and he could see the pain she was holding inside reflected in her eyes. She didn't want to lose her position any more than she wanted to reveal her true nature.
Finally, a man stood. "Mi'Lady, most of us have never seen a dragon, so you'll forgive us for beind skeptical of your claims. It's not that we doubt you, but proof would go a long way in assisting our decision."
She nodded once. "As your say, Sir." She stepped back and began to shift.
Gasps and strangled shouts errupted from those who hadn't yet seen the transformation. Finally, after several long seconds, the Silver Dragon flexed her wings and settled to the ground, tucking her legs underneath her. "Will this suffice?"
The Knight had paled as her changed shape radiatied a slight Dragon Fear, but he nodded once. "Aye, Silver Lady, aye. Thank you."
Gilthanas swallowed hard, his gaze on the gashed the others couldn't see. "Arlena."
The dragon turned her head as he stepped towards her.
"I think you should look to your own healing, love." His voice was soft as he stopped next to her fore-legs. "Your back doesn't look much better."
"It's not." Her voice was muted. "I need to bathe in the sea before it will show improvement."
Gilthanas nodded, his gaze fixed on the ichor which was still glistening just beneath the surface of the glazed over gouges. "I trust you feel well enough for this?"
"It needs to be done." she ducked her head to nuzzle him gently, receiving a hug in responce. "Thank you, Gilthanas."
"Anything for you, my love."
She pulled away and he stepped back as their conversation and interaction was observed by the men. Their conversations had died off, and they watched with interest.
Arthur finally stood up. "I am not yet a Knight, Lady, but there are many now who would see me as such. Yet, looking at you now, bearing the wounds of a battle many did not live through, with the Elf Lord of many legend, I cannot help but wonder at the effect you have on so many. Our decision is not affecting only us. It affects the families we have at the Keep, the servants, the creatures and those who seek refuge. Who are we to remove such a lady from her position? They have asked me to speak on everyone's behalf. We do not think we shall ever have a more qualified commander."
Arlena shifted back to her human form as Arthur finished his speech and looked among her men. "I know many of you have doubts, I have my own, but... thank you. For the opportunity to redeem myself and for the priviledge to be your commander. I have never served with a more dedicated, honorable and loyal group."
The men rose as one and recited the Solamnic code as one. "My Honor is My life."
She repeated it, her voice strong, as she accepted the sword Gilthanas offered her and saluted them. "Tomorrow we return home, not in defeat, but in triumph. Our enemy is vanquished and the Blue shall not plague these lands. We will celebrate and then complete our duty to the dead. As it should be."
The men cheered once before dispersing, moving back to attend to the wounded and the needs of the evening once more. Gilthanas moved back to her side, offering his sheathe. She slid the sword home before he offered his hand. "Walk with me, Lady. I have a question to ask you."
She placed her hand in his. "I am at your disposal milord."
He chuckled. "Never. But I hope to occupy much of your time."
They walked in a companionable silence, far enough away from the Knights that they wouldn't be interfered with, and stopped at a nearby stream. Gilthanas bade her sit before taking a seat beside her.
The gurgle of the water was absorbing and they sat in silence for long minuted before he finally broke through the whisper. "Do you feel better?"
She dipped her hand into the stream, letting the cool water brush over it. "Some."
"Some?"
She nodded. "That was only the first hurdle. I can no longer deceive the keep into thinking I'm human - it wouldn't be honorable."
"So we could have more challengers?"
"We?" she arched an eyebrow at him. "You mean me."
He shook his head, lifting one hand to brush a tendil of her hair away from her face. "I'm not leaving, Arlena. I intend to stand by you through all of the upcoming trials, to share your joys and your sorrows. I want us to be together again."
She looked away. "You know the hurdles."
He caught her chin in his hands and guided her gaze back to his. "I know them; I've lived them, remember? Has anything in the last few days changed between us?"
She nodded, reluctantly. "You're mortal, Gilthanas."
He laughed, breaking the tension. "So are you, my love. The gouges on your back and the fight yesterday should have proven that. No, I won't live as long as you, but elves do live a long, long time. A fraction of your life, perhaps, but I love you. I want to be with you. If we could, I'd want to have children with you. Nothing else matters in this world as much as you do. Nothing. The battle with the green only reinforced the lessons of the last century - I need you, Arlena."
His softly spoken plea brought tears to her eyes. "Gilthanas, I-" She stopped, blinking to try and push the moisture away.
He cupped her face. "Give me one last chance Lady, please? I promise things will be different this time. I've changed and so have you, but we're still soulmates. We're still two parts of a whole."
She pulled him close, hugging him tightly. "Yes."
Her voice was so soft he almost missed it. "Yes, what?"
"I want you back in my life, Gilthanas. I want to share the joys and sorrows with you, and I want to be loved the way you've always love me. I've been so... so lonely."
He crushed her to him, burring his face in her hair. "Thank you."
They stayed wrapped in each others arms long into the night, simply holding each other as the watch changed and the world continued.
Finally they could move on. Together.
It took three days to cover the distance back to the keep. Gilthanas kept near Arlena's side, lending her strength in action, if not in word. They discussed the battle in low tones and the Blue's strange actions near the end. Yet none of these appeared to quell the strange tubulance she was feeling. The feeling like she'd done something horribly wrong - or that something would go wrong.
Yet, as the days passed and their caravan approached the keep, nothing happened. No enemies approached them, no bandits plagued them. They remained at an ever plodding pace. A pace which gave the men time to think and discuss. Most of the discussions revolved around the Silver and her place as their leader. Others spoke of the Blue, which many thought a dream, bowing to her. Others still spoke of Arthur's daring in facing the green a-dragonback when he'd never before been trained to ride a dragon.
Yet the mood was somber, resigned. They'd lost many good men in that battle. A battle which could probably have been avoided had the Silver shown herself sooner. None spoke such thoughts aloud, yet it was there in their demeanor and their gaze whenever they looked her way. The resentment was slowly being fostered, and Arlena could feel it.
Her deception wasn't helping. In keeping her form human, many began to doubt that they'd seen her turn from a human to a Dragon and back. Those who hadn't seen the transformation at all began to doubt their fellow Knights, believing the Silver they spoke of to have been in the battle with the green all along - she'd just shown herself later than the green and their colum had been a target of opportunity.
Their last night in the wilderness, the keep walls glowing in the distance, Arlena gathered her men to speak with them. Many came reluctantly, others with something resembling enthusiasm, but all were verging on exhaustion. They just wanted to be home. Yet they came because their respect for their commander, who had never sent them into battle unwisely, hadn't yet been shaken.
Arlena watched them come and settle in. There were less than two hundred of them, many wounded, some ablebodied, but all heavy of heart. She sighed softly, wishing she didn't have to further their burden. Her Keep's strength had been cut in half and the Knights would either send reenforcements or would bid her to another locale. She waited as those without wounds assisted those with.
Finally, after long minutes, they settled around in a tight group. She stood before them in a plain tunic and leggings, unable to wear the trappings of her station when these men had paid the price for her pride.
"Men, I can't thank you enough for the strength which you have all shown in the last days. You have faced trials which few men have lived to talk about and hardships no man - no men - have seen since the War of the Lance." She paced in front of them, her hands clasped behind her back, her gaze searching the faces before her.
"Many of you are wondering if you should doubt your senses after days of reflection. I tell you now that what you saw was the truth. I am a Silver Dragon. I fought in the War of the Lance and I fought in Huma's war. I am kin to the dragon which Huma loved. I have rarely met men more noble than those of Paladine's Knights. These men include you. I have asked you here today because, with a heavy heart, I must as your forgiveness. Forgiveness for my pride and my fear, which caused me to delay assisting with the green. The deaths of those men, of those comrades, does not weigh easy on my soul. Before you pass jugment, I offer you my position as your commander. I led and lived a deception to protect myself from those dragons who would seek my death. No more. If I am to remain your commander, you are all to acknowledge it as such with open eyes."
Her gaze met those of the gathered Knights, and it didn't take a psychic to feel their shock. "I only ask that, should you wish me as your commander, you be discreet with this information. The more who know that a I am here, the more dragons will hear, and the more death we will all face. I do not take my position lightly, and offering my resignation at your hands is not easy to do. But, in good conscience, I can do no less. What say you all?"
There was silence for long minuted before the murmure of discussion began.
Gilthanas waited to the side as Arlena addressed her men. He watched her move, noting the commanding presence she'd always had with a pride that made his heart swell. She wasn't shying from her responsibility to these men and, for that, he was very proud of her. But then, she'd never been one to shy - that had been his department.
She glanced his way and he could see the pain she was holding inside reflected in her eyes. She didn't want to lose her position any more than she wanted to reveal her true nature.
Finally, a man stood. "Mi'Lady, most of us have never seen a dragon, so you'll forgive us for beind skeptical of your claims. It's not that we doubt you, but proof would go a long way in assisting our decision."
She nodded once. "As your say, Sir." She stepped back and began to shift.
Gasps and strangled shouts errupted from those who hadn't yet seen the transformation. Finally, after several long seconds, the Silver Dragon flexed her wings and settled to the ground, tucking her legs underneath her. "Will this suffice?"
The Knight had paled as her changed shape radiatied a slight Dragon Fear, but he nodded once. "Aye, Silver Lady, aye. Thank you."
Gilthanas swallowed hard, his gaze on the gashed the others couldn't see. "Arlena."
The dragon turned her head as he stepped towards her.
"I think you should look to your own healing, love." His voice was soft as he stopped next to her fore-legs. "Your back doesn't look much better."
"It's not." Her voice was muted. "I need to bathe in the sea before it will show improvement."
Gilthanas nodded, his gaze fixed on the ichor which was still glistening just beneath the surface of the glazed over gouges. "I trust you feel well enough for this?"
"It needs to be done." she ducked her head to nuzzle him gently, receiving a hug in responce. "Thank you, Gilthanas."
"Anything for you, my love."
She pulled away and he stepped back as their conversation and interaction was observed by the men. Their conversations had died off, and they watched with interest.
Arthur finally stood up. "I am not yet a Knight, Lady, but there are many now who would see me as such. Yet, looking at you now, bearing the wounds of a battle many did not live through, with the Elf Lord of many legend, I cannot help but wonder at the effect you have on so many. Our decision is not affecting only us. It affects the families we have at the Keep, the servants, the creatures and those who seek refuge. Who are we to remove such a lady from her position? They have asked me to speak on everyone's behalf. We do not think we shall ever have a more qualified commander."
Arlena shifted back to her human form as Arthur finished his speech and looked among her men. "I know many of you have doubts, I have my own, but... thank you. For the opportunity to redeem myself and for the priviledge to be your commander. I have never served with a more dedicated, honorable and loyal group."
The men rose as one and recited the Solamnic code as one. "My Honor is My life."
She repeated it, her voice strong, as she accepted the sword Gilthanas offered her and saluted them. "Tomorrow we return home, not in defeat, but in triumph. Our enemy is vanquished and the Blue shall not plague these lands. We will celebrate and then complete our duty to the dead. As it should be."
The men cheered once before dispersing, moving back to attend to the wounded and the needs of the evening once more. Gilthanas moved back to her side, offering his sheathe. She slid the sword home before he offered his hand. "Walk with me, Lady. I have a question to ask you."
She placed her hand in his. "I am at your disposal milord."
He chuckled. "Never. But I hope to occupy much of your time."
They walked in a companionable silence, far enough away from the Knights that they wouldn't be interfered with, and stopped at a nearby stream. Gilthanas bade her sit before taking a seat beside her.
The gurgle of the water was absorbing and they sat in silence for long minuted before he finally broke through the whisper. "Do you feel better?"
She dipped her hand into the stream, letting the cool water brush over it. "Some."
"Some?"
She nodded. "That was only the first hurdle. I can no longer deceive the keep into thinking I'm human - it wouldn't be honorable."
"So we could have more challengers?"
"We?" she arched an eyebrow at him. "You mean me."
He shook his head, lifting one hand to brush a tendil of her hair away from her face. "I'm not leaving, Arlena. I intend to stand by you through all of the upcoming trials, to share your joys and your sorrows. I want us to be together again."
She looked away. "You know the hurdles."
He caught her chin in his hands and guided her gaze back to his. "I know them; I've lived them, remember? Has anything in the last few days changed between us?"
She nodded, reluctantly. "You're mortal, Gilthanas."
He laughed, breaking the tension. "So are you, my love. The gouges on your back and the fight yesterday should have proven that. No, I won't live as long as you, but elves do live a long, long time. A fraction of your life, perhaps, but I love you. I want to be with you. If we could, I'd want to have children with you. Nothing else matters in this world as much as you do. Nothing. The battle with the green only reinforced the lessons of the last century - I need you, Arlena."
His softly spoken plea brought tears to her eyes. "Gilthanas, I-" She stopped, blinking to try and push the moisture away.
He cupped her face. "Give me one last chance Lady, please? I promise things will be different this time. I've changed and so have you, but we're still soulmates. We're still two parts of a whole."
She pulled him close, hugging him tightly. "Yes."
Her voice was so soft he almost missed it. "Yes, what?"
"I want you back in my life, Gilthanas. I want to share the joys and sorrows with you, and I want to be loved the way you've always love me. I've been so... so lonely."
He crushed her to him, burring his face in her hair. "Thank you."
They stayed wrapped in each others arms long into the night, simply holding each other as the watch changed and the world continued.
Finally they could move on. Together.