Edited 6/21/07: I fixed some inconsistencies between this chapter and earlier ones.

Wow, I'm onto chapter 6 already! As I said, this story was very easy and fun to write. I hope you liked the action last chapter. Verina is a very unique dragon, as you may have noticed. If you didn't, you'll see in this chapter. Anyway, I would greatly appreciate reviews. -

-AmayaSora

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Verina and I quickly became even better friends. We would talk for long hours. I would explain what different things were and what certain words meant, and she would listen intently. It was like having a younger sister.

One afternoon, I was leaning against her belly, listening to her heartbeat. We did this often. It was like our special bonding time, and I reveled in it. Today, though, I had been wondering something. Verina?

Yes, little one?

I was wondering… was does the oval on my palm mean? I've had it ever since I first found you.

She was surprised. You don't know?

No. Should I know?

She laughed through our link. I suppose not, but I had wondered if you had figured it out on your own.

Well, I haven't. Could you elaborate, please?

I felt her self-consciousness. …I could…

What's the matter?

…I am embarrassed.

Why? What do you have to be embarrassed for? I was genuinely puzzled by this. What could possibly embarrass a dragon?

You wouldn't understand, she said defensively.

What? What wouldn't I understand? You can tell me anything, Verina, you know that.

I… I don't want you to be… ashamed of me.

Ashamed? Why would I be ashamed?

It is complicated, she said after a long pause. You'd heard of dragons before hatching me, correct?

Yes. But what does that have to do with anything?

She sighed, both aloud and through the link. Her sides heaved as she did so, jostling me. Tell me, what had you heard of dragons?

Well, I'd heard they were very strong and brave, and breathed fire. And they could fly long distances without tiring. And their scales were said to be as brilliant as gemstones.

She nodded grimly. Yes, all that you have said is true. And, have you heard of Dragon Riders?

Yeah, everyone has.

I felt her sadness. Just as I had feared… Penelope, do you know that Riders' dragons choose when to hatch?

No, I didn't know that.

Yes, they choose to hatch when they sense the one destined to ride them. And so, to answer your question, Penelope, the mark on your hand, the gedwëy ignasia, proves that you are my Rider.

I was speechless. You… you chose me to be your Rider? Verina, I'm honored.

It was Verina's turn to be stunned. You're… you're not embarrassed by me?

Why would I be embarrassed?

She sighed again. My scales only glint dully even in blazing sunlight. I tire after only a few miles' flying. My muscles are small and feeble, and my courage is less than that of a caterpillar. I am, in short, the opposite of what a dragon should be. When I began to know you, a beautiful, brave, independent young woman, I began to feel unworthy of such an exceptional Rider.

I was shocked. Had she been harboring these thoughts this entire time? Verina… how can you say that? You're a wonderful dragon. I wouldn't, or couldn't, ask for a better one. I love you.

I felt deep gratitude and happiness. That means a lot to me, Penelope. I hope I can live up to your expectations.

You already have, and then exceeded them. I reached up and hugged her neck. She leaned into me and wrapped her head around me, hugging me back. We held this position for a time. I was contemplating what Verina had said. Did she really think that poorly of herself? I resolved to go out of my way to point out the wonderful things she did.

So, Verina, I'm really a Dragon Rider?

Yes, Penelope.

Does that mean I can ride you?

She seemed uneasy. I- well, yes, that is your right, but, I- I'm not sure if you'd want to. I- I don't fly as gracefully as I should.

Her low self-esteem was getting annoying. I'm sure you fly fine. Now, please, I want to ride you.

If you insist. Verina stretched her head down to me. I grasped two of her spikes, and she lowered me onto her back, right where her neck and shoulders met. It was a perfect fit, and so I settled back, leaning against a spike.

Hold on, Verina warned me. I leaned forward and grasped the spike in front of me. She unfurled her wings, spreading them wide. She then did a series of exercises to stretch them out. She flapped them a few times, settling into a rhythm, before leaping up into the air.

The ground dropped swiftly away from me, as did my stomach. I gripped Verina tighter, leaning lower against her back and squeezing my eyes shut. But that made me feel nauseous, so I opened them again.

Verina climbed fifty yards higher before tapering off. I slowly relaxed, beginning to enjoy the exhilarating feel of the wind whipping through my hair. I straightened a little more and dared to look down. The rows upon rows of trees, pine, elm, birch, and oak, stretched almost endlessly before me shimmered with the icy dew that had formed on them. The higher peaks of the mountain blinded me with their astonishing snow-whiteness.

This is amazing, Verina! Absolutely amazing!

I'm pleased that you find it enjoyable.

Yes, it's the most fun I've ever had… do you think you can go faster?

Perhaps… if you wished me to.

Yes, that would be wonderful.

I caught a feeling of doubt coming from her, but she sped up all the same. The hills raced by below us, as did meadows and streams, forests and… campsites? I asked Verina to circle back. She turned around, but wobbled a little. I swayed, caught off balance, and then found myself falling through the air. Verina! Help me!

Banking quickly, she tucked her wings in and dove underneath me. I spread my arms and legs out in spread-eagle fashion. My shirt billowed in the wind, slowing my descent, but only very slightly. Verina steadied herself and maneuvered directly under me. I hit her back, hard, and groaned, air rushing from my lungs. I struggled to hang on.

Verina spiraled toward earth, going as fast as she could without me falling off again. She landed heavily, causing me to roll off onto a pile of rocks. "Ow…" I mumbled weakly.

After regaining my breath, I sat up, cataloguing my bruises. I had a rather deep gash on my arm, in addition to about a million other scrapes. I felt bruises forming all along my side, and some on my stomach from where I'd hit Verina.

I got up and went over to the center of our camp. There I found my pack and with it the canteen. Peering inside, I saw only a few mouthfuls left. It would have to do. I winced as the water rushed into the wound, cleaning out any blood and toxins.

Hey, Verina, do you remember where we saw that stream? We're out of water.

Verina said nothing. I walked over to where she sat. Her tail dragged the ground, her neck drooped, and she kept avoiding my gaze. Placing a hand on her shoulder, I inquired, what's the matter?

Verina still sat there, saying nothing, staring forlornly ahead. Verina? Are you okay? You didn't get hurt, did you?

She swiveled to look at me, her black eyes brimming with sorrow. No… I am not injured… physically. But I have let you down horribly.

No, no, you didn't, Verina. You saved my life catching me! I'm in your debt.

Really, Penelope, you are too good for me. Without me, you would never have fallen. I had forgotten how clumsy I was.

My friend seemed really depressed, and it was making me sad, too. I hadn't known our link to do that. No, Verina. You didn't do anything wrong. I'm at fault. I shouldn't have asked you to turn so quickly.

You don't really believe that.

No, no, I do. It was my fault. You fly beautifully. I really enjoyed it. And that dive you did to get under me, it was pure art.

I- I do not know what to say, except, thank you for your kind words, Penelope. They were most helpful. I only wish that I could do something for you.

She snaked her head down. At her request I showed her my arm. She seemed appalled at what she had done, so I had to spend ten minutes explaining to her that it really wasn't her fault. After she finally believed me (or so she said), she pressed her nose against my wound, as she had done as a baby.

But this time, the most amazing thing happened. I felt a rush of mysterious power running through my veins, and just like that the pain evaporated. I stared in wonder at my unblemished skin. Verina, that was incredible! How did you do it?

But she just looked at me. I don't know.