A/N: Thank you so much for the reviews. This idea was inspired by RestrainedFreedom, so thank you also for the review which sparked this chapter. I hope you enjoy it and I really would like to know what you all think. Next chapter will, I promise, give a little more information about why Aura and Vanir have this relationship.
"I swear, your Majesty, it wasn't my fault!" Vanir insisted, still kneeling before Nasuada with his head bowed. Because of this position he could not see the small smile on her face.
"If you were not present at the meeting of the elves and the humans, whose fault was it?" Nasuada asked, leaning forwards on her throne.
"Aura's, your Majesty." The purple-scaled dragon growled from beside him and her head swivelled round to glare at the young elf, who gulped loudly and quickly corrected himself. "Mine. Definitely my fault, your Majesty."
"Well then, it is a good job that I am not a cruel monarch. You may both go but I expect less mischief in future," Nasuada said with a straight face.
Vanir stood up, sagging with relief and hurried out of the throne room.
Aura, we have to be more careful. You can't just pick me up and fly me away when you feel like it.
It was not my fault. Did I hear any complaints from you? Did you ask once for me to take you back or put you down? No, the young dragoness replied serenely.
Vanir grumbled to himself but did not voice his thoughts.
Where are we going today then? Aura asked excitedly.
Nowhere!
Oh, Vanir, you're such a killjoy! Relax. Have some fun for once. I promise not to dunk you in a lake, she said pleading and placating the elf who was walking beside her, unconsciously going towards the front doors of the castle.
Feeling himself being swayed, Vanir groaned. No, he retorted.
Are you sure about that?
Vanir did not miss the jibing tone of her voice and stared flatly at her as he answered, yes!
You said yes! We're going.
What? No I didn't. That was out of context… But his further protests were cut short when they made it through the open doors and to the stone steps at the front of the castle. Aura picked Vanir up in her mouth by the neck of his tunic and deposited him on her back.
Hold on, she warned, not leaving much time between the request and pushing off from the ground.
I can't believe you! Vanir seethed as he was buffeted by wind.
You love me really.
The elf, dressed for once in something other than green, wrapped one arm around the lilac tunic he had been given as a symbol of friendship between Nasuada and Islanzadi, pulling it tighter around his body to keep warm.
At least tell me where we're going.
Nope, Aura replied.
Okay, I love you too. Now will you tell me where you're taking me?
Hmm. Tempting, but no.
Again Aura was flying through clouds, higher than she needed to, jut to stop Vanir from being able to see where they were. All the same, he continued to look over her side, searching for a hole to see through. Finally he was rewarded for his efforts and the clouds moved affording Vanir a view of what was below.
Ah! So we're over the Ramr River! He exclaimed, laughing at Aura who gritted her teeth and left the clouds.
She landed on the bank and Vanir climbed down, his fingers numb with cold and his legs stiff.
So what are we doing here? Vanir asked, looking round at the bare landscape.
Instead of answered, Aura picked Vanir up once more by the scruff of his neck and drew her head back before throwing him into the river.
He ducked under the water and was quickly carried further downstream by the strong current. He came up sputtering and thrashing, desperately trying to stay afloat. The indigo dragon flew just out of reach of him, her tail teasingly hanging down.
Aura! Help!
What's the magic word?
Please, he responded fervently.
She dipped down a foot and pulled the soaked elf out by his grip on her tail, which then wrapped around him securely.
I thought, Vanir said irritably once they were on solid ground, that we weren't going swimming today.
I think you'll find that I said I wouldn't drop you in a lake; I didn't say anything about rivers.
Through his shivers, Vanir said aloud, "Ha ha." The words dipped with sarcasm, but he couldn't help being grateful when Aura sat next to him, lending him her warmth, and wrapping her wing around him to enclose the heat. Vanir was soon dry but it took longer for his bruised ego to heal.