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Chapter 22
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Harvey, the gate guard, was disappointed. He had been on duty on the day when that pair of elves, the sweaty one and the ultra-hot one, had approached his post. Harvey had let them In because she claimed to have a solution for what was happening in the dragon temple. He had initially been skeptical, but she had been persuasive and correct. That dragon was throwing a supreme fit about something, and the lovely lady elf had arrived just in time to shut it down.
She had saved the temple. She was famous, and what’s more, a hero, and he hadn’t even gotten her name. He was considering going to the elven village at the other end of the lake. The elves were generally mysterious and reclusive, but someone over there might be able to tell him where she had run off to with the dragon god. Maybe she could come back and bring the dragon for a visit. The people sure missed the dragon, and it would be good for business. He’d be willing to chip in on a cow to see that. Looking at her was just a bonus.
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“We have not had a chance to talk seriously by ourselves since you gave me rebirth,” said Candasar. “I would like to formally thank you for what you did for me.
Lothinar smiled. It was a heartfelt smile, ear to ear. He probably had never felt himself form such a sincere smile. He was amazingly handsome when he smiled. He should do it more often.
That was weird!
It was like an echo of emotions and observations that allowed him to see himself outside his body. Then suddenly, he realized what it was.
“Is this the bond?" he asked.
"Yes," said Candasar; it was not precisely telepathy but inside his mind. You now can see yourself as I do.”
”It’s rather distracting, “ said Lothinar. “It’s going to take some getting used to.”
”If we survive this, we should have a long time to figure it out. For that, I am also thankful."
"That you have time?"
’Yes, Esmarilla explained that when Dragons bond with elves, substantial time is added to the elf’s years".
“Like my mother.”
”Yes, she is ancient for an elf.” Esmarilla has given her many extra years.
”Yes, and I think that is freaking my dad out. The age gap, I mean."
”It does not seem to bother Tundor to be with a dragon older than himself.”
Lothinar smile. Tundor and I haven’t discussed it, but you’re right. Not to mention that everyone seems to be older than he is."
"With us, I mean water dragons, me before….I’m trying to say that my previous body was already getting old. I had many scars. They live much shorter lives. What you have done has returned me to a healthy, healed dragon body and added many years."
"I had wondered about that."
"Do not be concerned. You did not shorten your own life by doing so."
"I didn't?" Lothinar said, suddenly feeling quite relieved.
"Oh! Do you think that adding to my years would take them from yours? You would die sooner?”
"It crossed my mind, I guess."
"And yet you did it anyway?”
"Um, yes. I guess I hadn't thought it through then, but yes."
"That makes me love you more, you know. But don't worry, Years between bonded like us are not a resource to be divided, but a power to be shared". One does not diminish the other."
"So my mother is not going to suddenly one day just turn grey, shrivel up and die?"
Candasar laughed. "No," nothing sudden like that will happen. Because bonding was a recent thing before the war, Esmarilla doesn't even know how long a bonded elf and dragon might live. We may even be immortal. She did look grey today, though. She used a lot of her magic reserves.”
‘But somebody can still kill us.”
”Yes, there is always that to look forward to.” said Candasar.
"As for your mother, I see in your memories that you have not always realized what and who she truly is."
"Well, there were no dragons in my home growing up.”
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"Yes, to shelter Esmarilla from the burning time and that which followed, Ardwella put her in the human temple and locked her body functions in hibernation. It was a smart move. She was not around for that reason. I’m sure it made them both lonely. I will probably share your home from now on, or if this does not please you," She said, looking down sadly, "I will live very close by with Tundor."
Lothinar looked at Candasar. She prominently showed her teeth. It wasn't very comforting.
"Was that a smile? 'cause if it was, it might need some work". Lothinar laughed.
"Through our bond, I will watch you, watch me, try this 'smiling.' It seems important to your kind. I will see it with your eyes and emotions when I improve. Soon, it will not look so terrifying. It is difficult because my teeth are bigger than yours."
Then, the emotions hit. Hard. Lothinar staggered.
She was trying so desperately to fit in. To make him comfortable with her. Gratitude with so much loneliness. She was only now beginning to believe that there was hope. Children, Family, Love, and Acceptance. These were the things Candasar wanted, The things she was starving for! There was also Fear. Fear he wouldn't fully accept her. Fear that someone would hurt them. Fear for her unborn children. Candasar had lots of Fear.
“Are you worried about surviving Candy?”
"I am....and you should be too. I have been an outsider my entire life. The world has not been a kind place for me. Now, I am very concerned that I have dragged you into my problems.
"People will be trying to stop us. They will be trying to kill us for defying them." Lothinar suddenly realized.
"We are stronger than they know," Said Candy. "They have no idea how committed I am to you. To your survival."
"Well, let's hope we have some time to develop our powers together before whoever they are shows up!” said Lothinar. "I’d like to see you be able to use those wings!"
"Yes, the sky is calling us. It's even my color. We will be there soon!"
"For what it's worth, can I tell you that I am really beginning to love you, and I would never leave you alone?"
"Yes, thank you. That helps. But I guess I already knew that. We can live with Tundor together. I have big plans for him."
Then she smiled again. He was impressed. She WAS getting better.
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Ardwella answered the frantic knocking at the door. It was Ardwynn. She looked tired. She had been running. Behind her, Ardwella could not see the dragon, but there was a Tundor-sized blurry spot on the side of the barn as the spell neared its end.
"Alberad! It's Ardwella, She’s here. Can you get her something to eat off the stove? I made vegetable soup for everyone. I need to get Tundor into the barn. He's starting to show!”
"Thank you! Ardwynn said. ‘Lothihar stayed back with Candasar. His magic is pretty damaged, and he didn't want to try to cast the spell. You had better hurry. Someone might see them.
"I am impressed you could get him here by yourself. That spell is very draining."
"I noticed... now please go. I don't like them out there all by themselves. They have both been through a lot lately."
Ardwella nodded and briefly refreshed the spell for Tundor before running to the barn. The horse didn't make much of a commotion as the second dragon invisibly slumped down near him. By now, Esmarilla was in full view.
”What is this animal?” asked Tundor. Are they good to eat?”
”It’s a horse. As domesticated livestock go, they are passable,” said Esmarilla, but I really prefer a cow or a bull when I can get them. “l should bring you one! Very tasty. Some bulls can be more trouble than they’re worth, so watch out for that.”
”This horse does not seem afraid,” said Tundor
"I guess he must be resigned to his fate, chuckled Ardwella."
"I am keeping him calm," said Esmarilla. "It is taking some effort."
"He will eventually get used to it," muttered the elf, shutting the door and running into the woods.
I must look a sight, she thought to herself. I’m still wearing this leather dress!
I wonder how much longer it is going to fit?
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Jontain had been surprised to see Ardwynn running through the forest outside the village. He always tried to keep an eye out for that girl. She was a beauty. She quickly left the trees and headed for the older part of town. He was kind of amazed at how heavy her footsteps sounded. He thought she was lighter on her feet. This was the area where Lothinar lived. Was Ardwynn still love-sick over that elf? It infuriated Jontain that he couldn’t get a bit of attention from her because she was always so focused on oblivious Lothinar. Yes, there she was, knocking at his family's door. Someone that had to be Lothinar’s sister answered and let her inside. Wow, where had she been hiding? She sure looked great in that outfit.
The sister ran to the barn briefly and opened the door. Closing it, she quickly left again, running away from town and back the way Ardwynn had come. Something unusual was going on. It was part of a warden’s job to watch for abnormal things. He decided to follow her. Maybe if she was covering up something nefarious, he could look the other way for some special attention. They ran for a few more minutes. Jontain didn’t have to use his best skills to stay out of sight because she wasn’t watching behind her. Soon, she stopped in a clearing well out of town. Lothinar stepped out of the trees. Then a large blue dragon stepped out of the trees behind him. Jontain involuntarily yelped!
There was a blue flash, and Jontain found himself flat on his back with a huge blue claw pressing him into the dirt. The two Elves ran over quickly.
“I recognize this one from your memory, Lothinar, said Candasar. He is Jontain. You work with him. He should know better than to try to sneak up on a dragon. “
“I was careless!” Said Ardwella. "He must have followed me."
Jontain couldn’t breathe. He squirmed. The pressure was enormous.
”Please let him up, Candy,” said Lothinar.
”I don’t know about that,” answered the dragon. “This would probably go better if we solve this problem now.”
”It wouldn’t go better for him. Said Lothinar. “I’m not ready to kill my coworkers quite yet.”
His mother looked down with a sad smile.
“Your dragon is probably right about this, you know. Their instincts about those they meet are pretty good.”
”I know, right,” said Candasar, “You know, Ardwella, even now, this nasty elf has been looking up your dress!”
”Eeep!” She said backing up.
”You had to make this difficult,” said Lothinar.
Jontain felt the darkness closing in. He was out of oxygen. He could hear Lothinar saying something, but he couldn’t discern the words. Then everything went black.
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On his way out of town, McDonald stopped at the livestock yard and picked up six more cows and another bull. The novice priest had paid a tidy tidy sum, he cackled as he felt the remaining coins the new priest had paid him still jingling in his pocket. Milk was a good business, but feeding dragons was really where the profit was. If you could get paid for your missing livestock that is. This bull was going to be busy. He hoped he was up for it. He couldn't wait to share the good news with his still-pretty wife, so he took a shortcut through a local vineyard. He knew that the owner wouldn’t mind as long as he didn’t damage the plants. He would have to keep a wary eye on the high-spirited bull and very carefully herd it through the grapevine.
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