The huge blue dragon had plucked Ardwynn from the garden like a thorny rose. Carefully. There was no piercing, and no blood. Just a huge blue talon with a grip like a vise that ensured her no chance of wiggling free or falling. Even the lift into the air had been remarkably smooth. Ardwynn had been around dragons and Vanquish obviously knew what she was doing.

She had been peeking out of a missing board in the gardener’s shed and seen the previous airborne abduction so she had certainly expected this one. She had just hoped for a little more time before the big dragon came back. She wanted more time to explain.

She was just so tired of being labeled the villain. She hadn’t set out to use the red swords power for nefarious purposes. The sword had almost asked her to do it. What could be wrong with having a better relationship with Firestorm? Now though, the blue dragons had decided that she would never be good for Lothinar. She probably wasn’t going to get another chance to prove her love for him this time.

"You know," Ardwynn yelled into the wind, "I expected that you would have dropped me by now!"

"Don't tempt me." rumbled Vanquish. "You have no idea how tired I am. I just flew here from the mainland and really haven't had any rest in several days."

"Is this some twisted way of being cruel? Toying with me like a cat with a mouse? she yelled.

"No. We need to have a talk." said Vanquish.

The blue dragon looked around for the second time tonight for an open place to land. There wasn't much. She had flown with her captive far from the paths and habitations of humans. Finally a distance up ahead she spotted some tall rocks. She could see some mountain goats on and around them. Finding a tall set of spires she slowed and spoke again to the elf dangling from her massive claws.

"I am going to try and set you down gently on the top of that peak."

Ardwynn did not reply but seemed to struggle once again against her claw.

"I said gently!" said Vanquish.

"I don't believe you!" yelled Ardwynn. "You are going to smash me against those rocks aren't you?"

Vanquish didn't answer but canceled her forward momentum by swooping up into a stall. She set the elf down quite softly on the rounded top of a rocky spire. Once she released Ardwynn, she threw herself forward, diving away into the canyon below. She pulled out of her plunge and swung back around, gaining altitude to observe the female elf. Ardwynn had managed to land on her feet and was glaring at her angrily as she flew past.

"What now?" Yelled the elf.

"Now you stay there looking beautiful in the moonlight while I get something to drink and eat a few of these sheep. Then we will talk." said the dragon.

"It's not like I can climb down from here anyway?" yelled Ardwynn.

"If you do I will consider that the end of our discussion and take the appropriate actions when I find you." said the blue dragon.

"What have I really got to lose by trying to escape?" yelled Ardwynn.

"Maybe a lot. Just stay there!" said Vanquish. "I'll be back soon."

The blue dragon flew to the bottom of the canyon and landed. She drank from the stream that she found there. She washed the tuna smell from her claws. Then she went looking for a couple of plump goats. They were pretty easy to find. There was a cranky old male goat with long pointy horns that objected vigorously to her taking a meal from his females. Him she roasted before eating, although the smell of burned hair left something to be desired.

When Vanquish left the canyon after washing once again she found Ardwynn still up on the tall rock. She had exchanged standing for a sitting position but she had not tried to run away. She was however unwilling to look up at the blue dragons return.

"You passed the first test." said Vanquish, settling herself on a rocky spur about twenty yards away from her. She eyed the elf. She had not moved even after the dragon had landed.

"Kill me or take me back to Lothinar." said Ardwynn. "I don't want to talk to you!"

Vanquish drew in a large breath. She held it for a few seconds. She saw the elf wince. She let out the breath very slowly and very carefully. She waited a few more seconds before she spoke.

"You are a mystery to me Ardwynn." she finally said.

The pregnant elf finally looked up and met her eyes. She looked defiant.

"My father was Argent's brother. I tried to kill Mavis when I found out that she wasn't Argent's real daughter. I betrayed my own bond Tundor to the worst possible fate a dragon could experience. I used the red sword to get my way with Firestorm. You have decided that I am the enemy. What more do you need to know?"

"It is interesting that you agree that you are the enemy." said Vanquish. "Argent is dead but several of his daughters are still fighting us. They are resisting the peace with the dragons that Mandel has tried to put in place as the new emperor."

"You must know that I am not your enemy right now. Being with Lothinar is all I really care about.”

”That has changed before! With disastrous consequences.”

Ardwynn frowned.

“Have you heard the saying’Keep your friends close and your enemies closer?’ She asked.

”That did not work out very well for Firestorm this time.” Said Vanquish “Or we would not have had to come back here,”

”She didn’t let me get close enough!” Ardwynn snapped. “She wouldn’t let me actually be with him.”

“You hurt Lothinar very badly. Trust once broken takes a great deal of time to regain.”

“So I got impatient and took a shortcut!” Said Ardwynn.

“Your willingness to do anything to get what you want and your impatience are very Argent like traits. That has always been your problem Ardwynn. Even when you are under Lothinar’s influence. Argent’s actual daughters are just like you.”

“Perhaps you should have them all fall in love with Lothinar!” She said angrily. “No, please forget I said that.”

The big blue dragon raised an eyebrow.

“That’s an interesting idea. I will have to think about it.” There was a long pause. “No, the boy would never survive. They would probably kill him on sight. He is too well known now. How do you feel about that?

“Are you trying scare me by threatening to place Lothinar in danger and then expecting me to figure out what my cousins will try to do? If so, I'm going to be of no use to you." said Ardwynn. "I don't know anything about my cousins that could possibly help you!"

"I thought that you might be able to anticipate their plans. Guess how they might think." said Vanquish.

"I'm not complaining but when I am feeling this way about Lothinar I don't think I'm quite the same person." said Ardwynn. "I can't possibly guess what they are thinking. It isn’t in me.”

"Try." said the blue dragon. “It’s in there. It’s just hiding.”

’‘No! I just can’t think that way anymore. Even if I could, why should I help you now? You clearly intend to kill me anyway!"

”There is one thing that might allow you to live a normal life and possibly even get Lothinar back.” Said the dragon. “But unless you are willing to align yourself with my goals it would be far easier to make you permanently disappear.”

“Do you think that I could really be with Lothinar? Because I’d do anything for that.” Said Ardwynn.

”The only problem is that if what I’m contemplating works, You may not want him” said Vanquish.

”Well that might make things awkward and rather sad” said the pregnant elf.

”You would be alive,”

”You know the truth is that if I have a chance to live without Lothinar, I think I’d rather be dead.” Said Ardwynn

”I was kind of hoping you would say that.” Said Vanquish. She took a slow deep breath.

‘Ardwynn reflexively ducked but exposed up there, on top of the pinnacle of rock there was no place to avoid a dragons flames. She thought of her father’s last moments. She had watched him as he had been burned alive in Candasar’s fire.

But instead of fire she felt a powerful pulse. She had felt such a thing before but never at this intensity. Tundor had been a young dragon. His bond offer had been shy and tender. This was a demand. A forcing. Almost without realizing what she was doing she left herself open to it. It was like climbing up a mountain with your eyes on the trail before you and then turning around at the summit to behold a vast and glorious vista. It took her by surprise. It was awesome and terrifying and beautiful all at the same time. The dragons offered bond did not wait but claimed her, wrapping her up in a metaphysical fist of blue power. She slumped to her knees and then rolled softly and slowly onto her side. She lay there on the rocky surface staring out at the cloudless night sky. She saw stars.

“Nicely done. Thank you for being gentle with the baby.” Said Vanquish. “We can’t have anything happen to Lothinar’s child can we?”

”It’s my child too!” Ardwynn managed to croak out, mouth open like a fish and drooling on the rock.

“Not when I’m done with him.” Said the blue dragon. “It’s a boy by the way.”

”What are you doing? I can feel him moving around so much inside me. I don’t like this!”

”Don’t worry. He is healthy. What I am doing will only make him more so. I am also removing the things in him that we have previously referred to as Argent’s taint. There is actually much less of it than I feared.”

”I am not Argent’s daughter, I was only his niece, remember.” Said Ardwynn. She managed to sit up. Then she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. She paused and seemed to be deep in thought.

”Is that something that you could do for me as well?” She asked

“Bonded and joined to you like this I can do anything that I please.” Said Vanquish. “But there is a lot more of you that is filled with Argent’s blight than your son. He is a lot like Lothinar. Those good traits are strong in him.”

”Is that why you asked me if I would rather die than live without Lothinar?” Ardwynn asked. “Because to be free of the taint, parts of me have to die?”

This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

”I can excise the bad and heal this body. Replace the disease with something better. Healthy Argent free tissue. But the parts of you that would die are important parts. At least to you. Many of them actually define what you do and who you are. You would be someone almost entirely new.

”Is that what you are doing to my son right now?”

”Yes, but as I said the changes to him are much much smaller. It is also much easier to do since he is still developing. And since he has not been born yet nobody will ever even notice. You however will be much more difficult.”

”Would I turn into a person like the Ardwynn that loved Lothinar?” She asked.

”Somewhat. Probably a bit more independent. Definitely a lot less desperate. It’s really hard to say how you would eventually turn out. It would be truly new person. It will be your body but remember, it’s not quite going to be you.”

”Will I be resentful? Angry? Will I want revenge?”

”No. Not unless I screw the process up very badly, and I wouldn't. But remember, I can’t promise that you will still love Lothinar and I’m not at all sure how he will feel about you.”

”The pheromones won’t work?”

”Of course not. Not as long as you are bonded to me anyway. You won’t even care about that actually. If you and Lothinar want to raise this child together that might be a start. A good start. You might come to love him. We know that he loves you. He risked a lot to try and redeem you. Remember though that Lothinar is on his own journey. He is becoming more dragon like. That might not appeal to you. There is also the unresolved issue of Ronniflass in his life…. and perhaps someone named Michelle, now that I think about it.”

”Is she one of the women from the party?” Asked Ardwynn.

”Yes and I’m afraid she actually has some political connections. Well, the work on your son is done. Are you ready? Asked the dragon

Ardwynn nodded.

“Am I going to remember any of this?” She asked cautiously.

”Of course not dear. That would be far too cruel.”

”That’s what you have all been saying about Argent. That he was cruel. Yet here we are.” Said Ardwynn.

”I saw Tundor’s memories of you. I saw how bad your unbridled taint can be. I’m just doing Lothinar a favor “ said Vanquish.

Then Ardwynn began to scream. It only lasted a couple of seconds before it suddenly stopped.

”Hush now, said Vanquish. The worst part is over. “I don’t want you scaring off the goats. All this magic I’m using has made me hungry again. I’m going to want at least a couple more. Now hold still. I have a lot of work to do before morning.

————————-

Pricilla was crying. Ronniflass patted her on the back and softly smoothed her hair. She stepped back from their hug and looked her sister in the eyes.

“You need to try and come to terms with this” she said.

”I need to accept that my husband has left me to go marry that human girl?” Priscilla asked angrily.

”I don’t think he’s left left you. It’s not at all how McDonald left me."

”Well technically you left Macdonald first….for Lothinar” said Pricilla.

“He really left me no choice” said Ronni. Then she laughed in spite of her sister’s glare.

“This is not funny! Said Pricilla. I think something that platinum dragon is doing is affecting Enderline’s mind.

“A second wife for many kings is not unprecedented.”

”We’ve been married quite a few years and Enderline has never even acted like he wanted another woman in the slightest!” Said Pricilla.

”I have to agree. He was devastated when you died” said Ronni. “He was broken-hearted. It was so tragic.”

”It’s probably for the best that I don’t remember any of that of course, being quite dead at the time you know.”

”Do you realize how strange our conversations have become?” Asked Ronni. “Could you even imagine us being in these situations when we were little girls growing up back in Sivantra?”

”Father did warn us not to marry humans.” Said Pricilla. “I thought that was a the lifespan thing. That we would substantially outlive our mates. When the young King showed me so much interest there was no real way to say no.”

‘And I came back to the mainland, looking for an elf to marry. Any male elves that saw me though probably considered me an oddity rather than girlfriend material. McDonald was interested. I finally gave in to his charms. We actually had a few really good years.

”Do you think father knew about the infertility thing?”

”He never actually said anything but I’m beginning to suspect so.” Said Ronni. “Do you think Enderline is doing this because he wants an heir or because Platinum is pushing him?

”Like I said, I’m sure that Platinum getting involved is why this has come up now. But it’s not like I can do too much to stop it. None of the other dragons will stop her. She is a Platinum!

Ivy ran into the room. She looked very excited. Cinnebar was right on her heels.

"You need to come outside right away" he said to Ronni.

"Slow down! What's going on?" asked Pricilla.

"There is a golden dragon outside. Well, sort of. " said Ivy.

"You won't actually see a dragon when you look" said Cinnabar. "But she's definitely in there!"

"What are you two crazy little dragons talking about?" asked Pricilla

“The blue dragon Candasar laid a gold egg! It’s unprecedented!” Said Cinnabar excitedly.

”You just learned that word from me, didn’t you Cinnabar?” Asked Ronni with a smile.

The little red dragon squirmed.

“Yes, you used it just a little while ago. I was listening in through the bond.” Said Cinnabar. “It’s a really good word and I wanted to try it myself. Did I use it correctly?”

“I’m not sure. How unusual is it for a blue dragon to lay a golden egg? If it’s never happened before then using that word would be correct.” Said Ronni.

The little dragons face fell.

“Well, actually most golden eggs are laid by blue dragons. But it’s super rare though!” Said Cinnabar.

”Where is this Gold dragon now?” Asked Pricilla.

”She is talking to Vanador while wearing an Elf’s body like a warm coat!” Said Ivy.

A horrified look passed between the half elf sisters.

"Which elf's body are we talking about?" asked Ronni.

"The elf that used to be called Siophra." said Ivy. "But the dragon's name is Zinariya"

The two sisters scrambled for the exit and headed outside. Sure enough they could see Vanador talking to a female elf. She looked like Siophra. They quickly made their way through the throng of small many-colored dragons surrounding Vanador and the elf. The elf turned to look at them. It was not Siophra. Her eyes were changed and she was somehow even more beautiful. She turned her golden orbs upon them. Then she curtsied.

"I'm glad to finally meet you." she said. "I am Zinariya."

"Did you actually curtsy to me?" asked the Queen.

"Is that not the proper way to show respect to royalty?" asked Zinariya.

"Not really, Well not for about five hundred years." said the Queen. "Some bow or even shake hands."

Zinariya began to put out her hand but Vanador interrupted.

"Zinariya is borrowing from the memories of someone quite old. Her Court manners may be a little out of date." he said.

"Ivy said that you are a Gold Dragon." said Ronniflass. "But you look like an elf. In fact you look like Siophra. How is this possible?"

Zinariya flashed Vanador a strange look. She turned to him.

"I told you that I needed to speak to everyone at once!" she said. "Now I'm going to have to explain everything all over again. I wanted to get going soon."

"Ivy said that you are wearing Siophra like a coat!" stammered Pricilla.

"An interesting interpretation. Not exactly true but close enough I suppose." said Zinariya.

"I didn't know that something like that was possible!" said Ronni in amazement. "Has it ever happened before?"

"It is unprecedented!" yelled Cinnabar. He looked smugly at Ivy.

“I suppose my main concern is whether Siophra is alright and has agreed to something like this” said Ronniflass.

”That was my concern as well, however I have verified this and will vouch for Zinariya’s behavior. At least for now.” Said Vanador.

“I still have many questions!” Said Pricilla.

"Yes, but nonetheless we need to depart." said Vanador. We have some serious work to do at the Capitol. I will leave Mo-Rung here with you to explain and fill in all the details for you."

Zinariya nodded. “Yes we must go.”

"Wait!" shouted Pricilla. "You are a Gold! You might be able to stop her!"

"Stop who?" asked Vanador.

"The dragon named Platinum is running amok." said Ronni. "She tried to force a young girl to marry Enderline and worse yet, she forcibly bonded Ardwella's unborn baby in the womb!"

"She did what?" asked Zinariya. "I've never heard of that happening."

"Unprecedented!" whispered Cinnabar.

"Where is Platinum now?" asked Vanador. He looked askance at the little red dragon.

"They are on their way to Ardwella's house to forcibly take the child from her mother and drag the human girl Heirwynn back to be married." said Ivy.

"She's behaving badly, right?" asked Ronni. "Even for a Platinum dragon this kind of behavior doesn't sound normal."

"Yes," sighed Vanador. "She is behaving terribly. Remember though, she still is a child. Unfortunately a petulant little child. Normally there are parents to see to such things. Arrogance runs high in young metallic dragons. They think that they can do anything they want to.” He gave Zinariya a pointed look.

"Even though I am young, I am tempered by the wisdom of a very old elf!" she said defensively.

"And we are very glad for that!" said Pricilla, opportunistically interrupting . "Will you please help us?"

"Take me to Ardwella's house Vanador! Mo-Rung, you had better come along too." said Zinariya.

Vanador lowered a shoulder and Zinariya climbed up. She settled in behind his neck. Ronni and the Queen quickly stepped back. No one wanted to get bowled over by a dragon taking flight. The white dragon just stood there as if waiting for something.

"What are you waiting for?" asked Zinariya.

"It's just that Siophra used to constantly complain about not wearing the correct clothes for riding dragons or something. She said my neck is scratchy."

"You feel quite comfortable to me." said Zinariya. "But I'm not just Siophra. I'm harder than I look."

"You probably will need to be. You are taking on some big challenges for not even being hatched yet." said the big white dragon."

He and Mo-Rung jumped into the air.

”Ugh! You are heavy.” Said Vanador.

”Why don’t you ever believe me?” Asked Mo-Rung.

------------------------

"And now Mo-Rung has shown me that Vanador and this new Gold dragon wearing Siophra's body are going to be further delayed" said Mavis. They have to deal with a naughty Platinum dragon.”

She was speaking to her brother in the war room. Actually it was the castle cafeteria. Soldiers loyal to Mandel were walking past the two of them with trays of food and finding their own tables. They seemed very willing to give the royal siblings their space. They also seemed to have plenty of mung-beans to go around. Mavis was eating a plate of them herself.

”Everything you have told me sounds very concerning.” Said Mandel. “It makes the occasional suicidal attacks on our walls seem pretty boring.”

“Elves are dying Mandel!” Said Mavis passionately. “They don’t really even understand why they are attacking us. They just believe the lies that Argent’s remaining daughters have told them. Esmarilla has had to burn dozens of them off the walls. It’s affecting Cantrell. He’s very upset, even not seeing it personally.”

”It upsets me too Mavis. That’s why I haven’t ordered retaliatory strikes on their homes and properties. We could scorch the earth for miles around with dragon fire. I want the common people to realize that the dragons only seek to survive and defend themselves. If we burn out Argent’s daughters we will hurt innocent people.

”That would certainly propagate the myths and lies Argent spread about the dragons” agreed Mavis.

”At least they have stopped for now. “They are probably looking for less flammable rope.” He said. “How is Esmarilla holding up?”

“I don’t know if it’s good or bad. Esmarilla doesn’t really seem to mind burning elves. Something changed substantially when she was down and wounded in that field. Elves tortured her you know. She might even be enjoying it.”

”She’s our only dragon at the moment. I was hoping Vanador would be along soon to help her.” Said Mandel. “You know, the walls can endure a siege even without her. I’ll double the number of archers on the walls. Why don’t you have her take a much needed break.”

”I’m more worried about keeping her fed.” Said Mavis. “Argent had a small herd of cattle, as apparently he enjoyed steak, but they are all but gone. There are more cows, also goats and sheep out in the suburbs surrounding the city, but they are in enemy territory at the moment. Esmarilla tried to snag a sheep yesterday but just missed taking an arrow.”

”They were probably expecting that” conceded Mandel. "They know she has to eat."

"Well, I'm not risking her again." said Mavis. "For now she is going to fly straight up and out of bow range before she ever leaves the city itself. Then she will hunt far out in the country. It's going to take more time but it's safer."

Mandel excused himself and went to the counter. He got another serving of Mung Beans.

"These are great!" he said, returning to the table. "And we literally have tons of them. It's kind of funny but nobody related to Argent would touch the things. I never even had them until recently myself. I didn't know what I was missing.

"It's too bad we can't get Esmarilla to eat them." said Mavis.

"Ha. Can you imagine a dragon being willing to eat Mung Beans? That would be a sight!"

----------------------

Lothinar woke and rose from his bed. He had spent the night dreaming about Ardwynn but she wasn't there. He sighed and went to look out the window. It was a beautiful morning. The skies were clear and the sun was shining. He eyed the red sword sitting on a chair. He reached over to touch the pommel.

"This is not my fault you know." said the sword.

"I'm not blaming you." said Lothinar.

"I can read your thoughts you know. You do blame me."

"Crimson, the whole situation was just impossible. I thought I could make it work even though almost everyone that I know and respect was against it. Now I've wasted so much time!"

"You know," said Crimson. "I was bonded to your Grandfather Lothinex. He wasn't nearly as concerned with trying to be kind and nice as you are. He got more done that way."

"I was trying to save my son, and if possible find a way to let Ardwynn have another chance. I think I was hoping motherhood might change her. Now I will never know."

Lothinar heard some noise from outside. It sounded loud and angry. He set down the sword and ran to the window.

"Get out of my vegetable garden you ponderous beast!" Someone. yelled. It sounded like the gardener.

Lothinar looked out the window and saw a strange sight. The gardener, wearing overalls and a yellow straw hat, was yelling at Candasar. She had mud and dirt plastered all over her face. She was chewing something. Firestorm was looking on in horror. The little dragon walked away shaking her head. Lothinar could hear her mumbling something about a perfectly good goat.

"What's Candasar done?" yelled Lothinar out the window.

"That blue beastie has been into my mung beans!" the gardener yelled back.

"Oh no! I totally forgot" said Lothinar. He grabbed the sword and ran downstairs.

"What's the rush? asked Crimson.

"There is something that I need you to fix!" said Lothinar. "My dragon is eating Mung-Beans!"

"Again, not my fault." said the sword.

--------------------------------