Ardwella held the baby out toward her sister.
”Muina, I have a crib already set up in my bedroom. Would you mind putting my daughter in it? Perhaps you could watch her in there while Albarad and I go and talk to the King.”
”Can I go with her?” Asked Heirwyn? “I really don’t want to see the king right now!”
”Of course you may. Do you mind if I borrow your dragon Snow for the conversation? I think her insights may be helpful.”
‘The black and white dragon siblings nodded and headed towards the front door. Albarad looked at his wife.
”Are you sure you want me along?” He asked. “Enderline and I got off to a poor start.”
”I’m the one that got sentenced to death, remember?” Said Ardwella.
”So we are basically already screwed is what you are trying to say.” Said Albarad with a smile.
”Well, the dragons seem to believe us” said Ardwella. “Let’s hope that they can help change Enderline’s mind.”
The knocking continued. It was growing louder and more insistant. Albarad turned the doorknob and stepped out onto the porch. Ardwella joined him, allowing the two small dragons through and then quickly closing the door behind her. Enderline was red in the face. He looked furious. Behind him and slightly off to his left was Platinum. Just behind her was the lurking full sized dragon Killingsworth.
"Why did it take. you so long to answer the door?" the king practically shouted. "I've been knocking for five minutes!"
"You do know that I just gave birth to my daughter." said Ardwella. "It is customary to give people some time before barging in when something like that is going on. Don't they have any manners in Sivantra?" she shot back.
"Look here! Your husband took off with my dragon and the girl that I intended to marry. That's also considered bad manners in my book!" Enderline said hotly.
"The girl does NOT want to marry you. She made that perfectly clear. The dragon made his own choices. I didn't drag him along here." said Albarad.
"There is also the matter of killing a dragon up in the foothills" rumbled Killingsworth. "Platinum has said that she believes that Muina killed a dragon named Rolf. Another dragon named Penelope is missing. I want some answers about that."
"How would Platinum know such a thing? I don't think she's even left the dairy before today." asked Ardwella.
"The baby told me." said Platinum finally speaking up. "She also heard Albarad threaten to attack me! Can you believe it?"
"No I can't." said Ardwella. "And taking the word of a baby not even a few hours old is just ridiculous. A baby is not a reliable witness."
The Platinum dragon glowered at her. It then looked at Killingsworth who suddenly became more agitated. The large grey dragon seemed to hesitate, then double down.
"Bring Muina out here immediately. I need to speak to her." Insisted the dragon.
Albarad looked at Night-Sky. He seemed to be hopping up and down. He obviously wanted to say something but didn't want to interrupt.
"What is it Night-Sky?" asked Albarad. "Since Enderline, your own bond won't acknowledge you."
Enderline suddenly looked down at the dragon as if he had just noticed that he was there.
"There you are Night-Sky. I need you to come home with me. I don't want you staying here. And bring your sister. Tell her to make that young girl in the wedding dress come too!"
"You don't even remember her name do you?" asked Albarad seething. "Her name is Heirwynn by the way."
"That's name is even convenient. It must be fate. " He looked at the Platinum dragon again, seeming to draw strength from some sort of eye contact with her. "I am the King! I need an heir. I have learned my half-elven Queen is completely infertile. The girl showed up obviously willing to get married. She can’t just change her mind now! It should be an honor for her. She will live a comfortable and pleasant life bearing my children."
"Stop!" yelled Night-Sky, finally breaking into the conversation. "This behavior is not like Enderline! It is not like Killingsworth either for that matter!" His sister Snow stepped up next to him. She nodded her head as if in agreement.
The grey dragon and the King looked both alarmed and confused. The platinum dragon scowled. Then surprisingly she started laughing.
"It won't work Night-Sky. You can’t stop me. They are firmly under my control. Nice try though."
Enderline and Killingsworth seemed to grow even further agitated. The King frowned. Killingsworth began growling and approached the porch.
Suddenly there was a huge thump and Vanador hit the ground in the yard. There wasn't much room for him between Killingsworth and Barn. On his back was an elf. For a moment Ardwella thought she had jumped back in time. The sight of Siophra on Vanador was something very familiar. Then she looked again. This elf was not Siophra. She seemed to crackle and glow with golden magical energy. Dragon magic. The elf leapt from the dragon's back the moment he touched down, gracefully flying through the air and landing in a perfect crouch on the porch. She stood up and elbowed Enderline out of the way. Hard. He squawked as he tumbled awkwardly from the edge of the porch into a shrubbery. The blonde elf with the golden eyes flashed Ardwella a smile then whirled to stand and stare down Killingsworth and the Platinum dragon. Nobody moved and no one said anything. Then all hell broke loose.
Killingsworth took a deep breath as if he was going to use his flames but choked as Vanador grabbed him by the neck and started shaking him. The smaller dragon flopped like a yo-yo at the end of a string. There was the sound of popping vertebrae. The grey dragon's snarl turned into a whimper. Even that suddenly cut off. Simultaneously Albarad launched his body off the porch and tackled the Platinum dragon which then started raking him with her claws. She was tearing strips from his clothing and ripping the skin off his chest and stomach. Enderline climbed out of the bush and started to throw a wild punch at the golden eyed elf. She was having none of that and ducked under his swing. She brought the back of her head up to bash in the front of his face. His nose broke and blood started shooting all over the porch. He howled! He crumpled to his knees with his eyes watering so badly he couldn't see.
Night-Sky and Snow moved to help Albarad and in a few seconds they both had one of the Platinum dragon's wings in each of their mouths. Their needle sharp teeth began sawing through the membranes of her wings and Platinum began to scream. They pulled her off Albarad. He climbed to his feet and kicked the Platinum dragon in the teeth. Her head snapped back and she crumpled to the ground.
The only one that had not significantly moved was Ardwella. She just stood there, seemingly in shock taking it all in. With the platinum dragon out of the fight and likely unconscious, everything stopped. Enderline seemed to be looking at his surroundings as if he didn’t actually believe where he was.
Ardwella looked straight at the blonde elf and finally broke her silence.
"Who the hell are you and what have. you done to my sister!?" she yelled.
Just then Mo-rung walked around the barn and into the yard. He had Ronni and Pricilla on his back. The two sisters looked at the scene in horror. Killingsworth looked like a balloon with all the air let out of it. Enderline was crying on the porch and the platinum dragon was lying in a heap with shredded wings. Everyone else was looking at Ardwella and Zinariya.
"I can't believe I was late to such a good fight!" said Mo-Rung. You need a bigger yard Ardwella. There was no place to land!"
-------------------------
"I don't think I'm being a very effective leader!" complained Mandel. "I need to be doing something more about the sisters."
"Esmarilla thinks we should just burn them out, but I've told you that already." said Mavis.
"It doesn't sound like Cantrell has been a very good influence on her" commented Mandel. "I just can't imagine him doing something like that. Who's in charge in that relationship anyway?"
"I don't think either of them is in charge." said Mavis. "That's the way it's supposed to be isn't it?" We had enough of that with Ardwynn and Tundor. Bonding should be a partnership.
"I know but Esmarilla was Ardwella's dragon for hundreds of years. It seems to me that Esmarilla was definitely dominated by Ardwella for at least most of that time."
"Most of that time she was a statue in a temple in Delora Natine actually." said Mavis.
"That could not have been a happy existence. " said Mandel. "I know Vanador shared similar circumstances right here in the city."
"He still shivers when a bird gets too close" said Mavis. "But getting back to your point..."
"Right, Cantrell doesn't seem to have diminished Esmarilla's bloodlust toward killing elves, even though. you said it bothers him, even from afar, when she does so."
"You've never been bonded have you? No of course not. I know that. It's really hard to describe this kind of relationship. A relationship with.a dragon I mean."
"Obviously. I understand that you share thoughts right?" asked Mandel.
"Emotions and thoughts yes. I almost lost it the other day when Mo-Rung went into battle. He's way more of a scrapper than I'll ever be. I'm more of a lover than a fighter."
"Yes, sister dear. Your charms are obvious. I'm sure Cantrell appreciates them."
"What I mean is we balance each other out. Mo-Rung would probably fight more if I wasn't bonded to him. It's his natural tendency. I slow that down a bit. Cantrell is, believe it or not making a kinder and more gentle dragon out of Esmarilla. She didn't mind at all when I pulled her off wall duty. She doesn't seem to love killing elves nearly as much anymore."
"For that I am grateful, I suppose." said Mandel
"She realizes that she has a job to do. She wants to protect this city, mostly because I'm in it. No offense. Cantrell left her some pretty specific instructions regarding that."
"So he does call the shots!"
"No, I think he really tries to do what he can to respect her wishes."
"What about that egg thing. She wanted to eat that and he didn't save it for her."
"Tundor showed up and gobbled it down before he could do anything about it." Mavis said. "It's not Cantrell's fault. Esmarilla knows that."
"Did Tundor ever wake up?"
"Not yet. Esmarilla says that Cantrell says that... This is so weird. Anyway Tundor is still asleep. He has doubled in size and he's not finished growing yet."
””Uh-oh. I hope that he’s not still mad at me.”
”I’m sure he’s over that by now.” She smiled. “Probably.”
"Did Cenderick stick around? It sounded like Cantrell could use the help. Especially now."
"Yes he did. He is actually hunting game for the little dragons to eat while Tundor’s sleeping. It was lucky he brought his bow with him." said Mavis. “We could probably use him and the other wardens on the walls”
“They would have to get past the blockade first.” Said Mandel. "I'm surprised that he didn't go charging back down the hill to talk to Zinariya.”
"Cantrell convinced him that would probably just upset Siophra more. Mo-Rung was there when Vanador interviewed the real Siophra. She sounded confused but willing to allow the gold dragon to borrow her body for a short time at least."
"She's an exceptionally brave lady." said Mandel. "I don't think I'd like to lend my body out to anyone. "
"Yes that would be strange thing to do." said Mavis. "I hope that Zinariya is careful with Siophra's body." said Mavis. "When they finish up there, she and Vanador are coming straight here. Then we can see for ourselves how Siophra is doing."
"I hope they get here soon." said Mandel. "We could use another dragon.... or two I guess."
"It's going to be three." said Mavis. "They can't trust the Platinum to stay there and not cause trouble again. They are bringing her with them."
"Oh that's going to be fun." said Mandel. "A mind manipulating dragon in my Capitol."
"It's the only way Vanador would leave." said Mavis. "They will all probably be here tomorrow morning."
----------------------------------
Enderline was embarrassed. Very Embarrassed. Not only had he fallen victim to the mind control of a Pewter dragon but he'd got his ass kicked by a girl. A female elf that was actually a dragon inside. He didn't know if that was worse or actually gave him an excuse for losing. He was going to go for the second option when he dictated his memoirs. A beautiful blond golden elf dragon had kicked his ass. Well actually broken his nose. Snow had been gracious enough to fix it, so at least his voice didn't sound funny anymore. It had taken an extra day for the white dragon and his own bond Night-sky to perform their magical healing on his nose. They had claimed it was because they had used most of their magic in healing Ardwella just an hour or so before. Enderline suspected that they delayed the healing to send a message and teach him a lesson. At least that's what he would have done given the chance. Pain could be a great teaching tool.
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Pricilla had actually let him off easy when she learned that he had actually been mind controlled. That could have gone worse. Platinum dragon mental powers it seemed had been the inspiration for one of the features of Lothinex’s red sword Crimson. Muina who had inherited the sword had been able to explain more. The elven master smith and magician had duplicated the mental abilities of a dragon into a sword bound spell. He had only been able to get it to work on dragons. But herhaps that was by design. Now of course the sword had bonded with Lothinar and was with him in Sivantra. He would have to keep an eye on that sword. It could probably cause a lot of trouble.
Once out from under the Platinum dragon’s influence, the King had apologized to Heirwynn and Ardwella and finally Albarad. It somewhat irked him to do so, but a King must acknowledge his mistakes, even to the commoners. Not that the elves of this family were commoners. Each of them had done more for the dragon race than almost every other elf combined.
It had been ludicrous to let Platinum convince him that Ardwella's sister Muina had burned a dragon to death with one of Argent's ancient spells. Ardwella had lived the life of an assassin to remove that spells very existence. Platinum had probably heard something else from the hours old baby, but it had to be wrong. Platinum was going to the Capitol with Vanador so she wasn't his problem anymore. At least for now. By the time she came back he would probably be back in Sivantra. He wondered how Courtney, his regent was doing without him there. He had never really intended to be away for so long. Courtney had a daughter didn't he? If this infertility thing didn't get solved he would still need an heir. Courtney's daughter Michelle was a beautiful girl. So pretty in fact that she almost approached elven beauty. Perhaps she would like to marry a King.
-------------------
""I am sorry to say but you are heavier than you look Ardwynn." gasped Firestorm. Her wings were flapping furiously. "We are going to make it back, but not by much!"
"And I'm sorry to say that your neck is scratchy in all the wrong places." said Ardwynn. "Does anybody make saddles for dragons? I can barely hang on up here!"
"No serious dragon rider would resort to using something like a saddle." said Firestorm contemptuously.
"I bet nobody ever rides a dragon pregnant." said Ardwynn. This is putting an incredible strain on my bladder!"
"Please hold on!" said Firestorm. "I wouldn't want my first time carrying someone to be a terrible memory!"
"I'll do my best, but no promises." said Ardwynn with a chuckle. "Just kidding. I went before I climbed on. It was while you were washing the goat off your face."
"Whew. Thanks for that." said Firestorm. "Look. There is the mansion right there. I'm heading down. Oh-oh. It looks like we have visitors."
"Can you tell who it is?" asked Ardwynn.
"It looks like the Regent's carriage. He's cool. He's the one that's letting us use the house. Well, actually it's King Enderline. But he's back on the mainland right now."
"So much of that sounds familiar, but I still can't put it all together. I wish I could remember."
"I really wish you could remember what happened to Vanquish. I thought she was coming back. Candasar said she probably was."
"Oh, that blue dragon is not coming back." said Ardwynn. "Didn't I mention it? She kind of exploded."
The small red dragon stuttered in the air. She dropped fast. At least it was a short fall. She pulled up just in time to avoid an unpleasant landing.
"Would. you repeat that please?" Firestorm asked.
"She blew up. We were talking and she just coughed and caught on fire."
Firestorm had come to a stop on the spacious estate lawn.
"I think we need to tell Lothinar about this. Are you sure that's what happened?"
"Well as sure as my name is Ardwynn and. your name is Firestorm...Which means I'm not sure at all. I'm taking your word for all of it."
"But you saw Vanquish blow up?"
"Yes, that I'm completely sure of." said Ardwynn.
"Come inside" said Firestorm. "I'm sure we won't be interrupting anything that important."
----------------------
"And I'm telling you that no matter what she might have implied, I didn't have sex with your daughter. I didn't even lay a hand on her, well, except when we were dancing. But that's not grounds for a forced marriage by any countries customs" exclaimed Lothinar.
The Regent was scowling like he didn’t believe him.
"There were other people around for crying out loud! Ask them!" His red and blue eyes each blazed brightly with his passionate response.
"But what about after the party. After the dancing? Did you take my daughter out some dark country road and force yourself on her? What about her ruined dress? Courtney asked.
"Look, I don't even know why or when your daughter came out to this estate last night. My butler confirmed to you that she and a bunch of her friends showed up at our door after the party. I wasn't even in the house at the time. I was tending to the gardening supplies."
"You were hiding in the shed actually." said Michelle. "With that little pregnant elf that looks like me."
Lothinar looked at Michelle.
"Well, she's right about that at least." You do look a little like Ardwynn. Your ears are smaller of course."
"Speaking of strange features!" interrupted Courtney, "What in the world is up with your eyes? And those ridges? You didn't look like that when we first met."
"I think he's dashing father!" said Michelle. So masculine!"
"Shut up Michelle. I'm beginning to feel like a fool for coming out here to bother Lothinar. It seems clear to me that you exaggerated. You didn't have sex with him did you?"
"Yes! I did!" she shouted.
Lothinar looked at her and just shook his head.
Michelle looked at her feet.
"Well, I did.... In my mind. It was so romantic! He swept me into his arms, our clothing just melted away. He held me so close. I felt his.."
"Stop right there!" said Ardwynn walking into the room. Firestorm squeezed through the doorway behind her.
Lothinar gawked.
"Ardwynn! Your back...." he managed to gasp out.
"Just in time it seems!" she said. She turned to Courtney.
"Sir, although we greatly appreciate your hospitality regarding allowing us, as outlined in "Enderline's wishes" to remain in this house for a period of time, I must insist that you take your hallucinating love struck and infatuated daughter from here immediately. You shall make her bathe and exchange all her bedding and clothes. She will return to her sanity in a few days. Do not let her return here. After that, please consider that this house shall be under quarantine."
"Quarantine?" stammered the Regent.
"Yes, unfortunately there is a chemical that exists that causes temporary madness to young girls such as your daughter here. It can sometimes happen when they come into contact with my husband. It will pass but she must stay away. It's for her own good!"
"Noooo! shouted Michelle. I won’t go! He loves me! I can tell."
"I'm sorry. He does not. He loves his wife. We would not want this to turn into an international incident. Good day to the both of you." she said.
The Regent collected his sobbing daughter and practically dragged her from the house. Outside they could hear more shouting and the slamming of a carriage door. Then the sounds of hoofs faded into the distance. Lothinar still stood there slack jawed.
"Whew! I barely got through that with a straight face!" Ardwynn laughed. "You must be Lothinar my husband." she said. "I'm so glad to finally meet you! " By the way... What's with that face? Are you kidding me? It's a mask right? That's got to be a mask!"
Lothinar burned a little magic. He fixed his face. He suddenly looked handsome again.
"It's not a mask. It's magic." he said glumly.
"So that other face is your real face?" Ardwynn asked. "Or is this one your real face?"
"The other face is the real face" said Lothinar. This one right now is what I used to look like before Vanquish changed me."
Ardwynn looked at Firestorm.
"Vanquish is that big blue dragon right?"
Firestorm nodded.
"I'm sorry. It's still so confusing." she said.
"Well Vanquish won't be bothering you any more." said Ardwynn. "Maybe we can figure out a way to undo all the damage she's probably done. I bet she didn't even ask you first! Who gives a handsome elf a horrible face like that? It's terrible! Uh.. No offense dear."
"No, its fine. I've heard it before. From practically everybody. Well, except the dragons."
"I don't mind the new face. It’s very masculine.” said Firestorm, trying to be agreeable. “Even Michelle said so.”
"Well, if I'm going to have to sleep in the same bed and have sex with him, I can't be looking at that face in the middle of the night. It would scare me half to death!" exclaimed the elf.
"You didn't seem to mind it before." said Lothinar
"Well for some reason I haven't been affected with your notorious pheromones yet. I'm not really sure why. But until I do, and become a sex slave zombie, don't you think it's time for a little honesty?"
"Honesty is good" interrupted Firestorm. "What did you say again happened to Vanquish?"
"She exploded and fell down the hill. Just some blackened burned out bones are all that's left. Is that what you wanted me to say?"
"No, but yes. " said Firestorm. "I'm not happy Vanquish is dead, but to I'm glad you told the truth. Do you know how it happened? You said you were talking. What were you talking about?”
"Uh, before we get into that... Where is the bathroom in this place. I know I said I went before we started flying here, but the baby is pushing on my bladder now..."
"Just down the hall." said Lothinar. Ardwynn ran from the room.
"I’ll be right back!" they heard her call just before the bathroom door clicked shut.
"Firestorm!" What is going on? Where did you find her?"
"Out in the mountains where I hunt my goats!" the little dragon explained. "I was just sitting there eating one and she just walked up! She didn't even know her name at the time. She sure didn't know mine!"
"And she said Vanquish is dead? We both saw her take Ardwynn last night." Lothinar whispered.
"I don't know what happened Lothinar. But Vanquish somehow must have screwed up."
"Do you think Ardwynn managed to kill her? How could that even be possible?"
"Its not! Not Vanquish. She's just too powerful. Or was. I don't know. Maybe I should go back out there and search around for a body or something. Do you want me to do that?
"Not yet" he whispered. "Lets see if we can figure out anything else first. Stay here with me. I'm kind of a little terrified right now if you must know."
"How do you think I feel?" asked Firestorm.
They heard footsteps coming down the hall.
"Whew. This place has some nice pipes. I knew there was pressure on my bladder, but it wasn't the baby."
Firestorm and Lothinar looked at her in surprise.
”Did you have to poop?” Asked Firestorm. “Are we talking about that now?”
"It's a joke! Comon! Pregnant elf joke. I don't think I've actually eaten anything in a while. It couldn't be that. Hey do you have any food around here? I"m a little hungry."
"I've got some Mung bean stew." said Lothinar tentatively. "It's leftovers though. Dinner will be in a couple of hours. Do you want some?"
"Sure, why not?" said Ardwynn.
Lothinar dashed to the kitchen scooped a ladle of the stew from the wam pot on the stove into a bowl, grabbed a spoon and dashed back. He handed it to her. He almost winced when she put the spoon in her mouth.
"Hey! This is really good. " said Ardwynn. "I'm not sure I've actually had this before. Thanks!"
"Well that's different." said Lothinar.
"How so?" asked Ardwynn. She was already done with the bowl. "I'll take another if you have one."
"Sure." he said. "It's just that you absolutely hated Mung Bean stew before today."
"You gave me something you were sure I would hate? Why would you do that? I mean I didn't hate it at all, but why?"
"It's kind of a test I've developed for people with a certain personality disorder. It's not proven scientifically or anything. It seems to run in a particular family. Well, except for my father. He's the one that doesn't make sense. "
"But you like obviously like Mung Bean Stew." said Ardwynn.
"Yes so does my mother." I think I get my love of it from her. "
Ardwynn sighed.
"It doesn't really matter I guess. I like it now. So whatever test you were making me take, I guess I passed right?"
"So it seems" said Lothinar. "You were telling me about Vanquish exploding."
"Oh, yes I was." said Ardwynn. She moved to sit on the couch. "Sorry I feel like I've been on my feet all day!"
Lothinar sat on a chair across from her.
”Ahem.” She said holding out the bowl. “My price for this interview was a second bowl of mung bean stew.”
”Oh right” said Lothinar dashing off to the kitchen. He returned with a much bigger bowl. He handed it to her.
"Please continue." he said leaning back in the chair.
"I had just woken up. Do you know that I was up on a mountaintop? In my condition?"
"I don't know if you actually mentioned that or I heard it from Firestorm, but do go on.."
"So I woke up alone and Vanquill flew down and landed next to me..."
"Vanquish"
"Ok sure. Vanquish. She asked me how I was doing and said that she was my friend."
"Well, I wouldn't consider the two of you actually friends." said Lothinar.
"See, that's what I thought! It just didn't make any sense to me that a big blue dragon like that and I were friends. It just felt wrong to me."
"How do you feel about Firestorm then? asked Lothinar interrupting.
Ardwynn looked at the young red dragon and smiled.
"She feels different. We are very close to being good friends. There is still a little hesitation that I'm getting from her, but she doesn't make me feel nervous like Vanquish did,"
"I do like you Ardwynn. But that might still be the red sword talking." said Firestorm.
”Nonetheless I believe your feelings towards me to be sincere.” Said Ardwynn.
"Hey Firestorm," said Lothinar. "Why don't you go out under those shade trees and see if Candasar is still asleep. If she's not, please tell her not to come too close to the house until we figure this all out."
The red dragon left the room.
Ardwynn frowned.
"Do you have another dragon out there? Are you afraid that she's not going to like me? What's going on?"
"I"m not exactly sure yet, Ardwynn. But whatever happened to Vanquish we can't have accidentally happening to Candasar. She and I are bonded."
"I'm awake Lothinar and I've been listening." said Candasar. "I'll stay out of sight for now but I'm going to go looking in the hills for Vanquish. If she's burned up it had to be Ardwynn that did it. I'll also probably eat four or five goats. I'm starving. Mung beans do not stick to your ribs whatsoever Lothinar."
"Your talking with her right now aren't' you?" asked Ardwynn. She seemed a little frantic.
'Yes, but we are done for now. She's going out to get some goats to eat. She just flew in from the mainland and is very tired and hungry."'
"She's probably going to look for burned dragon bones and confirm my story isn't she?"
"Yes, she will be doing that too. But don't worry. I'm not necessarily blaming you for what happened to Vanquish."
Ardwynn managed a small smile.
"I'm trying to start this new relationship with a full measure of trust Lothinar." She set down the empty mung bean bowl.
"You know, Ardwynn, so am I. Really. Our relationship in the past has been very complicated."
"You know that you are very handsome, at least when you are wearing that face. It's a face I seem to remember."
"This was my face when we were together. When we were the happiest." said Lothinar.
"Whoo wee" Ardwynn said jumping up. I think those chemicals that you make are starting to kick in. You’re looking really good to me right now."
Lothinar grimaced.
"I was afraid of that. See this is the first time we have really talked without those getting in the way of our real selves."
"You mean my real self don't you. The pheromones don't effect you. Just me. And that poor girl Michelle. She was a wreck. Am I going to turn into someone like that? Am I doing it now?"
"I'm sorry. I' don't know. " said Lothinar. "I like the real Ardwynn that I just met. I like her a lot."
"Take me to bed Lothinar. I need you." said Ardwynn. "I can't live without you!"
”It must have happened when I handed her the bowl of mung beans.” He thought to himself. “I should have used gloves!”
And just like that, the real Ardwynn was gone. Or at least the Ardwynn that wasn't under Lothinar's spell.
He took her upstairs. He took her to bed. He was gentle but he was passionate. He was a nice guy. He finished last.
When they were finished Ardwynn finally fell asleep. Lothihnar just laid there looking up at the ceiling. He felt terrible. He'd had a glimpse of a relationship with Ardwynn without Pheromones. It might never come again. He wanted the real Ardwynn back.
There was a soft tapping sound at the second story window. Lothinar looked over. He saw Michelle. She had twigs and branches in her hair and a big smile on her face. She had climbed the tree.
"Please open the window you big sexy elf!" she said. "Your wife’s asleep but I'm ready to go!"
There was a crunch and the sound of a breaking branch.
”Don’t worry. I caught her Lothinar. I’ll take her back to the Regents mansion. It’s just a few miles.”
”Thanks Candy. I don’t think I can deal with her right now.”
”I did find Vanquish. She’s totally burned up and gone. I’m very upset. I considered her a friend Lothinar.”
Lothinar looked at the beautiful pregnant elf lying in bed next to him. It just didn’t make sense.
”We will get to the bottom of what happened to Vanquish. I promise you. I will do whatever it takes.”
”‘I’m probably missing my eggs hatching for you Lothinar. Let’s get this done and go home soon ok?”
”Ok. Drop off Michelle with her father. Make sure he knows she somehow got out again. She will probably be alright in a few days.”
”I see the house now. The dad is outside already. He can probably hear her screaming from here. This won’t take long.” Said Candasar.
“Thanks Candasar. I’ll see you when you get back. I love you.”
Lothinar looked over at Ardwynn and found her eyes open. She was staring at him.
”You’re not planning on getting rid of me like that as well?” She asked. “Am I to be carried off by a dragon? Is that how I ended up on that mountaintop?”
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