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CHAPTER SIXTEEN

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After her outburst from the upstairs window, Ardwynn and Lothinar had hurriedly come back inside the house, leaving Candasar under the large gazebo. They had gone back upstairs to rejoin Michelle in the room where Firestorm had been watching her. After hearing how eager Candasar was to go home, Michelle was pouting. Her bottom lip quivered dramatically.

”That blue dragon doesn’t like me! She has taken me back to my father before.”

”That conversation that you heard outside between Candasar and Ardwynn had nothing to do with you. Our visit to Sivantra came at an extremely inconvenient time for her. For all of us, actually.” Lothinar said, glancing anxiously at Ardwynn’s face. He had begun to understand that it was going to be important to find out how much of Ardwynn’s memories remained of previous events. There were those back on the mainland that might not give her the chance to explain her recent changes.

“If you’re leaving then I want to go with you!”

"Although I am not automatically opposed to taking you with us when we leave tomorrow, I'm not willing to actually kidnap you." said Ardwynn. "You are going to have to get your father’s permission.”

”What do mean that you’re not opposed?” Asked Lothinar in disbelief. “Don’t I have some sort of say in this? I can’t just start collecting every woman that shows an interest in me. I’d have a harem in no time.”

”Listen to yourself, Lothinar! Males everywhere on this island tonight are sitting around wishing that they had your problems.” Said Ardwynn. “We certainly aren’t going to start collecting every woman that bats her eyelashes at you.”

”That’s a relief “ he said.

”Just the exceptional ones”

”What!?”

”You think that I’m exceptional?” Asked Michelle smiling at last.

“Well, I should feel more reluctant to share, but I have to admit, there is something about you.”

”Is it because I look like you?”

”I don’t think that is all there is to it, but you do bear a striking resemblance to me. Not so much now, of course, because I’m...”

”Fat!” Said. Firestorm.

“Pregnant.” Said Ardwynn, scowling at the red dragon. “Look Firestorm, dragons lay eggs. They don’t really show it when they are making a new dragon.”

”I’m glad I’m a dragon then,” said Firestorm. ‘I don’t think my skin could stretch like that.”

”Urm, well I suppose I might be biased in that department. I’m quite happy being an elf.”

She returned her attention to Michelle.

”What’s important is that Lothinar thinks that we are both beautiful.”

”I never actually said that!” Protested Lothinar.

“Out of all girls at the party, he did dance with me the most!” Said Michelle, with a dreamy look on her face.

“You didn’t have to dear, I know your tastes. This girl is right in the center of your strike zone.”

”What sort of reference is that?” Asked Michelle. “What’s a strike zone?”

”It’s from a game that we elves sometimes play. A leather covered ball is thrown at a player holding a club. The player tries to use the club to….Never-mind, the details aren’t that important right now. Not every ball thrown is easy to hit. If it is, then it’s considered to be in the strike zone.”

”You think that I’m easy to hit?”

”Not literally of course dear. But in the attractiveness department you certainly exceed Lothinar’s prerequisites.”

”So you think that the way that I look should turn him on? Because I haven’t found that to be the case at all. At least so far” complained Michelle. ”I don’t want to be hit. I want to be..”

“Now, now. We must watch our language.” Said Ardwynn.

”I was going to say loved.” Said Michelle.

”See, isn’t that sweet Lothinar?” She just wants to be loved.”

Lothinar rolled his eyes.

“Yes I do!” Exclaimed Michelle. “I saw him loving you through the window. That looked pretty nice. I want some of that!”

”Oh boy.” Said Lothinar. “I don’t think this conversation is helping. Michelle, what Ardwynn said about how you look, might be true, but there is a lot more to a relationship than first appearances. There are so many other things to consider.

”Like what?”

”Well to start, you must know that we are going to have to give you back to your father in the morning. His wishes are not something we can just ignore. He’s a powerful man in this country.”

”I’m a legal adult!”

”There are political consequences.”

”I agree” said Michelle.

“You do?” Asked Lothinar in surprise.

”He’s a powerful man and he has powerful friends. While the King is away there isn’t really anyone on this island more powerful than my father.”

Ardwynn had begun to look concerned.

Lothinar sighed and turned to Ardwynn.

“I’m not sure why you are trying to do this, but you picked the wrong girl if you are going to try to add someone to our family, Ardwynn “

”You didn’t pick me, I picked you Lothinar. My father is powerful but there is one thing that he’s afraid of,” said Michelle.

“Me!”

”I’m actually a little intimidated by you too, right now.” Said Firestorm. “I thought you were going to jump right out that window.”

”She does appear to be very determined, Lothinar.” Observed Ardwynn.

”I will talk to him tomorrow. I’ll get him to agree.” Then she smiled coyly. “If, that is, you really are serious about wanting me to join your family.”

”We are.” Said Ardwynn.

Lothinar started choking.

”Not that I’m agreeing to this, but what are you going to tell your father?” He finally managed to ask.

”I’ll tell him that I’m already with child” she said matter-of-factly

”Not my child” sputtered Lothinar. “It’s too soon. He’d never believe that.”

”No, not yours. Enderline’s”

”What? Is that even possible?”

“We never were intimate, if that’s what you mean. What is important is that the timeline fits. I attended the big going off to war party before Enderline left. It was hot and boring inside so I took a long stroll in the garden. Enderline was out there..”

“Is any of this remotely true?”

”I did see him in the garden, but all we did was talk. He kept his hands to himself, but he did thoroughly look me over. A girl recognizes these things.”

”Just because a man appreciates a beautiful sunset doesn’t mean he tries to ride into it” said Lothinar.

”The important thing is my father will believe it.”

“Why would he believe it?”

”Because something like this happening is what he actually wants. Enderline doesn’t yet have an heir. If I’m carrying the first Royal child it will ensure my father’s future political power and his place in the history books.”

”Would a father actually use his daughter to advance his political career?” Asked Lothinar?

Ardwynn and Michelle both just looked at him.

“You do remember my father, don’t you?” Asked Ardwynn.

Lothinar felt his heart start to melt. He stared at her. He finally spoke.

“I don’t think that I ever really made that connection. Actually realizing what your life must have been like. What you went through while you were used by your family!”

Ardwynn nodded. She had a sad look on her face.

“My life going forward with you will definitely be better.”

“Our children will never have to go through something like that!” He said.

Michelle smiled.

”Wow, that just makes me want you more. I’ll bet you will make a great father for my children!”

Ardwynn lost her sad expression and smiled as well, then immediately turned to Michelle.

“It seems to me that your father would be even less likely to let you go away with us if he thought you were carrying Enderline’s child.” Said Ardwynn.

“I wouldn’t be running off with you. You will be taking me back to the mainland to secretly have the baby there, so that they can protect the Queen’s pride. You would be helping prevent a royal scandal.“

”I told you she was smart.” Said Ardwynn.

”Devious is a better word.” Said Firestorm. ”By the way, Is there any special compensation involved for royal transportation services? Since I might be involved it only seems fair to ask.”

”I’ll be sure to mention that to daddy. What did you have in mind?”

”What else do you have on this Island. I have to admit I’m getting a little tired of goats.”

Lothinar coughed.

“But you must realize that this made up story is going to blow apart when Enderline actually finds out about it.”

“But by then it will be too late. I’ll already be your second wife! You seem like the marrying kind. You just wouldn’t leave a girl with your child inside her and set her free wound you?” Michelle made a point of looking specifically at Ardwynn”s enlarged abdomen.

“No I suppose not.” He admitted. “But life with me will not just be dinners and dancing. If that’s what you expect then you really should just marry the King.”

”But I don’t want Enderline. I want you!” She cried, her voice trembling.

”Have a heart Lothinar.” Said Ardwynn. “You know the girl is smitten!”

“For someone, who not long ago, was extolling the importance of honesty, your endorsement of this frankly comes as a shock.”said Lothinar.

“She hasn’t lied to us once.” Said Ardwynn.

“That’s not the point.” Said Lothinar. “She seems very willing to lie to her father.”

“It seems to be very important to the both of you that I tell the truth. At least as much as possible. Do I have that right?”

They both nodded.

“I can use innuendo. Guide him to believe what he clearly wants to. Let him draw his own conclusions.”

”That’s a lot of innuendo to sell” said Ardwynn.

‘Then in the interest of being more honest and providing a starting point to my conversation tomorrow, there is something I’m going to need from you, Lothinar.”

”What are you talking about?” He asked.

”Tomorrow, I am going to have to begin by telling my father that I’m not a virgin anymore. You don’t want me to be lying when I tell him that, do you?

”I think she’s got you there!” Laughed Ardwynn.

“What’s the big deal? Asked Firestorm. “Lothinar isn’t a vegan anymore either.”

”I think that I need some air.” Said Lothinar, primarily addressing Ardwynn. “I feel like you both are suddenly working together to pressure me into sleeping with her. I’ll be outside. Maybe after talking with Candasar this will make more sense.”

He turned and slipped past Firestorm who was still, more or less, blocking the exit from the room. Walking away from the room he could still hear the ladies talking. He heard a giggle. He shook his head. He started to go downstairs but then turned and approached a beautiful and very tall decorative urn in the upstairs hallway. Reaching up to almost the limit of his substantial height he groped around above his head and pulled down the red sword he had hidden there.

“I’m not taking any chances that you might somehow get involved in this situation again” he said to the sword. “You are coming with me!”

”I should always be by your side anyway” said the sword. “It’s better to have me with you and not have need of me, than to need me and remember that you left me on top of some dusty urn.”

Lothinar buckled the scabbard to his waist and went downstairs. He was just in time to see the cook coming back in with a large box. There were various fruits and vegetables sticking out of the top of it.

“Ah, Master Lothinar. You appear to be up late” He glanced at the sword. “Are we expecting any trouble?”

”Not specifically, no.” He replied. “But we have had an over abundance of uninvited guests lately. I’m attempting to remain sharp, so to speak.”

”Ah, yes, very droll sir. I myself have just returned from some grocery shopping.I can report that there is no one outside on the grounds at the moment, except of course, the blue dragon.”

This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

”Shopping this late? That seems unusual.”

”Yes sir, rather uncharacteristic of me, but we were out of a great many things. You will have to forgive me sir, but I’ve been rather inspired of late. Some of these ingredients were difficult to track down. One of them in particular is actually for the missus. She took me aside to specifically tell me how much she had enjoyed them. It was my duty!”

”That wouldn’t be Mung Beans by any chance, would it?” Lothinar asked suspiciously.

”Indeed sir. Unfortunately after the blue dragon debacle….”

”That was not my fault” interrupted the sword, but of course the cook couldn’t hear him.

”Um, Yes, I understand and Candasar has learned her lesson.” Said Lothinar. “Do me a favor and set those aside until I specifically ask you to prepare them. I may need them for research.”

“What sort of research? I do know a lot about food. Perhaps I might assist you? I beg your indulgence but I find cooking for elves to be quite fascinating!”

”Well, do you know if mung beans can be used to make a flavoring or thin tea?” He asked looking nervously up at the stairs.

”I believe that the term that you may be looking for is extract. Would you like me to refine some mung bean extract for you?”

”Yes, that would be perfect. Said Lothinar. “Make it as strong as possible, but don’t tell the missus. I’m going to want to surprise her.”

”Of course sir, it will be our little secret.”

——————————

Once back outside, Lothinar once again approached the gazebo. Candasar appeared to be dozing, but opened her eyes at his approach.

”Mung bean extract? Are you crazy? You can barely hold Michelle off as it is. If Ardwynn responds to Mung beans like you suspect she might, she will be coming after you at the same time. You are going to need my help regrowing sensitive skin!”

“I guess you were listening through the bond when I was talking to the cook. Mung bean extract might be just what I need to find out what exactly is going on with her.”

”What else am I going to be doing out here in this gazebo? For the record, I can’t recommend you trying mung bean extract out on Ardwynn just to see what happens. She is much easier to deal with as she is now. Can you even imagine what she would be like if she grew overly amorous again while you two were riding on my back? That’s a memory I don’t need Lothinar.”

Lothinar couldn’t help but laugh.

“She is extremely difficult to predict. When Firestorm first brought her back, she was all business. She sent Michelle and her father straight home. She didn’t even seem overly desperate to get me into bed. Then I handed her a bowl of mung beans and she changed. Now she’s changed back again. At least I think she has. I’m pretty confused right now.”

”I see you brought the sword with you. At least you can learn from your mistakes.”

”I’m sensing that you might be a little miffed at me Candy. Is there something more I should know?”

The blue dragon searched his eyes. Finally she sighed.

”You know, Lothinar, it’s a lot to process. I’ve been angry with Ardwynn, about what Ardwynn did for so long.”

”Are you regretting making up with her, saying that you are willing to be friends?”

”No, I said that I would be willing to try, and I meant it. I think it just somehow offends my sense of justice.”

”You mean that she really hasn’t had to pay for all of the bad things that she did?”

”Actually yes, I know Mavis survived but I’ve been thinking about my cousin Aleena a lot. Tundor is also not going to be pleased. I’ll have to deal with that.”

”You mentioned justice. I’ve been thinking about what Vanquish seems to have done and maybe this story will help.”

“Is this a real story or one of your fanciful made up ones?”

”It is, perhaps a little of both.”

”Ok, I’ve got nothing better to do out here anyway. It better than counting boards in the gazebo”

Lothinar grimaced.

“I’m trying to get us home as fast as I can.”

”Just tell me the story Lothinar. Maybe it will improve my attitude.”

”Ok. Before Argent took over and did whatever he pleased the elven kingdom actually had courts. People who did bad things were captured and brought before these courts and examined by judges.”

“Didn’t that take a long time?”

”Sometimes yes, as all the facts had to be considered carefully.”

”But we obviously know what Ardwynn did.”

”Let’s leave Ardwynn out of this scenario for the moment.”

”Ok, but we were discussing her.”

”Ok, stick with me here, Candy. What if something else bad happened, unrelated to Ardwynn. Perhaps a child was murdered at school or something.”

”That’s a terrible example Lothinar!” Couldn’t you think of anything else?”

He sighed,

”Ok, some Mung beans were stolen.”

”Who would even care about something like that?”

”Our gardener certainly did!”

”Oh right! Fair point.”

”Not my fault” said the sword.

Lothinar ignored it. It was getting easier.

”Let’s say nobody actually saw the dirt on your face, and suspected Firestorm had dug up the garden instead. Or perhaps a herd of goats was seen in the area, and you know, some goats will eat anything.”

”You know you’re right about that! I have found some very strange things inside a few goats I’ve been nibbling on. I found a tin can once!”

”Why don’t we finish talking about your justice issues first.” Said Lothinar. “As it pertains to your feelings about Ardwynn.”

”Ok, go ahead.”

”Well some of these goats have mung bean breath.”

”That’s not very pleasant, I’ve had that myself.” Said Candasar.

”Well then let’s assume that the Courts do good research. It was definitely goats that ate the Mung-beans and not the dragons. The judges make a correct decision. They execute some of the goats for the actual crime.”

”That seems pretty harsh! Even for goats. They were probably hungry and all they could find was some old scrap tin cans Lothinar.”

”It’s just an example Candasar.”

”Well maybe if the goats murdered a kid or something….”

That's why I originally started this illustration with a much worse crime. if you will remember."

"Wait!, you said SOME of the goats."

"That's right. I'm glad that you caught that. Only guilty goats were killed, the innocent goats were allowed to go free."

Candasar pondered for a few seconds.

"You think Ardwynn is like a herd of goats?"

"Don't tell her I said so, but yes. We all may be somehow like that. I think Vanquish somehow was able to determine which parts of her were the bad goats and which parts of her were the good goats.”

"Vanquish killed Ardwynn's bad goats? The smelly Argent scented goats?”

"I'm pretty sure she made some other changes as well, but that's the working theory." said Lothinar. "You are the one that said something like that might be possible. You knew Vanquish best."

"In that case, I guess it wouldn't be fair to be angry at the goats that didn't eat the mung beans."

"Exactly! And we're there. I've just solved your justice issues with Ardwynn."

”That’s an interesting story” said Candasar. “I’ll have to give it some more thought. If you will excuse me, I think better on a full stomach. All this talk of goats has made me hungry again.”

The blue dragon trotted across the wide lawn and graceful lifted into the air.

”If we really are leaving tomorrow I need to fill up. I’m even willing to eat the naughty goats tonight!” She told Lothinar as she winged toward the nearby mountains.

”I’ll be here when you get back I don’t think that I dare go back into the house.”

Lothinar tried to find a comfortable place on the gazebo to stretch out. He grabbed several chair cushions and spread them out. He closed his eyes for a few minutes. Suddenly he was awakened by soft lips pressing against his. It was Ardwynn. She was holding a blanket. He jumped back a little in surprise.

”I thought you might want this.” She said handing it to him.

“Listen, Ardwynn…”

”I know you don’t understand, Lothinar, I don’t really get it myself. I should feel possessive and jealous, but I really do feel like our destiny somehow involves this girl Michelle.”

”This is just going to make everything so much more complicated. Ardwynn. Now we are even involving Enderline in this. We really may be causing an international incident. One broken heart seems to be a small price to pay for peace.”

”As long as it’s not your heart, you mean.”

”That’s hardly fair.”

”I heard your story about the mung beans and the goats from the window” she said. “We both did actually.”

Lothinar gulped.

”I thought about Vanquish killing my bad goats and I think you might be right.”

”It was just a story Ardwynn.”

”I think that I remember some screaming.”

He grimaced, then reached for her, trying to pull her in for a hug but she stepped back.

”Who am I now Lothinar? Really? I must be someone completely new and just wearing this dead elf’s body”

”I’m actually trying to figure that out myself, in case you didn’t notice. In so many ways you are my previous Ardwynn. You’re the girl I fell for. The you at your very best. Before the darkness reclaimed you.”

”But parts of me have been completely replaced! Perhaps even with dragon pieces. How much is not original I wonder?”

”Well, we can do the math… Argent wasn’t your father but his brother was….”

”I’ve already done that math Lothinar. It’s not that difficult. It’s twent-five percent. That is assuming that the issue originated in one ancestor. Of course my father seemed rather less affected than Argent was. They were not genetically identical.” “My mother was not that nice a person either if you will remember.”

Lothinar suddenly paused.

“It sounds to me like most of your memories are coming back.”

She nodded.

”The facts but not the feelings. I feel so strange. So emotionally detached from it all. None of it seems to matter anymore. I even remember how much of a fool I made of myself chasing you. Initially for all of the wrong reasons of course.”

”There was a time that you almost acted just like Michelle does now.”

”Obsessed?”

“Well, Michelle seems to have taken it to new heights, but Ronniflass really got a bad case. You were not really around for that. It happened after you left me. I don’t think you realize that I actually already have other….complications. I gave her assurances.

”You’ve been busy since I left. Ronniflass is the Queen’s sister right? The other half elf? Wasn’t she running the dairy?”

”I got kidnapped, I raised a Queen from the dead, I won a war. Yes I’ve been fairly busy.”

”You didn’t mention me at all. I helped win the war” said Crimson.

He patted on the swords pommel.

”I didn’t intentionally leave you out Crimson, I was trying to be brief.”

Lothinar tried to regather his thoughts.

”Yes, so you see that we are going to be deeper into this deception than just trying to appease Michelle.”

”You’ll see! It’s going to be so worth it!” Came a voice drifting out from the upstairs window.

”See. You really can hear everything said down here from up there” said Ardwynn with a smile.

Just then Candasar returned. She landed and then walked across the lawn. She had a goat in her mouth. She dropped it a few yards away.

“Hi Ardwynn.” She said. “I see everyone is still up.”

”I got a brief nap at least” said Lothinar.

“I now know what my limit is on goats.”

”Is that for meee?” Came Firestorms call from the widow.

Candasar laughed.

”Yes Firestorm, I do believe I owed you one.”

”You’re the best!” Came the reply. “Can I come down and eat it Lothinar?”

”You might as well. Everyone seems to be in on this conversation anyway.” He said. “I don’t think anyone is going to get much more sleep tonight”

Before the words even seemed to be completely out of his mouth there was a blur and Lothinar found himself catching Michelle as she jumped into his arms.”

”I really liked that part about not getting any sleep.” She said in a sultry voice.

———————

“What in the hells is going on here?!”

Cantrell groaned and opened his eyes. Mavis looked angry. Someone had their arm thrown over his chest. Dark hair flowed around him and he could see a face under the blankets. It was Ardwella! He stifled a scream and began quickly crabbing away. He jumped out of bed and stood up. He wobbled a bit but remained standing.

“Thank the gods! He said to himself, finding himself still clothed.

The beautiful face opened her eyes. She yawned. Cantrell was transfixed. Her eyes were gold! In some lucky fit of clarity Cantrell realized that it had to be Zinariya that they were dealing with, not just Ardwella. Why had the dragon chosen to nap here of all places?

Mavis was so angry she could only sputter. She hadn’t noticed the eyes yet, apparently. Then Zinariya rolled over and got out of bed. Things got worse. Much worse. Not only was she not wearing pants, but she had nothing on underneath. Who would have thought that the diminutive elf would have a preference for going commando?

Mavis turned even more red. She turned and ran out the door. She slammed it behind her.

”Elven beds are so nice” said Zinariya, stretching and then leisurely reaching for her pants.

She stepped into them and fastened on the blue sword as well. Cantrell breathed a great sigh of relief.

The door opened again. Mavis was back. She had a strange look on her face.

”I was halfway down the hall before I remembered that your eyes are usually blue” said Mavis. “Zinariya, I presume?”

Mavis moved to stand next to Cantrell.

““Thank goodness for a sane, intelligent wife!” He thought to himself.

”Look Zinariya, after Cantrell appeared we are fully aware that you can teleport.” Said Mavis. “But we need to put you in a private room in the tower for now. I will expect you to stay there.”

”Does it have a bed as nice as this one?”

Mavis blinked

“Probably not, but I can see to it that it does before tonight.”

”Sure, that’s fine then. What’s this all about?” Zinariya asked.

”The body you seem to have borrowed. Ardwella’s body, presents a huge security and logistical problem for our troops.”

The dragon considered this for a moment.

”Ah, yes, the Pheromones that she produces…. Hmmmm. The dragon actually lifted her arm to sniff her own armpit.

Cantrell winced as he considered how socially mortified the real Ardwella would be displaying such socially impolite behavior.

”Perhaps a bath or shower is in order.” She said.

”That’s not really going to provide a long term solution for this problem.” Said Mavis.

”Of course not!” Zinariya said. “Before I bathe I wilt turn the hormonal secretions off.”

”You can do that?” Cantrell asked, stunned at this new revelation.

”Ardwella’s always been able to do that.” Replied the dragon. “I can see how to do it in her memories. Of course I’ll need to be careful about overheating.”

”So when she infected people, she actually…. sometimes had a choice?”

”This Pheromone augmentation does allow her to control her sweat glands, yes.”

“So when she infected me?”

”Oh, that instance was definitely intentional. She does seem to like you quite a lot Cantrell. I can see why. You’re very interesting and quite handsome, for an elf, of course.”

Cantrell watched in fascination as Zinariya’s eyes flashed blue, then quickly back to gold. The dragon seemed to wobble for a second.

”Now, now Ardwella, you had to know that the truth would eventually come out. You agreed to help me of your own free will” said the dragon, apparently to herself.

Cantrell and Mavis were frozen in shock.

“Now about that bath? And then possibly some lunch? Do you have any mung beans?”

————————

Lothinar set Michelle down.

“The attention is flattering but there is no possible way what you are hoping for is going to happen tonight.”

”Ok, so you are saying that it will happen eventually” said Michelle optimistically.

”At least with Ronniflass I could hope that dragon bonding might straighten out this pheromone mess.” He muttered to himself. “There are no available dragons on the island. That’s why we came here in the first place.”

”I wonder how much dragon we actually need?” Asked Candasar reading his thoughts. “You are part dragon now yourself. You’re clearly unique. You already have two bonds. What’s one more?”

”That doesn’t really solve the problem. Even if it’s possible, It’s just going to entrench her in our lives even more.”

“At least she would be less needy.” Said Firestorm, looking up from her goat munching.

Lothinar looked at her in surprise.

“What? It’s an interesting possibility.” Said the red dragon. ‘I’ve been following along with the conversation. It sure would make my life easier not having to stand in her way all the time. She’s relentless!”

”You know, Firestorm, I’m sorry. This whole trip has been terrible for you. First guarding Ardwynn and now Michelle. “

“Don’t give it another thought Lothinar. I love being your bond. My life will never be boring for sure. I’ve learned so much already! We are going to have fascinating lives together.”

"I can't imagine my life without either of you!" said Lothinar to both of the dragons.

“But I’m getting a very strong feeling that you can imagine it without Michelle.” said Candasar.

”My life is already complicated enough!” Admitted Lothinar

”You have that talking to dragons look on your face again.” Said Ardwynn. “Would you like to share with me, your wife, what you are talking about?

"There may be a way to break the pheromone hold on your new pet.” Said Lothinar. I can ask Michelle if she wants to try to bond with me, since I am a partial dragon.”

”I wouldn’t exactly call her my pet. She did follow you home!” Said Ardwynn. “Besides, I didn’t think humans could even bond with dragons”

”Apparently they can. It’s the newest thing back in Delora Natine. Humans and dragons have been bonding very frequently as of late.”

Michelle had been listening to them with great interest.

”I will do it! Anything that gets me closer to Lothinar is what I want!”

”This is actually a big decision ‘Michelle,” said Ardwynn. “There is a strong possibility that, if it works, it will change how you feel about him. Then you will be actually bonded to him. You might suddenly find that unappealing.”

”His dragons seem to love him! I’m sure that I will too.”

“I strongly suspect that you would say yes to just about anything regarding me right now.” Said Lothinar. “I do have to warn you, I've bonded from the elf side of things but I have no idea what the process might be like from a dragon's perspective."

“Bond me Lothinar. I’m ready!” Said Michelle excitedly.

"You may be the first person in existence that ever even had the possibility of doing something like this.” Said Candasar. “All we need for her to do is form a rudimentary bond. That should break the Pheromone hold on her. That's what happened when Ardwynn bonded with Tundor."

Lothinar closed his eyes and prepared his mind. He directed his telepathy. He felt his tendrils of thought reaching out. He could feel Candasar and Firestorm. Their blazing existence appeared as stars in the universe of his mind. Other heavenly bodies were also present. Ardwynn’s muted glow was also nearby. He began to search for Michelle. Suddenly from Ardwynn, a flash of flame shot out. It formed a fist. No, not a fist, a claw! It surrounded and squeezed a cold and rocky little planet orbiting nearby. The fires grew brighter. The little planet burst into brilliance and joined the stars in Lothinar’s sky.

He heard a thump and quickly opened his eyes. Michelle was on the ground.

“What did you do Lothinar?” Ardwynn cried as she ran towards the fallen human.

”I didn’t do a thing! That was someone else. I thought it was you!”

”I did feel something strange.” Admitted Ardwynn, cradling the fallen young woman’s head on her lap. “But I thought it was just nerves and excitement.”

Firestorm moved toward Ardwynn who was still holding the unconscious Michelle. She sniffed the human girl.

”Uh, Lothinar….I just noticed something.” Said the red dragon.

“What is it Firestorm? Do you know what happened to Michelle?” He asked.

”Well, I might be wrong, and if I am, then it’s going to be sort of embarrassing. I may need to need to get my nose checked.”

”Comon Firestorm! We would really appreciate you letting us know what you think” said Ardwynn.

”It’s just that, um… Michelle smells like dragon.”

”I don’t know how that could be possible Firestorm. There are no dragons on this Island except you and Candasar.”

”Exactly!” Said Firestorm. “That’s why I know that it’s just not possible that she smells a lot like Vanquish used to!”

Michelle opened her eyes and looked directly up into Ardwynn’s face.

”Well finally!” She said sardonically. “It certainly took you long enough!”

Michelle stumbled to her feet. She wobbled a bit. She stared at Lothinar. Instead of her eyes being green, they were blue.

“Vanquish?” Asked Lothinar, leaving his jaw hanging open.

”Who else?” Asked the dragon that used to be ‘Michelle.

”Oh wow!” Said Ardwynn. “No hard feelings I hope…”

Vanquish-Michelle shot her a blue glare.

”Listen, Lothinar, I don’t know how you are going to do it, but I’m not staying on this wretched island for even one more day!”

”Now we’re talking!” said Candasar.

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