Healing

[Max452]

Deep within the Du Weldenvarden forest, Antien found himself alone in contemplation. He had not realized that he had journeyed this far, so caught up in his own thoughts and sorrows. It had been a week since his capture. A week since Eva, Eos, Aradan, Veryan, Weiss, Trinn and Tismri had come and rescued him from the accursed Shades. A week since his Father's death. The young elf had been grieving since then, unable to forgive himself for not only his father's death, but for being the only survivor of his company.

Finding a small clearing, he gently sat down against a tree, finding some solace within his native homeland. He had been withdrawn since his return as well, unable to truly express his feelings to those that had tried to console him, especially to Eva and Eos. He gingerly rubbed the yellow ribbon that was tied on his wrist; having it returned to him after all that had happened recently. Antien was not a foreigner to Death, but the ease of how his fellow kin and Father were overcome had shaken him. He finally saw, firsthand, what the Shade Rider was capable of. Something within him broke...And it scared him. He took a deep breath as he rubbed the yellow ribbon once more. It was a comforting lifeline for the blacksmith; a tangible reminder to not fall into miserable thoughts of his survival. He had Eva to come back to, and that, gave him hope. He leaned his head back against the tree; cautiously closing his eyes, hoping to just rest his eyes without seeing flashes of his kin succumbing to the spirits that turned them into abominations in his mind's eyes. Hoping that he would not relive his father's own transformation. Or hear the screams that accompanied those nightmares.

[Trinn]

A deep breath. Air filled the young woman's lungs with ease and the ribs complied without complaint. The capital city of Ellesmera had graciously taken the wounded into it's healing arms. The dead found a peaceful place to rest for eternity. The land where the battle took place would forever be scorched and cursed. The battle would forever be etched in Eva's mind. She had almost lost Antien. Sometimes, she thought maybe she still had. He seemed lost within himself now, and it pained Eva when he could not speak to her or linger near her for long. She knew he had the death of his father to contend with, and the deaths of many other elves he had probably known. All she wanted was to comfort him, but she had no idea how.

Sighing, she finished cinching her gauntlets on. The elves had gifted her with new armor, even going so far as to dye it a pale yellow to compliment Eos's dainty coloring. For Eos, the elves had given the dragon a chain of opals to wear around her neck. Besides being strikingly beautiful on the dragon, the gems were filled with a plethora of energy that would no doubt come in handy. Eos walked around the elven ciy with a humble pride now, and Eva knew that her dragon wouldn't allow the necklace to be taken off anytime soon. Apparently the necklace had been around for a while, shocking Eva. Dragon armor was nothing new, but she had been surprised to learn that dragon jewelry, or dragon gems as it was called, had also existed.

Eva exited the tree home she had been allowed to stay in and peered down at the forest floor. She saw Eos sitting below, a group of elves surrounding her. She could hear them expressing their delight over her beauty, and for a moment Eva forgot her problems with Antien and felt a deep pride in her bond.

"Don't let her head get too big with all that nonsense." A voice said, and Eva turned sharply to find Trinn standing next to her. The elder rider watched the scene below with a shrewd expression. "They tried putting a necklace on Thora, until they realized she was about to bite their heads off." Eva smiled, imagining the grizzled older dragon in a flowery necklace. "They gave her talon sheaths instead, to make them sharper."

"A more fitting gift to be sure." Eva replied, smiling softly. Trinn smiled too.

"Antien has wondered into the forest. You should go to him. It saddens my heart to see two lovers at such a distance when distance is not the answer." Eva blushed to be called Antien's lover.

"Do you really think so? I've no idea how to handle all this." she said, voicing her concern. "How can I comfort someone who has lost something so dear?" Trinn placed a hand on her shoulder and squeezed.

"By reminding them that something else that is dear still survives."
****

He looked almost peaceful with his eyes closed. Eva stalled to watch him for a moment. Perhaps she should turn back, leave him to his rest. Wouldn't that be the respectful thing to do? Nerves made her anxious. A nudge from Eos urged her to go on. Clasping her hands together, she gingerly moved closer to the elf who's face made her heart skip a beat. Her heart seemed to burn with a terrible love when she noticed the yellow ribbon in his hands. "Antien." she whispered. It was meant to come out more confidently. "I'm sorry if I am intruding. I just... wanted to make sure you were alright. Well, no, I know you're not alright. But, I'd like to help you be alright, if I can..." She sighed, having trouble finding the right words to say.

[Max452]

It was peaceful. For a moment. Not nary a minute had passed before his mind was plagued by a haunting image. The burning red eyes of the Shade seemed to laugh at him before expanding the image further until his Shade Father appeared before him. "You failed me Antien! Such. A. Disappointment!" His father cackled before taking a swipe at his heart.

Antien jerked awake, his hand instantly darting to his heart. He breathed in quickly, trying to calm his raging heart before noticing Eva's scent before her words. He looked at her in confusion for a moment, trying to regain his bearings in reality as his fingers gently rubbed the ribbon for assurance. He had not heard her approach or her call to him. "Eva." His whisper was coarse, uncertain. He felt terrible for neglecting her. He watched her approach and noticed the cautious, if a bit unsure, expression that gifted her features. Her words finally compiled and sorted in his mind. His heart ached with endearment and affection. He shook his head. "You are never intruding." He hoped to assure her as he gently held out his hand, inviting her to sit with him. "Sit with me?" He was surprised at how...needful his request sounded.

[Trinn]

Relief stilled Eva's nervously beating heart. "Gladly." She said, and took his hand in hers as she sat down on the soft green moss sprinkled at the roots of the tree. His hand she kept cradled in her lap. The silence of the forest surrounded them for a minute and then another as Eva thought of what she should say first.

"Master Trinn and the others are preparing to head back to New Doru Arabea. We need to report to the other elders and Eragon and Saphira. Arya has already been reported to. She and Firnen are busy setting up stronger wards around the forest to prevent another attack from happening again." Eva squeezed Antien's hand tighter. "Come back with me? The riders will need you master smith. And I, well, I just need you." She studied his face, searching for his answer. Antien's face called to her deepest desires, but more than that, it called her heart home. Wherever he placed his feet, she wanted to be too. She wanted to chase away any doubts he had, or sorrows he kept close to his heart. And the guilt she knew would probably always be there, but she wanted to push that away too. Carefully she slid closer to the elf. He was far older than her, but Eva felt that mentally they couldn't be too far apart. He had a certain wisdom, but she wasn't a little girl by any means. Some people might look at their relationship skeptically (particularly her father) but that didn't scare her away from loving Antien anymore.

"I love you, Antien." she said firmly, eye burning brightly with her sentiment.

[Max452]

Antien's mind froze for a moment of elation at Eva's confession. He had always known that she loved him, but to hear it aloud was not only reassuring but healing as well. It amazed him how she was able to chase away the nightmares, granting him relief. He did the only thing he could think of in that moment. Leaning over, Antien kissed Eva with all the adoration and love he possessed for her. It was a slow and tender kiss; chaste. And far too short for his liking, but Antien felt compelled to not hide from his mate any longer. She needed him just as he needed her, and he wanted to share with her his fears, despite the twisted anxiety within him. Antien had not spoken during Eva's speech, as he had been fearful and worried about his own capabilities. Mutely, he sat, holding onto Eva's warm hand as it steadied him. But now, as he was learning to realize how close they had come together, Antien wanted Eva in his heart and he in her's. And so, that meant being honest.

Mustering all his courage, Antien spoke of his fears. "I am scared." He whispered as he withdrew from Eva, but settled himself comfortably near her. "I do not feel the same as I did since we were last together, Eva. I fear something has broken since we've returned here..." He paused wondering if she think him a coward or pitied him. He did not want pity. "I do not sleep. No rest has come to me, for whenever I close my eyes I see how that abomination had taken my father. I see my comrades frightened looks; elves and allies who were strong, butchered and corralled like cattle!" His voice, unbeknownst to him, became more frantic as he was drawn back to his nightmares. He clung to Eva's hand as the other gripped his head. His eyes painfully closed as if trying to shut the world out. "Most of all, I hear their screams...accusing me for being alive and not they. I am scared, Eva."

[Trinn]

Eva had never been kissed like this before. She had kissed her share of boys in secret niches in New Doru Arabea, in the forests of meditation. But they had never been anything truly special. Kissing because they could. Antien's lips were tender and soft, moving across her own with a reverence she had never known before. Eva returned it in kind, but did not push any further than Antien did. Though the kiss seemed mild there was a passion only the two of them could feel. When they parted, Eva felt calm even though her heart beat quickly. Now things seemed to be getting better in the world. Well, a small start anyway.

She listened closely to what Antien told her, making sure not to miss a word. The last thing she wanted was to betray his trust by seeming not to listen, or not listening close enough. What he confided to her broke her heart. If she had suffered as he had, she would be tortured too. "Oh, Antien." she sighed sympathetically. Quickly she reached for his other hand that cradled his head so she could hold them both. "Look at me, Antien. I did not know your father, but I know how fathers are. They would never wish us any amount of harm, physical or mental, not even emotionally. These demons in your mind are ghosts that you've created. Humans and elves may be different, but our minds work the same way when it gets down to basics. We like to torture ourselves with guilt. The spirits of your father and your comrades are at rest now. If they ever loved you, then they can only be at peace in their graves knowing that you live and can carry on their legacy." She paused and looked up at the canopy of the forest. So green and bright, the image of serenity. She wondered what guidance these ancient sentinals of the forest might have, if they could speak. Perhaps Lenora, that old tree, had some advice, but she would never speak again. "You say that something is broken. It is not a mystery to me. It is your heart, Antien, that has been broken. But it can heal, slowly, perhaps painfully slow, but it will. I will help you." Eva smiled sadly, because she was scared too.

"I think admitting that you're scared is a very brave thing to do. We're in the middle of a war, and that alone should have us all shaking in our boots. And now that you've lost the people who probably gave you the best council, it's only reasonable to feel even more scared. And that is the scariest thing. To lose something we didn't think we could lose." And quite suddenly Eva could feel warm tears in her eyes. Oh Gods she was scared too. Scared of losing Antien, scared of losing her best friend and brother, Ian. Her parents, her mind and soul that was Eos, Marcus, Marola, his children that she called cousins, all of Celesti. All the friends she had made in New Doru Arabea. They were all parts of her soul. "I'm sorry, Antien. Death is so harsh and final sometimes. I fear all we can do is cling to what remains in the living and try to avenge those that have fallen." She didn't know what else to say, and was afraid she had babbled on too much.

[Max452]

Antien forced his eyes open as Eva took his hands into her own. He could feel it - the tether between them - grow stronger, connecting him back into the world of the living. He refused to allow his fears to control him. Logically, he understood the words Eva spoke of. He himself had once told her not to dwell on the past, but to learn from it - to move on. It seemed far easier to speak of than to do.

He contemplated further on her words, trying to let go of the pain, but could not. Eva was right: it would slowly heal. His grey eyes sought her own. When did she become so wise? When did he become to rely on her so? He inwardly smiled. He had always known she was meant for great things. He only hoped that he would not lose her in this war, for he could not handle another blow to his heart. At that thought, he instinctively drew closer to her. He could feel her own worries, and in that he was grateful for the kinship. His father had once counseled him to find a mate that cultivated and balanced him; a counterpart of his soul. He never truly understood what that meant, but now he was beginning to. He would miss his Father dearly, as well as those comrades he lost, but here now, with Eva, perhaps he could move on? He gently pried one hand out of her own so that he could settled it against her cheek. "Thank you, Eva." He whispered to her as he leaned his forehead against hers. He closed his eyes and for once, his nightmares were silent. "Thank you for being here with me." Thank you for loving me.

"Hey Eva!" Aradan raced into the small glen, not knowing about the intimate discussion that was being held. "Oh, hey...ummm..." He stammered, realizing the position he found the Rider and elf in. "Ummm...sorry...uh, we just received news that we're leaving soon...uh...sorry..." He gave a sheepish and awkward smile. "I was sent to fetch you..." He rambled.

[Trinn]

Eva closed her eyes and felt at peace, her forehead connected with Antien's. It felt like a particularly special gesture. Even his hand on her face reassured her of her place in this world, and his love. Her lips parted to speak, but a voice that was not her own spoke. She flinched away from Antien and spotted Aradan. Her pale cheeks flared red. "Aradan, Trinn must have sent you." Eva said. Although she hated to do it, she untangled herself from Antien and stood with gentle tinkle of metal. The armor he elves gave her was surprisingly light, and almost seemed more like glass at times. Are you done hunting, Eos? It looks like it is time for us to return to Bromsland.

Aye, I shall meet you in the city. The yellow dragon replied. "We will be right behind you, Aradan." She said, giving her comrade a smile. He was a younger elf than Antien, and sometimes it was quite evident, but it only made him more endearing. "In fact I bet I'll beat you back." Her emerald eyes turned back towards Antien, and she held her hand out for him, beckoning him to come with her.

[Tismri]

Fira waited within the city, sitting in a low tree branch near the enormous green dragon. Among many of her kin, and even the few humans she'd met, she often felt like a child underfoot. However, next to this creature, she felt like little more than an ant. With elves, she felt her size was advantageous. Few ever noticed her, which made her a perfect scout. Next to a dragon, however, she felt like she could easily be crushed under its weight and it would never even notice she was there.
Her eyes were invariably drawn to the columns of smoke that emitted from Thora's nostrils. The sight of it, and the faint scent upon the air, was enough to make the hair on her neck stand on end. The great dragon had but to open her mouth, and the surrounding woods would...would...
The memory came back in a flash. The weight of the branch, the scorching inferno that consumed almost half her body. Her pained scream echoed in her ears as if it didn't belong to her, before blackness.
Fira hit the ground before she even knew she had fainted. The strength of the memory alone was enough to make her lose consciousness if she focused on it for too long. She stood up as a few elves came by to check on her, and brushed them off. She didn't like to show weakness before them.
"I'm all right," she assured them. She continued to wait for the Riders to appear, hoping to ask them questions about their recent confrontation before they left. She would have asked any of the dragons, but the sight of them made her too nervous to even form a logical sentence.

[Max452]

"Right...sorry..about..." Aradan rambled, trying to stare at anything but the two lovers in the glen. He had not meant to barge in on them, only was trying to do his duty by gathering Eva and Eos. He felt completely embarrassed, especially when Antien gracefully rose from the mossy floor to take Eva's hand. He glanced between the two of them, still stunned that an elf of Antien's age, caliber and reputation would mate with such a young rider. Not that he was being prejudice, quite the contrary, it intrigued him how such opposites had come together; it made him wonder if his own strained reputation with Teza Mae could be salvaged. After a moment he realized that Eva had challenged him and he had just remained silent. Trying to save face, he cleared his throat and let out a weary grin. "You are on, Rider Eva." He retreated backwards, already calling upon Veryan. "Umm, I'll just go...now...leave you to your mate...umm..sorry, again! Yeah...later!" Aradan scrambled away, his black elvish armor clinking lightly as he hurried to his bond.

***
"That was amusing." Antien managed a small smile as he stood beside Eva, taking her offered hand in his own. He felt his mood and body lighten their talk; he knew it would take some time, but was glad that Eva was slowing healing his heart. He watched Aradan slip away, amused at the young half elf's embarrassment. It was a curious thing, Aradan had grown up among the elves and knew their culture, and yet he was uncomfortable when he was around mates. It was a curious enigma. He gently ran a thumb over Eva's hand, caressing it lightly as he let her know that he was returning with her. "Let us return, Eva. I would enjoy riding Eos with you, if she does not mind? Nor would I miss the chance to see Eos beat Veryan." He rose their entwined hands to his lips, all the while locking with Eva's eyes, a look of pure mischief in them; it felt good to feel something other than pain again. His lips made short contact before he gently tugged her toward the city. "Let us go." He repeated, feeling a slight loss of having his time with Eva shortened.

[Trinn]

Eva could have stared into Antien's piercing gray eyes for a blissful eternity, but that could only be in dreams. Instead she let Antien pull her along, back towards Ellesmera. They had only run for a few heartbeats when they were intercepted by a flash of pale yellow and then a shaking of the earth.

Quickly, now. Eos urged, I have a race to win! Eva smirked. She hurried to Eos's side and jumped from the ground, to the dragon's elbow, and into the saddle, knowing that Antien would follow suit. Still circling Eos's slender neck was the moonstone necklace. The gems were knitted together with silver chain, almost like chainmail. And there were dozens of the creamy moonstones embedded there within. The color complicated Eos's pale yellow perfectly.

When Antien was settled, Eos leaped into motion. The dragon surged forward, her talons creating a furrow in the ground as she ran. One last, deep gouge on the earth as the dragon put all her strength into jumping skyward. One powerful wing stroke brought them bursting out of the canopy of the elven forest, into a dazzling sun. Eva thrilled as the wind grasped at her cheeks and the sun warmed her back and the earth dwindled away to a blur of green.
***

I fear this elves brains are adled. Thora said in a sonorous tone. The poor little thing has gone and fainted.

Trinn didn't need to be told. She saw everything that Thora did. Speaking was a habit though, and she and her bond had not given up on it. The garden she walked through was fragrant with the scent of a hundred different flowers. The trees created sheltering walls and trellises. Deciding she had better check on the elf, Trinn regretfully parted from the garden and traced her steps back to Thora.

When she reached her dragons side, the elf in question seemed quite alright. Bright eyed and busy tailed. She told Thora.

I assure you that was not the case moments ago. Thora said, and then sighed heavily. A torrent of sooty smoke fled Thora's nostrils, fleeing into the sky in one dark plume. Trinn watched the elven woman, smelling fear on her. Putting on a smile, Trinn stepped to her side.

"A pleasant day, is it not?" She asked, but was then quickly distracted when she sensed her two young riders speeding her way. A frown took place of the smile. Would they make fools of themselves flying so? They would disturb the peace of the city and degrace themselves by hurtling in. Let them play. Thora said, her great emerald eyes looking into the distance. They have so little of it now days. Trinn relented. That was true enough.

[Tismri]

Fira noticed another woman walking her way, stepping closer to the dragon than most of the elves dared. From the way she carried herself, along with the familiarity she showed with the dragon, the young elf was certain she was her Rider. Her eyes brightened a bit at that thought, glad she had caught one of them before they left. She became momentarily distracted, however, by the large puff of smoke that the great dragon emitted. She had to force herself to look away from the darkened air, looking instead at the Rider who now stood by her side. Even still, she nearly had to hold her breath for fear the smell of the smoke alone would make her faint again. She focused on the question that was directed to her.
"Indeed, it is very pleasant," she replied, though her eyes trailed warily back to the dissipating smoke. You're fine, you're fine. The forest isn't going to be caught on fire. Dragons are more careful than that. She forced her eyes back to the ancient Rider, somehow feeling smaller next to her rather commanding presence. She thought again of why she wanted to speak with the Riders before they left. "Trinn-elda, yes? Were you and Thora-elda involved in the recent battle against the Shade's forces?" She tried to make the question sound casual. She really only wanted to see if her brother had been involved in the conflict. Tracking him down after their last encounter was proving difficult. The time she'd spent healing allowed the trail to grow cold. Her right hand absently rubbed up and down her scarred left side, the last "gift" she'd received from him.

[Max452]

Antien followed his mate with a playful grin; he felt tremendously lighter since he expressed himself. He hoped the feeling would last. He hopped onto Eos with ease and gently placed a hand across her waist to steady himself as Eos speedily flew. Antien's eyes flickered to their right where a black mass sprinted within the mazes of trees before soaring higher into the sky. Once they were free from the valley of the forest, Antien clearly spotted Aradan and his bond, Veryan. They were about twenty feet ahead. His elvish eyes brightened further as he felt the sun and wind elope him into the feeling of contentment. His eyebrow cocked upward as he watched Aradan twist his head back at them.

"See you at Master Trinn's!" He taunted playfully before turning back and hunkering down against Veryan's neck. THe black dragon's speed increased drastically, his tail jetted outward to accommodate the sudden burst of speed.

Antien knew what was to come and quickly wrapped himself further against Eva's back. "Show them they are no match, Eva." He whispered into his mate's ear with coated mirth.

OOC: Hmm, what further plot shall we explore?

[Trinn]

Eos needed no further prompting. The dragon lashed forward, wings pumping furiously to gain speed. She kept her legs tucked in tight and her neck and tail straight as an arrow. If she could become smaller, then she would become faster. She barrel rolled once towards Veryan, to knock him off the path, before straightening out and resuming her dizzying speed. Eva leaned forward to help with her bonds streamline, and almost pulled Antien down atop herself to help. The city was nearby now!
~~~

"We were, yes." Trinn conceded with a nod. She could sense the young riders growing ever closer. Her fingers twitched at her side to resist the urge to shout at them through mental contact. "Why do you ask?"

Thora, if you do not get into that sky and make sure those young fools do not rush into this city, I will fly up there by myself to do it. You know I will! Thora seemed to sigh as she bestirred herself. The great emerald dragon stood and spread her wings. She made the large elven capital city seem small.

Fine. Trinn was tapping her fingers against her thigh as Thora trotted forward and launched into the air. Her ascent was labored because of the narrow confines of the city. She had to push off of trees with her paws to gain purchase, and finally, to break free of the trees altogether. You know, if you could shrink me back to the size of a youngling, I would not resist. At that Trinn couldn't help but smile.

You should be proud of your size, hindering as it is. Now go stop those younglings you wish to look so much like.
***

Thora flapped towards the presence of Eos and Veryan. She flew for only a minute before she was able to intercede their path. The first one to me wins! she roared into their minds. Trinn wanted to stop them, but Thora was rather curious to know which one would win.

[Max452]

Veryan let out a playful roar as he was forced to veer off his course momentarily. However, the dragon was not deterred from his objective! He used the sudden moment to curve his tail-like rudder to the left, allowing him to execute a timely barrel roll. The black dragon lost little momentum as he cleanly returned to his proper horizontal state, chasing the yellow sun dragon with renewed determination and mirth.

"Faster, my friend!" Aradan laughed, feeling incredibly at ease for the first time in months. The stress of the war and his own personal life easing away in this one moment of child-like behaviour.

***
"They are gaining!" Antien warned as he risked a glance behind them. Veryan's head was now beside Eos's right hind leg. It was then he saw the mighty Thora and heard her proposition. He grinned, thankful for this innocent moment.

Veryan roared, accepting the great dragon's challenge and pumped his dark wings harsher than before, allowing a burst of speed to collect before shooting beside Eos's head. Aradan gave Eva and Antien a playful grin before the black dragon pumped his wings again, allowing them to sail a few feet further.

***
She could sense the playfulness in the forest and could not help the small quirk of a small to grace her features. Arya's eyes flickered opened briefly as her sight focused onto the Black Mourning Glories that were before her. She had come to the gardens to ponder about the current situation in Agalaesia earlier, but had found little comfort. She idly wished Eragon and Saphira were here, for she and Firnen have missed them so. Sadly, their duties prevented each of them to truly take the time to scry one another or even to write as of late.

The hatchlings are racing. Firnen's baritone voice echoed within Arya's mind, causing the rider and Queen to widen her smile.

You sound as if you wish to join them. She teased as she gathered herself. Master Trinn and Thora would be leaving soon and she intended to see them off with the younger riders.

I am content where I am, my heart. His voice rumbled as his green eyes spotted his Rider emerging onto the courtyard. He nuzzled her gently with his snout as she came and greeted him.

Let us go and give them a proper farewell. She elegantly hopped onto Firnen, ever grateful for being able to have a dragon bond and friend. It had taken some time for her to become accustomed to Firnen's mind within her own, but Arya would ever be thankful that she was no longer truly alone. Now she only wished for Eragon and Saphira to be around - not that she would admit it aloud. Her first priority was to her people; she would not indulge her selfishness. She patted Firnen's neck, letting him know she was ready. She was allowed this one selfish wish, she would not risk another, else she compromise her sworn duty.

Let us go. Firnen soothed before leaping into the sky toward the main rider's courtyard.