[piosenniel]

The now great form of the Wyrm rose up from beneath the summit’s edge, wings outspread, to perch upon the lip of the mountain. She crouched upon the hard stone of the rim, her talons gripping the granite in a steely vise. Her eyes whirled in anger at the figure of the approaching Man. Her head snaked forward, weaving back and forth before him, barring access to the path.

‘Man and Elf!’ Her eyes locked on Pio, for a moment, as she stood by the stone. ‘I might have known you two would mar the peace of this place.’

Mithadan stepped forward, seeking a way around Angara. Her long neck lashed forward, her head striking him in the belly, causing him to stumble back, and fall.

I will say who comes and goes now to this place.

Pio ran forward, her knife now in her hand, to stand between Angara and the Man. ‘Touch him once more and I will sink my sea-blade into you, Dragon!’ Her voice was dangerously quiet, and she danced lightly before Angara’s lowered head, her eyes ever seeking an advantage as the Dragon turned her head to regard the Elf.

Angara laughed, a deep sound of thunder booming over the rocks. Then as lightning her head darted forward and struck Pio soundly on the chest, leaving her to sprawl in the dirt beside Mithadan.

It is an awesome thing to feel the sigh of a great Dragon. She sucked in a deep breath that seemed to draw the mists wreathing the mountain’s top to her, then blew it out again, a sound like wind rushing through the narrows of a steep canyon. All within its path trembled from the force of it, heavy with the feel of sorrow.

You two are fools! The force of her thought echoed in their heads, and for a moment they could not rise.

Pio stood and offered her hand to Mithadan. Grasping it, he hauled himself to his feet to stand beside her. The Dragon fixed them both in her now icy stare.

‘The walls of the mountain, here, near the top, are steep and smooth. They will afford no purchase for your hands and feet should you seek to descend. I am withdrawing now, following what remains of the pathway. I will destroy it as I go, leaving the sides of this peak smooth, my aerie inaccessible. When you have spoken plainly to one another, and have settled matters between you, for ill or good, then call to me and I will come for you.’


Angara left them in the swirling cloud of whirling debris occasioned by her beating wings. The two brushed themselves off as best they might, coughing in the dusty air, and walked back toward the rock. Pio sat down and brought out the skin of water she had thought to bring. She took a swallow then offered it to Mithadan, now sitting next to her.

He put it to his lips for a long drink, then handed it back to her, his eyebrows raised. ‘That was an interesting move you made. To threaten a Dragon with a throwing knife!’

She took the skin from him and sluiced a little over her hands, and washed the dust from her face. ‘It might have worked,’ she said, laughing briefly at herself, ‘had she believed me.’

‘Might have worked? I thought the Elf only dared the actions she was sure of.’ he murmured, staring out toward the sea.

‘Yes, well, perhaps that is how it has been. But of late, and with the stern counsel of friends, I have begun to consider other options.’ She put her hand on his arm, glad when he did not withdraw it. ‘Let me speak clearly now Mithadan, or as clearly as I can my muddled thoughts.’

She could feel the muscles of his arm tense beneath his tunic, noting how his jaw clenched as he waited for her to begin.

‘Angara was not right. But then neither are you on this. I was wrong not to have spoken with you directly. I should not have left you to glean what half thoughts and unfinished reasonings you could from me. A little osanwë can be a dangerous thing when it only furthers misunderstanding.’ She moved her fingers down the length of his arm, and clasped them lightly round his hand, drawing it up to cradle her cheek. ‘You also should have spoken to me. I am sorry you felt you could not do so.’

She opened her mind to him fully. His eyes widened at the depth of her feelings for him. There was no hesitancy or reservation.

You said I was one to dare only the actions I was certain of. In a way that is true. My love for you is a certainty. And yes, still have I been unsure of how to see my self with you. Be patient with me, hold me close with your arms and words, even as I drive you mad. Will you do this for me? Let me dare to walk beside you.

She had laid the knife on the rock next to her when she sat down. Now she picked it up, holding it carefully by the flat of its blade, and extended the hilt toward him.

‘Here,’ she said, in a soft voice. ‘I believe this is yours.’

[ November 19, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]