Chapter 5

"I do not think you understand how irresponsible that was..." Serabi's voice said, causing Atreyu to snap out of his daydreaming. "If something happened to you, how do you think we would handle the situation? Do not think just because you are a dragon that you can be so reckless. To think, you are centuries older than me. I thought you were going to stay inside the castle for a few more centuries."

After roaming the planet for centuries Atreyu could easily read people like people read books. He could easily see the greed and vanity in someone's eyes and it disgusted him. It was useless for Serabi to worry for him, but he could understand that it was out of love. He may be centuries older than her but she still thought of him as her son.   

His thoughts traveled back to Melione and a smile touched his lips.

"Well things are finally starting to go back to how they should have been," Atreyu replied. Serabi had lost her husband during the great war and was left without an heir. That is when the dragon approached her. He offered her his help in winning the war but in return she had to spread the news that he was her son and help him hide his identity. 

Serabi sighed. "Of course," she said, bowing to Atreyu. She couldn't win against him in an argument and was really grateful to him, he had helped her a lot with managing her kingdom and she thought of him as his son. 

"You knew," Atreyu said, not as a question but a statement.

"I heard some things about this and had my doubts but I was not sure if she was the one," Serabi said casually.

"What made you think that she was the one?" Atreyu said, raising an eyebrow.

Serabi shook his head and smirked.

"She is the one you have been searching for. Despite being young and bashful she is a capable ruler and a great warrior, her power to control spirit and dead is what gave it away. And you would not have offered me help if she was not involved," Serabi told Atreyu. "She was born with the power equal to yours. The Queen is known for her contributions and is also a strong willed woman."

Atreyu smiled. "That's fascinating, I thought you didn't like her."

Serabi paused. "Well, that's true. I find her very rude but I can't deny her potential, afterall she led us through a whole war and under her command the damage done was minimal to none. Why do you ask?" She asked cautiously, studying Atreyu's face.

Atreyu grinned but shook his head. "I heard a lot of rumors about it," he told Serabi. "I will be joining you in the next meeting. It's time I start to show myself in public."

He had to start taking action and begin the plan he had been planning for years.  

Serabi nodded, not bothering to ask why. She bowed and departed, leaving Atreyu alone in the huge hall.

Atreyu folded his arms and wandered out to the balcony, he decided to skip dinner and stepped outside into the courtyard. The wind blew slightly, sending his raven hair flying. Atreyu drew out his sword and pointed it at an invisible enemy. It had been a fun duel with Melione. He had let her have fun by letting her hit him. The blows were light and playful even for a human and it was equal to nothing for Atreyu. 

His hand felt like it belonged on the hilt as he swung it around and around. This seemed so natural to him. Atreyu stepped through complicated steps. He always hated learning the technicalities of swordplay but now it was a welcoming distraction, she taught him and made him fall in love with it. 

Atreyu narrowed his eyes and sliced the top of a rose off and set it flying into the air. He swung his sword up and cut up the flower with lightning fast wrist movements. Tiny individual petals floated onto the grass.

Atreyu let out a defeated breath. His determination was wearing thin. He shoved the sword back into its scabbard and ran. He was breathing hard as he tore through the woods, angrily knocked the branches out of his way and didn't stop until he burst into an opening. Everything was silent except the running of the brook. How much longer did he have to wait? She was right in front of him but he could only pretend to be strangers. 

Atreyu dipped a bare foot into the ice cold water. He shivered but forced himself to put the other foot in too. His feet stung as he trudged through the running water. It was the only way he could distract himself right now. 

The bottom of her trousers were soaked but he kept going. Serabi's  castle could no longer be seen because large trees blocked it. He hit the dry land...running.

Atreyu didn't know what he was running from. It just seemed like if he traveled far enough, all his longing would be over. He climbed up onto a hill and collapsed onto the soft grass. The sun was beginning to set and the sky was a beautiful palette of blue, orange and pink. Atreyu closed his eyes and listened to his racing heart slow. He lay there motionless as if blending in with nature. 

Aurendel was beautiful. There was greenery everywhere and almost all kinds of plants and produce grew there making it one of the leading countries in the field of farming. But the reason Atreyu chose Aurendel and Serabi was because he wanted to be near Javelin, so that he could act upon his plan as soon as he got the chance to. 

The colorful sky soon faded to a midnight blue. Stars lit up one by one. "I might be able to see you sooner than expected Queen Melione..." he whispered, grinning.