Back Again

When I woke up in the morning, I was groggy, probably from not having much sleep. But I was warm; comfortable. Just as I was about to stretch, move, or do literally anything, I realized Meg was still asleep, in my arms. I realized I hadn't dreamed either. There was certainly something nice about it; about fulfilling this role for someone. I never knew, nor expected it. Despite the comfort, despite the fulfillment I never knew I could enjoy, it felt empty, and I didn't know why.

She slowly woke up, raising her head to meet my eyes with her own.

"Good morning, Ladon."

"Morning."

"I couldn't escape when you fell asleep, so I just stayed." She disengaged to stretch.

I sat up. "Sorry."

"Never said I was complaining." She stood up. "It was nice." She smiled before walking out of the room.

I felt conflicted, but didn't want to waste time on it, so I got up, attached my quiver, and put on my cloak. After leaving the room, I slowly walked down the stairs, rolling my shoulder to wake it up. I reached the doorway to the dining room.

"Ah, good morning, Ladon. Come, have some breakfast before you go."

There was already a bowl of scrambled eggs on the table, where I usually sat. I nodded, then walked over to my seat to eat.

"Fortunately that dragon didn't get our chickens."

Meg's mother finished a bite. "So, I saw your bed was made this morning."

"Sooo…" Meg said, somewhat sarcastically.

"You never make your bed until I tell you too."

"And?"

"Meg dear, did you spend the night with Ladon?"

"W-what? No. I-I wouldn't. I just made my bed is all."

"Mhmm?"

"Y-yeah…"

"I'll try a different approach then. Ladon dear, did my daughter spend the night with you?"

"Yes."

Meg looked betrayed, eyes wide, mouth agape.

"If I may, what were you two up to?"

"She was still upset, stressed, and scared from the dragon attack. We cuddled."

"Is that all?"

"Yes."

"Thank you. Someone who speaks truthfully, even when it's embarrassing. Not a bad choice."

"What?" Meg asked.

Her mother smiled. "Nothing."

I kept eating, thinking about how I felt; what it meant. I like Meg. She's a good friend. I enjoy being around her. But I don't think I like like her. Should I tell her?

I finished my food, so I stood up.

"Leaving already?" Meg's mother asked.

"I need to see if the rangers need my help. After that, I need to leave. I had somewhere to be yesterday."

"I won't force you to stay. Take care, Ladon dear."

I nodded.

"I can come with you until you leave." Meg added.

"Sure."

We both headed out. On our way to Percy, we saw townspeople and rangers all about, pushing and pulling small wagons full of debris and charred remains. Plenty were filling wagons; plenty were taking an axe to the ruins to make smaller pieces. Before anything could be rebuilt, the damage had to be removed. Considering it wouldn't be long until Harvest, it'd be best for these buildings to improve. Some pushed carts of the charred remains of people. Not all of them had a fully intact body. Not all of them were big enough to be an adult.

Meg looked around while staying on path. "I was a kid last time that dragon attacked. I don't really remember any of it. I can't believe how much destruction he did."

"It was easy for him. Like a kid with toy blocks, pretending they're a monster bigger than buildings."

"It must've been terrifying to see him in person."

"That would be accurate."

"How'd you do it?"

"I gambled my life. As it turns out, dragons can't harm my kind. It's probably some law of theirs"

"Yera above."

"I'm not sure how much of a hand the fate weaver had in it, but sure."

"Maybe you have a Hamingja to help you."

"I doubt it. There's a person I know I could've asked about the law. So I could've gotten an answer, and it never would've been a gamble at all."

"So you don't believe in luck?"

"I believe luck is an expression. It's used to make you feel less worse when the undesired outcome happens, and to make you feel special when the desired one happens. Probability will always remain probability. Predicting is just a matter of how many variables you're aware of. If you're aware of them all, or at least almost all, you will find that luck is meaningless."

"Wow. I just think it's fun."

"Fair enough."

We made it to the building where the injured and recently homeless were. Yara was still up and about, a cloth over her golden blonde hair, opening in the back for her ponytail. Despite everything, she still seemed wide awake, though the constant groaning and moaning of pained burn victims probably benefited it. I noticed the captain was in the back, asleep, or meditating. Gin-me was doing the same, more or less, in the same spot as last night, keeping her little sister comfortable. William's family still stayed together, though they were asleep. Vice captain Soras wasn't in here.

Yara noticed me as I walked further in. "Ladon, I've checked up on your friend. I assume that's why you're here?"

"Yes."

Meg followed closely behind. 

Yara led me to him. His splints were the same. "Fortunately, his leg only needed a slight correction. Also you cauterized him adequately. I couldn't find any internal bleeding, which was the main concern. What did you use?"

"Arrowhead."

She grimaced. "Narrow enough I guess. It would've been best for him to get stitches, but it worked. Even after healing, that leg will probably never be the same again. He'll most likely need a cane before he gets old, but he'll be able to walk." She turned to Meg, already figured out the connection. "Before he's healed, don't let him use it much. It will be a several month process."

"Okay," Meg answered.

"I gave him a mixture of poppy, wild lettuce, and a safe amount of nightshade. He'll be out for a while."

"There's a safe amount of nightshade?"

"Sort of. I mean, poison is poison, but in small amounts, nightshade can make a person a little lethargic, which can help make other ingredients put you to sleep."

"I see."

"I'm just glad he's okay." Meg said.

I looked at Meg. "I need to talk to the captain. Stay with Percy for the time being."

"A-alright."

I walked away to the captain.

"You know, you can call me Captain, or Captain Felror." Her eye opened to look at me. "I'm your captain now, not 'the captain'."

"..."

"Anyway, what is it?"

"I came to ask if I was needed for anything."

"We should be fine. We'll be here for a week or so. Go see the girl. Rest after you do. Come back when you're ready."

"Okay."

"I'll send a messenger eagle your way before we leave, should you be gone long enough."

"You have those?"

"Well, we have two. I'm waiting for Grif to come back from Therrin's End, and Arne to come back from camp as we speak."

"I see."

"Well, I better get up." She stood up, placing one hand on my shoulder, smiling slightly "See you when you return."

"See you."

She nodded, then walked off.

I saw Gin-me stretching her back carefully so as to not wake her sister. I walked up to her.

She seemed irritable toward any attention. "What?"

"How are you?"

Her tone held dry sarcasm. "Well my arm's burnt to Hel, filled with pain and itchiness, and my house is destroyed, along with all my shit. What do you think?"

"In a way, you match me." I showed my arm.

"True. Hey, how'd your arm get like that anyway?"

"A burning building fell on me when I was a kid."

"Agi's a bitch."

"Who?"

"Where my parents were from, they call Yera 'Agi'."

"Everyone's thinking about fate and luck."

"In case you hadn't noticed, we just survived a dragon attack."

"Fair enough."

We stayed silent for a moment.

"Hey, Gin-me?"

"Yeah?"

"What are you going to do?"

"Well, I talked with your captain. She offered to let me come with you guys when you leave for your ranger home or whatever. I told her, 'being a ranger seems cool, but that's not the life for my sister.' She told me that instead of joining, I could tag along as a guest. Apparently the city your ranger headquarters is in is dragon free. Sounds like the kinda place my parents wanted to reach, so I agreed."

"Are you interested in joining the rangers?"

"Temporarily, sure. I'm sure it'd be good training anyways."

"Sounds like a decent enough plan."

"Exactly. Besides, being with the rangers will probably give us the chance to have that rematch. I still have to beat your ass if you forgot"

"I definitely remember."

She smiled faintly, though her pain negated what it could've been. "Hey, don't leave just yet."

I took only one step. "What?"

"I uh… wanted to… ah fuck. Thank you. I burned my arm trying to force that door open. Both me and my sister would've died without your help. So yeah, thanks."

"You've helped me a lot. I couldn't just not return the favor."

"You were thinking about favors? At a time like that?"

"...No."

"Fuckin' knew it. You know, you're not that mysterious, or complicated."

"What?"

"I've seen people like you, few and far between, usually die pretty early. Selfless, kind, altruistic. You're a weird breed of it, that's for sure. Don't fuckin' die, alright?"

"I'll try. Can't say I'll find the secret to immortality."

She chuckled. "Yeah, alright. Get out of here."

I acknowledged with an expression, then walked away. Meg caught up with me as I was making my exit.

"Where are you going now?"

"It's a secret. It's where I was going to be yesterday. If the rangers are still in town when I leave that place, I'll come back here."

A worried expression grew on her face. "How long?"

"Could be weeks."

She looked as though her worry was proven, leaving her with sadness. "I… well, we'll miss you."

"I'll miss you all too. I'll return." I left the building.

The bright sun was higher, giving heat to the ground, shade being given by the gate that miraculously still stood, burned as it was. I saw Captain just on the road, talking with Soras.

"So far we've counted fifty three. Not all of them are as easy to count," Soras said.

"I hate that I can say they got lucky with just that."

 I saw an eagle fly down from the sky as it landed on Captain's armoured forearm, a small piece of parchment tied to its ankle. She read it, sent the bird back into the sky, then walked off. The eagle flew high in the air, seemingly keeping in range of her, while still holding its freedom.

I traveled south, exiting the town through the broken gate. I went straight into the forest heading east southeast. After hours of traveling, I made it to the river, found my crossing spot, then crossed. An hour more and I was close to the clearing; close enough to find Abraxas's scent. A welcomed, calming scent. Home.

Before long, I entered the clearing to the sun, now past the midpoint in its journey. Inowyn was sitting with him. They seemed to be enjoying conversation, at least, much more than last time.

"Ah, Ladon! Young Inowyn here has told me it went well."

She was smiling at me… calmly.

"The town's mostly destroyed, many died, but the rangers are there to help."

"I see," Abraxas said. "From here on out, you must be careful, young Ladon. You must lay low."

"Why?"

"You are exactly in the position I feared. Gerickst now knows of you. He knows your scent. The deep anger he must feel towards you, for what you stopped him from doing, it may be the catalyst for something terrible. He might push hard to change the law they have all wanted to change. They have not changed it yet because of two things: time, and they figured humans would succeed in killing all the demidragons anyway. They fear demidragons as much as humans. The dragon inside you makes you much more capable of killing any of them than any human. If that law changes, he'll surely hunt you and that girl down."

"It's a good thing I'll be in Ith Trelanwi for a while then."

"A very good thing indeed, my boy. I will stay here, to keep up appearances. I will need you to tell Borowyn our chat will have to wait for a while."

"I can do that."

"Thank you, my boy. I won't keep you any longer. My conversation with Inowyn was reaching a close anyway."

"Then it's time to leave, right?" Inowyn said, standing up.

I nodded.

"Goodbye, young Ladon. Be safe. And goodbye to you too, young Inowyn."

"I will. Goodbye, Abraxas."

"Bye, Braxy!" She sped up toward the same redwood as last time.

I walked after her. "Braxy?"

"Yeah that's what I call him now."

"Alright."

I made it to the tree just as she was beginning to form the opening. I walked through just before she did, smelling the difference of age between the two trees as I walked through. In seconds, I was back in Trelanwi, on the same platform I left from.

"To the girl, right?"

"Yes, please."

She smiled. "Follow me then." She walked past me, practically skipping, ears pointed high.

I followed, walking calmly.

The city was busier since last I was here. Various astral creatures were flying above, or running around the masses of elves, carrying out tasks. They were all serving a specific purpose, like carrying items from one place to another. They seemed different from the forest spirits—empty, yet connected to something.

I pointed at an astral eagle. "What are those? A different kind of spirit?"

"Sort of. It's complicated. You'll find out more about them later, but they're called fylgja. They're controlled by an individual, and have no separate personality or anything. Those of us who have a fylgja use them to carry out extra tasks like delivering, or scouting, or hunting or gathering. It depends; that's not all they're used for."

"Why weren't they out before? It seems everyone's out now."

"The humans are gone. We wanted to limit how much they could know and see."

"And I'm allowed?"

"More than they are."

"I see."

Before long, we traveled up and around several sequoias, and made it to the girl's room. I could tell from outside that it smelt different; better. Inowyn slowly opened the door for me. I walked in. She was in her bed, asleep, same as last time, though she seemed to be breathing better. She was significantly cleaner than before. Her aurora hair practically glowed. She seemed to have gained some meat on her face, but not much.

"She was able to stay awake long enough for a sponge bath, but so far, that's her record. Usually she's only awake long enough to eat a bit, or sip some water. Prewana said she's miraculous."

"Her will to survive, that is." Tarwyn came in, out of nowhere. "I'd say she's pretty impressive."

"So you've been watching over her?" Inowyn asked, snarkily.

"While you were away, yes. She's important."

"To you?"

"To Ladon, you badger."

She smiled. "I knew you had a soft spot for him."

"I! Gods… I do one nice thing."

I put my hand on his shoulder. "Thank you, Tarwyn."

"Y-yeah. No problem."

I heard something from my side: barely audible, weak gasp. I turned and saw the girl's eyes had opened, just a bit. I rushed to her side, kneeling.

She spoke weak, breathy, and slow. "Long time… no… see…"

I said nothing, a woft of emotion holding every action.

"I-it's been a while… hasn't it?"

"Y-yeah."

"It's… good… to see you again."

"I thought you died that night. I'm glad I could get you out of that mansion. I had no clue. Had I known you were there, I-I… I would've-"

A thin, shaky arm reached out of her covers, bringing her hand close to my face. "Thank you."

I gently grabbed her wrist, to help her safely lower it back down. "You should rest. I'll stay with you while you get better."

"Well, actually, you have places to be and things to do while you're here, Ladon," Tarwyn added. "Don't forget Borowyn said to test and train you."

"Tarwyn, don't ruin the moment," Inowyn said.

"I'll be here as often as I can then. So rest."

She smiled, for a moment, before drifting back to sleep. My heart had never felt so heavy before. Not for anything.

I sighed, continued staring for a moment in silence, then turned to them. "What do I need to do?"

Inowyn gestured to the door, so I walked out with them.

Tarwyn stretched his shoulder a touch. "Today, we're going to teach you some things. Essentially the goal is to get you to understand our ways, and train in our skills. After enough time, you'll be able to prove through all of that that we can trust you as a citizen, with all our secrets. Basically you're gonna become one of us, though you can't actually be an elf."

"Okay. Where do I begin?"