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Bloodkiss/Desertpaladin

B

Bloodkiss

Star
Joined
Mar 7, 2009
Location
In your freezer.
Caoimhe stood and straightened out the skirt of her long, silver gown, the fabric flowing like water against her pale skin. She hurried out of her chambers, down the long hall toward her cousin's room. The 'hall' was composed of tall, ancient trees that bent inward toward each other, creating a beautiful bower that hung over a natural stone pathway. She knocked at the thick mahogany door to the girl's room, and it was opened instantly. A small, thin girl stood before her, with bright brown eyes and curly chestnut-colored hair. She had a lovely heart-shaped face, and sun-kissed skin, but was at an awkward stage in her life, not quite having reached maturity yet. Caoimhe smiled at her softly, patting her cheek in reassurance. "T'will be alright, Alena. I'm sure it won't be as frightening as it seems." She stepped inside and took her young cousin's hand, leading her to her vanity and picking up her brush. Alena sat down, and Caoimhe began to brush the girl's shoulder-length locks. "And besides, it is an honor. You have reached your womanhood, and you will be continuing a tradition that has been part of our culture for centuries." Alena frowned, looking up at Caoimhe and gripping her skirt fearfully. "But you've no idea what it's like! You're special! You're descended from the great witch." Caoimhe scoffed, tugging the brush slowly through the girl's hair. "That's nonsense. All of those rumors are just that. Rumors. I am no different from you."
 
In truth Alena had a sort of gift if one could call it that. It was her duty to go to the cave of a dragon and ask for their aid. It was one of the oldest traditions among royalty, well rulers anyway. Kings would send practically armys of males or females to a dragon's lair in order to gain the dragon's favor. For you see a dragon chooses a mate and she is considered many things to the dragon, but the one thing that the ruler truely cares about is that the dragon is almost like a servant to the other, forced to protect their partner and help them out. Kings found a way to pass this by sending people of their kingdom to send to the dragon's lair, and then the pair would technically belong to the king. In fact there were families that tried to produce sons or daughters just for pleasing dragons, however in truth that was futile. Dragons pick their mates biased off of many things, they can pick anyone from a lowly whore to the king or queen. However most people never really figured that out, but it was not Alena's job to go to the lair on the mountains, where the elven forests nearly reached their end and gain the favor of a dragon who is said to be more powerful than any other living thing.
 
Caoimhe placed a crown of daisies on Alena's head and straightened her soft white gown. "Come, it's time to go." She took Alena's hand and led the girl out of the castle and toward two waiting horses. A stable boy helped Alena up onto her horse, a small chestnut, and Caoimhe swung into the saddle of a much larger white warhorse. Turning her horse toward the path that led to the caves, she took her reins and Alena's, leading them off toward the caves.
 
The caves themselves were numerious, hell it was amazing that anyone found out a dragon lived inside of them since it was said these caves were like a laberynth, you walk in one and you might not find your way out. However that might have been what the dragon liked, a place where humans would stay away. Now it would be the time for the one who was to persuade the dragon to come in alone. But before leaving her father had told Caoimhe one final thing, that if her cousin was to fail she was to go in herself.
 
Alena stared at the mouth of the cave, visibly shaking. She'd been bred to do this, and her whole life had been taught and prepared, but she couldn't help but be terrified. "Caoimhe...come with me. I beg you! Don't make me go alone! I fear I shall become lost, or eaten!" Caoimhe tried to smile reassuringly, but she knew the girl's fear. With a sigh, she dismounted and helped Alena down, holding her hand tightly. "I shall walk with you for a ways. But this is your duty." Alena nodded, squeezing Caoimhe's hand. They made their way slowly into the cave, and it wasn't long before Caoimhe felt a strange hold on her heart, skipping beats and thumping erradically. Her breath caught in her throat, and a strange feeling settled in the pit of her belly.
 
The cave was a single path, and it looked normal until suddenly there was a door just randomly at the end of it made from a very solid wood and outlined with gold. It was the most elegant door any one person would see... this must be it, the lair of the dragon. Now not much was known about it, just that it was an earth dragon. Now Alena would have to go in alone, otherwise the ritual may not work and she would be a disgrace to her family. It was just the way things worked. However when she would finally enter there was a bright light and when she was inside she would find herslef in what seemed to be a large antichamber. The place was made of stone and almost looked like the inside of a palace as at the end of the large area in a large chair was a creature that was quite large. He was around 7 feet in height and his body was built almost like he was pure muscle. He had short brown hair on his head as well as a pair of horns. His ears were pointed like an elves but they had more points than just the one, almost looking like they were spiked. His eyes were reptillian and the most brilliant shade of forest green. He wore no shirt but had two crossing belts over his torso that attached to shoulder armor made from a very strange looking metal that seemed to almost be stone and metal fused into one substance. His hands were covered with clawlike gauntlets the fingers looking like a mix between human and animal claw. But they were made from a strong stone steel and had obsidian, gold, and gems on it. He wore a simple pair of pants and some greeves, iron boots that looked simple like his shoulder armor and seemed to be made from the same metal. There were wings and a tail growing from his back as the wings had a nice wide span and his tail was a little thicker.
 
Caoimhe resisted the urge to reach out and touch the door, knowing instinctively that if she did, she wouldn't be able to turn away. She knelt before Alena, pressing a kiss to her forehead and squeezing her hands softly in an attempt to reassure her. "Go now, Alena. Make us all proud." She smiled warmly, letting go of the girl's hands. Alena turned and slowly opened the door, stepping inside nervously. The door closed behind her, and it took her a few steps before he was in sight. Tanned skin turning stark white, she stared at him nervously for a moment before crying out in despair.

A shriek sounded out, and Caoimhe drew the dagger hidden at her thigh. Rushing at the door, adrenaline pumping, she prepared herself for the worst. A small shock of electricity flew through her when her hand met the door, but she ignored it and threw the wooden barrier aside. Her feet flew with incredible speed, and she was at Alena's side before she knew it. Glancing up at the dragon, she saw no sign of threat. Alena flew into a fit of sobs, throwing her arms around Caoimhe's waist and soaking her gown with her tears. "Alena, why did you scream? I see nothing amiss..." Alena shook her head, her face buried in Caoimhe's side. "I don't want to do this! I don't want to!"
 
He tilted his head to the side when she screamed and then when the door opened he was shocked. He had placed the magic on the door himself, no normal person could open it when he had the guest. He walked forward and he looked at the pair as the smaller one cried into the bigger of the two women. In truth many women looked alike to him but this other one, this new one who looked like an elf but also not... He stepped forth until he was just a foot away as he knelt down and he removed the gauntlet from his left hand exposing a very human looking hand. He then reahed forth and he placed his hand on the smaller one's back as he said 'Do not worry, you are not the maiden I am searching for" he said as he then looked up at the other "Interesting..." he said simply 'Tell me... what are you? And I understand barging in for her screaming but..." he began to put his gauntlet back on "I am suprised you are still walking truth be told" he watched her silently before he then reached out and he placed his hand on her head as he told her not to move but to close her eyes. In truth she had no choice but to do so and he said "now... tell me what you see...' he began to project some of his magic through her. Now even though her eyes were closed he knew she could see something... Now everyone saw something different however when he closed his eyes he saw the peace that he wanted... in truth he may be a dragon however the thing was he hated fighting... so he pictured the world someday as a world filled with flowers... if she saw something very close to it she must be the one he was ment to be with.
 
Alena's sobs quieted with his statement, but did not stop completely for a few more moments. Caoimhe cocked a thin, gracefully arched eyebrow at him. "I am the princess of the elven people. Princess Caoimhe. And what do you mean, you are surprised that I am still walking?" Suddenly he placed his hand on her cheek, and she felt something tug at her heart. Her breath caught once more, and she did as he requested, closing her eyes. Bright sunshine surrounded her, warmth pouring over her skin. The dark cave ceased to exist, and she was suddenly in a quiet glen, surrounded by the chirruping of birds and the sound of a river in the distance. She felt the presence of someone else in the area, but she wasn't alarmed. It was someone she welcomed warmly, with open arms. "I see a small clearing in the woods...tall trees...and it's early morning. It's still quiet. What does this have to do with anything?" She'd seen the same glen hundreds of times in her dreams, and every time she imagined the same warm presence. A man's arms wrapped around her waist, his face buried in her hair. His scent. But she never saw him. And somehow she felt like she wasn't seeing through her eyes, but through another woman's. It was like a memory that wasn't her own. The scent of lavender filled the air, the flowers peeking through the roots of the trees and littering the ground. It was an unusual thing. Lavender growing in such a strange place. But in her dream, it seemed fitting.
 
"Please I get your confusion but just describe it a bit more... I know this all sounds weird but..." he sighed a bit "just help me out and I will explain in a bit" he kept his hand on her head and he waited for her to explain more. In truth her vision was one he had quite often though from the prospective of the man rather than the woman. He stood there waiting as he wanted her to explain it more. If he was right... this girl before him was the one.
 
Sighing in resignation, she let the rigidity out of her spine, and relaxing. "I'm in a glen, there are ancient trees all around me. Their song is beautiful, as is the song of the birds. There is a river not far from where I stand, the water bubbling and gurgling along at a steady pace. Lavender is growing all around me, and the grass smells sweet and new." Opening her eyes, she watched his face, gauging his reaction. "Is that better?"
 
He looked at her as he took his hand off and he said "was... was there another there present with you?" he asked simply. Everything sounded exactly like his but... then she must have seen another person there... maybe... this sounded too odd to be just chance. He watched her as he stood over her, his body looking very large up close as he just waited for a responce.
 
She didn't like having to relay her dearest memories, or dreams, whatever they were. And she certainly didn't want to tell him the most personal parts, that made her heart beat faster and her cheeks flush. Of course, he would probably never tell anyone else, anyway. So, with slight hesitation, she answered him. "Yes. I was in someone's arms. But I don't know who. I never saw their face." She hoped that was the end of his questioning, feeling quite bare under his gaze. She'd never mentioned that dream to anyone, especially a man.
 
He gave a small nod as he turned to the one cowering in their arms "I understand you need someone right now but could you leave the two of us alone for just a second? if you head through that door" he said pointint to one on the wall that was not the one they entered "there will be a nice place for you to wait..." he stood there as he turned to the other girl "because i want her as my maiden" he said pointing right at Caoimhe as he stood there "Our minds have already shown hey are linked... the vision you just described is the same one I have had since I was just a hatchling..." he said "You must be the female who is destened to be my dragon maiden"
 
Alena gladly hurried off to the room he'd directed her to, leaving Caoimhe standing before him with a shocked look on her face. Her already milky-pale skin turned whiter, her jaw slack in surprise. "Are you sure...?" She was a princess. This was not her duty. Her duty was to her people, to run their kingdom and keep peace. Her duty was to end the war her father had started.
 
He nodded "A dragon's maiden or knight may be anyone, from very simple origins to being those of royalty" he said as he looked at her "yet you are the one who is ment for me..." he said as he held out a hand to her "please... accept this... accept what would be an honor for me" he said as he watched her "Be my partner, my friend, my mate..." his eyes watched her, his touch, everything about him right now was as gentle as possable. Hell it almost seemed like he was small enough to fit on her hand yet still the same size at the same time as he was trying to get her to agree.
 
Caoimhe nodded silently, her green eyes roving over his form, assessing him in a glance. She had no idea what he was like, but she knew that neither of them would get another chance like this. There was one dragon for her, and one woman for him. And though she would likely live a normal life if she refused, she knew he would not. Pride and honor would not let her resign him to such a horrid fate. Loneliness could kill, and she was no executioner.
 
He gently helped her so that she was standing up fully as he held her hand in his gauntleted one as the two began to walk toward the throne however he waved his hand in front of them and the throne turned into a large door. The two walked in and they were in a very large, lavish looking bedroom. However as a bit of a suprise the room was filled with art, flowers. Just things that were peaceful and not dealing with war or anything to horrible. In truth the place was rather nice inside. He gently began to walk her over to the bed before he stopped and he removed his armor, taking off the gauntlets before the shoulder armor and the belts, and then the boots. Now he stood before her with just the pants on as he watched her.
 
She blushed, unsure how to react. She had a vague notion of what was going to happen next, but she wasn't as prepared as the girls who were bred to be Dragon-maidens. "I need to return Alena to her mother and inform my own that I am the maiden intended for you. Perhaps I could do so, and return at sunset." Pausing, she gave him a look that pleaded for him to agree. "Does this sound reasonable to you? I can find my way back, and return alone this evening." It was already late afternoon. That gave her a few hours to return Alena and prepare herself for what was to come.
 
He watched her and he nodded "I understand, go and do what you must" he said with a small smile "I shall be waiting for your return" He then opened the door to let her out as he walked with her, he had not pulled back on his armor as he lead her to the other room where Alena was sent to. Actually it was an interesting room, it was a natural part of the cave that actually grew interesting plants and flowers that have not really been seen before. They gave very interesting and plesant aromas. He smiled as he said 'this was the reason I chose this cave over the others on the mountain, I was shocked to find all of these growing in such a dark place"
 
Caoimhe smiled warmly as Alena rushed to her side, gripping her hand tightly. "Sometimes things grow in places we least expect them." She'd been in the secret caverns beneath her home, the caverns that were hidden under the castle. They were a never-ending labyrinth, filled with wonders that were indescribable. There were crystals growing from the walls that glowed with an ethereal light, and small, strange moths that filled the cavern where ancient ceremonies used to take place.

"I shall return before nightfall." With that said, she led Alena out of the cave and back toward their horses. The ride home was swift and silent, there were no words to describe how she felt. Her blood ran hot, pulsing roughly through her veins, her mind reeling and spinning out of control. The whole path of her life had just changed, and there was no going back. She'd made a promise to her dragon, and she would keep it.
 
Sighing he watched her leave but he knew she had to... He was not going to keep her there and he sighed as he moved away from the door, his mind racing as he could not believe that the woman who was to be his mate, his dragon maiden had actually arrived at long last. He gave a soft sigh as he just had to hope that she would stay true to her word and come back... but he knew she would... she had to, not to sound egotistical but denying a dragon was hard. True people could live normal lives but they would always wonder if things could have been better if they had become the dragons mate.
 
Caoimhe led Alena to the room where her aunt was every day at this time of the day. The older woman was there, sitting in her large, worn armchair and sewing as she always was. Alena curtsied to her mother, and stood silently before her while Caoimhe explained that Alena was not the maiden this dragon was seeking. She left out the details about being the dragon-maiden, and Alena was smart enough to know that she wanted her own parents to know before her aunt.

After all was said and done, Caoimhe left and hurried off to her mother's chambers. Flinging the door open, she rushed inside and skipped niceties. She told her mother all that had transpired that day, including her promise to return to the dragon before nightfall. The queen looked dumbfounded, and after a long silence, she nodded. "You must hurry to tell your father. Night will be upon us soon, and you are a woman of your word." Caoimhe nodded and went with great haste to the throne room, where her father was visiting with his advisers.

She bowed low before her father, speaking breathlessly and quickly. Color slowly rose to his face, and he looked stunned at the news. When she told him she was to leave before nightfall, he shook his head. "There is a mistake. You are bound by duty to your people. If anyone in the royal family should be a dragon maiden, it shall be your sister." Caoimhe gaped at the superstitious old man, shocked at his reaction. Her whole life, she'd listened to his ridiculous rants and stories that dictated his every move. She would take this nonsense no more. "Father, you listen to too many silly tales. You are letting legend influence your decisions." her father's face turned as red as a poppy, and his voice boomed out across the great hall. "Go. Leave me, and go to your chambers. You will not leave these grounds tonight, or for the next fortnight. And you will not question my authority."

Caoimhe grumbled to herself as she was escorted to her chambers and locked in by two of her father's guards. This was stupidity. Sheer stupidity. He was going to keep her locked away, like some mischievous child, because he was afraid of prophecies and childhood stories. She went to her balcony, staring out at the dimming sunlight. Night would fall soon, and she was stuck here.
 
He had waited and as the sun began to set in the sky doubt began to get it's cold grip on his body. He had the horrible feeling she was not going to be returning as the hours passed on and he knew... he knew somewhere that she did not want him. True they were destened but still it was not uncommon for the partner of a dragon to abandon them or just never truely become theirs. He growled a bit and he struck one of the stone walls of the original throne like chamber as it collapsed all around his fist and just became a giant hole. He was a strong dragon, the strongest there was but he was not a violent one. He sighed as he began to rebuild the wall, just trying to do anything to take his mind off of things.
 
Caoimhe growled to herself, annoyed that the door had been slammed in her face for the fifth time. Her father had posted two guards at her chamber door, and they were adamant on following his orders.

Tossing herself into one of her wooden rocking chairs, she began to think of ways she could get around the guards. She'd thought about asking her maid to come, and then she would don her clothes and hurry past them. They were of similar height, and if she covered her hair with a scarf, they wouldn't question it. But when her father found her maid here, and Caoimhe gone, he'd be furious and probably harm the young maid.

Perhaps she could go down the balcony...but it was a three story drop, and she had nothing to lower herself down. There was a tree not far from her balcony, maybe she could jump to it. It was quite a jump for someone as short as herself, but it was worth a shot. She was tired of being bullied by her father because of a stupid legend. Her whole life he'd treated her different, as if she were a bain on the royal family, a blemish on their reputation. No more.

Taking a deep breath, she swung her legs over the balcony railing, holding her skirt and billowing cloak close. Closing her eyes and trying to focus, she prepared to leap. If she missed, she'd likely fall very far. She couldn't miss. "Alright, here it goes...one, two, three!" She leapt from the railing, pushing her legs as hard as she could. Arms flailing, she managed to catch the edge of a thin branch. It snapped, and she squealed, landing hard on a thick branch beneath her. It had been a short fall, but far enough to scare her.

Gathering her wits, she climbed down the tree and ran for the stables. She grabbed her horse, and didn't bother with propriety. Riding side-saddle made it difficult to gallop. The horse sensed her distress and rushed off, going straight into a gallop and heading for the caves. Under the cover of night, she had made it past her father's men. She just hoped that the dragon would still be waiting for her.
 
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