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Post by Artemis Silverbow on Mar 29, 2007 12:00:10 GMT -5
Artemis's head snapped around when she heard her name. She had been listening, but more as an eavesdropper than a real recipient. So having her name included was a shock.
Even more of a shock was the truth she had just heard. Drone had a daughter? she wondered in amazement. She had known of him - heard stories of him. Now to be in the presence of his daughter... it made her even more resolved to become this youth's guard in the days, week, months or years to come. Yet the very fact that she had told the truth was a very big plus in her book. Drone didn't value the truth very highly; so to hear his daughter use it was a comfort. Maybe there is more to her than meets the eye. Maybe she has overcome her birth and heritage... but those are both maybes. I’m not sure if I trust her yet, but I at least am willing to try.
After hearing what the young Dragon Rider said, the Queen leaned back in what appeared to be deliberation. As Artemis walked over to them, she knew what sort of thoughts were running through the monarch's mind. She didn’t know if the Queen would allow the daughter of Drone into the city. There was a lot stacked against her, and maybe even more stacked for her. Time to tip the scales Artemis thought as she gave the queen a quick bow. "Your highness, if I may speak?" she asked in the formal way. "If it suits you, I volunteer to watch over our new Dragon Rider here."
That seemed to snap the Queen right out of her trance. She turned to Elendrial. "I sense you have a better character than your father, so I am allowing you to enter the city. My only stipulation is that Artemis is to be with you at all times, to act as a guide and provide protection to my people if you turn out to be less honorable than you appear. I do not foresee that happening, but I have been wrong more than once. All that is left then to say is Welcome to Ellsberg, Dragon and Dragon Rider."
After a smile, she turned back to Artemis. All the other elves were anxious to talk with the new Dragon and his Rider and swarmed around them, providing an excellent noise screen. "Artemis," the Queen said softly, "I want you to find out as much about this girl as you can. Find out if she has brothers or sisters, what her ties to the empire still are, and where she found that dragon's egg. I want daily reports, to be delivered to my chamber every evening. Even if the detail seems too small, do not omit it. And do not let her know what you are doing. Is that clear?"
Artemis bowed slightly. "Yes, your highness."
"Good, then I will leave you to it. Good luck." And with that, the Queen and her advisors departed, leaving Artemis, her squad, and the Dragon and Rider alone in the watchtower.
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Post by Elendrial Vanimedlë on Apr 1, 2007 6:00:05 GMT -5
((OOC: Gahh! I posted and I guess it didn't go through. I'm sorry.))
Elendrial turned the elf that would now be her shadow. She had hoped that everyone would trust her, but I guess that was to much to ask in such little time. Her body had almost stopped shaking, yet her heart was still pounding as fast as ever. She turned wanted to tell the elf that she could be trusted, but that wasn't enough. She had to prove it and she would even if her life was taken by the Empire.
"I am sorry you have to follow me around. I was hoping it would not come to this. Shaden and I shall follow any order given to us as long as it is intended for good."
She turned to Shaden. Her eyes were saddened like she was grieving for a lost loved one.
Shaden. I just hoped...I just hoped it would work. I wish Sephiroth were here. He is with the Varden and he would convince them. Wouldn't he?
She looked at him for reassurance. Yet her look was different than any elf her age. She seemed more like an innocent child who did not know what to do.
*I am sure he would, yet he is not here. I'm afraid we are under the orders of the queen now. She is the one to follow even if it means being under a watchful eye. Everything will be alright you just have to trust me.*
I do Shaden. I do.
She moved over to the black beast and threw her arms around her neck. Elendrial never knew feelings different than the simple feelings of a child. She had truly never had a real childhood. Her father treated her as an adult, yet she did not know how to act like one.
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Post by Artemis Silverbow on Apr 2, 2007 21:42:54 GMT -5
Artemis watched this whole thing with interest. It was easy to see that neither the Dragon or the Rider were happy with the arrangement, but she was fine with it. Like she had decided earlier, she would rather be in charge of them then trust them to someone else. She didn't quite trust them, but then again, her trust was very difficult to earn in the first place. They showed promise, but at the moment, her thoughts were occupied with the fact that the girl's father was Drone - the very man her own father had killed.
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Post by Elendrial Vanimedlë on Apr 3, 2007 6:09:13 GMT -5
((OOC: I luvs it!!!!!!!!!!!! Nice idea.))
Elendrial turned back to Artemis, and grabbed the elf's hand.
"This is for you. Carry it with you always, and if you are ever in danger, help will not be far off."
She handed Artemis a stone. As soon as the stone touched the elf's hand, it started to change colors from blue to purple and then to black and red. It kept going, almost like a mood ring. The stone had strange symbols on it, and each symbol changed with the color.
"Never show it to anyone."
Elendrial's voice was quiet, yet stern, talking as if the stone was the most valued treasure.
"I'm sorry, but I don't think I ever got your name. If you have not heard mine, it is Elendrial and my dragon here is called Shaden. I pray that we earn your trust and the trust of the others so that you can go back to your own tasks. May we have a tour of the land?"
Elendrial spoke like an adult but her eyes were much like a child's. They showed innocence and naiveness. They were soft and sparkled in the daylight. She waited patiently like a child waiting for a treat.
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Post by Artemis Silverbow on Apr 5, 2007 20:35:32 GMT -5
This was easily going to be the strangest conversation Artemis had ever had. She was dealing with an elf that was neither adult nor child who had just given her a strange rock without hardly any explanation, then had jumped and asked her for a tour of the lands. "My name's Artemis" she replied slowly. Then, after looking around, she asked in hushed tones, "What is this thing?", looking at the rock in her palm.
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Post by Elendrial Vanimedlë on Apr 6, 2007 0:44:38 GMT -5
Elendrial smiled at the elf's name, Artemis. She loved the sound of it; the very sound it made as she slowly said it back to her. It just rolled off her tongue. That was the thing with Elendrial. She loved names; particularly unpopular names like Liam or Aodhan. Artemis seemed to be staring at the rock Elendrial had just given her.
"It is a rock on the outside, that can not be broken, but in the inside it holds strong magic and power. It holds the very breath of a dragon, that is why it changes colors."
She turned to Shaden and giggled a little. He chuckled back, knowing what Elendrial had given the elf was the first exhale he had ever taken and that when she said help would not be far, it really meant that the two would be there in a hurry. It was magical though, for it sensed danger and anything evil. Elendrial mainly wanted to use it as a peace offering between the elf and the dragon and rider.
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Post by Artemis Silverbow on Apr 7, 2007 1:02:48 GMT -5
"Thank you" was just about all Artemis was able to say. Like all other Elves, she deeply regarded dragons. Now to have the breath of one in her palm... She still didn't trust the young Dragon Rider, but there was a new hope that she might not be as bad as her father. Artemis rolled the 'stone' around in her had a bit more before putting it securely in a pouch on her belt. After that, she looked back up at the young elf with a small smile.
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Post by Elendrial Vanimedlë on Apr 7, 2007 10:14:03 GMT -5
Elendrial smiled at the elf and turned to Shaden.
Trust is hard to gain. I wish it was easier.
*If trusting someone was easy it really would be trust now would it?*
I guess not. It's just that I would love to have someone really understand who I was or understand that I am different from my father. It is not fair! I am judged for the stupid mistakes of my father.
*Life is not fair little one. That's why there is good in the world, to even out the unfairness.*
Shaden nuzzled the elf's arm and blew softly in her ear. The quiet wind tickled and Elendrial giggled like a child and playfully pushed the creature's head away. This elf and the dragon had a strong bond that would not be easily broken. Even though Elendrial was like a child, she was wise and understood alot. It was just difficult to express her thoughts and feelings. The only one who truly understood her was the magnificent beast standing beside her. Elendrial turned to their new "gaurdian."
"Could you umm...maybe show us around some? I want to see the place of my ancestors."
Her voice sounded eager to get out of this outpost. As if she wanted to be free.
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Post by Artemis Silverbow on Apr 8, 2007 21:37:03 GMT -5
"Um... Of course." Artemis said as she lead the way to the door. "I trust the food was acceptable, yes?" she asked, trying to make small talk and act like the hostess she now was.
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Post by Elendrial Vanimedlë on Apr 9, 2007 3:49:17 GMT -5
"The food was good. Thank you."
Elendrial stood back and looked at the elf. She seemed tense as if she really didn't want to be in this position or at least that was Elendrial's opinion.
Shaden do you umm think we should trust her? I mean she doesn't trust us. What if this is a trick? A way to get revenge on Drone.
*I think that we should trust her first. It is when we trust her, that she will trust us. I don't think the elves have any intention of killing you for they would be to foolish to. If anything, they will use us as a way to get information from the Empire. It will be alright. I won't let anything happen to you. Now hop upon my back for your wound seems to be getting deeper.*
Elendrial hopped up on the dragon's back and turned to the elf in front of her.
"Do you mind if we fly? Both of us will sit on his back."
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Post by Artemis Silverbow on Apr 12, 2007 16:50:36 GMT -5
Artemis stopped dead in her tracks. Fly? Her mind tried to grasp it. She knew what it was of course, but she never expected to be able to experience it. "Uh, sure" she replied, still a bit dazed. There was no way that she was going to pass up this opportunity even if it was the death of her. Best to die happy she thought as she walked over to the duo.
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Post by Elendrial Vanimedlë on Apr 14, 2007 21:08:15 GMT -5
Elendrial smiled as she reached out a hand toward the elf below. The elf had obviously never ridden a dragon before and that she wanted to. Yet there seemed to be something holding her back; maybe it wasn't that she trusted Elendrial.
"Grab my hand and I'll help you up. Then we'll take to the skies."
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Post by Artemis Silverbow on Apr 15, 2007 10:54:56 GMT -5
"Let's go" Artemis said as she grabbed Elendrial's hand a gracefully got up on the Dragon's back. She settled herself quickly, then asked Shaden, is this a good position? She then turned and gave her fellow elf a small smile. This was going to be interesting, if nothing else.
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Post by Elendrial Vanimedlë on Apr 16, 2007 3:51:26 GMT -5
Shaden smiled at Artemis who was now sitting upon his back.
Yes that is perfect.
The black beast lept from the ground and flew off into the air with his leathery wings flapping. The air felt refreshing as it hit his face. He always missed being in the air while he was on ground. He closed his eyes and pictured with his mind all that was around him.
Elendrial smiled back at Artemis and held tightly to Shaden as the flew off into the sky. She loved flying no matter how much it sometimes hurt. Even now, with almost a year of experience, her legs would still sometimes ache after a long ride.
"Artemis, are you alright?"
She hoped this flight would help them earn the trust of the elf sitting in front of her.
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Post by Artemis Silverbow on Apr 17, 2007 16:45:55 GMT -5
"Yeah!" Artemis shouted over the rush of the wind. It was so exhilarating to be so far in the sky. On top of that, she was on the back of a dragon. Somehow it just felt right. "Turn left - the city is over that way" she yelled, pointing.
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Post by Elendrial Vanimedlë on Apr 18, 2007 3:47:14 GMT -5
Shaden nodded and moved his tilted his wings to move toward the left. He dived straight toward the ground again and back up again for a little excitement. Elendrial smiled, knowing that he was giving Artemis a thrill ride. Ah it was good to be back in the skies.
"Are you okay Artemis?"
A slight chuckle escaped her lips.
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Post by Artemis Silverbow on Apr 18, 2007 23:47:20 GMT -5
"Maybe - I'll get back to you on that" she said as her stomach returned to the up-right position. That had been one of the scariest things she had ever done, but she enjoyed it quite a bit - although Artemis just wanted her lunch to stay inside her.
"There's the city!" she said, pointing through the trees. Elves the size of ants scampered around under them. Artemis looked down on them with fascination. No matter how well you think you know a thing, there is always a new perspective to be gained. she thought to herself as she watched their heads turn to the sky.
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Post by Elendrial Vanimedlë on Apr 21, 2007 9:56:36 GMT -5
Elendrial was fascinated with the city below her. So many elves! It was so beautiful from up here. How she longed to be apart of these elves. If only they could except her. Now she hoped that Artemis would trust her a little more. The elf may not know this, but it is a rarity that a dragon rider offers a ride on their dragon for no reason at all.
After they had flew around for awhile, Shaden landed in a small opening in the wood. He and Elendrial had not slept in a long time and the young elf had a dangerous wound that seemed to threaten her life. Of course it would be slow and take time, but still, if she did not get rest or help then it would never get better.
Shaden, I know you are worried but please, please don't mention anything to Artemis. Okay?
Shaden reluctantly nodded. He knew he need to tell the other elf, but he would not do it here, not with Elendrial around.
Elendrial smiled and turned toward Artemis.
"What did you think of that ride?"
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Post by Artemis Silverbow on Apr 24, 2007 13:09:14 GMT -5
"That was... incredible" Artemis replied truthfully and a bit breathlessly. Seeing her home - or one of the two - from the air had been... amazing to say the least. "Thank you" she stated with a small smile.
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Post by Elendrial Vanimedlë on Apr 25, 2007 8:05:44 GMT -5
Elendrial smiled back, almost as if the two had become friends. The elf truly had no friends except for her brother when she was growing up, so this was a new feeling for her.
"I'm glad you enjoyed it. Could we go to a place and rest?"
She was growing tired and weary; already, Shaden had sensed this and moved over to help her. He craned his neck near her for her to lean on. She excepted it gladly, and slightly limped toward the main city.
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