A messed up family -OPEN-

"Kiiron right?" Rhyllae answered. "What exactly have you heard about me?" She knew that the way her mother was was something that often turned people away, muttering their disgust at who she was. Manora was well known in the village.

"I'll just head off, there is much to do before the Dragon Riders get here in the morning. I'll see you later, Rhyllae, Kiiron." To Kiiron, Keya also added. "There's a spare room next door that you can use for the night. I don't mind."

That said, she left the pair behind in Rhyllae's room.

"In the morning perhaps. It's been a long day out on my family's farm." She smiled gently. She knew that so much could happen during the course of the day. "Plus, the buildings are rather unsteady at the moment, seeing as the city is being moved now that Lindan Marcos is dead." She knew this was something that would please the elves. "It seems everything tainted by him is being recreated by his daughter."

She sighed. That could not undo what she was. The result of an affair that should not have happened. "I will happily show you around in the morning, I'm tired out now from the things that happened today." She knew she was nothing but a commoner, but that did not mean that she should not show him respect

She smiled at him. "I would not mind doing so. Sometimes I go there, just to practise my archery skills." She knew there were some things that she had to always be prepared for, and she was one of the ones who was always ready for anything that came their way. Plus it kept her mind away from how much of a screwed up family she was a part of.

Never in her life had she used a sword, she preferred a bow when it came to fighting. She knew though that this was the only difference between herself and Keya most of the time. They were as close as sisters and that was indeed a rare thing for Keya. Keya would never admit it, not unless she became one of the nobles herself.

“I best get some sleep, the Dragon Riders come, and its said that the dragons won't pick someone who is lazy and gets there late.” It was true the dragons never had picked someone who was that way. And they never would as far as they knew.

The sleep she had that night was one of the easiest ones she had had in a long time. It was something she had not anticipated, and she woke up once more at dawn. She knew what was coming and she hoped that she would be chosen. The only people who outranked the Dragon Riders unless one themselves were the royal families.

If she could become a Rider, then the trouble she had with Manora would be hopefully over. No one was allowed to deny a Dragon Rider anything, but would that stop Manora from being the beastly elf she was? Rhyllae knew that the family on her mother's side had once had a lot of honor to its name. Now it was nothing. Well, she would just have to do something about that, mighten she?

Smiling though, she freshened herself up to wake up and then muttered something in elfish. The well crafted longbow was always ready for a bit of work. She smiled, running her hand down the fine horse tail hair strong. It was like a hawk was carved into the wood, and it was very ornate. A little too ornate for a farm girl. But she had fought for Gem, and as a token of her thanks, Gem had given her the bow and its oddly shaped red quiver.

She slung the bow over one shoulder, and the quiver over the other. Like so, she headed out of her room. The long black hair was carefully fixed out of her eyes, and the clothing she wore now was more of the elven kind. She was ready to face the day, like a true warrior would.

She smiled as she moved through the hallways until he crossed her path, making her stop. “After a bit of archery practise, yes. Keya and I usually meet up at the sparring grounds each morning, she knows what an asset I was to Gem in the fighting.”

It was not something many could say. She knew that Keya saw her as much more than a simple farm girl, but it was something she was yet to make it official. “I normally train there for an hour, as does she.” She smiled at him. There were some things that she could not say. One would not reach their goals if they did not do what was needed.

“Did you want to come?” she asked. “Once I've been there, yes I am going to the dragon room, its being held in the throne room, of all places.”

She was about to say something when there was a loud roar of welcome from Velatha, which made her jump. It was a sound not due for another two hours and yet there was Velatha, sitting on her back legs, wings outstretched to their full length in the weak early morning sunlight, staring at something in the sky.

A glance told Rhyllae-Ash that it was the Riders. “Maybe no practise for me after all. They're early.”

It was then that Keya came rushing out to her dragon's side. She did not appear to see Rhyllae-Ash or Kiiron, for she leapt up into Velatha's saddle lithely, and the golden dragon leapt into the sky.

*******

'Are you sure its them?' She asked as the dragon propelled her through the air.

'My eyes never deceive me during the dawn. This is the time I am at my most powerful.'

Soon they saw the huge white dragon, plus a purple and a blue behind her. There was also a black dragon behind them.

Velatha stopped to hover in the air as Gaelira changed her path to face her personally.

“it is good to see you again, my sister,” Velatha chuckled.

“And I you, little sister,” Gaelira chuckled.

The two riders also exchanged the right greetings, the only different being their titles.

Then Keya finally said, “You're early... more than half my city was asleep until Velatha roared her greeting.”

“Better early than late,” Drannor replied.

She spotted the two children and smiled. “I was not told there would be children coming,” Keya commented, looking at Gem.
“That was a last minute decision. You should have seen them coming,” Gem replied. She smiled though. “A gift like yours should not have been fooled by that.”
“I haven't had any visions for a while, Gem,” Keya replied. She sounded concerned, it was not like a gift to simply stop happening.
“We can talk about that later,” Gem replied. “After all, today is a very special day isn't it in Nuban?”
“Most certainly.” Keya smiled though and Velatha flipped backwards, leading the way back to Nuduien. She landed easily, retreating into her den while the others landed.

Rhyllae Ash smiled. “I suppose so.” She was in truth a little disappointed about not being able to practise. She turned and headed back into the walls where it was safe from the landing dragons.

Gem chuckled as Auraka helped her down. “For someone who once had a huge fear of heights, no one would believe me that you had that nowadays.” She smiled at him though as her feet touched the ground. “And you know I can handle getting down perfectly well on my own.” Gem was surprised though, when Keya moved over and gave her a hug. She smiled, returning the gesture. They had been friends Keya's whole life and it was something not so well known.

“Been a while, cousin,” Keya said.

“Yes well you know, its been hard work making sure things are working smoothly before today came. I trust everyone knows why we're here?"

"Of course, and there are a lot of people who are interested in those eggs." Keya smiled. "Though I am more than aware that they are not the only reason for you coming here."

"Of course not, you have to take your place today, you know that," Gem replied.

"A better queen we couldn't ask for," Drannor added. "You are everything these humans need, when we leave."

Rhyllae-Ash chuckled as she moved out towards the other elves. She knew most of them by name, except for the red haired one and the children. She greeted Gem, knowing what was expected of her.

"So this is where you've been hiding?" Gem asked.

"Yes my queen. Half my family lives here."

One eyebrow rose as Auraka and Kiiron spoke. It seemed this was another family member perhaps? “Yes he would be helping me. Auraka is doing a good job,” Gem replied. “I do not think I could have chosen a more worthy elf.” gem smiled as she walked over to the two men, wrapping one arm around Auraka.

Drannor chuckled at the conversation. Then he moved back to his family. “It would seem another family member is revealed.” He smiled at Sahar. “I don't think Auraka was expecting to see Kiiron here.” He was smiling though, as he watched what was going on. A few times though his eyes roamed the walls of the courtyard, seeing the humans starting to come out to stare at all of them, as well as the dragons in interest. “You'd think the humans hadn't seen and elf or dragon before,” he murmured to his family.

Rhyllae-Ash shrank backwards, she was not good in a crowd of elves. This was something she was not able to handle all that well at the moment. Kiiron and Keya seemed to know everyone here, but she knew this was not a gathering that was likely to be any good for her to interact with. For she was the daughter of the elf who got around.

“Rhyllae-Ash Slenderbow! Get yourself back over here!” shouted a woman and Rhyllae shuddered. She knew it was Manora but did she care? Not in the slightest.

“You don't have to go anywhere, Rhyllae,” Keya replied. She looked over at the red haired female elf who had shouted out. “She does not control you if she did not raise you, which I know she did not.” It was true, aside from visiting on Rhyllae's birthday's, Manora had been mixing from the family.

Likely travelling and seeing other men, Rhyllae thought, scowling at her mother.

“Velatha was also a common sight, Sahar. So no, not only Rhothilion was seen here when my father was in power.” She smiled. “I and my dear departed mother, as well as Hycis were the only elves welcome here in Nuduien, so how Manora even got in here is beyond me,” Keya remarked.

Rhyllae sighed. “Likely by hiding what she really was?”

Keya chuckled then. “No need to thank me, Kiiron, I am only looking out for my people here.”

Drannor smiled. “I know who Manora used to be, Shame really, her family was once a family of nobles, but due to her behaviour, and her father's, they have lost their honor.” He chuckled, rubbing Sahars belly before kissing her scarred cheek. He would never forgive himself.

“no need to remind me,” Rhyllae replied, speaking for the first time

He chuckled as she hit him, knowing that he did not really get hurt from the movement. "Sorry love," he replied, kissing her gently. "But Manora's family used to be freinds with mine, until we lost contact."

"Drannor isn't t?" Rhyllae-Ash replied.

"Yeah thats me," he chocolate brown hared elf replied.

"I remember stories mother told me of your family," she replied.

Then Sahar screamed and Drannor looked down at her. "Whats wrong love?" He growled though, moving in front of her worriedly. What had frightened his wife like this? Neldor' s great head moved about as well, looking, as he settled in front of Cyara.

Almost straight away, most of the elves were on edge, including Gem and Gaelira.

He growled, turning to glare at the human. Keya seemed to realise what had happened, for Velatha moved out fo the way, as did Rhyllae at a signal from her. Drannor was not pleased to see the human who had done what he had to his wife.

Keya knew better than to get in the way when it came to something like this, though Sahar's secret was safe with her right now. Remembering what had happened last time he was this close to Sahar, Drannor took several steps away from her, though he was badly shaking at the moment.

The human seemed to notice and seemed to run for it as a huge golden bear exploded from where Drannor stood. He seemed to be twelve feet long and four feet wide. Surprisingly he was not brown any more, but a huge golden furred bear. He roared and he was surprised for a moment before he leapt after the human.