Helenia raised the cup of sweet elven tea to her nostrils with quickened heartbeats of anticipation. She drew a long whiff of the brew, and let out a breath laced with nostalgia.
“Such delightful sensations remind me of home, mother,” said Helenia. “Do you remember those cinnamon honey teas you used to make for us? I really miss how we used to talk for hours in the dining room with father.”
Andrielle sat quietly by her foggy window. She wiped away the fog with her hand and watched the fading image of thousands of men and women as they trained tirelessly with Faowind and Dryden. The mystery of a new weapon proved to be a welcoming distraction for them all, and a fresh burst of hope. She took another sip and turned to Helenia to address her.
“Those were peaceful times, my love. But this is your home now. Our home. And those days are now long behind us. We need to focus on the future and make new memories.”
Andrielle’s eyes saddened as she looked back out the window. She spoke with conviction. “Look at them all, ready to give their lives selflessly to save us. We are so lucky to be alive, you know? I can’t believe that we have made it this far. When I look outside, I see so much hope and strength. I need you to learn from them, gain their trust, and in time… lead them. I won’t be around forever, and the gods only know if we can bring an end to the dark cloud that has blanketed all of us. I need you to become the queen that will one day, rule.'
“Mother, that is exactly what I have tried to explain to you time and time again. I want to be out there beside them, training to fight and helping us to win this war. I want to avenge the murder of my father. What good are a queen and princess if we just sit here while they fight in our names?'
Andrielle turned sharply to look her daughter in the eyes with serious intent. “Do you not understand why I ask you to stay here? What do you think would happen if you were to die on the battlefield?” asked Andrielle, as her eyes twinkled. “I have already lost my husband, our people have lost their king, and you have lost your father and brother. I will lead them into battle when the time comes, rest assured of that. But there really is no need to have you risking your life. Nothing you or I do will bring Arman back to us, and the pain of his loss should serve as a reminder of our purpose. Our people need at least one of us to remain alive to rebuild Greenhaven when we win this war. You want to be useful to the war effort? Look at all the reinforcements we have received from human cities far from our lands, all thanks to your brilliant plan to send messenger dragons.”
Helenia sat quietly as her mother paused to sip some tea. Her lips gaped wide toward her mother without finding any words to fill them.
“We both have roles to play in this war, and our hearts are yet to heal the wounds inflicted upon them. I understand how you feel… do you not realise that I feel the same way? I also long to be the one to thrust a sharp blade into Kassina’s stone-cold heart, but we must not allow our pain to cloud our minds,” said Andrielle, as she wiped away the tears on her cheeks.
Helenia approached her mother and held her, laying her head close to her chest. She did not say a word as she held the queen, but allowed her mother a moment to quietly weep.
Andrielle's voice broke as she placed her hand on Helenia's arm and whispered to her. 'My beautiful daughter. I see so much of myself in you. I don't know if you realise just how proud I am of you. I have no words to express my regret that I ever gave birth to your brother. He may just prove to be the death of us all.'
Helenia lay a kiss on her mother's head and sighed deeply. 'I don't think that any of us can understand what he has become… But I can't say that I couldn't see the signs.'
Andrielle turned to face her and asked, 'Why didn't you say something?'
Helenia slumped into her chair, picking up the tea she had placed on the table. 'How could I? What was I going to say? ‘Mother, I think that your son wants to kill us all’?'
Drying her eyes on her sleeve, she asked, 'How long did you know?'
'I never knew for sure… I just always had a feeling of not being safe around him. Even when we were children… He always tried to hurt me, but I suppose you must have just thought it to be sibling rivalry.'
'Oh, Helenia, I…'
The sound of loud banging on the house startled them both, and Andrielle dropped her cup of tea, which shattered on the ground.
“Who is it?” snapped Helenia.
“Please forgive me for the intrusion, Queen Andrielle. It is only me, Karven. May I see you?” asked the Dragon King. His voice trailed away from the door.
“I am sorry, Helenia. We shall continue this discussion later, my darling,” said Andrielle as she laid a soft kiss on Helenia’s forehead. She got up, took a moment to look at her daughter, and proceeded to open the door.
“Is everything alright?” she asked him, closing the door behind her.
“Would you care to join me for a short walk?” asked Karven, gesturing with his head for her to follow him.
“Of course,” replied Andrielle, managing a wide smile.
They began their walk together while the queen wiped the tears from her eyes. She took some deep breaths and shook out her hands.
“Your concern for Helenia is felt by all of us. I can see the terrible fear in her heart, but I wonder if you can see through her mask of strength?” asked Karven.
“I see that you don’t waste time in getting to the point, Karven, and I do appreciate your honesty. Of course I am afraid for her. She wants to put her head on a chopping block, all in the name of avenging her father’s murder,” said Andrielle, before mumbling something in Elven under her breath.
As they headed towards the barracks, a small fairy flew out from the forest and landed into her arms. It giggled as she stroked it and held it closely to her chest.
“I understand your pain,” said Karven. “If one of my own betrayed me, I would also be forever wounded. We raise our young with the best of intentions, but they carve their own paths and make their own decisions. Their life choices are not the fault of your own and neither are their allegiances and motives. As you seek comfort from the young fairy in your arms, Helenia seeks comfort from Vartan.'
Andrielle stopped in her tracks and stared blankly at Karven for a moment before deciding to speak.
“Dragon King, with all due respect, I may not be as wise as you as I have not walked this world for centuries, but I am neither deaf nor blind,” said Andrielle, resuming her walking pace by his side.
“Andrielle, I believe you misunderstand. What I am trying to bring to your attention is not their feelings towards each other, but the fact that their love can never truly be realised.'
“What do you mean? If there is something that I need to know, I need you to share it with me now.”
Karven gestured forward as they now circled the training grounds. The sounds of armour and weapons colliding in practice filled the air.
“ Silentium nos redimiat, ” said Karven, and millions of tiny stars surrounded them, joined by a clear layer of light. “This is a conversation that should only be heard and spoken between us, and now only we can hear it.”
“I understand, please, go on,” replied Andrielle.
Karven continued their walk.
“As you already well know, the greatest of our weapons is Talonsphere. I am aware that you hold a portion of a scroll detailing its whereabouts. But do you actually know what the weapon is? Do you understand the sacrifices which are necessary for us to win this war?”
“Of course I don't know what the weapon is, as I have never laid eyes on it. I only know of the fables, the boy born of dragon blood. One would think that if the fables were true, that you would be protecting…” Andrielle stopped as the realisation sunk in. Her face paled and she asked, wide eyed, “ Vartan is the boy born of dragon blood?”
“The elves made the right choice in their queen. You are wiser than you give yourself credit for. Vartan is indeed the boy born of dragon blood. Talonsphere is in essence a machine, and it is enchanted with magic of the ancients. The machine itself acts as a holding chamber, and deep within it is a golden dragon’s egg that, once activated, will unleash a hybrid dragon unlike anything we have ever seen. It will be born and reach full size and power at a magically accelerated rate, and it will not stop until the Forces of Darkness are vanquished. We will then enter a new age of peace. Vartan will need to activate Talonsphere to unleash the dragon egg within.'
“By the gods-and he’s not here under our protection? Where is he anyway? And what if he were to be killed
