awkward kid, you've turned out to be quite a handsome dragon.'
Early the next morning, the two dragons collected Sir George and departed for the east. They wandered a bit on their way, checking to see that all the damage from the invasion of Rockhome was in the process of being repaired. The rains of late spring had done much to restore the blackened steppes of the Ethengar to their familiar green. The herds were gradually returning, and the clans of the Ethengar would soon return from their exile in the mountains of northern Rockhome.
The return of the Dragonking to Windreach the next day was a matter of great celebration. The dragons feasted him and his companions all through the night. The next morning he presented himself to the Parliament of the Dragons, for he knew his time to leave was at hand. He formally introduced himself as Diamond, the new dragon Immortal, who had been sent back into the world to guide and to protect the dragons, and he briefly assumed his Immortal form to prove his statement. He explained that finally the prophecy of the dragons had been fulfilled, not as they had feared but with the hope of lasting peace for the future for dragonkind. He added that he would no longer be their king; the Parliament of Dragons would govern their affairs, and he would only be an advisor.
He tried to give the Collar of the Dragons back to them, but the parliament refused to accept it and asked him to continue to hold it in trust. Marthaen explained that the dragons had already discussed the matter, and it was their wish that Thelvyn should always hold the title of Dragonking in honor of the great battle that he had fought for them.
That night the dragons feasted the Dragonking a second time, after which they went out into the mountains of Nor-wold to sing. In the past, the dragons had sung their ancient songs on special nights of the year, such as midwinter night and midsummer night, but they had lost heart for the old festivals when the Great One had left them some three decades earlier. Now they felt like singing once more.
This was something very new for Thelvyn, who didn't know any of the ancient songs. He listened with delight as the dragons sat back on their haunches, looped their tails about their legs, lifted their long necks high, and sang to the stars. The song of the dragons was legendary, even among other folk, for dragons had very strong, clear voices, and their great chorus would ring through the mountains on a clear night, carried on the wind for great distances. Elves would walk hundreds of miles to hear them, and weep with joy at the sound.
They built great bonfires on the remote plateau where they gathered, and they brought out barrels of wine and large, deep drums to keep time while they sang their livelier songs. To the surprise of all, it was Kharendaen herself who was the first to dance. Everyone was even more impressed to see how well she danced, for she was young and strong, and very lean and graceful. She rose up on her long hind legs with her wings half furled, bending and swaying between quick, prancing steps in time with the rhythm of the drums. The gold and tan patterns of her armor seemed to shimmer in the dancing firelight, and her large eyes glittered. Watching her, Thelvyn was proud that her love was given to him.
'There has never been another like her,' Jherdar said in admiration. 'Cleric and warrior. Wise and fierce, brave and beautiful. Only an Immortal could be worthy of her.'
Sitting close to his own mate, Daresha, Marthaen smiled in wry amusement. 'My little sister has grown up.'
Sir George had brought out a bottle of cherry liqueur from his pack, which he now lifted in salute. 'To the best dragons that ever lived!'
'Who is that?' Jherdar asked, staring down at him.
'Why, the whole damned lot of you, of course,' the old knight declared. 'I hope you're all proud of yourselves, because you've earned it.'
'You make us sound like heroes,' Jherdar laughed, but then he paused and looked more serious. 'I regret that many of our actions from the start were nothing to be proud of. We look at things quite differently now.'
'That's what the Great One wanted most of all,' Thelvyn said. 'He would tell you not to regret your mistakes if you haye learned from them.'
'Then you forgive us for the grief we caused you?' the red dragon asked.
'I forgave you long ago,' Thelvyn said. 'Actually, getting to knock you around when I first became Dragonlord made me feel a lot better.'
Jherdar laughed. 'The only fight I ever had that I'm happy to have lost. But since this night seems to be for handing out praise, there is another who should not be overlooked. First Speaker, what honor do we have for the prince of drakes?'
Marthaen turned his head to look at the old knight. 'I hereby proclaim Sir George Kirbey a Fellow of the Parliament of Dragons. At special times, he will be brought to Windreach to speak before parliament on behalf of the dragon-kin. And if Sir George Two-Hands would be gracious enough to give us the hook that he wore for so long, it will be given a place of honor among the treasures of the dragons in the Hall of the Great One.'
'That's a bit much praise for me,' Sir George remarked. 'But I think I will accept it all the same, since it's high time for the dragons to stop overlooking the dragon-kin.'
'We promise,' Marthaen assured him. 'We will never forget that you were there to protect the Dragonking when the dragons refused to.'
They sat in silence for some time as they watched Kharendaen dance. She seemed tireless, and she gave the dragons a dance they would not soon forget. Finally she left the firelight, and others took her place as she walked over to sit down close beside her mate. They rubbed their muzzles together softly.
'When are you going to lay that egg?' her brother asked her.
Kharendaen lifted her ears in alarm. 'You know about that?'
'You smell pregnant,' Marthaen said in jest. 'Actually, Thelvyn spoke of it to the Great One that last night in the west. I am pleased the Dragonking will leave an heir among us.'
'I appreciate your offer to raise our child in Windreach where she belongs,' Thelvyn said. 'Kharendaen and I have much to do.'
Kharendaen turned her head to look at him, and there were tears in her large eyes. 'I thought you had to leave us.'
Thelvyn placed his hand gently on her neck, just below her ear. 'You've been at my side almost every moment since I first became the Dragonlord, sharing every danger and hardship. I could not leave you behind now.'
She settled close against him, and he held her tightly. After a moment, he looked up at his companions. 'I must leave now. As you know, the Immortals are not permitted to act directly in the mortal world. An exception was made in my case in order that I could defend you against great danger. But now the old balance must be restored.'
'But you will be back,' Jherdar said, looking sad.
'I will return to you often,' Thelvyn promised. 'But from now on, my part will be only to observe and advise, for I still have my mandate from the Great One to help the dragons discover their destiny. But the Great One has allowed me to select four companions among the gold dragons to serve and assist me, once they have proven Themselves worthy of such a duty. You must admit that no one has proven herself more worthy than Kharendaen.'
'That leaves three more companions,' Sir George remarked, looking rather pointedly at Marthaen. 'Perhaps there are likely candidates who wish to volunteer.'
'My place is here,' Marthaen insisted, frankly alarmed at the suggestion.
'I agree,' Thelvyn said. 'And since you believe in the dragons the way I do, you will best serve me here. Still, there is no hurry to decide anything.'
They sat in silence for a time, watching the lively dancing of the young dragons. The conclusion of their labors was at hand and difficult times were behind them, but the end had turned out not as sad as they had anticipated. They were content.
'What about you?' Thelvyn asked Sir George. 'If you plan to return to your former life of adventure, then I'm going to have to spend every free moment I have worrying about you.'
'Adventure?' Sir George asked. 'I'm merely an old dealer in antiquities, mind you. But I think the time has come for me to go home. I've been living among dragons quite long enough. It leaves me dizzy and confused, and I need to be comfortable for a while. I am only a dragon-kin, and I feel rather out of place among true dragons.'
