Chapter 148: Together Again
After the funeral, Kipling followed the crowd moving towards the Copper Lotus. India and Romilda were preparing to host those that didn't feel ready to return home to their suites, so everyone could grieve in the company of others. The Amberlyn family and those that were closest to Querida were having their own private gathering at Amberlyn's.
Kipling couldn't believe she was actually gone. Who was going to stop Simon from getting him and his friends in trouble now?
It was a silly thought, really. Much had changed after the war. He felt older, and his escapades as a younger dragon seemed far off. Perhaps someday he could return to that level of carefree fun again, but not tonight.
As he entered in the tavern, after most of the crowd has entered, he was pleased to see that Rori and Luster had already snagged a table. Kipling fluttered over to them, a smile spreading across his face. Though it hadn't felt like he'd been stuck in the ice very long, he knew lots had happened since the last time he had seen his friends.
"Kipling!" Rori's face lit up as she saw him, and she leaped to her feet to give him a hug, almost knocking over a neighbouring table with her tail in the process.
"Hey!" Kipling exclaimed, feeling warmth spread throughout his body. He hadn't realized it would be so good to see her again.
"Hey Kip!" Luster called out, giving his friend a toothy grin. Kipling rushed over to hug his friend, then settled down on the table. He was too small to reach the imperial-sized table from a chair.
"It's good to see you both!" Kipling exclaimed. He couldn't resist doing another back-flip in his excitement.
"Is there room for two more?" Eclipse said, walking up to the table. With her was a wildclaw Kipling recognized, but had never actually met.
"Of course!" Kipling exclaimed, "The more the merrier! Pull up a chair!"
The dragons around the table shifted to make room for the newcomers. Kipling fluttered from his place on the table to settle into Rori's mane between her antlers. It was comforting, finding his usual place on her head again. Nestled here in the warmth of his friend, the horrors of his frozen prison seemed far off. A fire cackled in a fireplace nearby. Everything was perfect.
"Thank you, Quaid wasn't quite ready to join his family," Eclipse said as she settled down. The wildclaw nodded, clearly looking like he was holding back tears.
"So," Quaid sniffed, regaining his composure, "Eclipse tells me you three are the resident trouble makers of Windkeep Tower!"
"Oh, is that what we are?" Rori grinned, casting a playful look at Luster.
"What?" Luster exclaimed, feigning offense, "I didn't say anything! Our reputation speaks for itself!"
Quaid's face cracked into a smile, "Could you use another pair of hands? Of course, I travel with my parent regularly, but if you need anything from abroad-"
"Of course!" Kipling exclaimed, "We'd be happy to have you! After all, a friend of Eclipse's is a friend of ours!"
The five dragons spent the hours together, laughing, drinking and sharing their stories of the rebellion. Quaid soon seemed to have forgotten his grief for his sister, and Kipling was glad to have been able to bring joy to the grieving brother. There would always be more time to mourn, when he was ready. For tonight, he could dine among friends. After a while, the conversation dwindled as the exhaustion from their experiences that day caught up with them. The fire in the hearth continued to cackle, casting a sleepy warmth over the dragons.
"Oh! There's Cattail! I should go talk to her!" Luster exclaimed, downing the last of his drink and scooting his chair away so he could hop down to pursue the bogsneak. The squeak of the chair against the floorboards roused Kipling from his half-slumber. He and Rori lifted their heads to watch their friend go.
"He still hasn't given up on her?" Kipling asked, shaking his head.
"Well, you know Luster, he never likes to admit defeat," Rori laughed, "Besides, love is like that."
Kipling felt heat rise to his face and his heart seemed to leap from his chest. He suddenly remembered Rori's comment after Yuu had hatched. Now that the danger of the war had passed, his feelings seemed much more imminent, and much more terrifying.
"Quaid, we should go," Eclipse suddenly said, nudging the wildclaw awake and rising to her feet. She cast a knowing gaze at Rori and Kipling, and the two dragons left swiftly. Kipling felt even more warm, he had forgotten about the skydancer ability to read emotions. Now he would have to face his feelings. Taking a deep breath, he slid down Rori's snout, coming to rest on the end of her nose, so he could look into her eyes. His tail hung over her nostrils and he could feel his tail swaying evenly in her warm breath.
"Was it scary, being trapped in the ice?" Rori asked after what felt like ages, taking the leap to break the silence.
"Honestly? I don't remember much of it," Kipling admitted, "It was kind of like I was asleep."
"I didn't even know you were gone," Rori admitted, "I feel like a terrible friend. When I found out where you had been-"
"Hey, you were caught up in your own things. Banella went back in time right before I was frozen, there's no way you could have known," Kipling reassured.
"I know, but it's scary thinking about how close I was to losing you," Rori breathed. her words hung in the air between them, carrying some unspoken weight. Kipling knew now was the time.
"Rori, I-" Kipling took a deep breath. How was he going to say this? What if he had read the signals wrong. He felt a wave of panic wash over him, but then he looked into her golden eyes, and their warmth calmed him. "Rori, I think you're the most amazing dragon I've ever met. You are my best friend, I honestly don't know what I'd do without you and-" Kipling swallowed, conjuring the nerve to finish, "And I think I love you."
Rori stared at him wide eyed. His anxiety flared again as Rori took in his words, not responding. Had he said something wrong?
"I love you too," She said at last, and a wave of relief washed over Kipling, "I just- I didn't think you felt the same way. I was worried that you and Eclipse-"
"What? No! Never!" Kipling exclaimed in surprise, "I mean, she's great and all, and she's my friend, but Rori, it's always been you."
"Really?" Rori asked, and Kipling could feel her breath catch within.
"Yes, from the moment I laid eyes on you, I knew you were special. It may have taken me some time to figure out what all these feelings were, but I want nothing more than to live the rest of my life by your side, going on more adventures and seeing where life takes us." Kipling admitted.
"I want that to," Rori purred, eyes glowing with joy and love, "But what about your destiny? Aren't you Windkeep Tower's heir? Won't your royal duties get in the way of adventure?"
"Actually, I talked to my parents about that," Kipling said, "After all the time with the resistance, and seeing the choices Winterstone had to make, I realized that's not me. I don't want to lead a clan. And you know what? My mom said that she didn't even take me in with the intention of making me heir, she and my dad took me in because I was a lost hatchling in need of a family. They will be choosing an heir, to solidify their leadership in case something goes wrong, but it won't be me. I'm free to live the life I choose to live. And I choose living a life with you, wherever that takes us."
Rori smiled, and seeing her smile made Kipling's heart leap. Rori rested her head on the table once more. Kipling climbed back up her face to return to his spot in her mane. He couldn't believe he had actually done it, and now the two of them were going to spend their lives together. He couldn't wait to see what adventures the future would hold.
"Hey beautiful!" Luster winked as he slid beside Cattail at the bar counter. The bogsneak rolled her eyes and took a drink from her cup.
"What do you want Luster?" Cattail grunted.
"I just wanted to talk to you again, now that everything has- passed." Luster explained, dropping his charming charade.
"Look, I'm sorry about everything before, I shouldn't have been that cold, but Quartz had been breathing down our backs, and those undead warriors gave me the shivers," Cattail admitted, "But Luster, I don't know if we're anything that's actually going to work. We're too different, you and I, and I don't want you messing with the integrity of my business."
"Can I at least try to woo you?" Luster asked, wiggling his eyebrows, "You know, I have my heart set on you, and I was able to do it once before."
Cattail shook her head, laughing, "Luster, you are quite possibly the most persistent dragon I have ever met."
"But is it working?" Luster asked, "I know you like me, don't try to deny it!"
"What the heck, let's give it a go," Cattail shook her head, giving Luster a rare smile, "But I'm not making any promises here! I reserve the rights to call off this relationship at any point for any reason whatsoever. I still don't trust you, but you intrigue me, so I'm willing to explore this option."
"Yes!" Luster exclaimed, jumping into the air and almost losing his filigree.
"You know your filigree's dented. You should get it fixed. What were you doing in that battle?" Cattail asked.
"I don't know what you're talking about!" Luster exclaimed, "My filigree is genuine!"
"Luster, you're not getting me to lick your filigree," Cattail said, clearly unimpressed.
"Aw man, it was worth a shot," Luster clicked in disappointment, shaking his head.
"Just what am I getting myself into?" Cattail asked, leaning further onto the counter, "I think I need another drink."
Sapphire slept late the morning after the battle. It had felt weird, returning to his room in the mansion, but he hadn't wanted to disturb Dremasul and Draxxor as their mourned. He hadn't known Querida, so he felt he'd be intruding by attending their gathering.
He had almost forgotten what had happened the night before as he got out of bed. His heart sank as he stared at his overly ornate surroundings. Then he remembered. They had won. His father was dead.
He didn't know how he felt about his father's death. It left him strangely empty. He had hated his father, for ignoring him, for everything he had done to hurt the dragons who actually cared about Sapphire, but it was still strange to think of him gone. He wasn't sad, but he wasn't happy either.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door and he swung it open to see Nymph. He recognized her from the meeting in the Underground where they planed their strategy for the battle.
"Hey, kiddo!" Nymph exclaimed, "I'm taking over courier duties for the next little while with Oriel and Rammus mourn. I have a message for you." The nocturne stopped to pull a scroll out of her bag. She handed it the Sapphire, then turned and flew away down the corridor. After watching her go, Sapphire turned and opened the scroll, sitting down to read it.
Fenn and Elric had invited him to a meeting with them. He couldn't imagine what this could be about. Not wanting to waste any time, he dashed out of his room and began to make his way to the royal suite.
When he knocked on the door, Elric opened it.
"Ah, Sapphire! It's great to see you again!" Elric said with a smile as he ushered the wildclaw in, "Come this way, Fenn is waiting for you."
It was a little strange, walking through the place that had been his father's office, but was now a home. He supposed this was the way it was always supposed to be. Elric led his down the hall until they reached a room opening up to a balcony. The door was open, and a fresh breeze filled the room while Fenn sipped her tea and offered Sapphire a pastry. Having not had breakfast, Sapphire took one.
"You wanted to see me?" Sapphire asked after taking a bite of his treat.
"Yes, Sapphire. I have heard many great things from you from Draxxor, Dremasul and Ruby," Fenn said with a smile, "They told me how much heart you but into making this rebellion happen and putting plans into action. Not to mention, you helped to save Elric and I and our son from the ice."
"I did what I had to do, I saw what my parents were doing and it wasn't right, that's all it was," Sapphire mumbled, dipping his head awkwardly and stirring the tea Elric handed him. He suddenly became very interested in how the liquid swirled inside.
"Not just any dragon could have done that. You are smart, courageous, and most of all, you value not only the safety of others, but also their well-being," Fenn observed, "That is why we would like to offer you the position of Prince of Windkeep Tower, and name you our heir."
"I don't know what to say!" Sapphire said, taken aback.
"You don't have to say anything right now. Take you time with this decision. You don't need to make it right away, and I want to make it clear there is absolutely no pressure to take it," Fenn explained, "But if you want it, the position is yours."
"I don't know-" Sapphire opened his mouth to respond, but Fenn cut him off.
"Think about it. I know this is a lot of take in, I don't want a decision like this to be rushed," Fenn reassured, "I'm here if you have any questions."
"Thank you," Sapphire breathed. He took another bite of his pastry.
"No need to rush," Fenn told him, "You can take your time. Why don't you tell me what it was like, growing up."
Tea with Fenn and Elric turned into lunch with Fenn and Elric, and their conversation spread well into the afternoon. Sapphire couldn't help but have an immense level of respect for the couple, and the more he got to know them, the more he was convinced he wanted to learn from them. This is what leadership was supposed to be like, not the power-trip his parents had been on. As the sun began to set, Sapphire realized it was time to head home. As he said his goodbyes, he realized he knew exactly what his decision was.
"I'll do it."
Now I can start wrapping up everything! I have so many characters to get to, I'm pretty sure this denouement is going to take most if not all of this week.
Ivorn and Nova too, wow. I confess, I'd been holding out some hope for Nova...though ngl, this is also juicy as heck. xD I imagine Sirrush will go "
!!!" when the news reaches him.
