Hermes

Hermes doesn't really remember the Water clan he was born in very well. It's mostly just the scent of of the sea and the impression of constantly damp fur that comes back to him when he thinks of it.

He remembers better of his life at the Lair by the Sea, where the sun and wind dried his fur and the scent of the sea mingled with the scent of the Plateau. He remembers best of all the mates and children that he had there, though this memory is twisted with sadness. Most are gone now. Some went willingly into the service of the deities and he does not grieve them. The others....

There had been rumors of sickness. He remembers his mate brooding over the nest chasing all away from it. She hardly let him come near the three eggs that they had laid together. In the end, it made no difference. It came on the clan quickly, dragons sickening and dying in a flash. His mate and two of their newly hatched children were gone before he could blink. He tried sending the third over the borders, away before he showed signs of sickness. It caught up with him though and he perished before he could even be given a name. Hermes thinks often of this little lost son. Sometimes he tries to give him a name, but he can't land on the right one.

He left the Lair by the Sea after that, he was starting to show symptoms of the plague and he didn't want to pass it on to anyone else. He couldn't bear the thought of anymore death. Alone on the Plateau he fought the plague and he didn't succumb.

When Neve found him she didn't think he would survive. She brought him home anyway, if they could save him, they would. His road to recovery was long and to this day he feels the effects of it on his body. He carries a bone aching chill with him. Most days you can find him basking in the sun. The rest of the time he wears the cloak that the clan gifted him.

He settled into life in the Ascent. He found a mate and in time hatched more children. He was overjoyed when his daughter Chai decided not to leave the clan. Her presence helps fill the sad spots in his heart.

****
When he finally felt able he sent messages back to the Lair by the Sea and waited nervously for an answer. Was there anyone left?

It was Aspasia who answered and he was glad. They had shared a nest once, and he was relieved that she had survived. The rest of the clan was not so lucky. Many had fallen to the plague and now monsters prowled the edges of the weakened clan. She feared that it would not be a easy winter for them. Hermes offered to help, where he could.

When danger looms in his old home he asks Matilda to offer refuge for hatchlings who are in danger. The Ascent welcomes as many as they can.
****

Hermes dotes on all the hatchlings of the clan. Most of the dragons in the Ascent, regardless of age, refer to him as Grandfather. They bring him sweet fruits to eat and they listen to his stories. He remembers the past with sadness, but he looks to the future with joy.

He will never leave. The sun here is so warm.

********
"There's a battle coming." His mate looked anxious when she said it.

He smiled at her placidly. "There always is."

Penelope didn't return his smile. "But this one will be big. Really big. There are so many young dragons talking about going off to fight for the Windsinger. I don't think they can imagine what they are in for."

"You want to go with them." It wasn't really a question. He knew her so well after all this time.

She nodded. "I think they need me. My age, my experience, my magic. I believe the Windsinger has been calling to me as well. My dreams are full of playful breezes that tug at me. The wind carries my name."

Hermes looked her with so much understanding and so much sadness that she doubted herself yet again. She loved him so much. She loved the Ascent. It would not be easy to answer this call. She dreaded telling her daughter, Chai.

"I'll stay, if you want me to...."

Hermes shook his head sadly. "I want you to stay more than anything. I don't know what I will do without you. This isn't about me, you need to follow your own path. You'll come back to visit me though, right?"

She nuzzled him gently. "Even the Windsinger couldn't keep me away." They stood together for a long time, each lost in their own thoughts, enjoying the time they had left together.

Suddenly, Penelope took a step back and looked at him with a mischievous expression. "I know what you're going to do without me. You're going to talk to Kirunali!"

Hermes blinked, confused. "Kirunali?"

She smiled at him. "Trust me, she's wonderful. I'll invite her over."

Hermes agreed, but he was dubious. Other dragonesses weren't really anything he was interested in right now. He wanted to stay close to Penelope while she was still here.

**********

"Well?" she asked him when Kirunali had left the next evening.

He blushed a little. "You were right. You're always right. She's wonderful."

Penelope pranced around the cave happily. "I knew it! I'm half in love with her myself. I knew that you'd like her! You have to spend more time with her! I want to see your hatchlings before I go."

"Whoa, calm down. Our hatchlings?! Aren't you getting ahead of yourself?"

"No," she said smugly.

***********

The hatchlings were born as the first rumblings of the battle took place. Three almost identical daughters that delighted him.

Penelope squealed with delight when she saw them. "They're perfect! Congratulations you two! Are you going to send them off to different lairs?"

Hermes and Kirunali glanced briefly at each other.

"No," Hermes answered. "We want them to grow up here. I want to teach them to love the Wind as we do. As you do...."

Kirunali picked up where he left off. "The Wind has been speaking to us as well. When the girls are grown and the battle breaks out in earnest, we'd like them to join you. We know they'll be fine if they have their family with them."

Penelope simply nodded, her emotions rendering speech impossible.