Rhralpen

——-

Ruvell was so tired. His wings felt so stiff in pain, his eyes hurt from squinting in the dark night. It was almost a relief when lightning struck. It allowed him to actually see his surroundings through the strong downpour. His claws were cold. Despite all of this, Ruvell didn’t even dare think to stop. It was over fifty hours of flying as fast as he could, but stopping didn’t even cross his mind. Especially now. Especially with the end in sight. It was hard to see, but was growing closer. The beacons of light were hard to miss, even this far away.
Who was she? Ruvell’s mind raced.
She is not the dragon I once knew.
The precious item moved in the Imperial’s claws, giving him a bit of a fright. Not now. Please not now. Just wait a little longer…!
Ruvell turned his gaze onto the item. The object was so cold, he hadn’t felt his hands in miles. It felt so sharp and rough, but the flat parts were so smooth he was constantly afraid he would drop it. It was an egg.
An egg he stole.
BANG!
The sound of thunder made him look up again. It seemed more fierce than he had seen in ages. Was it a message from the Ones Above? No, he was thinking too much into it.
The destination was so close, Ruvell’s heart was racing. The rain was beginning to lighten up. His scales were soaked, water dripping from his mane. He felt so heavy.. so tired. Ruvell shook his head. He was almost to safety. Almost home. Almost by his side once more. Throughout his trip, he never stopped thinking about how his mate would react. It was so out of character for Ruvell to care about this sort of thing, it was hard to think of how he would react. He knew he wouldn’t be upset… at least he hoped not. No, no. He knew.
The lightning flashed behind him, as if a sign to say you’re almost there.
The egg moved again, more steadily this time. Ruvell tucked his wings in, diving faster than he has in years. Once he passed through the clouds he could see it so clearly. Clan Sun Bear. Ruvell expanded his wings slightly, his muscles aching as if they didn’t want to slow down. He had been going so fast for so long it felt impossible to stop.
The Clan was in one of the only thick forests in the Sunbeam Ruins and, once again, Ruvell was glad he made his den on the outskirts of the clan.
He landed with a hard thump! His body felt like it was going to fall over. In the window of his den he saw a lantern flicker on. The door opened.
“Hello..? Ruvell!” The other dragon was quickly by his side, bracing him.
“Take this inside. Hurry!” Ruvell’s voice sounded croakily yet stern. He weakly held the egg up.
“Where-?” Was all Raodra could muster before taking the egg and rushing inside. Ruvell followed, albeit slower.
He closed the door and turned around to see Raodra already putting the egg on the most plush blankets they had. His movements were quick but precise, making sure not to injure the poor thing.
“I think it’s close to hatching.” Ruvell said, making his way over to the makeshift nest.
“Yes, it’s moving a lot.” Raodra answered. He went to wrap the egg completely, before deciding against it. The egg wiggled.
“Where did you get this? From Jötunheimr?” Raodra, as if satisfied that the egg was comfortable, turned his focus to Ruvell. He began whipping the other down. Ruvell settled down next to the egg. His exhaustion hit him like a bag of bricks. Maybe soon he would get the sleep he so desperately needed.
“Yes,” he admitted. “I… stole it.”
“Stole it?!” Raodra exclaimed.
“What were you thinking?! Stole it from who?!”
“Mykia.” He answered. “She’s… changed. He was going to kill it.”
Ruvell had traveled to the Ice territory specifically to see Mykia, on Raodra’s request. He had not seen her in ages.
‘How have you not seen your only sibling in years?’ Raodra would say. ‘If I had a sibling I would at least visit them yearly!’
Maybe in his heart he knew. He knew she would be different. She would always have… weird ideas, even as a hatchling.
Raodra stayed silent before going to grab more blankets for Ruvell. He almost wished he wouldn’t, blankets wouldn’t help his energy issue.
Both of their ears perked up as a crack appeared at the top of the egg. It was moving constantly now.
“I think it’s time.” Raodra said, leaning his head closer.
The egg wiggled, more cracks forming all around it.
Ruvell’s heart felt so loud he wondered if Raodra could hear it.
Crack!
The egg split open, a small hatchling poking out. The hatchling resembled Ruvell a great deal, shiny red scales and underbelly. Its wings even the same sheen, just a different pattern.
Raodra gasped, immediately going to hold the tiny dragon. The tiny one yelled at being picked up, but did not cry.
“What do we even do?” Raodra asked. “Maybe you should have brought him to Bubblegum.”
Maybe. Ruvell thought. But you seem to know what you’re doing.
Raodra held the tiny one close, settling down beside Ruvell. The tiny one looked up at them both. Its—-His, eyes were so clear. Sometimes it was easy to forget how brilliant Iced elemental eyes were.
Ruvell draped his blanket over Raodra and the hatchling. The hatchling began hugging his own tail, giving out a big yawn, then closing his eyes.
“Ten minutes old and he’s already tired. He shares more resemblance to you than just looks.” Raodra have out a little chuckle, trying to be quiet for the little one. His soft snores could already be heard.
Ruvell let his head down, lids closing. Roadra’s little laugh sounded so distant already.
“Ruvell… what are we going to do?” Roadra’s tone has shifted. “Who will raise him?” Ruvell opened an eye, locking gazes with the other Imperial. The question had already been answered. They both knew. They would raise him. They had never spoken about being parents, but in that moment they knew they had grown attached to the young one.
Raodra rested his head on Ruvell’s shoulder.
Ruvell was half asleep when he heard his mate speak.
“What about the name Rhalpen?” Raodra asked, intertwining their tails.
“I like that.” Ruvell replied. His mind still raced with questions and concerns for the new chapter in his life that had just began. But with Raodra by his side, he knew everything was going to be okay. He let himself go to sleep, lullabied by the soft snores from Raodra and Rhalpen.
From his family.