Tiemmen

“Obsidyan, Why does mama look so sad?”

“Because, her children before you left her, and it looks like you will do the same.”

“Why did they leave?”

“They went to serve the Gladekeeper in repayment for her generosity to us. It is the highest honor any of us could ever hope for.”

“And she thinks that we’ll all do the same thing?”

“That's right. That’s why she seems sad when she plays with all of you.”

“Why didn’t you leave?”

“Because I still have things I have to do in the outside world”. With that, the mirror turned away with the far off look that he often got when conversations took such a course, and quietly strode out of the dark room.

“Wait!” Tiemmen called after him, but he was gone. Her sisters stirred beside her at the sound, but did not wake. Tiemmen looked over at them, absently studying their sleeping faces. Gaynelth’s fins arched ever so slightly in pleasure, and the young dragon could only imagine what dreams might spark such emotions. Perhaps it was a dream about the future, for her nestmates had giddily expressed their intentions to follow Obsidyan’s prediction only earlier that day. In the moment it had sounded wonderful to her, the other hatchlings’ excitement rousing her own more docile spirit. But then she had seen her mother’s face, had sensed the pain hidden behind a thin mask of support. This sight now hung heavy within her mind, accompanied by her brother’s words.

Tiemmen continued to watch her mother as she grew, especially when the children of the other clanmates left to serve the Gladekeeper. The wistful glances the matriarch sent after them once their backs were turned shook her to her very core, and she wondered how the others could not see what was happening to the outwardly stoic fae with every loss, how they could all keep doing this seemingly without an ounce of remorse. Eventually her sisters left too, and while this was difficult for Tiemmen, who had stayed behind out of concern for her mother, the elder dragon obviously took it much harder. While she maintained her usual composure when strolling around the lair and tending to her duties as its leader, she spent much more time secluded in her own chambers, and Tiemmen’s father began holing up with her to try and comfort his grieving wife. Even when venturing outside, Aridia gravitated towards Tiemmen in a way she never had before, doting on her as if she was a conduit for sending her immense love to all of her children at once.

One evening, just as another brood of her siblings were approaching adulthood, Tiemmen entered her mother's chambers to check on her, only to find her hunched over documents planning the trip for those who had expressed interest in leaving the lair, and openly weeping. This was too much for Tiemmen. She took her mother in her arms, and guided her to a more comfortable spot. Once Aridia had fallen asleep, Tiemmen returned to the desk and finished the documents herself. While neither mother nor daughter ever mentioned the night again, Tiemmen officially adopted the role of clan advisor, and ever since has remained close to her mother at all times, in order to assist her in anyway necessary. In addition, as a way to try to relieve her mother’s stress load, Tiemmen took on the role of keeping many of the clans important documents. Particularly those regarding the departure of other dragons from the lair.