Chapter Text
With the Gods sealed away in the Heavens our Home was destined to Fall.
That’s when they disappeared.
As if swallowed whole along with the once Great Arlathan, the Dragons left, and no one knows where - perhaps west? What could have possibly driven them away with such hurry when they were needed the most? What a selfish act from the fleeing flying Gods that the Ancient Elves had so tenderly held Dear.
If anything, the Dragons had turned against the Elvhen, aiding in the destruction of their Home - Home that had belonged to the Great Dragons as well.
We all lived there, in Elvhenan. Elves and Dragons alike.
I’d wake up in the morning and see children, of sharp scale and of smooth flesh, playing together like brethren. I’d walk the streets to see happy faces - faces laughing with eyes sparkling like stars. Their music filed my ears with delight and filled my heart with love.
Arlathan stood tall and wonderful, bright as the sun in daylight; and at night the blue Magic illuminated each street and each carefully constructed building. Each temple like a work of art, crafted with utter admiration for the Gods and for the People.
I relished every moment - for every moment was Magic and every moment Dear.
But alas such perfection is never destined to last forever.
It all happened so fast.
It started with the Great Betrayal, the cursed Fen’harel tricked the Gods and sealed them away from our touch - separated the Gods from their faithful and loyal People.
I could feel the city being enveloped in dark haze, a blackness slowly taking over our Home - the Dragons sensed it.
Anyone’s first instinct would be to flee, run, get away as fast as possible from the oncoming danger, would it not?
But the Elvhen People did not run, they couldn’t foresee the Apocalypse.
the End of All.
Little did the Elves know the Dragons tried to warn them - I tried to warn them.
I tried to warn her.
Dove came to me with orders that night.
“From Rustroot,” he said.
Rustroot commanded us, all of us, to flee immediately.
“You feel it too?” I asked, knowing the answer but dreading it all the same. Dove gave me that look he so loved and clucked at me like a mother hen,
“Everyone feels it, everyone but them. Now get going or Rustroot will have both of our heads.”
Everyone but them.
It echoed in my head like a stone skipping on a pond. It echoed in my heart in a pang of sorrow.
They didn’t know or simply refused to acknowledge it. For weeks, ever since the Gods stopped walking among Men, the Dragons told of a future of Ruin. We felt it in our bones, saw it on the horizon, heard it in the winds. It was spoken to us in hushed whispers from the South. It hunted us in our dreams.
We dreamt visions. Visions of a Fallen Grace - the fall of Arlathan and, eventually, the whole of Elvhenan.
It was upon us that faithful morning. Just as the first rays of Sun came from beyond the Mountains. And with it came Destruction.
I felt it above us, beside us, surrounding our Home with such an evil presence. I needed to go but I would not go without her. I refused to.
I ran to her. She, like all the Elvhen of Arlathan, had gathered outside as the Fall approached. She stood in her silk gown on the pavement, her hair shone in the moonlight and her skin was accented by the far away fires of the Sun - she looked Divine.
She turned to me without a word. Her eyes spoke of acceptance, with arms relaxed by her side as her gown and hair were swept around by the approaching storm winds.
I begged and pleaded for her to leave with me.
“Please, Beloved, escape with me, so perhaps we both could be safe. Together,” I prayed both to her and whatever Gods may have heard me.
Let not this be our End.
She only looked at me with sadness in her eyes, yet she smiled.
Those starry eyes looked to me, she touched me with such gentleness as she spoke,
“Go. For someone such as me it is too late. Save yourself and Live.”
Protesting her wishes I tried to press on, but she shot me down with nothing but a bittersweet laugh and kissed my nose as was her goodbye.
Soaring to the skies, I took off.
The strong winds behind me carried her voice as she sang among the chaos.
She stood proud in the streets of her Home, singing the words of her People, as the city she loved crumbled and Fell around her.
I heard naught but her voice as it soared with me, her soft voice ringing in my ears - her voice carried love and sadness, an emotion of longing and of pride.
I fled but with a heavy Dread upon my wings.
I bellowed a Roar as tears wettened my scales.
I flew with nothing but her smile on my mind.
My People and I escaped but at such a cost. Leaving the Elves to be destroyed along with their Home.
Our Home.
Betrayed by the Gods and Dragons, the Elvhen People will live with hurt upon their hearts, just as I still live with regret upon mine.
Ever since that faithful day the Dragons have not made contact with the People of Earth, Elvhen or otherwise. The last remaining Immortals in their world have all but abandoned them as did the Gods all those years ago.
I still visit Arlathan, looking upon the land from the Mountains. It is so different now but sometimes at Sunrise I swear I can see glimpses of the once Great city of Elves. I see the tall temples and beautiful houses, the trees and streets. I see the children, of both sharp scale and of smooth flesh – I see their faces.
and I see my Beloved.
I can still hear her heart cry out to me at the first rays of Sun,
“Live. If you will do no such thing for yourself then I only ask that you do it for me.”