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Location: Palace, Wing Hove, Amon Darthir
Year: 115 F.A.
Status: First day of Stirring

Iorlas had been thinking long and hard since Miyuki had approached her and told her about the queen’s desire to speak to a non-threatening dragon. She still wasn’t sure how she felt about Miyuki telling the queen about her – even without naming her – but she did understand that Miyuki didn’t want Aerin to believe that all dragons were killers.

But the day was quickly approaching when the group would be leaving, and she had no idea when – or if – she would ever be back again, and she didn’t want to leave Aerin believing that all the dragons on the island needed to be exterminated like mice. Really, it didn’t leave her with much choice. She had to speak with the queen, no matter how much she didn’t like it.

Things had been very quiet since Aethos and Alassëa’s wedding only two days before, but with the Zephyr’s departure imminent, her time was running out. So it was that after dinner on this night, rather than returning to her and Daeron’s room for the evening, she sought out the queen and invited her for a walk outside.

Aerin was puzzled by the invitation, but she graciously accepted, asking Caranthir to make sure Cameron went to bed immediately before sending for her cloak.

“Courtyard or outer yard?” Aerin asked as she and Iorlas made their way down the palace’s main corridor.

Iorlas was too thoughtful to smile. “Whichever is more private,” she replied softly.

Aerin’s brow furrowed slightly with worry, but she nodded and steered them towards the courtyard. Neither woman spoke until they were outside, and then Aerin waited until they were past the point where people could eavesdrop from windows – if indeed anyone would want their windows open in this cold weather – before she addressed Iorlas.

“Is something the matter?” she asked softly, worriedly. “Has something happened?”

Iorlas shook her head and smiled faintly. “I’m sorry. No, Your Majesty, there is nothing wrong. Miyuki told me that you wished to speak with me, that is all … and I would really rather this remain between us.”

Aerin frowned. It had been a few weeks since the dragon attack on the children, and she had forgotten about that particular conversation, other than to recall, from time to time, that there was – somewhere – living proof that not all dragons were alike.

“I’m afraid I don’t-”

“It took me some time to make the decision to speak with you,” Iorlas added before Aerin could get her thoughts together. “And I decided to do so only because she promised me that you would keep this between us.”

At Aerin’s bewildered look, she pressed, “About who I am. About what I am.”

It took still a moment more before Aerin realized what Iorlas was talking about.

“You?” She was astonished.

Iorlas couldn’t help but smile and tilt her head at the queen’s reaction. “Is it really so surprising?” she asked softly.

Aerin was still grasping for words. “But I thought … if anyone … surely, Lancaeriel …”

Iorlas laughed softly, somehow amused by the thought of Lancaeriel as a dragon. “Ah … well, I suppose I can understand that. She has a certain something about her, doesn’t she? Her ancientness … her power …”

Aerin nodded dumbly. That was exactly why she had thought it would be her.

Iorlas shook her head. “No. She is indeed old, and very powerful – probably the most powerful person I have ever heard of. But she was born elven, and has always been so.” She smiled. “In fact, it was she who changed me. In many ways.”

They reached the marble gazebo, and Aerin automatically sat down. Iorlas followed suit without complaining. It was probably the most private place on the entire palace grounds. There, she explained about her beginnings: how she had been the same as any other dragon, seeking the death of any elf or human she met; how Lancaeriel had healed her rather than kill her for having murdered the woman’s husband; how Ioreth had killed Lancaeriel, which had led to their long and unusual feud; how, millennia later, Iorlas had once more met up with Lancaeriel, who had long since been reborn; how Lancaeriel had placed the conditional change on both Iorlas and Ioreth; about meeting the Aldriches and their traveling party; how she had found herself succumbing to her elven emotions and had fallen in love with Daeron, and the decisions she had made so that they could have a chance at a life together: the death of her sister as the price of becoming a real and true elf.

“I do not wish to imply that dragons are not dangerous; they are,” she concluded. “But … it is possible that they also do not merit death simply because of what they are. For what they do, yes. But only what they do. Bears are as dangerous, and so are griffins … but you do not seek to exterminate them simply because of what they are.”

Aerin nodded. Her thoughts swirled about in her head. She had never imagined such a thing. And there were implications beyond what Iorlas had told her. Daeron had married a dragon – or one who had used to be a dragon. Knowingly? She was sure of it. Miyuki knew, and Iorlas struck her as honest. Did others know? How many? And what did that mean for Iorlas? Was she as elven as those born as elves? Did she gain a soul? Did the laws that prevented children from being born from couples of very different races prevent Iorlas and Daeron from having children? It was none of her business, she would be the first to admit, but she couldn’t help but wonder. Were her senses the same? Her attributes?

Iorlas was still watching her anxiously. “Your Majesty?” she murmured.

Aerin blinked, her thoughts dissipating. “I – forgive me, you have given me much to think about.”

Iorlas nodded slowly. She didn’t want to rush the queen.

“That being said,” Aerin added softly, “I thank you for speaking to me about this. I must admit, my opinion has always been a bit coloured where dragons are concerned. I was young when my younger brother was killed by a dragon. I spent four hundred years in the Four Lands hunting dragons. I-”

Iorlas gaped at Aerin in open-mouthed astonishment. “That was you?”

Aerin was stunned. “Me? I – wait, don’t tell me … I hunted you?” Her eyes narrowed. “Silver?”

Iorlas blushed. “You nearly had us a few times.”

Aerin laughed. Suddenly the whole thing seemed funny, though she wasn’t sure why. Very soon, Iorlas found herself laughing along.