Erewhon Chronicles IV: Thine Own Self

[rocklobster]

Chapter I: Aqua and Lilloway
Goldenheart was nervous as he entered the Realm of Faerie. It was the last day of winter, which would mean that it was time for the Vernal Dance. This dance was used not only to welcome spring, but also to select couples. Those selected to be husband and wife would be united forever. Goldenheart had finally reached the age required for marriage, so he had every reason to be nervous. He was quite popular in the realm because he lived up to his name. He wondered which "lucky girl" he'd end up with. In fact, he was so lost in his thoughts that he almost didn't see his childhood friend, Aqua, and her pet green-haired otter, Lilloway.
"Ot%o, Aqua-tak!" he called in greeting. (Ot%o is the Faerie way of saying hello. The % has a ch sound, like the ch in chair. -tak is an honorific used in informal situations.)
"Ot%o, Goldenheart-taj!" Aqua returned the greeting. (-taj is a masculine honorific)
Goldenheart landed in the water next to the lily that Aqua was resting on.
"Nervous about tonight?" Aqua asked him playfully. "It's quite plain. You've never been good at hiding stuff."
"What's the point when everyone can read your mind anyway?" Goldenheart asked.
"Torlo (a Faerie word that has a meaning close to modern-day English words like "sheesh") Don't take it so personal." Aqua said.
Lilloway nudged her and said in otter-speak, "[font="Book Antiqua"][SIZE="4"][color="SeaGreen"]Aqua, why don't we show him the new trick we've been working on?"[/color][/font][/SIZE]
Aqua nodded and hopped from the water lily onto the bank of the pond. She picked up a huge leaf (in fairy-scale anyway) which covered a stack of clams that she used in training Lilloway. The otter waded over to the bank and sat next to her.
Aqua picked up a clam and made a circular motion with it. Lilloway nodded and performed a perfect backflip. Aqua threw a clam to her and Lilloway caught it in her paws. Then she waded back into thew ater and began gnawing on her reward.
Aqua leaped back onto the water lily. "So, what did you think?" she asked.
Goldenheart clapped. "Not bad."
"'Not bad?'" Aqua scoffed. "Do you realize how long we've been working on that? And all you can say is 'not bad?'" She splashed in mock anger.
Sometime later, they heard a trumpet blowing in the distance.
"Well, I guess we'd better get to the courtyard." Aqua said.
"Aren't you worried about tonight's dance?" Goldenheart asked as they flew towards the courtyard.
"Hey, the only thing I'm worried about is if my potential ker (Faerie word meaning husband) is a good swimmer." Aqua laughed.

[USSRGirl]

Whoa - so fairies are automatically betrothed? Haaarsh. I love how you portrayed Aqua (whose self and otter I proudly helped name! Bwahahahahaha!) - she interacts well with Goldenheart! Her personality is great! Hmm... I'm waiting to see what the theme/plot of this one will be. ^___^

[rocklobster]

When Goldenheart and Aqua arrived, they were greeted warmly by Aqua's mother, Cerulean. Then King Oberon and Queen Titania entered the courtyard and everyone did homage to them. Aqua noticed the changelings, all of whom had assumed their fairy forms for this occassion.
"They've certainly adjusted well to their new lives." she thought.
"My children, it is now time for us to begin the mot stial (Faerie name for the Vernal Dance.)" she announced. SHe made a signal to Nightingale and Puck, both of whom were providing the musical entertainment for the evening. Nightingale produced a mandolin and Puck produced panpipes. They began playing and singing while everyone danced. Everyone found the melody impossible to resist, for the music itself was also part of the enchantment.

In you and I, there is a new land
Angels in flight
My Sanctuary
Where fears and lies melt away...

As the dancing continued, all of nature seemed to join in. The trees and flowers all swayed rhythmically. New seedlings grew up from the ground and immediately started swaying with the rest of the flora.
When the music stopped, Oberon made the next announcement. "It is now time for those who are old enough to be married to be gived their new kero or kedo. (kero is the plural form for ker. Kedo[i] means "wives" in Faerie.) Will the candidates for [i]kero please form a straight line in front of me.
Goldenheart joined 20 other male fairies.
Queen Titania ordered all the candidates for kedo to form a straight line in front of her as well.
Aqua sighed and joined 20 other female fairies.
Lucia whispered to Kindred, "I'm glad none of us changelings are old enough for this. I don't think I'm ready for marriage."
Kindred nodded, trying to contain her laughter. "I haven't really gotten to know anyone well enough myself."
"Oh your time will come soon enough." said Puck.
Queen Titania ordered. "Aqua, step forward."
Aqua nodded obediently and stepped forward.
Oberon ordered. "Goldenheart, step forward."
Goldenheart hid his surprise as well as he could. Aqua, however, was not as successful. She turned to her mother and asked "Jomo, (Faerie for "mother"), did you have anything to do with this?"
Cerulean nodded. "The two of you have such a good anlodok (Faerie word for "friendship") that it seemed like a good match."
The rest of the candidates were paired similarly. Some were not even surprised.
Then Nightingale and Puck played another song:

We belong to the light
We belong to the thunder
We belong to the sound of the words
We've both fallen under

The song had a magical effect upon the couples, awakening a new love in them. However, the effects would only last a year. After that, the couples would have to rely on their own compatibility to make the marriage "work".
An hour later, Aqua and Goldenheart both returned to the pond where Lilloway was. The otter was sleeping soundly, her breath making bubbles in the water.
"I'm not sure about this." said Goldenheart.
"Well, jomo seems to know something we don't." Aqua said as she made a cocoon big enough for the both of them to sleep in for the night.

[rocklobster]

The next morning, Aqua was the first to awaken. As she laid there with her head on Goldenheart's chest, she thought back to her childhood.
*********
Aqua was givern her name because she was actually conceived and born in water. Her mother did this because she wanted a child that would feel at home in the water. Cerulean was a champion swimmer and thought this would help Aqua become one as well.
Although Aqua and Goldenheart were the same age, the didn't meet each other until they were both six years old.
Aqua was flying one day when she spied an otter caught in a bear trap. It cried out in such pain that she couldn't just leave the poor creature. She flew down and tried to pry it open, but she couldn't. At that moment, Goldenheart flew by.
"What's going on?" he asked.
"What's it look like?" Aqua retorted. "Can you give me a hand here?"
"Sure, just a moment." He touched down next to her. "Here, you take one side, and I'll take the other." Together, they pried the otter loose. Goldenheart inspected the wound.
"It looks pretty deep. I wouldn't be surprised if a bone or two was broken." he said.
"Is there anything we can do?"
"What, you don't know how to heal yet?"
Aqua shook her head. "I'm not good enough to heal a broken bone."
Goldenheart took her hand. "Well, I'll lend you some of my power. Between the two of us, we should heal that bone."
They both placed their hands on the wound. Moments later, the wound was completely healed. The otter nestled up against Aqua as a way of saying thanks. Then it said in otter-speak "[SIZE="4"][font="Comic Sans MS"]"Can I be your pet?[/font][/SIZE]"
"I don't see why not." said Aqua. "What's your name?"
"[SIZE="4"][font="Comic Sans MS"]Lilloway.[/font][/SIZE]" said the otter.
Aqua said, "My name's Aqua. And this is..."
"Goldenheart." Goldenheart introduced himself.
********
That was how they all met. From that day onward, it was rare to find the trio apart. Perhaps that was what inspired jomoto marry us. she thought.
Goldenheart stirred awake. "I have to go back to the castle."
"You're going to see Ashley, right?" Aqua asked.
"Yes." said Goldenheart.
"Why don't I come with you?" she asked.
"I don't see why not."
"And together they flew off toward Castle Douglas, where Princess Ashley lived.

[rocklobster]

When they arrived, Goldenheart could see into Ashley's window that Ki'ry was there playing chess. He knocked on the window.
"Just a moment, Ki'ry." said Ashley as she opened the window.
Goldenheart and Aqua flew in."
"Well Goldenheart, I see you have a friend with you. Who is this?" Ashley asked.
"This is Aqua, Princess Ashley. She is my new wife." Goldenheart answered. Aqua bowed courteously.
"Wife? Well, this is a surprise." said Ki'ry. "Congratulations to the both of you."
"Oh, and that's Ki'ry." said Goldenheart.
As Aqua shook Ki'ry's hand, she felt a surge of warmth. "You have Iawia's spirit in you!" she exclaimed.
"Yes, as I just told Ashley, Iawia has baptized me into her service because we have similar goals. We both want peace." Ki'ry explained. "I am half dragon and half human. I seek to resolve the conflict between dragons and humans.
"I see. Then I must help you as well." said Aqua. "We fairies devote our entire lives to Iawia's service."
"I already have Goldenheart and Ashley on my side. But I welcome your assistance as well. One can never have too many friends." said Ki'ry.
"Well, I'd better warn you." said Goldenheart. "Ashley may seem innocent, but she's great at chess."
"That's right." Ashley beamed. "And I'm about to win again." She took her bishop and placed it in position. "Check and mate, Ki'ry. You know, we should celebrate Iawia's baptizing you." Ashley said. "I'l have the royal chef fix some food for a picnic in the Royal Forest.
When they arrived at the Royal Forest, Aqua was unimpressed.
"You call this a forest?" she laughed. "This is nothing compared to our home in the Veldt."
"Yes, but here the animals haven't made the same pact as the ones in our home." Goldenheart advised. "So, stay close to me."
"So Ashley, you were telling me what Iawia did is nothing new?" said Ki'ry as he opened a star pear(star pears are a unique fruit to Erewhon. They are star-shaped pears and taste quite similar to a Granny Smith apple)
"Far from it." Ashley said. "I was baptized by a preistess the day after I was born, but I still have the same Spirit inside me that you do."
"The same goes for us fairies." said Goldenheart. "So you humans aren't the only ones who baptize babies."
"Which is even more reason for me to help you." Ashley continued. "Because my religion teaches that everyone with the Spirit is my brother or sister."
"Then you need a better family tree!" A familiar voice bellowed from above. An orange-red dragon was now above them.
"Terrific." Goldenheart said. "Firebrand is here."
"That's right!" Firebrand said. "And now I can have my revenge on you, abominiation!"

[USSRGirl]

*ahem* Have you heard the legend of the eternal Paopu fruit?

XD Sorry - the star pear just reminded me of that. Oh and, eh, you might wanna finish that last sentence. 'Cause, uh, the first letter is going to lead to terrible speculations about Goldenheart mouthing off rather shockingly. XD;;

[rocklobster]

Ki'ry buckled over and began his agonizing transformation into a dragon.
"What's going on" Aqua asked as the wings tore through his back.
"He does this all the time." said Goldenheart. "Don't worry about it."
When the transformation was complete, Ki'ry turned to everyone and said, "Find safety as quickly as you can. I'll handle Firebrand."
He took off and breathed a fireball, barely singing Firebrand's leg.
At that moment, dart-shaped objects came out of nowhere. Ki'ry was able to get out of the line of fire, but two of the darts managed to strike Firebrand's left wing.
"Wh dares to interfere?" Firebrand thundred.
A falconer answered. "I do. My name is Greywing, Conducter of the Sixth Choir."
Another falconer was flying alongside him. "And I am his wife, Indigo, Conductor of the Fourth Choir."
Greywing said to Ki'ry. "We shall take care of your foe. Iawia told us you are an ally."
"I welcome your assistance." said Ki'ry.
Indigo touched down and produced a tuning fork. She struck it against a tree. The vibrations struck Firebrand at full force, making him so dizzy that he could not maintain altitude. He came spiraling down.
Suddenly, a feminine voice rang in his ears. "Do not carry this battle further. Our plan did not fail."
"Do you think I want to look cowardly?" Firebrand countered telepathically.
"Do not question my plans!" the voice commanded.
Firebrand sighed and left.
Ki'ry touched down and reverted to his human form. "That was too easy." he said.
"I agree." said Greywing.
*****
Moments later, Ashley came out from her hiding place. She hugged Greywing and Indigo warmly.
"You know these two falconers?" Ki'ry asked.
"Yes. They're my godparents." Ashley answered.
As Ki'ry thanked the falconers again for their help, Goldenheart came out from his hiding place and sent a telepathic message to Aqua that the coast was clear. But what he got back was a call of distress.
"Ashley, I need your help! Aqua's in trouble!" Goldenheart exclaimed.
Ashley rushed over to him. Then they came upon a tree where Aqua was trapped in a spiderweb.
"Kada ak." said Goldenheart. (Kada ak is the Faerie equivalent of deja vu.
"I'll handle this." Ashley said. But as she freed Aqua, she felt a slight twinge on her finger. The spider bit her!
"Well Aqua, now you owe me as--" Ashley couldn't finish the sentence. The world spun and became hazy. She fell to the ground.
"We'll get her to the castle." Indigo said as she picked her goddaughter up.
"We'll follow on foot."
"You'll follow on foot, you mean." Goldenheart quipped.
Firebrand watched them from his scrying pool with a female dragon that had black and red spikes along its yellow-scaled body.
"You see," said the female dragon. "My plan did not fail. The girl was bitten."
"So it would seem, Pandora." Firebrand said.
"I told you to address me as Mother Below." Pandora hissed.
"I am not one of your slaves!" Firebrand objected.
"Fair enough." said Pandora, not wanting to carry the argument further. For now, it's best to let him think he can serve me with free will, she thought. If I didn't need his help, I'd show him who he's dealing with. But for now, whelp, you win this round.

[rocklobster]

Dear Reader, I am certain you are shocked to learn that Firebrand had joined forces with Pandora. This is how the alliance began.
Firebrand had just killed a ginorm. A ginorm is a dinosaur-sized creature, about as tall as an oak tree. Despite their intimidating appearance, ginorms do not offer much of a fight. They are actually quite gentle reptiles. The ginorms eat plants and use their long necks just like giraffes do.
Firebrand used his breath to cook his kill. But before he could eat his first bite, a feminine voice said, "That must've been an easy kill."
Firebrand turned and saw a yellow-scaled dragon with black and red spikes all over its body.
"Who are you?" he demanded.
"I am Pandora, the queen of all evil. And I have a proposal for you."
"What would that be?" Firebrand asked.
"I have learned that Iawia, the Creator of the Universe, has just baptized her newest champion, a being you know quite well--Ki'ry."
"Yes, the abomination and I have crossed paths before. But why is Iawia interested in him?"
"They have similar goals. This is why I have come to you. I believe you need my help. Together, we can defeat Ki'ry."
"Very well, but I will not be your worthless slave. I am better than that! I know how you treat others who have allied themselves with you."
"Your arrogance may be your downfall. But I accept it--we shall be allies." and with that, Pandora left the cave. As she left, she smiled evilly. The fool does not realize I am already controlling his mind. The fact that he saw me as a dragon is proof. For despite her power, Pandora is unable to perfectly shapeshift. She must actually take control of the mind to adopt the form she desires. She was pleased to see that everything went well.

[rocklobster]

When they brought Ashley into her bedroom, Indigo told King Douglas what had happened.
"This is the third time that dragon has attacked my daughter." said King Douglas. "I wonder what he has against her."
"I am unsure." said Indigo. "But rest assured, I will do what I can to save my precious goddaughter."
King Douglas turned to Ki'ry. "So you are Ki'ry. Ashley's told me a lot about you. I hope you are as good a friend as she thinks you are."
Ki'ry smiled and bowed courteously as the king left.
Don't worry. Goldenheart said telepathically. He doesn't know you're half-dragon.
"Indigo is the Cantor of the Fourth Choir, and they are all highly-skilled healers. Ashley is in good hands." said Greywing.
Indigo placed a hand on the spider bite. She said strange words and prayed over it, but nothing happened. She turned to Ki'ry and said, "You are part dragon and stronger than I. Can you help me?"
"I will try my best." Ki'ry said. He placed a hand on the bite and concentrated his magic into it. But his magic didn't work either. Then he turned to Aqua and said, "This would be a good way to repay her. Can you try?"
Aqua nodded, but when she saw the bite, she sobbed heavily. "Now I see why we can't help her. Everyone, this is no ordinary spider bite. That spider was created by Pandora. She made its poison immune to all magic from after the dawn of time, which we all possess in varying levels. What we need is magic from before the dawn of time. But that's next to impossible to come by!"
"There may be a way." said Greywing. "There's a spear located in a cave not far from our home in the Seraph Mountains. It is blessed with Iawia's magic. She has given it to champions several times. But there is only one of us who would even prove worthy of the spear--you, Ki'ry."
"Me?" Ki'ry asked. "But why?"
"You are the only one of us who is at least partially human and able to use magic. Only those who possess these qualities can use it."
"I see." said Ki'ry. "Then I shall try."
"I shall accompany you." said Greywing. "Even though I am forbidden, you still need someone to guide you."
"In the meantime, I can do one thing." said Aqua. She kissed both of Ashley's eyelids. "Now she will not awaken unless I will it." said Aqua. "This will stop the poison from spreading."
"Wish us luck." said Ki'ry as he and Greywing departed.
As they watched, Firebrand turned to Pandora. "Is this part of your plan?" he asked.
"Yes, fool." Pandora answered. "We will use this to break his spirit."

[rocklobster]

It didn't take long for Ki'ry and Greywing to get to their destination. When they, arrived, a woman dressed in shepherd's clothes appeared. They paid her homage, for this was Iawia, the Great Shepherdess herself.
"I anticipated your arrival, my child." she greeted. Then she said to Greywing, "Your task is done Greywing, son of Raptor."
Greywing did not get up. Instead, he said. "May I stay outside instead? Pandora might retalliate somehow."
"Very well." Iawia nodded, without a hint of displeasure. Ki'ry followed her obediently inside.
"Although I wish nothing more than to hand the spear over to you, there is something you must do for me." Iawia said when they were inside.
"What is it, Great Shepherdess?" Ki'ry asked.
"I watched as Greeneyes created you. I even told him to give you the same fallacy humans and dragons have--a dark nature. This is because I want you to understand evil. But I want you to prove to me which is stronger."
A black mist encircled Ki'ry. He was surprised to see an exact duplicate of himself. There was only one difference--the evil version's eyes lacked the friendly glow.
"If you think I will go easy on you, you will be very wrong." the evil Ki'ry laughed. He changed into his dragon form painlessly. Then he threw an energy blast and sent it at the unprepared Ki'ry. It hit him at full force.
Ki'ry winced as he got up slowly. He attempted his own magical blast, but it was blocked by a magical barrier. Then the evil Ki'ry immediately conjured a special spell. "This is a tactic you would never do. Just try to attack me now!"
Ki'ry fired again, but this time the blast stopped in mid-air and hit him instead of his foe.
"I have placed a reflective barrier around you. How will you attack me now?" his evil half challenged.
Ki'ry sat and thought. It was true-- the Dragon Code prohibited reflective barriers. But because this was Ki'ry evil side, he shouldn't expect it to play by the rules. Then he realized a plan. He ascended above his foe to a desired height and threw another magical blast. This one sent the evil Ki'ry flying to the wall.
As he got up, the evil Ki'ry exclaimed. "How? I had barriers around the both of us."
"I just realized that you are only as strong as I am. My magic isn't fully developed." Ki'ry explained. "My barriers cannot go this high. Violet pulled the same trick on me once during a training session. On, and don't bother trying to use another magic spell. My attack has silenced your magic."
The evil Ki'ry attempted to retalliate magically, but failed. "Very well, I yield. This time." and with that, he disappeared.
Iawia appeared and applauded. "Bravo, my champion!" she congratulated "You have learned an important lesson--evil is only as strong as you let it be. Never forget that, and you will always win."
Ki'ry reverted to his human and knelt in homage.
"Arise, my champion. You have proven yourself worthy. Do you see that waterfall over there?" Iawia instructed. "Reach in, and you will obtain what you seek."
Ki'ry walked over to the waterfall and obeyed. He pulled out the magical spear and examined it. Then he asked. "Why have only humans been tested this way?"
"Of all the creatures I have created, humans are the only ones I have created in my own image." Iawia explained. "I have chosen them as my sheep for this very reason. But I gave them a free will so they can decide to follow me or Pandora. And humans always do their best when they follow me."
"How do I use this on Ashley?" Ki'ry asked.
"Just touch the bite lightly with the spear's tip." Iawia instructed. "Now make haste! There is a life to save!"

[USSRGirl]

Ah - just caught up with the latest updates. The series is coming along very nicely and I can tell you're polishing your style. Be interesting to see who comes out on top - Firebrand or Pandora.

Also, I thought Douglas met Ki'ry in the Lucia story arc (I seem to remember a scene where they were all eating in the castle),

[rocklobster]

When Ki'ry exited the cave, Greywing greeted him. "Well done, friend. Ready to go back?"
"Of course." said Ki'ry.
But at that moment, a mist suddenly encircled them. When the mist disapated, they saw a lion-like creature with eagle's wings and three heads. One head was a goat, another was a snake, and a third an eagle. Greywing knew at once what it was.
"It's a chimera!" he exclaimed.
"That's correct." said all three heads in unison. "And I am here to destroy you both!"
"You know what this is. Any ideas on how to destroy it?" Ki'ry asked.
"Yes, but I barely survived my first encounter with one." Greywing answered.
"As Goldenheart might say, 'That's not very reassuring.'" Ki'ry said wryly. He transformed into his dragon form. The chimera threw a ball of lightning from its spiked tail. But Ki'ry immediately set up a barrier which destroyed the projectile.
"I wish I had you when I first encountered a chimera." Greywing said. "But where is your spear?"
Ki'ry looked around. Then a voice spoke to them. "Do not worry, my friends. The spear does not appear unless it is needed. It knows when it is needed."
The monster continued to volley lightning balls at them, but Ki'ry's barrier held.
Greywing flew into the air. "It's time to end this!" he exclaimed. He drew his mace and it fired poisonous barbs at the monster. All the barbs struck the monster and it fell to the ground.
"Let's leave." said Greywing. "The poison will do our work for us."
As they left, Iawia teleported to Pandora's realm. She pointed her staff at Pandora and said icily "Do not interfere any longer. If you do, I shall retalliate. You know I do not bluff."
Pandora reluctantly knelt and obeyed. She knew Iawia was stronger than her and that, for now, she had to obey.

[rocklobster]

Greywing and Ki'ry arrived at Castle Douglas and Ki'ry reverted to his human form. He knocked on Ashley's door and Indigo answered.
"I trust you have the spear." she asked.
"I wouldn't have returned otherwise." Ki'ry nodded. He walked up to Ashley's bed and touched the bite with the spear. Within moments, Ashley awakened.
"Ki'ry, you saved me?" she asked groggily.
"Of course, you're my friend after all." Ki'ry shrugged.
"Good, you're well again." said Aqua. "Now we can begin the life pact. There's only one problem. What do I do with Lilloway, my pet otter?"
"I'm not sure that she'd be able to handle the Royal Forest." said Goldenheart. "She's far too tame. But you know, just because you make the life pact doesn't necessarily mean you have to live here. The only reason I spend so much time with Ashley is that I was taken by her compassion." Goldenheart explained.
Aqua pricked her finger. Because she already made a life pact with Goldenheart, Ashley already knew what to do. She pricked her own finger and hooked with Aqua's. "Now, whenver either of us is in danger, we will know and aid each other." said Aqua.
"Agreed." Ashley promised.
"Ashley, would you like to come with me?" Ki'ry asked. I would like to take you to meet my family."
"Before I met you, I would've refused." said Ashley. "But now, I am no longer afraid of dragons."

***

When they arrived, Violet greeted them. "Ah, Ki'ry, I see you brought the princess Ashley. Welcome to our humble home, your highness."
When they entered, Greeneyes said, "Ah, you're just in time for dinner. We're having roast lamb."
"The poison must've taken a lot out of me." Ashley said as her stomach growled.
As they ate dinner, Greeneyes received a telepathic message. He excused himself and stepped outside. He saw the Great Shepherdess Iawia, who had a crestfallen expression.
"What troubles you, my creator?" he asked.
"I have dire news, Greeneyes, son of Obsidia. Firebrand has sided with Pandora. " Iawia answered soberly.
"That is dire news indeed." nodded Greeneyes. "Should we tell Ki'ry?"
"No. This is Ki'ry's story, not Firebrand's. Let me deal with Firebrand."
"You know best." Greeneyes bowed obediently.
Iawia turned away. She did not want Greeneyes to see that she was crying because of Firebrand siding with Pandora.