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satoru-is-the-way · 1 year

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Avatar Quaritch x Navi Reader

Given Enough

Master list (for Given Enough)

Tag List: @the-wanderer-2022 @zootsutra @anyzandy @kneelingforvillains @dioriez @mylovelyreblogs @dinobae-replyacc @voodoogoul @freshmoneyalmondathlete @thedumboneforsomereason @world-dominating-kitty @scarletpines @sofiebstar @vampire-hunter @cypherpt5fttaehyung @strangerdeeznuts @simpingfor-wakasa @tranquiiit @ellieparker @girlblogger2002 @happycupcakeenthusiast @willow-sages

Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 - Always The Fool

(Y/n) turned around lunging at Quaritch with hurt in her eyes. “HOW COULD YOU!” The Navi screamed hitting his chest with all her strength. Quaritch grips onto her wrists bringing the sobbing female into his chest. “I HATE YOU!” (Y/n) shoved him away. It wounded his heart as she said this.

“I know you don’t hate me. You can’t hate me. Please just listen to me.”

“How did you get my father's blade?” She backed away shaking her head.

“I tried to save him (Y/n) but when the missile hit the bison…The shots fired into the water…I am so sorry. I could only get you out and by that time…he was gone.”

“What about my brother? Did you kill him too?!” She growled.

“No…He is alive, took Jake Sully along with the rest of the sully family and left. Baby, they need you to tell them where they could be. Or else they said…They would destroy the clan.”

“The only way they could successfully get into our territory is if I or another Kamimaljuyú show them…Unless you are going to show them.” She hissed. He bowed his head unable to look at her thoroughly.

“You are pathetic, a coward, and I hate you! So tell me your big plan, Rick. You are a lying snake. Eywa should have let me kill you!”

Before he could respond the doors opened. General Ardome walks in with a recon squad behind her. (Y/n) quickly snatched her father's knife from Quaritches belt hissing. “You are taking too damn long Colonel. Do you want to know his mission, Princess? He up with it all on his own.” Ardome grins. “He planned to play pretend. Learn your ways and secrets. Convince you to mate with him because by your laws he is now the Olo’eyktan. The bison was a nice touch Rick. I have to hand it to you. Convincing the stupid animal to fall perfectly into our trap.” She laughed. (Y/n) looked down, heart beating fast. She felt dizzy, the world spinning around her. Her spirit finally broke. Rick never loved her, had Áramà murdered, started a war, now her father is dead, and her brother is on the run with Jake Sully…She had nothing left. Trapped in a human facility thousands of miles from her home. The Kamimaljuyú now leaderless. (Y/n) fell to her knees dropping the knife. She hates herself more than Quaritch…Because despite all this she loved him. Always the fool.

“Get her. If she wont talk then lets show her the consequences.” The general orders. One of the recon avatars yanks her up by the hair. She yelped in pain. Rick shoved him against the wall.

“Don’t you fucking touch her!” He growled. “I will get her.” He responded turning to (Y/n).

“Ma' k'a'abéet a áantaj.” (I don't need your help).

“Je'el a beetik, k táan in jo'osike'ex waye'.” (Yes, you do. I am getting us out of here.)

“Ma' u páajtal k p'atik le paalalo'obo'.” (We cant leave the kids.” She pulled back from him.

“General we should bring the children.” He said making her turn around. “It will teach them a lesson to never go against humans. Show these natives their place.” The words out of his mouth are bitter. This is the old Colonel speaking, not who he has become now. She nods and the recons grab the children dragging them along.

"Yaan in wuk'ik le ti' le izquierda. Wuk'ik le ti' le derecha.Túun t'u'uchpachtik in, k jóok'ol waye'" (I will take the ones on the left. You take the ones on the right. Then follow me we are getting out of here.) Quatitch said.

(Y/n) nods and once he tossed her the knife she disarmed the two on the right holding the two daughters. Quaritch killed the remaining two leaving just the General. Adrome gasped and turned around unable to draw her gun in time as (Y/n) slammed her against the wall. The human female looked at Quaritch. "How could you betray us?! Your own kind!"

"I didn't betray you, I betrayed them! They are my people. Not you…not anymore. Now I will do everything to restore trust."

"What are you going to do with me?"

(Y/n) looked into her eyes, chuckling. "Kill you of course."

_Time Skip_

They managed to escape the building and run back into the wilderness. (Y/n) took a deep breath. Kiri, Lo'ak, and Tsireya breathe heavily looking at Quaritch and (Y/n).

"YOU!" Lo'ak yelled and lunged at Rick. (Y/n) growled and held the young male back.

"ENOUGH! Listen to me well children. Right now we are going to have to be a team. I know Rick has done a lot to hurt us but …I want to believe he is good Ewya has a different path for everyone to find the way. To see her and the truth." (Y/n) whispered, Quaritch reached for her hand but she pulled away.

"(Y/n) is right. Dad is stuck with Balam. But where would they be?" Kiri asked.

"I know." (Y/n) whispered.

"Where is that? I am unsure of where my people are, my parents." Tsireya whispered, holding onto Lo'ak.

"The last I saw, your mother and Neytiri flew after us but the Ikran had been shot down." Quaritch frowns.

"There is no need to worry. I know where they are we just have to get there first."

“Our home is not far from here, We can get an Ikran and ride,” Lo’ak suggested.

“Fine but we must hurry so the humans do not catch up.” (Y/n) replied.

The group ran into the forest following the Omaticaya children. Her eyes trained on Quartich. They made the journey into the woods to locate their old home. It was a new experience for (Y/n). She only wished for it to be under different circumstances. It did not take them long to be welcomed in and given the proper medical treatment.

“So you really are not him?” Norm asked, looking over Avatar Quaritch.

“Not the man you knew. I am different. My human form is gone. I remember nothing… I won’t let him define who I am.” He responds looking to (Y/n) who walks back with a new Ikran.

“Well, the last you was an asshole.”

“He can still be at times.” (Y/n) adds wrapping her arms around Quaritch. “Come we must go. The forest clan supplied us with weapons and food for the next few days. Thanks for your help, Norm. I wish we had met for other reasons. But my people will repay you all for this kindness.” (Y/n) bows her head. Norm nods before glancing at Rick leaving them.

“Let’s ride,” Kiri said.

The trip is long and difficult. Through the forest, over the ocean, and the weather is not kind to anyone. It felt never ending but she felt some comfort with Rick wrapped around her. However the pain is still deep inside of her.

“We can never tell the people.” (Y/n) said once they entered the Kamimaljuyú territory. He looked surprised by her words. “No one but the Royal families heard. I will ask we keep it that way. Come we must keep moving.”

“But as Olo’eyktan I must tell them.” He whispered. She sighed deeply.

“We are almost there.” (Y/n) whispered.

NEXT CHAPSTER

#Spotify #avatar colonel quaritch #avatar x reader #avatarmovie #avatar #avatar x navi #colonel quaritch x reader #colonel quaritch #Colonel rick quaritch

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neverendingtrove · 2 years

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A long chaotic post about Yuzuru Hanyu

I accidentally wound up watching the figure skating European Championships this year and then I realized there was one more big competition (Four Continents Championship) and then the Olympics. Well, of course I was interested to see who was going to get Olympic gold for the multiple disciplines in figure skating. And like this, I ended up finding out about Yuzuru Hanyu.

It was weird because I had heard of Yuzuru Hanyu before, but never made the connection that this willow boy (well, 27yo man athlete and artist) was him. Imagine my surprise when I did a quick research on him and found out about his passion for the sport, the heart and soul he pours into every performance, the way he constantly challenges himself to become better and better - he does not care that much about winning, he cares about achieving his own goals in the sport - and that's something to be admired. Besides his dedication to figure skating, he also seems to be an extremely polite, generous and genuine human being. The way he talks to other people, the respect he shows to others on and off camera, it's awe-inspiring; there are not many people like that anymore.

I decided that before the Olympics, I would watch all his programs in various competitions (from his first senior season back in 2010 until now, 12 years later). I am impressed by how much he has evolved as an athlete in these years and am much more so impressed as I realize Yuzuru chose to stay true to himself in this somewhat unfair judging system of figure skating competitions.

As I watched Yuzuru's programs, I was taken by him, especially by several gala performances in more recent years. I started rooting for him so deeply than when he came on the ice in the Men Single's Skate Short Program at the 2022 Olympics, I was so nervous for him. I was mesmerized by him, almost forgot about that first mistake - a hole in the ice. There was still hope for him in the Free Skate, and you know what? I hoped with him! I had tears in my eyes as I waited for him to jump the 4A. It may not have been ratified, but it was close enough, Yuzuru's best 4A to this day, and that's something to be proud of. Remember, injured ankle, painkillers and he still did that. Yes, a second mistake followed, but so what? Yuzuru Hanyu made history once more and proved that he's the GOAT of figure skating. My heart broke when I read a translation of one of Yuzuru's interviews: "I don't know what I did to offend the ice". Considering how reverently he treats the ice, I broke for him. This man... I can't imagine the disappointment he must have felt right after. But he wanted to know that he helped people, that he did something that people who watched him enjoyed and when he saw the positive response, he was overjoyed. I don't know how one cannot get inspired by someone like Yuzuru Hanyu, who doesn't take, only gives.

Today was the EX Gala of the Beijing 2022 Olympics. Yuzuru skated to Haru yo, Koi, a beautiful piece of music. His skate brought once more tears to my eyes, I cried from the emotion he evoked, the moment his hydroblade went so low that he kissed the ice... no one can send emotion to the public like Yuzuru Hanyu does. And after this emotional performance, what does he do? Smile, laugh, fool around with BDD, the mascot, enjoys every moment he can on Olympic ice.

And what happens off stage? Before getting for the last time in 2022 on Olympic ice, he skates his heart out on a huge number of old programs ON AN INJURED ANKLE because he wants to show those watching the missing parts of various programs that he did not get to properly show off in previous settings. So he created a medley of previously missing pieces.

There are so many other kind and exceptional things he did behind the scenes, but that'd take too long to talk about. This was a rant as I tried to illustrate the reason why I'm so inspired by Yuzuru Hanyu.

I hope he now gets the rest and healing time he needs because I think we haven't seen the last of Yuzuru Hanyu. I am looking forward to seeing what else he has in store for the future.

#yuzuru hanyu rant #yuzuru hanyu #yuzu #figure skating

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ellaofoakhill · 2 years

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Nectarmoon, Part Three

And here’s the last tftem update in 2021. Don’t worry, the story’s not done by a long shot; Ella and Meline have lots of adventures coming up. I’m kinda glad I get to end the year by showing you guys some of my favourite writing ever.

Anyway, I hope you’ve had a happy holiday so far, and 2022 is kinder to you than 2021. Take care, and enjoy.

Meline heard that scream. She knew that voice. That name. The terrible, desperate rage that had consumed her on the docks so long ago filled her. If she died trying, the fire in that clearing would be snuffed out. Her wings roared, then snapped tight to her back. Meline plummeted to earth. Words of power thrummed in her heart and blood and bones as her feet hit the ground. It yielded, inches from Chultaroth’s head. Deeper and deeper, until it could give no more. Her fist pulled back, her whole body winding up. One more word, and her voice thundered through the ground, heartbreak and fury given one mighty target.

“Worm!”

The earth snapped up as her body twisted, her fist whipped out in a perfect line, and the dragon turned her head.

Meline was blinded by the light of her own fist as it struck, punching elbow-deep into flesh. Blood poured from Chultaroth’s head as it snapped away, wobbling on her long neck, and Meline’s fist wrenched free. As she fell to the ground, her eyes recovered, and Meline saw a glowing against Chultaroth’s neck.

Gobs of what had recently been teeth spun from the dragon’s mouth as she spat. Her uninjured lip pulled back in a wild snarl. Her jaws were aglow. “That. Stu—”

She shrieked as the glowing spot leapt from her neck with a sound like ripping paper. It took Meline a moment to identify it. “Ella!” She catapulted herself into the air, hooking her arms under Ella’s and bringing her to earth as softly as possible. Ella’s shin twisted just below the knee. It wasn’t supposed to do that. Meline set her hands on Ella’s leg and spoke. As the bone started regaining its proper position and knitting together, she felt a hand on the back of her head. “Yes, just—”

Ella pulled her into a kiss so fierce Meline forgot what was happening. “Hello, gorgeous,” she said, flopping back in a clammy sweat. “I don’t suppose you can put me back together less painfully?”

Ella never complained about pain. “I can do it quick or I can do it painless—”

“—Or not at all!” Meline grabbed Ella and jumped sideways as Chultaroth’s tail smashed where they’d lain an instant before.

Meline turned, brandishing her fists. Ella groaned behind her, struggling to rise. The dragon arched her neck. “I will enjoy incinerating you.”

“Want some more teeth pulled?” Unless Meline downed another tonic, Chultaroth would see through her bluff any second.

“Ha!” Chultaroth inhaled with a sound like a screaming gale. She opened her bloody mouth. The back of her throat flared. A shrieking snarl tore through the night, and Rickard the fox crashed into Chultaroth’s head, teeth scraping at her neck.

Meline felt a hand at her shoulder. “Splint my leg!” Ella barked, “I need to get back in there!”

“With what!” Meline spun around. And understood.

Tatters of hardened slime hung off the glowing silver spear in Ella’s hand. Four inches long, its head shaped like a willow leaf with crosstrees like stag antlers, its haft leather-wrapped, with a star sapphire as its wheel-shaped pommel. Writing in a script Meline didn’t recognize covered it end to end.

Ella’s expression was grim satisfaction. “With this.”

“I don’t think there’s time—”

Ella’s elytra snapped open, her wings spread, rippling red glass. Supporting herself with the spear, Ella pulled herself up. “Then I’ll improvise.”

This was as bad as when Elmum fought her dad. Selva couldn’t watch, but was too scared to look away. Vesi stood beside her, under the one bush that wasn’t burning. Vaness was hugging Selva. Vernon led Coarser to them so he could rest, then plunged in. He was tiny next to Chultaroth, but he was real good at wedging his horns between scales.

Chultaroth thumped her wings down and heaved, sending one fox bouncing with a pained yelp. The other bit the end of her tail, dodging wings and claws and teeth.

The nice fairy had dragged Felix over to them. He was awake, but too hurt to move; Vaness thought he had broken bones. The nice fairy had asked for his bow, and Felix, groaning, gave it. Selva couldn’t see him, but every now and again she heard a tiny arrow clink off a scale, or a little thwack as it hit flesh. Red spots blossomed on Chultaroth’s wings. She was getting madder, roaring and thrashing. Vaness wondered under her breath if they were keeping Chultaroth too busy to use her fire again.

A screech came from overhead. Then another. And a hundred more. Big shapes dropped through the trees. Most dropped water over the fires, with hissing steam. A few dropped balls of black shiny stuff on Chultaroth that burst open. Selva saw little black things swarm over her body, and Chultaroth’s roars got even angrier. A few bigger shapes dropped too. Their laughs chilled Selva even with the fires. Metal scraped on metal. Sparks flew from Chultaroth’s back.

Selva kept her eyes on two bright lights, flitting through the smoke and sparks. Once, Elmum flew close enough for her to see. She had a spear that flashed and flew at the dragon, before zipping back to her hands. Every throw pulled a snarl from Chultaroth. She spun and snapped and flapped her wings, but Elmum was too quick. And Melmom… she wasn’t so fast as Elmum, but now and again there was a thud, and Chultaroth would stagger as her shoulder, her leg, her wing, or her head shivered from an attack Selva barely saw.

Vaness was cursing under her breath, which normally would’ve had all Selva’s attention. Under all the fear, hope bloomed in Selva’s heart.

“Enough!” Chultaroth stood on her back legs, wings spread, and spun. The fox on her tail was flung off. Selva heard a thump and a yelp in the trees. Chultaroth twisted her neck, and fire shot down her back and wings. Selva heard yells and shrieks as drakles and critters jumped away. The smell of burnt meat hit Selva in the face. She retched. Vaness did too. The tip of Chultaroth’s tail caught Vernon in the side. He was bowled into the undergrowth. Selva heard a curse.

Two falling stars collided high above. There were three shrieks. Selva only realized one of them was hers when her throat cracked. They hit the earth a stone’s throw to Selva’s left. She ran. Vaness was faster. They weren’t moving when Selva caught up. Vaness was over them, hands to necks.

“They’re alive,” she choked. Selva’s legs wobbled. She felt a little thump against her chest. She pulled out her harp. It wasn’t broken.

“But not for long.” Selva’s head snapped around. That huge head, those bone-white teeth, were so close. Chultaroth raised her voice. “A valiant effort, smallfolk. But no force in all the worlds may deny a dragon her due. If it is any consolation,” she spread her wings; her jaws began to glow, “you will share a lovely pyre.” Selva looked into that furnace. She set fingers to harpstrings—when did she strap it on?—and began to pluck. It was really out of tune. That wasn’t important now.

As Chultaroth’s mouth flashed white, Selva began to sing.

“Fornmy dhu,

Frimmy dhu,

Vylmy dhu,

Rummy shridshan dhu,

Fevé myrvlodha.”

Ella stirred from her daze. A slight pressure at her throat roused her. Shapeless blobs floated across her eyes, crackling sound. A dark, angry thrumming. Then delicate notes, accompanied by a small voice. Beneath it, around it, was a dull roar.

Ella blinked several times, and raised her head. Her leg was still an agony, but her vision and hearing were clear. She did not immediately believe them.

“Azldha dhu,

Duddha dhu,

Dodha dhu,

Movntha arenldh dhu,

Fevé myrvlodha.”

Fire danced a hair from her and Meline, who lay stunned in her arms, blood trickling from her nose. But not a tongue touched them. They should both have vaporised in white-hot flames, but Ella just felt… warm. And the shapes the flames took! Daisies, roses, violets, cherry and apple blossoms every colour of the rainbow. Foliage and flowers so thick she almost missed the little shape before her, fingers plucking, head upturned, right hand actually touching the inferno curling about them. The song she had sung at the wedding was soft and rich on her lips. Ella could have been deaf and heard the magic in it.

Meline stirred. Ella gave her a tiny shake, and pointed. After a moment, Meline covered her mouth with one hand.

Umthefmy dhu,

Umdlommy dhu,

Fa, frunmysh dhu,

Umfrnmysh vrur nenr dhu,

Fevé myrvlodha.”

The blasting flames tapered off as Selva sang the last line. Chultaroth stood before them, panting. Her eyes widened; Ella would never forget that look of slack-jawed awe.

Selva finished her song, tottering on her feet. Vaness caught her before she struck the ground. The flames, as if at the snap of a finger, went out. Vaness picked Selva up, and backed away.

But for the crackling of the remaining fires, there was silence. Meline struggled to her feet. After she got the spear upright, Ella joined her, using it as a crutch. She opened her elytra, ready to fly in an instant.

“How… interesting,” Chultaroth said. It sounded forced. “It’s been fun, but I profess myself bored. How do you smallfolk taste with—”

“Give it up!” Meline shouted, resetting her nose with a small crunch.

Ten pupils focused on her. “Pardon—”

“You’re spent. You can’t keep fighting. Leave now, and we won’t kill you.” Ella saw shapes rising all around. One might have been Sali, Arthur another; all black and grey with ash.

“I’m not going any—”

“Has it not sunk in yet?” Meline took a step forward. Ella saw her leg tremble; she doubted the dragon noticed. “You haven’t killed even one of us, worm. We are picking ourselves up. We are rallying our strength. And if you aren’t gone in five minutes, we’ll bury you.”

“Call me ‘worm’ one more—”

“Shut! Up!” Meline roared. Several drakles jumped. “I will call you worm until you deserve better!” She stalked straight at those eyes. The force of them was waning fast. “You don’t know Oak and Stone’s history, ignorant beast. We know what dragons can do. And we know they can be killed. Since its inception, this town has prepared for your wings on the horizon. Had you stooped on the town, you would’ve gotten six harpoons in the guts for your trouble.

“We fought for our freedom once, long ago. We fought for our lives. We know tyranny, we know your style of self-congratulating theft.

“And even if you kill us here, now, our places will be taken. We will rise up again, and again. And again. Until you leave. Or we mount your skull on the lighthouse as a warning to all your kind.”

She was at Chultaroth’s nose. The dragon’s forelegs trembled; Ella suspected it was from more than exhaustion. Chultaroth snorted; nothing came out, not even smoke. Her eyes widened the instant before Meline kicked her in the lip. Chultaroth recoiled.

“Try again! I’m ready! In fact,” Meline looked about her, “we’re all ready.” Ella scanned the clearing. The crackling flames and smoke had hidden the approaching defenders. They stood at the edge of the trees. Most were fey and drakles and the little creatures. But four more foxes, and badgers, and other creatures besides, waited. In the trees were pterosaurs, their riders invisible in the gloom.

“Who…” Chultaroth’s head snapped quickly around, “Who are you?”

Meline barked a laugh. Her hand went to her torc. “I?” Ella was too far away to tell, but Meline’s grin sounded savage. “I am the Wild Rose. Now get out of my sight.”

Chultaroth held her gaze. Meline returned it unwavering. Finally, Chultaroth spread her wings until the death and blood tattooed on her skin stretched translucent. With a flap and a pained grunt, Chultaroth pushed off. Another, and she was almost above the trees. Ella limped to Meline, who refused to collapse until the last wingbeat faded away.

Meline gradually woke to the smell of Ella’s hair, and one powerful arm draped over her. She squinted. Two soft grey eyes peeked out from behind a curtain of crisp blonde. “Good evening, sleepy,” Ella said. She nuzzled Meline’s nose and kissed her. “How’re you feeling?”

“Well,” Meline’s throat felt like she hadn’t used it in a month. She tried to sit up, and bit back a curse. “Like I got hit by a cart.” She flopped back’ looking up at the cottage ceiling. “I haven’t been this stiff in ages.” She looked out. The sun was setting again. “How long was I out?”

Ella sat up and called. “Selv! How long was Melmom asleep?”

Feet pattered, the door swung open, and Selva sprang across the bed. Ella let out a squawk as Selva crawled into Meline’s arms. “Thirty-two nights!”

“Thirty—” Meline bit back another curse. She’d let one slip in front of Selva a while ago. The child had eventually dropped it.

“You pushed yourself,” Ella said, running a hand through Meline’s hair. “In twenty three thousand years, I’ve never seen anything like it.” She nuzzled Meline’s head. “You were amazing.”

Meline nuzzled back. Selva adjusted her place in Meline’s lap. The movement pulled the blankets sideways, revealing Ella’s cast. Meline looked up at her. “Who—”

“A drakle nurse in town here,” Ella said, noticing Meline’s gaze. “It itches something fierce, and her re-positioning the bone fragments was…”

“Elmum had a cloth in her mouth when they did it!” Selva said. “She cried lots!”

“You weren’t there! And there’s nothing wrong with crying!”

“Vaness told me!”

“Anyway,” Ella said, “I may have been a bit reckless in my recovery, and started walking too soon, and…”

“Your muscle turned to bone,” Selva said.

“Who’s telling the story, Selv?” Ella said, touching her nose in admonishment. Selva scrunched tighter against Meline. “Anyway, yes, so they removed that, and said if I didn’t listen, they’d amputate.” Her smile was crooked. “I’m fairly sure they were joking.”

Meline ruffled Ella’s hair. “You’re an idiot. And lucky. I would’ve slapped you upside the head and tied you to a rock for a week.”

“I know.” Ella chuckled. “But I’ve got the hang of my crutches, now.”

A thought occurred to Meline. “Speaking of crutches, where’s that spear?”

“The guildmasters are crafting a sheath for it,” Ella said, “and then it’ll rest in town hall until it’s needed again.”

“They haven’t gifted it to you? You pulled it from the dragon’s belly.”

Ella shook her head. “The wind told me it’ll be needed here.” She looked out the window. “I have many weapons in my armoury, Meline. The only one I didn’t make with my own hands was the sword my teacher gave me when I left her. Besides, that spear is the stuff of legend.”

Meline raised an eyebrow. “Legend, you say?”

Ella nodded. “I’ve examined it while you were asleep. The mayor sent for some loremasters. They’re translating the inscriptions. But Meline, that spear is old. As in a million years or more. There’s similarities to the oldest Feyish writings I’ve seen, but it’s either even older than that, or the inscriptions are in a language other than Feyish. The songs written about it have likely been lost.”

Selva shifted. “Well,” Meline said, giving Selva a kiss on the forehead, “no one will forget your song any time soon, Selva.”

Ella threw her head back and laughed. “Nevermind! Selva’s the hero of the night! The miracle child who turned dragonfire to flowers with song!”

“It just… happened,” Selva said. Her face heated up under Meline’s hand.

“Well, it’s a good thing it did,” Ella said, leaning forward and giving Selva a kiss. “You saved many lives, my dear.”

“Couldn’t any fire fairy do it?”

Meline scratched her chin. “… Yes. With a song. Words of power won’t break a dragon’s control over her own fire. But not many fire fairies your age could do that.” She hugged Selva tight. “You still did something amazing. So for a while, at least, you’ll have to put up with folks calling you… Dragonsong?”

Ella snorted. “That is precisely the name everyone’s using. And you’ll never guess what I—”

“Dragonspear?”

Selva laughed. Meline did too, at the look on Ella’s face. “So how long do we have before they kick us out of the cottage? I imagine Sali would put us up.”

Ella laughed again. “Meline.” She took Meline’s shoulders in her hands. “We saved Oak and Stone. I pulled a spear from a dragon’s throat. Selva bent dragonfire to her will. You punched a dragon in the face! We have numerous assurances that we’ll be put up here for ten thousand years, on the town’s coin, if we want. Though I’d rather head home as soon as I can ride. So… do you want tea and barley cakes?”

Meline’s stomach, waking up after over a month, howled. “Yes,” Meline squeezed Ella’s hand and gave her a kiss, “I want them very much.” She levered herself out of bed, and shuffled around to help Ella, who seemed perfectly comfortable hefting herself onto her crutches. “Anything else happen while I was asleep?”

Ella’s mouth was open when Selva all but shouted, “Elmum widdled on a rock!”

“On a…”

“Stop stealing my news!” Ella laughed, aggressively ruffling Selva’s hair. Selva ducked behind Meline.

“When will we know the result?” There was only one reason any fairy—let alone the bashful Lord of Oakhill—would squat on a rock. A moonstone, Meline guessed.

“As soon as Vaness—” Hooves clattered on the gravel path, and feet hit the ground before the clattering stopped. Selva scampered to open the door. And nearly wore it as Vaness barged in.

“Auntie El! Auntie—” she set a hand on Selva’s shoulder to steady the girl. She was breathing hard, like she’d ridden at full gallop.

“Well?” Ella said. She stood up straight on her good leg.

Vaness didn’t say a word. She didn’t need to. Her nod said everything.

Meline shrieked. She simultaneously threw herself into Ella’s arms, and stopped herself from doing so. The wash was she banged her right knee on the corner of the kitchen table. She laughed and cried tears of wild joy while pounding the table in pain. Ella and Vaness pulled her upright. Through her tears, she saw Ella grinning and crying, too. Meline put a hand on Ella’s belly, taut with laughter, and prayed no more excitement would visit until this little one was born.

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