Hope in Deep Waters (an AtE story) Chapter 1: Fragile Hopes

Notes: This is my first attempt at writing something like this.... I hope you enjoy it! 😊

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Nia clung to the smooth and muscular neck of the sky-colored dragon and shut her eyes not only against the gusts of wind that assailed them, but also to force the tears back down that persistently welled up again and again. She knew that if she let those tears fall, they would open floodgates she would not have the power to close anytime soon. No. Now was the time for hope, not mourning. All might not be lost. Not yet, anyway. Nia shoved the thought away. It wouldn't do anything to help the situation if she couldn't maintain her composure. Still, the gale of despair threatened to burst through the fragile curtain of hope surrounding her heart. I must be strong for Kalmar and Leeli and Sara. Her heart lurched at how short that list had become. And…Janner too. She swallowed a sob. Still, she thought, how long can I keep this up?

It had been a long night of fitful sleep and nearly a full day of travel since Anniera was renewed and her eldest son had sacrificed everything for it. During the night after Janner's death, Artham had gone to the Great Library to let Oskar know what had transpired and to bring him back to Anniera on a dragon.  Because he was basically a family member himself, it was only right for them to be together. He had also been writing a record of everything that had happened on their arduous journey together, both the joys and the sorrows. Well, I suppose we brought him both of those things, Nia mused.

Upon their return, hearing about how Oskar had been so “discombobulated” by the sudden appearance of a tailless King Kalmar in the Great Library made it impossible for even Nia to hold back a chuckle. The merriment didn't last long though because Oskar now saw for himself the Janner-sized gap in the group. He had remembered that his young assistant had mentioned wanting a room full of books to read once the war was over and everything was settled. So, he had been secretly setting aside books as new shipments arrived, hoping to give the young throne warden a pleasant surprise for once. But now, there was no one to claim this carefully selected pile. Finding that he could no longer stand on his feet, poor Oskar had lowered himself to the floor and removed his glasses, so that he could wipe at his eyes freely. In a quavering voice he said simply, “my brave boy”.

After a long moment of silence, Kalmar had placed his hand on his shoulder and whispered “hang on to those books Mr. Reteep. It's not over yet, and they might still be needed.”

Oskar mustered a sad smile. “Are you constructing a library on the shining isle?” 

“Maybe” replied Kalmar, “but I had something else in mind. We are going to the first well to see if it can do anything for Janner.” 

Oskar brightened at this. “The First Well? Count me in! And if it can help Janner, in the words of Luntun Frazwizzle, ‘What are we waiting for?!’”

“Wait,” said Nia, “who will watch over Anniera if we are all off on a journey?”

“Don't worry,” Artham reassured her, his eyes kind and warm.“Arundelle said she would be happy to do it, and I can think of no better person for the position.”

“Besides, it won't be for long. She will do great, Mama” insisted Leeli, who, with Sara, wrapped her in a bear hug.

Though it had only been a day, Nia wondered how Arundelle was holding up. She felt awful for suddenly thrusting such staggering responsibility upon a woman who had been through so much already.

An abrupt change of altitude caused Nia's ears to crackle and called her back to the present. As they neared the ground, Nia could see the Blackwood below and knew that they would soon be setting up camp and switching to foot travel the next day as the sky-blue dragon lighted on the ground, Nia sent up a quick prayer for Arundelle: Oh Maker, bring her peace and keep her well.