The next chapter. I’ve gone in a bit of a different direction for this chapter, talking about Arundelle. Arundelle is a crucial part of my story (both in sequel and prequel) so, I wanted to bring her into my First Well as a breath of fresh air!
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: ARUNDELLE
“Armen*, where could they be?”
Arundelle looked outside, unsure of what to do. Her husband had been gone for so long. She paced in the castle, looking outside at the slowly healing land.
She shook her head. How she missed them all! But especially her Artham.
“My lady, if you would like, I will gather as many able-bodied men as I can, and go and find them. She looked at him with her bright green eyes, and she looked outside again.
“Perhaps that would be best Armen.”
“Lord Armen! Lady Arundelle!”
A younger boy rushed in, breathless with a look of panic on his face. “We got a message from the Hollows! A young woman, she appears to be a Ranger**, perhaps even from the Woes. She came out of the Blackwood, but the Wingfeathers have not been seen!”
Arundelle’s eyes soared open, and she turned toward Armen. His face was a study.
“How did this message get sent?”
“Nibbick Bunge saw the WIngfeathers come in, and a strange girl come out.”
“Lady Arund-“
But she was gone. She had rushed out of the room. It was enough. A Ranger? From the Woes? That screamed of danger, and Arundelle had a wild idea. She threw on her cloak***, and rushed to the spot where her and Artham in their youth had seen a dragon.
She was now going to the spot, on a wild whim that a dragon would be there again. Maybe, because the land was now whole, the dragons would come and look in to check on them.
But fear nagged at her. She had been scared when she saw it at a distance, and that was with Artham by her side! Now she was alone, and planned on riding one.
She finally saw the spot, a cliff at edge of Castle Rock.
Castle Rock! It was crushed, and completely destroyed****. Oh how Artham’s heart would break. “As if it hasn’t broken enough,” she muttered, running a bit faster.
Now she stood on the verge, gazing out. She saw the waters rumble. “Oh Maker,” she whispered, closing her eyes, “let there be some type of dragon, or way, to be able to go there and help, in whatever way I can help.”
She stood still, completely still. Then she felt wind rustle her hair, and opened her eyes.
Only it wasn’t wind. It was…..a ruby red-
“Dragon,” she breathed.
The ruby red dragon, with its dark blue eyes, seemed curious in this small human.
Who could this be? the dragon wondered. She looks royal, but she is no Wingfeather.
“H-Hello!” Arundelle blurted. “I don’t know i-if you can understand me, but I need to get to the Hollows, I think my family is in danger.”
Arundelle trembled slightly, though she had determination and a little bit of peace, so she wasn’t completely afraid. Though there was a good bit of fear.
Hulwen (for who else could the dragon be?) looked at Arundelle. A smile of pity seemed to linger on the dragons lips, and she bowed her head, showing agreement.
Arundelle smiled. Hulwen lowered her head, and reached closer to Ari.
Arundelle sucked in a breath and placed a steady hand on the dragon’s head. Then she climbed on, and Hulwen slowly lifted herself out of the water.
Arundelle’s stomach churned. She missed Artham even more now. He would be able to calm her now.
Hulwen stated flying, letting out a slow roar, and Arundelle steadied herself.
“I will find them. I have too.”
Armen is Cadiwck’s new name. I thought it might suit him! (Also he is a Lord because of reasons that will be explained in the prequel hehe 🙃)
Yes, I did totally take a bit of inspiration from Tolkien in the whole ranger thing. I wanted to throw in some rangers in my Aerwiar, not as the Rangers of Glipwood, but more similar to Aragorn. And, they are a bit dangerous. Of course, you should hopefully know who the Ranger really is 😉
I wanted to bring attention to the cloak cause that is the one she wore at the end of TWATWK, and I imagine that it used to be Artham’s, but Ari gradually took it over.
The reason Castle Rock is destroyed is just because…..it adds depth. And, I know Anniera is better but I still think the land will have its scars.
Okay! I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Next one, we’ll be back to the Blackwood! Homestretch! 😆
nods Rangers. Yes. nods some more
Yes! Just because Anniera has been restored, doesn't mean that everything is like it was! (awesome as that would be)
Great chapter, Arthra!
I think it said that Chadwick gave Arundelle the cloak, but that may be wrong. she had it before he showed up, though