Kaia Olson

10.23.06

Creative Writing

Keira:

The Heroine

Rain pelted the ground in hard torrents, the heavy wind causing the trees to tremble and shake. Only one thing stood immovable, for which it was made of the hard rock of a mountain.

This immovable rock was called Morgretar, a safe kingdom that many called home, and whom many visited. All the streets of Morgretar’s castle were empty, all the taverns filled with jolly-makers in spite of the rain. One particular tavern, called the Night Owl, was filled with travelers from a distant land. No one knew whom those travelers were, so many left them alone.

One person, though, knew why these people had come, although she didn’t tell anyone else. She just sat in the corner with her hood pulled over her head and eyes fixed upon them.

Many who didn’t know her took her for a traveling man, and those who did know her never told anyone that she was a girl. She supposed that she was a traveler because she didn’t stay in one place for long.

Not many females were travelers these days because of the countless dangers. That’s why she had chosen that way of life; because of the thrill of not knowing if you’d be alive the next day or not. She fought countless beasts; wild boars, the cougars of the Rocky Peak, and, once, a Dragon.

Oh how she remembered that day. But, alas, the girl was taken away from her memory as the innkeeper came up to her.

“Ye be wanted anythin else, miss?” he asked quietly. He was a round fellow, his girth spilling over his pant line, making his apron bulge. Though he seemed a savage fellow (and he could be at times of need) the girl trusted him like she would her father.

“No, Gordon,” she replied quietly, the memory still coursing through her veins. “Thank you for you’re help, but I’ll be going now. And be careful. Those travelers may be trouble.”

“Trouble, miss?” Concern spread across Gordon’s scruffy face.

“Do not worry. I’ll be here if there is any. But I must leave you now. I have other things to attend to.” Then she stood.

Gordon put his hand on her arm. “Ye be careful with ye self, Keira. I dinna want anythin happenin to ye, ye understand?”

The girl smiled. “I understand.” Gordon let go of her and she walked out of the room and into the stormy night.

“Ye understand,” Gordon muttered to himself and, crossing his arms, frowned, “but will ye be?”

Keira walked alone, her sad past bubbling up with great force. She tried to push it away, but when she tried to think of other things, it would just lead to that. Finally, she succumbed to it’s power.

It had been six years since she last saw her father. She hadn’t had any mother –having died from child-birth – and the last thing she remembered of her father was the way he always smiled at her.

Oh how she loathed the day the officer told her he was gone. He said he’d died faithfully in battle; that he’d died with honor. Keira didn’t want him to be dead. She didn’t care if he died with honor or cowardice. She just wanted him back. What was she to do at nine years old? She was an orphan; alone and unwanted. The only one left to care for her was their butler, Gibbs, and what did he know of raising a small child?

Thunder split the sky, reflecting her tearful pain. Wind rattled her bones and rain pelted the ground around her, soaking her through and through.

She wiped her thoughts and tears away. No more thinking, she told herself.

Finally, she reached a very poorly kept, three story manor. The curtains were drawn back and the door was tightly closed. Walking up to it, she rapped four times and waited. Presently, a voice sounded from the other side.

“Who it be?” it came nervously, “Who it be?”

“It’s Keira, Gibbs. Open the door.”

Hesitantly, the bolts slid open and the handle turned, a weary eye peering from the small opening.

“Ah, it do be you,” Gibbs breathed thankfully and opened the door the rest of the way. Seeing that she was wet, he said, “My goodness gracious! You be soaked to you’re very bone! Come, come and let’s get you dried and warmed.”

Gibbs was a tall, skinny man, with a horrible habit of wringing his hands when he was nervous. He was a friendly, but suspicious fellow; always complaining about how you could never trust people these days.

Keira took off her cloak and wrung it out, then hung it up to dry. Slipping off her sandals, she made her way to the parlor and sunk in a stuffed chair by the fire.

“They’ve come, Gibbs,” she said, staring at the flames and warming her feet.

Gibbs stopped short and his nose twitched. “You mean… they?”

“Sindarin o Luthian,” she murmured, “People of the Wing.”

The skinny butler blinked then started wringing his hands. “Oh my,” he said shakily. “Oh my, oh my, oh my. What… what are we to do? This means that…”

“Yes, Gibbs,” Keira said calmly, “I know what it means. Come, sit down.”

He hastily replied and took his seat across from her, his face white, his eyes wide, his hands still wringing.

“Listen to me, butler,” the young girl said, sitting directly up in her chair. She turned her gaze steadily to the nervous mans, green-blue eyes as intense as the fire’s. “We both know what is to happen because we both know and believe the Prophecy. I know what I am to do to stop it and I know my abilities. But do you know what I can do?”

Gibbs calmed a bit and his air turned to that of curiosity and suspicion. “‘Do’, miss?”

Keira sighed. She’d never told anyone of her… abilities before. Except her father, of course. But this man she trusted, and now was the time to tell him.

She returned her gaze back to the fire. “I suppose I’ve kept it from you for too long,” she muttered. Then aloud, “Here, let me show you.”

Leaning forward, she reached her right hand to the fire and before Gibbs could stop her, her hand was engulfed in flames.

The butler cried out and jumped for water, but Keira stopped him.

“It does not hurt me,” she said, holding her burning hand up for him to see. Instantly, the fire disappeared. The cuff of her blouse was singed, but other than that, there was no mark upon her. Then, without putting her hand through the fire, the angry orange returned, this time in the palm of her hand.

“How…?” he sat back down but could not find words.

“Just watch.”

The ball of fire flickered out, then reappeared on the tip of her pointer finger, rolling around back and forth to the tips of the others. Then, that too, flickered out.

She smiled at his amazement.

“I can use two other elements as well.”

Smiling, she made the ball of fire return again.

“But, miss… you already–”

“Just watch, Gibbs.”

Clamping his mouth shut, he leaned forward, turning his attention to the ball. Then, as if by magic (and magic it was) a crystal-like substance formed around it, incasing the fire in smooth and hallow egg. She took her left hand and picked it from her right, handing it to the butler.

“Don’t worry, it will do no harm,” she comforted when he pulled back. Tentatively, he held out his thin and boney hands, tightly closing his eyes when Keira placed it in his palms. He jumped at the touch.

“It’s… I don’t believe it. It’s ice!”

Keira smiled somewhat sadly.

“And what be your third, Miss Keira?” he asked curiously.

“That,” she replied, “is a mystery even to me.”

His eyebrows shot up. “You mean you don’t know?”

The young girl slunk back down into the couch, nodding. “I know I can use one other, but it still refuses to show itself to my mind. I keep getting these hints that I’m not to have it yet, though the time is near.”

“How do you know that?”

“I know a great many unexplainable things,” she said quietly. “Best not to question them.”

With that, Keira stood and made her way out of the room and to the door, saying behind her, “Do not follow me, Gibbs. What must be done must be done alone.”

The butler stopped in the doorway to the parlor, watching as his young Mistress put on her oddly dry, black cape.

“Do be careful,” he said warmly. “I don’t want anything happening to you. Heaven knows what I would do.”

Keira turned around and smiled at him, then, stepping forward, wrapped her arms tightly around his waist.

Taken by shock, the butler was slow to reply, but finally he smiled and returned the hug, patting her head.

“Thank you for everything Gibbs,” Keira said, her words muffled by the his shirt. Then she pulled away, her eyes only a little moist.

Gibbs shook his head. “You’re too young to be doing this alone, Mistress.”

She pulled up her hood, her face now hidden in shadow. “Nonsense, I am now a young woman of fifteen.”

“Still too young.”

She reached up and placed a kiss on his cheek. “I’ll be fine,” she said, turning towards the door. Then, opening it, she said, “Keep a candle burning.” And then she was gone into the rainy night.

She made her way to the inn, thoughts rolling through her mind. How was she to confront them? What was she to say? Did they know about the Prophecy?

Finally, she made it to the entrance, the noises of drinking men and music playing reaching her ears.

She bent down and checked the knives in her boots and also the sword at her waist. Then, straitening, made her way around the building and to the servant’s entrance instead of going directly through the front.

Pushing her way through, she maneuvered her way through the bustling kitchen wenches and the cook, finally reaching the door that would take her to a hall, leading to the parlor. She slipped through unnoticed, the sounds of a flute reaching her ears. She leaned against the wall to listen, closing her eyes for just a second.

The sound was melodious, the notes floating up and then flying down, making ones heart soar along.

Suddenly, something sharp was at her side. Her breath caught.

“Do not move,” came a low voice, “otherwise this will be plunged through your side.”

She stood perfectly still, her mind racing.

“Now,” the voice came again, “you will do as I say, but do not try anything. I am more dangerous than you think.”

She slowly nodded, turning her head to the side to try and get a look at her enemy. However, a strong hand forced it forwards.

“Not until I say.”

He turned her away from the parlor’s entrance and back down the hall, past the kitchen. Soon, they reached a door, and Keira was ordered to open it.

Pushing her through, the man quickly locked the door, then turned to her.

She looked around and found that they were outside in a small, fenced-in garden, not a person in sight. Thankfully, the rain had stopped and the moon was now brightly shining.

“Remove your hood,” the man ordered. He was tall, though about her age, with sandy blonde hair and golden eyes.

Golden eyes, she thought, the eyes of an eagle…recognition flooded her mind. Sindarin o Luthian.

Her own eyes widened with surprise. He probably sensed me.

Slowly, she did as he commanded, her white braid falling over her shoulder, catching the silver moon, and her eyes playing amused to hide her shock.

He blinked for a second as he stood there staring at her, but soon he gained composure.

“You are a female,” he stated.

“So kind of you to notice,” she said sarcastically. “And you are a Friend of the Wing.”

He looked shocked. “How do you know about us?”

“I have my secrets,” she snapped back, “one of which you chose to reveal.”

“That’s enough,” he said with a deadly warning. “Now tell me of your name.”

Her eyes flashed. “Why should I?”

He strode to her, tense. She felt the blade against her neck. “You forget about my warning.”

For a moment, she was afraid, then, rage overtook that fear. No one, and may she repeat, NO ONE, told her what to do. Slapping the knife away, Keira took a step back, pointing a finger.

“Do not come near me, you vile creature,” she breathed with menace. “Let me remind you that you don’t know my abilities. I know what must happen, and if you so much as touch me again, I will personally rip off your hand.”

He looked amused at her little speech, and said, “Then tell me, what can you do; a mere child?”

He had pushed his limits with her. She was more than ready to show him her abilities, but she willed herself to control her temper.

“Do not tempt me.”

Still seeming amused, he shook his head. “This is not what I brought you here for.” Then he turned serious. “I brought you here, child, because I felt something wasn’t quite right. I don’t know if it was you, or if my senses deceived me, but as soon as I found a figure dressed in black lurking around the Inn, I knew for sure. Now, I give you one more chance to tell me who you are or, so help me, I will cut your throat.”

Keira took a steadying breath. He was right about something being wrong, but it was not her cause. It was something much more deadly than that. Her coming was just the beginning of something… evil.

“You wish to know my name? So be it.” She took another deep breath. “I am Keira Dunburrow, daughter of Klayton and Myra, heir of the Tribe Kingdoms.”

His eyes widened.

“Do not say anything,” she continued, “but let me say what must be said. You were correct about something not being right. Many things are being stirred in this age, but all of it is not of my doings. It is something far more sinister; far more evil, and we are right in the middle of it.”

He tried to speak but no words came out of his open mouth.

“What use are your threats now, Sindarin o Luthian? Do you now view me as a child?” She spat the last word out with great distaste.

He cleared his throat, then walked over to her and held out his knife, bowing low to the ground. “Do to me as I would you,” said he.

She grabbed the knife, looking at it with interest. Smiling, she pressed it to the back of his neck. Then, as if reconsidering, she pulled it away.

“Stand up,” she ordered. Confused, he did as told. “You seem a smart fellow, though somewhat of a blockhead, so, since you did me no harm, I will do you none.”

Flipping the knife up in the air, she caught the blade part between her fingers and held it out to him, smiling smugly.

He reached to take if from her, but she pulled it back. “First, your name, good sir.”

A small smile reached his lips and his eyes sparkled. “Perrin Brace, at your debt.” And with that he swept a low bow.

“Very well, Perrin. Please receive your weapon and know now how to use it.”

He took it from her grasp and instantly sheathed it.

“Now,” he said, turning grave, “Tell me about this–”

His words were cut short, the sound of the earth rattling reaching their ears and throwing them off balance.

Keira looked to the sky. “I fear you must find out for yourself. It has come.” She ran to the gate and started climbing. “Follow me,” she said behind her, “But be not loud. We must take it by surprise.”

Dropping into an ally, Keira pulled her hood back up, then melted into the shadows.

She heard a soft thud, a knife unsheathing and then, “Keira?”

The girl gave a soft whistle, indicating where she was and Perrin walked tentatively towards her, making as much noise as the air itself so that, if Keira wasn’t watching him, she might not of known where he was.

He joined her in the shadows, breath coming quickly and quietly.

“Where to?” he whispered quietly. So quietly, it was hard for Keira to hear him.

“Just follow,” she replied, crouching and moving nimbly.

The earth shook again and the Night Owl Inn became un-naturally quiet, the sounds of the flute quickly dying away.

Keira could feel the evil. She’d felt it earlier, but that was just a small tint. Now it came so strongly, the people in the Inn probably felt it as well. She wondered if Perrin felt it yet.

They wove their way in and out through allies but never dared to take the main road. Soon, they reached the city’s main gate.

Removing her hood, Keira stood, motioning for Perrin to stay hidden. Approaching the guard, she spoke a few words and the man nodded, then opened a small door in the side of the wall.

Keira beckoned to Perrin and he came, following her through the small opening.

“Where does this go to?” he asked, peering at what looked like a tunnel before them.

“Out,” came her only reply, and she moved on, a burning candle in her hand.

Where did she get that? Perrin asked himself, but shook it off. The guard probably gave it to her.

Finally, they reached another small door, Keira bending down and examining it. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, letting out part of her power and melting the lock.

They had made it.

Opening the door, she stepped out and into the night, a vast plain before them. She snuffed out the candle, aware that there were only a few trees protecting their position. Keira quickly shut the door as soon as Perrin made it out.

“Listen to me,” she said, her hood back up, voice low, “you have a choice. You may stay with me, or you may leave, but what I’m about to do is more dangerous than anything ever done in history. You stay with me and you will probably face a most certain death. What say you, Perrin Brace of the Sindarin o Luthian?”

He looked at her oddly, then nodded to himself. “If you are who you say you are,” he said in the most sincerity, “then my duty is to protect you. As a Sindarin o Luthian, I will guard you with my will, even if I barely know you, for you are my leader. Without you, the world is lost.”

“Those are brave words, Perrin. But I fear you know not of what is happening. Maybe if you hear the story, you may understand and then make your final decision.”

“I know and feel enough. I am going.”

She smiled, touched by his sincere heart. “Very well, but when I say you must leave, you must not object. There is a time when I must fight alone.”

“Very well.”

They looked at each other for a little longer, then Keira turned, crouching.

“So it is,” she muttered inaudibly. Then, aloud she said, “This way.”

The evil was strong here; the strongest.

“Here is where we stop,” Keira said, smelling the air in the dark. It was definitely here.

They were in a vast place, close to the edge of the mountain but with barely any trees around, mostly barren wasteland and brush. On the way, the shakes had increased greatly. One was so strong, it almost knocked Keira off of her feet, causing her to crash into Perrin, who in turn, took her place and crashed to the ground.

He was still rubbing his sore spot and murmuring to himself, but stopped when Keira spoke.

He looked out at the horizon, golden eyes searching. He fixed them on a certain spot, closer to the mountain.

“I see something far off in the sky,” he said.

What Perrin saw, Keira could not, as she soon figured out. It was a benefit that came with being the People of the Wing; strong, eagle-like vision.

The girl stopped short, intent on the spot the sandy blonde was looking at. She nodded to herself, then started gathering small twigs and branches.

“We will make camp here until it comes,” Keira said, “for here is where it rests. It will not be long, though, until it returns, so we must be ready at all times. Hopefully this fire will bring it quickly.”

Perrin hadn’t been paying attention to what she was doing, and soon, he felt warmth reaching quickly towards his leg.

He looked at the fire, amazed that she’d made it so fast without barely even taking time to rub the sticks together. Then he looked closer, eagle-eyes examining all of the twigs. None of them had evidence of rub marks. His gaze turned towards Keira, eyes narrowing.

“There is something about you that you keep from me,” he said, sitting across from her.

She stared at the flames, watching as they danced to their own cackling sonata.

“There are a great many things that I keep from you and you from me,” she stated, still not taking her eyes from their spot to look at him.

“How did you make that fire, Keira?”

At first she was startled that his suspicions were close to her secret, but she concealed it by smiling, her ocean eyes looking at him and sparkling in the light. She wasn’t sure she could trust him quite yet, but seeing as he would find out sooner or later, she decided to show him.

Grabbing a nearby stick, she held it to the fire, taking it away as soon as it caught, watching as the fire slowly started dying down. But it did not go out.

Perrin watched intently as Keira stared at the end of the stick. The fire grew larger until the whole stick started burning with it, starting with the tip and making it’s way down to her hand. Finally, her whole had was engulfed in flame. Then, instantly, it vanished. Just like that.

She threw the black piece of wood into the fire, holding her unscathed hand up for him to see.

“Now you know at least part of it,” she said quietly, lowering her hand to lie limply in her lap.

“Magic,” he whispered. “True magic.”

She nodded, somewhat unhappy. Perrin noticed, but had no chance to comment upon it, for, at that moment, he felt the evil moving.

Keira stood. “It is coming.”

The fire instantly flickered out, leaving them in total blackness.

“Keira?” Perrin whispered. He felt a hand grasp his and then lead him away from where he sat.

“It won’t be long now,” she said, pulling him down to crouch. They were behind some brush, needles prickling uncomfortably.

The wind started picking up, causing the few trees to reach for them with their long arms as if they were fresh meat to be devoured.

Keira closed her eyes. “Calm down,” she whispered to the air, not really expecting it to obey. But then, something inside of her made a connection and she felt the wind start to die down, just like she had intended.

Could it be?

She didn’t have time to think upon the matter, however. When she opened her eyes, she saw a black mass lowering itself to the ground, wings slightly stirring the air she’d commanded to peace.

She motioned to Perrin to stay where he was, then moved off, using the noise the beast made to her advantage. She moved stealthily, trying to get on its other side so she could direct it away from Perrin.

The beast landed, sniffing their fire with suspicion. He breathed out smoke and his whole body gave off a searing heat, but it had no effect on Keira for she was immune.

Reaching the other side, she stood and walked into the dragons view, shoulders straight, head tall, sword unsheathed.

The beast looked up at her, somewhat surprised.

You are young, he said to her, words echoing through her mind.

You are evil, she replied, not opening her mouth. This took the beast back by surprise, for none had spoken to him through the mind before.

You have an unnatural gift, human.

I’ve been taught well, beast. Now, prepare to meet your fate.

He laughed, the very laugh of evil. It caused Keira to shiver, but she stood her ground.

My fate? You are the one who will not live to see the sunrise, little one. He laughed again, flexing his long claws and twitching his spiked tail, red eye sizing her up.

She readied her sword, bringing it up to protect her body. Do not underestimate me, she warned. …dragon.

He snarled and opened his mouth, revealing long, razor sharp teeth. She could hear the sound of fire roaring in his belly and coming up his throat. A large ball of flame erupted from his mouth, aimed right for Keira. On instinct, she shielded herself by throwing up her arms and closing her eyes. She was sure her clothes and hair would be burned to a crisp, but, for some reason, the fire didn’t touch her. She dared to open her eyes and looked to see it going around her.

How can this be? the dragon said in awed amazement.

Keira stood. The fire now ceased and not a burn mark was upon her or her clothes.

I told you not to underestimate me. She raised her sword again. It was glowing red from the fire. She smiled as a flame danced at the tip then engulfed the whole blade.

The dragon’s blood eyes turned to slits. You use the ancient magic. I have not seen it used for a long time, but I recognize it’s feel. It is the feeling of good, and that I will soon devour.

She ran towards him with her sword, blocking him from her mind and refusing to listen to his lies.

DIE!

Perrin watched from behind the brush as the dragon and Keira whirled in battle. Keira’s sword was ablaze and so were the dragons eyes. He watched as she ran towards him, but the dragon jumped in the air, just missing her sword by inches.

Perrin wasn’t sure exactly what was going on, but he knew he needed to help. Rising to stand, he unsheathed his knife. At least he had something. Starting to climb the mountain, he didn’t look down until he reached the top; almost two hundred yards in the air. Keira and the dragon were further away, fire surrounding them from where the dragon breathed.

Don’t worry Keira, Perrin thought, I’m coming.

Keira twisted and turned, trying to at least nick the dragon with the blade. Then she mentally slapped herself. She could use ice.

Ducking an attack, she threw out her free hand. From it came ice daggers, sharp and glinting in the fire. They pierced through one of the dragons wings and Keira congratulated herself as it roared out fire in pain, alighting nearby trees. As it reared from the pain, Keira took that time to grab some fire from the ground and throw it at the beast, using her new found ability of wind to make it glide. It struck the dragon in the soft part of his belly, but had no effect.

He laughed, lunging towards her from the sky. You forget I use fire as well, human.

She smiled. She knew… she’d used it only for a diversion. She was about to strike out again with her sword, when she saw something other than the dragon falling from the mountain. No… it wasn’t falling… it was flying.

“Perrin!” she cried as recognition flooded through her. “NO!”

He aimed his flight toward the dragons head, and, as Keira was crying out, the dragon had landed and looked up. Seeing him, it laughed evilly and opened it’s jaws to spew fire.

She took off running. She ran as fast as she could and only focused on one spot; the dragons throat. It was one of his only weak spots. She lunged towards him with her sword, but, as she almost reached it, the dragons tail came around and snatched her in it’s clutches, causing her to drop her weapon.

“PERRIN!” she gasped, watching in slow motion as the fire rose to the falling figure. She closed her eyes and directed all the wind power she had to the fire. The wind came with such force, that it threw the dragon off balance, causing the fire to miss it’s target.

Perrin landed safely on the dragons neck, something bright glinting in his hands.

His knife, she thought. He’s going to try and kill him with only a knife? She had to get loose. Then she remembered something: she still had her two knives in the back of her boots.

Franticly, she brought one of her legs up to her hand, pulling the knife free. Flipping it up, she jammed it under one of the scales, wedging it as far as it could go.

The dragon roared in pain, dropping Keira to the ground and whipping his whole body around, trying to rid himself of the sharp blade. She saw Perrin’s body momentarily flung from the dragons top neck, only to be reconnected with a great force. She saw him wrap his legs around safely and resume his climbing, grasping the spikes on his back.

She flung herself to the ground as the beasts tail whipped over her head, the movement so fast, it sounded as though it was slicing through the air like a knife through paper.

She searched for her sword, her blood filled hand from the dragon searching franticly. There it was, over a little ways by one of the dragons legs.

She started crawling, holding her other knife tightly in her hand as she inched across the fire filled plane. She had to get there, she just had to.

Perrin focused all of his attention on staying balanced and climbing. He needed to reach the dragons brain, that was the only way he could think of to kill him. His progress was slow and painful, because the beast kept moving its head to try and fling him off.

Get off of me human! it roared angrily.

Perrin almost lost his balance from the voice in his head and the sudden jerk. How could the beast do that? He shook his head. Now was not the time for puzzles. He had to climb.

He moved with as much speed as his predicament would let him, keeping a steady rhythm. Grab, pull, clutch. Grab, pull, clutch… and so on.

He was almost there now; he could see the two top horns on the dragons head.

Come on Perrin, put more effort into it! he urged himself. Your leader needs you!

He was amazed by the force with which he used to fight for someone he barely knew, yet who’d labeled herself as a leader. She was a strong girl, not much younger than he, but high spirited nonetheless. Also very pretty.

He grunted as those thoughts came into his mind. He was in a life/death situation (leaning more towards death) and he was thinking about how Keira looked.

Amazing how much the mind wanders, he thought to himself, sticking the knife in his mouth but keeping his tongue back. He found it was much easier this way; it didn’t get in his way and he could move faster, now having the use of both hands.

He was almost there; just a few more inches…

Keira snatched up her sword and stood, facing the more-angry-than-ever dragon. This time, instead of incasing it in fire, she let ice engulf the blade. Hopefully it would go in easier now.

Ducking as the monster’s tail came whipping overhead once again, Keira tried to make her way closer. She put on full speed and ran, raising her sword. Then, at that blessed moment, the dragon reared, blood pouring down it’s head, belly revealed.

Time seemed to slow as Keira rammed her sword home, piercing right through the dragons heart. She stood there, just staring at it for a while, then, before he could fall on her, she removed the sword and stepped back, watching as he fell.

I have won, she told him. Their eyes locked. His was defeated, hers triumphant. Then, he slowly started sinking towards the ground, the light in his eyes dimming.

She watched as he fell, her eyes now coming to Perrin who clutched his knife. It was embedded in the dragons skull, blood dripping and melding in with the dimmed red of the monsters eye.

She smiled. She barely even knew this man and yet, he gave up his life to defend the world and keep it safe, just because she asked.

Finally, the last light in the dragons eyes flickered out.

“You… you did it,” Perrin said, removing his knife and stiffly hoping down, out of breath.

She walked over to him. “We did it. I couldn’t have won without your help. Thank you Perrin Brace.”

He sheathed his knife, then bowed. “It is my honor.”

Perrin and Keira went back to the city, the city dwellers completely unaware of what happened.

Many years later, Keira announced that she was the lost heir to the throne, and the towns people were more than happy to have someone to rule over them. She was crowned queen and later married Perrin, the first human to wed into the Sindarin o Luthian. They lived a happy life and had one daughter, whom they named Myra, after Keira’s mother.

Thus concludes the tale about how two people saved the naïve world, becoming secret heroes only in their memory.

The End