IMPORTANT AUTHOR'S NOTE: PLEASE READ! Well, it's been almost 2 years since I've been here, and if you want my list of excuses, check my author page. For now, I'll skip to what's pertinent to this story. So, at the end of TRS, I had a lot of questions about sequels, but I knew Eliana's and Caelum's story was pretty much over. But I thought maybe Paerolia might have a few stories to tell. Then there were questions about Aelodi's interest in Caelum at the end of TRS, and whether or not they would have been paired had he been there for her hatching. And, well, that's kind of what hatched this story. Just a slight warning here. This story deals more deeply with the relationships, particularly how what happens to Andra affects her actions towards Kael (you'll see). Let me put it this way: There is nothing explicit, but it is definitely alluded to. So, by popular demand, and without any further ado, I give you the sequel to The Rising Sun... Bright Star.

Prologue

Paerolia was torn by war for over 500 years, race warring against race, each seeking to destroy the other. Led by Emperor Nocens, the humans rose to battle against the elves, prepared to eliminate their race from the land. But the great spirit Astrum prophesied of a girl, the two bloods united in her veins, who would bring peace to the land.

Eliana of the Two Bloods became a Rider of a legendary Golden Child, a dragon named Oriens of the Rising Sun. Aided by Caelum, Fallen Prince of Iterum, a great army as had not been seen in Paerolia throughout the Great War, one that united all races of the land, rose to meet Emperor Nocens. Led by the Rider, the Prince, and the Golden Child, this army of all races found victory on the Shyrn Plains and Paerolia found peace.

The three Guardians built a new government in the human capitol of Vereor, led by a faithful soldier of their armies, Ja'ol. Eliana and Caelum lived long lives, training new Riders, many of whom were their own children, and building the Hall of Riders between Vereor and Iterum. Under their watchful gaze and Ja'ol's gentle hand of leadership, Paerolia entered into a great golden age. At Ja'ol's passing, Vereor mourned, and a new chief judge was elected, continuing the peace in Paerolia.

Elves and humans lived in harmony, and soon Eliana was not the only half-blood in the land. When Prince Caelum left this life, Eliana mourned. She wept until she could weep no more, then followed him into the world of spirits. And, as the laws of dragons state, Oriens joined her shortly thereafter.

All of Paerolia mourned at the loss of those three great leaders, erecting a shrine to honor them in the center of the Hall of Riders, where Riders of every race could pay homage to the ones that came before. For a hundred years, their memory held Paerolia in peace and harmony. The reign of the judges continued, ruling righteously over the land.

But the greed of men can be suppressed for only so long. The humans once again began to long for a single ruler, that they might follow the example of the great elven nation, where kings and queens continued to reign, descendents of Caelum's brother, Denio. But the law established by that first Rider prevented it.

Still, the seats of the judges ceased to be a seat of election and began to be passed from father to son. Bribery and extortion crept into their midst, even reaching its dark fingers into the Hall of Riders. Women were banned from that great Hall, no matter their race, and the honor that had been held by all became restricted to men.

The judges held the Riders through threats and bribes, and those who should have led with honor allowed evil into their lands out of fear and greed. Judges sentenced anyone who spoke ill of their reign to slavery in their households for the rest of their lives. And when their children were born, they too led a life of captivity.

But the stories of the great golden dragon, his half-blood Rider, and the brave elf prince continued to echo in the hearts of the people, giving them hope that another golden age would soon come.

A/N- I won't even bother to remind you to read and review here. Not much worth reviewing. Move on to the next chapter and then review!