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"I'm sorry, drake, but the queen isn't seeing anyone today. You have to wait for tomorrow like everyone else."

Abelan bowed his head in understanding to the two dragons guarding the entrance to the large castle made from scorched stone. He thought it was rather comical, there being only two drakes standing in front of an entrance that could likely fit a hundred dragons abreast, but he supposed the respect the queen governed was enough to prevent any from actually entering the castle without permission. There were also several dragons inside, who would also notice anyone suspicious trying to sneak in. It wasn't that he was trying to sneak in of course. There was no reason for him to do so. He had been waiting for this day for many years, he didn't see harm in waiting a day more. Still, he didn't want to have to find lodgement somewhere in the city without even trying. He wasn't exactly a rich dragon.

"I understand..." began Abelan, "I just... well... I heard a rumour that the queen was housing any fire starved that had been chased out of the nation from... before."

The two guards glanced at each other and one asked, "Are you fire starved?"

Abelan nodded, "I am... yes."

There was a moment of silence in response to his words, "I will go and see what I can do for you... just wait here."

The guard that had spoken turned and with a flap of his wings flew into the castle, leaving Abelan alone with the other. He could feel the drake's eyes studying him with a mixture of curiosity and pity. The curiosity didn't surprise Abelan. He had grown quite used to the stares over the course of his life. Like most fire dragons, he had the same red scales and yellow underbelly, large wings, a twin set of horns and small yellow spines running down his back. Unlike most fire dragons, many of his scales were twisted and deformed. Several hadn't grown back correctly, and the leathery skin around the joint of his right wing was scarred and grotesque. All evidence of severe burning.

"Curious about the scars, huh?" Abelan smiled at the other drake.

He was a young one, not even halfway through his first decade. He likely had never seen wounds of the type Abelan exhibited.

"Sorry," the guard looked away, "I shouldn't be staring."

"I understand," Abelan shrugged his wings, "They don't bother me anymore. They are kind of a reminder of... someone I used to know."

"Oh... it must have been some battle to end up like that."

"Less a battle... more fleeing for my life."

"Ah. Yeah... was it another fire dragon?"

"Yes."

"Theleon? Apparently he used to do that stuff all the time."

"You would think so, but actually no. It was a rogue equilibrium."

"Ouch. You really were lucky to survive then."

"Haha, I guess you could say that. Oh, you didn't tell me your name young drake."

"I'm Peralter."

"Good to meet you Peralter. I'm Abelan."

"You too," the young drake smiled, "Can I ask whose equilibrium it was?"

"Looks like your partner has returned. If you come find me later, I'll be happy to tell you the story."

Peralter turned to see the other guard come to a quick landing several metres away, followed by another drake, this one likely in his second decade. The new arrival also had scars, though none nearly as severe as Abelan's. They covered his snout and chest in long scratches. The new dragon eyed him curiously, nearly suspiciously.

"I am Vitto," said the new dragon, "You must be the fire starved?"

Abelan bowed his head in acknowledgement, "That I am. Name's Abelan, pleased to be of service."

"Likewise," replied Vitto, "The queen has agreed to see you. It has been a while since a new fire starved dragon has come to the castle. We believed we had all there were."

"I have been on hiatus for a long time. Only recently did I decide to return to the continent."

"Aah," Vitto's eyes watched him inquisitively, "Well, I am sure we would be happy to have you. Follow me."

Abelan nodded to the two other dragons, before following Vitto into the castle. Much like the outside, the inside was made from the same scorched black stone. The roof met together in an arch above his head, more than fifty dragon lengths above him. Many dragons mulled through the entry hallway, walking out from and into the many tunnels branching off from the main area, but Vitto ignored all of them, instead walking straight to another great entryway of near equal standing to the one leading into the castle.

"What's the queen like?" asked Abelan as they walked.

Vitto grinned slightly at the question, "She's a bit intimidating at first. But don't let that put you off. She has great compassion for her subjects, as shown by her hospitality to the fire starved. I'm one as well, by the way."

"You are fire starved?" Abelan questioned curiously.

"That I am. Was one of the first to come here actually. At first, I was a little skeptical of our queen... but... well... I can honestly say I have never met a dragon more deserving of her title," Vitto said with a slight sigh.

Abelan smiled slightly at that, "That's a relief. I kind of expected coming here to be a trap."

"I did as well. But that was disproven quite quickly. Athaer is an amazing dragoness, as I'm sure you will learn."

"You speak of her like a mate."

Vitto stumbled at those words, seeming a little flustered, "My admiration for her is purely platonic. Besides, the queen is several decades older than me, and she has expressed no interest in finding herself a mate either."

"Really? I would think that someone of her standing could have anyone she wanted to," Abelan said, finding himself a lot happier about this new source of information than he expected.

Vitto shrugged, "I mean, yes. There have been many offers. But I think she just doesn't have an interest in that sort of relationship."

"Huh, to each there own I guess."

The burned dragon felt his anxiety rise as they reached the large archway and walked inside. It was a large area, and startlingly empty except for several fire dragons in the centre of the chamber, talking to one another in a circle. There was a platform at one side of the circle, and on that platform sat a dragoness. She wasn't the largest of them all, nor the most physically imposing. If anything she looked nearly delicate, with her pristine shining red scales, elegant snout and wings, and long lashing tail. But as he looked into her eyes he found everything the opposite of her form. There was power there, an intense and whirling fire that radiated from her, shrouding the entire chamber with her presence.

She noticed the two drakes walk in and gestured to the group to remain silent. They instantly stopped discussing whatever they were and turned to look at what she had seen. Abelan could see a mixture of responses within what he assumed were the leaders of the fire city. There was curiosity, frustration, and pity. Mostly they just seemed annoyed. Abelan guessed his arrival upset the meeting they were having.

"Thank you, elders," the dragoness spoke to them, "We will continue this later. I will call for you. You are dismissed."

There were a few grumbles and annoyed murmurs, but they accepted her order and filed out of the chamber, sending several glances at Abelan on the way. The two drakes walked over to the raised platform. Vitto bowed his head, and after a moment's hesitation, Abelan did the same.

"Your majesty, this is the drake that has claimed to be fire starved," Vitto said.

The queen looked at him with suspicion, "I have had several dragons that have claimed to be fire-starved merely to get an audience with me. You are not one of those are you?"

Her voice was smooth, commanding, powerful. It sent shivers running through Abelan. It was so different from what he remembered. The power that radiated from her was like a forest fire, a near stifling heat. He raised his head to look into her stern, unwavering eyes. There was suspicion there, hesitation, but as she looked back, she frowned, a flicker of familiarity running through her gaze.

"I assure you, your majesty, I am not lying," Abelan responded with a soft smile, his tail flicking anxiously behind him, "I'd never lie to you."

Her eyes widened slightly, "Who are you... drake?"

The drake felt his smile widen slightly, "I would say I'm almost offended, but then again we have both changed a lot since we were last together."

Vitto let out a rumble, glancing between the two of them in confusion.

"What is your name?" repeated the queen, a little more forcefully.

Abelan didn't answer her question. He wanted her to remember him, with all his heart. He needed her to, "My name... can be taken... and the earth may crumble, and the stars may weep, but still we fly..."

The queen froze, staring down at him in shock and disbelief. Abelan bowed his head again, feeling a swell of emotions rush through him that he didn't think he still had. She did recognise him. She did remember him.

"My queen, his name is -" Vitto began, sounding slightly worried.

"Abelan," she whispered, interrupting the other drake, "You're alive..."

Abelan chuckled, struggling to keep the emotion out of his voice, "You know, Athaer, you're supposed to say your part back."

She let out a disbelieving laugh, taking a step off her platform, "so the earth will not hold us, and the stars will be inspired... by our eternal majesty."

He raised his head, looking directly at her. She had stepped up in front of him. He was slightly taller than her, as he had always been, even if they both were a lot larger than they had been before. There were many differences, including the incredible heat radiating from her body, and the waves of power that seemed to come with it. But as he looked into her eyes, the hardness and suspicion had cleared away, left with the wander, disbelief, and love that was reminiscent of the dragoness he used to know. He spread his wings slightly, with a small smile, and she took the invitation, the two embracing each other.

"I... I thought you were dead. I... I thought... I..."

"I know," he rumbled, nuzzling at her neck, "I know."

Seeming to realise the predicament they were in, Athaer quickly stepped back, wiping away a tear from her eye with the elbow of her wing and taking a deep breath, "Vitto, tell the elders I will get back to them the day after tomorrow."

The young dragon had been staring at them with shock written all over his face, "I... aah... yes your highness. Is there anything else you need?"

"No... just make sure everyone knows I'm not to be disturbed for the rest of the day unless there is some major emergency," she said.

Vitto bowed his head, and turned, quickly leaving the chamber, stumbling over his feet as he did. Athaer watched him go, before taking a deep breath and looking back at Abelan with a small smile. Abelan smiled back, and couldn't help but stepping forward, embracing her again with his wings. She let out a sigh, closing her eyes as he rested his head on top of hers.

"So..." he said eventually after a long silence, "You actually did it. You became queen."

A chuckle escaped her as the two separated, "I did. It was a long road... but a worthy one."

"I can imagine. Your name is whispered with both fear and awe everywhere I've been," he replied, "Apparently you defeated Theleon without using an equilibrium of your own?"

"I did. I haven't used my equilibrium since... well... since that day," she looked over him with remorse, "Those burns... were they... me?"

Abelan hesitated, before nodding his head slowly, "Yeah."

"Oh Abelan," she embraced him again, "I'm so sorry. I looked everywhere for you... but when I couldn't find you... I just assumed you were... that you were gone."

"It's not your fault," he murmured softly, "None of it was."

"I killed everyone Abelan. Abigail, Cale, Peter... all turned to ash. Them and their whole village..." the guilt in her voice dripped with regret.

Abelan felt a pang of sadness for the loss of the humans that had taken them in, "It wasn't your fault Athaer."

She took a deep breath, once again stepping back from him, "I keep telling myself that, but... well... you know."

He smiled, "I understand."

"How did you survive?" she asked, "And where have you been all this time?"

"Your equilibrium chased me off the coast, badly burning my wings and back. I couldn't fly, so I fell into the ocean. I don't remember much after that. I think a current pulled me further and further into the sea until a family of life dragons found me drifting along. They brought me to their island and nursed me back to health. I didn't know my way back to the mainland. The stars were all strange, and I didn't want to risk flying all the way back... especially since... well... they couldn't fully heal my injuries."

"I'm surprised you managed to survive," whispered Athaer.

"Me to," grunted the drake, "I stayed with that family for... well... a long time. But about a year ago a rift dragon suddenly appeared above the island. He offered to bring me back... and I agreed. Imagine my surprise when I found out that Theleon had been overtaken nearly fifteen years ago by 'Athaer, the queen of fire'."

"Did you think it was me?" the dragoness smirked slightly.

"I mean, at first I just thought it was some great coincidence that the new queen had the same name as you do. I know you talked about becoming queen one day... but I mean we were both fire starved... so... you know."

"I remember our arguments well," chuckled Athaer.

"But then when I heard you were accepting fire-starved back into the nation and even looking after them at your castle... well... I had to investigate to be sure."

"And what do you think? Now that I'm queen?"

"I think you are more beautiful then ever," Abelan murmured, gently nuzzling the side of her snout, the way he used to do.

Her body shivered in response, "Hey, let me show you around. We have a lot to catch up on."

"We do," he rumbled as she lead him to a smaller corridor toward the back of the chamber, "So... what's it like to be no longer fire-starved?"

"It's pretty great," she responded, "I honestly don't know how I ever lived without my flames."

"Yeah. It's kinda strange honestly. You went from a fire-starved to one of the most powerful fire dragons in existence."

"I know. It was a lot of work, especially since I never want to use equilibrium again."

"So... how did you kill and defeat Theleon then?"

"I sought a powerful teacher," Athaer responded with a sly smile, "The greatest kind."

"Who?"

"Terrinian."

"Terrinian... as in the element of fire?"

"The one and only."

"And he agreed!"

"Yeah. He was surprisingly willing, despite never wanting to grant me fire in the beginning. Said I had the 'fire he was looking for'. Whatever that meant."

"Wow."

"It was tough though. For thirty years he put me through the paces, driving me to every extreme he could come up with. Through him, I discovered powers fire dragons never even knew they had."

"Huh... suddenly I'm not so surprised you managed to defeat Theleon. I'm guessing you decided to kill him?"

"Oh, of course. That lizard deserved everything that came for him."

"And have you met much resistance since you became queen?"

"A little. I've had to fight back a few challengers here and there, and an assassination attempt. But largely I have the respect of the nation. My reputation helps a bit there."

"An assassination attempt! Oh wow."

"Don't fret about it," Athaer smiled at him, "I dealt with them rather... publicly. I do not think anyone will be brave enough to try again for a while."

"Was it spirit dragons?"

"No. Surprisingly. Just a group of egotistical fire dragons lead by one of Theleon's sons."

"Have you had any trouble with them yet, the spirit dragons I mean? While I understand your sentiment toward the fire starved, I would think it would be a little risky letting them all in the castle."

"It is. I'm quite sure at least one of the fire starved is a spirit dragon. I'm just not sure who."

"Any suspects?"

Athaer shrugged her wings, "That young dragon, Vitto, I suspected at first, but his loyalty to me is far too genuine, and I've met his parents, so I doubt it's him, and there is this dragoness that I'm quite sure he fancies. No spirit dragon would ever do that. Out of the others... well there is a drake name Gerrar that is constantly trying to get on my good side. But if he were a spirit dragon, he would be acting way to obviously. Then there is Viscera. She is a very intelligent dragoness, but she has no drive to rise above her current station as one of the city's architects. Maybe she is satisfied to spy from her position, but I don't know. Then I thought you might be when you first came in... but then you said our code. So... yeah."

"Hmm," Abelan thought for a moment as they continued to walk through the rather empty corridors, "Maybe one of the humans then?"

"Very likely. But there are no humans I'm particularly close to... so I don't know."

The drake looked around the corridor, and finding nothing suspicion he leaned closer to the dragoness and said quietly, "Are you still planning on attacking them?"

She glanced at him, and gave a small nod of her head, "They need to pay for what they've done. I still have nightmares of that place."

He nodded, "Same here. Do you think they suspect you?"

"Well, at the council of species I met Eledior again. I don't think she recognised me though."

"That's right! As queen you get to go to that now," Abelan grinned, turning the conversation away from such grim thoughts, "What was that like?"

"Interesting. I knew kind of what to expect thanks to Joy'el and Agonel, but the leaders of the other species all had their own thoughts and opinions on my leadership. I was the youngest there after all. But by the end, I had their respect, all except Eledior's of course."

"Classic spirit dragons," rumbled the drake.

She chuckled, before coming to a stop near a smaller archway that billowed heat and light. Abelan peaked inside and let out a grunt of surprise at what he saw. A flaming vortex swirled through the chamber, preventing anyone from entering. The flames danced back and forth, their heat threatening to burst forth in an explosion. But they remained controlled, continuing back and forth as guardians of whatever was inside.

Athaer laughed at his reaction, walking inside. The fire parted easily for her, creating another corridor into the centre of the chamber. After a small hesitation, Abelan followed the dragoness, looking at the flames surrounding him warily. Despite not blaming Athaer, he still remembered the flames scorching his back far too clearly. They reached the centre of the chamber, and Abelan was faced with a large nest made from the silk blankets and cotton pillows embroidered by human hands.

"This is my personal chambers," the queen said, "I keep them protected by flames, so I don't need to worry about others sneaking in, whether they spirit dragons or not."

"Wow... you are controlling these flames?"

"Yes."

"Constantly?"

"Yes."

"...How?"

"I told you, I have discovered abilities other dragons have only dreamed of," Athaer smirked.

"But... what about when you got to sleep?"

"Doesn't affect my control of the flames."

"...wow," Abelan looked at the dragoness in awe. She really had grown since the last time they met, far more than he could have possibly imagined.

She shuffled her wings slightly, seeming a little unsure with his open admiration, "But enough about me. What about you? A life dragon family saved you, you said?"

"Yeah. Avarosa, Lief, and Marble, as well as their parents and other siblings. There were elven of them in all. Lief became a good friend, well, they all did. But I'm pretty sure Avarosa fancied me."

"And you didn't fancy her?" questioned Athaer with a small smile, "Life dragons are rather beautiful creatures."

"Oh, she was a very attractive dragoness, but she could never compare to you," he said slowly, watching for her reaction.

She was silent for several moments, looking away from him at the fire swirling around them, seeming unsure of how to respond.

"You know... I think the one thought that kept me going all these years was knowing that you were out there, and one day, I would see you again. I missed you Athaer."

"I missed you to... but you know you didn't need to wait for me. We were never... technically... mates."

He walked over to her, gently nuzzling the side of her muzzle again, "I know you always thought that, but I always considered you my mate. There was no other dragon I ever wanted to be with. And you remember those nights on the beach, looking out over the water... we couldn't keep ourselves off each other."

She shivered again, "I'm surprised I never became gravid."

"Me to," he chuckled, nudging her again.

Athaer looked at him, taking a deep breath. At that moment she wasn't the confident and powerful queen that many dragons new. He could see the confliction in her eyes. The hesitation. It was as though part of her didn't want to fall for him again, but at the same time desperately yearned to. She was unsure.

"Vitto told me you hadn't found a mate, despite many dragons trying. I think you missed me more than you think you did."

"Maybe," she rumbled, turning away for a moment, "I haven't really had the time or patience to find a mate."

"So there has been no one while I've been gone?"

"No one," she repeated.

He gently nuzzled the back of her neck, "You know I love you right. I never stopped... despite all these years."

She let out another breath, turning back to him as if to tell him something, but he stopped her with a dragon's kiss. Their muzzles pressed together, sharing an intimacy that neither had experienced for a long time. She let out a small murmur of surprise, her eyes widening a little before she fell into his embrace with a purr. His heartbeat rose as she pressed back into him, eyes closed as she gave in to the feelings and emotions she had been holding back.

* * *

Abelan woke later that night, eyes met with darkness. The flames had long since gone out, Athaer having been far too distracted to keep them alight. A satisfied sigh left the drake as he reached out to draw his dragoness back close to him, but as he reached out he found the nest they had shared empty. He rumbled a surprise, before slowly getting to his feet and shaking his body out, looking around the dark chamber as his eyes adjusted to the darkness.

With the flames gone, he noticed another archway at the other side of the chamber. Slivers of moonlight encroached the archway, and a gentle breeze breathed through it. Abelan padded over to the archway and looked outside. A balcony greeted him, along with a view down over the expanse of the fire city. Hundreds of thousands of buildings, flames flickering through the streets, and the dark shapes of dragons gliding through the sky after their late-night activities.

Athaer sat on the balcony, her tail curled around her hind legs as she looked down at her subjects. The soft breeze causing her loosely held wings to sway like the branches of trees. Her gaze was absent, as though she were trapped in some faraway land in some faraway world. He walked onto the balcony, sitting next to her, and she blinked, broken out of her trance as he sat next to her.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

She didn't answer immediately, turning to look out over the city, "It's sometimes hard to believe how far I've come, compared to where I came from... you know."

He smiled at that, "I'm sure it is. But if anyone could do it, you could."

She nodded slightly, "It's been... forty-five years since I reached my equilibrium... since we were separated... and since then I have not only become the queen of a nation... but also the most powerful fire dragon to ever exist. Everything I have ever dreamed... everything I have ever wished for... I have managed to do. So many dragon's lives have become better. The fire starved are no longer treated like they are useless. Relations with the lightning and chaos dragons have never been better. They actually respect me. The fire nation is no longer scoffed at by the other nations. It's no longer falling."

"All thanks to you," he said, wondering where she was going with this.

"But sometimes... Abelan... I feel as if there is so much more to do. So much more that I need to grasp. Destroying the spirit dragons is but one of those. But I feel... no... I know... that there is so much more I have to achieve. So much more that I need to accomplish."

"You speak like you're planning on fixing the entire world," chuckled Abelan.

Athaer didn't laugh, and instead responded, "Maybe I am."

The drake frowned, "Athaer... what do you mean?"

"I don't know," she sighed, shaking her head and turning to look at him, seeming rather solemn, "I wanted to tell you before... well before you kissed me."

"Wanted to tell me what?"

"The reason I don't have a mate Abelan... is because I don't want one."

"What?"

"I have a duty now. A nation to look after. Several species under my wing looking for guidance. I don't have the time to... to be the loving and dutiful mate that I would want to be. I don't have the drive to care for someone as much as I care for my nation."

"Athaer... I don't care about that, as long as I get to be with you," he said, fearing where this conversation was leading.

"But I care... Abelan. I care... because I know if I divide my attention between my nation and my love then I won't be able to achieve what I want. I won't be able to push for the more I know I need to achieve."

"Athaer... you are too hard on yourself. You've already done more than enough."

"No... no I haven't," she growled.

"So... what? You're just going to mate with me and then say no to anything more?"

She closed her eyes, looking away as she struggled to contain her emotion, "It was a mistake. For that I am sorry. I was overwhelmed to see you... here... alive."

The drake narrowed his eyes, feeling as though he was being ripped apart from the inside by her words, "I spent every day waiting for you Athaer... every moment... of the past forty-five years waiting for a chance to be with you again."

"And I thought you were dead Abelan. I moved on. I devoted myself to something else, knowing I would never be with someone like you again... knowing that I couldn't... that I wouldn't... find someone else to care for. I accepted that. I... I wanted that."

"So... what... you want to be alone for the rest of your life. Is that it?"

"The path of a ruler is a lonely one, Abelan. I embraced that the moment I began to seek it. I do not regret my decision... no matter how painful it is."

"Many kings and queens take mates."

"Many don't have the drive to do what I believe is necessary."

"Well... well... what if you become gravid, huh? What if you are with eggs now?"

"I was never able to get gravid before. I don't see why that would have changed now."

Abelan lowered his head, his talons scratching at the stone ground, "So... so that's your decision... huh? That's what you believe."

Athaer nodded her head.

"If... if that's what you truly want... Athaer... then I won't stop you... but I do want you to know... that no matter what you say... I will still love you."

She looked at him, and he was surprised to find a tear in her eye, "And I you. But I need to do this."

He nodded his head, and with a heavy heart leapt from the balcony with a flap of his wings, gliding into the night.

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So there it is everyone. The chronicle of the week. Honestly, this was one of the most interesting ones to write personally, so I hope you all enjoyed it. Vote if you did, and comment on what you thought about Abelan and Athaer. The next five stories are below.

Whispering Shadows: Wyneta, Mind dragoness - 48Yrs BTA

Refuge: Syras, Human male - 9Yrs BTA

Shattering Crystals: Shatter, Crystal drake - 36Yrs BTA

Exceptional: Yova, Fire drake - 26Yrs BTA

Racing Dragons: Eluvia, wind dragoness - 19Yrs BTA

Vote for which one you would like next! Till next week, See Ya!

Pennator^^