Storm Rider

Chapter Two- Feanaro

 Quick breaths and wide eyes was the Warden as he stepped into a dimly lit room. Cobwebs littered the cracks and corners of the old room. Statues of great Riders of old stood in a circle. Four in all, one for each Cardinal Direction. Each holding up their right hand in blessing towards the center of the room. The floor, just as cracked had delicate carvings and chipped paint, alluding to the fact that once the room was once decorated and beautiful.

Stepping fully into the room, Feanaro looked around in awe. He could imagine the splendor of this chamber. Spotting many torches that lined the walls He walked to the center of the room and raised his hands. Once again pushing his magic out of his body, the torches sprung to life with a golden fire, casting the chamber into a glistening light. Taking another turn about the room, now that it was lit gave the Warden a better idea of the importance of the floor drawings. An Ancient casting circle, last used when the Five Riders of old came into power.

"And the five still stand among us" Feanaro whispered looking at the statues in more awe. "The first rider, came down from the North. He brought fire and love" he continued as he walked up to one of the statues.

"The second. He came from the West. With him, he brought the wisdom of his tribe, and wind was always with him." He moved onto the next statue to his left. "The third, from the south. He brought the strength of the Earth. And the Fourth. The fourth purified the hearts of men with the water from the East."

Feanaro completed the circle and moved back to the center where a worn out circle was outlined in gold leaf.

"But where is the fifth? He completed the network of power with his energy, he brought justice and peace to the lands"

'Stop your muttering, the Princess is looking for you. She is back in her room.' Greystone cut into his master's thoughts.

"Princess is looking for me. Yes. Yes, I must go." He said nodding. "I will come back" He grumbled as he stepped out of the room, suddenly finding himself back where he started.

Shaking His head, and pushing the strangeness to the back of his mind, Feanaro dusted off his clothes and strolled to the room where the princess was staying. Making sure he slipped into the living area, he coughed lightly to signal to the party that he had arrived.

"Princess Valerie? Greystone informs me that you wish to talk?" He called out to the empty rooms.

"I did. Sit down Feanaro." A voice called from the next room.

The Warden did as he as told and waited for the princess to come out of her room.

"Help me put up a barrier please, Fee." The princess said sweetly as she walked in.

Nodding He stood up and faced the wall. Valerie, with her back against the Warden did the same. Simultaneously they each raised their arms and drew up a sound barrier to hid their conversation from prying ears.

Turning back around Feanaro sighed and sat down.

"Let's get right to it. Fee. I have news from both myself and the others. " Valerie said.

"What news? Did you find one of the five?"

"We found four of them, and we think we know where the fifth is"

"What? You did? " Feanaro asked perking up at the mention of finding the five great dragon riders that were destined to come again.

"Yes. Yes we did" The princess said softly.

"Who are they?" Feanaro asked getting excited.

The princess stood up and pulled out her long hairpin that kept her hair sitting beautifully on her head.

"Roselove." Valerie stated and held the pin as if she were about to fence with it.

Suddenly a red mist started to wrap around the pin as it expanded into a crystalline staff. A crystallized lilly formed the ornate topping to the ancient weapon as the clear leaves cascaded down.

"The staff of Love...Valerie?" Feanaro said Standing up and circling the princess. "It fits you"

The princess smiled and let her hairpin go back to normal. "Why thank you Fee."

"And who are the rest?" The Warden asked with a frown.

"Eliza and Whitebone combine for purity. Oliver and Londrean, Wizdom. Max and Thalion for strength. "She responded.

"So its the group. All of you? And the Fifth? You said you think you know who the fifth is?"

"You. Fee. You have to be the fifth. It makes so much sense!" Valerie said, stepping forward.

"No. I can't be. I am the Warden! You know as well as anyone that the fortress chose me. I am the last of my bloodline! I cannot leave! Yeah, you have told me how well I would fit in as one but I can't be!" Fenaro protested.

"You are a Warden, yes. But you are a Warden with a dragon! Fee! You do not have to leave! You. You out of all of us has the strongest magic. You who has watched this fortress of learning for hundreds of years knows just as much about dragons and magic and the lore of the old ones more than all of us! Feanaro. For only 20 years have you had a dragon. But. You have surpassed even the legends of old with your magic. You, constantly worry about the justice of the world. Always seeking peace. You have a bit of all the powers within you. How can you not see that?!" The princess ranted, shaking her hands in front of the other.

Feanaro looked down and closed his eyes. "And if I truly am this last Rider, what good would I be? I can not contact any of you without the King always being there. He, like the rest of you can feel my magic when I push it out out the fortress."

Valerie frowned. And took a step backwards. "Olli said something similar when I was discussing this with him. He gave me this though. " She said handing a scroll to the Warden. "I haven't opened it, but it might hold the answers. Or at least that is what he told me." She continued softly.

Feanaro nodded, still getting over the shock of the fact that everything that this band of comrades had been working towards in finding the five was right in front of their faces all along. Opening the old scroll, he look at the contents inside. A picture neatly painted showed the great riders of old. They stood in a golden room. Each standing in a circle of an ancient casting circle. The Warden gasped lightly. He recognized this room. The room where he was just at, the old crack room that was falling into despair.

"May I keep this?" He asked the princess quietly.

She nodded in responce and sat down opposite of the Warden. "I trust that you found your answers?" She asked lightly.

He nodded "I think I have. Thank you."

"Good. Now Fee, I have told the King that I will be staying for a few days before I head back. I want to meet with you a few more times. We need to see if you truly are the last of us. And if we can solve this communication problem. "She said

Nodding Feanaro stood "I think that will do us all good. Just, can you let me think on this Justice thing for a da or so?"

"Of course. Even if you are not, we all agreed that you should lead us. " She said standing and bowing slightly to him.

Feanaro followed suite and bowed to the princess. "I should go back to my post, we have dwelled here a bit too long. I shall see you soon. " He said placing his hand on the thick stone.

The princess smiled and nodded "I look forward to our next meeting, Feanaro."