Allura of the Dragons (On Hold)

Night

The wonderful music swelled around me as Shadow spun me around.  I laughed as he lifted me up in the air and then he gently brought me down to his level again.  Everyone was dancing around us and the night air was filled with the sweet melodies that kept everyone dancing.

However, there seemed to be a dark undertone to the night as everyone stole glances at me.  I had heard whispered conversations between people and I knew that many doubted me.  I couldn't blame them due to the fact, I doubted myself but that wasn't the point.  I did not sign up for this.  I was chosen and even I would have run if it wasn't for the fact that my fiance and the dragons needed me to save everyone.

"Allura, you seem distant."  Shadow whispers into my hair as he brings me close for a slower song.  I rest my head against his chest.

"I keep hearing people talking." I reply as he looks down on me worriedly.  "What am I going to have to do to win their trust?" I ask and he takes my hand and leads me to the outskirts of the festivities.   The lanterns filled with fireflies cast a small glow on us as we stood just beyond earshot of everyone.

"Allura, everything is going to be fine.  They will see what kind of rider you are tomorrow and don't let them get the better of you.  I know that you are capable of being the person the mother dragon believes you to be."  I embrace Shadow tightly as my nerves start to calm down.

"I think it is time for you two to go to bed."  Lilith appears behind me and I pull away from Shadow.  "Come." She motions with her gnarled hand and we obediently follow.

The cobblestone streets are quiet as we walk through the night.  I catch glimpses of people but none dare watch us longer than a second.  Lilith walks for quite a while before we turn left before we reach dragonstone square.  I move closer to Shadow as the cold starts to make its way up my bare arms.  He takes off his jacket and drapes it around my shoulders.  I smile thankfully up at him before we abruptly turn again down another street.

Large mansions line the street and I catch small glimpses of the residents as we make our way down to the older ones.  Lilith pulls out a large brass key and then opens a large gate leading to a mansion that has seen better days.

"I will come to check on you tomorrow." Lilith disappears after handing me the key to the house.  

"What is this place?" SHadow asks as I approach the large ominous doors.  My hand slides the key into the lock and I then push the doors open.  Inside was dark and gloomy with spiders and cobwebs everywhere.

"Nothing a little magic can't fix up."  I assure Shadow as I chant a spell.  Red and purple fog starts to spread across the house and soon it's returned to it's golden years.  "Wow would look at this place."

"It looks like something from a dream." Shadow walks forward over the lush carpets and I slowly follow after him.  A grand staircase rises from the floors and paintings hang on every wall.  I turn around slowly to get in the full effect before I stop before a painting.

"Hey look at this." I grab Shadow's shirt and I pull him towards me.  It was a painting of my father and what appears to be my mother.  In my mother's arms is a small girl whom I believe is me.  "That's me." I point to the little girl and a smile spreads across my face.

"Welcome home."  My father's voice sounds behind me and I turn around quickly.  Sure enough my father, Apollo, William, and Emmett are standing in the open doorway.  I cry as I run into his open arms.  "Shhh everything's alright." He whispers into my hair.

"I thought they killed you." I whisper into his chest and he soothingly strokes my hair.

"I managed to escape before the execution.  Peter told me where you had gone."  I wouldn't let go of him so he picks me up in his arms.  "You look just like your mother when she was your age."

"Is that us in the painting?" I ask when I finally stop crying and he puts me down.

"Yes. I had someone paint a portrait of what we would have looked like as a family, since I was not able to keep you here."  I stare at the painting wishing that I could have been raised with this life.  "Let's get you to bed.   Shadow your room will be across from Allura's and Emmett will be next door to you." He tells me as we walk up stairs.

~*~*~*~*~*~

"Your father seems nice."  Shadow says as I sit at my vanity brushing my hair out.  I hum a song from the dance and he smiles at me.  Emmett appears in my open doorway and he hesitates before coming inside and sitting next to Shadow on the sofa in my room.

"You seemed different tonight." Emmett tells me as I come over and sit across from them in a large armchair.

"I feel different here, but don't worry I'm still the same girl."  I assure Emmett as I realize he is worried I'm not going to be his friend anymore.  "Emmett this is Shadow.  He's the other chosen one here."  Emmett shakes Shadow's hand but he seems tense around him.

"How long have you two known each other?"  Shadow asks as he leans back and starts to relax.  I glance at Emmett and he opens his mouth to answer.

"Only a couple of weeks."  Emmett seems to relish in the idea that he's known me longer.

"But we grew close in that time.  We're actually cousins, if you could believe it."  I smile trying to seem like I believe the fact we are cousins.

"Didn't I tell you to head to bed?" My father appears in my doorway and I stand up quickly.  "You three can get to know each other in the morning."  I hug the two boys good night before they file out of my room.  My father lingers as he motions for me to get into bed.

I climb into the lush sheets and he comes over and kisses me lightly on the forehead.

"Goodnight father." I tell him as he turns off my lamp and quickly leaves the room.  I close my eyes tiredly and I quickly drift off to sleep.