As They Fall [First Draft] ~ Currently Editing ~

Thirty - Two

A/N: I can't believe that just over 6 years after I created these characters and this world, that I'm finally finishing ATF. I wouldn't have been able to do it without the unwavering support of my readers and friends here on Wattpad so thank you so much <3 There will be one more chapter and an epilogue after this so stay tuned!

I fell back in a state of disbelief, my heart pounding in my chest, each beat bringing a wave of relief. The matriarch shook Rihnunir's body from her tail, snatched up the staff and crushed it in her jaws with a powerful snap, before letting out a roar louder than I had ever heard before. The remaining dragons echoed her and the ground shook beneath the weight of their voices. Those that remained watched in awe as they took to the skies, soaring above the clouds, revelling in their freedom.

"Thank you, stranger," echoed a soothing voice in my head. I flinched at the presence of another voice within my own mind, but where Rihnunir's voice had triggered nausea and a sense of violation, this voice was natural and calming. I looked up at the matriarch in surprise and found her staring, her orange gaze boring into me. I swallowed nervously and got to my feet, taking a few hesitant steps toward her. Uncertain of how to communicate in the same manner, I spoke aloud,

"I believe it is you who deserves to be thanked." She dipped her head and said,

"My brethren and I must return to the mountains immediately, we have been gone far too long and much more than this battle will be lost if we do not return. Understand that we cannot fight this battle for you." She launched into the air and my heart fell. The gusts of wind from beneath her wings blasted my hair and clothes, almost forcing me to the ground once more. As I watched her fly away I found myself pleading,

"Isn't there anything you can do!" I held my breath in anticipation for a response but received none. She was disappearing into a hazy speck when flames erupted from the skies. A handful of lesser dragons aimed precise bursts of fire at Rihnunir's remaining forces, dispatching the last of the trolls and a huge proportion of human soldiers, before they too, vanished. What was left of the elves erupted into cheers and shouts of gratitude, myself included, as the tide of the battle showed the first signs of turning. Of the 9,000 elven soldiers that had marched into battle it seemed like less than a few thousand had survived; their lives paid for by the tens of thousands of enemy men and creatures that now lay dead. I scanned the battlefield, desperate for a glimpse of Charlie, Merek or another familiar face but saw none. The main battle had moved away as I battled Rihnunir, only a handful of waning skirmishes still being fought around me.

Everyone was exhausted. Even the goblins, most of which had been slain by their own explosive blood, seemed to be growing weary from the exertion of such a lengthy battle. I glanced over to Rihnunir's corpse, half expecting him to get up and attack me once more, but he was silent and still. Limping, I made for the thick of the battle where I caught a glimpse of the Queen, no longer on horseback, fighting back to back with Lowin, their glaive's twirling together in a flurry of movement. As I drew closer I noticed dried blood streaking her right arm and a deep gouge in her shoulder where her armour had been punctured. Her movements were gradually slowing, but still she outmanoeuvred her opponents and dispatched them with swift strikes. I leapt into the fray and found myself beside her, managing to yell,

"Rihnunir is dead!" She flashed me a look of astonishment, turning to behead a stray goblin, leaping away from its acid spray as she cried,

"Fall back and regroup!"

Following her lead, our remaining forces ran for the forest and a grove of trees collapsed behind us, Lord Marsh's army momentarily stunned and incapable following. As I ran, I soon found myself lagging behind, the wound in my leg rendering me unable to keep up. I heard someone groaning in pain nearby and turned to see Merek, Telrith and the twins carrying a struggling body between them. My stomach twisted painfully when I recognised Charlie's familiar blond hair, now matted with blood and dirt, peeking out from behind Merek's body.