Dragonscales

Chapter 24|The First Date

Loki and I strolled through the town square, hand in hand. The crisp, new autumn air wafted through the crowd of elves bustling about their daily lives. A group of elflings ran past, chasing each other with fake wooden weapons.

My eyes flicked over to the bakery, smoke rising from the chimney. I grinned and pulled Loki inside. A stout male elf sat tending the oven, while another elf was icing a batch of cupcakes. "Hello!" I greeted the Baker in elvish. His eyes crinkled as he grinned. "Thistle! I heard you were back in Stardust Grove. And who's this?" "Veronwe, this is Loki, my boyfriend." I said, introducing him. "Ah, nice to meet you Loki. I assume you're not from around here? It's a small village and I know just about everyone." Veronwe chuckled, then slipped off his leather gloves to tend to the counter. "No, I'm from a kingdom called Asgard." Loki said politely. "Well, Thistle, what would the two lovers like? It's on the house since it's not everyday the banished princess comes back."

"Darling, which color should the rosettes be?" The elf icing the cupcakes asked. Veronwe excused himself and went to help the male elf, leaving Loki and I to study the shelves of delicate baked goods.

"These chocolate pastries look simply divine." Loki commented. My eyes flicked over to the dessert Lokes was looking at. "We'll get a couple of those then." Veronwe finished helping his husband with the cupcakes and wrapped a few chocolate pastries in a paper bag. "Here you go, my dear." Veronwe smiled warmly and sent us on our way.

"You seem close." Loki said once we had exited the bakery. "I've known him since I was an elfling. When I was little I would often come by the bakery to hang out. Veronwe and his husband, Cirren, are like uncles to me." I explained. Loki slipped his hand into mine. 

We leisurely strolled through the town square, looking at the wares sold by shops and stalls and enjoying each other's company. The bag of gold clinked as we walked. Snowdrop had given me some spending money. Loki stopped to admire the bookstore. I waited until he picked out the books he was interested in, then payed for them. We finished wandering my village and went back to the palace. 

"I enjoyed our date, flower." Loki said as we traveled to our rooms. Loki vanished his books and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. "I'm glad you enjoyed it, Lokes." I pushed up on the balls of my feet and kissed him. His lips curled up into a smirk. I pulled away as Snowdrop entered the hallway, being followed by Thor. "Hello!" She greeted. "Hello, Lady Thistle and brother!" Thor boomed jovially. 

I waved cordially. "We just got back from the forges, Thor wanted to see." "Their weapons are finely made!" "Anyway, I had the blacksmiths work on a special gift for you, since you're leaving in two days." Snowdrop produced two curved swords from behind her back. Their freshly forged blades glimmered in the sunlight, while polished violet tourmalines were set into the hilts. I sucked in a breath. "They're so beautiful." I grabbed them from Snowdrop's hands. "Hold on, Prickly." She grabbed them back and put the two hilts together, which made a small click noise. A bowstring magically appeared, connecting itself to the sharp points of the swords. I let out a squeal. "It can turn into a bow?" I asked, bouncing on my feet. "Yes." Snowdrop giggled at my excitement, then handed me the weapon. I plucked the string a few times, then disconnected the swords. The bowstring disappeared in a few sparkles.  I slashed the air and twirled the swords. "That's not all." Snowdrop said as I handed her the swords. She flicked a sword onto my wrist, which morphed into a metal bracelet, elven steal elegantly interwoven. The bracelets curled around their respective tourmaline, which matched my dragon's eyes.

"I have another gift," magic shimmered around her dark hands. A stack of books materialized in her arms. "These books have been passed down for centuries, entrusted to only the throne and the Dragon Riders. As queen of Stardust Grove, I give them to you, Thistle. May you and Tourmaline use them to hone your skills and to eventually restore the Dragon Riders." Snowdrop said solemnly. "Thank you, Snow."

I took the stack of books. The leather wrapped books were adorned with dragonscales on the spines. I wondered what it was like to live in the golden era of the dragons, where they were everywhere. No one was really sure why or how they faced their doom five hundred years ago, but they're gone now. But Tourmaline was alive, which had to count for something. How did her egg wind up in the forest outside Stardust Grove?

"I'm glad you appreciate your gifts. Now I must attend to my duties as my break is over." The queen shook me from my thoughts as she clapped her hands together. She then sashayed away, fiddling with the snowdrop flowers braided in her hair. Loki eyed my stack of books, probably planning on stealing them later. I rolled my eyes and climbed up the spiral stairs to my room.

~~~A/N

I'm so sorry for not updating for so long! I was camping with my family and I've just been unmotivated to write. On another note, has anyone else been seriously addicted to Animal Crossing New Horizons? My brother and I managed to save enough money to buy it three weeks ago, and it's so fun! 

~le author