The Quenya was a vast ocean of power, connected to all forms of life. Iadrawyn did her best to keep herself afloat and not get pulled off course by its shifting eddies and currents. From far away, she felt Valanandir squeeze her hand to let her know he was still there. She almost wept with relief. It had been a difficult working.
She followed her thread of consciousness back to her body, firmly anchoring herself within its fleshy confines. Her muscles were slack and heavy, and it took all her effort just to open her eyes. Her mouth felt parched, the tissues dry from disuse.
Anticipating her need, Valanandir handed her a full wineskin. Iadrawyn nodded her thanks, holding it up to her lips and squirting the liquid into her mouth. It was a fruit and honey wine. Iadrawyn swished it around in her mouth to moisten it before swallowing. The light flavor danced on her tongue, awakening her senses. After a few swallows, she felt her tense muscles begin to loosen, and her cheeks warmed.
“My thanks,” she said once she felt confident in the use of her voice.
“How did it go?” Valanandir’s eyes were filled with curiosity and concern. Somewhere in the back of her mind she realized they were still holding hands.
“Not as well as I had hoped. Although I think some will heed our warning and come, many Shadow Elves refused to listen.”
“As we expected.”
“Yes, but then I tried to warn our people here. They listened, but most don’t believe we are in any danger. They have become complacent living with the Quenya. They think it will protect them if there is any real threat.”
“You are more familiar with the Quenya than anyone.” Valanandir’s brow crinkled. “Do you believe it will protect us?”
“I believe there are ways to use its power to our advantage, but we are still young in its use and have much to learn.” Iadrawyn spoke slowly, considering. “I do not believe it will simply protect us. It’s not some sort of protective, celestial god, but a powerful cosmic force with its own laws. It is a tool that must be studied and respected. I don’t believe it was meant to be a weapon. I think to use it for such a purpose could be catastrophic.”
“So our own people cannot be counted on.”
“I fear many will not believe there is a threat until it’s too late. We will have to convince who we can and hope it is enough. Lodariel commands much respect among the warriors. Many will join her at the promise of battle.”
“What else can we do?”
Both elves were distracted by a sudden, unnatural wind that stirred their hair from their shoulders to dance in waving tendrils. Iadrawyn looked up to see Malarin’s enormous form descending into the glade of the Quenya. She and Valanandir stepped back to give the dragon room to land.
“I have roused my dragon brethren,” she said once she was on the ground. “Daroandir told me what happened. Most of them have pledged their support. We are always eager for a chance to kill drakhalu. However, they are not eager to leave their lairs. There is some foolish concern that the others who have decided to stay behind will steal from their hoards while they are off fighting.” The dragon let out a rumbling sigh. “I will go back and try to hurry them along, but I thought you would want to know.”
“This is good news,” Valanandir said. “And what of those who will not fight?”
“It was mostly those who haven’t communed with the Quenya who refused to join the battle. They think they can hide in their lairs and this war will pass them by.” The dragon snorted. “How did the rousing of the elves go?”
Both Valanandir and Iadrawyn hesitated to respond.
“Ah, about as well as expected then.” Malarin sighed. “That’s unfortunate. Well, I must return to the mountains. I will come with a dragon army as soon as I can.”
“Thank you for your help,” Iadrawyn said.
“I only hope it will be enough.” Malarin bunched the muscles in her hind legs and launched herself back into the air.
Once she was out of sight, the two elves looked at each other, their long hair in tangles.
“So what now?” Valanandir asked.
“You should go to Lodariel. You have a good head for strategy. I will stay here and try to discover a way we can use the Quenya to protect ourselves.”
Valanandir gave her a long look, filled with words that lay unspoken between them. There was simply no time.
“Good luck,” he said with a wry smile before turning to leave.
Iadrawyn whispered her inadequate response to his retreating form.
“You too.”
Light Chasers (The World of Lasniniar Book 0) Page 26