A Timid Nature

[Obsidian]

Vroengard, the Gardens. Most of her life, Obsidian had spent her time here. It was necessary to be well trained and prepared for the world outside that dragon riders would tend to. She had to be ready in order to make sure she would be a dragon fit for her rider. Obsidian wouldn't forgive herself if she proved to be a failure. Only fifteen years old, there was still much to learn here. It made her wonder how much longer her and her rider had before she would be big enough to fly farther away from Vroengard to explore and gain yet even more experience.

The young black dragon was currently sitting on her haunches, well concealed behind a row of low hanging branches from a tree that stood above her. She always did this sort of thing having a timid nature among other rider's dragons. It kept her away from the grumpy ones that had a tendency to not tolerate younger dragons.

Bright purple eyes looked at the scenery with content. It was usually quiet in this area and she felt more at ease here. Not all of the dragons here were violent but she liked to go in quiet areas just to avoid any possible conflicts with any that weren't friendly.

It was always the younger dragons that she was a different dragon around. She liked helping the little ones out from time to time.

Today, her rider had left her to hang around other riders leaving her to her own devices. What would happen today, on such a crisp and clear day with a cooled forest, was beyond her imagining. 'It's so peaceful here, I almost considered falling asleep!' she thought to herself, shifting from sitting to standing and stretching. Her silver scale, if anyone were around, might have been the only way to notice she was beyond the concealment of the branches because it glinted in what light that shown down upon it along with her glossy black scales if she moved.

[Miriel]

Miriel had left Voronwer for a time, and it had shaken her. So rarely was there even a yard between them that when they agreed to have days alone it shook both of them seriously. However, Miriel had wandered into the gardens of Vroengard where she had felt the safest during her apprentice days. At Voronwer's urging she had left Slytha behind, as her dragon knew how she changed when she was away from him.

It was true. Miriel was not the same Dragon Rider without Voronwer near her. For one thing, she wore a loose white tunic with wide sleeves that almost looked like wings. Her long blonde hair hung down freely, and she was barefoot. Miriel wore soft blue pants that were loose and flared out around her ankles. On either wrist she had a few gold bangles and around her neck she had clasped a gold necklace. Her expression was soft and kind, rather than her usual gruff demeanor. Without Voronwer around, Miriel was almost a completely different person.

However, her eyes still held the hard look of years of experience and fighting in them, and there was a fluidity in her movements that only an experienced fighter hand. Miriel's path through the gardens was heralded by a light tinkling, as she wore a thin anklet with bells on her right foot.

Pushing back a nasturtium, Miriel peered out into a clearing. Her eyes widened slightly as she saw a young, black dragon sitting there. She looked almost like Voronwer, Miriel decided, but already larger. Many different elves had said that there was a special bond between dragon and Rider, and no pair exemplified that more than Miriel and Voronwer.

They both were exceptionally small. Voronwer was smaller than this dragon here, and she couldn't be more than twenty years old. Miriel herself was dwarfed by almost all of the apprentices. She was, after all, only four feet tall.

However, none of this ran through her mind as she stepped out to greet the dragon. Miriel's warm words of greeting drifted over the crisp air to the dragon, and the Rider waited to see what the dragon's reaction would be.

[Obsidian]

In the Gardens, Obsidian normally saw riders than dragons. Here, she was at more ease. Not many riders bothered with her simply because her scales hid her well if she managed to hide herself behind a thicket or what not. Obsidian just didn't feel right without her rider around and was more timid alone. Whenever they were apart, it felt like a part of herself was taken away from her.

Sniffing the air, she could easily take in the many scents that wafted this place. She wasn't by any means a herbivore but the smell of the plants and flowers were quite intriguing to her senses, she liked them. It had a wonderful, calming affect on her.

As she stretched, she could've sworn she had heard a light, welcoming tinkling sound. Obsidian would have looked to find the source of the sound but right now, she had developed a big yawn at the very end of her stretch. Letting it out silently, her pearly whites could be seen. She was rather healthy, a good thing because it had shown she and her rider took good care of one another.

Her purple eyes glanced about the scenery when she had emerged from the overhanging branches. Making barely a sound as she did so to find herself being called out to. It definitely gave her a start, Obsidian didn't realize a rider had just come upon her. Turning her head and tilting it in curiosity, she looked at the woman before her. She was rather beautiful and Obsidian didn't feel threatened by her presence. It was easier to communicate with riders like this one.

Obsidian revealed no hostility and gave her a welcoming of her own by inclining her head with respect to show she knew she was there and that t were safe to communicate to her if she chose to. 'Greetings, dear rider!' she said, letting her mind reach out to the girl but timid about it all the same, showing she was mild mannered and would not harm the woman.

[Miriel]

Miriel nodded at the dragon. It was female, and kind, and Miriel allowed her to speak her thoughts into her mind. "May I ask where your Rider is, fair dragon? Ah! I forget my manners." She smiled gently. "My name is Miriel Halden, Dragon Rider of Voronwer. You look almost like him-he is a black dragon as well." Miriel bowed slightly, and then laughed.

"I apologize if I snuck up on you. Voronwer wanted a day alone, so I obliged him."

[Obsidian]

Obsidian was glad that the rider didn't strike out at her with her mind. It was pretty much harder to respond to human words with a growl or what not and not come off as aggressive at the same time. Her violet eyes were on the rider as she looked down at her. Obsidian didn't really see much of a size difference in hieght as opposed to other riders. As far as she was concerned, they were nearly all the same in size to her...except for their young which were much smaller.

The black dragon tried to mull through her mind as to where her rider had gone. She could be off with other riders and enjoying herself. They didn't have to be with one another twenty four seven from what she recalled. Still, their bond was deep as was any rider's and dragon's bond.

When the girl introduced herself to be Miriel Halden, Obsidian inclined her head with respect. 'Well met, Miriel Halden, Dragon Rider of Voronwer. I am Obsidian Draumr, Bonded dragon of Jeriah Ladin.'

Voronwer, by Miriel's description, was another black dragon she almost looked like. From what Obsidian knew, there hadn't been that many black dragons. The scale color wasn't in as much abundance as the browns or other colors. Of course, she had known there were others but she hadn't seen much of them to know them by name or sight.

She blinked when Miriel soon apologized for having snuck up on her. It really wasn't a big deal, Obsidian sometimes had a habit of jumping at the slightest sound whenever she was in a peaceful setting. 'Do not be sorry, it was not your fault that it's a habit of mine...I get too enamored with peaceful settings such as this and I admit it's easy to startle me like a rabit!' she mused. Talking to this rider, Obsidian felt calm. She didn't feel there was any reason to be uncertain around her. Obsidian tended to have an easier time speaking to a fellow female than she did males, regardless of species. Maybe because Obsidian was used to speaking to females than males? After all, her rider Jeriah were a female. Obsidian's life had somewhat been sheltered from others.

[Jeriah]

Jeriah hesitated at the entrance of the gardens, smiling appreciatively at the beauty of it. The entire world was so much more beautiful with the presence of plants, especially colorful flowers. She breathed in the rich scent. The very thought of them sent shivers through her body and made her mind want to dance, though it didn't have near the affect that the sound of the ocean had on her.
Obsidian, she called with her mind as she entered the garden, searching for her black dragon, where are you? I'm ready to have some fun! Not that her last few hour of magic training hadn't been enjoyable. It was just that...training was work. And work wasn't something she really enjoyed.

[Miriel]

Miriel laughed softly. "I do that too. You're not the only one." She sat down on the grass, and played with a small clover in her hair. "I mean, I used to. I used to be like this a lot more. Now I've got a dragon and a reputation for the awful temper that I have. Sometimes I think that being a Rider changed me for the worse, you know? I used to spend all of my time by the sea or in gardens, and now... now I have to fight to overcome the fact that I'm so short."

The Rider looked up at Obsidian, looking the dragon over carefully. "See, I'm only about four feet tall, Obsidian. You probably noticed that. My dragon, Voronwer, is smaller than you, although you are still an apprentice dragon-if I am correct? To top all of that off, I'm rather young, so no one really takes me that seriously around here..."

[Obsidian]

Obsidian gave a light dragon chuckle when she heard that she wasn't the only one that got startled like a rabbit. Her violet eyes watched Miriel as she sat in the grass. True, there was a size difference between them but that was something Obsidian dismissed. There would always be a size difference between dragon and two legged beings.

She cocked her head, listening to the rider speaking to her about how she used to be before becoming a rider. Before getting her dragon, she had been like Obsidian. Now, she had to fight because of her size difference from the others.

'Aye, I am still an apprentice dragon.' Still, Obsidian could not help but feel appalled that other riders would treat Miriel any differently because of her size. True, since she knew from experience being this big in comparison, that she didn't find Miriel threatening appearance wise but it was foolish to underestimate someone just by appearances alone.

'I am not one to judge others by their sizes...all beings, no matter how big or small, have the power to change the course of things in this world. True, age makes us less important in the eyes of the elders but I am sure you and Voronwer will be able to show them all one day.' Obsidian jerked her head back a bit at the sudden telepathic message. Not a bad jerk of the head, just a mildly surprised one.

Blinking, she tilted her head some as she turned her head to look towards where she felt the connection. 'I am here in the Gardens as I said I would be, Jeriah...I am conversing with a fellow rider, near the overhanging trees not too far from the entrance.'

She turned her head back towards Miriel. 'Forgive me for that brief moment, my rider has finally returned. I am unsure of whether you have met her or not yet? As of Voronwer, I have not yet known any fellow black dragons enough to have known their names yet. Maybe one day I shall but I am...how does your kind put it? Timid?'

[Miriel]

Miriel laughed again, and looked up at Obsidian with shining eyes. "Timid. Yes. I don't think that I have met your Rider- what is her name? I don't get out much." She laughed again at her small joke, and then looked down at the grass. "I think you would like Voronwer very much, Obsidian. He's sweet... and he doesn't mind me at all. We make a good team, just like all dragons and Riders, I suppose. As for the elders, well... I don't mind them much. There are Eragon and Arandur- I don't think either of them really care about anything much besides our organization, and Arandur cares for his apprentices...." She sighed, then brushed back a strand of her long golden hair.

"Have you met Lindariel yet?" Miriel asked, suddenly brightening. "She's a healer, you know, so I don't see her a lot, but she's almost as old as Eragon is! I bet she could have had a dragon if she wanted to... I wonder why she didn't?" Miriel searched her head for any reason why the old elf might disregard the life of a Dragon Rider, and she could find none. However, she prolonged the search as long as acceptably possible, for it was a welcome escape from the thoughts about her past and her height- of which she was so sensitive.

It wasn't her fault that she was petite, nor Voronwer's. She just was. However much as she abhorred the idea of anyone discriminating against another person simply because of their height she could do nothing at all to change it. The small Rider bit her lip, and fiddled absently with the bells on the chain around her ankle. It was nice to hear the sound of bells; they were so pure and sweet that it almost made Miriel completely forget where she was and that she was having a conversation with such a nice young dragon as Obsidian.

[Obsidian]

(OOC: Okay, I've waited long enough. I'm gonna post here. I returned from exams and illness and still no response from our third person. Sorry about the long wait Miriel)

Obsidian was glad she had picked the right term to describe how she acted. Sometimes she got words mixed up, it was a nasty habit. She peered at Miriel curiously as the woman went on to question her about the name of her rider. 'Ah, her name would be Jeriah. She is a sweet rider, I am honored to have her as my rider. You are also not the one who gets out much, I never leave these parts...not yet at least until I get a bit bigger and more experienced.'

Obsidian seemed a bit disappointed at the end of stating she cannot get out yet herself. She had longingly wondered what it was like beyond the waves and this place. She wanted to see other beings and new sights. She was shy but she had a curious nature too at times. Just as long as it didn't get her killed in the long run.

She cocked her head when Miriel went on to state that she believed Obsidian would like Voronwer. Obsidian wasn't sure if that would be true. It wasn't that she didn't get along with other dragons, it was just that she was a socially awkward dragon. However, if he was like Miriel in a way, then she might be able to feel at ease. There was something about Miriel that was so welcoming and kindly that made Obsidian feel at ease like she was with her own rider. A new friend, it seemed, was what she was making out of this rider here.

It was intriguing to listen to Miriel about the head riders, the Elders, were like. Apparently they cared more about the organization and one cared for his apprentices. 'They sound like very busy men!' the dragon joked. Yes, even a dragon was capable of humor.

At the mention of Lindariel, Obsidian wondered about the name. The dragon hadn't ever the need to be healed before so maybe that was a reason why. Obsidian was still getting to know everyone here better. For the most part, everyone had been a mere face or scent to her as of late. Except for those that taught her, she knew not many others. 'No, I have not yet had reason to meet her yet but regardless, I am sure it would be an interesting meeting.' As for the fact the elf didn't get a dragon but very well could have, it was a curious question.

Obsidian found her mind wandering for any possible answers about the same thing as Miriel. She was brought back to the present at the sound of the gentle tinkling of Miriel's bells about her ankle. It was a soothing melody. 'Maybe she decided she loved the calling of the art of healing than the art of the rider and dragon?' she suggested.

[Miriel]

Miriel laughed softly. "I don't think that Lindariel loves anything! A good word to describe her would be, eh.." She thought for a moment, searching for the right word. "Iron. That would be it. Iron. She's a grumpy healer, and, as far as I can tell, likes no one enough to resist cracking them over the head with her staff when she sees fit." The young Rider rubbed her head ruefully. "I've gotten the wrong side of her staff more than once, and Voronwer has as well."

She was quiet then, and sat playing with the bells around her ankle. They tinkled merrily, and she kept at them, worrying them on their chains. Then she spoke, very quietly. "Maybe," she said, "Maybe it is not so wonderful to leave these parts, Obsidian. I am yet too young and too inexperienced to know, but the more I see, the more I think that this is a shelter that we should not take so lightly. To travel outside may not be the choice we all should or want to make. But don't listen to me," She laughed again, this time louder. "What do I know of these things?"

[Obsidian]

Obsidian cocked her head when Miriel went on to say that she didn't think Lindariel loved anything. Surely the healer had something she enjoyed but it was clear it seemd to elude everyone by what Miriel was stating. Iron? Obsidian thought for a moment how her first meeting might be if she encoutnered the healer. Probably not a good encounter depending on the circumstances.

Her eyes watched Miriel as she listened to what the Rider was saying. 'A healer you say? Sounds like she enjoys doing more harm than good. I'll make sure my rider and I will be on our toes if we ever need healing!' she mused. 'I feel bad for you two...I hope I don't have to get my head knocked over with a staff.' Then the subject turned to where Obsidian had to really listen to Miriel. She had to even dip her head a bit to better hear her at almost eye level.

Miriel didn't think the idea of leaving here was a good idea. She seemed to think that maybe the outter regions were dangerous. That this place was a sanctuary and a shelter for them all. Being such a young dragon and, like all dragons, held a pride about her. She did understand Miriel's point but Obsidian believed they couldn't just all hide here forever. Time would change that, she was certain of it. Time could change almost anything.

'I do understand your view, Miriel. Still, even my heart would like to know how things are other than here. Who knows? Maybe it's not really all that bad?' she replied to Miriel but didn't at all say anything insulting to her for her view point. You might even be right, that's just a risk one will have to take to know for sure.' Obsidian then stood up again and stretched. Careful she was to not be too close to Miriel when she did so lest she accidentally harm the Rider.

'I must admit life here can be a little dull...even I bore of sitting in the gardens though as beautiful as they may be here!' she mused again. Obsidian felt at complete ease with Miriel. She was glad to have met such an honorable and respectful one as Miriel.

[Miriel]

Miriel shook her head. "Like I said, don't listen to me. It's just that some things don't sit right anymore- not for me, Voronwer, or anything else. Who knows what'll happen in our future? Not I." She shifted position, watching carefully as Obsidian stretched. How old is she? Did I even ask that? Miriel wondered. It was almost silly- no, it was silly- that she should be sitting here conversing with a dragon on the very day that she and her own dragon had decided to spend a little time apart for once.

Obsidian had to be young- younger than Voronwer. Miriel got the feeling that this dragon and her Rider really had never left to see the outside world. True, she and Voronwer had not ventured too far out into the open, had never gone too far from the protection that their home provided for them unless accompanied. But Miriel still got the feeling that there was something outside of Vroengard that they were meant to be protected from for as long as possible.

Conspiracy, violence, hate- what is it? As much as I don't like to think of someone bringing the order of the Riders down, there must be some reason. Any reason. Otherwise, why would I be so hesitant to leave? Vroengard is my home, and it is Voronwer's home as well. But that does not meant that we should never leave. She thought, playing with a strand of hair. It's strange not having Voronwer right near me- lonely. Miriel sighed, and glanced up at the sky, as if hoping that her dragon would fly past any second.