As if things were moving in slow motion the forest around them come alive at the mention of Fafnir's name.
"Did he say Fafnir?"
"Has he come home to save us?"
"No, it cannot be him. He is dead!"
More and more voices rang out from all around them as Fafnir stood still his eyes locked on the man he had previously been ready to fight tooth and claw. As if he was not sure of his own legs Fafnir slowly lowered Morgianna to the ground but did not move away, keeping one arm around her shoulders. With a tentative step he moved forward pulling her along with him. "Fergus, is that you?" At Fafnir's question the man's eyes lit up with joy.
The man that Fafnir had called Fergus rushed to stand once more and rushed to scoop both Fafnir and Morgianna into a tight embrace. "Sora said that you were dead... just like Father and Favalor, and Fallon." The light in his eyes momentarily dimmed but quickly reignited as he held Fafnir out to look at him. "Mother will be glad that you are home, Finian is with her. We should go now before it gets dark."
He let go of the hug but immediately grabbed for Fafnir's arm as if intending to drag him to the next location.
Morgianna who had been watching the whole interaction had a pretty good idea of who the man was but felt introductions were in order. She stopped walking causing Fafnir to halt in his step and look at her. Without paying his questioning look any mind she focused on Fergus. "Hello, my name is Morgianna Bloodmoon. We have traveled quite a distance so I would appreciate it if you released my friends back to me before we follow you anywhere."
Her calm demeanor as she spoke almost distracted Fergus from the words she had said. Then all at once he remembered the instances that led up to him being reunited with his brother. Slapping his forehead he pulled his hand off of Fafnir and in a grand gesture that did not belong in such a dirty setting he bowed low. "My apologies for my behavior. My name is Fergus Nightwing, second son of Typhon and Eingana Nightwing and I am thankful for you bringing my brother home. Your friends are safe, we knocked them out but they should be waking soon."
It was just as Morgianna had thought, the man in front of her was one of the very people they were looking for. "Thank you, will you please take us to them. Also if you have any injuries from being thrown earlier I will heal them after I have checked on my comrades." At her words Fergus' eyes widened. He had just attacked her yet she offered to treat him if he was hurt. Fafnir just looked at them both with care in his eyes. He was just glad they were getting along, and he knew Morgianna offering to heal his brother was more for his benefit, showing that she did not hold any ill will towards his family.
Fergus smiled widely and gestured for them to follow him. As they walked Morgianna saw many figures hiding behind trees all trying to catch a glimpse of their lost prince. She felt awkward with all the eyes on them, but felt a little better they were mainly looking at Fafnir.
At the base of the mountain was a small opening, much like the one she had fallen through when she had met Fafnir for the first time. It was almost invisible even to the sharpest eyes, keeping intruders away from what was protected within.
The moment they passed through the dense foliage Morgianna and Fafnir found themselves in a long dimly lit tunnel lined with small torches. It seemed to stretch deep into the mountain and Morgianna could not even see the end with her enhanced vision. It was quiet, the only sounds that could be heard were their breathing as they continued forward into unknown territory.
Several minutes passed and it felt like they were getting nowhere, Morgianna wanted to complain to Fafnir when suddenly Fergus turned left and disappeared from view. It looked as if he had walked straight through the wall between two of the torches. Morgianna leaned forward and was about to reach her hand up to touch where he had disappeared when a hand came back through grabbing her eliciting a yelp in response. She had shut her eyes and threw her hands up expecting a harsh blow to befall her person, instead, she was met with a soft ample chest.
Slowly she opened her eyes and looked up. The person holding her was one of the most gorgeous women she had ever seen. She had long black hair that swept the floor, her eyes a piercing grey that pulled Morgianna in. Her nose was small and pert, her lips full and pink and they were pulled back into a blinding smile showcasing her pearly whites. Atop her head sat a small crown made of gold that looked like any minute it would fall if not for the horns on either side of it.
"Mother." Fafnir's voice behind her reminded her to breathe and she felt her cheeks flush. Slowly she extricated herself from the woman's arms who undoubtedly was the Queen, Fafnir's mother Eingana.
Eingana tore her eyes off of Morgianna briefly to look at her son and pouted. "What took you so long to return? Did you not miss your mother?" All of Morgianna's previous thoughts of the woman flew out the window as she watched Einganas childish behavior towards her son whom she had not seen in centuries.
Fafnir showed a toothy grin as he scooped her into a hug, practically spinning her around. This was a side of Fafnir that Morgianna never really saw. He was strong, stern, and protective of her, but for a moment she saw him as a child just happy to see his mom.
"Brother it is good to have you home." A new voice joined them that caused the smile on Fafnir's face to widen even more. To the left of their party stood a man who could almost pass as Fafnir's twin. Well except for the glasses perched on his nose.
"Brother Finian, you've grown so big since I last saw you!" Fafnir stopped spinning his mother, which earned him a pout.
Walking over to his brother Fafnir looked him over and nodded his head. "You look just like me. Better than looking like Fergus."
His words elicited howls of laughter all around them as people poked fun at the brothers.
Fergus stopped laughing suddenly and grew serious causing the whole room to quiet down. "Speaking of looks, you look almost exactly the same as you did when you disappeared... What happened to you?"
The whole room grew quiet, every set of eyes glued to Fafnir and what he would say next. She caught his eyes as he looked at her and gave him a small reassuring smile which he grateful returned.
He slowly finished walking the few steps between them and put his hand on her head in a brotherly gesture. "In order for me to tell you everything, I would first like to introduce everyone to Morgianna Bloodmoon, she is like the little sister I never had, and she is the reason I am able to be here today."
Fafnir told everyone what Sora had done to him and how he spent centuries in that desolate cave without any way to escape or die. How she told him his family had perished and he would never be able to join them. He told them how a small girl saved him and together they built up their strength so that he could return with her help. His friends he had made along the way in Myra and Alnwick and the bond they all shared.
When he was finally done speaking it was his brother Finian who broke the silence that descended on all who heard his tale. "We would have searched for you if we knew... She told us you were dead." He turned his eyes that we're filled with punished tears towards Morgianna and slowly lowered himself to one knee. Gasps sounded out all around them as Fergus and Eingana joined him. Slowly each of the dragons present all bowed in her direction.
"Thank you for bringing home my son, and for fighting by his side to get where he is today. To have you here now ready to fight for those you do not know is something we cannot repay. Once the throne has been returned I Queen Eingana Nightwing wish to bestow you the Princess title of our people. I never had a daughter, but if I had, I would have wanted one like you." Eingana had raised her head locking her eyes on Morgianna as she spoke and the whole room was riddled with static electricity as her words sank in.
Nobody dared speak out against the Queens plans, each person thankful to have another ally.
Morgianna felt overwhelmed but still she smiled. Her intention to help Fafnir was solely selfish on her end of not wanting him to die if she could help it. Seeing that nobody had rose she too bowed to the Queen and everyone present. "It is a great honor Queen Eingana. I Morgianna Bloodmoon will fight alongside you, I cannot speak for my friends but I am sure once they join us they too will give you an answer."
After she bowed low both princes and the Queen rose to envelope her in a hug. The shock of it all was evident on her face and she saw Fafnir laughing at her from the corner of her eye.