'Rebirthing'- Epilogue

Epilogue

"What's taking so long?" A nervous Burnwing paced back and forth in front of the royal's den.

"You can't rush these things." Curlhorn sat still, following the pacing red with his head, understandably annoyed by his behavior. "Why the hell are you even pacing?"

"Because we finally win our freedom and then, 'oh by the way', BAM! This happens. I tell you, I was not mentally prepared for this."

"I still don't know what you're so worried about."

"Hello!? Delbin mumbled something about 'new arrivals' then ran off. Our best friend and brand new king on top of that didn't care to stop and tell us!"

"Should you really be surprised? This is Delbin we're talking about, after all. He's done nothing but surprise us ever since he first came here."

"I don't care! He should have told us!" Burnwing continued his nervous pacing, grinding his teeth until they were numb from the pressure.

"What's going on? Why are you pacing, Burnwing?" Neora's voice made Burnwing's heart jump from surprise. He ceased his pacing to see Neora causally walking up the rocky walkway alongside Ancestor Keidro. Neora simply stared at Burnwing with an eye ridge raised in confusion.

"We were hoping you would know!" Burnwing frantically told her friend. Curlhorn glared at the red, annoyed that he was labeled as worried as well. "You're mate, and more importantly, our new king, mentioned something about new arrivals and ran off. I came here hoping this is where he ran off to, or even to find you, but he's gone!"

Ancestor Keidro quietly chuckled to himself and Neora just shook her head at her friend's idiocy. "Well he told you. You just weren't paying attention. He said he was leaving to possibly bring home some new arrivals. He didn't say exactly who they were, or what they were. Just that they were different from us, but would gladly live peacefully with us."

Burnwing just stood there, confused as a hatchling. "And you're not worried?" He was even more confused by not only the situation, but by the calmness of Neora's words.

"Have faith, young dragon." Keidro assured Burnwing. "I am certain Delbin will return shortly. The task he has put upon himself is a mighty large one. He may even need to leave on several consecutive occasions."

As if on cue, the four dragons caught a glimpse of green down on the ground. It was a green ring floating in the air, and then it rapidly expanded into a large arch. Bright lights burst forth in rapid succession and large bodies emerged. Large beasts unfamiliar to three of the four dragons took form as they cautiously took their first steps into the alien world. Neora searched for one creature in particular among the crowd of strange beasts. And then she spotted him mixed among the strange flying wyvern-like beasts. Delbin flew out of the portal and flew above the new arrivals to try and make sure he was seen.

Neora, Curlhorn, and Burnwing gaped at the sight, mumbling to themselves, asking what they were. Ancestor Keidro began listing off various names of the dinosaurs, in an attempt to ease their confusion. The three dragons stared confusingly at the old dragon, who simply replied, "Do not fret. All will come together in due time." Keidro unfurled his wings and glided downward to where the dinosaurs were emerging, and the other three followed suit.

When they landed, the three younger dragons ran ahead while Keidro merely walked. "Delbin!" Neora called out to her mate as she ran to him.

Delbin heard her, felt excited and landed to greet her. The two shared a quick nuzzle before Burnwing and Curlhorn joined them. Dinosaurs continued to emerge from the portal, assorted by species. "Just what is this? Why did you bring them here, and how?" Neora could not help but ask.

"The how is the easy part. It's an ancient spell Ancestor Keidro taught me. It's a simple portal that can connect two areas instantly, even two separate worlds. They came from an isolated world where they were the only inhabitants to anyone's knowledge. I told you about how a giant fireball destroyed my original home right? Well, Keidro managed to save these dinosaurs' parents or grandparents and brought them there. And I told you about how he brought me there as well."

"But why bring them here? If they were happy there, why not let them live their lives there?"

"To be honest, I'm not entirely sure myself. I just had this gut feeling that I should bring them here. As if their presence could help rebuild this world or something."

"And Ancestor Keidro was ok with it? He did bring them there, didn't he?" Burnwing questioned.

Keidro answered that question himself. "Yes. That world was only meant to serve as a shelter until a more permanent home could be established for them. And they were well aware of this. I do not know what other inhabitants occupy that world but now that the dinosaurs are here, they are free to live their lives in peace there."

"I have a feeling that that world is closer and more related to this one than we realize. But that's not important now. I have to go back and get the water dwellers and any stragglers that didn't go through yet. Would you mind helping out, Neora? Burnwing, Culrhorn?"

"Sure." Neora happily agreed. Although she was still confused and unsure, she decided she wanted to help these dinosaurs get accustomed to their new home. There certainly was plenty of room for all of them to roam. They could even decide to migrate north if they chose. But their presence would definitely help in bringing life back to the land just by their sheer numbers. Burnwing, Curlhorn, and Ancestor Keidro joined her and spread out to handle them in groups.

The enormous crowd and loud noises could not be easily ignored by the native dragons. Upon seeing their new queen and Ancestor, many decided to join in the welcoming of the new arrivals.

************************************************************************

The dinosaurs were beginning to disperse and settle in to their new home. The land dwelling giants roamed, filling the air with thunder as they walked. Water dwelling dinosaurs filled the waters with abundant life. Dragons mingled freely in the grasslands, forests, mountains, waters and skies, sharing it with the new Pterosaur residents. The once barren wastelands were once again teeming with life. The land was still severely wounded, but with time and gentle healing it was held in high hopes that it would return to its former glory. Prey that had taken shelter in the Eastern forest would hopefully one day come out of hiding and live alongside the predators, who would in turn only kill in order to survive. That was the natural way of life. Monuments from a time long lost would be able to be rebuilt, once again reflecting a golden age of craftsmanship and unity. These and many more were anticipated. The world was finally on the mend.

Delbin pondered many thoughts about the future from his new home on the ledge of the royals. It was still fairly dilapidated, but that too would change soon. For now, he merely stood there, gazing over his new kingdom. His official coronation was not for some time still, but he already held the heavy burden of king. But oddly enough, this burden felt light. It was as if he was truly destined for this burden, that he was born accustomed to the weight of the title.

Looking through his memories, Delbin revisited his past. He remembered his early childhood. His brief time he shared with his parents and their lifelong companions. His growing years with Spade, his brother in spirit. His eternal friendship with Ferny. His achievements of flight and fire. His chance encounter with Keidro, the old hermit who nursed him back to health and held the deep secret of being the last survivor of the ancient dragons. Meeting his best friends Burnwing and Curlhorn. Falling in love with the most beautiful dragonness in existence: Neora. Discovering what it meant to be a dragon, what it meant to be himself. He found it all here. Every memory, good and bad, happy and sorrowful, boring and exciting, all of them held a special place in his heart. He would never fall prey to amnesia again. He would also never have to search for another home again. He had finally found it. After a lifetime of searching endlessly for a place to rest his head in peace, he breathed easy. Every place he called "home" before was indeed a home. But they all were merely stars pointing him towards his final resting place.

He never would or could ever go back to the life he had before. Even if he felt he belonged, he knew now that he never did. This was where he belonged. He could never go back even if he wished for it. For he knew that if he was able to go back and change his history, he never would have been able to become who he is today. Everything was precious to him because of that. Even the memories of the murders and tortures. They all played an invaluable role.

Delbin breathed deeply as a gentle wind picked up. The Spirit of his mother, Neei, warmed his heart as it always did and it would continue to do so for as long as he lived. The wind continued to blow away from him and he followed its path. His eyes fell upon the one dragon he would never grow tired of seeing. Neora was in a conversation with her cousin Nrueel near the base of the ledge. The guiding wind blew past her and her eyes met his. Delbin smiled lovingly at his lifelong mate and she too gazed at her love and lord. Delbin spread his wings and flapped them a few times while standing in place, persuading her to join him in the sky.

Neora seemed unsure for a moment, but Nrueel assured her it was all right for her to go. So in response, she too flapped her wings and took to the sky. Delbin followed suit, giving chase. He had learned that soul-songs were sung to proclaim their love and he wanted to make sure she heard his. Every second the dancing pair climbed, with Delbin singing his song of life and love to his mate and Neora giving him the chase of his life. When Neora reached her peak in the sky, Delbin caught her and the two went into a graceful freefall, continuing their songs of love. Delbin singing to her, and she to him. Both songs melding together to form one, symbolizing their union of body, spirit, and mind. And forever, they would remain this way as they lead the newborn, proud race of dragons into a new era of love and prosperity.

The End