Attraverso L'emarginato

Sori snorted, her way of chuckling. Even before you were mated, nothing could have taken him from you.

Aurora seemed to brighten at that fact. "Really?"

Really. Anyone could see that his heart belonged to you. Only death could severe your connection, even then, and - trust me - Travien is very hard to kill, much less wound.

Sori had hoped to reassure Aurora.


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

Travien ran on and on, heading as far along the ridge as he could. Gorton would pass near the end of it, heading out across the valley, and soon. He had to get there, to stop Gorton...

A loud roar startled him, making him trip as he withdrew from the sound. A giant, golden dragon passed over him, looping around until it landed behind him, great wings outstretched.

"Ronar?"

Yes, boy. It's me. Now, where's Gorton?

"He'll be passing by us, soon. I can smell him from here."

Fine. You stay put. The dragon began to lift off again.

"Hell, no!" He growled, temper flaring. "You are not leaving me behind!"

This battle is not yours to fight.

"He's as much my father as he is your brother! I will not stand by and only pray Gorton doesn't get through!"

You aren't capable of fighting! The dragon's tone was harsh, accusing.

"Teach me how to transform."

That halted Ronar. He chirped in surprise as he landed roughly on the ground again. What?

"Teach me...how to transform. Then we can fight together to protect our own, and then I'll be gone again, back to my home and mate."

The dragon snorted, disgusted. What home? What mate? You're as foolish as you were when I banished you. You don't deserve the chance to transform again.

Travien smirked. "Oh, no? You think I haven't changed over the past months? You think I'm still the ignorant kid I was then?" The dragon growled. Travien continued. "Are you afraid? Afraid I'll prove you wrong? Afraid I'll prove to you that I have grown up, that I am mature, that I do have a life? Is that it?"

Ronar roared, rushing forth. He planted a single, broad paw into the earth before Travien, but the boy refused to move. He would not show fear. He had no fear. He knew he had won the argument.

The dragon sighed. Fine. I'll teach you the cantations for transformation, but that's all. TO become a dragon again, say "diventa un drago", and to become a human, which you obviously and disappointingly prefer, say "diventi umano." Got it?

Travien nodded, and used the new spell.

Aurora felt tears prick her eyes as she tried to hold it together. what if he got injured? what if he got hurt? Or worse...what if he died? And it would be all her fault. she bit her trembling lip, trying to hold the tears in. "I love you." she whispered softly, hoping he would here her breathed acclimation of love. But her love was so deep...so indescribable...that she was sure if anything happened to him, she would have to kill herself.

She put on a happy smile for Sori. "Now...where else does it hurt?"

Sori turned her eyes on the girl. She could tell she was worried. The tears were proof enough.

I am fine. Now, I know you are worried, and maybe even frightened. Come; take shelter and comfort under my wing.

The dragoness lifted her wing high enough and folded it against her body, aiming to give the young girl room to cuddle against her.

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

Their wings pumped, sending them quickly on their route. They kept pace with each other, neck and neck, as they flew to meet Gorton, hoping to catch him before he reached the river.

When we find him, leave the fighting to - Ronar began.

Absolutely not. We're in this together. Period.

Suit yourself, then.

Even as their exchange ended, a giant black dragon appeared over the ridge, roaring aggressively at his approaching opponents.

More obstacles? Fine. Then you will die as well!

Without giving Travien or Ronar a chance to prepare, Gorton attacked.

Aurora cuddled against sori. her kindness overwhelmed Aurora. She started cyring. Once she started, she couldn't stop. They spilled from her eyes. she sobbed. "What if he gets hurt? what if he is wounded? If he dies...I can't live without him, Sori! He's my life! My world! I'd have to die...I can't be without him!" I sobbed.

Sori crooned, nuzzling the girl with her muzzle. It was amazing to see how quickly the girl's moods changed, but it could be an affect, a shock, from having mated with a dragon just the night before. Sori was too young to tell for sure.

It's okay. You and I both know Travien is stronger than that; he'll be okay. I know he will.

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

Gorton plowed headlong into Ronar, making the gold screech in surprise and shock. Travien dove after them as they plummeted to the ground, nothing but a tangle of wings, claws, and teeth.

Ronar! Gorton, let him go!

Too late. The tumbling dragons crashed into the ground, Ronar beneath his larger brother. The dragon whined as Gorton pounced away, roaring as he withdrew and prepared another attack.

Travien landed between Ronar and Gorton, wings outstretched, legs braced.

The black growled, red eyes flashing dangerously. Do you honestly think a whelp and a fledgling can stop me? You must be insane.

You're not welcome here, and, if I must, I will die to protect my territory!

The dragon snorted. Your territory? Says who?

Says me, your son.

**I'm going to add a twist. XD**

Aurora sniffed and looked at sori. "I have to make sure he's okay." Before Sori could stop her, she rushed off towards where she had seen Travien go. she ran and ran until she saw the three dragons. She whimpered as she saw the gold dragon hurt and the black dragon facing off with who she assumed was Travien.

She just knew he was going to get hurt. "Travien!" She screamed. Bad move. the black dragon turned his head and sneered.

She whimpered, but didn't move, too afraid that Travien would get hurt.

Travien froze as Gorton tensed, gaze locked on Aurora. What now? What could he do? What should he do? And what would Gorton do? Travien chanced a glance at Aurora, and everything went wrong.

Gorton lunged, roaring. Aurora screamed. Travien reacted. Pain raced through his foreleg as he held his weight against Gorton's attack, blood seeping from wounds on his shoulder. Travien struggled to hold the dragon back, and Aurora had fallen down, stumbling to get away.

Get out of here! Travien roared at Aurora as Gorton began to get the upper hand. You're in more danger here! Get the hell away!

Aurora growled. "No!" She ran into the forest and found the herbs she needed. she approached the golden dragon carefully. "Izm here to help..." she said softly, pressing the herbs to his wounds. she wouldn't let him die. she wouldn't leave. she couldn't leave. If she could, she'd be fighting beside Travien. "Where does it hurt?" she asked the dragon.

Ronar snarled when her fingers brushed his hide, an alien touch and sensation. He didn't like it, and never would.

But she didn't withdraw completely. That stunned Ronar; this girl wasn't afraid.

Who are you? Why are you here?

"I'm Aurora. I came to make sure Travien is safe. And to offer help."

He glared at her. Why do you care? We're not your responsibilty.

"Travien is. He's my mate in your terms."

Ronar was still. So the whelp had not been lying. He had taken a human as his mate. Why, he had no idea. But if a dragon had chosen her, and mated with her, then she was trustworthy.

He relaxed and - reluctantly - let her tend to his wounds.

Meanwhile, Travien and Gorton battled on, the fighting turning into a full-scale dragon duel.

Aurora pressed her hands gently to his wounds. They were bad, but the herbs should help. She tried not to look at the fight. every time she heard a scream, she flinched. She couldn't stand the thought of him getting hurt. She whimpered. He wouldn't hurt Travien too bad...

aurora concentrated on the golden dragon. She saw the wounds healing. it was part of her gift. She was an excellent healer. She whimpered as she heard another scream of pain. How long would they fight for?!

Time had stopped. All Travien knew was the excitement and terror as claws flew through the air, ripping into hide, and teeth piercing muscle and bone. He could only recall the flashes of black before Gorton struck him again, leaving him dazed and struggling to keep up.

This has to end soon. Please, God above, help me!

As if answering his prayer, a thought came over him. Fire! Travien didn't waste time; he focused and finally belched forth a giant, scorching fireball.

The attempt failed. Gorton slapped Travien across the chest as the broad tail caught him on the side of the head, a tail spike grazing Travien's temple. He stumbled, fell, staggered back to his feet, and turned to face Gorton again.

Gorton didn't budge. The two dragons just stood there, staring at each other, panting heavily. Travien took the chance to evaluate the situation and damage. He'd been hit innumerable times; his side and right shoulder were bruised and scraped; his foreleg - which would be his right arm - was cut; blood trickled down his head and neck from the maul wounds recently inflicted upon him; it hurt to breathe, like his ribs had been cracked or something.

Gorton was in no better shape. Slashes ran down his chest; fierce bites on his neck and back oozed blood; bruises rose on his forelegs and behind one wing; he favored his back leg, blood streaming from a wicked gash; his whole body trembled in weariness and pain.

Why are you so strong? Gorton finally asked.

Because I have something to protect, where you do not.

Really? And what would that be?

My friends. My family. My mate. My territory. When Gorton didn't respond, Travien continued, growling deeply. That's right. I'm mature now. I'm a leader. And this is my territory, my land. And you are not welcome.

Gorton snorted heavily. Do you think it's that simple? Just staking a claim and expecting others to be amicable? You're intentions are good, son, but not wise. Surprisingly, the dragon turned away. We've accomplished nothing here. But don't think I've given up yet.

Without further ado, the mighty black slowly rose, pumping weakened wings, and flew away. Travien watched his father as he flew away, wanting desperately to go after him and finish everything. But he couldn't. He was almost drained of strength.

What are you doing here? Why did you come back? And what are you after?

Travien sighed. Diventi umano. He felt everything shift and become human again. Then his world went black.

As soon as Aurora saw the black dragon leave, she rushed over to where Travien lay. he was in critical condition! Tears spilled from aurora's eys. but she rushed into the forest and found the herbs she needed. she pressed them to his bruised body. she relocated everything she had to. She did all she could until she culdn't do anymore. then she collapsed ontop of him, sobbing uncontrollably.

Ronar watched, intrigued and amazed by the sight before him.

Travien had fought to the end, not giving in to exhaustion and pain until after Gorton had retreated. He had even returned to being the red-haired human before collapsing.

And Aurora. She was worried, terrified even. How she sobbed over Travien made him understand the situation more. That girl was Travien's, and always would be.

He made himself stand as Sori limped onto the field, heading straight for the human couple.

He owed Travien a serious apology.

Aurora covered his body with kisses. She wanted him to wake up, just to know he was okay. she sobbed until she couldn't cry anymore. If that black thing took something else so precious away from her again, she swore that she would beg it to kill her.

She stroked his cheek softly, kissing his head. She ran her hand through his hair, tears still falling lightly from her eyes. "Please wake up!" She begged. She kissed his lips softly, tears making thekiss salty. "Please!" she whimpered.

Travien felt her lips on his face, tears falling from her eyes and onto his skin. He could hear her crying, begging him to wake up. But he couldn't...he didn't have the strength...

Travien, get up. That was Ronar. What did he want?

Travien whimpered softly, shifting against the weight on his chest. Was that Aurora?

That's it. Get up.

Ronar?

Yes. It's me. Now, get up. Your mate is balistic.

Aurora. Is she okay?

Yes, she's fine. She's just worried sick about you.

He tried to open his eyes, to wake up. It seemed to take forever. Finally, after a while, heavy lids opened, and he found Aurora's face in his vision, tears staining her beautiful face.

"Hey..." he whispered.