The Dark Crystal Part 10

The dragon was swift at his flying. From below, Einar could see the ragged mountain ranges. Sparkling rivers were seen between these rocks. It was late afternoon and the sun was beginning to set in the west. The dragon let off great roars, but they were not as menacing as Geud's.

Astelna was in the front of the dragon's back, while Einar was behind her. Astelna spoke to the dragon in an imperative manner, but her tongue was not ordinary speech. She spoke the language that was first used in the world before pirates from other lands brought them to the land.

"Go to Bearhelm, Mokma" she told the dragon in the language. "We must find this man's mother. Fly swiftly. We have little time. Go!"

The beast traveled north. It was nightfall and Mokma was not even close to reaching the end of the chain of mountains. Einar refused to sleep. His mind was filled with thoughts of his poor dying mother. He could not bear the thought of her being dead. His father had died when he was a lad by the Gray Death. He had a sister who died when just an infant. His brother, Uinar, was killed. And now his mother may be next. Tears began to fall from his eyes.

It was then that Astelna noticed him and his tears. "Are you all right?" she asked.

Einar immediately tried to wipe away his tears. "I am fine. Nothing's wrong," he answered in a rather hoarse voice.

"Something is wrong, Einar," said the elf. "Tell me: what is on your mind? Cry if you must; it's all right."

"I am in despair, Astelna. I really am. My mother is dying. Only this Crystal can save her. I don't think we have enough time. I can't let her die."

"Sometimes Fate calls people to die."

"But she doesn't deserve to die!" exclaimed Einar, tears streaming from his face. "She can't be like  Father and my brother and sister. It kills me to think that she is at death's door! I don't why my entire life has been filled with sorrow. I just want these pains to stop. I don't understand why it always has to be me. Why do I always get the pain and suffering?"

"I understand your pain, Einar," said Astelna, putting her hand on his shoulder. "No one ever wanted be when I was young because I was a girl. Everyone wanted a son. There was not one person I knew who wanted a daughter. My parents neglected me. They thought it was shame to have a girl. They refused to recognized me as their daughter. I was left in the most remote parts of Chema Cavern. It was dark, damp, and it had a sickening air. They left me with no food, no blanket, no nothing. I was lucky to be found by Geud, but now he hates me.

"I really understand what you're going through. Just trust yourself. That is what I always said to myself. We'll go through this together. And the truth is: life isn't always roses. Some people are fortunate, some are not. The only thing we can do to is just go through it. The reward will be great at the end. The reward is greater for those who have perseverance. Now, I think you need some sleep. I know a spot where you can rest. Sleep on the dragon's head. It is very comfortable there. I will watch you in order that you may not fall and be impaled by the rocks." She gave a small laugh.

Einar did what she told him to do. Indeed, the dragon's head was very comfortable. He thought that he would not fall asleep, but he did. And during his slumber, he had a dream.

^^^^^^^^^^^

"Einar." It was a familiar voice. He turned and saw his mother standing in an open field of dead grass. He could not see her face, but he recognized the gray hair and the smock she always wore when she worked around her house. She spoke again.

"Einar. Leave. Right now. Your life is in mortal danger. I will not let you die. Go!"

"What do you mean, mother?" Einar asked worriedly. "Why should I leave?"

"He is coming to get you. He will curse you and your life will be full of misery."

"My life is already full of misery. Who is 'he'?"

"Go NOW!" his mother screamed.

Suddenly, Geud was there in the field. With one breath, a blanket of flames covered his mother.

"NOOOO!" he cried out at the top of his lungs.