The Dark Crystal Part 7

He had smashed through the rock wall. Rocks as tiny as grains of sand and as large as boulders flew to the ground. It must have been a miracle that Astelna and Einar managed to flee from where they stood. There was a door but right before they could run away from him, Geud the Dragon roared.

The two turned. He was a massive beast with knife-like claws, ready to pierce any flesh. He was the color of ore tinted with gold. His eyes were bloodshot, not to mention furious to no end. He spoke to Astelna and Einar in a voice sounding like a volcano eruption.

"Why was I awakened? I had such a lovely sleep. I was dreaming that I saw was a herd of fattened sheep. And right before I could eat any of them, my messenger woke me up and explained to me that the Crystal was not in its proper place. So, why do I have to wake up because of some fools?"

"I did not do anything!" said Einar. "I didn't take the Crystal. She did."

"Why do I have to be blamed for this?" Astelna demanded in a whisper.

"Oh, so my faithful servant disobeyed my order. That is what I have to deal with, hmm? Astelna, you know very well that disobedience has its consequences."

"I was about to put it back! But he came along and is now interrupting me."

"That is always your excuse. Four times you did this. Four other people, including this idiot, had taken the Crystal out of its proper place. You always manage to be here with the Crystal. You should have killed the people when they were in the cavern."

"But they escaped!"

"'But they escaped'"! Geud mocked. "I want no more excuses. I had warned you before. You did not listen. There will be no more apologies or second chances. Now death will be your only friend."

The dragon was ready to spew out flames when Einar suddenly said:

"Wait, Geud! Do not kill her! She is Raven Warrior. I must marry her. That is what the prophecy said."

Astelna looked at him with anger. "This is an act," whispered Einar to the elf. The dragon seemed confused.

"What prophecy?" he asked. "Explain!"

"'Augured by a man of ages'," said Einar. "I have to marry her. There is nothing that can be explained. It just that. I must marry her."

"I never knew that my servant loved someone," said the dragon with a smile. "She never loved someone in her life, not even her own parents. Well, this is a surprise."

"I DO NOT love him!" Astelna cried out. "He is lying."

"You may change. You never know," said the dragon. "In that case, go along. Get out of Chema Cavern. Get married in the flower fields. Ride off into the sunset on his majestic horse. Live in a mansion with ten children, five boys and five girls. Go along. I will not stop you. Do not look angry, Astelna. Get rid of that red face. Now you can be with someone who will love you as his wife."

"Now is our chance to get out," said Einar to Astelna. He turned to the dragon. "Farewell, Geud. I shall go with my bride-to-be to my village and get married. It was a pleasure to meet you."

He and the elf left the room, much to their great surprise. As they walked through a hallway, the dragon did not follow them. He did not do anything.

Einar and Astelna, after a few minutes entered another large room. There four doors on each side, each leading upwards, as they had stairs. The two stopped.

"Why did you have to say that?" Astelna said angrily. 

"You and I had to escape death. What else was I supposed to do?"

"At least we are alive," said the elf. "I suppose I cannot put the Crystal to its proper place?" Einar nodded. She said: "All right, at this point, I will help you save your sick mother. But there isn't much time. We must hurry. I know the way out of here."

Suddenly Einar heard a voice in his head that said:

"The Warrior will lead you to

The place where you must be into

After trials and horrors you must wed

The Raven Warrior, of this you read."