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lightningweilded · 4 months ago

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From Parapet to Threshing - Tairn's POV

Summary: In which we see Tairn's thoughts as he chaperones Andarna and ends up gaining a rider in the process (from Parapet to Threshing) CW: Tairn being a girl dad, Andarna being an iconic feathertail, Spoilers for Fourth wing, Set in book 1, Sgaeyl is mother, one suggestive line (mdni), also this is a bit more than 4k words

A grumble was his only response to the hatchling beside him.

“I sense your impatience” Sgaeyl’s low voice echoed in Tairn’s head, managing to inflame his growing irritation.

“How am I supposed to be patient when the Golden one will not cease her pestering!”

“She is young, you were her age once” his mate countered.

“I do not recall being this insolent”

The sound of Sgaeyl’s amusement rumbled in his head, still low considering the distance between the two mates.

“Then your memory is finally catching up to your age” Sgaeyl teased “what is it that she wants?”

Train chuffed at her response.

“I want to fly outside the vale” the younger voice intruded in the conversation.

Train huffed once more, leaving his mate to deal with the antics of the hatchling. He had heard enough of her incessant demands to leave safety.

“You will not do such thing!” his mate commanded “you are not to leave the Vale”

“I could go with you” Andarna’s voice was small “Your rider needs your presence today, let me join”

“I will not repeat myself, you will not fly above the Vale!” Sgaeyl's impatience was evident.

There was a reason for Tairn being the one to deal with the hatchling’s tantrums more often, Sgaeyl had a temper unmatched.

“I have said so for the past hour” Tairn complained “She does not listen, as per usual”

Andarna’s upset growl was the last thing she spoke before closing herself for communication.

“Watch over her” Sgaeyl muttered “knowing this little one, she will attempt to fly on her own”

“Of course, I shall happily chaperone the hatchling as if that was my greatest duty” Tairn’s voice dripped in sarcasm.

Sgaeyl did nothing but huff at him, but mind at rest knowing Tairn would watch over Andarna either way since - as a bonded dragon - his mate often did not have time to teach and care for the young dragon. Tairn watched as the golden scales disappeared inside the cave guarding the other hatchlings and decided to rest near the entrance, waiting for the chance Andarna decided to test him yet again. He watched with familiarity as the morning shine disappeared and storm clouds formed in the sky, the droplets of water hitting his scales, not a good omen for the humans crossing the death bridge.

“Was it raining that day?” Andarna’s voice was quiet.

“I’ve lived many days” he replied, already sure of her meaning.

“The day your last rider crossed the bridge”

Tairn let a puff of steam out of his lungs.

“I do not wish to speak of him” he warned.

“Just this question, please” she pleaded “I will not bother you after”

He highly doubted it, but decided to indulge just this once.

“If I answer, you shall not ask more about it”

“I will not” the hatchling promised.

“It was raining, but not as much as this morning. Question answered, now rest!”

She remained silent, but Tairn could sense worry before her communication severed. Her behavior was new - it had been strange lately. She was insistent to explore outside the Vale, restless, asking about Sgaeyl’s bond with her rider with insistence.

“I am returning” Sgaeyl’s voice echoed a few hours later “the humans are done with their ritualistic death bridge”

Her navy scales soon emerged from the still storm filled sky, landing soundly beside Tairn and encouraging other dragons to keep their distance.

“Torched any frail human out of amusement today?” he asked.

“I have not” she replied, taking offense “I have restraint”

Tairn let out a huff of laughter. She had as much restraint as Andarna.

“Yes, do insult me” she hissed “I’ll have you take Andarna hunting for the entire waning moon”

The black dragon quickly let go of his courageous teasing, Sgaeyl was a dragon of honor and words. His mate soon joined their resting place, the black dragon lifting one of his massive wings to fit her frame under. He laid his head over her neck, chest rumbling with her proximity.

“There are many strong humans this year” she said after a moment of silence.

The black dragon let a puff of steam into the air, the heat mixing with the cold droplets of water.

“I will not bond Sgaeyl” his tone was firm “he was my last”

“The war is near, you are a war dragon” Sgaeyl snarls.

Tairn saw no point to that discussion - a conversation both of them repeatedly had over the last years. He knew how it would end and decided that sharing bitter words was not something he wanted that day, the rain brought too many unpleasant memories. His massive frame carefully moved around Sgaeyl’s, untangling himself from her and preparing to fly.

“You will fly away again”

“You know my decision better than any other” he said “It was my choice then and it remains my choice now. I will not take another rider”

With that, Tairn stood to his full height and spread his wings, flying away to the mountains. A common behavior whenever the subject was brought up yet again by elders and his mate. He had taken a last chance, a choice that left him scarred and almost took his last breath. He would fight when the time came, but he would never relive the pain of losing another rider ever again.

______

“Speak some sense into her mind!” Sgaeyl’s voice was loud, commanding.

“You think I have not tried?” he replied “not only has she forsaken my words, but successfully managed to have the elders allow her to see the humans”

Andarna’s latest victory still rattled in Tairn’s mind. He did not know what possessed the young dragon to wish to be near the unbonded humans, curiosity certainly not being the sole reason. All he could do was accept once the elders allowed her to participate in the presentation. He had asked the golden dragon about her reasoning for such recklessness countless times before, but none of her answers were satisfactory.

“The little one is naive if she thinks she can bond at that age” Sgaeyl worry flew through their bond “she cannot possibly plan to do so”

Tairn would not put past Andarna to disobey the rules, the dread settled in his gut thinking about it. A hatchling with her abilities bonding with a greedy human would be destructive to her and all feathertails.

“I will watch over her, to be certain she won’t approach the humans” Sgaeyl’s verdict seemed certain enough “my rider will not need me”

“I will be minutes away” he guaranteed.

Later that afternoon, he saw through his mate’s eyes as the small feathertail kept her distance while the humans walked. The golden dragon seemed disinterested, resting on the ground. Tairn wondered if she was only curious after all, if seeing the humans proved to be below her expectations and soon her desire to explore would subside…until she perked up and stood in complete attention. Her tail moved from side to side, her head lowered near the ground - following the humans intently with her eyes.

“What is it?” Tairn demanded “Andarna!”

But the feathertail did not reply, nor did she pay Sgaeyl any attention either.

“She is watching the smaller female” his mate replied instead “the one who smells of blood”

He could not smell the blood from the distance, but Sgaeyl provided him with the perfect view of the woman. She was smaller than her other peers, hands covered in dark cloth, an unusual silver color in her hair. The small human took notice of Andarna with as much intensity as the feathertail. Andarna’s interest was evident as she followed the human with her golden gaze, taking a small step towards the human.

“Golden one!” Train’s voice was louder and authoritative “do not approach!”

“Who the hell would bond that thing?” a human male said, pointing at Andarna.

Tairn’s chest grumbled a threat. Insolent human.

“They can hear you” the silver woman warned.

The humans kept speaking about the feathertail, trying to understand her presence. Two of the humans were more than deserving of scorching.

“I shall have the pleasure” Sgaeyl growls.

“You should totally bond it, Sorrengail. You’re both freakishly weak. It’s a match made in heaven” the man taunted the silver one.

“Burn him first” Andarna’s voice was full of fury “She is not weak”

Her words rattled in his head, proving the suspicion that her interest was not on the humans, but one human only. He would have to discuss it with Sgaeyl later.

“It looks powerful enough to burn you to death” the silver woman answered the man’s words.

Another man rushed to the insolent one, wisely and aggressively warning him of the dragons nearby. They all began discussing, attentive of the danger surrounding them. Tairn was not one to bother listening to humans, but the insolent one had his full attention with the next words.

“Someone should kill it before it bonds. It’s just going to get its rider killed, and it’s not like we get a choice if it wants to bond us”

Sgaeyl and Tairn growled at the same time. This human would not bond and neither live, the black dragon would see that it happened. He wondered for a few seconds if he should fly to the canyon and scorch the human himself.

“You know what it means if you come here” Sgaeyl said, her attention mostly on her mate at that moment.

Train grumbled, knowing well what his presence in front of the humans would mean for the elders. He would not bond, nor give them reasons to believe so.

“I can have others burn him” he simply grumbled.

“Sgaeyl could” Andarna replied.

“I might, though my rider would suffer the consequences” the navy dragon murmured.

Sgaeyl hid her disappointment fast enough not to subdue their attention to the humans. They returned to their stroll after the tense moment. Train watched attentively as the silver human spoke with her comrades, mostly chattering until her next words.

“I mean, it could be worse. We could be walking past a line of wyvern, right?”

Tairn went rigid and he felt Sgaeyl’s mutual feelings settling in their bond.

“Could she know?” Andarna whispered, but none of the adult dragons replied.

“Oh please, Violet, do give us one of your nervous-babble story times” another woman scorns “Let me guess. Wyvern are some elite squad of gryphon riders created because of something we did at a battle only you can manage to remember with your scribe brain”

“You don’t know what a wyvern is?” another asked “Didn’t your parents tell you bedtime stories, Luca?”

“Do enlighten me”

“They’re folklore” the silver one answered “Kind of like dragons but bigger, with two feet instead of four, a mane of razor-sharp feathers streaking down their necks, and a taste for humans. Unlike dragons, who think we’re a little gamey”

“She does not” Tairn confirmed.

Her description was accurate for someone who believed it to be bedtime stories. Suddenly, he shared a small part of Andarna’s interest in the small human.

“I can feel your interest” his mate commented, but he remained silent.

The silver human reminisced in a childhood tale, one full of the said folklore. Andarna was unusually quiet, only observing the her as much as Tairn was.

“Yegdra” Sgaeyl quickly warned.

Tairn could see as the red swordtail stepped out of the dragon line and approached the humans.

“No!” Andarna screamed “Do not hurt her”

“Andarna, do not interfere!” Tairn warned.

Yegdra was quick to breathe fire into a weakling man within the group. The black dragon tried his best to conceal his relief that the silver one still stood - alive. Andarna would have been devastated otherwise, he convinced himself.

Though the feeling was short lived.

Two green dragons walked towards the small woman, who was recklessly distracted by another human. As soon as she turned, the fear in her eyes was evident - though she masked it well. They breathed steam onto her, and Tairn could feel the apprehension in Andarna’s non-coherent words. The dragons quickly assessed the silver one’s hands.

“I cut my hands climbing the obstacle course” her tone was nervous, but clear.

They continued their assessment, smelling her midsection attentively. Tairn silently urged the woman to continue her speech, indulge the dragons.

“You smell Teine, don’t you?” her voice was firmer than before “I’m Mira’s sister, Violet. She collected Teine’s scales after he shed them last year and had them shrunk down so she could sew them into the vest to help keep me safe”

She spoke to them, whispering a few more sentences before they let her return to her stroll. He listened as she laughed a few times while assuring her companions, but her laughter held no arrogance.

“Have you quenched your curiosity, little one?” Sgaeyl asked.

Andarna’s excitement was all the answer she gave and he now was certain of her attachment to the silver woman.

“Andarnaurram” his voice was gentle, yet firm “you shall not bond, you know it”

Her shimmering golden frame sunk. He felt no pleasure in her sorrow, but he could not allow the hatchling to bond, even if the woman was seemingly honorable enough, the dangers were too much of a risk to take. The turbulent irritation coming from the other side of his bond assured him Sgaeyl shared his despair.

______

“What do you know of the woman?” Train asked.

Sgaeyl’s left eye opened, staring into his, the dark moonless night doing nothing to dull their shimmer. Her tail slowly stroked his left hind leg, careful not to harm his scales.

“I know enough. Against my will, of course ” she replied “my rider has an invested interest in her despite their family matters”

Tairn huffed at her answer.

“Spare me of your rider’s lust-tainted opinions, what do you see?”

“A fragile body, she is easily breakable. Though I must admit she is intelligent, observant, courageous albeit naive and reckless as you have noticed today” she replied “also trustworthy in keeping my rider’s secrets”

He felt as his mate sent him images of her, blurry considering it was her rider’s inferior sight that composed most of the memories. One of them caught his attention, pale eyes locking briefly with Sgaeyl’s as his mate assessed her from the roof of a courtyard. Sgaeyl shared with him the smell of fear and determination, the steadiness despite the intimidating actions of the navy blue dragon. Not many stood still under his mate’s gaze.

“Many share the woman’s qualities and flaws” Tairn spoke “there must be another reason for Andarna’s interest”

“Indeed, but we will not know because the little one will not bond” Sgaeyl’s gave her ultimatum “I might not sense greed or cruelty on the woman, but I will not trust her with Andarna’s bond”

__________

“I will watch over her” Sgaeyl said to him as she prepared to fly to her rider.

Andarna exhaled happiness that morning. Tairn noticed as she ate carelessly, too ecstatic to focus on her sustenance in a proper way. The black dragon remained silent, still livid at the elders who allowed her to watch the humans in their hunt for a dragon. Despite his and Sgaeyl’s attempts at warning the elders, the result was far from satisfactory.

“She shall not bond now, she will be of no use for her rider until fully grown” their words were nothing but mere advice.

“I still wish you rethink your decisions, Golden one” the black dragon said as they flew from the vale.

“I just want to see her” she replied with her softest voice “I will behave”

Tairn grumbled. Andarna and behavior were only similar if there was mischief involved.

“You must listen to Sgaeyl, if she orders you to leave, do so” he warned “I will be near should you not obey her”

She huffed at Tairn as a reply.

“I will be minutes away” he sent to his mate “do not hesitate to call me”

He accompanied Andarna half of the way as she flew to the forest below, he landed behind the cover of the mountains, expectant to any danger or disobeyment from the young dragon.

“Remember what I said, Golden one” he grumbled one last time “observe only, do not draw attention”

“I know” she replied, unfocused on his words as the humans began their race.

The sun moved slowly in the sky, with every passing hour feeding into Tairn’s impatience. He called Sgaeyl through his bond, feeling her growing irritation.

“She exposes herself!” her words were menacing.

Through her eyes, Tairn saw as Andarna caught the sunshine with her golden scales, becoming a beacon of light to whomever noticed.

“As if she would listen to a word I say” Tairn growled.

“Tairn! My rider says three humans wish to harm herl” His mate’s panic swim through the bond, fueling the black dragon’s fury.

“Andarna, enough!” He growled “return with me to the vale this instant!”

The golden dragon refused to comply, laying on the grass with her head attentive to the treeline.

“I will end this” Sgaeyl snarls “we should have forbidden her, the elders could rot in their verdict”

He sensed as Sgaeyl flew closer to him, sharing her sight as she landed behind a treeline encasing the clearing in which the hatchling sunbathed.

“Andarna, I will not repeat myself. Fly to Tairn!” his mate’s voice was stern, but Andarna did not move.

Movement from the opposite side of the treeline captured the blue dragon’s attention. The silver one hid within the trees.

“You have to get out of here!” her voice is low, but enough for Sgaeyl and Andarna to hear “They’re going to kill you if you don’t leave!”

Tairn watched attentively through Sgaeyl. Maybe the stubborn hatchling would actually listen-

Of course not. Andarna remained seated, her head tilting as she watched the woman curiously.

“Yes! You! Goldie!” the woman insisted.

“Golden one, return! Other humans wish to hurt you” Tairn warned again, preparing to fly.

“They are already here” Sgaeyl growled, but desperation painted her words “I cannot interfere, Tairn, my rider is bound by the human laws”

Three men broke through the treeline, armed with blades. Andarna had at least the sane mind to growl at them, assuming a defensive position.

“We’ll make it painless” one of the men spoke.

“Tairn!”

He began his ascent through the mountains, rocks crumbling under his talons as he gradually gained momentum to fly as fast as possible. Another growl from Sgaeyl caught his attention.

“Reckless woman!” his mate snarled.

Tairn focused on his mate’s sight for a brief moment, seeing as the silver haired woman stood in front of Andarna with small blades in hand. Her steps carefully measured, but clearly strained in his advanced sight.

“You’re going to have to get through me, then” the woman’s voice echoed through their bond.

“The silver one is injured” Tairn warned “put your rider to use within his limits until I arrive!”

He finally flew over the mountain, his wings wildly beating as he seeked the gold color amongst the sea of green. With the clearing in sight, he watched from above as the three men ran to attack, which impulsed the dragon to fly even faster. The small silver woman returned the aggression viciously, quick and calculated movements despite the injury.

“One of them fled, but she cannot hold much longer” Sgaeyl said “fly faster!”

He would deal with the insult at his speed on a later occasion. Tairn dived to the clearing, in time to see one of the attackers unconscious and the other wounded. The silver woman’s scarlet blood painted her side but he noticed that Andarna seemed unharmed. His rage boiled inside his guts, seeing as the coward man intended to strike the unarmed woman for protecting one of his kin. He recognized the man as the one who threatened Andarna’s life before. He growled in pleasure. He would burn the insolent low life himself.

“I knew you would come” the hatchling’s voice was ringing with joy “she intends to die for me, do not let it happen!”

Tairn was right above them as the man cowardly prepared to strike. The black dragon landed, the ground trembling under his weight and the wind disorienting everyone in the clearing. Tairn did not hesitate as he reached for the woman’s mind, the silver strands of her mind quickly entangling with his as if expecting it since the beginning of times.

“Tairn!” Sgaeyl’s tone was unmistakably surprised.

“Not now” he replied.

“Step aside, Silver One” he spoke sternly in the woman’s mind, eyes on the despicable man in front of his massive form.

Did he just speak to me? Her voice echoed in his head in return. He almost sighed in frustration, who else would he speak with?

“Yes. You. Move” he ordered.

The silver woman stumbled away and he did not hesitate to open his maw and breathe the most searing fire he could muster upon the running man. When the threat was burnt out of existence, he turned his golden eyes to the small woman below him - now his rider. She was bleeding profusely from her arms, her weight focused on her uninjured foot. In her face, disbelief was evident. Tairn noticed the unconscious man on the ground, still breathing.

“You should end the enemy at your feet” he advised.

“I can’t kill an unconscious man” she shouted, shaking her head.

“He would kill you if given the same chance”

She studied the man, hesitant.

“Well, that’s a statement on his character. Not mine”

Tairn blinked at her. Courageous and fierce enough to defend a dragon - who was safe from harm considering Sgaeyl and Tairn were near - but naive to let an enemy live to see another sunrise. He would have to deal with her naivety later, for now her intelligence and bravery would be more than enough.

“You bonded the woman” Sgaeyl spoke again.

“I am aware” he replied “I made my choice”

His mate flew past them, leaving him and his rider to complete the human ritual. The amount of blood pooling around her feet was alarming, he would not have an unconscious rider.

“You’re bleeding. Stop it” he warned.

“It’s not that simple when you’ve been run through with a—” she began arguing “You know what? That’s a great idea”

She wrapped her arm with torn cloth, a practiced motion. He noticed her hands were still bound.

“There. Better?” she said, looking at him almost defiantly. He understood the recklessness.

“It will do” he replied “Your hands are bound, too. Do you bleed often?”

The woman looked at her wrapped hands, bittersweet features on her exhausted face.

“I try not to” she answered.

Tairn let out a dissatisfied sound. Reckless woman, indeed. He would have to build her self-preservation.

“Let’s go, Violet Sorrengail” He simply said, ready to be done with the theatrics of human events. Andarna - who was safely shielding under his wing finally left her hiding spot, her joy barely contained as she watched the scene unfold.

“How do you know my name?” she asked in surprise.

Tairn sighed in annoyance and frustration, disturbing the trees in the process.

“And to think, I’d almost forgotten just how loquacious humans are. Get on my back”

“Get on your back? Have you seen you? Do you have any idea how huge you are?”

“Be patient!” Andarna’s voice was pleading “she is new to this!”

Tairn grumbled and narrowed his eyes in annoyance to the human girl.

“One does not live a century without being well aware of the space one takes up. Now get on” he wanted this to be over, and soon!

Unfortunately, his new rider seemed to test him just as much as the hatchling he took under his care.

“I can’t just leave it. What if Oren wakes up or Jack comes back?” she argued once more, pointing at Andarna.

“Will you fly so the silver one and I can be done with this?” he warned the smaller dragon.

Andarna quickly took flight, to the surprise of his rider.

“Get. On” he growled, patience already running thin.