The Riders' Rebellion (Scarsmate and DH)

[Dark Huntress]

Rhinnëa sighed and followed Rivera's example. Wrapping her body in a sheet and her conscience in Gweir's warm, familiar, and comforting one, she leaned back on her pillow and fell asleep, as much of the city was doing or had already done.

She awoke and gave a small sigh as she stretched. She rumpled the roots of her pale hair and furrowed her brow as a dim light shone through the curtains. She mumbled something about 'the curtains not being dark enough' then rolled out of the bed with a quiet thump!. She glanced around, making sure she'd not disturbed her roommates entirely then stood and slipped into the back room where she showered and changed. Knowing the elves were mostly likely going to fawn over Rivera and herself and their dragons, she slipped in the elegant, purple-blue-grey [rather like dawn or twilight] colored dress that had been laid out. The dress exposed her flawless shoulders and cut down across her chest, though still left some to be imagined, and the sleeves were long and had a split up the side so her arms weren't trapped inside. It was seamed with an empire waist and flowed freely, sheen layers over the solid fabric, giving her an elegant, fluid appearance. She placed a white gold band upon her forehead and let her hair ripple freely, weaving a spell to make it wave slightly.

She gave herself a critical look in the glass then shrugged, not really caring, and re-entered the main room. She didn't give the other girls a look to ascertain their whereabouts and let herself into the hall, closing the door quietly. She froze, however, in the hall, as she realized she was still wearing her black boots. She shrugged again and started forward, flying down the stairs, dress and sleeves billowing behind her. She stood stock still at the bottom and blushed faintly as a slight thrill courses through her.

Zaq and Eyulf were pacing the hall, both looking very bored, very uncomfortable, and very handsome. Rhinnëa stood, staring at them for a moment, before decomposing herself and walking slowly across the lobby of the Riders' Hall, soft boots scuffing quietly. She gave the boys an unaffected look as they turned to stare at her an awe emanating freely from them.

She nodded at them, rather embarrassed that she found them attractive in the elven tunics and leggings. Zaq was clad in a leaf green tunic which faded to a russet color at the bottom, matching russet leggings, and an intricate belt with garnets and peridots woven into the leather-worked mass. Eyulf was dressed in a soft, fawn brown tunic, darker brown leggings, and a rather simple leather belt [for the elves]. Neither had changed their spiky hairstyles, but they had washed their faces and shaved.

"Okay," Zaq broke the silence ,"So, all the elf men have this creepily perfect shave-how the he-" he stopped and cleared his throat "-how do they get that?"

Rhinnëa gave him a curious look. "Why do you feel the need to refrain from vulgar language?" she wondered aloud, ignoring his question ,"when only yesterday you were perfectly fine using them."

"You didn't look like a dusk vision, now please answer the question cuz I feel as poky as a porcupine."

"Magic," she sighed.

He snapped his fingers. "Damn!" He stopped and glanced at her, eyes narrowed a little ,"Could you-?"

Rhinnëa gave him a small glare and muttered "Threyja", sending the stubble from not only Zaq's, but also Eyulf's, handsome faces falling to the floor. She mumbled something else and they caught on fire and burnt up on the marble floor. The boys both ran their hands over they're faces.

"You're welcome," she said, then nodded and walked elegantly out, looking like a Dröttingu.

[Scars Mate]

Rivera yawned and rolled over, having a mini heart-attack about falling onto Rhinnëa, when she realised she had the bed to herself.

Fine with me, she thought, yawning again.

How are you? Queried Lyrea as Rivera slipped out of the bed and padded over to the bathroom.

Tired. And achy, she mumbled in reply, stretching her sore arms and legs.

Ah, Lyrea said softly, that's always the way. I could remove it for you?

Yes, please, grunted Rivera. The pain immediately seeped from her body, and she sighed with relief.

Thank you.

No problem.

Rivera looked at the clothes put out for her. She smiled with relief, glad that they weren't her own dirt-ridden ones. In fact, it was a beautiful black dress.

As she put it on, she could properly appreciate it. It was made of the softest silk, which glided easily and gracefully. The arms were full length, and were large and poofy, but soft and floaty, almost like butterfly wings. It hung off just below her shoulders, showing off the pale flesh there. The body of the dress was low cut, and clung to her torso. It flayed out at her waist in a diamond formation, and went down to her ankles.

Her shoes were simple slip ons, that matched the black colour of her dress.

She left the bathroom, to see Nellas and Eldárwen groggily getting up. She skipped over and gave each of them a kiss on the forehead, before turning to go to the door.

'Wait!' Called Nellas, stumbling out of the bed to grab something from her bag. 'Here,' she sighed, handing Rivera a black pendant necklace in the shape of a heart.

'Thanks,' Rivera said gratefully, and carefully put it on.

'It was our Mother's,' Nellas informed Eldárwen, who was looking at it with curiosity.

'I'm going down to eat,' Rivera said, before walking to the door and going down to find some food.

After tottering down some stairs, Rivera ran straight into Eyulf. She wouldn't have minded, but then she saw Zaq.

[Dark Huntress]

"Whoa! You okay?" Eyulf asked Rivera, flashing an easy, sweet smile. The smile widened as she returned the question. "No broken bones," he laughing. " Somehow I think I'll survive." His chuckled ended abruptly as Zaq looked over at him.

"You have a strange sense of humor," the blonde boy said in an odd tone.

"So do you," Eyulf countered. "Whoever douses an snores on the back on an elf that nearly killed you and ticking off her dragon has a very strange sense of humor." After a moment of consideration he added ,"or no sense of self-preservation."

*£*

Gweir had flown down to meet Rhinnëa and, as she saw Gweir's sparkling scales, it was apparent Lyrea and Gweir had helped eachother clean up for he sparkled so brilliantly it hurt her keen eyes to watch him soar towards her.

You look very well, Fair One, he complemented.

So do you! she returned, stepping back to admire him.

Pride emanating from him, as did a loud purr.

[Scars Mate]

Rivera pursed her lips, trying to suppress a laugh. She shouldn't have found it funny, and one wit would do nothing to help her case, but she couldn't really help it.

'Well, I'm gonna go find something to eat. They have nice food here, I just don't know where. It's one thing when you live here-' she cut abruptly, hurt emanating from her body. She didn't live here anymore, and that was a problem.

'Anyway, I'll find you if I spot anything you'd like!' She said, grinning to hide her real feelings. She walked out of the large hall, into the large foresty area outside.

Come down! She called to Lyrea, who immediately landed a little ways off.

You're looking very clean! She stated, which prompted a happy purr from Lyrea.

Gweir helped me! Rivera grinned. Gweir was a more than an able companion for Lyrea, and there was definitely something going on.

Help me did find some food! Rivera asked, her stomach rumbling.

[Dark Huntress]

Rhinnëa smothered a smile as Gweir began to back towards where they both knew Rivera and Lyrea were. You needn't be secretive about it, she laughed, for your motives are limpid as glass!

He gave her an irritated look before they both strolled towards the entrance of the Riders' hall.

"Greetings, Sh'urtagul, Nightscales," Rhinnëa said smilingly to Rivera, for she was still amused and Gweir and Lyrea's coy behavior was only deepening her amusement.

She continued in a less formal way, "I suppose we'll have to wait for the others to forage for some snacks, huh?" Marking Rivera's almost awkward behavior, she asked "Everything okay?" aside to the hybrid.

Her attention swiftly turned to an elven messenger hurrying towards them. He look young and ageless, even for an elf, and Rhinnëa guessed he was probably close to their and the boys' ages, perhaps a few years older. She turned expectantly to hear his message.

[Scars Mate]

'You are required to come to the royal court.' He stuttered, his gaze falling to the floor.

We will gather the rest of our companions, but then we will of course go to the court. Lyrea said kindly, aware the elf was intimidated by the dragons. He nodded and left, stumbling ever so slightly.

'He's so flustered, he forgot the formal greeting,' noted Rivera, a small smile gracing her lips.

Nellas? Eldárwen? She called out.

Coming! They called.

A few minutes later, they appeared, Eyulf and Zaq in tow. Nellas wore a light blue dress, which set off her eyes and made her appear taller. Eldárwen wore an identical dress, but in a lilac. It was layered like flower petals, and was simply pulled in at the waist with a bow. The sleeves were three-quarters, and flayed out slightly at the end. Both of them had a single flower in their hair, which was pulled back into a bun.

'Lets go to the court!' Rivera said with mock enthusiasm.

[Dark Huntress]

"You all look very pretty," Zaq said to all of the girls, though he seemed to project the compliments towards Rivera and Rhinnëa, the latter of which shot him a sharp reply privately.

Like you are looking at the dresses, she teased.

I am. And imagining what's beneath! He smiled roguishly as she blushed furiously and averted her emerald eyes to the floor. Was that the inappropriate answer you were looking for?

I was actually meaning that you were focusing on our flaws instead, but I suppose that's too intellectual for a young human male! she sniffed and retreated behind Gweir's head so Zaq couldn't see her turn red again. Unfortunately, Eyulf was in the perfect position to sidle up to her and thus she had to clear her embarrassed expression.

"You do look very nice," he said quietly, brown eyes focusing on the architecture surrounding them.

"Thank-you. So do you. I had no idea humans cleaned up so nice."

Does that go for me? Zaq's impertinent question was followed with a sly glance around Gweir's head.

"Sadly, yes," Rhinnëa replied aloud. The conversation had no time to further itself as the they had all stopped in feont of a large hall. "Ready?" she asked Rivera. Ready to reveal yourself? To show the world you still exist? To show the world you are unconquered? Rhinnëa squared her shoulders, tossed her hair back, and lifted her chin up before throwing the doors open with flourish.

[Scars Mate]

Rivera grimaced internally at the sight that fell before her eyes. Rows upon rows of stands were in a semi-circular formations, filled with hundreds of elves, all looking down at them. A few muttered their praise to the dragons, others smiled at the children, but all of their inspections ended with a cold look at Rivera.

Ignore them. I will protect you. Lyrea said surely.

I believe you, Rivera said, swallowing back her fear.

The room was lined with silver, and had arches that looked like they reached up to the sky. The ceiling was glass, but had swirls and patterns of all different colours embossed onto it. The floor had runes in the ancient language, but they were worn away and difficult to read.

Finally, dead ahead, were two thrones.

And on the thrones, was the king a queen of Ellesmera, both of them all-too-familiar for Rivera.

[Dark Huntress]

Though she internally faltered, Rhinnëa's outer display of coolness and confidence didn't. She kept eye contact with the king and queen as the small group approached them and waited for them to address them, for though her and Rivera's ranks were high, the elven royalty surpassed them.

The king, the son of Eregon Shadeslayer and Arya-Dröttingu, addressed them first in a pleasant voice and the queen gave her acknowledgements in a musical one, though both had an icy expression when they turned to Rivera. Rhinnëa was glad Gweir was not intimidated for he gave her confidence.

The awkward salutations and greetings passed and the higher ranking officials of the crowd moved into an elegant dining room. A very long table of polished and carved oak wood stretched across the intricate room and matching high-backed chairs lined it.

Each in the small band took seats together, following the others' example. Rhinnëa sat between Rivera and Eyulf, Nellas was next to Rivera, Eldárwen next to her, and Zaq beyond her. Each plate in front of them was piled artistically with colorful vegetables and fruits and elegant goblets filled with faelnìrv sat ahead of the plates.

Rhinnëa hid a smile as Rivera moved Eldárwen and Nellas' goblets away from them and quietly requested water. She sighed, still sitting straight, and glanced around the room at the graceful folk surrounding them. Her eyes eventually wandered over her party, and it surprised her a little to find Eyulf quite cool and Zaq a little unnerved.

What a change! she thought to herself.

[Scars Mate]

Rivera kept her eyes low and tried not to draw attention to herself. She only ate what was next to her, to avoid having to speak with elves who disliked her. Her legs was bouncing under the table, her battle reflexes at the front of her mind, adrenaline pumping through her body. She didn't know why she was concerned- Nellas was safe, and Lyrea was protecting her. Paranoia was setting in.

'You look very nice, Rivera,' called the queen.

Oh, Gods, Rivera thought. And now it starts.

'You've matured greatly,' the queen continued, her expression unreadable, but she was trying to get Rivera to react and everyone knew it.

'Why, thank you!' Rivera said through gritted teeth.

'Cat got your tongue?' Asked the king, raising a goblet to his lips.

'I'm not entirely sure I understand what you mean,' She replied tersely, trying to stay calm.

'Oh, I think you do,' the king said loudly. By this point, everyone was listening in, but most elves were trying to keep up a facade.

'I don't.' Rivera said firmly.

'Well, you haven't said two words to any of us since you arrived,' he purred, leaning forward slightly.

'Well, I'm not exactly welcomed.'

'You insult our hospitality?' Hissed the queen.