Andarin: The Mountains: I'll never let you down; Micah

Wish upon a shooting star;
For dreams and things that never are.

The forest was as becoming as ever, wrapped in the mystery of a new world and shrouded with the secrecy of its timeless passion. The golden mare still held the same innocence she had when she was a child. Perhaps it’s true that she’s not the mighty warrior that came into the forest-infested mountains with a prideful look on her beautiful face; no amount of pompous air surrounded her lithe, exquisitely made body. Instead, Courage’s entrance was like that of anyone else. There is nothing truly special about her, but there is something about her that is so entirely enticing, so utterly wonderful that captures the imagination and sends a joyous smile curving any lips. All around her, there are shadows that cast dark silhouettes across her magnificently stunning figure, but she paid it little attention. Instead, her bluish eyes settled onto the world around her. The water inside of her begged for the fire within to calm itself and keep itself from burning down the forest. Courage calmed each of them easily, and for once she felt rather alone considering she’d left Zeke at the ocean; this was no place for a cheetah. Then again, the ocean wasn’t exactly a suitable environment for a growing cheetah cub. That’s why she’d left Connor in charge of him. Her son was angry she had been stolen; he really was a lot like Kraots it seemed.

Courage thought of her home, of the corrupted Queen that sat on their throne, now the keeper of two shards. Solira was in great danger, and Alshain and Courage would work hard to keep it from falling. The worrying creases on her face continued to grow as she remembered their conversation; he would die for Saphira just as Courage would die for Kratos without a second thought. As the golden mare sighed and tossed her head, she watched a familiar figure looming ever closer to her. With a great upheaval of her fire and water as they leapt for joy at the recognition of the earthen stallion, Courage nearly had to do a double-take to see the traces of familiarity. Her water rushed in her veins and her fire made her chest hurt. She could hardly contain her excitement. And of course, who could blame her? Micah had been her first friend in Solira (and she’d secretly had a crush on him until he’d vanished). He had been there when Courage’s father had last been nice to her; when the hounds had attacked. But when Fantome rejected her in his next visit to Solira, wounding Courage with his rejection and exposing her to the derision of the world. It was something she would not ever forget, and Marshall had been there to pick up the pieces as he was the only one she’d told (Kratos, she was afraid, would kill him). But Courage is still the same, sweet filly Micah had found, though perhaps she is a little more capable of standing up for herself. She would still be the first to pledge to die for those she cared for (she already has pledged to die for Kratos). But as she greeted Micah, the smile on her face and look in her affectionate oceanic eyes is unmistakable.

”Micah,” she said, stepping forward and embracing him with their necks intertwined. Her eyes close, and for a moment it feels like everything will work out for the best: Saphira will be saved, Solira will prosper and the shards will be destroyed. She doesn’t know how, but she will die before anyone else gets hurt. ”I’ve missed you.” And then the embrace is over; her eyes open and she steps back. ”Micah, how have you been?” Tell her Micah. You may have changed in your personal image of yourself, but to Courage, you’ll always be the sweet stallion who found her on the beaches of Solira.

SE: C O U R A G E

Water III | Fire III

Nidor Nex

Greek Fire