"Alright, come on, but if you get knocked to the ground by overexuberant dragon hatchlings again, don't blame me." He says as the falcon flits onto his shoulder.
A short while later, Ru finds himself waiting on the hatching sands with the other candidates. A sour look pasted on his face, he keeps as far away from the eggs and the other candidates as he can, simultaneously dreading the hatching of the eggs, and wishing it is over so he can leave again.
The first egg splits apart, revealing a perfectly formed little green hatchling. Ru makes a face as the hatchling introduces herself to her rider as Iroseth.
Two more eggs hatch at once, one exploding to reveal a solid brown male, while the other falls apart around another green dragon. The green finds her rider quickly, but Ru concentrates on not drawing the brown's attention. The sturdy hatchling has not yet chosen a rider, he appears to be considering the candidates carefully. Despite Ru's silent chant of 'Not me. Not me.', he feels the brown's voice enter his mind.
Why not you? The dragon asks curiously. We could be good, you and I, but you are not the one. There is another waiting for you, Ru. Ru breaths a sigh of relief as the hatchling turns to the other male candidate and forges the bond. He finds himself shaking as another egg hatches, and a green dragon crawls out and runs to her rider, and Ru tries to ignore it as best he can. Finally, there is only Ru and the final egg yet to hatch. He is dumbfounded. Perhaps the egg won't hatch after all. Then he will be free. Free to travel again and live the life he's loved, and will never have to confront this pain again.
He has already made up his mind, and begins to walk away, but he is stopped by a cry from behind him. He turns. A brown hatchling, with skin the color of fresh klah, stands on weak legs, looking at him imploringly. He can't stop the hatchling's voice in his mind, much as he may try.
Ru, do not leave me. I know you are hurt and sad and angry. I can make it better. Please, I am Oroth. Come back, please come back. I just want you to love me like you love your bird. I will fly like he does. I will love you, and I will stay.
For once in his life, Ru's resolve falters. He can feel the love emanating from this hatchling, and he recognizes the feel of the bond the dragon wants to connect with him. It is not the same as the bond he had with Xanoth. That was a rush of the hyperactivity and giddiness that characterized Xanoth in his young life. This is calmer, steadier, deeper. He knows that this dragon comprehends his pain, his bitterness, his anger, and understands his past, and he is willing to accept all of it as part of Ru. It is no less powerful than the bond he shared with Xanoth, nor is it any more powerful. Simply diffferent.
Oroth makes no move, and Ru understands that he is waiting for Ru's acceptance, but Ru also knows that if he does not accept, this dragon will die rather than take another rider. He will not be responsible for the death of another dragon. There is no contest.
With a slight nod of his head, he accepts, and Oroth finishes the connection that will bind them together for all eternity.
