Winterfall

After an hour had passed we got dressed and unlocked the door of the room before we left. Théoden cast the spell teleport and teleported us back to the castle. Just on the inside of the kitchen.

“See you in a few minutes Maria.” Théoden quickly gave me a hug before he parted to his room down the hall from the kitchen.

I walked back up to my room and locked my bedroom door behind me. I quickly got undressed and slipped on Théoden's shirt and curled up underneath my covers.

Within minutes I was passed out and entered our dream escape. Théoden was already there too. Hell, our late night activities must have worn the both of us out.

“Didn’t take long for you to pass out tonight.” I teased as I walked over to him and gave him a hug.

“Like I said, you wore me out.” He kissed me softly on my lips.

I blushed, “you did most of the work.”

He rolled his eyes, “whatever you say Maria”

“So…” I said changing the topic of the conversation, “are you ready to take flight over the ocean?”

We both stood, gazing at the ocean as its waves crashed against the rugged shoreline, sending up a fine spray that glittered in the sunlight. His voice broke the rhythm of the waves, filled with a hint of playful confidence. “I’m always up for a good flight,” he said, his smile as warm as the sun overhead. “You need to step a few feet back.”

I nodded, understanding the need for caution. I moved back five or ten feet, aware that his draconic form would be enormous.

A deep, resonant crackling filled the air as his body began to shift. The transformation was a magnificent spectacle, bones and sinew rearranging with a series of audible pops and cracks. His sleek elven figure seemed to dissolve into a shimmering silver mist, which then coalesced into a towering dragon.

His draconic form was awe-inspiring. His wings unfurled, stretching out with an almost ethereal grace, casting large, shifting shadows over the landscape. Each wingbeat stirred the air with a powerful whoosh, sending a cascade of ocean spray in every direction. His talons, sharp and gleaming, dug into the rocky ground as he adjusted his stance.

The transformation always left me in a state of wonder. The sheer scale of his dragon form, with its scales gleaming like liquid mercury, contrasted starkly with the elegant, agile elven form he had shed. As he flexed his wings, preparing for takeoff, I could only stand in awe at the seamless blend of strength and grace that defined both of his forms.

He spoke in a blend of Common and Draconic, his voice a deep, resonant rumble that carried an undertone of ancient magic. “Going to hop on?” His blue eyes, glinting with a captivating light in the moon's silvery glow, met mine with a playful glimmer. His massive form radiated a cool, frosty aura that contrasted with the warm night air.

“Of course!” I replied, my voice tinged with excitement.

Théoden extended his draconic hand towards me, the massive, scaled appendage curving gracefully as it offered support. I carefully settled myself into his palm, feeling the texture of his cool, metallic scales against my skin. With a gentle but deliberate motion, he lifted me up towards his back. The sensation was both exhilarating and comforting.

As he raised me to his back, I positioned myself for the jump. I leaped from his hand, the brief moment of weightlessness heightening my anticipation. Landing smoothly on his back, I maneuvered myself into the natural dip of his neck, finding a secure spot between the ridges of his scales. I wrapped my arms tightly around his neck, my fingers gripping the cool, smooth surface of his scales for stability.

The dragon's powerful muscles shifted beneath me as he prepared for flight, and I could feel the subtle vibrations of his movements.

Telepathically I communicated, let’s lift off.

His wings began to beat with powerful, rhythmic thrusts, sending a whirlwind of sand and seawater swirling into the air. As we lifted off, ascending about ten feet above the beach, the sensation of weightlessness combined with the rush of the wind was exhilarating. Théoden veered in the direction of the full moon, its luminous glow casting a silver path across the darkened sky.

Each flap of his colossal wings carried us higher and farther from the beach, and I felt a rush of exhilaration with every new view of the land below. The rocky outcroppings and crashing waves seemed to blur into a stunning mosaic as we soared upward. Each twist and turn of his flight sent a thrilling jolt through my body, heightening my sense of freedom and adventure.

I could feel Théoden’s endurance kick in as he adjusted his flight. His powerful muscles, honed from countless flights, drove him to press harder and faster. The wind howled around us, the speed of our ascent increasing with each beat of his wings. The dragon’s agility was remarkable, effortlessly navigating the night sky with a grace that belied his size.

Can I do a drop? Théoden questioned me through the bond.

Yes!

As we soared higher into the sky, Théoden prepared for one of his signature maneuvers. He angled his massive wings to catch the air more efficiently, pushing himself upward with a powerful thrust. The sensation was like a brief, thrilling pause, the world below shrinking as we reached the apex of our ascent.

Then, with a sudden and exhilarating drop, Théoden began to descend rapidly toward the ocean. The rush of air intensified, and the roar of the wind filled my ears as we plummeted with increasing speed. The ocean below seemed to rush up to meet us, its surface a gleaming expanse of darkness under the moonlight.

Water or no water?

He quickly asked through the bond.

Water!

Within seconds of my response, Théoden’s massive body collided with the water, sending a colossal splash into the ocean. We were thrust into the depths, rapidly descending through the dark, frothy waves. The water enveloped us, and we plunged deeper and deeper—five, ten, fifteen, twenty feet—before I gave a gentle kick to his side, signaling my need for air.

As we descended, the underwater world revealed itself in all its vibrant glory. The water was a clear, crystalline blue, offering a breathtaking view of the ocean’s hidden wonders. Schools of fish darted around us, their scales shimmering like living jewels in the filtered sunlight. Each species seemed to move with its own unique rhythm, creating a fluid ballet of color and motion.

The ocean floor was a mesmerizing tapestry of textures and colors. Coral reefs spread out like intricate, underwater gardens, their vibrant hues of pink, orange, and purple contrasting against the deep blue of the water. Anemones swayed gently with the currents, their tentacles reaching out in delicate, rhythmic pulses. Seaweed and other oceanic plants created a lush, waving forest, their long tendrils undulating gracefully in the water.

We got all of that beauty in the brief seconds we were underneath the water. We never reached the bottom of the ocean but the view we got of the ocean bottom was nonetheless breathtaking.

Just as fast as he entered we exited the water. My hair dripped with salt water and he glanced back in my direction, continue the flight or do you want to dry off?

Continue a bit longer dear. I am fine.

He adjusted his wings and soared back toward the full moon, its light casting a silvery sheen over our path. As we climbed higher, Théoden began to push his limits, his powerful wings beating with increased intensity. The thrill of speed surged through us, the wind roaring in our ears as we cut through the night sky with ever greater velocity. The world below became a blur of shadow and light, the ocean's surface shimmering faintly in the distance.

For ten more exhilarating minutes, we flew with unrestrained speed, the sensation of flight reaching its peak. Théoden’s endurance was remarkable; he maintained an impressive pace, the air rushing past us with a force that was both thrilling and exhilarating. Each beat of his wings propelled us forward, cutting through the cool night air as we soared ever faster.

As the excitement of the high-speed flight began to blend with the need for a return, I gave a gentle kick to his side, signaling that it was time to head back to shore. Théoden responded immediately, his powerful muscles tensing as he adjusted his trajectory. With a graceful turn, he began to descend, altering our course back toward the beach.

The descent was smooth and controlled, the speed gradually decreasing as we neared the familiar stretch of coastline. The once-rapid pace of our flight transformed into a gentle glide, allowing us to savor the last moments of the night sky before touching down. As we approached the shore, the sense of exhilaration gave way to a serene satisfaction, marking the end of a breathtaking journey through the night.

It took us thirty minutes to get back to the shore and by then I was dried off. I hopped off his back once he was fully on the ground. I stepped back ten feet to allow him to shift back into his elven form. “Thank you for that Maria.” He walked over to me and hugged me tightly.

“You know I enjoyed that just as much as you do.” I said as I wrapped my own arms around his frame.

“As my rider, I'd hope you did.” Theoden said as a grin fell on his face.

“If I ever stop enjoying our flights, then question me if I am alright.”

“Noted.”

He kissed me gently on the lips. “I think I will be ending this dream a bit early tonight Maria.”

“Still exhausted from earlier?” I teased.

“Very. Not only that but I want us to get plenty of sleep. Tomorrow I want to test out that ring of yours.”

I felt my eyes go wide, “already?”

“Yes Maria, look at its charge.”

We both glanced down at the ring and saw that the gems were half gleaming with power. Each gem seemed to pulse with its own inner light, casting an enchanting, multifaceted glow that danced across the surface of the ring. The gems appeared not to be fully charged, however I had a feeling that didn’t mean that they wouldn’t pack a punch.

“Are you sure it is a good idea?”

“Yes. It will be fine Maria, I promise.” He kissed my lips for reassurance. “We both can heal. We both will live.”

“Alright. When we wake we will train.” I sighed as I caved into him.