Arthur sat by the lake for a little rest as he was slightly tired from the days ventures he whistled loudlyy and Mandrab flew down to him and perched on his shoulder and Arthur handed him some of what was left of his days rations. The bird then flew down and landed by his side and Arthur brought out his musical instrument and started to play letting his song carry away into the breeze. He sang," I'll sing along with a laugh in my heart and a song in my head, so the day will pass my way. I'll sing it long, I'll sing it loud, for the day to be so proud. With a laugh in my heart and a song in my head, so I won't be filled with dread. For the whole wide world needs a laugh in its heart and a song in its head". HE continued to play and soon the whole forsets seemed to sway with his melody.

Silence surrounded Shelendri. It flowed around her like the water she drifted in, soothing, gentle. She let herself float under the water, her mind completely empty. After a while she opened her eyes. The deep blue of the waters filled her sight, along with the silver flashes of fish. Smiling to herself, she did a slow somersault and then started kicking her way to the surface. Her head rose above the water and she took a deep breath air the salt smelling air. Pushing hair out of her face, she took another lung full in preparation to dive back down, when a sound stopped her. Frowning, she turned to shore in an attempt to decern what it was. It sounded like...singing. Intregued, she headed toward the shore. Climbing out of the water, she squeezed water out of her hair as she moved to her clothes and the towel she'd left. Once she was dry and clothed again, she went in search of the source of the singing.
Following the singing, she came across a blonde man. His back was to her, so she couldn't tell for sure if he was the one singing, but it sounded like it. She found it interesting that there was an eagle standing beside him, seeming to be listening to him. Shelendri smiled. Having her swim interupted was worth seeing this, and hearing the man's song.

As Arthur finished he heard something behind him and making sure not to make whoever was move to guickly moved his hand slowly to his sword and carefully brought it over to him and then took up his instrument again and sighed and said," So did you like the song or are you behind me because you think thats an easier side to attack from". He strummed his instrument while awaiting an answer.

Shelendri blinked and then moved to the man's side, oppisite to the eagle. "No, I'm not here to attack you. I just followed the song, and ended up behind you. It was a very nice song, by the way. The best I've heard in a while." A slight change came into her voice. The last time she'd heard anyone sing so well had been before she'd left home. She shook her head to clear her mind of such thoughts. She sat down. "I have to admit at being curious about your eagle. It seemed to be enjoying your song. I don't think I've ever seen one listen so intently to something."

Arthur looked up at the person behid him and noticed it was a girl he smiled and replied," You propably won't ever again, I found this bird hurt badly during one of my many ventures and so I took him in healed and sang to him as he got better, in the end he and I became friends and he likes my singing because it helped him get better". He patted the eagels head and he said," This is Mandrab and Iam Arthur and if I may ask who are you".

Shelendri smiled at the eagle. "Mandrab. That's an interesting name." She met Arthur's gaze. "I'm Shelendri. It's nice to meet you." She brought a knee up and rested her forearms on it. Her eyes showed her curiousity and interest. "I'm new to these lands. I've been exploring and I found this place. It's beautiful, isn't it?" Her gaze drifted toward the lake, and then back to his. Her wet hair moved in the breeze, drifting across her face. Pushing it back, she began to comb her fingers through it to work out any tangles. "What about you? Do you live near here, or were you just exploring, like me?"

Arthur smiled at her and said," I do not live near here, I have no home, but nor am I new to this forest. Me I come here sometimes to rest the woods soothe me because that is where I was raised, so I was not exploring but seeking a break from my daily reigme of moving from place to place". He chuckled slightly at what he said and went back to strumming his instrument.

Shelendri smiled, at his words and at him going back to playing his instrument. "There was a lake near the village I grew up in, so this place reminds me of home somewhat, too. Our farm was right beside it. My siblings and I would take our horses and swim with them. That's what my family does, breed horses." At least, that's what they'd done before her father had died and she'd left. She didn't know if they had gone back to it yet.
Runing her fingers through her hair again, she looked down at his intrument. "Where did you learn to play like that? It's beautiful."

Arthur smiled up at her and said," In a way I taught myself, but beyond that I would say my mother she could play beautiflly on any instrument". He sighed thinking back on his mother singing to him whe he was young. He then said," Ofcourse I also learned from some bards in my travels, I can play alot of tunes and many I have made up, you see when Iam not doing my regular job, I am a performer and that gets me what I need sometimes".

Her eyes showed her interest and curiousity. 'So, you're a performer? Wait, you said that you're a performer when you're not doing your regular job. What do you do? I'm a stable master, though I haven't found a stable to work at yet. I'm also a Druid. I've been finding that more useful here than I did at home. It's strange how new places can bring your skills into new context." She shrugged and smiled. Finishing combing her fingers through her hair, she lent her forearms against her knee again. She considered putting her hair in a braid, but decided to wait until it was dry. If she didn't, it would be full of kinks when she let it loose again.

Arthur smiled and said," Iam an Evil Dragon Slayer and that keeps me pretty busy most of the time because there are alot of Evil Dragons but when their not active I perform". He chcukled at her and said," A druid eh can't say I have met many of them".

Sheldnri grinned. "And I've never met a person who slays evil dragons before. It must be a very dangerous. Do you enjoy it?" She tilted her head to the side, a move she often made when she was interested. Then the thought occured to her that the next time she shape shifted into a dragon, she'd have to be careful to let anyone in the area know she was a good dragon. Her eyes began slightly pensive. "How do you know a dragon is evil? I mean, do you know by looking at them, or do you only hunt down ones that cause trouble?"

Arthur chuckled at her questions and he said," All dragons cause trouble milady, usually they do anyway." He then continued by saying," I usually ask before entering the dragons cave if that doesn't work I use my Dragonsong to force him to tell me and thats how I find out". He then said," I woudn't say I enjoy killing them more that I enjoy the honor of fighting them, no one should enjoy killing".

Shelendri felt releaved. No dragon slayer was going to mistake her dragon form for an evil dragon. She nodded to him. "You're right. No one should enjoy killing, especially such a magnificent creature as a dragon. And you have Dragonsong? That must be useful. I don't have any spells like that. Though I do have this." Placing her hand on the ground, she used her phaze ability to send it down into the dirty and then pull it back out. And she didn't even get her hand dirty. She smiled at Arthur. "That can be useful, as well."

Arthur smiled and said," Yes it does seem useful, you must be some sort of magican or something, I have seen only them with that ability though I could learn it if I tried". He chuckled thinking how easy that would make hsi dragon slaying. He then said," Dragonsong does make things more useful but luckily for me I odn't have to use it often, I find it disohnorable to kill a dragon with Dragonsong to easy and no glory in it".

She nodded. "You're right. It is dishonourable to kill a dragon using Dragonsong." Honour was important to her. Her parents had taught her that to have no honour was to have nothing. And the man who had killed her father had had no honour, as her father had been unarmed aside for his dagger. Those who acted without honour were less than nothing in her mind. She was glad that this man did hold to honour.
Shelendri met Arthur's gaze. "I'm glad you hold to honour. Those who have no honour have nothing. But any road, the ability to phaze through objects isn't that hard to learn. Other magics can be, but that's rather simple. And you don't even have to use words or motions to invoce it. Once you learn it, it's an ability rather than a spell." A wry smile crossed her face. "Though, it doesn't help you avoid getting hit. Unless you have something behind you you can phaze through, that is."

Arthur laughed and said," True enough, but that iswhere skill comes in, when one cannot use the powers that would help him, he must use instinct and skill, that is a Dragons way of doing it and that is my way". He liked this girl she was rather fun to talk to.

Shelendri nodded, smiling slightly. "I know what it is to use instinct. And, in a way, a know some of the ways of dragons." Her gaze moved away from his. She liked this man, and if she wanted him to be her friend, shed have to tell him about her other ability. Her gaze returned to his. "I know some of their ways because I can become one. I'm a shape shifter. I do use the form of a dragon, more so now than I ever did in the past. That's why I asked you how you told evil dragons apart from other dragons. So that I know what not to do so that dragon slayers don't come after me." She shrugged, her expresion somewhat tentitive. She'd had a range of reactions from people when they were told or found out that she was a shifter. She just hoped Arthur's was a good reaction.

Arthr wasn't a bit suprised the girl told him was a shapeshifter the reason he had met many beofre and knew what their capabilities were. He said," That would explain that question, but it takes more than taking their form to understand them, being of their blood there are somethings about them that I still don't know or uderstan thats why Iam waiting for this to hatch". He took out a steel stone and said," Do you know what this is, its a dragons egg I found it about two days back, its close to hatching and with it I hope to have better understanding of my people".

Shelendri looked down at the egg, curious and amazed to be seeing one. "A Dragon's egg, amazing. It must have been difficult yo find. Mother dragons guard their brood fiercely." She wanted to reach out of touch it, but kept her hand in her lap. After all, the infant dragon inside might not like strangers touching its egg. She lifted her gaze to Arthur's. "What kind of dragon is it? And where did you find it? It's mother might be looking for it." The idea of an angry mother dragon swooping down from the skys to retrieve her young worried Shelendri. After all, if it had been her egg, she would have gone looking for it and would have sought retribution from the one who had stolen it.

Arthru smield at her questions and sadi," Its a Steel Dragons Egg, the mother won't go looking ofr it, because when I found it this egg had long been abandoned, I'd say about 2 to three weeks, a Dragon e\never levees there nest for not long at least no dragon I know, I searched for the whereabouts of the mother what I found, was a dead dragon femlae by the looks, she was killed in a fight with another dragon, so I took it to raise it, half-dragons and dragons have only care for their kith and kin Iam the same so I took the egg to protect it and raise it". All this was true and more with this egg he would have the ultimate ally a son of his raising if people would.

Shelendri felt sad for the unhatched dragon. The poor thing, to loose it's mother before having the chance to know her. But at least it had Arthur now, and she had a feeling he would take good care of the dragon. She smiled sadly at Arthur. "It's sad it lost its mother, but at least it has you. And you'll take good care of it." Unable to resist any longer, she reached out and laid her hand on the egg. It felt smooth and she got a sense of magic and something...more. Smiling softly, she spoke in the ancient language of her homeland. "Blessed be, little one. I wish for you a happy life." Removing her hand, she smiled at Arthur. "I'm sure he'll be happy with you."

Arthur just smiled and said," Hopefully he will, and hopefully I haven't forgotten my fathers teachings on his kind". He smiled slightly it had been a logn time since he had thought back on his father. He wondered what the old dragon was up to. Sometimes he wondered why he had ever ventured this far from his home. He laid the egg down and again began to play another melody to soothe himself. He then said," I haven't talked like this to anyone in awhile and yet it feel that I have know you for longer than I would have thought, its kind of interesting really".

She nodded, enjoying the music he was playing. "Yes, I feel the same. I have experienced it before a few times, but it surprises my each time." She sighed softly, her mind turned to her own father by his words. The ache of missing him was a constant thing, never ceasing and always just as sharp. While the pain his death had caused in her heart was slowly getting better with time, the missing of him stayed the same. Time was blurring a few of her memories of him, but the imortant ones, like the sound of his voice, were just as sharp as ever. The sound of his voice and his love were two things she would always keep close to her heart. And the fact that whenever she looked at her own reflection, his eyes and other things about his face where right there, on her own face.
She brought herslef back to the present. "You spoke of your father. It sounds like you miss him. I miss my father, very much." She sighed again. "He died, last year."

Arthur listned to the girl and replied," Iam sorry for your loss, yes I miss my father I have not seen him for 6 years, of course he is probably as vibrant as ever knowing that old Dragon, he is where my dragon came from". He smiled and sighed sadly wondering how they were doing now back home. He then said,' Of course I do intened to go back home somdeday but not before I claim what is mine".

Shelendri's gaze shot back to his and her eyes were filled with amazement. "Your father's a dragon? That's, well, amazing. I've never met a half-dragon before. What's it like?" Then she laughed at herself. "Sorry, my curiousity got the better of me. I don't mean to be rude. I just have a very large curiousity for things. It does get me into trouble sometimes, but luckly not a lot." She would have liked to have her question answered, but seeing as just blurting it out like that was rude, she would understand if he didn't. She was really going to have to make more of an effort to keep her curiousity in line. Later.

Arthur just smiled and said." I don't mind the questions some people just want to judge by what Iam before knowing more about me, comes with what iam I guess." He smiled and sadi," What its like, its like feeling a freedom one would never have before experienced, it feels powerful, untouchable, everlasting, and exhilirating. In my Dragon Form I feel invincible as if I cannot be touched in battle, in the end being what Iam seems worth everything".

Shelendri smiled at his description. What a wonder it must be. What she experienced when she shape shifted into a dragon must be nothing to having the dragon in your blood. To have the dragon as part of you, it must be truely amazing.
She brushed back the hair that had blown into her face. "When I shape shift into a dragon, I love the freedom of being able to fly. There's nothing like it. When I first started using my ability, I considered staying in the form of a winged creature. But there are good things about human form, as my mother reminded me." Her eyes laughed as she remember the conversation she had had with her mother about it.

Arthur smiled at the girl and said," True enough, freedom is a feeling that I like, of course the only downfall is people have no understanding of me they think me vicous not all dragons are vicous digenerate beasts". He sighed and said," I like being in my human form myself its alot easier to be accepted in it and also not many people are able to tell of what I am of course, one could also tell I am no purebreed human". He chuckled at that his features were slightly different more agnled and dragon like but still not enough for him not to be good looking.

Shelendri smiled at him. "I don't mind at all that you're half-dragon. And you have a nice face." She lifted a hand to her hair to check how dry it was and started braiding it. "I think it's silly how people always jump to conclusions. Take me, for instance. Some people, when they hear I'm a shape shifter, distrust me and want nothing to do with me. They don't take the time to get to know me." She sighed softly. "Here, though, I've been fairly lucky. Most everyone I've met has been nice and hasn't turned me away after finding out what I am." Because of her own experiences, she had decided at a young age to take people for who they were, not what they were.

Arthur smiled at her and said," I thank you miss, you are the finest person I have met as well". He laughed at himself and said," If only I were as lucky as you, I maybe accepted by my own kind Dragons and Half-dragons, humans and others are diffrent, though I guess that is why Iam on my ongoing quest to get back what was taken from my family, one was lost the other taken". He lost his smile he wondered where the next clue would lead him.

Her gaze sharpened with interest. "Something was taken from your family? I'm interested because my father's killer took something from him after killing him. A dagger. I've been searching for it, as it has been in my father's family for generations. It was supposed to come to me, for my twenty-fifth birthday." She sighed softly. "If I can find it, then I hope I'll be able to find my father's killer. I have a few thin leads, but I don't feel like I'm getting any closer." She shrugged and tied the end of her braid off with a leather thong and placed the spring flower Corinne had given her through it. Flipping her hair over her shoulder, she considered Arthur. "Maybe I could help you in your quest? I'd like to, and you never know, helping you might lead me to more clues in my own quest."

Arthur laughed and said," My friend it would take an Army to get back what is mine, plus the will of the gods, what was mine was a Kingdom long in legend, Iam sure you have heard the tales of King Arthur and The Knights of The Round Table, well they are all true for I am one of his last living decendants besides that of my mother and her brothers which I doubt still live. You see why I say it would take an army because I intend to take back his kingdom but before that can happen I muat have the sword Excalibur an heirloom lost since his death." Arthur sighed he doubted she would believe him a decendant of that great king but then again he was named after him and his father was a friend of Arthur so it was his kingdom by right.

Shelendri's eyes widened and the stories her mother and grandfather had told her as a child raced through her mind. Arthur, the king of legend. And here was his direct decendant, sitting across from her. So, the tales and promises her grandfather had told her of were true, or to come true.
She leaned closer. "I do believe you. My grandfather and mother told me many stories of the great Arthur Pendragon as a child. Also, my grandfather told me of a promise my ancestor made to him. You see, Arthur Pendragon saved the life of my ancestor's only son and so pledged to him that should he or any of his decendants have need of help, that he or his own decendants would give it. Then the clan that came from him moved to the country of Éirinn, where they still live today. My grandfather, Cayden Ó Braonain, is the leader of the clan now. If you went to him, he'd help you. And as his children have married into a number of the nearby clans, he'd be able to call on them as well. So, you have an army, if you want it, that is." She sat back. Well, wasn't this interesting. No wonder she'd felt an instant closeness to him. It was deep in her blood to offer aid to any decendant of Arthur Pendragon, and here was one of the last surviving decendant. The promise made by her ancestor bound her just as much as any member of her family. Not that she minded.

Arthur looked at the girl in suprise he had no idea there still lived any who held loyalty to his ancestor. He said," Now that is interesting, then it seems lucky that we have meet". He wondered at what he had just heardand he said," Maybe you can help me in my quest but it takes many clues, many hints and rumours to find the sword, I would not ask of you domethign you could ot do". He sighed at her and said," In the end if I ever neeed help I will call on you and your family, bt for now I just iwsh to sit and think". He smiled at her and began to play his instrument again.

Shelendri nodded, content to just sit and listen to him play. If he called on her for help, that for him to decide. Whether he did or not didn't really bother her. She'd done her duty in offering the clan's help, and now she could just enjoy his company. She was sure a number of her cousins would have been dissapointed by his responce, as they were like their grandfather and liked doing things now, if not sooner. Shelendri was like her mother, patient enough when things matter. Of course, she wouldn't want to wait forever, but she was happy enough to wait for now.
Listening to Arthur play, she began to hum along. The song reminded her of a song her sister loved playing. Shelendri herself wasn't very good at playing music, but she did enjoy listening to it.

Arthur sighed as he finished. He needed something more to do, he needed to be on the move. He finally said," I must be leaving soon, I have come and recived the calm I wished for". Arthur looked up at her and sighed once more. He finally stood up and gathered his things together. Mandrab knowing his master wished to leave flew up into the tree and Arthur saud," It was fun while it lasted, I hope that I see you again, if you ever have need of me just call and I shall come". HE walked away and waved good bye leaving the girl standing by the tree.

(soorry for ending this but I could not think on anymore to say, if you want to be my characers IC friend you can)

OOC: I don't mind. I couldn't really think of anything to do with this thread either. And I'd like our charries to be IC friends.