Elden the Rider: Chapter One...

Chapter 1
Red Dragon, Red Love
When the world was young and time was new, when elves walked the ground and sang in the cities, I, Gwendollen, waited for the proper moment. When the dwarves mined out their massive cities of stone, I waited for the proper moment. When the humans came out alone, hungry and helpless, and built cities of wood and stone, I watched and waited for the proper moment. When the elves built the city of stone and iron and named it Ill-Vera, I knew that the time had come. I stole across the land, cloaked in air and darkness, and took two children, an elves girl and a human boy. I took them to my cave and raised them as my own. The boy was Elden, or Peacekeeper, and the girl’s name was Lëien, or Prophecy. They were great warriors and Riders. But Elden grew discontent. He wanted to unleash his rage upon the evil of this world, but Lëien would not allow him to. One day, he told her “You can’t stop me sister!” They fell upon each other, striking savage blows, until I sprang upon them, separating them. “You must not fight with each other! You balance each other, one never stronger than the other! Now stop before I unleash my rage upon you both!” They hung their heads and murmured “Yes, Mother.” I knew that it was time for them to receive their destiny. I lead them to a small cave in the back of my own. There, on a stone pedestal, stood two eggs: one white, reflecting light though there was none, and one black, seeming to absorb the darkness from the room. Lëien chose the white one, Elden the black.
The next day, the eggs hatched into two dragons. Elden named his dragon Vaníer, or Pride of Dragons, and Lëien named hers Anwind, or Walker of Wind. I told them, “There is unrest in the world. You must stop it. Anwind, Lëien, you must go to the elves city of Ill-Vear. Tell the queen that the Lost Daughter has returned. Elden, Vanier, you must find the sword that your “father” made for you. Find the sword in the lost woods and it will serve you. Now, go!”
They traveled until the sun was going down. They landed in a section of forest long abandoned by man. They set up camp, and then went to sleep. Elden did not sleep well. His dreams were chaotic. He dreamed he was riding on Vanier. His dragon was calling Danger! Danger, my Master! Black clouds filled the sky. A low, deep voice spoke to him, saying “You will fail, child. You think that the rusty old weapon you seek will defeat me? No, I have been rising far too long for that. Join me or perish!” Suddenly he was falling down, down and down and he...woke up. It was almost morning. Lëien was already awake and was preparing breakfast. They ate quickly, and then commenced flying again. It was eight moons later when they reached the city. Lëien went in to the queen and told her what I had told her to say. The queen was startled and told Lëien “Then you need the prophecy. Here it is:
‘Child of the Sun and Moon
When the world is at its darkest hour
Your help will be needed to stop utter destruction.
Find the last eight.’
This is the prophecy that has been passed on for many generations. You and your ‘Brother’ are two of the ten.”
Meanwhile, Elden was lost in the Shadow Woods. He had tried everything, from being methodical to following his senses but nothing worked. Suddenly, he stumbled upon a giant red dragon statue. On its back was a Rider with a red and blue sword. He was positive it was stone until he heard the Rider speak. “Hurry, you must find my gem! It is somewhere around here and it is red.” Elden looked and saw something glistening in the sunlight. He took it and the Rider and his dragon turned back into flesh. “Thank you. I have yet a debt of gratitude for you...what is your name? I never got around to asking.” “My name is Elden and I seek a sword from my father.” “Well, then you must be one of the nine spoken of in the prophecy.” the Rider said. “The sword is deep in the woods…or it used to be. Things change when you have been in stone for a while. My name is Lord Vardand and I am one of the ten. There are but seven more of us to find.” “Six” said Elden. The Rider raised his eyebrow. “My sister is one of them too.” “One of the most elite of our ranks is Lord Saramech. He is somewhere in Lake Ramonia. Get your ‘Sister’ and go there quickly.” Elden ran back through the woods. He came across the blade on the way. It was to the left of where he had entered.