Chapter 1
Dearest Arwen,
Mother came down with the Dragon Flu, unfortunately. We’re all now in our rooms. It's very boring. I think Mara now has come down with the Flu as well. Stay safe my love.
Love, Cagmus.
Arwen DeDrew sat on her bed reading the letter from home. How she missed her family. Though she didn't miss the flu. That was okay to miss. If only they knew what she was up to. She folded the letter up, put it in her drawer, and got out of bed. She heard a knock on the dorm room door, and she leaped out of bed to open it.
“Who is it?” She asked, looking through the crack in her door.
“Headmaster Barlowe,” The voice responded.
She quickly unlocked the door, and swung it open. Headmaster Barlowe was standing there dressed in her night robes.
“Miss Arwen,” she said, looking at her with a warm smile, “Another letter for you. This one was addressed from the southern dormitories.”
“Really?” she asked, finding it hard to believe that a boy would have written a letter to her that WASN’T her older brother.
“Mhm. Addressed from Cathal Montgomery,” she smiled, handing her the letter.
Arwen took the letter from her, and she turned swiftly down the hallway. She opened it, and took the letter from inside it. She unfolded it gently, and began to read it.
Dear lovely Arwen,
I hope you’re doing well. I miss you very much, more than I’d probably like to admit. Honestly, it's very boring since all the guys came down with the flu. I was wondering, since I'm the only one who doesn’t have the flu, would you care to join me for the Winter Ball on Sunday night? I would most enjoy your company.
Love from,
Cathal.
Arwen smiled at the letter, and ran over to her desk. She took out her special pen, and a sheet of paper, and began to write her letter response back.
Dear Cathal,
I would most love to be able to go to Winter Ball with you! I have been meaning to write to you for multiple days, but I have been busy with final exams, unfortunately. My apologies. I would love to.
Love,
Arwen.
If she's being honest, she loves Cathal Welinta. He's such a nice person. Her roommate, Clovis, came up to her and stole the letter off of her desk.
“Hey!” Arwen protested.
“Dear Lovely Arwen,” she started, as Arwen tried to take the letter out of her hand, but Clovis was too tall. She held the letter out of her reach.
“Would you care to join me for the WInter Ball? ARWEN!! OH MY GODS YESS!!” She cried, throwing her arms around her, “FINALLY!”
“Ow! Clovis! Too tight! Can’t breathe!” Arwen gasped, as Clovis let her go, “He’s just a friend!”
“He asked you to the ball! Are you going with him? Oh Arwen, please say yes!” She said excitedly, “I’ll help you get ready!”
“Yes I am,” she said, accepting defeat, “He’s a nice boy! Of course I’m going!”
“You like him don’t you?”
“No…”
“ARWEN DEDREW!!”
“FINE!”
Clovis clapped her hands, and took one of Arwen's hands in hers. She led her over to where her dress was laid out, and picked it up. It was a beautiful emerald green dress, with light green gems on the neck and hem.
“I was going to wear this, but since I haven’t been asked, and you have, you wear it. I have another one,” she said, handing it to her.
“Oh Clovis… I can’t wear this! This is your special dress,” Arwen said, “I can’t accept it.”
“Stop being modest, of course you can. I don’t know what you’re talking about, you’ll look ten times better than I would if I wore it. You don’t have to decide now, since it's time for prayer and meal, but after, you’re gonna try it on,” she demanded, grabbing her prayer scarf, “Now let’s go!”
They began the walk downstairs to the prayer circle. Arwen had a light blue scarf wrapped around the back of her head, covering her bun, but leaving a little bit out. Clovis, as she was older, covered her full head. Headmaster Barlowe and Assistant Headmaster Hart stood over the group of 200 girls all sitting in a circle, holding hands, and said the prayer before the night meal.
Arwen and Clovis walked together and sat down at their table. Arwen felt a light tap on her shoulder, and turned.
“CAGMUS!” She yelled, throwing her arms around her oldest brother, “What are you doing here?”
Cagmus held onto her tightly, and Arwen wasn’t stupid. Something was wrong with their mother.
“What happened to mother?” She asked, softly pulling away from him.
“She’s dying, Arwen,” Cagmus told her, stroking her face with his thumb, “It wasn’t the flu, it was something worse. It was a Dragon Bite.”
