The Girl With A Dragon

Introductions

Alina

“Cia, Alina! Come here, I’d like to formally introduce you to someone” said Cia’s mother as she waves us towards herself.

“May I introduce my daughter Princess Cia and her friend, Princess Alina.

Cia, Alina, meet Princess Emily and Princess Ava.”

As she says this, we curtsey to each other.

The youngest Ava is the first to speak.

“Thank you for inviting us! And Happy Birthday Princess Cia!”

“Oh, we’re all princesses here. Let’s drop the titles” says Cia with a smile.

“Oh, that sounds lovely, thank you. I apologize for our lateness. We had to run an errand for our father on the way here and it took longer than expected” said the older one Emily with an apologetic smile.

It is no problem!  These things happen” said Cia with a smile.

“Princess Alina, I’ve been meaning to make your acquaintance. May I ask some questions about your dragon taming?” said Princess Emily as she wraps an arm around my mine and we started to walk around the room together.

“Yes, of course, what are your questions?”

“My dragon seems to be a little too food motivated. She is too eager to head back to her cave when we’re working. I’m not sure what to do. I’ve tried asking my father for help, but he is too busy.”

“Your dragon didn’t come from your mother’s side?” I ask surprised.

“No, my mother was just a Duchess. My sister and I are the first daughters of our line to be born with a dragon. The first time with me, the whole kingdom was expecting another boy, but then I came. My room had to be repainted and my clothes remade. They were smarter with my little sister, and chose more neutral colors, just in case.”

“Oh my, that is interesting. As for your question, I had an issue with my dragon as well. When they are growing, they are extra hungry. So, I made an extra pack for my saddle and carried snacks in it.   When she stays on task, she gets a snack. For what it is worth, it is something that she will grow out of.” I say this with a half-smile.

“Oh good! It is so annoying…sometimes these dragons are so tame…other times she reminds me that she is a large stubborn creature in her own right.”

“Yes, that is something that I try to keep in mind with mine. They love and tolerate us, but they’re still a wild creature.”

“Alina dear! Will you join me over here? I’d like to make an introduction” said my mother as we headed in her direction.

My mother is my older twin. Both of us with almost white-blonde hair, green eyes that change with our mood.

“I see that you have met Princess Emily, good. I want to introduce you to his highness King Elric. King Elric may I introduce my daughter Princess Alina.”

As she says this, I curtsey to honor his station. I look up to see his blue eyes piercing me and a bright smile on his handsome face.

“…not a princess much longer mind you. Her coronation is in a few months” said my father with a proud smile.  

“Oh, I didn’t realize that the princess was engaged,” said a gentleman in their party that I hadn’t been introduced to.

“That’s because she isn’t engaged Sir Robert,” said my father with a furrowed brow.

“

“Not engaged…that’s…that’s… unheard of.”

“Yes indeed, but last time I checked she has been trained for leadership since before she could walk. The sons within our realm can lead without a partner, why can’t our daughters? Said my mother with a very direct tone.

“I uh, yes right. Times are changing I suppose.” Said Sir Robert with a red face.

“Princess Alina, would you like to dance?” blurted out King Elric quickly before the adults brought up another topic.

“Yes, I would thank you.”

King Elric takes my hand and leads me to the dance floor

“Thank you for your offer. I was this close to tell Sir Robert where he can put his old ideals”

Suddenly my face turns pink and I blush. I just realized how honest I just was with someone I had just met.

Elric sees my blush and chuckles before he says “ I like your honesty, it’s refreshing”

“ I well, …I’m glad that you find me refreshing” I stammer out.

We start dancing and this dance is slower and doesn’t involve changing partners. I realize then that I am nervous for the first time in a long time.

“You tame dragons, yet you blush so easily,” says King Elric with a slight smirk.

“Are you teasing me, your Highness?” I ask, somewhat surprised.

“Just a bit, and please just call me Elric. We’re already equals, even if the paperwork doesn’t say so “

“Okay Elric, I have a question. Have me met before?”

Elric stops smiling and looks like he is thinking this over.

“Yes, we have. We met as children. You and your dragon were so rambunctious and eager to fly.  Your parents needed a further distance for you two to fly to.  We were friendly territory.  We even had a guest room that we started jokingly calling your room. You would fly all that distance and sleep within our castle”

“That explains why you look so familiar! Why can’t I remember that?” I ask somewhat curious.

“You were quite young. Maybe five or six at the time”

“Oh well, maybe that is why,” I say back.

We finish our dance and Elric offers me his arm and we head outside to the garden. Torches have been placed everywhere and the night air is cool enough for a walk. Suddenly a thought dawns on me.

“Elric! You are the one that kept beating my royal scores by half a point. I would see your name at least once a month. Thank you for making my studies so frustrating”

“Ahh, so I see the royal scores did their job. Pitting us against each other, to beat each other, in our studies. If I remember correctly, when I finished, you beat me by half of percent, which bothered my father to no end. Since I was three years ahead of you. I didn’t care though.”   

“Did I? I didn’t catch it that time, to be honest”

Just then a Duke comes walking up to us.

“King Elric! I came to thank you and your sisters…

“Oh, there’s no need for that…” said Elric interrupting the guy.

“Of course, there is a need! If your dragons had not brought that water, then our western farms would still be in a drought. “

“Uh, you’re welcome then.”

Sir Robert bows and leaves.

“Your dragons brought water to our farms? How?” I ask generally curious.

“Our dragons are elemental.  Meaning that they can store water or fire. This isn’t the first time. It’s quite easy for them and it helps them to get more exercise. They’re less antsy if they can fly a further distance. “

“So, they just spray water? Fascinating!”

“Pretty much. It’s part of the reason why we were so late…although…..We wouldn’t have been so late if Emily’s dragon hadn’t tried to head home for food.”

“Oh no! Did her dragon do that mid-flight?”

Elric resumes smiling and laughs a bit “Yes she did, we ended up having to purchase a cow, and then head here.”

“Well for what it’s worth, my dragon did something similar around her age.”

“I’m sure mine did too. “said Elric while shaking his head.

Just then fireworks start going off in the dark night sky.

“Beautiful,” I say while observing the fireworks.

“I agree,” says Elric while looking at me and not the fireworks.