The Dragon Princess

Goodbye

I walk slowly, knowing that this will be my last time to walk this path, at least with the same meaning. The night air doesn't bite the same, the moon doesn't shine as bright, even the sound of the running water doesn't soothe me in the way it always has. There is nobody around, I'm not even sure what time it is. I am alone. I sit by the river, dipping my fingers into the cold water, watching the movement of the stream. I envy that water. So wild and flowing, it is free to move, to change, always striving forward to another destination. I could walk into that river, allow it to carry me down stream. It's tempting, but I'm not daring enough. I came here for another reason; Caspian. Though we had no plans, I am hoping that he would have had the same thought as me. If he doesn't come tonight, we won't be able to say goodbye. And though it won't be easy, no goodbye is worse than the hardest one. 

What feels like hours pass, and I am about to give up, retire to the warmth of my bed, but a movement stops me. A shadow, the flapping of wings. A dragon. I stand up, ready to run if I need to, not that I would have any chance of outrunning a dragon. As it gets closer to me, I see a figure upon its back. And when the moonlight hits the dragon's scales, revealing its emerald green colour, I know who it is. There is only one dragon in our Kingdom with such colouring. Green scales and eyes, just like his master, Caspian. 

The large dragon flies over my head and lands abruptly on the sand behind me. A gush of air releases from his mouth, warming me. Xan is a beautiful dragon, one that I have only seen from a distance. To be this close to another dragon, I am lucky. They will never cease to amaze me. 

"Ella!" Calls Caspian, jumping down from his beast's back. "I'm so glad you're here." 

"I was just about to leave, I didn't think you were going to come." 

"Of course I would, it just took me a little longer to leave. My parents have been up all night, lecturing me about this damn contest, giving me advice like I actually want to win it." He scoffs. 

"Are you leaving in the morning too?"

He hesitates, looking down at the ground.

"Yes. I don't want to leave so soon... at all, but apparently all the contestants must leave at first light."

I sob loudly, the reality of it all hitting me like a ton of bricks. Caspian wraps me in his arms and holds me for the longest time. I soak up his smell, his touch. I will miss this. I will miss him more than anything. 

"I don't want to leave you, my beautiful Ella. Come with me? We can be together in Zore."

"No, we can't. What shall I do there, Caspian? While you're playing happy families in the Palace, where would I be? I would have no place to go, no money to buy food..."

"I will look after you."

"You will be busy, Caspian. It's not your fault, it's just the truth. Maybe you will fall in love with one of the Princesses and forget all about me."

"Never! Don't say such things. I could never do that, I could never forget about you. My heart belongs to you, Ella. Always and forever." 

"Always and forever." I smile through my tears. 

In a wave of sorrow and love, we fall to the sand, our bodies entangled as one as we make love for possibly the last time. It's wild and rough, then soft and gentle. Our bodies say what we cannot, exchanging our energies, hoping that one day they will be reunited. 

With Xan standing guard, we lay on the sand for as long as we can, wrapped in each others' arms. Only when the black sky begins to brighten do we move to go our separate ways. There's just one problem; neither of us wants to make the first move, say the first goodbye. If we could stretch time we would, but we can't.

"I never got to give you your gift last night. I hope it's not too crude, but after last night with Alexander, and the King's announcement today, I think it is the perfect gift. I hope you'll like it."

Caspian walks over to Xan, rustling in a satchel that is attached to the dragon's back. I stand up from the sand, curious about what he got me. In his hands is a leather holster, black with green embroidery on it. From the holster, Caspian pulls out a small dagger. It has an emerald green handle and a sharp silver blade. A surprising gift indeed.

"I know it might not be the most beautiful gift, but I want you to be able to protect yourself, Ella."

I take the dagger from him and test its weight in my hands. It is lighter than I expected, but as I run the blade, I have no doubt that it could cause some damage if needed.

"Thank you, Caspian. It's very thoughtful."

Caspian takes the dagger back from me, putting it in its holster and showing me how it wraps around my thigh. Not the most convenient place, I think, but better than having no weapon... should I need one. 

"I should have told my parents about us a long time ago." Sighs Caspian. 

"It wouldn't have mattered. They would have sent you away anyway, or worse, punished you. Nothing can change what is, Caspian.'

"I promise, Ella, that I will return to you. And when I do, no punishment will be severe enough to keep me from you. I will steal and beg if I have to. Me and you...we will have our time, the life we deserve, together." 

"I will be waiting for you. I love you, Caspian. Be careful over there, okay."

"I love you too. I'll be thinking of you every moment of every day." 

One more lingering kiss, and I turn away from Caspian. I can't look at him as I walk away. It will only make it harder, I might not be able to leave at all. I walk quickly through the sand, the tears falling quickly from my eyes. There goes my heart, shattering into a million pieces while the one who holds it is being sent away. 

I am about to reach the Manor when I hear the flapping of wings. I turn and look to the sky, expecting to see Xan and Caspian flying away, but it's not them. They have already left and are nowhere to be seen. This dragon has no master on its back which isn't the best sign. That means there's nobody here to stop it from attacking me. I walk backwards, never taking my eyes off the huge creature that is circling me from above. What does it want from me? 

I think about screaming and running, but I would never get inside before the dragon could pick me up with its claw. My screaming could be muted in less than a second with a douse of its flames. So I do the only other thing I can, I freeze. I stand as still as possible, thinking that if it is just a dragon wandering the skies, it might get bored and leave me alone. But it doesn't. It watches me from above, its body gliding effortlessly in circles. As the sun begins to rise, the dragon begins to descend. A small yelp escapes my mouth. I cover it with my hand. 

As it lands before me, walking even closer, I feel dizzy. I might even faint from the turmoil of the past two days. The sun bounces of the dragon, blinding me before I can focus again. Blue eyes, so bright that they almost look white. Silver scales, so shiny and smooth that they look like steel. That's when I recognise the dragon. I have seen it many, many times, but only in my dreams. This time, a loud gasp escapes me. 

Suddenly, the feeling of fear is gone. In its place, a sense of knowing and familiarity. There is no hostility coming from the dragon. It tilts its head, looking at me with curiosity and intrigue. Lowering its head, it sniffs me, then gently nudges my stomach. I don't know what it wants from me. I do the only thing that comes to mind, the only thing that feels natural. I reach out my hand, and unlike in my dream, I make contact with the dragon. My whole body feels like it is vibrating, adrenaline pumping through my veins rapidly. 

I laugh, astonished that this is real. My dream is literally coming true. Or am I dreaming? 

"Hi." I whisper. 

The dragon releases a low growl that sounds more like a purr. It gestures its head towards its back. I frown and the dragon notices my confusion. Again, it gestures its head to its back, its large wings twitching slightly. Does it really want me to ride on its back? Only a dragon's master can do such a thing. Never before has someone ridden a dragon that wasn't theirs, except the rebels of course. And those dragons are proof enough as to why a dragon should only ever live by their masters. 

Some noise sounds from the Manor behind me. I completely forgot that Konan and Kaira would be leaving at first light. They're probably going to be leaving soon. If I am caught out here with this dragon, lord knows what will happen. 

"I'm sorry, but I have to go." I say to the dragon, hoping it will understand. 

I turn towards the Manor but don't get far. The dragon growls again, louder this time. Wrapping its tail around my body, it pulls me closer. Another growl. 

"You want me to ride you?"

A low growl. 

"I am not your master, I can't. If I am found out here I will be in a lot of trouble." 

An impatient growl. 

Nudging me with its snout, the dragon pushes me towards its shoulder. I flatten my palms against its scales, debating on whether or not to try this. It might kill me if I am misunderstanding what it wants. Placing one foot on the dragons shoulder, I wait to see its reaction. It huffs in a way that reminds me of Vlad. The back door to the Manor opens and we both glance back.

"Ella? What on earth..." Cecilia screams. 

With some help from the dragon, I am sitting on its back. The silver scales are the only thing I have to hold onto. I grip them as tight as I can, holding on for dear life. Cecilia is manic, running in and out of the Manor screaming. Before anyone else arrives though, the dragon flaps its large wings and we shoot up into the sky.