The Princess and the Dragon
Once upon a time, there was a princess who lived in a large castle. While there was no person in sight, she was not lonely, for the castle was guarded by an enormous and terrifying dragon. When people saw the dragon, in fright, they would turn around and run away, but not the princess. She adored the dragon. Every day, they would talk, play games, and eat large bountiful meals together. Anyone who looked closely could see they were the greatest of friends.
Of course, they both had one common dread which was the day the princess would be taken away by a knight who would battle the dragon to the death. They did not try to think of it though. Instead, they enjoyed the long days they spent in the sun. They flew through the skies, and across the meadows surrounding the castle as they laughed.
One night, after a long day of fun, the princess was laying in bed and pondering as one does. She tossed and she turned, trying to rest but the same thought consumed her mind. Why couldn’t the dragon just fly away? Why could they not just leave this place and never face the fate which awaited them. She decided to ask the dragon these questions tomorrow, then she cleared her mind and fell fast asleep.
The next morning, the princess rose from her bed and walked over to the window where she always said good morning to her dragon. She scanned the skies and looked for the massive, winged creature, but she could not find him. As she opened her mouth to call out to the dragon, she saw a dark figure riding a sleek black horse. The figure had a wielded a long sword which glistened in the morning sun. The princess’s breath hitched in her throat when she realized, the figure in question was a knight, here to rescue her from the castle. She opened her mouth again and desperately called out for her dragon. Hopefully, he would hear her, and they could quickly fly away.
“Dragon! Dragon! Where are you?” She called, yet he did not come. Suddenly, she saw a shadow move quickly across the land. She looked up towards its source and saw the dragon swoop down to meet the knight in battle. The knights horse reared in fear of the dragon, yet its rider did not waver. Instead, he pressed forward to fight the dragon. The princess watched in horror as her dragon evaded the shining sword, ready to draw first blood. Claws clashed with steel and the battle for the princess had begun.
The princess could barely look away, but she knew she had to try and get her dragon. The had to fly away together before it was too late. With some hesitation, she moved away from her window and yanked the door of her tower open. She quickly flew down the stairs into the great hall where awaited the massive arched door of the castle. When she reached the wooden door, she grabbed the handle and pulled with all her strength, trying to open it. She grunted and groaned as she struggled to open it. Finally, it budged, and she was able to make a large enough crack to get through the entry way.
As soon as she was outside, the princess broke into a run, rushing towards the fight. “Dragon!” She called out, her feet tangling in the tall grass as she dashed towards him. He didn’t hear her. She called again, practically screaming, hoping he would hear her, “Dragon!” The enormous creature finally looked her way. He realized what she was doing and how close she was to the fight.
“Go back, Princess! It’s dangerous.” He bellowed. As the dragon was distracted, the knight saw his opportunity and reared his sword back, thrusting it in between the scales on the dragon’s chest. The princess shocked at what she’d just witnessed froze and watch her dragon roar in pain. The knight pulled the sword back out and thrust it in again, piercing through the dragon’s flesh. The dragon, screaming in pain fell to the ground.
The princess could feel the tears rushing down her face as she finally unfroze. Faster than the before, she ran toward the dragon. Her foot caught on hole hidden by the grass and fell, hearing a snap. Pain erupted from her ankle and she screamed, yet she continued to crawl toward her dragon.
The dragon peered over at her, while his blood poured out onto the grass. He could feel his heart slow and his breathing grow shallow. He knew this was the last time he’d see her, so he took her in. He watched her tears fall down her face and golden hair tangled into the weeds. The dragon remembered the all the moments they’d spent together, gazing at the stars or playing hide and seek in the woods. He remembered all the food they enjoyed together and the stories he’d tell her. He remembered everything as he watched her try and in closer to him.
The princess continued to crawl toward him, hoping she could help him, hoping they could still fly away together. Hot tears ran down her face as sobs hitched in her throat. Suddenly she felt an arm wrap around her waist and pull her off the ground.
“There is no need to cry now, my princess. I have slain the dragon and rescued you. There’s nothing to fear.” Said a triumphant booming voice. She cried in pain as she was placed on the saddle of jet-black steed. The princess attempted to fight her way off the horse. She tried to break free from her villain’s grasp. She tried to reach for her dragon, but all to no avail. She knew couldn’t get to him. Finally finding her voice she screamed, “Why didn’t you fly away?! You could have escaped? Why?” With that, the dragon looked at his little princess with great sadness and smiled. The knight kicked the steed into a gallop and the stole away across the broad meadow where the dragon had fallen. The dragon watched the princess and the knight ride away into the woods. Feeling his heart beat on last time, the dragon too one last breath and fell into an eternal sleep.