FAT - Of Princesses and Dragons

He looked out his window, the steaming mist from the swamp was curling and glowing wonderfully in the hazy sunlight. The dragons were roaring and squabbling lazily on the rock piles, their silhouettes standing out amidst the mist. He held his hand up, cupping it under one of the dragon's silhouettes. Prince Xeres hadn't done it in years, it was a childhood game; making it look like he was holding a dragon in his hand. Smiling to himself he walked to the other side of his observation tower.

Even though it was early the trolls already had their forges blazing at their hottest. Shivers of heat wavered in the air, turning his view of the neighboring kingdom into little more than a blur. The obstruction of view was nice, he didn't want to think of his uncle's kingdom. He had passed over his rights to this "hellhole" as he had called it, to marry a princess and become the king of that "storybook" kingdom. Now this land was his and it was his home. He understood this land, the roars of dragons and the beating of troll tools had been his lullaby.

He was feeling rather nostalgic today, anniversaries had that effect on him. He had been ruler of this small land for five years now. Five war-ridden years. He sighed heavily as he looked out the last direction, smoke curled amidst the colored banners of another war expedition. The first year or two, he was willing to forgive, after all, his father had been an angry man. He'd never wanted the kingdom and he'd rampaged and pillaged to fill up the hole inside. His father had carried on the family tradition, although for different reasons.

He trailed a hand along the rail as he descended back down to the throne room. He had a home to defend, and it would be expensive. They were going to lose a quarter of their arms exports this month, it would take that many to properly outfit his army again. The troll general, Zork, was waiting for him. His greasy topknot was hidden under a dark helm, crested with a plume of scarlet dragon mane. Zork towered over him, and his hulking form was a difficult one to tame. His moss-colored muscles bulged under his leather armor.

"We are ready. We should take the offensive."

"No." Xeres frowned, determined to keep his peaceful policy. One day they would learn he was not "evil."

"King Ivan would..." the troll muttered under his breath.

"I am not my father!" He interrupted, thrusting his staff outward in a sweeping motion, smacking the troll upside the head. It echoed through the great stone hall. "We are doing nothing until their intentions are known." He settled his grip firmly on his staff, ready to strike again if necessary. The brutes were strong and good at what they did, but their idea of politics involved violence; whoever was left standing, their plan was the one they followed.

He headed over to the dragon dens, they were more intelligent to converse with, albeit perpetually ravenous. Onyx was chortling in laughter, in his den. He wondered what could have the sleek black dragon so amused. He fearlessly walked into the den and stared. Seated in the midst of Onyx's hoard, modeling some of the gems...

"Hello!" She waved merrily, making his heart skip several beats.

"Lady Jerica! I thought you went back home." He frowned. "That is your father's army, isn't it? And you!" He turned to Onyx, "Didn't I tell you to escort her home?"

The woman sprang lightly to her feet, and despite his best efforts his arms wound around her, his staff falling to the ground. It felt so right to be there with her.

Onyx chuckled, sending a puff of smoke around them. "Silly hatchlings." He pointed a bladed tail-tip at them. "You should just build a den already." The dragon's gold eyes sparkled mischievously as he stretched his hulking form. "I am rather hungry..."

"No, you can't go eat the army." Xeres sighed.

"I did promise him the horses..." Jerica smiled hopefully at him. "Father's never going to agree. I'm supposed to marry your cousin."

"See, I'm to have the horses." Onyx grinned. "What's one human? I haven't had noble in so very long." The dragon laid his head next to Jerica and she patted his muzzle, his whole head was nearly the size of her body, making the scene just strange to watch.

"No. No humans. Only their horses."

Onyx sighed, "What about gold?"

"I don't see why not." The princess smiled and patted the dragon again. "It is my dowry after all." Jerica turned to Xeres again. "My love, please, just marry me. It is the only way you can save me from that boring cousin of yours." She showed the ring that was now on her finger, not hidden on a ribbon around her neck. "Father knows, that's why he's so upset."

He took her hand and kissed her gently. "Are you sure he won't change his mind?"

"No. That's why I begged Onyx to bring me back." Tears flooded her brown eyes. "He said I'm to marry the one he chose, or die."

"And they call us vile." Xeres muttered, his temper flaring.

"I'd rather Onyx eat me than marry that tyrant. Please Xeres, please, you've got to help me."

Onyx chuckled, "It's not to late. I could still eat her." He was teasing but Xeres glared at him nonetheless.

"I told you, you won't be eating her."

"My lord, you were right to stop me a year ago. To eat such a friend of our kind would be unforgiveable."

It had certainly been a surprise, that evening over a year ago, for him to come out to the dragon dens to find a princess. She was stomping her foot at Onyx and demanding to be brought home immediately. He'd had to intervene and order Onyx to take her right back where he found her. There was a strict "No Princesses Policy" for all his dragons, they were tremendously more trouble than they were worth. Although, he would grant Onyx this one slip-up, after all, he had brought him his true love.

Xeres sighed, he had hoped to solve this peacefully, but once again the rest of the world refused to believe he wasn't evil. "Why must it come to this?"

"I know you want peace, but sometimes you must fight for what you believe in. Do you believe in us?"

He sighed wearily. "I very much believe in us." He rested his palm against her cheek. "They are your people. I will let you handle this as you see fit." He motioned to Onyx. "He will bear you where you will and command his dragons." He helped her up onto Onyx's back. "This is your Queen. Follow her orders and bring her home safely."

"Of course, my prince." Xeres watched as the dragons took to the skies. The sight filled him with excited awe. A sky full of dragons would scare them away, and perhaps he could finally settle down to a life of peace, of watching the dragon eggs hatch. He closed his ears to the roars and rushes of fire as the dragons descended. He knew it had to be done, but he didn't have to watch it. Jerica would practice mercy, she was only freeing herself so that her life could become her own. He could understand that.