In the Eyes of a Dragon

Unconditional love, as she’d been conditioned to believe all her life, never felt like this before. Her heart was exploding with a grief from which she just wanted to be free. Screaming her heartache into the sky, the dragon tried to make sense of it all: the loss of her whelp, the possibility of being disgraced in the eyes of her clan for her irresponsibility, and finding the tiny lost boy, whom she carried home tenderly before flying off again, trying to rid herself of the heart-wrenching pain of loss. She also felt compelled to discover the source of the billowing, dark clouds rising just beyond the forest, the spectacle that had nearly distracted her from seeing the needy child. The sight meeting her reddened eyes crushed her weary soul.

She circled over the burning ruins of a human village, noting too many lifeless bodies scattered through out the grounds. She took in the devastation with a heavy heart, before turning back for home. This was the direction from which the little boy staggered through the woods. Was his family laying amongst the lifeless humans?

Nix was waiting at the nest when she returned from her eye-opening quest. The little boy, awake now and sitting up, still snuggled in the red blanket she had found discarded from the empty nest. He nibbled quietly from a piece of fruit left laying nearby. Nix looked at the female dragon, questioning, “What is this, Fiona? Why is there a human in your nest?”

Fiona looked at the child, feeling somewhat guilty as she lovingly adjusted the blanket over the little boy. He smiled up at her, with juice dripping down his chin. She gently smiled back at the child, before looking at Nix. In a soft, trembling voice, she spoke.

“I found him wandering alone in the woods, Nix. He was crying. I couldn’t leave him there!”

“You know the Great Dragon will be very unhappy about this, Fiona. You risk losing your status and being shunned. Are you willing to risk all of that for the sake of a human?”

“I know, but I couldn’t just leave him. Please don’t tell the Council until I figure out what to do. I understand they will want to speak to me soon, anyway, about the death of the whelp.“ She broke into tears, covering her face with clawed hands and bowing her head, silently begging. Even though Nix been assigned to assist her in raising her offspring, Fiona considered him among her few friends. Nix was her only confidante.

“You could just take it back to the forest, you know,” he suggested reasonably, knowing she was in no frame of mind to listen. Nix shook his head in bewilderment, sighed, but agreed to help. He looked around at the walls of the secluded nesting area in the canyon and knew he could hold them off for a short time, claiming Fiona’s desperate state due to her loss. Besides, Nix knew she would return to her senses soon and discard the human. He could help her avoid creating her own demise.

Fiona looked up. “Thank you, Nix,” giving him a sad smile to show her gratitude.

******

Overnight, she rested in the nest next to the blanketed child. In the morning, Nix brought them food from his hunt. Meat. She found more fruit for the boy because he refused eat the raw meat. They snuck the toddler out of the canyon to roam the safe cover of the woods, where they played all day with the giggling child. His innocent presence began to mend Fiona’s broken heart. They returned to the nest for the evening. The boy seemed restless. Fiona offered him more fruit, which he chewed contentedly before falling asleep, snuggled in Fiona’s arms. Nix settled a disapproving gaze upon her. She kept her eyes averted.

“You know, the Council has arranged to speak with you in the morning.”

“I know,” replied Fiona quietly.

“So, what are you going to do?”

“I don’t know yet. Let me sleep on it. I’ll know in the morning.” She snuggled up next to the child after laying him gently in the nest, but didn’t sleep much that night. She didn’t know what she was going to do when she faced the Great Dragon and the Council, already feeling a strong bond with the child, but what about the lifelong bonds of the clan? Why would she consider damaging that, even for a moment? She was so close to achieving the leadership role she had always desired. She was safe.

******

In the morning, they awoke when Nix brought them some breakfast. After nibbling on some meat, Fiona prepared herself to stand in front of the Council. She would state the truth of how she lost the whelp in her care by giving in to the cruel human’s trickery, and how she had come across the young child, bringing him into the canyon. Nix would stay back with the little boy, keeping him safe.

Fiona arrived at the den of the Council. As she entered meekly, she was greeted by the Great Dragon.

“Good morning, Fiona,” his authoritative voice echoed.

Fiona, still looking down, returned his greeting softly. “Good morning, Great Dragon. I am here to speak at the Council’s request about the circumstances of my missing whelp.”

At the back of the den stood the Great Dragon, his impressive mass flanked by five equally intimidating Council members on each side. Fiona began to speak, slightly raising her head, still avoiding eye contact. Fiona would earn the wrath of the Great Dragon for sure if she showed such disrespect.

“It’s my fault the whelp was killed. I left him alone at the nest when I was lured out by the humans. While I was mesmerized by the shiny gems, they snuck in, bludgeoned my baby and stole him! Nix showed up shortly after I returned, discovering what happened. He then reported the event to the Council.”

“Yes. That’s when we gathered and destroyed the human’s village,” replied the Great Dragon. “We could find no trace of the whelp.”

Tears quickly filled Fiona’s eyes at the thought of the violence and her lost baby, but she continued.“When Nix flew off, so did I. From the sky, I searched for the humans responsible. I never found them, but I came across a young human child roaming the forest alone and upset. I dropped in, blocking his path. By his tender nature, I was moved to bring him back here where he might be safe.”

“He is in your nest now?” Questioned the Great Dragon in his powerful voice.

Fiona nodded, her eyes cast down. A collective gasp emanated from the Council.

“This is unacceptable!” boomed the Great Dragon. He continued. “We could deal with your irresponsibility in losing the whelp, but bringing in a human? Never! Fiona, take the creature away! You may earn your place back in the clan when you immediately dispose of it. Now go!”

Feeling the phantom dagger of betrayal pierce her soul, Fiona turned and left the den without looking back. She flew back to her nest, grabbed the child, gave a remorseful good-bye to Nix and flew from the canyon. Fiona decided to fly in the opposite direction of the forest and destroyed village. She didn’t care to see the devastation again, nor did she want to upset the tiny boy resting in her arms, holding his red blanket.

******

Fiona flew for miles before she saw what appeared to be an abandoned building where she and the boy could rest, and she could decide what to do next. She had considered just letting go while soaring, dropping the child from the sky, then circling back to the clan, beg the Great Dragon for her position back. Of course, she would never reclaim her status, but she would be safe and cared for. Upon gazing at the little boy again, grasping his blanket while curled in her arms, snuggled up to her chest, the thought of letting go quickly left her mind. She couldn’t imagine inflicting such cruelty on a being so innocent. She felt her heart swell with emotion as his fearless eyes looked back at her with complete trust.

It was late morning. The child was tired and thirsty. So was she. Fiona saw a stream just a little ways back from the building where they settled. She could leave the toddler safely sheltered with his blanket lain over a bed of old straw, while she went to fetch some water. She didn’t know much about caring for a young human, but she figured he couldn’t make it back to the stream to drink on his own. And she knew he did need to drink. Looking around the dusty shelter, she found an old jar tossed aside she could use to carry water back for the boy.

Fiona flew back to the stream. After drinking her fill, she dipped the jar into the water to fill. She also noticed some ripe berries hanging from a bush on the bank. She could carry a handful back for the little one and return with something to carry more. When she turned around, she saw a human girl walking up the path through the meadow, toward the stream and herself! The girl was carrying a large bucket and a basket. When the girl saw the dragon, she stopped in her tracks, her blue eyes growing wide. They stared at each other in silence for a moment, neither knowing what to do in their exposure.

The dragon took a step back as the girl stepped forward, intent on filling her water bucket and collecting berries. After sizing up the dragon, she came to the conclusion that she felt safe. She had never actually come into contact with a dragon in real life, but her parents told her stories of their innately good-nature. Dragons were to be respected, not feared. If she remained kind, the dragon would not be a danger. The girl reached the shoreline and began speaking in a pleasant tone, as she dipped her bucket, averting her gaze,remembering this from her parents stories. She didn’t want to accidentally make the dragon feel it was being challenged.

Fiona had no idea of the words the human girl spoke, but the sound of her soft voice left the dragon feeling unfearful. She was curious that the girl seemed unafraid, almost trusting. Fiona turned to finish collecting the handful of berries before taking flight again. The girl watched the dragon’s flight path back to the abandoned barn. She would pass the building on her walk back home. While she finished filling her basket with berries, the girl contemplated what she should do regarding the dragon.

On her way back down the meadow path, the golden-haired girl stepped into the abandoned barn. She greeted the dragon and the little boy displaying a purple berry-stained face, with a polite “hello” and a smile. Fiona accepted the girl’s intrusion with a surprised nod of her head and a skeptical look, while gathering the small boy into her arms.

“I’m Iris,”said the girl. The dragon just stared at her in silence.

“Mommy?” Questioned the little boy as he reached for Iris, straining against the dragon’s grasp. Fiona held him tighter.

Iris stepped forward, set her bucket and basket on the floor, and reached out for the boy. She took him gently in her arms, looking at the dragon who hesitantly, but mindfully, released the struggling toddler.

“No. Not Mommy.” The girl looked directly at the boy, pointing to her own chest. “ Iris.”

“Iris,” repeated the boy.

“You?” asked Iris as she pointed to the boy.

The little boy’s eyes widened with joyful understanding, he pointed at himself proudly proclaiming “Dune!”

“Okay, Dune and Ma’am - I’ll be back tomorrow with milk.” She handed Dune back, to Fiona’s relief, and headed on her way.

******

Because Iris was an only child, she was tasked with the majority of the family chores, from milking the family cow to making dinner. Her parents worked in town, so she also spent a large amount of time on her own. She was able to set aside a quart of milk, a couple of eggs, biscuits and a few other morsels from dinner for Dune. She would help them build a small fire in the morning so she could cook the eggs and heat the food for the toddler. She would also stop by on her way back from the stream to share with them a portion of the berries she would pick.

This routine worked out well for several days. Finally, through the limited words they had learned from each other, and a great amount of gesturing, Fiona communicated to Iris her desire to return to the canyon of her clan in order to convince them to accept her and the child back. She wanted Iris to care for Dune for the day she would be gone. Iris agreed to look after Dune while Fiona left the following day.

Fiona reached the canyon, greeted eagerly by Nix. They spoke in a secluded area on the edge of the canyon, where Fiona related her experiences to Nix regarding the life of the child and meeting a lovely human girl who was helping them. She had witnessed a lot of destruction, deciding she wasn’t sure all humans were worthy of automatic hate. Besides, while mourning the loss of her own young one, she imagined the grief of a human Mother would be the same after losing her own. Much of the suffering seemed unnecessary. Dune and Iris didn’t hate dragons, and she had no reason to hate them.

Though he advised against trying to make the clan accept the child, Nix agreed to support her. Fiona would return to the canyon in two days with the child.

Upon her return to the abandoned barn, Fiona discovered Iris’s family had been targeted by dragons. It sat on the outskirts of another small, human village they had attacked. The girl escaped, but her parents and animals were killed; the house destroyed. Iris hid out in the old building, comforting Dune, while heartbreak filled her own chest. Fiona did not know the reasoning behind the attack, but she felt saddened and outraged. A guiltless family now torn to bits, causing suffering to a harmless heart.

She now had two humans under her care. She couldn’t plan to return to the clan, while leaving Iris behind. The girl had been so kind to her and Dune. How could the clan be blind to that? Convinced they would see things differently, Fiona decided all three of them should return to the canyon and confront the Great Dragon. With Nix’s support, they would be welcomed. Her clan was her family, now these two children could also be a part of that.

In two day’s time, as per her agreement with Nix, Fiona returned to the canyon, Iris riding on her back holding Dune, his red blanket wrapped around him.

She settled the two human children just outside of the canyon, making sure they were in a secure spot until she was assured of their safety upon entering her home. Nix was waiting for her at her prior nest area. Together, they would speak to the Great Dragon and the Council. They would be expecting Fiona and Nix.

“Welcome back, Fiona. Welcome Nix,” the Great Dragon greeted them at the cave. “It’s good to see your return alone. Now we can discuss your new placement here within the clan.”

Fiona looked at the floor. “Great Dragon,” she spoke, “I am not alone.”

“What do you mean?” Demanded the Great Dragon.

“I have two human children with me. The tiny boy, and a young girl.”

The Great Dragon’s eyes grew wide at her defiance, while the Council collectively gasped.

“They are kind and decent. I wish you would meet them.”

“Nonsense!” shouted the Great Dragon. “Go away and never return! Your betrayal is unforgivable!”

With mouth agape, Fiona looked at Nix, who took a step back, away from her and toward the clan. Her eyes burned with tears as realizations came crashing down upon her. She left the cave alone, stopping just long enough to pick up her charges. Iris and Dune settled onto her back. She took to the sky and flew without looking back toward the place where she had grown up.

Without choosing her direction of flight, soon they were soaring over the charred remains of the burnt village just beyond the forest. Dune saw this and began to sob, wailing “Mommy! Mommy!” as he struggled within Iris’s arms and pointed.

Iris grasped the child, holding him tight to her chest, she tried to comfort the little one. Fiona kept flying, but picked up speed to leave the destroyed home of the toddler behind. She turned East to follow the path of the rising sun.

Fiona had been flying for hours, the sun well behind them now. Fiona needed to land. She had pushed her wings to the limit, especially with the additional weight of her passengers.

They landed in a place with no shelter, no food and no water. The open field left them exposed to possible enemies and the elements. It was starting to drizzle. Dune began to cry. Fiona took the children in the fold of her wings to protect them from the rain. Iris had a few berries stashed in a pocket that she shared with Dune.The boy soon snuggled up in his blanket and went to sleep, leaving the two females to each other’s company. They tried to converse, in their stilted understanding of each others languages, about the twisted events of the day, and where they would go from here. Soon, they gave up due to exhaustion. Iris went to sleep snuggled next to Dune beneath Fiona’s comforting wings. The dragon, now responsible for two young humans, didn’t know if she was capable of taking good care of them. She missed her clan.

Fiona, as tired as she felt, was kept awake by the questions repeating in her mind. Why had she been so quick and determined to give up her familiar, safe life for this human? Now two humans? What was she thinking? She didn’t even know how to care for herself! Where would they all go? How would she feed them? How would she feed herself?

The next morning, Fiona decided they would keep flying East with the sunrise. She took off into the pink-streaked sky, the two children on her back.

Before long, they soared over a stream where they stopped for a drink and found some berries to eat before heading on their way again. Eventually, they came across a small village on the edge of a forest.

From the safety provided by the dense cover of trees, they watched intently, Fiona trembling with anxiety, Soon, a pack of dragons circled overhead. The people continued to tend to their business in the streets. They collected wild game deposited by the creatures, and one woman even approached a golden beast as it settled to the ground. The dragon nodded a quick bow in acceptance of the shiny gift offered, as Fiona watched the lips of the woman utter a “thank you.” It flew off then, into the sky, away from the village, the rest of the small dragon pack following. The people chose fresh game from the pile left by the dragons.

While Iris and Fiona watched, fixated by the events, Dune broke free of Iris’s embrace and raced out to a woman in the street, the one who had spoken with the golden dragon. Iris followed to collect him. She gathered the boy up into her arms again, and Fiona could see her speaking to the woman. Soon, she watched as Iris followed the woman, Dune in tow, into a house close by. Fiona scrunched herself down further to the ground, waiting and wondering if the children would return.

Iris came back alone after enjoying a large bowl of venison stew. She explained to Fiona, as well as she could given their communication difficulties, that she had nothing to fear. The dragons and humans actually helped each other. These were very nice people, and they were helping care for Dune. Iris was able to sneak a deer leg to Fiona as dusk fell, then she went and slept in the human’s house along with Dune.

Fiona fretted alone in the dark, feeling lost and vulnerable not surrounded by the clan. In the morning, she would venture out into the streets of the village. Find the woman caring for Iris and Dune. She had watched the humans interact with the dragons and with Iris, and Iris had tried to convince her it was safe. She was wary, but it was worth a try. She had to get Dune back! Somehow convince the clan to accept her and the boy. Iris was old enough to decide for herself to stay or go, but she had to take care of Dune. He depended on her! Maybe Iris would bring him to her, then they could leave.

As the sun rose, Fiona left the protection of the forest to enter the street. She followed the direction of Iris and Dune led by the woman to her house. As Fiona approached the house, she could smell the frying bacon and eggs, and she could hear Dune’s giggles.

The woman opened the door at the sound of Fiona’s approach. As soon as he saw her, Dune’s face lit up with a smile as he reached out his arms to the dragon.

“Mommy!” he exclaimed with delight. Fiona scooped him up in her arms.

Because the woman had grown up knowing dragons as friends, she was not fearful and she could communicate easily with Fiona.

As Fiona tried to leave with Dune, signaling to Iris to follow, the woman stopped her by speaking.

“My name is Gwendolyn,” she started. “Iris tells me your name is Fiona.” The dragon nodded. “Why don’t you let the children stay for breakfast? You can get a good drink from the stream, then come back for some food yourself and for the children.”

Fiona looked unsure. She was pretty thirsty, though. Hesitant to release the little boy again, the dragon reluctantly agreed, as Gwendolyn directed her to the stream that edged the other side of the town. She decided Dune would be okay in the care of Iris while they enjoyed a filling breakfast. The boys eyes teared up as Fiona set him back down. Upon turning to go, she heard Gwendolyn explain to Dune that Fiona would be back soon.

Her heart heavy with confusion about her feelings, she began questionning herself again. She wanted the best for Dune and she could see Dune was happy to see her, but, upon seeing his comfort with Gwendolyn, maybe Fiona couldn’t be the best care-taker for Dune? She shook the thoughts from her head. Of course she was best for Dune - she loved him! She took to the clear sky, setting out to locate the stream.

******

Fiona found the stream quickly. Upon drinking her fill, she looked up to see the golden dragon standing on the opposite bank. Fiona reacted by preparing her wings for flight. The golden dragon quickly greeted her with a gentle, feminine voice, making Fiona retract her wings.

"Good morning."

“Hello. I’m Fiona,” she timidly stated.

“Welcome, Fiona. Good to meet you. My name is Greta.”

“You, also, Greta," Fiona responded politely, turning to take flight back to town. She hesitated as the golden dragon continued to speak.

“I saw you and the little ones hiding in the forest when we flew over. Where are they now?”

“They are with the woman, Gwendolyn. I must go back to pick them up now.”

“Gwendolyn is very sweet.” Greta nodded. “The children are in good care. Tell me, how did you get here? And why are those children with you?” Greta asked out of curiosity, not judgement.

Fiona repeated her story. "I found the youngest one, Dune, wandering in the forest after his village was attacked by my clan. I took him in, but the Great Dragon of my clan refused to accept him into the fold, so I have been banished. We met the girl along the way. She lost her family in another dragon attack. I didn’t know where to go, so I flew this way until we spotted this village.”

The Golden Dragon replied kindly, “When you have some time, you should come by and meet our small pack. We live just beyond the hills, over there,” the dragon indicated with a pointed finger and a nod of her head. She offered the invitation with a kind smile. “Most of us were banished, too.”

“I will,” Fiona replied. “Thank you,” she said with a polite nod before taking flight.

Fiona returned to the children. Gwendolyn greeted her at the door with her cheery smile. “Come back at lunchtime. We’ll have a picnic!” she exclaimed, clapping her hands together in excitement.

Fiona had no idea what a picnic could be, but the woman and the children looked happy about it, so Fiona agreed. The three decided to go for a walk around the village, then spend time together, safe in the woods. As they sat down around a small campfire, Dune began to cry. Fiona whisked him into her arms, while Iris cooed to him, stroking his matted hair.“What is it, Dune?”

Dune started to sob, pointing back toward the town. “Mommy!” he stuttered. Fiona looked at Iris in confusion. She wasn’t sure what the word meant, but he often used it toward Fiona in an affectionate way. Soon, he cried himself to sleep in Fiona’s arms until it was time to head back to Gwendolyn’s for the picnic lunch.

Gwendolyn greeted them at the door with her cheerful smile. “Mommy!” shouted Dune, with a grin, reaching for the woman. There was that word again; Fiona felt an ache in her chest. Dune giggled when Gwendolyn scooped him up in her arms with a delighted hug and a smile.

“Let’s go!” The woman led them to a place on the edge of town not far from the stream. She carried Dune on her hip, while Iris carried the basket. Gwendolyn found a nice spot in the grassy field of wildflowers. Setting Dune down, she spread out a blanket, then pulled sandwiches and sweets from the picnic basket. She had also carried along a large chunk of meat for Fiona. Dune grabbed a cookie in his chubby, little hands. Iris replaced it with a sandwich, gently reminding him to eat the main food before treats. He took the sandwich obediently, and bit into it exuberantly. Fiona watched him; she watched them all, from her own grassy area off to the side, again realizing her lack of knowledge in caring for the human boy.

After returning from the picnic, the children decided to stay the night in Gwendolyn’s house. Fiona perched in her familiar spot at the edge of the woods, where she could watch the house. She agonized over making the decision she knew she needed to make. Still, doing the right thing was not always the easy thing. She had grown to love the little boy as her own, and cared deeply for Iris. She also knew they were not likely to thrive under her care. She couldn’t give them what they needed.

******

Iris insisted on going with Fiona. As much as she wanted Iris to accompany her, the dragon knew she would be a poor substitute for a human family. Fiona insisted Iris needed to stay with Dune; Gwendolyn would need her help. Fiona promised to return if she needed anything, or if her plans didn’t work out.

Beneath the blue sky, Fiona placed Dune lovingly into the arms of Gwendolyn and said good-bye to Iris with a warm hug. She flew off to meet the golden dragon and the other members of, what she hoped, would be her new clan, or circle, as they referred to themselves. With her own rainbow scales sparkling in the sun, Fiona knew Iris and Dune would shine.