Virlane stood outside his lair, he spread his wings and stretched, his neck arching, he flexed his talons and sighed with pleasure, he turned to watch Trink heading down the mountain path muttering about donkeys and his most treasured assets. Virlane entered his lair, prowling around, looking, touching, smelling, it was all there, just as he had left it, not that there had been any doubt, Dragons are just rather possessive about their hoards. He went into his study, touching his books that had taught him so much, that had allowed him to become the man Collin. Something shiny caught his eye, he went to his desk and touched the tiny crystals, fairy tears. I will set things straight with Bitsy later, but not now. He walked further back into his lair and entered a chamber, it was misty and very warm, he slipped into the hot pool of water with a deep sigh, after washing himself he climbed out of the pool and went to another, this pool he carefully slipped into, it was filled with warm oil, he felt the oil on his scales, on his wings, he rubbed it into his neck and over his snout. He lay in the oil, growling with pleasure, humans didn't know how to pamper their bodies, bathing in small cramped tubs. He stepped out of the oil pool and stood on a special pad, that absorbed the dripping oil, he used another special absorbent cloth to wipe the excess oil from his body and stretched again. He padded into his sleeping chamber, physically and emotionally worn out. Virlane slept for a full 24 hours, waking feeling refreshed and with a sense of well being, after breakfasting on fruits, bread and cheese, he really wasn't overly fond of meats and felt the light fare was much healthier. He went to his study and started to read, he heard her come in but didn't stop reading or look up from his book. She flittered here and there, touching, this and that, looking at Virlane, waiting for him to yell at her, she bumped into a candle and grabbed it, trying to set it up right. With a sigh Virlane set the candlestick back, still not taking his eyes off his book "sit down Bitsy, before you hurt yourself." She fluttered to the edge of the desk and sat down, wringing her tiny hands, "I'm so sorry, Virlane, I know you can't ever forgive me, but ... but ... well I just wanted you to know I didn't do it on purpose, well, not at first, I didn't know you two were there, really I didn't." She reached out towards Virlane, lost her balance and fell off the desk. He looked over the side of the desk and seeing that she hadn't hurt herself went back to his reading. A very dejected Bitsy left Virlane's lair, "sometimes the harshest kind of punishment is silence" he firmly believed. When he was ready he would talk with her, not before.
He spent the day reading, working on some of his magic experiments and napping, then after eating he left his lair, unfurling his wings and took to the skies, he soared, higher and higher, then with a sweep of his wings, dove towards the earth, spreading his wings and swooping up just before he smashed into the ground, he laughed with the pleasure of it. He threw back his head and roared with the delight of being a dragon, with the feel of the wind rushing over his wings. Through out the land the forest folk heard the roar of the dragon and slept peacefully, their dragon had returned to them. Virlane flew through the skies till dawn, then returned to his lair and slept long and deeply. Virlane managed to stay away from the glen for almost a week. He knew she had been there, he could sense her presence, feel her, feel her sadness and loneliness. He thought long and hard over what he was going to do, then went to the glen. He watched her sit at the edge of the creek, her bare feet playing in the water, she pulled her skirts up to her thighs and splashed water on them. Standing up she slipped off her dress and stood in the water in her undergarments. Virlane stood several feet behind her and made a small rumbling noise "its very warm today, is it not, my dear" she whirled around at the voice, staring at the dragon, she gasped "You, you're the dragon in my dreams, the dragon that was in my tower room." He lay down and curled his tail about his large body "don't let me interfere with your play." MiLady sat back down and put her feet into the water, watching the dragon, she felt safe in his company, remembering her dreams, she didn't think the dragon would hurt her. She chattered quietly as she played in the water "My name is Katrina, what are you called?" she asked. "I am Virlane, and I will call you, Kat, if it pleases me, or perhaps simply, wench" he said with a smile that showed his fangs. She gave him a startled look "do you think me a wench then?" He leaned forward and nuzzled her neck just behind her ear, purring softly "you tell me, are you a hot wench, or one of those cold icy Ladies of the manor?" She shivered at his touch, shocked at how quickly her heart started to beat and the sudden ache between her thighs. With a regal toss of her head, she stood "I am neither, sire, but I am a lady and not some wench to be tumbled at will." He slipped his talon in the front of her chemise, so sharp was it she didn't even hear her clothes being cut, he flicked his talon and her undergarments dropped from her body "shall we put that to the test" his deep voice rumbled.
His long tail suddenly wrapped around her waist and he lifted her up bring her towards him, she wiggled and hit at his tail trying to get loose "let me go, how dare you do this, why are you doing this, I've never hurt you" she wailed. He smiled another toothy smile, "I want you, I desire you" then still using his tail, he lifted her above his snout, his paws slide between her thighs, spreading them "wiggle all you want, wench, it will make it all the better for both of us." He nuzzled between her thighs, then his forked, slightly rough tongue started to flick back and forth over her most private parts, she squirmed harder slapping at his tail but his tail held her tight and his paws spread her thighs wider. He carefully rubbed his teeth over her b and smiled as he heard her moan, he spread her nether lips careful that his talons not cut her and quickly thrust his tongue deep inside her, he flicked the tip of his tongue and felt the sides of her womb clinch grabbing at his tongue, his tongue thrust in and out of her. He smiled in satisfaction as he saw and felt her hands no longer slapping at him but clutching his tail, her back arched and her head thrown back, she moaned deeply over and over again. He pulled his tongue from her and licked across her nether lips, then started to flick his tongue over her clit, as he felt her thighs start to quiver, he thrust his tongue deep inside her again as her orgasm shuddered through her body, he drank deeply of her juices. He felt her go limp and smiled, then lowered her until her face was in front of his, his paws slide up her back, he nuzzled her lips then thrust his tongue into her mouth, her eye's flew open, startled, she stared at him, he licked her lips then smiled "taste yourself on my tongue, your juices are sweet as wine." Laying her down on the soft grass, he watched her taking deep breaths her breasts heaving, dragon satisfaction coursed through his veins, he smiled to himself. He curled his body around hers and waited for her to recover, he licked her lips once again "are you lady or wench?' he asked watching her closely. She suddenly pushed at him and rose on trembling legs, she grabbed her dress and put it on with shaking hands "I am a lady, sire!" and ran from the glen to the rumbling of dragon laughter.
Virlane relaxed from his bath, curled up on is bed, he fell asleep with a smile of satisfaction on his face. Hours later he woke and once again flew out into the skies, his roar to the universe was rich and full and carried the full weight of the dragon. In her bed MiLady tossed and turned, her dreams filled with the dragon, her body once again responded to the dragons touch and she moaned in her sleep, then her dreams turned to Collin, his face, his body, his loving and she moaned again. For a full week Virlane did not return to the glen, he busied himself in his study and smiled, he knew she had returned to the glen twice. He heard a tiny knock at his study door and without turning around "come in, Bitsy" she went and stood in the middle of his desk, not daring to move for fear of knocking something over, or breaking something. She placed a tiny scroll on the desk, then with a sob flew out of the study and Virlane's lair. He walked over to the desk and carefully picked up the scroll, with a touch of magic it grew until it was large enough for Virlane to read. "Please forgive me Virlane, I know you don't want to talk to me or ever see me again, so I wrote this so you would understand. I went to the glen to watch the lady, I found her so fascinating, she moved with such grace, she never knocked anything over, or fell down, or tripped over her own feet, all I wanted to do was watch her and see why that was. Everyone is always laughing at me and making fun of my clumsiness. Then when you and the lady started touching, even though I knew I should have left, I didn't because honestly Virlane, I wanted to know how humans had sex, even though at the time I wasn't real sure exactly what that was. I hope you can forgive me one day, no matter how many hundreds of years it takes. Goodbye my very best friend in the whole world, I hope everything works out well for you and your lady. I love you. Bitsy" Virlane charged out of his lair, everyone heard his roar "BITSY!" and wondered what she had done now. They looked for her for many days, but no one could find her, using his magic Virlane tried to find her but nothing worked. Marluxion let them worry for a short while, he wanted them to learn the lesson that even the most faulty among them was to be loved and cherished. Then he sent her parents word that she was safe and sent word to Trink of where Bitsy could be found and that he was to bring her to him. Trink left muttering about chores. Virlane heard about Bitsy and felt a great relief, he had felt that his treatment of her had lead to her running off and it had and still was a burden he must deal with.
Mary watched MiLady carefully, she looked tired and worn out. She tried to reassure her mistress that Collin would be returning in no time at all. MiLady staring out the window seemed distracted and turned to Mary "I think I will take a picnic to the forest this afternoon, Mary, will you please tell Harriett, please make sure it something light, I haven't been feeling all that well and things don't seem to be staying in my stomach. It must be the worry over Collin" Mary gave MiLady a startled look then asked several very pointed questions. MiLady went out the door wondering why Mary would ask such embarrassing questions, but she answered them knowing Mary would just keep asking until she got an answer. Mary stood in the middle of the room and watched MiLady leave "ohh lordy, lordy" and she went flying down to the kitchen.
Virlane watched her sitting on the blanket munching on a pear and grinned, then stepped into the glen "you look as tasty as that pear, wench" his deep voice rumbled. She bristled and he chuckled as she snapped out "My name is Katrina! or you may call me MiLady" He simply smiled at her and sat down next to the blanket. He stabbed the pear with his talon and licked it, with long sensual movements of his tongue, knowing she was watching every motion. He took a small bite, then leaned down and put it in her mouth, she ate the piece not saying a word, her eyes wide watching him. Again he licked the pear and offered it back to her. "would you care to take a taste wench, dragons can be very tasty." Without realizing it her eyes went down his body, her breathing came faster. He laughed as he saw her lick her lips, her eye's flew up to his face and she blushed scarlet. He touched her bodice with his talon "You might want to remove your clothing, I wouldn't want to have to ruin another article of cloths" She shook her head back away slightly, he noticed that she was still staring at his lower body, turning slightly he lay down and stretched out his body and flicked his tail slightly. She jumped seeing the motion of his tail.
She licked her lips again, staring at him, then her eyes widened as she saw his cock slip from his body, he leaned over and picked up another pear and started licking it, she looked from his mouth to his cock, her breath coming faster and more uneven. Her trembling hands quickly removed her dress and undergarments she fell to her knee's next to his waist, her hands reached out and grasped his large, slick, hard cock, she started to stroke it, her mouth slightly open she licked her lips again, she felt his paw at the back of her head slowly pushing her towards him. She shyly reached out with her tongue, touching him, remembering the motions of his tongue on the pear she started to lick him, first with small little stokes of her tongue, then longer licks. She heard him groan "take me into your mouth, wench, suck until my juices flow, as I drank yours." She opened her mouth, wondering for a moment if she could even fit the tip of his large cock into her mouth, her mouth closed over the tip, her tongue licked at him, her hot breath on him as she panted. His tail curled around and the tip of his tail slipped between her thighs, she moaned around his cock as his tailtip started to caress her nether lips, then entered her slightly, moving to match the motions of her mouth. He groaned deeply and clawed the ground as his cock started to throb deeply, her hands stroked him harder, his paw at the back of her head gently urged her to move faster, she sucked harder and faster, her hips rocking against his tailtip, she clinched her thighs tightly and moaned again. He knew he should warn her but couldn't get the words out in time, his orgasm rocked his body and he came into her mouth. She jerked back shocked as his cum filled her mouth and then splattered her face and chest. She swallowed finding the taste erotic and not at all unpleasant. Virlane reached out and scooped some cum off one of her breasts and put his talon in her mouth, he smiled at her as he took his tailtip and sucked on it. He stretched as his cock slipped back into its sheath "You're very good with your mouth, wench." Gasping, she jumped up and ran to the brook and splashed water on her face, she washed her chest off, glaring at him, she started to dress "you, you, you bastard!" she cried at him. He laughed out loud, the sound rumbling through the forest. She started to toss things in the picnic basket then grabbed it up. Virlane held out the pear "You forgot this" she glared at him again "keep it to remember me by, I won't be back" he grinned at her "yes you will, you find me very fascinating and you love what I do to your body." She ran from the glen, he swiftly got up and was standing before her "no need to run, I thought Ladies walked sedately, if you fall down and hurt yourself, then you won't be able to come back and enjoy my body and wit," she tossed her head and slowly walked away. He sighed as he watched her go, he didn't want her to do anything rash that might hurt their child, he should have thought of that before he pushed her to the point that she felt she needed to run from him.
As Virlane flew high in the night sky, he thought about what he was doing and why he was doing it, he wanted her to love Collin, she already thought she knew Collin, his gentleness, his kindness, his masculinity. He also wanted her to not just see the physical difference, but the emotional differences between the man and the dragon. Virlane wanted to see if she could come to love him, the dragon, even after pushing her to dislike him, almost hate him for his treatment of her. He didn't want a timid mate, he wanted a mate who spoke her mind, who could be just as sexually aggressive as he was, if not more so. But most of all he wanted her to realize no matter how angry she got at him, he wouldn't hurt her Virlane set down on a high lonely mountain path and waited. It wasn't long before Trink, muttering the whole time and Bitsy trailing along appeared. Trink didn't especially surprised to see him, Bitsy on the other hand, looked as if she wanted to be anywhere but there and flew behind Trink. He smiled "Trink take a short walk up the path, Bitsy will catch up to you when we are done talking." Trink nodded and headed up the path, he had known Virlane would make things right for the small little fairy. Bitsy stood wringing her little hands and shuffling her feet, then promptly got them tangled together and fell on her bottom. She sat in the dirt and looked so dejected, Virlane stifled his laughter and gently picked her up and set her on a rock near his shoulder, he brushed the dirt off her then tipped her chin up with his talon. "Bitsy, no matter how angry and hurt friends get at each other, they don't stop being friends, they just try harder to understand and forgive. Friends don't stop loving each other, just because one or both of them made a mistake. Yes, I was angry with you, not because you stayed in the glen, but because I saw a little bit of your carefree innocence lost that day." Chuckling he touched her tiny pert little nose "your clumsiness is one of your most endearing qualities, your zest for life will take you on many adventures. Just remember that you have friends if you ever need us. Listen and learn well from Marluxion, you will find no better teacher. Now off with you, Trink is probably muttering up a storm waiting for you." He gave her a gentle nuzzle, and smiling for the first time in many days, she hugged him and gave his cheek a tiny fairy kiss then tumbling down from the rock, she started up the path. "Oh and Bitsy" she turned and looked at Virlane "the grace is all ready there inside you, you just have to find it and learn what it really means" then he was gone once again into the night skies.
He sat waiting in the glen and watched her slowly carry up a basket and set it down, she looked at him, a brooding, angry look. MiLady spread out the blanket and sat down staring at the dragon, suddenly she put her face in her hands and burst into tears, the dragon curled his large body around her and in a soothing voice purred "tell me why you cry?" All the anguish came pouring out, her love for Collin, his leaving, the waiting for his return, "and you, I can't seem to stay away, I keep coming back again and again. You make me feel things I never thought possible but, so did Collin, you make me feel wicked and wanton, and it frightens me. Each time I leave you, I'm so angry I can barely speak and spend the rest of the day stomping about." He licked the tears from her face and looked at her debating what and how to say it. "while your being angry at me, you aren't thinking of how much you missed Collin, when your busy stomping around your exercising and moving about the keep, not sitting in your tower room wasting away waiting for Collin. Your body was first awakened sexually by Collin, I'm teaching you there are many ways to express your sexuality, a woman can be as wicked and wanton as she desires, or she can be shy and temptingly innocent enjoying making the male work to bring out the wanton desires he knows are there waiting for him. This teaches you to be a better lover, a woman who knows she is pleasing to her mate." MiLady looked at the dragon "you aren't as cruel as I thought, I felt so disappointed, thinking you were only a cruel beast taunting me and my fears" she touched his snout softly, "I'm so glad you really are the dragon from my dreams and from my room that night so long ago." He nuzzled her hand "I can be as cruel as needed, I can strike out viciously to protect myself or those I love, never doubt it for one moment." He saw the exhaustion in her eyes "now rest, I will watch over you and keep you safe, as I always have" he saw that she wanted to say more and made soft soothing sounds "shhhhhh, now Katrina, sleep." She fell asleep to the comforting sounds of his deep purrs. MiLady woke to Virlane's gentle nudge "it's late, you must return to the keep now, before they come looking for you, return tomorrow and we will talk again." With a start MiLady realized she had slept most of the afternoon away. She stood and gathered the blanket and basket, only nodding in agreement she didn't understand why she was feeling suddenly shy before the dragon. Virlane chuckled and tenderly licked her lips, "yes, wench, I still greatly desire you" she blushed smiling feeling for a moment reassured. Once again he watched her leave the glen.
Later that night MiLady sat eating her supper in the dining hall, she smiled and listened to the room buzz with conversation, Mary and Harriett watched her carefully. They both had agreed it was best not to even hint to MiLady that she might be with child, she had enough to worry about with Collin gone, no need to add to her worries. They were pleased to see that she had eaten well and not just picked at her meal like she had been doing lately. After the meal, Henry and Marcus would join MiLady each evening as she sat in her chair in front of the big fireplace and fill her in on how the day gone, any changes they thought needed to be made. She always listened attentively and offered her advice or suggestion. She didn't realize it but all the others did, MiLady was finally coming into her own as the Lady of the Keep. Over the next few weeks MiLady and Virlane met often in the forest glen. They talked and played, he wouldn't allow her to be shy in her questions, he pushed her to express her needs and desires. He would laugh at her blushes while instructing her how to please him. Often they spoke of the Keep and Collin, his carefully asked questions and her honest answers, told him that her love and need for Collin had not dimmed during his absence. This pleased Virlane greatly. One afternoon as she dressed, trying her hand at teasing him as she put her cloths back on, he laughed at her attempt at seduction "perhaps you would like to try that in reverse on the morrow, wench" he laughed, then with a serious look on his face "tomorrow I would like to show you where I live, you might find it interesting, meet me here and I will take you there." She smiled and finished dressing, "I would enjoy seeing it, I've often wondered where you go when I leave." He nuzzled her goodbye and watched her part. That night Virlane flew, beating his wings fiercely against the winds, he flew until he was exhausted and flew even more, higher and faster. Time had gone to quickly, tomorrow he had to tell her, tomorrow he would keep or loose her. Tomorrow he would see joy or hate on her face, he was actually scared, the great dragon Virlane was frightened and he didn't like the feeling one bit. Hours later as he slept, a restless, exhausted sleep he heard Marluxion's voice "even in your loneliest hour, you are never alone." Virlane paced waiting for her to join him, with a sigh of relief, he heard her approach. Seeing him, she smiled and ran forward to kiss him, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her deeply, passionately. Whispering "close your eyes" he watched her, when next she opened her eyes she was standing inside the entrance to his lair. She looked around in wonder "explore all you want, any questions you have, just ask" he told her. They went from room to room, entering the pool room she looked with interest at the pool of oils, she bent down to put her hand into it. "one moment, let me change the heat level, I keep it very hot." When he nodded at her, she touched the oil, rubbed it on her fingers and hands, smiling "perhaps later you can help me rub some oil on my back" she said, enjoying the thought. She loved his bed chamber, the huge inviting bed, with covers of black silk, candles every where, it was a very romantic, seductive room. The last room they entered was his study, she looked around in awe, books, thousands and thousands of books, she could tell they were very old. She wandered over to his work bench, seeing things she didn't understand, odd instruments and jars and jars filled with she didn't know what. "This is where I spend most of my time" he indicated the work bench, "I dabble with my magic there" he smiled slightly at the look on her face. "Do you practice magic often? Virlane" "quite often, magic can benefit or hurt, one just has to know the difference and be careful not to release forces that could be destructive." Soon the moment he had been dreading came, he couldn't put it off any longer "Katrina, I have something to say, I would only ask that you listen to what I have to say, before you pass judgment and that you would weight your decision with great care." She heard the tone of his voice and felt frightened, she sat in the chair he indicated, folding her hands in her lap she nodded, preparing herself for whatever this serious business was he wanted to speak to her about. He sat and looked at her for what seemed a very long time, "Virlane?" she spoke softly. He proceeded to tell her of how he had watched her grow up, of the years leading up to that day in the glen when she had taken a bath, cooling off from the days heat, about the scarf she had dropped as she left. He spoke of Trink coming to the fairies and elves, asking for their aid in helping her. He told her of the night he had appeared in her room, of returning Bitsy to her family. She watched him closely as he started to pace the study, she said softly "go on, Virlane, what else did you do?" he took a deep breath and turned to look at her "I could not use my magic to stop Kurlew, and Dame Agnes, it would have caused to much comment and brought your Uncle and cousin to the keep. Knowing your Uncle and the cruel, ambitious man that he is I could not chance them arriving to take up where Kurlew or Dame Agnes left off. He looked into her eyes and spoke quietly, "I became Collin, I rode into your keep and your life, I used my magic to become a mortal man, I have always loved you, Katrina, and my only thought was to save you from the cruelties of Kurlew. As the days went by, I loved you more and more, I also knew that the spell would only last 2 moon risings. Had I not spoken certain words then, I would never again be the dragon Virlane, the dragon you see before you now, I left knowing I had one month to make a decision, to become Collin till the day I died a mortal man, or stay the dragon I was hatched and have been for many centuries." Whispering she asked "and what have you decided?" She heard the pride in his voice "I'm a dragon Katrina, first and last I am the dragon, Virlane. As a mortal man I can not fly to the heavens, I can not spread my wings and feel the night air rushing over them. As a mortal man I can not practice the magic I love, as a mortal man my life span is short and would be filled with disease's and strife." His paw swept the room "I can offer you all this Katrina, my vast wealth, my knowledge, my love that would last an eternity. We could soar the skies together, there is so much I could show you, teach you. You would be my dragoness." She started to speak, tears streaming down her face, he held up a paw, "there is one last thing I must tell you, before you make your choice." He reached out and placed a gentle paw on her stomach, he listened to her body "you are carrying my child, Collins child, even now a son grows and thrives in your belly." With a gasp she placed her hands over his paw, the look of wonder and joy on her face made him want to roar with happiness but he knew there was more to come and slowly pulled his paw from under her hands.
She sat there, her hands over her stomach, a child, Collins, no Virlane's child grew inside of her, she looked up as he offered her a soft handkerchief, she saw him as she had never seen him before and felt so many conflicting emotions. Her thoughts racing, skittering from one thought to another, "did you love me as Collin? or was that all pretense for the dragon." He spoke quietly "Collin loved you and adored you, as only a mortal man can love the woman he has chosen to be his for life. The dragon loves you and adores you, as only a dragon can love the female he has chosen as his mate, for eternity, they are intertwined, the love, the emotions, the need, the caring, Katrina, be it Collin or Virlane, the love was always there. "If I do this, Virlane, if I become your dragoness, what of my people, what of the keep, the lands, the responsibility of keeping it safe? What would happen if I just disappeared one day, never to be seen again? My uncle would take everything, think of the harshness he would impose on all the people I have known and loved all my life." She touched her stomach again, rubbing it softly "what of the child, who has a right to the lands my family has owned for many many years. What would happen to our child, if I became your dragoness, however you think to do such a thing, would it harm the child?" He was pleased that she showed more concern for her people and for the child she carried then she was for herself. Resisting the urge to take her in his arms and love away all her doubts and fears, he said quietly "I will do everything in my power to ensure that the keep and people are safe, entrusted to a person who would be fair and who cares deeply for the land, one who understands the all that needs to be done and will see that it is kept safe for our son, if he one day wants to step into his rightful shoes as Duke of St.Clair. Katrina, my wench, my love, MiLady, never would I for a second put you or our child in peril, the transition would be as easy as I can make it for you both" he said as he took her small hands in his large paws. "What if you don't like me as a dragoness, what if I make a horrid dragoness, and you don't want me anymore? I don't know the first thing about being a dragon, Virlane" she wept. "So speaks the eternal female" chuckles Marluxion from the doorway.
MiLady stared at the dragon in the doorway, he smiled softly at her and slowly padded into the room bowing to her, with an elegant sweep of his neck, "hello my dear, I am Marluxion, an old friend of Virlane's." The two dragons hugged each other "I see you haven't made as much of a muddle of things as I thought you might, I'm pleased, Virlane, although you have left out a few facts, I think the lady needs too make her a final decision." Virlane turned and looked at his old friend with an inquiring look "and what facts have I missed?" "Oh this and that" he smiled as he put his paw over MiLady's stomach, not touching her, he smiled warmly at her "ah, good the child thrives." She looked at him in surprise "you know also, about the baby?" He chuckled again "of course, my dear, who do you think told Virlane about the child, now as to those other facts I mentioned. "If you leave the keep and its lands for good, the man left to care for them, would be Drapper, he more then anyone other has that right, since he is your Uncle, bastard though he may be, he is still your Uncle and I'm sure you've noticed his love and care for you and everyone on the land. A look passed between Virlane and Marluxion that MiLady did not understand, before she could ask any questions, Marluxion started to speak again. "I am here to offer the two of you another choice, one that I think would work better for everyone involved. I'm offering to make you both human and dragon, to be able to switch at will, after learning some basic magic commands," he mentioned the last to MiLady "there is no time constraint on this type of magic, it will last forever or until a reversing spell is spoken, and even then it must have my approval or my successors approval to be uttered. There are of course certain rules that must be followed."
"First and fore most no human can ever see you transform, unless it is an emergency that can't be helped, if a human does see you, as soon as possible, all memory of the situation and transformation must be removed. As always the location of your lair must be protected at all times. Finally the child must be born human and in the human way. The first month of the child's life it will not be able to change form and will be at its most vulnerable. There after the two of you will have the delight of trying to teach a precocious child to control its own magic." Don't glare at me Virlane, there will be many clutches for you to brood and worry over but this is the only way, if the child is born a hatchling the magic will not take hold and last for it's own children and their children. There are two more conditions, this transformation must take place in the room where MiLady was born, the tower room I understand, second the sooner this is taken care of the better for the child, it has already been imprinted with being human, it must now be imprinted with being a dragon. Also, MiLady you must think carefully on this, as a human woman, you will carry inside you a child that is in human form, but will at times have the temperament of a dragon. This may be very hard on your body, you must make the decision before we go any further, if you are willing to go through, with what an old male dragon, can only call extreme discomfort. Virlane turned to MiLady and started to speak "let her alone, Virlane, she has much to think about, now offer an old dragon some wine and a bite to eat, after she has made her decision and returned to the keep, then we can talk further." Virlane returned with a large tray of food, he placed it on the desk and poured them both a large goblet of wine, to MiLady he offered a goblet of cool juice.
She sat staring at the desk and absently sipped her juice, it was as if the old dragon was offering them the best of both worlds. She looked at him several times, what if something went wrong with his magic, what if he was wrong and it harmed the child, Drapper was her uncle, she shook her head, so much to take in, so much to think about. She wanted Collin and she wanted Virlane, could she have both and be happy? Was she strong enough to be both woman and dragoness? Katrina took a deep breath and made her decision, both dragons looked at her, "I will be your dragoness, Virlane. I will put my trust in your friend and do what I have too." As Virlane pulled her into his arms and kissed her deeply, Marluxion tisked "not now Virlane! we have much to do before dawn rises. MiLady you must return to the keep now, eat a very light supper, then rest until we arrive." Marluxion placed a paw on her shoulder and smiled down at her "I would never have made you such an offer, had I thought it unsafe, for you or your child, and if it had been unsafe for you, I would simply have turned our pacing friend here into a toad and left him to croak for a few hundred years, for getting a human woman with child." He roared with laughter and MiLady started to giggle, then laugh as they both looked at the outraged look on Virlane's face. "Now I will speed you on you way." he said, still roaring with laughter. MiLady blinked then blinked again to find herself standing in the middle of her tower room, she supposed she needed to get used to this sort of thing. Mary walked into the room and with a look of surprise "oh MiLady, I didn't see you come in from the garden, are you feeling well? MiLady you look quite pale." "I'm fine Mary, just a little tired I think I will retire right after supper, I will be down shortly, I just need to wash up" Mary, gave MiLady a clean hand towel and left the room. After supper, MiLady went to her room and lay down, she had so much to think about, she couldn't fall asleep, but lay there thinking of what it would be like to be a dragoness, she just couldn't imagine and would just have to trust that what she was doing was right.
Marluxion left Virlane studying the scroll that held the final spell and the words used to turn dragon to human and back again. Drapper busy in the stables didn't turn as he heard a voice requesting they have a talk. He simply finished his chore and went out to the garden, wondering what was going on now, Marluxion didn't request he usually just stated a demand. Marluxion was waiting and when Drapper arrived said "sit down my friend, you and I need to talk. I once told you that one day you would have your hearts desire, your desire for a grandchild, that you can watch grow into manhood, that you can in some small way help to raise." Drapper didn't look surprised that the old dragon knew these things, he simply nodded and accepted. "Your daughter sleeps in the tower room pregnant with Collin's child. She knows you are her uncle but not that you are her father, that is your choice, if you tell her or not." Marluxion watched Drapper's hands curl into hard fists, his usually easy going face turn into a look of anger. "He doesn't plan on returning to her does he? he is going to leave her to bare this shame alone." sneered Drapper, he knew only to well the burden of being a bastard and it broke his heart that his daughter and grandchild would have to know the same shame and heartbreak. "No my friend, Collin is returning to his woman and his child, but so is Virlane returning tonight to claim his dragoness. Marluxion explained to Drapper what was going to happen this night, he saw the fear in Drapper's eyes and made an offer that would never be made again. "If you desire, you can be there to take witness, but you must tell her the truth. it is your choice, but you must be in her chambers one hour before dawn." Then he was gone. Drapper sat for a long time in the garden, a slow smile started to spread on his face, a child, he said into manhood, a male child, a grandson to watch over. Drapper decided there is no time like the present and headed to MiLady's tower room.
Mathew smiled and greeted Drapper "you be out wanderin late, Drapper, everything be aw right don't it?" Drapper assured Mathew that he just needed to speak with MiLady for a short while as he knocked on the door. She turned from the window "come in", she watched Drapper walk in the room, she was surprised at the surge of pleasure she felt, this was her uncle, this was family. She wanted to reach out and hug him, but didn't know if Drapper was aware that she had been told about their relationship. "You wanted to talk with me, Drapper?" she asked softly. Not knowing where to start Drapper nodded "I had a visit from Marluxion, a short while ago, he told me what is going on and what is going to happening, he also told me about the child. There was one thing that Marluxion didn't tell you, he left that up to me." Drapper tried several times to get the words out, this was so much harder then he thought it would be. MiLady handed Drapper a cup of wine and smiled trying to set him at ease. "You've even surpassed your mother in beauty, I never thought such a thing was possible, she was so lovely, so delicate, her smile could bring a man to his knee's. I loved your mother and it broke my heart when she died giving birth to you. Your mother loved me in return, long before she even met your father. Your the product of that love, your my daughter. I always thought god would curse us for our adulterous relationship, for going behind my half brothers back, instead he blessed us with you. Even though your mother never lived to see you grow into a full woman, she would be pleased to know how you have turned out. My half brother never knew that you were not his child, he loved your mother and after she died he passed all that love and caring on to you, I never wanted that to change. I could never be a father to you, I would hope to be a grandfather to your child, if you can allow that, everything considered?" Katrina sat down abruptly and stared at Drapper, her hand shook as she took a sip of her wine. This was all just to much, I can't take anymore tonight, I just can't hear one more revelation. Has the world gone mad or have I simply been kept hidden from all the truths that seem to have been swirling around me for years. "Can we talk of this later, Drapper, I just don't know what to say right now." Drapper stood up, suddenly feeling very old and tired, he had ruined it all. "One last thing, MiLady, if it won't bother you greatly, I would like to be here when you become Virlane's dragoness, I was denied being there the day you came into this world and your mother left it, I would like to be here for this, if you will allow it." He went to her suddenly "please don't cry, I didn't mean to make you cry, can you forgive me." She put her arms around him and hugged him, crying on his shoulder, for all the things that had been, for all the things she wished she had known, and for the pain she heard in his voice. she wiped the tears from her face and with a trembling voice said "please come Drapper, I want you to be there, Virlane, Marluxion, myself, we all want you to be there." She saw the tears in his eyes and with a watery chuckled handed him his cup of wine "I think we both need this tonight." Drapper left promising to be back later, reminding MiLady that she needed to rest. Mathew watched Drapper leave and wondered what was going on. Hours later as Mary was returning to her own room, she saw Drapper going up the tower stairs and frowning decided to follow him, Mathew had mentioned how odd everyone had been acting lately.
Mary slipped into the room behind Drapper and let out a startled scream, Mathew rushed into the room at hearing Mary's abruptly cut off scream. Drapper stood holding a fainting Mary, Mathew stood in the doorway staring at the occupants of the room, thrusting Mary into Mathew's arms, Drapper quickly shut and bolted the door. The two dragons looked at each other with a rueful look, Marluxion looked at Mathew "it's to late for you to leave now, I don't want to hear you utter a word, keep the woman your holding quiet also." he said gruffly, putting a little fear into Mathew. MiLady smiled reassuringly at Mathew as he tried to revive Mary, whispering frantically to her, not to make a sound. "It's all right Mathew, we are all quite safe, you just walked in on something you weren't supposed to know about." Mathew leaned against the wall, well out of the way and held Mary tight, his hand clamped over her mouth, so she couldn't scream again when she came around, Drapper went and stood next to Mathew, watching carefully. Marluxion was just about to work the spell, when a green glowing orb seemed to enter the room, it bobbed here and there, finally crashing into a pitcher of water, sending both tumbling to the floor with a resounding crash in the quiet room. Marluxion picked up a very wet, green Bitsy, his sigh was loud enough to blow the water off her soaking wings. He tossed her to Drapper, "you can explain later why your glowing green. Drapper, don't let her touch anything." MiLady and Virlane looked at each other and started to laugh, easing the tension in the room. Grinning Marluxion looked at the two "lets get this done with before Trink tries to knock down the door, muttering that he and his superior parts don't like being left out of all the excitement. So saying Marluxion started to speak, the room started to swirl slowly at first, he pulled out the handkerchief that he had been keeping safe, blood on blood, together as one, the dragons blood, the virgin humans blood, to become one, human and dragon, a wind started to blow in the room and a glow of gold shimmered like a thousand candles. Suddenly everything seemed to stand still, Marluxion with a worried look, glanced at Virlane, Marluxion spoke to Virlane with his thoughts "groan, the blood is not strong enough, why? Virlane responded in kind "I don't know why, then he gasped, the brook, the handkerchief was dipped in the water."
Marluxion for the first time in many years felt defeat at his paws and didn't like it one bit. He snarled out his rage as he stared at the handkerchief. Bitsy realizing something had gone terribly wrong, watched the old dragon, then suddenly twisted away from Drapper and frantically started to whisper in Mary's ear. Mary looked at the green glowing fairy, then suddenly screeched, in the clothes chest, that's where I hide it, in the clothes chest. Suddenly Mary was running to the chest, she threw it open and dug down to the bottom, Bitsy frantically telling her to hurry. Mary thrust the dress at Virlane, not understanding he stared at it, Bitsy suddenly leaned down and bite Virlane as hard as she could, drawing blood. Virlane roared and threw Bitsy off his paw, she flew back wildly, crying out to Marluxion, "the dress, they were laying on her dress, her blood is still on it, do it now Mar, do it now." The tiny fairy pushed at Virlane's paw trying to get his blood on the dress. Marluxion grabbed the dress and Virlane's paw and rubbed his bleeding paw on the dried blood stains, speaking quickly the words he had to say before dawn. The wind wiped through the room and the golden glow grew until it was blinding, a sound like a whispering of the wind moaned through the room, then the wind and golden glow were gone. All eye's turned to where MiLady had been standing holding Virlane's paw. There standing next to Virlane was a golden dragoness, her eye's a deep sea green, her wings streaked with a darker golden color, and just over her heart, a mark, two dark blood red circles intertwining. The old dragon breathed a sigh of relief and looked at the two dragons, one platinum, standing majestically next to the smaller golden one, he was well pleased with this nights work.
The golden dragoness looked up at Virlane, she felt so strange, yet still felt herself, "are you pleased? Virlane" surprised to her voice a soft deep purr, she turned and started to fall, Virlane caught her and smiled, from the look in his eye's he was more the pleased and planned on showing her very soon. A giggle came from under the bed covers, Bitsy poked out her head, laughing "balance, lady, balance, its all in the tail." A hysterical giggle came from Mary who had been hiding behind Mathew. Drapper and Mathew looked at each other and started to laugh. "Drapper, why are we laughing?" asked a dazed Mathew. Drapper shook his head not sure why he was laughing. Marluxion looked around the room, smiling, "it's been a long night, far to long for these old bones, I think we should all be heading to our beds." He looked at the dragon couple chuckling, then sent them off to their lair. Drapper quietly thanked Marluxion and slipped out of the room, still feeling overwhelmed. Mary and Mathew started for the door "one moment please" they turned and looked at him, thinking now they have had it, he would surely gobble them up. "I would like to thank you for your help tonight, Mary, had you not saved the dress, we would never have been able to complete the spell, we are in your debt, our dragons are going to need faithful people to watch over them and protect them, I think those who can be trusted stand before me. "Mary could only stare at the old dragon, she started to speak and Mathew pulled her out the door, "Later, Mary me girl, leave it for later." Finally he turned and looked at the little lump wiggling out from under the covers he held out his paw and she flew to him. As they vanished Marluxion was heard to say "Shall we discuss this interesting green color and how it came about, my dear."