Crash into me:

Disclaimer: I do not own glee ... or a dragon

Chapter 1:

The harsh winter wind blew over the face of the mountain, a few snowflakes stinging the skin of Kurt's cold flushed cheek. He wrapped the hide jacket tighter around his chest, trying to regain as much heat as possible. His thick boots crunched the dusting of snow under his feet as he walked through the deserted courtyard towards the cave in the side of the mountain where the royal family's dragons were kept.

He paused outside the entrance, taking in the view of his kingdom for what might be one last time. Below the rock outcrop was the small kingdom of Audentia which Kurt's family had ruled over for centuries. Small wooden and stone houses were built into the edge of the rock face from the royal family's home at the top, down to the water's edge. Dragons of all colors were flying through the sky, leaving the constant sound of moving air in their wake.

Kurt was pulled from his thoughts by a small nudge to his back, a puff of warm air heavy with the smell of rotten fish and meat blew over his shoulders. Despite the rank odor he was unable to stop the smile spreading across his frozen face.

"Niveus." The word hung in the air as Kurt turned slightly to run his mitten clad hand over the smooth silver scales on his dragon's cheek. His dragon was at least twenty feet tall, covered in silver scales, spines trailed along the curve of her back down to her tail. Two wings curled in close to the dragon's side. Niveus puffed again and this time Kurt laughed, "God you, stop breathing that nasty breath all over me."

Niveus shook her head back and forth and Kurt rolled his eyes, his hand resuming their path from her cheek bone down the smooth scales of her broad chest. She butted him again and Kurt could sense her anticipation swirling around with his anxiety. After one more push that actually sent him stumbling slightly forward, Kurt gave in.

"Alright, alright!" He conceded. Niveus ducked her head and stretched her wing to the side, lowering her shoulder enough for Kurt to jump on. Running his hands down the side of her neck, Kurt doubled checked that the pack on his back was fastened across his chest before he tugged his scarf over his lower face and pulled it tight.

Niveus watched him settle, her dark blue eyes never leaving Kurt's face. A small nod was all it took before her wings spread out to their full length, touching the edge of the rocky cliff on both sides before rising up and down. A swirl of snow rose up from the stone as they moved airborne, Niveus shaking her silvery head once before she dove down the edge of the rock cliff, Kurt holding on tight as they plunged down the mountain face.

Before coming too close to the raised roofs of the houses below them, Niveus turned and rose quickly easing into a slow glide around the city. They circled the small kingdom for a few minutes, Kurt relaxing and taking his first deep breath since they left his home on the cliff face.

"Alright girl, we've got a ceremony to go to." Kurt said reluctantly, patting Niveus' shoulder to let her know their short lived flight was over for the moment. She took one more lap in the sky before slowly spiraling towards the ground, heading towards the center circle where Kurt could barely see the outline of people gathering below.

As they got closer to the frozen earth Kurt could see his parents, dressed in the thick royal robes standing in the center, his little sister by their side so bundled that Kurt could barely see her face underneath the layers. The town's people clustered tightly together in a circle around them. Niveus sensed the change in atmosphere and held her head high, the spines down her back sticking up as her claws hit the stone and she drew her wings in.

Chancing a quick glance around Kurt took a steadying breath. A quick kiss was placed to the center of Niveus' neck before she lowered her body and Kurt slid off, the sound of his boots hitting the icy ground and echoing around.

"Kurt." His head whipped toward his father and he walked closer stopping a few feet from his family, he wanted to look back at Niveus -take some comfort from the dragon that had become his best friend- but didn't.

"Son, today marks seven days after your eighteenth birthday. As per the tradition of this kingdom, you will fly to the top of the mountain at the far end of this island and bring back a stone from the cave that will become your family gem when you take over this land."

The words settled in Kurt's chest. He had heard this much before, it was the topic of conversation in his home and the homes of Audentia. But for many of the people around him he would be the first son to take the journey in their lifetime. From the corner of his eye he could see the tears falling from his mother's eyes but he didn't move to comfort her like his mind was urging him to do. Instead he stood tall, and let the enormity of his task fall over his shoulders as his father continued.

"You will only have the items in your pack and your dragon to aid you through this journey. Shall you not return in a week, the kingdom will mourn your death."

He knew it was coming but it didn't stop the seizing of his chest, only tightening further when a sob left his mother's lips. This task was a test of survival, a way to prove that he could rule the kingdom, and to instill trust in the town's people. None of that made it any less terrifying though. Kurt sensed Niveus standing over him, then her head grazed his shoulder and it was all the reassurance he needed.

"We wish you luck and good health Kurt, may you return in seven days' time a man, ready to take on the responsibility of ruling this land." Silence fell around the whole circle, even the dragons that had once been flying overhead had taken to the ground, their heads bowed.

His father stepped forward and Kurt fell into his arms. The strong arms kept him grounded and he squeezed his eyes shut, "I love you son, remember everything you've been taught. Sometimes your greatest weakness can be your greatest strength."

Nodding Kurt was only released for a second before his mother's arms wrapped around his body, her tears falling onto the hide of his jacket. "Mother-"

"Shh sweetheart." She pulled back and cupped Kurt's face between her hands, "I love you Kurt, listen to your heart and the rest will fall into place." Her blue eyes locked with his and he barely managed a small nod. With one last kiss to his cheek she let go.

Kneeling down Kurt reached forward and pulled down the scarf covering all of his sister's face except for her eyes, "I love you Katla," he murmured, kissing her pink cheek and brushing the cinnamon strands of hair from her face.

"I love you too Kurt." She threw her arms around his neck, but it wasn't quite as close Kurt would have liked because of the layer they were both wrapped in. With a final kiss to her cheek he stood and dusted off the snowflakes that had stuck to his pants.

Kurt didn't speak until he was back on Niveus, the silver dragon shifting her weight between her feet and Kurt could feel the excitement rolling off her, it was almost intoxicating.

"Today I will leave on the journey as the men in generations before me have done, and I intended on returning in at least seven days, ready your be your ruler." His words with meet with a huge cheer from the people surrounding him on all sides and Niveus' wings spread out, pumping the air until they were hovering a few hundred feet above the gathering below. With one last wave towards his family, Kurt nudged Niveus and she blew a stream of fire straight into the sky, leaving a trail of smoke in their wake before that too disappeared into the frozen air.

AN: Thoughts? :)

Niveous means snowy/white in Latin and Audentia means courage (at least that's what google translate told me)