It had been a few weeks since Madeleine and Gilbert first met. They fell into a routine of sorts. Gilbert would teach her how to defend herself with a sword and Madeleine would help him sort through all his gold.

Every now and then, Gilbert would take Madeleine out of the cave to get some fresh air and to stretch his wings. This particular day, Gilbert set her down so she walk around and he took of for the sky. Soon, he was out of sight and Madeleine felt a little worried because he always flew where she could see him. She was about to call to Gilbert, to ask him to come back, but there was something in the bushes.

Madeleine went to investigate and found the most adorable tiny bird. It's wing was bent and it couldn't fly. It chirped at Madeleine and her heart melted at the sweet little bird. She picked it up and cradled it close to her.

"Do you know the whereabouts of Princess Magdalene?"

Madeleine jumped.

She turned and saw a man with spike-ish hair and a tan tunic. He was on a horse with a flag that held the colors red, white and blue. Something about the flag sparked a distant memory but she could not place it.

"I am sorry, I don't know anything about a Princess named Magdalene."

"Well, thank you anyway. Her father has put up her hand in marriage as a reward for her return. I intend to find her first."

"I wish you luck."

With that, he rode off as quickly as he came. Gilbert arrived a few minutes later and landed light on his feet.

"Hallo Madeleine, what have you been up to?"

"Well, I found a bird."

"That is an awesome little bird. Can we keep it?" His eyes lit up with happiness and his behavior was that of a child.

"His wing is broken so we will need to care for him. But yes, we can keep the bird."

Gilbert hugged Madeleine softly so he didn't crush the bird. "This can be like our child, you are the mommy and I am the daddy."

They both blushed by what Gilbert just said.

"I'd be fine with that."

"Alright, let's get back Birdie. It's going to be night soon."

Madeleine questioned where he got the nickname but then decided it came from the bird. Gilbert picked her up with one arm around his neck and the other around the little bird.

"Can we name him Gilbird?"

"If you want too, yes."

Gilbert flew with his Birdie and his bird back to the caves.

"Lord Francis, I promise that I will not rest until I find your daughter and bring her home safe and sound." A young knight knelt down before the king.

"I have no doubt you will. Please bring Madeleine home, Alfred."

"I bet my life on that."

The young knight stood up and left to fetch his horse. His time living near the mountains gave him knowledge that most knights and princes wouldn't know. Especially the stories about the beast.

Far in the north, where the ice dragons live, there was a human king who was appointed ruler because he was the only one to defeat an ice dragon.

Ivan heard about the missing princess through his brother Dmitri. She was also the one to refuse his brother's hand in marriage.

Moskal did not have a queen so having the woman his brother could not get would be a great accomplishment. Ivan called for the dragon that seemed to be on his side.

"What is it that you want?" the dragon spoke in his mind.

"Tell be the whereabouts of Princess Maggaline."

"Princess Madeleine is in the mountains with the white fire breather."

"So she'd held hostage?" That would explain why no one has found her yet.

"Not necessarily. The fire breather cares for her. Even loves her. To get him to part with the Princess, he will never do so."

"Can it be killed?" Ivan was hoping for a challenge.

"Yes, but it would have to shift to it human form and in regards as to what you plan to do with Madeleine, he will not battle you as a humanoid but as a dragon."

"How can a beast such as that love a human girl?"

"Why would a human girl love a beast?"

"Where is the mountain she is at?"

"The Masif."

"Thank you for your intelligence. Now I must be off to get my bride. TORIS!"

A thin man ran into the throne room.

"You're in charge when I'm gone. Don't piss off the dragons."

Alfred rode his horse up the mountain trail. If his mother and aunt were right, and it wasn't just an old wives tale, then the entrance to the dragon's lair should lay ahead. The further up Alfred went, the warmer he felt and the more it smelled like sulfur.

He could see smoke coming out of a door like entrance. Not knowing what was inside, he ignored the butterflies in his stomach and entered the cave.

It was dark and smelled like smoke and sulfur. Of course with a potential dragon, that was a smell that was going to come up. Alfred drew his sword and slowly advanced to the orangish glow in the distance. He could hear the roar of the fire and feel the sweat drip down his face. He heard the sound of laughter. It was loud and sounded like 'keseseses' but with some hissing and like the being was coughing it. But there was a softer laughter, laughter that reminded Alfred strongly of springtime.

As Alfred ventured closer, he could hear a distinct male voice saying something along the lines that there was something wrong somewhere and he'll be back.

Alfred waited until he thought for sure the male was gone. He tiptoed passed piled of gold until he saw her. She wore a red dress which looked beautiful on her. Her hair was clean and combed. Not what one would expect from a princess who had been missing for a while. She held something in her arms and as Alfred moved closer, he saw that what she held was a small bird.

"Princess Madeleine?"

She turned around in shock. She was too surprised to cry out for Gilbert.

"You are named Madeleine? Right?"

Still in shock, she nodded.

"I'm here to rescue you. Please be quiet or the beast will hear."

Before Madeleine could comprehend what was happening as it all went too fast, the blond haired knight pulled her through the tunnel and into the open air.

She heard a roar of anguish from Gilbert.

Alfred heard a roar of a beast.

"Keep running, I'll hold him off!" Alfred pushed her in front of him, down the mountain as he turned to face the largest, and the only, dragon he had ever seen.

Pure white, glowing ruby eyes, wingspan greater than anything he had ever seen, razor sharp talons that could and would slice into rock, sharp teeth the size on an infant, and it was right in front of Alfred. Staring at him with a hatred and desire of...longing? No. The beast was staring at Madeleine with longing and hatred at him.

Like hell was Alfred going to let the beast take the princess away he raised his sword.

As Madeleine watch the foolish knight raise his sword, she heard Gilbert's voice in her head.

"Run. Run as fast as you can and I will find you."

Madeleine's eyes teared up as she looked at Gilbert one last time before she ran down the mountain.

So what is you favorite ship with Canada that is NOT Prucan?

England is married to Seychelles so he is out and France is married to Jeanne d'Arc and is Canada's father.