Adrien enjoyed waking up before the dragons went to roost for the day, able to catch them flying around the lake as he did his morning exercise.
He and Tikki had made it early in the autumn season, Tikki introducing him to some elders who granted him permission to stay for his noble cause. They also did tell him about a black dragon, the youngest of the elder dragons that would sometimes come to the Valley for the winter.
Tikki explained that elder dragons were larger, mono-colored dragons who were permanent residents of the Valley, so it was very unusual for one to have left, let alone kidnap a princess.
So Adrien settled on waiting, enjoying the land the dragons called home.
He jogged around the outskirts of the lake, dragons flying back into their caves to sleep for the day. Tikki and her pride flew overhead, Adrien waving as they passed. Tikki's pride had been very accepting of him, their regular home fairly close to a human settlement near the coast.
He continued his run until he reached the west side, directly facing the sun that peaked over the mountains, glimmering on the still water's surface. He usually spent his days on the west side, keeping up with his training despite the lack of equipment. So most of his training was spent running, stretching, and mock fighting positions since his sword had been claimed by the elders for younger dragons' safety.
Adrien leaned to his right, watching the horizon as he stretched. There was still a chance for another dragon to come before the winter. Hopefully the black dragon with his princess.
He hoped Princess Marinette was fine. Who knew what kind of living conditions the dragon would subjugate her to. Would she have a decent place to sleep, food to eat? Was the dragon giving her food?
Adrien tried not to hard to think about whatever living conditions she was in, only hoping she was alive and well when they met again. He had no doubt she would be as beautiful as he remembered. Maybe less cheerful, but he would do anything to return that smile to her face.
Adrien was startled out of his day dream by a high pitched scream echoing through the valley. It was getting louder, as suddenly through the north east mountains burst forth the black dragon. Adrien immediately began running along the shore, following the dragon's direction. Only for the dragon to make a dive into the water.
Adrien stopped, watching the water for any sign of resurfacing. No dragon came up, but instead, Adrien saw a small frantic being struggling in the water. He immediately shucked his boots and ran into the water, swimming out to the thing. He was relieved and slightly terrified to find the princess struggling to keep her head above the water.
"I got you," he cautioned as he wrapped his arms around her small frame, pulling her to the shore. He stopped when they reached a shallow part, helping her to stand as he lead her to the dry land.
"Are you alright?"
"Stupid dragon. Thinks its funny to drag me into the water just because I said morning baths are refreshing," the princess grumbled. Adrien nodded in agreement. When the water level was just barely reaching their ankles, Adrien let go, stepping ahead onto the shore. He turned to help lead her up, only for the princess to stumble in the mud, landing on his chest. Adrien could feel his cheeks heat up as she gripped onto his shirt to help her out of the mud.
"I'm sorry, I can be so ...clumsy…" Princess Marinette paused mid sentence as she stared up at him, allowing Adrien a full look of his princess. Her dark hair was messy from the flight and swim in the water. Her big blue eyes stared at him in wonderment. Her creamy skin was turning pink with embarrassment. Her small hands looked calloused from hard labor, and her wet clothes clung to her small from. She was as beautiful, if not more so, than he remembered.
"Your highness," he greeted with a smile. The princess's eyes went bigger as she let go of his shirt, falling back into the water on her behind.
"Here let me help you." He offered her a hand, the princess glancing between his face and his hand. Did she not recognize him from the ball? Had he been so overshadowed by Theo's arrival she didn't remember him?
She hesitantly extended her hand into his own, Adrien lifting her out of the water.
He was about to pull her onto dry land when something black slithered between them. The princess immediately pulled back her hand as the black thing grew larger, the body of the dragon following behind. The black dragon was taller than Tikki, his head several meters above the red-black dragon Adrien was certain. The tail of the beast wrapped around the princess, picking her up and placing her on its back.
"Only those who are worthy may have the princess," the dragon snarled as he stepped onto the land, forcing Adrien to step aside for the beast.
"A-and who are you to determine I am not worthy of the princess," Adrien challenged, reaching for his sword. Only to remember he didn't have it. He looked back up to see the princess frowning while the dragon smirked. Adrien gulped, hoping Tikki or one of the elders would step in before the rogue dragon would burn him alive.
Too late he felt something wrap around his ankle tighten, looking down to see the tip of the dragon's tail curled. He looked back up the dragon, just as the dragon flicked his tail, launching Adrien to the other side of the valley.
Adrien landed in the water, frantically scrambled back up to the surface. When he looked around the lake, the dragon and princess were nowhere in sight. Looks like rescuing his princess would be harder than he thought.
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