Seven.
It was a relief to have clothes again.
Although Alfred still mourned the loss of his protective gear, having a shirt and pants was something he was thankful for. He dressed himself without help. This was a long process as his burns ached with numbing pain down his back and shoulders. But it was worth it to keep those unblinking eyes off his bare skin.
Leaning against the side of the nest, Alfred took a moment to rest. He eyed his bag, suspiciously intact and just within reach. As he pulled it to him and began digging for food, the dragon watched from its crouch position where it had settled on its return. It hadn't moved or spoken for several long minutes. Alfred had only a second of warning before this silence was broken as the beast inhaled deeply.
"Perhaps you should wait another day before traveling," it said.
Alfred flashed a surprised glare at it, a developing reflex. "I thought you wanted me out of here as soon as possible."
The dragon rumbled and inclined its head. "While its preferable, it looks to be unlikely. You won't last long with the pace you're going."
"Thanks but no thanks," Alfred stuffed food in his mouth and shouldered the bag awkwardly. Slowly he pushing himself upright and stumbled his way clumsily out of the nest. He barely made it to the entrance of the cave before his shaking legs gave out and he plummeted. Unexpectedly, his fall was broken by something soft.
The dragon rumbled again pointedly. Alfred didn't grace it with an answer. He was stunned into silence as he realized that the cool silky limb underneath him, lowering him gently to the floor, was its tail. The beast towered over him and caught the nape of his shirt with its teeth. Then, like a mother cat would carry its kitten, the dragon dragged Alfred back to its nest and dropped him inside.
Alfred groaned. Every moment was becoming more humiliating than the last.
"Why are you doing this?"
"I told you repeatedly, I need you to be healthy so you can spread word of my demise," its tail was lashing in irritation.
Alfred shifted so he faced its head. "You don't have to go through all this trouble. If anything you should be forcing me to go even if I was worse than this."
"I am not cruel," green eyes flashed and the dragon growled. "You may be assured that I am a monster...but no more monster than I've already been made."
Alfred grew quiet. It was such an odd concept that a dragon would bestow him more mercy than most other people he'd encountered. He head was physically aching from the realization of it all. The world as he knew it wasn't anything like what he was seeing now. All in a matter of hours, things were spinning out of control and all he knew was that a monster was sparing him. A monster was being kind.
He closed his eyes.
In the wilderness of his mind, he restructured a nearly forgotten memory. The pain of the burns faded into something sharper and new, his limbs became lighter and smaller. He opened his eyes and saw the sky outlining a sneering face. The face was dotted with oily red spots and a crooked nose. Alfred knew that he boy above him had broken his nose in a jousting match. The lips curled before a foot came into view and slammed into Alfred's face. He barely managed to close his eyes in time. He knew the kick would leave a black eye.
"Think you're funny, don't ya?" the boy taunted.
Alfred resisted the urge to curl into himself and opened his eyes again, looking defiantly at his beater. "Yeah, I do. But at least my humor relies on my wit and not on my face."
The boy scowled, visibly processing the insult before fury reddened his pimples. He howled like a wounded animal and his foot slammed in Alfred's face again. Alfred tried to curl into himself but the boy was on him in seconds, mindlessly beating his face and kneeing his stomach. The beating only stopped when the boy was satisfied, his temper spent. Alfred could hear him stand up, could feel the burning saliva on his cheek when he spat. He didn't wipe it off.
"Now we'll see who has the last laugh," the boy finally turned and walked away.
Alfred opened his eyes to a scaly green snout rather than a red pimpled face. He silently marveled at the differences. The boy had been training to be a knight, supposedly to become a man of chivalry and valor. Instead, what was spawned was a selfish brat who bullied all the boys younger and smaller than himself. Even after they had matured into men, Alfred knew that he had grown arrogant and attention seeking, using his position and looks to receive undeserved praise. It was because of him that Alfred wanted to be a knight himself, a real knight. Someone who protected those weaker than them and battled the wrongdoers of the world. Yet when Alfred looked at the dragon above him, he couldn't help but feel that he had been fighting the wrong monster.
Author's Note:
I think it's interesting to note that there was an equal split of sympathy for Arthur and Alfred respectively in the reviews. Amazingly enough, both have valid reasons to be sympathized. Very rarely is there one victim in a situation. Sorry this chapter was short but I hoped you enjoyed regardless!
