Prologue
The moon's light flooded the ground below it with such magnitude, that the barren earth seemed to be drowning in luminescence. This proved to be fatal for the two figures who wished to remain hidden as they ran. Their destination had them headed towards the dense forest that lay two furlongs ahead. These figures soon slowed their pace until finally they stopped entirely. The larger of the two figures could only be described as a plump, red bearded fellow whose green eyes held worry, fear and pride. Aside from the caked mud along the bottom of his blue robe, he retained his royal attributes. Alongside him was a tall female who stood a good 2 inches above him at 5 feet. Though her ringed hands shook, while holding a small bundle close against her chest, she did not lose her dignifying stature that would make any willow tree bow their branches before her. Tucking back straight red hair behind her ear, she pulled the bundle away from her and pealed a layer of cloth away. Her blue eyes seemed to smile when she saw her treasure completely safe.
"She is still sleeping soundly even after that bumpy journey. She is becoming more and more like you every day Fredrick." whispered the female, dressed in a red, yellow trimmed robe, to her husband. A hint of anxiety wrapped around her words as she spoke.
"As she should be Catherine", replied the male with the same anxiety gripping his throat.
Suddenly the foreboding sound of horse feet clomping behind them, made Fredrick and Catherine make a mad dash into the forest. Their quickened pace was so fast that their feet seemed to be sprinting on the same air that blew away all feelings and thoughts except for the instinct to run. When it felt like their lungs would burst from lack of breath, the scenery changed from a bare, open stretch of land to a forest lush with trees. Not slowing their sprint, the couple darted behind a fairly large area of fern growth. The leafy tendrils acted as embracing arms that provided comfort and shelter for the two weary travelers. They waited in silence as twenty men on horse back sped by them; the horses kicking up dirt behind them as their belled harnesses jingled violently to the point where they threatened to fall off. Soon the only sounds were the hooting of owls sitting on the branches of trees and crickets playing their nocturnal lullaby.
"I can stand it no longer", declared Fredrick standing up; his voice now becoming the loudest sound in the nighttime atmosphere. Catherine gave her husband a questioning look as she got to her feet carefully making sure she did not awaken the sleeping form in her arms.
"My dearest Catherine, in order for you to get away safely I must". He stopped; fighting back tears. "I must distract William's men for as long as I can so that you and our precious daughter can live", he finished turning away. He dared not look at his wife who he knew would be crying at the news.
"Fredrick….you can't…..you", Catherine stuttered between sobs. At that Catherine embraced her husband who kissed her on her forehead. They stood there hugging each other knowing far too well that this would be the last time they would see one another.
There would be no more afternoon tea in the courtyard, no more midnight strolls in the royal garden, no more laughing at jesters and entertainers in the great hall, no more of anything. Finally letting go, Catherine gestured to the bundle that was the reason for this war between this kingdom and William's. Leaning down, Fredrick kissed his daughters cheek and took her in his arms.
"Though you may forget your father and learn to ignore your mother", he said, smiling dryly.
"Do not forget who you are". Fredrick lightly touched the infant's nose and pulled an object out from one of the pockets on his blue robe. He gently placed the large smooth object, which was tied to a string, around the child's neck. The sapphire stone caught the moon's rays causing Fredrick's face to be bathed in green light. Fredrick reluctantly relinquished his daughter to Catherine and tucked the stone under the many layers of cloth to hide it. With tears streaming down her face, Catherine held the bundle close to her heart as she watched her husband disappear into the depth of the night. After what seemed like hours, if you looked, you could still see Catherine standing there on that lonely road still hopeful that her husband may change his mind and come back. Suddenly realization settled into her brain. He was not coming back. Allowing tears to stream freely down her cheeks, she ran farther into the forest holding the baby closer to herself than ever before. It was as if Catherine believed that the closer the child was to her, the less of a chance it had at being stolen.
Catherine crashed through thread-like plants and under growth not caring that every arm of the plants slapped her in the face and tore at her clothes causing her to stop now and then to untangle herself. Catherine soon felt light headed and her eye sight became blurred. Slowly ever so slowly she put one foot in front of the other, feeling as if she was dragging a twenty pound weight behind her. When it seemed like all hope was lost, a guardian angel made its self known. Nestled between several red-wood and oak trees, was a gigantic willow tree that stood mighty and strong. A single shaft of moonlight rested gently upon it.
"A holy miracle amongst the evil, this place is", whispered Catherine in aw. "Certainly a diamond in the ruff." Coming closer, Catherine could hear more horses nickering and rampaging behind her. The enemy had caught up and was gaining in speed. A single hollow hole occupied the trees middle. Catherine looked at her baby girl and holding back tears she placed her child gently inside the tree. Catherine took one last look at her child before saying a prayer and running into the forest. The forest soon held an eerie silence as if the night animals feared to make a sound.
Two hours later
An ear piercing wail rendered the forest helpless and under the tiny infants mercy from which the scream originated from. A few brave animals (or ones who seemed not to have ears) ventured closer towards the source of noise. A green, black, striped lizard zealously went up the tree trunk and into the hole in the middle of the tree; his small, tear drop shaped head turning left and right. Suddenly all sound from the tree trunk ceased as the baby's blue eyes became transfixed on the meandering creature above her following it's every move. Perhaps it might have been because the lizard lost his footing, or maybe it was because he felt curiosity descend upon him, but whatever it was the red three toed feet disconnected from the tree. It landed with a plop upon the infant's stomach. Triangular red eyes met the wide blue eyes of the infant. Suddenly tears prickled her eyes and threatened to spill out. With arms flinging and feet kicking, the infant began screaming again. The poor discombobulated lizard was thrown from the tree. Scrambling to his four feet, he retreated to some nearby buttercup patches.
Suddenly a new sound drowned out the infant's wailing. The earth shook with a mighty force making the animals recoil back into the safety of the dark that the thick forest foliage provided. Soon the sound of large feet pounding upon the ground was heard and they kept in time with the earth shaking. A long loud roar exploded into the forest as four large, red scaled feet protruded from the thick plant life and into the clearing where the tree stood. Three yellow talons stood at the ready on each of the four feet. Connected to the feet were massive red scaled legs and a yellow stomach connected the legs to the rest of the red scaled body. A twelve foot long tail sported short, sharp, pointy red scales that pointed towards the sky. Two, large, see through, yellow wings rested gently at the creature's side. If this creature opened its wings it would have a thirty foot wingspan. This magnificent creature before the open air and all its inhabitants was a Dragon.
Sixteen years later……………………………...