Chapter 13 – Armin A4

This game of 'hide and seek' went on for hours on end until the sun had begun to dip near the skyline. Realising that he needed to head home soon, he steeled himself and tore his gaze away from his observer, vowing that he'd find out eventually. Activating it, he set about to lower himself with his Dragon Fire Gear before feeling the gut wrenching grind of gears.

Of course.

Of all the times that his outer gear could've jammed, it had to be whilst he was in free fall in the darkening woods. Great. He saw the ground coming closer and closer, bracing himself for impact, praying to the Gods that his body wouldn't shatter like it always had in those training grounds.

As he closed his eyes in anticipation of the agony, he was perplexed as it didn't come. He slowly let his eyes open as he realised that he was being held in the air. So perhaps his gear did actually work and was just a little jamme- but that thought was cut short as he realised he was being held by his feet, and as he looked up he realised what was holding him up. A dragon.

The human's somewhat nervous smile as he made eye contact with his observer, now saviour, was enough to make the dragon let loose a small grin as well. He then quickly set about softly lowering the boy in his sharp talons taking care not to injure him, slowly beating all of his wings until the boy could brace himself on the ground and tapped his small hands against the talons in a request to be released.

As the boy rolled up, he picked up the staff that he had dropped during the fall, slowly turning to face the dragon that he had been playing with for the last few hours, his eyes widening as he looked upon it. A Stormcutter.

Quite smaller and less scary than average for its breed but it still retained the calm air of dignity held by its more intimidating large counterparts, it's lower wings tucked gently to its side, it's upper wings stretching softly to its sides allowing the light to pass through the thin orange membrane and its eyes. Stark yellows iris encompassed jet black pupils that softly ran over his smaller form.

The Stormcutter could see the boy's curiosity and observation of him and he found it rather likeable; He did not think himself a vain dragon, but when he saw the wonder in the boy's eyes as he watched him, he couldn't help but feel some pride. The two now thinking of their experiences together, after the fall he had saved the boy from, who was now looking up at him with a profound, respect and thanks which the Stormcutter found somewhat alien. But when the young boy bowed his head in that respect, the dragon slowly dipped his head in appreciation of the boy's presence and due respect.

As they both raised themselves back up, the delicately framed boy tenderly raised his palm out to the dragon, casting his eyes downwards as his hand shook. The Stormcutter had come to understand by watching the dragons with their humans in the villages near the forest it lived in that this was a symbol, or rather, a request of friendship.

After mulling on it for a brief moment, the beast of the forest softly pressed its snout against the boy's hand, noting the caring nature of the child, intertwined with his fierce fire for knowledge and feeling it resonate with his own thoughts. The boy then looked up at his new ally and all he could feel was the graceful nature of the dragon as it looked at him. With the light from the remnants of the sun breaking through the forest behind them, Armin couldn't help but remember an old myth his father had told him that he picked up from the south east of a Boy finding a sword in a stone with the help of a sorcerer, what was his name…. Merlin? He thought it resonated a little with his own place in the dimming forest.

As he turned to return to the road that led to the village, he looked to the dragon that walked by his side on his hind legs, and spoke quietly as he said

"Excuse me?"

Causing the dragon's head to slowly turn towards his new friend, with a look of inquiry painted on his expression, to which the boy reached out his hand once more, scratching the stormcutter's neck as he asked

"Can I call you Merlin? I don't know if it's a bril- "

As he was cut off short by the dragon's purr of excitement, a smile grew once more on his face as he proclaimed

"Alright Merlin; Let's go home"

When Armin had reached his family house, he found his grandfather resting on his worn chair, looking out over the sunset, probably reminiscing on times past. But when he heard the soft crunch of gravel from the dragon's footsteps accompanied by the boy's even softer ones, he turned and his smile shone as the sun had earlier that day, a tear making its way down his cheek; remembering the stories that he had told his daughter of the boy of the villager who played in the woods, befriending the Great Owl, Protector of the Forest that lived there, now realising as he looked upon the Stormcutter played with the boy, spinning its head around trying to find the boy who had hidden under his wing, that yes, his grandson, his Armin was a bit like that boy. And he could not have felt prouder.

As Armin returned to the training grounds to register his dragon with the Corps, he noted that not many had yet returned, with only Marco, Connie and Sasha present. And after greeting them and their new dragons, Chester and Jeff, a playful Hideous Zipback and Richter an adorable nice little Gronkle, Armin considered returning to his grandfather's for a few more days.

He knew that he loved to see Armin and he also loved getting to know Merlin, who had grown extremely fond and protective of the Artlets, but he also knew that his old man wasn't exactly living it in the lap of luxury and feeding a dragon wasn't cheap; So he opted to instead pen a letter to him telling him of their journey back.

Feeling the need for some fresh air and to stretch his legs a bit, he called to Merlin and began walking out of the gated training grounds. As he walked along the coastal road, they looked out over the ocean and it's lapping waves and realising that this is what their life was always meant to be. And so, the boy of Hope and the Protecting Dragon continued down their path, eyes still fixed on the dimming horizon.