Apologies in advance for grammar and spelling. Not the best at it. Enjoy! :D
Jimmy ran straight up to his room followed by Thomas who checked to see if anyone had noticed them come in. Jimmy made a small bed for the dragon near his wardrobe. Of course the dragon didn't stay there for long and decided to make itself comfortable on Jimmy's pillow. Jimmy only smiled and got ready for dinner while Thomas watched and worried. He looked puzzled at Jimmy.
"Aren't you worried," Thomas asked. Jimmy looked at him.
"No, not really," he replied. Thomas's eyes widened.
"How can you not," he asked, "There is a baby dragon lying on your bed. What are you going to do, Jimmy? Take care of it? Raise it?"
"What else am I supposed to do," Jimmy asked with his brows furrowed. Thomas shook his head.
"Jimmy, this thing is not a puppy. It's a dragon. It grows. It eats meat. It could eat you when it's big enough."
Jimmy walked over to Thomas.
"Calm down, Thomas. I've read books."
"Books," Thomas repeated, "Those books you probably read are fictional, Jimmy. This thing is real."
"I know it's real, but I think we can manage it," Jimmy said.
"We," Thomas asked. Jimmy swallowed.
"Thomas, I need your help on this. I can't do this on my own, I'll surely get caught. Then they'll take her away from me."
Thomas blinked.
"Her?"
"Yes," Jimmy smiled and sat down next to the dragon. The dragon then crawled over to Jimmy and licked his hand.
Probably getting a taste of him, Thomas thought.
"It's a she. I just don't know what I should name her. What do you think her name should be?"
The dragon looked up at Thomas and wagged its long scaly tale. Thomas smirked a bit.
"Blue," Thomas said. Jimmy chuckled.
"No," he said, "She needs something majestic. She is a majestic creature so something that fits her."
"I think less time worrying what to call 'her', and more time on how you figure to raise it. Jimmy, dragons grow. You can't just keep her in your room and I doubt on a diet of milk and biscuits."
"I know," Jimmy said, "But only until she's too big to hide, besides, its going to get cold soon and I don't want her out there in the winter."
"You may not have a choice if you and her want to survive. Oh, just picture the look on Mr. Carson's face if he sees her."
Jimmy laughed.
"I think that'll be the last thing he ever sees before a big bright light."
Thomas chuckled and nodded.
"How about when I'm working, you make a run up here every now and then just to check up on her. I'll try my best to do the same and as well as feed her."
"Feed her what?"
"Well like you said, she can't live off of milk and biscuits so I figure we could snatch some meat and bring it up."
Thomas groaned.
"I'm supposing you want me to do that. Sneak and get some meat without Mrs. Patmore cutting my head off."
"You're very sneaky, Thomas," Jimmy said, "I'm sure you won't get caught."
Thomas sighed and began to regret the day he mentioned how he used to steal wine and such.
"And what if my sneak is off and I'm caught? How do I explain to them why I need raw meat?"
"Well," Jimmy began, "You're smart too, but I doubt you'll get caught."
Thomas looked away and closed his eyes.
"Please Thomas," Jimmy said, "I swear I'll never ask for anything ever again. I'll never bug for a day off and I won't rely on you to cover me when I get into trouble."
Thomas smiled and looked at Jimmy. Jimmy made a pouty face that made Thomas laugh.
Why do you have to be so adorable? Why can't I have you?
"Oh, alright," Thomas groaned, "But if anything does go wrong, it will be all your fault and you get the trouble."
"I'll earn up to that, Mr. Barrow, I promise."
"You certainly will. Now if you excuse me," Thomas said as he picked up the bag he placed next to Jimmy's door, "I'd better get these to Mrs. Patmore."
Jimmy nodded then began to pet the dragon. Thomas watched as he closed the door then sighed.
That night, Thomas laid in bed barely able to close his eyes. He was tempted to go to Jimmy's room just to check up on him. To make sure the dragon hadn't mauled him in his sleep. Thomas still couldn't believe that the stone was an egg, a dragon's egg. Out of all the scenarios that crossed Thomas's mind about the stone, a dragon egg never crossed his mind. Thomas sighed and sat up. He knew he wasn't going to get much sleep, more of worry than anything. Not only did he worry that Jimmy would get hurt, but what if someone had been looking for it. That worried Thomas the most. Surely something like that had an owner. What if they knew the stone was actually a dragon egg? Thomas knew that people involved in such were probably not very merciful. His fear grew more and more as he thought about what dangerous people could be looking for the dragon. Oh how he wished Jimmy never found the damned thing. As much as he wished things never happened, they did and he lived through them.
But this is different. How am I supposed to keep Jimmy and a dragon safe?
Thomas lied back down and stared at his ceiling.
I just hope no one thinks to come to Downton and look for it.
The next couple of weeks went surprisingly swell and fast. Thomas was able to snatch a couple of strips of meat and rush them upstairs before anyone could notice. The dragon took them happily and ate up the meat. Thomas couldn't help but smile as he watched the tiny thing flip and eat the meat. It became a routine. He would snatch meat throughout the day, check up on the dragon when he could, then after dinner, him and Jimmy would sit and talk while the dragon played around with a little ball Jimmy found in the yard. Thomas knew it was either Little George's or Little Sybie's but no one ever went to look for it.
"Have you found a name for it yet," Thomas asked as he rolled the ball back and forth, teasing the dragon with the ball.
"Not yet," Jimmy sighed, "I've thought and thought but nothin."
"Hmm," Thomas said as he took a good look at the dragon. He looked into the dragon's eyes then looked into Jimmy's.
"Sapphire," Thomas said, "Her eyes, they're like sapphires."
Jimmy smiled and nodded.
"They are," he replied, "Sapphire...Saphira."
Jimmy's smiled widened at the sound of the name.
"Saphira," he repeated. Thomas smiled and nodded.
"So, Saphira," he said to the dragon. The dragon looked at him at the sound of the name and wagged her tail. Thomas laughed.
"I guess she likes the sound of that," Thomas said. Thomas's smile faded a little as he took another good look at the dragon. When they brought her here she was only half the size of his arm, now she was bigger.
"Jimmy," Thomas said, "She's growing pretty fast."
Jimmy nodded.
"I noticed that this morning."
"Do you have any ideas on what we should do," Thomas asked. Jimmy only shook his head.
"At this rate, she could be as big as you within a month. We need to get her out before she's too big to fit through the door."
"But its getting cold, Thomas," Jimmy complained, "She can't breathe fire yet so how can she keep warm."
"Look, I'll try and find some old shirts lying around and cloths then maybe tomorrow I can take her to this tiny shack in the woods. No one's been in there for a long time, and it'll keep her warm and sheltered until she's bigger. Surely by then she can light herself a fire."
Jimmy look unconvinced but it was the only idea they had.
"Alright," Jimmy mumbled.
"Besides, I think everyone is getting suspicious at us running up here every chance we get. I know I almost got stopped by yesterday."
"But wouldn't it be more difficult to sneak outside."
"Its a chance we have to take Jimmy. I'll check on her when I go out for a smoke break. They know I like to walk sometimes when I do so they won't get too suspicious. Its only temporary."
Jimmy nodded then looked at Saphira. She looked back and made a face close to a smile. Jimmy smiled back then nodded again.
Thomas smiled and sighed in relief, but if only it was that easy to sneak her out.
The next day when Thomas was able, he grabbed a few old shirts of his and and old blanket he had in his wardrobe before sneaking to Jimmy's room. Saphira was laying on the bed when he entered then it hit him.
How am I supposed too get such a big thing out of here?
Saphira seemed to have grown a bit more over night. She seemed to be close to the size of Isis, maybe a little bigger. Thomas groaned then looked at the window.
"Please tell me you know how to fly a bit," Thomas asked Saphira. She cocked her head to the side then hopped of the bed. Thomas ran over to the window and opened it.
"Ok, just flap your wings until you land, I've never flew meself so I'm not the best teacher at this."
Saphira growled a little then hopped onto the window seal. She looked out and made a noise.
"I know it looks high, but it really isn't," Thomas said, "Just jump...and flap."
Saphira looked at him unconvinced then looked outside. She bobbed herself up and down getting ready to launch. She then launched herself out the window then furiously flapped her wings. Thomas watched in fear as Saphira descended but was relieved to notice she was descending slowly. As she hit the ground a small cloud of dust came out from under her. She looked up at Thomas and wagged her tail.
Thomas smiled.
"Stay there," He said, "If anyone comes, hide. I'll be right down."
He quickly close Jimmy's window then dashed out of the room. He was quick to keep himself from being noticed or called on and ran out the door. He went over to the where the dragon was supposed to be but she was gone.
"Saphira," Thomas said, "Its just me, you can come out now."
He waited a few then saw Saphira pop out from behind a stack of boxes. He smiled at her as she approached him.
"There you are," he said, "Now lets go before anybody sees."
Thomas started walking then looked back and saw Saphira looking at the door.
"Don't worry," Thomas said, "Jimmy is working so he can't come now, but he'll come later. I promise."
Saphira looked at the door then pranced after Thomas as they left Downton.
Thomas lit a cigarette as he trailed down the familiar path to the little shed. He shook his head then looked at Saphira.
You're much easier to deal with than Isis was. I think she still holds a grudge with me.
Thomas blew out a puff of smoke as the little shed game into view. He quickly ran over to it and looked at the lock. He grabbed the key from his pocket and unlocked the door.
"Alright," he said opening the door, "This is where you'll be for...a few days."
He went in and placed the shirts and blanket on the floor, he made a small warm nest then patted it. Saphira walked in then laid in the pile and looked up at Thomas.
"You are so obedient," he said with a smile. He stood up then walked out.
"We'll be back later," he told Saphira. "Stay here now. I've got the only key to the shed so no one will come in here. You're safe."
Saphira made a small nod then laid her head down as Thomas closed the door. Once it was locked he placed his head against the door frame.
You're going to be fine. We're going to be fine. Everything is going to be alright, Thomas. Just relax and keep calm. Its all alright.
...until she grow s up bigger than Downton, then we're in trouble.
Thomas sighed then turned around and made his way back to the house.
The rest of the day went by smoothly and quietly, except for Jimmy's contant bugging Thomas about Saphira. During dinner Thomas couldn't help but notice how anxious Jimmy was. He could barely keep still and kept kicking Thomas who sat across from him. Jimmy would look at Thomas apologetically and of course Thomas would nod to accept his appology, even though he knew his leg was going to be bruised. After their dinner was over, Thomas grabbed his lighter and pack of cigarettes.
"I'm going out for a short walk before bed," Thomas said.
"I'll go with you, Mr. Barrow," Jimmy said standing up, "I've been feeling quite warm lately."
"You're not getting ill, are you James," Mrs. Hughes asked.
Jimmy smiled and shook his head.
"No, Mrs. Hughes, I think I've just worked a little too much today."
made a noise then looked at who smiled.
Thomas snickered as they walked out.
"You are a very hard worker indeed," Thomas said as they began walking, "I nearly break a sweat just watching you stand and smirk all day long."
"Oh shut up, you," Jimmy said laughing, "I am a hard worker, just when no one else sees. I have a reputation."
"Yes, a reputation that's going to get you sacked if you keep it up."
"I won't get sacked," Jimmy said, "Now where is this shack at?"
Thomas smiled.
"It's just this way," he said.
Thomas smoked by a tree as he watched Jimmy play wish Saphira. Thomas couldn't believe how happy Jimmy was when he was around Saphira. Thomas began to feel the cold air bite and nip at him as he hugged his coat tighter around himself.
"We should probably get back," Thomas said shivering.
"Just a couple more minutes," Jimmy said.
"We'll spend extra time tomorrow," Thomas said, "Its your half day anyway."
Jimmy stood up straight then smiled at Saphira.
"I'll be back tomorrow with some good lunch for you," he said to the dragon. The dragon snuggled up to him then he led her back into the shed. Thomas pulled out his key and locked it then began heading back.
"You sure she's safe," Jimmy asked as he caught up to Thomas.
"She's safer here than at the house, Jimmy," Thomas said. He looked at Jimmy's wrapped up hand.
" How's your hand by the way?"
Jimmy shrugged and unwrapped his hand then showed the dragon-like mark.
"It's still a little sensitive, but it's healing."
Thomas looked at it more closely.
"That's going to scar, Jimmy," He said, flicking his cigarette away, "You'll have to wear a glove like me if you want to keep that hidden, especially since it's such an odd shape. Don't want the wrong people seeing that."
Jimmy smiled.
"I don't suppose you have an old pair you won't mind to lose?"
Thomas smiled at Jimmy and shook his head.
"I'll see what I can dig up."