Mwahaha, I was happy to see that my cliffie worked. Oh, I love it when that happens. Not sure if you noticed, but when "Tristan" is around people who know he is Dragon, I write it as "Dragon did such and such" and when he is not, it is "Tristan did such and such" All good? Okay. Onward ho!
You are going to tell her. Come on. Just spit it out. He opened his mouth and a hollow croak was all that came out. Say it. I am Dragon and I love you. It cannot be that hard. Stupid love stuff.
"What did you want to talk about?" Jane batted her eyelashes slightly. Her smooth coral colored lips curved into a pouty smirk. Tristan sucked in his breath. The way the sunlight was draping over her shoulders, every single curve and curl, it made her look purely amazing. And here he was, holding her hand. She was actually letting him, hold her hand. The thought of that kiss on the cheek rang through his mind. Absentmindedly he brushed his cheek again. He sighed.
"Jane, I-" She raised her eyebrows causing her eyes to grow, allowing him to see every detail of her emerald iris.
"You what?" He could not do it. He simply could not. Jester was right. He was a coward. Every instinct in his body was going berserk and his stomach was hollow. And his mind. His mind was pudding. Very soft pudding. Well you have to say something. Not necessarily that you are Dragon, just something.
"Jane. Do you... uh...would you-" His nerves finally just fizzled. The words would not come to him.
"Yes."
A spark went off in Tristan's brain, firing up the circuit work. "What?"
"I will gladly court you." Jane shifted stiffly. "Was that what you were going to say? If not I just made a complete fool of myself." She snorted.
"No. I mean yes. Ugh. Yes, that is what I was trying to say and no, you did not make a fool of yourself." Yes. That is what you were trying to say...
Jane's eyes lit up wildly and she bit her lip. Tristan snickered, not taking his eyes off her face. Her lovely wonderful face. And her tiny lips, that well, could use a bit of moistening. He would be helping her, he would, by kissing her. So that is what he did. During the kiss he felt her hand find a resting place in his hair and start to lightly comb through it. And the other sat comfortably on his shoulder. He dared to put his left hand on her petite waist. Opening his eyes briefly, he was about to put his other on her cheek. Then he noticed something. A claw. His index finger was solid green with a razor sharp talon. He jumped and broke the kiss. His hand flew directly under his leg.
"What happened? Is something wrong?"
"No no no no no. Nothing wrong." He buried his hand deeper underneath.
"Then why did you jump back?"
"Oh, I just remembered that I need to get back to the castle. Haha stable duties to attend to and whatnot." He gave her a shaky grin.
"Alright. I need to get back to Theodore anyway." She said standing. Tristan assisted her back up onto her horse, then mounted his own. They nudged their horses forward and down the mountain they went. He wrapped his right hand up in his reins. He could not chance Jane seeing that finger. Or all of it would have been for nothing. They arrived at the castle. The ride home was silent, for Tristan was lost in thought. And he was watching his hand. Scales now covered not only his index finger but his entire thumb as well and the section of hand in-between.
"I shall see you at midday meal yes?" The sound of her voice made him twitch. He had never felt so paranoid.
"Oh yes. Of course. I would never miss an opportunity to eat."
With her snorting laugh, Jane left to practice in the yard. As soon as she was out of sight, Tristan took off running to find Jester. Hopefully they could fix this, because at the rate he was changing back he would be a dragon again before tomorrow. He found him in the garden, lying on his stomach beside the fountain with a quill and parchment.
"Jester!" He quickly shuffled his feet and crouched beside him.
"Tristan, what is it?"
"I am green."
"What?" Jester looked at him in confusion. Tristan showed him his hand. The whole thing was now completely covered.
"You-you have scales!"
"I know! I have not even been eating turnips, so something is definitely wrong!" Jester took his hand and examined it. "I was supposed to have a full week! A week is seven days yes?"
"Yes."
"Exactly! It has only been three days!"
"Come, we should talk Vanessa and find out what is going on." The two left the garden and walked to the gypsy encampment. They found her sitting cross-legged in front of a caravan, sewing a dress.
"Vanessa!"
She gazed up lazily from her handiwork at her visitors. "Tristan. Jester."
Dragon shook his head. "He knows, but that is not why we are here." Jester handed Vanessa Dragon's scaled hand.
"Would you look at that? You are turning back already." She smirked.
Jester furrowed his brow and Dragon stood bewildered. "You told me I had a whole week. Why am I turning back already?"
"Oh, did I not tell you? I gave you the potion that would turn you into a dragon until Jane was yours. And sealed with a kiss."
Jester gulped. "You kissed her?"
Dragon looked at him guiltily. "We only swapped smoke a little." Jester's eyes widened. "Just a little." Dragon turned back to Vanessa. "Why did you not tell me? I thought I had more time!"
"I assumed it would take you a week, at the least. Oops."
Dragon glared. "Is there anything I can do to extend my time?"
"No." She returned to her sewing.
"Well, how much time do I have?"
"Till midnight or so."
"Midnight! But-" Dragon felt a burning pain in his throat. He coughed. When he did, black smoke puffed out. He automatically covered his mouth.
"I would watch your temper lizard man. A man cannot handle breathing fire. Be careful to not breathe too deeply."
Dragon nearly choked again. Jester intervened. "Listen here Vanessa. You cannot-" Jester stopped himself as Princess Lavinia came up the drive.
"Jester! Jester!" She held both of his hands in her own. "I know what to do do now in my lesson! Let me show you!" She then led him away. Jester looked back regretfully and mouthed 'sorry'.
"Well? Do you have anything to say Dragon? Do you not want to be a dragon again? Dragons are exceedingly rare. After all, the dragonslayers have killed all but a handful of them."
Dragon gulped. "Dragonslayers do not exist."
"Oh but they do. They are very real. In fact I recently heard they were hunting in this area." Vanessa began to braid her hair slowly and calmly. Acting like the conversation occurring was the most normal and common thing in the world.
"It is just a silly story."
"No. No. Not a story. I have seen them myself Dragon. There are ten of them in all. They all wear black armor and each are equipped with a dragon blade. Except two." She tied off the end of her braid and flipped it behind her shoulder. "Their ancestors lost them years ago. Those two take care of the dirty work."
"Stop! You are lying!" Dragon became suddenly aware that his hands were cold and he was sweating.
"Dragon, I promise you, I am not lying right now. The idea is awful, but they do exist and they do kill dragons."
Dragon clenched his fists so hard his knuckles were a glowing white. "I will kill them! I will kill each and every one of them!"
He was about to cry. He had never been so hurt in his whole life.
"Ha! You? You are but a man! Only a dragon can kill them and end the chain. Blood for blood."
"But I am a dragon!"
"No!" Vanessa abruptly stood, eyes fiery. "Not anymore!" She jammed a finger in his chest. "You chose Jane!"
Dragon's blood boiled. He removed her finger, swallowing his tears and his fire. He hoped she was lying. He hoped it with all his heart. It is not true. It is not true. She is insane. It cannot be true. He finally affirmed it in his mind and shoved those awful thoughts far in the back of his mind. He had other things to worry about. He was getting greener by the minute. He turned around and returned to his quarters.
Dragon let himself fall backward and stared at the ceiling.
Alright. What to do, what to do. I have one more night with her as a man. It has to be special. Wait... does it have to be one? I could ask Vanessa if I could stay a man forever. I would get to be with Jane. But... to never be a dragon again. To never breathe fire to relieve anger. To never be invincible to nearly everything. To never fly. To never soar through the clouds with Jane laughing on my back... This week has been torture. And it would be a lifetime of torture. But a lifetime with Jane. Ugh. I need help. I cannot go to Jane for help, and master flappy hat is useless... who does Jane go to? Rusty legs. Yes. I shall ask "Sir Theodore" for advice.
Dragon searched the room for a pair of gloves. After finally finding a pair, he headed to the knight's quarters. Theodore continued as Captain of the Guard even in his old age. He claimed that a true knight, one dedicated to its king, never steps down. They fight until the day they die. Theodore's aging process was speeding up. His hair was now a full gleaming shade of white and his wrinkles were deep inset. He knew his time was approaching. He continued to hold it off as best he could. He stayed physically strong and fit. And his mind was as quick as ever. But mostly now, he quietly observed the goings-on at the castle. He was a known presence and was respected as such.
Dragon rapped on the door.
"Sir Theodore?"
The door slowly creaked open. "Tristan."
"Could we talk? I need some advice."
"Of course." Theodore invited him in and took a seat in his chair. "What is troubling you lad?"
"Sir. I have heard of you throughout all of my travels. I have heard so many stories and since coming here, I have heard that you are quite the wise man."
"I thought we were talking about you?"
"Right. Well I figured that, through your travels and journeys that you know a lot about life. And a lot about love."
Theodore rubbed his mustache and chin.
"Sir, I love someone. And I have made a huge sacrifice to be able to be with her. Yet, through circumstances beyond my control entirely, that sacrifice is reversing. Things will be right back to the way they were. I do not want that to happen. Yet, I want back what I had given up."
"I see."
"What I am asking is, if you had given up your life for the one you love and now had the opportunity to get it back but have the chance of losing them, would you do it?"
"Does she know that you have made a sacrifice for her?"
"No."
"She loves you back yes?"
"I hope so. I have been told that she loved the old me, the new me... eh- not sure."
"Well Tristan, I venture that if Jane truly does love you, she will love you no matter the situation. I have learned that love will do anything to make itself work. And because it is love, the people involved are willing to take whatever is thrown at them. Jane is stubborn. She will not allow a change in her life that she does not approve of."
"Sir, How did you know it was Jane?"
He simply smiled and turned back to his desk. As Tristan walked away, he spoke. Tristan paused at the sound of his voice. "Love, does not look for its own interests, does not become provoked, does not keep account of the injury, does not rejoice over unrighteousness but rejoices with truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things."
Tristan turned. "Sir?"
"Love never fails."
Tristan nodded and left. That was so much help, it was almost unhelpful. I should tell Jane the truth. But at the right moment. She will understand. Maybe. In the practice yard, Jane was shooting arrows at the practice target. She drew back the string.
"Jane!"
She flinched as she released, causing the arrow to pierce the outermost circle.
"Tristan! You missed midday meal." She said disappointingly.
"I know, I am sorry. Let me make it up to you."
"Oh?" Jane rested a hand on her hip.
"Will you accompany me on a walk?"
"A walk? But to where?"
Tristan smirked. "It is a surprise." He backed away and turned the corner leading to the royal driveway. "You coming?"
She hesitated for a moment, then threw down her bow and quiver into the dust.
"Tristan." Jane giggled. "Where are we going?" The couple trekked through the forest.
"You shall see. It is of my favorite things to do and hopefully, it is one of yours as well."
Jane raised a suspicious eyebrow at him and continued. They walked on for a few more minutes, until they came to the edge of a clearing. An overgrown meadow covered with tall green grass was set before them. Tristan put a hand out in front of Jane.
"You took me back here? Whatever for?"
"Shh." He dropped to the ground on all fours. Then he crawled into the grass.
"Tristan?" Jane parted a small section of vegetation looking for him. A gloved hand suddenly popped out of the weeds and beckoned for her to join it. She started to walk through the grass.
"No no no! Get down and crawl! Or else you will scare them."
"Scare what?"
"Get down!" Jane immediately did as she was told. She crawled through and met up with Tristan.
"Tristan," Jane said smiling. "Why are we crawling on the ground like animals?"
"Have you not ever played before Jane?" He winked and plodded forward. "Watch out for that dung patty." He pointed.
Jane looked at it disgusted but followed. Tristan suddenly stopped and turned to Jane.
"On my signal, jump up out of the grass shouting at the top of your lungs." He whispered. Jane looked confused. "One, two..." He turned around and steadied himself on his haunches. "Three! NOW!" The two popped out of the grass shouting like mad. The enormous black cow in front of them mooed loudly. Eyes wild it charged through the field and stopped a few meters away.
"Come on!" Tristan shouted and took off running after it. Jane bounded along. The humongous bovines, about twenty in all started mooing all at once. Then they too, started running. Tristan mooed right along with them and ran on right beside them. Jane just tried to keep up.
"Come on Jane! Moo like you have never mooed before!" Tristan shouted at her while running backwards arms waving.
Jane laughed and let out a bellowing moo. Tristan slowed his pace and reached for her hand, then grasped it firmly in his. They sprinted alongside the cows mooing and laughing. The cows finally got tired of running from these crazy humans and winded down. The sky by now was a hazy blue and thick gray clouds covered any empty space. Tristan collapsed on the ground laughing hysterically. Jane sat down beside him with a huge smile spread on her face. She hugged her knees and watched him laugh. His laugh slowed to a snicker and finally a wheeze. He turned his head up at her and noticed she was not laughing.
"Hehe Jane- he- was that fun or what?"
"Yes."
He sat up suddenly, very serious. "Did you not like it?"
"Yes. Definitely. It was the most fun I have had in a long time."
"Then what is wrong?" He stared directly in her eyes.
Jane looked down at the grass, and noticed Tristan's gloved hand.
"Tristan? Why are you wearing gloves?"
"Oh, I er- I hurt my hand last night, and I decided to um, cover it up so it would not get infected."
"Oh really? Let me see." She took his right hand in his and tried to remove the glove.
"NO!" He snatched his hand away.
"Why not?" She giggled thinking it was a game. "Let me see!" She tackled him and clawed at the empty air trying to obtain his hand. He desperately tried to keep it away from her grabby hands, but it was useless. He tried pushing her off, but her training had made her almost as strong as he was. She pinned his other arm under her leg. Then shoved his left one to the ground. He writhed and squirmed struggling to take back his arm. He could not do it. She pinched the finger of his glove. The sky flashed and thunder rumbled...
Oh noes! :O I didn't tell you what happened! My cliffie is hopefully still a cliffie! :D
Thanks very much for taking the time to read this. Much love for those who review as well. :)