A Human for a Mother

Before I start, just wanted to say there is a song in this chapter which doesn't belong to me. Credit goes to Disney and Phil Collins. Thought I might add this to the story. Hope you all enjoy it.

The party followed Lujanne and her phoenix to the top of the Caldera where to their astonishment they saw white shelters of white marble with purple doors. Scattered around the enchanted gardens were archways of stone and moon moths fluttered around the trees.

"I hope you'll be comfortable," said Lujanne kindly.

"Have you got any food?" Ezran requested. "We're quite hungry," his tummy rumbled.

"I've got plenty of food," said Carol assuringly, gesturing to Willow's rucksack which contain her supplies from town.

"Good night young travellers," Lujanne bowed a little. Then with a swing of her cape, she walked up towards a beautiful marble house and Phoe-Phoe, her moon phoenix flew up to some cliff tops overlooking the site where there was a giant nest. She curled inside and she fell asleep.

Carol still cradling Zym in her arms much to Felix's jealousy opened Willow's bag and passed a baguette and three apples each to Raylan and Ellis along with a bit of chicken for Ava. She and her siblings took their share of food too and under the moonlight. Felix and Bait were given their food but they didn't eat anything.

"I say we go and get some shut-eye," Raylan stretched his arms and yawned. "It's been quite a climb,"

"How are your hands?" asked Carol.

"Getting better," Raylan looked at them again; they hadn't fully returned to their proper colour but they were getting better and stronger. "It feels great to have them again,"

"You'd still be valuable to your team without or without your hands,"

"Good night guys," mounting Ava again, Ellis headed over to the nearest hut and went inside.

"Good night guys," Raylan looked at baby Zym and smiled. "You saved the Dragon Prince Caroline. That's a success that will never be forgotten,"

"It took all of us," she acknowledged to everyone. "We all played a role to get here. And we couldn't have done without you either,"

Raylan smiled, touched by her words.

"Good night" he walked off towards another hut and went inside.

"Time to get you all to bed," said Carol, leading them all to the third hut of marble. Entering through the purple doors, they saw two large double beds with green and blue covers, a dressing table, and chests.

"This'll be perfect," said Ezran.

Willow rushed over to one of the beds and jumped onto the mattress. Her face slammed into a pillow. "It feels like a cloud," she moved her arms and legs like a face-planted snow angel.

"Looks like I'll have to go to a different hut," observed the eldest sibling. "You two shouldn't have to share a bed. I'll find another hut,"

"Are you sure?" Ezran asked. "I don't mind sharing with Willow,"

"Why spoil your comfort?" she asked.

"I insist," Ezran offered.

"Do I have to share with you?" complained Willow. "You snore like a pig,"

"I do not!" argued Ezran.

"Yes, you do!"

"Shush!" hissed their irritated sister. "You'll wake Zym," the two children realised the baby dragon still fast asleep in the folders of Carol's cloak was fidgeting a bit. They realised they were being too loud and zipped their lips. "I'll find somewhere else to sleep for now. I'll come and check on you both in the morning,"

Ezran tried to speak again but Willow spoke first. "Let us her go, Ez. She needs a break from taking care of us. She needs mother Zym,"

"Woah. I'm not mothering him. I'm just taking care of him,"

"That's what mothering means," Ez said.

"I know what it means but…I'm not its mother,"

"Zym seems to think you do," said Willow, gesturing to the dragon purring in her arms like a baby. "He seems to have imprinted on you already,"

The word imprinted made Carol unsettled. "But he doesn't belong with me. He needs to be with his mother. I know nothing about being a mother,"

"Yes you do," said Ez. He shared a look with Willow; they nodded. "Can we tell you something, Carol?" she nodded. "You've been more of a mother than a sister to us," she blinked in surprise.

"You've always looked out for us. You've taken care of us when dad couldn't. You filled up that empty void in our family. If it wasn't for you, we wouldn't be the people we are today. We owe you so much," Willow threw her arms around her waist. "We love you,"

Ezran joined too. Carol felt herself brought to tears. She felt deep love from her siblings who looked up to her. She held them close shedding tears of joy. "I love you guys. So much. And I promise I will never, never try to run away from home again," Since that day, Carol had deeply regretted hurting her siblings with her actions. Though it was unintentional, she hadn't realised how leaving them to spare them the embarrassment of her presence in Katolis, had made them feel like she didn't love them and they weren't good enough for her.

She kissed them 'goodnight' and tucked them into bed again. Willow found it annoying but Ezran enjoyed it. She saw Felix curled up near the door. He stood, waggling in his tail in joy. "Felix, do you think you can stay here and keep an eye on them please?"

Felix flopped his ears in annoyance. You mean you're not gonna let me share a room with you but him? He left through the open doors and outside.

Carol followed after him. "Hey, Felix. Come back. Come back!" But her fox disappeared into the woods. She sighed in annoyance. "What's gotten into you?"

Just then she felt Zym wiggling around in the folds of her cape. Her shouting out to Felix had woken him up. He began to squirm and cry like a baby. She realised what she had done and gently rocked him. "Don't cry. Don't cry. It's all right. It's just me," But the baby was still crying a little.

Come stop your crying
It will be all right

She placed one of her fingers in the dragon's paw and it stopped crying. It looked up at her and saw the love and care in her eyes.

Just take my hand
Hold it tight
I will protect you
From all around you
I will be here
Don't you cry

Rather than go to the extra spare hut, she decided she'd head into the nearby forest. She found a tall oak tree with lots of twisted branches. She climbed up, carrying the baby gently.

For one so small
You seem so strong
My arms will hold you
Keep you safe and warm

She climbed to the spot where all the branches intersected, a nice comfortable spot to lie down in. She unrolled a blanket she had brought up with her and lay down holding Zym who lay on her chest.

This bond between us
Can't be broken

I will be here don't you cry

'Cause you'll be in my heart
Yes, you'll be in my heart
From this day on
Now and forever more

The dragon looked into her eyes and it laughed as she held it up a little before lying him back down again on her chest. She pulled the folds of the blanket over them so they would be warm.

You'll be in my heart
No matter what they say
You'll be here in my heart
Always

Always

As the Dragon Prince fell asleep in her arms, Carol stared up at the stars shining above them through the trees. The night was beautiful. It hadn't been a week and already her life had changed so much. She wondered what other adventures lay in wait. As she closed her eyes, she felt a powerful sense of responsibility surging in her heart. It was her duty to take care of her loved ones. And it was her duty to ensure this baby dragon would be returned to its home.

(Six Years Ago)

Youngster Raylan played with the little Adoraburrs in the fields not far from the Silvergrove. He noticed there was a family of Adoraburrs, two parents and a little one. He smiled as he stroked the little one. As he did, he felt a deep ache in his heart. The family of three reminded him of his parents and his adolescent self. He often wondered about his parents, what they were doing every day, and whether they thought of him. He touched his mother's necklace.

A part of him felt neglected and abandoned. Since his parents had left him to join the Dragonguard, he had been made fun of by the other kids. They made him feel like he was unwanted, that his parents cared more about their duty to the Royal Dragon Family. And that made him angry too. It had been so hard for a long time to accept Runaan and Ethari as his parents. As much as he loved them, he couldn't rid himself of that wish that his parents were the ones raising him, watching him grow. He never told his fathers that. He couldn't.

Something twitched. His heart jumped. He noticed the Adoraburrs were scurrying off him. He felt something crawling under his skin. He turned his head and he saw four figures of black leaping down.

"No!" Raylan sat up, hyperventilating. He breathed in and out slowly. All around him was just the hut he had slept inside last night. The sun was shining brightly through the window. It was all just a dream. He rubbed his eyes and his face. He stepped out of bed, pulled on his sleeveless jacket again and tucked his butterfly blades behind his back. He touched his mother's necklace. "Where are you, mum, and dad? Where are you?" he lamented. He poked around his bag and pulled out a miniature painting. His guardians were standing in it, hands held and head leaning against one another. He touched Runaan's face. He wondered where he was right now. Was he thinking of him? What ached him more was how he was going to tell the children the truth. How could he?

He walked through the purple doors, and out into the open. He saw Ezran and Willow sitting on the grass, eating some apples, and feeding Bait.

"Morning Raylan," Ezran greeted.

"Hey," he waved.

"Are you okay?" Willow saw his face was a little pale. "You look scared,"

"I'm okay," he said. "Just a bit of a bad dream. Willow…" he sat down. "I know you might not like me to ask this…but did you dream about anything last night?"

Willow sighed; she hated her gift of premonition. "I already told you I'm done with this,"

"Willow…I hate to say this…" Ez tried to sound less pushy. "But your gift could help us,"

"He's right. We're going to be in a lot of danger now that Zym is born. There will be many people out there looking for us. So, if you see anything you need to tell us," Raylan didn't want to put pressure on her shoulders. "You don't have to tell us everything you see if you don't want to, but if it's something very terrible…you have to tell us. So please, if you've seen anything that means we'll be in danger, let us know,"

Willow's mind was plagued with fear. She hated seeing dreadful things that were gonna happen. But then again, not all of them are true. They're just potential. "Okay," she reluctantly accepted. "I'll tell you, guys, if I see something dreadful. But please…don't expect me to know everything that might happen,"

Ezran shifted closer to her, hugging her. "We won't. We promise,"

"Absolutely," Raylan swore. "Pinkie promise," he held up his pinkie and Willow shook her pinkie with us. "Hey, where are Carol and the others?"

"Carol didn't sleep in the same hut as us so she went to that one with Zym and Felix," Ezran pointed to the last hut. "Then it's quite strange she's not out quite yet. She's usually the early bird in the family,"

"I'll go and check," Raylan walked over and knocked. "Hey, Carol. Are you up yet?" he didn't hear anything. He poked his head through the window. To his shock, it was empty. Even the covers hadn't been moved. "Oh no. Oh no! Oh no!" he cried out.

"What's wrong?" Ezran cried out. He and Willow who carried Bait rushed over to him.

"She's not in here,"

"Guys, what's the matter?!" A voice spoke up. They turned to see Ellis on Ava.

"Carol's missing!" cried out Ray. "Can you track her scent, Ava?"

Ava sniffed around. She caught something. She barked and bounded into the nearby forest, the elf and children following behind her. They came to the tall oak tree. Ava stood up, claws against the bark. She barked.

"Hey! Keep it down would you?!" complained a voice.

From her tree bed, Carol sat up yawning, stretching her arms. Zym stretched his legs and his wings. He licked the young teen making her chuckle. He climbed up onto her shoulders as she peered down at her siblings and friends, wide-eyed and relieved.

"thank goodness," breathed Raylan.

"What's all the commotion about? We're fine," she called back down.

"What are you doing up in a tree?" Ellis called up.

"Just enjoying a nice beauty rest with a baby dragon until we hear Ava barking and observing you guys looking like you've recovered from a heart attack,"

"We thought something had happened to you," Ez answered back. "Did you see this?" he whispered to Willow.

"No. I didn't," she hissed back irritably, uncomfortable with his question. "You guys said you wouldn't put pressure on me,"

"Sorry," he apologised.

"Don't scare us like that again," Raylan crossed his arms. "This is serious. Anything could happen to the baby dragon. Or to you,"

Rolling her eyes, Carol gathered her cape and blanket and packed them up. Then with Zym still clinging to her back, she jumped and swung on a branch and landed gracefully down.

"Nice," clapped Ellis.

"You guys slept well?' she asked.

"Very much. The beds are much cosier than the ones back home," said Willow. "How did you find sleeping up there?"

"Quite comfy actually. Zym enjoyed it," Zym purred, pressing his face against hers. From behind a rock, Felix eyed them with jealousy baring his teeth. "How are your hands doing?" she asked Raylan.

"A lot better," he held them up. "They still fill a bit weak. It'll take time for them to get fully functional again,"

"You should be better by tomorrow,"

"Where's Felix?" Ellis asked, finding it strange that the fox wasn't with her.

"He just scurried off, last night Without an explanation," she sighed. "I don't know what's gotten into him,"

They walked back out into the open and they saw Lujanne had appeared. "I take it you all slept well,"

"Very good Lujanne," praised Ellis. "Thank you for letting us stay here,"

"You're welcome,"

"Guys, why don't we go play with Zym?" insisted Carol to her siblings.

"We need to get going," said Raylan. "Now that the dragon is hatched, it'll mean we'll be in more danger,"

"Let's at least stay a little while longer," Willow insisted. "I don't know about you guys but my feet are still really achy from yesterday's long climb. We should have a long rest first,"

"It wouldn't hurt," agreed Ezran.

"Okay but just for tonight," Raylan said. "War is coming like the world has never seen and that baby dragon needs to go back home to its mother,"

"He is right," agreed Lujanne. "Yesterday when the dragon prince was born, I felt something amiss. Those purple wisps…you are being pursued by dark forces,"

"First we need to find out where Felix is," Willow spoke up. Just after she spoke that, Ava barked loudly and the group turned to see Felix hiding behind a rock.

"There you are," a furious Carol stomped at her fox. "Bad boy Felix. You shouldn't have disappeared like that,"

Felix just ran away again back towards Ez and Willow's hut. She huffed. "I don't know what's gotten into him,"

"If we're going to be pursued by dark forces, let's teach Zym to fly!" Ezran pumped up optimistically.

"Ez, it's only a day old," Carol pointed out. "Zym needs time to play and enjoy what life has. Also, his wings are gonna need time. Wanna join us, Ava, and Ellis?"

"Yes please," the girl cheered. Ava barked.

"Shall we get Felix?" asked Willow.

"Let him be on his own if he wants to. He's going through something and he needs space," said Carol. They walked off but noticed Raylan wasn't joining them. "You coming?" she asked

"I'll catch up with you," he said. She joined the others leaving Raylan standing where he was with Lujanne who noticed something was off about him.

"What is wrong Raylan?" she spoke kindly.

"Lujanne, any chance you still have your illusions surrounding the caldera?"

"Absolutely. Something's on your mind,"

"Nothing. I was just wondering," he lied.

"Raylan, I don't need to be an illusionist to know that you're worried about something,"

Raylan sighed. "You got me. I'm just a bit worried because there's a group of black-cloaked guys who tried to kidnap Carol back in the village,"

"I will ride on Phoe-Phoe and scout across the sky," said Lujanne. "But you need not worry, I'll keep the Nexus protected with Moon magic,"

"Thank you,"

"Something else is on your mind," she guessed correctly again.

"Yes…it's something that happened a long time ago,"

Caldor and Gren were riding on their horses through the mountains. They followed the children's footprints which hadn't been covered by the snow. They made it to the town near the Caldera and saw dozens of people gathering around the plaza. They made their way through to the outskirts, looking up to see the caldera peak, the point where the stream of pink energy had arched its way from the tallest mountain in Katolis.

"That's where they are," said Caldor.

"But this is the Cursed Caldera, Caldor," said Gren. "There are rumours that there are monsters everywhere,"

"That's what people think," his saviour answered simply.

Suddenly they heard a twig snap. Gren leapt from his horse and pulled out his sword. "Come out. Whoever you are,"

From out the trees appeared….

"Gren? Caldor?" breathed Corvus.

"It is so good to see you, dear friend," Gren sheathed his blade and shook hands with the tracker.

Caldor leapt down too, sharing a handshake with them.

"What are you guys doing here?"

"We're here to find the children," Gren said.

"I tracked their scents to this mountain. Along with the elf who kidnapped them,"

"There are more matters to be aware of than just the Moonshadow elf," warned Caldor.

"What do you mean?"

"Viren chained up Gren and he sent his children to find them. I have a feeling they are in grave danger from the high mage and his family. Claudia and Soren are on their way here now but we're ahead of them,"

"The children don't know that the king is dead," notified Corvus. "I thought the elf and he claimed himself to be their friend and that he tried to stop the other assassins from killing King Harrow but the children don't know he is dead. He's kept it secret from them,"

"Corvus, I don't think that elf is our enemy. Amaya told me that Caroline had claimed to her that he had saved her life and that she used magic to help them all escape. She wouldn't have helped that elf unless she knew she could trust her,"

"Did you track anyone else here?" asked Gren.

"No. What do you mean?"

"There are others out here. And we need to reach the children before they do,"

Unknown to the three men, four cloaked humans glared down at them from a tall tree, narrowing their eyes.

"It seems we have our work cut out for us my brothers," the tallest one said.

That's a chapter done. I'm back at Uni for term 2 but I'm gonna try and update whenever I can. Once again, I do not own the song. Credit goes to Disney and Phil Collins. I hope you all enjoyed this. It seems Raylan has a history with those cloaked guys too. Just wait till you all see more flashbacks. To answer your question Wildgirl6, Harrow gave Soren community service in the stables because it's a very hard-working job and it would keep him too busy so that he wouldn't bother Caroline. See you all soon. P.S. Please send over ideas if you have any for what could happen in the next few episodes. Also spoiler alert, I'm going to have Ezran and Willow find out about their dad's death later in Season 2 like in the actual series.