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As a dragon, there are things that are forever burned into your soul. Primal nature, instinct, however you choose to word it, they are the things we live by, beyond our own control. The 'rules of life' that long withstand time. To preserve our race, amongst the other inhabitants of this beautiful planet earth. We are not the most favored kind, you see, the sort that townspeople, and their guardians, ward off with arrows, stones, and fire.

In light of this, it's burned into our very souls, the essence of survival:

Do not, by any means, let them wander into your midst.

Dragons are not the kind that migrate. We are stubborn, having been some of the first intelligent life to roam this earth. But in time, as the land became inhabited by others, we had to fight for what we considered ours. It needs not be said that our relations with those who walk on their aft-paws is all but glorious. I hold my own record of it, repeated to my vast memory every moment i look into the pure water i guard here on the hilltop. Scars adorn my body, my maw, and where i cannot scar, cracks and gouges.

I have been alive many centuries, on this very hilltop, in this so called Mediterranean land, surrounded by pearl-blue seas, and many times i have fought for my noble charter, bestewn on me by the unnamed noble whom graced me with life. Whom graces us all with life, without prejudice. The life I've had to so brutally take away, to defend myself.

Dragons, lonely in this cruel world, do not change. At least, not without great change in the world before us. For we are so stubborn you see, that it takes that great change to change our battered bodies, and savage souls. It is why when... she... when she came into my midst, that i changed. Only then could i change. To me, she was a goddess, in this hilly, lush land. It is something that i could never forget, in my eons of life. For that goddess changed me, to my very core... ----

From my hilltop, high enough to nearly grace the clouds, i can see all over this isle. The large city to the north, bustling with activity by sea, the small villages all about, in the valleys below. None dare build near my owned piece of land, lest they bring the wrath of a dragon over their head.

Opposite of mine, there is a much lower hilltop, where on the side there is a village. I am familiar with this place, structures of white, bleached stone, roman in architecture and dotted with statues of public figures, gaudily cast in bronze, of which I can only assume they worship. My home gives me all the nourishment I need, coupled with the cool, pure pool of water which they so perversely try to thieve of me. I never need to thieve any item or morsel from them, though they misguidedly try to offer me livestock, fruit, and even metals that glisten in the sun, as if I were a god. I've learned from their trickery, of course, as they try to use it, to lure me from my hilltop, to steal my pure water. Try as they might to taint it, to poison me with their shameful stratagems and subterfuge, to rid me of my rightful home, I will not fall to such pitiful schemes.

I spend my days watching them, intrigued in their was. They have a myriad of festivals, economies, hustle and bustle, life and death... I've grown rather fond of viewing them from afar. Looking after the way they meld with one another, some bodied with fur, reminiscent of feral beasts, others fur-less, the definite 'man' I've grown to be weary of. The way they spend their days is interesting, to say the least.

Recently, however... things have changed. The once lively society is largely dead, and quiet. Few walk those streets, and those who do are covered up, bandaged, but not visibly ailed. They cough, and wheeze, some even expel their bodies contents to the ground... and their fellow life-given bodies, man or fur, shy away from them. More and more, every day, the streets grow sparse, never truly becoming empty of liveliness.

Even from here I can sense it, the putrid stench of death that rises from that hill side. More cruel feral beasts, like the buzzards I occasionally bat from the sky, circle overhead. I've even flown amongst them, to try for a closer look. But I only drive them away before I can ponder as to what is going on, and the inhabitants always flee into their homes, shouting "Dragon!" before they barricade themselves in their homes. I cannot bring myself to perch within that festering place... I've also long understood the need to respect 'boundaries' they set for themselves. All I can do is give a heavy breath, and return to my hilltop, coldly shaking off what I might have seen.

It has been long since the last male dared venture up my hillside, attempting to breach my boundaries, for any reason. The offerings have ceased, no longer giving me reason to leave my hilltop. I need do little more than peer at them from afar, from my home, for a moment, to ascertain their state of affairs. It needs not be said, it leaves me jaded, and dull. My days have become full of inactivity, sunning myself, warmed refreshingly in the sun. Free of sickness, by the pure waters edge, the occasional rustle of the shrubs by the wildlife, life has become more pleasant than I could ever imagine, rid of those less-than-swine, who wished to torment me.

Or at least, so I had thought.

One day, while napping atop the smooth, almost bowl like stone plate, sunning myself, I heard a rustle in the bushes. It was not quick, unlike that of an animal, breathing reminiscent of a human, but different. It did not bother me, until I heard the alarming sounds of water, being cast into buckets, the odd sounds of satisfaction as someone, or something, was perverting my source of pure water. Having been a while since I had last dealt with those unwelcome, I was not sure what to expect. But what I saw, I could not have ever foreseen, in my centuries of life.

I rolled off of my side, careful to not let my wings flutter, lest I alarm whomever breached my home, before I could interrogate them. Tail swishing silently, I crouched, crawling to the shrubs that lay the boundary around the pool of pure water, poking my muzzle through, just enough to let me view upon whatever dared take my water. I could not help but tilt my skull.

From behind, her white, equine body was adorned with black, horizontal stripes. A zebra, as I've seen, and feasted on sometime before, long ago when I inhabited another land, mostly plains, with savannah brush strewn about. But her tail was almost whip, like, unlike any equus I've seen, feral or fur. And her mane, tied into a horse-tail... the hair of her tail... it was inconsistent in color. A rainbow, as humans call it. Adorned in some sort of skirted robe, not unlike the togas the townspeople would wear. And there was the aura that surrounded her, almost visible in the light, rays of which shone upon her as she dipped her second bucket. I had to shake my head to bring myself back into reality. She was thieving me of my precious life water!

I pulled my maw from the shrubs and gently cleared my throat, attempting to hide it, as to not startle her. My heart beat began to raise, massive organ fluttering in my chest. A feeling I cannot quite remember ever having felt. Not panic or alarm... oddly peaceful.

Stepping carelessly through the shrubs, idly crushing one beneath my hind paw, she did not waiver, pulling her bucket from the water. I stepped closer, but she did not react. Even as I neared her, behind her, within my grasp, she set the bucket down, and wiped her brow. She did not appear to be deaf, taking note of the birds chirping in the tree, a goddess-like whistle, playfully mocking the little birds. I moved to speak... but I was stopped for a moment, sharp inhale of her scent paralyzing.

I cannot quite describe how it was or why, but it only heightened the flutter in my chest. I had to stop myself, realizing that she was nearing my muzzle I was leaning in on her, drawing her scent into my nostrils, puffs of hot air batting her flowing mane about. I shook my head once more, tonguing at the edges of my maw, before I spoke.

"You are brave to venture into my midst".

I do not know if it were my own imagination, but as she turned, rainbow ponytail sliding free from her shoulder, I was stunned. Muzzle and face, adorned with detail, a warm smile that could warm even the coldest, darkest soul. To any other bipedal creature, i'd be fierce, and mighty. Imposing in stature. But as she spoke... it melted me. As if my very core were a slimy puddle in the bottom of my gullet.

She spoke, with her smile. "Hello, kind dragon.".

There was no fear in her expression, no terror in her eyes. She looked into my own, sensibly staring into my own hardened soul, giving me a feeling of relief I had not felt in ages. Stunned, I could not speak. My wings began to droop a little, sliding off my back, and my tail deftly swished from side to side. My breathing was uneven, and my mind blank, jaw lightly agape.

"I know you just spoke to me. Speak, kind dragon.". She spoke again, gingerly reaching a plush paw toward the underside of my muzzle. The scent of her palm, decadent with the details of her genes had drawn me in. I could feel myself leaning toward it... that is, before instinct kicked in.

I sat back on my hind paws, raising my scar-adorned muzzle from her, beyond her reach. She was somewhat taken by it, digits curling back into her palm, lowering her arm. She took a step closer, and I shuffled a bit back. As she tried to take another step, I reminded myself of my rules, my hard-founded ways of life, and retorted her kindness, with a roar.

"What makes you think you can come here and taint my water with your mortal hands? Do you not fear the wrath of the dragon?". My claws began to drag into the ground, that primal nature I clung onto so dearly trying to take reign. But every time she spoke, words falling from her mouth with the same emotional beauty as stars from the night sky, it wore on me, letting her words ring true.

She clasped her hands, tilting her head down, horse-tail sliding over her shoulder, and spoke. "I come to draw water. Pure water, untainted by plague. I need it, for the sick and dying. To treat their wounds, their festering sores, and to keep the little ones clean.". Having seen the situation of the hillside town below, a growl growing in my chest, I wanted so needfully to call her of her insolence. But, as I have grown to care for the bipedal walkers, I could not, wincing before I spoke unto the warm, graceful creature before me.

I let my growl roll off as a snort, lightly moving the fur that covered her. "What of the men? Why would they send a female? Do they think I could be so swayed by a humble, hind leg trotting-"

"I volunteered to go".

"Wh... wha?" I tried to hide my emotional upset, stunned once more by not only her beauty, but her bravery, as if she were one with nature, truly unafraid of the creatures that graced the earth. The warmth in her eyes was never-fading, once again leaving my maw slightly agape as she spoke.

"The men of the town are all ill, or busy tending to the ill. Even the once-clean waters of the Salso run foul, hence my coming so far, for so little water. I know you are intelligent, kind dragon. Surely you can find it in hard, primal being to let me have it."

"B-But-"

She smiled, taking a step closer, myself unable to move, as if weighted down by the earth it's self. "I swear that I mean you no harm, and your water no taint. Even as you may consider me dirty, I assure you, I am quite clean. And in time, I will definitely repay you.".

I was befuddled. Here this wonderful creature stood before me, unafraid of my harsh exterior, as if she were peering into my soul, as every word rung true. My primal nature once again bode out, but in a way I had not felt for centuries. I was drawn to her, he smaller figure retreating to the pool of water, kneeling, drawing some in her hands, bringing it to her lips. There was only grace, and beauty in her actions, a fire growing in my loins. I could feel my tail coming around, lowering myself on all fours, bringing myself to her height the best I could. Warm baths of breath fell from my parted maw as she drank, pure water running about the sides of her own, tantalizingly rolling down her jaw, neck and chest, pure droplets running between her orb'd chest. I could feel myself leaning into her, a thousand emotions at once, wanting to spring forth. But she turned to me, looking away. I could swear I saw a blush upon her expression, an inquisitive warble flowing from me.

She scritched the back of her head, and attempted to excuse herself, thanking me. "I uh, must be going. The townspeople need me to treat them, and water to cleanse them. Thank you, kind soul. I swear that I will repay you later in life, if you so desire."

She turned, bending over lightly, taking bucket handles in her paws, delightfully round behind beneath her skirted toga easily coming into view. The heat in my loins grew, finding it's way up my body. If I could blush, I would have.... but a new feeling arose. One I was more familiar with, and had much experience with in the past, much to my regret.

I growled ferociously. "Please, do not go....". The first of her kind, whom was brave enough to even come to my lair, unafraid of my tremendous form, was going to flee. She made it sound as if she'd return, but I wanted her to stay with me, forever. My words, almost desperate in tone, made her drop the buckets, bits of water sloshing free, unwasted as the ground below suckled them, lifewater once again returning to earth. I could only clench my eyes expecting retort, that primal fear growing in my gullet. "You are so kind, and caring, unlike any other creature whom has graced my presence. I-i I cannot let you go. I will not! I-"

And then I felt it. Before I could react, I felt it. Her warm, tender paws found their way beneath my chin, supporting my massive skull by the edges, digits sliding back, thumbs feeling along the scars and other imperfections of my jaw. I slowly opened my eyes, her face obscured from view by my large muzzle. I parted my maw a little, as to speak, but... she kissed me.

In an instant, a flood rushed through me, no longer a thousand emotions at once, but one solitary, burning emotion. One I could not describe. Her lips pressed against the tip of my muzzle, above my lightly agape maw, her right paw sliding to the upper half, soft digits tickling the top of my long snout. It was, in reality, an instant. But to me, the moment lasted forever. The fluttering of birds, silent, trees swaying slowly in the crosswinds. Had... had I gone deaf? Primal fear rushed through me again, swiftly trying to suppress the beautiful emotion that was filling me. But it was quickly shoved back down from where it came, as the kiss came to an end, rainbow maned mare sliding her palms back off my muzzle, looking at me with a smile.

"I will return one day, fair dragon, under better circumstances, to thank you proper. But the townspeople need me. And I must go, as I shouldn't have misued my time. Every minute, those below grow more ill. Day by day, more die. I... I am sorry, but I must go."

I could only nod, a sigh on my breath. The lust-bodied mare bent over to pick up her buckets again, and unable to look at her delightful figure I turned. I took a breath, preparing to say something to her before she left. But as I turned back... she was but a rustle in the bushes. I quickly trotted to the hills edge, only to see her at a hasty pace, making a beeline for her own home.

I turned again, toward the pure water I so carefully guarded with my life, tail swatting at the bushes where she passed through. I ruffled my large, dark wings in the sun, stepping to the area where she drew water. Limbs shook, and the wildlife split, as if respecting my need for solace, to contemplate.

I neared the water's edge, unclouded sun reflecting from the water, and craned my head over, to look at myself, as I had done for ages, at my near-onyx body. My ram-like horns, cracked and overgrown, scarred face from my entanglements with humanity. My one milky eye, where the humans had dared try to blind me... I am truly a monster. Angrily I bat at the water with my paw, shattering my reflection, speaking aloud. "What am I to do? Trust them and risk death? Betray the primal laws that have kept me alive for centuries!? RAAAGHH!!". I roared at the cloudless sky, wings coming unseated from my backside, immense in size, a show of my age. I had never been more snarled and disarrayed in thought, conflicting emotion battling within me.

I wanted the mare to grace my presence again, but my instinct told me that it would only lead me to my doom. I wanted more than that, though. It may have only been brief, but I loved her. For certain, I loved her. For both our kind, such a thing was taboo, a sin in the eyes of all. I felt guilty, for daring to endanger her to her own kind, who would surely inflict punishment against her, for committing what could be considered one of the worst deeds a mortal could commit. And again my thoughts turned to myself. Not only would they try to harm her, they would undoubtedly come after me in number.

Dragons are oft considered to be timeless. Ageless creatures that never die, unless slain. But age wears on us, making us easier to be slain as history proceeds. Truth be told, my blinding eye, and my body, wrought with scars and injuries of the past, was beginning to slow me. Something I hadn't realized until a while ago, when I last fended off an attack on my home. My overgrown, armored hide had served me well, but my strength had begun to wane. I was lucky that they feared me on an instinctual level, hindering their ability to fight. But should I face them, their bravery renewed by tales of that awesome creature connecting with me... I might be had.

Love, and die by man's hand. Or succumb to age, and die by man's hand. Such is the life of a dragon. It is painful, and though I hadn't shed a tear for many decades, one finally fell, hot, salty water rolling down the tip of my muzzle, cheeks reared, breath falling between clenched teeth. They say dragons don't have fear. But what I felt, in that instant, was fear. Fear for my self. But more importantly, fear for her. It was powerful, and gripped me tight. My primal instincts were tainting my thought, trying to convince me to stay the course that had let me live so long. As the hot tear splashed to the water below, sense begun to ring true in my head.

I looked down at my reflection, shimmering water soon calming it's self, becoming a mirror of peerless quality. I spoke aloud once more, a sob on my breath. "So. Love or no love, I might die. Curse you feral soul of mine.". I growled, unhappy with myself. "If i'm to die, as per my fears, I will die by my own doing, and not theirs. Maybe then they will spare that goddess, so she shall remain timeless, as mankind likes to assume I am".

I protected my source of water, as instinct told me that mankind could taint it with their very touch. Taint powerful enough to kill me should I even touch it. Not knowing if It was a mistake to trust her, even more so as she had come from a village plagued with death and disease, the most obvious of traps, I parted my maw, and drew water in from my tongue, exactly from where her hands had touched it. The sweet, almost nectar like liquid, born of the earth, for the earth and all it's creatures, rolled freely in my maw. I swished it about, shaking my head a little, tongue smearing it along my teeth, and the roof of my mouth. I swallowed, almost choking as my mind and soul were screaming at me, as if it were a death sentence I were committing.

I coughed a bit, eventually coming to look at myself in the giant mirror of water before me. The water of which I had guarded for decades, thinking it as pure and untainted, free of the life-slaying evil that might be my downfall. I drank from it... the effect not immediately clear. I scowled lightly at my reflected figure. I no longer knew what to think. For in that moment, over something as 'human' as love, I committed the unthinkable. Anxiety crept up telling me for certain that this was my end.

"If it is my end, so be it. For I never really lived without her touch.". As I looked up, I could see the creatures of the surrounding shrubbery, trees and rocks, all looking at me as if they could feel my pain. They had long respected me, not daring to interrupt my path where I may walk, or feed on the fruits of the earth that I have. You could say that it was a fearing respect, as I am an omnivore, and I have eaten them before. But they began to near me, all peering up at me as if I had committed the atrocious deed that resonates in all of us who are truly of the earth. Rabbits, foxes, even the birds landed before me. I turned away from there, careful to not bat them with my tail.

"I am sure you all know what I've done. Do not judge me, for it was of my own free will."

I needed not look back at them. If I died, the hilltop would be theirs, ultimately, lest there were another dragon I had not seen, who would likely take my place, and keep this hilltop sacred, for ages to come. I was certainly not the last of my kind, but we are few and far between. And even when I saw others, we were not the type to openly fraternize with one another.

One could say that it is why I was so stricken with love at first sight, only ever having known it once, so long ago that I could not remember his face. The way the humans so cruelly took him away from me never left my memory however. The way he cried for me to save him, before a bolt pierced his thick skull, white body hitting the stone-paved ground with a sickening, lifeless thud. If I could dream, i've no doubt that i'd never have a peaceful night's slumber.

And my mind turned to that. Slumber. The only true way to see if I had been foolish in my choice to dare love again, and defy my primal nature, would be the oldest test. The test of time. The large, dish shaped rock which I would often sun upon had beckoned me. I trotted through the shrubs, careful not to crush them underfoot, and placed paws upon the stone. Warm to the touch, It quickly filled me with it's warmth, soothing my aches as it had many times before, but not the new found pain on my heart. I circled on it, paws dancing diligently, before I lay, curling against myself, in a way I had not done since the loss of my mate long ago. I hid my face beneath my tail, a light whimper as the darkness of slumber began to grace me. I could swear that another tear fell, but I passed before I could truly think on it.

Time passed, and in the morning, the next day I awoke. As I did for many days thereafter, waiting for the goddess to return.