The Lonely Dragon, Chapter 2 & end.
The Lonely Dragon, Chapter 2 & end.
by
William W. Kelso
She had noticed him tentatively trying out his wings more and more often, he obviously wanted to fly! She also knew it could be dangerous if he tried from the ledge, Dragons are incredibly tough, but a bad fall could still injure or kill one of their kind. To try to fly from the edge of the cliff would be very dangerous. So she took him to a large clearing near the stream that flowed through the valley, and taught him how to fly there. At first it was a disaster, he would flap his wings enough to get airborne, then let up and fall back down with a thud and grunt. After a short while he began to glide for short distances, but once came down in the stream in a huge splash of icy water! He had come out of the stream with a bellow of surprise, almost frozen! They had had to go back to the cave to dry off and warm him up before they could try again. She had thought it was funny as hell, but had been careful not to let her amusement show and shake his self confidence! He had the strength and instinct, but like a fledgling he had to be taught to coordinate, and to practice! Slowly he began to travel longer and longer distances, and to land properly instead of keeling over in a tangle of wings and legs! Once he got some good altitude, but had flown into the top of a large evergreen tree. He had hung on for dear life as the tree bounced back and forth, kicking and squealing in terror! And she had been unable to help herself, and had rolled around shrieking in helpless laughter as he whipped back and forth before being dumped in a huge pile of snow! The Gryphon family, who had been spectators, had also lost it, squawking and shrieking in amusement! And his look of wounded dignity when he finally managed to dig himself out of the snow had set them all off again! But after a few more tries, and more encounters with trees, he finally cleared the tree line and soared into the clear skies! He was still a little bit awkward, but now that he had the basics down it was just a matter of practice. And he bellowed and trumpeted his joy at being able to fly! And they danced together in the sky in mutual delight at the glorious freedom of flight!!
One day as he emerged on the ledge he found the female waiting for him. She told him to "come with me", and started to climb down the cliff. He followed, surprised at how easy it was! Where most animals or men would have found the sheer cliff face unclimbable, he was easily able to climb down it in a short time with no trouble! It was amazing how strong his claws and talons were, they literally dug right into even the hardest of rock! He followed her to a nice large clearing next to a wide clear flowing stream. And she proceeded to teach him to fly, or at least try to! He tried to copy what she did, but more than once would go straight up only to some straight down again, and once also did a flip, ending up on his back! But slowly he learned, first getting airborne enough to glide for short distances. He thought he was getting pretty good at it, then unable to stop himself he flew right into the middle of the stream! It was deeper then he thought, and ice cold! With a bellow of surprise he came bounding out of the water, and shook himself like a dog! He was freezing! He had hardly noticed the cold before, and even though his skin was amazing insulated against the cold, he had NOT been prepared for the sudden Arctic bath! With her worriedly following him, and making concerned noises, he climbed back up to the cave, coiled up in the nest, and huddled there shivering. She spit fresh Dragon fire into the braziers, and then joined him the nest, and soon he was nice and warm. After an hour she insisted he return to his flying lessons, so he followed her back to the clearing again. And slowly but surely he began to get the hang of it, correctly coordinating his efforts. He found that one of his big problems was he was trying too hard, and that by keeping from flapping his wings as fast as he could, he could actually achieve more lift by flapping them less in some instances. While he needed to flap hard to lift off, once he was airborne he could slow down quite a bit. Soon he was making nice clean glides across the length of the clearing. He was flying, he could do it! He decided to try for more altitude, to get out of the clearing! He took off with a mighty thunder of his wings, tried to gain altitude, and flew right into the top of a tall snow covered evergreen tree! He held on for dear life as the tree whipped back and forth from his weight! He squealed in terror, "Help me, I'm gonna die!", and finally the tree dumped him in a very undignified position in the middle of a big pile of snow. And it didn't help that the female AND the Gryphons were all helplessly laughing at him! "Hmmmphh!" he snorted, like you never had any accidents! But he tasted had flight, and he wanted it more than ever. Over the next few days he practiced more and more, the female being a good and patient teacher. Even the older Gryphons joined in, flying next to him and giving him pointers. And there finally came the day he could lift off, gain altitude, and fly with no more problems, no more hesitation!! And it was glorious! He had never felt such freedom, such sheer delight! And the female joined him, and bellowing in mutual pleasure, they would dance through the sky together for hours! Often with an escort of equally happy Gryphons! And animals, and even men, below would stop, and look up at them in envy.
One afternoon she decided to teach him how to use his fire flux. He already knew how to use it
in small more controllable amounts, but he had never used it as a plume before. Dragons had
to regularly empty their flame organs or the flux could become very thick and even harden which
could cause severe problems. More than one Dragon had died from not being able to expel their
hardened flux, and it would ignite in the gland and kill them, the ultimate heartburn! So once a
week on average Dragons would take to the air and expel all of their flux at altitude so it wouldn't do any unwanted damage. She expelled her flux in a plume for him, the flux emerging in a high powered stream. She did it in the clearing since it was still mostly covered in snow and had little vegetation. But the first time he tried it they both had to tuck their tails and run for the hills as his plume was several times as large, and had a much farther range then hers! The back blast singed them both, and they had plunged into the ice cold stream. He ended up setting most of the clearing AND quite a few trees on fire! Thankfully the fire didn't last much longer then it took the flux to burn itself out. She was most impressed! He would be truly formidable in a fight, with that much flux and a range like that he could fry most other Dragons before they even got close! He had been so concerned for her after, gently checking to make sure he hadn't hurt her. His concern was so sweet! When they got back to the cave the Gryphons were still laughing uncontrollably at the sight of their singed hides! Stupid birds she thought.
One day the Brown and I flew down to the clearing so she could teach me to use my fire flux in
a plume. I had pretty much mastered using it in small controlled amounts, and except for one incident in which I managed to burn one of my hands by accidently getting some flux on it I had done pretty good. She had been very amused as I ran around the cave waving my hand squealing and going "OW! OW! OW!" until I was able to wipe the flux off. No sympathy at all! Plus she told we had to void our flux glands every week or so to avoid problems. She had blasted out her two plumes to show me how to best aim and control them, they had come out with a high pressure hiss and she had expertly covered the areas she'd pointed out. Then she had looked at me expectantly. Here goes nothing
I thought! I threw my head back, ignited my flux, and darting my head forward I clenched one of the glands to expel the flux, and the next thing I knew we were both running for cover as the whole clearing exploded! We didn't get any flux on us but the back blast from the flames singed us both, and we plunged in the ice cold stream to help relieve the sudden pain. We weren't hurt bad at all, as I quickly made sure of by examining her for burns, I could never live with myself if I'd hurt her! Meanwhile the whole clearing and quite a few trees had been a raging inferno until the flux burned out. Wow, I thought, I had no idea! I expelled my remaining plume into the same area, from the other side of the stream this time, and it was just as impressive. I could tell she was impressed, and I couldn't help but preen a little. Then we had to endure the amusement of those silly Gryphons as we went back to the cave to rest and recover from our near self inceneration. I found myself wondering what a big fat juicy one would taste like!
And she taught him to hunt. She taught him the different kinds of prey, and the best ways to hunt each. At first he was a little squeamish about killing another living creature, which just endeared him to her even more, but soon he gave into the necessity of it. He quickly became an accomplished hunter, his kills quick and sure. He did not let a wounded prey animal suffer. He did have one funny accident in which he had flown into the stream while trying to hook a fish with his talons. His wet bedraggled look had been hilarious, and he even he had laughed. And slowly he filled out more, and her own scales began to shine again as she put back on some weight and grew healthier after her long fast. They did not hunt much more as pairs though, as one stayed behind now to watch the egg as it was near hatching. It would rock back and forth now, audible peeps coming from within. He seemed fascinated by the egg, and was attentive now as much as she was. She trusted him without question.
He learned to hunt prey, as he was a carnivore and it was necessary. He found he enjoyed the thrill of chase, and even the kill. But it still saddened him a little every time he killed a living animal. He made sure his prey never suffered for long, it was the least he could do. And he soon became a pretty good hunter, and his chosen prey seldom escaped his talons. And he and the female as a team never missed. He only had one real mishap when he had misjudged the angle of a swoop to try and hook a fish, and had flown into the stream. But it had really been pretty funny, and he had joined in with the laughter from the brown Dragon and audience of Gryphons. But as the time for the egg to hatch neared they seldom both left the cave, one always staying behind to keep a careful eye on the egg. The fact that the female trusted him with her egg meant a lot to him, it showed her complete acceptance of his presence. And so now he often hunted for both of them, and he liked the feeling of being a provider.
To her surprise he could still speak the human tongue, and although his voice was much deeper and somewhat garbled he could still be understood. He instinctively understood much of Dragon body language and other natural signals, but he had to learn how to Dragon "speak". She enjoyed teaching him, and he was a fast learner. It was a series of grunts, squeals, bellows, clicks and clacks from snapping your jaws together, and other sounds that could be used to signal other Dragons over long distances, to warn of danger, to ask for assistance, and so on. The sounds were easy to make and came naturally, it was the minor tone differences and nuances he had to practice. He had to be taught like a chick, but soon was speaking it fairly fluently. However in person most Dragon speech was soft hisses, clicks, keens, coos, and even sounds like purring. They weren't a vocal race, a look or nuzzle spoke volumes. But for a Dragon he was pretty vocal, and she found she enjoyed sharing extended "conversations" with him. What he couldn't say in Dragon speak he did in human speech since she understood it. He told her he didn't remember much about his prior life which seemed like a dream to him now, and was also interested in her life. He even wanted to meet her mother! The very thought! But it was sweet.
They both spent more time in the cave now too due to increasingly foul weather, a series of major blizzards hitting the valley and making flying, let alone hunting, impossible. In the nature of Dragon kind though, they had large reserves of fat, so did not suffer from hunger. To his surprise he found out he could still speak English, even though he found it hard to remember how he knew it! His voice was deep and garbled, but still understandable, and with practice it greatly improved! He also learned to "speak" the language of Dragons more and more, until he could have real conversations. He listened intently as the brown Dragon told him about her life and the ways of their kind, and he found her name was Brita, and thought it was a lovely name. He even wanted to meet other Dragons, especially her mother! She seemed a little taken aback, but amused by his request! He came to realize that Dragons seldom saw one another, and certainly even more seldom actually went to visit! Evidently about the only time they got together during mating season, or when the elder higher caste Dragons called for a council to resolve problems. She had only heard about them, being a brown female she was not expected to attend. As his "vocabulary" increased he became very talkative, and the female seemed to enjoy their conversations. He found she was very intelligent, but strangely naive about the rest of the world. He realized he knew a lot about the world, but couldn't really remember why or how he had learned it all.
Then it happened, she came home from a hunting trip to find him standing in the nest, grinning at her. She looked and saw the egg had hatched, and only shell fragments remained in the chicks nest! He lifted up his wing to reveal a small helpless looking wobbly little thing crouched under its protection. He was just as proud as if he had been the sire! With a squeal she ran up to the nest, and cooing softly she lowered her head over the edge and sniffed the newly hatched chick, and licked it gently, knowing it would imprint on her scent. It blinked at her solemnly a few times, then announced in no uncertain terms that it was hungry!! The male let out a chuff of laughter, and dropped a piece of raw meat next to the chick. She took it and quickly chewed and pulped it in between her teeth, then offered small chunks to the chick, which gobbled them down enthusiastically! As the chick ate she examined it closely, and was relieved to find there were no birth defects or other flaws! The chick was a small brown female, like herself. It was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen, and he seemed to think so too, as he also cooed like any proud parent! She continued to feed the chick, and to her surprise the male did too! They took turns until the chick was satisfied, and it finally settled down to go to sleep. She gently tucked it in its own little nest, and rejoined the male in the main nest. He pulled her into his embrace, gently rubbing his neck against hers, and oh by the great Drake she loved it so! She had never had a male show her attention like this out of mating season. They nuzzled for awhile, until they both fell asleep. It didn't last for long though as the chick soon awoke, demanding mommy's attentions!
The female had left to hunt a short while ago after the weather had finally improved enough, and he was lounging in the nest waiting for her return when he suddenly heard a new noise coming from the egg! Concerned, he quickly went over to it and everything seemed the same, but then suddenly he heard a muffled chirp, and the side of the egg bulged for a second, and then again! He instinctively knew to leave it alone, even though he also desperately wanted to do something! But all he could was watch in fascination as a new life entered the world. The chick energetically, but slowly, punched a hole in the side of the egg. The egg had grown harder over the last few days, and pieces started to break away from the hole to reveal a small questing snout. "Chirp?" the chick said, and he answered with a soft sound of encouragement. "Chirp!!" said the chick, and started to work on making the hole bigger! It wanted out, now! It took the chick several more minutes, but one the cracks were large enough the egg shell suddenly cracked into a few large pieces, and the chick was free!! "Chirp, Chirp, Hiiisss!!" it said. I looked in awe at the helpless little creature, it was so tiny! Then it seemed to sense me, and raised its head to look at me with big wide eyes, and I don't know who was more amazed! Then it bit me on the end of my snout! "Whoa, I said in a soft voice, please don't eat me little lady!" It blinked, let out another squawk, then looked around its new world, so much to see! I carefully licked and cleaned the remains of the egg white from the chicks body, something telling me this was important and needed doing. I never once thought it was gross or disgusting. The chick cooed and wriggled in delight at the feel of my warm caressing tongue. Then, exhausted from its struggle to come into this new world, it fell asleep. And I stood guard until the female returned. And her delight and joy when she returned was a sight to see and filled me with pride, even though I wasn't the father. And it amazed me how gentle such a large fearsome creature could be with such a delicate little chick!
Between the two of them the chick was soon fat and sassy, glowing with health as only the very young can! And of course a handful to keep track of! Dragon chicks were already mobile at birth, and within hours could dart about like a lizard. It was a survival instinct, though adult Dragons had few enemies, chicks were vulnerable. A chick on its own out of an adults supervision would not last long! However few predators would risk entering a Dragons cave, it was bad enough with one Dragon on guard, but TWO! It just wasn't worth the risk! Plus the Gryphons soon made short work of any smaller, or stupider, trespassers. Under the watchful eyes of both the Dragons and Gryphons their chicks were soon playing together on the ledge and in the mouth of the cave. It never occurred to the Dragon chick that the Gryphon chicks were anything but smaller family members. And to surprise of everyone both the Dragons and Gryphons began to learn one anothers language! It was almost an unconscious thing as the two different species began to interact more on a regular basis, taking turns watching the chicks as they played. It was a rare and wonderful thing! And the relations between the two Dragons and the Gryphons became a true friendship in every sense of the word. Either species would defend the others chicks to the death.
Life was good now, he no longer had any real memories of who or what he had been before, they had become deeply buried like a half forgotten dream. Having the Dragon and Gryphons chicks under foot kept both of us very busy! But he liked the feeling of being needed, and having a real family. But sometimes he would find himself in a deep mood of doubt and concern, over what he didn't know. Thoughts of an unfulfilled obligation, something he needed to do! Then one day he heard the chicks having a fight over some piece of rubbish they had found, and went to break it up. He took away the thing they were fighting over, and saw it was a tattered quilted tunic, and on it was embroidered a great Oak tree, surrounded by a halo of light. And his memories returned like a bolt of lightning, leaving he reeling and again realizing what had happened, and what he had become!!
Occasionally she would find the Bronze in a deep thoughtful or reflective mood, and sometimes he seemed sad and lonely. More than once he would be handling some of his old human possessions, little that they were. The main thing was his gambion, it was bloodstained and torn, but you could still see an embroidered tree surrounded by a halo of light on the front and back. And these moods scared her as nothing else did, for she was worried he might want to leave her! She had timidly asked him what was bothering him, and he usually just gave her a nuzzle and said "Nothing of real importance", but she could tell he was troubled. Finally one evening he finally broke down and told her the reason for his somber mood swings.
"Before I became what I am now I was a Knight of the Temple of The Lady of Light, and I was sworn to serve the Lady for the good of my fellow man, to live as a Knight errant in her service. I took that vow most seriously, and for ten years I traveled the lands in her Name, serving where and when I was needed. My duty was to aid and protect the most helpless of her children, or to come to the call of the King in time of war. I still feel bound to that vow! Even as I am now! I still feel I must somehow serve the lady, or at least let my fellow Knights know what has happened to me, what has become of me! They must be deeply saddened and worried by my disappearance." And though she could understand, it scared her. One day he even hesitatingly asked her if she knew how he had come to be a Dragon, like her? She had told him of the gift of her hearts blood to save his life, but she said she did not know what the result was to be! His only reply had been to gently pull her into his embrace, and hold her for a long time.
Once these memories returned he could not shake them. At times he even saw himself as
a strange thing, neither Dragon nor man! Physically he was a Dragon, of that there was no doubt! But he found his mind torn between two kinds of thinking, two kinds of lives!! And he also came to realize suddenly, that he had for a very long time now loved the brown female as he had never loved another before! His Dragon part had known it, but it had taken his human part to finally truly understand those feeling! He knew she had sensed the change in him, and it worried her. And it saddened him too as he knew he had something he must do, he had no choice. Finally he explained his predicament, how he had been a sworn Knight of an Order that had protected the innocent and the Kingdom for centuries. Even as he was know, he still felt a duty to honor that solemn oath! She seemed to understand, but it also seemed to make her very upset and nervous. And then he had asked her a question that had puzzled him from the very second he had realized what was happening to him. "Why, he asked her, do you know why I changed?" And when she told him, when he realized the incredible unselfish gift she had given him, all he could do was hug her tightly to him, feeling their joined hearts beating in perfect rhythm to one another. And he realized again how much he loved this wonderful lady, both as a man and as a Dragon.
She knew of the Lady of Light, the Dragons paid her homage even though she was not really one of their Gods, the only God the Dragons prayed to was the Great Drake. However that did not keep them from respecting the Lady and other Gods though, especially if they were spirits of nature or healing, and the Lady was both. She looked at him, the lovely glow of his scales, the ruggedly handsome muzzle and horns, his powerful male musk, and realized that for a long time now she had loved him, and it startled her. He was unlike most other Dragons she had met, male or female. He was gentle and attentive, not only to her but to the chick, and she knew he loved the chick as much as she did. But, and she tried to believe it might be true, did he love her?? After what she had done to him! Snatching him from his previous life, grievously injuring him (she felt at blame even though it was the cave-in that had almost killed him), and then having him wake up in a different body, the body of a beast! How could he love her after that! And she held him as close as she could, knowing she could not stand to lose him.
He thought about it long and hard. He waited until the chick was older and much larger before he told her he must leave. The Lady knew he did not want to leave, it was so hard for him to do! But he had obligations he must fulfill, and he could never be entirely happy unless he did to. He chose to leave the next morning as the sooner the better, and to began the long flight to the capital to report to the King and the Head of his Order. He wondered how surprised and shocked they would be! They might not even believe him, so he would take his old gambion as proof. It was the hardest thing he had ever done when he launched himself and took flight the next morning, leaving the valley for the first time since his change. She had held him like she would never let go, and he hoped she couldn't see the tears running down the side of his snout as he took flight.
It was a blow to her very soul, but she did not let him see her anguish. And she could understand his reasons as honor and obligations are as important to Dragons too. I will return as soon as I can, he promised her, but she knew he wouldn't. Like all males he would leave when he tired of her. They had not mated as she had not gone into heat again this year due to the chick, but she knew he wouldn't have stayed even if they had. It was the way of male Dragons, and she accepted that. He left one early morning, giving her a final nuzzle, rolling the chick on its back and licking its stomach while it squealed in delight, and even took the time to say goodbye to the Gryphon flock. Then they had embraced, and she could hear his great hearts pounding in his chest. Then he sprung into the air with a mighty leap and flap of his wings and quickly gained altitude, heading towards the mountain tops and away from the valley. He was so magnificent, so graceful, his beautiful bronze scales flashing in the sun! She watched with her eagle eyes until he was just a speck that finally disappearing into some clouds Then with a sob she turned and went back into the cave to feed the now hungry chick. And for days she could still smell his scent in nest. And the chick missed him too, hunting for him for days, plaintively calling out to him.
It was summer now, and the hunting was good. With the Gryphons to help watch the chick she was able to hunt more often, gladly giving any excess meat from a kill to the voracious Gryphon chicks who had adopted her as mommy #2. Her chick was now flitting about the cave entrance with ever increasing skill and gracefulness. She had named the chick Atika, after her mother. And as the weeks went by and fall approached she stopped looking for the male to return. No doubt by now he had established his own lair and territory, and being a Bronze could have his choice of any fine ones, no lesser male would dare answer a challenge from a Bronze! She would be going into estrus soon, but didn't much care if he wasn't there.
He knifed through the crisp mountain air, diving and swooping to make use of the downdrafts and updrafts necessary for such a large creature as a Dragon to be able to fly. He would lock his wings and glide for incredible distances, before flapping them again in search of another updraft so he could gain more altitude. And he rapidly approached the valley, but it wasn't fast enough! His visit to the capital and audiences with the King and his Order's Master had gone better than he had expected. They had been surprised and shocked of course, but once they had accepted what had happened they finally recognized their old friend, and all saw the possibilities, as did he. And they had appointed him as emissary to the next Council of the Dragons! There were things that need resolving between the human and Dragon folk, and whom better to send as a spokes "man" but a Dragon! But that was all done and finished, and now his only desire was to get home as soon as possible! His heart & soul ached. And there! The peaks that surrounded his home! And he redoubled his efforts, cutting through the air like an arrow, shrieking and roaring his impatience and joy!
And a week later just after dusk when she and the chick were just settling down to sleep, she heard the loud clap of wings and caught his fresh scent! He had come back after all! She joyfully met him at the mouth of the cave and they nuzzled and rubbed necks for what seemed like hours! Finally he entered the cave with her, and they both curled up in the nest, the sleepy chick happy to see his "daddy". She nuzzled him some more, relishing his strong lovely musky scent! And three days later she started to go into her estrus.
He met her at the mouth of the cave, and was so full of joy at seeing her again! He hadn't been able to stand their being separated, had never stopped thinking about her! And the chick, and even the stupid Gryphons! Eagerly he nuzzled and stroked her neck in the way that Dragons showed affection, gently nipping her head crest and clacking his horns against hers! And she responded, crooning with delight. He was exhausted after his flight, he had covered ground three times as fast as a Dragon normally flew! And all he cared about was being home, being with her! He snuggled up in the nest as close to her as possible, and even the chick joined them, and they all soon fell into a deep contented sleep. A family again.
And a few days later he started to notice something different about her, her scales were starting to glow in a very attractive way, and her scent was becoming spicy and enticing! All he wanted to do was follow her, touch her, smell her! He didn't know what was happening, and it was a little frightening! Despite his maturity he had been a Dragon for only a short time, and he knew nothing about mating! He hadn't even really thought about sex much since his change. He had no experience at this sort of thing, and as an errant Knight he had sworn a vow of chastity until he reached a certain age. He was a virgin!
She could sense his increasing interest in her, his own growing arousal. It seemed to confuse and scare him at first as he didn't really understand what was happening. She was also was experiencing something new, before the males she had mated with had only responded when she was in full heat, and the matings had been consummated very quickly, and often. It had been glorious, but as soon as her heat faded they had left. Now she had a increasingly aroused male following her around that was with her from the beginning! And as her heat increased he went further into rut, and his total concentration was now on her! And for the first time she engaged in actual foreplay, so it was almost like the first time for her in many ways! He was stoking her neck with his more often now, nuzzling and rubbing his muzzle against hers with soft grunts and hisses of mutual pleasure, clacking their horns together in their growing need. He also began to nuzzle and sniff her vaginal vent, licking and stroking it with his tongue as he gauged her readiness, and in return she slicked and stroked his penis sheath and the bulges of his loins which were becoming more pronounced as his rut increased, both of them shuddering in delightful arousal! He would pin her, and rub his male bulges against her sex, which increasingly became more and more tender and swollen, both of them moaning and cooing their love, completely infatuated with one another. Nothing else existed for them now accept one another. The chick knew what was happening, and had disappeared into the back of the cave for the duration.
And when his own arousal began he finally understood what was happening. He could feel his penis growing inside of him, his male organs becoming more and more engorged with their need. And he no longer worried about, he had become a pure Dragon now, any human inhibitions or doubts long gone, and it was by far the most wonderful thing in the world he had ever experienced. He began to court her, gently but insistently nuzzling her snout and neck, wrapping his neck around hers, clacking their horns together, making soft cooing and other sounds to signal his love for her. And she responded, returning his caresses and attentions, and making soft noises of her own that increased his desire. His attentions also began to go lower, he felt himself irresistibly drawn to her vaginal vent, the scent of her rising estrus almost driving him insane with lust. He gently licked her sex, probing with his tongue, tasting her and watching and feeling her grow more and more receptive, more and more ready for him. Slowly under his gentle attentions her vent opened and bloomed like a dark red flower, and she writhed helplessly squeling her lust and need, as his tongue continued to, oh so gently, lick and explore her sex. He could not, would not, force her, she would decide when the time was right, but that did not stop them from mock copulating for their mutual pleasure! It felt so unbelievably good as he gently rubbed his own swelling organs against hers, Oooohhh, it felt sooooo gooooooed! He needed, wanted her, sooo bad! And they would writhe and moan together in their mutual desire.
Finally she became fully ready, and under her gentle probing tongue he became fully aroused! His penis was huge, massive and swollen, rampant with its need! And his breath was coming in great gasping heaves. He used his own tongue to bring her to a state of arousal she had never known before! And finally she pulled away from him, and turning her back to him she lifted her tail in invitation, and he mounted her with a mighty bellow of lust! As he penetrated her she let out her own loud bellow of agonizing ecstasy! He thrust several times to achieve full penetration, then grasped and pinned her with his powerful arms, digging his powerful hind legs into the ground as he thrust deeper into her! After several minutes of agonizing ecstasy he made one more powerful thrust, and she felt his sheath ridge enter her, and instantly her vent ring clamped around it, locking them together! This had never happened before, though she knew about it. And they remained locked together for over an hour, desperately trying to slack their incredible needs for one another! The cave echoed to the bellows and screams of pleasure from the two huge beasts! What would have scared the living daylights out of any other lesser creature was a symphony of love to any Dragon! As they ground together, his penis now sliding in and out of his locked sheath, she realized that the other matings paled in comparison! Those had been the matings of two animals in heat, but this was far more! Several times he grabbed her neck in a hard bite to help pin her, and that made it even better, even more intense! And it went on and on until she thought she would pass out from the agonizing ecstasy! And again and again she felt his searing hot seed spurt deep inside of her, his body arching and bucking as he came, bellowing his ectasy! And his massive orgasms would trigger her own! Finally her vaginal ring released him, and completely spent he slid from her. He stayed on her back for awhile longer while they caught their breath, gently nibbling and biting the back of her neck, while their rib cages pumped like bellows. And for three glorious weeks he mounted her several times a day, almost always achieving full locking, and each time it was as glorious as the first! If anything their lust for one another grew even stronger! Finally her estrus started to subside, and the couplings slowly became fewer and less intense, but still pure ecstasy.
After several days of mutual love making and pleasure, he finally felt she was almost ready for him, and he was almost delirious with his need! He had been enraptured by the musk coming from her vaginal vent, and instinctively had begun to lick and tongue it, and it when it had opened for him he had run his tongue deep inside of her, unable to get enough of her taste and musk. In return she began to lick and tongue his penis sheath, and when her attentions caused him to finally become erect for the first time, she kept up those attentions as he penis lengthened and thickened! He moaned and keened in helpless sexual ecstasy! He needed, wanted, her soooo baaad! He had never felt anything like this before! And then she suddenly pulled away from him, and turning her back to him, she had lifted her tail and offered herself to him! And he could not have refused that invitation even if he wanted to! With a bellow of lust he mounted her, the head of penis probing, then finding and entering her! He gave another bellow, grabbed her by the hind legs, and began to desperately thrust into her swollen sex! And from her own squeals and bellows he knew she was enjoying the agonizing ecstasy as much as he was! He rode her for a few minutes, both of them roaring and bellowing in joy! Then he made another particularly powerful thrust, and felt several more inches of himself slide into her all of a sudden, and seconds later felt a powerful vise close around his sheath, and realized he could not dismount, not that he intended any such thing! She would decide when it was over, would release him at her own pleasure! And he coupled with her, bringing them both to mutual orgasm after orgasm! And it was glorious beyond description! Mere mortals, and even many Dragons, could not comprehend such incandescent pleasure that went far beyond mere sex, it was also the joining of two souls who became one! And only when a male and a female took a mate for life did they lock together in such a way! And for over an hour they ground together in mutual ecstasy! Finally they were both temporarily spent and she released him. But it was only a temporary respite, and for several days the cave would echo to the roars and bellows of their incredible lovemaking!
Finally it was over, and they spent several days resting in the nest, huddling together and nuzzling and just holding one another in mutual contentment. She would wake up to find him curled protectively around her, and had never felt happier in her life. And then one evening as they nuzzled and nibbled at one another, she started to cry, and it surprised her as much as him!
"What's wrong!" he asked in concern! "Are you alright! Did I hurt you my love!"
He held her head in his strong hands and looked at her in concern, and she noticed he still had bright blue eyes, the same color as when he had been human. "I'm sorry, she said, I'm being foolish and stupid! I didn't think you would come back, and I have no right to expect you to stay!" He seemed genuinely surprised and somewhat taken aback,
"But I said I would return! Why would I not! I don't understand your worries!"
She looked at him, "But males always leave a female after the mating season, once they are satisfied they leave to return to their own territories. Dragons rarely mate for life, let alone a Bronze with a mere Brown!" He took her head in his hands again, and looked her right in the eyes, gently nuzzling the tip of her snout and licking her muzzle.
"You wonderful silly creature!, he said, How could I ever leave the love of my life! You mean more to me than anything else in the world! You are the most beautiful and desirable creature I have ever seen, and always will be! You gave me part of your very soul to save my life, and we are bound together forever! I love you more then you could ever imagine! My love, oh my love!! I could not live without you!"
And he hugged her close, his neck wrapped around hers, while she cried and cried, knowing she would never be lonely ever again!
He had never been so happy in his life. Their monumental matings had left him totally spent and exhausted, and they both had collapsed into the nest for much needed rest and sleep. The warm afterglow keeping them warm and comfortable. Then he suddenly realized she was crying! He could feel her sobbing against his chest, see the tears running down her head! In sudden concern he pulled her head close to his, searching her beautiful brown eyes in worry! "What's wrong! Are you alright! Did I hurt you my love?? he asked. She tried to tell him between sobs, holding him as close to her as possible, about how she had been so worried when he left her, that he might leave again! And she just couldn't stand the thought! At first he truly didn't understand her worries! "But I said I would return! Why would I not! I don't understand your worries!" But then he suddenly did! He too had led a lonely life as a Knight errant, thinking he would be alone forever. Again he, oh so gently, took her snout in his clawed hands, and again he looked deep into her eyes, seeing the beautiful gentle soul he loved so much. "You silly creature!, he said, How could I ever leave the love of my life! You mean more to me than anything else in the world! You are the most beautiful and desirable creature I have ever seen, and always will be! You gave me part of your very soul to save my life, and we are bound together forever! I love you more then you could ever imagine! My love, oh my love!! I could not live without you!" And crying tears of his own, he hugged her as close as he could in a tight embrace like he would never let go!
And even by Dragon standards they both lived a very long and enjoyable life's. Their love for one another was so great that they even learned to mate out of season for the purpose of only the most intimate pleasure two lovers could give one another, as only life mates could do! And she laid numerous clutches containing many eggs, and the cave was seldom without chicks of all ages underfoot, both Dragon and Gryphon! And they were good parents, making sure each chick grew up strong and well taught, more than ready to face the world when they were mature enough to strike out on their own. And all their children grew up to be big, strong, and healthy. Unlike most Dragon families their offspring developed close ties among themselves, and stayed in touch over the years. And if you messed with one child of the Brown and the Bronze, you messed with the whole extended clan! And the Bronze even sired two silver dragons in his lifetime, and many Bronzes! But of them all the little browns were his favorites! He would sit for hours, the chicks and fledglings gathered around, and for hours would regale them with stories of the world, of both great Dragons and Men, and their adventures! But he never bragged of his own accomplishments.
Over the years the Bronze left many times when he was called by the King or Lady of the Light to perform great deeds in defense of the Kingdom and the Right, but never for gain or personal glory. But he always returned as soon as he could to the side of his beloved, sometimes sorely injured and weary. And his mate would carefully and gently nurse him back to health. Just her presence worked wonders, and even grievous wounds would soon heal. And over the years he brought the Humans, Dragon Folk, Gryphons, and other intelligent species together, ending old animosities and forging deep new relationships of mutual respect amongst the sapient folk. He led the Dragons and humans into battle more than once against the forces of the Dark Lady and even the Gold and Silver Dragons recognized his authority and followed him unquestioningly into battle. And the Bronze and the Brown became a legend not only among Dragons, but also among the humans and other folk.
And they both lived for very long and prosperous lives, even for Dragons. When the Brown finally became too old to hunt on her own, and unable to fly because of age and rheumatism, the Bronze never left her side except to hunt. He would grasp her small body tightly to his chest and take her on flights so she could still feel the joy of flight, swooping and diving, both of them bellowing in delight, young again for a short while! And when she finally died, gently clasped to his chest so she could be as close to his hearts as possible, during those last few minutes he tenderly and gently nuzzled and comforted her, tears pouring from his eyes as he keened his grief and told her of his undying love for her, and his own massive hearts stopped beating at the exact same moment as hers. He was still strong, and could have lived a great many more years, but he could not bear to live on without his one and only love.
The Gryphons knew when they died as they saw the bright shining souls of their old and dear friends emerge from the cave one last time, young again forever, and spread their wings and fly upwards, swooping and diving, spinning and dancing, pirouetting in beautiful harmony and joy, climbing ever higher! So close together you couldn't tell them apart! And they flew higher and higher, until they disappeared into the heavens as the clouds opened for their passage! And the Gryphons accompanied them on that last flight, keeping them company and flying as high as they could go, spinning around them in a spiral, their own shrieks of farewell mingling with the joyful roars and bellows of their friends, on one last flight together!
Their oldest daughter found them, the great Bronze's still form still protectively curled around and clasping the small Brown's frail body to his chest, his neck wrapped around hers in a final embrace of love. Their children gathered and walled up the cave for all time, after paying homage and farewell to their mother and sire. Then they all threw back their heads and roared and bellowed, their lament increased by the keens of numerous generations of Gryphons, to let the Great Drake know that two mighty souls would soon be arriving in his Kingdom in the Sky, and to prepare to welcome them!
And for many years after as the children of the Bronze and Brown, and the older Gryphons who had been their friends passed on, their own shining souls would find their way to heaven guided by the shining light of two bright stars.
And for many hundreds of years the Gryphons kept watch over the sealed cave, and Dragons would come to pay their respects, until their numbers dwindled too and they finally passed into Legend along with the Dragons and other creatures from the Age of Wonders. And the world was lesser for their passing.