Summer, 1327

The pair watched the Elder continue her duties, then looked towards the town as the sun slowly began descending below Mount Rubinox. All around, people were beginning to return back to their homes, children were playing in the streets, the chimneys of hundreds of cooking stoves wafting into brisk summer air. Stanton was at peace.

Logan gave a sigh of contentment.

“Well, looks like after everything, you’ve found a place where you belong, Mera.” He patted his friend on the shoulder.

“Oh balderdash.” Mera retorted, but the dragon was still smiling.

“I’ll do my duty all right, but I won’t necessarily like it. Right now I just need some solitary “me” time. Rebuild my hoard. Maybe find some girl dragon or something.” The dragon suddenly went serious, turned to the new Forester, bent down and lightly put a paw on the hunter’s shoulder. “Before I go though, I will say this: Logan, you are my friend. I hope you will always be my friend. I want you to have this, as a sign of my friendship and in thanks for all your help.” The dragon opened his other paw to reveal a small golden object glistening in the sun, hung by a small chain draped around a talon. Logan took it; the golden stone embedded in the talisman shone brightly, reflecting the Forester’s face as well as refracting that of Mera’s snout behind it.

The Dragoneye.

“When you are alone in the world, remember this and remember you have friends. Though my eyes may fail and my bones may ache, I will always remember its message.” The dragon quoted.

Logan carefully put the stone around his neck. “Thank you. I know this means a lot to you, and I’ll treasure it forever. And you are always welcome in my house, under me or under my children and their children.”

Mera however was already moving away, finding a good spot to take off. The dragon finally looked back at the new Forester of Stanton and nodded. “Feel free to visit me anytime. Don’t let anyone steal my gold, or I’ll kill them.” With that, Meratezatgh spread his wings and beat downwards, ascending into the air with a powerful gust of air.

“The dragon is leaving?” Sonia asked as she quickly came back from her conversation to see the reptile soar through the red-tinted sky.

“Yes we accomplished everything we needed to, so I’m letting Mera return to his cave.”

“Can you still control the Stanton Dragon?.”

Logan touched the Dragoneye around his neck. “Yes, yes I can.”

“Very well then. Everyone needs a home they can go back to.”

“You’re right.”

The Elder looked at her fiancée and then at the gift on his neck.

“A token of your honor.”

“Yes.” Logan took it off and handed it to Sonia.

“My gift to you.”

Sonia laughed but pushed it back. “It’s beautiful. Keep it. It is enough that I see it. It is enough to know my town is safe.”

“Our home will be safe, so long as I can help it.”

The Elder of Stanton waved back at Mera. The new couple watched the dragon until he disappeared into the mountains of the North. Then Logan turned back to his fiancée.

“Let’s go back to our new home as well.”

Wild Mountain Thyme - Seth Staton Watkins (The Corries Cover)

From tropigar as a gift by Panzerdraco ! Thanks!

Original: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/52067722/