Once upon a time, in a far off land, there lived a race of golden haired people.  From the beginning of time, in this land, all the babies born in all the houses had hair of gold and were born of parents who had hair of gold.  This land was called Raedea and it was a very happy and prosperous land.

Now it happened that the King before taking the throne from his father, went off on a long, long journey to see other people and kingdoms before settling down to the business of ruling Raedea.  On this journey, he came across many different races of people, and many different customs than his own.  But being taught well by his parents, he knew that these were just outer differences and he did not judge these people harshly.

The King came upon a race of people far, far to the north of Raedea and fell in love with the emperor's daughter there.  She was named Blodueth, which meant bird of the night in her language.  She was very beautiful nd very different from any woman the King had ever met before.

So the King being through with his adventures away from his own kingdom, brought Blodueth to his home to be his Queen.  His subjects were quite taken aback at the sight of Blodueth for she had hair as black as midnight.  The good people of Raedea, not having traveled very far themselves, had no idea such hair ever existed and were very suspicious of Blodueth.  There began a whispering among them that she was a witch and had cast a spell over their King, who was very much in love with her.

Blodueth brought with her a vast dowry of gold and silver coins and such jewels that the people of Raedea began to gossip among themselves that she had used her witchcraft to enchant a dragon and steal his treasure.  Hearing such gossip, the Queen Blodueth laughed to herself and knew that as long as the King was alive, none could harm her.

Not long after the marriage, Blodueth gave birth to a fine baby girl, who was called Midnight Rose, because she was endowed with her  mother's shiny black tresses.

The Kingdom prospered and the King continued to rule wisely, so the rumors of the Queen died down and there was peace in the Kingdom . . . until Midnight Rose began to grow and wander about the Kingdom of Raedea.

Midnight Rose grew to be a beautiful and kind young lady.  She was versed in the arts of healing and took care of the subjects of her father's kingdom.  She was so good hearted that people could not help but love her because of it.   But they also feared her greatly for she had been born with the emblem of a small, fine dragon high on her left cheekbone.  The people of Raedea whispered that Midnight Rose was really the child of the Dragon that the Queen Blodueth had enchanted all those years ago.  The good people of Raedea gossiped among themselves that something was just not right with Midnight Rose.  This gossip carried itself out of the Kingdom to the neighboring kingdoms and Midnight Rose, although more beautiful than any other in all the kingdoms, received no suitors because she was so very different from all the others.

"Do not fret, my daughter,"  said the King and Queen, "For someday your Prince will come and he will accept you for who you truly are."

Midnight Rose did not fret, for she had many friends in the forest animals.  The very birds in the trees would come when she called them and she spent many an hour in the woods surrounding the castle playing with her forest friends.

Now it happened that not far away, there lived a large, splendid dragon.  The Dragon had room after room of fine treasures.  The first room contained gold coins in piles as high as the ceiling.  The second room contained dishes of gold and silver all adorned with diamonds and rubies.  Each room in the Dragon's castle contained a treasure more rich than the previous one.

The Dragon was also lord over a vast empire of lands.  All his lands were so fruitful and verdant because he was a magick dragon and had lived for centuries battling knights and warlocks to his heart's content.

But, however, the Dragon was getting weary of the wealth that surrounded him.  He needed new diversions and presently flew off in search of adventure and challenge.

The Dragon did not get far before he spied Midnight Rose bathing at her usual reflecting pool in the forest and he said to himself,

"What a beautiful mortal I have spied.  I will turn myself into a Prince and court her for a while."

So saying this, he took mortal form and set out to meet with Midnight Rose in the forest.  He came upon her while she was playing with her friend, the owl, who was telling her a very amusing tale.

"Good day Lady."  said the Dragon/Prince.  "How is it that you have learned to charm the birds to you?"

"Good day Lord Prince."   said Midnight Rose, "My   mother has taught me to call the beasts by their true names, and then they must do all that I bid them."

While speaking to the Dragon/Prince, Midnight Rose had turned toward him.  When the Dragon laid eyes upon the emblem on her cheek, he knew then who she was and burned to make her his own.

"Lady," said the Dragon/Prince, "you are very wise and beautiful.  If you would be my bride, I would shower you with treasures beyond your imagining."

"I have no need of your treasure,"  replied Midnight Rose, "for my mother possesses the wealth of a dragon's treasure, which will be mine someday."

And so saying that, she fled back to the castle and he saw no more of her that day.

Now, the Dragon was a very, very arrogant creature and not used to being thwarted at all.  He was determined to win the wise and beautiful Midnight Rose, for he had heard of how special she was and longed to possess her.

The following day, the Dragon met Midnight Rose once again in her usual place in the forest.  They sat upon a flat stone and talked and talked until the sun was low in the sky. 

At which point, the Dragon/Prince said, "Lady, you are very wise and beautiful.  If you would be my bride, I would make you the empress of all my vast empire."

"I have no need of your lands," replied Midnight Rose, "for my father is King of all you survey here and someday it shall be mine."

So saying this, she fled and he saw no more of her that day.

Now, the Dragon was sorely put out.  He did not know whatever to do next.  He had offered her all of his worldly goods and to no avail.  He surely could not tell her what he truly was, for then he would never win her.  So he went back to his dragonly pursuits a much humbler dragon determined to forget about Midnight Rose.  He looked at his treasure, but it failed to make him happy any longer.  He flew over his vast lands, but they failed to please him any longer.  He battled with the warlocks and knights that never failed to show up at his door to challenge him, but nothing made him feel happy and important any longer.

Meanwhile, Midnight Rose searched the forest every day for her suitor, but failed to find him and she began to grow sad and vexed with him.  Although she did think him a little shallow, he was an amusing and intelligent companion and she found herself missing him greatly.

Three moons passed and the Dragon did not forget Midnight Rose and she did not forget the Dragon/Prince.  On the day of the third full moon, Midnight Rose arrived in the forest to find her Dragon/Prince sitting upon their stone waiting for her.

"Lady," said the Dragon wearily, "I have nothing left to offer you but what I am.  If you would be my bride, I will give you my true name and you shall have power over all that I am."

The moment his true name left his lips, he lost his mortal form and returned to his true form of a mighty Dragon.  Upon seeing in so, Midnight Rose began to weep.

"Lady, I beg you, please do not weep,"  Cried the Dragon, "for you have only to command it and I shall be the Prince again for ever more."

"Oh no, my Dragon!"  cried Midnight Rose, "I do not weep for fear, but for joy."

As she said this, a single crystal tear slid past the emblem on her left cheekbone, and she began to transform into her true self.  Midnight Rose was in truth the child of the dragon her mother had enchanted.  With her Dragon's love, she could be what she was truly meant to be.

And they lived happily ever after.
 
 
 
 
 
 

 


 
 
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