In the meantime, a massive black monster with huge and frightening wings flew through the air. It was still dark, with the sunlight merely peeping from the horizon. The creature's scales were covered with tiny spikes, coming from the base of his tail to his elongated neck and tiny horns on the back of his head. His threatening cat-like eyes would occasionally cast a glance at the ground beneath him. There was no one in sight, with even the wildlife and birds of prey taking cover from him. In his claws was a blond-haired maiden. Her arms and legs dangled lifelessly with the wind. The creature approached an egg-shaped structure, seemingly perched on top of the clouds.
Arriving at the encircling balcony, the dragon roared. His powerful voice made the heavy gate opened on its own, and closed shortly afterwards. The inside was just as majestic as the interior. From the ceilings hung tapestries with scenes of the history of the Nearby Hill Kingdom, the edges of which were decorated with golden threads and tassels. Expensive vases were placed on a pair of pedestals along the wall. Numerous trinkets were carefully arranged on shelves, some local and some brought over from distant lands.
The dreaded dragon threw his latest prey on a pile of gold coins and hollered for Anna. With small graceful movements, the stolen princess entered the room and stood cautiously in front of him.
"Yes, my dragon," she stuttered, lowering her head. With the side of her eye she could glance at the girl who was slowly raising her head. She gasped, recognizing her face.
"Look what I found!" the dragon boasted. Anna bowed and carefully approached her childhood friend.
"How did you end up here?" Anna whispered, helping her up.
"Anna?" Zora squinted. "You are alive?" she whispered, excited.
"If you could call this living," her friend mumbled.
The dragon climbed on a pile of gold, making a few circles before laying down. His tail with a maze-like ending went up and down in slow cat-like movements. "Now, which one of you is going to stay?" he growled coldly.
"What?" the girls uttered in unison.
"It's obvious. I cannot keep you both. Why in the world would I need two princesses?" he said casually.
"Oh, I beg to differ! Do you know how much cleaning there is to do here?" Anna complained.
The dragon was not pleased. "Keep talking princess. You are making my choice much easier," he uttered coldhearted, making the girl hide behind Zora.
"And you? Do you have anything to add?" he sneered at her.
The newly arrived princess gulped, starting to sweat. "No, your Dragoness," she stuttered, with her scared little voice.
The creature puffed a flame from his nostril. "Dragoness... How very cute. Now, what is your name, girl? Are you of noble birth as well?" he asked.
She nodded. "Born and raised. My name is Zora, your Dragoness," she uttered nervous.
"I see. What can you tell me about yourself? And mind your words well, or you might find yourself tossed out of the window. And trust me, it's a long, long way down," he grinned, finding delight in their panic-stricken faces.
Zora could feel the grip of her friend's hand getting tighter.
"Um," she started. "Forgive me, your Dragoness, but why? As already said, we can work together to make you happy... I could play instruments, while she sings... We can take care of your lovely home," she spoke, trying to seem as friendly as possible. Anna started to nod frantically.
The dragon pondered, stroking his pointy chin with his claws.
"Hmm, no... I dislike having two of the same thing," he said. "Sort of a collector's quirk."
Zora's brain worked like never before. "But we are not the same. Look. My hair is blond and she is a brunette."
"Yes... You can find a red-haired princess and have an entire set," Anna added without thinking.
The dragon hummed, unconvinced.
The two princesses looked at each other. "We are... from different kingdoms. Surely, that counts as something?" Anna said.
The dragon did not reply, squinting his yellow eyes.
"We can tell you stories," Zora said. "I recently heard some great ones-"
"I can dance. I can dance while I clean," Anna interrupted. Zora patted her shaking friend's hand, also in a state of fright.
The dragon snickered. "No, that is not different enough. One of you must go."
"You cannot... Please!" Anna yelled.
"Now, if one of you had a special skill, perhaps I would reconsider, but if all you can offer are trivial things, I am not interested," he spoke unfazed.
With a heavy sigh, Zora bowed her head. The other princess looked at her concerned.
"There is one thing I can do that is not trivial," she said quietly.
The dreary dragon stretched. "Go on," he said, curious.
Zora rubbed her hands, tense. "Here it goes," she whispered. Her body rapidly grew, getting covered in white wolf fur. She stood on all fours, and looked at the dragon as her friend gasped, taking a few steps back.
The creature blinked. "That is something," the dragon said, pleased. "A majestic wolf, such as yourself, would make an excellent addition to my collection. Perhaps I could get some other magical creatures as well."
Anna stammered, "Does that mean-"
"We can both stay?" the wolf spoke in a human tongue.
"Hmm... Yes."
They both jumped from joy. Anna hugged her wolf friend, with her hands barely able to go around the she-wolf's neck.
That night, after their captor was sound asleep, the two friends could finally talk freely.
"I'm so sorry you ended up here," Anna said, laying on her old bed, covered with a pricey fur coat.
"Me too," Zora said, placed in a cage next to her. She transformed back, lying on a soft woolen mat. "Why did you keep this a secret from me? You could have written. Perhaps my husband's brother would have sent an army to help," she whispered.
Anna let out a deep sigh. "If you had a problem like this, would you announce it to anyone?"
Zora thought about it for a while. "No... I suppose I would not."
"Exactly. Now, tell me why did you come? Was it for a visit?"
"Actually, no. I came to ask you for a favor. I needed the harp your nanny used on us as children."
"Really? Why?"
"To resolve a problem with a magical creature of my own," Zora said, frank.
"Oh. That is a weird coincidence," Anna tittered. "Well, at least I have company now. Living here with him for the rest of my earthly existence would have been a nightmare."
"Don't speak like that! There is still hope," Zora said.
"Oh, my dear friend. If you only knew the efforts we made to defeat him. It cannot be done," she replied somber.
"My Aidan will save us. He is brave and capable. He will find a way," Zora stated with confidence. The dragon squirmed, making her flinch.
"Don't worry. Once he falls asleep, he does not awaken till morning," Anna said calmly. "So how was marriage. Did you two get along?"
"Oh, better than expected," her friend said. "Sadly, other people got in the way. But he did not give up on me then and I am sure he will not do so now."
"I hope you are correct about your prince because if he fails-"
"He will not! He cannot!" Zora stated with conviction.
"I hope so. But, in case that does not come to fruition," Anna said letting out a sorrowful sigh. "At least we have each other."
Zora scowled, turning her head away. "I'm going to sleep. Good night," she said sulky.
"Good night" Anna replied, and slowly placed her head on the pillow.
After a few hours of riding, the prince reached his destination. Observing the area, he could not help but notice the large contrast between this place and the rest of the forest. The heart of the forest resembled the aftermath of a great battle, which was simultaneously engulfed in fire and a tornado.
The abundance of trees and greenery, prevalent a few steps away, were replaced by bone-dry earth and ashes. The horses' hooves uneasily trampled on the dusty surface. On one side, a multitude of knight's armor, weapons and other burnt objects were scattered along the way as a reminder of the numerous skirmishes the dragon had with the local heroes.
Prince Aidan whistles in astonishment. "This dragon truly is something. Look at how much battle armors and magic wands are scattered all around," he remarked. A muffled sound alarmed him. His ears perked. Jumping off his horse, he searched for something that resembled a flutter frantically hitting metal wires. Occasionally a begging peep could be heard, as if calling for aid.