Winter in The Valley

As winter approached, Tanine gathered fuel to last them until spring. They walked along the valley floor with their noble friend, Saida Houb. The closer it got to winter, the slower the pair became until one day Saida Houb stopped in her tracks. The dragon noticed and looked high in the sky for clues.

The wind was crisp and biting more than it had been. The sky had turned from bright, sunny warmth to dark, gray clouds filled with high drama. They took in a deep breath that burned their lungs. They stuck out their tongue and a single, perfect snowflake fell on it. It was time.

Tanine looked down at their friend who was patiently awaiting their word. A simple glance was enough. They began heading towards their cave with what they had gathered.

Once inside, Saida Houb stopped by the fire pit and patiently waited as the dragon unloaded the fuel that she had carried on her back. She then went over to her nearby bed, circled the area several times before curling up for a lovely rest.

Tanine had a few more preparations to make. They made a cup of tea and sat down in their rocking chair near the fire to warm their chilled bones and go over what still needed to be done. They only had a few small tasks before they too would curl up on their bed near Saida Houb. They rocked contentedly as they sipped the sweet elixir that helped them enter the deep hibernation of winter.

The fire cast its light over Saida Houb who was peacefully snoring. Her normally brown fur was now a multicolored spectacle to behold. Her long, sleek body was gathered into a small ball with her tail neatly curled around her. She let out a few contented whimpers as she dreamed of running through fields and splashing in ponds.

Tanine smiled at their friend. Knowing that she was happy warmed their hearts.

When Tanine finished their cup of tea, they did their final few chores before curling up beside the fire with Saida Houb.

The wind outside whipped and howled for three straight months. Only the moonlight lit the way for those who stayed awake. A blanket of crisp, white snow covered the valley as it slept.

When complete darkness enveloped the valley, the long winter was half over. The sun shone more and more as spring approached. More and more creatures ventured out into the valley with each passing day. Yet our friends remained snuggled in their warm cave.

A shaft of light got closer and closer to our beloved dragon with each passing day until on the first day of spring it fell upon their eye.

The dragon was curled upon their bed. Their massive head pointed towards the exit. Their back was to the fire but you could still see the beautiful, iridescent blues and greens of their scales. When the sunlight shone upon their eye, it opened almost instantly to reveal the brightest blue eye that one had ever seen. It was the bright blue of summer skies and warm, shallow, tropical shores. It brightened all corners of the cave to reveal what winter had left behind.

Tanine yawned and stretched before heading to the entrance to see how their valley faired during their slumber. Saida Houb also awoke to join them on their short journey.

When the pair reached the cave entrance, they stood on the ledge high above the valley to survey the land.

Saida Houb sat down as she admired the beauty of spring. Soon she would be running through the valley with her friends and swimming in ponds. She always enjoyed her outings with her dragon friend. They took her throughout the land and had many adventures together.

The warm breeze hits Tanine as they take a deep breath to refresh their body and soul.

They shake out their wings beside them to get the joints moving once more. Once they are confident in their abilities and alertness, they take in one more deep breath before they step off their ledge and soar high above.

Saida Houb watches as they take flight. Their body glides effortlessly through the sky. The sun catches their scales so that it almost looks like a shimmering pond up above. As their confidence grows, they begin to twirl and dive through the valley and treetops. It is a ritual that brings the entire valley together to watch their majestic first flight of the year.