Amaru the Bronze

An adorable hatchling dragon peered down at the Leafril Guardians as they made their way around the base of the Tree of Life. She crouched closer to the branch, trying to conceal her bronze tail amongst the thick foliage when they walked underneath her hiding place. One of the guardians glanced in her direction, a faint smile forming on his lips as he pretended not to notice her while he checked on a sapling.

“Amaru.”

The little dragon jumped, her gold, orange-hued eyes widening when she heard her mother call for her. She glanced around and moved to wiggle deeper into the leaves when she was plucked from the branch by a large claw.

“Mama—.”

“Come now, little one,” her mother said. “It is time for your nap.”

Amaru huffed and her tail began to flip back and forth as her mother carried her. She wrinkled her nose when they entered her family’s cave at the base of the Tree of Life, and her mother laid her on the edge of the soft nest where her brothers and sisters were covered with foliage to keep their eggs warm.

“Rest well,” her mother said, patting her on the head as she headed deeper into the cave.

Amaru rolled onto her back, batting at the slightly brown leaves until a quiet buzzing noise caught her attention. She leapt to her feet and peered out of the cave entrance. A fluffy glisbee hummed around the flowers growing just beyond the edge of the stones. Amaru puffed out her chest and ran across the rocks, stumbling on her too large feet. She roared, spreading her wings to appear bigger. The glisbee appeared unbothered as it flew to another flower out of sight, ignoring the tiny dragon. 

Amaru pranced back to her brothers and sisters. “I am a Guardian too,” she said, her voice ringing with pride. “I’ll protect my siblings and the forest.” She settled onto the leaves, wrapping a tail around the closest egg as her eyes grew heavy. A toe-curling yawn caused her to roll onto her side while she snuggled against her siblings and drifted to sleep – guarding sure was hard work. 

Writer:

Gwendolyn Ilimaris Author

Ruby the Sleeper

A large crimson coloured dragon laid with her eyes closed in the middle of a field of wildflowers.  Her contented purring grew louder while she reveled in the warmth of the afternoon sun as it soaked into her scales.  She cracked an eye when a rustling in the grass caught her attention, and she watched Lia, a young Leafril woman, weaving through the flowers.  She had a bundle of blooms in her hand when she walked toward Ruby with a contented smile.

 “Don’t they smell wonderful?” she asked, holding them up in front of the dragon’s nose.

 Ruby opened her other eye and took a deep breath, smelling the air.  She tilted her head with a quiet growl that caused Lia’s smile to widen.

 “I knew you’d like them,” she said, knowing what the dragon’s growl meant.  “I must gather more to have enough for everyone.”

 Ruby watched as Lia walked away at a leisured pace, gathering more flowers as she went.  The dragon’s fond chuckle came out as a rolling growl as she continued to watch her.  The twin sister of the Leafril’s prince loved her family and the people of the village.  She went out of her way to make them happy whenever she could.

 When the sun started to sink behind the trees, Ruby got back to her feet with several quiet growls.  She huffed when Lia did not respond right away, and she growled a little louder.

 Lia stopped moving with a heavy sigh.  “It’s not that late yet, Ruby,” she said, looking up at the dragon with her arms filled with flowers of almost every colour imaginable.  “I need to get more of the red ones.”

 Ruby tilted her head as she observed the Leafril in front of her.  She shook her head with a loud huff before she settled back on the ground with another growl. 

“Thanks, Ruby,” Lia said with a smile.  “I’ll hurry.”

Ruby could not help the rumbling purr that started to radiate from her when she watched Lia move toward the red flowers.  She still did not act like she was in a hurry.  Ruby shook her head, unable to be frustrated with her.  Lia meant the world to her. The growling purr grew louder as she felt a deep flare of affection for the Leafril who held her heart in the palm of her hand.

Writer:

Gwendolyn Ilimaris Author

Azure

A large, lonely dragon curled closer to a sheer cliff face in his hidden sanctuary.  He snarled in frustration when he shifted closer to the edge of a crystal-clear pond to get a drink, and he could not walk without a limp.  It had plagued him since he was small, and he chose to hide himself away instead of allowing anyone to see him.  With irritated growl, he settled back against the stones, tucking his tail around himself to conceal the long-deep scar that marred his left wing.  It was the source of his limp and the cause of his trouble flying for long distances.  He pulled his tail closer, causing the late afternoon sun to reflect off his scales.  Dozens of tiny blue lights danced across the surface of the pond as he closed his eyes. 

A quiet rustling in the vines caused his eyes to snap back open and he watched a small injured Leafril stumble through with her arm wrapped around her middle.  He growled before she had a chance to get farther into his place.  His eyes narrowed when she glanced his direction and he continued to growl, telling her that she was not welcome.  He watched her swallow hard before she shifted and limped a couple steps backwards.  His head snapped up and the growling came to an abrupt stop when he watched the trouble she had walking.  Maybe – she would understand?

 He hesitated before he got to his feet and limped a couple of steps.  After easing back to the ground, he rested his chin in the soft grass, watching the Leafril study him.  A faint breeze blew through the valley, causing her hair to dance in front of her face, but she did not seem to notice.  He almost held his breath when she stepped closer and reached toward him.  Could he trust her?  Would she mock him like the others?  Her clear blue eyes met with his and he tipped his head forward, bumping her hand with his nose.  A deep rumbling purr began to resonate through him when he could sense the kindness in the Leafril in front of him.  The warm smile that appeared on her face eased the worries in his heart and the purring grew louder.  He had found the companion he needed at last.

Writer:

Gwendolyn Ilimaris Author

The Purple vale Dragon

Lofty, snowy mountain peaks concealed a small cliffside home of a beautiful dragon of purple.  His gleaming scales reflected the brilliant morning sun, painting the white snow with shades of violet that seemed to dance as he passed.  Covering the steep slope below his outstretched wings, an ancient forest extended beyond even his vision.  It was an enchanted place where the forest loving elves, the Leafril, resided.  They were one of the few creatures that brave the snowy slopes to visit him



Writer:

Gwendolyn Ilimaris Author