Esmeralda

Dusk had fallen and the song of night echoed across the land. A full moon hid in the endless sky concealed by dense twisting clouds. The breeze danced amongst the trees dipping down to brush against the gentle grass of the meadow. A chorus of chirps resonated through the valley. They were soon followed by the trill of frogs and the warble of the Whip-poor-will. With each new song, the wind danced harder as it weaved its way through the forest.

Suddenly, the song of the night was interrupted by a new beautiful sound. Laughter.

The wind swiftly changed course heading deeper into the woods as if drawn by this unexpected noise.
Somewhere in a long-forgotten part of the forest were four hatchlings tumbling about through the dirt giggling to themselves. Excited by the younglings, the wind scatted leaves in the air. The hatchlings squealed in delight as they pounced the leaves. The wind frolicked with the hatchlings for some time until suddenly they grew quiet...

"Shhhh!"
"She's here! She's here!" they whispered.

An eerie silence had fallen over the glade
The youngsters stared wide-eyed into the gloom. Something prowled in the darkness.

The moon peered through the clouds revealing the massive shape of an ancient dragon. She loomed over the hatchlings huddled beneath her. Her cold gaze eyeing them suspiciously. The wind picked up and circled around the hatchlings urging them to run.

Suddenly the ancient dragon's face softened into a sad smile.

"Back for more stories I see."

"Yes! Yes please!" they begged in unison.

"Hmm, are you sure you deserve to hear them? I can't imagine your parents are pleased with you running off in the middle of the night, and look at what a mess you've made!" She teased as she gestured towards their muddied claws.

"We're sorry All Mother..." they echoed

"Will you please tell us some stories...please?" said a little nocturne who looked quite apologetic.

"Well if you insist...what would you like to hear about this time?"

The hatchling's sad faces quickly brightened into grins.
"Tell us about a great battle!"
"NO! Tell us about the Pale Princess!"
"But I want to hear about..."

The bickering was quickly silenced by the cold glare and hiss from the elderly dragon.

"Hush young ones... we don't want to draw any unwanted attention." She said glancing around the woods.

"One of you hasn't said a thing." She glanced at the quiet young spiral. "What would you like to hear about?"

"Please All-Mother tell us about the Umbral Lord." the hatchling said nervously looking down at his paws.

"Well now...that is a long story...but one worth hearing."