Haneul

The day Alec appointed her clan leader, Haneul spent the night poring over the manuscripts and books he’d left her. She forced herself to stay awake, to read and absorb every bit of information that he’d left so as to understand how Alec had lead the clan. She didn’t get a wink of sleep that night, and the next morning heralded sleepy yawns and heavy eyelids.

When she reported bright and early for duty, Azure had laughed at her sorry state, told her not unkindly that a tired clan leader wasn’t good for morale, and put her to bed with a warm mug of milk.

Haneul had protested all the way. She insisted that she had to be Alec’s replacement-- he’d trusted her to fill in for him, after all, and she didn’t want to let him or the clan down, so why wouldn’t Azure let her help?

Azure’s answer was one she would never forget: the kind fae sat her down, warmth in her eyes, and told Haneul that Alec hadn’t wanted a replacement. He’d wanted a successor. And bright, disciplined, caring Haneul was the exact kind of dragon the clan needed, not some work-oriented mirror who led from the shadows and stayed away from conflict.

Haneul understood.

The clan now flourishes under hers and Azure’s leadership. Alec had been right-- they did need Haneul-- and after that talk, she was ready, more than ever, to assume responsibility of the role that had been given to her. While Azure handles diplomatic matters and issues of safety, Haneul concerns herself with the wellbeing of the clan. She takes it upon herself to give help to those who require it, draw attention to the needs of dragons and manage the clan’s resources.

It’s no easy task and Haneul often finds herself exhausted at the end of the day, but the reward is more than worth it: there is nothing more satisfying than seeing the grateful smiles of her newfound family.