Angrboda

There was a stranger in her house. Angrboda had been roused from her sleep by a loud clank, and there, in front of her, was a handsome imperial staring at her. She was suddenly self-conscious of her smudged scales. She had been so exhausted from her chores that she hadn't had time to bathe before crashing into bed. She was caught up in his bright green gaze. Who was she, and what was he doing here? He wasn't the first knight to come to the house, but he was the first she had seen. Her aunt had warned her that the knights who came might mean more harm than good.

"Who are you?" Angrboda asked, narrowing her eyes in an attempt to appear more threatening.

"My name is Jormungander, and I'm here to rescue you," The imperial announced, raising his head high, "Come with me, we can get out of here."

"But-" Angrboda began, eyes wide "But I don't need rescuing. I'm happy here, with my aunt!" She was suddenly flooded with panic. Where did he want to take her! This was exactly what her aunt had warned her about!

"I don't know how to tell you this, but your 'aunt' is an evil witch," Jormungander asked nervously. "I've been sent to take you home to your real family."

Real family? But her aunt said that they were-

"I'm a what now?" An old bogsneak asked, hobbling over. Angrboda felt a wave of relief. Her aunt was here to deal with the situation. "Angrboda, go to bed." Her aunt ordered. The snapper nodded and turned to go to bed. She was dying of curiosity but she trusted her aunt would tell her everything in the morning.

Her aunt and the strange imperial talked for a while. Angrboda couldn't hear their exact words, and at one point she could swear that she heard combat noises. She huddled under her blankets, afraid. What if this time her aunt couldn't fight them off? Eventually, she was lulled back to sleep, still feeling the exhaustion of the day before.

After what seemed like ages, her aunt walked over to her and roused her from her slumber, the imperial in tow. The old bogsneak smiled sadly, and Angrboda couldn't help but feel a jolt of anxiety. What was wrong?

"Angrboda, you've been growing big and strong, far to big to stay in such a small, confined cottage. I know snappers have an urge to wander, it would be selfish of me to keep you here," Her aunt explained softly. Tears sparkling in the old bogsneak's eyes as she spoke. "It is time for you to see the world and live your own life, as your mother wanted. Jormungander here is of noble heart and spirit, and he has vowed to serve and protect you as you journey across Sornieth by his side. It is my hope that the two of you become good friends, it would be good for you to get to know someone around your age."

Angrboda nodded, taking everything in. It hardly felt real as her aunt helped her pack a bag for traveling and she was loaded on top of the knight's back and the time came to say goodbye to her aunt. Then the pair were off, and Angrboda felt the wind on her scales for the first time. It was an amazing feeling as her world opened up in front of her like a scroll. There was so much more than she had ever seen.

In the months that followed, the two got closer and closer. Angrboda soon grew in strength and courage, and soon was able to hold her own against the world. Still, even as she grew, Jormungander never left her side. He was her constant companion, her closest friend, and she was beginning to wonder if he would grow to be more.

One night after a particularly harrowing battle against a swarm of fallout streaks, both retreated to a crystal cave, hides streaked with wounds. As soon as they were in the safety of the cave they collapsed. As Angrboda fell, she felt Jormungander's wing drape over her, protecting her from the cold. he immediately began to tend to her wounds.

"What are you doing? You're hurt so much more than I am, you should be looking after your wounds first!" Angrboda exclaimed in surprised.

"I vowed to serve and protect you, that means you come first," Jormungander said, clenching his teeth in pain as he wrapped bandages, "Besides, I hate to see you hurt."

"I don't like seeing you hurt either!" Angrboda protested. her heart was pounding in her chest. What was this feeling? It only seemed to grow stronger the more time she spent with the knight.

"There you go, you're all done, now I can treat my own injuries," Jormungander said, moving to tend to his own wounds. Angrboda watched, mesmerized, as his muscles rippled under his skin and he twisted to reach some of the gashes further down his back.

"Do you want me to get those?" Angrboda asked, taking the bandages from the imperial.

"Thank you," The knight sighed, relaxing as Angrboda began to tend to him the way he had tended to her. Once she was finish, she curled up again under the cover of his wings, feeling warm and happy.

"Jurmungander?" Angrboda asked as the two dragons began to slip into sleep.

"Yeah?" The imperial answered with a yawn.

"I think I love you," Angrboda murmured, slipping further and further out of consciousness.

"I think I love you too," Jormungander purred, lowering his head to rest it near Angrboda's. The two dragons fell asleep together, dreaming of the adventures they had shared together and the adventures that were still to come.

Written by Petall

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