Solsetur

Solsetur had never been into the woods before. There were too many dangers, too many wild things much larger than herself. Yet, aside from all of that, she yearned to go there. Something was pulling her, clawing at her heart, hands coming away bloody. Because she stayed put. She had to. She knew that if she left, her parents would be devastated, along with her friends. No, she had to stay.
Solsetur didn’t have many friends, but the ones she did she was very close to. Her best friend was Godwin, the priest. The two had a very interesting relationship. Godwin believed that the deities had brought them together, but Solsetur believed it had been the forest. That’s where he had found her, alone and scared, both of them mere hatchlings. She fondly remembered riding on his back as the walked through the woods, trying to find their way back to the lair.
She felt no romantic love towards him, and neither did he. They both knew that they were only friends, and that was all they would ever be. Solsetur knew Godwin better than any of the other dragons. She was also good friends with Taerin, who she spent more time with. Godwin was usually off with Komenash or Kysith, looking for something. Though Solsetur knew she appreciated the company, he felt no real bonds towards them. No, Godwins only real friend was her, and she appreciated the honor.
Taerin was an interesting soul, never caring what others thought of him and saying whatever he was thinking at the moment, regardless of the consequences. He often got himself into a large amount of trouble, which Solsetur would have to bail him out of before something bad happened. Taerin was also a big target for the Autumn Mask, a society bent on finding dragons with green blood, like druids. Taerin had this, he knew, which made him a valuable target for the society, and often put him in more danger than he should have been in. On numerous occasions Solsetur had found herself delving into an ancient cave, looking for Taerin to help him escape. The society didn’t want much. Just the magic in his blood. But Solsetur knew that if they removed the magic from his blood, they risked killing the dragon, so she forced herself to save him each and every time.
And then, one day, she decided to go into the woods. She had asked both Godwin and Taerin to accompany her, but both dragons were busy. So instead, she brought along her last best friend, Celest, the Star Prince. Solsetur and Celest had been friends since they’d were hatchlings, laughing and smiling and playing pranks on the lair. It was hard to get him away from the castle, as his guards would always accompany him, but Solsetur had learned a few tricks that she could deploy to keep the guards occupied. And so, the two had snuck out of the castle to venture into the woods.

“It’s so dark in there. Unnatural.” Celest shuddered. Solsetur smiled.
“Come on, it’ll be fine. You don’t have to come if you don’t want to.” She smiled. Celest shook his head.
“I’m fine. Let’s go.” He replied. Solsetur nodded, and then looked into the foreboding woods. And then, she took a step in. And another. And another, until the darkness had enveloped her small body. She heard Celest’s Footsteps behind her, providing some comfort. Despite her fear, however, she felt free. As if she’s truly belonged her. A forest child, as the lair dragons called them.
The two traveled for hours, sometimes flying, sometimes walking, often stopping for breaks. Solsetur followed the tug of her heart, leading them on a path that only she could see. Celest knew to trust his friend. If he didn’t, he could end up dead.
There was a light in the middle of the woods. A blinding light, like a thousand fires. The two Fae’s followed it, it’s warmth enveloping them. Before them lay a thriving city, thousands of dragons wandering around the streets. The buildings stretched from the ground up to the tops of the trees. As the two Fae’s approached, th city went quiet.
“Who are you?” A large White and blue opal imperial asked. Solsetur felt her heart click into place.
“I think... I think I’m one of you.” She breathed. The imperials eyes widened. He leaned in close to her face, studying her.
“Could it be?” He asked aloud. Solsetur looked back at Celest, who shrugged and gave her an encouraging smile.
“Are you, by chance, Twilight?” He questioned, looking straight into Solsetur eyes. She smiled.
“That’s what my name means. Solsetur. It means twilight, or sunset.” She said. The city seemed to simultaneously draw in a breath.
“Our princess returns.” The imperial breathed, tears forming in his eyes,
“Thank the Gladekeeper.” He choked, embracing Solsetur in a hug, squeezing tears from out of her eyes as well.
“What?!” Celest exclaimed. The king jumped, not seeming to have noticed the princess.
“Who are are you?” He inquired kindly. Celest smiled and stuck out his claw.
“I am the Prince of Yksin, the nearby kingdom on the other side of the woods.” She introduced herself. The imperial shook her claw with his own.
“I am King Kaste Of the City Of the Wood. I welcome you back.” He smiled. Celest cocked his head.
“Back?”
“I remember meeting you, many, many years ago. It was so long. I barely remember. You were younger, a small hatchling, that was before the witch,my, and the curse, and the woods. Now we are stuck here. We cannot leave.” He sighed. Then, he looked back to Solsetur.
“And now, neither can you.”