The moon was pale and bold, stars cast out into the expanse of darkness. A castle stood at the far end of the valley, between jagged cliffs. Moonlit snowdrifts were piled against slightly ravaged walls, while the windows gaped with dim light. The bitter air revealed Its battlements glistening with ice, their battered outlines blending into the precipice surrounding it. The castle laid eerily quiet, moss clinging in the shade of the half-ruined walls like a scraggly beard. The trees circled the castle with armoured trunks, defending their citadel, their naked arms reached out into the crisp air protectively.

A young princess crawled out of her bed, sighing heavily. Even with the warmth of her blankets and crackling fireplace, she could not fall asleep. She put on her slippers and smoothed down her nightgown, stumbling to an open window. She rubbed her sore eyes and yawned. The winter wind picked up, pushing back her long, golden locks and bulky curtains. The curtains were a thick velvet that hung in generous folds around the broad window, and was lined with soft cotton of the deepest cream.
The princess gazed longingly outside, her eyes becoming misty. Thoughts of her younger brother started pouring in. She remembered chasing him in the peaceful garden, a riot of colors amongst the oaks and beeches. Even the time when they waded through the snaking river, or stared wistfully at the blue dome filled with silky clouds. She felt tears stinging her eyes along with a sob rising in her throat, but she quickly blinked her tears away. Instead, the princess slammed her fist down angrily.

A guard outside her door must of heard her for he called out, "Princess Adelaide, are you alright?" She forced down her distress and regained her composure.

"Yes. I am fine."

The guard grunted in response, returning to his post. Adelaide looked out at the night, beginning to reminisce once more. Then a thought struck her. Why must dragons exist? Those gorey, monstrous beasts that roamed the skies, why were they placed on this earth? Did humanity deserve to be tortured and punished so severely? She clenched her fists. Adelaide once believed that dragons were only trying to protect themselves and their young, that they had hearts as well. Though that was well before those monsters took away her precious little brother. She could picture that evening so clearly. Her brother had snuck outside the castle to pursue a stray pup who wandered near the moat, its one leg injured. He ventured into the town when the dragons came upon them. There were dozens streaking across the heavens, fire already forming in their mouths. He had dove into a hut to hide but it did not matter, a drake blasted his hot fire onto the tiny house, making it erupt into flames. Her brother died that night, his body never found, only his ashes resided along with the ruins.

Adelaide choked on another sob, warm wetness splashing down her rosy cheeks. How dare they? Those demons from hell, how dare they kill her innocent brother? It wasn't fair. She bowed her head in mourning.
Just then, a screech rang throughout the thin air along with frantic bells and yelling. One word was repeated over and over again, dragons.

Adelaide felt her breath catch in her throat as her heart skipped a beat. Dragons? No way. Not now. She squinted, scanning the skies when hundreds, maybe thousands of winged creatures appeared. She gasped and drew her curtains shut, panting heavily. What was she to do?
At that moment, her chamber door was slammed open as her father strode forward, grabbing her shoulders. He gripped her tightly, his fear echoing in his eyes as he stared at her.

"Listen, Adelaide. Do not go outside at all costs. I don't want to lose anyone else, I only have you now. Understood?" She nodded enthusiastically, her hair bobbing up and down. Her father let out an exasperated sigh and forced a smile. He patted her head before walking out of her room in a hurried pace.

Adelaide stood motionless for a moment grappling with her chaotic emotions. Finally, she straightened her shoulders and yanked her shawl off her nightstand. Wrapping it around her and tightening her grip, she marched out of her room with a candle in one hand, intent written on her face. Sorry father, she thought, but I must avenge my little brother.

Guards and maids rushed past her in panic, weeping heard at every corner. One servant was even on her knees praying. Yet Adelaide pushed on, making her way to the dungeons. She reached the wooden door and thrust it open, hastening down the stairs. The cold, damp air enveloped around her like a heavy coat of chainmail as she descended the tight spiral staircase to the dungeons. In the absence of flaming torches, the dimness gave a gloomy feel to the place. At the bottom she peered around until she found a sterling dagger on a small, wooden table. Grabbing it, she raced back upstairs and outside.

Once out, Adelaide was shocked to see how much turmoil her previously tranquil home was in. Soldiers were shouting orders and shoving people around, while the citizens were trying to get inside the fortified keep. Horses were becoming agitated in their stalls and dogs were barking nervously.

Adelaide anxiously ran away, wanting nothing more to escape the havoc. She dashed to the village, stopping at the destroyed hut where her brother was murdered. She poised herself and clutched the dagger, her knuckles became white like the snow drifting down.

Screams whirled around her, mixing with the snowflakes and soot. Adelaide's world became illuminated as smoldering fire licked at houses, like a hungry kitten with a saucer of milk. Pillars of black clouds rose from numerous buildings already up in smoke, and billowed around her. Their glowing embers leaped and twirled in a fiery dance in the hot, swirling air before cascading down to earth. Then, a plume of fire exploded near her, the flame rolling outwards like a great serpent that reflected in her iridescent, cobalt eyes. Noxious smoke suffocated her as she struggled to see through the grey debris.

Suddenly, a fierce-looking bronze dragon landed in front of Adelaide, similar to the one said to kill her little brother. The drake's scales blazed like the flickering flames with horns attached to his skull, his broad chest puffed out in pride. His toxic greed shone in his yellow eyes that fixated on her, his tongue which was that of a snake seemed to taste her dread. A shiver crept up her spine as the drake flicked his tail and snorted in alarm seeing her dagger. He narrowed his pointed gaze and growled threateningly, his desire to kill evident, only able to be quenched after she was dead. He stretched out his leathery wings, the color of ivory she noticed. The drake let out a deafening roar of rage and bared his fangs at her. Realizing his teeth could rip through the toughest of armour, she suddenly felt very exposed with only her nightgown and shawl for protection.

The drake lunged forward, snapping his powerful jaws at her. Adelaide quickly dove to the side, seconds away from being swallowed up. She gulped, concentrating on her task at hand. When researching the beasts, she read that a dragon's hide could not be pierced unless you struck it on its soft spot beneath its wing. Taking a shaky breath, she charged forward with a battle cry and plunged the dagger into his flesh. The drake reared abruptly and let out a hideous, shrill screech that would haunt her forever.

She took a step back, wheezing as she stared at the knife in her hand. Blood so black that night held a violent radiance stained it, dripping off in thick plops that resembled ink. It oozed onto her hand, causing her to drop the dagger in fright. Adelaide slowly looked up at the riled beast. The drake snarled and stepped forward, his claws digging into the ground. He opened his wide muzzle once more, letting out a stream of scorching flames. Adelaide felt the biting of the intense heat engulf her, the harsh flare consuming her. She shrieked in agony, feeling her flesh and bones melting away. Was she really going to die here, with the same fate of her brother? Did she accomplish nothing? Tears streamed down her anguished cheeks. Oh father, I'm so sorry. Please forgive me.

Just then, a blinding light erupted in front of Adelaide, a hazy glow that seemed to beckon her. It's warmth was so welcoming, she felt a strong urge to reach it. Out of the brightness an image of her brother appeared. She believed she was only seeing things, that she was remembering him before she died. Yet the boy who bore a resemblance of her younger brother extended his hand, his palm outstretched to her. Adelaide was taken aback. What was this?

He opened his mouth, but not a sound came out yet, she felt he was there to help her. On impulse, she reached out and grasped his tiny hand, the skin soft as silk. A golden light wrapped around her as she was drawn out of the flames, the mysterious light protecting her. The drake swung his huge head over and astonishment lit in his cold eyes. He took a step back in unease, a growl resonating from his chest as he bobbed his head.
Adelaide swallowed her fear and picked up the blood-soaked dagger lying on the ashen ground. She stared into the dragon's eyes, courage blooming in her heart. She glanced behind her and smiled to the boy, Watch me Malin, as I avenge your death. I love you more than you could ever know.

She charged forward one last time, screaming at the top of her lungs as she thrust the knife into the soft underside of the beast. The drake howled in anguish, his pitiful cry traveling far while he collapsed to the ground, never to rise again. Adelaide panted heavily and stumbled back, taking in the felled beast. I did it. I did it! She cheered silently, a huge grin plastered to her face.

Then, out of nowhere, her father's voice rang out, "Adelaide! Where are you?"

Adelaide rushed to his voice, "Father! I-" But she couldn't finish her sentence for the light that had kept her from harm receded, allowing all the pain from her previous burns kick in all at once. She crumpled to the earth, her body screaming in agony. Her father hurried over, collecting her into his gentle arms.

"Oh Adelaide, what has happened to you?" He stroked her head as he carried her back to the castle. Although she was hurting, Adelaide smiled, for she had finally accomplished her mission and her heart was mended.