Aelwen checked on the prince after giving a cheerful goodbye to Erno. He was still unconscious, the doctor running a few tests on his shoulders and back to see how his body was reacting to his new lack of wings. Aelwen turned back and headed for her tent. She was exhausted and wanted to get some well-earned rest.

To her surprise, her things had been removed from her abode. A note pinned to the wall stated that her permanent residence had been decided upon, and was now located next to the historical archives.

A good spot, I suppose. However... Aelwen froze at the thought of being near there when Gerel's family exited from the tent after their talk, considering Kera's treat. I'll just quickly slip into my new home. Kera will hopefully be none the wiser.

The archives tent stood proudly against the backdrop of tall redwood trees. Aelwen looked to the left to see a brand new tent freshly set up about eight yards away. Painted over the entrance was the name Ealwen.

Aelwen paused for a moment. They misspelled it... She thought, grimacing. Let's hope I'll be able to have it changed later, else that is really going to bother me.

The red-canvassed enclosure was much larger than her previous one. A wooden-framed bed with no legs sat at the very back, tiny nightstands flanking it. A low table graced the middle of the room, her drawing things placed upon it. Several chests contained her clothing, as well as a few brand new garments. A full-length mirror stood near the bed, a shelving unit near it decked with her few novels. Underneath it all was a large dark red circular rug covering the entire floor.

Aelwen was in love with this new home. All of the furnishings were detailed with wonderful Koanan stylings. Wood was etched with the elegant curves and harsh lines of what Aelwen assumed was their alphabet. Pillows and sheets bore embroidered scenes of animals scampering through green woods and cherry blossoms dancing through intangible breezes.

Perhaps I can finally start drawing again, now that I have a moment alone.

Grabbing her sketchbook and pencil, Aelwen plopped herself down on the comfortable bed. Propping herself up with the plethora of pillows, she opened to the first empty page and placed her pencil above it.

But what to draw is the real question...

Aelwen thought a moment. Looking at the scenes of various dragons on the pillow beside her, she decided to take inspiration.

Pencil scratching against thick paper, Aelwen sketched out a couple of the embroidered dragons. She smiled as she worked, glad to feel the quiet pleasure of drawing once again. The soft blankets shifted under her weight, letting her sink softly into their plush. Outside, the quiet strings of a guitar could be heard playing a lulling tune.

Eventually, her eyelids grew heavy, and she led herself try to take back the sleep that had been so rudely deprived from her in the morning.

"Hey. Heeeey!"

Aelwen sighed. She opened her tired eyes to see Gerel's face peeking through the tent's front entrance. She bolted upwards.

"Gerel? What's going on?" Her mind quickly latched onto her curiosity about what had transpired between him and his parents after she had left.

Gerel entered quickly, his face wearing a sincere smile. Aelwen cocked her head, wondering if the talk really had gone so well.

"Ok, so as it turns out, my parents found out about my... dragon form." Gerel leaned against the table, his arms moving as if to punctuate his statement.

Aelwen rose an eyebrow. "Really?" she asked in feigned surprise. "How did that go?"

Should I tell him that I knew? She thought quietly to herself. I probably should... but don't exactly want to.

"Well, at first I was terrified. I thought they would be really mad at me. But instead they were really understanding, and... forgave me. They don't think the fact that I'm a golden dragon has any real consequences. Cainen can't claim me just because of that. And you know what? Even if people don't trust me, at this point I wouldn't even care. I've had to hold this secret for so long, their opinion doesn't matter to me." Gerel gave a relieved breath, his smile growing wider. "As long as my family and friends trust me, I don't mind being a golden dragon."

Aelwen could not help but to reflect his contagious grin. "Gerel, that's amazing! I'm so happy for you." She tapped her chin, a thought coming to her mind. "What about the concern you had about a sorcerer casting spells through you?"

Gerel shook his head. "My dad said dragon scales aren't pure enough to be used for Cainen's spellcasting. The keratin mixed with the minerals disallows magic current. Honestly, I should have known that. My fear really got to me."

"It can bend one's mind into a mess of uncertainty and illogicality," Aelwen said, quoting her father.

Gerel nodded. "Pretty much, yea. Anyway, we had Jane come in and test my scales in the off chance they were Iron Pyrite rather than actual gold. They weren't, but like I said, I don't care at this point."

Gerel certainly looked like a large weight was off of his shoulders.

"So does that mean... you're going to Shift now?" Aelwen inquired.

Gerel bit his lip. "Well, the only thing I'm still worried about is the first transformation experience."

"Still hung up on that, even after everything you've just conquered?"

Gerel shrugged. "I guess. It's stupid, but it's there."

"Here. Let me show you something." Aelwen grabbed his hand, leading him outside.

"Woah, hey, where are we going?"

"Just follow me."

Weaving between trees and tents, the two soon came upon the prince's cage. Gerel peered inside and gasped.

"Is that...?"

"The downed dragon? Yes. I convinced him to turn human. The experience was unpleasant, but he got through it. Now he's a Shifter." Aelwen held tighter to Gerel's hand. "I believe in you. If he can do it, and I could do it, so can you."

Thoughts whirred behind Gerel's brown eyes as he gazed at the unconscious boy. "You're right." His free fist clenched tightly. "This has gone on long enough. I can do this."

"Today?"

Gerel hesitated. "Today."

Beveri, Kera, and Aelwen stood quietly side by side in dragon form, watching Gerel as he took deep breaths a few yards away. Delku simply listened, his ears flicked forward in attention.

Beveri's dragon form was sleek and elegant, her light pink scales made of diamonds. Her horns curved and branched like those of a cherry tree. Delku's slim body donned orange scales, the spikes along the bottom of his chin seeming to mimic his human form's beard.

Gerel had decided he wanted his private clearing to be the place he first transformed. Thus, the beautiful glow of the phosphorous trees bathed their new visitors comfortingly. The setting sun peeked over the edge of the foliage top.

The soon to be dragon planted his feet firmly on the lime green grass. He grasped his newly-made Shift necklace in his hand, next fastening it around his neck. It had a short chain, a parallelogram shaped piece of refined gold hanging off of it. The gold had a design engraved on it, that of a deer's head complete with floating horns.

Perhaps he chose such a design to sort of... counteract the symbolic properties of the gold. Aelwen thought.

Looking up at his parents, Gerel gave a final confident grin to mask his unmistakeable fear underneath. Beveri smiled back, her and Delku's paws intertwined in a tense joy.

Starting from his hand, Gerel began to transform. Golden scales glimmered beautifully in the sunset as they protruded from his palms, working their way towards his shoulders. He fell to his knees and cried out as enormous wings shot up from his back, bony fingertips pointing toward the sky as thin membranes pulsed with blood. His face morphed as his body grew larger, mouth contorting as he screamed.

Aelwen covered her mouth with a hand, watching the scene in shock. Her stomach grew queasy. She wanted to turn her head away in respect, but knew that Gerel wanted them to see this. He wanted to prove he was conquering his fears.

His long tail sprouted thick spines, and whipped back and forth wildly before going limp. Sets of light yellow horns crowned his head as raven hair sunk back into his skull. Sharp claws tore at soft dirt.

The golden dragon collapsed, chest rising and falling with breath of flames.

Gerel's audience rushed towards him, looking him over and patting him on the back in congratulations. Beveri and Delku beamed with pride. "Good job, Kotuya!" they said. "You're a dragon! You're a Shifter!"

"You did it!" Aelwen cried, leaning over his closed eyes. "Gerel, you did it!"

Kera guffawed, nudging him with her pink paw. "Nice work, Kotuya!"

They continued to praise him as he opened his brown eyes and gave a proud smile, laughing as he attempted to raise his head and examine the rest of his body.

He froze, his smile vanishing. With a sudden move, he leapt to his paws, whipping his head around him. His eyes turned a blinding shade of gold.

Aelwen's brows lowered in confusion. Beveri tugged Delku backwards. Kera's spines rose in surprise.

"Hmm," said Gerel, turning to face his family. "It seems all of my time waiting patiently has come to fruition." His voice was alien, deep, resounding, powerful, and almost nothing like normal.

"K-Kotuya?" Beveri whispered.

The golden dragon cocked his head. "Nay, I am not he. I am..." the dragon paused for a moment, looking up at the newly-appearing stars in the cloud-laden sky.

"Out with it! Who ARE YOU!?" Kera screamed, readying her claws for attack.

Beveri had donned an alarming look. She mouthed the words not again as tears fell down her cheeks. Delku flashed sharp teeth.

"Hmm." The golden dragon's eyes snapped to focus on Aelwen. His snout raised slightly. "Auria's chosen hero. The lost princess Aelwen." He stepped closer to her, prompting Beveri and Kera to leap to guard her. He frowned. "Thy mother misses thee, child. Why hath thou left her?" His voice lowered. "The path thee walketh was chosen poorly. Reconsider it."

Delku jumped forward, his paw colliding with the golden dragon's forehead. He spoke foreign words of prayer, and after some struggle, the golden glow left Gerel's eyes. Gerel's head jerked back, his body slumping to the ground as he gave harsh breaths.

Beveri, Aelwen, and Kera let out relieved sighs, rushing to his side.

Gerel looked up at everyone with a panicked stare.

"Kotuya, sweetie, please tell me, do you know what happened? Are you alright?" Beveri asked.

"Were you possessed? Do you know what spirit it might have been?" Kera inquired.

"Did he hurt you? ...Is it really you?" Aelwen bit her lip.

"F-ought bauck," Gerel said between gasps. "Hei's goune. I-I down't.... I couldn't..."

"Calm down. It is alright. We are here with you. You are safe." Beveri Shifted, hugging him tightly around his neck.

"How did this happen?" Kera asked, brows tightly furrowed.

Gerel sniffed, blinking profusely. "Whean I Shifted. It fealt like..." he coughed, "he waus alrwayys there, in my dragon form. Waiting for mae to Shift."

Delku cursed under his breath. "...Do you know his name?"

Gerel looked away, gulping. The tense feeling permeating the air was stifling.

"It was Cainen."