{"sf1_id":114988,"sf2_id":"yndMvjq1","title":"Matheau and Beijore: The Stratford Legacy Begins","author":"MatheauStratford","words":4599,"posted_at":"2009-12-30T13:37:00.000Z","tags":["Dragon"],"url":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/114988-matheau-and-beijore-the-stratford-legacy-begins","original_url":"https://sofurry.com/s/yndMvjq1","image_url":"https://cdn.sofurryfiles.com/submissions/thumbnails/35/2b/352bddfa-fb3e-495b-a4d6-3ab176f979e5","description":"","content":"\u0026nbsp;\n\nOkay, it took FOREVER to get this done, and I'm sorry.\u0026nbsp; i don't have as much time as I like anymore, but here it is!\u0026nbsp; I hope everyone enjoys it, I put a lot into it.\u0026nbsp; I know there's probably a lot of spelling errors and such in there, but with only notepad to write on, you deal with what ya got, I guess.\u0026nbsp; Please, any feedback at all is always appreciated!\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Matheau and Beijore::\u0026nbsp; The Stratford Legacy Begins\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Dreaming.\u0026nbsp; A deep dream in which one knew that they were   \ndreaming, and yet everything was so very real, that one would think   \nthat they could reach out and touch everything that they saw.\u0026nbsp; A   \nmajestic blue dragon, regal in all his magnificant glory.\u0026nbsp; Patches of   \ndeeper blue than the rest on his hind legs.\u0026nbsp; The brillant golden   \nbreast and belly scales......fading......fading......  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Beijore sat up with a gasp.\u0026nbsp; The dream had just ended, and   \nyet, she was already losing the details of it.\u0026nbsp; She felt that she   \nknew the dragon in her dream, and yet.......\u0026nbsp; \"Beijore, is everything   \nalright?\"\u0026nbsp; The voice of her mate,   \nMatheau.....Calming....Soothing.....\n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\"Yes, my lord, everything is alright.\"\u0026nbsp; Beijore said,   \nsettling back down on the bed and nuzzling into his neck for comfort,   \nclosing her eyes.\u0026nbsp; It was then that she realized her slip.\u0026nbsp; She had   \ncalled him 'my lord', something that she had never once called him   \nbefore.\u0026nbsp; Why had she called him that?\u0026nbsp; Was it something to do with   \nthe dream, or was it a mere slip of the tongue?\u0026nbsp; If Matheau had   \nnoticed the slip, he gave no notice of it, only his wings wrapping   \naround her as he held her in his arms to comfort her.\u0026nbsp; \"It was just a   \ndream, that's all.\u0026nbsp; I don't know why it has shaken me up so.......\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\"Sometimes dreams are disturbing, no matter how innocent that   \nthey may seem, my love.\"\u0026nbsp; He kissed her neck softly, snuggling her   \nneatly against his belly.\u0026nbsp; It never ceased to amaze her just how   \nperfectly that she fit there against him, as though when she had used   \nher magic to transform him, it made him just large enough for the   \npurpose.\u0026nbsp; Still, she never felt more comfortable and at ease than she   \ndid when she was curled against him, underneath the safety of his   \nwings.\u0026nbsp; \"Remember the dream that I had?\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\"I wish that I could forget.\"\u0026nbsp; She said softly into his neck.   \n\u0026nbsp;She really wished that she could.\u0026nbsp; The dream he had had about the   \nterrible monster that was his father that had raped her, killed her   \nand all of their children, and at last taken Matheau as well.\u0026nbsp; But   \nher dream was nothing nearly as terrifying, but it was familiar, so   \nvery familiar.....\u0026nbsp; \"Matheau, what do you know about me?\"\u0026nbsp; The   \nquestion came from nowhere, and it stunned Matheau into silence for a   \nmoment, and all he could do was stroke her side lovingly.\u0026nbsp; Finally,   \nhe spoke softly.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\"I know of you what you have told me, my love.\u0026nbsp; I never asked   \nyou about your parents, or your past.\u0026nbsp; I never thought it my place to   \nask, and if you didn't want to tell me then that was your right.\"\u0026nbsp; He   \ncocked his head at her in question.\u0026nbsp; \"Why are you asking me that,   \nlove?\u0026nbsp; I don't understand.....Is something wrong?\"\u0026nbsp; Beijore sighed   \nsoftly and tried to snuggle closer into him.\u0026nbsp; She felt cold, and she   \ndidn't know why.\u0026nbsp; She wasn't ill, had the dream really\u0026nbsp; been that   \nbad?\u0026nbsp; She couldn't remember it......  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\"Matheau.....I can't explain it, but I feel like something is   \ngoing to happen....Something that is going to change everything.\u0026nbsp; But   \nthere is alot about me that you don't know, and that you should know.   \nI've never told you anything about me.....It's like when we first   \ncame together, and you never told me that you were half dragon.....\" \u0026nbsp;  \nShe sighed again, looking up into his eyes.\u0026nbsp; \"Matheau, I have to tell   \nyou everything.\u0026nbsp; So please, just listen to me, alright?\"\u0026nbsp; She took a   \ndeep breath and steeled herself before she began.:: \u0026nbsp;  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\"Matheau, this cave, I was not born here.\u0026nbsp; When I was a young   \ndrakka, I wandered the world for a long while.\u0026nbsp; When I took this cave   \nas my own, the village below wasn't even here yet.\u0026nbsp; Before that, I   \nlived somewhere else.......A dragon kingdom.\"\u0026nbsp; Matheau suck in a   \nbreathe.\u0026nbsp; He had never heard of a dragon kingdom before!\u0026nbsp; He couldn't   \neven imaginesuch a place, it had to be huge!\u0026nbsp; But before his mind   \ncould wander to fantasy island, Beijore continued.\u0026nbsp; \"My mother and   \nfather live there still...... Or at least, my father does.\u0026nbsp; From what   \nI heard in my travels, my mother passed away shortly after my   \ndeparture.\"\u0026nbsp; Beijore fell silent after that, and Matheau hugged her   \nclose.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\"Matheau, my dearest love.\u0026nbsp; I feel it in my heart that   \nsomething is going to happen, something that is going to completely   \nchange our lives.I cannot say how I know, or when it will happen, but   \nit is going to be soon.\"\u0026nbsp; Beijore fell silent again, and for the rest   \nof the day, eijore didn't speak a word.\u0026nbsp; She would occasionally look   \nto the lair entrance, as though she were expecting someone, or   \nsomething, to enter.\u0026nbsp; Matheau was very worried, but try as he might,\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; he could get no more information.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Two weeks later, after countless more sleepess nights and   \ndreams that left Beijore quaking in his arms, something DID happen. \u0026nbsp;  \nThey were awakened by terrified shrieks from the village below, and   \nimmediately upon high alert.\u0026nbsp; But then a large green dragon landed in   \nthe cave's entrance, and he called out loudly.\u0026nbsp; \"Beijore Jezebella   \nDra'kmere......If you are here, show yourself, we have no time, the   \nsituation is urgent!\"\u0026nbsp; Matheau growled loudly and immediately moved   \nto shelter her and their children, but Beijore nuzzled his neck and   \nstood beside him.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\"I am Beijore Dra'kmere no longer, but Beijore Jezebella   \nStratford.\u0026nbsp; This is my mate, Matheau Stratford......Now, tell me,   \nwhat is your business here?\u0026nbsp; Speak at once, or remove yourself from   \nour home!\"\u0026nbsp; Despite her raised voice, it lacked the force of what she   \nwould have had in protecting her children, and Matheau knew it all   \ntoo well.\u0026nbsp; But he stood firmly at her side, the curious hatchlings   \nclamoring to get a view of the strange dragon.\u0026nbsp; He was smaller than   \neven Beijore, but his hide, and the membranes of his wings were   \npainted and decorated. \u0026nbsp;  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\"My name is DraKkor WindBlade.\u0026nbsp; I come as a messenger of the   \nDragon King, NooRoak Dra'kmere.\u0026nbsp; He is in dire health, and his time   \nis coming soon.\u0026nbsp; He asks.......Nay, DEMANDS the audience of his   \ndaughter, the princess,\u0026nbsp; as you are about to take the throne.\u0026nbsp; Most   \ndo not think he will last the week.\u0026nbsp; Please, come to him with all due   \nhaste!\"\u0026nbsp; As this odd dragon named his mate, his Beijore a princess,   \nMatheau looked at her as though seeing her for the first time.\u0026nbsp; Then   \nhe chuckled softly, shaking his head.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\"Sure you jest.\u0026nbsp; There must be some mistake.....\"\u0026nbsp; Matheau   \nmade to move forward to force the intruder out, and Beijore read his   \nintent as clearly as if he had voiced it aloud.\u0026nbsp; Beijore unfurled her   \nwing and put it between Matheau and the stranger.\u0026nbsp; Drakkor eyed him   \nas though analyzing how much of a threat he could be.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\"As her highness' supposed mate, I am to show you the proper   \nrespect as such, however it has not been proven.\"\u0026nbsp; Matheau felt his   \nblood begin to boil, and it was only through a gentle nuzzle from   \nBeijore that he didn't leap at the intruders' throat.\u0026nbsp; \"Drakkor, if   \nyou know what is good for you, you will insult us in our own home no   \nmore, do I make myself perfectly clear?\"\u0026nbsp; When Drakkor lowered his   \neyes and bwed his head so that his lower jaw was nearly touching the   \nfloor, Beijore turned her eyes to him, and he saw something there   \nthat he had never seen before, and at that moment, he vowed never to   \nsee it again.\u0026nbsp; What he saw in those sparkling pools of emerald was   \nabsolute fear.\u0026nbsp; Whether it was fear of his reaction or fear of what   \nlay ahead of them, he could not say.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\"Matheau, this is no joke.\u0026nbsp; My father really is a Dragon   \nKing, and i'm sorry I never told you so.\u0026nbsp; I always knew this day   \nwould come, but a part of me had hoped that if I ignored it, it neer   \nwould.\u0026nbsp; When Drakkor says that we're running out of time, it means   \nthat.....My father is running out of time.\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\"And since you are the surviving heiress, you will rule as   \nQueen.\u0026nbsp; If this is indeed your mate, and it is proven before the   \nkingdom, he will rule at your side as the new King.\u0026nbsp; If it is not   \nproven, however......\" \u0026nbsp;  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\"I know what will happen, Drakkor, now be silent!\"\u0026nbsp; Matheau   \nlooked at her again in surprise.\u0026nbsp; For one thing, he had never heard   \nher use such a commanding tone before.\u0026nbsp; And for another, she was   \nhiding something from him.\u0026nbsp; He didn't understand all this talk about   \n'proving' that he was her mate.\u0026nbsp; Was the dragon so blind that he   \ncould not see the three hatchlings hiding behind them?\u0026nbsp; \"Matheau,   \ntake the children to Sasha's.\u0026nbsp; I'm sure that Drakkor is under orders   \nto guide us back.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\"No!\"\u0026nbsp; The word left his muzzle before his mind could even   \nform it, startling both Beijore and the messenger.\u0026nbsp; \"A princess you   \nmay be, but you are my mate first, and you cannot just order me   \naround!\u0026nbsp; I'll not leave you alone here with him!\u0026nbsp; If we are going   \nanywhere, we go together, as a family.\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\"Your highness, if I might make a suggestion.....\"\u0026nbsp; Drakkor   \nsaid, bowing his head yet again.\u0026nbsp; \"It may be in your best interest to   \nbring your entire family with you.....Just in case things take a turn   \nfor the worst.\"\u0026nbsp; From the look on his face, Matheau could tell that   \nthere was no 'if' involved, only the when.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\"So be it.\u0026nbsp; We'll fly to Sasha's lair first and gather up   \nher, Bakkaran, and Matheau the II, (Beijore had taken to calling him   \nthat, for she thought it sounded more noble) and from there, we will   \nbacktrack to Aurokhan and Jocelyn's to pick up them and their little   \nones.\"\u0026nbsp; Beijore sighed softly.\u0026nbsp; \"This is going to be a long flight,   \nmade longer by the fact that i'll have far too much time to think.\" \u0026nbsp;  \nMatheau wished that he could comfort her in some way, but he had no   \nidea of what was going on.\u0026nbsp; He just had the shock of his life finding   \nout that his mate was a princess!  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\"As time is vital, I highly suggest we get a move on.\" \u0026nbsp;  \nDrakkor said, turning to look directly at Matheau.\u0026nbsp; \"You,   \nilligitimate one.\u0026nbsp; You will carry the children.\u0026nbsp; The princess cannot   \nbe burdened with....UNGH!!\"\u0026nbsp; It happened before Matheau could even   \npiece it together in his mind.\u0026nbsp; Bijore roared in fury and struck him   \nfull force in the face with her tail, dropping him like a stone from   \na mountain top.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\"You were warned, messenger!\"\u0026nbsp; She spat down at him, tendrils   \nof smoke curling from her nostrils.\u0026nbsp; \"You insulted my husband again,   \nand you also insulted me and my offspring by labeling them burdens!\" \u0026nbsp;  \nMatheau actually had to restrain laughter, because she placed a kick   \ninto his gut while he was down, taking the breath clear from his   \nlungs.\u0026nbsp; She then lowered her head and snarled at him.\u0026nbsp; \"When you can   \nget up again, you report back to my father that we are on the way. \u0026nbsp;  \nWe go from here alone, I know the way.\"\u0026nbsp; With no more words to   \nDrakkor, She picked up Beijara and then kissed Matheau.\u0026nbsp; \"Sorry dear,   \nwill you take our sons?\u0026nbsp; We've a lot of miles to cover.\"\u0026nbsp; With the   \nchildren in their arms, they departed, leaving the messenger to groan   \nand writhe on the floor.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\"I wish I had been there!\"\u0026nbsp; Aurokhan said after he had heard   \nwhat happened.\u0026nbsp; \"You really kicked him when he was down, Mom?\u0026nbsp; Wow,   \nyou kicked his butt!\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\"No one insults my mate or my children.\"\u0026nbsp; Beijore said with a   \nsnort, though now that her anger had worn off, it was a snort of   \namusement.\u0026nbsp; \"Let that be a lesson to you all.\u0026nbsp; Don't stand for anyone   \ninsulting you, no matter who they are, or what their status.\"\u0026nbsp; After   \nthe family had gathered and a short summary was given of what was   \ngoing on, they began their journey.\u0026nbsp; Unbelieveably, the hatchlings   \nwere all calm and very well behaved, making it worlds easier on the   \nadults.\u0026nbsp; However, they didn't want to chance their luck, so when they   \nstarted to grow weary, Beijore directed them to a large clearing   \nwhere all of them could fit comfortably.\u0026nbsp; Following one of Bakkaran's   \nideas, the six adults formed a ring around the group of hatchlings,   \nthe easiest way to keep an eye on them.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\"If the wind is favorable, we should be there by noon   \ntomorrow.\"\u0026nbsp; Beijore said quietly.\u0026nbsp; It was clear to everyone that she   \nwas anxious and wanted to be there now.\u0026nbsp; \"And if all goes well, it   \nwill be your first meeting with your grandsire....I wish you all had   \na chance to meet your grandame, but...\"\u0026nbsp; She trailed off, and even if   \nMatheau hadn't already known that she had passed, he would have   \nunderstood immediately from that hint alone.\u0026nbsp; Clearly, everyone else   \ndid too, because for a long while, the only sounds were of the   \nhatchlings wrestling with one another, and the sound of the crickets   \nchirping in the darkness.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\"So what is this kingdom like?\"\u0026nbsp; Sasha inquired, breaking up   \nMatheau the II and Aurthur with gentle prodding from her tail, for   \nthey were getting a little too aggressive in their play.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\"I bet it must be huge to accomodate a large number of   \ndragons at once.\"\u0026nbsp; Aurokhan said, staring off into space.\u0026nbsp; Clearly he   \nwas trying to picture it with his mind's eye, and having very little   \nsuccess.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\"Yes, it is an amazing place, Aurokhan.\u0026nbsp; But its not a   \nkingdom like the humans have.\u0026nbsp; There is a palace, yes, but that is   \nthe ony structure within the kingdom.\"\u0026nbsp; Beijore explained.\u0026nbsp; \"Now,   \nnow, don't look so crestfallen, Aurokhan.\u0026nbsp; We are dragons, we've no   \nneed of buildings.\u0026nbsp; What you is is sure to impress, I can promise you   \nthat much.\"\u0026nbsp; It fell silent for a moment before she looked over her   \nshoulder.\u0026nbsp; Flicking her tail, she stood.\u0026nbsp; \"Matheau, will you take a   \nwalk with me?\"\u0026nbsp; His response was immediate, of course.\u0026nbsp; He stood and   \napproached her, waiting.\u0026nbsp; The others closed the ring further to keep   \nthe hatchlings from escaping.\u0026nbsp; \"We won't be gone very long.\"\u0026nbsp; As they   \nstarted off, Aurokhan snickered.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\"No sneaking off to mate, now!\"\u0026nbsp; This was answered by a   \nchorus of laughter and hooting from the others, to which Beijore   \nrolled her eyes and called back; \"Stop acting like your father!\" This   \ncaused even louder laughter, especially from Matheau.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;After they had wandered a ways into the forst in silence,   \nMatheau stopped and sighed.\u0026nbsp; \"I take it we are not on this walk to   \ntake in the scenery, are we love?\"\u0026nbsp; Beijore shook her head and sat   \ndown.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\"Matheau, were going to be expected to act very differently   \nonce we get to the kingdom, and I wanted to go over some of the   \nbasics with you now.\u0026nbsp; For starters, i'm going to start addressing you   \nas 'My Lord' in public, and you'll have to address me as 'My Queen',   \nor 'My love.'\u0026nbsp; As royalty, we cannot us our normal terms of   \nendearment for one another in the public's eye.\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\"I can understand that, love, but there is something that has   \nbeen bothering me.\u0026nbsp; That messenger kept saying that I had to 'prove'   \nthat I was your mate, yet our children were right there.\u0026nbsp; What did he   \nmean, and how exactly do I go about proving that I am your mate?\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\"Matheau, this is something that I know is going to bother   \nyou.....So I want you to sit down, relax, and just listen to me,   \nalright?\"\u0026nbsp; When Matheau nodded and only after he had been sitting   \ndown for a few moments did she speak.\u0026nbsp; \"Matheau, one of the oldest   \ntraditions in my father's kingdom is the proing of the royal line,   \nand when one of the royal line takes a mate, he or she must prove to   \nthe kingdom that the mate-in-question is a strong, worthy mate.\"\u0026nbsp; She   \nbegan to shift nervously from side to side, and Matheau could tell   \nthat her story was nearly to it's climax.\u0026nbsp; \"In order to prove your   \nworth, we hae to undergo a ritual together.....We have to.....That   \nis, we must....\"\u0026nbsp; Matheau stood and cupped her jaw lightly in his   \npaws and kissed her softly.\u0026nbsp; She had been shaking in her nervousness,   \nbut when he kissed her, she sighed happily and her shaking slowly   \nstopped.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\"My love, think of all the trials we have already been   \nthrough and overcome together.\u0026nbsp; Our love and our bond are strong.\" \u0026nbsp;  \nHe let go of her and sat back down, curling his tail around his   \nhaunches.\u0026nbsp; \"Nw, take a deep breath, relax, and tell me what it is   \nthat we must do.\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\"We have to mate in front of the entire kingdom and you have   \nto mark and impregnate me!\"\u0026nbsp; Beijore blurted, and Matheau's eyes went   \nwide.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\"WE HAVE TO WHAT?!!!\"\u0026nbsp; Beijore shrank back from him in fear,   \neven as the roosting birds fled the nearby trees with squawks and   \ncaws of protest and anger.\u0026nbsp; \"Beijore, you can't possibly expect me   \nto....\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\"But you HAVE TO!\"\u0026nbsp; Beijore cried, staring him dead in the   \neyes, no sign of humor or jest was there.\u0026nbsp; \"If you don't, that means   \nthat i'll be open to suitors.....\u0026nbsp; That is what the messenger tried   \nto say beore I stopped him.\"\u0026nbsp; She lowered her eyes, and tears dripped   \ndown into the grass.\u0026nbsp; \"I know....That it may be embarrassing, and you   \nmay even find it a bit degrading.\u0026nbsp; But if you dont do this, then you   \nwill lose me, Matheau, and not by choice.\u0026nbsp; Bcause if you can't or   \nwon't do it, mak no mistake....I will end my life.\u0026nbsp; My life is   \nnothing without you.\"\u0026nbsp; There was such conviction in her voice, such   \ncertainty, that he would have been a fool not to believe her.\u0026nbsp; A   \nshudder crept up his spine at the very thought of her taking her own   \nlife, and he quickly shook the thought away.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\"I would neer allow that to happen, my beloved, no matter   \nwhat I had to go through, no matter how humiliating.\"\u0026nbsp; He took her   \npaws gently in his own, entwining their tail together.\u0026nbsp; \"You and our   \nfamily mean more to me than anything in this world.\u0026nbsp; Besides.....\" \u0026nbsp;  \nHe smirked and squeezed her paw.\u0026nbsp; \"It might be fun to see how many   \ndragons I can embarrass with my size and sexual prowess.\"\u0026nbsp; Despite   \nherself and the seriousness of the situation, Beijore found herself   \ngiggling.\u0026nbsp; She shouldn't have been surprised, Matheau had always been   \ngood at making her see the lighter side of things.\u0026nbsp; When she stopped   \ngiggling and finally got herself untangled from him, the pair made   \ntheir way back to where the rest of the family was waiting for them.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\"Hooooooly Shit!\"\u0026nbsp; Was Aurokhan's exclamation when he first   \nlaid eyes upon the kingdom, earning him a hard swat from Sasha,   \nJocelyn, and Beijore for his use of foul language in front of the   \nhatchlings, and of course, a laugh from Matheau and Bakkaran at   \nAurokhan's expense.\u0026nbsp; But of course, his reaction was only natural,   \nconsidering the sheer beauty of what lay before them.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;After they had climbed or the rise of a high mountain, it   \ndropped down into a deep valley.\u0026nbsp; The way it was shaped, one would   \nthink something massive had fallen from the sky, and scarred the   \nplanet's surface.\u0026nbsp; But it would have to have been a very large   \nsomething, for the crater surrounded by moutains stretched for miles   \nin every direction, further than the eye could see.\u0026nbsp; What could be   \nseen, however, was breathtaking.\u0026nbsp; Forests that were lush and green   \nand full of life.\u0026nbsp; The grassy meadows and plains were also thriving   \nwith life, some of it dragons looking up at them as they passed by.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Soon the palace came into view, and everyone except Beijore let out   \nstartled gasps of surprise. \u0026nbsp;  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;The towering palace was menacing, stretching many stories   \ninto the sky and claiming miles of territory for itself.\u0026nbsp; \"My   \nancstors built this palace, stone by stone.\"\u0026nbsp; Beijore commented as   \nshe began her descent.\u0026nbsp; \"But the true beauty of this kingdom, my   \nfather's pride and joy, lays behind the palace.\"\u0026nbsp; The family's gasps   \nof awe were alot louder, and Beijore chuckled, not knowing how they   \ncould have missed it before.\u0026nbsp; Behind the palace was a massive   \nwaterfall spilling down the cliff-face, falling into a lagoon the   \ndeepest and purest blue unlike anything that any of them had ever   \nseen.\u0026nbsp; The palace stretched into the sky, but the roaring waterfall   \nstarted many lengths above the palace, almost at the top of the   \nmountains.\u0026nbsp; With the sightseing done, Beijore led them down to the   \npalace doors where two guards, A large bronze and a smaller white,   \nblocked their path.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\"State your name and buisness.\"\u0026nbsp; The bronze stated gruffly,   \nbut not at all unfriendly, his gaze firm and penetrating.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\"My name is Beijore Jezebelle Stratford, daughter of NooRoak   \nDra'kmere, the king.\u0026nbsp; Please take me to him immediately.\"\u0026nbsp; The guard   \nnodded and lead them into the palace.\u0026nbsp; The palace itself was full of   \ntapestries and photos of her ancestors, and in the center of the   \ngrand hall was a fountain of a majestic blue dragon.\u0026nbsp; If she   \nremembered correctly, it was the likeness of her great-great-great   \ngrandsire.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\"We have been expecting you, my princess.\u0026nbsp; We were instructed   \nby your father to bring both you and your prospective mate (Matheau   \nbarely contained a growl hearing this) to him immediately.\u0026nbsp; While you   \nare in audience, we will show the rest of your family around the   \nkingdom, and then to the temporary living quarters.\u0026nbsp; Follow me,   \nHighness.\"\u0026nbsp; Matheau had no idea why it was necessary for him to be   \nthere, but he didn't argue, only followed.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;They came to a large set of doors carved with the golden   \nshapes of two huge dragons on them.\u0026nbsp; Their guard exchanged a word or   \ntwo with the guards posted, and one of them slipped inside.\u0026nbsp; \"Wait   \nhere, you are being announced to the King now, Princess.\"\u0026nbsp; With that,   \nhe bowed and left.\u0026nbsp; They didn't have to wait longer than a minute or   \ntwo before they were ushered inside quickly.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;The throne room was huge, and at the end of the long walkway   \nwere two twin thrones carved of what smelled to be oak, and gilded   \nwith gold.\u0026nbsp; Sprawled out on the silken cushions of one was an old   \ndragon that Matheau could have instantly identified as Beijore's   \nfather, even had he not known ahad of time.\u0026nbsp; A lighter shade of blue   \nthan her for the most part, save for the jagged streaks of sapphier   \non his flank and tail.\u0026nbsp; His eyes, however, were a shade of lavender,   \nnot Beijore's emerald green.\u0026nbsp; However, in his old age, he had gone   \nblind in his right eye, leaving it a milky white.\u0026nbsp; Beijore tried her   \nbest to keep her composure, but she was beginning to shake, and her   \nmouth went dry.\u0026nbsp; When they reached thed three steps eading up to the   \nthrone, beijore bowed her head low so that her jaw touched the   \nmarbled floor, and was thrilled to see Matheau mimic her.\u0026nbsp; \"Daddy,   \ni'm here.\" she said softly, raising her head.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\"I always did love it when you called me that, my precious   \ndaughter.\"\u0026nbsp; The old dragon rumbled.\u0026nbsp; His voice was very deep, and   \nMatheau thought it was the sound a mountain would make, if it could   \ntalk.\u0026nbsp; \"I am glad you made it here so quickly, so that I could se you   \none last time.\u0026nbsp; Don't look so upset, my precious daughter, death is   \ninevitable, and I have lived a long, rich life.\"\u0026nbsp; The dragon took a   \nslow, rattling breath, and for a moment, Matheau had feared it was   \nhis last.\u0026nbsp; But after a quiet moment, he continued.\u0026nbsp; \"My passing is   \nnot why I had you sommoned, and we both know that.\u0026nbsp; You are my first   \nand only child, Beijore, so you are to take the throne.\u0026nbsp; And   \nthis.....\"\u0026nbsp; He motioned to Matheau.\u0026nbsp; \"This must be my son-in-law?\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\"Yes daddy, this is Matheau.\u0026nbsp; We found each other in the   \nmountains where I made my home.\"\u0026nbsp; Beijore fell silent for a moment   \nand Matheau turned to look at her in question.\u0026nbsp; \"Daddy, please, let   \nme go get your grandchildren, and your great-grandchildren so that   \nyou can meet them!\"\u0026nbsp; She was pleading, practically begging him, but   \nhe shook his head.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\"It is better that I pass with them not knowing me.\u0026nbsp; Imagine   \nthe pain it would inflict upon them, to meet their grandsire for the   \nfirst time, only to have him die moments later.\"\u0026nbsp; He waved at the   \nair, as though trying to shoo a fly away.\u0026nbsp; \"No, my daughter, I   \nremained alive for one purpose.....To meet this fine young dragon who   \nhas won your heart.\u0026nbsp; I still remember the dad you left.\u0026nbsp; \"You said to   \nme, 'I'm never taking a mate, daddy!\u0026nbsp; I'll come back stronger and be   \none of your imperial guards, just wait and see!'\u0026nbsp; You were so young,   \nI didn't want to let you go.....But look at you now.\"\u0026nbsp; He smiled to   \nher, and he was crying silent tears.\u0026nbsp; \"All grown up with hatchlings   \nof your own.\u0026nbsp; I'm so very proud of you, my daughter.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\"Then his head turned to Matheau, and he felt like he was   \nbeing stripped to his soul under the old dragon's -his fathers, he   \ncorrected himself- gaze.\u0026nbsp; \"You seem a good and noble dragon, Matheau.   \n\u0026nbsp;You would not have been able to win my precious daughter's love   \notherwise.\u0026nbsp; You will take my place wether you like it or not. \u0026nbsp;  \nBeijore will help you, but you must learn on your own.\u0026nbsp; Uphold the   \nlaws and traditions I have fought so hard to keep intact these long   \nyears.\u0026nbsp; But most importantly, never hurt my daughter.\u0026nbsp; I'll be   \nwatching, and if you hurt her, you'll answer to me in the next   \nrealm.\"\u0026nbsp; His warning delivered, he laid his head on his paws and   \nsmiled, closing his yes.\u0026nbsp; He gave one last shakey breath, and then he   \nwas still forever.\u0026nbsp; As Beijore threw herself into his arms and   \ngrieved her loss, Matheau's mind was a confusion of mixed thoughts   \nand emotions.\u0026nbsp; But on thought showed through clearly:  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\"Her father's story and legacy may be over......But ours is   \njust beginning.\"  \n  \n\n"}