(Kilgharrah POV)
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"Grandpa! Grandpa, look what I can do!" Rhaegal excitedly shouted pushing off from the ground and doing 3 loops in the air before landing in front of me. Snorting in amusement I lifted my head off of my paws smiling at my overzealous granddaughter.
"Very good young one. Won't be long before you can out fly me with those skills." She preened happily at my words. Trotting happily around the meadow as she puffed out her chest. Her parents softly chuckled from their perch on the grass. Heads on their paws as they proudly watched their daughter show off. The purple, and orange eggs visible from their perch atop my daughters nest. Wouldn't be long now before balinor is able to call them forth from their eggs. In fact, he should be on his way now. I was snapped from my thoughts by the bell like voice of my granddaughter as she pushed her snout into mine. An unhappy frown on her face.
"Grandpa. You aren't listening." She whined stamping her feet in frustration. I chuckled, fondly blowing a puff of smoke in her face to irritate her.
"Grandpa stop that. You know i hate when you do that." She whimpered angrily. Her sapphire eyes glaring me to oblivion.
"Sorry sweetheart I was just thinking."
"Well don't do that than." She huffed puffing out her 3 year old cheeks in irritation. Opening my mouth to reply I pause as a new voice enters the fray.
"Best listen to the lass Kilgharrah. Wouldn't want to upset her."
"Uncle Balinor!" Rhaegal sang happily. Racing over and pouncing on him to smother the dragon king in dragon kisses.
"Ha-ha. It’s nice to see you too Rhaegal." He chuckled gently pushing the baby dragon off him. Getting off the ground he turned his attention to us as he walked toward my daughter and her husband.
"Hello Kilgharrah, Glaurung, Apalala. It’s great to see you all again." He greeted plopping down in front of Apalala who had just retrieved her eggs from the nest and was eagerly nudging them toward Balinor.
"Ha-ha ok, ok. I get it enough with the greetings." He chuckled gently picking up the purple egg and holding it where he could see it better.
"Ha-ha you know my daughter Balinor. Always the impatient one." I chuckled watching in amusement as Apalala practically quivered in her excitement to meet the new additions to her family.
"Yep. That’s my wife for ya." Glaurung laughed blue eyes twinkling in mirth.
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"Enough chit chat. Call forth my babies already." Apalala snapped pacing in front of the dragon king. Balinor merely laughed as he focused his attention on the egg. A look of concentration crossing his face before his eyes flashed golden. His lips parting as he called the dragon forth.
"Viserion." Cracking could be heard as a golden snout poked its way out of its egg. Its purple eggs blearily blinking up at us as we all crowded around cooing at the new addition. Apalala leaning forward to place a gentle lick between its ears. Seemingly satisfied with her daughter Apalala turned her attention back to Balinor as she nudged the orange egg forward. Turning to the next egg Balinor placed a gentle hand upon its smooth surface. Eyes flashing golden as he spoke the final name.
"Nidhogg." A black dragon with golden eyes pushed its way out of its egg. Its snout falling open in a parody of a smile as he gazed at all the new faces around him. Placing his hand on each of the new dragons heads Balinor quickly introduced himself before letting go and getting to his feet. Turning to me he waved me over away from the family so we could speak in private. Once far enough away his smile dropped. His eyes taking on a worried glint as he crossed his arms over his chest.
"Uther has invited all the dragon kings to Camelot. He says he wants to sign a peace treaty with us." I snorted at that shaking my head in disbelief.
"Uther peace? I doubt he even knows what that word means." I laughed. Balinor sighed running his fingers through his black hair.
"I know but maybe he has changed. Maybe he is finally ready to let go of his anger against magic."
"You can't honestly believe that. Ever since his wife died because of magic he has hated it. I highly doubt he is ready to let go of his wife's death after all these years." I snorted rolling my eyes as i laid down in front of him. My head resting on my paws.
"Maybe but even still I think I will still go. After all everyone deserves a second chance don’t, they." I reared back at that. My head tossing angrily in the air in my shock.
"UTHER HAS KILLED HUNDREDS IN HIS ANGER THAT MAN DOESN'T DESERVE A SECOND CHANCE!" I screamed glaring my old friend down.
"Don't forget though. Uther is only human. Besides he didn't always used to be this way. At one time he was my best friend. So even though you have your doubts and think me foolish for it, i am going to give him a second chance." He snapped eyes flashing in his desperation.
"I can see you have made up your mind. I just hope you don't end up regretting your moment of forgiveness." i sighed once more laying my head on my paws. He smiled in relief as he rested a hand on my snout.
"I won't. I am sure Uther just wants to make peace. Who knows maybe I can even introduce him to you sometime.”?
"I doubt it." I huffed watching my friend walk away.
"You never know Kilgharrah. Anyway, I will see you soon."
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A silent tear of longing slipped down my scales as I slowly blinked open my eyes. My mind once more returning from my memories as I woke up in my prison. The caves walls seeming to shrink further in my grief as the eyes of my children, and grandchildren plagued my mind. Why did you have to be so forgiving Balinor? Why? 20 years later and only the crumbling stone, and the jingling chains attached to my legs, to keep me company. Even if it takes me another 10 years I will escape, and when I do, I will not be as forgiving as Balinor. Just you wait Uther Pendragon your time is coming. The time of the once and future king and queen is near. Just you wait.