The Maiden and the Dragon
An old fable from Astria
There once was a maiden birthed from starlight, always smiling and carefree. Wherever she stepped, flowers would grow, and nearby animals would flock to her radiant aura. Though the light and dark of the world, she danced around a great oak tree, following the rhythm of life.
One such beast that found its way to the maiden was a dragon, his scales dripped in the darkness of night and sleek wings as large as islands. He ruled over the night with his power and size, but at heart he was as lonely as could be. He spent his time searching the world for someone or something to keep him company, never staying on one island long before taking flight into the distance once more.
At first, the dragon thought little of the maiden, for how could such a small and happy being be unafraid of his might? And yet, as he spent a night sleeping under the oak, she came along with a string of stars and draped them over his wings and scales, weaving the great dragon a coat of glowing armor. And when first light broke, she brought the dragon a bowl of cool water for him to drink, and a handful of fruit picked from the tree’s branches high above for him to eat.
Touched by the maiden’s kindness, the dragon often returned to the island with the oak tree, making himself a small home at its base made out of fallen shadow scales and old brush.
Through the night, the dragon would tell tales about his travels around the world. He spoke of strange creatures that crawl on eight legs, of animals with carved antlers, of burly beings with sharp claws on their hands and feet. The maiden would listen to the dragon’s stories with intrigue, as did the other animals, admiring the dragon for his knowledge.
And the maiden would bring him food and water, and would weave for him all sorts of tapestries bound by starlight. She would show the dragon how to care for those smaller than it, to give off a more friendly appearance as to not drive away those he wished to meet.
But as the years came and went, the dragon left the island less and less, and the maiden would stop her endless tree dance and instead weave to her heart’s content. The two would talk and laugh together, finding more joy in each other’s company than they used to apart. Whenever the dragon would leave the island the maiden would weep and wish for his safe return. Whenever the maiden would collect the dragon’s food and drink, he would watch her with a protective gaze.
Years would pass them by in an instant. The dragon would take the maiden on adventures over the vast ocean of the world, to islands he knew of and to islands neither of them had seen before. They met all sorts of creatures and saw all types of landscapes. The maiden climbed mountains as the dragon made friends. And after every adventure, the two would return to the oak tree to rest and share their experiences with the other animals that couldn’t follow them. The two of them loved each other so, and every living thing could feel it.
But then, one night, while the dragon slept and the maiden wove her next tapestry, a star came down from the sky and spoke to the maiden. It told her how disappointed it was for her to be caring for the dragon, of how it thought that she shouldn’t be wasting so much of her time and energy on the beast. Look at how weak your light has become, it told her, refencing her weaving. And so the maiden looked down at her strings, seeing for the first time how dim their glow has grown. Not only that, but her dress is dull, and the tips of her fingers were starting to turn grey.
You are dying, child, the star said to her. Your dance of old made us laugh and sing, and without it we have grown quiet and still. So dance for us as you used to, for if you do not then your light will fade until you are nothing once more. Forsake the dragon, for he has been nothing but a distraction. And do not tell the dragon of any of this, for he will certainly try to swallow the sky.
The star then left the distressed maiden, returning to its place in the sky, its message delivered.
And so, for the first time in many years, the dragon awoke all alone, the maiden gone from his side. She was dancing again, a dance he had not seen her perform since when he called the island his new home. The light shone down on her, bathing her in its glow, as she lightly twirled across the grass.
There was no food or water waiting for the dragon, either. Perhaps, he thought, she was going to fetch it for him soon. But time crawled on and she continued to dance down by the water merrily as the dragon’s stomach rumbled in irritation.
He confronted the maiden about this, but she did not give the dragon any reply. She ignored him and danced away, but the dragon would only follow her. For four nights, the two would circle the island, the dragon chasing after the maiden, pressing her for answers with him never receiving any reply.
On the fifth night, the dragon finally managed to circle the maiden, forcing her to pause and confront him.
Why have you left me without food, water, or answer, dear maiden? the dragon asked.
Because I cannot love you, dear dragon, the maiden finally replied honestly.
Did you not love me before, dear maiden? the dragon accused.
I did, the maiden answered. I did love you, dear dragon. But now I cannot any longer. The stars are upset with me, for I had given my love for them to you. And now they demand it back. So I cannot love you anymore, dear dragon, for my duty is always first to the stars that granted me life.
Angry and upset at the truth, the dragon took to the air and flew off into the distance, its great figure disappearing over the horizon. The maiden watched him leave with a heavy heart, naively thinking that he would soon return to her, understanding and accepting her plight, for she still wished for him to live with her and keep her company.
On the sixth night, the dragon burned away all of the memories that he shared with the maiden, the creatures and the landscapes that the two of them had met and explored turning to dust. The horizon shone bright red, becoming so great that it rivaled the glow of the stars above.
On the seventh night, the fires finally ceased, and ash fell from the sky onto the maiden and the great oak tree, casting the world into deep darkness. The maiden mourned this night, although not for the lives that the dragon had stolen away but for the loss of her one true relationship, knowing that the dragon would never again return to her side.
From that night onward the dragon was never seen from again, while the maiden danced on all alone, never laying her eyes on another living soul for the rest of eternity.