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______The Dragon Quest. That was all people could think about; that was all I could hear. I scarcely could have a moment to myself before someone or another would come up to me and give me their blessings. Fanelia needed a king and the only way to do it was to slay a dragon. Poor beasts, I sometimes think to myself, it isn't their fault that they were born dragons. Balgus often tells me that the ' heart is more important than brains, strength or intelligence. It takes an intelligent king to build an empire but a merciful king to keep one.' I love my people, there's no doubt about that. And I'd do anything for them if I knew it was for their own good. But the challenge that lay before me was a rough one. I was trained very carefully with the sword and Balgus made sure I perfected every move in slaying a dragon. But even he knew there was something lacking. How could he expect me to slay anything at all when I lacked courage. Yes, I feared the challenge. Every night was a recurring nightmare as I saw myself again and again being defeated by the dragon. Bones. Flesh. Blood. And it scared me, even though I tried not to show it. People didn't seem to believe me anyway. To them a king was a man with extreme courage and strength. It never occurred to them that kings were allowed to fear too. There was only one person who understood how I felt. One person who accepted my fears and made me forget them. And that was Eries.

______Eries. She was a light in the dark. Whenever I needed her she'd always be there waiting to comfort me. The expression in those soft blue eyes, her understanding smile. The way she'd hold me to her and stroke my hair when I shivered against those horrible visions. She had a way of calming me; of soothing my fears and it was always her I would come to when the world seemed to be closing in on me. Memories of those night rides to her window. She always kept it open. For me, I guess. And once inside she was always there, sitting by the fire, beckoning for me to join her and warm myself from the lash of the cold wind outside. And then I'd tell her about the dream I just had and she'd answer, almost always:
______"Folken, it was a dream. Nothing else. Everything's okay and it's going to stay that way. I'm here, Folken. You have nothing to worry about."

______Eries. She believed in me. She believed that I was a capable king. She believed that I had the courage to face the dragon, or any challenge at all. And I believed her, more than anyone else. Her extreme faith in my capabilities overwhelmed me. But it was because of it that I tried my best to overcome those fears. I grew to become a stronger person because of her. She was there when father was gone. I tried my best to keep strong for Van, Meruru and the others. I relied firmly on the charade of indifference that I built around me. But Eries knew better and I found solace in her arms. The arms of an angel. She often commented that I was her angel because of my wings but really, when you think about it...she's mine.

______I think about all these things now and the good memories she had given me. The good times that we had shared together in secret. No one really knew about those night rides and stolen kisses. But then, no one really had to know. It was between me and Eries and having it as a secret seemed more sacred to me somehow. Like it was only between the two of us and nobody else. I knew I'd miss her once tomorrow came, the day I would set out on the dragon quest. And so I decided to pay one last visit to her window to say my goodbyes. Riding to her palace, I thought about the future, what would happen after I defeated the dragon. Maybe after the coronation I could ask her to marry me. Maybe.

______I climb up her window and immediately turn towards the hearth, expecting to see her beautiful face smiling at me. Instead I see the fire out cold and the hearth...empty. It chilled my heart and I called her name out in confusion. A muffled sob answered me from the corner of the bed and I turned to see Eries watching me with tears in her eyes. Walking swiftly to her I gather her up in my arms and ask her what's wrong. She remains silent, crying quietly against my chest. And now I found that it was my turn to stroke her hair and tell her everything was going to be okay. And she looked up at me, sadness filling her eyes and asked brokenly, " Is it really?"

______I looked at her, knowing what she was referring to, and unable to answer. I didn't know myself whether everything would turn out fine and I was hoping that she could reassure me of that. And then it hit me once more how I would miss her and everyone else. It was a long journey and just being away from her for half a month or more cut through me like a knife. What more if I didn't survive the mission? We would be separated for life! I didn't think I could bear that. Before I could stop it, a tear slipped from my eye and I tightened my grip on her. She reached out a hand to brush my right cheek. " Don't ever cry again, Folken," she told me softly," It pains me to see you sad. I believe in you. I know you'll come back to me. And if you're ever scared or lonely about anything ever again, just think of me and I'll be there, with you, in spirit."

______I took her hand from my cheek and brought it to my lips, kissing each of her fingertips and looking deep into her eyes. She smiled and whispered tenderly, " I love you, Folken." I smiled back at her and closed my eyes as she caressed my face slowly, tracing my face with her fingers and taking it into memory.

______" Folken," I heard her whisper," Remember how I told you that I often thought of you as my angel? Well, can you please stretch your wings out for me? I know you're forbidden to do so but just for tonight.... please...?"

______I looked at her then stood up, stretching my wings out to its full length, slowly filling the room with feathers. Eries took one of them in her hand and kept it under her pillow. " As a promise," she told me as she stood up and approached me," That you'll return back here in a month's time, victorious and in one piece. Promise me that, Folken." I nodded. " I promise." She crept closer to me and put her arms around me. " I'll be waiting then." I tilted her head up to look at me and slowly I brushed my lips against hers. She kissed me back softly, our kisses slow and exploratory and in that moment we both knew that if it continued on, we would do something we would both probably regret later on. But then, this might just be our last night together and it seemed just too late to stop. I pushed her gently against the bed and kissed her passionately. She succumbed to my advances, her kisses as equally passionate. And in that one night I made love to her till we fell panting against the bed sheets. She cuddled up to me and we both fell asleep in each other's arms. I woke up, just before the sun rose, and as she slept, I leaned over to give her a one last kiss goodbye before silently creeping out the window and into the welcoming dawn.