• "Dad?"The dragon hatchling called out.
    No answer.
    "Dad?" He called again spotting where his father had fallen from the sky.
    The tiny dragon walked to where his father crashed in the pine trees.Amongst the broken trees lay the once mighty dragon's body, unmoving,blood pooled beneath the dragon's body. The hatchling came to his father's head, nudging it with all of his might."Dad, wake up!Please wake up,please!"He cried once more pushing his father's head. "Get up, please dad, please I don't want to be alone...." Tears slid down the babe's scaly cheeks. "Please..."
    "Son...."His father whispered his golden eyes opening a fraction.
    "Dad?"
    "Listen to me Mikail I won't be returning home with you....you will have to...return home...alone."
    "But what about you?" Mikail whispered nuzzling against his father's jaw.
    "Mikail...I...this is where I'll be resting,for a...a long time.I don't have the strength to fly....or even try to walk my son."The dragon breathed deeply before speaking again. "Take care of your mother....look to her for guidence."
    Mikail cried.
    "Don't cry my son, my little hatchling, don't cry.Do you remember...what...happens to dragons when we pass on?"The father asked quietly.
    Mikail nodded."Yes father I do."
    "When a dragon dies they journey to the stars to be even closer to the sky where they fly for all of time....and from there they watch over their family to guide them when they are lost,alone,scared, or in need of guidence from past elders.Whenever you feel like you need me...just gaze into the night sky and I'll be there.I'll be there...whenever you need me, Mikail...always know that...my son."
    "I will father. I will become as strong as you one day."Mikail choked back his tears.
    His father laughed then winced as it pulled at his wound.The arrow in his heart reminded him that he did not have much time before he joined his ansectors."My son...tell your mother that I love her and I love you as well Mikail...Now go before those hunters return...."
    Mikail sobbed, silver tears coursed down his silver scaled cheeks dropping onto the ground beneath his claws.
    With the last of his strength Mikail's father nudged his son away from him with a growl."Go my...son...don't mourn my passing for I...I shall be in the stars...flying for all of time....my son...."With those words, the great dragon lowered his head, his golden eyes closed for the last time.And became still.
    Mikail crawled back to his father's side.The huge silver dragon did not move. His chest was still with no breath. The churning of fire in his belly stopped along with his heart. Mikail gave a mournful roar that barely carried on the wind. With his head lifted up his tears fell like silver rain.
    The dragon hatchling gazed once more at his father's body his own golden eyes sorrowful.Then slowly he made his way from the still form of his father.

    -A Hatchling's Tears
    11/5/08