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Finger tips hovered over the milky surface of the large egg and a small puff of air escaped Goldilocks lips. Floating dust surrounded her in the golden light softly descending from the high windows. A soft rustling filled her ears as the ivy on the walls trembled in anticipation.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you hesitate.” Jefferson observed recalling a young timid girl in a tavern. His voice echoed off the stone walls as birds fled their nests at the intrusion.
She flinched at the sudden break of silence and glanced at the ivy covered walls, “When have I ever hesitated?”
He chuckled softly, “Not in a long time.” Her sharp grey eyes met his and he couldn’t help but wonder if that young girl was still inside her.
“Do you ever think….do you ever think some things just shouldn’t be stolen?” she wondered aloud. “This egg…it’s been here for a long time. Undisturbed.”
“Since when does a thief care about right and wrong?”
“Some of us have to have a code.” she reminded him. “Like those Merry Men.”
“Never thought of you having a code.” he shrugged “Just a need to get paid.”
Her eyes returned to the opal egg. “It wasn’t easy getting here.” she reminded him “When I grab the egg. The portal has to be opening.”
“Give the word” Jefferson removed his tall hat as he strolled closer to her. With a flick of his wrist he sent the hat spinning towards the floor as Goldilocks snatched the egg from its pedestal.
As the portal slowly opened the room began to tremble. A deafening crack pierced the air as fissures climbed the stone walls and the ceiling began to crumble.
“Jefferson” Goldilocks stepped closer to him holding the egg as tightly as she dared to her chest. “Jefferson!” She shouted as a section of the ceiling crashed through the ivy above their heads. Pulling her off her feet Jefferson dove through the small portal.
Soft turf cushioned their landing. Running her hands over the egg Goldilocks was relieved to see it came away unharmed.
Jefferson stood to his full height and dusted himself off. Returning the hat to his head he looked rather out of place in the open meadow, “Lay low until dusk.” Goldilocks told him “We’ll meet back here to go home.”
Jefferson rubbed his hands together, “I think I may have a bit of fun.” he laughed “Camelot is always great fun. I’d rather like to stay here.”
“Where anyone that practices magic is burned?” Goldilocks scoffed “You’d be dead in a week.”
“When is that Prince supposed to become King, eh? Arthur was it? Rumor is things will change when he’s king. I’ll be a loyal subject.”
“Rumors spread by druids and sorceresses.” Goldilocks slipped the egg into the satchel. “I’ll see you at dusk.” She reminded him “In the meantime, try not to get thrown into the dungeons.”
Goldilocks descended into a small gulley. The leaves murmured above her head and the wind playfully tussled her hair. Quiet reigned until a young man revealed himself to her.
“It’s good to see you Merlin” she smiled
“And you” he called back cheerfully.
“How did you ever escape the dear Prince’s side?”
“Oh Arthur just thinks I’m out gathering herbs for Gaius”
“And Gaius?” she wondered.
“Working for Arthur” he smiled.
“These two lives you lead, it’s a dangerous game, Merlin” Goldilocks touched her forehead to his.
“I know.” he sighed, “Things will be different, when Arthur is King.”
“I hope it is. For your sake.” she looked at the bright young face with sympathy. Wondering if the boy would ever get to show his true self. “I’m honored you’d entrust such a thing to me, Emrys.” Goldilocks carefully drew the dragon’s egg from her satchel.
Merlin took the egg from the girls hand’s “Lancelot trusted you.” he reminded her, You’ve proven yourself time and time again. I’m just sorry I couldn’t have been the one to retrieve it.”
“What will you do with it?”
“Do you want to see something incredible?” Merlin asked with bright eyes.
The pair took the egg to a small clearing and Merlin placed the last dragon’s egg on a mossy stump. “Aithusa” Merlin’s eyes glowed golden.
The world held its breath. Small cracks began to form over the egg as a small chirping reached the ears of the two onlookers. Goldilocks gasped with the wind as a small scaly head poked out of the top of the shell. The light shone through the bat like wings that spread over the stump. Aithusa tilted her head at the young people watching as she stomped the broken shell under her feet while testing her wings.
Golidlocks watched in awe as the world’s newest dragon launched herself in to the air. Their eyes followed the creature as it flew further into the clouds far above.
“Where is she going?” she wondered aloud
Merlin shrugged, “Where ever she wants.”
Goldilocks wondered if he envied the dragon for that, “Thank you Merlin.” she said softly. “I shall never forget that.”