The Dreams We Yearn For

Many years ago there was a great Dragon. She would fly across the seas and go on great adventures. She lived a life many can only dream about. Yet, she longed for more. One day, after flying for many hours across the sea the Great Dragon yearned for a drink of water. She followed a stream that led through a forest, winding past grizzly bears, unicorns and humans alike. Passing by a human village right before she came to a lake. The lake was long enough that the Dragon would have to fly for a few seconds before reaching the other end. A human’s eyesight could see from one end to the other, but not anything that rested on the opposite bank. Unless of course, there was a Dragon. She landed with earth shaking force to ward off any predators nearby who might dare to challenge her, only too late realizing they could have been dinner. But maybe lady luck would provide for her today as she spots a large fish tail slap the water’s surface. Dinner it is then, she muses.

Inhaling deeply for a moment, she released a heavy stream of fire directly into the lake. As fire met water, it boiled and evaporated instantly. The lake’s residents attempted to jump out to escape the inferno the Dragon caused. Steam turned to fog coating the lake. High pitched terrified screams reach her ears, halting her exhale of hellfire. Her eyes look up to search for the owner of the screams. As the fog clears slightly she meets the eyes of a very young child struggling to crawl out of the water. The Dragon wonders for a moment if she should help, how to help? A human child surely couldn’t handle the temperature of a Dragon’s breath. But as the fog cleared more the Dragon could see this was no ordinary girl. The fish tail that made her stomach grumble belonged to her…The Little Mermaid Girl.

Curious, the Dragon laid down, keeping her eyes on The Little Mermaid Girl. Once the fog completely cleared she got a better look at her. Brown curly hair reached well beyond her shoulders, the sickeningly clear skin that all mermaids have, a pink tail covered in scales, and gills on each side of her neck. Blisters were beginning to form on her body as well, burn marks from being in boiling water. A twinge of guilt and sadness hit the Dragon.

“What is your name, little one?”

The Little Mermaid Girl cowers and swims to the opposite side of the lake from the Dragon. Maybe she does not understand me, she thinks to herself. She is very young.

“How did you get here?” The Dragon asks, approaching the girl slowly. Each step causes the ground to tremble.

The Little Mermaid Girl turns towards the stream the Dragon followed to the lake. She realizes the current must have swept her up stream and dropped her off here. Looking at her small frail body it’s no wonder she couldn't leave the way she came, even a small current was too much for her. She’s far too young to be swimming on her own. She will surely die... The Dragon considers that maybe it would have been best to finish her off. At that thought the little mermaid girl turns back towards land, attempting to drag herself out of the lake. The Dragon realizes she might have said that last part out loud.

“Calm yourself child. I mean you no harm. You will kill yourself if you insist on leaving the water.” The Dragon tried soothing her, but to no avail. The Little Mermaid Girl continued to struggle to escape. The Dragon sweeps her tail gently and pushes her back into the water. She swims swifter than any fish ever could towards the mouth of the stream. However her speed means nothing without power as she learns. Each time she tries to escape, she is thrust back into the lake.

Amused, the Dragon watches for a while, before noticing the burns settling in. In one quick motion the Dragon extends her wings and launches herself into the air, leaving behind nothing but a cloud of dust.

Alone again The Little Mermaid Girl relaxes, then curls into herself. The pain from her burns overwhelming the pain of being alone. The water is still hot but no longer scalding. All she really knows is that she wants to go home and leave this place. It didn’t feel safe. The only thing that seemed to soothe her pain was a gentle breeze blowing over the lake. It felt cool and relaxing, which is all she remembered as she surrendered to sleep.

What took place next was a long and strenuous journey between a Great Dragon and a Little Mermaid Girl. This great adventure, called parenthood, was the Dragon’s greatest challenge of all. The Dragon delivered a tree root that can heal and soothe burns. Still fearful and too young to do anything, The Little Mermaid Girl cowered in the shallows, so the Dragon dumped the tree sap on top of her in a sticky heap. Over time The Little Mermaid Girl began to like and trust the Dragon.

At some point the Dragon stated that she must have a name, and promptly named her Kaida. Kaida in turn pointed towards the Dragon, wondering about her name as well.

“You may call me Unniass.”

They lived together happily, Unniass brought Kaida gifts from all over, treasures and trinkets to keep her mind focused. She told stories of adventures she had been on and battles she had fought. She brought her food taken from the sea and villages nearby. During the winter the lake began to freeze over, threatening Kaida’s life. Unniass stood, unmoving, breathing a gentle stream of fire into the water. The perfect temperature to keep the lake warm and comfortable for Kaida. Beasts whose territory included the lake attempted to go after Kaida but the simple appearance of the Dragon sent them running, sometimes with their tails on fire.

They spent many days and nights reliving Unniass’ great adventures. But she revealed her greatest dream was something more. She wished to continue her lineage and lay an egg. She wanted to raise a fiery spirit unlike any other, that can soar the skies and experience the wonders of the world. Kaida, who wanted Unniass to herself, grew jealous of this dream. Her yearning for a family was more powerful than her desire for freedom.

Kaida thought back to the day they discovered she was strong enough to swim against the current. But alas, she remained trapped. Just as her strength had grown, so had she. She was too big to travel through the shallow stream.

It was a few years before Kaida announces to Unniass she wishes to try and fly out of the lake. Unniass laughs with merriment at the thought of Kaida flying, but declares it to be impossible, for she has no wings.

“No, but you do,” she insists.

Unniass debates for a moment before declaring she will carry her out to the sea, but only if she does not scream. For screaming means she is in pain, and she swore to never harm Kaida again. Kaida promises and the two prepare themselves for this newfound plan.

Under the afternoon sun, Unniass hovers over the lake to pluck Kaida out of the water. Kaida cheers in delight, as she dreamed of flying in the sky with Unniass countless times. She yells for Unniass to fly higher, to fly faster, but Unniass knew better and chose to stay in at the perimeter of the lake. As quickly as the thrill hit Kaida, searing pain smacked her back to reality. The scales on her tail began to dry up, her gills forced themselves shut, refusing to give her air. Her skin burned and flashbacks from her first meeting with Unniass rushed through her head. But she refused to scream, she promised she wouldn’t. Thankfully Unniass noticed Kaida’s reaction and knew something like this would happen. She flew back to the water’s surface and gently lowered Kaida into the lake.

Kaida darted to the bottom of the lake to recover. She felt safe again as the searing pain washed out of her and the cool water raked over her body. Kaida looked around at what had been her home for the last few years. It had become smaller in her eyes. There was nowhere for her to swim freely. Every inch was memorized. She longed to escape her prison because as happy as she was with Unniass, she knew once she was fully grown this lake wouldn’t be enough. Even now she could swim from one end of the lake to the other in no time at all..

Knowing Unniass would be worrying she swam to the surface. As she suspected, Unniass had perched at the waters edge, looking off into the distance. With a heart wrenching pain, Kaida knows she is not enough for the Dragon. Before she can say anything, Unniass surprises her with a new plan.

“I’m going to flood the lake,” she declares. Kaida doesn’t understand what she means, but Unniass’ confidence rekindles her hope.

The plan was set. Next rainy season, after the storms have passed, the water levels will be at their highest. Unniass had noticed the humans had built a dam to control the water level near their village. If she destroys it, the water will come crashing down through the stream and should give Kaida enough water to swim back to the ocean, but only if Kaida is strong enough.

Unniass informs Kaida that she must go and scout the stream entrance point, to ensure her route will be clear by creating deeper patches where the stream was too shallow. As well as other duties she must perform. Kaida was sad to see her go, but happy to know what her return will mean.

Kaida grew restless as the months passed. She wonders what the sea is like, and if maybe she can find her real family. But then she realizes that is silly as Unniass is her real family. That thought begins a long string of thinking; about how she will still be able to stay with Unniass once she is finally at sea. It’s not like Unniass could join her in the water.

More time passed by and Kaida’s patience waned. Then one day, something new happened. A little girl about twelve years old came to the lake. She was from a nearby village. The villagers never came to the lake because horror stories full of magic and danger surrounded it. The hunters knew that not even the ferocious grizzly bears entered this area. The Little Village Girl, being unaware of such stories, was gleeful to have found such a beautiful place for a picnic. She placed her things down near the water's edge and began unpacking her picnic basket. Kaida was unsure about humans as Unniass never seemed to speak kindly about them so she kept her distance. Until The Little Village Girl pulled out an entire cherry pie. Kaida had never seen such a delicacy. She inched forward, eager to get a better look as the aroma filled the clearing.

Never really being taught to be cautious, Kaida approached the girl and said; “what is that delicious smell you have there?”

Now of course The Little Village Girl was not expecting company, especially coming from the lake. So she screamed. Luckily the dense trees have always provided cover for Kaida and Unniass. They grew so large that a grounded Dragon was impossible to see and so thick the screams of a little girl could not be heard for more than a few dozen feet. Kaida took this opportunity to reach forward and grab the pie from the screaming girl’s basket.

“This is good,” a stuffed mouth belonging to Kaida declared. This seemed to relax The Little Village Girl, as she realized, maybe I’m not what she wants to eat. Of course, The Little Village Girl may be young, but not stupid. She did not stick around to find out if she was in fact the dessert and ran off. When she arrived home, she intended to tell her family about the mermaid in the lake. But news of a Dragon being spotted in the North Woods Village not far from them consumed all space for conversation.

Now The Little Village Girl was clever but she was dreadfully curious. So off she went to go find the mermaid once again. She was careful and took precautions; choosing to bring more food with her to ensure she would not be eaten.

This went on for some time. The Little Village Girl bringing Kaida food. Kaida taking it. Kaida’s existence sending the Village Girl into a screaming fit and the girl running home. Every time she attempted to tell her family about the Mermaid Girl there was always something more important to discuss than a child’s fantasies.

One day, Kaida called out to the girl as she arrived. “How long is it going to take before you stop being scared? Your screams scare the fish.”

Apparently insulting her was the right move, as from that day on, the two girls became friends, and discussed everything together. The Little Village Girl’s name was Maya. She wanted to become a horse tamer. But there weren’t many wild horses where they lived. Kaida spoke of her dream to go home to the ocean and how a friend of hers was going to make that possible very soon. Happy for her friend, Maya didn’t ask for any details. She just wished that both of their dreams could come true.

As the rainy season approached, Kaida grew more excited. She was eager to go out to sea, but mostly, she longed to see Unniass again. Maya visited when she could, but the rough storms had wind that knocked her off her feet, sending her small body tumbling through the foliage. Just as the season was nearing its end, Unniass finally returned to Kaida. Maya decided to visit Kaida that very same day, and was making her way to the lake when she felt a heavy presence. Once she entered the clearing of the lake, she realized why. An enormous Dragon that towered above even the tallest building in her village sat facing the lake. Fear coursed through her veins. Her throat closing up so tightly her scream was unable to escape. After a moment, horror dawned on her face and fear spread for her friend Kaida. A loud splash drew her attention to the water as she watched Kaida happily swim in circles and jump out of the water. Maya chose to hide and wait. Her decision paid off as soon after the Dragon took off, leaving Kaida unharmed.

After she was sure the Dragon was out of view, she rushed to the water's edge and yelled for Kaida who soon appeared, smiling brighter than she had ever seen before. “T-there was a D-dragon!” Maya stumbled. Kaida smiled at her dear friend. “Yes of course. That’s Unniass. She’s my friend who I told you so much about. She’s going to help me escape!”

Confused, Maya’s eyes glazed over as she thought back to all of Kaida’s stories of her ‘friend.’ She assumed all the adventures were done by a human, or fellow mermaid. Not a Dragon! She snapped back to reality as she realized Kaida had been talking to her the entire time. She only managed to catch bits and pieces of her words. “Rainy almost season over,” “strong enough to swim,” “destroy the dam,” “Unniass this and that” None of it made much sense. Wait! Destroy the dam?

“You’re going to destroy the dam?”

“Yes of course! The stream is too small for me now. Breaking the dam will let me swim out to the ocean!” Kaida declared proudly.

Her mind now spinning, Maya excused herself to leave. Kaida, too caught up in her own happiness, failed to see how Maya’s face fell. Maya ran home as quickly as she could. As she barrels through the front door, she wails, “the dragon is going to flood the town!”

Word spread fast, terror spread faster. The Villagers knew that if the dam was broken, their entire Village would be flooded. They would have no homes, no harvest. Many would die. But how could they stop a Dragon? Only a few people in the world could fight a Dragon. They had to call in a professional to help deal with this situation no matter the cost. Maya knew…No matter the cost, this must happen. Her family came first. ‘I’m sorry Kaida.’

Of course Kaida knew nothing of their plan being leaked to the villagers and neither did Unniass who decided to talk with Kaida for a while. Unniass told Kaida about her newest adventures. Telling her of the crevices she dug to provide a deeper path for Kaida to take, and dumb forrest animals and humans who thought they could stop her. Then most importantly, she told her about how her dream was finally coming true. While she was gone, she managed to lay a Dragon egg. After Kaida was free she could settle down to protect and raise it. Of course they would plan to meet up once a year or so to see each other. Kaida was hurt at first, but then excitement overwhelmed her. She couldn’t wait to meet Unniass’ child. A baby Dragon might be the cutest thing in the entire world.

Unniass said she had to go check on her egg, which she left resting inside a cave just far enough away to be safe from the flood. As soon as she left, Maya appeared, coming out of the forest. Kaida hadn’t seen her friend in several weeks and was ever so glad to see her. They shared a few pleasantries, before Maya blurted out what was really on her mind.

“When will the Dragon be coming back?”

“Unniass? Probably tomorrow afternoon. She has to keep her egg warm of course.” Swimming closer to the edge, Kaida continues; “would you like to meet her?”

Maya’s eyes looked excited for a moment before shaking her head. “No. I have to go home now.”

“When will I see you again?” Kaida calls after her. But Maya doesn’t turn around..

During the night, while Kaida is fast asleep, dozens of shadows walk along the edge of the lake. Digging in the dirt and placing ropes along the border. Just inside the tree line, supplies are laid out evenly around the area. The shadows prepare for war, while Kaida dreams of a future; where Unniass, her child, and herself can live happily. Speeding along the beautiful waves of the sea.

The next day, just as Kaida had predicted, Unniass came to visit and check on her. The moment the great beast landed on the dirt, sharp stakes ripped out of the ground, driving into The Dragon’s flesh. The horrible screams coming from Unniass shook the trees for miles around. Kaida, terrified for her only family, rushes towards her. Men and women burst from the tree line, beelining for Unniass. She tries to fly upward, just as nets are flung onto her wings, wrapping around each one. A sickening crack is heard as Unniass crashes to the ground, a few bones in one of her wings breaking upon impact. Dozens of people rush Unniass, throwing ropes and nets over her body, pulling her to the ground. Kaida’s pleas for them to stop echo loudly around the forest. The other creatures that reside in the area flee from the horrific sounds made by Kaida and Unniass.

Unniass looks towards Kaida with shimmering eyes. She inhales as deeply as she can, signaling to Kaida to swim away, before unleashing a fiery inferno. Fire latches onto human skin, eating away at flesh. More screams join the chorus playing throughout the forest. Fire that consumes everything it touches. Unniass doesn’t stop. She knows Kaida will be safe as long as her flames don’t touch the water. But then, a scream…one she recognizes very well. Her eyes search through the burnt and screaming bodies and those rushing to either put out the flames or keep her tied down. Then, she finds her. Kaida…her Little Mermaid Girl…with a knife held to her throat by a tall man, covered in mud. Water lapping at his clothes reveals them to be made of Dragonhide.

Unniass’ anger overwhelmed her. A Dragon Hunter is here. And he has Kaida’s life in his hands. He motions for her to calm down, while pressing his blade closer to Kaida’s neck. As a few drops of blood slide down her throat. Unniass lowers her body to the ground and stops resisting.The Villagers take this opportunity to finish tying her down. The Hunter throws Kaida down into the shallows, a sickening crack is heard when Kaida’s head meets the shallow water.

The Hunter approaches Unniass. He caresses her skin and trails her body, stopping before her eyes.

“You won’t risk hurting her…will you? You aren’t willing to risk collateral damage.” The Hunter taunts, looking back toward Kaida, who is struggling to prop herself up. Unniass stares the Hunter down, imagining all of the different ways she could kill him. The last thing Unniass sees is the Hunter plunging a knife towards her eye.

Kaida’s vision is blurry. When the Hunter slammed her back into the water, her head hit a large rock. Once she finally manages to pull herself together she looks up towards Unniass. They make eye contact. Right before the man who held a knife to her throat, plunges that same knife into Unniass’ eye. Horror froze her in place. She looked toward her other eye, to see if Unniass could still see her, but that eye was bleeding and gouged out. Vomit filled Kaida’s mouth and came spilling out as she attempted to scream.

Her world spun around her. Her body begging her to surrender to sleep. Maybe she would awaken to learn that this was all a dream. But her mind forced her to stay awake, if not for her own sake than for Unniass.

“Take her away,” the Hunter ordered the Villagers. He turned toward the Little Mermaid Creature. Scars covered her body. She will be of no use to me looking that hideous. Mermaids are meant to be beautiful creatures…not this. He looks towards her small frail figure. “You should be grateful after what this beast has done to you.”

“P-please, let her go…” the Little Mermaid Creature begs him. He ignores her pleas, and walks back towards the village, where a nice hot meal waits for him.

“But who will take care of her baby!?”

At this the Hunter freezes. Unniass, unable to even move, just shivers in protest. “A baby you say,” the Hunter asks Kaida, moving towards her “Do you happen to know where it is?”

Kaida stares at the man, with tear filled eyes. She looks between Unniass and the Hunter.

“Tell you what. I’ll let her go.” the Hunter suggests, touching Unniass, who tries to move in protest. “If you tell me where the baby is…” he continues.

“I-it’s not a baby…it’s an egg.”

Greed lights up the Hunter’s eyes. “Well then it won’t matter if you tell me. She can just lay another one. An egg isn’t an actually baby unless it hatches. Some eggs never hatch!”

Kaida looks towards Unniass, lying there, covered in ropes, bloody, broken and helpless.

“It shouldn’t be that hard of a choice, little…thing.” The Hunter looks into Kaida’s eyes, nearly within touching distance. Kaida wonders what Unniass would want. She would want to live. Wouldn’t she? And if he was right. That it was just an egg. Sometimes eggs don’t hatch?

Kaida’s mind was swimming faster than she would ever be able to. So fast in fact, it took her a moment to catch up with her mouth which had already told the man where Unniass had hidden her egg.

Within minutes the Hunter and Villagers left. Unniass was no longer a threat or concern. She would never fly or be able to see again. Relief spread through Kaida as she called for Unniass to say something. Tell her she was alive. That she still cared for her. That they would still escape together. That they could be together forever.

Kaida called out to Unniass for seventeen nights. Unniass’ was unmoving, except for the rise and fall of her chest, the only sign of life. Eventually Kaida tried to crawl out of the lake to reach Unniass. She would want to die beside the only one who ever cared for her. But the Great Dragon hears her struggles and moves her tail towards The Little Mermaid Girl, to push her back into the water. Never saying a word.

Time passes…as does Unniass. Her scales and skin rot away, creating a smell that spread for miles. The Villagers who lived nearby could not handle the odor, they couldn’t even come near the body so they packed up their things and moved away. Maya never came to say goodbye to her friend. Eventually Unniass became bones. Seasons come and go. The Little Mermaid Girl is strong enough to break the ice on her own. Then she became The Mermaid Woman. She didn’t dream anymore. The bones of her savior, a harsh reminder of what dreams can lead to. She promised herself to only ever trust those of pure heart. And to never let another secret leave her lips again.