Early the next morning Elric awoke to the small tarragon nipping at his feet. He shook the baby off and scolded it before he returned to his loft to change into proper clothing.

Then he ran to the palace to wake his father and tell him of the baby's arrival. Augustin urged his son to return to the stable and begin cleaning the baby as best he could while Augustin alerted the queen of the hatch.

When he returned to Sabina and the baby he used a cloth to wipe fluid away from her face and began diligently working in cleaning the baby who batted and nipped at him playfully while he carefully scrubbed away the sticky fluid from him. The baby huffed at Elric as he cleaned fluid from its ears and nose holes.

“Be still.” Elric ordered, “You’re dirty.” The tarragon nipped at his fingers as he tried to hold him still to be wiped. Elric scowled as the tiny animal played with his hands instead of sitting still.

Soon the stable doors opened and Sabina excitedly stood on her haunches, stretching happily and cooing as she watched the queen’s entourage flood into the stable.

The Queen, Princess Maëlle, Carter, Augustin, joined by a few butlers and maids eager to see the new baby.

Elric couldn’t help but stare at the princess as her bright brown eyes shimmered in excitement. Her previously wild long hair was now pinned back in a long intricate braid, she was dressed in a proper dress and had her small hands folded before her. But Elric could see her bounce excitedly on her tiny feet.

When the baby turned to the group and saw the princess it squirmed from Elrics grasp and ran to her. Maëlle’s eyes brightened happily as she knelt and the baby threw itself into her arms nipping and playing with her hands as she held it.

The group seemed speechless at its unique appearance. They admitted stunned oohs and ahs as they all circled around the princess who ignored their curious glances.

“An Amaryllis…?” Carter asked, stunned.

“But… I mean… that’s impossible…” Augustin began, “A new Amaryllis hasn’t been reported for almost 100 years… if it’s truly an Amaryllis then it’d be the first confirmed one since the war ended.”

“Our eyes don’t lie.” The queen reported as she gazed on the creature who still played excitedly with Maëlles hands. “What a wonderous surprise Sabina.” She said gazing lovingly at the beast, “you’ve found yourself an Iris in your escape.” Sabina chirped happily at the Queen as she neared and nuzzled her nose into the queen's hand as the queen scratched her scaly skin warmly and complemented her baby.

“Princess Maëlle…” Carter began, “Is the baby to your liking? I know you said you wanted a female however a male will grow bigger and stronger… if he displays the reported traits of an Amaryllis he will be very loyal and smart.”

“He is perfect.” The Princess cooed happily at the baby. She pressed her face gently to the baby's forehead and giggled at

“What shall you name it Dear?” The Queen asked as she leaned against Sabinas body.

“Sottises.” The princess said quickly and lovingly to the tarragon. Everyone exchanged worried glances as they heard the name.

“Are you sure dear?” Queen Elizabeth asked. “You know naming something can be a sign of its nature when it grows…”

The Princess nodded, “I’m sure!” She said happily, the Queen shrugged and nodded.

“Sottises it is…” She agreed, “Come now dear, we must allow the keeper to finish cleaning Sottises. We will visit him later today.”

“I wish to stay.” Maëlle begged but the queen shook her head.

“The first day of a dragons birth is one of the most important, he must be cleaned and get to know his keeper…”

“But mother… he is my dragon…” Maëlle whined sadly.

“But he must be trained.” The queen countered as she grabbed ahold of the child’s arm. “Elric, please take Sottises and finish cleaning him, we will visit later today.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Elric nodded as he stood to pick up the animal in his arms. He watched Maëlle and the group flow out of the stable and Sabina dropped her head to Elrics side, purring in a low and expectant way. Elric patted her head gently and turned to continue cleaning Sottises.

Need help With easy pronunciation? Lost on who is who? Wondering what a word is meant to mean? (Many words and names from the story are French, Gaelic, and otherwise European, Translations are often rough and generalized per the use of the word/name in the story.)

Sottises- So Teas- A french word meaning Mischief, endearingly named so by the Mischief Princess. He is the first known Amaryllis Tarragon to be born in nearly 100 years.

Amaryllis- Am Are Ill Is- Amaryllis are dragons made when Rose and Iris dragons mate, they are rare and sought after due to their distinct silver blue colouring. During war times Amaryllis would be taken as war trophies and used for jewelry, armour, and decorations. A rose dragon can be birthed from an Iris and Rose dragon, however, an Iris can not be, and an Amaryllis can not be born from any other pairing of dragon.