~ Renea Goldson ~

Renea stared out the window for what felt like hours, but really was only a few minutes. She couldn't help but crave to be out their with the dragons. She wasn’t even sure why or how she knew it would be safe, she just… did. After all Sarah said she would be fine, but she also wouldn’t want her to go out by herself.

As excitement rolled through her in a massive wave Renea jumped down from the window sill and quickly made her way to her bedroom door. Slowly and quietly she opened her door, looking in both directions. When she saw that no one was there she began to sneak down the hallway with a small smile of childish joy spread across her face.

Once she reached the living room she noticed the first aid box laying on the ground. When she saw it, she immediately began to pick it up as quietly as she could. Sarah hated when things were messy and she would defiantly get an earful if she had seen the mess that Renea made in such a little time. Quickly putting the box away she made her way towards the front door, excited to see the dragons that were playing outside.

As soon as she got to the door she turned her head around to look and see if Sarah had gotten out of bed, her heart pounding in her chest. Once she saw the coast was clear she let out a breath of relief and she opened the door silently. Peaking her head out of the door she looked at the gray dragons that were bounding around in excitement. Or at least she had assumed that it was excitement, though for what she wasn’t sure. Gulping she took one step out of the door and let out a squeal of fear and shock.

A beautiful dark gray dragon had jumped onto her with its teeth bared, showing off its double rows of shinny white teeth. Renea’s eyes widened in fear at the sight of sharp teeth so close to her face. She wanted to scream, but before she could she heard a low and threatening growl. Immediately she felt calm as the dragon on top of her jumped away.

Gasping in shock Renea looked over and saw the beautiful golden dragon standing before her. It was growling harshly towards the other dragon which scurried away quickly. Renea felt her jaw drop open as she stared at the dragon before her, standing with an air of strength. Letting out a short breath Renea made her way closer to the dragon with the intent of checking on its wing. Ever so carefully and cautiously she walked towards the dragon until she was less then a foot away.

She didn’t notice how the dragon’s were looking at her in fact all she could see was the Golden Dragon curled up on the ground carefully staring back at her. Its scales glittered in the sunlight that hit each scale in small beams of beautiful light. Renea’s mouth opened in awe as she watched the dragon before her.

“… Hi,” Renea spoke carefully as she stared into pitch black eyes.

The Dragon simply tilted its head to the side and continued to stare at her, moving its eyes to examine her. Gulping Renea was about to speak again when suddenly something cold and wet slid across her face. Blinking in absolute shock Renea’s mouth gaped open as she stared wide eyed at the dragon before her. It had licked her, across the face without any regret or feeling about it. Blinking again more ferociously she got a closer look at the dragon in front of her. It looked the same as it had when she had seen the dragon the night before. No, there was something different this time but Renea wasn’t sure what it was.

“What are you?” Renea asked slowly as she looked the dragon over.

“A dragon, but you already knew that young human,” A warm and strange voice flooded through Renea’s head.

“W-What!?” Renea stuttered as she stepped back only to trip and fall over her own two feet.

Before she could hit the ground however something had jumped behind her pushing her back up. Looking behind her in shock, she saw that one of the gray dragons had its head pushing Renea back up to her feet. Her mouth was still wide open as she looked at each of the dragons around her. They all seemed to be looking at her, some more obvious than others. Biting her lip she froze as a slow and fierce fear began to build up in her chest.

“What is wrong young human?” The voice spoke within her head once again.

“I don’t really know what’s going on right now,” Renea laughed to herself aloud as she looked up at the dragons.

“You are now my human,” The golden dragon responded causing Renea’s eyes to widen in confusion.

“What? I don’t understand what you mean,” Renea asked with a tilted head.

“You are my human, my bonded,” The dragon’s voice spoke within her head once again.

“Your bonded? What’s that?” Renea responded with eyes wide with awe and curiosity.

“It means that we are bound together,” The dragon spoke shortly.

“But I don’t even know your name,” Renea said with a frown.

The dragon seemingly tilted its head as confusion covered its face while staring down at Renea. She just glared at the dragon for a long moment before she heard a low growl behind her. She whirled around to see two of the gray dragons pouncing around each other.

“Name?” The dragon’s voice finally spoke in confusion.

“Yes a name. Do you not know what that is?” Renea asked while trying to hold back a chuckle.

“No, I known not of the human name,” The dragon responded slowly.

“A name is what you are called,” Renea said slowly.

“Then I am Drake,” the dragon stared at Renea intently.

“What? Drake is the title of a dragon leader, not a name. A name is what an individual is by their loved ones, something that is unique to only them,” Renea said while slightly waving her arms around in explanation.

“I don’t have a name,” The dragon growled lowly.

“Why not?” Renea asked in confusion.

“I am a dragon, the Drake of my flock,” The dragon growled once again.

“So what?” Renea narrowed her eyes in irritation.

“We dragons don’t use your human customs,” The dragon growled out slightly.

“Well then how about I give you a name,” Renea asked excitement in her eyes.

“Why should I need a name?” The dragon asked as smoke left its nostrils.

“Because I wouldn’t want to think of you as a pet or a tool like Sarah says. She says that whenever something has a name people tend to respect it more. Plus I wouldn’t know what else to call you and I don’t want to be disrespectful,” Renea responded with a calm and cheerful voice. In response the dragon just stared at Renea for a long, long time.

When the dragon finally responded it was only a simple, ‘fine.’

“Okay… But first are you a girl or a boy?” Renea as nervously as she blushed from embarrassment.

“Female,” The dragon huffed.

“Cool so you’re the leader… the center of the flock… Oh I know how about I call you Hearth? The warmest place in someone’s house and the center of everything. Well not the garden or the town. Okay maybe it’s not the center of something but it’s a very warm and welcoming place or person,” Renea said with excitement in her voice as the dragon tilted her head to the side.

‘I like that,’ Hearth responded and the name was set.