Jane

(Six weeks later)

After some talks, which initially ended in quarrels, there was now a truce between the dragons and us harpies. Our statue was back in place and the eggshells had returned to the dragons. Our people remained divided and a new agreement had been reached. We would no longer enter each other's territory without permission or invitation.

For the past six weeks, Rosalie, Falk, and I had been braiding the basket for Tinke. Today, we finally finished it. While weaving the last dried reed, we heard a strange ringing, the exact origin of which Rosalie and I could not determine. It sounded like a bell and came from Falk's direction, but no bell was visible.

"Falk? You're ringing!", said Rosalie after a while.

He grinned. "Do I?"

"Falk..." A thought came to me. I remembered my threat with the bell... Did he? "You didn't... Did you tie a bell to your carrot?"

He wrinkled his nose. "No carrot! A gem. And, yes!" He winked at me. "I liked the idea and then I found a fine, little bell on the banks of the river. That was a sign!"

"You have a bell on your penis?" Rosalie rolled her eyes. "I don't believe it..."

"What?" Offended, Falk crossed his arms. "I can decorate myself as I like! And the lady of my choice liked it! Finally, she was interested in my courtship! She likes it. She said that the ringing sound makes her..."

"No. Please! No details!", I protested immediately. "Good. You have a bell... Congratulations?" The idea was so absurd that I had to laugh.

"Thank you!" Falk smiled contentedly. "This little bell is my way to success! The ladies like it."

This also made Rosalie laugh. We did not agree with him.

About an hour later we made our way to Tinke with the finished basket.

Tinke was already waiting for us. In the meantime, I visited her several times with Rosalie and Falk. Tinke was now part of our group. On the way, we tried out the basket. I sat in it while Falk and Rosalie held him to two sturdy loops. The basket swayed slightly, but it did not tip over.

"Tadaaaaa!" Falk held the woven basket in front of her nose. "It's done!"

Tinke tilted her head. "And with that, you want to take me into the air? Can this basket carry me?"

"Yes. We tried it. You're safe in it", I reassured her. "So? Do you want to fly?"

"More than anything in the world!"

I and Falk helped her into the safe basket. Then we lifted her by the loops. Tinke chewed excitedly on her lower lip and looked questioningly at me. I winked at her. Then we left her home nest and took off with her into the air. Rosalie followed us.

"I'm flying!" Tinke held her hands in the wind. "I'm flying!" And for the first time, I heard her laughing carefreely. It was the most beautiful sound in the world, accompanied by the soft ringing of a bell. Butterflies fluttered in my stomach. I smiled.

We flew with Tinke for quite a while and showed her our favorite branches and the river. After a while, we got tired of carrying her and flew back. We put Tinke back in her bed of moss. She beamed with happiness. "Thank you! That was wonderful!"

We hugged her and the butterflies in my stomach rejoiced. I liked Tinke. More than just a girlfriend.

With a cautious smile, Tinke kissed my cheek, which immediately turned red. As red as her silky hair. Surprised, I looked at her. Tinke sheepishly brushed a few strands of hair out of her face.

"One question", she finally murmured. "Why did I hear something ringing..."

I giggled sheepishly. Laughing, Rosalie gave Falk a friendly push.