The Dragon's Keeper

We stepped out of the Midnight Forest and right onto the shore of the River of Memories. The only problem was, by the time we got there, the moon was up and the sun had set hours ago.

I yawned and stretched.

We had been hiking through the forest for hours and now my body was stiff and my feet hurt. I wasn't used to all this walking. All I ever did was dishes.

"I think we'll camp here for the night," Jamie suggested.

I couldn't agree more. We really needed some rest.

"Good idea! I didn't know how cold it would be by the river at night," I stated absently.

I had goosebumps running all over my skin from the chill in the air. The wind whipping off the water didn't help either. My teeth started to chatter, and my small frame shook, working to heat itself up.

"Don't worry," he said taking apart his pack. He doubled the blankets over. "Come lay down by me. We stay warmer when we are together."

That sounded like a great idea to me.

So, I snuggled up next to Jamie, and Midnight squirmed his way in between us.

"'Night Jamie," I whispered sleepily.

"'Night Tash. Sweet dreams."

The second I closed my eyes. I was plunged into a dream.

And it wasn't mine!

I was a mermaid, about 12 like me, only she had a family with sisters and brothers.

We were being brought before our father, the King.

"Isabelle," the King addressed me. "I have made you a match! This will keep our magic alive."

I supposed I was happy about this, because I suddenly squealed.

"This is the best news! Who is it?" I demanded.

All of a sudden a "Prince" was presented to us. Only it was James! I would have laughed out loud, except I said, "OH, he is so handsome!"

He beamed at me with pride. He looked like he was happy I called him handsome.

I blushed hard.

"You will be wed at the proper age, but I wanted to introduce you now, so you can get to know each other..."

And then the dream changed.

I was a water sprite, and so was James. But we were a little older. Maybe 16 or 17 years old. He looked even more handsome than I thought he could be.

"You need to keep our magic locked in here, so it is not stolen!" Commands James... But he is dressed as a soldier. And to my complete surprise, so am I! I never thought I would be a warrior.

"Yes Commander!" I replied.

"Magic is dying. If no one is brave enough to return our magic to the island soon, we will all die. This is the only thing keeping us alive!" he informed me.

The dream changed again.

I was a siren on the water, beckoning James to me. And he was coming willingly.

This time we seemed to be about 20 years old. We were all grown up! How is this possible?

"I love you," he said to me in a funny voice. It was like he was charmed.

"I know you do, love. And with your life force, I will be able to save my magic..." I sang to him.

He came up to me like he was going to kiss me! Eww!! I will never kiss my best friend!

But that was exactly what was happening...

The dream changed again.

We were teenagers again.

I was a water Nymph. I circled around an underwater cave.

James was a water Spirit, dressed as a soldier again. He was holding a strange weapon across his body, blocking my entry.

"You may not enter, Nymph!" he commanded.

"But I must! I am dying!" I cried out.

"Everyone is dying. Only the king and his family have access to the magic within. Now be gone..." The hard voice demanded.

Suddenly James and I were staring at all the beings from the dreams. As one they said, "We have tried many ways to save our magic. All have failed. They only way to save us and the magic of the world is to take your baby dragon back to the island of the birth of magic. Please! Save us!..."

And then we woke.

"Woah, that was a crazy dream!" was all I could say.

"Did you see them too?" He whispered.

"Yeah, I did. It scares me," I admitted.

"What? The magic dying, or you kissing me to death?" He taunted.

My face was a strawberry!

I shoved him away and looked around.

Dawn was breaking. It was beautiful and bittersweet. All those poor souls were dying.

I looked back over at James, but he was looking at the river. And he was smiling!

I turned to see what he was looking at.

I gasped.

A bridge! Right here!

I guess magic wanted us to go as fast as possible.

Then I gasped again when I saw the fruit in front of us, because I knew we hadn't brought it with us.

This caused James to laugh and smile harder when my tummy let out a grumble worthy of Midnight! I hid my face in my hands. Why am I always embarrassing myself in front of my best friend?

After our breakfast, we picked up our few belongings and put the rest of the fruit away to save for later. Hopefully whatever magic was used to bring them in the first place will make sure they don't get spoiled before we can have them.

James grabbed my hand and we crossed over the magical bridge together.