The Dragon Girl

Chapter Seven

"I'll follow you to the end of the world, Sylvia," he said, brushing her tears away. Though that seemed to make her cry harder. Sylvia stood up and started pacing around the room.

"So, this is your bedroom?" she asked, changing the subject.

"No, this is the spare bedroom. Incase some distant relatives come in, but I come here to think," Kenneth said. Sylvia nodded, trying to keep it together.

"Kenneth, you should go back and join your family. I just need to be alone and think," she said, voice cracking.

"Okay, I'll lead you back to your room," he offered. He stood up and took her hand. As they made their way down the stairs Bernadette met them.

"What happened?" she asked, looking at Sylvia's tearstained face. Sylvia hung her head and stared at her slippered feet. Bernadette looked to Kenneth for Sylvia's behavior.

"Gather the family together in the breakfast nook," he said. Bernadette nodded and headed down the hall. Kenneth and Sylvia continued walking after a few moments of silence. Sylvia pushed opened her room door and went straight to the bed, with Kenneth in tow. She sat down and patted the bed for him to sit too.

"Yes?" Kenneth asked.

"I just want you to know, I don't want to leave, but I have to," she whispered.

"I know," he said. Sylvia started leaning into him. He didn't move. Kenneth wrapped his arms around her for a comforting hug. She kissed his cheek and pulled away.

"Go now, Kenneth. Your family is waiting for you," Sylvia whispered into his ear.

The meeting with Kenneth's family was quick. He told them how he would go with Sylvia, if she agreed to it. His family understood. Now, Kenneth was making his way back to Sylvia's room where she lay awaiting him.

"Come in," Sylvia said as she heard the sound of approaching footsteps. Kenneth stopped outside the door and thought of what he would say to her.

"Hello?" she asked. Sylvia was walking to the door when Kenneth came in. "Oh! I thought something was wrong, Kenneth,"

"Well, nothing's perfect either," he sighed. Sylvia nodded. She took a deep breath, preparing for what she was going to say.

"I am coming with you," Kenneth said, before Sylvia could speak.

"I want you to come too, Kenneth. We are going to leave tomorrow morning at the crack of dawn. Start packing and saying goodbye to your family," she ordered. Kenneth nodded.

"I will, but first-" he started

"Help me pack? Because you should take care of yourself," Sylvia interrupted. Kenneth shook his head.

"I was going to say kiss first," he said. She rolled her eyes and shook her head.

"We have plenty of time for that once we're on the road," Sylvia said turning away. "Actually, could you get me a bag?"

"Yep," Kenneth said and walked out the door.

After Kenneth and Sylvia packed they prepared the food they were taking. They decided to share a room together near the front of the Inn, so they could leave quickly. They ate a large lunch and then slept back to back for the rest of the day. Sylvia awoke at midnight and started getting ready for the journey. She took a hot bath, brushed her teeth, combed her hair and tied it in a high ponytail. Then at one o'clock, Sylvia woke Kenneth.

"Kenneth? Time to wake up," she whispered in his ear while shaking his shoulders. "Remember what today is?" when Kenneth woke he was eye to eye with Sylvia. He laughed and propped himself up on his elbows.

"Yes, Sylvia?" he asked. "I just had an amazing dream that we had gotten married!"

"Ummm, Kenneth? We have to go, remember?" Sylvia said, biting her lip.

"That's right!" Kenneth jumped out of bed and threw a shirt on.

"Kenneth?" she asked. He turned to look at her.

"Yes?" he said. Sylvia bit her lip again and pointed behind herself.

"You might want to take a hot bath first. This is a week or so long trip," Kenneth nodded and headed to the tub. After a hot bath later, they were ready. They headed out into the dusky dawn.

"Ugh! Walking takes so long!" Sylvia whined as she rubbed her feet. Kenneth tilted his head to side and gave her an inquisitive look.

"What do you mean?" he asked. Sylvia caught her breath and looked up at him.

"Oh, that's right. I have been meaning to tell you, that I can -uh- fly," she mumbled.