A Mind With Wings

From the day of her birth, Briseis had been different.
Hadn't fit in.
It figures, of course, when you're a fairy with twigs instead of butterfly wings, the usual sight in her tribe. It had brought shame on her family, making it difficult for her mother to look at her with any love. Her dad just looked sad the majority of the time.
Getting anywhere had been hard until she had learned how to tame a squirrel, and most of the other kids had loved to make fun of her in every way possible. They pulled at her curly hair, ripped her clothes, called her names or ignored her. It had made her wary every time she was sent to certain parts of the forest.
The worst part had been being left out. While the other kids played, Bri was inside, reading or doing the many tasks her mother would give her. When the other kids were taught how to make a fire or evade a hungry bird, she was sweeping floors or trying to groom her squirrel, alone.
It's worth noting that nobody in the village really loved squirrels.
When she was eight, she had come to school with wings made out of some pretty flower.
A girl had ripped them from her back and beaten her, while others just stood by and watched as she screamed and cried. It was then that Briseis decided that things had to change, in some way.
While other kids were flying and playing, Bri studied and explored. What she couldn't find in books, she tried to learn from others. When they refused to teach her, she tried to find out for herself, filling notebook after notebook. When her dad noticed, he started smiling again.
She met Nassir on her twelfth birthday, when she had dared to go through a darker, more dangerous part of the forest. He had been snoozing on a log above a pool, sung asleep by the sound of a waterfall, until Briseis had been stupid enough to fall on his nose.
Nassir, who was sixty-seven, had taught her what friendship meant. It was thanks to him that she realized that not having working wings didn't have to make her inferior.
However, it had not stopped Bri from trying to make her own wings.
You see, wings were very useful. And though she couldn't fly with her own, they could move. She just needed something that would cover the twigs in a good way.
She had tried several times, and failed. She never told Nassir, though he probably knew, but just tried again, and again.
She knew she would end up with bruises, whether that would be because she'd fall, or some kid would spot her.
However, Briseis had learned very early that there was a difference between getting bruised and getting hurt, and that there were many things that were worth either of them.
Being able to fly was one of them.
So, early in the morning, fifteen-year old Briseis again mounted her squirrel, strapped a bundle on it's back and rode off. Nassir wouldn't be at the clearing that day, he had announced so.
It took an hour to get to the right branch at the clearing and fifteen minutes to get the wing-covers on. Then another five minutes to gather enough courage.
Would they work? Would she finally be able to fly?
Only one way to find out.
She breathed out and ran, towards the light at the end of the branch, the sound of rushing water. Flapping her wings, she could feel herself being lifted slightly, and dared to hope.
The branch ended, light and wind hit her as she spread her wings out.
And she tumbled down.
They didn't work. Again.
Hope left her and acceptance filled the gap it had left behind. This wasn't the first time, after all.
The wind immediately tore the leaves, leaving her sighing internally and preparing for yet another dive in the cold water of the pool. She closed her eyes as her fingertips touched the cool water.
At least the dive was perfect, she thought in bitterness.
When she broke through the surface again, a familiar chuckle made her open her eyes.
The sixty-seven year old eyes of a shining black dragon eyed her with mirth.
Bri stared at Nassir, mouth agape.
"If you had told me, I'd offered some tips, you know," he said, his voice a bit croaky thanks to his age.
She knew. And he wasn't supposed to know.
As she swam closer, Nassir's gaze became concerned.
"Why do you try, Briseis?" Bri used the dragon's tail to get on the log above the pool and, quite literally, climbed over him to get in front of him, where she sat down, sighing.
"Because- because I have to. It's practical. My life will be easier," She answered. Nassir tilted his head, his eyes full of wisdom and patience. She both hated and love to see that look on his face.
"And why would that be?"
"Because I'm a fairy, and fairies are supposed to fly! To get to places, to know things, to beー to beー"
"Accepted." Bri looked away, not daring to meet his gaze.
"Why do you think you need to make those wings, Briseis?" Bri looked back at him in confusion.
"to fly, of course."
"Can't you do that already?" Her shoulders tightened. What was he getting at?
"This isn't funny, Nassir." The dragon bowed his head at her in a excusing manner.
"I'm not joking." He sighed. "So you can't float in the air by yourself. Did you really think that was the only way of flying?" Briseis furrowed her brow. The old male was speaking riddles again. He eyed the waterfall before them, his deep blue eyes becoming soft and wise.
"You don't need to carry yourself in order to call it flying. You've flown all you life, Bri. You've flown with your parents, with the birds, with me. But also with yourself, on your own." Briseis looked at him, eyes wide. Nassir met her gaze and his eyes wrinkled.
"You have the strongest, most beautiful mind, Briseis. You might not be able to physically fly, but your mind makes up for it."
Briseis stared up at him.
"Youー You mean..." Her lips pulled into a grin. "You mean, my mind has wings?" Nassir showed his teeth in a smile.
"I couldn't have said it better myself."
Briseis felt tears form in the corners of her eyes. She flung herself at the dragon, wrapping her arms around his long neck.
"Thank you Nassir, those were beautiful words."
"As long as you do something with them," He said. She nodded, her eyes shut as she hugged him tighter. He chuckled.
"Perhaps I should get the boy down now." Bri pulled back.
"Uh, what?" Nassir didn't answer, just looked at the waterfall again.
A particular spot in the waterfall.
Briseis' eyes became round as she found herself staring at a boy with dark skin and black her. She knew he was a year older than her, and he was tied up behind the linn.
"Nassir!" She scolded.
How had he even managed to do this?
The dragon just gave her a look that stood equivalent to shrugging.
"You need some friends, Briseis. I picked the best candidate." Bri facepalmed, hard, and dove in the water again, making her way to the frantic looking boy.
She hoisted herself onto the rock he was sitting on, his hands tied to his back, rope around his red wings.
"I'm so sorry, Balin. And please don't scream," she said as she moved to untie his hands.
"He won't. Didn't so much as scream when I got him," Nassir commented. Briseis decided to ignore him.
When Balin was free, he just stared at them for a while, his eyes wide and mouth agape.
"Whー Why?" he eventually brought out. Briseis glared at the older male on the log.
"I was wondering the same thing," she said.
Nassir kept his lazy attitude as he eyed them.
"Briseis," he then began, "I care deeply for you. I have watched you getting hurt, I've watched you fight and overcome everything that was flung at you. I have found that it is time for you to take another step." He looked at her wings, and then at the boy.
"My young companion has been through many things for her age. She has grown in many ways, and I believe it is time for her to show her true colours. And since I cannot always be there for her, I am asking you, young male."
"P-pardon?" Balin asked, his voice high. Nassir gave him a hard look.
"Young man, who is Briseis?" Balin frowned, seemingly contemplating a good answer. He shifted under the dragon's gaze. Bri could imagine how uncomfortable it felt. Hopefully, Balin had heard enough to understand the depth of Nassir's questions.
"She is the one who sits in the library, sir. She is the one who explores, on her own."
"Not the one with the broken wings." Balin glanced at Bri, at her wings.
"Wellー They aren't exactly broken." Nassir quirked a brow.
"You understand what I mean," The dragon said. Balin swallowed.
"Yessir," he replied. Nassir nodded.
"I've chosen you for that, Balin. You have the potential to see Briseis for who she is. So I ask you: Learn who she is outside of a fairy with bad wings." Balin glanced at Bri again.
"I guess I can try, sir." Nassir nodded and stood up, the log cracking under his weight.
"I will be back in a week. Briseis, bring the boy with you next time."
"What? Butー" Nassir, rudely, flapped his great wings and took off.
"Sneaky old lizard!" She screamed after him. Balin just stared at her, and she sighed, turning towards him.
"Sorry," She said again, pulling at her curly brown hair.
"You have a dragon-grandpa," he just whispered.
A second or two passed in which they just stared at each other.
Then they doubled over, laughing.