The Dragon King

Chapter Twenty Five

Meadowpeak

Levi had walked for what seemed like miles lost in thought. He knew he had wandered far away from the border of the magic that protected him and the others from people who sought to destroy dragons.

He sighed and looked up through the trees as the rays from the sun danced between the branches and among the leaves, the wind softly blowing through the treetops.

He wanted this to be over. He wanted things to go back to the way they were, but most importantly, he wanted his mother back. He never should've left her like that. Now, if he never saw her again, he would only remember the hurt expression on her face, and she would never know how sorry he was.

He closed his eyes as he let out a soft moan and fell to his knees in the dirt. Why had this happened to him? He had the perfect life living in the castle as a prince with his mother. Memories of just the two of them lifted his spirit.

Even Snow White. They had been the best of friends before their parents married, but once Snow's mother had died, she was never the same. The young girl he used to chase in the market place was suddenly replaced by the monster who tripped him constantly scrapping his knees until they bled. Once his mother and her father had married, she changed into the most horrifying person he had ever known.

Levi lowered his head. He wished Snow would have remained the loving stepsister just as she was the kindest friend. He didn't understand how something like that could change a person in such a drastic way. He knew the pain of losing a parent, but that didn't turn him into a monster.

His burdens weighed down on his shoulders. He wasn't a monster yet, but... Would he become one? What if he one day became as bad as Snow or even worse? Would awakening his dragon turn him into a beast? What if he became someone who wanted to serve under Rokoda instead of standing beside Maleficent taking back the kingdom in the name of the Dragon King?

He gripped his hair as he gritted his teeth. Why was there so much pressure on him? Rumple said he was a dragon, but what if he didn't want to be one anymore? Would the dragon still makes it way out anyway? Or would he lie dormant forever?

Levi's eyes shot open as a twig broke in the distance around him. He sprang to his feet, balled his hands into fists, and frantically glanced around. Was it Elyssa? Could she have come to find him? Or Lancelot? He was out here in the woods too somewhere, right?

He froze as several men emerged from the bushes welding swords. "Well, well," one of them said with a rough voice. "Looks like we've found one."

Levi raised his fists as his eyes narrowed, and his heart pounded against his ribs. "What do you want with me? Go away!"

The man who had spoken before laughed. "Sorry, boy, but the Queen's orders."

Levi gasped as a sack was thrown over his head from behind. "Get off me!" He tried wiggling free from the muscular arms that had wrapped him up, but he found it was of no use.

He was thrown to the ground, and he groaned as a knee dug into his ribs. His hands were forced behind his back, causing a great amount of pain from his wounded shoulder, and someone bounded them with rope.

He was hoisted to his feet, shoved forward, and lifted onto what felt like a horse lying over the front of the saddle on his stomach. It was hard to breath, and he felt like he was going to tumble forward being unable to catch himself. He felt himself slipping when someone gripped his shirt in their fist. Within seconds, the horse started into a brisk run.

Questions raced into Levi's mind as fear gripped his chest. Who were these men? Where were they taking him? What did they want with him? Did they work for Snow White? Were they bringing him to her? Had she made it this far in her search for him? He couldn't let them bring him to her. He couldn't let her win.