It begins with a lovely young woman named Lovell. Lovell spent all her summer days dreaming, dancing, and playing happily with little creatures found only in the wildest part of the Wastelands. Until, one day, interrupted was her play by a most unusual sound: a keening so loud it had her and her animal friends scattering in all directions for cover. The mournful wailing continued so long and loud, that Lovell, being the curious child she was, finally overcame her fear. She just had to find out what was making that dreadful racket! She crept closer, through the thick brush, avoiding mucky puddles from the last sparse rain as best she could. In a huge clearing surrounded by broken and fallen trees, she found it. An enormous dragon that lay curled and unmoving upon the rocky ground. Its eyes closed; it�s body too still. Yet, once again, she heard the blood-curdling howl. Was it a little softer now, a little weaker? She asked herself. Was the sound coming from the dragon�s stomach? Hunger growls? Was this a dragon trick to lure her closer and make her its lunch? Creeping silently as not to alert the creature, she peeped over some tumbleweed. What was that shimmering thing clinging to the underbelly of the sleeping dragon? Keeping low and behind cover she dared to sneak closer and, gathering her nerve, peeked once more over thorny bushes. She was face to face with it! Big, bubbling eyes starring unblinkingly back into her own. It was a monster! Before she could think to scream, a sloppy, wet dragon tongue shot out and licked her entire face. The scream that was building inside her died of fear. She turned and ran, her feet slipping from under her she slid, her knees embracing the ground with force, in a pitiful crawl till she got grip digging her toes into the ground clawing into the dirt and mud with her tiny fingers upright she went finally and she ran with everything in her hoping to avoid the embarrassment of becoming dragon food. The dragon followed. Lovell slipped in a puddle and fell flat on her face. Adrenalin pumping through her veins she rolled over to attempt and defend herself. The dragon was upon her with its large feet close to each side of her head. It�s hot breath on her face. She through her arms up crossed her face and closed her eyes to say a last prayer to the Gods. Nothing happened. She put her arms down and opened her eyes to meet her fate. The dragon licked her again, stepped aside, and lay down beside her Lovell, filthy, wet, and surprised to be alive, laid there for a moment more thinking she was having a bad dream one of those kind that make you think everything is ok, only to realize no it is not. Finally, she rolled over slowly and looked more closely at her foe. It was not the big dragon at all. It was just a baby dragon with a rather nasty tear upon the hind leg of it. The baby leaned over, licked the hideous wound, and wailed piteously. Lovell recognized it as the very sound that had brought her to this place. Ducking down, and looking around she slowly began piecing the story together. The baby�s mother was dead and during the battle, the baby dragon became seriously injured. It was hurt, scared, and alone. Lovell saw no danger, only a baby who needed help and love. Determined to help, she set out to learn all she could about dragons. This was how she came to learn great magic. Because, as we all know, dragons are magical beings. She named the baby "Mystery". He grew to be a fine, healthy brilliant red dragon. He spread word through dragon dens all across the land, of the young female human that had saved a baby dragon. Lovell grew up as well, and won a place as Royal Mage in the Wilderness Court. She was a beautiful woman now, watched and wooed by every unattached male in the wilds. This made it much more difficult for her to make her yearly, secret journey to visit Mystery. Lovell thought she had escaped the court undetected, and was humming cheerfully as she made her way to Mystery in the moonlight. On the path, she spied a huge wolf, its eyes aglow of an unusual color. That alone told her this wolf not to be pure wolf and that it must be that of part wolf, part man, nothing is more dangerous she knew then one such as this. She remembered in her studies and the teachings she received of how the jealous blood of man become tainted with the pure love of the wolf, and the mixing of the two creates a split in personality, one ruled by love and loyalty the other by greed and hate. Although before she could call forth a protection spell, the wolf turned into a stunningly attractive, young man. �Good eve, milady,� he said, with a slight bow. Minding her manners, she replied �Good evening, kind sir. Who might you be? And what are you about on this fine night?� she asked. �You have seen me, yet you know me not,� he sighed. �I had traveled far to find the powerful Mage Woman of legend. When my eyes fell upon your great beauty at court, I knew I must have you for my wife.� �Your wife?� she responded. �I am leader of the Dark Wolf Men who dwell in the abundant forests far east of this desolate place.� �Very nice, I�m sure...� �My name is Enchanted Eyes, but you may call me Enchant,� he said with a smile. �Pleased to make your acquaintance, Mister Enchant, but you have made a long journey for naught I fear. For I am not marriage minded.� The wolf man came closer and looking deep into Lovell's eyes, cast a spell of love upon her: �The eyes are the windows to the soul, Your love for thee shall take its toll. With a kiss so hot, it burns thy flesh, You will love me unto your death.� He stepped closer and softly kissed her lips. Lovell blinked, coming out of a lightheaded daze. The man stepped back and said, �Very well Milady. I would not force thyself upon you. Time will show you the way into the embrace of love as for now I bid you good evening. I will be in court for a fortnight should you chance to change your mind.� At the meeting place, Lovell found a message from Mystery. He had been summoned by The Great, Great, GREAT Grand Master of the Dragons to the High Pinnacles where the Dragons gathered once every century. He regretted missing her, but would meet her two months hence. Back at the court, the Royal Mage was growing fond of her new magical wolf man friend...much too fond. When time came to meet with Mystery, Lovell suspected she was coming down with the dreaded shivering ague. She had not been able to hold food down for a week. The court healer informed her she was with child. Lovell told Enchanted immediately. He went away to take news to the pack deliriously happy and making plans for their forthcoming wedding. That night Lovell stole away to meet Mystery and tell him the wonderful news, but the look of fright, and then sorrow, on Mystery�s face when they first met scared Lovell. �What sadness is this I read upon your face, my friend?� she asked. �A dark spell of love surrounds you. I see and smell it upon you, and it saddens my heart.� His wings drooped to the ground. �A dark love spell was cast upon me without my knowing? What spell is this?� It is the ancient spell of undying love for the caster.� Mystery mumbled. Moreover, what of the child I carry, what will it be? Will it carry the curse of tainted blood half man half wolf as well? No Mystery mumbled again for while Enchant was in his state of man the child sprung to life within you. It will be human as you. Lovell cried and carried on for hours while Mystery watched from a distance wishing he were somewhere else. When Enchanted appeared in a puff of blue smoke early the next morning, she raised her jeweled staff to kill the wolf man who had made her pregnant by steeling her heart with a dark spell. However, Enchanted had plans of his own. Enraged by the fact that she had run away during the night to meet with a dragon, he cast a temporary spell of stone upon her. While the more he thought the more angry he became, as at the beginning of the stone spell to wear off of Lovell, allowing her freedom to defend herself from yet another he might cast, in his jealous rage, he raised his arms to the heavens and cast one final spell upon Lovell: �Bone, muscle, scales, blood so cold, Desire of fire, lover of gold, This spell upon you, in you and on you I cast at last shall as it is told forever hold That of the feared hated and hunted, as shunned. Now ever as ever Lovell alive live as one� the dragon!� When Enchanted breathe the last words of the spell he saw that Lovell was a large and lovely red dragon. Enchanted Eyes vanished and was gone. Lovell smiled. �You do not appear as upset as I thought you would be, Lovell.� Mystery said. �Enchanted in his anger to curse me freed me and did nothing more then give me something I always dreamed to have. I am a dragon, like you, and now we as friends can be together for all days. Lovell smile slowly fading to worry as she looked onward to Mystery, Why is it then, I ask my self, that you look so forlorn? Do you not wish to accept me and be with me as I with you?" �No, Lovell that is not it at all, I have ugly news and I wish not to tell it.� �Come tell me, Mystery and have it done with. We will face it together.� �Your child will never be born. Dragons do not have human children. Your child cannot be dragon because you do not have the true dragon blood. The child will die.� �Then we will cut a hole to get the child out,� Lovell replied. �To try with this spell on you would mean your baby's and your death.� Mystery lowered his head wishing dragons could weep as the strong heart that beat in his chest hurt deeply. Loath to lose her child Lovell said with determination, �We will search the Earth over for one with the wisdom to break this spell.� Mystery looked into her eyes and swore they would do this together. Months passed with no luck and the time for the child to be born drew near. Mystery sent out word that a twenty chest of gold would reward the man or woman who located a magician strong enough to break the dark spell. A poor old Ranger upon hearing of this chance for wealth remembered a wise woman he had met as a young man. He set out to find her in hopes she might hold the sought after knowledge. After travels long and arduous, he found the wise woman�s hut hidden deep in a misty forest. He knocked and entered to find an ancient woman sitting at a table burdened with pastries and sweets beyond counting. Skittering and bouncing around under the table were about a half dozen furry little creatures fighting over cakes and pies that had fallen to the floor. �What brings a Ranger so far from the old paths?� The woman asked. �I come asking for wisdom.� �And why should I give you wisdom?� �Because, I am he, the Ranger or are you now to blind to see? Think and remember from a deep pit spared you I did where you would have surely died many years ago. The old woman looked thoughtful then brightened. �Ah, yes, I remember the dark time. What wisdom do you seek?� �What can be done to break a dark spell which changed a woman with child into a dragon?� The old woman shook her head. �There is naught to break such a spell except the one who cast it.� The woman rummaged through her one closet and handed him a small vile of liquid. �Take this to the woman; it will ease her pain when she loses the child. No more can be done.� The Ranger gave the potion to Lovell and reported the wise woman�s words to the sad dragons. Time had run out. The child was trying to be born, but was failing. Lovell tried to cut herself with her talons but could not break through her tough dragon hide. In her raging grief and desperation, Lovell fell upon a diamond stalagmite that pierced her throat. She stood a moment gurgling out the words Dear child that lie within, forgive for if you cannot live neither will I��Enchanted Eyes, It ends. Good bye, my love.� Then she fell heavily to the ground. Enchanted Eyes appeared soundlessly. Seeing the only woman he had ever loved dying because of his jealously, his selfish rage, his spell, brought tears to his eyes and sanity to his mind. He turned into the dark wolf, raised a mighty paw to touch Lovell's dragon body. With out words from his lips only love in his heart for her the spell was broken. His sharp claw cut easily through the tough dragon skin, nicking the baby just beneath it. She has that scar today. Enchanted tried to turn back to man but he could not, pure love had broke the curse and he was to forever remain as he should a wolf. He scooped up the baby with his teeth and wrapped it in his velvet blue cape as Lovell slowly upon life leaving her body turned back into the beautiful woman she had once been. With her very last breath, Lovell named the baby "Enchanted Mystery." Mystery and Enchanted looked down at the beautiful infant in her father�s grasp, then over at Lovell who had already grown cold. With horror, they looked into each other�s eyes. Dragons can�t cry, but Enchanted had gently sat the infant down and began to howl. �What have I done?� he cried in anguish. He gazed one final time at Enchanted Mystery how delicate and beautiful like her mother she was. Then he turned away in despair, and walked towards the cavern�s entrance. Mystery looked after him, flames blazing in his eyes, then down at the sleeping baby. �Wait,� he said, �this baby needs her father.� Enchanted turned back, his eyes wet, �we will raise her together, then. You and I, Mystery spoke to Enchanted, as different as we are yet much the same for we both loved Lovell and we both love the child With nothing but pure true love and respect for each other, we can do this Therefore, it was. Enchanted Mystery raised and loved by dragons, but also by wolves. In addition, don�t forget the little strange creatures that followed the Ranger back to Mystery and Lovell. Known was little of them at the time, as of yet, but they bond easily to infants, and freely give their loyalty and companionship to the one with whom they bond. Together, the Dragon, the wolf, and the smallest of creatures taught Enchanted Mystery all they knew of love and magic. In addition, that was a lot. When she learned the sad story of her birth, Enchanted Mystery vowed to teach others to love and help one another through the good and bad times no matter who they are or from which they come. © Tuesday, December 7th 2004 R.S.T.H. AKA Wolfspirit All Rights Reserved. Thanks to all for the read and any comments, you would like to leave. (Note: This story was written a long time ago, another artist and I wrote it together for our own pleasure, but since that time it has been re-written and changed dramatically by myself and has never been published in any form till now... I hope you the reader enjoy it here today.)