A shimmer of crimson light spilled across the tunnel as Mila stepped forward. Her breath caught, but Lira’s warmth at her side gave her courage. The fairies hovered in a protective ring, their tiny voices weaving comfort into the air.
From the glowing depths, a shape unfurled—a dragon, vast and shimmering, scales rippling with the colors of dawn. His eyes, the green of new grass, blinked at Mila with a mixture of hope and worry. A low rumble escaped his throat, but it was softer now, almost like a purr.
Mila’s heart thumped wildly. She remembered her parents’ stories of dragons—fierce but wise, sometimes lonely. She took a careful breath and called, "Hello? Are you... are you all right?"
The dragon’s head dipped, his nostrils flaring. "I did not mean to frighten you," he said, his voice trembling with shyness. "It’s just—sometimes I roar when I’m scared. It echoes less when someone answers."
Lira pawed the earth and stepped closer, her silver mane brushing Mila’s shoulder. The fairies twirled in delighted circles, their fear melting away.
Mila’s own fear shrank, replaced by a swelling empathy. "You were scared too?" she asked gently.
The dragon nodded, curling his tail around his claws. "I’ve been alone in this tunnel for a long time. I thought if I roared loud enough, maybe someone brave would come."
Mila’s lips curled into a smile. "We’re here now. And you don’t have to be alone anymore."
The dragon’s eyes glistened. "Do you really mean that?"
She nodded, stepping forward so her fingers brushed his warm snout. Lira nickered softly, and the fairies sprinkled a trail of light that danced along the dragon’s scales.
"Come on," Mila said. "Let’s go back to the meadow together. We can watch the stars."
The dragon hesitated, then unfolded his great, iridescent wings. As they walked back through the tunnel, the fairy lights seemed to shine brighter, guiding them home. Mila felt braver with every step, Lira beside her, the fairies above, and now a dragon friend at her side.
When they emerged into the moonlit meadow, the grass sparkled with dew. The dragon’s eyes widened at the open sky and the gentle night breeze. Mila’s parents waved from the distance, their faces full of wonder and pride.
Mila looked up at her new friend. "See? The world feels less scary with friends. Even big, magical ones."
The dragon smiled—a real, toothy, gentle smile. "Thank you, Mila."
As the fairies darted overhead and Lira leaned close, Mila’s heart brimmed with happiness. She had faced her fear and found friendship where she least expected it. The meadow felt more enchanted than ever, alive with possibility.
Tonight, Mila knew, was only the beginning of many more adventures—each waiting like a secret in the gentle hush of the meadow’s moonlight.