Lilli placed her gloved hand in Adder's and her heart soared. The sound and sights around her were blocked by the feeling of happiness and pure bliss between the two.
. . .
The ceiling broke, glass shards falling to the floor with a deafening crashing noise. People began screaming and crying. Grown men were frozen in place, and their wives clung to them, weeping. It was an utter cacophony, of horrible, horrid sound.
Lilli didn't know what had happened at first. It was as if her brain just ceased function. She just stood and stared, not really hearing. The ear splitting noise barely penetrated through, into her thoughts.
Adder threw himself into Lilli, sheltering her from the falling shards and possibly something else, its footsteps heavy, powerful. What is that? Lilli couldn't see past Adder, who was gripping her tightly.
"Wha-What's going on?" She managed to stammer.
"A dragon. It broke in. I have no idea why," Adder whispered delicately, but Lilli could hear the fear in his trembling voice. " The guards will take care of it. Let's get out of here." He released Lilli and slipped his hand into hers.
Lilli finally saw the beast, in all its horror and majesty. Its curved claws, each the size of a small child, points sharp as swords, Its red, glittering scales that seemed both mesmerizing and menacing, Its beady black eyes, dark horns, and huge wings all were a sight to behold.
Suddenly, the dragon turned its head. Is it… looking at me?
The dragon roared, its sound making the room shudder violently. It began to approach Lilli and Adder.
"C'mon! We have to run!"
Adder tugged on Lilli's arm and the two began running as fast as possible. They ran without a decided direction, twisting and turning aimlessly through the halls of the castle as the dragon followed in hot pursuit. It was hopeless, their short legs could only carry them so far, and they would eventually run out of steam. The dragon, however, did not tire, or slow down. It followed them, getting closer and closer, until…
A cry of desperation came from Adder's mouth "Lilli!"
Lilli glanced behind her, to see the dragon had caught Adder under its massive hand, his head and limbs between the fingers. Its neck was craned toward him, and Lilli could see puffs of hot air beating against Adder's face.
"Adder! Stay still! I'll get you!"Lilli, crying with desperation, started to move towards him.
"No! Stay away!" Adder's voice trembled but was violent and assertive. He would never let Lilli get so close to certain death. "Just run.. please."
"No… no I don't want to…," Lilli murmured, lip shaking, eyes welling with tears. She took a deep breath and stepped forward. Every fiber in her body was screaming at her, urging her to stop.
"Please Lilli… Please, I don't want… you… to get hurt. This is my final wish." He was now choking on sobs, tears like waterfalls streaming down. "
Lilli stood still for a long moment. She thought to herself," I really couldn't do anything, even if I went to him. But I don't want to leave him. But there's nothing I can do!" She balled her fists into her dress.
"Fine! I'm going to get help! You do your… your very best not to die!" her voice was horrendously strained, more than it had ever been. Desperation was all she could feel.
Beating her feet against the floor hard and fast, she sped past the dragon, who was now leaning towards the little prince in its grasp, ready to consume him, or at least that's what Lilli assumed it wanted to do. She fought back a scream.
Past the dining hall, through the servant's kitchen, and out the exit, praying to every god she could think of as she went. She burst out, panting hard. She sank into the grass on her knees.
"My lady?" The voice was scared, but still filled with sweet honey.
"Rosie?" Lilli raised her head to see the disheveled looking maid. She noticed that despite the fact that she was standing, Rosie's leg was dripping crimson. "Oh.. no"
Rosie smiled painfully. "I'm fine, don't worry." She sat down in the grass next to Lilli with a grunt. "Where is lord Adder?"
Lilli shook. "The dragon caught him… he needs help"
Rosie grabbed her tightly. She buried her face into Lilli's hair. "I'm so scared…my friends are still in there, my colleagues, I don't know how many others and… dear Adder, the young lord of the house, finally free from his illness but now this. How could the gods be so cruel?!" Rosie wailed.
Lilli couldn't say anything anymore, she felt like a lump was stuck in her throat. Please, please let the knights save Adder.