she was never the one to intiate contact normally

she stayed in her armored cocoon even though her beautiful wings were fully formed

not to say she was ever a caterpillar become butterfly

she was a gem encrusted dragon emblazoned with the scars of life

and i was never a dragon slayer

nor tamer

nor hunter of any sort at all

i just stumbled upon her cave while searching for my long lost soul

she lay atop a bed of coin and jewelry

the burnt remains of the others who had come before me smoldering under her gaze

she called me thief and brandished her talons

i begged forgiveness and sought an exit

none who enter leave whole she intoned with dreadful certainty

something in her eyes made me halt

an ancient hurt

my mind screamed escape

my heart screamed curiosity

a fearful struggle ensued between mind and heart

the jagged scars crisscrossing my chest and face knew all too well the folly of pursuing dangerous and exotic things

she stared at me as tendrils of flame licked the corners of her mouth

a smirk pulling one side ever so slightly up

i made quick apologies for the intrusion

heartfelt and fear soaked

she sensed the truth behind my errant visit and hunched down upon the treasure she nestled in to sleep

less threatened the curious nature took hold

we began talking

tenatively feeling each other out

getting to know one another as much by what was said as by what was left out

spoken around

commonality permeated our tales

a hint we were not so different after all

how long i spent in that suberterranean space with the fearsome and beautiful creature i don’t know

she offered drink and slow roasted venison to feast

we spoke more and more openly about the scars we wore proudly of the pain we persevered

my eyes felt heavy and soon the wine and the food and the talking took their toll

when i awoke i found myself curled up under her wing

her claws gently resting upon my chest as plumes of smoke rose from her nostrils

i was no conqueror

and she was no beast

we were forged from the fires of tribulations into the forms we needed to survive

two wayward creatures who’d lost their way and tired of the endless misery inherent in this world of pain

the dice of fate cast one friendly roll

searching forlornly for the thing we each needed to be made whole again

giving up the hopes that mystical thing ever even existed

and somehow we found each other in this far away cave instead

the dragon and the fool

each marked by disfigurements that possibly together formed a map to peace