Author's Note: The creatures in this story are referred to by generic names like Dragon, Unicorn and Uncle. They have real names of their own, but these names are nearly impossible for humans to pronounce and very difficult to transcribe into any human alphabet. It is therefore easier to keep all names in this story as generic names.

Dragon was sunning himself on the soft sand of the lake's beach, sprawled out to catch every ray. He was a medium size dragon, about as big as an average horse, covered with green scales and with a long, spiky tail. Dragons of his tribe were water dragons, so he had large webbed claws at the end of short, powerful legs.

He turned his head slightly and looked up the slope to the nearby grassy meadow. A white unicorn was grazing there, pale and shining in the sunlight with a hide the color of new cream that strawberries had soaked in for a few minutes. He watched with his dark green eyes, carefully observing every motion of the unicorn. The way the light gleamed off her golden horn and hooves, the way she tossed her baby-fine pale mane the color of midsummer's moonlight, the way her long tail swayed when she walked. When she finally turned her back to him, the dragon stirred, easing his serpentine body off the sand and moving along the slope up to the meadow, silent as a summer's breeze. He was careful, not letting her catch the tiniest hint of his motion. The unicorn didn't notice his approach, and soon he was right behind her. He reached out with a cruelly sharp dragon claw, slowly and carefully, slowly...

Then gently stroked the unicorn's haunch and hind leg with his scaly knuckles, savoring the velvet perfection of her hide. The unicorn tossed her head, large golden eyes wide in surprise and turned her head back to look at the dragon.

"That wasn't funny, Dragon, you frightened me." Her voice was as pure as her cream colored hide.

Dragon sighed, letting a tiny wisp of smoke escape his nostrils. "Sorry my love, I couldn't help myself, you are so beautiful, you know I can't resist you."

"Oh Dragon, don't talk that way, you know that our love can never work." Unicorn sighed, a sound like the wind in distant trees.

Dragon moved along her until they were side-by-side. "There has to be a way, and I'll find it, no matter how long it takes."

Dragon snaked out his forked tongue and ran it along her soft neck. She nuzzled his scaly hide, closing her eyes in pleasure. He ran a jagged fang along her ear and she shivered.

"Dragon, stop, don't. We can't."

"Unicorn, how can I stop when I can't resist your charms? You've cast some strong magic on me." He nuzzled her neck again. "Mmm, what kind of magic can enslave a dragon?"

"There's no magic, dear Dragon, it's just love."

"But Unicorn, love is the strongest magic of all." Dragon fell silent for a moment, not moving. "Strong magic. Strong magic, that's what we need."

"Strong magic? What are you talking about?"

"Strong magic so we can be together. Let's leave for the mountains to see the great Uncle Dragon, he's the oldest and wisest dragon living. He knows all about magic."

"Can he help us?" Unicorn's ears perked up. "Can we leave right now?"

"In the morning. We'll want to pack a few things. I'll have to bring Uncle a trinket from my horde." Dragon squirmed a bit, trying to ease the stiffness of his erection. "Right now I need to cool off with a dip in the lake."

Unicorn looked down between Dragon's legs. "Still hard? You can cool off in the lake, but what am I supposed to do about my wet hindquarters?"

"Join me for a swim, my sweet."

"I think that would just make things worse." She flicked her long tail at him. "Go on, cool off."

Early the next morning, Dragon emerged from his hidden lakeside lair with a large mesh bag tied to his back between his dragon wings. Inside the bag, among other things, was a silver tankard set with large, polished garnets. Unicorn shook herself awake and trotted over to greet Dragon.

"Good morning dear one, what's in the bag?" Unicorn asked.

"Good morning, my love. It's just a trinket from my hoard as a gift for Uncle. If he likes it, then he'll help us find magic that will let us be together."

"Let's get going, how far is it to Uncle's lair?"

"He hides in the northern mountains, about three day's travel from here." Dragon indicated the direction with a flick of his head.

"Do you know the way?"

"It's been years, but I've been there once before. You set the pace and I'll fly just ahead to guide you."

"There's plenty of grass along the valleys, but what about food for you?"

"Don't worry, there'll be plenty." Dragon leapt into the air and glided around in a circle, getting his bearings and waiting for Unicorn to begin walking. It took them about an hour to find a pace that was comfortable for both of them and the miles slipped by. When the sun was nearing the horizon, Unicorn signaled Dragon to stop and find a place to rest. There was plenty of grass along their track and a stand of trees provided concealment from anyone that might happen by. Dragon managed to find a small animal that made a decent snack for a dragon of his size.

Next morning, Unicorn woke first and grazed for a while before waking Dragon. She wanted to build up her reserves for the rest of the journey. Two more days passed in a similar fashion before they came to the foothills of the mountains.

"Hmm, this way, I think." Dragon waved a claw towards a cleft in the ridge. "Let me go ahead and check, I'll be back soon." He few off towards the mountain and circled around the slope a couple of times before he spotted the old dragon's cave about halfway up a canyon wall. Dragon sped back to Unicorn.

"I've found it." He called. "I've found his cave. We'll have our answer soon."

It took most of the next day for Unicorn to find a path up to the elder dragon's cave. A dragon's lair is usually reached by flying, not walking. Fortunately for them, the elder dragon had once suffered a wing injury many years ago that kept him from flying for a while. He had made sure that there was a narrow path up to his cave so that it could be reached by walking. Dragon went in first.

"Uncle, are you here?" He called in the dragon language.

"Who's that? Who's there?" Boomed out the ancient dragon's voice.

"It's just me Uncle, I visited you many years ago. I've brought you a gift." Dragon passed the silver tankard to the elder dragon.

"Well, I remember you, young whippersnapper. Always wanting to go off and do something crazy. Well what crazy thing have you done now?" Uncle set the tankard on top of a mound of treasure.

"I've fallen in love, Uncle."

"Well that's a crazy thing for a dragon to do, but not crazy enough to bring you here for my advice. Go on. What else?"

Dragon signaled for Unicorn to enter the cave. "Uncle, I've fallen in love with a unicorn."

"Now that's pretty crazy. This the little lady, here?"

Dragon and Unicorn both nodded.

"Well, it's better for us dragons to stay with our own kind." Uncle thought a moment. "Hows about I tell you about my great-grand nice. Nice girl dragon, you'd like her. She lives by a lake down south a ways." Uncle mentioned a name in the dragon language.

"Uh, Uncle, I know that dragon. She's my mother."

"Oh. Well I guess she must have raised you right, she was a cute little dragon some years ago. If she's your mother then I'll help you."

"Thank you Uncle."

"Well now, it's going to take some really strong magic for you two to stay together, let me tell you." Uncle coughed a couple of times and spit into the corner of his cave.

"That's why we've come, Uncle. Can you tell us what sort of magic will help us?"

"Well, that's the hard part, isn't it?" Uncle sat back and scratched his chin, thinking. "Can't rightly say that I know any magic that will work, but I know someone who does. Don't know what he'll ask in return, though."

"Who is it? Please tell us." Unicorn piped up, using the dragon language.

"Well, there's this Wizard, see? He's kind of taken on dragons as a specialty. Does dragon healing and that sort of thing. Usually collects shed scales, claw trimmings and the occasional small vial of dragon's blood, that sort of thing. Probably sells the stuff to lesser magicians or tourists or something."

"Where can we find the Wizard?"

"Well, you just go up this canyon a ways and turn right into the valley where the waterfall flows down. You'll come to a tree that's been split in two by lightning, all burned and splintered, but the outer parts of it are still alive. It's got green branches growing out of burned ones. You can't miss it." Uncle coughed and spat again. "Just past the tree is another cave, that's where you'll find the Wizard. Stay clear of the Troll, he's got a nasty temper."

"Thank you Uncle, we'll go see the Wizard right away." Dragon backed out of the cave right after Unicorn.

"Now what?" She asked.

"We have to see the Wizard, no matter what he demands. I'll go first and fly to his cave. You follow carefully. If he looks dangerous I want you to run as fast as you can back down the mountain."

"I won't leave you, Dragon."

"Please, if it's too dangerous then save yourself." Without waiting for a reply, he launched himself into the air and headed for the Wizard's cave, following Uncle's directions. He spotted the Wizard's cave easily and backwinged in for a landing just past the lightning-blasted tree.

"Don't blow dust into my cave!" A deep human voice came from within, booming out from the darkness. It was followed a moment later by a tall man with a white beard, dressed in wizard's robes and a large, stained white apron. He wiped his hands on the apron, then produced a pointy wizard's hat from a concealed pocket and adjusted it on his head.

"Don't be landing so close, you'll blow dust into my potions. Ah, yes. Another dragon with a problem that only a wizard can fix. What can I do for you?" The Wizard was fluent in dragon language.

"Oh great and powerful Wizard, can you help me with a problem of love?"

"Ha. Love potions don't always get you what you want. Why not try giving your lady dragon some gold from your hoard?" Wizard turned to go back into his cave, but caught sight of Unicorn coming up the trail. He watched her for a moment, then looked back at Dragon. Unicorn sauntered up to Dragon and after nuzzling his neck, stood next to him. Wizard scratched his beard.

"This is a joke, right? You two can't be serious." Wizard quit scratching his beard and folded his arms, waiting for an answer.

"We are serious, oh great and powerful Wizard. Can you help us?" Unicorn spoke in fluent dragon speech.

"Quit calling me that. Just Wizard will do for now. This will not only take powerful magic, but also terrible sacrifice. How much are you two willing to give up to remain together?"

"Wizard, I would risk anything except her." Dragon drew himself up proudly.

"And I would risk everything except my lover's life." Unicorn responded.

"That's what I thought you would both say, but you must face trials and dangers together for the magic to work. The risk must be shared equally."

"No Wizard, I won't ever risk losing my Unicorn."

"Then you've already lost her." Wizard shook his head slowly.

"Dragon, we've already faced a long journey to get here. Our only chance is to heed the Wizard's words." She turned to the Wizard. "We will do what you say and face any danger, as long as we are together."

"Then there's hope. You two must stay here for a few days while I research what magic will be needed." The Wizard pointed along the valley to a grassy meadow. "You can graze and hunt there. There is also a price for my services, above and beyond the dangers you must face."

Dragon nodded. "Name your price, Wizard."

"From you, Dragon, a few scales that you would shed normally; some clippings of your claws which will grow back soon and a pint of your blood, which you won't miss anyway." Wizard turned to Unicorn. "It's rare that any mage gets to see one of your kind. Unicorns are well known for having great magic concealed within them. For now, I will trim your hooves, mane, tail and horn and keep the trimmings. They will all grow back normally. As with your Dragon, I will also require a pint of your blood."

"What else will you demand of us?"

"It is likely that you will have to go on a quest, to bring me something with enough magical qualities to complete the spells. I will know more after my research. For now, let me get my tools and bottles and take my payment." The Wizard ducked back into his cave for a few moments.

"Dragon, this sounds dangerous."

"If we can be together, it's worth it. For you I would face the fiercest knight that ever roamed the earth." Dragon had one more question for the returning Wizard. "What about the troll that Uncle told us about?"

"Troll? Oh, yes. There was a troll living in a cave about half a mile farther on, but he's been gone for years."

About noon on the fourth day, the Wizard stepped from the entrance of his cave and waved at the odd couple sunning themselves in his meadow.

"I've got it!" He shouted at them.

"What have you got? Can you do the magic now? How soon can we be together?" Dragon and Unicorn were so excited that they were both talking at once.

"I have the form of the spell and now I know where you can get the items to complete it." He opened the book that he carried and pointed at a page written in an arcane, indecipherable alphabet. "The Staff of Emagranon has gems with great value and power. All you two have to do is get the staff and bring it to me. Then I can complete the spell in just a day or two."

"And just where do we find this magical staff of Emaah, Emmananga, Eh, er, staff of power?"

"That's the hard part." Wizard turned a page and pointed at more squiggles. "There's an evil sorcerer that's gotten ahold of the staff and is using it to enslave other magical creatures. I think I've found his lair by divination. It's several leagues to the west of here, about four days journey for you two."

"Tell us how to get there."

Wizard started giving detailed directions, with much pointing and waving of hands, to the place where he thought the Sorcerer might be living. Dragon tried to take it all in and hoped that Unicorn was listening, too. They set out immediately, heading back down the mountain for the road along the foothills.

One evening, about two days along their journey, just a few leagues beyond the well-marked crossroads Wizard had mentioned, they found a village of humans. Their frail-looking buildings lined the road and the well-tended crop fields spread across the flatlands beyond their town. Since he was in the air high above Unicorn, the villagers sighted Dragon first. Screaming in alarm, they grabbed everything that could be used as a weapon, no matter how crude. Tree branches, pitchforks, scythes and shovels were all pressed into service against the perceived threat. Mothers grabbed their children and dragged them indoors despite their pleas to see the dragon gliding above their rooftops. Dragon banked around and waved Unicorn away from the humans. Afraid that the humans might harm her, he led her off the road onto a smaller track through the forest and bypassing the village.

They rested in the thick woods only a few minutes travel from the village. Dragon left Unicorn in the trees and crept back to the villager's grain fields nearest to the forest. With a few swipes of his sharp claw he harvested several pounds of sweet oats for Unicorn. Before returning to her, he helped himself to a fat lamb from their flocks. He presented the grain, stalks and all to Unicorn back at their hideout. Unicorn was grateful for the high-energy food and set about threshing the grain from the stalks with her sharp hooves. Dragon stored the grain in a spare sack that he had in the carry bag strapped between his wings.

A couple more days travel brought them to more cultivated fields. But the fieldworkers here weren't human. Large trolls were pulling heavy wagons along the lanes; dwarves were digging irrigation ditches and repairing stone walls; halflings scrambled into trees to prune or pluck fruit. None of them seemed pleased with their jobs and they went about their work listlessly. Dragon landed to talk with Unicorn.

"They don't look very enthused." Unicorn observed.

"I wouldn't be happy doing this kind of work, either." Dragon replied. "It looks very boring."

"No Dragon, the humans at the village looked content while they worked, at least until you frightened them. Besides, they didn't have overseers with whips making them work."

"Oh." Dragon hadn't noticed the ogres with whips. "They seem to be taking things in that direction." Dragon pointed towards the hills.

"How can we sneak in? The ogres look suspicious of us."

"How about we disguise ourselves?" Dragon reached over to a parked cart that was piled high with various kinds of bags and sacks. He grabbed a linked pair and set them across Unicorn's back like saddlebags. He took one more for himself, arranging it to cover the mesh bag strapped between his wings. They moved along the road, trudging slowly as if carrying heavy loads, keeping their heads down to look as dejected as the rest of the fieldworkers.

"Have you noticed that there's no other dragons or unicorns?" Unicorn asked after a while.

"There doesn't seem to be any really magic creatures around here. There's no fairies or genies or that sort of thing."

"What can that mean?"

"Perhaps the Sorcerer's magic isn't strong enough to affect our kind of creature."

"Let's hope that's true." Unicorn tossed her head towards a small castle perched on a hill ahead. It wasn't much more than a single tower surrounded by a curtain wall. "That's the first building we've seen that isn't a barracks or a storehouse. I think that's where we'll find the Sorcerer, it has a magic feel to it, and not a good feeling either."

The castle itself was little more than a mediocre three-story round keep surrounded by thin curtain walls about ten feet high. There were twelve-foot high rounded projections at the corners instead of real towers. The castle's stones were roughly cut and jammed in place without much precision. The only part of the castle made with any craftsmanship was a long great hall. It overtopped the curtain wall on that side of the castle and stretched the full length of the courtyard. It was built of polished stone construction with several windows, a fine shingle roof and carved drain spouts. Unicorn confidently ambled through the gate followed by Dragon, both still pretending to carry their imaginary loads. Within the courtyard several servants of various magical races hurried about on numerous errands and chores. The great hall's large, carved oak door was left most of the way open so the servants could dash in or out as their duties required. Unicorn was the first to enter the great hall, followed closely by Dragon.

"Look at this place, talk about conspicuous display." Unicorn glanced around at the plush tapestries along the walls and the intricately carved furniture.

"This place must have cost plenty." Dragon agreed. "And this must be our host."

He nodded towards a human in richly embroidered robes of costly fabric, seated at a large, carved table with a gnarled wooden staff at his side. The Sorcerer was sipping wine from a solid gold goblet, set with rubies and silver knotwork between the stones. He was studying a sheaf of papers covered with arcane symbols, similar to the ones in the Wizard's book. Servants of various kinds bustled about the hall on a variety of chores, making sure the Sorcerer was well supplied with wine and also that he wasn't disturbed. Dragon noticed that the top of the Sorcerer's staff was ornately carved and studded with dozens of colorful gems.
Dragon quietly removed the bags they were carrying as a disguise and dropped them gently in the corner. "Now what do we do?" He whispered to Unicorn.

"I thought you had a plan."

"You there!" A harsh voice interrupted the couple. "You, dragon, what's in those sacks?" It was the Sorcerer and he was reaching for the staff.

"Er, ah...well you see, sir... Uh..." Dragon's mind had suddenly gone blank just when he needed a cover story the most. He turned to face the Sorcerer.

The Sorcerer raised his arms and spoke a few words in a harsh language that Dragon didn't understand. When nothing happened, he pointed the staff at Dragon.

"You're not one of my slaves. I'll have to fix that." He began chanting in the same language as before, but louder and harsher. Dragon felt a strange tingle as the magic tried to control him.

"Run." He whispered to Unicorn and let a blast of fire loose at the Sorcerer. The evil mage changed his chant and the fire split to swirl around him harmlessly.

Unicorn skidded across the polished wooden floor, trying to reach the door but finding her way blocked by the minions of the Sorcerer. She reared up, slashing out with her hooves but there were too many of them.

"Dragon!" She called out.

Dragon spun around towards Unicorn, using his tail as a lash to knock the Sorcerer sprawling, skidding to a stop under his own table. Another blast of dragon fire chased the servants away from Unicorn, most of them making an escape out the door. Unicorn changed her mind about escaping and slammed the thick oak door shut, dropping the substantial wooden bar in place to prevent the escaping servants from bringing in any help.

The Sorcerer recovered quickly and jumped out from under the table with a fierce expression on his face, made more terrible by the blood streaming from his damaged nose. He formed a ball of lightning in his hand and threw it at Dragon. It hit the scaly beast full on, paralyzing him for a moment and causing all of his nerves to ignite with pain. The Sorcerer hurled another ball of lightning at Dragon, then another in rapid succession. Unable to dodge them fully, they left trails of searing pain down his back and along his wings. His strength was draining rapidly.

Unicorn was unaware of her lover's dangerous situation. She had herded the remaining servants into a pantry off the main hall, poking a few with the sharp point of her horn. She was busy blocking that door as well when she heard Dragon calling to her. She turned to see him snared in a web of solidified red fire streaming from the Sorcerer's hands and trapping the great beast like a fish in a net. Dragon struggled but was unable to break the magical bonds.

"Unicorn, use your magic! I can't last much longer." Dragon cried in desperation, using the unicorn language and hoping that the Sorcerer didn't understand it.

The Sorcerer grinned, unable to understand unicorn speech but sensing the weakness of his opponent. Suddenly the chamber was flooded with a dazzling rainbow of light. The Sorcerer stopped, transfixed by the sight, mouth agape as if hypnotized. Unicorn stood with her head held high, the light emanating from her golden horn. It was almost too bright to look directly at her and she seemed to have grown in stature so that she nearly filled the large room. Dragon had never seen anything so beautiful, but he forced himself to look away. Moving slowly as if in a dream, he dragged himself out of the weakened magical net and over to the Sorcerer, flattening the evil mage with one swipe of his mighty claw. Unicorn staggered and the rainbow light went out.

Limping over to her, Dragon cried out. "Are you hurt? Unicorn, please don't be hurt."

"No, no, I'm all right. It's just that it takes a lot out of me to call the rainbow, especially inside stone walls like this." She shook her head and nudged the Sorcerer's magic staff across the floor towards Dragon. "Is he dead?"

"I don't know, I can't tell with humans. He might still be breathing." Dragon picked up the staff and put it in the bag on his back. As an afterthought, he grabbed the golden wine cup. "Let's get out of here quickly in case he recovers."

Many of the Sorcerer's servants, escapees from the battle, were standing in a large semicircle around the door when Dragon and Unicorn emerged. None of them looked happy and many were clutching swords, clubs or makeshift weapons.

"There they are!" A voice in the crowd shouted. Dragon braced himself for another fight and prepared to blast fire once again. A cheer went up from the minions, startling the couple. Dragon backpedaled, bumping into Unicorn who shoved him back out the door.

"What's going on?"

"You've freed us from the Sorcerer's enslavement!" Someone shouted.

"The dragon shall be our new leader!" Came another shout.

"No, the unicorn will lead us!" Came a contradictory reply. "She cured my cough with her horn."

"You cured him?" Dragon whispered.

"I didn't mean to, some unicorn magic just happens."

There was more shouting and the crowd started to turn angry, pushing, shoving and grappling with each other. Dragon watched in confusion, his mouth hanging open. There were cries of "Dragon!" "Unicorn!" "Ogre!" "Dwarf King!" As each party tried to advance their own opinion on who should lead the freed slaves.

Unicorn tilted her head towards Dragon's ear. "Dragon, I don't like this, let's get out of here."

Unicorn threaded through the angry crowd, careful not to draw any excess attention to herself. Subdued, Dragon followed in her wake, out the castle gate and down the road. The working creatures they had seen in the fields earlier were also turning angry, some of them attacking their Ogre overseers, others trampling crops, overturning carts and generally causing havoc in the Sorcerer's fields. Unicorn picked up her pace, anxious to get away from the rowdy workers. Dragon stayed on the ground with her until they were out of the Sorcerer's lands, hoping to intimidate anyone who got too close. Once past the last of the cultivated fields, he breathed a sigh of relief, letting some steam escape from his nose. Only then he allowed himself to take to the air to hurry their journey along.

For the past few days Dragon had stayed low over the road to be closer to Unicorn. He was worried that her use of magic was somehow still affecting her. In his worry he had forgotten about the human village until they came to the edge of the planted fields. There was a crowd of people there, lining the road but well back from its edges. They were all standing silently with their makeshift weapons in their hands, an air of anticipation hanging over the crowd. Dragon looked up the road and to his horror saw a mounted Knight in full armor, lowering his lance for the charge. Without thinking, he dropped to the road and placed himself between the Knight and Unicorn.

"Unicorn, run!" He shouted in the dragon language, not looking to see if she listened. "Hide yourself."

As the Knight approached, he unleashed his major weapon of dragon's flame for the second time on this journey. As with the Sorcerer, the Knight was barely fazed by the blast of heat, flames licking around his shield and dancing across the armor of both horse and man.

"Oh no, his armor's enchanted." Dragon cried as he leapt out of the path of the lance. His timing was off, probably still affected by the battle with the Sorcerer and the lance scraped down his right side. He had avoided the direct point of the lance, but the Knight still slammed into a major wing spar, tumbling Dragon sideways and spraining his wing. There were cheers from the assembled villagers.

Dragon found that he couldn't completely fold or unfold his wing without severe pain. Robbed of flight, he half-folded his wings as best he could and turned to face the Knight once more. The Knight had wheeled his horse and was charging back at Dragon. Dragon avoided the lance and managed to get his claw on the Knight's shield, leaving deep scratches in its surface and causing the Knight to sway in his saddle.

Dragon turned to face the next charge, trying desperately to think of a plan. The Knight came at him again and Dragon breathed fire once more. This time his target wasn't the heavily armored Knight or the armor on the upper part of the Knight's horse, it was the lightly protected legs of the horse that took the full blast of flame. The horse reared, breaking stride and spoiling the Knight's charge as the lance waved harmlessly in the air. Dragon took this chance to swipe at the horse with his tail, causing it to stumble even more. The Knight fought to control the horse and keep his seat. Dragon attempted to get off the road and hide in the fields while the Knight was distracted.

The Knight stayed in his saddle and recovered too quickly for Dragon to escape. He came at him again. Dragon tried to fry the horse's legs once more and the horse shied away from the heat. The Knight brought his lance sideways and up, trying to slam the shaft down on Dragon's head. He caught Dragon on the snout, spoiling his aim and shutting off the fire. Dragon shook his head to clear it. The Knight was very strong for a human. They faced each other one more time along the hard-packed road. As the Knight charged, Dragon heard another set of hoofbeats behind him.

"Out of the way, Dragon." Unicorn warned him. He moved aside just as she flashed past him in a white blur. Her dangerous horn was leveled at the Knight and she was moving at full speed. She dodged the lance and came up under the Knight's shield with the point of her horn. Golden sparks leapt from her horn and the enchanted armor as Unicorn's horn tore into the Knight's breastplate. The Knight dropped his lance and clawed at the horn, trying to pry it out of his flesh and armor. Unicorn attempted to pull away from the Knight, backpedaling as quick as she could, but unable to get her horn free. When Unicorn didn't withdraw, the Knight reached for his sword. There was panic in Unicorn's golden eyes.

Despite the pain of his badly sprained wing, Dragon threw himself into the air and straight at the Knight, curled into a ball. The sword was only halfway out of its scabbard when Dragon slammed into the Knight at full speed, freeing Unicorn's horn and throwing the Knight off his horse into the stone-lined ditch beside the road. There was a loud snap and the Knight quit moving. Dragon slowly uncurled himself and got up. The Knight lay very still, his head at a peculiar angle. His neck had been broken by one of the stones of the ditch. The crowd of villagers fell completely silent, all of them stunned by the sudden defeat of their champion.

Dragon crawled back onto the road to where Unicorn was still standing. There was a little blood on her horn.

"Dragon, I've never done anything like that. I've never killed anyone. Unicorn horns are supposed to heal, not harm."

"You still haven't killed anyone, dear Unicorn. He broke his neck on one of the rocks. Besides, we wouldn't have been fighting him if he wasn't trying to kill us." Dragon picked up a small, golden-colored pebble off the road and stowed it in his pack.

"What was that?"

"It's a bit of your horn, dear one. The tip must have broken off from the enchanted armor. I'll give it to Wizard as an extra payment." Dragon grimaced in pain. "I'll have to walk the rest of the way, my wing is too hurt to fly."

Unicorn tried to heal him by touching her horn to the dislocated wing joint. It eased the pain somewhat, but Dragon found that he still couldn't fold or unfold his wing completely. It would have to be properly set.

They turned and walked down the road, between the groups of silent villagers and past their simple houses. Dragon could have torched the entire village, but he was too tired and didn't believe in that sort of revenge. The passed the village without touching anything or even a backward glance and kept on going.

They trudged on for several hours, both weary from the fight but unwilling to stop where the villagers might catch up with them. Dragon was hoping to get past the crossroads before they had to rest. Suddenly dragon stopped and cocked his head to one side, looking at a copse of trees just off the road. His ears were extended, trying to hear more of the sounds that had caught his attention.

"What is it?" Unicorn whispered, recognizing his alert stance.

"There's someone hiding over there. Hear it?"

Unicorn pricked up her ears. "It sounds like human speech." She headed off the road, towards the trees.

"Unicorn, wait." Dragon whispered. "It might be a trap, I don't want us to be attacked again. You wait here and I'll see what it is."

"It's taken both of us to defeat the Sorcerer and the Knight. We should stay together." She continued walking silently through the tall grass. Dragon rolled his eyes, realizing that she was right and went along with her.

Moving as stealthy as they could, they managed to get close enough to hear what was being said and to glimpse the human couple through the tall grass. On a thick blanket spread in the shade of a large oak tree sat a human couple. One was a muscular young man, well dressed in a dark tunic and tights with a neatly trimmed mustache and light hair. He had unbuckled his sword-belt and set the weapon aside. The other was a young, shapely woman in a fine gown. Her long dark hair hung down her back, bound into a braid with a colorful ribbon. They had their arms wrapped around each other, often kissing while they spoke.

"But my father won't want to give me to a landowner, even a noble if it's just a small holding. We could lose my dowry." The woman was saying. "Now that I'm of marriageable age, he wants me to marry some old, rich merchant, one of his business partners or something."

"Dowry be hanged, I only want you." The young man emphasized his words with another kiss. "It doesn't matter about a dowry, I'm eighteen now, too. The lands are mine by right. Marry me and they're yours."

"But your noble father won't let you marry a commoner, even a rich merchant's daughter."

"He will if you carry my heir. He's desperate for a grandchild." He kissed her again, deeply, sliding his tongue between her soft, willing lips.

"What are they doing with their mouths?" Dragon whispered to Unicorn.

"It's called kissing. It looks nice." Unicorn whispered back. "I wish we could do that."

They kept watching as the two humans spoke less and less and kissed more and more, noting how their hands roamed along their bodies. The man reached deeply under the woman's gown, causing her to roll her head back and moan. She eased his tunic off over his head, revealing a well muscled, hairy chest. He undid the drawstrings on the woman's gown, opening it enough for her to slip it over her head, revealing her firm young breasts, flat belly and slender legs. His boots and tights were quickly discarded and they both were naked for each other and, unknown to them, naked for Dragon and Unicorn.

"She looks very pretty for a human." Dragon observed.

"Hmm. Look at the way he touches her, kissing her breasts. Oh Dragon, if only we could..."

"Soon, my love, when we get back to Wizard with the staff." Dragon found himself getting excited by watching the human lovers. He wondered if Unicorn were excited, too. "Ah. Look how she touches his cock, stroking it slowly and gently."

"He quit kissing her breasts, why is he kissing her down there? She seems to enjoy it."

The young man was lying sideways to the woman, his head between her legs. He had slid his tongue and fingers into her, gently coaxing her to a shuddering orgasm while she held his head with one hand. She had reached over and was stroking his hardness with the other hand. As she stopped shaking, he raised his head from her dark muff.

"I want you now." He whispered.

"Oh yes, I want you too, I want you inside me." She gasped.

He lowered himself onto her as her hands gently guided him into her wet hole. They moved together, kissing and moaning while Dragon and Unicorn watched with rapt attention. First the young woman cried out with her second orgasm, followed quickly by the gasps of her lover as he filled her with his seed. The man collapsed against the woman, spent from his orgasm. They stayed that way for a while before either one stirred.

"That's very romantic," Unicorn whispered. "Humans mate face-to-face. They can look into each other's eyes and even kiss."

"Uh... Yeah. Very horny, uh, I mean romantic." Dragon gulped.

Unicorn turned towards Dragon. Despite the bruising of the earlier battle, he was visibly aroused. Unicorn looked down at his hardness and sighed.

"Oh Dragon, I wish we could. My hindquarters are wet, too. But we must have patience, my love." She rubbed her muzzle against his scaly neck, teasing the scales with her lips. Dragon sighed, a large dragon sigh with a bit of smoke. The humans heard him, sat up and looked around, the woman grabbing hurriedly at her clothes, the man going for his sword. The young woman spotted Unicorn first.

"A unicorn, how beautiful!" She dropped her gown from in front of her perky breasts, grabbed the man's shoulder and pointed, causing him to drop his sword. "It's a sign, an omen. We're going to have a girl, chaste and beautiful. And... and she'll grow up so beautiful that she'll marry a handsome and rich prince."

The young couple stared, fascinated by the appearance of one magical beast. Then Unicorn moved aside and Dragon was revealed to them.

"It's a dragon, too. A fierce, noble dragon." It was his turn to point as he draped his arm across her bare shoulders. "That means we're also going to have a son, a strong warrior son who will grow up as fierce as a dragon in battle."

"But both at once?" The woman gasped as her hand flew to her mouth. "Oh my, this means that we're going to have twins!"

The young man reached over and cupped her breast, teasing her rosy nipple with his thumb.

"Then we'd better make love again," He grinned, "just to be certain."

"Let's get out of here before they make us stay as foster parents." Dragon whispered to Unicorn as he turned and headed back towards the road.

They spent the night just past the crossroads, lying in a thicket of the common tall grass. Unicorn happily cropped the grasses and had a bit of the grain from Dragon's pack to help rejuvenate her. Dragon managed to catch a wolf, but it was rather stringy and didn't fill him up. He was too tired to hunt any more and curled up in an area that Unicorn had cleared. They both slept till well past noon and woke up stiff and sore. Unicorn tried to heal Dragon's wing again, but it still didn't go back into place.

"I think it's going to take a couple more days to get back than it did getting to the Sorcerer." Dragon lamented as they trudged along the road. "I can't move so fast right now."

"Will a swim in a pond or lake help you to recover?" Unicorn asked. "I smell water ahead, lots of water."

"You can smell that? I usually rely on sight to look for a lake or stream." Dragon flexed his sore wing. "A cool dip would be nice right now. If I'm lucky, I can catch some fish."

"Come on, this way." Unicorn led the Dragon down a side trail and found a medium sized body of water, either a large pond or a small lake just a few hundred yards from the road. "See, I told you there was plenty of water here."

Dragon made a little happy noise in his throat, dropped his bag and dived into the lake. Flexing his wings, he managed to ease some of the stiffness before he dived again, this time going after the fish that he sensed lurking near the bottom. Unicorn watched him, happy that he was able to ease some of his pain. She took a drink from the lake herself, feeling rejuvenated by the cool waters. Finished with his swim, Dragon hauled himself far out of the lake and spread out on top of a slight rise, dozing while drying in the warm sun. Unicorn found herself falling into a half-conscious state as she grazed, working her way around the meadow to the sweeter grasses near the lake's edge. Soon Dragon began snoring softly.
There was movement in the taller grass. Unicorn snapped out of her stupor and turned to face the possible threat, leveling her horn in case she had to charge. It was a young man, barely into his teens, wearing an over-large breastplate as his only piece of armor. The breastplate had a hole in it, just the same size as a unicorn's horn. Unicorn gasped in recognition, this must be the Knight's Squire. She tried to turn away, but something held her rooted to the spot, some mysterious force wouldn't allow her to escape. She found herself moving towards the youth, mesmerized.

"I've always heard that a Unicorn can only be captured by a virgin. I didn't think it was true, but now I'm glad you can't escape me, I'm still a virgin." The Squire slipped a rope around Unicorn's neck as he spoke, his voice was harsh for such a youth. "Where's the dragon?"

Unicorn was unable to pull away or even speak, all she could do was make a loud, inarticulate whinny. Somehow Dragon heard her and stirred, forcing himself alert when he realized that Unicorn was in trouble. He reared up, ready to attack, but held off when he saw that the Squire was holding a sharp dagger to Unicorn's neck.

"Don't come any closer, Dragon." The Squire warned. "You killed my Knight, now I want retribution. I've heard that dragons have plenty of gold. Bring me your gold, now!"

Dragon tried to think fast, still a bit groggy from his nap. The only thing he could think to do was to toss the bag of oats towards the Squire, making sure it landed several feet away from him.

"There's your gold, now let the unicorn go." Dragon called in human speech.

"That bag doesn't look heavy enough to be full of gold." The Squire sneered. "Besides, a dragon should have a larger hoard than that. You'll have to do better."

"There's some gold in the bag, it's just hidden under the grain." Dragon tried to move closer but was waved back by the Squire. He stepped one pace back. "Go ahead and look in the bag if you don't believe me."

"Oh no, the second I move away from the unicorn, you'll try to kill me with dragon fire. Move back!"

Dragon moved back farther away from the lake, up the slope of the rise where he had been napping earlier. A backward glance let him see that another bay of the lake was behind him. He moved back even farther, finally thinking of a plan.

"Listen here, lad. A dragon doesn't carry his hoard around with him. I'll have to go back to my lair and get the rest of the gold. You wait here and I'll be back by tomorrow afternoon." Dragon kept backing slowly away, moving towards the rest of the lake as he spoke.

"Make it quick, or the unicorn dies in two days." The Squire waved the dragon away. Once Dragon was out of earshot, he turned to Unicorn and whispered softly, almost gently in contrast to the anger and greed of his words. "Don't worry, I won't kill you. A live unicorn is worth more than its weight in gold. I can show you at fairs and markets all over. Kings and rich folk will pay well just to see you. I'll be famous."

Dragon slipped noiselessly into the lake without the Squire seeing him. Staying underwater, he propelled himself along with gentle strokes of his long tail. He eased quietly into a position where he could see both Unicorn and the Squire through the lake's surface, but remained concealed under its dark waters. A water dragon can hold his breath for a very long time if necessary. He waited patiently, motionless until the Squire moved away from the tethered Unicorn and started to examine the bag of grain. As silently as he could, Dragon emerged from the lake and eased just a little closer to the Squire. Unable to find any treasure hidden in the oats, the Squire straightened up and turned to go back to Unicorn. He caught sight of Dragon as he turned but only had time for one anguished scream as Dragon's flame hit him full force. The magical breastplate alone wasn't enough to protect the Squire's entire body and the flame consumed him immediately.

Dragon rushed over to Unicorn and severed the rope, flinging it off of her neck. She felt something wet fall against her side and realized that Dragon was weeping large tears.

"What's wrong, Dragon? You saved me from the Squire." There was a tremor in her voice.

"But I nearly lost you because of my carelessness. I couldn't bear that. I can't even think of losing you."

"It's all right, Dragon. You saved me and we're still together and we have the magical staff." Unicorn nuzzled Dragon's ear. "Let's get out of this place. I want to get back to Wizard soon."

They left the remains of the Squire where he fell, next to the scorched bag of grain and traveled well into the night, letting the moon light their way. They stopped about midnight for a rest, only a few days travel from the mouth of Uncle's canyon.

Dragon woke first from the throbbing of his injured wing. Unicorn was up soon after and they set off before the morning mists cleared. They put as many miles as possible behind them before evening, stopping only when they were completely exhausted. Two more days of grueling travel brought them back to Wizard's cave.

Wizard looked at the two approaching his cave. The unlikely couple were dirty, sore and worn out from their journey and battles.

"Well, well, aren't you two the sorry sight." He sounded so cheery that Dragon wanted to swat him, but lacked the strength.

"Wizard, we brought you the staff. Now can you help us?" Dragon pulled it from his pack and handed it over. Wizard hefted the staff, nodded gravely and then set it aside.

"Let me take a look at both of you, first. You've both been hurt." Wizard carefully checked over his charges, applying a salve here or there, making them drink foul-tasting potions that seemed to ease their aches and pains, and finally setting Dragon's wing joint with one mighty tug while Dragon squawked loudly. Wizard tisked when he noticed the missing chunk of Unicorn's horn and used a special, lightly abrasive cloth to polish off the jagged edges. Dragon handed the small piece of horn to Wizard who accepted it with a slight bow. When the treatments were done to the Wizard's satisfaction, he finally retrieved the staff and disappeared into his cave, letting them sleep where they were.

In the middle of the night Dragon woke up startled, but unable to find the cause of his interrupted slumber. He looked around, confused for a moment before recognizing Wizard's meadow in the dark. There were strange lights shining from the Wizard's cave, along with occasional strange sounds. Dragon watched for a few moments. When nothing else happened, he set his head back down on the grass and squirmed a bit to get more comfortable.

"Dragon? Are you awake?" Unicorn lifted her head from where she lay in the meadow.

"Yes, my love, go back to sleep. We're safe, it's just Wizard's magic."

They slept until late next afternoon, made drowsy by Wizard's healing potions, but both jumping up when Wizard appeared at the mouth of his cave. Wizard himself looked terrible, as if he hadn't slept all night. Actually he had only a short nap while waiting for the magical jewels to cool off. The lovers rushed over to him, eager for news, and hoping for success. Wizard calmed them with a gesture and produced two small velvet bags on long cords, which he proceeded to drape over each one's neck.

"The magic has worked, and better than I hoped." Wizard's voice was strained from fatigue. "These are your magic gems, set into pendants which you will need to wear at the proper time. Gold for Unicorn and dark bronze for Dragon. Listen to me carefully! This is strong magic and won't work if it's misused."

Wizard stabbed his finger at them for emphasis. Both Dragon and Unicorn jumped a bit at his words and gestures. A magician's pointing finger can be dangerous; they had found that out from their encounter with the Sorcerer. Wizard took a deep breath before continuing.

"The bags are magically made and are to keep your gems safe when not using them. There are important instructions for the very first time you use them. Remember this: don't take them out in sunlight until you've used them for the first time. Don't even touch them until the time is right. The magic needs to be activated by the light of the full moon. On the night of the next full moon, wait until the moon is almost directly overhead and then take the gems out. Don't let the gems touch your skin until the moon is at its highest point. Only handle them by the chains until then.

"Is there any importance to the colors?" Dragon was curious.

"No that's just what I happened to have handy, but that's not important. There's more that you need to remember. Don't ever wear the pendants during the dark of the moon. It can weaken their power. Once the gems are activated, you can wear them almost all the time except for the time of the new moon. Keep them in the bags when you're not wearing them, the bags will keep them magically protected. You must wear them during the full moon for the magic to work. Missing a full moon can weaken the magic. Do you understand this? Don't forget now."

Dragon nodded his head solemnly and Unicorn gave a sort of curtsey, bowing her head.

"There may be some discomfort, especially the first time you use the pendants, but it will pass quickly. Remember, don't take them out of the bags until the night of the full moon."

"That's almost a week away. We've waited so long, why do we have to wait any longer?"

"That will give us time get back to our lake, your meadow and my dragon hoard. We've waited so long, we can stand to wait just a few more days."

"Let's leave first thing in the morning."

The next morning, they said goodbye to Wizard and headed down the mountain, avoiding Uncle's cave. They didn't wish to disturb the irascible old fellow and were eager to get back to their own territory before the full moon. The days on the road passed quickly in eager anticipation. At last the magic couple arrived at their lake and meadow with a full day and night to spare before the evening of the full moon.

"Dragon?" Unicorn sounded confused. "Just what is it that these magic gems are supposed to do? I don't think Wizard explained that part to us."

"Now that you mention it, he didn't say exactly what these gems will do to us." Dragon scratched his head. "I wonder what happens?"

"You're not having doubts too, are you? Can we really trust Wizard's magic?"

"Well he did heal us really quickly."

"Yes, but is he an expert in magic that... that does whatever it is that we need it to do?"

"We just have to have trust in his ability, and in our love. Love can overcome many obstacles, and I do love you my dearest Unicorn."

Unicorn wasn't quite satisfied, but realized that she only had to wait one more sunset until her dreams were realized or her nightmares confirmed. On the evening of the full moon, the two took the Wizard's bags to the top of the hill in Unicorn's meadow. They anxiously watched the sunset, almost squirming with impatience until the stars appeared and the moon rose into the night. They watched it slowly climb higher into the sky.

"The Wizard said to wait until just before the full moon is directly overhead before putting on the jewels for the first time." He took the gems out of the bags. Both contained a polished moonstone, about an inch in diameter. The golden setting was carved like a unicorn's head, the mane circling the stone. The bronze pendant was shaped like a serpentine dragon coiled around the stone. He looped the gold chain over Unicorn's horn so she could drop it into place with a flick of her head. Dragon reared up and held his chain in both foreclaws. He craned his head up and squinted at the full moon, high in the sky.

"It's nearly there, almost... almost... ah, now."

"Ready? Together, then."

They both draped the chains over their necks at the same time. Just as the moon reached its apex, they both felt strange sensations, coursing out from the magic jewels and running all along their bodies. As if struck down by mighty weapons, they both fell to the ground and writhed as their muscles, bones and skin changed size and shape. It wasn't quite painful, but these strange sensations were hardly pleasant. Just at the point where neither could stand any more, they both blacked out.

Dragon came to and slowly sat up, blinking and trying to make sense of the new feelings and sensations. The grass under his bottom, the air against his skin without the benefit of scales, the difference in size and shape were all confusing him. He raised a foreclaw and looked at its new form, flexing it several times. It was a human hand, definitely a normal olive-skinned human hand in place of his large, webbed dragon claw. He turned his hand over and looked at the back. Well, maybe not quite normal, he thought to himself. Each fingernail was a miniature green dragon scale instead of a normal pink human nail. He slowly got to his feet and stood there, somewhat shaky. He ran his hands over the rest of his new human body exploring the new sensations as well as trying to figure out what he looked like. He discovered that his altered body was as well muscled and slender as his dragon's body without being muscle-bound. It was just as hairless as his dragon body had been, beardless with a completely smooth scalp and no pubic or body hair at all. He now possessed a straight nose and prominent ears and he figured that he stood at a respectable six feet even. He found one more reminder of his dragon self, his tongue was still forked.

He turned around and saw Unicorn, also shaky on her feet, making the same exploration of her body. She was completely beautiful. He could tell even though her back was to him. Her human body was the same pale cream that her unicorn's body had been. Her long flowing hair was the first thing that caught his attention. It hung down to the middle of her round, shapely bottom and was the same pale shade of midsummer's moonlight as her mane. She tossed her head, just as she had when a unicorn and Dragon saw that, unlike a human, her hair growth extended down her neck and between her shoulder blades, just as a unicorn's mane would have. She sensed him watching somehow, in that magical way that unicorns have and turned to face him, an awed expression on her face. Her long hair swirled around her as she turned, first concealing, then revealing the rest of her new body to Dragon's sight.

"Oh Dragon," There was awe in her voice as she spoke, "look at us, we've turned human."

"Yes we have, and you are more beautiful than words can say."

He looked her up and down. Her skin was flawless, from her perfect feet to the edge of her hairline it was all the same color. The color of new cream that strawberries had been soaking in for just a few minutes. Her full lips and high nipples were a slightly darker shade of pink, as if the strawberries had stayed for several hours instead of just minutes, or if a drop of red wine had accidentally dropped into the cream. Her eyes were the same deep golden color as before, now slightly almond shaped but very large and moist in the moonlight. They were set in a heart-shaped face that Helen of Troy would have envied. All that was left of her horn was a half-inch wide, ivory-colored birthmark in the center of her forehead that didn't detract from her beauty at all. Her figure was gently rounded and female, but not overly voluptuous. Her firm breasts were the perfect size to fit into a wine goblet, her aureoles perfectly proportioned to her breasts, the nipples perfect little projections from the textured surface of her aureoles. Her hips were gently rounded, but not overly wide to the point of being matronly. She retained enough of her unicorn's muscles to give her an athletic grace and had the appearance of a woman in her mid twenties. Her height was now about five feet six.

Her beauty moved Dragon to the point of tears. He reached out to her, feeling something wet drip from his cheek onto his arm. Unicorn's eyes were also very moist and shining in the moonlight. Unable to restrain himself any longer, he grabbed her hands and pulled her towards him to hug her tightly. He buried his face in her hair, inhaling its scent reminiscent of the wildflowers in their lakeside meadow.

"Dragon, not so tightly." Unicorn protested, giggling. She pulled away for a moment and looked into his eyes. "You still have the same green eyes, dragon eyes, so lovely."

Unicorn leaned forward and caught his mouth with hers, the same way she had seen the human lovers do so many days ago. Dragon responded enthusiastically, opening his mouth and chasing her wide mare's tongue around with his forked appendage. Dragon felt another appendage of his begin to stir. He broke the kiss and stared into her eyes.

"Unicorn, I've waited so long, I want you." There was hunger in his dragon eyes. "I want you now."

"Oh yes," Unicorn sighed in reply. "But if you were as gallant as that human male, at least you'd spread a blanket for me against the cold ground."

"I don't have a blanket or a even cloak. We both transformed without clothes." A worried expression briefly crossed his face.

"I was only teasing." Unicorn giggled as she pulled him down onto the soft grass. "Love me, love me gently like the human man did with his woman."

Dragon knelt before the vision of loveliness reclining before him. He brought his mouth down on hers gently at first, but with increasing urgency. Unicorn ran her hands along his muscular back, caressing his neck and moving her hands down to trace along his cheeks. Dragon moved his mouth down to one of those perfect breasts, making Unicorn gasp in delight as he sucked her nipple fully into his mouth before applying his forked tongue to its sensitive surface. Unicorn arched her back, swiveling her hips and rubbing herself against Dragon's growing hardness.

"Please..." she whispered, making her intentions known by the gentle pressure of her hand on the top of his smooth scalp. "Please..." She breathed again. Dragon eagerly followed her urgings, running his mouth down from her breasts, across her flat belly and into the tangle of her pale muff. He dipped his forked tongue into her, savoring the rich nectar he found there. She pulled him around closer so she could reach his sex. Sliding her hands easily along his hairless body, she caressed every inch that she could reach.

Dragon could hear her breath quickening as he slid a finger into the depths of her wetness. His tongue found her clitoris and brought soft moans from her throat. A few more moments of stimulation with his tongue and fingers dragged a loud, musical squeal from her lips, her body shuddering with her orgasm.

She opened her eyes slowly, still dazed by the power of her first human orgasm, yet wanting another. She grabbed Dragon by his hardness and guided him to the opening of her desire. He willingly complied with her unspoken directions, eager to sheath his hardness in her wet depths.

"Oh Unicorn," he breathed as he entered her. "It's so wonderful, finally filling you."

"Don't speak, kiss me, love me." She pressed her mouth against his lips.

He thrust gently, slowly, wanting the magic of their first coupling to last as long as possible. The firm pressure of her inner walls against his shaft soon had him moving faster and faster; building his excitement towards his climax and bringing her to orgasm a second time as his seed pumped into her.

Spent, he collapsed against her, pinning her down with the weight of his human body. She held him close, feeling him soften within her, reluctant to let go. He could sense her slight discomfort with his weight, but was unable to move, still lost in the haze of the afterglow. Finally after several minutes had passed, he tried to roll off of her onto his back. However, she didn't let go. With her arms still firmly around him, she allowed herself to be carried along with his motion, winding up on top of him as he lay back. Dragon smiled up at his love as she propped her head up, elbow against his muscular chest. Her moonlight hair spilled across them both. Neither of them noticed the moon approaching the horizon.
"Dragon, that was wonderful. I never knew that humans had such a depth of feeling." Her smile widened. "How long until you're ready again?"

"Dear, Sweet Unicorn, I never thought you would be insatiable. That was beyond all description. No wonder love is the strongest magic of all." He paused for a moment, stroking her hair while taking assessment of his new, human body. "I'm not sure how long it takes a human to get ready again, but if you ask me again in a little while, I just might have an answer you'll like."

Unicorn giggled at that and they continued whispering sweet nothings to each other, still unmindful of the moon. By now its rim was just touching the tips of the hills on the western horizon. Dragon was the first to notice something wrong. His new body didn't feel right and had started to twitch in a strange manner. Unicorn lifted her head, worry evident in her golden eyes.

"The moon!" She gasped. "It's setting. What did the Wizard say?"

"He said we only change during the full moon." Dragon's transformation was increasing in speed. "But I didn't think it would be over so quickly."

The moon continued its descent, setting below the horizon as the two lovers, Dragon and Unicorn, transformed into their previous bodies. Dragon lay back dazed, his huge wings spread out on the grassy meadow. Unicorn was perched on his scaly belly, her legs splayed out and hanging down his sides. She struggled for a moment, unable to get any footing to move and afraid of damaging Dragon's wings. Dragon had to help her down, gently lifting her in his claws. She stood completely still, her eyes fixed on the last sliver of the moon as it slipped below the hills. Then she began to quietly weep, large unicorn tears dropping on the grass.

Dragon righted himself and folded his wings properly. Noticing her tears, he was at her side in an instant.

"Unicorn, what is it?" His voice was full of concern. "Did I hurt you? What's wrong?"

"No, no, I'm not hurt." She leaned against his strong, scaly side.

"What is it? Unicorn, what's wrong?"

She turned to look into Dragon's eyes, her golden ones shining with moisture.

"Oh Dragon, I just realized," she wailed, "it's going to be a whole month until the next full moon!"