39 – Finally Home

 

There was a knock at the door.
«Come in,» called Father.

The door opened, and Mother’s head appeared.
«Mama!» cried Feilong happily.
«Hello, my son. I see you’ve arrived safely. Welcome home.»
She stepped inside, gently wrapped a wing around him, and smiled.

«So, do you like it here?»
«Yes, very much. But I feel as though my head might burst from all the things I’ve learnt over the last three days.»

Mother laughed softly.
«Then you should rest for a while. You’ve got a few weeks to take it all in before school begins. I’ve brought quite a lot of luggage that I still need to unpack. See you later. Have a little sleep.»

«I will, Mama. And thank you.»
«Thank you?» she asked, surprised.
«For giving me all these adventures,» he replied, turning to his father.
«And thank you too, Papa.»

Father smiled, touched.
«You don’t need to thank us, my son. We’re your parents. It’s our task to walk beside you on your path.»

Mother looked at Father.
«Are you coming?»

He hesitated, watching Feilong as he snuggled into his bed.
«Let your son sleep,» she said gently. «You’ve got many years ahead to spend time with him. Give him the rest he needs now.»

Father nodded slowly.
«You’re right. As always.»
He bent down beside Feilong.
«Sleep well, my son. If you need anything, just tell me. I know a lot about wind dragons, but not everything about little ice dragons.»

Feilong smiled sleepily.
«It’s all right, Papa. I’ve got everything I need.»
He closed his eyes, and his breathing became calm and steady.

The parents left the room quietly. The door closed softly behind them.

Outside, Father stopped. He took a deep breath, looked at the door behind which his son was sleeping, and smiled. Then he turned back, opened the door a little, and stepped quietly inside.

He stood beside Feilong’s bed. The little dragon slept peacefully, a faint shimmer glinting on his scales.

Father smiled, but his eyes filled with tears. Softly, almost in a whisper, he said,
«Welcome home, my son.»

A single tear fell to the floor and froze into a tiny crystal of ice.

<< Back	Contents	The End

---

© 2025 S. Holzgraefe (miracee). All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form prohibited without permission.