Tired, you let out a loud yawn while struggling to keep your eyes open.

Above, the stars shimmered and mixed with the light purple and orange of the sinking sun. Clouds chased soft shadows across the mountains and birds chirped.

With a soft chuckle, Baldur pushed you up a bit to be able to carry you properly on his back. A gentle smile lay on his face ever since the two of you had left the cave with the ponds.

"Sleep a little.", he said and breathed a gentle kiss to the side of your face. "It will take a while until we get time to rest."

Tired but unable to complain, you frowned.

"Where are we going anyways?", you asked while rubbing the sleep out of your eyes. "I want to stay awake."

"Why?"

"To see where we are going. And the landscape is so pretty. I've never seen something like this before."

He chuckled.

The vibration of his chest pressed against your heart and made it heat like crazy. The sound was enough to make you feel all warm and cozy inside.

Now that the curse was gone, he was starting to change. He was softer, more at ease. His laughter didn't sound like the ones of a maniac anymore. Instead, he seemed happy.

It felt like you met a totally new version of Baldur. A version that didn't just make your cheeks blush but also one that had nestled inside your heart.

A deep sigh escaped you.

"Huh?", he stopped. "What is it?"

For a moment, you let your eyes wander down the mountain, into the green valley with its crystal clear river and a lake.

The sound of singing leaves filled the silence as a soft breeze chased through the grass.

"I don't know...", you looked up and stroked through the strands of his hair to braid it. "I feel strange. I don't know how to describe it. Is it love? How does love feel like?"

"It feels great..."

Patiently, he waited until you were finished and then reached into his pocket to pull out a hand full of silver clips. He offered one to you.

"Squeeze it around the braid so it doesn't pop open.", he said.

With a hum, you did as he asked and braided a few more strands.

"You look quite handsome with these.", you chuckled and wrapped your arms around his neck again.

He tried to turn his head.

"Really?"

"Yeah. Like a viking."

A snort escaped him.

"Do you even know what a viking looks like?"

"No? But I'm sure you can show me one."

"Oh, they would absolutely tear you apart."

You shrugged and grinned.

"I have you to protect me.", you kissed him on the cheek.

The hair of his beard trickled your lips.

"Hm. Your curse is gone too, it seems. You'll have to learn how to protect yourself."

All of a sudden, something inside you pulled together. Disappointed, you frowned.

"Why?", you shifted in his grip and forced him to let you down. "Won't you protect me?"

With a soft sigh, he closed his eyes and shook his head.

"Maybe.", he placed a hand on your cheek and gave it a gentle squeeze. "But you need to know how to fight. The world is cruel everywhere."

Confused, you squeezed an eye shut as his grip hit harder to leave a mark like the one before the curse.

"And if I don't want to?", you asked in a grumpy way.

"You'll end up as dragon food. Or a gods toy."

Surprised, your eyebrows rose.

"Dragons? Gods? What do you mean?"

With a smirk, he turned around and did a gesture to follow him.

Curios, you stretched your neck.

A few steps ahead was a hole inside the mountains wall. It was large, huge even, and offered enough space for a massive creature to crawl into the darkness. Plants grew around it, making it hard to see what waited on the other side.

"What is that?", you asked and grabbed his hand as the darkness almost swallowed him before his eyes.

"Are you afraid, little butterfly?", he asked, audibly amused.

You pulled a face.

"No... It's cold though... And feels moist. Like the stomach of a snake."

He huffed.

"Do you know how a snake's insides feel like?"

"No."

"Do you want to find out?"

A shiver crawled down your spine.

"Why would I want that, Baldur?", you snorted.

His chuckle made your heart beat faster again.

"I just thought it would be interesting.", he shrugged and pushed some plants aside to reveal a cave inside the mountain.

At the very top, a hole let the day of light inside and illuminated the cave, the green walls and colourful flowers. A few birds danced through the air, others chirped, hidden inside the nests they had build.

A soft gasp escaped you. With the curiosity of a child, you wanted to rush forward. But all of a sudden, a feeling stroked your feet.

You froze.

"Whoa!", you wiggled your toes. "The moss is so soft! Baldur, can you feel it?"

Smiling, he nodded.

"I can feel everything...", his fingers stroked the back of your neck. "But this... this is my favourite feeling."

Blushing, you pushed him away.

He laughed.

All of a sudden, the ground started shaking.

Struck by surprise, you lost your balance and fell into the soft green carpet.

Your back hit something solid and scratchy. At first you thought it would be a rock.

But then it started moving.

You froze.

"What is this?", you asked with bated breath.

A satisfied smile appeared on his lips.

"Ah, he's still here.", he said and raised his chin. "We're lucky."

Carefully, you dared to raise your gaze.

"A dragon?", confused, you got up to try and scratch the creatures jaw.

Chains rattled.

"He's chained.", you noted. "Did we come here to free him?"

"Yes and no.", Baldur took a look at the metal. "He'll fly us."

"Where?"

"Anywhere you want."

Surprised, your eyebrows rose.

"Anywhere, anywhere?"

"Anywhere... as long as it's with me.", he grabbed your face with both hands to kiss you in a loving manner. "Stay by my side, little butterfly. I'll show you everything you've missed and more."

A soft breath escaped you. His words were too sweet, like childhood dreams come true.

"Don't play with me, Baldur.", you sighed.

"I'm not. I want to see everything with you. Feel everything with you."

"But... but why?"

He kissed your forehead.

"Because I love you. I've never loved anything but you."