PART SIX: THE KING AND THE QUEEN

He heard slight movement from behind him. Quickly, he seized the Egg and raised it above his head.

“Stop!” yelled a familiar voice. He turned to the mouth of the cave and saw through the disparaging gloom the lanky figure of his father framed in the doorway. “Do not drop the Egg!”

Harold looked at his father. “Morak said to do so…how did you know I was here?”

“Too many questions. Right now, we need to leave.”

Harold looked questioningly at his father but did as he was told to do. Meyrol turned and strode out of the cave with his son close behind. The Egg was clutched tightly in his hands as they left the cave and Harold saw the figure of Morak lying on the ground.

“What happened to…” Harold began but was cut off instantly by a muffled grunting sound. He turned and saw King Umphishire laughing uproariously at the dragonqueen who was wriggling at the King’s feet.

“You will never get the Egg back now that I have it.” the King was saying to the Queen. Morka wailed piteously and Harold could take it no longer.

“Here is the Egg, O Queen.” he said. “It is yours, so you deserve it.”

The King laughed and seized the dragonqueen, which must have been difficult because she was huge, and dragged her over to Harold and Meyrol.

“Let me have the Egg!” pleaded Morka.

“Give it to me.” snarled the King.

Harold looked desperately at his father, but he only nodded encouragingly. Harold took a deep breath and said loudly, “The Egg does not belong to humans. It belongs to the dragons. So for me to give this Egg to the King, as royal as you are, would be like giving the dragons half of your kingdom, O King.”

And Harold gave the Egg back to Morka.