Once upon a time there was a small settlement.

The people were good and genuine, and so they came to be noticed by a Dragon.

The Dragon protected them and helped them through their trials. The other Dragons were unhappy, and she renounced her crown as the Dragon Queen, and became the Guardian of the settlement. Eventually, the settlement had prospered and had earned the respect of the neighboring kingdoms. Soon, the settlement became recognized as a kingdom, and the Dragon was happy.

The Dragon was indeed old, and had but a year left to live.

In the slumber of her twilight years, she watched with great pride at the kingdom that was now the most properous on the continent.

However, a Dragon that once quietly terrorized the kingdom when it was but only a settlement had returned to the land. With sly words and hidden intentions, the Evil Dragon slipped amongst the people, whispering lies into the ears of the younger villagers.

The elders knew better than to allow the Evil Dragon to be elected as the new Guardian. However, the kingdom voted, and the Evil Dragon had won.

The Good Dragon was hurt, and knew it was all she could do.

But she had done her job. The kingdom had prospered, and the elders respected her and loved her.

The Good Dragon was sad because she would not be able to return. Not to reclaim the crown. But loyalty is better than false prestige. It was never about the crown and title, but about the accomplishments. The Good Dragon knew this was a lesson that the Evil Dragon would never learn.

So, the Good Dragon flew up high, and watched. The elders knew where to find her if they ever needed her help. The citizens of the village knew her name by heart, and even the younger ones respected her, for all of the help she had given them.

The Good Dragon was happy.