The dragon of the cave

Previously

…Elara smiled, a genuine, radiant smile that reached her eyes. She had come seeking a dragon, a creature of legend to conquer or appease. She had found a friend, a guardian, and a solution that was far more precious than any gold. The path ahead was still uncertain, the challenges of sharing the Heartspring immense, but for the first time in a long time, Elara felt a true, unshakeable hope bloom within her. She had walked into the dragon's lair, and she was walking out with a promise.