Chapter Three: A Name and A Voice
As spring ripened into summer, you grew in size and strength, your wounds healing under Samuel's attentive care. You had become a constant companion in the farmer's daily routines, whether you were watching the sheep in the pastures, assisting in moving heavy materials, or just being a silent observer of Samuel’s daily life.
One morning, Samuel found you perched atop the barn, watching the sunrise with a focused gaze. He climbed up to join you, his steps echoing against the weathered wood.
As he reached the top, Samuel turned his gaze towards the east, sharing the silence with you for a moment. Then he broke it, his voice carrying the coolness of the early morning.
“I’ve been thinking,” he began, his eyes never leaving the horizon. “You ought to have a name. Every living thing deserves to be called by a name. It's a part of their identity, a testament to their existence."
You tilted your head at his words. You had a language of your own, a language that was instinctual, expressed through growls, roars, and the subtle shifts of your body. You understood him, but you had yet to communicate in his way.
Feeling the push of curiosity, you focused your attention on Samuel and tried to send him a mental nudge, an echo of the thought you had just conceived. *A name...*
Samuel blinked, surprise flickering across his face. He looked at you, his eyes widening slightly. "Did you... Was that...you?"
You nodded, this was the first time you had tried speaking since you met him. In return, you received a beaming smile from the man who had become your friend and caretaker.
“That was amazing!” He exclaimed, chuckling in delight. "Alright then, let's think of a good name for you."
The next hours were spent with Samuel suggesting a multitude of names. Some were from stories he had heard as a child, others were names of places he had only ever dreamed of visiting, and some were names of the stars that adorned the night sky. Each suggestion was met with a thoughtful hum from you, but none seemed to resonate fully.
Eventually, Samuel fell silent, his brows furrowing in thought. Then, as he stared into your face his eyes lit up, a smile tugging at his lips. "What about Arrow?" He asked. "He was a hunter in the old myths. A strong and steady presence in the night sky, and the speed he carried. You remind me of this story. It was one my father used to tell."
*Arrow...* You turned the name over in your mind, feeling its weight, its resonance. It felt right. You liked the strength it held, the legacy it carried.
And so, you agreed, responding with a rumbling purr that vibrated against Samuel's chest. His face lit up with a satisfied smile as he clapped his hands together. “Arrow..”
From then on, you were known as Arrow, the dragon in Samuel's care. Communication became easier with each passing day. You learned to project your thoughts more clearly, and Samuel, in turn, learned to understand your mental nudges, turning them into conversations. You already knew how to speak in tongue as you still retained the partial knowledge of your predecessor imbued upon your genetic memory. However, these memories were old. And always felt like they were just out of reach. It frustrated you. You had so much knowledge. You just couldn't get at it. You expressed your feelings with Samuel and he would listen. But there was nothing he could do.
It was an unlikely friendship that had bloomed between the farmer and the dragon. Despite the differences, despite the mystery of how you came to be here, you found a home with Samuel. And in doing so, you discovered that there was much to be learned, much to be understood, and much to be cherished. Arrow, the dragon, and Samuel, the farmer, were an odd pairing, but one that worked in an extraordinary harmony.
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