The Courage to Rise (Perilous Missteps, part 3 finale)

My mind swims in confounded oblivion clinging to Mother's reassuring voice, soothing warmth, and comforting thrum. Aches and relief crash into me like waves until a chilled consciousness stirs me. Familiar smells surround me: musty wood beams, stale straw, burning oil, old leather, precious metal, and Mother. But I don't feel her warmth or thrum. My bleary eyes open to the lantern that lights up the loft. A luxury for us as Mother doesn't want light to let others know where we live.

Mother? I call out in mind and voice, it sounds weaker than usual. I hate this.

I lift my head and swivel my gaze peering about the whole of the barn. I don't see her but I smell her. Looking down I realizes she draped her shawl around me, wrapped something over my head, and left her bag to the side. My head aches and I close my eyes trying to block it out until it dawns on me. My eyes snap back to the abandoned bag. Mother... left it?? She never goes without it! Never leaves it behind! It may as well be her first child - but there it is, just left haplessly on the loft floor.

Shifting and creaking boards snap my attention to the window Mother has been using for a door. Mother worries that each snowfall will make the main doors hard to open and the cold harder to keep out. She latches the window shut and turns to me holding a bundle her clouds of breath dispersing as she adjusts to the warmth.

"Precious!" She coos in a voice that makes me both cringe and relieved as she charges toward me quickly ascending the ladder.

Mother scoops me up and holds me close and I sink into her, holding onto her tighter than usual. It's so rare to see her more clearly without her shawl hiding her and the darkness obscuring her. This is Mother. Carmel coated with warm soot capping each extremity, I melt into her yearning for comfort and balm.

Mother hums her lullaby as she tends to me, feeding me, and soothing me. She added herbs to the savory meat that dull the pain and ointment to my bound wound. Her touch is gentle and deliberate, and though she hides it under her calm. I sense her worry.

This is so unnecessary! I can't believe what a fool I was! My first opportunity of independence and I squander it. Hurting myself like a baby hatchling! Mother will never trust me again and perhaps I shouldn't be.

"No, no, no," Mother whispers, "Enough of that. Mistakes, accidents, these happen, even with the best of choices. Did my sweet Precious really choose so poorly?"

I was only trying to fly. Not a bad choice except for ignoring the giant chasm and falling in like a dunce.

"Flying is very good choice! And trying all on your own, admirable. But with no guide, easy to be unaware of dangers or pitfalls."

Yeah, obviously.

"Precious," Mother holds me close again, "You have strong sense of self and pride. These can help you but one danger is that you take your fumbles and tumbles too seriously, too harshly. Falling not failure. Only trying once, and refusing to try again, refusing to learn, letting fear master you; these are dangers. Perils to avoid."

I nestle my head under her chin.

"No matter what you face, you must find courage to keep trying, will to keep improving, and humility to learn in all circumstances. Mistakes not mark you, they teach you. And not always kindest teacher. But these lessons not change who you are. You still brave, bold, brilliant, clever, handsome, wonderful, wise, powerful, and this one's- my greatest joy. You still Precious."

Mother kisses my head and warmth fills my chest and eyes as my courage and strength return. Mother's profound wisdom took root in me and I felt ashamed to ever be embarrassed of her love. Sometimes it felt like too much but it was always genuine. Why should I care what anyone else thinks when she sees me so highly? And I'd show Mother too, show her that I'm worthy of her endless praise and admiration. Falls won't stop me. I'll become the greatest, wisest, and most powerful dragon, learning and improving in every instance. I vowed it.

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