Once upon a time, in a land far far away, there lived a striking princess named Adelaide. She had been locked away in her castle by her father, the king, since she was born. However, this is not a story about Adelaide. This is the story about the dragon, Belinda, who the king had captured and forced to look after Adelaide. 

Belinda never usually heard people call her name, they only screamed and ran. This is the only life Belinda knew. 

People within the kingdom, especially children, would attempt to break into the castle grounds to get a glimpse of Belinda in action. 

They would taunt her as they threw trash and stones to get her attention. This would anger her more and make her more protective over Adelaide. 

Their actions would force Belinda to turn into the monster they all thought she was. 

Afterwards, Belinda would feel so guilty and say, "This is not who I am."

Belinda had one friend, a deer named Naomi, who saw past her tough, scaly exterior. Belinda would visit and talk with her while she was on duty when she would swoop down on the castle lawn. 

Recently, Belinda has been complaining that this job has become hard on her and her feelings. She has always loved protecting Adelaide, but she seems to want nothing to do with Belinda now.

"Why is it so hard for me to make friends?" asked Belinda.

"I'm your friend," Naomi said with a warm smile. 

"Everyone is scared of me. I will never make friends."

"I have never been scared of you. You are my best friend!"

Belinda dreaded going on her daily route of circling Adelaide's tower more than usually lately. Adelaide was 16 now and would no longer look at Belinda when she circled. Adelaide knew that Belinda was the only thing between her and the outside world.

"Can you ever just leave me alone?" Adelaide would say with tears in her eyes as she would face away from her window. 

Belinda felt awful. 

"Go away!"

One day, Belinda noticed a man at the foot of Adelaide's tower. Belinda was going to continue to do her job of protecting Adelaide when she begged her to stop. 

"Stop! He's only trying to help me," pleaded Adelaide.

Adelaide then explained to Belinda that his name is Arthur and that he was a prince from the kingdom over. They had met during a ball that Adelaide's father, the king, had thrown earlier that year. Adelaide begged Belinda to help her escape with him.

Belinda saw this as a way to get her friend back and fix her bad reputation. 

"Help me be free "

Belinda made a plan to rescue Adelaide so that they could both start a new life. She knew this would be the only way that Adelaide would ever see the world outside of the castle walls. 

Belinda promised Adelaide that she would fly her away from the kingdom from her window before the sun came up the next morning. On the way out, she would pick up Arthur as well. Naomi would meet them in the next kingdom as soon as she could.

This was the first time since Adelaide was little that Belinda saw her smile. 

"The plan will work. Be ready on the balcony when I come to get you."