Don’t worry, Dragon, everything’s going to be okay.

They reached the main gate of the castle; a huge, forged steel structure stood before them, and behind it, the infinite darkness of the night... and freedom.

Princess... -- whispered the Dragon fearfully, as if someone were watching. -- We’re outside the tower, we’re at the huge, forged steel structure that’s the main gate of the castle. We’ve already said that we’re going out into the world, but, mmm... couldn’t we spend the last night inside the castle? So that it’s not so dark out there when we leave?

The princess wasn’t listening; her hands gripped the black, steel bars, as her eyes stared out at the deepness of the night, while the freezing wind played with her long, dark hair.

Princess... Princess...

I heard you, Dragon. Don’t worry, we’ll spend the night here.

The dragon let out a sigh of relief and eagerly looked for a warm corner, away from the wind, where he could lay down. The princess followed and laid down next to him, resting her head on one of his enormous paws. As soon as the dragon put his head on the floor, he knocked out. But Odai couldn’t bring herself to fall asleep.

What awaits me behind that door? -- she thought -- What does life have in store for me? -- she felt afraid.

I’m excited! -- the Princess contradicted me. Excitement can also produce a little bit of fear.

No, it might produce anxiety -- she stubbornly insisted. Anxiety is a form of fear.

I am not afraid!

Prin-cess! -- I took a deep breath -- Look, fear isn’t always bad and sometimes it helps to keep us alert. You’re about to step out into the unknown, to take the chance you never dared to take before. You’re going to take an important step in your life, in the life of the dragon and in my storyline. I can understand that you’re excited; I can understand that you’re anxious to know what will happen. But you’re telling me that you don’t feel the least bit of fear? Aren’t you even a little bit afraid of what’s out there?

No.

Oh, come on!

Can you please stop arguing for once? -- yelled the dragon angrily. -- It’s impossible to get any sleep. You’re adamant Writer, and you, Princess, are stubborn. Stop arguing. If you need someone to be scared, Writer, well then I’m scared! There are terrifying things out there. And don’t ask me how I know, I just know, alright? Now, let me have one last good night’s sleep, because after tonight, nothing will be the same, because… I AM afraid of the unknown, and I don’t know what’s gonna happen... and I do want to sleep.