Gwawr’s eyes swam with unshed tears; after hours of waiting she desperately wanted to hear the shell crack, to see tiny dragon claws tearing at the sticky amniotic sac, and her baby emerging exhausted, but safe and she yearned to lick her offspring clean, tickling soft scales, watching baby dragon reflexes, anxious to see its tummy curling inwards as she roughly licked its sensitive newborn skin. The opaque shell shivered and a resounding crack echoed through the cave; a long, thin crack ran down the side of the shell, it widened then clamped shut as the pressure from within collapsed – Gwawr uttered another frustrated cry and the fracture began to open again. The unborn creature struggled and the egg rocked violently before coming to yet another standstill; the soft tapping restarted, and with each tap the thin cracks grew until suddenly a tiny horn protruded through the shell. The horn retreated into the egg then drove through, shell fragments splintered and littered the floor beneath the nest, and the baby dragon exerted every last bit of energy rupturing the thick sac surrounding it inside the confines of the egg. A spout of water gushed and claws tore wildly at the shell, until thick pieces collapsed under the strain and a bedraggled, scrawny baby dragon fell out, as his lungs heaved and he struggled for breath, Gwawr snapped out of her trance and curled her tail protectively around her newborn, she licked and rubbed him, and sighed in relief as the tiny creature let out a cough and splutter, then she giggled almost uncontrollably and allowed her tears to drop, helping to wash the dragon clean.
I’ve wanted to write this piece for a bit, and I really wanted it to fit with this week’s word: Delicate at Five Sentence Fiction from Lillie McFerrin. Take a look at all the entries… I also want to thank artist Amanda Makepeace for giving me permission to use her digital painting The Dragon’s Egg, it was the beautiful picture I had in my mind for this piece. You can find more of her amazing art available for sale on her site at www.redbubble.com/people/amandamakepeace. And if anyone’s wondering how to pronounce the Welsh name Gwawr it is: Gwour and means ‘Dawn’.
The Last Krystallos 
Wonderful piece of nostalgia; for as a child, several score years ago, ever since I first heard "Puff – The Magic Dragon", I loved to read about dragons. And like Jackie Paper as I got older, I moved on to reading other stuff. Would love to hear your feedback on my endeavor for this week's prompt.
Your five sentence stories are always powerful. I love this beyond words and I'm honored my baby dragon could be a part of your vision. Thank you!
I'm so please you let me use it! It's a very much condensed scene from a much longer WIP, which I love. Thanks Amanda!
Awww, the way you described her feelings. Well done on that and painting a picture of how the baby emerged! Touching and sweet.
What a privilege to see a baby dragon being born; such was your beautiful description, I really felt like I was watching this most secret process and feeling the emotions of Gwawr as she waited so patiently to become a mother. Gorgeous picture too. x
Oh my God. This is just stunningly beautiful, Lisa. My heart was bursting at the end. Bravo! And bravo to the very talented illustrator, as well.
Thanks for your comment, dragons are my favourite creatures to write about!
Thanks, really appreciate your visit, and I'm glad he emerged safe and well!
You should read the piece that inspired this! It's totally touch and go and his poor mother is so scared. I love being able to rewrite something in a completely different manner for these flashes!
Thank you Jayne, lovely compliment and so much appreciated! And Amanda is an amazing artist!
Love the last line when her tears help wash the baby dragon clean – awwwww!
A real awww moment, thanks Sarah!
Love the detail, could really see him trying to get out of his shell, and mum's frustration, knowing she has to wait and let him do it! Gorgeous.
I know it's almost heartbreaking how she has to wait and let him do it himself! Thanks Miranda.