"ah, but I am one. my kingdom is the Burning Sea. I live in the light of the sun. the sun that basks your world in warmth and light. others are not as blessed with the world's wonders as I am. others do not feel as I feel. much as one human does not experience the same joys and tragedy as another."
For a moment, he looked to the setting sun, lost for how to say what was next. "The Hidden Mountain and its Lord are of the shadow. they live on rocks and snow. what doesn't grow or cannot be sustained, must die so the rest can. while you see him as a villain, he sees himself as fulfilling a role."
"but my sister! my mother! father! all dead for his role!? how can you even say that!?"
"with a heavy heart and steady eyes, youngling. it does not sit well with me, but that does not mean his actions have failed to meet my understanding." he sighed. "I am sorry to say so, but it is the way he works. just as I work with humans to grow. it is our existence you fail to understand."
"I fail to understand?" he could feel the anger rising, but he didn't care, "I don't care to understand! if death and murder of innocent farmers and laborers is the way he exists, than I will end his existence today! by myself!"
"ENOUGH!" roared the dragon. "You speak of vengeance and hatred as though they are yours to command! they command you! you lose yourself to them, and you will never know a day of peace again!"
as Trenton turned his back on the dragon and began his descent down the mountain, he whispered, "Then let it be so..."
The beast's head bowed. its golden eyes were flooded with curiosity. "To find a treasure such as this. one not made of metals or gems. how can this be what I feel?" The young boy smiled because he realized that for the first time in a thousand years, his people did not need to fear this creature.
It was capable of far more than violence. it breathed for things that were not death and destruction. the beast, shocked with himself, realized for the first time in a thousand years, he wasn't craving possession of an item but protection of it.
the boy looked at him and said, "Sir, beast, that is my treasure. that is my baby sister. her eyes are not afraid of you because she sees your soul. and now that she does, I can too..." he smiled again and said, "If you would want, I can show you my other treasures!" he looked towards his home.
the fire that burned around the village lighting up his eyes as he did. the beast finally broke and looked where the boy did. "I believe I would like that very much. I have many things I may have destroyed in all these lifetimes. I think it might be time to put those lives behind me."