Unicorn Ryan danced around the Gemstone Glade fountain, Christmas sparkle in his heart. Christmas was his favourite time of year, and this year extra special for he had been gifted a new magical stone tablet, a portal opener to other worlds.

The stone tablet offered four options:

Christmas Crystal (read first story)

Christmas Cave

Christmas Dragon

Christmas Castle

Ryan gently touched his horn to the Christmas Dragon text.

A portal of golden fire materialised above him. Ryan’s eyes shone. Without a second thought, he jumped in to a new world.

Golden mountains confronted him, a lake of liquid gold next to them. Was it really gold, or just gold coloured? What magic had he stumbled upon today?

Ryan walked towards a cave at the foot of the mountain. Smoke whispers soothed his noise, a scent like … a Christmas fire mixed with pine needles.

A dragon slowly emerged from the cave, golden scales shimmering under a low winter sun.

“A unicorn!” The dragon spoke the ancient language of telepathy.

The dragon seemed happy to meet another living being in this barren golden landscape.

“I am Alfred, dragon of Christmas. However I no longer celebrate. No one believes in dragons on Earth anymore. I used to attend stone circles at the winter solstice and add my golden smoke to bonfires. Or I would find valiant knights and gift them golden dragon energy. But today … no one cares.”

“I am sure there would be someone out there who would love to meet you this Christmas,” said Ryan. “How did you find you valiant knights?”

“My golden intuition would know where to go.”

“So why can’t you use your intuition again this year? There must be someone who needs a bit of dragon magic this Christmas.”

The dragon sighed. “Very well. It is not easy coming out of retirement … “

“It will be fun,” Ryan reassured him.

So Ryan and Alfred flew through yet another golden portal, and drifted like a dream through the night sky over London, UK.

“There is someone special in that house down there,” proclaimed Alfred.

And so a unicorn and a dragon landed in a quiet suburban garden. A light switched on downstairs, then she was at the door. A diminutive woman with red hair and shining green eyes. She did not appear to be scared.

“We are here to bring you Christmas cheer,” Ryan quickly told her, again using telepathy.

The woman looked surprised, then smiled. “I am Violet, and I am a writer. I prayed today for inspiration. And here it is … “

Alfred breathed out golden smoke, and his eyes smiled. “Let me tell you my story.”

He spoke in to the early hours of the morning. And so it came to pass, that Dragon of Christmas was written and published by the next Christmas. Children everywhere would read of this magical dragon … and yes, some of them would believe in him. Christmas magic would melt in their hearts, as Christmas words healed the world.

And Alfred would return, each Christmas, spreading golden smoke high over the land. Look up to the night sky now, and you may see him, a line of gold among the stars. And if you harbour a secret wish, let the strength of golden dragon smoke support you … as your dreams come true.

We wish all readers golden dragon sparkle this Christmas, and every Christmas. And may children always believe in magic, stories of the impossible welcome in their hearts.

Happy Christmas from Ryan the Unicorn, Alfred the Dragon and all the Gemstone Glade fairies.