>>519606567“And so my proclamation is . . .” Chronormu closed his eyes and whispered the words of the
incantation that would define his mortal form. Bronze magic shimmered all about him, enveloping him,
until his dragon form disappeared within the glittering cloud.
Then all at once it faded, and there, before two Aspects and a crowd of beloved friends, stood a tiny
gnome woman in a white robe trimmed with gold.
“Hi there! You can call me Chromie!” she said.
A cheer arose from all those gathered, and the little gnome basked in the smile of the Dragon Queen.
“It is good to meet you, Chromie,” Alexstrasza said. “Welcome home.”
Zidormi was the first to embrace her dear friend, taking great care not to bruise Chromie’s tiny form.
Nozdormu told her that she had made a wise choice, though he refused to say if he had known all along
what her decision would be. Lady Onyxia said nothing, but before departing the festivities, she offered the
young bronze the slightest of nods, which Chromie chose to take as a sign of acceptance.
Kalec, his half-elven visage still adorned in his humble attire, walked up to Chromie and offered a
stately bow. “You came to me, as well as others, for advice. So why is it I feel that we are the ones who
were taught a lesson?”
She chuckled. “Perhaps we all have things to learn from one another.”
The blue dragon nodded. “I believe I understand why you chose to take the form of a gnome. But if
I may ask, why did you choose to become female as well?”
Chromie smiled. “It suits me,” she said, and shared with Kalec a long, happy hug.
And with that, a glorious day unfolded into a glorious evening. The dragons danced and feasted and
sang the songs of old, and the young bronze went to bed that night feeling more whole, and more joyful,
than she ever had before.
This did not bother me; it did not feel heavy-handed or overly preachy to me. It's cheesy as hell, sure, but in a children's book way rather than cringy. Is it because of my zoomer upbringing?
