(Art and story by me as part of my year end mile stone for 2011)
Program: Photoshop CS5
Size: 80" by 160"
Time: 23hours(or so)
Layer Count: 55(for reference)

Long ago, within the forests of ancient Europe lived a wise old dragon who had as special a love of song and story as he did of the forests him and his mate shared. For centuries the two kept watch over the old forest, sharing tale or lesson with any who were brave enough to find them. They trusted anyone, and all they met swore their friendships onto the two dragons.

He a breed of the Forge, his heritage of Fire and Metal made his fierce with a love of knowledge that burned as hot as his molten flame.

She was a breed of Wood, she loved her forests in all seasons, be it the birth of a new cycle in Spring or the sight of all her precious trees laden with snow. Her forests were as much her treasure as knowledge was her mate's.

Eventually the church grew displeased with the words the two dragons were spreading so freely, so they sought council. After much argument the dragons remained unwavering from their resolutions. They would continue to give unbiased aid wherever they went.

Enraged by their refusal of the church the Arch Bishop of the area ordered that these Dragons be brought to justice. Great many marched out to find them. It was not till the third month that they were found.

The church did not attack right away, no. they waited for the male to leave before dispatching her. The fight lasted over an hour before she collapsed uttering one final screech of pain the pierced his heart from over 100km away. The army knowing he would soon return began preparations for his arrival.

They barely got started before he tore through the tree tops and dispatched whomever he saw. His presence was something to behold, the hearts of all who looked upon him stopped in fear. Among his great dark grey and green scales were patches of fiery oranges and whites from the fires within the great dragon burning at such intensity he looked like a demon, a creature of hell fire born from the darkest pits to drag them to their end. The heat from his singed any man who faced him, along with the grass under his paws. No weapon worked against his thick iron scales. by the end not but 5 men of the battalion survived, no traces of any other were ever recovered as they all turned to ash in the face of his fury.

Once battle ended and his fire ebbed, the dragon wept for his love, and before he torched her body to let her ashes scatter through her favourite forest he promised her this. That until he drew his last breath he would always protect her forest.

To which he did, for many years he held onto his promise and cared for that forest and all within it. Still defying the church till his end, and always giving man a chance to prove themselves before him, lest he expel them from his forest.

Forever did he remain, long after his death and his spirit was passed on, as The Guardian of the Northern Fores