This hatchling could hardly be considered cute.

And look! It has grown wings! At least it isn’t quite as naked-looking anymore.

Young dragons are relatively defenseless. They are born with relatively soft scales, which are shed and replaced with harder ones as the hatchling matures. Once a hatchling’s wings grow in, it typically marks the beginning of maturation. At this point they are often capable of hunting on their own and are usually left alone by their mother.

Linde is, for the most part, just another Marrow. He waddles about the caves, used to the fact that dragons keep a good tail-length away from him due to his stench. However, little Linde has a second life. On clear nights, when the air isn't too cold and the moon isn't too bright, he will sit on a shadowy rock outside the cave and sing. The hatchie's voice is beautiful, full of harmonies and near perfect pitch, and he can bounce it off the cavern walls to make it sound like the singing of a whole choir. Those who wander by Stealthy's cave at night, and hear the sweet song of the lonely Marrow, claim that even the birds stop their chirping to listen, and that the trees lean in closer so as not to miss a single note. The power of the young dragon's voice gave rise to its name shortly after its talent was discovered, and fits the Sweet Singer well.