Thorn

"Perhaps not, but it'll accomplish three things. First, it'll relieve the tension out there—all those dragons wondering what'll happen with a prophecy dragonet in our midst. Second, it'll let everyone know you're my daughter, so they'll treat you with respect and not just curiosity. And third, it'll make it very clear that you're under Outclaw protection, which you're going to need in this city."

— Thorn to Sunny about throwing her a welcome party, The Brightest Night

Thorn is an adult female SandWing who was introduced in The Brightest Night. Formerly the leader of the Outclaws, Thorn became queen of the SandWing tribe during the events of The Brightest Night. She currently resides in the SandWing stronghold and may be in a relationship with Smolder.

Appearance

Thorn has sandy yellow scales dappled with a pattern of small brown speckles down her back and along her wings. She is wiry and compact, radiating energy. She wears a solitary gold bracelet on one of her upper forearms: a chain of flying dragons made from twisted wires, as well as a moonstone necklace Stonemover gifted to her. She also wears the Eye of Onyx around her neck.

Personality

Thorn is a compassionate, loyal, and clever dragon, a natural leader who takes care of those under her command or protection, emphasizing loyalty and respect among them. She can be stern and is unafraid to show her strength, although she will often get carried away when upset. Sunny notes that she has smart reasons for doing things, even planning a party. She is not easily hoodwinked, as noted by Onyx, and is infamous among the Outclaws for her colorful vocabulary. She is kind to dragons who need help and was previously known for feeding any dragonets in the Scorpion Den. As said in Darkness of Dragons, she was still more Outclaw than queen, willing to give anyone a voice.

Biography

Pre-Series

Several years before the events of The Dragonet Prophecy, Thorn met a NightWing animus named Stonemover while he was planning a location for the NightWing tunnels in the Kingdom of Sand. Thorn fell in love with him, and after their initial meeting, Thorn continued to visit him, and eventually, Stonemover fell for her and confessed that he was an animus. No one but Armadillo and Six-Claws knew of Thorn and Stonemover's relationship. However, over time, Stonemover grew cold and distant (as he became more and more afraid of losing himself), and although Thorn was with Sunny's egg, she wanted to wait until he apologized to share the news. Shortly before Thorn laid her egg, Stonemover mysteriously vanished without a trace of his disappearance. While she later was in the general area of the tunnels, she was approached by Morrowseer, who told her that Stonemover was never coming back and that it was her fault, triggering a reaction from Thorn, who spent the next 6 years searching for him so she could have vengeance. In an attempt to keep her former relationship with Stonemover a secret, Thorn buried her egg out in the desert and entrusted Dune to protect it. He also helped Thorn come up with names for her unhatched dragonet, one of which was Sunny, another was Beetle. However, Dune was a member of the Talons of Peace, and once he discovered that Thorn's egg was due to hatch on the brightest night, he stole it for the Dragonet Prophecy. After Dune's disappearance and betrayal, Thorn posted several Wanted posters around the Scorpion Den, featuring Dune (dead or alive, for stealing her egg), Morrowseer (dead or alive, suspecting that he had done something to Stonemover), and Stonemover (alive, as she missed him and wanted her dragonet's father to return) and any dragonet hatched with unusual features (as she was hoping to find her dragonet). Thorn later formed the Outclaws to bring law and order to the Scorpion Den. She also always hoped that becoming an important authority figure in the Scorpion Den might allow her a better chance to cross paths with Dune, Morrowseer, Stonemover, or her missing dragonet.

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The Dragonet Prophecy

The Brightest Night

Thorn was introduced when Fierceteeth, Preyhunter, and Strongwings (followed by Sunny) arrived at the Scorpion Den with information on the whereabouts of the dragonets of destiny. Thorn ignored their attempt to bargain with her and instead asked if they had information on Dune, Morrowseer, or Stonemover. When Preyhunter claimed that Morrowseer was dead, Thorn reacted angrily and after Preyhunter lashed out at her, she pinned him down and stabbed him through the heart with her tail barb, although afterward seemed to regret killing him. She then inquired about Morrowseer again. Sunny stepped forward and confirmed that Morrowseer was indeed dead. After asking about Stonemover's whereabouts, Fierceteeth and Strongwings were dismissed to be locked up. Thorn took Sunny into a back room, where they were followed protectively by Qibli. Thorn told Sunny that she was her mother, and planned a welcome party for her arrival. However, she soon had to leave to deal with reports of a dragonbite viper found near an orphanage. After a short nap, Sunny was kidnapped by Addax and several other SandWings who had been thrown out from the SandWing army and taken to the SandWing stronghold as a gift for Burn in exchange for a place in the army. The nonexistent dragonbite viper was merely a distraction devised by Addax and his cohorts so that they could take Sunny without Thorn's interference. Thorn led the Outclaws in an assault on the stronghold and managed to get inside with the help of Peril. She had Smolder bring her to see the stuffed NightWing in Princess Burn's collection, which, to her relief, wasn't Stonemover. Afterward, Smolder brought them to the library filled with intercepted notes and letters, claiming that one of them was for Thorn. Proving that Smolder was not lying, they found the slate after a short search, which contained a message to Thorn from Stonemover about why he had left her. When another SandWing came by to tell them that Burn was coming back, Smolder locked Thorn and Sunny inside to await Burn's return; he was not taking any chances to be killed for letting prisoners escape. Luckily, Sunny was able to burn through the doors without setting fire to the surrounding papers and they escaped, reuniting with the rest of the Outclaws and promptly retreating to the Scorpion Den. Later, Thorn was one of the SandWings present when Burn, Blister, Blaze, and all the dragon tribes met at Burn's stronghold. After Burn was killed by a dragonbite viper, she helped hold down Clay when he was bitten by the same snake and also helped dig up the skeleton of Queen Oasis, at Flower's instruction. Sunny discovered the precious treasure, the Eye of Onyx, in the jaws of Queen Oasis's skeleton, and was faced with a choice between Blister and Blaze. She gave it to Thorn instead, the eye killing Blister when she snatched it out of her talons. Thorn whispered to Sunny that it was all very strange and that she hoped that Sunny would be around to help her with her new responsibilities. Approximately one month later, Thorn made her way with the dragonets to Jade Mountain to visit Stonemover. Their meeting was described by Sunny as "awkward."

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The Jade Mountain Prophecy

Moon Rising
Qibli briefly mentioned Thorn a few times, consulting to himself, "What would Thorn think?" and, "What would Thorn do?". He was extremely loyal to her when Onyx questioned Thorn's right to the throne, defending her place. Also, when asked whether he would leave or stay at the academy, he said that Thorn sent him there to learn and that she would want him to stay.

Winter Turning
Qibli formally introduced himself as Queen Thorn's adviser when the Jade Winglet was in the Rainforest at Queen Glory's Pavilion. Later in Possibility, Qibli commented on Mayfly's garden and wanted to tell Thorn about the glass structure there.

Escaping Peril
While arguing over Darkstalker's scroll with Winter, Qibli said that Queen Thorn should be given the scroll.

Talons of Power
She was mentioned in the epilogue when three oases were bombed. Dragons growled about why their queen wasn't protecting them.

Darkness of Dragons

She was mentioned by Vulture when he was speaking to Qibli, attempting to get his grandson on his side. He claimed that Thorn only cared about herself and wasn't helping to investigate the attacks, which Qibli objects to. Qibli later gave her an earring, explaining the situation with Darkstalker once she put it on. After hearing about the IceWing plague from Typhoon, the group figured out Darkstalker's enchantment on the IceWings, and Thorn had Qibli create earrings for all of the IceWings, then the SandWings. When Vulture and Onyx tried to seize power, she captured Onyx and prepared to fight an arena battle against her, which was interrupted by a sandstorm created by Qibli. After the sandstorm, she ventured into the dungeons to look for Onyx and Smolder. After finding them, Six-Claws and Ostrich found their way in and Thorn ordered them to get a doctor for the injured Onyx. Before Qibli and Winter left for the Night Kingdom, the three used the Obsidian Mirror to check on Queen Glacier and Darkstalker.

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The Lost Continent Prophecy

The Poison Jungle
More information flying in soon...

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Legends

Dragonslayer
Thorn, though not mentioned by name, led the battle against the SandWings at the stronghold, and Rose later mentions to Wren that she saw a SandWing destroying items in the weirdling tower and rescuing "the cute golden dragon".

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Winglets

Prisoners
More information flying in soon...

Relationships

Sunny

Thorn is very caring towards Sunny and planned a welcome party for her daughter's arrival, starting a whole organization, the Outclaws, just to find her. She also named her "Beetle" when she was still in her egg, and searched the whole Scorpion Den to find her daughter. Her love for Sunny also led to an assault on Burn's stronghold in an effort to rescue her.

Stonemover

Stonemover was Thorn's first soul mate and fell in love upon meeting him. Their relationship was secret and trusting, and he eventually told her he was an animus. She was upset to hear about his disappearance and was relieved to see that Burn's stuffed NightWing was not him.

Dune

Dune was once loyal to Thorn and had her trust. He helped suggest names for her dragonet (who was eventually named Sunny). He severed their relationship upon finding out her egg would hatch on the brightest night, as he betrayed her and stole her egg in order to give it to the Talons of Peace. After that, Thorn hated Dune with a passion and offered a reward for his capture. She was disappointed to learn that he had died before she had gotten the chance to kill him.

Qibli

Thorn cared for Qibli, taking him away from his abusive family. She was the first person to show him real love and warmth. Their relationship was mutual, and Qibli considers himself to be her adoptive son.

Smolder

Thorn cares about Smolder but she tries to hide it, shown when Qibli observed she got worried when he was missing after the sandstorm. Smolder seems to like her as well.

Six-Claws

He is one of the few dragons Thorn could put her trust in. Six-Claws is also incredibly loyal to her, and their relationship is mutual.

Burn

Thorn and Burn did not have a great relationship, which was shown when she did not hesitate to attack the stronghold during The Brightest Night. Many dragons who lived in the Scorpion Den were there to avoid military service in Burn's army, so while Thorn was the leader of the city she seems to have worked to keep the princess away.

Onyx

Onyx challenged Thorn for the SandWing throne, so the two of them did not have a great relationship. However, after the challenge, Thorn and Onyx seemed to be neutral.

Family Tree

More

Stonemover

Thorn

Sunny

Quotes

"Pompous worm-faced snob-headed camel turd."

― about Morrowseer

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"NightWings. Well, well, well. We haven't had any of you visit our fine city in about seven years."

― to Preyhunter, Strongwings, and Fierceteeth when they arrive in the Scorpion Den

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"He didn't find you. He stole you. He knew where I'd hidden you for your own safety, and he betrayed me."

― to Sunny, about Dune taking her egg

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"Teeth of the viper, I cannot believe all my enemies have died before I could rip their heads off myself. Qibli, give me those drawings."

― after learning both Dune and Morrowseer are dead

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"It's not my favorite part of the role, but if you want to lead dragons, you have to show them your claws sometimes, Beetle."

― to Sunny, about killing Preyhunter

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"Perhaps not, but it'll accomplish three things. First, it'll relieve the tension out there—all those dragons wondering what'll happen with a prophecy dragonet in our midst. Second, it'll let everyone know you're my daughter, so they'll treat you with respect and not just curiosity. And third, it'll make it very clear that you're under Outclaw protection, which you're going to need in this city."

― to Sunny, about throwing her a welcome party

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"Blood-red eggs and fireballs! I'm going to flay that dragon alive!"

― about Smolder's betrayal

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"Act smart, stay alive, stick together—but don't be an idiot. Those are our basic rules."

― about her Outclaws

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"That frog-faced blob of camel spit!"

― to Sunny, about Stonemover

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"So fight me. I'm not afraid of you. I can win this throne in battle if that's how you want to do it. Or are you only willing to fight weak and cowering dragons?"

― to Blister, about the throne

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"I am the queen, you camel-chewing, snore-a-minute son of a toad."

― to Smolder, about her language

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"I think I am a good queen. And I guess if I'm ever not, it should be comforting that there's a way for me to find out. It would be nice if I could bargain with it, though. Like, hey, Eye of Onyx, instead of blowing me up, could you just send me a note that's like, Time to stop being queen, crazyclaws, and then I could happily retire? If I had an animus of my own, I'd probably get them working on that."

― about being queen/the Eye of Onyx

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"Take her to the dungeon. Lock her in the cell next to the mad prisoner. They can keep each other company for a while."

― to her guards about Cobra

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"You are no help. But I suppose I will let you live, for today."

― to Smolder

Trivia

• Thorn is not from the original line of SandWing royalty, though not even the three SandWing sisters or Queen Oasis are.
• According to Sunny, there was something about Thorn that made dragons want to follow her wherever she went.
• It was mentioned by Qibli in Moon Rising that Queen Thorn takes swordleaf root whenever she gets a headache.

Gallery

• Thorn's reference by Platypus the SeaWing
  Thorn's reference by Platypus the SeaWing

References

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