A Small, Elderly Dragon

i got this book thinking that it would be like the enchnted forest cronicles, and although it isn't that much alike i still loved it. The princess, who's name i can't remember at the moment, is very well done. She is a bookworm, who wants to help others, not go on an adventure. A old dragon decides that he no longer has the energy to go on, so decided to let himself pass on. Then the king hears of his existance and sends an unwilling stranger to defeat him. The king's daughter feels sorry for the dragon and writes up a document, so that he can live, and her father is still happy. Unfortunely reading and writting are thought to be a waste of time, so she can not tell anyone. Lacking any alternitive she runs off to meet the dragon with out permission. Soon another hero comes to save the princess, a evil magician takes over her kingdom, and the only person who can defeat him is the legendary black knight.

I read and adored this book in 5th grade, but I had not seen any trace of it in so long that I was beginning to think I had made up the title! The requisite princess in this tale (it is, after all, a story about a dragon) quickly discovers that this particular dragon has no interest in her and even less interest in fighting the princes who come to rescue her. The crotchety dragon of the title, too old to enjoy eating people, is absolutely wonderful. This book is somewhat reminiscent of Patricia Wrede's "Enchanted Forest Chronicles", and I would recommend it to anyone who can find it. Charming and entertaining from start to finish.