In a hole in the ground there lived a Hobbit...a disgruntled, mad as blue blazes, so angry he could spit...hobbit. It all started far from the Shire in a castle on a lovely island in the Far West Sea.
"Really? Really! Another servant just came to me in tears. Apologizing for not being fast enough, smart enough, polite enough for my son, his royal pain in the.."
"Honestly Mother, I doubt a servant said ALL that, I rather think you added the last part."
"And what if I did? It's still unfortunately true. Servants are people, not objects, not something to be used, yelled at, made to fear you or punished for no reason other than a whim. Our servants serve us because they want to, they are not slaves. Slavery is illegal in our realm, yet you treat them like property. "
"I always have a good reason for any punishment, Mother."
"So you're saying that denying a servant food for three days because they accidentally spilled wine on your sleeve was a good and just punishment?
"Certainly, they have to learn somehow." The young prince glared at his mother and stomped out.
His mother in turn made up her mind about some things she's been trying to avoid.
Even in human form the great ice dragon queen, was a formidable sight; she was seven feet tall, her skin the most delicate pale blue, deep azure blue hair flowed down her back, emerald green eyes, wings that shimmered with a kaleidoscope of ever-changing colors, a marvelous dark blue tail, and delicate golden horns just behind each pointed ear. She wore a soft gown of pale, silvery, violet that seemed to flow around her like moonlight. She and her husband had ruled the Far West Sea for many centuries, peacefully and with grace. Unlike the vicious fire drakes of the north, these dragons were gentile and seemingly born with a deep love of nature, the sea and living things. Their loyal subjects; whether dragon-folk or one of the smaller races, enjoyed sovereigns who governed with might and justice. Harboring no lust for gold as the vast treasures of the Western Sea lay at their control; precious metals and jewels abounded in the sea's depth and it was simply theirs for the taking.
But the greed of others did not leave them naive. They had hidden their realm far within watery mists, for so long that their very existence had become the stuff of fable. It was into this idyllic setting that one ice dragon was born, the youngest of his siblings and perhaps that contributed to his spoiled, petulant, vain and heartless nature.
"Darling, you look distraught, I take it our youngest son is behind that frown on your lovely face." The king folded strong wings around his love.
The queen's tail swished nervously as she bowed her head and sighed, "We have to do something. This is getting out of hand. He may never be king but still he will be a leader and as such he must know what it is to be kind; to simply care about others. Even if he was not royal we still owe it to our child to see that he does not become a cruel unfeeling person, incapable to understanding or sympathizing with others. "
"Yes, darling, our young son is becoming arrogant. I know and I have a plan. Our youngest child needs a lesson in humility." The king sit down beside his worried wife, pulling her close and stroking her hair. He kissed her forehead and looking deep into her eyes he began to explain a plan to save their youngest child from himself. The queen's eyes grew wider as he talked. She knew they had to do something but this seemed so drastic. After he finished, she thought for a moment and said, "He really does have a good heart; perhaps this will awaken that part of him. "
The King kissed his wife sweetly on the mouth and held her tight, their golden horns gently touching. Yes he thought, if this works it will save our son from a life as a spoiled, unfeeling brat and save all the family not to mention the kingdom from having to deal with his selfish ways. But if it fails it will be a disaster beyond belief. We could lose our precious child forever.
"The king and queen made arrangements for their eldest children and most trusted advisers to oversee the kingdom while they put their plan for their youngest child in motion. Steeling themselves against the emotional outburst they knew he would have, they called their youngest. He had just reached the age of maturity and even though he was considered an adult, he was quite young. His careless, childish ways still led to the more than occasional yelling, stomping and general temper tantrum.
"Yes Mother, Father, you sent for me" ""Yes, son we have come to a decision. While you will not like this it is for your own good." his father started. "And dear, in the end, you'll be so, so, so, much the better person for it." his mother added.
The young prince had a really bad feeling about this, his parents looked so sad, this did not bode well for his comfort level, not at all. "Well dear, we are going on a little trip", his mother stated, but the look on her face and the nervous swishing of her tail had him worried.
" Yes" his father looked at him sternly, "yes son, a trip, an adventure of sorts...Bilbo."