One week later...

(Drakenia POV)

I awoke from my slumber with a start, laying in bed silently. I looked up at the ceiling and remembered where I was. I was laying in a bed in Rivendale. I was rescued by a group of Elves from Rivendale about a week ago. Lord Elrond, the one who had led the group, told me that he could sense the sufferings of a creature far from Rivendale and decided to help it. That creature being me. They were treating me quite well, considering I wasn't allowed out of Rivendale.

I stood slowly, walking toward my balcony with ease. I stepped out onto the edge and looked up at the stars.

Sighing, I realized I would not be able to go back to sleep. I leapt off the edge of the balcony and onto the nearest tree branch, landing softly. I walked closer to the center of the tree, wondering what to do. I looked back up at the stars and began to sing softly.

I finished singing and continued to look up at the stars.

I turned as I heard the door open behind me. Lord Elrond himself walked into my room.

"As much as I enjoyed that, nin hen, I know you need your sleep." He said softly as I leapt back to the balcony.

*My child*

"I know, but I cannot sleep." I answered, making no move from the balcony as Elrond walked back toward my door. He turned to me slightly.

"You know," He started, seeming to know exactly what was the matter, "You could always take a short flight." He said softly. Then he turned back to the door and walked out of my room.

"I will be back before the morrow." I called as he left.

Then I ran to the closet to change into something a bit more fitting for a flight.

Then, looking at myself in the mirror swiftly, I ran out to the courtyard to take off.

I shifted and flew off into the dark night.

Several hours later...

(Drakenia POV)

I landed only a bit later, back in the courtyard.

Too tired to go back up to my room, I curled up my dragonified self and slept.

Dream

I stood at the edge of a valley, in the trees lining it. I looked at the cloudless sky and suddenly had the urge to fly.

I raced, laughing, out of the trees and shifted. Then I took off into the sky and flew through the bright dawn.

Hearing a soft 'twang' I turned toward the sound, curious to see what it was. I looked over at the sound and saw only sky. Suddenly, my wings locked up. I couldn't even scream as I plummeted toward the ground. Just as I was about to hit the earth, I looked back at the sky, but there was no sky. There was only fire. The last thing I saw was a flaming flower, burning through the sky. Consuming everything. Taking control of everything.

End dream

I awoke with a start, wishing I knew what my dream was. Just a dream? Or something more?

I looked around, glad that I was the first to rise this day. The council was tomorrow, after all, and I did not wish Elrond to have anything more to worry about today.

I stood, stretching as I did so. In the crisp morning light, I ran back to my room.

I sang softly to myself as I showered and dressed. I was quite glad for the distraction.

I raced out to Lord Elrond, who was standing at the top of the stairs waiting for his guests. I stood beside him.

I opened my mouth to ask a question.

"Yes, Draken? What is it now? What must I tell you now?" Lord Elrond joked quietly. I snorted.

"Who are all these people?" I asked very softly.

"That Dwarf," He said pointing discreetly, "is Gimli, son of Gloin. The Dwarf beside him is Gloin himself."

I nodded in understanding. Then ignored Elrond's explanation of who else was who, for I had already seen a familiar face among the crowd.

"Gandalf!" I cried, racing toward him. He only barely had time to turn and open his arms before I collided with him. He laughed softly.

Gandalf was the one who had saved my life many long years ago. He found me, injured and dying, outside of the Lands of Mordor. Knowing what I was, however, Gandalf would not let me die on him. He stayed by my side for days on end, muttering enchantment after enchantment, trying to keep me alive.

I released him and then realized what I had just done. I had almost tackled a wizard. An Istari. I was doomed.

I turned and walked quickly back to Lord Elrond's side, preparing to apologize for embarrassing him. But, as I walked over he stiffened.

"Go back to your room." He ordered in a low voice.

"But-"

"Now! Please don't argue. I am only trying to protect you." He pleaded gently with me. I nodded and waled slowly back toward my room. But then I turned back around to ask one last time why.

And I saw them.

The Elves from Mirkwood.

And not just any Elves from Mirkwood.

The group of Elves that stole my freedom.

I turned and fled quickly back to my room, hoping they did not see me.

The next morning...

(Drakenia POV)

I awoke from my nightmare with a cut off scream. Then I realized where I was.

I sighed, laying back down in my bed. I pulled the covers up over my head, wishing that today had not come so quickly.

Moments later, I leapt out of my bed, having finally realized what day it was.

I charged to the bathroom to ready myself for the day.

I heard the bell ring outside my room, signalling breakfast had begun. I raced out the door, only stopping a moment to check myself in the mirror.

I skipped breakfast, instead wandering the corridors to explore. I had only been here for two weeks, after all.

Then, looking at the sky, I decided it was time to head over to the council. I hummed under my breath as I walked, bored of just wandering to and from places. Finally, I reached the council circle. I was earlier than everyone, excluding Lord Elrond of course. We sat and spoke for a bit, well argued would be a better term for it.

Lord Elrond wanted to introduce me as Draken, while I thought that would be immoral. My name was Drakenia not Draken. But, I gave up and allowed him this one small victory in this day of stress.

The council assembled quickly, not a single soul being even a moment late. I decided to zone out.

I decided to ponder my options, as I knew they were sending a quest out to destroy the ring. My only question was to where and why?

My thoughts drowned out all other sound. Until I heard Frodo yell.

"I will take it! I will take the ring to Mordor." The hobbit shouted bravely. I blinked and considered my options.

Gandalf and Aragorn pledged themselves to the quest. Then a young-looking (well, you could never tell with Elves) Elf offered his bow. Next was Gimli, the annoying Dwarf from earlier. Then was the most annoying human, Boromir I think his name was? A few -three to be exact- hobbits raced out to join as well. Then, just as Lord Elrond began to speak, I stood as well.

"I offer my protection as well. I pledge myself to the quest." I spoke softly, but there was something in my voice that kept the others from arguing.

All but Gandalf glared daggers at me. In other words, if looks could kill, I would be dead eight times over.

"Ten companions. You shall be the Fellowship of the Ring." Elrond stated calmly, ignoring the stares that wished for me to be stopped.

I walked off with the hobbits as fast as I could. Although, I was trying to avoid the hobbits as well. They were quite clingy.

the next morning...

(Drakenia POV)

I awoke with a start.

"What is with all these nightmares lately? Have I gone mad?" I decided to ignore the dream once again.

I sat up and dragged myself up out of bed. Then, pulling myself together, I dressed, grabbed my things, and headed out to the meeting place.

Once there, I ignored the others, knowing that they thought ill of me for coming.

Lord Elrond appeared. "The Fellowship is leaving. I wish you all a safe journey."

Or, at least, I think that's what Lord Elrond said...I wasn't really listening.

We journeyed out the gate and toward Mordor. I ignored the hobbit -Pippin- who walked along merrily beside me. I wanted to think on things that must be remembered.

"What did the dream mean? I was flying, and then I was falling. My wings locked. I could not scream. The flower, what was it?" I was dragged out of my mind only when we stopped to rest at the top of a cliff.

I laughed, watching Boromir trying to teach the hobbits to sword-fight. He struck Pippin's finger and then was- wait.

I smelled something upon the air. Something dark and menacing. Something evil.

I turned and looked at a "black cloud" that happened to be moving very fast toward us against the wind.

Crebaine from Dunland.

My mind froze. Everyone threw themselves under a bush or rock. Me? Well, I was too far from anything to hide under, so I did the most logical thing I could think of.

I jumped.

Off the side of the cliff.

And then swung myself under a ledge partway down, effectively hiding myself from view.

Moments later, I heard calls from above. I winced as the Crebaine flew above me, circled, and then left.

The seconds ticked by. Then I heard the others calling for me. Wailing for me. Crying for me.

I chuckled, and began my climb back up the side of the cliff. When I reached the top minutes later and pulled myself up over the edge, I found total chaos.

The humans were shouting at eachother, The Elf and Dwarf were snarling at the humans. The hobbits were trying to settle the matter and appease both sides. Gandalf was kind of just sitting off to the side, quietly watching the others' bickering.

I stood beside him.

"Well, are you going to do something?" I asked good-naturedly.

"No. I was going to let them kill eachother with the stress first." Gandalf laughed. I squared my shoulders.

"Right then." I stalked toward the group of arguing creatures, trying to stifle a laugh.

Legolas spotted me first. And then proceeded to turn to the others and try to warn them. Unfortunately for the others, they did not heed Legolas' advice.

"Hey! Shut up! I'm right here!" I yelled. Everyone turned to me. And then I was grabbed in a hug from the hobbits. And had to shake off Sam, who was trying to check me over for injuries.

I sighed. "Can we go then, Gandalf?" I called. He nodded.

"Come, we must continue on." The wizard said gravely. I walked with him toward the mountain, keeping my thoughts to myself.