Many years passed, and the forest became but a shadow of its former self, poisoned by the darkness that seeped into the very soil. Giant spiders spread their webs through the boughs of the trees, forcing the once carefree woodland elves to seek refuge in the halls of their king, for the wicked creatures devoured any and all who were unfortunate enough to encounter them.

It was a time that all lived in ignorance of the creature that slept as one with the forest.

That is, except for one.

From the day he first entered the world, his mother had spun tales of a golden dragon in the wood. His father had denounced such stories, his pale eyes flashing like ice, and his words heavy laden with contempt. "Dragons are foul creatures, composed of naught but greed and hate."

But Legolas cared not, for in those precious moments with his mother...he was spellbound.

Her death carved the very heart out of Greenwood, felled by the those that lurked in darkness. In the days that followed, the king was never quite the same.

The air in the elven halls seemed to grow colder in the absence of its queen, and so it was that Greenwood became known as Mirkwood.

Times grew darker still, as a beast laid waste to cities of men and dwarves in the northeast.

A grieving king had looked on as a massacre unfolded before him, but he had already lost too much...and so he turned away from those who cried for his aide.

But the crown prince knew that this was not what his mother would have wanted, for he had inherited her noble heart. A young elf could do nothing against a dragon alone, but he had his mother's stories. His father believed them fables, but Legolas was not so sure. If Gli the gold really did exist somewhere within the forest, he would find her, and he would plead for her help.

Years came and went, and soon Legolas' daily searches became less and less frequent until he ceased altogether. His mind turned to other things, and soon, the dragon of the wood became all but forgotten.

...

Legolas' heart pounded within his chest as he faced what may be his death. Patrol had gone terribly wrong when they had been surrounded on all sides by giant spiders. They had fought well at first, but never before had they been attacked in such numbers nor with such ferocity, his companions were slowly picked off one by one until he was the last one standing. He was surrounded on all sides...he was out of arrows, and out of options. As the spiders prepared to lunge, desperate and defenseless, Legolas grasped for his last strand of hope. "GLI!" he shouted with all of his might.

For a moment the world seemed to hold its breath, and as quickly as the spiders had come upon them, they fled. The very earth shifted beneath his feet, falling away as the creature beneath it stirred. A great tail swept across the forest floor, the trees toppling under its strength.

Legolas felt no relief as he found himself facing a threat far greater than a spider could ever be. He had never seen a dragon so close, trees groaned as they were uprooted from their coils about the beast. As the dirt fell away, he found himself on the very hide of the beast itself, one glittering scale the size of his head. Legolas watched in awe as the dragon lifted its head on its long serpentine neck, and he was met with eyes the color of spring leaves.

"It has been so long since I have heard that name."

The dragon's voice washed over Legolas like water, smooth and deep with power.

"There are only two that know of it, and one of them is dead. How did one such as yourself hear of it?"

Legolas swallowed hard as he summoned his courage. "My mother told me of a dragon who slumbered in this forest, mourning the loss of an elf companion."

"Ah, the fair Anvanya, yes...I do remember. The resemblance is undeniable, how is she?"

Legolas tried to rid himself of the lump that rose in his throat, the pain of her passing still fresh in his heart. "She has passed from this world."

The dragon let out a mournful sigh, his expression had answered her question before his words. "The world will grieve the loss of her light." Again her eyes met those of the young elf. "Though I suspect that is not why you have sought me out."

"A great fire drake has laid waste to cities of dwarves and men...and all has been left in death and ruin. The likes of men and elves pale in the face of such monstrosity...but another dragon..."

"Your heart is noble, little elf, but I am no champion of elves...nor of dwarves. Their home has been uprooted beneath them, and honour bound if they wish to retrieve it, then they must do so under their own power."

"But he has slaughtered countless people, and those in the shadow of his mountain live their lives in fear!"

"You speak as if other races have not done the same. Wars are painted with courage and honour, but still the rivers run red with blood. Tyrants lay civilization low, and thieves rob the innocent...is it not the nature of every living thing to take what it wants? If they cannot keep what they hold most dear, then they do do not deserve to have it."

"But is it not the duty of the strong to protect those who cannot protect themselves?"

The dragon was silent for a moment, before she smiled. "You are very much like your mother, little elf. Go to your companions, I can hear their trembling pulses, they await your rescue."