Chapter Two
Smaug laid there on the stone floor, listening closely to Vanya as she told her story about her past. The one part that intrigued him the most from her story was her encounter with a dragon and surviving. "Interesting. I am quite curious as to how you were able to survive the wrath of a dragon's fire. If it had the power and the intensity to destroy your guards, then why wasn't it able to destroy you? It does not make much sense to me as a dragon's flames are known to melt anything that it touches."
Vanya looked down into the flame as if she was in a kind of trance with confusion and worry. "I wish that I knew, to tell you the truth. But, whether I knew how I did or not….it wouldn't have mattered. Not after what had happened shortly after that terrible day." The whole time she had spoken not once did she lift her head up high to look at Smaug but her voice sounded sad.
Hearing the sad tone in her voice, Smaug soon found himself feeling some small amount of pity for the first time in his life. "What happened after you returned and when did you find yourself in exile?"
The young She-Elf sighed heavily as she continued to stare into the fire visualizing those terrible times. "Well, we had to postpone my ceremony for a week due to my father's sorrow over the loss of his guards. He did not want my biggest day be on the same one as their deaths out of great respect for the dead. As the week passed, I began to feel strange and even more different than I have ever felt before. At the time, I didn't feel like it was something to be concerned with but I ended up realizing how wrong I was. It wasn't until the morning of my ceremony that I truly ended up worrying about it more than I ever have before. My Elvish sight had changed and grown more vivid and stronger than a normal Elf's sight would be. Not only that, but I also noticed that whenever I stared at a flame of any kind it changed somehow. That alone made me increasingly wary that something strange and unnatural was happening to me. However, I decided to not try and dwell on it and focused on my important day as it finally arrived. Throughout the day, things went very smoothly, from demonstrating my swordsmanship to presenting myself regally. It wasn't until the end of the day during the archery demonstration that things began to go wrong. I remember that I had just strung my wooden longbow with the golden trip that my father gave me. The arrow, which shimmered like dazzling silver, was aimed at a large brown ring standing on a golden pedestal. Two tall candles stood on each end of the ring with another one directly behind with gentle fires. As I pulled the bowstring and arrow back, I took a deep breath doing my best to focus on the target. Without realizing it, my eyes began to change and my concentration caused the flames to react. The moment I had released my arrow all 3 of the flames on the candles shot up into the air at the same time. Not only that, but as soon as the arrow went through the ring they all connected above the target becoming an inferno. What also happened was that my eyes, normally green like emeralds, had transformed into that of a dragon's. All of this had surprised me so much that I found myself dropping my bow and passing out on the ground.
"I awoke the next morning in my bed, feeling as though I have returned to my normal self. My nurse was there beside me and told me that my father was conversing with the Elders at that moment. 'What are they discussing,' I asked her. She only looked to me with the most worried of glances. 'It is about what had happened to you, my lady. They fear that you may have been cursed with powerful Dark Magic,' she had eventually answered. 'What? How could they think that,' I asked her now fearful of what might happen. 'Because of what had happened to you the week before that they feel was something evil.' About 5 minutes later, my father entered the room and motioned my nurse to leave the room. After she left, he walked over and sat down at the end of my bed looking down at the floor. He sighed so heavily that I knew that what he was about to tell me was going to be bad news. 'My dear daughter, I'm afraid that the Elders and I have come to a terrible decision,' he told me. 'One that even I feel so ashamed to agree to.' At that moment, he looked up at me with both sadness and regret showing in his sky-blue eyes. 'What are you talking about, father' I have asked him desperate to get some answers until I thought up a possible one. 'You do not believe that I am cursed or something, do you? Is that what the Elders are thinking of me? Please tell me that you do not think or believe something like that!' As I pleaded to him, I reached out and grabbed onto his left hand in desperation.
"My father sighed heavily again moving his hand out of mine and stood up facing me sadly. 'My dearest Vanya, the Elders and I had to discuss this with the greatest care and importance. You must understand that our decision was for the good of our entire realm and the safety of our people. We have decided….that you must be exiled in fear of the Dark Powers discovering our location. I will send someone to help provide you with provisions so you will be ready to leave at first light tomorrow. I am truly sorry that it has come to this, but please know that I shall always love you and that will never change.' My heart sank and I was shook up terribly for my father and the Elders would have say that without reason. I knew that they must have considered me a terrible threat if their only option was to banish me. I was unable to utter anything in response so I could only bow my head in sad agreement while he left the room. Later that night, the shock and sadness continued to plague me and depriving me from sleeping. My people now thought of me as cursed for they believed that the dragon who attacked me was a servant of the Dark Lord. So, with a heavy heart I decided to leave that night instead of waiting for the dawn to approach. I snuck out of my room, packed my blade and my necessary provisions and placed a letter for my father on my bed. Shortly after I left my home, I could start feeling the pain in my heart though I did not look back once. It was only a while later after I started my long and tiring journey that I had decided to travel southwest from home. At that time, I figured that no Man, Dwarf or other Elves would accept me if they had discovered the truth. Not while I felt like I was cursed with some kind of Dark Magic possibly owned by the Dark Lord himself. I was travelling alone throughout the Wild never showing fear, nor did I let any tears fall down my cheeks. A few days later, I found myself starting to adjust and becoming comfortable in my new lifestyle. At night I would make a small fire and practice my new fire wielding ability in order to control it better. This always made me feel weakened a little, but it never really cause me too many problems when I did. Through my travels, I didn't encounter any other Peoples of Middle Earth but always saw or heard animals nearby. At times, it felt that I was really alone in Middle-Earth without any companions to travel alongside me.
"This was how my life was for two and a half years, Smaug until something happened three months ago. I was continuing my way down South making my way through the western side of the North Mountains. Suddenly, I was ambushed by a pack of 20 to 30 Orcs atop fierce Wargs and I was forced to flee for my life. Luckily, my Elvish swiftness helped me keep them at bay but they still pursued me giving me no chance to rest or even eat. They gave me no other choice but to traverse the treacherous section of the North Mountains: The Withered Heath. During that time, it felt like it was my only chance for survival yet I knew that was where Dragons lived. However, I knew that despite that risk it would have been my salvation for escaping that Orc pack. While I travelled through the Withered Heath I found myself at the base of the tallest mountain. Whether or not I knew that it was already inhabited I still climbed my way up to protect myself. During the climb, however, I ended up dropping my sword while halfway up but I dared not climb down. I knew that once I have my relentless pursuers would be down there waiting to attack me once again. So, with that in mind, I kept climbing till I reached the ledge that lead to your cave's entrance. That was when hunger and fatigue finally got the best of me and the rest…you already know. Please forgive me for having such a long story, though I do not know what compelled me to tell you everything."
Smaug listened to the whole story and found himself to be so intrigued by Vanya that her being an elf intruder didn't matter. "It's quite alright. You probably fell under the power of the Dragon Spell. When one gazes into a dragon's eyes they feel strange and can't help but speak whether they wished to or not. So, what of these pursuers of yours who have plagued you so? Where would they be, hmm? I was not able to smell them out there when I had brought you inside."
Vanya looked concerned from this as she knew that her pursuers weren't that far behind her. "That, is truly ill news for I know that they were not that far behind me in their evil pursuit. But, where they are now and why they are after me I do not know. I just can't explain what they could possibly want with me."
"It matters not." Smaug gave her a confident smirk as his eyes began to glow as brightly as the fire that burned in the pit. "Only the biggest fools would dare to enter a dragon's cave whether or not it resided inside at the time. Even if they did, they could not do anything to harm me. No weapon that was ever made by Man, Elf or Dwarf can pierce my armor so I doubt any forged Orc blade can cause harm. Besides my armor, my teeth are as sharp as swords, my claws are deadly spears and my breath means death. So, as long as you remain within my cave you will not be harmed."
The young Elvish princess was surprised by what he told her and it took her a moment to reply. "You mean….you are not going to kill or eat me," she asked feeling a bit relieved as she looked up at him.
The Great Fire Drake looked down at her with a gaze that felt like it was piercing through her. "Do not be so relieved," he told his guest with a brief hiss. "I can choose who I want to kill and when I want to kill them. The fact of the matter is you interest me, which is the only reason I'm keeping you alive for the time being. Also, it is because I do not see you as any sort of threat which you should consider yourself lucky. For now, rest and recover your strength." At that moment, his face softened a bit as did his gaze to give his guest a bit more comfort. "As it is, I do not have any reason to do you harm, so longs as you don't attempt an attack on me."
Vanya was a bit more relieved from those words and couldn't help but let out a warm smile. "I swear to you that I will never try to run away or harm you. You have given me sanctuary after a long and perilous journey. I do not expect you to care for me as a mother would for her child. Once I have my strength back I will go and find my own food and then return back here straight away. For I am still an exile, and I know that no Peoples of Middle Earth will accept me as I am right now. I will be honored to stay here if this pleases you, O Smaug the Golden." As she spoke, she bowed her head down as to show her honorable respect to the Great Fire Drake.
Smaug watched her bow to him and chuckled finding some humor in her nobility and honor. "As I have said earlier, you have nice manners for a She-Elf. However, do not be so formal with me for it is not needed. You may stay here with me as you wish and I will provide you with protection. For now, you shall be my guest though you are the first to be so. But rest now, for I can feel your fatigue from the weariness of the air that surrounds you. Upon the morning I will go in search for sustenance for the both of us as well as any signs of your pursuers. If they dare to enter while I am away, use your power to control flames on the fire to signal me." As he spoke, he moved the back of his tail behind Vanya and coiled the tip close to where she rested her head. "This is the least I can do to help make you feel a bit more comfortable as you sleep."
This sudden act of kindness took the young She-Elf by surprise as she took a quick glance at his curved tail then back at him. "Thank you. You have my deepest gratitude." With that, she slowly moved her legs back out from underneath her while wincing from the pain. As soon as she stretched them out and the pain resided, she was finally able to relax again. She looked back up at the massive dragon wearily as she could feel sleep coming over her. "I feel as if I won't be able to stay awake for much longer."
"That is for the best," Smaug replied as he lowered his head slightly more close to the ground. "Sleep, and I shall be keeping watch even as I rest."
So, with her vigilant guardian promising to keep her safe, Vanya lowered her head onto Smaug's tail. It was a bit rough, but it only took a moment later before she finally fell fast asleep for the night. For the first time in a long time, she finally felt safe and secure without worrying about her pursuers.
Smaug watched her sleeping form and let out a quiet but subtle chuckle from him now having a guest in his cave. Suddenly, a small but warm gust of wind blew into the chamber and reached the dragon's nostrils. He lifted up his head up high and gave it a good sniff for a few seconds to find out what it was. What he got a whiff of suddenly made him tense as his eyes glowed brightly like fire once again. Smaug glared in the direction of his cave's entrance and snorted quietly in annoyance and anger. He knew what the scent was, much to his new guest's horror and that angered him as much as it would trouble her. The Orc pack that has pursued her was finally nearby his mountain, unwilling to give up on their prey. He did not know exactly where they were out there, but to him they weren't so concerning though he knew they were for his guest. But, for the moment he wasn't about to go and confront them that night for invading the Withered Heath. Instead, he was going to wait to see what they were going to do before deciding to end their miserable lives. With that in mind, he lowered his head again down onto the ground and coiled his neck around Vanya. However, as Smaug began to fall asleep he was being sure that he kept all of his senses sharp. It was only a matter of time before they attempted to enter and when they would he would be ready for them. So, throughout the night the Dragon and the Elvish Princess rested peacefully unaware of the true danger waiting for them below.
