Chapter Eight

It was another warm, sunny morning as the sun began its ascent over the world and the Northern Mountains. There were only a few small white clouds joining the sun that morning as they flew gently across the sky over the mountains. As if it had become the normal wake-up method, the warm morning breeze once again blew into the peak and tickled Smaug's nostrils causing him to wake. He rose up his head and sniffed the air and still could detect the scents of both the Orc pack and their Wargs nearby but chose to belay them. He knew that there was not much they could do while he remained around his domain, but the fact that they continued to linger near his mountain bothered him. Not only that, only a single day remained before he had to leave to hunt and he'd have to leave the She-Elf behind once again. He did not know how far he would have to travel or how long he would be away, but knew that the day's training was the most crucial of all. He looked down upon his sleeping Elvish companion and snorted softly knowing well that they had much work to do. "It is time to awaken," he said with a low tone.

Vanya opened her eyes slowly and sat up stretching her arms out wide with a yawn for a moment before she lowered them. "Good morning, Lord Smaug."

"I trust that you have been well rested over the course of the night?"

"Yes," Vanya told him as she took a moment to think about if she could recall any sort of frightening moments from her dreams. "I did not have any nightmares last night, which I am truly grateful for and it does make me feel slightly more relaxed. However, I still can't help but think about that terrible nightmare from before…and the fears I had during it."

"Yes…about those filthy wastes of life laying siege on your home and people and destroying all you hold dear. Correct?"

Vanya froze in fear just from Smaug uttering those words like that and sat there motionless for a moment staring down at the ground. She knew that, since she was first banished, that she feared for the safety of her father, her people and her home terribly. Not only that, but just the thought of any harm befalling them shook her up though her greatest wish was that it would never come to pass. She let out a heavy sigh and looked up at the Fire Drake with worry in her eyes and upon her face's expression. "Yes. I know that I should not fret so greatly over this when I know fully well that my home is well hidden and protected. But, even with that said, all Elves know that the forces of evil and darkness always try to extend their reach. I fear that it shall only be a matter of time before the dark forces that are after me will locate and destroy everyone I have ever loved and cherished."

"That may be possible, but as you've just now stated there is no need to truly fear of this coming to pass. Instead," he began to say as he rose his massive body up and turned towards the training tunnel, "focus now on your training for today. I would very much like to see these famous Elvish skills that you were born with up against my naturally born abilities. This shall be your most difficult training day and much needed to be so as this will be the last day before I leave to hunt. Come! Let us make our way to the training area and we shall see what you are indeed truly capable of."

"Yes, my Lord Smaug." Vanya rose up off of her bed and quickly followed closely behind him as the two made their way through the tunnel. Only a few minutes passed before they found themselves at the fork but instead of travelling to the chamber from the previous days they walked down the left path. She was confused as to why they were taking a different way as her last training sessions were both in the same location. But, she knew well not to question Smaug and trusted that he had his reasons for taking them down this path. They were only halfway through the tunnel before she remembered their brief discussion during the night. "Lord Smaug, I was wondering something about this new path that you are taking us," she asked curiously as she looked up from his right shoulder.

Smaug paused for a moment and turned his long, serpentine neck slightly so he could look down upon her keeping his head raised. "Yes?"

"Well, will this be the place you told me about last night where you said will be the setting for our last day of training?"

"You shall see soon enough if you continue to follow me and ask no more questions," was all his response was to her before facing forward again and continued walking.

Vanya only nodded silently as she followed closely once again as she did not wish to bother him with any more questions. They had only gone further for a few minutes more before the first rays of sunlight could be seen at the end of the tunnel. As the two of them drew closer, the light became brighter and brighter causing Vanya to shield her eyes as they approached the exit. Upon arriving, a small white cloud floated by the sun covering it just enough for both of them to see what laid before them. To the Elvish Princess' amazement, it was a beautiful rocky alcove that was twice the width of Smaug's sleeping cave. Along its outer rim were towering stone walls that rose to half of the dragon's full height while the sun shone above. Numerous large boulders scattered across the floor that were nearly Vanya's height but much wider than her. Alongside the right wall close to the entrance, roaring nearly as loud as a dragon, was a mighty waterfall which flowed down the mountainside through a small crack in the wall overflowing the small rocky pool it flowed into. The sunlight hit the water and made it glisten like diamonds, Vanya observed, that made it more beautiful in appearance. The Elvish Princess took a few steps into the alcove to take in this amazing sight and was struck with awe much like how it was in the training chamber. "Wow, this is incredible Lord Smaug," she said in awe without taking her eyes off of the alcove surrounding them. "I know I have said this before, but you really have taken the most magnificent mountain in all the Withered Heath for yourself. Haven't you?"

"Indeed," Smaug answered as he made his way onto the far side of the enclosed alcove smirking his usual smirk. "Here will be our training field for today as well as a safe outdoor space for you to refill your water away from danger. But, do you know of what our training will be for this final day?"

Vanya's awe-struck feelings went away once she heard his question as she remembered why they came there. She looked around curiously at the terrain trying to understand why it would be their battleground for the day. From the rock wall surrounding the alcove to the large boulders scattered about in strategic places around them. 'Boulders lined around this area in specific places,' she thought, 'almost like if I could….' It was then that she finally understood and turned to face Smaug with the wisdom she gained in that moment. "I know why it is that you have brought me out here," she said confidently.

"Do you now?" Smaug smirked his usual smirk as he lowered his head until it was above hers and growled softly.

"Yes," Vanya nodded to him. "You said before that I needed to work more on my Elvish abilities as I have not yet had the chance to use them. For the last few days you guided me more on gaining more control over my dragon-like abilities to use against foes. However, my natural skills were numbed down such as my agility, stealth and also to use my own Elf senses in battle. With such terrain around us, there is no doubt in my mind that is exactly what you intended for me with today's training. Is that correct?"

But the dragon only chucked as his eyes briefly illuminated as he began to walk over to the other side of the alcove. "Indeed. You are very clever for a She-Elf, though I'm not going to just watch you train to improve your natural skills. For today's training, I shall attack you with all my weapons except for my flame to test your natural reflexes. Your challenge is to use everything in your surroundings to your advantage as you evade each and every one of my attacks. Is that clear?"

Vanya was surprised for a moment but then prepared herself by suddenly leaping onto a large boulder nearby and faced him. "Understood, Lord Smaug. Show me everything that you've got and you'll see what I'm capable of," she told him confidently.

"Good. Then, let us begin," the Dragon replied with a chuckle as he relit his inner furnace and his eyes burned with intensity. He then lifted up his massive body and with a swift swing thrusted his mighty tail forward towards the She-Elf. He did not want to waste any time with the day's training and his patience to see Vanya's natural Elvish abilities grew thin. What were these skills that she was capable of she mentioned, he wondered and was determined to find out.

Vanya saw his tail coming and quickly leaped away in the nick of time towards her right to land on a different. As she landed, she had to block herself from the shattered fragments of the boulder she was on that Smaug's tail destroyed. But, she didn't have much time to admire the sheer power of it as his tail swung again towards her causing her to leap to her right to dodge. This time, she rolled out of the way and behind a larger and more slender boulder just to catch her breath and assess the situation. 'Talk about a close call. He's truly going hard into this day's training for some reason and I don't even think he's started yet. I'd better be more careful,' but her thoughts were disrupted by a large forelimb coming down above her and she had to quickly roll out of the way. As she watched, Smaug's claws dug deep into the boulder and crushed it and swept the pieces away from her. She stood up and faced him making herself prepared for his next move and realized she wasn't prepared for what was next. An open mouth full of sharp, swordlike teeth came directly at her with great speed and nearly chomped down upon her. Fortunately, Vanya leaped up into the air and landed after 5 skilled backflips back onto the ground, away from the Dragon's jaws and sighed with relief.

"You are quite skilled in dodging my attacks, but are you prepared for THIS," Smaug shouted as he rose his body up and flapped his mighty wings hard.

Vanya quickly shielded her face with her arms and lowered herself towards the ground just to maintain her footing, letting out strained grunts as she endured Smaug's move. Never has she experienced such powerful gusts of wind in her life, especially coming from the might of a Dragon's wings. At that moment she knew that she needed to find some cover before she found herself blown away by him. She looked around and saw two boulders alongside each other close to the water and thought that was her best chance. She kept herself low as she ran swiftly towards them trying hard not to let Smaug's gusts blow her off course determined not to fail. However, just at that moment, a strong crosswind blew over Smaug's peak and combined with his gust making it even stronger. Vanya was close to the boulders until the wind caught her and she found herself being blown close to the top of the rocky wall of the alcove. She reached out, desperately maintaining her grip tightly onto the stone with all her might but grew fearful as she struggled to hang on. She knew that if she lost her hold she would plummet to the ground below and that would have certainly been the end of her.

Smaug, who was just as surprised by the sudden crosswind blowing by, ceased his flapping and saw Vanya's plight. Without hesitation he raced over with great speed and with his long tail, swooped it under her to end her falling. However, he saw that she was about to lose her grip so, with his serpentine neck, grabbed hold of Vanya by the back of her shirt. He was very careful not to let his teeth dig into her flesh for he knew that they would have shredded her with ease. As soon as he knew he had a good grip on her, the Great Fire Drake lifted her up and returned her gently to the alcove floor then released just as she laid on the ground. At that moment, however, the crosswind finally stopped and the air was calm and breeze gentle once again.

Vanya laid there catching her breath, unable to comprehend what had just transpired but very grateful for being safe. She was only on the ground for a few moments before she heard the low growling hiss from behind her and turned to see Smaug looking down at her. His face was only 10 feet up in the air away from hers and his eyes were now more gentle and dimmed slightly.

"Have you sustained any injuries and wish to end today's training," Smaug asked as he faced her curiously.

Vanya sat there for a moment, but then rose to her feet after a deep breath and looked on at him strongly and fiercely. "My lord, I have not yet begun to show you what I can do and I am still able to keep going with the training. I'll be fine, so please continue to not make it easy for me, alright," she told him feeling more confident.

The Fire Drake laughed and sneered as he raised his head while his eyes returned to their previous glow and his furnace relit. "Then, let the training continue," he commanded in a loud voice as he suddenly swung his right forelimb claws toward her.

Vanya smirked a little as she dodged his swiping claws to the right and quickly jumped up onto a nearby boulder once again. This time, she didn't waste time as she swiftly leaped from boulder to boulder until she was behind him. However, she was able to see his tail swinging quickly towards her to knock her off but she was prepared. Vanya ducked down and rolled out of the way just as Smaug unleased another one of his claw swipes at her directly. Without hesitation, she timed it correctly and jumped high above his swipe and landed back onto the ground 5 feet away. Suddenly, she saw the intense open jaws coming towards her once again but this time she had a risky plan in mind. She ran up, leaped above the Dragon's jaws and landed on his top jaw just before she backflipped up high upon the tallest boulder. The force of that landing caused his jaws to snap shut, which Smaug was genuinely surprised by, and faced the Dragon with her confident gaze.

Smaug was indeed impressed by the She-Elf's maneuvers as he raised up his head and looked upon her eye to eye. 'She has spirit,' he thought, 'that I can see. Her speed and evasiveness is impressive for an Elf and her ability to dodge my attacks shows keen reflexes. But, let's just see how long she can keep this up before the day is over.' He gave her a smirk and chuckled while he stood straight up and raised up his mighty tail into the air behind him. "Are you still prepared to continue on?"

Vanya smirked in reply and crouched down on the top of the boulder prepared for anything Smaug would throw at her. "You know I am, so let's keep going," she told him feeling more confidence in herself than ever before.

"Very well. Let us continue!"

With that, the Dragon and the Elvish Princess continued on with their intense training for the rest of the day. There was not a single moment that Smaug went easy on Vanya and really pushed her limits of her Elvish skills. Vanya, who grew more and more confident in herself and her natural abilities, continued on with confidence and sheer will. Without either of them taking notice, the sun began its afternoon descent and the air became cool and crisp. It wasn't until a gentle breeze blew by before both finally realized how the day sped by and that evening was upon them. The two of them finally stopped training and found themselves resting on the alcove surrounded by broken boulders. Only a single handful of boulders remained in once piece while the others were scattered about everywhere on the ground. While the inner furnace and eyes of Smaug dimmed back to normal, Vanya sat down on a small, flat stone beside the waterfall.

"What a day," Vanya said in a sigh as she bent down to take some handfuls of the clear blue water to drink. The taste of it felt pure and refreshing and not just quenched her thirst but made her feel relaxed and rejuvenated as well. "That feels so much better and this water is delicious, as did that intense training we just went through. I've never felt stronger and more confident in myself as I did today," she said as she smiled at Smaug, "though I know I'm nowhere near as powerful as you."

"Yes, you indeed showed great progress and excellent skills for an Elf," Smaug replied as he lowered his head towards her. "However, I do seem to recall that you were in real trouble at one point during the training that you felt unsure."

"Yes, I thought that I would fly right off of the alcove and plummet to my death in the valley down because of that crosswind combining with your wing gusts. I know that I only survived that because of you coming to my rescue which I am eternally grateful for." Vanya turned to face the water for a moment and stared at her reflection before staring up at the Dragon curiously. "My lord, are you not going to take a drink yourself for I'm sure that you must be parched from these past three days."

"You need not be concerned about me and any desire for water," Smaug replied with a loud snort, "for I only drink when I must. Now, I suggest we return to the sleeping chamber as it is time for us to rest for the night," he told her as he rose his body off the ground.

"Yes, my lord Smaug."

With that, the two rose to their feet and began their way back to the sleeping chamber ready to call it a night. Neither spoke a word as they travelled through the tunnel or even when they finally arrived at the chamber. Fatigue and exhaustion soon gripped both of them from the intensity of the day's training which they felt strongly. Smaug lowered himself in his usual sleeping position coiled up while Vanya laid herself onto her bed. She felt more exhausted as she did not eat nor drank and within moments both of them fell fast asleep. However, later that night, Vanya found herself awake and sat up in her bed silently and looked over at Smaug's sleeping form. Strange as it was for her, she never truly realized just how peaceful and yet so fierce a dragon could be. But, something troubled her and prevented her from falling back into peaceful slumber at that moment. So, without so much as a peep, she rose out of her bed, snuck past Smaug, and began to make her way back to the alcove. It did not take her long for she used her enhancing Dragon Sight to navigate through the dark tunnel until she arrived within minutes.

Outside, the night air was both chilling yet pleasant and the sky was like a velvet curtain clear and beautiful with the stars shining like diamonds. The moon shone brightly above the alcove and caused the waterfall to glitter like the stars above and the pool below reflecting the beauty of the night sky. Feeling briefly at peace, Vanya walked over and sat down on the rock she rested on before and gazed up without a word. Yet, despite the peace and serenity the night sky provided her, she knew that her heart and mind were still troubled.

"Feeling trouble, are you?"

Vanya gasped loudly and quickly turned towards the entrance and saw Smaug standing within the entrance staring at her. She watched in surprise as he lumbered out and then laid down his massive body like in his sleeping position and faced her. "Lord Smaug, what are you doing out here?"

"That is what I would ask you for it was you who snuck out of the sleeping chamber," Smaug replied with a chuckle as he lowered his head to her level. His eyes, to Vanya, shone with a gentle light yet neither anger nor irritation were seen within them which felt nice.

The Elvish Princess chuckled softly feeling relaxed that it was him and took a moment to smile at him before returning her gaze at the sky. "Forgive me for disturbing your slumber, my Lord. I found myself trouble and just needed a few moments out here to get some fresh air and some time to clear my head."

"What for, may I ask?"

Vanya looked down into the pool and saw the troubled look on her face through her reflection before she faced somberly at him again. "I just began thinking of home again and suddenly I began to worry about your departure upon the morning. I just…..I cannot shake this terrible feeling that something awful is going to happen when you leave again. Whether it is because of the Orc pack or of something else, I do not know which, but this feeling of dread will not stop plaguing my heart. It is these feelings of dread that is keeping me from falling back asleep, so I thought that I would come out here so I may find some comfort just as I had done back home whenever I felt troubled. However, back then, it was either coming out to stare into the night sky or speak with my father about what bothered me."

"I see, and since you are not able to speak to your father here you decided that you would come out here instead. However, did you think it wise to venture out here alone knowing well that your enemies are somewhere down below?"

Vanya looked down momentarily thinking deeply for a moment considering what he had just asked. "I…..I thought that this would be more of a safer place than if I had decided to stargaze outside the main entrance to your mountain." She then looked up at him attempting to smile softly at him shifting herself so she would be more comfortable on her rock chair. "After all, you said so yourself that this alcove is basically a safe place and inaccessible to any outdoor intruders. Isn't that correct, Lord Smaug?"

"I did indeed say that this place would be safe, however I have learned that one should never lower their guard. Even the very safest of places can become invaded if one does not keep their senses sharp at all times. That is why, as in my blood as a Dragon, I fight fiercely to protect all that is in my possession no matter the opponent. From all this training I have placed you through during these past few days I am sure that you manage on your own. Never forget, however, that in any true dire circumstance you can signal for my help but I trust that you know to do so as a last resort."

Vanya felt comfort and encouragement from his wisdom and intelligence though she never thought that they would be so. That was until she met Smaug and realized that he truly must be a one-of-a-kind Dragon amongst his own kind. "I never forgot that the signal is only to be used when all other options are spent and I will heed your words next time I venture out here. However, my Elf senses are very tuned to the feelings and sounds of the evening as well as the light from the stars above. From before and even now, that still brings me comfort….as well as being in your company, Lord Smaug. Because somehow, it makes me think that I am back home if only for a moment and that is very relaxing to me."

Smaug let out a snort and shook his head slightly from her sentiments but soon found himself gazing up at the sky trying not to show emotion. "Do not be so sentimental with me, though I myself have found looking at the starts soothing in spite of myself."

Vanya looked up at him surprised but then smiled warmly as she gazed back up at the sky still feeling comforted. There was a long, peaceful moment of silence between the two of them while they stargazed together. At one point, they witnessed several shooting stars brightly zooming past across the sky high above the alcove. The Elvish Princess looked on in awe at Smaug and his magnificence in the moonlight and then looked away taking a deep breath. "The Woods of Núathin Beleriand."

"What did you say," Smaug asked suddenly in surprise as he looked down at her after she broke the silence.

"That is where my people used to reside in until the war of the First Age ravaged and destroyed it. My village are the last remnants of those ancient Elves who now have taken refuge somewhere far to the north in secret. We wish only to remain in peace but know well that we must continue trying to keep the Orcs under control. We try all this without revealing our village's exact location which we work hard to keep secret from all who may try to find it. It was from the far north that I have travelled and I realize now just how far I have come being so far away." At that point, Vanya let out a loud yawn covering her mouth as she did so now feeling drowsiness coming over her. "I feel now that I trust you enough to tell you…..," but she soon found herself falling asleep as she nearly dropped into the pool beside her.

Smaug reached out his right claw and caught her in time and chuckled he lowered his head further smiling. "Come. I shall take you back to the sleeping chamber for now it seems like you are ready once again to rest," he said softly. He then lifted her up and placed her gently upon his neck before lifting himself off the ground turning to face the entrance. He walked slowly and carefully back towards the chamber being careful not to drop his sleeping passenger. Once they arrived back, he lowered his body down enough beside Vanya's bed where he used his neck down and gently returned her to her bed. Once he knew that she was alright and watched her sleeping peacefully with a smile he moved back to his sleeping spot. He coiled his tail around the firepit and her before he lowered his head down and stared at her smirking. 'She revealed to me the direction of her hidden village,' he thought amused, 'and yet she was wise not to disclose the exact location. Not that an Elvish village would be of any value to me or be worth any of my time hunting or otherwise. Still, I find it amusing that she would trust the likes of me enough to tell me that kind of important information.' Soon he raised his head again and stared intensely out towards the tunnel leading to the main mountain entrance. 'But, I know that those filthy Orcs and their pitiful pets are still out there and no doubt they will make another attempt to enter and claim her for themselves. It is only a matter of time before they do and if they do….then DEATH shall be their unjust reward for their foolishness. This She-Elf is mine and mine alone,' he told himself determined as he lowered his head down and fell asleep shortly after.

'This She-Elf is mine and mine alone….and NO ONE shall ever take her away from me.'