I don't own Lord of the Rings or any D&D elements

Sorry for taking so long I'm helping my family get ready for Thanksgiving, went to a concert yesterday and had a test.

Chapter 8 Apologies of Elves and Dragons

I followed Legolas' scent slowly; I did not want to apologize to such a brazen being. As I walked through the halls I saw the Hobbits outside playing with the human Aragorn. It was very touching but I had to leave quickly, I felt the shadow of the Ring hovering over me, making me feel weak and ill. Just the thought of the Ring made me sick, its darkness trying to entice the darkness that is naturally in all life forms. It made me think how it would be if we were betrayed by one of our own, if the Ring brought out the shadows in our hearts would we survive? I noticed I stopped feeling increasingly ill, the Ring whispering its Black Speech in my ear. It was right then that I decided perhaps apologizing as quickly as I could, however insincere, was the lesser of two evils and slightly less painful.

Still feeling terribly fatigued I tried to focus on Legolas' scent. Surprisingly as I focused on his scent, I could feel my darkness which was growing from the Ring be pushed back from my mind. As I felt the shadows of the Ring drift away I wallowed shamelessly into the scent of Legolas, despite being a pain in my backside he has the most interesting odor. Then I mentally scolded myself, he was an elf, a mortal, he could humiliate me if he saw me so dazed especially about his scent. My face suddenly became warm at the thought I enjoyed his scent, then my face was even warmer for noticing my face was becoming warmer. So caught up in my head that I did not notice I walked into the very being responsible for my trouble.

Our eyes met yet again; silver moons glared at blue stars, neither of us moved or spoke, merely glaring at each other. I became extremely nervous and was glad I had my sword close to me. He seemed to be thinking and his blue stars became slightly dimmed.

"How did you know of Gollum?" he spoke softly.

I was surprised yet did not let my guard down, he was no fool and I did not like the nervousness he stirred within me. My hand fingered Tsa Ixen almost maniacally as I tried to contain my childish fear. Without my draconic fear I was very suspicious and afraid, but I tried to hide it so as to not impair my mind. Though I did not wish to speak to him, I thought that if I told him he would start to trust me, then desire some sort of comradorie thus I did not have to apologize, I could not lose in this situation. But then I quickly reassessed my idea, I did not want to become close to this elf, in fact I did not wish to become close to anyone, I only have to ensure that the Ring is destroyed and that dragons are allowed knowingly in Middle-Earth. This annoyed me to no end so I just decided to answer.

"My master's scouts were there to witness the event. The dragons wanted to see if mortals needed assistance" I answered tersely.

"I… wish to apologize… for insulting your master's race" he said kindly. It is my race you disgraced I thought highly annoyed. But I had to remember he was but elf-kind, he is naturally ignorant of us.

"I accept your apology. I wish to apologize as well; the things I said to you were crude and uncalled for. I regret saying them" I replied. No I do not regret it I thought.

Legolas seemed to think I was being sincere and smiled. I have never seen a smile such as his, a much different contrast to Urivayo. Urivayo rarely smiled, when he did it was only when he was destroying human towns, torturing humans, eating humans, or when I did something that truly pleased him (Usually I gave him large rubies from my hoard). While Legolas smiled more frequently and was usually when others were happy, much like my race. This mildly appeased my fear, but I still think he was a pain in the backside for saying such comments about dragons. I was so caught up in my thoughts yet again when I noticed that Legolas was speaking to me again.

"Would you like to come to the training field with me Lady Ornjin?" he held out his hand towards me, for what I did not know.

I just stared at his hand in confusion, then looked at him questioningly

"Am I supposed to do something?" I asked lamely. Legolas stared at me highly confused.

"Will you allow me to escort you to the training field?" he tried to clarify.

I knew that by escorting me he would essentially lead me to the training field as Elrohir and Elladan did for me the previous night, but I still did not know what to do with the hand. The twins did not touch me out of respect when they escorted me, so I had no idea what this elf wanted. I thought he was toying with me which annoyed and frightened me, especially after he accepted my 'sincere' apology. Unfortunately I knew if I declined he would once again be upset with me and I'd have to 'apologize' again.

"Very well" I said emotionlessly, afraid my voice would have quivered if I said anything filled with emotion.

He gently grabbed my hand, which caused me to stiffen though to me it felt as if he had my hand in a vice grip. Legolas paid no attention as he dragged me with him. I was petrified, I could feel my lungs take in ragged breaths as my fear took over particularly since I could not reach for Tsa Ixen, and since I was in human form I had human strength, I was not very powerful. Then Legolas decreased any pressure his hand had on mine, I imagine to try and ease me the opposite occurred I began to get paranoid. He is trying to lull me into a false sense of security. He is taking me to the training area to execute me; he knows I am a dragon! I have to stop him! He will kill me! He wants to kill me! All they do is hate us! Torture us! Maim us!

At this point I my breathing hastened but I felt as if I could not breathe. Legolas stopped, released my hand and looked over my highly concerned.

"Lady Ornjin? Lady Ornjin! Calm down, what ails you?!" his voice was frantic, but I scarcely heard it. I did not even hear the Hobbits coming over to see what the commotion was; they were begging to know what was wrong with me looking so very frightened. Then I saw it, it was looking at me! I could see it before me, it was screeching inside my mind drowning me in pain. It tortured me with distorted visions of memories long past.

Visions

An adult red dragon, nearly black in color, was walking side by side with a young adult silver near the Red Horn Pass. The silver looked so happy while the red looked highly annoyed yet amused.

Next Vision

Both were ambushed by legions of orcs. The red dragon burned many with his breath, while the silver dragon paralyzed and froze them was less successful.

Next Vision

They were captured and greatly weakened, wearing some sort of collar around our necks. The red dragon was in front of the silver, protecting her.

Next Vision

All is dark, all is quiet, not one sound in the cramped room. She was alone.

Next Vision

A high piercing scream disturbed the silence. Cold, hate-filled, blank eyes stared at the silver dragon. Eyes that were no longer the color of lava, but dark and empty like a hole in the earth.

Zexenuma away! Zexenuma away! Svanoa could wux chiili nomeno! Chiili ti leave ve persvek wer whedab!!!(Stay away! STAY AWAY! HOW COULD YOU DO THIS! DO NOT LEAVE ME IN THE DARK!!!) I screeched in my mind.

I did not notice that I had fallen to the ground and that Legolas held me. My hands were at my head, my eyes shut tightly and my skin was even paler than before. I shook my head violently as I forced myself to calm down, I warily looked at the Ring which hung from Frodo's chest, then at the arms that held me and I quickly stood up.

"Forgive me, but I must speak to Lord Elrond about a pressing matter" I spoke quickly and left just as quickly so none would have a chance to question me.

My eyes were still somewhat closed when I left them, but when I came upon a mirror on my way to Lord Elrond's study I saw my eyes were in slits and completely silver. I continued and barged into his room unannounced knowing only he and Gandalf were in there.

"What is the meaning of this Ornjin?" Lord Elrond demanded. My breathing was barely slowing down.

"Sauron knows that the dragons are helping. He seeks vengeance" I panted. Gandalf looked confused.

"Why would he seek vengeance amongst your kind? True you are with us, but would he not think you are spying for him?" Gandalf asked truly confused.

"There are many things about us that you do not understand" I said. They both looked at me to explain.

"It is true we joined with Sauron of our own free will, we were promised that we could finally live openly. In exchange we had to do whatever he desired" I explained as I tried to calm myself.

"But as time went on, we did not know we were being tainted and controlled by the Ring. It made us do acts that we would never agreed to, it enslaved us" I commented sadly.

"But how did you know that your kind was being enslaved?" Gandalf asked softly.

I took a deep breath to continue. "They ordered us to kill our own wyrmlings and we did so without hesitation" I muttered sadly. We were silent for a few moments when Lord Elrond spoke.

"If that is true, then how did you and Urivayo exist? Surely you would have died as well" said Lord Elrond.

"Only the Nine-fold Dragon may answer that, for I do not know. But after the Dragon Massacre only twenty wyrmlings were let alive"

"Twenty?! Surely there are more dragons than that! I know that dragons are extremely fertile and can produce 'wyrmlings' well into old age. Youngest or not can not any of you just bear children when you are older?" asked Lord Elrond. I shook my head sadly.

"No in fact the only time we were able to bare wyrmlings was when we went into seclusion after the defeat of Morgoth. In fact it is a miracle that during Sauron's reign that they were even any nests" I muttered.

"There is something else is there not? You would not have been sent to join the Fellowship if that were not so, even with your oath to Lord Elrond" questioned Gandalf. He looked directly into my eyes somewhat harshly, but no longer as cold as before. I looked away and stared at the sun.

"We are dying" One would never have believed that three words could cause two of Middle-Earth's most powerful and wisest races to look absolutely shocked and bewildered. Many minutes passed before anyone spoke.

"H-how is that possible? Dragons are immortal, they cannot die" Gandalf asked quietly, still shocked on how an 'immortal' race could die.

I did not respond until I fully regained my breath.

"The Ring not only makes beings subject themselves to its will, but it also weakens the body. For dragons it makes us vulnerable to disease, battles with mortals and age" I managed to choke out.

When I was told of this as a juvenile I was devastated, I did not wish to die like a mortal. But I digress; I was staring at the sun with a wistful expression the sun was so very bright I had not seen it in centuries.

"So the numbers of dragons are dwindling? Is that why they sent you to possibly reverse this?" asked Lord Elrond.

"Yes our numbers are diminishing. But we cannot reverse it, we merely wish to finish the Ring and not become slaves once more" I croaked out getting emotional.

"Is it wise for you to be with the Fellowship? If you continue with this it could claim your mind and convert you back. You would become an instrument of Sauron once more and betray our cause in the end" Gandalf stated not unkindly, but more as a reminder.

"It is dangerous yes, but we did not wish to live in fear and without light. We would prefer to die while being free than live under the order of a lesser, ignorant being"

"So dragons would rather destroy themselves in ensuring their freedom, than defending themselves from what is actually attacking them?" asked Lord Elrond

"If we die, we might as well die doing something worthwhile than being forced into a cage. Dragons are not meant to be caged, we are the very embodiment of freedom" I clarified.

"Good or not?" asked Gandalf.

"Good or not" I nodded. But I saw Lord Elrond still scrutinizing me as if trying to read my soul.

"There is more reason for you to be here, something that causes you even more pain than being 'mortal'. It is a pain you have been feeding for years, elves would have faded from such a pain" he tentatively spoke.

I looked at him slightly amused and chuckled sadly.

"Aye an elf would fade. As I said there are many things you do not know" I reflected. Seeing me being strangely, they decided to change the subject.

"Have you apologized to Legolas yet Ornjin?" asked Gandalf. I stiffened at that question especially when I turned to look at him I noticed he was silently laughing. The old goat is laughing at me! I looked towards Lord Elrond and he did not look amused. He sighed deeply.

"Were you at least sincere in your apology Ornjin?" he asked tiredly. I shifted uncomfortably, and then as luck would have it I smelled something in the wind.

"I smell that it is time for luncheon" I replied hastily as I hurried out of his study, finding that I was still hungry.

"Ornjin you had eaten less than three hours ago. Ornjin were you sincere?" he called out as Gandalf's laughter was no longer muted and I was following the scent of a new meal.

As I followed the scent of delicious smelling food, I smelled another scent coming towards me. It smelled of smoke and a lingering scent of flowers.

"Good day Lady Ornjin" greeted Aragorn

"Good day Lord Aragorn" I returned carelessly not even the least bit nervous of him as I was concentrating solely on the scent of food.

"I had heard you had a discussion with Legolas last night" he spoke getting to the point, I was not paying attention.

"Yes we argued over differences" I muttered wanting to get to get to the dining area faster. I did not mean to seem rude but, I was extremely hungry.

"Have you apologized to him, as I am sure he did to you?" he asked not caring to be discreet.

"Yes" I wanted food so I was walking a little faster, though Aragorn kept up the pace.

"Were you sincere in your apology?" he asked. I knew that Aragorn was a dear friend to Legolas as well as being the unofficial mate of Lady Arwen, I had to be cautious. All at once my nervousness came back.

"Would I lie about being insincere? That is quite a rude and horrible accusation" I replied Yes, yes I would lie about it I thought to myself.

Aragorn was staring at me searching for anything to prove me false. His gaze making my hand slowly reach for my sword in anxiety.

"Very well. I have not yet made my judgment of you yet Servant of Dragon, so refrain from causing mistrust" he remarked sternly. That comment honestly caused me to lower my head in shame.

"I will make certain that I do not cause any more mistrust" I promised.

We made our way to the dining area in silence, my hand barely being able to withstand not touching Tsa Ixen. When we entered the entire Fellowship was there as well as Lord Elrond's wyrmlings. I then looked towards the rauhiss they looked worried, I looked at Frodo and saw he looked sad as well He is quite intelligent for a mortal, he may know that I was hurt by the Ring, I smiled gently at him and he returned the gesture. Gimli and Boromir nodded in greeting, Lord Elrond's children were smiling brightly, though Lady Arwen was more likely smiling at the fact Aragorn was here. Finally I looked at Legolas he like the Hobbits gazed at me with concern, all this peacefulness from mortals was making me even more nervous and I almost began panicking as when I was with Legolas until I smelled the food coming closer. I quickly sat down and waited for the food to come not noticing that I was sitting next to Legolas.

"Lass you're eating again?! You ate as much as two dragons three hours ago!" Gimli exclaimed. It was actually half as much as a wyrmlng would eat I giggled in my mind.

"Are you feeling better from the incident Lady Ornjin?" he asked softly.

I was going to respond carelessly, except I looked into his eyes. They were an oddity to me, no dragon had blue eyes. This made me realize I never truly looked into anyone's eyes for too long, not since many years ago. His eyes reminded me slightly of when Urivayo would 'ask' my pardon whenever he upset me, except Urivayo's eyes were of fire and lava at least they were. Thinking of Legolas as Urivayo, I relaxed considerably and spoke gently to him.

"Yes, I apologize for worrying both you and the Hobbits"

"What happened, did I injure you in some way?" he asked, he seemed almost like me when I was younger, and it was very endearing.

"No, merely my 'punishment' for not apologizing earlier" I replied jokingly.

We both exchanged smiles and continued to eat and make conversation with the others. I was still nervous, but not as much as before especially since I had eaten even more than the rauhiss. When we finished, we continued to speak of other matters throughout the day, I noticed Gandalf and Lord Elrond who later joined us smiling mockingly at me for some reason. When evening came as I prepared for bed I realized something and hit myself on my forehead.

I cannot believe I apologized to Legolas!

Ornjin was confused by Legolas because dragons don't hold hands in case you didn't get it

Rauhiss-Draconic for halfling

I realized after reading this that where I describe Ornjin's and Legolas' eyes, it sounds like Lucky Charms. 'Silver moons' and 'Blue Stars', what's more Lucky Charms han that?

I have a link to a statue of an adult Urivayo on my profile. Incase you couldn't tell that was Urivayo in the flashes.

I'm also typing a Gargoyles story, a BrooklynOC, that will be posted at the latest two weeks.

Please review, but remember even if you dislike it don't be rude! Just because you dislike something it doesn't give anybody the right to be rude. I'm sorry that I sound rude, but I've been some other peoples reviews and some get such crude reviews and no one deserves that. There is a difference between constructive criticism and being an foolish, insensitive, rude jerk.

Again I apologize for such words. I would like to thank everyone for their support and reviews.

Next Time the journey finally begins!: Chapter 9 Adventures with Dragons