I don't own Lord of the Rings or Dungeons & Dragons
Sorry for taking so long.
Chapter 9 Adventures with Dragons
It has been two months since that time, we conversed more and though still wary of me, we have made a sort of silent mutual truce. I was not nervous around the Hobbits, so I enjoyed their company even with Frodo holding the Ring. I still felt ill, but not as strongly as before, the Ring would never catch me off guard again, hopefully. They were always so bright and charming like the sun, they reminded me of a mixture of bronze, brass and copper dragons, the most benign and playful of the dragons. There was a tenuous respect between Gimli, Boromir and myself; they both disliked the fact that I was a woman and did not believe I could fight, but both liked the fact that I wished to know more about their people. Except dwarves and their dragon slaying ways, I told Gimli my disgust of dragon-slaying and how horrible it was. He laughed that every dragon that was killed deserved it, this prompted a heated argument that was later finished by an agreement that we would never discuss dragon-slaying. Aragorn still was wary of me but remained cordial. Legolas continued being a pain, ever since I 'sincerely' and sincerely apologized to him, I cannot seem to be rid of him. Please understand if he had not been seeking so and had not mentioned Smaug's death then I would more than likely have enjoyed his company.
It is because of Legolas that right then I was sparring with him, he with his knives and I with Tsa Ixen. I was not doing well, we were both quick but he was much stronger and bigger than me, due to me being in my weak human form. Luckily I was not easy to defeat either, since I have been fighting a hundred years before he was even born, and at the immense wealth of knowledge that dragons posses I knew more fighting styles, even those from the east and beyond. We fought for I do not know how long, but then he tripped me and held a knife to my throat.
"And you just died, mellonnin" he chuckled softly. Yes and if I were to use my magic on you, you would be nothing but ash! I growled in my mind. Then I forced a smile at him
"You fight well, Prince Legolas" I replied.
"How many times must I tell you mellonnin? You may call me by name and not my title" he chided me gently. I disliked that he said this every time he followed me, this started last month when I made the mistake of acknowledging that I admired his skills with a bow. I swear I saw his head become bigger when I told him of this, I only said that for I have never used a bow, magic is what I primarily use and that is my skill.
"Forgive me Prince Legolas, but it is forbidden for me to call anyone of higher rank than I by anything but their title" I commented.
"Then why do you not call Aragorn or Boromir by their titles?" he asked raising an eyebrow.
"Master Namhias told me that since I am a servant of his race that I outrank everyone except elves and dragons" I remarked tersely, hopefully he understood that I was only polite out of duty. He remained ignorant of the hinting.
Since a month, I have been calling everyone in the Fellowship by name. Gandalalf of course was the one to encourage me by their names, and by encourage, I truly mean that he threatened to scale me and use them as a medium in spells.
"Well then Ornjin," I cringed when he called me by my name.
"I will have to remind you everyday, until you call me by my name" he smiled. Oh how I loathe that smile!
"I highly doubt that Prince Legolas" I commented dryly. This only served to widen his smile.
"You underestimate the confidence of the elves, Ornjin" he gloated, another cringe.
"Do not forget that elves have exceptional memory and are quite tenacious" he continued. I merely waved his comment off.
"That I never underestimated or doubted. What I meant is that since I am human I will one day pass on and I will not have called you by your name even then" I stated carelessly. I received a response I never would have expected from him, anger and sadness.
"Do not speak of death, Ornjin! Would you really not call for me when you pass?" he questioned. I merely stared at him then sighed tiredly.
"Let us not speak of it. Tomorrow our journey begins and you should spend it with your entourage from Mirkwood, just as Boromir and Gimli are" I spoke distantly. I was far in my thoughts thinking of what is to come and my duty. I was so trapped in my thoughts that I was slightly startled when Legolas put a tentative hand on my shoulder.
"What is troubling your mind, my friend?" he asked softly. I tensed beneath the hand and I instinctively reached for Tsa Ixen for reassurance.
"Nothing, nothing at all!" I exclaimed, feeling extremely nervous by his touch. He looked uncertain, but hesitantly released my shoulder. As soon as he did I left.
Legolas stared at my retreating figure; he wondered why I treated so callously. He still was highly curious about me and wanted to find out more about the 'mysterious dragon servant'. Despite his best efforts to befriend the odd grey-eyed maiden, I did not respond to them which troubled and saddened him. When he thought I could not sense him he would watch me interact with everyone else in the Fellowship. He saw who tenderly I treated the Hobbits, the long talks I had with Boromir, the almost companionable glares between Gimli, the arguments with Gandalf. Even with Aragorn, I had a deeper connection with him than the curious elf. Legolas was frustrated and slightly wondered if all female humans were as confusing as myself while he walked back to Lord Elrond's home.
That night I stayed up thinking of everything I had to do for my people; make certain the Ring is destroyed, ensure a place for dragons in Middle Earth, seemingly simple enough but of course nothing is simple once actually doing the action. Then of course my own mission, it would be the hardest to accomplish. I unconsciously touched my pendant and lost in my thoughts before sinking into a deep slumber.
I awoke before dawn making sure I had packed everything I needed. Tsa Ixen of course sat on my hip, my hair braided, and I was clothed again. Lord Elrond had my clothing washed, so my blue tunic was over a long-sleeved black shirt with of course my black leggings and boots. I grumbled at my clothing, thinking it a waste of fabric and how foolish 'mortals' were to cover themselves in restrictive clothing.
When I placed my pack upon my back I left to go meet the company. When I arrived outside Lord Elrond's home no one was there. I stared at the building and was memorizing how everything here looked; I was memorizing every little memory, to remind myself that I was doing this for him too. The sun rose and I stared at its wondrous glory. Then I smelled two people; a human and an elf and I groaned. When they finally arrived they were both surprised to see me.
"Ornjin I did not expect to see you up this early" said Aragorn.
"Since I have come here I have always awoken to see the sunrise" I replied not taking my eyes off the sun.
"Why is that Ornjin? Surely you have seen many sunrises in your life" wondered Legolas.
"Prince Legolas, you forget that I was born amongst dragons. We stay hidden that in turn means we do not see the sun" I clarified.
"My apologies, I did not know. But now I am curious, do dragons also wish to see sunlight again?" Legolas questioned further.
"Of course all beings need light" my voice suddenly became deeper as I was so intent on the sun.
"…Ornjin…are you…all right?" asked Aragorn tentatively. Again I did not notice so enthralled by the sun.
"Of course, why would I not be?" my true voice coming through.
Aragorn and Legolas stared at my back, confused at why I was speaking the way I was. It was not a terrifying voice, but it was deep yet oddly gentle at the same time. Legolas forced himself to break his friend out of her revelry.
"Ornjin, the rest of the Fellowship is coming it is best if we join them" he spoke softly as if I was a doe that would run at any harsh sound or movement.
"Very well" I replied my voice returning to normal without my noticing any changes. When I turned to look at them they were staring at me with wide eyes. Aragorn shook his head and spoke.
"Come let us join the others, we have a long journey ahead of us" he turned and walked away as Legolas and I quickly followed. Had I been aware of what I was doing I would have known that they were trying to convince themselves that it was the morning sun behind me that made my eyes seem to glow.
We joined the rest of the Fellowship; Lord Elrond was standing at the front of his home giving his blessings to us and our journey. I sensed a bit of tension between Lord Elrond and Aragorn, but that was not my business. Except when I saw Arwen between her brothers looking somewhat devastated, I would have to speak to Aragorn about this later. I bade farewell to Lord Elrond and his family and they wished me luck and good fortune, I in turn assured them that I would protect that which they held dear, looking sadly at Lord Elrond.
"Si vow ekess wux batobot si geou troth astahi, Si geou ti fail wux" (I vow to you that I will protect them, I will not fail you) I whispered so only they could hear.
I was at the back of the group when we left, but as we reached a split road I heard Frodo whisper to Gandalf.
"Mordor, Gandalf, is it left or right?"
"Left" he replied gently. I smiled despite the danger that we would undoubtedly meet, but I was comforted by the sun and knew that 'she' was watching.
We walked all day and finally stopped to make camp. Aragorn sat with Boromir, Gandalf, and Gimli smoking, I find smoking amusing because to me it makes me think that these 'mortals' are emulating fire breathing dragons. The Hobbits and I were eating while Legolas was a little ways from the camp to be away from the smoke. The meal was large and delicious as usual, especially since I had no fruit, but I was still hungry I would have to go out on my own for extra food. This posed a problem, since they believe me to be a fair, gentle lady they would most likely wish for someone to escort me which would mean they would have to touch me, and I did not wish to repeat what happened months ago with Legolas. I walked up to the smoking men and stood in front of Gandalf.
"There is something I need to do privately, I shall return within two hours" I said firmly, making sure that I was not asking and did not need anyone.
"That is unwise, My Lady. Let one of us escort you so we know that you will not come to harm" stated Boromir.
"Indeed, especially so late into the night. Sauron's or Saruman's forces might be hiding in the shadows" Aragorn added.
"Aye and maybe you might lead your 'masters' here to eat us up" Gimli said carelessly. I wanted to break his axe for that comment.
"Let her go" Gandalf replied. They all stared at him in surprise.
"But Gandalf, she may get injured or ambushed!" cried Boromir.
"She is also highly skilled in magic and is a warrior. If she does not return within an hour than we may look for her. Agreed?" he asked me. I thought this over momentarily and nodded to this, it was enough time to get me extra food.
I left them as I walked into the forest, not knowing that Legolas was watching me leave. After I left Legolas joined the other men, but downwind from their smoke.
"Are you sure it is wise to let Ornjin go alone?" Legolas asked concerned. Gandalf scoffed at all the men.
"Though she is a woman she is still strong and capable. She will do as she wishes on this journey, it is easier to comply with her than argue" he commented.
"Humph so we all have to do as she says?! That is foolishness" Gimli huffed.
"I think we have spoken enough on this. We do Ornjin a disfavor by speaking of her while she is not here" Aragorn tried to quell them.
"Aye that is true. Gandalf how long shall it be to reach the Gap of Rohan?" Legolas changed the topic.
"It will take us forty days due west of the Misty Mountains, then hopefully the Gap of Rohan shall stay open for us" Gandalf explained.
As they spoke about other things I had just finished hunting and eating, but still hungry, the Ring's evil has scared off all the animals for a proper meal. Then I started thinking of possibilities, if thinks go terribly then we might have to go through Caradhras. I started trembling in fear just at the thought going through that wretched place; I never wanted to return there ever again not even after 509 years. I pushed it aside I was behaving like a wyrmling and not like the child of Io; I was being selfish the Ring is more important than my guilt. Thinking of the Ring I tried to think of a way to help Frodo, unfortunately not even my magic could help him if Gandalf could not help him. This was practically impossible Frodo's fate is that of the Ring, it would not end well I fear.
I started heading back to the camp and was quietly greeted by the Hobbits who were about to go to sleep. The men merely nodded in acknowledgement as I made my way to my blanket, I should sleep I had third watch. I knelt on one knee facing the star-filled sky, my forehead touching the knee and I prayed.
"Daar di bensvelk darastrix, nymuer sia prayer. Letoclo troth wer weloh, nomeno jalla ti tepoha befallen him. Si beg wux ekess letoclo keep his preah versvesh shafaer nomeno gogetoi" (King of Good Dragon, hear my prayer. Help protect the Halfling; this should not have befallen him. I beg you to help keep his heart strong on this journey) I whispered. I then lay down on my blanket and I was surprisingly unafraid.
We had just begun our journey and our future was so unclear, but remembering the sunrise this morning I knew we would never be defenseless. I subconsciously rubbed the seven-rayed star on Tsa Ixen which lay beside me; 'She' was watching we would never be alone.
In Chapter 7 I explained that the seven-rayed star was the symbol of Tamara the Draconic Goddess of Mercy, she is also the Sun.
Next chapter Chapter 10 Sharing Tales Flashback #3