Chapter 10

Hours went by, though to Vanya it felt like days, before she finally regained consciousness as she lay on a cold, stone floor. For a brief moment, she thought that she was still within Smaug's mountain until her bound hands reminded her. She was attacked and then captured by the Orcs who had pursued her all that time and that they had taken her somewhere far away. She struggled with all her strength, weakened as she was, to sit up before trying to free her hands when she suddenly froze at the sound of wicked shrieks. She turned to look behind her where she was shocked to see hundreds of Orcs both on the floor where she lay and above atop dark stone ledges. The chamber she viewed was immense, five times as large as Smaug's sleeping chamber, lit by multiple bright lanterns that hung on iron chains across the walls. There were also many ledges scattered about connected only by strong bridges and ladders along with tunnels protruding through the stone leading who-knows-where. At the far end, Vanya observed several Orcs working on some horrendous torture devices which made her blood run cold. In the South end within a lower chamber, she could hear the snarls and howls of Wargs but was overlapped by the shrieks and cries of the Orcs. Each one of them varied in size but were all muscular and grotesque, several of which noticed her watching them and smirked and snickered at their prisoner. Across their backs or swinging at their sides were their weapons, sharpened blades and bows with quivers of numerous arrows. To Vanya, everywhere she looked, she could find no way to escape and saw that she was hopelessly outnumbered leaving her very vulnerable.

"Well now, isn't this nice? Our precious little Elvish Princess is finally awake and admiring her new home."

Vanya quickly whipped her head around to look behind her just as two pairs of strong hands grabbed hold of her arms. They pulled her roughly up to her feet and as she looked she realized that it was two tall muscular Orcs and their leader who sneered at her. "YOU! Who are you, where have you taken me and what do you want with me," she demanded glaring at the Orc leader.

The Leader only chuckled as he leaned in close to her face, holding up her chin with his left hand and smirked wickedly. "It seems that you have more strength in you than I thought, but it will no longer do you no good I'm afraid," he hissed. "You belong to me now….Wrock the Devastator, one of the leaders here in the fortress of Gundabad."

Vanya gasped in horror and at that moment both her blood and her heart went cold and her breath almost grew still. Ever since she was a young Elfling, her parents would tell frightful stories about the Orc stronghold and who once ruled it. To think that she was taken to such a terrible place where the Dark Lord himself had used to try and conquer Middle Earth frightened her greatly. She was about to respond angrily when a sudden sharp pain pierced through her body coming from her wounded shoulder. Vanya let out an agonizing cry winching in pain as she looked over and saw Wrock gripping onto it hard with his left hand. Despite how much she was hurting, she still dared to glare at him and let out a soft growl which was then received by a gleeful and wicked laugh.

"Aww, does your shoulder hurt," Wrock said sarcastically as he continued to squeeze her shoulder. "Do you know why that it does and why you can't do anything? It's because of the special paralyzing poison we used on the arrow that struck you, and its effect grew stronger the longer you kept it in. You brought this misery upon yourself, so now you can sit and enjoy all the pain, suffering and helplessness. After all," he smirked as he reached over behind his right shoulder and pulled out a covered sword sheath, "we wouldn't want you to have this back, now do we?"

At the sight of the sheath, Vanya gasped in shock realizing that, what he had in his despicable hands, was her mother's sword. She grew angry as she struggled to free herself from the Orc's grips and shook her head free from Wrock's grip on it. However, because of the poison's effects, her attempts of freedom ended up in vain yet she still tried hard to stay strong. "Return that at once! That was my mother's sword, the last thing I have to remember her by, and you have no right to have it in your wretched hands!"

Wrock smirked, paced back and forth before her never taking her eyes off as he was deep in thought about her words. "Your MOTHER'S sword, you say? Very interesting. Tell me, what was your mother's name, my dear She-Elf? Or, are you too much of a weakened coward to tell me such information?"

"Do not dare insult me, you scum! My mother…..her name was Beriana, and she….was the best mother I could have ever asked for," Vanya snapped.

But Wrock laughed hard as he ended his pacing and faced her still smirking and placed the sheath to its placement on his back. "Yes…I do seem to recall hearing that name from a long time ago. A lovely She-Elf who refused to surrender to a pack of Orcs who pursued her in order to make her obey us. Now, tell me…..do you recall how she died?"

"….She died while on the Road, and was ambushed by your disgusting kind. One of them had stabbed her through the back while her guard was down and that was what ended her life. But, that was over a hundred years ago when I was a small child."

"Indeed. She was very much a fool as any Race is in this world travelling down the Road alone, though she didn't stand much of a chance after the paralyzing poisoned arrow did its job."

Vanya grew silent.

"Would you like to know how I know that's what killed your mother? It's because," he leaned in close with a chuckle, "I'M the one who ordered her to be weakened by the arrow, just before I plunged my blade…..through…her….back."

With a furious and agonizing yell, Vanya lunged at him with all her strength making at least a step forward despite the guards' strong grip. Through her fury, her Dragon Sight managed to activate in full force as she glared at the Orc leader with great intensity. "YOU MONSTER! I don't care how you could have lived for that long…..but HOW DARE YOU do that to my mother! How could you do such a terrible thing?!"

Wrock took a step back, surprised by both her eyes and how she was able to take a step forward in her weakened state. However, it was the change in her eyes that intrigued him so and he smiled thinking how interesting this development was. "So, you are able to shift into Dragon eyes, are you? Fascinating….since this is what our Master wished to curse your beloved mother with when we went to pursue her."

"What are you talking about?"

"Our Master plans on using special Elves to receive a dark power in order to control them for our armies. He gave me longevity, longer than any of my Race, so that I may fulfill his task of claiming one of your Race. However, your mother, turned out to not be one of those special Elves so our Master commanded us to dispose of her. Imagine our surprise that it was her offspring that He detected those few years ago that would become our perfect target. So, once He was able to locate you, He sent us out to capture you after he inflicted you with His 'Dragon Curse'."

Vanya grew silent once more.

"Are you truly that surprised? Did you not think it so strange that, after your fearful encounter with a dark creature, you could control fire and gain those eyes? Those powers you gained were caused by the Dragon Curse, meant to turn those inflicted with it to Evil so they would be under our Master's control. He searched for you for a long time and when He did, He cursed you after disposing of your five guards then returned here. However, I did not expect to be hunting you down for over 3 years, which I'm sure that He is not happy about."

Vanya grew hesitant as her heart began to beat faster while she listened to Wrock's story reluctantly. She knew that she did not want to ask, but at the same time she knew that she demanded some answers. "Do you mean to tell me…that THING that attacked me….was your Master all this time? What kind of creature in this world possesses that kind of power that it can curse other Races like that?"

Wrock let out a wicked chuckle and leaned in close once more holding Vanya's chin forcing her to look into his eyes. "You, like all of your Race, should know well who it is that we serve," he hissed gleefully. "For we only serve…..The ONE as my Race has done since the very beginning of this world and shall continue to do so until Middle Earth fades. Do you understand now, my dear? Our Master will take any form He wishes to fulfill His desires until He at last regains His full strength, and for that He will need…..YOU."

Vanya stood there frozen with fear, as shock and silence overtook her and it seemed like all her strength vanished. At the mere mention of 'The One', she finally understood as all Peoples of Middle Earth knew who that was referring to. She had tried to convince herself that it couldn't be Him since He was defeated long ago, but deep down she knew the truth. She found herself released by the Orcs and dropped to her knees in shock and her eyes returned back to normal. "It can't be," she muttered softly to herself as she then began to fully understand at last why it was that her father and people had to banish her. "It was because of Him that all this had happened to me…..losing my mother, my home…all because of HIM!" She then threw her head up to glare at Wrock but was received only by a wicked sneer and chuckle so she looked back down. At that moment, it seemed like every last ounce of strength she once had was lost and found herself feeling nothing but despair. 'These powers….they really were nothing more than a curse after all,' she thought as she squeezed her eyes shut. A lone tear ran down her right cheek as she didn't know what to do, until suddenly she heard Smaug's voice echoing inside her mind reminding her of something he had told her some time ago.

'Perhaps, but then again, perhaps not. It will all depend on how you will use these powers that you were given from here on.'

Vanya suddenly opened her eyes gasping softly not knowing how she was able to hear his voice so clearly. But, hearing his voice gave her great comfort and remembering that she felt stronger from his words, intended encouragement or not. 'Lord Smaug…..,' at the moment she heard his voice, she began to feel her strength and courage return to her. Just then, the strong grip of the Orcs was felt once more and she found herself pulled back up onto her feet though she continued to face the floor.

"So now you see my dear," Wrock told her, "you don't really have much of a choice. It's quite simple as a decision: you can either join us in leading our Master's vast armies willingly, or you suffer endlessly until you do. By now you should have fallen under the dark influence of the Dragon Curse, and yet are still able to retain your goodness. So, how is it that you are not among the wicked?"

Vanya raised up her head to face him, her eyes shone with newfound courage that rivaled that of Wrock's wicked stare. "You are the fool who thinks that something as weak as a curse could ever bring me into the darkness. These 'special Elves' that you were seeking to convert to Evil, you speak of those like my mother and myself," she explained calmly, "those descended from the Valar themselves. They are what keep the darkness at bay within myself, but it has been my rigorous training to control these powers that has kept me strong. I owe much of that to the one who I have been living with, and who has been training and watching over me all this time. As soon as Lord Smaug discovers what you and your pack have done he will," but then she was interrupted by the sound of laughter.

"YOU are the one who's a fool. Do you think I don't know that you resided within a DRAGON'S cave all this time after what had happened to my scout? What's even more humorous is that you believe that Dragon will come and rescue you when they know nothing of compassion or honor? Their kind only thinks about greed, power and themselves, and this 'Smug' or whatever his name is probably is glad to rid his cave of you. You truly are a fool to think that any of that Race would come to the rescue of a She-Elf like yourself."

Vanya growled softly, not wanting to believe anything that he said about Smaug though deep in her heart she was aware of what Dragons were like. She was aware from what he said about them being greedy and craving power, but she knew that Smaug was so much more than that. At that time, like before, she could hear Smaug's voice echoing through her mind reminding her what he had said to reassure her.

'The fact of the matter is you interest me, which is the only reason I'm keeping you alive for the time being. … You may stay here with me as you wish and I will provide you with protection. …. I will never tolerate any intruders who would dare to enter here and take what is mine. ….. Do not think that I will ALWAYS come to your rescue every time you get attacked by your enemies. … I guard my domain and all that resides within it, and never will I allow any trespassers to make claim to any of it.'

Vanya's memories of him telling her those things made her think that Wrock was right but then she remembered something else. 'No, I made a promise that I would never question Lord Smaug and I intend to keep it,' she thought confidently. She then glared at the Orc leader once again now with more confidence and strength thanks to hearing Smaug's voice. "You're wrong about Lord Smaug! He is not some mindless, greedy or heartless beast like the rest of his kind as he is more wise and powerful than most. I have no doubts in my mind that he will seek vengeance upon you and your pack for what had happened in his mountain."

"Vengeance," Wrock amusingly asked, "for what may I ask? For taking an Elf who he would have no reason to rescue?"

"Perhaps he might not be coming here to save me," Vanya told him smirking back, "but I know that he will be seeking it against you for invading his mountain. Lord Smaug never tolerates any form of intruders and will not hesitate in destroying them for doing so. I may be the only exception he will ever have because of how my powers intrigue him, but when it comes to your filthy Race I have no doubts. Now, for what you have done, staining his mountain with your putrid stench, he will follow it and come to destroy you all. There will be nothing that you, your Orcs or even your foolish Master can do against him….NOTHING!" She was then smacked hard across the face letting out a painful yell before finding herself being thrown 3 feet towards the south. She landed hard against the stone ground on her left shoulder and cried out in pain before struggling to look back up at Wrock.

The Orc leader was furious, ordering his guards to release her before he attacked her with force and then approached her. "You insolent She-Elf! You had best watch your mouth or else I will make sure that your suffering becomes even more unforgiving." At that moment, he knelt down and grabbed Vanya by her throat and hoisted her up where they were face to face. "Now, I shall ask you this again….join us willingly and you will be unharmed or suffer until you have no choice but to join us. What shall it be, She-Elf?"

Struggling to breathe from his strong grip, Vanya knew there wasn't much she could do but realized she had enough air to speak. "I…refuse. I would never consider betraying the Peoples of Middle Earth to obey He who wanted to destroy everything. Do whatever you wish with me, but I would rather die than to give myself to the powers of darkness!"

Upon hearing her refusal, Wrock grew more furious but then smirked and let out the most sinister chuckle yet. "You will regret this, my dear. Now, let's see how much you can hold out when we're through with you and see if you still feel the same way." With that, he started dragging her towards the torture devices that were across the vast chamber preparing to make her suffer for such insolence. At one point he looked over at the Warg pit and thought that if the torture devices wouldn't change her mind then they would. He then shifted his hold on her as he took his right arm across her waist and his left over her throat and continued onward.

Vanya struggled with all her strength but found it was no use as Wrock's grip on her was too powerful and felt the helplessness. She did not know whether or not he was going to feed her to the Wargs or continue onward to the devices. However, all the noise from both Races echoing through the room made her feel dizzy and her courage falter slightly. She could think of nothing but pray for Smaug to come and free her from that terrible place when suddenly…

*ROAR*

The chamber went silent and every Orc stopped what they were doing and stared in the direction where it came from. The roar was so loud and powerful that it shook the walls within to where some rocks fell off them from high up. That's when they all realized that it came from behind a large, collapsed wall on the most northern part. While whatever roared came from the other side, no one had any clue as to what massive beast could have been there. Then, the nerve-wracking sounds of massive claws scraping could be heard against the rock and another loud roar could be heard during. As everyone, including a frozen Wrock and Vanya, watched in nervousness, they saw some of the rocks at the top beginning to shift. Then, the sound of intense firebreath could be heard and they saw that the rock wall began to change color to that of an orange hue and pieces of the rocks began to melt away.

At that moment, Wrock called out something in Black Speech while he moved his right hand off of Vanya and reached over to pull out his own sword. He faced his soldiers while holding out his blade and still gripped onto the Elvish Princess tightly at her throat. "Draw your weapons, prepare for battle and get on it you bunch of sniveling cowards," he commanded in Black Speech. He watched as his soldiers reluctantly obeyed and prepared their bows and swords scattering about with the archers at higher ground and the sword wielders on the main level. Those Orcs positioned themselves at least 50 feet away from the rock wall preparing to overwhelm whatever came through armed with their shields and swords. They did not know what was waiting behind the stone wall, but were prepared to fight regardless so they waited. As they did, the sounds of claws scraping and fire breath continued for a few moments more until they suddenly faded. A moment later, the loud deafening sound of a thunderclap slammed into the wall and shook more of the larger boulders clear off sending them flying in various directions. Another terrible roar could be heard followed by another great thunderclap on the rocks causing more rocks to drop around the Orcs. They scattered to avoid the boulders but then quickly repositioned themselves ready to strike whatever came inside. However, after one last thunderclap, the stone wall finally collapsed causing a massive dust cloud to hover around the hole. All of a sudden, a powerful stream of fire came bursting through it into the room incinerating the first few rows of Orcs as they shrieked in agony before falling.

Wrock snarled as he held tight to his captive furious as to what beast had killed his first five rows of soldiers. "What is going on here," he yelled angrily in Black Speech as he watched the events unfolding from where he and the Elvish Princess stood. As he watched, Wrock shifted his grip to where his arm was pressed up against her throat but still kept his strong grip.

While she was gripped helplessly by Wrock and watching what was happening, Vanya's heart beat quickly and she grew hopeful. 'That roar…those flames….could it be?' Her answer came lumbering in as a massive figure, eyes burning with rage, came in with teeth bared and massive claws scraping across the stone floor. Vanya's eyes grew wide with both surprise and relief while a small gasp escaped her, and then her eyes filled up with tears. 'My prayer to the Valar…..it was answered. I can't believe it!' She then said softly to herself even though both in her mind and in her heart she spoke the words loudly: "Lord Smaug, you came!"

It was indeed…..Smaug the Golden, the Great Fire Drake of the Withered Heath, who had arrived at that moment. His eyes and inner furnace burned with rage, and he stood tall intimidating all who stood inside waiting to fight. He growled low as he looked about the chamber and observed hundreds of Orcs waiting with their weapons but noticed something amusing. While they all remained in their positions, besides their usual foul stench he could pick up their fear and took three steps forward chuckling. "How amusing. Do any of you filthy creatures actually think that you can do any harm to ME? Your pitiful weapons will not pierce my armor, though you are more than welcome to try your futile attempts. You will all indeed suffer a fiery death by the likes you've never seen," he then turned his fierce gaze to the South towards Wrock, "and then I shall deal with YOU." As he stared at the Orc, he knew that it was the leader and saw that he held Vanya captive in his wretched hands. Before taking another step further towards them, a loud shriek came from above as one of the Orc archers fired a shot towards Smaug's head but was deflected. This drew his attention as he quickly turned to face the one who shot at him and before long the chamber filled with the sounds of shrieks and battle cries. He let out a terrible roar and soon the battle between the Dragon and the Orcs began though it wasn't much of a fight for him.

The Orcs on the ground began to charge at him as the archers shot arrow after arrow to pierce Smaug's armor or distract him from the ones below. Half of the sword wielding Orcs boldly leaped onto his wings and tried to stab into them as well as his tail and chest. But it was to no avail, and the Dragon turned to face his attackers with ferocity preparing his own counterattacks. He launched his flames down upon the archers among the wall beside him killing them instantly before whipping his tail forward to send the ground Orcs flying. He then raised up his wings quickly and slammed those who tried to stab them through into the rock walls hard before stomping down upon them. He unleashed his flame again to make sure those who were sent flying off of him were incinerated before focusing on the others. With every new wave that came at him, the Fire Drake shifted his attacks tail whipping as many as he could before swiping at others with his claws. For those who were able to leap up onto him, Smaug turned and snatched them with his teeth hard biting through their sad excuse of armor. Once he had them in his jaws, he swung around and flung their bloody bodies across the room and continued on attacking. He then shifted his focus on the other archers who continued to bombard him with arrows trying to strike at his head and neck. Turning to face them, he launched another powerful stream of fire upon them, which melted the bridges beneath and killing them off. This continued on for several minutes, though it seemed that the battle was one-sided favoring Smaug as the victor.

Wrock watched in fury all the while yelling at his forces to keep attacking but saw that neither their bows nor their swords were doing the job. He looked to his two guards and gave them both a command in Black Speech and sent them away on an important task. Once they were out of sight, he returned his focus on the battle as more and more of his troops were being decimated.

Smaug continued his assault advancing further and further into the chamber swatting away Orcs with his tail from behind or his clawed forelimbs in the front. Some he grabbed with either his jaws or his claws crushing them before sending them into the stone walls to their deaths. He let out fierce and wall-shaking roars as he continued on with the fight, never once slowing down until at last he realized that over 200 Orcs perished from his sheer power. At last, there was a break in the fight as the remaining Orcs retreated back close to their leader gripping onto their weapons. Smaug used this as an opportunity to send more fear into the hearts of these wretches as he let out a deep growl turning to face Wrock once more. "Do you understand now, FILTH? It is useless to try and defeat me when nothing you do can pierce my armor. But," he said as he reared up his head with both his eyes and inner furnace burning even more intensely, "do you fools still wish to challenge ME?" With that, he unleashed the most intense stream of fire yet as he created a large wall of fire across the room before him. He stood with his head hung high over the flames causing him to appear more demon-like intimidating the Orcs greatly.

The Orcs stood there feeling fear until they were screamed at by Wrock who told them, "Stop acting like cowards! Go and destroy that wretched beast NOW!" His forces hesitated for a moment, but then looked at the Dragon and gave out terrible shrieks charging forward through the firewall to launch another wave of attack. Wrock was furious as how Smaug was destroying his troops left and right as if they were nothing and turned to face those who retreated back behind him. He glared at them but his anger was focused on he who was destroying them and he decided on a different tactic that he was confident enough to think it would work. "All but 50 of you swarm him and try to overwhelm him, but if you can't do that then keep him distracted long enough. Backup will soon be upon us and hopefully," he told them in Black Speech giving them all a wicked smirk, "that will be the end of this creature once and for all." His troops did as they were told and quickly implemented the plan and soon all but 50 of the Orcs were climbing all over and stabbing at the Dragon.

Hearing the horrible shrieks of the Orcs and the fierce roars of Smaug as their battle raged on, Vanya could only watch in fear. She did not know if they would succeed in harming her Lord, but she did not dare lose faith that he would be victorious. She struggled to break free from Wrock's grip hoping to join Smaug in his battle but the strength of the Orc was too great. "Lord Smaug, I know you can beat them! Show them that you can't be defeated," she cried out before wincing in pain from her shoulder being gripped tightly by Wrock.

"Silence, you Elvish wench!"

But Vanya would not back down as she struggled to endure the excruciating pain and glared at the Orc leader. "No, I shall not. I warned you…Lord Smaug would come seeking his vengeance on you for what you have done. Now, you can only watch as he destroys your wretched soldiers. It's all over for you and your pack…..you Orc scum!" But, she suddenly found herself having trouble breathing as she felt his arm squeeze tightly against her throat and stood there gasping for breath.

"I said be silent, you Elvish wench!" Wrock snarled at her before turning his gaze to his 50 soldiers and yelled at them in Black Speech to form up. Soon, he watched as all his sword wielders stood within the first three rows of 10 while his remaining archers stood behind them ready to fire. He knew that this would be his last lines of defense until his reinforcements arrived and was sure that his troops could hold off the Dragon. But, he was soon proven wrong as he turned to watch his other 250 soldiers going after Smaug but saw that they were no match and that angered him.

The Fire Drake continued his attack but could start to feel every blade clash against his armor on his chest, neck, back and underbelly. In order to remove them, he swung his tail backwards hard swiping away the Orcs as he let out a fearsome roar. He then shook his mighty neck this way and that sending those who were attacking there flying into the walls nearby. But the Orcs who had been attacking his underbelly suddenly leaped up onto his back hoping to pierce him so Smaug rose his massive body up and slammed hard into the wall. This crushed them and caused both the walls of the room and the ground to shake making the attackers lose their balance. Before they had a chance to recover, he reared back his head and unleashed another stream of fire finishing them all off. The chamber then filled up with the smell of smoke and burning flesh as he turned to face Wrock growling deeply. He took just about five steps further before he stopped while his eyes and his inner furnace continued to glow brightly. "What will you do now, ORC FILTH? Those pitiful soldiers of yours are no more, and these weak last lines of defense will do you no good. Prepare to burn," he began to threaten until he heard the Orc leader laugh loudly causing the Dragon to grow even more furious.

"Go ahead and try Wyrm! After all," Wrock smirked as he pulled Vanya closer to shield himself, "it's not like SHE means anything to you, right?"

Vanya continued to struggle but she couldn't believe that he would be coward enough to use her to protect himself. She looked up at Smaug and saw he was still furious but unwilling to do any harm to her while Wrock held her close. 'Lord Smaug….,' she thought solemnly as she looked up at him with pleading eyes for a moment before looking down.

Smaug looked down at the sight hissing and growling as he stood there thinking about his next move and Wrock's. He could roast them all then and there, but while he did not want to admit it….he did not want to risk Vanya's life. He could see that she was bound by the ropes that prevented her from wielding fire to protect herself along with something else. He could see and smell the deep wound on her shoulder from where she was struck with the arrow and continued to bear his fangs at Wrock. "Tell me Orc…was it you who drew the She-Elf's blood in MY mountain with your filthy arrow," he asked in demand.

Wrock was surprised by the Dragon's question but found it amusing as he continued to hold Vanya in front of him. "I was not, but I gave the order to have her shot with our paralyzing poisoned arrow to make her easier to capture. However, why bother asking me such a trivial question…..unless you actually CARE for this wretched Elf? Now, wouldn't that just be pathetic…..that a big, powerful Dragon like yourself would have such a weakness like showing compassion for another." He then laughed in bliss thinking that he had finally found a way to keep his massive opponent at his mercy which pleased him.

Vanya gasped softly realizing that she had to do something to help Smaug before Wrock had a chance to harm him. She knew that he would say something regarding him not caring for her at all, but somewhere deep inside her she felt that wasn't true. So, just before Smaug had a chance to respond she blurted out, "What makes you think that he cares about me? I've already told you that he had come to seek his revenge against those who had invaded HIS mountain and would stop at nothing to achieve that. Whether or not he would also come to rescue me is not important but," she said as she gave a serious look to Smaug, "I will not tolerate you insulting him!" Without warning, she whipped her head back as fast as she could and bashed her head straight into Wrock's face. As he let out a loud painful yell, she saw that he released his grip on her through it all and saw that as her opening. She jumped up close to where Wrock held up his sword cutting her bonds before she leaped away from him and the rest of the Orcs on the left. "My Lord…now's your chance," she cried as she landed on the stone floor.

The Fire Drake did not waste any time as he waited for her to get out of the way before roasting the remaining Orcs. There was no time for them to respond and let out terrible shrieks of pain before falling to the mighty Dragon's flames. There was little movement, and both Smaug and Vanya looked to one another thinking that their battle was finally over. Suddenly, there was the sounds of heavy footsteps and terrible howls hurrying towards them and they both turned to see where it had come from. Then, from out of a darkened tunnel in the westernmost side, came a large pack of Wargs came charging full speed at Smaug. All 50 of them, snarling and snapping their jaws, began their assault upon him launching up to claw at bite at his body. The overwhelming numbers almost knocked Smaug off of his feet, but he stayed strong roaring loudly in anger as he stood his ground. 'So, that wretched Orc had these beasts on standby, did he? Well,' he thought as opened up his wings wide and let out a fierce roar, 'let's see if they provide a better challenge!' With that, he launched his flames upon the Wargs, but saw that they were more agile than the Orcs were and dodged it before attacking again. Their sheer numbers and greater power forced Smaug to back up and move away from Vanya as the beasts attacked the Fire Drake. All the while, with swipes of claws and intense fire breath, Smaug continued with his own counterattacks back wanting to destroy them.

Vanya watched on the sidelines as she was both relieved that the Wargs didn't target her but worried for Smaug and wanted to help him. "Lord Smaug, I'm coming," she called out as she struggled slowly back on her feet when she realized something that gave her hope. "Wrock's paralyzing poison…..it's really weakening. Now if I can only get to my mother's sword…," but the sound of a menacing chuckle interrupted her and she quickly turned around. To her shock, she saw Wrock emerging from beyond the smoke coming out of his fallen soldiers' bodies still holding his blade in his right hand. "No…..it can't be. How did you survive my Lord's flames?"

Wrock approached her with a furious yet menacing smirk as he took a glance at his fellow dead Orcs before staring back at her. "I did the same thing you did…..and now I'm going to take MY vengeance upon you," he said as he pointed his sword straight at her. He then wiped the blood coming from his nose and mouth from her escape and prepared to charge at her. "It's time for you to suffer, my dear!"

Vanya stood tall, but nervously tried to think of how she would be able to fight him without any weapons. Suddenly, from the corner of her eye, she saw bits of Smaug's flame coming in her direction and knew what she had to do. Quickly, she activated her Dragon Sight once more and held up both her hands to draw the fire towards her and glared at Wrock. "The only one who will be suffering is YOU," she snapped as she held her arms out wide with the fire hovering over each hand.

Wrock took a step back, stunned by witnessing her flame-wielding powers once more but gripped tightly to his sword. "What?! How…How are you finding the strength to command the fire through my paralyzing poison? That's impossible!"

Vanya took a step forward as she concentrated hard and before Wrock's eyes saw how the flames grew until it wrapped around her body. It suddenly took on the form of a dragon around her like it was a suit of armor complete with tail and wings. Her eyes showed no fear, and it was as if the flames provided her with extra strength which she intended to use. "I told you before Wrock," she said calmly yet fiercely, "about how my mother and I are direct descendants of the Valar. It is through them that I have this strong heart and desire to fight against the darkness, and it is through my training with Lord Smaug that I have this control over these powers. You do not stand a chance against me," she told him shifting into a battle position, "like your foolish soldiers had none against my Lord. Now, prepare to suffer MY vengeance for my mother's death as I shall reclaim her sword once you draw your last breath!"

Wrock chuckled as he held up his sword high preparing to fight smirking, "Come and take it if you can," before the two of them charged at one another with fierce yells.

Two battles took place at that moment in Gundabad, both full of vengeance as the Dragon and the Elvish Princess. Smaug continued to fight against the relentless Wargs who refused to give in while their master did heated battle against Vanya. Smaug would slash, set fire and tail whip at the Wargs while at the same time keep check on how the other battle was going. He couldn't help but feel impressed by how she was able to wield the flames as both armor and weapons like she did in his training chamber. As he continued his fight, Vanya swiped the flames against Wrock's blade which he would keep swinging them away as he advanced forward. But, with each sword attack she would dodge just like how she did when fighting against Smaug during training. After each dodge of the sword she would strike back with the flames, but Wrock was also evasive but refused to back down. The yells, roars and snarls from each battle echoed through the room like a haunting melody which no one wished to hear. Smaug was determined to finish his battle against the Wargs as swiftly as he could so that he would be able to finish off Wrock. However, amidst his battle he glanced over at the other to see how the She-Elf's battle was doing before focusing on his own. Vanya, on the other hand, put all of her training to good use as well as using her flaming armor as both defense and attack. When Wrock lunged at her, she would deflect him with the wings, twist around and then use her fire tail to try and burn him. After some time, it appeared that Wrock was finally on his last leg as one last swift kick knocked him hard to the ground.

Vanya, still in her flaming Dragon armor, approached the Orc leader wanting to end the fight once and for all. "It's all over, Wrock!"

"Think again wench," he replied as he quickly scooped up a handful of dirt and threw it into her face temporarily blinding her. While she was busy trying to clear her eyes groaning in pain, he took his chance to finally get the upper hand on her. Without hesitation, he leaped back up onto his feet quickly swiping his sword across her armor's back giving him a perfect opening to strike back at her. He moved swiftly, raised up his right leg and struck her stomach hard with his knee before swiping his sword again against her face.

Vanya gasped for breath hard and fell hard to the ground once she felt the swipe of the Orc leader's blade but that wasn't the end. Upon feeling those attacks, her flaming armor blew away and her Dragon Sight faded back into her normal eyesight. She lay there on the ground for a moment as the cut on her right cheek bled slowly before she struggled to get back onto her own feet. But, just as she rose to her knees she let out another pained grunt as she felt another powerful kick to her left side that sent her back to the ground another 3 feet away. She landed back hard against the ground on her stomach groaning and laid there motionless for a few moments. She struggled again to get back up just as she could hear the wicked laughter of her vicious opponent and heard him approaching.

Meanwhile, Smaug was close in finishing his battle as only about 5 Wargs still drew breath and the others dead and charred. The smell of their burning flesh and fur filled that area of the chamber, and he knew that his remaining opponents were weakened. He was about to finish them off when an agonizing scream caught his attention and he quickly turned to see what had happened. He found himself feeling surprised as he saw Vanya laying on the ground crying out in pain from Wrock pinning her down with his left foot. What made the Fire Drake even more furious was that the Orc leader was grinning wickedly as he twisted his blade's hilt around on her shoulder wound. "Vanya…..," he said softly but angrily before letting out a fierce roar and charging towards them plowing through the remaining Wargs.

Meanwhile, focused solely on tormenting Vanya, Wrock laughed gleefully as he continued to twist his sword on Vanya's shoulder. Her cries of pain and agony pleased him greatly as she gripped the ground tightly motionless and feeling helpless. "Does it hurt, She-Elf? I hope that it does," he told her as he continued for a few moments more, "because I am only giving you one last chance. Surrender to me and call off the Dragon and I just might spare your life, or continue to resist me and suffer the consequences. What is your answer?"

Vanya, gripped with pain and unable to raise herself back onto her feet, looked back up at Wrock and gritted her teeth. She knew that the paralyzing effects of the poison was weakening, but the battle wore her out terribly so she was unable to move much. Far worse, the weight of Wrock against her back and him twisting his sword hilt on her wound felt unbearable and did not know if she had any strength left. However, she knew that she did not want to surrender to him…..not if it meant betraying all that she held dear and wished to protect. "I….I already gave you…..my answer," she told him trying to endure the pain while glaring back at him, "Orc scum!"

Wrock was furious and snarled as he stepped down harder onto her back and pulled back his sword up to his eye level. "Foolish Elfling," he said glaring down upon his wounded captive knowing that he finally had no other choice. "You thought that you could destroy me with the very same Dragon powers that MY Dark Lord had cursed you with? I gave you a chance to live, but now," he said holding up his sword blade-down with both hands, "you have just sealed your fate. You shall rejoin your precious mother…in OBLIVION! PREPARE TO DIE, SHE-ELF!"

Vanya saw the raised up blade from the corner of her eye and thought that she was about to die then and there. She closed her eyes tightly and whimpered softly, preparing to feel the painful sting of the blade pierce through her. At that moment, visions of her life from the past flashed before her eyes and in them saw the smiling faces of her parents and people. 'Mother….I'm sorry that I failed to avenge your death…but we shall see each other again soon.'

Wrock smiled as he was about to plunge his sword through her back to end her life when suddenly he felt a tremendous force slam into him. He let out a loud painful cry as he flew into the air and crashed into the westernmost wall before landing on the stone floor. However, right after he was struck, the sword of Vanya's mother flew off of his back and onto the ground close to her still within its scabbard. At that moment, the two guards who left earlier arrived back into the chamber astride two other Wargs with a third running in with them. The Orcs quickly dismounted and ran to their fallen leader's side when they saw that Wrock was still alive yet injured but looking furious. Wrock turned back to where he stood with Vanya where he saw that it was Smaug who had struck him using his massive tail. The two locked eyes for what seemed like forever, furious at one another and both having the desire to destroy the other one.

Smaug saw this and knew that he did not want them to get away as the five remaining Wargs ran to join with the others. He let out a fierce roar as he charged at them with his inner furnace still burning intensely, until he stopped at the wall and prepared to deliver the final blow. Just as the Orcs grabbed their leader and threw himself atop the last Warg before mounting theirs quickly, the Dragon unleashed his fire upon them. The flames came quickly, and at the moment the Wargs fled back into the tunnel it caught up to them just as they disappeared within it. There were terrible shrieks of agony coming from both Orc and Warg before at last there was nothing left but the silence. Smaug snorted pleased as he believed at long last that their foes were no more while both his eyes and furnace softened. At that moment, he heard the sound of soft moaning and grunts and turned to see Vanya struggling to sit herself back up. He turned his massive body around and walked swiftly back to her until he got close then he stopped and lowered his head near hers.

Vanya, still in pain and disbelief, opened her eyes and witnessed Smaug's rescue and the defeat of their wretched enemies. She struggled to push herself off the ground but found it difficult due to the added pain from what Wrock did to her shoulder. She had only enough strength at that moment to rise to her knees holding herself up by her arms and looked up at her Dragon Lord. "Is…Is it truly over Lord Smaug," she asked weakly as she sat there before gripping tightly to her wounded shoulder.

"We will not be seeing that wretched Orc filth again," Smaug replied confidently before rising up his head to observe the chamber. The flames from before still burned but weakly while scattered around were the charred corpses of both Wargs and Orcs. "If they had survived and plan on returning," he said as he looked back down at Vanya, "then they will suffer the same fate as these fools. But, I must ask," he then lowered his head until they were eye to eye with each other, "how badly have they injured you?"

"Huh?" Vanya was stunned as she did not expect him to be concerned for her but thought it was best not to provoke him. "They did not show me much mercy but all that Orc planned was to keep me alive for some wicked purpose. However, if it hadn't been for you arriving when you did, I might have been in worse condition than what you see now. I feel ashamed that I was unable to do more damage to them before they injured me as much as they have. If it wasn't for that paralyzing poisoned arrow they shot with me, I would have had more than enough power to take on several of them. Hmm?" She suddenly got distracted by a sudden gleam of light that came off from her right in the direction of the western tunnel. She turned to see what it was and gasped softly for there was her mother's sword scabbard still in one piece and gleaming like a star. She gathered as much as her strength as she could rising slowly to her feet before walking over to where it laid. As she knelt down to lift it up with both hands, her eyes filled with tears and she let out an emotional sigh before she softly uttered, "My mother's sword."

"It appears that you have fulfilled the vow that you made for her and recovered that which you have lost," Smaug told her as he took two steps toward her.

"Yes," replied Vanya softly before turning to face him concerned, "but right now I'm concerned for your injuries. Those terrible Orcs and those Wargs have…."

"Have done little to injure me though any wounds they may have inflicted me with are small and need no concern. It is your injuries, I see, that will delay your training some once we leave this place and return back to my mountain.

"Yes please let us get out of here," Vanya replied as she quickly strapped her mother's sword and scabbard to her back. She attempted to stand up again but her battle injuries as well as the poison in her shoulder nearly knocked her back to the ground. Just as she began to fall, she felt something catch her and looked up to realize that Smaug had caught her with his right forelimb. She was then scooped up gently and was held there in front of his face as she looked down in embarrassment.

"Your injuries are much worse than mine, yet your spirit is still strong," he said with a smirk, "which is impressive to say the least. Come. I shall carry you back to the Withered Heath for it is too much for your weakened Elvish body at this time." With that, he arched his neck around to where he was able to place her at the back of his neck just above his shoulders. Once he felt she was secure where she was, he turned and began making his way out of the chamber past every dead Orc and Warg he had defeated. Their burning flesh and the smoke rising from their bodies almost became too much for the Elvish Princess, but not so for him as he continued past them. At last, they came to the broken wall where he had entered from but stopped as he turned his head to look upon the chamber one last time. His eyes glowed slightly irritated by the lingering smells of the Orcs and their wretched pets that hovered in the air within that place and he growled softly. He then turned and looked at Vanya, who fell silent as they walked through and saw that she looked deeply concerned. "Do not fear what had transpired here, for now it is over and we need not dwell upon this place once we leave it."

Vanya stared at the spot where Wrock had threatened her and told her those horrible truths, but pressed herself close to Smaug's neck. "Yes, my Lord. Please, let us leave this terrible place and return home…back to the Withered Heath and your mountain," she said softly pressing her head against his warm neck.

Smaug nodded before turning back to his open entrance with a serious glare. "Yes, let's."

The two walked out of the fortress and into an open clearing of cold stone before Smaug flapped his wings hard and was airborne. It was late evening when they exited Gundabad, and the stars attempted to shine their light behind the dark clouds. Still, the Dragon flew swiftly as they made their way back to the Withered Heath, though he kept making sure that Vanya was still resting on his back. Soon, Gundabad was far behind them and Smaug glanced back at his wounded and weary passenger with curiosity. "So tell me, now that you have reclaimed your weapon," he asked calmly, "what do you plan on doing once we return? Will you go out and fend for yourself seeking sustenance as I do?"

Vanya felt surprised by his inquiries and took a moment to look back at her mother's sword before answering him. "I can still live off of my rations for some time yes, though I suppose I will have to do some foraging once it depletes. I'm not sure where I will be able to find sustenance that I can handle while within the mountains but I'm not going to worry about that now. I do want to tend to our wounds once we return for I remember that I also brought some of my people's medicine that will do wonders. However," she then grew hesitant as she wanted to ask one very important question but was afraid to ask, "I'd just like to know something."

"What is it?"

Vanya took a deep breath and tried to prepare herself with whatever answer he would give her at that moment. "I would just like to know…did you come only to seek out vengeance against them for invading your mountain?"

Smaug stopped in midair hovering in place with his mighty wings to stay airborne as he looked back to her. "Yes. Those filthy creatures had left their foul stench all around my mountain and that was something I would not allow."

Vanya looked down on his neck and felt a bit disheartened for she somehow knew that would be her answer when she heard something truly unexpected.

"They had also stolen something of mine that I swore to protect while within my mountain that I would kill to have it returned to me."

The Elvish Princess looked back up at him stunned but then smiled warmly as she knew that she was right after all. Past all the greed and power lusts that Dragons were known for, Smaug had some sense of honor and did care somewhat about her. She held his neck tightly and rested her head against him feeling more assured and told him, "Let's go home, Lord Smaug."

Smaug looked back ahead with a smirk chuckling softly at her implying it was her home but then thought it might as well be. After all that he had went through, he amused himself into accepting that she had already accepted his mountain as her home as well. "Home it is, then." With that, he flapped his wings hard and launched forward once more flying as swiftly as before back to their mountain home. The two of them grew silent the rest of the flight while they enjoyed the crisp evening air and the gentle wind blowing past them. A few hours went by when they finally saw a familiar sight sticking up high in the darkness…..Smaug's mountain. They had returned which made both he and Vanya glad as they realized in that moment the peak became more majestic then it has ever been before. Smaug swooped down low through the valley until rising back up again against the rocky slope of his mountain before he hovered in mid-air momentarily. He then lowered himself down slowly until his back legs touched the ledge before he let the rest of his body down gently. He glanced back briefly to make sure that his passenger was still on and saw that she still held on as tightly as she could. He smirked, then faced forward moving into through the entrance tunnel back to the sleeping chamber feeling satisfied. The moment they entered, he sniffed the air and realized that the stench of the Orcs was beginning to fade away which pleased him greatly. He then continued to approach their sleeping areas around the still lit fire and lowered his body slowly. As he did, he arched his neck up high as he could before he raised up his left winged forelimb up close to Vanya. "Here, let me return you at last to your bed," he said softly to her, "which is the least I could do after all you had been through."

Vanya was surprised by his sudden act of generosity, but then she figured that he only was doing it out of the fact she was still weakened. Carefully, she climbed up onto his claw and held on as he lowered her back down to the ground just above her bed. She tried to slide off onto it but the moment she touched it she collapsed in a heap but looked back up at Smaug grateful. "Thank you my Lord. I feel so ashamed that I still feel this weak, but I suppose that I'm still feeling the effects of that paralyzing poison."

"Then rest up until you gain your strength back as I shall have to since I used up much power in that disgusting place."

"If I may ask…," Vanya asked as she slowly lowered herself onto her stomach crossing her arms and looking up at him curiously.

"Yes?"

Vanya took a deep breath and let of a soft sigh before she asked what had been on her mind since before their return. "Back in the fortress when I was struggling in my battle against that Orc leader, did you feel concerned for me…even just a little bit?"

Smaug grew silent for a moment surprised by her question, but then snorted as he lowered himself in his usual sleeping position. "Do you take me for some sympathetic fool," the Fire Drake hissed softly.

"No, I do not. It's just that…..when I was getting beaten down by the Orc I thought that I heard you call out my name sounding very concerned. But, perhaps all the pain was causing me to hear things so maybe you didn't. I just…..I could have sworn that you had…."

"Enough of that. Now rest, for we are back where we both belong and now our enemies are gone, never to bother us again," he said as he lowered his head down closing his eyes to sleep.

"Yes Lord Smaug…..," Vanya said as she lowered her head on her crossed arms before uttering softly, "and thank you for coming after me. She then closed her eyes feeling the fatigue fully at last and falling fast asleep, with her heart filled with hope and strength once more.

Smaug waited a few minutes before he opened one eye to spy on his now peaceful sleeping companion and smirked softly. His pride would keep him from uttering anything truly sympathetic and started to think that she was nothing but trouble. However, somewhere in his heart, he began to feel something warm that wasn't from his inner furnace which had him concerned. This feeling was one that he had never experienced before, but was not yet strong enough at that time to worry about. Still, the Fire Drake did not know whether or not that he wanted this different kind of warm feeling or knew what it was. However, as he continued to stare down at his sleeping She-Elf, he remembered something the Orc filth had asked while they were in Gundabad.

'Why bother asking me such a trivial question…..unless you actually CARE for this wretched Elf? Now, wouldn't that just be pathetic…..that a big, powerful Dragon like yourself would have such a weakness like showing compassion for another.'

Smaug raised up his head quietly and looked on seriously toward the tunnel leading to the entrance feeling irritated. 'This feeling…is that what this is? A feeling of COMPASSION….a feeling of caring about this She-Elf?' He looked back down at her sleeping form curiously before he lowered his head back onto the stone floor not once averting his gaze. 'She is certainly a troublesome Elf even with her intriguing powers…..but, I still feel glad that she is back within my grasp. Back…and safe,' he thought as he found himself smiling with genuine sincerity for the first time in his life. 'I guess….because of you, I never realized that my mountain feels more like home while you are still here.' He then moved his head closer to hers being silent enough so she would not awaken then closed his eyes and slowly fell asleep. "Sleep well…..Vanya," he whispered softly as his smile remained while he slept.

At that moment, the Dragon and the Elvish Princess slept peacefully within the mountain deserving it after their dangerous encounters at the Orc fortress. Both felt for sure that the dangers they endured while they sought vengeance was finally over and they could finally live life in peace. However, they would soon be proven wrong as the two of them would encounter a darkness more powerful than either of them could imagine. A darkness so powerful that it would put their growing bond to the ultimate test…..a test which would lead down the path to death and destruction. (Of course, you dear readers will know what soon enough in Part Two of: The Dragon and the Elvish Princess.)

End of Part 1: The Dragon and the Elvish Princess