Author's Note – Welcome to everyone who found their way here from Ring Of Fire. If you have not come here from that story, you will probably not know what is happening or how the various following scenes or characters are relevant. Start with my other story. These are disconnected bonus scenes which will not form a continual narrative, though I intend for these to be in chronological order. These scenes will vary in length from about 1,000 words up to about 6,500 words.

Almost all the following chapters will be from perspectives other than Ring Of Fire's protagonists. Each chapter will reference where in Ring Of Fire the bonus scene is set. Naturally, this entire sequence of chapters will contain minor SPOILERS. If you don't mind minor spoilers, then I recommend reading each of these chapters after reading the ones (sometimes there are multiple referenced chapters) referred to in the main storyline.

This first chapter is mostly set during chapter 16 – Fight And Flight, though some of the backstory extends further into earlier chapters.

Incredulous

Elrond Half-elven had been in his study when he heard the call. The Three Elven Rings were bound and allowed the bearers to commune across great distances.

Mithrandir, bearer of Narya, had reached out to him with grave tidings. The One Ring, Sauron's device and tether to being, had been found in the Shire and was now being brought to Imladris for safekeeping. He and Lady Galadriel had agreed with Mithrandir that the plan was for the best. The One Ring could best be kept there in Imladris until a more permanent solution could be devised. He had immediately sent out summons for representatives of the Free Peoples to gather for a council. He also readied what forces Imladris could muster, so as to make safer the lands around Imladris.

But there was one detail which puzzled him, for Mithrandir had obscured some important information from him. Mithrandir had mentioned that the Ring was being brought by two Hobbits, a pair of humans, one of whom was Estel-Aragorn, and someone else of importance, though the Wizard had neglected to specify whom.

His guess was that the other person was a confounding Dwarf, perhaps one of Bilbo's friends from past adventures.

Mithrandir had made haste to speak with Saruman, which was perhaps why the Wizard had not reached out to speak to him in many days.

He put his robed arms behind his back as he frowned at the mural. The menacing visage of Sauron stretched out over a lowly man who defiantly held up a shattered sword. Sauron's free hand had a bright golden ring from which flames seemed to burn.

If only men were strong and did not fall to temptation so readily, much would have been saved. But no. Evil was allowed to endure, and the line of Kings broke long ago. There was no strength left in the world of men.

He spun away from the mural, and strode outside, leaning against a balcony where he could oversee much of Imladris. Where only weeks ago there had been only a few dozen of his kin, there were now far more, most of whom were warriors or scouts on secret missions.

They had all enjoyed a watchful peace, for the most part, for centuries. But he was certain that the time of peace was finished. For better or worse, life would never return to how it had been before. The finding of the Ring of power inevitably changed the world he knew.

There was only one course of action, difficult though that mission would be.

The morning had started out very normal, much as mornings in timeless Imladris had for what felt like Ages. He was tending one of his gardens as a break from planning, when he felt he was no longer alone.

'Mithrandir is in grave peril.'

Lady Galadriel's words echoed, as if from the sky, though only he could hear her. Only a fellow ringbearer could hear their shared thoughts.

'What peril?'

'Treachery.'

Treachery? He would not dismiss anything she said. She had a way of knowing possibilities and eventualities.

'Whose treachery?'

'You know of whom I speak.'

Who had Mithrandir sought out for advice on the One Ring? Who was most learned in Ring-lore in all Middle-earth, short of Sauron himself? Who was most hungry for knowledge and power?

'Saruman.'

'A darkness has grown in his heart. He delved too deep into the way of the Enemy. His aims are uncertain, though he likely desires the Ring for himself.'

Many details made terrible sense if this was true. Saruman had repeatedly assured them that the Ring was gone forever, swept out to sea or buried. But he had taken Isengard, called it his own domain, and had been meeting with many unsavory persons there. Still, it was very foolhardy of Saruman to expect the Orcs to leave him alone there forever.

Saruman falling to desire to claim the Ring was an unfortunate development, since his plans had relied on Saruman, as the greatest of the Istari, being a captain of war in defense of the Free Peoples. Saurman's knowledge of forces and machines could have proven invaluable in the coming conflict with a resurgent Sauron.

'And there is more. The Nine are active. How they learned of the Ring's whereabouts, I know not.'

'We have already sent out scouts and soldiers to clear my lands as we can,' he answered her.

He had faced the Nazgul once before in Dol Guldur, back when it was confirmed that Sauron was resurgent. Back when Saruman's aims were still pure, as far as he knew. But it was now obvious that the Nazgul's recent activity should have been a sign that the Ring had been discovered.

'How were we so blind?' he asked.

'Much has been hidden from us, but evil always comes forth in time.'

She was silent for a while before she continued.

'Something comes unto your lands.'

He was not sure at first what she meant, but it was then clear what she had to be referring to.

'The One, I am aware.'

'No, this is something else. I know not what, but we must consider all possibilities.'

That was most curious. However, she would know, and he would trust her insight. Perhaps her intuition concerned the additional guest Mithrandir mentioned in passing.

"Father."

He spun in place and saw his dear daughter, Arwen Undomiel, standing before him. She was clad in her riding gear and had her saber at her hip. It was clear what she planned to do: go in search of those bringing the One. Her lover, Estel-Aragorn, was leading the group through the wild, using skill and knowledge only a ranger could have.

He bit his tongue, not wanting to voice his thoughts on her choice of whom to give her heart. There would be time for that much later.

"Daughter, you are going to search for them?"

"Yes, father. Glorfindel lent me Asfaloth."

He nodded, secretly relieved by her being with such a loyal and fearless steed. Whatever would keep her safer was welcome. He knew there was no point expressly forbidding her from going out there. Matters of the heart always led people to act as they ought not.

"Very well. You know your training. Take great care if you see the Ringwraiths. They have been spotted passing through our lands. Stay safe, my dear."

"I will, father."

She departed, and he strode over to a balcony from where he could watch the main gate. She rode off on Asfaloth a minute later, galloping away along the winding path leading out of the valley.

She could be out in the wild for several days. While she was not a warrior, she had long since learned to protect herself and others. There was no reason to greatly fear for her.

Maybe I should join them in the search.

Being out there to assist in any battle would probably help, so he started for the weapons room to go check on his armor and blade. It was better to be prepared and not need to act than to need to act but be unprepared.

A piercing cry shattered the morning calm in the valley and echoed off the distant walls of rock.

Elrond stiffened as he stood up from his table and set aside the scroll he was reading. That sound from beyond was one which had not been heard in Imladris for many years, for those responsible for such calls had not been here in that time.

They generally kept to their aeries high in the Misty Mountains.

He swiftly strode outside and looked to the sky, seeing what he had expected to see there. A Great Eagle, a herald and messenger of Manwe, was circling, gliding lower and lower to land. He was very sure who this was, since there were very few of the Great Eagles who would come to his city and also because of this Eagle's appearance.

Gwaihir, what are you doing here?

He continued to the main clearing on the first level of Imladris, where Gwaihir was most likely to land. Sure enough, the noble Eagle dove, gracefully backwinged, and touched down inside the gates. He went forth to greet Gwaihir.

But then he saw that Gwaihir was not alone. On the proud Eagle's back was none other than Mithrandir himself.

Gwaihir awkwardly crouched down and let Mithrandir climb off him. The Wizard stumbled as soon as he climbed down. Not only that but Mithrandir appeared very weary, his grey robes rent in several places.

"Mithrandir!" he shouted, striding forth in worry.

It was not often that Mithrandir appeared so beleaguered. However, there was one possible and very likely explanation. Something had gone wrong in his meeting with Saruman, which was not a surprise given that Saruman's allegiances were in doubt.

Mithrandir wearily faced Gwaihir and lay a wizened hand on the proud Eagle's neck.

"My unending gratitude, Windlord. Though I must be as a sack of rocks for you to carry," Mithrandir said.

Gwaihir cocked his head to look down on the Wizard.

"It is my honor to bear one such as yourself. I suspect this shall not be the last time."

Gwaihir then faced him and bent his proud head slightly.

"Master Elrond, take care with Olorin. He was held prisoner atop Orthanc, and is most weary after the betrayal."

He bowed out of respect to the Great Eagle.

"Windlord, we shall. You have our thanks for bringing him hither."

Gwaihir stretched his pinions wide.

"I and my kin shall keep watch on Isengard and all that happens within. Already there are many orcs, goblins, and other foul creatures being brought there or already within. Saruman is felling the forest of Fangorn to feed his devices of war."

He frowned, shaken by this terrible news. Not only had Saruman fallen to temptation, but he was also summoning forces of evil to serve him. This further changed matters.

"Any news you can bring would be most welcome," he said.

Gwaihir prepared to jump, but Mithrandir spoke up, halting his departure.

"Please tell your kin about the other... development."

Oddly, Gwaihir momentarily paused, staring at Mithrandir before answering him.

"Yes, I shall tell them about him. Were any other than you to bring such tidings, I would not be inclined to believe."

Gwaihir jumped, beat his wings, and ascended out of the valley while he, Mithrandir, and the other Elves present watched him go.

Mithrandir hobbled to him, leaning heavily on his staff. That his robes were ripped was a minor issue which could be addressed in time. It was improper decorum for a Wizard of the Istari to bear tattered robes.

He and Mithrandir embraced, it having been a long time since they met here in Imladris.

"I would have us speak in confidence about several urgent matters," Mithrandir said after stepping back.

"Certainly, my library is available."

Mithrandir nodded and grumbled.

"And maybe have some food brought as well. Saruman's accommodations were not as generous as I recall yours being."

Mithrandir collapsed in a chair while dining on fresh bread and sipping hot tea. Food and drink were not usually permitted in the library, but these were special circumstances.

He patiently waited for Mithrandir to finish. The Wizard would begin speaking when the time was right, neither early nor late.

"It was the Palantir. He used the Isengard Palantir, though not all of the stones are accounted for. Always too proud and confident in his own greatness," Mithrandir grumbled.

"That indeed explains his folly. He must have used it to search for the Ring, only to see the power of Sauron. Do you believe he and Sauron are in league?"

Mithrandir frowned.

"I believe they have an alliance, though Saruman wishes to claim the Ring for himself. Truthfully, I am unsure who would be worse, Saruman or Sauron, were either of them to claim the One."

That brought their discussion to a detail he was very curious about.

"How did you discover its whereabouts after all these years? You said it was in the Shire," he asked.

Mithrandir sighed and took out from his pocket a smoking-pipe which he stuffed with fragrant herbs. Then he began smoking. Where Mithrandir picked up that curious habit, he was unsure.

But it was probably a habit from the Shire.

"I must admit my folly in being blind for so many years. For the Ring was there under my very nose. Bilbo Baggins found it deep in the Misty Mountains during Oakenshield's quest to Erebor."

"Baggins found the One?" he asked, shaken.

Bilbo Baggins, the very elderly Hobbit now living a peaceful and productive life of writing here in Imladris, was connected to the One Ring and responsible for its discovery.

"And he always assumed it was just a minor ring... a trinket useful for pulling pranks on others or doing parlor tricks. How is the old rascal?" Mithrandir asked.

"He is well enough, though he is aging curiously fast."

Mithrandir nodded.

"I am not surprised. That he was not visibly aging before is yet another sign his magic ring was no ordinary trinket."

Mithrandir paused and looked around the library, as if to confirm that they were alone.

"There is... another matter which you must be informed about. Frodo Baggins, Bilbo's nephew, will be bringing the Ring here. He has a strong will, plain Hobbit-sense, and more understanding of history than most Hobbits have. His gardener, Samwise Gamgee, will be escorting him here."

"A curious choice of bodyguard."

"I suspect that Sam can aid Frodo in ways you and I cannot foresee. Regardless, they were to meet up with Aragorn at Bree, if all went according to plan."

He nodded, understanding more of Gandalf's plan. A pair of Hobbits could be inconspicuous on the road to Bree, and Estel-Aragorn could help them disappear into the wild at that point. There was only one matter unresolved.

"There are two others traveling with them, or am I mistaken?"

Mithrandir inhaled and puffed on his pipe.

"That is the other great matter. This might leave you most incredulous."

"There is very little that can surprise me after all these Ages."

"Very well. They are refugees from very far away. I met them on the road to the Shire. Truly, it was a chance meeting that I just happened upon them there."

"What is it with you and fated meetings? First Thorin Oakenshield and now whoever these are?"

Mithrandir winked and continued.

"I do not know all the details of their history, but what is important is who and what they are. One of them is a young human man named Haddock. He is respectful, kind, and clever, though he is not built as a warrior. The other one is... is..."

"Is what?"

"Is a dragon."

He blinked and stared, certain he had misheard.

"A dragon?"

"A black dragon far smaller than Smaug, just as smart as any dragon, and very different in temperament. Would you believe it, but the dragon and Haddock are friends."

He got up from his chair and started pacing, considering this impossible news. There were so many stories from the First Age or even recent history in the Dwarves war with the dragons. In all the accounts, dragons were the same: forces of evil, malice, and destruction. But now there was supposedly a dragon that differed from all that had been before.

He would not have believed this were anyone else to bring him this news.

"Friends? Are you certain that pipeweed does not addle your mind?"

Oddly, Mithrandir chuckled.

"Saruman said something similar when I explained how I had not known about the Ring. I am certain that Haddock is not under any dragon-spell. Not only are the dragon and the human friends, but the dragon is apparently injured and unable to fly on his own. Haddock helps him fly with an ingenious contraption on the dragon's tail."

A dragon was capable of friendship and care? That sounded too impossible. Or maybe their relationship was only one of usefulness. Maybe the dragon only kept the human around out of need. That would be more fitting with what a dragon might do.

But this was still very incredible if all that was true. A dragon keeping a human nearby out of usefulness was a sign that dragons could interact peacefully with others. Being able to trust or rely on someone else out of usefulness or dependency was very different from bestial anger, greed, and instinct.

He leaned against the table and faced Mithrandir.

"And you are certain that the dragon can be trusted?"

Mithrandir leaned forward, his eyes and gaze intense.

"I saw that dragon react violently against the Ring's presence. He was afraid of it even before anyone told him what it was. Yes, I am certain there is something different about this dragon."

He frowned, reflecting on the last time he had gone along with one of Mithrandir's plans. Thorin's expedition had ended in triumph and tragedy.

Allowing a dragon into Imladris was unacceptable, far too dangerous, and...

And...

Maybe he should consider the possibility that everything he knew about dragons was wrong. Even in the old stories, Glaurung, the father of all dragons, was not a perfect servant of Melkor. Instead, that wingless drake acted as he saw fit, even disobeying his master's orders at times. Maybe dragons were far more complex than everyone thought. Monstrous and cruel they certainly were, but maybe they could choose to be different.

He rubbed his temple as a headache came over him.

"Why does this always happen whenever you come here?"

Mithrandir smirked and shrugged.

"Oh, what can I say? I have a flair for the dramatic."

"So, we are to be hosting a dragon. Has Lady Galadriel been informed?"

"Not yet, though I would not be surprised if she is aware."

Mithrandir closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

'It is true, what I foresaw in the Mirror. That dragon is most important, I can feel it. What of Saruman's betrayal?' Galadriel thought for them all to hear.

Elrond started pacing while listening to Mithrandir mentally speaking to Galadriel and explaining the extent of Saruman's treachery and various activities. Mithrandir finally paused, which let him interject.

'What did you foresee in the Mirror?'

'I saw a small black dragon and a young man together in Imladris, here in Caras Galadhon, and venturing in the Wastes.'

He and Mithrandir paused, considering that news. As usual, Galadriel's visions probably made more sense to her than they did to anyone else.

'Do you understand that vision of them in the Wastes?' he asked.

'It is possible it concerns the Dwarves' sightings of strange creatures over the last few decades. Might this man and dragon be from those reaches in the North? Perhaps the people of Forochel or beyond have made peace with some kinds of dragons,' she proposed.

Mithrandir stood, leaning on his staff.

'It is possible that there are more of these benevolent dragons. If they are opposed to Sauron, they could be very powerful allies.'

'Assuming there are more of its kind, how do we know they are like this one you know of?' he asked.

Galadriel answered after a moment of consideration.

'We do not, but we must consider all possibilities.'

Mithrandir nodded.

'True, and even if those dragons are not allies, we still ought determine their allegiance. We must know if they are a neutral party or if they owe Sauron any loyalty.'

'These are uncertain times, and the world that we knew has been changed. I... feel it in the earth and smell it in the air,' she thought-whispered.

Her voice went silent and her presence withdrew, leaving him and Mithrandir alone.

Mithrandir stroked his white beard.

"So, are you satisfied with regards to the dragon?" Mithrandir asked.

"I will trust your word on this matter, though I will wish to meet him myself once he arrives here. I am most curious as to the dragon's motives. I will spread word among the guards that we are to host a... peculiar guest."

"That is most wise. The dragon is kind and gentle, but he would not appreciate being shot at. He is by no means a toothless dragon," Mithrandir chuckled.

Something about what Mithrandir said struck him as peculiar. There was no need to point out that a dragon had teeth. There should be no need anyway.

So he raised an eyebrow out of curiosity. Mithrandir saw his gesture, and shrugged, though the Wizard looked very amused.

"The dragon's name is Toothless."

"Toothless? Just that?" he asked, incredulous.

"The best I can surmise is that it is an ironic name or an inside joke between him and his friend. The land they are from has peculiar naming conventions. Regardless, the dragon answers to the name 'Toothless' without taking any offense."

"Is there anything else I should know about this dragon?"

"Nothing that I am sure of. We shall learn more about him in due time."

He agreed that learning more about this... Toothless was very important. A long talk with him was probably the first thing he was going to do once the Hobbits, the men, and the dragon arrived.

"I look forward to it. Shall we find you some new robes? I am certain we can find something in an appropriate shade of grey."

Mithrandir nodded.

"That would be most agreeable."

He led Mithrandir out of the library to go find another set of robes.

Along the way, he could not help but begin planning for the eventual special guest he was going to have to host soon. He needed to find out precisely how big this dragon was, if it was even possible to arrange accommodations for him. Another potential problem was immediately apparent.

By the Valar, I hope this dragon does not have a substantial appetite.