RATING: PG-13

DISCLAIMER: The characters from Lord of the Rings and their wonderful world are borrowed from J.R.R. Tolkien. The plotline and all other characters are copyright 2002 Emily (emi_kins@yahoo.com)

36.

Red glinting eyes and black scales in the moonlight. As soon as Galadriel saw them she took up her bow and fired, her shot embedding itself deeply within the creature's belly.

The dragon seemed surprised at first, and then bared his teeth. "You try to kill me with the weapons of old, forged with magic to pierce dragon flesh. But in that way I can never be slain. Not truly." Dimnarion laughed darkly, spewing smoke as he did so.

"That problem can be remedied," muttered Gandalf under his breath as Elrond unsheathed his sword. The Wizard held his staff aloft and began to chant.

Dimnarion blew fire at Gandalf who was suddenly shrouded in a globe of light. The flames did not touch him, so the beast turned his attention to Elrond instead. "Give me the princess, you miserable Elf, and I will leave your kingdom in peace."

Two orbs of light erupted from Gandalf's staff and surrounded his Elven companions.

"You shall not have her!" Elrond held his defensive stance and marveled, as the dragon's fire did not touch him either.

"Then you shall die!" Dimnarion charged toward them, Galadriel's arrows stinging him like angry hornets. He shrieked in agony but continued his forward march until Elrond lashed out with the full fury of his sword.

"Back vile beast! I've not lived all my long years to be slain by the likes of you!" He sliced two toes from the beast's foot and caught the creature's belly with the edge of his blade.

Gandalf stood and chanted, grateful for the distraction his two companions were providing. The incantation was almost complete, and then they could at least drive the beast away.

Galadriel leapt over the dragon's tail as it swung around and shot yet another arrow into its rough hide just as Gandalf released a burst of light that surrounded the beast's head, entering through its ears and nostrils.

Suddenly, all grew quiet. The wind and rain ceased in their fury, and only a distant rumbling of thunder could be heard. Looking up at the dragon, they could see only confusion and anger in its eyes before it turned tail and fled, lifting high up into the air and fleeing South more quickly than even Galadriel's arrows could fly. With it, the storm retreated, leaving the Wood around Rivendell suddenly quiet and disturbingly devastated.

"After it!" shouted Elrond. "I'll not have him burning my palace gates tomorrow!" He started to run toward the stables for his horse, but Gandalf caught him by one arm.

"He'll not be back," said the Wizard, "For he knows not who he is. I took his memory from him and Dimnarion is now fully a dragon. If he is like other dragons I have seen, he will find some dark place to hide and stay there till his dying day."

"He will never remember?"

Gandalf shrugged. "Perhaps after a thousand years he will have some inkling. But no, he will never fully remember."

Elrond cleaned his blade and sheathed it quickly. "Thank you, old friend," he said to Gandalf as he clasped his hand. "I owe you my life and my kingdom. Now let us find the young ones and Haldir."

***

Their ears rang with the sudden silence, and Elenath was the first to stand and make her way toward the door. "The wind has stopped."

All four walked to the cave's entrance and marveled. At the very top it seemed one of the trees had rolled away, revealing a crescent of bright stars. Thunder rolled lightly in the distance – all that remained of the tempest - and Elenath turned solemnly to the three who were there with her.

"I owe you all an apology," she said softly. "If I had not lost my temper and fled, we all would have been safe in the palace this night."

"Already you have learned one of the first lessons that I teach my students," replied Haldir. He patted her shoulder lightly. "A warrior must never run from his – or her – problems."

She nodded to him. "I understand, Master Haldir. Will you forgive me?"

"I will. But you are young and still impulsive in many ways. I have much to teach you if you would come with me, Princess. You could be the greatest warrior the Elves have ever seen."

Elenath, touched the hilt of her sword and then placed her hand gently into Legolas'. "I do not doubt that my skill would increase a thousand fold under your tutelage. But that is a commitment I cannot make right now."

The warrior nodded and gazed up at the crescent of moonlight above the mangled trees that blocked their way. "Perhaps," he murmured, "Perhaps we might climb out."