A few days later, Legolas went to take Sealeaf exploring and goblin-hunting in the south woods. Sealeaf had grown tremendously. He had mastered his Fire Shot, as well as a new spell, Water Beam. With his new spell, he could hit any opponent with a sudden gush of water he fired from his mouth. It had enough force to it to knock over small boulders. Sealeaf was also very good at finding goblins. Sealeaf stood as high as Legolas's chest, and hadn't stopped growing. The experience in battle was aging him much quicker than normal. Terrico had assured Legolas not to worry. A dragon's first spell meant that it was old enough and strong enough to go off without its parents. She assured him that Sealeaf would stop growing once he reached full height, although he would still grow in physical and magical strength. Sealeaf flapped his large wings. Legolas knew he would be flying soon. Sealeaf kicked up enough wind that he drove three goblin scouts out of hiding. Legolas shot them before they could run or attack. He noticed that there were more and more goblins appearing in the woods. It troubled him, but Aragorn's men kept the goblins away from the hobbits' village. Gandalf arrived later that afternoon. Terrico was in Bag End copying her sketches for Frodo. Aragorn and Legolas told Gandalf about the captured goblin and Terrico's reaction. "Yes, yes, it all makes sense to me." Gandalf sat down and took out his pipe. "When Terrico was very young, and still sneaking into my tower, a goblin army came and tried to take over the town. Terrico's mother was out gathering herbs when they attacked. She was an Elite-mage, so she didn't fear them. She drove off most of them, but then Driikk got to her. He was still weak, but he had enough strength given to him by Sauron to overcome her. He took control of her using an old spell. He used her to try to get to me, but when it failed and she broke free, he killed her and promised that he would come back. Her father took Terrico away for a time, and that was when I caught her in my tower. She was upset from her mother's death and was afraid because Driikk had pointed to her and told her that she was destined to be just like her mother. It is true, but only because Terrico is very powerful. She is more powerful than her mother was, and I am sure that she will not bend to Driikk's will. Terrico is like a daughter to me, for all of the years I have trained her. I knew her mother well, and I still grieve over her." Gandalf shook his head. "But all that is in the past. It is a troubling past, none the less. Driikk is more powerful now, and I know that he has the power to take over Terrico's mind. He can't do that if she doesn't consent, but I think that if he learns of her new relationship with you, Legolas, then you will both be in great danger." Aragorn spoke up, "Is there any way of hiding her from Driikk? Surely there is somewhere she can hide." Legolas thought of the dragons they had encountered in the woods. "Maybe the dragons can hide her. They hunt the goblins and know their movements. The ones near here, the Piquenia, are quite hobbit-like in their tendencies to hide and run." Gandalf thought for a bit. "The dragons won't be able to hide Terrico, because Driikk knows she is here. They may, however, prove useful. Legolas, go and get Frodo for me, please. I think that he should know my plan as well. We may need the help of the hobbits after all."
Terrico and Frodo sat in Frodo's kitchen. Terrico was showing him the copied sketches and telling him everything she knew about the dragons. Frodo was very interested in the Piquenia. "They're just the right size that one of us hobbits could ride it like a pony. I like them. Perhaps we can create an alliance with them. Are they peaceful, Terrico?" Terrico gave a little bit of a laugh. "If they weren't peaceful then you'd all be dead. I've seen one hunt a goblin. They sneak up after using a spell that makes them almost invisible, then surround their prey in a thick fog. They attack from outside of the fog, and the prey never sees them coming." Frodo looked surprised. "They only hunt orcs and goblins, sometimes trolls. Other than that they eat mostly fruit and other plants. They refuse to eat carrion." Frodo accepted Terrico's dietary rundown of the Piquenia. They were startled when Legolas came in. "Frodo, Gandalf would like to talk to you. Terrico, I think you should bring your papers on the Piquenia." Frodo got up a bit slowly, he had lost much of his strength after the ring had been destroyed. Terrico gathered up her papers and then helped Frodo. Legolas led them to where Aragorn and Gandalf were talking. "Ah! It is good to see you again, Frodo. How are you these days?" Frodo smiled at his old friend, "Good, very good. A bit tired today. I was just listening to Terrico. She's been telling me all about the dragons she's met. They are quite interesting." Frodo sat next to Gandalf. Terrico and Legolas sat close together near Aragorn. "I think that I may need the help of the hobbits, Frodo. We are facing a foe worse than Saruman. This goblin-mage that threatens us wants Terrico. She cannot stay here for much longer. The mage is gathering the remnants of Sauron's armies. He will try to take this area by force. Although Aragorn has brought may good men, we will need more. I am sure Terrico has told you of the dragons in the woods near here?" Terrico nodded and Gandalf continued. "I think that an alliance of Hobbit and Dragon is needed. The dragons are very good magic users, but they cannot sneak quite as silently as the hobbits, and the hobbits cannot use magic. I think that we can combine the two, dragons with hobbit riders. The hobbits will act like a second pair of eyes for the dragons, as well as lending them stealth. I have a spell that allows aspects of one creature or person to be switched with another. For example, I can put a fly on a toad and use the spell, and create a toad that flies and a fly with a long tongue." Everyone laughed, except Terrico. She stared into the mountains. Legolas held her a bit closer and whispered "Don't worry, I'm here. I won't let anyone hurt you." Terrico smiled and moved closer to Legolas. Frodo thought for a moment. "So, you're saying that I can ride a dragon, and if you use this spell, he will be able to move as silently as I can, and I'll be able to use magic or fly?" Terrico giggled at the thought of Frodo with a pair of dragon wings on his back. "Yes, and it will help all of us. We don't know if the dragons will be willing, but I'm sure from what Legolas has said that they won't need much persuasion. Aragorn's men may be killing all of the scouts, but there are sure to be some that are making it back. When the siege begins, the dragons can use their magic fog to hide our men, plus themselves. If they can't be heard or seen, the attackers can't know they are there. We can wipe out a good portion before they get more than halfway to the village." Frodo and Aragorn nodded in agreement. Terrico smiled. "I think that the dragons will be likely to agree, mostly for the fact that they will be bloated with food for years. They hunt goblins and orcs because given their normal rarity, they are a delicacy." Gandalf nodded. "We should go and talk to them, see what their view of this is. I think that a small number is best. Perhaps just Frodo, Terrico, Aragorn, Legolas, and myself." Everyone nodded in agreement. The five of them all got up and headed toward the south woods.