Leya has had a number of other adventures as well. Her story can be found at the Union of Worlds webpage, under . (For interest's sake, the ability to take a human form was acquired during her space travels, after the story Fairwater Bay takes place, and is not a common skill on Tryllva).
Disclaimer: I still do not own any part of Middle Earth.
Reviews: Many thanks to Sunrunner for sticking with the story and reviewing again. No, I don't know why more people aren't reading it. Tell all your friends; maybe they will! :p
Leya folded her wings and plunged into the blackness, realizing too late that a rescue attempt was futile. Gandalf had already fallen too far; it would be impossible for her to reach him. Unfurling her wings again, she turned and rose towards the remains of the bridge. As soon as she landed on solid rock, Leya began to run. The others were already moving down a winding tunnel ahead, and she followed them, dodging the few orcs that Legolas had not managed to slay. She caught up with the remainder of the party just as they burst out into the bright light of day.
The certain death of Gandalf had affected them all, and as soon as they were free of the orc-infested tunnels most of the Fellowship collapsed in shock. Leya lay down amid the hobbits, draping a sheltering wing over Merry and Pippin and trying to do the same for Frodo and Sam. However, the Ring-bearer preferred to mourn alone. He darted out from underneath the taut membrane just as it spread over him. Leya folded the wing, still holding the other one over two of the hobbits, and laid her head on her front paws with a sigh.
They did not have long to rest, however. Aragorn demanded that they rise and move along, before the end of the day brought orcs out of the caves in search of them. Leya helped Merry and Pippin to their feet and turned to follow the Ranger who was now their leader. They had a long journey ahead of them before they could feel safe.
Despite being exhausted from the day's battles, the group travelled as fast as they could. Leya was glad to be out of the caves and happily flew above them, her strong wingbeats often propelling her so far ahead that Aragorn had to sprint to catch up and point the way. Soaring above the others, the dragon was the first to catch sight of the distant woods of Lothlórien. As they approached the beautiful forest, she fell back a little and glided gently to the ground, for it would be almost impossible for her to flap her wings among the densely clustered trees. After landing, she glanced behind her to ensure that they were not being followed, as she was now bringing up the rear.
It was then that Leya noticed a movement in the sky. Something was falling swiftly towards the forest, and for a moment she froze. It was coming towards them! Seeing her intense look of concentration and distrust, Legolas, Boromir and Aragorn turned in the same direction and readied their weapons. As the object approached, Leya saw that it was smooth, and pale in colour. Suddenly it dawned on her - this was the shuttle, come to take her off the planet at last! She had forgotten about it completely in the dangerous journey through the mines.
Suddenly relaxed, Leya called to the remaining members of the Fellowship. Put down your weapons! It's only someone come to take me home. The shuttle descended in a long arc and finally landed on the open meadow, some distance from where they stood. Leya turned to her companions one last time. As I said, I intended to linger here but a short time, and in any case you have an important mission to fulfill. I must enter that vehicle which you see there in the grass, and it will transport me... uh... by a sort of magic to the place from which I came. I guess starcraft and shuttle technology would seem like magic even if I tried to explain it to them, she thought.
In light of her heroic behaviour in the Mines of Moria, some were in favour of having Leya remain with the Fellowship, despite concerns that she might have pressing commitments of her own. The hobbits in particular wanted her to stay, for they had been alternately fascinated and awed by her throughout the journey. However, Leya knew that any talk of her replacing the fallen wizard was merely wishful thinking. I may have helped them, she thought, but I still have little knowledge of their world and the perils of their quest. It is best that they go without me. The difficulty of this seemingly obvious admission surprised her.
I must admit I have no family to return to; I had a mate, but he is dead, and our children have grown explained Leya. However, I would greatly like to see my homeland again, and my transportation awaits. You must continue on your journey without me. I will not forget you, or the small part I played in your quest. There was sadness in Leya's strong voice. She gave each remaining member of the Fellowship a dragon-kiss on the cheek or forehead with her long tongue, then turned and walked towards the shuttle.
As she neared it, the door swung quietly open, and Leya looked back at the group standing in the shadow of the trees. Sad smiles adorned most faces. Legolas' gaze was blank, and Aragorn looked tired and worried. Boromir, who had been the first to encounter Leya, seemed almost disappointed. Frodo looked overwhelmed. Pippin was crying a little.
Leya tore her gaze away and stepped slowly into the small shuttle. The door closed behind her, and those watching saw the craft lift from the ground with a puff of smoke and rise swiftly into the sky. Then they moved into the forest in the gathering dusk.
For Leya, the adventure was over. For Aragorn, Boromir, Legolas, Gimli, Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin, the adventure had barely begun.
~ The End ~
