The Rangers camp was well organized and situated in the dense forest to the west of the town. The men had welcomed everyone, including Sauros after getting over the initial shock. Almost immediately, Lina won the hearts of all the men in camp and had most of them wrapped around her little finger. The men were at first wary of Sauros and his sharp fangs and talon but saw how tender and gentle he was around Lina and others. The elves worked closely with the Rangers to work over the battle plan before putting it to action. Although their wounds still bothered the two, Legolas and Elladan still helped with the preparations that needed to be done.
"Gandalf? May I have a word with you?" Sauros asked the wizard as he stood from his sitting position.
The wizard nodded and followed the dragon into the forest away from the humans and elves. Sauros carefully moved between the trees and was careful of where his tail swung. The dragon was cautious to breech the subject he had in mind and wanted to bounce the idea off Gandalf.
"I have been thinking, Gandalf. Thinking of what I intend to do after all this is over with. I know that Rivendell consists of much land, much of it that Elrond does not use. Would Elrond possibly extend sanctuary to me in his land?"
"Sanctuary?"
"Allow me to call Rivendell my home, if you will."
Gandalf looked the dragon in his eyes as they stopped walking. The wizard understood how difficult a dragon's life could be. Venturing into the open during the day almost invited death. It had been a few thousand years since Sauros had a real home or real friends that didn't try to kill him.
"I can not speak for Lord Elrond, Sauros. However, I think that he will. Better to have a dragon as an ally than any enemy."
Both turned as they heard a cry come from the camp. Hurrying back to the camp, the men were rushing around grabbing weapons. Gandalf turned to Sauros and sighed as he tightened his grip on his staff.
"It is time."
Sauros nodded and looked towards Tharbad. Breaking his gaze, he moved out from the trees and unfolded his wings. His job was to provide a distraction and burn down any buildings he though needed to burn. The Rangers would wait for a signal from Aragorn before moving him and taking the castle. Sounded easy enough, but then again it did include all sons of Elrond and the son of Thranduil. Four people that could easily find trouble in their own homes.
Sauros flew low towards Tharbad and shot a fireball to the stone walls before flying over the citadel. He heard the screams below him as his talons tore into a thatch roof. Flying over the castle wall, he suddenly started to back beat air when his eyes locked onto what was in front of him. Several large spears were mounted on catapults, aimed directly towards him. The first one flew past him, and he dodged the second, but the third caught him just above his wing. The spear tore the muscle and made the wing a useless limb. Not being able to fly with one wing, he hurtled towards the stone courtyard. The crash echoed across the castle and some loose rocks fell from the towers to accompany the cloud of dust.
"Chain him down! Quickly!" Jasper screamed, as the soldiers threw heavy chains over the dazed dragon.
Chains went over the tail, body, legs, and head to restrain the dragon. Bright red blood oozed from the embedded spear that protruded from the dragon's shoulders. Sauros breathed deeply to fill his lungs with air again after his rough landing. His eyes rolled over to look at the human that walked over to him smugly.
"Seems that I trapped myself a dragon," Jasper said and rested his foot on Sauros' muzzle.
"I would advise you to remove your foot from my snout, human," Sauros growled.
"And if I don't?"
He jumped back as Sauros tried to lunge at him. The chains clanked together loudly to restrain the enraged dragon. Jasper laughed loudly as he watched his prize struggle against the heavy chains.
"I always wanted a pet dragon."
"And I always wanted a pet human but they are too disgusting. Burn to easily also," Sauros snarled to the human.
"Such a sense of humor," Jasper mused before turning away. "Make sure the chains are tight. I don't want him escaping."
Sauros snarled at the humans that neared him but knew that couldn't do anything. The chains succeeded in immobilizing him and keeping him lashed to the ground. His back burned painfully from the embedded spear. Aside from his current situation, he berated himself or being so caught off guard to allow himself be shot. He was definitely losing his touch; he thought and grimaced as he shifted slightly. His wing was crushed against this body from the quick job the humans did to tie him down. He didn't have time to fold his wing properly when he crashed. Trying to relax, he sighed and started to look around to evaluate his temporary prison.
Aragorn silently hurried down the darkened hall before stopping and listening for any footsteps. He hadn't been that surprised when he learned that Jasper wanted to catch Sauros. He was surprised that he actually succeeded in his mission. This news caused him to post pone the Rangers' infiltration until he could free the dragon.
Slowly sliding up behind the single guard, the hilt of his sword crashed against the man's skull sending him into instant unconsciousness. Catching them man before he hit the floor, Aragorn pulled him into the shadows and carefully lowered the man to the ground. Looking for any other guards and finding none, he extinguished the torches around the courtyard before jogging to Sauros. The dragon rested on his side as he breathed raggedly and slowly opened an eye.
"Young one, I hoped you would come," he murmured tiredly as Aragorn inspected the locks on the chains. It was too small for his dagger to possibly pick it.
"Sauros, I can not pick the lock. I will have to steal the keys from Jasper," he said quietly and stood.
He heard the twang of the bow too late as he started to turn. The impact sent him to his hands and knees as the arrow dug into his left shoulder. He was dazed momentarily before he looked over his shoulder. He watched as Jasper and about twenty guards stepped out of the hallway and walked towards the center of the courtyard.
"I don't know if I should be hurt that you are not loyal to me or happy that you are the mole," Jasper said as he slowly walked towards Aragorn.
Aragorn tried to get to his feet just as Jasper kicked him in his stomach. Gasping as he wrapped his arms around his stomach, the arrow shaft snapped when the force rolled him over. He bit his lip as the arrow head dug deeper into the muscle tissue. Three soldiers came forward and relieved Aragorn of his weapons before stepping back into the circle of soldiers that surrounded Jasper and Aragorn.
"Now, imagine my surprise at learning that you were the little mole that I have been looking for. If you were me, what would you do?" he asked and walked around the man on the ground.
"Let him go with a smile and a shake of his hand?" Aragorn ground out sarcastically.
"Hardly," he said and planted his boot on Aragorn's chest.
He leaned forward and pressed his weight onto Aragorn's ribs. The Ranger bit back a cry as a rib snapped under the pressure. Jasper stepped back and gestured towards Aragorn as he pulled off his outer coat and handed it to one of the armed soldiers. Two other soldiers wrenched Aragorn's arms behind his back and tied his wrists together with a piece of rope before pulling him to his feet.
"There was always something about you that irritated me and I think I found out what it is."
"The unavoidable habit of always being one step ahead of you?"
"No, always being so damn calm," Jasper replied and punched Aragorn in the diaphragm.
The air rushed out as he slumped against he grips holding him up. Valar, why was he always the one to be ganged up on? Did he have a sign on his that said 'Punch me, please'? He would have to ask someone about that. His head jerked to the side when Jasper punched him again. He spat blood onto the ground and glared up at Jasper.
"Do you have something to say to me Valimer?"
"I have something to say that should think about," Aragorn ground out with enough pride to make one of the Valar pause.
"And what is that?" Jasper questioned and leaned against his knees to look Aragorn in the face.
"You can discover what your enemy fears most by observing the means he uses to frighten you."
"And what do I fear?"
Aragorn leaned closer to him with a slight grin and acted as though he was going to reveal a huge secret. "Me."
Jasper struck out and hit Aragorn, knocking him out of the soldiers' grasp. He kicked Aragorn repeatedly before stepping back and glanced over at the quiet dragon.
"Anything to add dragon?"
"No, nothing that you have not already proved. I learned that it is the weak who are cruel, and that gentleness is to be expected only from the strong."
"I am not weak dragon!" Jasper snarled.
"Look at yourself, human! You are beating on a man who is tied up and cannot defend himself! He is right, you are scared of him! Does it fill you with pride to beat a man who is restrained? Then what you possess is an empty pride!" Sauros snapped as Aragorn moaned.
In a blind rage, Jasper grabbed a sword from a soldier and pierced Aragorn's back, driving the blade all the way through. Aragorn cried out in pain as his fingers clawed at the unyielding stone.
"That will be you next, dragon."
"You truly do not know of your enemies' power."
Sauros breathed in deeply and released an earsplitting roar. The walls shook and several large chunks of stone fell as the men ran and fell to their knees in pain. The sound traveled to the mountains and to the sea and across the forests. The sound demanded to be listened to and heeded by all who heard it. It was a war cry that instilled fear to all and brought everyone to the crier. Just as the roar started to fade, several others responded from different directions with equal ferocity.
Sauros smiled as Jasper spun in a panicked circle. The Rangers stormed the castle with three elves and a wizard in tow. Soldiers scattered in fear as dark shadows descended on the castle from the dark sky. Four dragons converged on the castle and the famed rage of the dragons was revealed. Two dragons attacked the walls and pounded the air as their razor sharp talons tore at the stone wall. The other two descended into the large courtyard and ripped away the chains holding down Sauros. Rising to his feet, Sauros stood over Aragorn and guarded him against any soldiers that dared to finish the job that Jasper began.
The Rangers stormed the castle and had to jump aside to avoid being ran over by the fleeing soldiers. The shock was temporary before some Rangers went after the fleeing soldiers and the others continued into the castle. Most of the soldiers they encountered quickly surrendered and dropped their weapons. Following the sounds of the battle, everyone ran into the courtyard before sliding to a halt. Three dragons were battling a small battalion of soldiers and one was familiar to the group.
"Sauros!" Elladan yelled as the blood red dragon turned to look in their direction.
"Stop Jasper!" he roared and looked to the man that was scrambling up the stairs to the parapet.
"I have him," Legolas said and pulled out his twin blades.
Running through the crowd of soldiers, he sprinted up the stairs taking them three at a time. He shouldered a soldier out of the way and sped past.
"Jasper!" he yelled and stopped as the man slowly turned to face the elf.
"Can I help you?"
"Where is Valimer?"
"Down there dead somewhere," the human replied and gestured towards the courtyard.
"If you value your life, you better hope not human," Legolas snapped and jumped back as Jasper lunged at him with is sword.
Legolas parried with one blade as the other slashed out to carve a clean cut along the human's cheek. Jasper's sword dipped under Legolas' blade and pushed it away as he stepped into the attack and jabbed a dagger towards the elf's abdomen. Legolas bent his body to allow the dagger to slip harmlessly by him. Stepping past the human, he slammed his shoulder into Jasper's shoulder and knocked him onto the stone walkway. Legolas kicked away the human's weapons and leveled one of his blades towards his chest.
"Now get up," Legolas growled as he glared at the human.
"Do I hear a 'please'?"
"UP!"
Jasper suddenly rolled to the side and fell off the parapet towards the courtyard. He grabbed onto a rope used to hoist up buckets and swung away from the wall as he fell. The filled water bucket rushed upward towards the elf and slammed into his jaw to knock him backwards. Legolas gasped as the back of his legs hit the low stone wall and his upper body continued to fall backwards. Tumbling over the edge, he dropped one his blades and gripped the edge of the ledge. His body slammed into the wall as he dangled by one arm. Reaching up, he tossed his other blade over onto the walkway before grabbing the ledge with his other hand. His feet searched for a foot hold to aid him getting off the wall. Just as he looked up, a pair of hands grabbed his forearms and pulled him up.
"Why must I always save you?"
"Beautiful timing, Elrohir," Legolas smiled and looked at the drop from the wall.
"I was slightly off. I wanted you to sweat a bit more."
"Prat."
Legolas looked around and found Jasper trapped under a dragon's clawed foot looking like he was about to mess himself. Elladan was helping the Rangers round up all the prisoners. The new dragons were perched on the towers and walls, eyeing the humans and daring them to try and escape. He finally found Gandalf and Sauros huddled together towards the center of the courtyard. Followed by Elrohir, they jogged down the steps and towards the wizard and dragon. Gandalf shifted aside just as the two elves approached and Legolas caught a glimpse of Aragorn. Elrohir slammed into Legolas' back when the younger elf stopped suddenly and was about to slap him upside the head until he saw what caused Legolas to stop. Elrohir sucked the air in through his teeth as his knees almost gave out under him.
"Oh, Valar help him."
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*smiles evilly* I love cliff hangers. Does not everyone love cliff hangers? I do, especially when I write them. Heehee, I am just so bloody evil and I just love it. *evil cackle* Oh I am so bad but I just love it! Okay a little disclaimer crap here:
"I learned that it is the weak who are cruel, and that gentleness is to be expected only from the strong."—Leo Rosten
"You can discover what your enemy fears most by observing the means he uses to frighten you."—Eric Hoffer
Now that that is out of the way. I just love good quotes. There is one that I have posted on my wall by Leonardo da Vinci that says: 'One can have no greater or lesser mastery than mastery of oneself.' So now all the responses to the reviews.
Roz- That movie is very good if I may say so. I can also see Aragorn saying that in the rain in front of a statue of Isildur or someone like that. I hope this torture part did not make you squirm very badly. Please review for me and make my day.
ThE iNsAnE oNe- Who is Nolad? Did I miss something here? Or was I asleep again? I really hope not. Here is a new chapter for you to stew over and anticipate the release of the next chapter. *rubs hands together like a mad scientist before stroking the pile of papers* Yessss my precccciousssssssss. Itsssssss mine, all mine.
Yoshi-fan2003- It is all good, I know how difficult it can be to remember to review at times. Honey, my middle name is stress right now. *slams head on desk* I am okay, it was a reflex!
Grumpy- Aragorn is just the man. Do you know how much I wish that I could actually meet a man like Aragorn with his qualities? It would truly be like a knight from the medieval ages where chivalry was still alive and kicking. I thought 'grumpy lizard' was just a trip. I mean what else can you call a dragon; other than a fireman's worst nightmare? Heehee.
Dha-Gal- I am feeling the age! I am okay now, had a old moment there. Well now we have Aragorn angst coming and believe me it will be the true definition of angst [Angst (angst) n. (Ger.) anxiety; suffering.] *Spades holding a clipboard* Anxiety? Check. Suffering? Check. Okay people have a Code Angst, I repeat a Code Angst…oh my god, I need my sleep.