"There might be a small problem with traveling to Gondolin," Sauros interjected suddenly and everyone turned to him.
"What is it?" Legolas asked as Sauros looked to Glorfindel.
"Several eons after the city fell, the Valar remade the Earth and Gondolin was lost under the sea. And the last I remember, elves do not handle it well when they are near the sea. The next leg of our adventure may be problematic," he explained and Aragorn softly swore under his breath.
"So what do we do now? We very well can not go under water to get to the city," Elladan said as Sauros stared off into the sky.
"I might be able to help with that. Aurora has some relatives that live around the sea in that area. They might be able to help us."
"We should leave now. We do not know how much time we have left. Glaurung could be released tomorrow for all we know. Everyone pack and smother the fire," Aragorn instructed and stood from his seat.
Aragorn started to pack one of the travel packs one handed while everyone moved around the camp to pack everything up. His wounded arm was practically useless with gripping anything tightly. The wounded limb remained close to his body to remain protected as he picked up one of the leather bound books and slid it into the travel pack. Muttering swear words under his breath, he struggled with the thick book and pack before a pair of pale hands entered his line of vision. Glorfindel took the book from him and slid it into the pack and secured the flap to keep the book inside and keep any dirt out.
"Estel, I want you to know how sorry I am for your wound that I inflicted."
"Glorfindel, I accept your apology but there really is no need for one. It was my fault for becoming distracted like I did. It should never have happened in the first place," Aragorn commented quietly. "I have sustained worse injuries from sparring with Legolas and the twins."
"Aye, you have young one. You have been subject to far too much pain and torment for someone your age. Your eyes have seen too much war and death when it should not be that way. I understand now when Elrond says that you have grown up too quickly and misses the times when you were a child. Always curious about nature and knowing nothing of the pain in the outside world," he mumbled to the human as Aragorn dropped his gaze to stare at the ground.
"But I can not ignore the world forever, Glor. It will always be there, waiting for me and waiting for more death and pain. Ignoring it and believe that it will never come here or will never have to be a part of it will only bring death and pain. It just comes more slowly than other places," Aragorn replied quietly to keep the conversation between him and the elf lord.
"That is a very realistic outlook on life, Estel. I hope your outlook and everything you have seen has not served to harden you beyond feelings of compassion and love."
"I get plenty of that when I come home to Rivendell, have no worry about that. And if I ever want an overprotected sibling or friend then I will remain in Rivendell or go to Mirkwood and get myself injured in the process," Aragorn joked with a faint smile.
"Please do not do that, Estel. Your father is unbearable to be around when you are seriously injured, believe me, I know of this for a fact. Your brothers are also difficult to deal with. Just remain healthy for all of us and for my sanity."
Aragorn laughed and carried the travel pack towards Sauros. He did sometimes worry about Glorfindel but it was natural for him to worry about anyone that had the charge of protecting his twin siblings. They could easily drive a man, elf, dwarf or any other being to insanity if they put their minds to it; and that was quite often actually when he thought about it. One look at their tutor was proof enough; Aragorn didn't know if the poor elf had finally lost that consistent twitch at the corner of his eye. Everyone had finally learned to never say one of the twins' names around the tutor or the poor elf would go into shock and retreat into himself; Aragorn never thought it was that bad. But then again, he did run whenever the twins got into one of their moods. Sometimes he really worried about his father whenever the twins, Legolas, and he came home in various stages of needing healing which was quite often he knew. Elrond could get some very nasty glares going when all four of them were injured and it was because of some originally small incident that exploded in their face and became far worse than possibly imagined. And it always seemed to happen with Legolas and he was together, funny thing he thought, it must have been a conspiracy.
The camp was soon packed up and everyone was ready to leave. Sauros nudged everyone up onto his back and ensured that everyone was well seated before taking flight. His powerful wings pounded forcefully against the air and lifted into the thin and cool air to glide effortlessly along the wind. The ground sped by under them as they traveled towards the coast and Gondolin atop a dragon. Aragorn flexed his arm against his chest and felt the stitches pull and looked down at his arm as the wind blew his hair around him. Looking down at his hand, he looked at his palm and saw a pale scar that marred his flesh. He had many scars on his body but this one was more important than the others. Years ago, when he thought that Legolas would forever be a mute and his breathing tube had pierced his palm. He remembered what he was thinking and feeling as Thranduil banned him from Mirkwood and from seeing his friend. The dismay, disappointment, and shame that he felt keenly upon his soul that day. His other hand came up and a finger brushed over the scar as he stared at it.
Legolas leaned over and looked at whatever had Aragorn's attention so intently. He watched as his friend fingered the scar that Legolas recognized. He had wondered where the scar had come from when he had seen it in Tharbad.
"What is so interesting about that scar?" he asked and watched as Aragorn turned to look at him from the corner of his eye.
Aragorn remained silent for a moment, lost in his own thoughts while he looked over his friend's face. How often had he seen that face break into a relieved grin upon learning that his friend would survive from some injury? How often had they joked between each other in jest and talking of their lives? How many times did he owe his life to Legolas and vice versa? The number was too large to count and somewhat comforting. It was not a burden that weighed heavily upon him; it was almost like a security blanket that assured him that his friend was there and would remain there for some time. It was a comfort, a comfort he would never give up. Weakly smiling to his friend, he looked down at the scar again.
"A scar born from an act in the past," he muttered and rested his palm against his chest.
"Really? How is your arm?"
"Fine. It was just a flesh wound, I am fine."
Legolas raised an eyebrow and vowed to question the human later that day about the scar and how his arm was faring. He hated it when Aragorn had that look in his eyes implying that he knew something that no one else knew. Looking ahead, he saw the blue of the ocean and felt the distinct sea longing rise up. He dropped his head to rest his forehead against Aragorn's back, between his shoulder blades and struggled to block the longing. Turning and seeing his friend's distress, Aragorn leaned forward and spoke quietly in Sauros' ear seeing as how he was the closet to the dragon's head. Nodding slightly as he flew, Sauros pressed into the elves' minds and blocked the part of the sea longing to isolate it and prevented the elves from being aware of it. The elves just felt a momentary bout of dizziness before the longing faded away and hid in the back of their minds. Sauros spread his wings and glided down to the earth before starting to back beat the wind and softly landed on the rocky cliffs. Lowering his body to the ground, his passengers climbed off and looked out across the turbulent water of the ocean.
"How is it that I am this close to the ocean and yet I do not feel the sea longing?" Legolas murmured as the sea gulls' calls echoed from the shore.
"That is my doing, Master Elf. I have isolated the sea longing in your mind. I apologize if you do not wish it, but Master Aragorn suggested that it might be the best thing," Sauros replied as Legolas nodded.
"It is the best thing, Master Dragon. The longing has been known to render me senseless for a time when I am afflicted by it," Legolas replied and looked over at Aragorn.
The human smiled and shrugged his shoulders before helping his brothers with the packs. Sauros walked to the edge of the cliff and gazed out to the ocean and contemplated how to contact Aurora's relatives. Sitting on his haunches, his front paws held his chin while he watched the sun set. He really wasn't looking forward to seeing his in-laws, he mused to himself quietly. Aurora's mother's side of the family came from the water and was known as sea-dragons; they were very anti-social, Sauros had learned. They were almost unheard of and few people knew of the sea-dragons. They were an…odd bunch, to put it lightly. But then again whose in-laws weren't a little loopy? He just hoped that it wasn't Uncle Bubbles that answered his call; he prayed that it wasn't Uncle Bubbles. Stepping closer to the edge of the cliff, he leaped off and spread his wings to catch the up draft of wind and sailed out over the water. He soared until spying a strip of beach right at the water and flew towards it. Landing on the ground, he lifted his massive foot and pounded on the sand to watch the shock waves ripple across the water. He pounded out a recognizable pattern that would alert the listeners that a sea-dragon was wanted. Someone always came because the only thing big enough to pound out a message that loudly had to be something big and another dragon was the only one that knew the pattern. Sauros heard laughter coming from the cliff and he craned his head back to look up to see small tendrils of smoke curling up from a fire. The twins were teasing Aragorn about something again from what he could hear. Legolas, Lina, and Glorfindel were laughing as Aragorn snapped back at one of the twins in jest. The dragon smiled at the bond that the humans and elves shared between them. Even Master Glorfindel was joining in on the jokes and joy; shedding the stern and quiet elf lord image that he was known for in Rivendell. Sauros looked towards the sky which was quickly darkening and located the small cluster of stars that shone brightly in the western sky.
The cluster of stars was known as the Dragon's Heart, or at least that was one of the cluster's names. All the breeds of dragons believed that that cluster of stars are the ones that they travel to when they die. One last flight before their final eternal rest. Sauros wondered how he would make that final trip or when. He hoped not for a long time but he knew that his family was waiting for him. He had walked upon this world for many years alone and in hiding before finding Aurora and his new friends. With another smile, he took off from his perch and flew farther into land to hunt for some food for him.
Up on the cliff, Legolas quietly watched as Aragorn walked silently out of the circle of light from the campfire. No one noticed except for the blond archer as he watched the human's shadow move to the precipice and lowered himself to sit at the edge and dangle his legs. Setting down the arrow that he was carving, Legolas stood and followed the human's trail after waving off Elladan's questioning look. Picking up one of the pouches of water, he moved closer to Aragorn and stood next to him.
"Like some company?" he asked quietly in elvish.
Aragorn looked up and stared at the elf before shifting over slightly to make room for him. The darkness shielded the human's face and cast shadows across his features from the burning fire. He stared out across the water and listened to the soft sounds of the churning water hundreds of feet below them. The tangy salt air brushed over his senses as his listened to his brothers talking behind him about a horse back in Rivendell.
"Do you want to tell me about that scar on your palm that you are rubbing?" Legolas asked and noticed the human's startled realization that he was rubbing it.
"What do you want to know about it?"
"Where did you get it from? It is an odd shape for a scar."
"It came from your breathing tube from six or so years ago. When your father was banning me from Mirkwood upon threat of death," he muttered quietly before pulling something from his pocket.
"What happened?" Legolas asked softly as the human stared at whatever was in his hand.
"Thranduil was angered that you may become a mute because of my mistake and he banned me from Mirkwood. I was cursing my own errors and before I knew it, your breathing tube had pierced my flesh. I remember watching mine and yours blood mingling and seeping back into the wound while thinking that I had failed you and everyone else."
"You did not fail anyone, Estel. You did everything you could," Legolas argued as Aragorn weakly smiled.
"Did I? There must have been something else I could have done to prevent what happened to you. You were a mute for five years of your life and it was because of me."
"But I also started speaking again because of you. True, not being able to speak had its disadvantages but the advantages far out weighed them. I learned to listen more to what was around me instead of just hearing. The bond that my horse and I have has reached new levels that we originally could never have reached if it was not for my inability to talk. I do not count it as a hindrance but as a blessing. My other senses have sharpened greatly and I have you to thank for that. Please do not believe that you failed for it could not be farther from the truth."
"You may say that, mellonin, but it is not how I feel. I dread seeing your father and the blame in his eyes."
"What does he have to blame you for? His son is speaking again, that was what he was angered about. You and he need to talk and get over this. For me," Legolas said as the human sighed.
"I will try for you, mellonin. But we both know how your father can be at times."
"Try living with him for a few millennia."
Aragorn laughed quietly as Legolas wrapped an arm around the human's shoulders and hugged him closely to his side. The two of them were as close as two friends could possibly be and they only grew closer over time. They talked some more before going back to the fire where everyone else waited for them. Elladan watched his baby brother as he sat down and saw the comforting smile from the human. Knowing that everything was fine now, Elladan nodded and turned back to the rabbits that were roasting as the group of friends talked around the fire.
Sauros sat on the edge of the cliff and watched the water below him as the others slept behind him around the weakening fire. After grabbing something to eat, he had flown back to camp and he was now on watch duty. The sun was only a few minutes from peeking over the horizon and Sauros sensed that a sea-dragon was about to appear. He was still pray that it wasn't Uncle Bubbles. Looking closer at the water, he saw the water start to churn and he slowly rose to his feet. Something suddenly exploded from the water and soared straight into the air and over Sauros' head. He turned and watched as the form spiraled above him and landed heavily on the opposite side of the fire in the shadows. The large wings were visible…or fins if Sauros really thought about it. His landing awoke the others and they all scrambled for weapons as Sauros moved around the group and stood in front of the group.
"Stand down!" he snapped at everyone before turning back to the sea-dragon.
The two growled at each as Sauros snapped his teeth in warning and hoped that the sea-dragon would back off. The water hindered him from deciding who it was.
"Sauros?"
"Yes, I am Sauros."
The sea-dragon dropped his offensive stance and stood taller. Moving closer to Sauros, the sun finally peeked over the horizon and the sunlight illuminated the sea-dragon's face.
"Uncle Bubbles! You scared the Valar out of me," Sauros muttered and lowered his wings to his side and relaxed.
"I scared you? Sonny, you do not know the real meaning of scared! Well, I remember once when-"
"Bubbles! Now is really not the best time for one of your stories. I would like you to meet some of my friends."
"Friends? Since when did you get any friends? You were lucky enough that my niece decided to mate with you," the foam green colored sea-dragon commented loudly as Sauros closed his eyes.
'Do not burn him alive, think of what Aurora would say; do not burn him alive, think of what Aurora would say; do not burn him alive, think of what Aurora would say,' Sauros continuously chanted inside and counted till ten until opening his eyes again.
"As I was saying, this is Strider, Legolas, Lina, Glorfindel, Elladan, and Elrohir. Everyone, this is my Uncle-in-law Bubbles, a member of the sea-dragons order. His real name is too long and complicated to say so we just call him Bubbles. Do not ask, you really do not want to know," Sauros introduced dryly as everyone lowered their weapons.
"I have never heard of a sea-dragon before," Glorfindel commented after bowing to the sea-dragon.
"Well apparently you have not been traveling in the right circles. But then again what can you expect from an elf."
Sauros quickly pushed Bubbles away a bit before the elves could draw their weapons in offence. The red dragon leaned closely to the sea-dragon and lengthened his claws to come closely to piercing the leathery skin of his in-law.
"I would take care of what you say about elves, Bubbles. I take direct offence to that and you also insult your niece with that statement seeing as how she is close friends with several elves of Rivendell. She would be gravely saddened to know that her own uncle would insult her choice of friends. Be wary of the words that you would follow that insult with," Sauros snarled softly to the sea-dragon so that only he and his uncle could hear.
Removing his claws, Sauros stepped back and stared Bubbles in the eyes with a sharp glint that solidified that he wasn't joking. Both breeds of dragons knew that the other would be a formidable opponent if it came down to that but neither was willing to actually get into a battle. They both knew that they would get a harsh treatment from their females when they heard about it. Neither of them was that brave.
Okay…LOL…there is a really long story behind as to why I have not updated in forever. Okay, well I moved out of my place at college and had to move back home. So it took me a few days to get everything organized in my room and tidy again and getting around to visiting all my friends. I worked on the story as often as I could but it just was not coming as quickly as I would have liked. Then just when it starts to take off, my computer has a heart attack and my brother (being the computer genius that he is) had to completely defragmentize the entire damn laptop. Yeah…that was fun. I did not have my laptop for about four or five days. I was going into withdraw. I swear I was. So, then I get it back finally earlier today and now it is coming straight to you. I have already started on the next chapter so you should be getting another one in about a week and a half. Love all of you and please review for me. Cheers!
Oh, and any other readers/authors out there. If you want to read a great series of books I strongly advise you read three books by Jasper Fforde titled: The Eyre Affair, Lost In a Good Book, and The Well of Lost Plots. These books have a special meaning to me because it is exactly as I feel and think about writing and the books are just hilarious to read. Takes a while to wrap your mind around them but a great read.
Roccovende- I am stressed. I will proudly admit it. sighs I need a vacation. Exams are a pain in the ass, I hate them. Hope you enjoy this chapter. Namarie, mellonin.
Cloud-123- Well, I am glad that I made you day. And I hope that this one makes your day also.
Andunea the shapeshifter- I value my life so I really can not stop writing. I would have some very angry readers on my tail chasing me down. Well, at least you tried to break the code. I had a hard time coming up with it myself.
Gwyn- I had a lot of free time because I actually wrote it and encoded it! I must have lost my mind while doing that. I did not want to even think of the story after doing that.
Astievia- My plot bunnies did not hide eggs…they hid my bras. I am not joking; they are perverted little plot bunnies. And then Poppy tied one over his head and tied a cape around his neck and became Super Poppy. He was leaping off the bed and trying to fly, it was comical…Better stop that strained grin or it will stick like that. I am so sorry that it took me so long to update. I am really sorry.
Hiei-Rulez- HA! Yes, it does mean that Aragorn touched something! Heehee, poor guy. Sauros is just great; he is the best OC that I have ever created in any of my stories. Gondolin is up north; that is the only way I can describe it. Did you know that there are/were two cities named Minas Tirith? I did not know that and it came back and bit me in the ass. I am so sorry for taking so long to update. It will not happen again, I hope. Next chapter will be out in about a week and a half after this one.
Dha-Gal- I have three huge bags of skittles on my desk right next to my laptop. Have not munched on them for a while but they are there. Band-aids were needed and used. Now…to hunt down who threw the clipboard Mission Impossible theme song comes on.
Catmint- I love swords. I have several of them here at my house and I am tempted to take them off the way and start to play. Heehee. Hope you like this chapter.
Elven Kitten- I am trying to keep it up. Hope you like this chapter.
Alariel- Star-Stallion is an up and comer; she will eventually by pass me. I am becoming more adept to accepting the praise that I get from my work just as long as it does not exceed a certain limit. I know that my work is good but I just do not think that it is that good. But I do love all my reviewers out there in reader land. blushes I thank you for your advice and compliments; I will hold them dear to my heart. I am glad that you enjoy the banter between Sauros and Aragorn. I was just having so much fun between those two. It is actually very similar to my conversations with a good friend of mine.
Snow-Glory- I was talking earlier to Linuvial Greenleaf and talking about what I could do after this story. We were bouncing ideas off one another seeing what sounded best and I just do not know. Hopefully, something will come soon because this story is slowly nearing its end. It was wrong of me to pull in Lina; well maybe not wrong, but I should not have had her play that much of a role in the story. I got a little carried away, I will admit. Hope you liked this chapter.
Leggylover03- Sorry it took me so long to update. I hope that it will not happen again for a very long time.
Ringmarciel- I did not realize the Gondolin problem until your review and was like: "Oh shit, why did I not realize this." Really long story as to why I did not but I have hopefully fixed it with the idea that I have. Had to research many books to get everything straight.
Nerfenherder- holds hand over heart and bows while sweeping hand out to side Hannon lle, mellonin. I am honored by your compliments. I am working as quickly as I can on my stories and hope that you will bear with me while I write.
Star-Stallion- I am so sorry that it took me so long to update. But the next chapter should be up in a week and half, hopefully. Till next update…sweetie. Heehee.
Tychen- Oh man, I was so praying for Sauros to appear and burn all the exam papers; or Gollum taking them and hiding them in lonely mountain. But to no avail. Hope you enjoyed this chapter.
Elvendancer- I have slept. I have been sleeping to like noon on most days. Gah, I love summer. Heehee, either I do not get enough sleep or I get too much. Eh, can not win.
Qvisr- I never intended to imply that they specifically taught her to speak Dwarvish. When they were talking, she just listened and watched. She picked up small things and what she does know is equivalent to baby talk, pretty much. And do not worry, that does not rate up there as a flame for me.
XxgemxX- Thank you for the compliment. I hope that you enjoyed this chapter as much as the others.
Grumpy- I swear, bandage companies could survive on the sale of bandages to Lord Elrond alone and be well off.
Someone Reading- Have no fear, it takes much more to make me angry. Thank you so much for the compliments. Hope you enjoy this chapter.
Linchi-
1) Forgiven if I am forgiven for taking so long to update.
2) Forgiven for it was my fault for making Lina too much in the story. I should have just had her appear for a chapter or two when they stopped in a town or something.
3) Making them too hard would have fried my poor little brain and I had to time to make them hard.
4) This is like a match flame to what I sometimes get.
The plot bunnies are planning against me…or just planning a protest rally for longer paid vacation. Oh well.
Sielge- Here is the new chapter. Hope you enjoy it.
Lauren- holds up a beer bottle Here is too the next story after this one and multicolored balding pussies. Heehee. Bottoms up!
Beth Malabarba- Gah, it took me a while to find your email in my fanfiction file but I finally found it. Okay first off, thank you for the compliment. I am glad that you are enjoying the story so far. Did you know that the Atlas of Middle-Earth is one of the few books that I have not studied in depth for my stories? I had to borrow it from a friend and research through it. The site that I first got the information from showed a map of where it was and it was situated near a city called Minas Tirith (little did I know that this was one far before the current Minas Tirith where everything is set in the book) and the land formations were very similar to around the now Minas Tirith. My friend and I looked through that entire book and decided that it was hard to tell after the Valar reshaped the land. So, assuming that the old city is under water, we thought hard for a moment and I came up with a way around it. At least I hope it is a way around it. The solution will be brought forward in the next chapter. I believe that I have fixed my error in reading information. Thank you for the heads up and hope to see you at next update.
