Where am I? she murmured as she awoke from her deep slumber.

You are with me. She cringed at the familiar deep voice.

Lira opened her eyes but immediately looked away from the eyes she did not wish to face at the present. Why did she have to wake up? She felt soft grass beneath her, and yet she also felt chains attached to her mighty claws. She looked up and saw a bright expanse of blue sky above her. She did not wish to turn her eyes to the black dragon standing before her.

What is this place? she asked finding her voice a bit hoarse.
We are in Rivendell, he simpered.

Rivendell?
The haven was abandoned long ago. All the elves departed for the Sea. I merely restored it to its former glory. After all, I am half elf, and I have chosen it as our kingdom.
There is no such thing as our. She glared in disgust.

Soon there will be. I assure you. I merely have to wait for when you are strong enough again. And unfortunately," he sneered, "I have to wait a number of days before you are ready. Female bodies must be at the appropriate time, regrettably, and yours is not.
Which gives me plenty of time to escape.
You can try, he replied. It will be very enjoyable to catch you every time you do. And I have placed a magical cloak over this place. Sean will never be able to find it in its invisible state. He does not even know I have left the world beyond. By the time he finds you, the deed will have be done.

And what 'deed' is that? She asked.
Preserving our offspring and bringing a glorious and new dragon race into the earth which will be a sight of splendor for my master when I bring him forth from the void.
You're mad, Mordah! And I'll kill myself before I let you do anything with me.

No, you will be watched very carefully. I assure you.

Sean tried not to panic. There were still five hours of moonlight until dawn appeared. That gave him plenty of time to think. Mordah would not remain long within Sean's world. He would return to Middle Earth where his power was fully generated. Unfortunately, Sean would not be able to enter Middle Earth in his dragon form. The tunnel was far too small. Mordah must have known some secret way in. Sean wondered if he could contact the Valar in any possible way. In human form, it would have been useless, but in dragon form…Sean raised his gaze to the stars and concentrated deeply.

Elentari! Give ear to my voice. Hear my plea wherever in the stars you may lie. Where are you? Come to me in my hour of need. I have failed bitterly and I need your aid and wisdom. Please grant me a second chance. Come to my rescue…

For a few silent moments, nothing happened. Sean grew near to despair. But then a voice issued from the air.

The fate of the world hangs upon a knife.

She appeared. Crowned and robed in all of her glory. Her skin as pale and milk white as the stars. Black robes covered her skin followed by a silver mantle and a crown of stars rested upon her head. Sean bowed before her his eyes filled with tears ashamed by his failure.

This was destiny, Sean. You cannot undo what has been planned for centuries.

Then why must she always be the one to suffer! Without purpose, Sean roared tremendously. Goheno nin. (Forgive me)

Your anger is misguided but your honesty is commendable. For it is born out of love. There is another way to enter Middle Earth. But Mordah's power is not only his own. He has channeled another's power. Morgoth has gifted to him unspeakable powers. He is merely waiting in rest to unleash them. And when he does…

All hell will break loose Sean replied in summation.

Á tíra cotumolya (You must face your foe). Áva rucë (but do not fear) Auta i lóme! Aurë entuluva (the night is passing…Day will come again) Ánin anta estelya (Trust me). Now come…

Lira lunged forward power surging through her veins. For one brief moment, she turned ferocious. Mordah was entertained by the continuous wall she had constructed. He could not enter her mind. However, she had been in her dragon form for many days and nights, and it was wearing on her. She would not be able to continue like this. Lira was not as expertly trained as Mordah. And he was channeling not only his power but his masters. He was far stronger than she was. They met in mid air, bodies crashing against one another and nostrils flaring. Lira's breath came in short gasps.

You grow tired Mordah grinned. I have been amused by your constant struggles when you should merely yield. I thought it would be rather simple. But I am pleasantly surprised.

I know what you want, Mordah. And you will not get it from me!

Oh I assure you, Lira I will. You know I have not even revealed my power to you yet. All this time I could have taken you at any time. But your chances have run out. Now you must decide on this night while the stars are our only witness. What will you choose?

Death first! Lira sent a wall of purple sparks his way but they were instantly demolished into thin air.

Oh no, Lira. For you see I want you alive and well. You think that by keeping up this mid air battle, that I will simply kill you quickly. But no…I will take you by force. And it will not be pleasurable. It will be very painful for you if you continue to struggle. And then as soon as the deed is done, I will awaken my master. You will be kept in solitary confinement until your day. Only darkness shall be your companion with the cell we will create. And your only freedom away from it will be the times when we open the doors for you to feed. If you do not wish to take food, it will be forced upon you. And then you will return to the cold dark nightmares gifted to you by the dreamer of unspeakable evil, Morgoth. And they will leave you in a freezing sweat and clawing at the walls. And I am certain that you are aware of the horrid side effects of carrying a child. But Lira…I can make this all disappear. Everything will be a pleasure. You will be completely free. Nothing will hurt, and when you give birth, I will make that pain disappear as well. And you may remain at my side as a queen as we create a new dragon race and bring forth a new era.

Lira paused. She could only think of one thing at the moment. His face appeared before her, and a tear fell down her cheek. (Forgive me Sean), her single thought…

Well, Lira…what is your decision?