Sean had finally arrived in Middle Earth. The Valar had gifted him with a ship when he had retired from his dragon state. He had flown long through the night and finally allowed the magical ship to carry him to the lands of Middle Earth. He allowed his mind to rest but his dreams were troubled. He could no longer sense Lira. It was as if the love that grew between them had been torn away by an unseen force. He knew something had happened. He only hoped he could arrive at Rivendell in time. However, he needed aid first…

Mordah turned to face the precious treasure beside him. The sun had finally risen, but he still had time and could lie in this delicious state for all of time. One of Lira's hands was draped across the sheets and another lay in her silky dark hair. Mordah caressed her cheek and kissed her lips lightly. She was still asleep, but he cared not and began to plunder her lips. Lira's body responded to his touch, and she fluttered her eyes open and kissed him back. Only a thin transparent sheet lay between them, but even that was too much for Mordah, and he tore it away from her in haste. He instantly gathered her in his arms and pressed his body against hers.

"My beautiful Lira," he muttered and rubbed his lips across her forehead. He touched her stomach. "You already carry my son. I can feel him."

She nodded but a tear fell down her cheek. He turned her chin to look in his eyes and then trawled his hand from her neck to her chest. "We shall be together from now on. No one shall come between us. Even my powers are becoming as great as Morgoth's. We shall rule the race of dragons together. Not even the Valar will stop us. Does this please you my Lira? To spend forever with me?"

Lira thought of the previous night they had shared. She had yielded entirely within dragon form. They mated in the night sky as most dragons do. Sailing high into the air and then plunging down interlocked. And then Lira fell unconscious. Now she had awoken, and she did not remember much of the previous night. But laying here and being protected by a set of warm strong arms…it was soothing. She almost tricked herself into believing that she loved the man who lay next to her. Only one thing blocked the thought. She saw his face in her mind the golden hair, the deep blue eyes, the smile that had always been so kind to her, and the heart that had loved her the moment it had seen her, it had touched her. The one man who swore to protect her from everything and had done so, but she had betrayed him.

"Do not think of him, Lira. He is not coming for you. And once our son is born, I shall break him. But let us not think of him now. Let us treasure this moment."

Mordah took the sheet and placed it over them again so they could continue their lovemaking within human form and seal the agreement once and for all.

As soon as Sean's feet touched land, a deep plunging sadness filled his heart. Lira had betrayed him. He nearly turned around. But one thing compelled him. It was duty. Not only duty but rage. What had Varda said when she showed him the veil into Middle Earth? No i brestanneth anírach tírad vi amar. Be the change you wish to see in the world. There was only one thing left to do. The time had come…

Mordah climbed out of bed reluctantly and dressed himself. Awakened from the movement, Lira stirred and opened her eyes. She gathered the sheets about her and sat up her dark hair tumbling to one side of her body. Mordah turned to look at her. She raised her eyes as he walked to her side and planted a gentle kiss upon her forehead and then her shoulder.

"Forgive me, my love. Something has come up that requires my immediate attention. I will return shortly."

"What has happened?" she asked just as he was about to leave.

"Now, how did I know you would not keep your curiosity locked inside?" he rolled his eyes.

"Someone is here," she said.

"Ahhh, so you have felt him too?"

"Felt 'him'?"

"Dress yourself, Lira. I do not want you appearing before him naked, and I doubt you would either."

Mordah smiled and closed the door. Lira was too stunned to react. She groggily climbed out of bed and tried to stand on her feet. Her mind was energized from the days of sleep she had, but her body did not wish to cooperate. She was soar and aching. Why did love have to hurt? She approached the mirror and looked at herself. Still the same old Lira. Nothing had changed. So why did she feel so different? Lira wanted nothing more to climb back into bed and go to sleep. But her curiosity was tested now. Who was coming to Rivendell?

Mordah faced the figure with a grim smile planted on his face. Their hands met in a seal of agreement.

"You have done well apprentice."
"What else is left?"
"We shall journey to Angband and Baradur. I long to see my havens restored. We shall call forth the dark ones, orcs, Uruks, trolls, spiders, and werewolves. But my greatest creation still awaits me."
"The dragon race is beginning to be reborn, master. But she is not nearly ready to give birth."
"I can increase the process. She will be."
"But will not that damage her?"

"Mentally yes but physically no. The seed will be intact and ready to be released."

A shred of doubt entered Mordah's mind. His master's eyes narrowed and a frown swept across his face.

"Do not even think of disobeying me, apprentice. You have no control in this situation. My powers may not be fully regenerated yet. And yes I am in mortal form, but do not forget the debt you owe me. Now, show me the girl."

A white horse arrived for Sean when he arrived at land. He knew well who it was, and he felt honored that the Valar gave to him this privilege. He approached the familiar beauty and ran his hands along the horse's mane.

"Greetings, Jex. I will need your speed today. We ride for Lorien and then Rivendell."

Lira found Mordah within the courtyard plucking a rose from the garden. He was pleased with her choice of garments. No more of this modern day clothing no matter how flattering it was to her figure. She was in Middle Earth now and would dress like a lady. She wore a makeshift gown of dark blue satin and white lace trim. She left her hair down and dark, but he could see that her face was pale, and she felt weak. He laid the rose within her hands, and she smiled, but he noticed her curiosity was still aroused.

"Do not worry about the symptoms. They disappear after a time. And I can easily reduce them or make them disappear."
"Who is here?"

"I knew you would ask. My master has come."

"Morgoth!"

"Yes, he has come. Do not fear, Lira," he took her arm and began to walk throughout the courtyard. "He may be a god but he has appeared in mortal form. His powers have not been fully restored."
"You released him from the void…"

"Yes, I have."

"Do you realize what he has done and what he could do!"

"Yes." He merely stated.
"He destroyed the light of the TREES! He stole the Silmarils, killed Finwe, and threw down the Lamps of the Valar! He shrouded the whole world in darkness and tortured people of our kind! You have released him to destroy the sun and moon once again! You have caused the End of Days to come."

"You also forget, Lira," his voice became stern, "that he also created our race of dragons."

"Every creation he did was only made possible through his father Illuvutar!"

Lira did not expect the strike to come. Mordah's eyes burned against her, and a tear fell from her eye as he raised a hand to her cheek where the sting lingered. Before she could speak, however, another voice rose to the air.

"Stay your hand, Mordah. I am enjoying her compliments."

Lira turned around and met a pair of cold steel black eyes. Even in mortal form, he was terrible to behold. Black gloves covered his hands to veil the burns left upon them by the Silmarils, his face was entirely scarred from the great eagle Thorondor, and he walked with a permanent limp given to him by the high king Fingolfin. Lira did not shudder from his appearance however. She felt the entire existence of evil locked within his form and his spirit. She was utterly terrified. Morgoth circled her casually, his arms folded behind his back. Mordah watched, his eyes still firm.

"She is strong. She will do well," Morgoth lifted a hand to a strand of her hair. "You bear the likeness of Luthien within you. However, I know that you could never rival the enchantment of her voice."
"Nor could you ever understand it," she said bravely.

He smiled. "You are terrified of me, girl. And yet you speak so openly. Perhaps that is because you know that we cannot kill you as of yet. But you are wrong," he circled behind her and whispered in her ear. "You are a mere speck within the universe to me, a vapor in the wind. I have complete control over you, and I need not your pathetic womanly body to do as I desire. I can bring forth the seed within you and expand it into the dragon I desire. I take it you do not realize that you carry more than one."

"Twins," she merely murmured.

"Yes, the twin dragons. But I merely keep you alive for the service my apprentice has done me. Your offenses against me are counted as a drop in the ocean. But do well not to anger him, Lira. And now I will leave you to be resigned to him."