-Chapter 6- Truth and Dragon's

I walked beside Legolas, "you seem to have gotten close to the Dwarf," Legolas teased, I had placed my gift under my top, out of sight and safe, I couldn't help but smile even when I tried to frown at him. "And what exactly did you get up too?" he faked innocents "well obviously not trouble," I jumped in "or you were just not caught in the act," I gave him a pointed look as he whistled with his hands placed behind his head, I smiled once he looked over to me and smirked once more. "But seriously, since I have known you, I have never seen you like this, you are very intelligent and professional while teaching, learning and working, only when we play around and celebrate do I ever see you relax a little, but now you seem ecstatic, I think the humans say on cloud 7?" I laughed "it's called cloud nine but yes, I really enjoyed myself with them, and he is just so ah~" I didn't even have a word for how he made me feel.

Legolas lifted an eyebrow at my expression, I honestly felt so happy and vulnerable that I could cry, actually I was crying, "then why are you crying?" we paused in our stride and I faced him, now balling my eyes out, which disgusted me and I could see he had no clue in what to do in this kind of situation. "I like him a lot…I want to say yes to marry him so bad…" I tried to sniff the snot back up my nose "well that's good right?" he asked a little out of sorts, I shook my head no "no, because I have to say no to him, or else I will make us both experience more heartbreak and I would need to tell him all of the truth, which I should also tell my Adar, I am such a terrible person and liar." I covered my face with my hands, "hey, stop that now," Legolas pulled me into a hug, "look you can always tell Lord Elrond the truth, he is the most understanding elf in middle earth and I'm sure he will forgive you, as for Thorin it's up to you if you want to spend as much time with him as you can, how about you wait till the time comes and then see?"

I breathed relaxing after hearing his words, he was right he was actually good at consoling crying women, I cracked a small smile at him "that's better," I finished wiping my tears away "oh god, you know it's the end of the world when Legolas Greenleaf is the one giving you relationship advice," I laughed at his frowning pout "hey I have many come to me for advice, I'll have you know," I laughed again at his defensive words. On the way home I told Legolas all about my stay with the dwarves and their home, they had also told me how they made certain things and took me to their mining area and boiler room, I also got to see their training and weapons, it had been fun to see and learn it first-hand instead of from a book. I also had spoken to the King who asked me more about Elrond, I had informed them that I knew all the ancient dialects and scripts too; which seemed to surprise them all but the King who stated it was to be expected if Elrond was the one teaching me. I was sure by the time we got home Legolas was just murmuring 'ah-huh' and not listening anymore, "ah look we're here," that seemed to snap him out of his reverie.

I knew there was still time till Thorin was to arrive for his stay, without pause we arrived to Thranduil's thrown room where he was listening to concerns and issues that needed tending to and his councillors were present. "Ah~ yous are finally back, so it wasn't too terrible?" I rolled my eyes at my King "no actually it was a lot of fun and exciting I also learned a lot, and they were respectable, I look forward to my next visit." Thranduil looked to Legolas questioning if it was true to which Legolas reported "her words were true as I was present," it was all a lie however he didn't know that and didn't need to, "well except for the jokes."

I elbowed Legolas "ouch what the hell?" I gave him a pointed look as he looked up to see Thranduil with an angered look "what jokes" he grounded out through his teeth, I began to speak "a dwarf walked into a bar with a parrot on his shoulder, he takes a seat and the bartender askes "where did you find him?" the parrot responds "I found him in the mountain, there's hundreds of them up there." It was quite for a second until Thranduil's laughter echoed throughout the chamber, some of the guards snickered too, "see all fine, also I plan to leave now to go to Rivendell and I'll be back before Thorin comes for his visit, I just need to send word first of my arrival…" I said more to myself as I thought about needing to pack some new clean clothes and head off again.

"And what for this time, I thought your lessons were completed?" I nodded "yes, but I decided it was time for me to tell my Adar the truth." I paused at the serious look on my Kings face he yelled out "LEAVE US NOW!" Legolas was going to run away too; however I held his arm in a vice like grip preventing his escape, he knew that Thranduil was the only person in middle earth so far that truly could scare me.

I swallowed "why now, why all of a sudden, you didn't tell them did you!" I took a step back "no, I simply want to tell my Adar that…" "Ugh it is still so strange to hear you call him that, if anyone were to be your father, I thought it would be me," I lifted a brow "are you jealous?" "No, it's just that I know everything about you…" "Exactly, you know everything and you are not even my father or acting father, you are more like my best friend that I follow you to the ends of the earth, however he is my Adar regardless if it's by blood or not, he should know, besides I feel such guilt for him being blinded of the truth."

Thranduil had nothing to say, but sighed "do as you please, it's not like I can stop you," I smiled and said, "and that's why your my best friend because you support me and me you, no secrets right?" I noticed the small warm smile that adorned his face, as he said "that's right," Legolas spoke up "so then what am I?" without a beat I turned to him "more like a mischievous little brother who always gets into trouble…" "HEY, I'm older than you, don't forget that," I laughed "you don't act it," he awkwardly tugged at his arm, "well can you at least let me go?" "Opps, sorry," I released him apologetically as I noticed the bruise formed there and heard Thranduil murmur something about children under his breathe.

This time I sent the owl ahead of me to Rivendell seeing as I planned on running and jumping all the way to my destination, I was also taking all of my belongings so it would be easier to show them and demonstrate, however I was a little nervous about that part. I continued to run; I only jumped when rock formations, hills and cliffs that got in the way were present. I was close to the rock entry, or what I call the back door. There was a mass of wargs in the rocky plains, I noticed they were in-fighting, I paused watching and scanning everything, it seemed it was a dispute in the pack possibly the Beta and Omega or Alpha, however I noticed that the one being attacked that was most probably going to lose was also trying to protect a pup.

I moved in quickly arriving when I heard the large black warg snapped the neck of the protective mother, I kicked the warg in the mouth and yelled at the others, making them scatter but they paused keeping their sights on me. The den was a small rock that gave a little bit of cover, the pup was black with a white diamond patch covering is face from its head to its nose and then out to the sides, it made him look expressive and slightly fierce, I smiled as he slowly backed up making a warning yip sound.

I ran slower this time seeing as I was carrying a baby warg in my arms, I had always loved animals even in my own world, I loved them and preferred them over man possibly because they only went extinct or on the endangered species list due to humans. I smiled as I felt a little lick on the underside of my chin, I smiled down at him, he was definitely going to be called star, I learned he was malnourished and dehydrated, I made my way to Rivendell seeing as I was already so close to it, and were also the closest source of food and water for him, if Adar says it's okay for me to take care of him.

I was sure he would, Adar saw me for who I was, the person I used to be before my death in my world, the woman I was when I was a pacifist, kind, funny, social, and caring, yes, I changed a lot over the years and for obvious reasons. However he saw me for who I was and taught me, and 'loved' me like any father would their child, and those where the ultimate reason why I wanted to never lie to him again in his life, because he knew who I was, I was sure he would not stop seeing me.

When I arrived, lightly jogging my way down the mountain way, and got to the courtyard as Adar came down, "Ah~ Amira, I only just got word of your coming, I am sorry I am under…oh what is it you have there?" "His name is Star; he is in need of food and water; can I please take care of him here Adar?" I gave him a pleading look as I noticed he realised it was a baby warg, but he softened and smiled "just make sure he doesn't attack, okay?" I smiled to him "of course."

I was about to say more, and I also noticed him taking in my items on my person, however an old man in a long grey over dress, hat and a wooden staff appeared "ah so this must be your adopted daughter you keep speaking of so highly?" Elrond smiled "yes this is she, Amira this is Gandalf the Grey he is the wizard I told you off." I smiled to him and bowed "it is my pleasure to meet you wizard," he smiled and took my hand "ah the pleasure is all mine, I dear say your father can't help but gloat about his fourth child and for good reason he says you're a scholar, a library of knowledge per-say." I smiled as we all walked inside "oh does he now; I am glad to make him proud to call me his daughter and family, speaking of which I have matters that I will need to address with you in private Adar," "very well we will talk later." I tended to the pup that was all too happy to chow down anything in front of him and a large bowl of water, I refilled it and made him a bed out of blankets, I changed into something more appropriate and made my way to a sitting room, collecting one of the many books I had already read but figured I would wait for my father seeing as he was busy with his guest.

It was the middle of the night when he came into the sitting room; I smiled up to him and sat straight as he took his own seat, "so you had something to speak to me about?" I gulped and nodded "Adar, I have not been entirely honest with you," he looked confused and worried "what is it that you speak off?" I looked to him and I could tell his worry increased as I felt an anxious worry build in my chest and show through my eyes. I felt like I had betrayed him and his trust in the worst way possible, he loved me as his own; I took a deep breath. "I am not a Halfling; I am a human…" I looked down at my hands in my lap the whole way through my story starting at the beginning; I could not look up to him as I wrung my fingers and hands together. "I was born on May 18th 1993 in Japan a beautiful spring day where all the cherry blossoms were in bloom, I was raised in a great family, with money and two older brothers, I was treated like a princess seeing as we travelled a lot, I eventually became a military person and I died and then I was made a cyborg, so I cannot die and then I came to this world from mine.

My world is called Earth, it is big and there are only humans on it, we are very advanced; we have walked on the moon and travelled to the stars, so when they made me, they made me advanced, like the clothes and weapons I had when I came here. I am the age that I claimed but I can never die, I am very strong and quick I have special abilities like learning quickly and never forgetting information I store in my brain." I paused and peered up to him, he was frowning and had his hand to his mouth not looking at me, "but I am still me, I like animals, and hate bugs, I love to run because when I do I don't have to hold back, in this world I don't have to hide as much as I do in my own world, I don't know the exact science behind me coming here but I do know I cannot get home, Thranduil and some people within Greenwood know my truth, but we chose to make a lie for others."

When I looked up his deep stare and frown was pointed to me, it wasn't anger it was worse; disappointment and sadness also the want for clarity, I flinched and looked back down to my hands. I heard him sigh "what made you chose to tell me?" "I had always felt guilt at lying however what did it, was you are my Adar and I never want to lie, however I did, I want to apologise for that and make things right, but also I…I don't want to also lie to Thorin about what I am but my King doesn't want me to tell them, however it is very obvious and I just am so guilty and sad that I can't say yes to his offer even if I want too." "Why is that?" I looked up to him and he seemed to feel sadness for me with regret in his eyes, he clarified his question "why can you not say yes to his hand in marriage?" I swallowed, "one it is painful to watch all those you love die, my entire family back home did, and I never wanted to watch my children die before me too, so I decided to not marry, but then he comes along and there is also the fact that I am a cyborg…I don't know if he can accept me once he knows what I am."

"I chose immortality and my twin brother mortal, as you know and even though it hurts to watch those leave you, it also teaches and shows you the joy and love mortals experience in their lives and the importance of death and choosing to move on." I smiled at his words "ever the wise," I lightly laughed and peeked up to him seeing a light smile to his lips, "but I cannot die, not like an immortal elf can, I will always heal and my body will rebuild itself." This seemed to take the smile from him, "explain all of it to me, maybe I can help guide you and offer what little help I can." I smiled "you're not of little help Adar…oh is it alright if I still call you…" I was worried he would not want me anymore but he scoffed and cut me off "of course you are my daughter, your entire personality has not changed due to a little lie, you still have a heart of love and you are still you, I knew who you were the moment I laid eyes upon you, so I am still your Adar." I smiled to him and nodded going into details about my world the setup of it, what my life and body was, and then I spoke about my weapons and my friends back in my home world and how I got here.

The sun had risen and by then I curled myself up onto the couch, "it seems your world has so much knowledge but no wisdom with it, will you tell me more of what yous discovered?" I smiled at him and he was right, "let's get breakfast first, I have decided to continue eating while here and the courting." We got up and walked side by side to the dining room, "you said you needed to say no to him, but I think what you need is to say yes, surely it was not a bad week, just by seeing that necklace tells me all I need to know of the young dwarf's affections." I blushed "it was so wonderful, but…" he tutted me "no buts, I knew the moment Thranduil told me of your meeting that something beautiful would grow between you and him, the elves and the dwarves…regardless if you are not an elf, not just anyone can be the Elven king's best friend and trusted personal guard and advisor for his family line." He gave me a knowing smile, I had forgotten the wizard was about in Rivendell until I saw him eating food at the table, and with a glass of red wine too. I smiled "Good morning Mr Gandalf I see you are also merry in the morning," he lifted his glass to me "ah very astute lady Hawley say do you wish to join this old man, I also offer tales of adventure and wisdom." I laughed "you sound just like Adar, but I would be honoured, I just need to check on Star first, he has been quite all night, let's hope he is not up to no good."

I spent a solid month with my Adar, I found our relationship became solid and trusting, I had told him about Thorin and my stay with them, my Adar of course encouraged me to follow my heart he added the positive that Thranduil will get the gift intended for his late wife too. I spent a fair share of my time training Star and getting him healthy, before traveling back to Greenwood again. I continued to show and teach Adar about things we learnt from my home world, he was most fascinated by space and how stars were just big balls of gas in space and how it was possible to reach the moon. "Adar I will write to you and keep you up to date with all my happenings, will you please tell Arwen; about me I mean?" I was packed and standing ready however he looked to me with understanding and pride, "of course my dear, I hope you do not mind me informing my wizard friend and those that should know of you, those I fully trust of course." I had a worried look for a second but I chose to smile and nodded my head "I know you will be wise with this knowledge and I trust you as I do Thranduil and Legolas, it's not like anyone can use me against myself," I gave him a smile before heading off down the path with Star running beside me.

It took me longer to get home because Star was with me; however he was a good boy and listened to me and always watched me. I got home a few days before Thorin was to arrive, however we heard a large alarm echoing over the water and the mountains, something caused them to call for help. Instantly I dropped of my belongings and told Star to stay, Legolas was staying to guard our lands but I went with my King and ran beside him as we rushed for Erabor. I tried to use my heat signal scan and everything showed up red, they must be burning, I then scanned and used X-ray, and I could see large bones moving through the air and many inside the mountain waiting to fight it. I was so scared, 'please be alright,' I looked to my King with worry "what is it Amira?" I spoke the words "dragon my King, trying to get into the mountain to plunder it." He stopped, causing the rest to stop, we were still a whiles away from our destination "no we cannot fight a dragon, no one can, not with their life intact, we will fall back and protect our borders." He began to turn away, "but my king they have wounded and no provisions, surely you will help with that and offer assistance, they now have no home, besides, you know I may be able to do something."

That look was in his eyes, "Amira I said fall back…" "Please Thranduil, at least let me tell him…" "Ah~ him, that's right your dwarf; we have no treaty of needing to help them, but if they need to pass through the Greenland realm they will be shown a guide and given provisions to get them to their destination." I looked up and sighed, "Can I please tell them that?" His eyes lightened a little and he was back to being my trusted friend not the King of an entire realm, "very well, but you are not to stay long, and please do not engage the dragon, I do not particularly want to find out if you can or cannot die by dragon fire." I looked to him "and if I do?" he looked down to me "then you better hope you win, because you will not be able to bear the pain should you feel it upon your skin."

I came to the cliff edge I looked down seeing many running across the bridge and trying to get to safety, I saw the King and his son running and further back Thorin helping a dwarf as he limped, I saw him wave his hand in help. I jumped off the cliff landing at the end of the bridge, this shocked a lot of the dwarves, I looked to him and I approached him, "I am so glad you are safe and sound," I hugged him to my person and breathed in his scent. "It is a dragon, are the elves coming?" I looked to him with saddened eyes, "my King is not going to fight this foe, but said that should your people need help and resources with passing through his realm he will gladly help…" I noticed his face morph into a betrayed look.

I instantly spoke up trying to explain reasoning to him that he would not be able to see in the current circumstance. "Thorin, no one can kill a dragon a fire drake at that…" he looked down to his feet, I did a quick scan and noticed all those inside were dead but a few who were hurt and slowly fading. "That is why I asked my King to send me instead" I figured it was as good of a time as any to let him know that I was more than what met the eye. "What do you mean?" I was still looking to the mountain there was a total of 29 dwarves alive inside, "there are people still alive inside," I stepped forward going to enter, but I felt a hand on my wrist "you can't go in there, he will burn you alive!" I looked over to him and smiled "trust me I will be fine; will you wait here to help those I bring out?" He looked at me numbly as he nodded his head in agreement.

When I entered, I could instantly tell the temperature was through the roof, just from the proximity of the dragons body, many alive were injured enough to not be able to get up and leave of their own volition. Many were at the main entrance, I came across one dwarf pinned under a large bit of stone structure, I lifted it up and off of him, and once I did it, he could move. He rolled out and got to his feet, eyes of amazement "help me get the others out of this hell," he simply nodded and helped me collect the others. I used my blood to heal those that were burned, hurt, and couldn't move, of course they did not know it was my blood they thought I used magic to brew it.

I had gotten all those alive in the lower chambers and entryway, there was a small family of four trapped a few floors down in a dead-end area, a man and woman plus a son and daughter, and they were fading and fast. I didn't wait I bolted around and down to them, there was a massive stone Pilon blacking them into their room, which I guessed had no way for air to enter seeing their oxygen was getting low. I gripped the Pilon and pulled as much as I could before calling out "can you open the door, I moved the blockage," slowly they pushed the door open to as far as it could go, instantly I heard gasps of air taken as they were starved of it.

"Come on, climb over the stone and we can get out of here…" the kids began to move but the father said, "there's a dragon out their miss, we will be killed," I looked to him, "I won't let that happen, come on." They stayed close and behind me as I led them through to the exit, they all paused along with me as we passed the massive treasury room, and everything was quite. I could see him there under the gold even if he were fully covered, "maybe he left?" the little girl said, I quickly covered her mouth and shook my head as in no he hadn't. I heard all the coins shuffle and a deep baritone voice "so it seems I still have rats dwelling in my home that have not met my fire!" we were currently hiding behind side pillars, the dragon spewed out fire around the room, I could see the hall we had to enter that would be a straight shot out to the exit. But it would make us too much of a target, I also looked around, I knew I couldn't defeat this dragon without damaging or destroying the dwarves home. I turned to them, "I am going to distract him while yous sneak out, see there, take that and go to the side exit, the bridge is still there okay?"

They all nodded to me in confirmation, I stood up and dashed out running to the other side of the room, and the dragon did not pause or stop as he breathed fire at me. Finally when he stopped, he said "ah you are no dwarf, but not human, I smell elf but you are not one, so what are you…Ah~ I have not had a riddle like this for such a long time, show yourself you stinking little rat!" I stepped out from my hiding hole, I was able to see the family slink off behind him, "hmmm, you look human, but you live with elves, yet you're in a dwarf home, well now mine which means your trespassing." I heard him growl, I paused noticing the others had not made it to their exit, I bowed to him "the magnificent Smaug, I had heard you were one of the last fire drakes left in this realm, and I must say the sight of you does not disappoint the rumours I have heard." He paused listening "go on," I smiled "I have never seen a dragon before and am glad that you are the first I have had the honour to meet," the family turned into the hallway they needed to take, and instantly I felt relief. I noticed he looked down closer to me, his eye making eye contact with me, "hmmm, that is strange, you are not human, nor elf, nor dwarf and I cannot use my magic on you…no it's not that, it just doesn't affect you."

He continued to scrutinize me trying to figure out the answer to the riddle that was me, I decided to use that time to devise a plan to escape or take him down, I knew he would not just leave; he would need to be killed. I had no idea how much a punch would damage him, or any of my weapons I guessed the only one that would be able to would be Pandora but it would destroy their home or at least a bit of it, could they refix it, they are craftsman after all? I turned to look at him, "are you a phoenix?" I frowned "no" he seemed to think this was a fun guessing game, "a half-ling?" "No" I sighed; "look I need to be on my way." He moved his head closer to me, giving me a good look at him "leaving so quickly and I haven't even gotten your name yet," "Hawley, it was nice to meet you, maybe if we meet again, I will see if you have the answer to that riddle." He placed a clawed scaly paw on the walkway I was about to take to leave "not so fast, you are to stay here until I figure it out." I raised a brow at him, "I think not," I pulled my hand gun and fired off a shot in his eye, it instantly closed and I used that time to run as he roared; it was so loud it caused damage to my ears which began to heal as I ran to the hallway leading out.

I saw light and made my way out to the bridge, on the other side was Thorin, he smiled once he saw me, but then there was a massive tremble and the exit I took was blocked off and the bridge began to crack and break. I ran and jumped off at the last moment, I easily landed on the other side with Thorin who was instantly to my side, "come on we must leave at once." We met up with all those that escaped, there was quite a few including the King and Thráin, "the elves will not fight this foe, however King Thranduil said that if yous seek passage through his realm then he will offer guides and resources." King Thrór was not happy to hear that, actually many of them were not, and they all turned on me about it, "he won't aid us?!" I frowned "you must understand by now that facing a dragon means death, the elves understand this and to kill him would also mean damage or destruction of the mountain itself."

I noticed many made booing noises but Thorin frowned as if he was trying to figure out a puzzle and then I noticed him looking at my guns too. I knew that the King was going to shout at me once more but Thorin's deep voice spoke out, "what do you me destroy the mountain, are you saying the dragon can be killed, that you can do that?" everything went silent, and he gave me a calculating look, I was scared, I didn't want this many people to find out. "Why would Thranduil only send you if you were not able?" another person called out "yes, she uses magic, she healed many with simple red liquid," I felt panic set into me, please tell me they won't think I am a witch and go on a crusade. "I don't know if I can harm or kill a dragon, I have never faced one in a battle, but I do know that doing so will damage your home just from the dragons' bulk moving and hitting the pillars and walls of the mountain regardless…" "I say she's a witch!" "A liar!" "Elven scum!" many yelled out "QUIET!"

I looked to the King "they may have turned their back on us, but we are better than them, let's not stoup to their level, leave them to their precious trees," The King gave me a look that showed neither trust nor faith.

I sighed as many began to walk away, however Thorin stayed his father paused "son, let's go, there is nothing here to stay for," for some reason that felt painful as I looked to Thorin, he held a frown and I felt a shot of betrayal shoot through me, "your right." I looked shocked to him "Thorin?" I asked soft and weakly, which pissed me off, "I need to go find a new home with my people there…" I could tell he wanted to say there was nothing between us or that the courtship was called off, I swallowed thickly, "Thorin I…" He got close and whispered low to me "if you care for me then you will tell me the truth, what are you?" he looked back down to my guns, I gulped and thought about it, it seemed regardless I could not go with him, I was only meant to help and inform them of Thranduil's decision before returning, I could not stay, follow them and stay with them. He made a gruff angered sound "so that's my answer, all you elves are alike, no honour," he turned and walked away, I kept my head down, I felt sadness and tears build in my eyes, I looked to the mountain and I felt such anger as if it was all its fault for bringing the dragon and causing me such pain.

I eventually got home I walked at a normal pace, using the time to think over things, the one person I had felt feelings for someone I considered being with had felt betrayed by me because my King would not fight a losing battle on their behalf. When I thought of it like that it made me angry it also didn't help that my chest was tight and in pain, my body and sensors kept saying I was suffering from takotsubo cardiomyopathy and that one chamber of my heart was not working right. I made it to Greenwood, I met with Thranduil "well?" such a simple question had such a big answer, "they were angered you did not help even though I explained all who went up against the dragon would have perished, however I saved a few injured and trapped, and they also think I am some kind of witch with magic abilities seeing I healed them with some mysterious red liquid and now they are travelling to find a new home."

Thranduil leaned his head onto his palm "and what of him?" I looked up slightly "he's alive, but there is no more courtship, obviously, now I am going to bathe and sleep, I haven't done that since Rivendell." I left without being excused and did as I said I would, I slept while pushing a pillow to my chest, I continued to flush my heart with the serum seeing as the second I stopped the chamber faltered and began to swell once more. I did not think that simply being 'dumped' would cause this much pain, I mean we weren't technically together long or know each other that well, a voice in my head spoke up "that's not true, you know nearly everything about him, you love him; now you feel pain over it not being reciprocated." My inner thought died down as I had to set all my systems to inactive and shut down to try and fix the issue.