Bilbo Baggins couldn't have been happier when he received his new bed roll from the Dragon. It was warmer than he could have ever imagined and held the perfect scent of Rivendell, which somehow managed to help his homesick feeling. After all those weeks with loud, rambunctious Dwarves, it was nice to have a bit of peace he could take with him. The Dragon had scared him, something he wouldn't dare admit to anyone.
Elerin, as sweet as she was, was still a very terrifying sight. It was mainly her eyes, the color of smoldering embers and slitted pupils like a reptile. Her black hair was like a nightmarish shadow, never reflecting any light and seeming to moving endlessly. He had never really focused on teeth of any creature before until Elerin had gotten so angry at Thorin. Her teeth were similar to a dog, elongated canines sharp and able to tear through skin ease. The Hobbit shivered at the thought.
Still, when the chance came, he told her of the Shire. He told her stories of his childhood, amazed at how well she listened to him. Elerin was very intense, but once he started talking, he seemed to not be able to stop, even if he wanted. She asked questions, which he answered best to his ability.
"So, where did you come from?" Bilbo asked. For the time being, he had run out of things to tell about the Shire, so it was her turn to tell him about herself.
She sighed as she folded her hands behind her back, her eyes moving to the sky as she mulled it over. "I'm not very good at stories, Master Baggins, so I will tell you my tale as best I can."
Her story began back in the First Age, during the War of Wrath. To Bilbo's surprise, she spoke rather highly of Morgoth, the Valar who had created the evil in this world.
"Without him, I would not be here. It is different to admire someone than it is to regard. His name has more or less faded with time, but when evil first came to this world, Morgoth was regarded by all."
She continued her story with Eärendil and how he went to the Valinor to speak with the Valar of the evil Morgoth had unleashed. The Valar decided to fight back, and in response, Morgoth released an army of fire drakes of all sizes and kinds.
"The largest of which is the Dragon I came from, Ancalagon the Black. I do not know how Eärendil managed to find me, but I was only small then, not even able to fly. He spared me, sending me to the Valinor where I spent centuries and centuries in agonizing pain. I was created from darkness and evil, but that cannot be in the Valinor or in the presence of the Valar. They held me deep beneath the waves of the ocean to be watched by Ulmo. I was cursed to the forests of Yvanna, kept in flowers and forced to endure pure sun and star and moon. For centuries, I was tormented, forced to live in the light when all I had known was shadow. When the light no longer harmed me, the evil was gone as well, but the fear of dragons lingered. I don't know how I ended up with the Dwarves, only that Mahal built me this body, and I was placed within it."
Bilbo was silent, his jaw slack from hearing the story. That was even harder to believe than her being a Dragon. From the First Age? What nonsense!
Elerin smiled, "It's been a while since I've told my story, Master Baggins. Forgive me if it wasn't what you expected."
"I, uh, I just assumed you had fought in wars and, you know, been on your own adventures," Bilbo said, blushing in embarrassment.
"I've fought in wars and had my own share of adventures. I've never fought as a Dragon in any wars, though. I was always near the king, always watching and never failing him."
"Except Erebor," Bilbo said uncertainly.
"I hold no fault in that. The king released me, selling me to Thranduil. There is a heavy magic on me. The rules are strict, and I have no choice but to follow them. I am bound to the bearing Thorin wears."
"So, what brought you here? Why weren't you at my home when the others showed up?"
"Had I know, I would have been there. I suppose Gandalf thought the allegiance broken since I was not with Thorin."
The Hobbit frowned for a moment, staring at his hairy feet while his thoughts took him. He cleared his throat and looked up at her, "Elerin, is the Dragon alive?"
"Smaug? Of course he's alive." She placed her hand on his head, smiling at the paled Hobbit, "You need not worry, Master Baggins. Burgle as you please when we get there, but there will come no harm to you. Should the Dragon wake, you simply get him out of the mountain, and I will kill him there."
"You really can't fit in the mountain?"
"Ancalagon was the size of a mountain. I do not believe I am much smaller."
She heard Bilbo gulp, his body trembling next to hers as he thought over the situation. With a gentle pat on the hobbit's leg, she stood, "Fear not, Bilbo. If you wish to think of the size of Smaug, compared to Lord Elrond, he would probably be the size of a Hobbit child."
The Hobbit looked up at her, hazel eyes studying before he smiled and nodded, relief clear on his face, "That does make me feel a bit better."
"Good," she smiled as she gently tasseled his hair. "Do not let Thorin discourage you."
Bilbo cleared his throat slightly before nodding, "You've helped a lot. He's even speaking with the Elves. I never thought I would see the day."
"The Elves of Rivendell can be trusted, and Thorin knows that, though he won't admit it. It is Thranduil who even I loathe."
"How, uh, how did you get away from him?"
Her toothy smile had a hidden wicked mischievousness, "The dragon's curse. It's nasty business. When I have a separate owner from the one who has my bearings, chaos and destruction soon follow. Unlike Rivendell, Thranduil's kingdom is in a forest. The trees at the edge of the forest began to die, and the rot slowly crept to the kingdom. This took years before the decay actually started changing the kingdom. Like Rivendell, they had stone floors, which began to crack and crumble. Their precious stars were veiled, and all warmth left the kingdom. Some Elves died, and it wasn't until Thranduil's own son got sick that he released me."
Bilbo narrowed his eyes suspiciously. She chuckled at his indifference. "If you don't believe me, ask Gandalf or Lord Elrond. Although, last I heard there was a new darkness had taken that forest."
Thorin cleared his throat, catching their attention. "Pack your things. We leave before dawn."
Elerin stood, walking to her old friend and pulling him to a more private area, "What happened?"
"The Great Council has arrived," Thorin replied lowly. "They will stop us."
She moved on, heading back to their camp site where she silently and quickly packed everyone's things. Bilbo watched in awe at how much the woman could carry, even though she had nothing of her own. She looked like a pack mule, but something had changed about her. Her back seemed broader, legs thicker as if to adjust to the weight she was carrying.
"She can change at will," Thorin said, confirming the Hobbit's thoughts. "Her strength will come in handy with these days to come. Come, Master Baggins. We have a long journey ahead."
"Thorin, if Elerin is so large and powerful, why can't we just ride on her back to the Lonely Mountain?" Bilbo asked curiously.
"I wondered the same thing. Gandalf fears a new darkness is spreading, and should Elerin be known, those of darker places may try to get her once more. Rest assured she will not change sides, but he fears more evil will focus on our journey. No one needs to know. It will also be her chance to prove herself to the others that she is faithful to the line of Durin."
Bilbo thought over his words as he nodded. Would more evil come to the mountain when Elerin arrived? What would be waiting for them at the Lonely Mountain? He hoped she would be accepted by their Dwarvish comrades, though it was looking less and less likely.
From what he could tell, only Fili and Kili would talk to her, though Balin seemed to struggle on even approaching her. The others growled, sneered, or went out of their way to ignore her. Even the chipper, sociable Bofur kept his distance.
What amazed him was her lack of care in their opinions. She didn't care about Thorin's opinion either. He doubted any of the Dwarves would have stood up to him in the same manner. With her outburst came punishment, and it still bothered him to remember such pain on one's face. Yet, even after that, they had remained friends, something Bilbo was certain Thorin would never do with another. It was interesting to know he valued the Dragon more than his own pride.
"Keep up, Master Baggins," Bilbo heard, snapping him from his last glances at Rivendell.
A gentle hand rested on his shoulder, "Once Erebor is exclaimed, I will bring you here myself. Until then, I am afraid we do not have the time for sightseeing."
He looked at Elerin who gave him a smile, noting a promise in her words. He gave a final nod, following the other Dwarves while she stayed at the end of their group.
"Elerin, do you have a weapon?" Bilbo asked, noticing she had no scabbard or axe or bow on her person.
"I am a weapon," she winked earning a small chuckle from the Hobbit. "I do not need to carry a weapon, since I can create them. It was a small token from Tulkas. Of the Valar, he is the master fighter, or champion as they call him."
"I thought Mahal was the creator?" Bilbo groaned, annoyed with the confusing Valar already.
"He is, and that helps too," she replied as she showed him the red ring on her middle finger, "Tulkas gave me this, an assurance of victory, as it were. With this created body, it makes things easier to create myself. At least weapons. I haven't been able to make anything else."
"What sort of weapons do you use?"
"When I use them, it's just a sword and bow." Bilbo gave a surprised help when her hand suddenly turned into a dragon's paw, sharp talons sticking from each finger. "This is my go to."
The company stopped walking, all looking at the woman who was grinning wickedly at her claws. The crazed bloodlust lingered in her eyes even when the claws disappeared. She remained silent, her eyes ahead, though there was a clear struggle in her eyes as she tried to calm down.
Bloodthirst was a dragon's nature. That was something the Valar understood and hammered into her mind to choose her battles when that blood lust would be necessary.
Bilbo managed to find a smile as he walked behind Elerin. If he returned to Hobbiton, he would definitely have many tales to tell about this woman. A Dragon of all things knew how to hum the kindest lullabies and merriest tunes. The company did not want her there, but they acted as though they had a second wind, one not given from a long rest. They were acting as they had when they first left Bag End, jovial and hoping.
"You said there's a dragon's curse, is there a blessing?" Bilbo asked.
"I wouldn't call it a blessing, but when people know there is a Dragon near them and it has no evil intentions, they have this sense of safety. It's like being home, sitting in front of a warm fire while a storm rages. Deep in the depths of your heart, you still feel wary of the storm, yet what is there to fear when you're surrounded by the comforts of home?"
As Bilbo contemplated her words, he realized she was right. All the Dwarves seemed at ease despite their hate for the woman. How could they continue to hate her? The betrayal wasn't her fault.
"You worry too much, Bilbo. Try not to do it so much. You'll get wrinkles," Elerin grinned with a wink.