Two chapters in a row? What's the occasion? It's a sincere apology for being a fickle creature who took quite a prolonged break from updating this story.
Anyways, please read, enjoy, and review
-Mana
Disclaimer- I don't own LOTR. It's owned by one of the greatest writers ever to exist in Earth.
Chapter 2: The Unseen Storm on the Horizon
Frodo walked through the round door of his Uncle's estate with an apple in hand. Munching contently, he wandered the halls and bent over the table in nonchalance to glance at the maps his uncle poured over more than usual as of late. He stopped his lazy perusal at the sight of the chest, or more specifically what was not next to the chest. Jaws forgetting to chew, Frodo quickly searched through the hobbit whole with a small pout.
"Elly?" He called.
A voice right behind him made him jump and his curly hairs stand on end.
"Yes little one?" His heart eased at the familiarity of that smoky voice.
Turning around, he met those penetrating sage-like eyes that reminded him of a stormy day.
"You're leaving again?" His voice was more accusing than inquiring. "Faersing and Silvindr are missing."
Elysia wore her everyday outfit, consisting of a plain tunic and trousers tailored to her fit. While it was odd for a comely woman to dress up so plainly and unlike her gender, the hobbits of the Shire could only shrug it off as another oddity of their Elly Walkins.
The said maiden smiled at the interrogation and the sharp observations made by her small friend.
Silvindr and Faersing, her two swords and most prized possessions, were always tucked safely in the corner near the trunk of Bilbo's belongings. They never moved from that spot unless Elysia moved them herself which usually happened when she was about to travel again. None but her would lay a hand on the swords.
While Silvindr, the white and silver falchion was simply untouched by anyone else out of respect for Elysia's valued possessions, Faersing was quite literally untouchable. The sword had a mind of its own. It did not consent to being wielded by any other except its master, and there had even a time when Elysia had been unable to wield her own sword… but that is a tale for another time.
In Frodo's younger years when he was sorely tempted to touch the scabbard or even grip the handle or pommel of the marvelous sword, Elysia quickly admonished him, having said sternly though not unkindly,
"Faersing is volatile and unyielding to anyone… Even you, young master Baggins.".
Only a rare number of times had Frodo been able to hold the sword (by the scabbard) and touch its mesmerizing pommel.
"I have somewhere to be and someone to meet, little one. Don't fret, I won't be long." Sometimes she was away for weeks at a time, and Frodo always missed her even though he knew she would return.
Frodo huffed through his nose and crossed his arms with the apple still in hand.
"Will you be here for Bilbo's birthday?"
It was also Frodo's birthday as well, but he did not say. Elysia felt affectionate pride at Frodo's humble heart and ruffled his dark curly head.
"Master Baggins! You wound me. You think I would ever have the audacity to miss an occasion of such importance?" She was mock offended and that brought a laugh from Frodo.
The hobbit has grown into a nice young lad. Even though hobbits aged slower than men, Elysia, although proud, found herself in slight mourning that Frodo has grown up so fast for her immortal liking. Soon, Frodo would no longer be in his tweens and become an adult by hobbit standards. Although by Elysia's old standards, he was still exceedingly young.
The sun was setting and soon it would get dark. It was prime time for Elysia to leave, for in the dark her dragon form was hidden the best. Frodo stared up at her pleadingly.
"Can I at least see you off?"
Elysia's eyes narrowed at the devious little trick. Frodo's large blue eyes were hard to say no to, especially when he pleaded so sincerely. With a sigh, Elysia nodded.
"Let me secure Faersing and Silvindr and you can come along until we reach the edge of hobbiton."
...
Frodo walked with a bounce in his steps alongside his dragon friend. She donned her usual outfit of leather and a plain gray hooded robe. Her swords were wrapped up in an innocent bundle to prevent the hobbits from looking at her with more displeasure, and her long, thick braid hung down her back in its usual place, swinging back and forth with her steps.
"Elly?"
"Hm?" Elysia didn't' bother to cast a glance at Frodo.
"Can you tell me the story of Faersing again?"
"Again?" She smirked and finally looked down at her hobbit companion. Frodo nodded. He never tired of the story of Faersing's origins, or any story that Elysia treated him to.
"Well where to begin…" She drawled for some old story telling effect. "Faersing is what we dragons would call in the common tongue a 'soul item'. A long time ago, when our smaller forms were of more frequent use and we are of age, the dragons had the choice of forging an item that served as something to represent them; an extension of themselves. The item is usually made of things that are mined, and as it is forged, it is imbued with the magic that runs through the one dragon's veins. All soul items are forged with draconian fire or mined and polished into a pristine appearance by their dragons. It was a tradition in my clan to create a soul item that could be wielded as a weapon."
Elysia looked up at the starry sky, and Frodo followed her line of sight. "One particular night, when the stars were shining bright upon the Eyrie where we once dwelled, a star fell to the land. It crashed and caused a great crater that was eventually used as a nesting ground and as its light diminished it left behind an ore of metal. We called this metal Brightsteel or Starmetal, and eventually it was a ritualistic thing amongst the storm clan dragons to forge soul items through this ore along with their scale in order for their item to mirror the dragon's color. Brightsteel can be scattered anywhere in this world, but it is extremely hard to find and extremely valuable to the dragons. I eventually found my ore deep in the roots of an ancient tree."
When she let out a long sigh, the night's chill clouded her breath. "Ten days and ten nights it took, and I nearly breathed out all the heat I had within my fire. I felt cold and feeble, but with the assistance of Rhunon, an ancient dragon that mastered the arts of metal, from the heart of my flame and effort came Faersing. Faersing, like all soul items, is near indestructible. It can cut through the thickest sheet of steel as if it were made of parchment and even pierce through draconian scales. It has shattered blades, slew many formidable foes, and has been my loyal companion for the longest time. But alas, the stubborn weapon can be a bit too flashy and conspicuous for my taste and exceedingly destructive. Silvindr is much more subtle."
Silvindr was not made of the star metal, for it was forged before the discovery of the sky ore. It was forged by the Eldest himself using his own scales and a strong hardy alloy of steel and mithril. Silvindr was deemed no less valuable than any other new Brightsteel made weapon or treasure. It was as light and swift as the wind, silencing many unsuspecting enemies with a quiet cut.
"We're here, little one."
They stopped at a clearing surrounded by a healthy forest of trees. Night had fallen and the sky was moonless, perfect for Elysia to take flight without being seen.
"You better not be late to the party." Frodo pressed. "Uncle will be very cross with you and so will I."
Elysia smiled and bowed with a hand placed over her heart. "A dragon's honor."
Then in a twisting flurry of flaming blue light, in Elysia's place was a great winged beast with scales of sapphire hue. Frodo seldom ever saw Elysia in her draconian form, and when he did he marveled at the jewel like quality of her scales and her majestic appearance. She was smaller than he thought dragons would be, especially for one as old as her. Elysia had jested that she had always been the runt of her litter, but it was a lesser form of her true size. Her original form would be too big for her to remain discreet.
She placed all four sharply clawed limbs onto the earth and shook her body. Her form was built to be sleek, swift, and aerodynamic. Her massive wings were complimented by a pair of winged fins at the base of her body that aided her glide. The tip of her tail was also finned like a fan, retracting and spreading as the long appendage swayed back and forth. Her lithe body was the size of a small cottage or a large wagon. Sharp white spines traced the back of her serpentine neck and calmed into curved scale plates that ridged her back to her long tail.
The softer scaled underside of her form and the two pronged horns crowning her head were marked with a peculiar silvered pattern that resembled feathered crescents. The markings were a unique trait of storm drakes, Elysia had explained once when he asked. Legends said that the first dragon of the storm had been struck by lightning, but instead of harming the drake, the lightning empowered the dragon with heaven's might.
She was beautiful, and although Frodo never saw another dragon, he had the firm belief that Elysia was the fairest dragon of her kind.
The said dragon seemed to sense Frodo's admiration and bent her head, snorting at Frodo's curly hair. The hobbit looked up at the scaled being and smiled wondrously, wondering what it was like if he perched himself at her neck and held those antler-like horns on her head.
"Be back soon, Elly." Frodo whispered as he embraced the dragon's thick neck.
Elysia's tail twitched and she let out a warbled sound before her wings wrapped around Frodo in a protective blanket. Frodo marveled at the warmth of her frame and the taut membrane texture of her wings.
"Go home, little one." Her voice naught but a whisper as she nudged him away and released him from her winged embrace.
Frodo smiled. He stepped back and waved as Elysia unfurled her massive wings and shot vertically to the sky in a massive gust of powerful wind. Within heartbeats, she was out of sight in the darkness and Frodo began to rush home to the comfort of the Bag End hobbit hole.
~O~O~O~O~O~
How wonderful the cool night air was as it caressed her wings. Elysia closed her eyes and glided through the columns of thick clouds bulging in the sky. Feeling giddy at the exhilarating freedom, Elysia spun as she soared upward before easing her body and ceasing her flapping. Her body began to sink and she quickly maneuvered her wings and with a few beats, steadied herself back to her usual glide. Why did all those other winged dragons reside in such gloomy, restricted caves when all of this was open to them? Her clan knew how to live and enjoy this fantastic sensation only those with wings could understand. Who needed to seek solid treasure when they had this gorgeous wealth in the heavens?
As much as she loved being airborne, she had her responsibilities and an errand to run. Swooping low enough, she scanned the forest and sniffed the air to catch the scent of a familiar dragon that roamed these woods. Her claws grazed a lake and managed to snag a few fish before settling to the ground. Elysia tossed the fish onto the grass and began to shift into her two legged form. She grimaced at the odd sensation of her wings and tail sinking into her skin. With some useful magic, her clothes began materialize on her frame. The enchantment to keep her clothing and belongings intact was tedious, but it was less tedious than having her clothes torn at her transformation or forcing them to be carried in her claws. She never carried much to begin with because of that matter. The more weight she had to carry, the more tiring the magic would be.
Adjusting Faersing and Silvindr on her back trap, she tucked her braid into her hood and quickly concealed her face under the cowl before plucking now limp fish off the ground by their tail.
Fangorn Forest had always fascinated her. It was full of mysteries, life, and strange magic that filled the very air and overwhelmed her senses. She walked precariously in silence, taking great care not to disturb the slumbering trees. Eventually, her walk halted at the base of a particularly large tree partially uprooted to a slant.
"Greetings, leafscales…" She whispered in the ancient language.
The silence hung in the air for a few seconds. Then a rumble was heard from the roots of the tree, and finally the odd lumpy mounds of earth, rock, and vegetation began to move. A small growled sigh rose from the ground.
"So you've come, bluescales. It's been a while…. Since you've visited…" The earthen ancient dragon spoke as slow as an Ent.
The drake was wingless and massive, so massive in fact that only its upper body was unearthed while the rest remained in an underground hollow snug in the roots of the slanted tree. Moss covered the dull brown green of his scales, and even a small sapling complimented by a small shrub adorned the dirk caked back of the old dragon.
Elysia found these earth dragons to be perplexing. How could they stand to have so much dirt dirtying their scales? Emrys Fernscales had once merely chuckled and told her she would never understand. Her mother, Saphira, prided her radiant blue scales. Many dragons that inherit the jewel like quality now and then were vain and cleanly. But Saphira's mother was on a whole different altitude with her scales. While Elysia inherited many things from her mother, she—as many dragons—could not rival Saphira's vanity, but rivaled her dam in her mild obsession with cleanliness. She was always determined to keep her scales in pristine condition.
So to see these dirt caked dragons with plant and fungi on their backs was a scale itching peeve. Elysia wanted nothing more than to toss the dragon into the nearest lake and scrub him clean but alas, courtesy to the old dragon prevented her.
He wrinkled his noise and a forked tongue flickered from his lips. Green eyes became lidded in expectation under the drapes of lichen and moss.
"You brought a treat?"
Elysia looked unamused as she snorted and lifted the three fat fish in her hand.
"I'm surprise you can even sustain yourself on nuts, berries, and vegetables. We dragons are not herbivores, Virin." She deadpanned. Dragons were capable of surviving on a variety of diets, but most always leaned towards meat.
"Bah, it's tedious to catch the blasted furry critters and I'm old… Chewing them takes more effort. Fish and greens on the other hand…." He licked his chops. "Toss one of them fishes."
Elysia did as the old dragon requested and tossed a fish into his open jaws. Like a crocodile, he snapped up the meal and swallowed with a small gulp.
"So what is it you want this time, Bluescales?" Dragons never felt the need to just simply drop by and share pleasantries. There was always a motive behind visiting those drakes residing in solitude.
"Any news?" She perched herself on a boulder and tossed the rest of her fishes to Virin.
Virin released a throaty sigh before swallowing the morsels. With a small groan, he settled himself more comfortably on his forepaws. The moss on his limbs cushioned his ancient head.
"Fangorn is noisier than usual… Something foul is permeating the old air."
"With the Forsworn still in existence, there is always something foul in Middle Earth. But Fangorn is under the watch of the White Wizard." While Elysia never met Saruman in person, she was told he is the strongest and wisest of the Istari.
A snort smoked out of Virin's nostrils. "It is the White Wizard that I sense something foul from. He has not taken his usual stroll through Fangorn for some time now. Isengard is starting to stink like a bog… The trees are becoming restless."
The matter with Saruman disturbed Elysia, although she would never let it show. Something didn't feel right about that white Istari. It never sat well with her horns to know that he was the lead figure of the wizards.
"What of those repugnant beasts?" She inquired.
"The orcs?... The trees whisper to each other… Orcs are becoming more as of late. Some even dare to enter Fangorn, but you and I both know that is a foolhardy thing to do. The trees are restless, and they were never fond of those foul creatures." The dragon's nose wrinkled in distaste at remembering the rotting stench of the orcs.
"The trees are always restless-"
"No… Bluescales… I mean they are starting to stir… More than usual."
"You mean the Ents?" Elysia was surprised. "The Ents have been dormant for centuries."
"Well they are starting to rattle their old bark. It won't be long now…"
Elysia frowned and narrowed her eyes before inwardly shrugging at this. It was of little concern to her whether or not the Ents are active. There were more imperative matters at hand.
"Have you located that gremlin?"
"Gollum? The pitiful creature? No, he has not wandered into Fangorn. I've lost track of him since his escape in Mirkwood. The trees there aren't very intuitive as of late… Darkness spreads through their soil and air more profoundly."
"I'm not surprised. Even Fernyn isn't responsive." Elysia grumbled.
Ever since Gandalf discovered Sauron to be the one under the foul alias of the Necromancer in Dol Guldur, Mirkwood was maimed. She would have sought Fernyn herself, but Elysia painfully avoided Mirkwood. After the incidents with Thranduil and a certain pointy eared princeling of his, Elysia would not enter there unless it was a must, not even for the finest fireweed.
"Brightscales… Be cautious as you tread this volatile earth… The soil is becoming more tainted with blood and shadow… The death of many innocent sings from these roots. The Forsworn Shadow is starting to spread once more…. Especially in the skies, you must be wary."
"I'm always vigilant." Elysia somewhat sniffed.
"Hide yourself well…" Virin began to sink back into his earthen domain. "Spies of the Forsworn are everywhere… May the stars watch over you."
"And may good fortune rule over you, leafscales." Elysia straightened up from her boulder seat as the dragon began to sink and submerge himself deep into the roots of the old tree once more.
...
Something was amiss. The sky held a lesser sense of freedom as she glided through the clouds. Virin's warning had left her warier than usual, and her scales itched in apprehension.
"The spies of the Forsworn are everywhere…"
Her senses were more alert than usual. This time she took no leisure to spin or loop and express her aerial skills. Sniffing the air, she scoured the skies with her keen eyes… There was nothing for a moment… but then she caught it. Her ears twitched as she heard a cacophony of croaking squawks and the buzz of many flapping feathery wings.
A massive cloud of Crebain was nearing her route. She knew those foul noisy birds anywhere, but there was something about this particular flock that worsened the unpleasant itch in her scales. A dragon must never doubt their senses, and her senses urged her to conceal herself from these pesky birds. While a great dragon had no need to feel threatened by such dismal little things, Crebain were well known to be used as dark spies, and she took no chances.
As a storm drake, the skies were always in her favor. Wind blew against the Crebain and there was a convenient incoming mass of cloud coverage that could conceal her dragon form. Angling herself towards the cloud, she entered the misty plume just as the raucously squawking birds flew into sight. She navigated through the thick clouds, relying on every other sense other than her sight.
Despite the weariness in her winged joints, she gave an extra burst of speed. She had to keep her promise after all, and for once the skies weren't as inviting and free anymore.
Banking to the left, she decided to take a different route to the Shire.
She landed silently in the South Downs just a few miles from Bree and shifted, stretching her body out and about before beginning the long nonstop trek to the Shire. The sound of horses stopped her in mid stride. Elysia quickly put up her hood and crouched low to the ground. Her forefinger carefully dipped itself in the blades of grass and plucked a few droplets of early morning dew from the green field. Gently pressing the dew moistened forefinger to her lips in a shushing gesture, she blew a soft hiss through her mouth.
Soon a thick mist began to rise from the moist ground the land was shrouded in fog, reducing visibility to a bare minimum. With the particular spell in good work, Elysia went off towards the Shire.
Dragons were hardy, like the elven folk they needed little sleep and could travel for days without rest. But even the healthiest of elves and dragons had their limits. Elysia was the epitome of healthy, but she had flew nonstop for a solid week and was now walking nonstop to reach Bag End, not even stopping for food. A hungry dragon was an impatient one.
The sun began to rise and birds began to chirp as the world slowly began to awaken. Elysia continued to walk on the main road with quick and purposeful strides.
Then she caught that old sing-song voice. It was a voice she has listened to for centuries upon centuries. If she were in her dragon form, her tail would have twitched like a cat in waiting.
"The Road goes ever on and on~
Down from the door where it began~.
Now far ahead the Road has gone~"
Now there was a voice for sore ears. She mused in delight as she began to walk at a more leisurely pace, waiting in excitement for the horse and cart to catch up to her on the road.
"Pursuing it with eager feet~,
Until it joins some larger way~
Where many paths and errands meet.~
And whither then? I cannot say.~"
The voice gradually grew louder, as did the sound of the horse's clopping feet and the creak of the old wooden cart. Eventually, a cheerily walking horse came into her peripheral view, as did the hint of telltale gray.
"Such a curious sight to see a sky loving drake walk a trivial distance." The old voice mused. "If you're going to take a leisurely stroll to enjoy the greenery of the Shire, I suggest you do it at a later time than this foggy morn."
"Aye… Then will you be willing to give the needlessly strolling lass a little lift?" She inquired in a modulate voice.
"Will I be willing? And when you mean by 'little' you mean a few miles? Or would you prefer a complete ride to Bad End, and if that's the case, the lift is by no means little."
Elysia released a small chuckle and finally turned her head, lowering her hood.
"Good to see you too, Mithrandir." Without further ado, she stepped onto the seat beside the old gray wizard and sat comfortably.
"To you as well, my dear girl." Gandalf smiled and sped his horse forward.
The silence did not last long as Gandalf ceased his songs.
"I am curious… Why did you land farther from the Shire than usual?" The wizard asked.
Elysia's lips quirked. "A flock of Crebain interrupted my usual route."
Gandalf whipped his head so abruptly for an old man. His pale eyes sharp and piercing.
"Have they spotted you?"
Elysia scoffed. "Of course not, Gandalf. You know who I am."
"Hmph, a troublesome apprentice that seemed to tangle herself in webs of trouble rivaling that of a particular hobbit?" Gandalf snidely remarked.
"You just won't let go of that one incident." Elysia deadpanned.
"My back was aching for a solid week because that one incident." He grumbled. "But now do enlighten me on your recent journey."
"One of my own settled in deep within Fangorn has warned me that there is something foul-"
"The times are growing darker, of course-"
"It is focusing around your White Wizard, Mithrandir." Elysia interrupted quickly.
"Saruman?" Gandalf frowned. "That's highly unlikely." Saruman was the head of the White Council and to assume evil festered around him was a dreadful assumption. But then again… dragon hunches were uncannily accurate.
Elysia did not argue her claim further and remained in silence until Gandalf continued,
"And any signs of Gollum?"
"No… The creature is hidden better than those sea worms in the water's abyss." A sigh escaped her nose, causing gray eyes to glance at her quickly but mindfully.
Gandalf cleared his throat. "Enough of this gloomy talk. You must be tired… In a hurry to return to the Shire?"
"You know I wouldn't miss this event for anything."
Eventually the fog dissipated and Elysia readjusted her hood to shield her eyes before basking in the warm sun.
"How is Bilbo?" Gandalf inquired.
Elysia simply jerked her head lazily to the side.
"Ask him."
There was a rustle in the brush and a familiar young hobbit burst into the clearing near the road. For once, Frodo Baggins was staring down Gandalf and Elysia.
"You're late." His arms were folded and his face was masked in a look of utmost seriousness.
Elysia remained silent and continued to bask lazily while Gandalf began to play along with their dear hobbit.
"A wizard is never late, Frodo Baggins… Nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to." Gandalf stated in severity. The two males gazed at each other unwaveringly until Gandalf gestured to the basking dragon by his side.
"Can't say the same for dragons."
"Hn." Elysia's plain grunt was the only thing that came from under the hood.
The dragon listened as the two men were unable to maintain their bearings. Laughter burst between them with a silent dragon in the middle. Then Frodo gave a leap.
"It's wonderful to see you Gandalf!"
If it weren't for Elysia's quick and steadfast reflexes, Frodo would have tackled her and fallen off the carriage. Fortunately for him, a female dragon was no fragile maiden. She caught Frodo quickly and gently, and Frodo, who always had faith in his dragon friend's abilities, immediately hugged both Gandalf and her. Gandalf chuckled and returned the affectionate embrace, secretly warmed greatly at Elysia's and Frodo's small interaction. It spoke volumes of her growth from an arrogant, isolated dragon.
"You didn't think I'd miss your Uncle Bilbo's birthday did you?" Gandalf's pale eyes twinkled with mirth as he set Frodo down onto Elysia's lap. The dragon paid no head and simply buckled Frodo to her toned frame with her arms.
The horse continued to trot while the three rode into the shire at a peaceful pace. The scent of pipe weed filled the air as the old wizard began smoke while he inquired Frodo about their dear old Bilbo.
"So how is the old rascal?" Gandalf asked Frodo. "I hear it's going to be a party of special magnificence."
"You know Bilbo. He's got the whole place in an uproar."
"Oh well, that should please him." Gandalf commented.
"Half the Shire is invited." Frodo exclaimed and Elysia added in, "The rest of them are turning up anyways."
Elysia was content to listen while Frodo enlightened Gandalf about Bilbo.
"Bilbo has been acting a bit odd lately… More than usual." There was a weight behind those words. Frodo seemed a little anxious.
"He's taken to locking himself in the study. He spends hours and hours pouring over old maps when he thinks I'm not looking… You've noticed too, Elly?"
"Of course. Little happens in Bag End that is beyond my notice, little one." Elysia stated. "Perhaps he is restless and desires another adventure. Doesn't seem very hobbit-like, but it seems like something Bilbo would do."
Frodo broke from his dazed gaze and his blue eyes focused on Gandalf with a bit of a suspicious edge. The gray Istari averted his eyes innocently, causing Frodo's lips to curl up.
"Alright then, keep your secrets."
Gandalf attempted continue his feigned innocence. It didn't fool any of them.
"But I know you have something to do with it." Frodo said in certainty.
Gandalf let out an indecipherable mumble.
Frodo smiled. "Before you came along, we Baggins were very well thought of." He explained. "Never had any adventures or did anything unexpected."
Gandalf pulled his pipe from his mouth. "If you're referring to the incident with the dragon, I was barely involved."
Elysia gave a loud snort. Gandalf pointedly ignored her while Frodo chuckled.
"All I did was…" Gandalf continued. "Give your uncle a little nudge out of the door.
Another snort.
Frodo laughed. "Whatever you did, you've been officially labeled a disturber of the peace."
The sound of children caught Elysia's attention. They squealed at the sight of the familiar pointy wizard hat and rushed towards the carriage with hopeful cheers. As Elysia expected, Gandalf eventually released a small burst of one of his wonderful fireworks.
"Did you bring the one I've designed." Elysia inquired. In her time accompanying Gandalf, she partook in the art of pyrotechnics.
"It's just the thing Bilbo would love to have in his party." Gandalf praised as assurance to him bringing the particular fiery artwork.
"Gandalf, I'm glad you're back." Frodo's sincerity always made Elysia feel a warm pride and even more fondness for him.
Gandalf seemed to be feeling the same. His twinkling eyes were warm.
"So am I, dear boy!" He said as Frodo leapt off of Elysia's lap and onto the plush grass.
Elysia smiled and stared at Frodo's retreating figure until he was out of sight within the trees.
"You've grown very fond of him, haven't you."
"How could I not, Mithrandir?" Elysia mused as she glanced at the wizard before she strayed her stormy eyes into a dazed distance. "It nice to find some comfort like this and like Frodo after everything that has happened."
"Indeed." Gandalf agreed.
"But I do agree with Frodo upon the matter of Bilbo… There's something off about the Baggins as of late. It makes my scales itch." Her statement troubled Gandalf into silence as they made their way to Bag End. While Elysia was content to go in like she did every day she returned from one of her trips, Gandalf knocked on the ground green door.
The grumpy voice of Bilbo made them crack a smile.
"No thank you! We don't want anymore visitors, well wishers, or distant relations!"
Elysia released a snort and simply opened the door. "What about very old friend?" She inquired as she pulled off her straps and placed Faersing and Silvindr next to their designated spot next to Bilbo's trunk. The place seemed messier than usual.
"Oh Elly! It's only you-"
"It's not only me, Bilbo." Elysia corrected.
And on cue, the gray Istari entered the pleasant abode of Bag End. Bilbo was taken aback by the sight.
"Gandalf…?" He whispered.
Gandalf smiled wider. "Bilbo Baggins…"
The Istari was a little startled by Bilbo's youthful appearance at the old age of 111. He hadn't been the only one. In Elysia's stay with the Baggins, she noticed that the hobbit was more resilient than others of his kind at the aging nature of time. But she wasn't complaining. To have dear Bilbo have continuous good health must be a blessing of the Valar—a blessing that perhaps was the reason for that itchy sensation of something amiss in Bag End.
While Elysia went off to raid the pantries, Gandalf observed the pleasant hobbit hole—and as expected, bumped into a few obstacles like the chandelier and the wooden beam. It has changed little since he last visited. He perused the shelves and smiled warmly at the wooden carvings decorating a particular shelf. There were thirteen dwarves, a wizard, a hobbit, and a small carving of a dragon perched there. To strangers, it would be a carving of the desolate dragon, but Gandalf knew far better than just some stranger. The warmth in his heart grew as he noticed other signs of Elysia and her content stay in Bag End.
The wall was decorated with her sketches and paintings. He admired one in particular for both its frame and image. Frodo in his tweens was sitting next to Bilbo looking happy as can be in the fields of the Shire. The marvelous sketch was framed elaborately with lacquered wood that had been carved to have a dragon decorating the borders with immaculate detail to the scales.
While Elysia, changed into her usual comfortable outfit, began devouring a pile of bread, cheese, salted pork, and just about anything else she could grab in the storage, Bilbo fussed over his wizard guest. Elysia's ear twitched and she propped her elbow on the table and rested her chin on her palm.
"The Sackville Baggins are coming." She notified nonchalantly as she chewed on her bread and stuffed cheese into her mouth.
Bilbo began to choke and as warned, somebody was furiously rapping at the door.
"Shall I do what I did last time and sharpen my sword while you open the door?" Elysia suggested as she ripped a piece of her salted pork with her sharp teeth.
Gandalf quirked an eyebrow while Bilbo simply huffed.
"No… I'm not at home." He hissed savagely. "Those Sackville Baggins… They're after the house! They've never forgiven me for living this long! I've got to get away from these confounded relatives hanging on the bell all day, never giving me a moment's peace!"
"If you want, I can even casually show of Faersing for you. The sword usually drives off anyone away."
Bilbo smiled weakly at the dragon. "No, but thank you for offering my dear." He then frowned a little at her large plate of food.
"Are you sure you want to eat that much? You might spoil your appetite for the feast."
Elysia gave him a look and continued to eat. Gandalf chuckled while Bilbo huffed and smiled.
"Right… Dragon's appetite. What am I even saying?"
He heaved another sigh and lifted the kettle from its place near the fire. Elysia took this as her cue to leave. It was time to let these two fellows catch up with each other and for Bilbo to confide with Gandalf in his leaving of Bag End to Frodo.
"I'll leave you fellows to sort things out and smoke with each other." She grabbed the loaf of bread, an extra apple, and held the slab of cured meat in her mouth before departing. Bilbo chuckled as she left them.
"It's hard to believe she's seen so much and lived much longer than me." He sighed, pouring Gandalf tea.
"She's still young by draconian standards."
~O~O~O~O~O~
Music and chatter filled the night air in Hobbiton. Occasionally fireworks would emit a loud crack of sound while showering the crowd in lights. Elysia had been content in helping her old master prepare some of the more complex explosives, but Gandalf wouldn't have any of it and promptly ushered the woman away to enjoy the party.
She took the courtesy of wearing one of her few dresses for the special occasion. Light blue cotton over a white poufy long sleeved tunic, the hem was trimmed just above her ankles, revealing her bare hairless slender feet. It was a simple dress, but Elysia had little taste for fancy garments weighing her down, and it did enough to flatter her. Her hair fell loosely around her in its usual glossy curls, and as she moved about the party in her usual quiet manner, she earned many looks of admiration.
Frodo's eyes brightened at the lovely sight of his beloved friend and hastily made room for her to sit on the bench with him. Elysia sat and smiled as she spotted Sam flushed madly while he danced with Rosie Cotton. Both Hobbit and dragon were well aware of Sam's fixation with the hobbit maiden. Her curly golden hair and radiant smile made her a popular lady amongst the single men of the Shire.
Then Frodo leapt to his feet and turned to Elysia with that spark in his eyes.
"Come on, Elly! Let's dance!" He grabbed her hand and gave her an insistent tug.
"Little one, I don't think-"Her reluctance began to melt under Frodo's pleading expression—this rascal of a hobbit was probably the first ever able to diminish a dragon's will with a mere stare.
She released a defeated sigh, and Frodo laughed at his small victory as he tugged her to the dancing crowd. Gandalf smiled as he unleashed a sparkling flock of butterflies from his fireworks, spotting the maiden that quite literally stood out from the tiny crowd. His eyes twinkled merrily in observing the dragon move light on her feet to the rhythm of the cheerful music. She spun and managed to dance with her smaller partner in a way that did not appear remotely foolish because of their difference. Her steps did well to maneuver her and follow Frodo's boisterous little movements. The sight endeared the old wizard's heart.
Eventually, he took a break from his fireworks and joined in the dance. Elysia's eyes widened in surprise and a delightful peal of laughter escaped her. Frodo giggled and backed away, allowing Elysia to have a dance partner that complimented more with her height. As the two old beings danced, Frodo became fascinated… Their dance was not at all romantic or intense. In fact, Gandalf looked rather clumsy in comparison to Elysia's smooth movements, but there was a certain unspoken connection between them.
While they enjoyed the party, mischief was brewing within. The devious pair was on the move, sneaking into the wagonload of fireworks. Pippin dug into the explosives of many shapes and sizes while Merry urged him to hurry. He picked up a particularly big and red dragon head shaped firework, making Merry gasp in delight. The design itself was promising something fantastic.
Meanwhile, Elysia saw a potential danger.
"Sackville Baggins at your six, Bilbo." She whispered into the said hobbits ear. Frodo and Bilbo immediately began to worm through the crowd to hide from their unpleasant relatives while Elysia simply stood and ate a delectable tart.
Bilbo and Frodo hid in her peripheral, glued to the wall of a tent as the accursed relatives came into view. There was no sign of Bilbo, but that odd lady friend of his was here so perhaps he was too. The grumpy looking pair seemed to size up the female, nudging each other to take the gamble and interact with the intimidating woman.
Then Elysia tilted her head and side looked at them with piercing eyes. They seemed to shrink down further, pinned like butterflies on needles.
"Are you in need of something?" Her voice was toneless. It gave away nothing of the glee in her spirit.
At the sound of her voice, the male seemed to shrivel. His wife then hastily shook her head and tugged her husband away. They must try their luck elsewhere.
Frodo chuckled as he stepped out of his hiding place and wrapped an arm around Elysia.
Elysia quirked her brow and smirked. "Never trifle with a drake."
Bilbo smiled at the two and sighed. Indeed, his heir to Bag End was in good and strong hands.
A loud racketing sizzle of fireworks being lit caught Elysia's attention. She whipped her head to the sky and blinked at the odd sight. Were her eyes playing tricks on her or did that flaming missile snag a tent? Gandalf never made such an obvious mistake. Then her eyes narrowed in disbelief as she frowned at the firework. It looked familiar.
That's my handiwork. The one I've been working on… Gandalf promised me I would be the one to light it, so why-….
Despite being in her alternate form, Elysia gave a very dragon-like growl.
Hobbits began to rush frantically away from the firework as it morphed into the shape of a dragon. Frodo had a protective arm around Bilbo and crouched behind the skirt of his dragon.
Elysia didn't even flinch as the dragon shaped sparks flew past her. She was seething in irritation.
Her irritation slightly lessened as her handiwork erupted in a massive show of orange sparks just above the hilltops. The hobbits marveled at the beautiful sight while the true dragon quietly went to the source of her irritation.
Merry and Pippin, singed and covered in soot stood in proud awe at their mischievous deed.
"That was good." Merry said and Pippin agreed.
"Let's get another one." The Took suggested.
Then he felt a chill up his spine and suddenly, something snagged their collars in an unyielding grip. The hobbits found themselves lifted off the ground and at eye level with a fearsome pair of grey eyes.
"Merriadoc Brandybuck… And Peregrin Took." Her monotonous voice promised pain and fear.
"H-heeeey Elly…" Merry smiled sheepishly while Pippin bit his lip and trembled. Out of all the folks of the Shire that admonished their antics and disciplined them, Elysia Walkins was the one they feared the most… even more than Farmer Maggot when he raged with that scythe of his.
When Elysia said nothing but kept them in the air, Merry stammered on.
"W-wasn't that firework r-really something?"
Elysia's piercing gaze focused on Merry, causing him to whimper and cease his pitiful attempts at lightening the mood..
"Yes… It was really something… In fact… It was my handiwork."
Merry's face paled under the layer of soot while Pippin finally spoke.
"W-well… Your handiwork is e-excellent."
They yelped as Elysia dropped them to the ground. There was no time to flee as her fingers immediately pinched their cheeks and yanked them painfully. What was the punishment this time? Was she going to hang them on a tree again? Or force them to hold buckets of cattle dung over their head?
It was much worse. They ended up cleaning the high piling stack of dishes at the party, and the worst part was that they were banned from eating the cake. The latter part almost brought Pippin to tears.
...
The folks waited upon Bilbo for his birthday speech. Elysia sat with Frodo near the front corner to prevent herself from being an obstacle for the smaller folks. Bilbo called out the hobbit families in the crowd and Elysia chuckled at his riddling remark after.
And then frozen claws seemed to seize her peace as she heard the voices.
Dark whispers… indecipherable but foreboding… Bilbo's voice seemed to be muffled under these whispers as they echoed in her mind. The rest of the crowd did not seem to hear it. They were raptly focused on the speech, something Elysia found impossible to do.
The whispers became fiercer as Bilbo pulled something out of his pocket. Elysia gritted her teeth and tried to shake the voices away, but they remained like gnats to a carcass.
Bilbo fidgeted with the golden looped clutched in his fingers, behind his back. "I regret to announce that this is the end… I'm going now… I bid you all a very fond farewell… goodbye."
Bilbo Baggins then vanished from sight into thin air.
But what disturbed Elysia was the whispering darkness, its departing words heard in crystalline clarity.
"-burzum-ishi krimpatul…"
Frodo jerked at the sound of a loud crack next to Elysia. Peering down, he frowned at the sight. Elysia had been gripping her stool so hard that she splintered the edge and took a chunk from the wood.
Looking at her face, he was taken aback by the evident unease in those widened gray blue eyes. It was an alien thing to witness Elysia appear so disturbed, almost frightened, and it unsettled him more than Bilbo's sudden disappearance.
"Elly… You alright?" He asked uncertainly.
The dragon lady remained as still as a statue. Frodo bit his lip nervously and grabbed her hand in his. "Elly?"
At the sound of his voice, Elysia finally snapped back into reality. She twitched and blinked out of her daze before turning to Frodo.
"What? Oh… Yes… I'm fine, Frodo." She hastily assured.
Frodo remained unconvinced and would not let go of her hand. "You're a lousy liar, Elly. Come, maybe a little food and ale will do you some good."
Elysia was too deep in her thoughts to argue as Frodo led her to the dining tables. He piled her plate with food and managed to grab a large slice of cake to satisfy the dragon's sweet tooth. Placing the food and the ale before her, he sat and leaned against her arm worriedly.
"Elly… You're worrying me. What has unnerved you so?"
The sound of his voice, soft, uncertain, and concerned had caught her attention. Elysia gazed down at Frodo and softened at his worry filled blue eyes.
"Forgive me, little one… I'm just shaken by your old uncle's uncanny display of magic."
His eyes requested her to elaborate and Elysia smiled as she began to nibble on a piece of sourdough bread.
"To vanish into thin air… or turn invisible… That is not an easy feat of magic, little one. Not easy at all…." That was an understatement.
The spell of invisibility was an art long lost in time, older than any elvish magic she could remember. So to see such blatant display of sorcery done by a Hobbit… Something wasn't right.
Frodo could only shrug, unable to comprehend the gravity of the situation. "Bilbo has always been odd."
"Yes… How odd indeed." Elysia mused as Frodo began to eat his own plate of food.
Pippin and Merry sat across from him looking a bit dejected with their own plate—piled high with food but not with a single morsel of the wonderful cake… Elysia huffed and stabbed her fork into her roasted pork. Without sparing the mischievous pair a glance, she pushed her large cake portion towards them. Frodo smiled into his meal while Pippin and Merry looked positively ecstatic.
At his bemused glance, Elysia simply shrugged.
"Today is meant for joy… I'll leave them to weep in stone cold misery on another day."
Her warning had Merry gulping and Pippin choking on his food, and Frodo laughed at the dragon's kind heart.
Elysia kept Frodo close to her tonight. They departed from the party, Frodo in merry spirits while Elysia was with some unspoken tension.
"Bilbo? Bilbo!" Frodo burst through the door with Elysia in tow. She hesitated before stepping into the hobbit hole. Something wasn't right this time. Something was looming over Bag End, and she didn't like how it grated against her scales like an impossible itch.
Her little one then spotted something golden on the floor. It was a ring. He picked it up curiously before looking around the house. Gandalf was mumbling to himself near the fire, smoking his pipe. Confused by the odd tension in the atmosphere after what meant to be a night of merrymaking, Frodo looked to Elysia.
"He's gone, isn't he?"
She only placed a hand on his shoulder. "It seems as though you are now the new Master of Bag End, little one."
Frodo hesitated as he wrapped his mind around the realization that his beloved uncle left. "He talked for so long about leaving… I didn't think he'd actually do it."
The peculiar gold band resting in his palm, he walked up to Gandalf. It was unbecomingly eerie for the wizard to be sitting in the dim light, smoke trailing from his hunched grey form.
"Gandalf?"
The old wizard turned and peered at the ring with an indecipherable expression; then smiled a smile that did not reach his pale eyes.
"Bilbo's ring… He's left you Bag End…" In his outstretched hand was an envelope.
Frodo hesitantly let the gold ring drop into the paper pocket, allowing Gandalf to seal the ring with a wax seal. Something was definitely off… Was it really necessary to seal the envelope? Elysia frowned and her sharp eyes skewered the wizard for an explanation, who pointedly ignored them.
"Keep it somewhere out of sight." He warned.
His whisper seemed to be directed more to Elysia than to Frodo. With those enigmatic words, Gandalf immediately began to prepare his own departure. He rushed for his staff and hat, causing much confusion in Frodo.
"Where are you going?"
"There are some things that I must see to." Gandalf's reply was curt and riddled as always.
"What things?"
"Questions…Questions that need answering."
Frodo was dismayed. "But you've only just arrived! I don't understand."
Gandalf stopped at the door and turned to the hobbit.
"… Neither do I…" He muttered. He finally locked eyes with Elysia and they both seemed to share some silent conversation. Elysia gave him a curt nod, and then the old wizard leaned forward and rested an aged hand on Frodo's shoulder.
"Keep it secret… Keep it safe."
At Gandalf's sudden departure, Frodo appeared a little dejected and confused. He turned to Elysia.
"Are you going to leave too?"
Elysia shook her head and smiled. "No, my little one… Close the door. You're letting the warmth out." While Elysia hadn't the slightest idea of what exactly was going on, she trusted her teacher with her life.
"My trip has made me tired… Care to share a bed, little one?" Both took great comfort at the idea, reminiscing back to Frodo's younger years when he slept in Elysia's warm embrace when dreams were bad, storms were loud, and nights were lonely.
As for Eslyia, she felt the need to keep Frodo a bit closer to her.
Frodo quickly hid the envelope deep in the trunk next to Faersing and Silvindr. Soon, Bag End was silent and dark while a hobbit nestled in the large bed with his beloved dragon friend. It was a truly odd sight if one pondered about it; a hobbit sleeping in a dragon's nest with the dragon, but Frodo thought nothing of it. He felt content and comforted by her presence.
With Elysia he was never cold. Perhaps it was a dragon thing, but she was always warmer than any other being he met.
Elysia's taller frame curled protectively around Frodo like a feline around kitten. As he lied there, the excitement and energy spent on the evening brought a wave of tiredness to him.
"May the stars watch over you, little one. Pleasant dreams." Her soothing voice and warmth lulled Frodo to a peaceful sleep. Elysia soon did the same, but she kept her senses alert to the slightest sound.
There wasn't anything amiss in the Shire, or so it seemed, but something seemed off. Elysia could feel it in her bones. A storm was brewing.