Dire Needs: Chapter Four
Since the last chapter was so short, I decided to give you people a double dose of fic. I hope you enjoy! :)
For all other notes: See previous chapters.
************
Chapter Four: A Burnt Finale
BOOM!
The sound of another firework filled the air, as millions of twinkled lights sprinkled down on the cheerful crowd.
It was dusk. The sun was nothing more than a friendly orange-yellow glow over the horizon. There were about thirty round tables sparsely placed over the field. At the Head Table in front, the royal representatives of Mirkwood, Rivendell and Gondor were seated. The house of Elrond was lit up in the distance, acting as a major light source. Torches were around here and there. There were also several bottles of finely selected wine, which the royal children (except for Eldarion) fussed over.
"I say the wine from Minas Tirith is the best," Elladan argued. "It has a fruity taste that I just can't ignore."
"Yes, but Mirkwood's wine has a natural, woodland feel as you swish it in your mouth," Elrohir protested. "And a fruity taste."
"Well, there's not much difference, considering both wines were made by men," Harathiel pointed out. "Our wine is imported to us from Lake Town. However, I would have to agree with Elrohir. Minas Tirith has fruit. We have natural flavor."
"You're just saying that because you brought the wine with you," Legolas remarked.
"So you're saying you agree with Elrohir?"
"No, I agree with neither. I say the wine from Rivendell is the best."
"You do?" Elladan exclaimed, surprised.
"Yes. It has this fresh, elven aura."
"Wines don't have auras," Harathiel shouted, exhasperated. "They just have a certain feel. Speaking of which, the Rivendell wine is completely flat and watery."
"For your information, this wine has been fermenting for ninety-seven years," Elladan said in Legolas' defense.
"Really? Where? In the sediment of a lake?" Harathiel snapped. Only then did all four siblings realize than the rest of the royals at the Head Table were looking curiously at them. Gandalf distracted them all by sending up a huge firework, which exploded into different colored stars which littered the night sky, and stayed there for most of the evening. The wine drinkers stood aside their arguments long enough to enjoy their evening, and watched as another huge firecracker exploded, and took form of a red dragon. It flew around and headed straight for the partyers, who weren't afraid of it. They watched it come towards them in awe.
Suddenly, there was a horrible shriek, and the form of the red dragon vanished as a real dark grey and yellow dragon took it's place. It opened it's mouth, and flames sprang from it, setting the banners and decorations in it's way on fire. Everyone ducked and rolled out of the way. The dragon dived towards the Head Table, and it's occupants hastily dived out of the way, just before the dragon set it on fire and passed over it. They watched as the dragon turned around and prepared for it's new attack.
"We have to get everyone out of here," Harathiel said.
"I agree," Eldarion said. "But where can we go that's safe?"
"Apparently nowhere," Elrond said. "If a dragon can get into Rivendell..." he trailed off.
"Then we have to try and kill it," Eldarion said.
"What? Do you know how hard it is to kill a dragon?" Harathiel said.
"Yes, and it's the only thing we can try to do," Eldarion argued.
"We don't even have our weapons. Someone has to go get them."
"We'll go," Elladan and Elrohir volunteered.
"Wait! I'll go with you. I don't want any of you touching my bow." With that, Harathiel ran after Elladan and Elrohir.
They were halfway to Elrond's house when the dragon saw them. It glared. It's master told it to get the young-looking girl sitting at the main table. And that was exactly what it was going to do.
It roared, and flew after them, catching up quite easily. He dove for Harathiel, who dived to the ground. The dragon's claws only snatched air. Infuriated, it turned around again.
Harathiel knew the dragon wanted him. She told the twins to get the weapons. Determined, she sprinted off in a new direction. She headed towards the river, making sure not to go near the retreating elves.
But the dragon knew what she was thinking. It passed over the crowd, spouting flames, and got ahead of Harathiel. It flew to the edge of the water, and landed there, waiting.
Harathiel stopped running and stared at the dragon. 'How did it know I was going there? What does it want?' Harathiel thought. As if in answer to her question, the dragon spoke to her.
"Most beings would consider running towards the nearest water source, and most dragons are dumb enough to not predict that. I, however, am smarter than most dragons. I am Sheaug, the son of Smaug."
"Smaug?" Harathiel said. "The same dragon who stole treasure from the dwarves and was killed at Lake Town?"
"Yes," Sheaug hissed. "The very same."
"Oh," Harathiel said. "And what do you want with me?"
"I have been told to get you."
"Told by whom?"
"My master."
"Who's your master?"
Sheaug looked at Harathiel maliciously. "I can tell you are smart. A worthy opponent. I will look forward to meeting with you in the future."
"What?" Harathiel looked over her shoulder and saw several people knotching their bows. With a mighty heave, Sheaug took off into the air and flew away in the dark night sky.
"Harathiel, mani marte?" Legolas asked, grabbing her arm and looking straight into her eyes. [What happened?] "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," she said. She gazed into Legolas' eyes, hoping Legolas wouldn't question her further.
Legolas seemed to get the message. "Come. There has been lots of damage and injuries at the party." Harathiel nodded and walked back towards the field, looking once more at the sky.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Black.
That was the first thing closest to color Harathiel saw when she arrived back at the party site. Everything was burned to soot and ash. Here and there some tablecloth or branch was still smoldering. But the thing that made Harathiel sick to her stomach was the black charred remains of corpses. Just as sad was the number of people injured. Harathiel looked around, taking in all the damage. She felt completely responsible, as it was because of her Sheaug attacked.
The injured were treated outside, mainly because there wouldn't be enough place inside but also because it would be too long to move people and then treat them. Aragorn and Elrond were particulary busy. Arwen, the twins, and several uninjured elves went to get some bandages and herbs.
Harathiel shuddered. Legolas, who was next to her, noticed.
"Harathiel, manke tanya tuula?" Legolas asked. [Where did that come from]
"How would I know why I shuddered?"
"Would it be the dragon?"
"What about it?"
"I saw you talking to it, Harathiel. I think you know what it wants."
"So what if I was talking to it? How could that help me figure out what it wants?" Harathiel started walking away.
"Because it was chasing after you," Legolas caught her by the arm and held her back. "Do not deceive me, Harathiel. Tell me what happened."
"Mankoi lle uma tanya?" Harathiel shouted. Fourtunately, people were too busy to pay any attention to her. [Why do you want to know?]
"Because I can tell you're in danger," Legolas said stoutly.
Harathiel glared at him. "Do not mingle in my affairs, Legolas. You know not of what you speak."
"Oh, i'm afraid I do. That dragon is after you, isn't it?"
Harathiel didn't reply. She looked down at her feet. Legolas understood.
"This is all my fault," Harathiel murmured.
"No, it's not."
"That dragon is after me. People got hurt because of me," Harathiel said, tears beginning to form in her eyes. "I have to find out who the dragon's master is and why it wants me. Alone."
"Harathiel, uuma ma' ten' rashwe, ta tuluva a' lle," Legolas said, pulling Harathiel into a hug. [Don't look for trouble, it will come to you]
"It already has," Harathiel replied, hugging Legolas back.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Legolas asked.
"Yes," Harathiel said, removing herself from Legolas' grip. "I will leave tomorrow morning."
"Where will you go?" Legolas asked. "Do you have any idea where it might be?"
"As a matter of fact, I do," Harathiel said.
TBC
So, where is Sheaug hiding? Who is his master? Whoever correctly guesses where Harathiel wants to go will get two points! :p
Since the last chapter was so short, I decided to give you people a double dose of fic. I hope you enjoy! :)
For all other notes: See previous chapters.
************
Chapter Four: A Burnt Finale
BOOM!
The sound of another firework filled the air, as millions of twinkled lights sprinkled down on the cheerful crowd.
It was dusk. The sun was nothing more than a friendly orange-yellow glow over the horizon. There were about thirty round tables sparsely placed over the field. At the Head Table in front, the royal representatives of Mirkwood, Rivendell and Gondor were seated. The house of Elrond was lit up in the distance, acting as a major light source. Torches were around here and there. There were also several bottles of finely selected wine, which the royal children (except for Eldarion) fussed over.
"I say the wine from Minas Tirith is the best," Elladan argued. "It has a fruity taste that I just can't ignore."
"Yes, but Mirkwood's wine has a natural, woodland feel as you swish it in your mouth," Elrohir protested. "And a fruity taste."
"Well, there's not much difference, considering both wines were made by men," Harathiel pointed out. "Our wine is imported to us from Lake Town. However, I would have to agree with Elrohir. Minas Tirith has fruit. We have natural flavor."
"You're just saying that because you brought the wine with you," Legolas remarked.
"So you're saying you agree with Elrohir?"
"No, I agree with neither. I say the wine from Rivendell is the best."
"You do?" Elladan exclaimed, surprised.
"Yes. It has this fresh, elven aura."
"Wines don't have auras," Harathiel shouted, exhasperated. "They just have a certain feel. Speaking of which, the Rivendell wine is completely flat and watery."
"For your information, this wine has been fermenting for ninety-seven years," Elladan said in Legolas' defense.
"Really? Where? In the sediment of a lake?" Harathiel snapped. Only then did all four siblings realize than the rest of the royals at the Head Table were looking curiously at them. Gandalf distracted them all by sending up a huge firework, which exploded into different colored stars which littered the night sky, and stayed there for most of the evening. The wine drinkers stood aside their arguments long enough to enjoy their evening, and watched as another huge firecracker exploded, and took form of a red dragon. It flew around and headed straight for the partyers, who weren't afraid of it. They watched it come towards them in awe.
Suddenly, there was a horrible shriek, and the form of the red dragon vanished as a real dark grey and yellow dragon took it's place. It opened it's mouth, and flames sprang from it, setting the banners and decorations in it's way on fire. Everyone ducked and rolled out of the way. The dragon dived towards the Head Table, and it's occupants hastily dived out of the way, just before the dragon set it on fire and passed over it. They watched as the dragon turned around and prepared for it's new attack.
"We have to get everyone out of here," Harathiel said.
"I agree," Eldarion said. "But where can we go that's safe?"
"Apparently nowhere," Elrond said. "If a dragon can get into Rivendell..." he trailed off.
"Then we have to try and kill it," Eldarion said.
"What? Do you know how hard it is to kill a dragon?" Harathiel said.
"Yes, and it's the only thing we can try to do," Eldarion argued.
"We don't even have our weapons. Someone has to go get them."
"We'll go," Elladan and Elrohir volunteered.
"Wait! I'll go with you. I don't want any of you touching my bow." With that, Harathiel ran after Elladan and Elrohir.
They were halfway to Elrond's house when the dragon saw them. It glared. It's master told it to get the young-looking girl sitting at the main table. And that was exactly what it was going to do.
It roared, and flew after them, catching up quite easily. He dove for Harathiel, who dived to the ground. The dragon's claws only snatched air. Infuriated, it turned around again.
Harathiel knew the dragon wanted him. She told the twins to get the weapons. Determined, she sprinted off in a new direction. She headed towards the river, making sure not to go near the retreating elves.
But the dragon knew what she was thinking. It passed over the crowd, spouting flames, and got ahead of Harathiel. It flew to the edge of the water, and landed there, waiting.
Harathiel stopped running and stared at the dragon. 'How did it know I was going there? What does it want?' Harathiel thought. As if in answer to her question, the dragon spoke to her.
"Most beings would consider running towards the nearest water source, and most dragons are dumb enough to not predict that. I, however, am smarter than most dragons. I am Sheaug, the son of Smaug."
"Smaug?" Harathiel said. "The same dragon who stole treasure from the dwarves and was killed at Lake Town?"
"Yes," Sheaug hissed. "The very same."
"Oh," Harathiel said. "And what do you want with me?"
"I have been told to get you."
"Told by whom?"
"My master."
"Who's your master?"
Sheaug looked at Harathiel maliciously. "I can tell you are smart. A worthy opponent. I will look forward to meeting with you in the future."
"What?" Harathiel looked over her shoulder and saw several people knotching their bows. With a mighty heave, Sheaug took off into the air and flew away in the dark night sky.
"Harathiel, mani marte?" Legolas asked, grabbing her arm and looking straight into her eyes. [What happened?] "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," she said. She gazed into Legolas' eyes, hoping Legolas wouldn't question her further.
Legolas seemed to get the message. "Come. There has been lots of damage and injuries at the party." Harathiel nodded and walked back towards the field, looking once more at the sky.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Black.
That was the first thing closest to color Harathiel saw when she arrived back at the party site. Everything was burned to soot and ash. Here and there some tablecloth or branch was still smoldering. But the thing that made Harathiel sick to her stomach was the black charred remains of corpses. Just as sad was the number of people injured. Harathiel looked around, taking in all the damage. She felt completely responsible, as it was because of her Sheaug attacked.
The injured were treated outside, mainly because there wouldn't be enough place inside but also because it would be too long to move people and then treat them. Aragorn and Elrond were particulary busy. Arwen, the twins, and several uninjured elves went to get some bandages and herbs.
Harathiel shuddered. Legolas, who was next to her, noticed.
"Harathiel, manke tanya tuula?" Legolas asked. [Where did that come from]
"How would I know why I shuddered?"
"Would it be the dragon?"
"What about it?"
"I saw you talking to it, Harathiel. I think you know what it wants."
"So what if I was talking to it? How could that help me figure out what it wants?" Harathiel started walking away.
"Because it was chasing after you," Legolas caught her by the arm and held her back. "Do not deceive me, Harathiel. Tell me what happened."
"Mankoi lle uma tanya?" Harathiel shouted. Fourtunately, people were too busy to pay any attention to her. [Why do you want to know?]
"Because I can tell you're in danger," Legolas said stoutly.
Harathiel glared at him. "Do not mingle in my affairs, Legolas. You know not of what you speak."
"Oh, i'm afraid I do. That dragon is after you, isn't it?"
Harathiel didn't reply. She looked down at her feet. Legolas understood.
"This is all my fault," Harathiel murmured.
"No, it's not."
"That dragon is after me. People got hurt because of me," Harathiel said, tears beginning to form in her eyes. "I have to find out who the dragon's master is and why it wants me. Alone."
"Harathiel, uuma ma' ten' rashwe, ta tuluva a' lle," Legolas said, pulling Harathiel into a hug. [Don't look for trouble, it will come to you]
"It already has," Harathiel replied, hugging Legolas back.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Legolas asked.
"Yes," Harathiel said, removing herself from Legolas' grip. "I will leave tomorrow morning."
"Where will you go?" Legolas asked. "Do you have any idea where it might be?"
"As a matter of fact, I do," Harathiel said.
TBC
So, where is Sheaug hiding? Who is his master? Whoever correctly guesses where Harathiel wants to go will get two points! :p