Guardian of the Mountain

Disclaimer: I do not own either "The Hobbit" or "Avatar: The Last Airbender" but the wonderful lady firebender in the story is my precious.

NOTE: And here's the finale. Short and sweet. I hope this was an enjoyable alternative ending. It certainly a fascinating idea to pursue. Do let me know if you preferred it to the original. I have other ideas about Leminkaiya but this is the only one I've chosen to write. (But send me a message if you're interested.)

Thank you for reading!

PART III

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Events had only began to settle down in the mountain when Bard returned and with him came Gandalf. He had arrived in Lake-town not long ago and had been meaning to follow the dwarves in the mountain. Bard had apprised the wizard of all that had taken place, particularly the fall of Smaug, and now Gandalf was eager to help his friends.

All were glad to see him and Gandalf had barely set foot in the mountain before he was being bombarded with animated explanations of recent events. Bard listened with growing astonishment as the dwarves shared what had happened with him. They led the bowman and the wizard to the vast chamber where Bilbo and Thorin were calmly conversing with the newly-transformed dragon.

"Gandalf, what a pleasure to see you!" Ainara greeted warmly, "We weren't expecting you though I doubt you ever expected to see me in such a state!"

The wizard stared for a few moments before breaking into a smile.

"You certainly are full of surprises," Gandalf replied good-naturedly. They easily began an animated discussion on what might have led to this unexpected turn of events.

"You wouldn't happen to have an explanation for this, would you?" Ainara asked hopefully, "I'm not completely comfortable about being ignorant of my own circumstances."

"I'm afraid that, as far as I am aware, your case is completely unprecedented in Middle-earth," the wizard replied seriously, "and I do not think this has ever happened in your world either."

"Not even in stories," Ainara agreed, "but there are always forced beyond our understanding. And when I think about it, perhaps the legend that the person who defeats a dragon earns the title 'dragon' might have been taken literally here."

"Perhaps you are a skin-changer, like Beorn," Thorin suggested but Gandalf shook his head.

"We can consult Beorn on the matter when we have the chance," the wizard said, "but no one among his kind has ever been able to turn into a dragon."

"And I do not think I will be able to change back," Ainara said sadly, "I've already tried and though I can't explain it, I can feel that I am meant to stay in this form."

The dragon bowed her head with a sigh and all of them knew instantly that she would be nothing like Smaug, who had never made a gesture of humility in his long life.

"But I suppose I must not complain," Ainara remarked with some cheerfulness, "after all, in this form I will be better able to protect all my friends."

At this everyone looked at her with gratitude and admiration. In spite of all her newly acquired power, her concern still was the welfare of others. Gandalf smiled at her proudly.

"Truly there never has been a dragon like you in this world," the wizard declared, "for the great serpents of old had always been selfish, greedy, vicious beasts with no regard for the lives of others. But you are not like them at all. You do not even resemble them since you look more like a dragon from your land. You have been born out of a desire to protect those weaker than you, and thus, I believe your destiny will be greater than that of any other dragon who ever lived in this world."

"Thank you for your kind words, my dear friend," Ainara replied earnestly, moved by the wizard's speech.

"He has but spoken the truth," Thorin told her, "you have always been a true friend to all of us and we have no reason to doubt you now. I never thought I would ever fight alongside a dragon, but with you, it would be an honor."

He made a respectful bow to her and the rest of the dwarves followed suit. She returned the gesture gladly. Once this was done, a cheer broke out among the company.

"But we are very lucky, indeed," Bilbo remarked warmly, "for how many of us can count a might dragon among our friends?"

"Not many, Master Baggins, not many at all," Thorin agreed with a smile.

Now, that one trial had been overcome, they were ready to face what came next. And Gandalf began to explain the situation beyond the mountain and the great battle that was about to commence. The company listened attentively and after some discussion, a decision was reached.

"Now, I believe we have a battle to fight," Ainara said eagerly, "And I think I know the fastest way we can join our allies."

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And so it was that during the Battle of the Five Armies, an unexpected ally arrived to turn the tide.

In the midst of the struggle, all soldiers looked up in awe to see the figure of a dragon approaching from the mountain. Many cried that it was Smaug returned from the dead but they were quickly reminded that Smaug's corpse lay rotting near the shores of the lake. They realized that this was a different and more fearsome foe.

The new dragon flew over the battlefield and on her back rode the company of Thorin Oakenshield, Gandalf the Grey, and Bard the Bowman. The dragon unleashed her fury on the hosts of goblins and wargs, slaying many with the first attack and causing the rest to flee in terror. She grabbed many frightened orcs with her sharp claws as she landed and allowed her passengers to join the fray.

"To me! To me! Elves and Men! To me! O my kinsfolk!" cried Thorin as he jumped off the dragon and many rallied to his side in spite of their apprehension about the dragon.

"This is the mighty Ainara and she is here to fight for our cause!" the dwarf king declared, inspiring more confidence in the others to join them.

"I am the dragonslayer turned dragon," Ainara proclaimed in a voice that shook the valley, "I am a proud member of the company of Thorin Oakenshield and a friend of Gandalf the Grey and of Bard of Laketown. If you mean them harm, I shall show you no mercy!"

And to prove her sincerity, the dragon spouted large flames into the armies of goblins and orcs. They screamed in agony as they burned and none dared challenge her. Those who remained were easily chased and taken down by Thorin's company and their allies.

Many a foul orc and goblin fell that day while the ranks of dwarves, men, and elves suffered very few casualties. None had anticipated the arrival of the dragon and the significant battle that would have lasted for many days ended before any great losses could be endured. The armies of darkness were banished from the land and once more peace returned to the mountain and the realms that surrounded it.

Ainara was henceforth named Guardian of the Mountain and chose to remain with Thorin Oakenshield as he and his company rebuilt Erebor. The malice of Smaug and the curse of the treasure was overpowered by the presence of the new dragon and thus many misfortunes were prevented. Until the end of her days, Ainara remained on good terms with the people of Lake-town and she was always close friend to Bilbo Baggins and Gandalf the Grey.

The King under the Mountain reigned for the next fifty years, restoring honor and glory to his kingdom, and bringing peace and prosperity to the surrounding lands. It is said that on the day Thorin Oakenshield passed to the land of his fathers, his loyal friend, the dragon Ainara, lay down and closed her eyes for the last time. The kingdom remained secure, never again troubled by another fearsome foe.

-FIN-