Hey guys! The next instalment of Seraphina's story is finally here! I hope you are all enjoying this so far and will continue to enjoy it! Also, before we get into the story, I hate to have to be that person, but if you do enjoy this story, could you leave me a review to let me know what you like and even don't like, I accept constructive criticism. I just like hearing your feedback.

Chapter 8

After spending a few hours with the company, I change back to my human self, as does Nina, who is practically my double, waist length red hair, blue eyes and is wearing a green dress. She's also small, so she barely comes up to Thorin's knees.

Taking my leave of the company, I take Nina's hand and the two of us go inside, me intending on finding my mother. I smile as Nina skips along besides me as she talks about anything and everything.

We go towards the library, where I know she will be, and sure enough, when we walk in. I smile as I see her sitting in one of the sofa's, reading. Nina runs over to her.

"Gramma! Gramma! Mama's here!"

I smile as mother looks to her before looking behind her and sees me. She smiles as she stands and makes her way over.

"Sera, welcome home, sweetheart."

I smile as we hold one another.

"Thank you, mama. It's good to be home."

She kisses my head as she pulls away. "I had spoken with Mithrandir last night. You're in the company of dwarves?"

"Yes. And a hobbit."

She raises an eyebrow. "I would not have thought a hobbit would leave the comforts of home."

I smile as we sit down, Nina in between us. "Nor would I, but here he is."

She nods. "Intriguing. Mithrandir didn't tell me why he asked you to join them, just told me you were back. Do you know why?"

I pause for a moment before turning to Nina. "Sweetie, why don't you go find a book for us to read together?"

"Okay, mama!"

She jumps down and runs off before I turn to mother. "The dwarves are wanting to reclaim Erebor."

She takes that in for a moment before her eyes go wide, her blue eyes flashing gold for a moment.

"But, that mountain is currently the home to Smaug. They can't be serious about going against him, can they?"

"They seem to be. Mama, our leader is Thorin Oakenshield."

She seems taken aback by this. "Thorin Oakenshield? King Thror's grandson?" I nod. "So, he's wanting to take back his homeland. Do you know why?"

"Gandalf told me bits. He believes that the darkness we've felt has something to do with the Dark Lord, and that if he were to return, his eyes would be set on Erebor, for its strategic position in the North."

She nods in agreement. "I can see his point, if he were to take Erebor, it would lead him one step closer to taking over the free people of Middle Earth. But, I don't like the idea of you getting close to that mountain, and that dragon. You know what happened the last time he came across our people."

I reach out and take her hands. "I know, mama, I know. But, to be fair, back then we were a peaceful race. Did not have the need to fight anyone as we mostly kept to ourselves. But, I know how to fight, as both human and dragon, they didn't. I'm hoping I can use that to my advantage."

She sighs as she puts a hand on my cheek. "Just, promise me you will be careful. I have already lost your father and your brother, I don't know if I could cope if I lost you. And Nina needs you to be safe too."

I smile. "I promise, mama. I have much left to live for. I'm not about to leave any time soon."

She kisses my head before Nina returns with a book and the three of us sit there while we read together, with me helping her with her words. The three of us have a quiet lunch together before spending some long needed quality time together.

When dinner rolls around, she agrees for us to join the company, so that she can meet the people that she will be entrusting me with, her words. I smile as I hear them ahead on the terrace, allowing Nina to run on ahead.

"Hey! Look who's here fellas!" I hear Bofur call out.

"Bofur!" she squeals, her little footsteps tapping on the marble floor as she runs.

"Where's you mother, Nina?"

"I'm right here, Fili." I reply as I come around the corner.

They smile as they look over.

"There you are. We missed you at the traning arena, lass." Balin says with a smile.

"Maybe next time, Balin. I'd like to introduce you all to my mother, Marina. Mama, this is everyone."

I introduce the company to her, each one standing, and giving their service as they do, Nina giggling from Bofur's arms as she's dipped in his bow.

I finally turn to Thorin. "And this, is the leader of our company, Thorin Oakenshield."

Thorin walks over and bows to her. "At your service, Miss Marina."

Mama curtsey's to him. "Marina, at yours, Master Oakenshield."

"I have heard a lot about you from Seraphina."

"I wouldn't believe everything you hear."

Thorin chuckles. "All good things, I can assure you."

"Oh. Well, you can believe everything you hear then."

This causes us all to laugh as we take a seat.

We all begin talking and getting to know one another, although I can tell the dwarves are trying to be on their best behaviour with my mother around.

After reasurring mama that they know what we are, she loosens up a little more, though still keeping guarded. I know mama has a hard time trusting strangers, she always has, what with our past and everything. But, I know that once she gets to know the company, she'll let that guard down.

Over the next few days, I spend it between my family and the company, also making sure to reunite with Sidhiel, who did in fact lead the ponies here to safety. I know Lord Elrond will take care of all of them until the ponies can be returned to the dwarves.

When I am with the company, Nina is always with me, which doesn't bother the company, as they seem to enjoy her company. I've ever seen her sitting at Balin's feet as he tells her stories.

At the end of our first week in Rivendell, I am currently training with the company while I let Nina sleep. Remembering Bilbo being given a sword, I make it my mission to begin training him how to use it, not wanting him to be totally defenceless once we leave. I know he's hesitant about it, but after seeing my point, he agrees and we start with the basics. Once we spend an hour or so going through basic drills, I allow him to rest before I'm invited to spar with the dwarves.

I have gone through a few rounds of sparring with some of them, including Thorin again, Dwalin, Fili, Kili, Gloin, Nori and Dori. I won against the young brothers and Nori, drew with Gloin and Thorin and lost spectaculary to Dwalin and Dori, the two of them apparently being the strongest in the group. Dwalin I could see, but it surprised me with Dori being one of the strongest. However, like I told Balin, never judge a book by its cover.

As we're sitting and resting, Nina's voice suddenly calls out.

"Mama! Mama! Look!"

Turning, I smile as I see her running towards me in dragon form, however, her wings are now open! Which means it's time to begin teaching her to fly. Mama is right behind her, also in dragon form. Her colouring is a teal blue, almost matching the colour of the ocean. Unlike me, she has horns protruding from the top of her head, like Terran did. I take after my father in that aspect.

Walking away from the company, I change before leaning my head down to nuzzle her.

"That's great, sweetie!"

"Yeah! I can finally start learning to fly!"

"I thought dragons knew to fly from hatching?" Kili asks.

"Some do, but we don't. We're hatched with our wings pressed tightly against our bodies, like you've seen before with Nina. Our wings sprout open once our body knows it's time to learn."

"Can we start now, mama? Can we? Can we?" Nina asks, raising so her front legs are on me, her tail swishing behind her. I can't deny her anything when she gives me those eyes.

"Of course we can, my little flame."

"Yay!"

"Can we watch?" Fili asks.

I have to smile at their curiosity. Obviously, they had grown up believing our kind to be a myth, a fairytale told to children at bedtime. Again, how can I say no?

"Of course, as long as you don't interfere."

They all nod as they sit down in anticipation. Mama walks over to me and nuzzles me.

"I'll stay in case you need help."

"Okay, mama."

She smiles and leans down to nuzzle Nina before walking over to the company and walk behind them before laying down. I chuckle to myself at Bilbo's jumpiness as mama's tail is close to him.

Turning to Nina, I begin with her on the ground, instructing her on how to use her instincts to flap her wings, working on one wing at a time before she can concentrate on both, she giggles as she manages to hover a little off the ground. It doesn't take her long at all until she is able to flap her wings without having to concentrate, hovering in the air for longer each time.

Leaning down, I pick her up by the neck before gently setting her on a small wall.

"Okay, time to make things a little difficult. You have to jump off the wall and flap your wings so you can-"

Due to her excitement and impatience, she jumps off and madly flap her wings before falling to the ground with a yelp and a grunt.

"Stay in the air." I finish as I look down at her.

I hear the company hiss but mama chuckles. "She reminds me of you and your brother when you were that age."

I smile at her before I lean down and nudge Nina. "Are you alright?"

She nods as she stands and shakes herself off and, without me having to help, climbs back up on the wall.

"Now, before you jump, let's try a few flaps on the wall. At first, you are going to need to concentrate on doing both at the same time. So, once you've got a few flaps in and are comfortable, jump. But, don't flap madly like you just did, you won't get anywhere like that."

She nods as she listens and does as I say, flapping her wings on the wall before jumping off and then falling. She doesn't give up though, as she does this a few more times, each time hovering a little longer before her wings give out. As she once again hits the ground, I see her breathing heavily, her body trembling. I know she's reached her limit. Leaning down, I nuzzle her.

"Come on, sweetie. Time to stop for today. It takes some a few days to get it."

She shakes her head. "No, one more try, mama. I can do it, I know I can."

I look at her tired body, knowing I should stop her, she's too little to be doing too much too soon. Looking to mama for advice, she looks to me for a moment and nods, reasurring me she'll be alright. I nod as I look back to her.

"Alright. One more try. And then, if he's willing, I'll ask Master Oin to look you over for bumps and bruises."

"It'd be my pleasure, lass." Oin says as I look over to him.

I turn back to Nina as she gets to her feet and climbs back on the wall. I watch as she flaps her wings a few times and then closes her eyes as she jumps. We all watch on baited breath as she hovers, the time growing longer and longer, until I know she won't drop. She opens her eyes and looks down, smiling as she looks back to her wings and then to me.

"I did it, mama! I did it!"

I'm smiling, my chest puffed out proudly. "That you did, sweetheart. I'm so proud of you."

She's smiling wide as I help her learn how to land and I have to grab her by the neck as she goes back to climb again.

"Mama!" she giggles.

I walk over to the others and set her down on the ground.

"I said one more try. We can pick the lessons up tomorrow. For now, change back so Master Oin can see to you."

She pouts, but does as she's told and allows Oin to look her over, luckily she's given the all clear, but just told to rest now. She instantly turns back, but just climbs over Fili's lap and stretches herself out over him, causing him to smile as he pets her.

Mama nuzzles the both of us, telling Nina how proud she is, before leaving us to it, changing before heading back inside.

I smile as, like Nina, I stay in my dragon form, curling up around the company and laying my head on the ground. I allow Fili, Kili, Bofur, Bilbo and Ori to lean up against my body while the others sit in a semi circle across from us, Bilbo and some of the dwarves smoking. I close my eyes in contentment, feeling the safest I have felt in a long time.

"Mama?"

"Hm?"

"Will you still be here for my hatch day next week?"

I open my eyes and look to her. "I sure hope so, sweeite."

She gets up and walks over to lay beside me, allowing me to lick her.

"Hatch day?" Dori asks.

"Not only do we celebrate the days of our birth, but we also celebrate the day we came out of the egg. Her hatch day is towards the end of next week."

Looking to Thorin, I'm asking for confirmation on when we would be leaving. He seems to understand as he nods.

"We should still be here. I can't get any answers from Elrond until the end of next week anyway, during midsummers eve."

"Midsummers eve? Her hatch day is two days before, so we'll definitely still be here."

This makes Nina happy as she smiles.

"Yay! I can't wait! There's going to be a party with dancing, and music, and cake! Will you all come?" she finishes by looking at the company.

The company all look to Thorin, who smiles at Nina. "We wouldn't miss it, little one."

Nina smiles as she walks over to the dwarf and then surprises all of us by curling up in his lap. Thorin's eyes go wide for a moment before he looks at me. Seeing mmy surprise as well as a smile, he relaxes and runs his hand over her back, causing her to purr before being lulled to sleep.

The sight of my baby girl curled up on Thorin and him gently holding and stroking her back, sends my heart and stomach into a flop.

If I wasn't attracted to this dwarf before, seeing this intimate moment with my child, has definitely made me attracted to him. I never once had thoughts about having a mate, even before I had Nina. The only dragons I had been around were mama and Terran, so I didn't think finding a mate could be possible, and now I find it in not only a dwarf, but a dwarf king? I definitely have to speak to mama before we leave.

There we have it, chapter done and dusted. Please stay tuned for the next one, where we will see the party in full swing. xx