Chapter 35

"How many outposts are there?" Daenerys wondered, as she followed Thranduil to yet another stone tower.

"Twelve", he replied. "The Old Forest Road runs for over two hundred miles across the woods, and there is an outpost every few miles. Why, my love, are you tired? We are only halfway through our journey", he taunted her, and there was a glimmer of jest in his eyes.

She tried to contain her disappointment. "No, I am not", she answered, mustering as much a steady voice as she could. "At least the reception is as you predicted: more or less the same every time, with awe succeeding fear in the faces of the soldiers when they see Drogon."

"We should be glad that we have been met with no surprises so far", he said while testing the durability of one wooden plank that was supposed to bar the door of the tower. "This is rotten. It needs to be replaced", he said to the guards before walking off. Daenerys tailed after him.

"We are glad, are we not?"

He let out a short laugh. "Indeed. I only wish my people manning these posts had more supplies. These here lack in timber. How are they supposed to make repairs to the barricades, and also craft new spears and bows? I will send here carpenters to help hew down trees."

"Each outpost has had its own problems so far", Daenerys reflected, finally catching up with Thranduil's hurried pace. "Be it food provisions, weaponry and armor, healers, timber or iron…"

"I will see to solve these issues as soon as we return to the Halls", he said.

"It does good to your soldiers to see their King walking amongst them. I see their faces when you talk to them. It boosts their morale, and they know they fight not for a King who sits comfortably in his high throne, safe in the confines of his halls, but for a King who is a warrior like themselves", she noted.

"It is so", he agreed. "My father was even more the General than myself", he added.

"Your father, lord Oropher… I remember reading his book, the one Istuives had given me. His military style was evident in his prose; it makes sense he was like that in character", she said.

Thranduil nodded, inspecting now a broken barricade, which should have been repaired days ago, but was left as it was, due to lack of timber. The shortcomings aggrieved him, and they were more than he had expected. "I should have come south months ago. When last I visited the outposts, their condition was better", he muttered.

"But now it is winter, and it makes everything more difficult. Supplies take longer to reach the outposts due to the harsh weather and the snowfalls that often cover the trails through the forest… and the wood is usually wet and unsuitable for use", she remarked.

He sighed, standing up to his full height. "Yes, you are right. I only hope we have enough time for repairs and reinforcement. It will not be too long before spring comes, and it is likely that the enemy will then begin his attacks in earnest. We have been fortunate to only suffer skirmishes with small orc raiding parties and the usual spider infestation till now, but a full-blown attack we have not yet seen."

"There is time."

The Elvenking shook his head. "My father would have seen to such things sooner. Too long have I sat in the darkness of my Halls, believing my realm shielded from the evil that brewed beyond our borders. How gravely mistaken I was."

Daenerys touched his arm. "It is of no use berating yourself and lamenting something that cannot be changed. Do what you can now, with the time and resources you have at your disposal. And do not exaggerate. Yes, there may be a few shortcomings, but the situation is not half bad."

He gave a look around. The main tower stood strong, and the barricades were properly aligned. Soldiers stood at their posts, armed and ready. Yes, the situation is not half bad, he thought. I will do what I may to improve it.

But then the sudden ringing of a bell coming from the small tower east of the main one interrupted his thoughts. "Orcs! We are under attack!" a guard screamed frantically.

The Commander of the elven force there ran towards the barricades. "Assume positions!" he called, drawing his bow, and a group of elves came to stand with him.

Thranduil turned to Daenerys. "Daenerys, go back to the encampment. You shall be safe there", he advised her. Without waiting for a response, he walked forth. "The orcs must be too bold or too stupid if they think they can threaten us here", he spoke loudly for all to hear, and walked to the front with an eerie calmness. He drew his twin swords unquivering, and there was ice and steel in his gaze.

But when he saw the fast approaching party of nearly two hundred orcs, he realized this was a coordinated attack, and not a random raiding band. They came with spears and swords and shields, shrieking in their foul tongue and wielding their crude weapons against the elves. But the archers shot from the towers, and some orcs were felled. The barricades proved effective enough, slowing down their menacing assault. But the orcs carried torches with them, and set fire to the barricades. Soon some of them collapsed, and the foul creatures came through. The elves fought valiantly and killed orc after orc, and amongst them Thranduil was the deadliest, swinging like a maelstrom of death, and no orc ever managed a cut on him. But the elven force was disorganized, and where the barricades were broken, the defenders retreated. The screams of the orcs and the clash of steel against steel filled the air, until another sound was heard from above, tearing the skies asunder.

All movement in the battlefield ceased for a moment, and a sudden gust of wind caused the dry leaves to jump in the air. And then the black dragon appeared, coming down from the sky, and he roared again, chilling the blood of everyone. Daenerys walked forth fearless, and her white coat billowed behind her. "Drogon!" she called with all her might. "Dracarys!"

The winged serpent lunged and roared, and a stream of fire sprang forth from his jaws, strafing the lines of the orcs and melting the snow on the ground. He landed then beside the main tower, and tore apart an orc that stood in front of him. The others stepped back in terror and panic, and Drogon unleashed fire against them once more, turning them into ash and cinder. But another group of orcs, which stood to the flank and was not seen by the dragon, picked up sharp spears and threw them at him. A few of them found their target, wounding the proud dragon's neck and wings. He cried in pain, and Daenerys felt her heart being torn from her chest. "Drogon!" she called again, and he craned his neck towards her.

Now Thranduil ran to her, covered in ash and snow. "You must take cover!" he yelled, before springing forth and felling three orcs, one after the other. Several elves followed their King, and Daenerys watched as they dispatched the foul company that had managed to injure the dragon with their spears. Then she turned and walked to Drogon, grasping the spear that was embedded at the side of his neck. He shrieked in pain as she tried to pull it out, but reacted quickly enough to turn and tear an orc's head from his body, as he was ready to attack Daenerys. She grasped the spear again and this time managed to pull it out. Briefly she turned to assess the situation around her. The elves were still fighting the orcs, but they had the upper hand now, as nearly half their foes had been exterminated by Drogon. But the dragon was now wounded, and his mother feared for him. She turned to him and gripped his horn, and he lowered his head for her. "Drogon…" she whispered to him. "It is time."

It is time, she repeated in her mind. With her heart beating like a drum in her chest, she carefully climbed atop the dragon's back, and held onto his horns. It is time.

"Daenerys!" Thranduil called to her, having defeated the last of his orcs, and he stood and watched her in awe as she climbed and sat on the back of the dragon, a white rider on a black mount.

She gave him one glance, and then looked ahead. "Sōvēs!" she commanded Drogon, and the great serpent jumped forth over the barricades, tumbling them over in the process. What orcs remained in his way he bathed in searing fire, and he took off, enveloped in his own flames, a sight both frightening and mystifying to the dumbfounded elves below. And Daenerys held on to her dragon tightly, feeling the heat of his fire reaching her for a second, before he flew high in the sky. The elves became small like ants on the ground, and the trees rushed like a green sea far below her now. The cold wind was in her face and in her hair, but she burned with her inner fire, and the scales of Drogon were hot under her legs. A feeling of sheer joy and excitement overwhelmed her, realizing that she was riding Drogon for the first time. She was now a dragonrider, like her ancestors had been. This was her destiny; these were the wings that were meant to carry her across the Narrow Sea and to the Iron Throne…

But no, she thought, I am getting carried away. This is still but a faraway dream. For now she could simply fly and be free of all bounds. The world in her dreams and the world below could wait a while.

The orcs were defeated, their corpses now piled up and burning, and the elves sought to regroup and assess the damage. Thanks to the dragon's timely intervention, no elf had been killed, but several were wounded. These their comrades took to the healers, and the Commander joined the King as he inspected the state of things. The towers stood intact, but the barricades at the central point were devastated. What had escaped the orcs' assault was destroyed by the dragon, when he flew off. Weapons and shields lay scattered on the ground, and some were melted, where the dragonfire had touched them. Thranduil knelt and picked up such a ruined weapon and showed it to the other ellon.

"Do you see this, Haeredon?" he asked. "Dragonfire melted it just by touching it once, and from a distance. It is no wonder the orcs turned to ash immediately", he mused. Memories of his own brush with the dragons of the north, ages past, when the world was young, came unbidden to his mind. But he sought to quickly banish these unpleasant thoughts. Instead, a far more recent memory sprang in his mind. I remember Rhaegal burning the orc camp where we were held captive last year, but this here is another thing, more brutal, more powerful, more absolute… It seems that as the dragons grow, so does the intensity of their fire. Soon enough it will burn as hot as the fires of Orodruin itself!

"What we witnessed today was a terror and a blessing, my lord. I am glad the dragons are on our side, and we are not the recipients of their flames", Haeredon answered.

A terror and a blessing indeed, Thranduil mentally affirmed. But where is Daenerys now? Where has Drogon taken her? Oh, to see her mount that beast and fly off… We both knew it would come to pass one day, but I had never guessed that day would be today. My beautiful, fierce Queen. Now you are a true dragonrider as you desired. But come back to me soon, for I cannot but worry while you are away.

"Nothing that was ruined today cannot be repaired", the Elvenking stated. "You shall have provisions and supplies as soon as possible. I will dispatch a member of my retinue to bring a missive to the council, letting them know of what happened here. And in a few days' time you shall receive reinforcements."

"Thank you, my lord King", the leader said and lowered his head before Thranduil. "And please, relay my thanks to your lady, on behalf of all the soldiers here, when you next see her. Had it not been for her dragon, we might be now mourning losses of lives as well, and not only complain about damaged barricades and melted weapons."

Thranduil placed his hand on the other ellon's shoulder. "I will, Haeredon. And be assured that what you saw today was but a small taste of what will happen, once Sauron decides to attack us at last. For he will; of that I am certain. But we will be ready and prepared then, and we shall have three large dragons to burn our enemies, and my future Queen to command them."

The Commander smiled and nodded. Then Thranduil left him to continue his work, while he turned his eyes to the sky, searching for any sign of Drogon. But night was falling, and soon all light would be gone from the face of the earth. Realizing there was nothing he could do, he retreated in his tent, and waited.

Drogon flew for some time, until he spotted a bare rock in the distance, as it jutted out from the ground. There upon he landed, and took to nursing his wounds. Daenerys climbed off of him, her limbs still shivering from the experience. She took a step and then another, but her knees gave way under her and she collapsed on the ground. Drogon turned his eyes to her with a snort, but then went back to his task. Suddenly enveloped by the cold air, she drew her coat tightly around her. Her palms ached and were chafed from her prolonged hold of the serpent's horns. And her legs and bottom ached as well, for riding a dragon was nothing like riding a horse, and far more challenging. She had to concentrate continuously to not let go of her hold of him, otherwise she would have fallen to her death. The image of Queen Rhaenys and her dragon Meraxes falling to their death from the sky formed in her mind then, and she shuddered. Riding a dragon was dangerous as much as it was exciting. And her whole body was sore and trembling from the exertion and her lack of experience. But nothing could have truly prepared her for her first time riding a dragon. Furthermore, night was fast approaching, and she knew not how far from the outpost they were. She looked around her, and everywhere she could see only the darkness of the forest.

"Where have you brought us, Drogon?" she muttered weakly, but the dragon ignored her. "It all looks the same to me, north and south and east and west. How are we supposed to find our way back?"

Despondent, she walked to the dragon and sat down, leaning against his neck, stealing his warmth. It made her relax a little, and the stiffness was soon gone from her limbs. Perhaps we can spend the night here, and return tomorrow, with the light of the day to guide us, she thought, just as slumber was descending on her eyelids.

The first rays of the sun woke her up. She opened her eyes and sat up, feeling her back ache from the position she had slept all light long. Standing to her feet to stretch a little, she felt the dragon stir beside her. He spread and flapped his wings, letting out a low growl. He is yawning and stretching, just like me, Daenerys thought with amusement. She looked at his scales then, how they glimmered under the sunlight, and how his horns and spinal crest glowed bright red like fire. "You are beautiful, my child", she told him, stroking his long neck. "But it is time we returned now", she said, and made to climb onto his back. But Drogon turned, and she slipped off, landing on her stomach. "Drogon!" she called to him in an imperative tone. "We have to go back!"

But the dragon only snorted, turning his head from her and resuming a sleeping position on the ground. Annoyed, she stared at him. "Drogon!" she shouted angrily, but no response came. Her child was ignoring her completely. Sighing in frustration, she turned away. Perhaps he needs to sleep a little more. Let me see if I can find anything edible here, she decided. And water, oh, if only I could find some water… My throat feels as dry as parchment.

The rock on which the black dragon had landed was mostly bare, with a few shrubs and bushes here and there. A few of them bore berries, but she was not certain if they were fit to consume. What if they are poisonous? I have not survived all hardship to be undone by a silly berry, she thought, and walked away from the bushes. Her hopes of finding food and water soon vanished, as there was nothing to be found in the area, and she was afraid to wander off into the forest on her own, and far from Drogon. At least, as long as she was close to him, she felt safe. Deciding she could endure hunger and thirst, and bereft of another option, she returned to the dragon.

He was sleeping indeed, and Daenerys slouched against him grimly and closed her eyes, thinking to sleep. But the sun was in her face, and her complaining stomach would not let her rest. And her mind was racing. How far has he carried me? What if we are too close to Dol Guldur, and orcs find us? Or, even worse, what if the Ringwraiths discover us? Thranduil will be extremely worried by now. He will be wondering what happened to me, and why I have not returned yet. Were we not to make for the next outpost today? But perhaps he will stay longer there, after the attack, to aid his people…

She sighed and moved a little, so that she was now in the shade of Drogon's wing. That helped her relax a little, and she managed to slumber, though it was a restless sleep, and she was plagued by disturbing dreams. She saw she was looking in the mirror of Galadriel again, but this time all the visions she saw were of destruction and evil. She saw their forest burning, and thousands of orcs slaying the elven soldiers. She saw her King fighting valiantly on his elk, until at last it was brought down and killed, and he was overwhelmed by the enemies. She saw herself in chains, and the dragons lying dead. But suddenly one of the dead dragons – was it Viserion? – moved his head, and let out a screech. How can it be, she wondered in her dream. But then he roared louder, and Daenerys woke with a start. Beside her Drogon was looking at her, and he shrieked in her face again.

"Drogon!" she cried, and the dragon shook his head. "You startled me."

She hastily stood to her feet. The sun was high in the sky, indicating it was about midday. She straightened her coat and took a few steps around, but she still felt tired. Her throat burned from thirst and her stomach felt like a hollow cavern. "Drogon… enough. We must go back. I need water and food. We cannot stay here forever", she urged him, but her voice came out rather weak.

The black serpent rose and crawled to the edge of the cliff, and batted his wings. No, no, she thought with dismay. "Drogon! No! Stay here!" she cried, but it was too late. With one great kick of his legs the dragon went airborne, and he flew away towards the blinding sun, until he disappeared in the distance.

With desperation threatening to overwhelm her, Daenerys took a shaky breath, and the cold winter air filled her lungs. She looked at her surroundings; nothing had changed. It was still the same bare rock and the endless forest around her. Deciding she could do nothing but wait for Drogon to return, she found a place in the rocky surface of the cliff where she could sit and be protected from the harsh wind, and there she hid in silence. He has gone to hunt, she told herself. He will be back in a couple of hours.

And true enough, Drogon's loud screech that announced his return was heard a few hours later. Daenerys sprang from her hiding place and saw her child landing on his strong legs. In his jaws was a deer, and he tossed it in the air, bathing it in flames and roasting it before it even hit the ground. She watched him as he did this, and then approached him. "Drogon…" The dragon blinked his glowing eyes at her, and then touched the game with his nose. She hesitantly went and knelt by the deer, and her eyes danced between it and the dragon. Does he mean for me to share his meal? She wondered. The black serpent ripped a large piece of the animal and devoured it, and she felt her stomach grumbling, as the smell of roast meat invaded her senses. Decisively, she tore a slab from the ribs of the deer and inspected it. It looked and smelled delicious, and she soon realized it tasted good as well.

With her stomach now somewhat settled, she felt more confident. Patiently she waited for the dragon to finish feeding, and then some, as she knew that Drogon always liked to rest a while after his meals. But by nightfall he was restless, and Daenerys realized this was the opportunity she was waiting for. She walked to him, and he lowered his head for her. With a smile she took hold of his horns and jumped onto his back. Drogon let out a roar that sounded thrilling to Daenerys' ears, and with one forceful flap of his wings he took to flight.

Once again she was flying. But this time she was better prepared for the experience. She had wrapped cloth rags around her hands to protect them from being chafed further, not minding that her tunic was a little shredded now. And she sat a little higher on the dragon's neck, so as to avoid the spiky crest, and to keep better hold of his horns. Feeling more secure this time, she enjoyed the flight immensely, gazing at the moon as it emerged in the night sky, looking like a lone silver boat in a cobalt blue sea. And the stars were above and around her, and the dark vastness of the forest far below her. Trusting in her dragon to find the way back, she let her thought be filled with images of glory and greatness, when one day she would conquer the land of her ancestors on those black wings.

A roar coming from high in the sky woke the elven encampment at once, and the soldiers sprang from their tents. The Elvenking rushed outside, not bothering to grasp for his armor or weapons, for he knew that roar all too well by now. He ran to the road beyond the camp just in time to see Drogon arriving with his rider on his back. A sense of relief washed over him, and he hurried to the dragon.

"Daenerys!" he called.

She carefully dismounted and slid off the black beast's back, landing on her feet. Drogon turned and crawled away, before taking off once more. Daenerys saw Thranduil approaching her, and she ran to him. "Thranduil!" she cried, and suddenly she was in his arms, and he was kissing her face.

"Daenerys, Daenerys, my heart…" he whispered in her hair, holding her head to his breast.

"I am here, I am alright", she told him. "And you?" She drew a little back so as to look at him.

"I am fine, worry not."

"And the soldiers?"

"Some are wounded, but they all survived, thanks to you and the dragon. You have the gratitude of all, my love", he said.

She smiled with contentment, and looked around. The elves stood to some distance, out of respect for their King and her, but when she waved her hand at them, they waved back and cheered her name. The night air was filled with elven voices, and they sang, "Daenerys! Daenerys!"

Tears filled her eyes, and she clung to Thranduil tightly. He held her to him and murmured, "They see you as their Queen already. They love you, Daenerys."

"It is all I could ever ask for. I am humbled to be celebrated by this noble race", she said, and waved again at the soldiers, until their cheers faded.

The Elvenking kissed her forehead. "Come now. You must be tired."

"Oh, I am tired. And thirsty. This little adventure of mine was not as wonderful as you might imagine", she said.

"What happened?" Thranduil worried, as he led her to his tent.

Over lunch she proceeded to recount her tale to him. "Drogon is grown, but still behaves like an adolescent sometimes…" she sighed.

He smiled. "But he is not as rebellious as he used to be. And he protected you, and shared his food with you."

"Yes. I am alive and safe thanks to him."

"And you are a dragonrider now, Daenerys", he said, and his eyes shimmered like precious mithril.

"Yes, I am. I am sore, though", she said, looking at her hands. "I will need gloves, and proper attire, if I am to ride the dragon safely."

"Of course. I will have it all made for you once we return to my Halls. Leather gloves and trousers, and hardy boots, and whatever else you need", he promised her. He touched her silver hair then and caressed it softly. "But you rode the dragon, Daenerys. It is such an extraordinary thing", he whispered, still awed.

She smiled and lowered her violet eyes. "It is exciting, yes… But I have dreamt of flying with my dragons ever since I birthed them in the flames. I am a Targaryen, Thranduil. Dragonriding is in my blood."

"Yes, my heart, it is. Yesterday you saved this outpost and the soldiers' lives, and you took a great step towards fulfilling who you are truly meant to be. This is your destiny, Daenerys. I can see it clearly", he spoke deeply.

She looked ahead, and her gaze grew hazy and unfocused, as her mind traveled to another world. And she whispered, "It is my destiny."

Translations

Dracarys! = Dragonfire! (High Valyrian)

Sōvēs! = Fly! (High Valyrian)