𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐑𝐀𝐆𝐎𝐍𝐒: 𝑺𝑴𝑨𝑼𝑮 | FINISHED

~ch.11: the city of the elf lord

(from now on, elvish is in italics like this "hello" black speech; you've probably figured that is like this "After them!" you'll understand under the story. )

❤︎
Tatsuo

I entered Lord Elrond's presence in the grand halls of Rivendell. He knew of my presence but remained uncertain about my true nature. "Who may you be?" he inquired silently within his mind. With a sigh, I cast my gaze around the expansive palace. The impending meeting with the Elf-King loomed. "My name is Tatsuo, and I bring news of Gandalf the Grey and the company of Thorin Oakenshield," I responded, sensing the fading hum of Elrond's thoughts. He urged me to continue, his voice soft. Another sigh escaped my lips. "Their path leads to your domain, my lord. They draw near," I conveyed before withdrawing from the realm of Lord Elrond's mind.

As I lay still, eavesdropping on the conversations and movements of the elves around me, my furry ears perked up at a particular exchange. A voice I did not recognize, seemingly young, spoke with intrigue, "Did you know that there is something that may well help the dwarves?" Another presence joined the conversation, dismissing the notion, "That's just a fairy tale. The dwarves will not reclaim the mountain, not while the dragon still lives."

I sighed once more, for it was true that the company of Thorin Oakenshield faced an immense challenge against Smaug. However, a thought began to take root in my mind—what if I were to join them? When they ventured through Mirkwood, they were likely to encounter the spiders, only to be subsequently rescued by the elves. Then, when the guards took them to King Thranduil, I could make my presence known.

Yes, the idea began to take shape—a daring plan that could change the course of their journey and offer a glimmer of hope in the face of daunting odds.

♡
A/n

Gandalf took the lead, sprinting forward across the rugged plain, with the Company following closely behind. Nine figures darted between the rocky terrain, weapons at the ready. In the distance, Radagast and the orcs were visible. Radagast's determined face was contorted as he led the orcs away from their path.

As the Company weaved among the rocks, Thorin and Gandalf guided their way. Suddenly, Thorin came to an abrupt halt, causing the others to stop with him. Radagast and the orcs were dangerously close. Gandalf turned to Bilbo and the dwarves, his voice firm, "Stay together," he ordered, then led them back into the barren fields.

Behind another boulder, the dwarves caught their breath, disoriented from the chase. Balin continued to jog forward, oblivious to the danger. "Balin, no!" Thorin called, seizing him by the collar and pulling him behind the rock. Gandalf kept a watchful eye on Radagast, waiting for the right moment. Finally, he gestured for the dwarves to run.

Thorin stayed back briefly to question Gandalf, "Where are you leading us?" he inquired, but Gandalf offered no reply. In frustration, Thorin rejoined the dwarves. Meanwhile, Yazneg and his orcs continued their pursuit of Radagast, brandishing makeshift swords high in the air.

One of the orcs suddenly halted, sniffing the air suspiciously. The Company noticed this and quickly sought cover behind an outcropping rock, their breaths ragged. Still perched atop a warg, the orc climbed the boulder and took another whiff of the air. The dwarves remained silent, their hearts pounding. Thorin exchanged a nod with Kili, who slowly readied his bow and arrow.

Without warning, Kili sprang out from behind the rock. The orc attempted to grab his horn, but Kili's arrow found its mark, causing the orc and his warg to tumble from the boulder to the ground below. Across the ford, Yazneg and his party came to a halt, and the plains echoed with growls and screeches.

Wounded but determined, the fallen orc struggled to his feet. Dwalin, acting swiftly, lunged forward and brought his Warhammer crashing down upon the orc, who met his end with a whimper. Yazneg raised his sword high, his eyes locked on the dwarves from across the ford, and he bellowed, "The Dwarf-scum are over there! After them!"

♡
Tatsuo

As I watched the perilous situation the Company of Thorin Oakenshield found themselves in, a deep sense of frustration welled up within me. I couldn't help but growl softly, torn between my instinctual desire to protect and my awareness that revealing myself to them could be disastrous.

My own inner voice cautioned me against rash actions, reminding me that I couldn't intervene at this moment. It chuckled softly, as if finding amusement in my predicament, and pointed out the complexities of the situation. These dwarves were strangers to me, and they harbored a deep-seated distrust for dragons. They were led by a prince who had suffered the loss of his homeland to dragons, my kin.

"You can't be their friend when you haven't met them," the voice reasoned with me. It spoke the truth; I couldn't simply declare myself their ally when they were unaware of my existence. The voice's logic weighed heavily on me, causing me to reconsider my initial impulse to help.

I shook my head, my tail lashing in frustration. "No, they won't," I protested inwardly, clinging to the hope that Gandalf's presence among them might mitigate their fear and prejudice. However, I ultimately acknowledged the wisdom in the voice's counsel—I couldn't act impulsively.

For now, I could do nothing but watch and wait, biding my time until circumstances allowed me to reveal myself and, perhaps, prove that I could be a friend rather than a foe to the Company.

♡
A/n

As the Company sprinted through the rocky terrain, fleeing from the relentless pursuit of Yazneg and his orcs, I watched their dire situation with growing concern. It was evident that danger was closing in on them, and my desire to help swelled within me.

However, an internal struggle waged within my mind. The voice of reason warned against hasty actions, reminding me of the dwarves' inherent distrust and hatred of dragons. It pointed out the complicated history between dwarves and dragons, emphasizing the risk of revealing myself prematurely.

I growled softly in frustration, caught between my impulse to aid the Company, whom I considered friends, and the rational understanding that it was not yet the right time. I even snapped at the voice within me, asserting my determination to help, my belief that Gandalf's presence might make a difference.

But ultimately, I had to acknowledge the wisdom in the voice's counsel. I couldn't act recklessly. Instead, I watched as Gandalf led the Company to safety, and my heart yearned to do more for them, even as I recognized the challenges that lay ahead.

The Company entered a magical valley bathed in golden sunlight, Rivendell. The dwarves were displeased by this unexpected refuge and feared the elves, their presumed enemies. Thorin expressed his disdain, suspecting that the elves would oppose their quest.

Gandalf assured Thorin that they had questions that needed answers and that tact, respect, and charm were essential. As they descended into the valley, Bilbo marveled at Rivendell's beauty, while the dwarves remained wary and distrustful.

In Rivendell, they encountered an elf named Lindir, and Gandalf inquired about Lord Elrond's whereabouts. Lindir explained that Elrond was not present, and Gandalf seemed puzzled by his absence.

Suddenly, armed elves on horseback approached, and the Company grew defensive. Elrond, the elven lord, identified Gandalf and welcomed him warmly. Thorin's cold response and demeanor suggested his distrust of the elves. Elrond recognized Thorin's lineage but received little acknowledgment in return.

Elrond greeted the Company in elvish and offered them hospitality, but the dwarves remained uneasy and confrontational. Gloin's outburst revealed their misunderstanding of the elves' intentions, and Gandalf stepped in to clarify.

Ultimately, they followed Elrond into Rivendell, where their fate would become entwined with the elves in the quest that lay ahead.

❤︎