The Dread From the Sky: a Dragon's tale

Chapter Eight: Troublesome Futures

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RIVENDELL

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        || THE COMPANY OF THORIN OKAENSHILD ARRIVED AT RIVENDELL, THE REALM OF THE ELVEN LORD BUT A LITTLE BATTERED. But they were alive for now, at least. 

I was slightly more fortunate as I had only rescinded aches on a few sore muscles due to the unexpected fighting. My fire had also tried to escape, but then I would be in danger for scoring everyone alive. so I kept more to snapping my jaws around those unfourante orcs and slashing them with my claws. It was tiring but effective. 

When we walked into the gates of Rivendell, an elf I didnt recognize greeted us, and once his eyes found me, he gasped and called on the guards who drew their swords. I only gave the frightened elven guards an unamused stare before shaking my body like a cat and purring once the blood and grime were away from my scales. Then I heard the sound of hooves and turned around and stepped behind the dwarves to scare away water wer approaching us. 

But as soon as a slightly familiar face came into my sight, I calmed down. The dwarves, on the other talon, did not. the horses snickered and bucked to tell their riders that I was there, but the elves kept themselves together. Then a brown-haired elf with a circlet for a crown stepped up and smiled as he saw Gandalf and me. 

"Mellon-nin!" he greeted, and I rumbled a greeting dipping my head to his eye level. "it is good to see you all so well, your highness," Elrond said, dipping his head in respect and greeting. A shiver ran over my spine. I had yet to get used to being called a queen, and Gandalf knew that. "my old friend!" said the wizard and embraced the elven lord. The two started talking in Sindarin, a language I did not enjoy learning. The dwarves watched with utter suspicion before bilbo managed to sneak past them and to me. 

"uh, miss Darkfury?" he called, and I looked over to him, a fond smile passing over my black snout "yes, master Baggins?" I rumbled, giving him a greeting nuzzle with my warm sable snout. It awarded me a squeak as the hobbit was not used to that kind of contact nor having a beast touching him without meaning to kill him. 

It amused me, to be honest. "do not worry, Bilbo, I will not kill you." So I said and smiled at him, my teeth glinting in the sun that cast her glory across this sacred valley. 

I had heard about Rivendell and its wonders from the tales Elder Longwei told me and Seasmoke and Saphire when we were hatchlings. It was said that there was only one realm on this Middle Earth that could rival its beauty: the Lothlorien realm of Lady Galadriel. 

I soon snapped out of my reverie and back to bilbo once I felt his soft hands poke my rippling snout. "Oh, huh?" I grunted and turned my bright blue eyes to bilbo, who squeaked underneath the intensity of my gaze. "uh w-what... nowhere are you s-sleeping, Miss Darkfury?" he stuttered out, and I found it absurdly adorable. I cooed and flicked my great wing in a gesture that said: "I do not know." 

Bilbo nodded feebly before hurrying over to the dwarves and Gandalf, who were still talking to Elrond and Thorin. But I zoned out of it thinking over my mother and how angry or sad she was when I had left. Of course, I was the queen, I shouldn't leave my kingdom in need, but as far as I trusted Longwei and mother, I knew they could rule my kingdom as long as I was gone. 

If I had only an inkling of how long that would be. 

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I woke to the silent touch of a calloused hand. 

"wake up, dragoness," said a familiar voice, and I obliged, peeling my eyes open and seeing the friendly white hair of Gandalf. "Gandalf...?" I grunted, confusion lacing my voice. The wizard smiled at me before standing up "stand up, Darkfuy. we are invited to a council with some of my dearest friends. come," and he walked away, leaving only his scent and direction for me to follow. 

I sighed and stood up, ruffling my wings and shaking sand out of my scale cracks before padding after him. I had to duck often to go undeath some rails and stairs, but in the end, I thought it would be better to find him from the air, and I spread my sable wings and took a stand. Now that I was above Rivendell's houses and small towers, I could finally see its beauty. The sun peeked from the mountains as a greeting to my awakening. 

But I couldn't focus on the beauty of this valley. I soon found Gandalf gathered with lord Elrond and two other beings I had yet to be akiowendle with. I made my decent landing gracefully on the marble floor before sneaking inside the dome that protected the beings from rain, and whatever other skyline might find out. I smiled at Gandalf and sat down, dipping my head to Elrond and the other two beings. 

"I guess it is time for introduction," Elrond said and gestured to the other white wizard and the lady with golden hair. "the other wizard is Saruman the Wise, our leader, and this fair lady is lady Galadriel," the two said beings nodded dipping their heads to me. However, Galadriel was the only one of them who smiled. 

"It is an honor meeting you, Queen Darkfury. We apologize for your father's fall," she said sincerely, but I gave her a snort of smoke as an answer. "I hold no grudges, my lady. I hold anger. But that time is past, and I am the queen now. We will not threaten the shores of your land again" the council nodded, and Gandalf smiled "you are loyal to your people but would you be loyal to your allies as well?" 

I smiled at him "of course I would, Mithrandir. Our alliance is an honor, and I am proud to be called your friend," I said, and Gandalf smiled. "now," spoke Saruman, his face devoid of emotions, and I turned my reptile eyes to him. 

"what are you doing with a group of dwarves meddling in things you should not?" 

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