A Monster Like Me ~ Legolas

Forn's Introduction

"I am sorry, but I do not understand why were are gathered in the wilderness," Boromir said, looking at Legolas suspiciously.

"I would like to mention this was not my idea," Legolas responded with and at the moment Forn crashed down into the clearing in front of them. The Hobbits screamed in both terror and surprise. In fact everyone was slightly terrified, everyone except for Legolas of course. Lord Elrond how was standing a little behind them, stepped forward at that point. The dragon and the elf bowed to each other.

"Welcome Forn," Elrond said rising from the bow. "I am sorry I was not able to properly introduce you to Rivendell sooner." Elrond turned to Legolas who stayed silent for a little bit before recounting what Forn wished to say.

"Forn thanks you, Lord Elrond, for welcoming her into your home. She thinks, of what she has seen, it is very beautiful," Legolas said, completely aware of the strange looks he was receiving from the Fellowship.

"Acquaint yourselves," Elrond said to the crowd behind him. "You may as well get used to Forn's presence."

"You are a Rider," Aragorn suddenly realized, looking from Legolas to Forn. He made his way towards Legolas and stripped the gloves off of his hands, revealing the spiral. "I thought they were extinct."

"I thought they were a myth," Gimli said. "Never have I heard of a dragon bonding with a dwarf, or anyone for that matter."

"It is because dwarves are too afraid to take their feet off the ground. If you wish to be a Rider you must wish to fly," Legolas translated, then frowned and sighed as she continued. "And I can assure you Riders are very much real, and I am living proof that they are not extinct."

"I cannot tell which of you is speaking," Aragorn said stepping back from Legolas. "Are you translating for Forn or speaking your own thoughts?"

"This is the first I have said since Forn has come in my own sentences. Everything else has been her words for you." Forn lowered her head after Legolas spoke, resting her great head next to the Hobbits feet.

"Forn wishes to apologize for frightening you, and if you are willing she wishes to teach you the art of flight. She also wishes for you to decide quickly, she does not offer rides as willingly as she does now."

One by one the Hobbits agreed and Legolas calmly asked them to split into pairs. The first pair, Sam and Frodo, were buckled into the saddle and once they were set Forn leaped into the air.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Aragorn finally asked his friend. Legolas bit his lip watching Forn circle above them. She usually whirled around, twisting this way and that, as if she were dancing with an invisible partner, but that was when Legolas was on her back. With the Hobbits she seemed more tame, flying level and simply letting them feel the wind in their hair.

"I was ordered not to speak of it," Legolas answered simply.

"Then why," Gimli grumbled. "Are you telling us now?"

"I am not," Legolas answered still not taking his eyes off the sky. "Forn wished to meet you, and Lord Elrond agreed with her wishes. I was overruled, I wanted Forn to go back to Mirkwood and not to speak of her to the Fellowship. In other words, Forn is telling you, not I."

"Can we trust an Elf who wished to keep this a secret from us?" Boromir grumbled.

"Of course," Aragorn answered. "If he told the world he was a Rider he would be hunted, along with Forn. I do not blame him for wishing not to speak of it." Forn landed then and Legolas and Aragorn stepped forward to switch out the Hobbits.

~*~

It was dark out when Legolas stepped out of Rivendell. The shadow following him though, he either didn't notice for didn't care. Legolas stepped lightly into the woods, heading towards the clearing that Forn has revealed herself to the Fellowship in. He whirled around suddenly, pointing an arrow at the face of his shadow.

"Don't shoot!" A voice squeaked out. Legolas narrowed his eyes, but silently put his bow away.

"Aren't you supposed to be sleeping, Pippin?" Legolas asked and glanced up towards the sky. The Hobbit gulped.

"I was just looking... I wanted to, er,"

"See Forn again? Or hope I would do something more interesting then watch the stars?" Legolas asked. Pippin nodded. "You may as well go to sleep young Peregrin Took, Forn is asleep and I wanted nothing more than a breath of fresh air."

"Then why do you have weapons?" Pippin asked. Legolas shook his head, a small smile splitting his face.

"You never know when you might be attacked, or followed." Pippin looked down in shame. "Now come on Pippin, let us get you back to your room." Together, Elf and Hobbit, walked back into the walls of Rivendell.

"I'm sorry for following you," Pippin said once they reached his room.

"Ask next time Pippin, I will let you know if anything interesting is happening." With that Legolas turned and walked, heading back to the clearing, wanting some fresh air to clear his head.

He did not lie to Pippin, Forn was asleep when he walked to Hobbit back to his room. She just happened to awake and wish to visit the Elf who sat alone under the trees. She landed lightly, or as lightly as possible for a dragon, and pressed her nose as close as possible to Legolas. Her warm breath warmed his cold limbs, and he absentmindedly placed a hand on her snout.

Is something bother you, little one? Forn asked. Legolas didn't answer and she pressed her snout closer to him before finally just laying her head in his lap. Little one?

I worry about the quest. And I worry about you. Will you be accepted in the places we need to go? Or will they refuse access to a dragon?

A King would be highly unintelligent if they refuse to let a dragon fight their battles.

But have you ever fought a battle? What if you are hurt? No human has the healing skills to cure a dragon.

I will be fine, little one. You should not worry so much. Get some sleep, there is no use worrying all night over something you cannot control.

Goodnight, Forn.

Goodnight, little one.