The Dark Dragon of Middle Earth

Mirkwood

Thorin

We follow the wizard through the field, running for our lives as a giant bear follows. Bombur had taken one look behind, and easily ran past Gandalf and Elanor.

I watch as she struggles to even stay next to him. What I did must have taken a lot out of her. I can't imagine the strength needed to not shift.

We soon see a house, and everyone spurs forward. Bombur crashes into the door, falling back. The others try to push on it to open it, but it isn't until I push my way forward that I lift the latch, and we all rush in. The bear reaches us, pushing with his head. Us dwarves push against the beast, Bilbo stands in front of Elanor with his sword raised over her exhausted form. 

With a final push, we close the door.

"WHAT IN DURIN'S NAME WAS THAT?!"

"That, Dwalin, was our host," Gandalf looks around.

"He's leaving," Ori tells us from the window. "Get away from there! It's not natural! He must be under some sort of spell!" Dori says, pulling  his younger brother away from the window.

"He's under no spell. He's what you call a skinchanger, what I am. But he's of the original skinchangers. Skin-changers have the abilities to change into any creature. The most powerful ones can change into dragons. The size of every skin-changer differs, alphas being the biggest," Elanor explains, leaning on Gandalf for support. Gandalf nods, and helps her to a pile of hay. When her head touches it, her eyes are closed, and her breathing slows.

"She must be extremely exhausted to fall asleep that quickly," Gloin points out. "Aye. She's different than the elves I've met, even from the one from Rivendell," Dwalin adds.

"Ha ha. That's because as long as I've known her, she liked being different than her sister," Gandalf says from his spot from the corner next to the door.

I go and kneel beside her. Fili, Kili, and Ori kneel at her other side. The rest of the dwarves stand in front of her. "Elf or no elf, Elanor will always be welcome amongst us. She's done more for us during our journey than any other elf has in the past. I admit Elrond helped with the map. We wouldn't know about the door if not for him. When she's recovered, even if it takes a day or two for her to do so, we'll head on. And when we've taken back the Mountain, I plan on making her a part of our family."

Gandalf looks at me sharp, anger surrounding him like a thick cloud. "Think wisely on that action, Thorin. Elanor is thousands of years older than you. She is a powerful dragon shifter. She is an elf, and the sister of the Lady Galadriel. If you plan on doing that, you must have her sister's permission, and Elanor's. She will know about your courting customs. If you plan on going through with this, there will be elves who will lose their respect for her, as she will have to do something only two elves in their history have ever done! Not to mention how YOUR kin will act when they see you've chosen an elf as your bride, despite how she helped take back the Mountain!"

"I have thought long and hard about this! I plan on asking her sister for a meeting to discuss this situation! I would ask Elrond to be present, as well. I know how hard it will be for her to be with a mortal, and I wouldn't ask her to die with me. I wouldn't put her in that situation-"

Gandalf casts the shadow from Bilbo's house, making him grow in size. "YOU WILL BE PUTTING HER IN THAT SITUATION BY ASKING TO COURT HER! ELVES AREN'T USED TO DEATH! AFTER THE WAR, SHE WOULDN'T EAT FOR DAYS, SHE WAS EMPTY FROM WHAT SHE SAW! SHE SAW COUNTLESS ELVES AND MEN DIE FROM ORCS AND SAURON!" The shadow goes away, and an exhausted Gandalf leans heavily on his staff. "Elanor is one of the oldest elves, born before time began here. Think some more on this, then talk to her."