The Dark Dragon of Middle Earth

Meeting the Bargeman

Elanor

I had stripped and shifted when they left to a miniature version of my dragon form. Flying over the treetops with my bag in my front hands, I watch as blue butterflies scatter when I approach. They settle back when I leave.

Getting to the other side without a glimpse below of the group, I make it to the end of the path. I send up a fire blast when I sit, and then wait.

~~~~

I've been sending fire blasts at different heights, never too high in the air, and not too close to the forest. When I see the butterflies scatter from the canopy, I just think something spooked them. Getting tired, I lay down.

The sun has started to set.

Not wanting to have the open plain behind me and the sick forest in front of me, I move north. I follow the river up, sometimes hovering so my bag doesn't drag, and sometimes I walk with it on my back. I don't want to change back yet, as I'll be more vulnerable. In this form, I can grow and better control my fire.

I make it to a rocky riverbed as the moon rises. I find a few branches, and make a small shelter.

Sleeping out in the open right here will leave me exposed. With some sort of shelter, I can hide easier, and leave my bag somewhere safe.

Closing my eyes, I keep up my senses.

~~~~

All of my senses are on alert right now.

I wake in the middle of the night, due to a really bad feeling. I emerge from my shelter, but I don't go further. Whimpering, I scurry back to my hiding spot.

Footsteps are heard from the spot behind me.

They get closer.

And closer.

The branch above my head cracks some under the weight of whoever it is.

I sniff the air quietly. I smell a man.

I push my bag under me, and flatten myself to the rocks. I close my eyes before I feel a pair peer in my shelter. I stay still, not able to do anything for my spines that seem to glow.

When the branches are moved, I grab my bag, and try to fly away.

I hear the sound of a bow being pulled back, and I look back.

A dark-haired man holds up a big bow, an arrow drawn, and pointed at me. I land real quick, dodging the arrow that was let go into the air. I drag my bag behind me and run. Anywhere to get away from him.

The arrow won't harm me, but if he grabs my bag, I'll lose everything I have.

Finding a tall tree, I climb it. I dig my claws into the tree, and pull my bag up in my mouth. When I reach the branch that's two feet above his head, I hang my bag on a branch hidden from his sight. I look down at him, into his brown eyes that shows hatred at me.

With the palm of my hand, I carefully pull down my eyelid, and stick my forked tongue out. I wave it at him.                                                                                                                                                                 This catches the man completely by surprise, and he stumbles back. I begin to laugh at this.

I get it. It's not everyday someone sees a dragon do something so comical to anyone. Especially a hatchling, or full-grown dragon.

Regaining his balance, he looks back up at me. I stop my laughing, and catch my breath. I look back at him, and my eyes water. I can't hold it anymore. I point at him, and laugh. Then I start banging my head against the tree. Pine needles fall from the force, and fall in his hair.