Dragon Queen - HOBBIT FANFICTION

Chapter Fifteen

One week later...

Danarya's P.O.V.

As time passed and the valley that lies between Gondor and Mordor grew ever darker with the impending doom of war, kingdoms that had pledged their allegiance to Gondor started to send their armies to protect the white city. "Whatever comes of this war, I want you to know that we will be here to defend you no matter what." Salaera said as she wrapped one arm around Zestari and had the other petting the head of one of her serpents. "I appreciate it Aunt Salaera. I wouldn't be able to protect this city without you." I said back as I looked over at the ever growing, darkness that loomed over Mordor and the valley that laid between the kingdom of darkness and the white city.

The warriors of Rohan are approaching the valley. Riatis said as he flew above our heads, relaying movement of our enemies and the arrival of our allies. Can you sense the warriors of Easthaven yet? I asked as I looked to the sky, trying to look for more dragon shapes. Not yet. I will keep you updated on their arrival. Riatis said as he flew over the great city.

"You look tired darling. You should get some rest, you are going to need it. I have a feeling that before the dawn of the next day is when the horns of war will sound off." Zestari said as she placed a kiss on my forehead. My eyelids became heavy with sleep and I could feel myself start to lose my grip on reality. "Go honey. We will get you if something changes here." Salaera said as she wrapped her arm around Zestari's waist.

I quickly made my way back to my room so I could try and get some rest before the soldiers of Mordor made their move. Sleep came easy to me as I quickly drifted off into a dreamless state.

~~~

Brooke's P.O.V.

"Do you really have to go?" I asked my husband as I held my ever swelling belly. "Yes. My sister has called upon the aid of Easthaven. I must answer. I will be back as quickly as I can." Dantis said as he strapped the last bits of his armor into place.

A large pulling sensation came from my abdomen that made me wince in slight pain. Dantis looked up from his armor and into my eyes, looking into my soul. He was just about to lean in for a kiss when the captain of the kingdom guard walked in. "I'm sorry for the interruption sire, but the soldiers are atop their mounts and the dragons are prepared for battle. We really must be going. At this late hour we will be lucky if we make it in time to keep the white city from falling." Before he could leave, Dantis said, "Take the men and Sapha and start towards the city of Gondor. Leave Kivrei and I will catch up with you." With that the captain bowed and made his way to the soldiers.

"You really should go with your men. We are already on thin ice with the people of Easthaven. What will they think of this?" I asked as I sat on a nearby chair. He walked towards me and said, "I wasn't leaving without giving my beautiful wife a kiss. This may be the last one that I can give you." I know that he intended for that last part to be a joke, but it still sent chills to my core. He leaned in for a kiss, but I pulled back. "Promise me that you will come back to us." I said, stopping his advancements. Sadness filled his face and his eyes were rimmed with tears as he said, "You know that I can't do that Brooke. This is war. Many of these boys and men won't be coming back to their families alive. I might be one of those men. I'm going to try my hardest, but I cannot promise anything. As much as I would like to, I can't."

He leaned in for another kiss, but once again, I pulled away. "If you can't promise me, then you will just have to wait for a kiss." I could almost see his sorrow escaping from his body. "I can't do this Brooke, I have to get going." He said as he stood straight and made his way to our bedroom door. Another large pull came from my abdomen, making me wince again. "Promise me." I called out one last time. He looked back at me with a single tear slipping from his eye as he walked through the doorway, disappearing.

~~~

Eliar's P.O.V.

"What are their names?" I asked Thaebir as the baby dragons crawled in my lap and all over the older dragon. The purple one is named Aitionth. The pink one on you is Vaydahei. The golden one on me is Dyllissys. They are becoming weaker, Eliar, they need a mother to take care of them or they will never survive. Sadness overwhelmed me as Aitionth curled into my lap on the floor of the cave.

After a long while of silence and dragon cries, I stood and said, "We need to get them to Easthaven. Sapha will know what to do to keep them alive." They can't fly yet. How are we going to get them there? Thaebir asked.

I looked around in the cave until my eyes landed on one of my supplies baskets. "We can use one of these." I said as I took my clothes basket and started to empty the contents onto the floor of the cave.

When I was done and Thaebir was all saddled up, I started to put the baby dragons into the basket. They resisted like cats trying to be put into a tub of water, but I eventually got all of them into the basket and latched the lid. "I think we are all packed and ready to go." I said as I pulled myself into the dragon's saddle. "Let's go home."

~~~

Salaera's P.O.V.

"Do you ever regret not having more children?" I asked Zestari as I laid my head on her shoulder. "No. The three that we have are perfect. If I could go back in time, I would do it all over again." Zestari said to me as we both stood in the silence of the night.
"I think that we should call it a night. We have no idea what tomorrow will bring." I said as I grabbed her hand and led her towards a vacant room in the kingdom.

The room was dimly lit and smelled of old potatoes and sweat. "I guess this will have to do." I said as the two of us walked in, closing the door behind us. Zestari took off her layer of armor, leaving her in a thin white tunic and a pair of pants. She never dressed like this, and it was surprising at first to see her like this.

"I wish that you would have stayed in Aredale like I asked you to do." I said as I struggled to get my armor off. She walked over and lightly touched me with her delicate hands. "If I would have done that, then who would watch over you? Who would make sure that you didn't run off and do something stupid?" She asked as she started to take my armor off. "I would have been fine. I just don't want you to get hurt. I don't know what I would do if something happened to you." I said.

She stopped undoing my armor and lifted my chin, making me look into her beautiful grey eyes. "If something were to happen to me, you would return to Aredale and raise our children. You would rule the kingdom until it was your time to join me in the halls of Veymir. You would be the mother and warrior and Queen that you already are ten fold. That is what you would do if something were to happen to me. Do you understand?" Zestari said.

Tears started to spill from my eyes and down my cheeks. "I will do my best... for you." I said as I desperately tried to not let my silent tears turn into full on sobbing. She placed a hand on the side of my head, using her thumb to wipe away the falling tears. "I have loved you since the first day I laid eyes on you Salaera, and I will continue to love you after my last breath."