Princess of Shadowfire and the Ring of Doom

Written By:Empress Hellfire
You can read the original here:
All Credit goes to the original author

Arrival and lost.

Before my story begins, allow me to tell you about myself; I am the only daughter of Xanroth Darkwielder and Bloom Darkwielder nee (maiden name) Dragonfire. I am a Half-Dragon, on my father’s side. I just turned 18 yesterday. I am 5’5”, with shoulder length red hair and blue eyes. Except for the length of my hair I am a perfect copy of my mother. My name is Darla Draconic Darkwielder, and this is my story.

I return to my chambers at my home of Dragon haunt grabbing my equipment, having just been ambushed by a lecture from Dad. “Oh father, just because you are a colossal Black Dragon does not give you cause to pick me up off the ground and start reminding me to worship Tiamat, goddess of Dragons and Dragon kind. I already know how to deal with that” I mutter to myself as I cast a dimension jump spell. Too late do I realise I have miscalculated the jump.

“Oh in the name of the Dragon goddess” I snarl as I look around me. “I got lost again!” I concentrate, but I cannot find a dimension jump reference to get off this world. I reach around and pull my repeating crossbow into my arms, pushing the stock into my right shoulder and creep around slowly and as quietly as possible. It may well be a long time before I get out of here.

Day 1: Thanking the magical ring which saves me the trouble of needing to eat or drink. I managed to find a place to hole up and cast defensive magical wards around it. It will serve until I find a way out of here.

Day 2: After a day of scouting around I have realized that this place is or was a mine. I found and slaughtered 5 goblins with relative ease and I melt the corpses with my acidic breath to remove traces of my presence. I have so far found no way out of these mines.

Day 3: No exit yet, no interesting events

Day 4: No exit yet, found evidence of a party recently passing through the area. Tracks suggest Humans, a Dwarf, Halflings and possibly an Elf. I will investigate tomorrow.

Day 5: Story resumes

Moving out from my hiding place, I creep down the hallway, when suddenly I hear a soft voice say “Halt” and I feel a arrow near my head. “Aragorn, I found what the tracks showed.”

‘Oh Hellfire!’ I swear to myself a man that looks like a ranger comes forwards

“What is it Legolas?”

“A young girl, armed and wearing some impressively made armour” the man speaks

‘Amateur, Darla you idiot letting someone sneak up on you’ I berate myself.

“Girl remove your weapons, lay them down slowly” the ranger says. I quietly grind my teeth and consider my options. ‘If I could get my claws on whoever is behind me without getting shot I could breathe acid on the ranger before he could react.’

“Fine” I snarl. I slowly put my crossbow down. I remove the belt holding my sword, Sais and throwing daggers. I unbuckle the strap holding my shield to my back and the small backpack then I put those down as well. ‘They cannot disarm me fully, I still have my teeth and my breath’

“There, now what?” I ask.

“Follow me” The ranger says, and since I have no other choice I do.

“Keep your hands where I can see them” Legolas says.

‘Dragon hearing and you can’t hear someone sneaking up on you. You really are out of practice Darla’ I think to myself. ‘Legolas has to be an Elf, no human is that quiet.’ I follow the ranger, ‘Aragorn was it?’ easily, the dark posing no problem for my eyes. We continue for a short distance until we arrive at their camp. There are 7 others: 4 Halflings, a wizard, a Dwarf and another Human

‘Great, a dwarf’ I snarl to myself. I don’t like dwarves, not after they sold me to the other enemies of my family: The Dark Elves (or Drow). I luckily escaped that time, but the treachery left a lasting resentment along with the natural dislike Dragon kind have for Dwarves.

“What is it Aragorn, Legolas? What did you find?”

“A young girl creeping around” Aragorn replies.

“Girl, what are you doing in this place?” demands the other Human.

“I’m lost, all right? I teleported here by accident, and I cannot find a way out of these mines.”

“Teleported?” asks the wizard “I have never heard of this power.”

“It’s one of my abilities that I was taught by my wonderful parents.” I glare at the Elf, the others are spread out, there’s no way I could hit more than 4 with my breath before I got shot or hit with a spell. If it came to a fight I would most probably die or get hurt severely. I can see my stuff is next to the wizard and Dwarf.

“These weapons are high quality lass, what are they? Mithril?”

I laugh. “Mithril? What do you take me for? These are adamantium blades. In case you don’t know, adamantium is four times superior to mithril” I hear an astonished gasp from the dwarf at this.

“Now girl, we cannot let you go of fear that you bring down the whole goblin population onto us” says the man with a shield.

“Please,” I say derisively, “I have lived in the mines for four days with only a minor incident, and the evidence was destroyed.”

“Do you expect me to believe that?”

“Yes.”

“Now you must understand. Because of our situation we cannot give back your weapons for fear that you might attack us during the night.”

“Fine, I see I have to earn your trust,” I sigh. “As a start, my name is Darla, Darla Darkwielder.”

“We are staying here for the night Darla, I’d like for your arms and legs bound so you cannot escape or attack us.”

“Is that really necessary Boromir?” Legolas asks, “she has no weapons and she does not look very strong. No offence to lady Darla, but I don’t think she could pose much of a threat without her blades or crossbow.”

“I’d rather not take the risk Legolas,” replies Boromir. “Gandalf?”

The old wizard sighs. “We will employ Boromir’s level of trust on this issue. If lady Darla does not do anything dangerous or alert anything in the mines, we shall let her go after Moria. although we will first see what lady Galadriel has to say about it.”

“All right have it your way.” I allow myself to be bound and guided to a corner of the room we are going to be resting in. ‘Really, Darla Draconic Darkwielder you are an idiot’ I think, wrapping myself in the bedroll and settling down for the night.

Thankfully nothing happens for the night. In the morning. the Halflings at least decide to be courteous, and speak with me while the group gets ready to move out, with Gandalf explaining how Moria’s riches were in mithril.

“Certainly impressive, this is the most unmined mithril I have seen in one place.” I comment “Where are your kin, master Dwarf?”

“We fear that the most recent colony of my kin here was slaughtered by goblins.”

“My sympathies Master Dwarf, may I have your name?”

“Gimli, son of Gloin lass” I nod politely as we keep walking until Gandalf says that he has no memory of a location with three entrances.

“Excuse me Gandalf, I’ve been in this area, but I can tell you that the path right there” I point a path “does not smell so foul and it leads to a vast areas full of pillars, there is a tomb in a small side room but I do not read or speak the language” Gandalf thinks for about 20 minutes before he decides that that is the right way. Descending down some stairs Gandalf creates more light from his staff, and says the dwarf city is called Dwarrowdelf. Gimli spots the tomb I spoke of and runs to it.

“Gimli” Gandalf barks as we follow into the tomb to find Gimli sobbing over the tomb “Here lies Balin, son of Fundin, lord of Moria, It’s as I feared.”

While Gandalf read a journal with grim news about the colony, Legolas speaks to Aragorn about leaving.

“Not to eavesdrop, but I agree with Legolas.” Aragorn nods in understanding to both of us. Gandalf finishes the last ominous line when suddenly then is a noise, Pippin spins around looking guilty. A corpse falls down the well it’s sitting on pulling a bucket causing bangs and a final boom that echoes through the mines.

“Fool of a Took, throw yourself in next time and rid us of your stupidity” Gandalf snaps yanking his staff and hat out of Pippin’s hands.

“Woah easy Gandalf, he made a mistake. There’s no reason to be so harsh.” Then, boom, boom, boom. Drums from the deep begin beating.

“Orcs” Legolas snaps, the Hobbits are herded away from the door as blades are drawn.

“Boromir could I get my weapons back?” I ask. After considering for a moment, he chucks me my weapons. “Thanks,” I reply as I belt them on and draw my sword and shield. Boromir runs to the door and a couple of arrows thunk right in front of his head.

“They have a cave troll” Boromir says with faked humour pulling his head back into the room as the doors are closed and rudimentarily barred.

“Get behind me,” I say to the hobbits. “Draw your blades. Gimli were you related to Balin?”

“Yes lass, he was my cousin.”

“Then let us avenge him, Goblins have no respect for life so let’s take blood payment for the damage they’ve done.” Gimli smiles at me and snarls at the door that he’s ready for battle. After a few shots from the resident archers Legolas and Aragorn, the door is broken down and a chaotic melee ensues.

Legolas’ POV:

I must admit to myself that Lady Darla is a very competent fighter. She handles herself with a grace I have seen in Elves and rare Humans, but judging from some of the cuts she made in the goblins she’s much stronger than she looks. That’s an interesting move, she slaps the goblin with the outside right edge of her shield then the inside edge, the goblin falls stunned and she finishes it with a stab to the gut. She is not as fast as an Elf but certainly very strong. I wonder...”

Darla POV

“The troll” I yell as it goes for me. I jump over and onto its back and kick it into the wall behind us, denting it. It spins around and Legolas shoots it in the mouth going through the brain. “Nice shot!” I say to Legolas, he nods. “Boromir look out!” I fling a throwing dagger so hard it splits through the skull of the goblin about to stab him from behind and embeds itself into the wall. Boromir nods in thanks as he sees the dead goblin but does a double take at the knife in the wall. A volley of arrows shoot out from a small group of goblin archers, arrows hit me and shatter uselessly on my armour, however they pierce Frodo and he goes down. I scream and gesture harshly at the goblins and a small pillar of fire incinerates the last goblins.

“Oh no!” Aragorn moans as he half walks/crawls over to Frodo.

“Let me see, I might be able to heal him” I say striding over quickly, but Frodo sits up gasping.

“I’m not hurt.” We discover that Frodo is wearing a mithril chain shirt, and Gimli comments about Frodo being full of surprises.

“Nice armour Frodo, it suits you.” He smiles weakly at me then more goblin noises are heard.

“To The Bridge of Khazad Dum” Gandalf says and we all run off.

‘Oh %*$’ I think a draconic curse word that if my parents heard me say it I’d have my mouth washed out and be grounded for a century. ‘I have room to transform’ my form shudders in the beginning of the change ‘wait what’s that?’ A glow at the end of the hallway causes the goblins to shriek in fear and start running. “I don’t like this.” I comment “Gandalf please tell me that that light is just a huge army of Dwarves”

“Nay lady Darla, it’s a Balrog, an ancient demon. This foe is beyond any of you RUN!” Gandalf yells and we run down a narrow passage way and some broken stairs. Legolas jumps across a gap in the stairs and starts helping people across.

“Goblins, there on the ledge” I yell as the creatures start shooting. Their arrows are stopped by my adamantium shield as I block most of them. Our archers begin returning fire, I jump across after Boromir takes Merry and Pippin. Gandalf jumps over quickly and then Gimli tries to jump but pinwheels for balance, forcing Legolas to grab his beard. Despite the Dwarf’s protests he pulls him up. “Come on!” I yell at Aragorn and Frodo, but the stairs behind them are destroyed by a falling rock, and causes them to sway about until the ruined part of the stairs falls towards the part we are standing on, allowing them to quickly leap off. Running down the stairs to the bridge Gandalf hurries us over. Once across, we turn around to see Gandalf confronting the demon known as the Balrog.

“Oh my,” I gasp upon seeing what the huge demon looks like, Gandalf does some shouting about the Balrog not passing by him.

“Gandalf” Frodo yells. The Balrog makes a sword of fire, Gandalf says it will not help the demon and the sword shatters on Gandalf’s magical shield without affecting Gandalf. He yells to the Balrog that it will not pass again and shatters the bridge with his staff. The Balrog falls into the abyss, but as Gandalf turns around The Balrog’s whip grabs him and pulls him to the edge.

“Fly you fools,” he exclaims, and then he falls. As we run out of the mines in various stages of grief, Aragorn says we need to move to a place called Lothlórian. We run down for a few hours until we reach the woods, and meet a very arrogant Elf named Haldir, after some arguing he lets us into the wood and takes us to the capitol.

Chapter 2: Lothlorian, Legolas and Darla

After entering my Talan I drop my things down on the ground it’s quite nice. A desk, a comfortable bed, a dresser and a door lead off to a private bathing room. ‘I suppose it pays to be one female among males’ I chuckle to myself. I immediately check my equipment and find that it’s all top shape. “Good” I say out loud and remove my breastplate and chain shirt, I hiss and let out a soft draconic curse word as the chain shirt brushes old wounds. I exhale and leave after closing the door and setting heavy misdirection wards over my things I walk out to meet with the rest of the fellowship. “Hi” I say plopping down on the ground near the fellowship”

“Lady Darla” Legolas greets

“Morning lass, mind telling us why the lady seemed slightly suspicious of you?” I close my eyes and groan softly.

Flashback

Galadriel is currently explaining how the quest the fellowship in on is very close to failing. If we falter once the world is gone. ‘These elves certainly glow a lot, wait someone is trying to poke around in my mind.’ I grind my teeth discreetly and ramp up my mental shields to five times normal strength to discourage poking around. The lady Galadriel looks at me with slight shock and gives me a look of disappointment.

End flashback

“The truth Gimli?” he nods

“I caught somebody trying to peek into my mind, I hold many secrets about my home’s defences and I cannot risk people who are not allowed that knowledge to glean anything necessary. So I just boosted the strength of my mental shields.”

“I see lass.” I see Legolas is about to object

“Legolas, in my life I have had some very hard lessons namely about trusting people, people who were supposed to be my allies sold me to my fathers main enemy. In her dungeons I nearly died, I still bear the wounds that will not heal” this causes the fellowship to bombard me with questions “I will say this I was 16 when it happened, for 2 months she and her forces tortured me, nothing more.” I glare at them to emphasise my point that that is the end of the topic.

“Now then tell me, aside from lady Galadriel I sensed something else trying to get past my shields. A dark voice trying to offer me things that I might desire.” The fellowship looks at each other

“Very well lady Darla.” Says Legolas as he and Aragorn explain about a dark lord called Sauron had made these rings. 9 for human kings, 7 for dwarf lords and 3 for elves. But then he double crossed the other races by making his own ring and enslaved the 9 kings turning them into shades. The 7 Dwarf rings were lost or taken, but the three rings of the elves were hidden and safe. They also explained at the final battle against Sauron the king Isildur took the ring and then it wound up here eventually. The quest of the fellowship is to destroy the ring

“Sounds like you have quite a few obstacles, mind if I help with your quest?”

“Allow us to ponder your request lady Darla.” I nod

“I am going to talk with lady Galadriel about our little misunderstanding, excuse me.” I get up and walk off into the forest and by lucky chance I spot lady Galadriel who beckons me over to her as she pour liquid into a basin like object.

“Will you look in my mirror?” she asks

“A magical artefact?” I ask, she nods “will I see?”

“Things that are, things that were and things that yet may happen.”

I walk up and look, I see flashes of my life, my father in his true form speaking to my mother with a little red haired girl in her arms; I see my brother and his party out wherever he is, I see myself being betrayed and taken prisoner by Lloth. Then time seems to skip, I see myself again, older not much than I am now. A green and gold ring around my left ring finger standing next to Legolas who has a man’s version of my ring on his finger I can see nothing but love in our eyes as we gaze at each other. Then another flash, Lloth is standing over me and killing me. I watch as Legolas slays her in a rage then years as he fades away in sorrow. Another set of images start; Legolas is standing in front of my father, asking him something, My father gives him a pair of rings, wait they are the rings from the last set of images. A final set of images, two girls one looks like a mixture of Legolas, and myself the other almost like a female Legolas. ‘Two possible futures, one filled with love, one with death’ I smile ‘I will beat you Lloth I accept a good future. I will win and grow more powerful than you ever will be on this or any world.’ “Did you see what I saw?” I ask

“No, but I can sense from part of what you saw will be uplifting to a harmed soul.”

“Thank you for this lady Galadriel, may I be excused?”

“Yes, please send the ring bearer to me.”

“Frodo?” She nods and I walk away to find the fellowship. Returning near where I left the fellowship to see lady Galadriel I see Aragorn coming from the clearing

“Lady Darla?”

“Yes Aragorn?”

“Legolas claimed he found something of yours that would take his to your home. He said he wished to speak with your father”

“Wait, this something, was is a purple and green stone?”

“Yes why?”

“I forgot I had that, it only works twice before the magic needs recharging.”

“It will return him?”

“Yes it shall, the stone is enchanted to bypass certain magical defences around my home Dragon haunt.”

“I see, the rest of our group does not know Legolas left like that. On the subject of you coming with us, we have agreed that it might be best for us all if you came with us on the quest. You are very capable with a blade; you certainly proved that in Moria. You move very stealthily, in Moria we had a hard time tracking you.”

“Yes I was quite sloppy at that time, I was a bit annoyed at having gotten lost at forgot to cover my tracks.” I see Legolas has returned and he looks rather pale and is shaking like a leaf. He seems slightly nauseous. So in fact he is a shaking green leaf. Aragorn moves up to Legolas and questions him in elvish. Legolas responds in kind and after a few sentences from the terrified Elf Aragorn looks at me in shock

“What?” I query

“Just something Legolas told me, is it true?”

“Is what true?”

“That your father is a ancient black Dragon?”

“That would make me a half-Dragon, Yes it’s true.”

“I see, well I take my leave. Lady Darla this does not change my opinion on you coming” Aragorn walks off

“Aragorn.” I call after him and he turns around

“Yes?”

“I’d like this to remain a secret unless the rest of the fellowship figures it out or I tell them.”

“As you wish.” Aragorn leaves. I look over at Legolas who just stands there stuttering and shaking.

“Oh Hell” I swear and gently smack Legolas a few times “snap out of it.”

“Sorry lady Darla, I am a bit overwhelmed by my first impression of your father.”

“Indeed, what did you ask him?”

“If I had his permission to court you.”

“And what did he say?” I smile seeing my future start to unfold, also my father had a rule that he would only tell my middle name to family.

“He agreed.” Legolas leans close to my ear “And he told me to tell you that your middle name is Draconic, like the language that your kind speaks.”

“True” I smile “Did you meet my mother?”

“Yes, I almost confused her for you in addressing her. your mother is Human but how can she live so long like your father has?”

“My father did our goddess a major favour and she granted my mother a life span equal to that of my father.”

“Oh I see.”

“He gave you rings I presume?”

“Yes he did.” Legolas pulls out a small box and opens it, he takes out the female’s ring and puts it on my finger. He puts the male version of the ring on his own

“Darla, I’d like you to meet my father Thranduil (SP?) after we have destroyed the ring.”

“You met my father, I certainly can meet yours.”

“Can you teach me Draconic?”

“Certainly on one condition… teach me elvish”

“That I can do, shall we start now?”

“When are we leaving Legolas?”

“In a day, time flows much slowly here than in the outside world.”

“Oh, well we might as well get started Mriak Lolasa.”

“What?”

“Means my love in Draconic.”

“As you wish meleth nin… means my beloved in elvish.” The rest of the day until supper time is spent teaching the other our respective languages. During supper the rest of the fellowship congratulate Legolas and myself on our betrothal and we settle down for the night. Legolas and I are together so we are fresh for our leaving preparations tomorrow.

Chapter 3: To Amon Hen and the chase

Standing in a row as Galadriel gave gifts to the fellowship, she gave Legolas a very high quality bow; Gimli three strands of her hair; Boromir is given a sack of gold; Merry and Pippin are given small daggers; Sam is given some mystical rope; Frodo is given a phial; I am given a pair of amulets that Galadriel says will help the other find their heart and the elves clothe us in cloaks that will hide us from enemy eyes. The Elves give us three boats and more rations in the form of a Elvish waybread called Lembas then after a parting feast, which I remove my sustenance ring for. After the feast the Elves send us down the river called Anduin as we leave we see Galadriel lifting a hand in a farewell gesture. In the boats are Legolas, Gimli and me; Aragorn, Frodo and Sam; Boromir, Merry and Pippin, I gave one of the pendants to Legolas after we reach the boats.

“Darla.”

“Yes Legolas?”

“Why do you never eat? Aside from the feast earlier I have never seen you eat.”

“Well, this ring” I lift up my right hand and show the sustenance ring “has the ability to feed me, basically as long as I wear this ring I never need to eat or drink.”

“A useful item, do you have another?”

“I think I do in my vault at the adventure guild I used to work out of, I have not been there in 6 months, either there or Dragon Haunt.”

“Pity.” Legolas says

“True, but each of these rings is a common magical item. They do not work for the” I lower my voice so only Legolas can hear me “full blooded members of my kind, they are too large and powerful for these to work.” Legolas is sitting behind me in the boat I am in the front with Gimli in the back.

“Do you have any siblings lass?” asks Gimli

“Yes, a little brother; he’s two years younger than myself and a major trouble maker”

“How so Darla?” asks Legolas

“Well he loves pulling pranks, three years ago he thought it would be funny to replace my soap with a special kind of dye. Needless to say after I bathed I was completely dyed orange and purple.” Legolas laughs softly and Gimli snorts “you can guess that when I found out I was not happy at all, I repaid him by dangling him over a river near my home that floods every five minutes. No idea why the river does that but after he woke, the language he used was not for use in company. It included several things that he wanted me to do that was anatomically impossible. I prefer to retaliate if he tries anything I never start the problem… I finish it.” By now both Legolas and Gimli are laughing as well as Aragorn who heard enough of the story to laugh about it. “I love him but he can be an immature brat at times.” Legolas leans in close to my ear and whispers

“Did the colour change apply to your Dragon form meleth nin?”

“Yes my father was laughing so hard when I came to see him ranting about my brother, he could not help himself he was so shocked.”

“I must say that would be a shock for him indeed.”

“Hmm” I murmur then I reach into my pack for something “Aha.” I comment as I pull out the small square box

“What it is that?”

“Just something that I use on occasion, especially when I’m thinking, they are called cigarettes. Essentially pipe weed rolled into a small tube with some powerful spices mixed in, some people give them the name firesticks for a reason.” I pull one out and put it between my lips, snap my finger that starts a small flame on my thumb and ignite the thing and exhale a plume of smoke, making sure to snuff the flame.

“Aragorn what’s the plan?” I call out

“We travel down the river until we reach the falls of Rauros, then we go on foot from there.” I nod back and think.

‘Hmm Lloth has not made an appearance of late, I hope I lost the Spider queen… ach I’m being paranoid, by the will of the Dragon Mother Tiamat I will beat her.’ At this though a mind far greater and more powerful than my own contacts me

‘And so you shall little one, I will distract her here and allow you a much better chance for victory’

‘Thank you Dragon Mother.’

‘Good luck my priestess.’ The connection closes and I slump slightly from being in contact with the mind of an immortal but quickly sat up and take a long drag on my firestick enjoying the tang of the hot spice and slowly exhale before delving back into my thoughts again. We continue down the river until nightfall where we pick a spot to rest until we can continue tomorrow, I set my bedroll beside Legolas’

“So whose watch is it tonight?”

“Boromir, Aragorn then Sam.” Legolas says

“Hopefully a peaceful night, Dragon Mother knows I have had few of those.”

“Who is this Dragon Mother Darla?”

“The Dragon Mother is the goddess that my people worship, her name is Tiamat.”

“I see.”

“It’s not easy being a follower of Tiamat, she expects lots from those who serve her.”

“Have you ever disappointed her?”

‘No little one you never have’

‘Glad to know great one’ I reply back to the goddess

“Never, she told me herself.”

“How?”

“She’s a goddess, she has fewer limits than we will ever have.”

“So…” Legolas asks but I cut him off

“No she cannot, she has her own agenda and my job is to help her reach the agenda on the mortal plane.”

“Oh, pity.”

“Indeed.” I yawn, “sorry Legolas, I’m tired, we’ll talk later.”

“As you wish.” I close my eyes and go to sleep, but that night I have a nightmare about my time with Lloth meaning I get very little rest at all. The next day we continue down the river when I smell something and start sniffing trying to figure out what it is

“Legolas do you smell that?”

“Smell what?”

“Oh right, never mind.” ‘Got to remember Dragons have much better sense of smell than Elves or Humans.’ We continue on down the river with no problems, the second day passes by with no interesting events occurring. On the third day I am trying to listen for enemies over the roar of a nearby waterfall, while Gimli is ranting about travelling through a place called the Emyn Muil then a large set of marshlands. Gimli starts ranting about not needing rest after Aragorn told him to get some rest. After realizing something is missing I look around “Where’s Frodo?” I ask

“Boromir is gone as well.” Aragorn says

“Oh great.” I snarl “ I’m going to look for them, spread out” the other Halflings run off “But stay together.” I say weakly and groan when I realize everybody has gotten scattered. I stride off after Sam to make sure that he will be all right, after a few minutes I catch up to Sam who is staring wide eyed at something. I look at what Sam is staring at “Oh damn it to hell” I swear as I see who Sam is staring at. A beautiful woman with dusky skin, elvish features, glowing red eyes, long white hair, black and red armour with a black widow spider symbol on the armour, a crown like tiara, a cruel looking sword in her right hand and a shield with the same spider symbol in her left hand. “Sam run, I’ll handle her, RUN.” I yell at him causing the Hobbit to scamper off back to camp “Vendui orbb valsharess.” I snarl (Hello spider queen (Drowish)) she glares at me

“You dare speak my language little half-breed?” she snarls back

“Yes I dare Lloth, I have beaten you before.”

“As much as it shames me to admit I lost to a mortal, yes you have. Be thankful I cannot face you in person” Lloth shivers for a moment

“What’s the matter Spider Queen? Is the Dragon Mother fighting you again?”

“Yes she is Darla.” I glare back

“Do not use my name, you will call me princess Darkwielder.” Lloth jumps at me with her blade aiming at my heart

“How dare you presume to tell me what to do you filthy mortal.” Her blade crashes with mine and the fight begins in earnest. The only sound coming from us are pants as we struggle, I lash out with a kick that sends Lloth flying into a tree and she gets up

“Have to do better than that.” She sneers and reposts with a blow that makes my shield ring and jars my arm painfully. I step back and twist my blade in behind her shield to expose the straps holding it to her arm, then I kick Lloth in the face, as she recovers I slash the straps off and kick the shield away “Interesting move little one, perhaps I’ll try it next time.” Lloth snarls trying to stop blood from coming out of her broken nose

“Please Spider Queen, I know that you are only a power level 3 avatar, you need a class 2 before I become in trouble.”

“You arrogant little bitch, remember when I caught you that was a class 2 as you call it.”

“That was two years ago Lloth, time may not mean much to a goddess but it mean I am much more powerful than I was then.”

“That is true, but come if you hope to save your friends from the new type of Orcs attacking them, you had better defeat me soon.” I scream in anger and jump, my shield knocking Lloth’s sword out of her hand then I decapitate her.

“Another time Lloth.” I snarl as the dead body fades away, leaving a very high quality sword and shield nearby

“Waste not, want not.” I mutter as I put the items into my magical bag that is enchanted to be much bigger on the inside than out, of course I change the spider symbol to that of Tiamat’s then I go running off to find the others. After running for 5 minutes I see Aragorn locked in combat with a nasty Orc, I reach for my crossbow but Aragorn has already chopped up the Orc. “Aragorn you all right?” I call

“Yes Darla, I’m fine a little bruised but otherwise fine.”

“Where’s Legolas, Gimli and Boromir?”

“Boromir fell, Legolas and Gimli are fine and with him, this way follow me.” I follow but fail to notice the tree root in front of me, I trip and fall into a tree. The sudden pain combined with my lack of sleep knocks me out. When I wake up I see that somebody is carrying me, a person with a bow and blond hair. “Come Gimli, we’re gaining on them” I smile as I hear the Dwarf’s complaints then frown as I realize I have been out for 3 days. ‘Must have concussed myself, hard skull or not that hurt’ I think to myself

“Legolas can you put me down?”

“You’re awake meleth nin, I was worried.”

“Glad to hear it, please put me down.”

“You were unconscious for 3 days Darla, let Aragorn see if you are healthy.”

“Fine, let me just say that I was tired and I hit my head hard that’s probably why I was asleep for so long.”

“You disappoint me meleth nin, I thought you were supposed to be faithful.”

“What on earth do you mean?”

“You kissed that tree.” I can hear a slight pout to his voice “I thought you were betrothed to me.” Then I realize Legolas is teasing me

“Oh very funny” I mutter “kindly put me down leg of lamb or I trip you.” Legolas snorts at his nickname

“As you wish.” I get off his shoulder and straiten up

“So both Boromir and Gandalf?” I ask as I start running beside Legolas

“Yes.”

“What happened to Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin?”

“Sam and Frodo have gone to Mordor, Merry and Pippin have been captured by the Uruk-Hai.”

“So we’re chasing after them, huh, move it Gimli.” I yell at him

“Good to see you awake and healthy lass, I was worried.”

“Save your breath Gimli, keep running.” I yell back at him, I don’t realize Legolas has stopped until I plow into him knocking us both to the ground. “Oops sorry Legolas.”

“Tis fine, you did not see I had stopped”

“Still I’m sorry.” Then I look out and with my Dragon eyes I see that the Uruks are still ahead of us “The Uruks are heading North East.” I yell to Aragorn

“They are heading to Isengard.” Legolas adds. We continue to run through the night without rest, until the next dawn Legolas claims that the red light from the sun meant that blood had been spilled. Aragorn says that we are now in the lands called Rohan and the people here use horses a lot. Then horse men ride by as we hide in some rocks then Aragorn calls out to them, they turn around and surround us with their spears in close proximity to our bodies.

“What business do an Elf, Dwarf, man and woman have in the Riddemark?” He snarls “speak quickly.”

“Give me your name Horsemaster and I shall give you mine.” Gimli decides to put in his two coppers

“I would cut off you head Dwarf, it if it stood a little higher than the ground.” The man snaps

“You would die before your stroke fell.” Legolas yells pointing his arrow at the man’s head, while all the other mounted troops crowd in closer with their spears.

“I am Aragorn son of Arathorn, this is Gimli son of Gloin, Legolas of the woodland realm and Darla Darkwielder.” Aragorn says introducing us in turn “We are friends of Rohan and of Théoden your king.” Then the man removes his helmet and his forces back off. Then the man comments that Théoden does dot know who friend or foe is anymore and that a wizard Saruman has taken over the king’s mind and that he has spies everywhere slipping by the Rohan troops.

“We are not spies” I pipe up “we are trying to find two friends of ours that were take prisoner by a group of Uruk-Hai.” The man looks shocked at this

“The Uruks were destroyed, we slaughtered them during the night.” Then Gimli starts asking about Merry and Pippin then Aragorn adds some accurate descriptions. But the man says that his men did not find anyone of those descriptions and that they piled the carcasses and burned them.

“Hasufel, Arod.” the man calls out and a pair of riderless horses are brought to us. “Farewell, look for your friends but do not come to hope it has forsaken these lands. We ride north” He yells to his men and they ride off.

“I guess I’ll ride with Legolas.” I say but the horses smelling my partial Dragon blood back away looking slightly skittish. Both Legolas and Aragorn manage to calm the horses then we mount up and head towards the burning pile. After we arrive at the pile about 10 minutes later Gimli dismounts and starts digging through it with his axe until he finds a hobbit sized belt, Aragorn yells in frustration until he finds tracks that lead into the forest called Fangorn. After we deliberate a little we walk into the forest.

Chapter 4: From Fangorn to Helms Deep

We enter the forest and look around. Gimli walks up to a bush to figure out what that black substance is on the leaves. He tastes a bit, and spits it out “Pah, Orc blood.”

‘Probably tastes better than my cooking.’ I think to myself.

“These are strange tracks,” Aragorn says looking at the ground. Legolas comments that the forest is old and angry about something and the trees are talking to each other. As the forest sways, the groaning noises begin to get louder.

“Gimli put down your axe.” I say, walking over and pulling down on his arm.

“I could have done that myself lass.” While Gimli is about to start bickering with me, Legolas speaks in Elvish. Despite the continued lessons I have not learned enough Elvish to understand. Seeing my confusion, Legolas switches languages.

“The white wizard approaches.” he whispers.

“Do not let him speak, he will put a spell on us.” Aragorn adds, so I quickly draw my crossbow, putting the stock to my shoulder while the others ready their weapons.

“NOW!” Aragorn yells and we strike.

Legolas’ arrow is knocked away, Gimli’s axe is shattered by the wizard’s staff, and Aragorn’s sword visibly heats up causing him to drop it. Then the wizard is surrounded with such a bright light it blinds me. I drop my crossbow onto its strap to cover my eyes. He comments about us following the Hobbits and how they met someone unexpected. Slowly his voice changed to become one that is more familiar to me.

“SHOW YOURSELF!” Aragorn demands then the light fades revealing… I blink and use shadow magic to clear my eyes and see Gandalf dressed in white.

“Gandalf? But how… you… the Balrog pulled you into the depths, you fell.” I stutter completely take aback

“Through fire and water, lady Darla, I fought the Balrog all the way through Moria until I threw down my enemy and smote his ruin upon the mountain side. Darkness took me, and I strayed out of thought and time, then I was sent back until my task is done.”

“Gandalf you’re back!” I say and smile happy that one fewer of our fellowship is lost

“Gandalf, yes, that was my name. Gandalf the grey.” The other members smile and Legolas apologizes for shooting at Gandalf, having mistaken him for Saruman. “I am Saruman, or rather Saruman as he should have been… I am Gandalf the white, and I come back to you now at the turn of the tide.” Gandalf then turns to leave and we follow, Gandalf seemed to be giving me a knowing look so I stride up to him and lower my voice.

“What?” He looks at me

“What what? Lady Darla.”

“You tell me.” I say quietly

“Very well, the Valar allowed me to glean your true heritage.” He says in a low tone of voice “Who does not know yet?” he asks as well

“Only Gimli.”

“Ah, well lady Darla, allow me to congratulate you on your betrothal.” He says as we move through the forest.

“Thank you Gandalf.” I say as Gimli starts complaining about the forest, how we came here for nothing and how we need to go a long way to a city called Edoras. Gandalf rebukes Gimli and mentions a creature called an Ent and that the Halflings we are seeking will have something to do about it.

“In one thing you have not changed my old friend.” Aragorn says. Gandalf looks at him questioningly, “You still speak in riddles.” Gandalf chuckles at this and we walk back to the horses and Gandalf calls his own, a beautiful white horse named Shadowfax. I watch Gandalf wrap himself in a grey robe and I realize that he is hiding his true powers from the world.

We mount up and start riding towards the city, about a quarter of the way there Tiamat contacts me again.

‘Little one, I have done all I can on this end, but beware, the Spider Queen has an avatar there that is far more powerful than anything you have ever faced before.’

‘A level 1?’ I ask fearfully.

‘Yes little one, good luck… I can give you the Dragon ruby but you can only use it once.’ ‘Good bye little one.’ I slump slightly again from the pressure and watch the ruby materialize in my hands.

‘A Dragon ruby? Amazing, the Dragon Mother rarely gives out these artifacts of power, this will grant me the power equivalent of a level one avatar of Tiamat but for only 5 minutes. I had better keep this safe. I am glad that only those of Dragon blood can use the ruby.’ I straighten up again. ‘I really wish I was older so that my mind could handle contact better with the Dragon Mother.’

Breaking out of my thoughts I see the city of Edoras. The city is built on a hill protecting a great hall and hamlets with a long palisade. A flag has ripped off its post, and it comes fluttering down towards us as we pass through the gate. We ride up to the hall where a guard comes out to see us.

“Ah, Hama.” Gandalf says looking happy.

“I cannot allow you to see king Théoden so armed Gandalf Greyhame, by order of…. Grima Wormtongue.” I observe by the way Hama says this Wormtongue’s name that he does not like him at all. Gandalf nods at us to remove our weapons so I unbuckle my belt and the legs straps and hand my whole arsenal to a nearby guard along with my crossbow and shield. We are about to enter when Hama says “Your staff.”

“Oh, you would not part an old man from his walking stick.” I barely avoid rolling my eyes at the thought of Gandalf needing a walking stick, but I play along. Finally entering the dark hall I can see guards slinking around in the shadow, I look at the throne and Théoden seems to be very old, unnaturally so. I see an individual near the throne and my lips curl in disgust at the pale slimy man. Gandalf comes forwards while discussing the state of the building with Théoden, then the slimy man slinks out giving a whole spiel about Gandalf being evil and always a messenger of doom, then Gandalf snarls “Be silent Grima, keep your forked tongue behind your teeth. I have not passed through fire and death to bandy words with a witless worm.” He points his staff at the hideous man.

“His staff… I told you to take the wizard’s staff.” Grima yells to the guards who come at us, a few come at me thinking a woman would be easy to beat and use as leverage against the others. But the guards get more than they asked for when I easily beat the stuffing out of them. I take care in giving them nothing more than a few broken bones. I see Gimli tackle Grima and threaten him. While the fighting is happening Gandalf is currently talking to Théoden and begins speaking words banishing Saruman’s influence and he reveals his new white robes. As the banishment is about to start a woman dressed in white rushes to protect the king but I manage to grab her before. “Wait.” I hiss causing her to look at me and I can see she realizes that I am female. I can see that Gandalf is slowly winning the magical duel against Saruman, I don’t realize that I am tapping my foot impatiently until Legolas looks at me causing me to blush and stop. After a few minutes Gandalf successfully banishes Saruman and Théoden slumps on the throne, the woman breaks from my grip and rushes to see the king who seems to get younger before my eyes, with gold hair with some grey.

“I know your face, Éowyn… Éowyn.” Théoden steps forwards “Gandalf?” He asks upon seeing the wizard.

“Breath the free air again my friend.”

“Dark have been my dreams of late.”

“Your fingers would best remember their strength if they grasped your sword.” Hama goes and returns with Théoden’s sword who grabs it and examines it then he glares at Grima, Hama grins as he and another man grab Grima, drag him outside the hall and throw him painfully down the steps. Théoden follows looking quite intimidating and snarls at Grima’s whimpering “Your leachcraft would have had me crawling on all fours like a beast.” Grima snivels more then Théoden raises his sword to end the pathetic worm but Aragorn grabs it saying respectfully

“Enough blood has been spilled on his account.” Grima then runs away after taking a horse “Hail Théoden king!” Aragorn calls out. Théoden looks touched that his people bow to him

‘After whatever Grima made him do I guess he feels he betrayed his people.’ I think to myself as I bow in a respectful gesture.

“Where is Théodred? Where is my son?” Théoden asks, I walk away after this to go talk to the woman.

“Hello,” I say after I come to see her.

“Oh, hello milady.” She says .

“My name is Darla, Darla Darkwielder.”

“Éowyn lady Darla.”

“Éowyn, is Théoden your father?”

“My uncle lady Darla.”

“Ah, so you’re a princess?”

“Yes.”

“I am a princess as well, my lands are far away and I had the misfortune of getting lost… I ended up wandering about the mines of Moria until I met Legolas, Aragorn and the others.”

“Others?”

“Well Gandalf and a few Halflings, two of them are somewhere in Fangorn, the others got separated from us at Amon Hen, five days hence.”

“Oh I am sorry to hear about that lady Darla, so tell me what is it like to travel with men?”

“Well… it’s a bit of a shame because you get no privacy, but then again it helps if you have to move something heavy and you have strong men near you.”

“True,” Éowyn smiles at that. “Oh, nice ring lady Darla, are you married?”

“No just betrothed, not married yet.”

“May I ask who the person is?”

“Legolas.”

“Would that not cause problems? Lord Legolas is an Elf after all and is immortal.”

“Errr…” I say nervously “that will involve an explanation that is more believable when seen rather than told.”

“What do you mean?”

“Just promise me you will not scream or tell anyone until I let you, please.”

After a moment’s hesitation, she replies, “Very well.”

“Follow me.” I leave the hall and with Éowyn’s guidance I find a place big and private enough to make the change “Remember, don’t scream I won’t hurt you.”

“What do you…” Éowyn is cut off by me turning into a large black Dragon with red eyes and dressed in fearsome looking armor.

“No, I am only half-Dragon.” I say showing all my fangs in a smile. I am 100 feet at the shoulder and am at least 40 feet long my tail is another 18 feet fully extended. I transform back to my human form “I am immortal as well, so no problems there.”

“In…in….indeed.” Éowyn stutters

“Remember, secret please.”

“Of course lady Darla.” We both return back to the great hall where Legolas, Aragorn, Gimli and Gandalf are tending to their own affairs.

“Hello.” I say sitting down beside Legolas “What is happening?”

“The king is planning to retreat to the fortress of Helms Deep, we will leave in the morning after the village packs up what they need.”

“Well I’m already packed.”

“I have never seen you take anything out of that bag besides your pack of firesticks, may I inquire as to what you keep in there?”

“Just what I need, spare clothes, ammo for my crossbow and my suit of armor.”

“Aren’t you wearing it now?”

“My current type of armor is more for mobility, my other one I have is for heavy protection.”

“I see.”

“What time is it?”

“Just after midday.”

“Hmm… yawn… sorry I’m a little tired, I’m going to go rest, please wake me around supper time.”

“As you wish Darla.”

“Thanks Legolas, Gimli.” I nod in farewell to him

“Sleep well lass.” He says and goes back to eating.

“Thanks Gimli.” I walk away and with Éowyn’s help find an out-of-the-way couch. Casting some minor wards around it to warn me if anybody came near, I remove my armor and weapons and rest for a while.

“Hello Legolas.” I yawn

“How did you know it was me?”

“You know what I am, you think that snout is purely for decoration?”

“What do I smell like then?”

“Like leaves and grass; essentially like the forests you call home.”

“What time is it?” I ask while stretching

“A few hours before supper.”

“Ah…” I yawn “And the reason you are here?”

“I was walking by and noted you resting. I was just admiring how peaceful you looked despite what happened when you were so young,”

“How old are you Legolas?”

“2,951.”

“Well that’s a bit, what made you go speak to my father?”

“That would be my doing.” I gasp and look over Legolas’ shoulder to see a dragon the size of a Great Dane “Relax little one there is no need for formalities now.”

“Dragon Mother.” I whisper as Legolas spins around.

“What do you mean?” Legolas asks, a little fearfully. This is probably his first encounter with such a powerful avatar.

“Darla has risen quite high in my esteem through her deeds in my service. But that is of no import. Little one you never miscalculated. I just altered your jump parameters to match this world where I originally found your soul mate, Legolas. Because your souls are drawing you ever closer together, that powerful bond will allow you to exchange thoughts and emotions, as can your father and mother. I just gave a little push to bring you together, unless you object?”

“No Dragon Mother I am growing to know and love Darla here.”

“I feel the same way Dragon Mother.”

“As you wish little one. Now I must use this tool to work elsewhere. Farewell.” Legolas nods and Dragon Mother fades.

“She does not seem as intimidating as your father.” I smile.

“That is because she is pleased with us at the moment. I of all people can attest that to endure the wrath of a goddess is not a pleasant experience.” I wince, remembering the torture “But you were saying?”

“I was wondering… but how can you be so calm when you have just spoken with your goddess?”

“Experience. I have spoken with her many times, both with her avatars and with her mind directly.”

“Her mind! But would that not endanger you at all?”

“If I were just Human, yes, but remember my kind is known for its great constitution, in addition to powerful mental defenses. The strain of contact is…tolerable.”

“Oh.”

“Before the arrival of the Dragon Mother, what were you saying?” I prod.

“Hmm? Oh just that you looked so peaceful that it warmed my heart considering what the Spider Queen had done to you.” Legolas says, wincing because he knew it was a painful topic for me. I grunt in response and yawn again.

“Sorry, my Dragon part is telling me to get some more sleep.”

“Very well, sleep well.”

“Thank you Legolas.” I close my eyes and hear him walk away then I go back to sleep.

Unlike most of my kind I am a light sleeper so I quickly wake and rise when I hear Legolas call my name.

“All right, let’s go.”

We proceed to the main hall, where the others look up as we arrive. This is the first time they have seen me out of armor. In Lorien I wore my chain shirt over my clothes but now I am in just a black tunic and leggings. I walk over and sit down next to Legolas, letting the conversation wash over me. After the meal Legolas and I resume our Draconic/Elvish language lessons which are progressing smoothly despite a few days lost due to my unfortunate concussion.

The next day the king’s man, Hama, goes out to assist with the evacuation while I help pack up inside. As I return from the chambers that I share with Éowyn I can see her practicing with a sword. I drawn mine and as Éowyn spins I parry her blade easily and smile “Well it’s nice to see some females other than myself wielding a blade.”

“If I may ask, how well can you handle that?”

I pull my blade away from hers and whisper only loud enough for her to hear, “When your parents are very skilled and more than 3 million years old, you learn. And the requirements of my goddess means I need to keep my skills as sharp as my sword.”

‘Am I really that harsh little one?” Tiamat’s voice enters my mind. She sounds amused.

‘Permission to speak freely, Great One?’

‘Granted’

‘YES. You can be very harsh with those who displease you.’

‘But I am not as harsh as Lloth.’

‘For which we are very grateful, Dragon Mother.”

“Lady Darla?”

“Oh my apologies I got lost in my thoughts.”

‘Liar.’ Tiamat’s amused voice echoes, ‘Be happy little one, to me you are as dear as a daughter of my immortal flesh.’ I go about the clean up work while the goddess’ mind rapidly recedes from mine.

After a couple of hours the convoy is on the road to the fortress of Helms Deep. About an hour into the journey Gimli is explaining to Éowyn why people do not often notice Dwarf women. Gimli’s horse suddenly bucks him off, sending both him and his axe flying. The axe thankfully does not hit anyone. Chuckling softly I reclaim it and help Éowyn get him up over his protests that he meant to do that.

“If that was deliberate I’d hate to see an accident.” I jest, handing the axe over, and walk away laughing softly at Gimli’s spluttering. A little later, the caravan stops for the day. Éowyn is passing out stew, but I decline, explaining the powers of my sustaining ring to her. ‘Éowyn’s cooking is much better than mine,’ I think to myself, ‘if not for my pyro powers I would not even be able to boil water correctly.’

I walk out to where Aragorn and the others are sitting. While Éowyn is talking to Aragorn, I hear that Aragorn is 87 years old and my eyes open wide. I thought he was about half that but he is of a race of human that lives a very long time.

Time passes uneventfully, and night starts to fall. Aragorn is puffing on his pipe, lost in thought, and I am thinking about home, specifically that if my brother has gone into my room I will kill him slowly. I roll over in my bedroll and sleep, my thoughts drifting to the future and wondering how Frodo and Sam are faring.

The next day, about two hours after we break camp, I am walking beside Legolas when I smell something foul and dangerous “WARGS!” I yell drawing my crossbow. Using my Dragon sight I peg the wolf as it is about to leap on Hama’s horse. Legolas runs up to the goblin and makes sure that it is down.

“A scout.” He calls back to me as I spin and run back down the hill.

“What is it?” Calls Théoden

“Wargs, we’re under attack.” I yell back, sparking activity as all riders and fighters leap on horses. I run to my horse as Théoden yells at Éowyn to get the women and children to Helms Deep

“Damn it Arod this is not the time to go crazy on me.” I snarl as I draw my blade and join the riding group.

“What are you doing? You should be heading to Helms Deep with the women.” Théoden shouts at me.

“Last I checked lord Théoden I may be female but I am not one of your people. I will help defend them nevertheless.”

“You will be prey for the wolves.”

“We shall see!” I yell back as Legolas hops on behind me. Both sides charge, and making sure that Théoden can see me I cleave a Warg in two just to make the point. I dismount from Arod and run around killing orcs and Wargs on foot until I encounter a sight that makes me giggle like a little girl.

“Only you Gimli.” I say. He is piled under two Wargs and a goblin, and he grunts and grumbles but seems to be doing fine so I stride off in search of more monsters. I hear a Warg coming at me and spin around but it is on me before I can dodge. I kill the Warg and leave my sword buried in it’s rider before the body knocks me over the edge of the cliff. I hit my head on the river bank and know no more.

Legolas POV

I look around and pick out Gimli, Aragorn and king Théoden, but no matter where I look I do not see Darla. It should be easy to spot her the only red-head in the group.

“Darla?”

I call out, causing the others to look around. Gimli and Aragorn add their voices to mine but we receive no answer. I hear a wheezing laugh coming from an Orc lying near the end of the cliff.

“Tell us what happened to our friend and I will ease your passing.” Gimli promises.

“She’s…dead, took a little tumble off the cliff,” he gasps, causing fear and sorrow in my heart.

“You lie.” I snarl hoping against reason as I grab him painfully.

“Ha ha ha.” It laughs and gestures to the cliff where a piece of familiar jewellery is glinting in the sun. The sword embedded in the Orc looks familiar too. I draw the blade out of the Orc, who dies, and examine it. It’s lighter than I expect but on it is an emblem of a black Dragon with a raised golden talon clutching a black orb. I leap to the cliff and pick up the necklace. It’s one of a pair of necklaces that both Darla and I wear, looking the worse for wear, as though a claw managed to sever the chain. It probably bounced out of her armor and landed here. King Théoden comes close to us and calls out “Get the wounded on horses, leave the dead.” I send a disbelieving glare at him as I look over the cliff with Gimli and Aragorn. All we see a dead Warg, no Darla.

‘She was probably washed away from the river.’ I think “Good bye meleth nin I will see you in the halls of Mandos.” I mount Arod and ride towards the troops with tears in my eyes, as I grieve for my fallen betrothed.

Darla POV

‘ARISE LITTLE ONE.’

“Ahhh, I’m awake, I’m awake…oww.” I groan and feel a nasty lump on my head. I mutter a curse and a healing spell. “Right. Now, where am I?” I groan as I look around and recognize nothing. “Ok, time for a change.” My image ripples and I transform into my large black Dragon shape. I spread my wings and fly back along the river until I see where the battle took place. I land and sniff around until I pick up the scent of Arod and Legolas. ‘Perfect.’ I think to myself, and fly after the scent until I see a huge army of Orcs marching. ‘Wow, that’s a sizeable army.’ I yelp mentally. I continue flying until I reach the fortress, remaining out of sight until I can easily transform back. After I have transformed back, I come into view of the fortress. I can hear people’s surprised calls, and Gimli is yelling,

“Where is she? Out of my way, I’m going to kill her.” Then he stops in front of me as I run into the fortress “You have got to be the smartest and luckiest lass I ever have known.” Then Legolas comes out of nowhere and immediately sweeps me into a rib cracking hug and locks lips with me, making me rather light headed as the kiss is cutting off my air. He breaks it and releases me. I stagger for a moment but he catches me.

“Are you well meleth nin?” he asks, as I take a moment to recover.

“….Yes I am fine despite being light headed from that kiss and having a cracked rib from your hug.” I smile warmly, then frown suddenly “where is the king? We have a problem.” After informing the king about the nearly 10,000 Orcs I saw heading towards this castle I begin helping prepare for the oncoming battle. A few hours later Théoden comes to find me along with Legolas, Aragorn and Gimli. I am speaking with Rohan people who look rather nervous with their new weapons giving them a few techniques with their blades.

“Lady Darla,” Théoden says, “I have given word for all women and children to assemble in the caves. That includes you.”

“Really?” I ask with a raised eyebrow. “Why? These are strong women who deserve a chance to fight for their homes alongside their husbands and sons, why should they hide when they can do so much?” I query.

“War is not the province of women milady, it is not right to expose them to the agonies of battle. Please, as king of Rohan, I ask you to enter the caves.” I glare at him.

“So you think that just because I am a woman means I do not know agony?” I snarl rhetorically. “And do not pull the royalty maneuver on me; I am the crown princess of my people. But I digress. However I KNOW MORE AGONY THAN YOU COULD EVER IMAGINE.” I yell then I open my mental shields and grab the minds of everybody nearby and pour every memory of my torture from Lloth into their minds. Every whip strike, every time her monstrous spiders poisoned me, every blade that stabbed, every hot branding on my skin, every time the priestesses healed me then dragged me back to start again. As they grab their heads to fight off the pain, I release them and drop my voice. “Don’t say I don’t know agony. When it comes to battle I will not run nor hide, I will fight and I will win or I will die.” I quietly leave to find a place to calm myself. I cloak myself in the shadows near the armory in such a way only an Elf, Dragon or another Shadowmancer could see me. I see Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas enter the armory and start chatting, their voices raise in Elvish. Suddenly Aragorn yells “Then I shall die as one of them.” After a while Legolas comes out and looks around and sees me sitting there quietly

“Meleth nin…”

“I don’t want pity Legolas.”

“I was not giving pity Darla, but true sorrow for your pain, may I sit?”

“As you wish my love.” He sits and pulls me into his arms I sniff sadly.

“What is it?”

“Nothing.” I say quickly while turning away from him

“Meleth nin it is not nothing, tell me what’s wrong please.”

“Why do you want me Legolas? I am broken, damaged…”

“Well all injuries heal in time my love, perhaps the Dragon Mother sees me as the healer for your wounds, for not only was your body hurt but your mind as well.”

“Thank you Legolas, it was not easy dredging up those memories but I had to make a point.”

“You certainly did. I heard Gimli snarling about the Spider Queen becoming acquainted with his axe, nobody deserves that kind of torture.” Legolas wipes away my tears with a handkerchief.

“Come, enough with me being a waterfall here.” I try to get up but he holds me. King Théoden comes down here and tells the people around us to leave us alone until battle time.

“No Darla, you are just suppressing your emotions again. Something like that will only cause rage to fester in your heart, spurring you to make choices in your quest for vengeance. I just got you back when I thought you were dead, and I do not want to lose you again. Cry meleth nin, I am here for you, if you want to talk I will listen, but I want you to face this problem. We are together now and that is how we shall face the world.” I cry on Legolas’ shoulder for about 10 minutes. Eventually, my tears subside, and I feel much better. I motion to rise.

“Thank you Legolas, but now to battle.” He gets up and helps me to my feet

“Be careful Darla.” I smile in a feral manner

“Considering what I am, did you really think such a little fall would truly harm me?” He laughs sheepishly.

“I guess not.”

“Can I have my sword back?”

“Yes, here.” He hands it to me “Excuse me meleth nin but I need to go get armor now. Oh this fell from you.” He hands me the heart pendant back, then he goes to arm himself. As we enter the armory Aragorn looks up and says to Legolas in Elvish,

“There is nothing to forgive Legolas.” They are making up for their argument earlier then. Gimli grumbles about the chain mail and how he’d want to get it adjusted.

“Here let me.” I cast a transformation spell in Draconic on the chain mail so that it would fit Gimli .

“Thank you lass.” Then a horn rings out through the deep.

“That is no Orc horn.” Legolas states and we all run out of the armory to find a whole group of Elves, around 400 commanded by Haldir who gets pulled into a hug by Aragorn.

“You are most welcome mellon nin.” Now all the humans are arranged in the castle proper, while on and below the long wall is 401 Elves, one Human, one Dwarf and one half-Dragon. At the end of the vale we can now see the huge army of Uruk-Hai stomping down towards us until they stop a little bit before the wall and start pounding their spears in an intimidating manner. I sigh and ready my crossbow, then look around and blush, slightly embarrassed.

“What is it meleth nin?” Legolas asks

“Nothing really, just that out of 700 people I am the only one with a crossbow.” Legolas laughs softly. Gimli speaks up from nearby.

“Well lass, whatever luck you live by let’s hope it lasts the night.” Aragorn comes to us now that the orders are given .

“Your friends are with you Aragorn.”

“Let’s hope…OI.” I had smacked the dwarf with my gloved hand

“Don’t be a pessimist Gimli, we are in enough trouble as it is.” Aragorn draws his blade and I put my finger on the trigger. Suddenly an arrow is shot into an Uruk

“Dartho.” Aragorn yells (Hold). The Uruks snarls the leader roars and the battle begins.

“Tángado hálad.” (Prepare to fire) Aragorn yells.

“Before you tell me where their armor is weak Legolas, let me tell you these bolts are adamantium as well.” I smirk, cutting his sentence off. The Uruks charge at the wall.

“Leíthio í philinn!” Aragorn yells, the sounds of bows and one crossbow fill the air cutting down Orcs. Rohan starts shooting as well, then Aragorn give the order to fire at will. I smirk and flick a small switch on my crossbow.

“Meleth nin what are you doing? Shoot them!” Legolas yells.

“As you wish my dear.” My crossbow opens up on full automatic fire, spewing 10 adamantium bolts every 2 seconds, I can see both Aragorn and Gimli have shocked looks on their faces “Repeating crossbow boys.” I smile at them, pop out the empty clip and smoothly reload, killing more Orcs as the battle progresses.

“Ladders!” I yell, as Aragorn yells out the same in elvish.

“Good.” Gimli cheers as an Orc attempts to get over the wall Gimli cleaves him down, then cuts another down with a crotch shot.

“That’s hitting below the belt Gimli.” I jest, the Dwarf just chuckles.

“Legolas two already.” Gimli boasts.

“I’m on 17.” He retorts

“Play nice boys, I’m on 187.” Gimli’s and Legolas’ respective jaws drop

“Repeating crossbow.” Gimli grumbles and moves to cleave down more Orcs. The battle continues in this vein until Aragorn calls.

“Darla, use your crossbow on the causeway.” I look and see that the Orcs are carrying something, and protecting it in a way that cannot be attacked from the front, but the sides are another matter. I smoothly reload a full clip and empty it, killing many of the Orcs, but they start beating at the door anyway. Suddenly a ladder comes up in front of me forcing me to dangle my crossbow and acquainting the innards of the incoming Orc with my sword. I realize that I’d be too vulnerable to fight with just my sword and shield. The fighting grows fiercer and fiercer until I hear Aragorn yelling “Legolas "Qualmro! Qualmro!" (Kill him! Kill him!). I turn and BOOM! the wall under my feet explodes, propelling me into the air! I quickly cast a Feather Fall charm and land safely near Aragorn.

“How are you feeling Aragorn?”

“Like I have been trampled by a Mumakil.” This goes over my head somewhat because I have no idea what that is.

“Can you fight? Because there is a big hole in the wall that needs plugging.” To emphasize my point I ignite my hands and begin hurling fireballs into the Orcs while Aragorn rallies the nearby elves and charges with them, I hurl a couple last fireballs and plunge into the fray. My sword cleaves around taking out spears and then the Orcs wielding them.I see Legolas surfing down the stairs, and he kicks the shield he is riding on into an Uruk, killing it. Panting from exertion I can hear Théoden yell “Aragorn, fall back to the keep, get your men out of there!” Aragorn starts ordering troops to pull back. Haldir is caught on the wall and acknowledges the retreat order

“Haldir run, I’ll cover your retreat!” I yell to the Elf captain and his men. He nods and pulls the men back as I shoot down more Uruks, including one that was going for Haldir head.

“Many thanks lady Darla.”

“It’s nothing, move it I’ll finish up here.” I wait until the Elves that are still alive pull out then I cast flaming tidal wave. The effect is similar to waves crashing on a shore but with fire, and the spell clears out a good portion of the courtyard.

‘I wonder how many I killed there? Oh well.’

‘Your total is now 2008 little one.’

‘Thank you Dragon Mother, if I may ask why you are watching me?’

‘To be honest I’m bored, I get no entertainment out of bothering Lloth at the moment.’

‘Glad to be of service.’ I follow Haldir up to the keep, rocks are poured in front of the door from a trap above cutting off any pursuit. I join the others and Théoden at the gate and chop down Uruks as I fight my way through them. Gimli and Aragorn run off, then I see them outside holding the causeway long enough for the gate to be boarded up. I pause to catch my breath in the chaos until Théoden yells.

“Gimli, Aragorn get out of there.” I race up to the top of the wall and see that Legolas and a few Elves are lifting Aragorn and Gimli back into the keep. The two clamber up, then we hear Hama yell “Fall back! Fall back!” Another voice yells,

“The castle is breached! Retreat!” Now having no choice, I join the groups of men running into the keep itself, giving cover with my repeating crossbow.

Half an hour later, the door is being beaten down while Legolas ransacks the keep for objects to barricade the door. I am exhausted after several hours of non stop fighting and unable to maintain any spells on the door. “The fortress is taken,” Théoden mutters, “it is over.”

“Oh for the love of the Dragon Mother, and I thought my father is pessimistic!” I snarl in Draconic “not yet lord Théoden, we are still alive and still able to fight, let us bleed these Orcs for their transgressions.”

“Is there another way for the women and children to get out of the caves?” Aragorn asks “is there another way?”

“Yes, there is one pass. It leads into the mountains, but the Orcs will cut them down before long.” Another of the king’s lieutenants Gamling says

“Send word for the women and children to escape, and barricade the entrance.” Legolas comes by and says,

“Meleth nin, join the women we shall give you time.” I spin and glare at him

“NO! I will not run while my betrothed fights and dies, if we are to die then we die together!” He smiles sadly. Théoden orders us to mount up and gives a stirring speech.

“Forth Eorlingas!” He yells and spurs on his steed as the door is broken down, our horses smash through the crowd of Uruks to the sounds of a massive horn being blown. We break through the hordes until we reach the causeway. I look around, and see Gandalf on his horse leading a charge of Rohan horsemen. Newly reinforced, the Rohan troops finally break the Uruk-Hai’s spirit and they break for a forest that I’m sure was not there before. We all shout,

“VICTORY!”

“Stay out of the forest.” Gandalf orders as everybody chases the Orcs down. We follow his orders and stop short of the woods. Soon in the forest noises of the Orcs dying is prevalent. The Rohan troops start clearing up the remaining Orc bodies and begin burning them. The final tally was for the Elves 205 dead 55 wounded, Rohan 178 dead 100 wounded.

Walking near to where Legolas and Gimli are, Gimli is sitting on a dead Uruk with his axe in the Orc’s head.

“Final count 52.” Legolas says

“52, that’s not bad for a pointy eared Elvish princeling. I am sitting pretty in 53.” Legolas suddenly whips out an arrow and shots the Orc Gimli was sitting on.

“53.” Legolas gloats

“He was already dead.” Gimli insists

“He was twitching.” Legolas defends

“Because he has my axe embedded in his central nervous system.” Gimli jerks the axe causing the Orc to twitch.

“Again I say, play nice boys.” I lean on Legolas “Besides ,I have a lot more kills than you both have.”

“Oh lass?”

“Final count 3009.” Gimli splutters and chokes on his pipe.

“How Darla?”

“Fire magics, adamantium sword, and repeating crossbow my dear.” Giving a teasing smirk to them both I conjure a chair from shadows and light a firestick then enjoy both the taste of victory and my cigarette while I relax.

Chapter 5: Isengard and a party

I wake up after resting for a long while to replenish my diminished magical reserves I begin getting ready to join the group going to Isengard, Saruman’s fortress. Haldir had gathered a few Elves to join us as well as Théoden, Éomer, Legolas, Aragorn, Gimli and Gandalf, I mound Arod in front of Legolas. The horse’s jitteriness is really starting to bother me but considering that my kind does eat horses I don’t blame them. Traveling through the trees of Fangorn again we arrive at Isengard to hear the familiar laughter of our two missing Hobbits

“Welcome my lords and lady to Isengard.” Gimli starts complaining on how we have to do the hard work of chasing down these two and here they are safe and sound eating and smoking

“We are under orders from Treebeard who has made us his gatekeepers to greet you and escort you to him.” The Hobbits climb down and join us and guide us to a large moving and talking tree

“Hoom, young master Gandalf I’m glad you’ve come… Wood and water, stock and stone I can master. But there is a wizard here locked in his tower.”

“And there he must stay Treebeard, under your guard”

“Let’s just take his head and be done with it.” Gimli pipes up

“I agree with Gimli, he is probably too dangerous to be left alone.”

“No, we need him alive to talk.” We proceed onwards to the tower where a voice speaks down

“You have fought many wars, and slain many men Théoden king then made peace afterwards. Can we not have peace my old friend?”

“We shall have peace, when you answer for the burning of the Westfold and the children that lie dead there, when you answer for the men who died and were hewn defending the Hornburg, when you hang from a gibbet for the sport of your own crows. Then we shall have peace.” Saruman glares and snarls back “Gibbets and crows… Dotard.” Saruman glares down at me in particular “And what do you want half-Dragon princess? Another world to add to your father’s realm? The Spider Queen told us all about you Darla Darkwielder.” Gimli starts laughing

“Ah you expect us to believe the lass is a half-Dragon hahahaAAAAA.” As I transform and he jumps off the horse he shares with Aragorn in surprise.

“Yes Gimli I am a half-Dragon.” Legolas looks unsurprised as do Aragorn and Gandalf although the former two have no idea how big I actually was before now. I glare at Saruman after picking Gimli up and setting him on the horse “want me to fly up there and chomp him?” I ask Théoden who smiles slightly at the thought “I may be of Dragon blood but I am an ally of Rohan.” I smile at Théoden and the startled Éomer who asks Legolas who the Dragon of my family is

“Her father, and he is five times bigger than Darla. Darla… I’ll ask when we are done here mela nin (my love).”

“Saruman you were deep in Sauron’s council tell us what you know.” Gandalf demands

“So you have come here for information, I have some for you.” I roll my crimson eyes as Saruman starts insulting Gandalf, Théoden and Aragorn in the same breath and goes on a spiel about Sauron’s power shows a black orb with something showing inside it

“Oh dear, this guy is like Lloth, they love the sound of their voice so much they never stop ranting.” I mutter to chuckles from the company

“I’ve heard enough.” Gimli snarls to us “shoot him, stick an arrow in his gob.”

“My offer to go chomp him still stands Gimli.” The dwarf chuckles as Gandalf rebukes us as Saruman makes some demands then Grima appears at the top of the tower and blanches at the sight of a Dragon outside. Théoden offers sanctuary to Grima and attempts to persuade him to join us but Saruman strikes him which causes Grima to get up and backstab Saruman literally then Legolas shoots him and Saruman’s corpse topples off the tower and lands on a spike then gets pulled underwater. I notice Treebeard is glowering at me

“What?”

“A fire breather in my woods?” He snarls

“I am not a fire breather.” I snap back “Do I look like a red Dragon to you? I breathe acid.” I demonstrate on the ruins of the outer wall then I shift back to my Human form as Pippin is giving something to Gandalf, I mount Arod again trying to maintain a strong grip on my temper

“Relax Darla.” Legolas says as he seems to try to rub my shoulders but I am wearing armor.

“Perhaps later, can we leave? I don’t like the looks these Ents are sending me.”

“As you wish.” The party by now has gathered to leave and we begin riding back to Edoras, I still am concentrating on my temper, ‘A major downside of being Dragon blood is a nasty temper.’ I think to myself, I sigh and lean back into Legolas’ arms and just wait and watch until finally “That’s it, I am too infuriated at the moment, I’m going to fly.” I snarl, I leap off Arod, transform, spread my wings and fly away. I swing above the party and swoop around enjoying the feel of wind on my wings. When I eventually calm down I transform back and swing onto Arod.

“Feel better meleth nin?”

“Much, there is little better besides the feel of the wind in your wings.” We continue riding as Edoras finally comes into sight and continue up into the city, once back inside I take advantage of the peace before the party to take a bath and clean off all the Uruk blood and whatever I picked up on my trip down the river. ‘How does he manage to stay so immaculate despite two battles? Hmmph, must have some natural ward or something. No matter.’ I redress myself being conscious of the wounds on my back, I slip a couple of knives into my boots and head off to find Legolas. Now I can clearly hear sound of a party happening, Merry and Pippin are dancing over on a table entertaining the people, Legolas and Gimli are near Éomer at a table with mugs of ale

in hand “What’s going on?” I ask

“Dinking contest, last one standing wins…you think you could handle it lass?”

“Yes I could out drink even an Elf Gimli, those of Dragon blood suffer few effects from alcohol and a full blood is not even affected at all. I don’t think it would be fair to you so I will respectfully bow out from this contest.”

“As you wish.” I watch with growing amusement as Gimli slowly and eventually gives in to the alcohol and passes out

“Game over.” Says Legolas says

‘Little one come outside I must speak with you.’ I walk outside to see the Dragon the size of a great Dane and each part of it is the five colors of the cromatic order of Dragons

“Yes Dragon Mother?”

“Little one, I just wanted to warn you that Lloth has another avatar here, a power you have beaten before.”

“Thank you for the warning Dragon Mother, any thoughts where this one might be?”

“I think what’s-his-name… ah Sauron will ask her if she can aid whatever assault he will launch, Lloth is blocking my influence here so I cannot see where or what they are planning so I wish you luck little one.”

“I thank you Dragon Mother.” I bow to her as she fades and the last thing I hear from her is

“Darla you are high in my favor, you do not need to bow to me so stop that.” I chuckle lightly and return only to be blocked by a drunk Rohan man

“Hello milady.” I brace myself for a possible confrontation

“Can I help you?” then I hear Legolas’ voice calling

“Mela nin where are you?”

“Excuse me sir my betrothed is calling.” To emphasize my point of the finality I flare my eyes to my Draconic crimson which causes the drunk man to flee. I walk up to him “Yes Legolas?”

“I wanted to ask you, where would you wish to get married?”

“We could do either Mirkwood or Dragon Haunt, we can gate in whoever wishes to come, it will be a special thing for our people, another race joining the chromatic alliance.”

“What is that?”

“Originally when Dragon Haunt was founded, there was 5000…” Legolas and I move to sit near the stairs of the Golden Hall “Dragons all of the five types, Green, Black, Red, Blue and White. Under the guidance of their lead Dragon would become knows as the Dragon Lords, the leaders who were great friends and allies of my father signed a charter saying that no Dragon of any color would outweigh the other kinds in importance, aside from the military rank they would have they would be all equals. A Red could give orders to a Green if he outranked him or vice versa for any kind.” Aragorn speaks up near us

“If your father’s friends are called the Dragon Lords what do they call your father?”

“Hmm, oh hello Aragorn, would you like to join us?”

“If you do not mind lady Darla.”

“Aragorn we’re friends I think we are past the formalities stage. But no I do not mind, I was just telling Legolas my city’s history.” He sits down nearby “But the people call my father the Dragon Highlord. Our empire is 1040 years younger than my father, in 20 of our years, if it’s different than here is 31 days a month and 14 months in a year.”

“Only 12 months here.” Aragorn says, I nod in acknowledgement

“But in those 20 years we had added Humans and eventually half-Dragons to our realm and 20 years after that we had the empire to the current size it is today.”

“Darla how do your people categorize Dragons?” Asks Legolas

“First thing Legolas, since by the will of the Dragon Mother our marriage is imminent they will be our people. Second there are different age groups and size categories. These are the categories for age: Wyrmling, Very young, Young, Juvenile, Young Adult… this is technically the stage I am in. Adult, Mature Adult, Very Old, Ancient, Wyrm and finally Great Wyrm which my father is. We rate size in a rather uncreative method: Small, Medium, Large, Huge, Gargantuan and Colossal, unlike the majority of the blacks my father is Colossal, blacks tend to grow no bigger than Gargantuan but you do get the occasional Colossal, I for one hope to reach that size. But at the very least I’m hoping for Gargantuan.”

“Interesting, your family told me something interesting.”

“What do you mean?” I ask

“Well meleth nin, I was thinking just how ticklish a half-Dragon would be, your brother told me to test on you.”

“What… oh no.” I whimper as suddenly Legolas’ arm wraps around me and the other starts tickling me turning me into a writhing heap of giggles “Not…fair.” I gasp between giggles

“Aragorn did you realize that Dragons are ticklish?” Legolas teases

“Oh indeed you learn something new each day.” Legolas stops suddenly

“He is here, Sauron.” He races off into the hall closely followed by Aragorn and myself, inside the hall Pippin is holding a black ball containing what looks like a flaming eye. Pippin’s mouth is locked in a soundless scream as Aragorn wrestles with the orb and ends up in the same position. I quickly grab the orb from them and feel a massive force slam itself into my mental shields.

“Who are you?” A evil voice thunders another mind joins the assault as a familiar presence joins the assault on my mental shields then I hear the other voice say

“Forget it Sauron we cannot break her shields.” Suddenly the pain stops as the orb falls from my hands, my body reacting to the massive psychic overload and pain shuts down the last things I hear is Legolas’ voice crying out my name and Gandalf saying

“She’s withdrawn into herself I cannot do anything, I think she should be well soon.” Then I hear Gandalf yelling “Fool of a Took.” Before darkness is all I know. I hear Gandalf saying “…I ride for Minas Tirith and I won’t be going alone.” I notice the is a cool rag on my forehead making an attempt at dulling the pain.

“Ow.” I moan

“Meleth nin are you well? How do you feel?”

“Like my father trampled my head… for the record that has happened so I know what it feels like.” I moan again

“What?”

“I was playing in my small Dragon form when I was 9, mother had been kidnapped by Lloth’s priestesses. Father came racing out of the caves where he resides when he’s in his Dragon form in a hurry. He was in Dragon form and he stepped on my poor tail and then his tail slammed into my head an he went by. The next ting I knew he was beside me in the healing rooms apologizing and he even bought me this very pretty dress, that and he made this sword you see on me today. Oh I lied about the sword, it’s not made of adamantium, it’s made of endurinium the rarest alloy that is half the weight of mithril and three times superior to adamantium.”

“Ummm that’s certainly impressive.”

“There is also the enchantments on it. But what happened? What was that thing?”

“That was one of the Seven seeing stones called the palantir. Long ago the kings of Gondor and Arnor used them to communicate and see what was going on in different parts of the kingdom.

“And that eye, was that Sauron?”

“Without his ring, which hopefully Frodo will destroy.”

“I may not know much about this world my love, but I do know that Hobbits are a hardy race, I have faith in him.” I say back

“Well I hope, but I cannot help but despair.”

“Then I’ll have to be optimistic for the both of us.” I make to get off the couch I had been placed on but Legolas holds my shoulder and forces me back down.

“Rest meleth nin, I will have lady Éowyn place you in some private chambers, you may heal fast Darla but I can still see you are in immense pain. Get some sleep, for tomorrow we are going to Gondor.” I smile at him

“I will Legolas, but do not ask me to stay behind.”

“I will not meleth nin. Rest well.” Legolas walks off to have me placed in some chambers and I fall asleep to heal my splitting headache.

Chapter 6: Shipping ghosts to a siege

Gandalf and Pippin had left for Gondor a week ago with no news, I had sparred with Éowyn, Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas. Being an Elf, Legolas is much faster in his movements than I am and out of 10 duels I tied four, won three and lost three. Despite all the things I tried to distract myself, I now could speak the dialects of elvish almost perfectly, it was funny me speaking either Sindarin or Quenya (A/N is the spelling right?) and Legolas replying in Draconic. I am sitting in the hall with Legolas and Gimli at a table I was giving them small lectures and demonstrations on the use of magic when Aragorn comes running in yelling “The beacons of Minas Tirith, the beacons are lit. Gondor calls for aid.” Théoden proudly orders his forces to ready for war

‘Every time I seem to find out something new in this world I seem to get hurt in some manner, first after fighting Lloth at Amon Hen I concuss myself, then at Edoras with that Palantir I got the psychic equivalent of a concussion.’ I think as I watch the men get ready for battle, I can see Aragorn reading his horse, I stand up and walk over to Théoden “Lord Théoden as you know I have Dragon abilities and I will be using them in the battle to come, I would appreciate if your men know that we have a Dragon on our side so they do not fire on me when I do transform.”

“Your assistance is greatly welcomed lady Darla.” I stride off to find Legolas and I find him with Gimli.

“Oh Legolas.” I say smirking at him in a feral manner that seems to make him very nervous

“Ulp, yes Darla?” I continue to grin and hit him with a full powered tickling hex

“Payback my love.” I smirk as Legolas is writhing laughing his head off. Gimli chuckles when I explain it’s a harmless tickling spell and remove the spell after making Legolas suffer a little. “Would you rather fly then ride Legolas?”

“Perhaps, although I do not know how to ride a Dragon.”

“Just move so I can transform.” I change and offer my paw, palm upwards “climb on.” Legolas hops on, I see Théoden and his men are watching I just shrug and help Legolas in place “ready? Here we go.” My wings spread and we take off into the air, while Rohan’s forces begin marching below us. As Legolas and I fly above the army from Edoras I explain to Legolas that my father and mother do this when they fly into combat. “Between father’s natural powerful magic resistance, his almost indestructible endurinium armor and the aura of fear that all dragons cause nobody will dare attack them with spell or missile. Mother takes advantage of this by hurling her most powerful fire spells at our enemies with impunity, the soul bond they have allows for perfect coordination of the their movements. The bond allows the other to know instinctively what the partner is going to do, provided they are not blocking the bond.”

“A perfect team then, would we form that kind of bond?”

“I think Tiamat wants it that way, so I would hazard a yes in this case. An addition onto what I said earlier with their minds connected the way they are mother can fight from any part of father, even the tail.” Legolas looks back at my swinging tail “I don’t think you’re ready for that my love.” I say as I can feel him start to move from his current position. Eventually we reach the mustering point of Rohan at Dunharrow. I land and Legolas slides down my leg as I transform back “Did you enjoy the flight Legolas?”

“Yes Darla.”

“We may have to fly into battle like that someday, you are going to have to practice firing and holding on when I am at full speed or doing aerial maneuvers because the speed we flew at there was one tenth of my maximum speed.”

“Oh, well I guess I should practice to be able to battle on you.”

“Indeed.” I smile and walk away and see Aragorn staring out at the mountains while the hoses are freaking out and for once it was not my fault. I see Gimli come to Aragorn and tell him to grab some food with him. Night falls not long afterwards as Merry comes out in leather armor swinging his sword around in practice as he goes to the smithy by the looks of it.

“You should not encourage him.” Éomer grunts to his sister

“And you should not doubt him.” She replies

“I do not doubt his heart only the reach of his arm.”

“Why should Merry not have any right to go to war as you?”

“In battle with the screams, blood and death. He would flee and be right for him too. I know you wish it but women have no place in battle.”

“Oh really?” I sneer “then fight me.” I glare at Éomer who blanches at the sight of my glowing crimson eyes which mine do when I am either suitably angered or concentrating to do it deliberately.”

“Your pardon lady Darla, I do not mean all women.” I raise an eyebrow

“Oh? It is strange that Rohan teaches their women to fight and yet when the chance comes they deny them the chance.”

“War is not the province of women. I understand you wish to assert otherwise but aside from you no one has dragon blood in them.” My other eyebrow raises

“So what makes war not the province of women? Dragon blood? My mother is a human, albeit with some enhancements. But the point is mother is human with the strength of a human woman and yet she spars with father who is many times physically stronger than her. She has fought Lloth, she dares to oppose the goddess of the Dark Elves. My mother has seen battle many times of the course of her life and her bloodline or sex does not stop her. Another fact you should know that if anybody suggested this to her she would send you away with a singed behind. Remember my mother is 3 million years old and immortal like myself and I will heed the advise of a wise sorceress and a great wyrm over a human of at least 40 years.” I pause “prove war is not the province of women, spar.”

“As I said you are of Dragon blood and would not be fair to me.”

“As I said mother has no strength enhancements but that does not stop her from dueling with a great worm more than 2000 years her senior, but I mean prove it to you sister, if she were a Red she’d be spitting fire at you.” Éomer finds that Éowyn is glaring at him looking so enraged she almost has steam coming out of her ears, something mother had done. “Spar with her.” I command

“But I have no blade currently.” Éowyn protests

“Use mine.” I say passing the blade to her and lean in close to her ear “midway through touch the ruby, it will activate the flaming enchantment imbued into the sword.” I whisper with a smirk and a wink “fight for the rights of all women mirak fredalk.” (1) The sparring is quick and I am quite impressed with Éowyn’s fighting skills, oh she could hold her own against orcs, even Uruk-Hai or Daniel my brother. But not so against myself, Lloth, mother, father or any of the Dragon Lords. I chuckle as Éomer jumps back at the activation of the flame enchant and soon Éowyn disarms him due to the shock

“Not fair, she used the blade’s magic.” Éomer protests

“Duel her again, the only powers the blade has is Vorpal, which enhances the cutting power of the blade and the flaming burst, I’ll shut off the flame. No magic, no tricks just spar.” Éowyn smiles at me for helping prank her brother and soon both brother and sister’s blades are knocked from the other’s hands.

“Impressive sister, but…”

“If I wanted a lecture I would be speaking to our uncle.” My eyes turn back to blue

“Men.” I mutter under my breath rolling my eyes “Do not coddle your sister Éomer, my father does not do it to me and I would trust his wisdom in this over anyone unless it’s my mother.”

“Tell us of the lady Bloom Darkwielder.” Legolas says putting his arms around me

“She’s shorter than me, by two inches by our measurements if it differs from yours. She looks so much like me you could mistake her for my twin or me if you did not know us well, she’s a sorceress with some Dragon heritage, but it’s so diluted by the Human blood in her lines it makes little difference. She is both a psyonist and a pyromancer, she can protect and attack minds as well as any great wyrm and she primarily attacks with fire spells. If she must close with an enemy she dislikes using actual weapons because they can be fumbled or broken. She will conjure blades of fire, she fights with a duel wielding style. As a mother she is wonderful, her royal title means little when it comes to raising us, so she would play and jest with us.” I sniff “Originally there were 4 of us, my littlest sister Nathala and Harry. Both were taken by servants of the Spider Queen and as far as we all know they are both long dead. That’s why I claim myself as the only daughter to my father I am the only surviving daughter.” My audience looks sad at this “But mother is truly wonderful. On another note I take it that Éowyn wants to go to battle.”

“Yes Darla, perhaps if my brother aids me in speaking to my uncle about it.” They walk off then I see Legolas leading Arod with Gimli beside him heading towards Aragorn.

“What are you doing?”

“We are following Aragorn through the paths of the dead.” Aragorn turns ands says to Legolas

“Not this time my friends.” Aragorn says with finality

“Know you nothing of the stubbornness of dwarves?”

“How about the stubbornness of Dragon kind.” I pipe up

“We’re coming with you laddie.” Gimli says Aragorn sighs with his lips twitching in a small smile. We ride off while Legolas speaks of the Oathbreakers, cursed men who broke their oath to Isildur (SP?) and they were doomed never to rest until their oath was completed. Aragorn being the heir could command them, we continue ride until we reach a rather creepy door with strange writing on it.

“The way is shut, it was made by those who are dead and the dead keep it.” A strange howl comes out of the door causing the horses we are leading to bolt away, Aragorn calls after his horse uselessly then growls “I do not fear death.” Then he strides in followed by Legolas and myself, I smile as I hear Gimli complain

“This is unheard of, an Elf and half-Dragon go where a Dwarf dare not, ahhhrg I’d never hear the end of it.” And we take what is called the Dimholt road. Passing under the mountains going as fast as we dare, the only light coming from Aragorn’s torch but I can see perfectly with no light whatsoever. Running now following Aragorn we reach a vast cavern when a ethereal rumbling voice demands “Who enters my domain?” As a glowing ghost appears in front of us

“One who would have your allegiance.” Replies Aragorn

“The dead do not suffer the living to pass.”

“You will suffer me.” Aragorn insists and the dead king laughs as his army surrounds us

“The way is shut, it was made by those who are dead and the dead keep it. The way is shut now you must die.” Legolas attempts to shoot an arrow through a dead warrior, well it did go through just had no effect.

“I summon you to fulfill your oath. Aragorn intones as the king draws his sword, Aragorn draws the new sword he got from a visitor from the north and salutes. The king strikes but Aragorn surprisingly parries the ethereal blade

“That line was broken.” The king protests and Aragorn puts his sword up to the king’s throat and chokes him a little

“It has been remade.” Aragorn calls out “Fight for me and I hold you oath filled, what say you?”

“Ah you was your time Aragorn they had o honor in life they have mmmph.” I clamped a gloved hand over Gimli’s mouth

“Shut up.” I hiss “we are already in enough trouble without you adding to the problems.”

“What say you?” The king smirks, laughs and fades away along with his army

“Great now what?” I growl then a rumbling and cracking causes me to look behind me and this is my rather undignified response to the avalanche of skulls “OOOOHHHHH SHHHIITTTT.” As Our group runs and manages to avoid being crushed until we get out panting and gasping. I pick myself up having flung myself out of the caves onto the ground where we see black ships sailing down the river towards Gondor. A strange wind causes us to turn around to see the king of the Dead stride out of the mountain and say

“We fight.”

“You will not enter Gondor.” Aragorn calls out to the black ships

“And who are you to deny us passage?” The captain jeers

“Legolas fire a warning shot past the boson’s ear.”

“Mind your aim.” Gimli warns as I see him knock Legolas’ bow off a little so the arrow hits the person instead of the intended idea, Legolas glares at Gimli

“I’ll prank him later my love.” I whisper to Legolas in Draconic while Gimli yells

“Right that’s it we warned ya, prepare to be boarded.”

“Boarded? By you and whose army?” The captain sneers

“Oh I was hoping he said that.” I make my eyes glow evilly

“This army.” Aragorn whispers and the dead rush by us to engulf the boats for us to head down the river.

Chapter 7 From Minas Tirith to The Black Gate

It’s now a couple night down the river and Gimli is sitting on the edge of the boat peacefully smoking his pipe with Legolas sitting nearby, unnoticed by the two a huge head slowly breaks the surface and swims by the boat. Catching Legolas’ eye I wink my dragon eye at him and focus on Gimli as Legolas smirks, suddenly I rear up to my full height of 100 feet in front of the Dwarf and yell “BOO!”

“Ahhhh.” Gimli screams and falls off the side after leaping twice his height into the air, I pick up and dunk the screaming Dwarf a few times before placing him back into the boat. I transform back after I jump into the boat and join Legolas on the ground laughing our heads off at the startled Dwarf

“Very… nice Darla.” Legolas chokes out through his laughter “he… jumped so high…priceless.”

“Indeed…you should have… seen your face Gimli.” I choke to the pranked Dwarf then I notice even Aragorn is chuckling at the helm

“Lass that was not nice.” I roll to look at the glowering Dwarf

“Neither was messing with Legolas’ shot, we were in a delicate position somewhat and your foolishness could have cost us much if we did not have the ghosts.”

“Well meleth nin we do have a half-Dragon, in my eyes that means more than an army of ghosts.” I blush at the complement

“Thanks Legolas.” I get up and dust myself off “well if you boys excuse me I’m going to bed, I’ll need all the energy I can get for the battle tomorrow.”

“Good night meleth nin.” Legolas gives me a good night kiss, Aragorn waves and Gimli glowers as I walk off to find a bunk below decks to sleep. A sudden blast of cold water wakes me “Gimli if you value your life I suggest you leave now.” I snarl

“Payback lass.” The dwarf leaves leaving a drenched annoyed female half-Dragon behind him, I storm out on deck dripping wet

“Not a word.” I snarl to a questioning Legolas and a smiling Aragorn, I smack my forehead mentally when I remember the drying spell, I mutter n and become dry right before their eyes “How long before we can fight.”

“Another 2 hours and we should reach the fields of Pelennor and the war.”

“Hmm.” Then a scent catches my nose “Wyverns.” I smile and lick my lips at the thought of the creatures that Dragons loved… in dishes on their tables that is

“What are those?” Legolas asks

“Cousins of Dragons, long necks poisonous fangs, bat like wings. And a wonderful meal to a Dragon, those are rare delicacies back home and my brother usually eats all of it, between him and my father they leave none for me, greedy hogs.” I snort

“How far away are they?”

“I think they are being used to fight by Mordor, judging from what I can smell.”

“You can smell them lass?”

“Remember Gimli Dragons have a very powerful sense of smell, I can smell things at times miles away if I know what I am smelling.” After the explanation the wind picks up and blows us towards the battle faster than before. Eventually we reach the docks of Minas Tirith and hear an orc yelling

“Come on you sea rats get off your ships.” I join the boys in jumping overboard and with the dead army backing us we charge. Left, right, parry jump and slash, the rhythm in battle is easy to find if you know what your doing. A screech catches my ears as I see 9 Wyverns flying and attacking Rohan and Gondor’s troops, I smile and transform before taking to the air and tackling two Wyverns before the can react. I smack off their riders with my claws and sink my fangs into their spines and start piling them up. I spot Éomer rallying troops near the fallen body of another Wyvern and Théoden plus another soldier “Éomer.” I shout as I land nearby

“Yes lady Darla?”

“What happened?”

“The Witch-King of Agmar just slew my uncle and I was busy rallying my men.” I magically reach into my bag and bring out the sword and shield “Here take these as a sign of further friendship.”

“Milady I cannot take these items without some form of repayment.”

“Repay me by killing as many orcs as you can, think you can do that?” He smiles and salutes me with the blade

“I think I can oblige.”

“Oh one last thing, that pile of Wyverns over there. Don’t touch I want to eat those later those are a delicacy back home.” He nods again and as I take off into the air and use my devastating breath on the nearby mumakil but not before I hear Éomer say

“I will never get used to a half-Dragon.” I swoop down onto a legion of enemies bent on entering the castle but between sweeps of my large tail and my rather nasty breath I slay them all. I fly over to Gimli after Legolas goes sliding down the trunk of a mumakil he slew and up my tail to rest on my back “Show off.”

“Oh so the Dragon kin says.” He snorts sarcastically

“That still only counts as one.” Gimli challenges

“Play nice boys, besides it would not be nice to tell you how many kills I have.” I smirk at the Dwarf and the Elf sitting on my back

“How many lass?”

“Eh round about 50,000.” Gimli groans “Don’t worry, I’ll let you boys have your contest Legolas off or on?”

“Hmm oh off.” He hops off and Gimli walks towards Aragorn who is talking with the king of the dead and releases him wile I keep Gimli dangling from one leg to avoid any stupid comments that I know would come from the Dwarf in this instance. After apologizing to Gimli our group having rejoined with Gandalf begin settling down in the city for a few days while Éowyn was healed by Aragorn who now took the mantle of king of Gondor and the lost realm of Arnor. I had eaten a good 5 and a half Wyverns and preserved the rest. I am currently sitting on a chair in the throne room with Legolas, Aragorn, Éomer, Gandalf and Gimli who is sitting on the Steward’s chair smoking his pipe while we discuss Frodo’s fate

“I sent him to his death.” Gandalf laments

“Hey Gandalf, when I was imprisoned I had worse odds than Frodo, I never thought I would be alive when I managed to escape almost dead but here I stand today ready to help bring Sauron down, we need someway of giving Frodo enough time to finish.”

“A diversion?” Legolas suggests while massaging my shoulders

“Yes, we can draw out Sauron’s armies and give Frodo safe passage to Mount Doom.” Aragorn agrees

“We cannot achieve victory through strength of arms.” Éomer warns

“Certainty of death, small chance of success… What are we waiting for?” Gimli laughs as we begin preparing I help Aragorn by shielding his mind when he goes to the Palantir to get Sauron’s attention. I in my preparations pull out armor similar to that my father wears, and begin putting on the endurinium plate mail, I know I’ll have to change my fighting style to the brutal one father prefers from the bouncy and mobile one mother uses, I finish suiting up and join the procession on Arod with Legolas as we ride the 5 day journey to the black gate. Finally we arrive and Aragorn calls out “Let the lord of the Black Land come forth, let justice be done upon him.” After a minute waiting the gate opens revealing Sauron’s army

“I guess they wanted aggressive negotiations.” I snort and after we ride back to the army of 3 thousand troops and Aragorn gives an impressive speech brandishes his sword and dismounts

“For Frodo.” He whispers and charges, followed quickly by me and the other members of our fellowship. I attack every orc that comes within reach and slay them all, I slam my shield into a Troll’s face before gutting it, I ignore all the blades that break uselessly on my armor and continue swinging my weapon and shield until a loud explosion and shriek catches my ears. I look up to see the volcano exploding and Sauron’s eye exploding.

“FRODO!” Pippin yells happily, everybody is cheering and laughing until another explosion causes our hearts fear.

“Lady Darla quickly transform I need your help to rescue Frodo and Sam.”

“I can do that.” I transform “Get on quickly.” I help Gandalf into place “Hold on Gandalf we’re going in hot.” I eye the volcano “In more ways than one.” I mutter and quickly take a running leap into the air, flying to Mount Doom takes me under 3 minutes and my excellent eyesight begins sweeping the ground for two small forms.

“Lady Darla I see two small moving shapes on your left.” My eyes swivel that way and spot two Hobbits

“It’s them, I’m going in, hold on.” I tuck my wings close to my body and swoop down to find two sleeping Hobbits, I carefully grab both Hobbits in my forward paws and take off again quickly flying back to Minas Tirith to get the Hobbits treated.

1 week later

“Gandalf?” I hear Frodo’s voice say as the old man starts laughing happily then Gimli enters followed by myself and Legolas who has his arms around my shoulders. Aragorn and the other 3 Hobbits follow and Merry and Pippin jump onto the bed hugging Frodo and laughing with him. After a while we leave the Hobbits alone, I for one take advantage of the peace to munch on some Wyvern meat and wait until Aragorn’s coronation, it finally comes I may have scared the servants when I turned into my halfway form for wanting me to wear a dress, I refuse to because I am still self conscious about the wounds on my back and I hate exposing them to others it makes me feel exposed, ashamed and weak. I manage to persuade them after apologizing for transforming like that to dress in clean clothes and in my standard battle ceremony armor. Aragorn is crowned by Gandalf and we bow to the Hobbits, a few days later Aragorn marries his betrothed Arwen who came with a group of Elves from their city to the north called Imladris. After the wedding Legolas and I make plans to leave to visit Mirkwood

“Well Darla my friend you are always welcome in Gondor.”

“Thank you king Elessar.” Aragorn shoots me a dirty look

“It’s Aragorn to you princess Darkwielder.”

“Darla my friend.” The next day Legolas and I prepare Arod and set off for Mirkwood, I wonder what I’ll find there.

Chapter 8: Royal disapproval

Entering Mirkwood a couple of weeks after leaving Minas Tirith Legolas and I head up to the palace I fidget slightly as we approach. A man wearing regal robes with resemblances to Legolas comes out and speaks in Elvish

“My son welcome home, and who is this?”

“Father this is my betrothed Darla Darkwielder.”

“A human do you wish to fade? She is mortal and will die, I cannot allow my only heir to do this.”

“She is immortal father.”

“How? No human is immortal my son.”

“She is… half-Dragon.”

“What? You would bring a Dragon here, remember what the Dragon Smaug did? GUARDS.” Guards come at the king’s call “Take her to the dungeons.”

“WHAT?” Legolas shouts, a guard reaches for me and I dismount, I flash my claws as I crunch the guards’ swords with them “Darla stop, go with them peacefully, I’ll find out what this is about.” I sigh

“Fine.” I hand my weapons, shield and bag over to Legolas and allow the guards to escort me to the dungeons. 3 days later nothing has changed, I am still here waiting for news, judging from the guards’ rumours Legolas is having a constant screaming match with his father and it seems like they are growing apart over this issue. 2 more days I am feeling lonely and annoyed, I sigh and put my head in my hands and just wait. 9 days later a guard comes by and puts my things down in front of the cell I’m in. Another week passes and I can sense the frustration over the issue I am causing. ‘It was bad enough my own family was broken up over a war, but Legolas should not have to… I cannot stay, it hurts me to think about leaving, sigh… Dragon Mother grant me patience I’ll wait a week and see.” During the week I see Legolas come to the door and open it, I pretend to sleep to see what he would say as he comes beside me and leaves my items under the cot I am on.

“Meleth nin.” He whispers seeing that I am sleeping or so he thinks “I am sorry about this, I wish you were awake but it hurts me more than you could know, ada does not want us together, he is condemning us to this heartbreak simply because you have Dragon blood. I want us together but he refuses to release you and me too see and be with you. I brought your things in case he tries anything rash. I truly wish we could be together. Wish me luck, good bye meleth nin.” He sniffs and leaves the room not noticing a tear rolling down my cheek

“I love you.” I choke out silently reaching for the shut door, reaching for his reassurance that everything would be fine. With tears streaming down my face I rise to my feet and grab a writing utensil and paper from my bag and start writing.

A/N This is the letter it’s written in Draconic

(Legolas my love, I admit I didn’t always love you, especially in Moria, but during the two weeks in Lothlorien I started to fall for you. As you know for the last bit of my life I have not had it easy, I was captured and tortured almost to death, every day was a haze of agony and I wondered if I would ever escape, there were times I lamented in my cell during that time that I would never find someone to love, I despaired daily that each day would be the last and I could die. Then I found you, after getting over my natural instincts to floss my teeth with your…. Well I’m not going there, but I mean to say THAT WAS YOUR FAULT FOR AMBUSHING ME AND HOLDING AN ARROW TO MY HEAD.

But seriously I wish your father would accept us, but you cannot win every battle. You have won and will always hold my heart, but I do not wish you to forsake your family for me. I heard from a few of the nice guards what happened to your mother and I am so very sorry you had to go through that. But I do not wish to tear your family apart further than it was already and I cannot do that, I do not wish you to have to choose. I’m leaving now, by the time you find this I will be gone. I want you to know that I will always love you, you are my heart, my very soul yearns to be with you, I am trying to swallow this lump in my throat because this is tearing my heart to write. I’m going somewhere I don’t know where but I cannot go home. I cannot tell father this because he would react very badly, I hope this hurt will fade some day. My heart will beat only for you Legolas Greenleaf. I will always hold you in my dreams for I cannot hold you in reality

Farewell my love

Darla Draconic Darkwielder

P.S. I’m sorry for the dampness of the page I could not stop crying. I place my lips here as my last kiss to you, good bye forever my love. I love you).

I try to swallow as I finish the letter, I look at the nearby candle beside a sleeping guard and use it to teleport myself away from here and run, run blindly with tears streaming down my face and not stop. I just run not even stopping, I don’t pay attention to anything but the pain of my broken heart. “Halt, what business do you have in Gondor… Lady Darla.” I look up and see a Gondorian guard at the edge of the Pelennor fields near the Castle of Minas Tirith “Milady are you well.” He asks

“N…no.” I gulp between sobs

“Do you need healing?”

“No if I can I would speak with your king.”

“As you wish milady, do you need a horse?”

“No, I’ll fly.” I bring out my wings “Thank you.” I manage, he nods and I fly up to the 7th level of the city and wait for the guards to announce me. I enter when they say I can

“Hello lord Aragorn.”

“Darla, what… what happened?” He asks rushing to me

“May… may I speak to you in private?”

“Of course, Faramir would you mind?”

“Of course my lord I’ll address any problems the people might have.” Aragorn guides me into a private chamber

“Darla may I bring my wife Arwen, she might be able to help?”

“If you think so Aragorn.” I say burying my face into an offered handkerchief. Aragorn waits until lady Arwen arrived, during my time here before Legolas and I left I met queen Arwen and became friends with her.

“Now what happened?” Arwen asks after seeing me crying and Aragorn trying to comfort me wordlessly

“Legolas and I went to meet his father, they were speaking Elvish, quenya I think is what I am still learning so I could not follow their conversation entirely then Thranduil called guards on me and had me taken to a cell, he did not approve of my relationship to Legolas and was keeping us away from each other. From what I can see he might have had me poisoned or executed simply because I have Dragon heritage.” I break down crying again “I left because I heard what happened to him and his mother when he was young and I did not want to force him to choose between me or his father, I do not wish to return home, I don’t know where to go at the moment.” I sob

“Arwen my love, would you have quarters prepared for Darla, perhaps a bath as well.” I look up at him out of my puffy eyes

“Thank you Aragorn, for showing me such kindness, how can I repay you.”

“You are my friend Darla, you have aided us in many instances of our adventure, you shielded my mind from Sauron if anything I should repay you mellon nin.” (My friend) I join the servants that come and guide me to my chambers where I bathe and cry myself to sleep as I rest in the bed there. 3 weeks pass uneventfully, I just spend most of my time alone and crying I had asked that I not be disturbed and my wish was granted after Aragorn explained to the servants that I had a ring that removed the need for me to eat or drink. By the end of the fourth week I had smoked half my pack of the spiciest firesticks trying to drown the pains of my heart with hot spices on my tongue. A knock on my door interrupts my thoughts I growl quietly and sigh “Enter.” Barely managing to keep my voice at a cordial tone and I turn to find that it’s Thranduil “Why are you here? Come to gloat?” I snarl

“I come on behalf of one whom I love, Legolas is dying. He’s pining for you and fading away because he cannot be with you.” He kneels in front of me “Lady Darla, I was wrong to judge you based sorely on your bloodlines. I was frightened at the thought of a Dragon when Smaug originally had threatened those lands and mine. You have a true love for my son, and I came as fast as I could I somehow knew you would be here. I had that kind of love and I was worried for Legolas. In this world milady all Dragon kind were and still are evil and greedy, I beg of you, help him, help the man you love.” My glare softens

“I will do it for Legolas, you destroyed my trust and must earn it back, you truly approve of us?” He nods “And will not interfere?” He nods again “I only have one condition.”

“Name it.” Thranduil says urgently

“You must take care of your grandchildren, as my people say babysit them and share that duty with my father.” Thranduil actually laughs at that

“I think I can do that, may I call you by name?”

“Yes you may, let’s fly.” Now smiling for the first time in a month I stamp out my firestick and lead Thranduil to the courtyard with the white tree. I transform and help Thranduil into place then I run off the edge of the mountain and fly north to Mirkwood hoping that I am not too late. I land and follow Thranduil after the 2 hour flight at my top speed until I reach Legolas’ chambers

“I’ll give you some privacy Darla, I guess I should start calling you my daughter.”

“I guess.” I shrug and run into the room to see Legolas quietly crying with my letter in his hands

“I’m sorry I left you my love.” Legolas looks over at me

“Meleth nin? If this is a dream I pray to never wake.”

“Well wake up, it real I’m here now.” He slowly gets up and wraps his arms around me in and kisses me

“You are here, father approves then?”

“Yes he does, don’t you die on me, I could not bear it. I almost died in the last month, just having to write that letter was heart wrenching.”

“Indeed my love, it broke my heart to read it. I spoke with father one last time after you left. I… I had to translate the letter for him so he would understand what you have been through.”

“Well I have an idea.”

“What is that?”

“Give me one month to get everyone ready then we can get married.”

“That sounds perfect to me Darla, go… where should we meet?”

“I really only can either jump back to either Moria or Minas Tirith, I’m thinking Aragorn’s city.”

“I will see you in a month my love.” I smile and begin casting the dimension jump spell “I will ready everyone and prepare for the event I think Aragorn would not mind.”

“No, before I came back with your father I already spoke to him about it and he said he would love to as a favour for his greatest friends, because he like us has found true love and will bring ours together.” He laughs and smiles as I cast the spell to go home.