Title: The Dragon and the Ring
Author: Maeglin Yedi ([email protected])
Website: http://forever-rebel.net/maeglinyedi/
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The Dragon and the Ring 7
By Maeglin Yedi
Beliar stared into the darkness of the night and waited patiently for his mind to slip into the dreamscape. After their conversation on the terrace Beliar had watched Legolas leave and hadn’t been able to stop thinking about the Elven Prince ever since. Now he was lying on his bed in his room and waited for sleep to come.
Finally his eyes gazed over and dreams entered his mind. And it was always the same dream, as it had been for many years. Even though the dream ended in a nightmare the familiarity of the images he saw with his mind’s eye were comforting.
He walked through the darkness of his home.
Mordor. He could see the fire and smoke rise up from Mount Doom and he made his way to Barad-dûr, to visit his mother after he had been away battling their enemies.
Sarquindi rested on one of the many mountains of Mordor and watched from a distance as his master made his way over the rough, dark rocks towards the Black Tower.
He entered the tower and walked into the main hall. And what he saw made his eyesight clouded and his mind scream for revenge.
Orcs, perhaps hundreds of them, were attacking his mother. Her beautiful features covered with her own blood and her black dress torn apart. The Orcs launched themselves at her and their claws sliced through her pale flesh. His mother screamed until her throat was ripped open and she fell lifeless to the floor. And as his mother’s screams still echoed in his mind Beliar closed his eyes and called for Sauron.
Since the Last Allegiance Sauron was only alive in spirit, his powers bounded to the One Ring. Beliar saw Sauron’s eye behind his own closed eyelids and heard the whispers of his Master’s voice.
Sauron had betrayed him. Sauron had sent the Orcs to kill his mother. Sauron whispered that he would be next. That he had never trusted the Warlock and that his mother’s loyalty to Morgoth was the reason for her death. And would be the reason for his death as well.
Beliar opened his eyes and saw the hundreds of Orcs running over to him. He quickly chanted some words of protection and ran away, knowing that he did not have the power to kill each and every Orc that was chasing him. He made his way out of the Black Tower and called for his friend.
Sarquindi spread his huge wings and sailed through the dark sky to collect his master. The dark-green dragon landed in front of the Elf and Beliar easily climbed on top of the dragon’s back, telling him to take them both far away from Mordor. Sarquindi turned his horned head around and breathed a huge flame of fire burning the first line of Orcs who were still in pursuit to ashes. Then the dragon spread his wings and took off into the sky, saving himself and his master from the powers of Sauron.
Sarquindi took them both deep into Middle Earth, over the Misty Mountains to a place Beliar had never been to before. In his mind Beliar knew what was to come next. His dream would tell him the tale of how he had spent many years in solitude, the dragon his only companion. How he had felt devastated by the violent death of his mother and how he had come up with a plan to destroy Sauron.
The One Ring would be his answer. If he would destroy the One Ring he would destroy Sauron. But the One Ring had been lost for centuries, millennia even. Then finally the creatures of the night had told him about a Hobbit from the Shire. A Hobbit on his way to Rivendell with the One Ring in his possession. Beliar knew then that his time had come and that he would be able to get his revenge after so many years.
But this night his dream did not tell him the tale of how he had spent many years living in unknown mountains in the North of Middle Earth. This night Sarquindi didn’t take him to those mountains but landed on the edge of a huge forest.
Beliar’s sleeping body stirred as his dream took him into these dark woods and he got of his dragon, cautiously walking through the tall trees.
And suddenly there was light in the darkness of the dense forest. A light that was reflected by the sun’s rays that shone on the light hair of an Elf that approached him.
Beliar stood silently as he saw the beautiful features of the Prince of Mirkwood.
Legolas walked over to him, never taking his eyes of the Dark One. Blue eyes meeting brown eyes as they stared at each other. Beliar didn’t understand what was happening. How was his mind betraying him by sending him images from an encounter with the Elven Prince that had not happened in his real life.
Legolas stood before him and reached out his hand, softly tracing his fingertips over Beliar’s face.
The Dark Elf swallowed and then leaned into the touch. He had never been touched like this before. So gentle, so lovingly. He stared into those dark-blue eyes and felt himself drowning again. His soul calling out for the touch of the blond haired Elf. His body seeking comfort and Legolas was giving it to him.
Slowly the Elven Prince leaned his face towards the Dark Elf and brushed his lips over the pale skin of Beliar’s cheek.
Beliar felt his breathing speed up but he did not dare to move, afraid to break whatever spell was upon the Elven Prince. It had to be a spell, to make this beautiful creature touch him in such a way.
Legolas cupped the back of Beliar’s head with his hand and crushed his lips on the Dark Elf’s mouth. The Elven Prince’s lips were so soft and warm that Beliar was afraid that he would melt from the passionate kiss that Legolas gave him.
They both slowly opened their mouths and deepened their kiss, their tongues not battling but caressing. Beliar closed his eyes and gave himself over to the unfamiliar feeling that he felt in his mind and in his chest. A warm feeling.
Legolas woke up while he gasped for air. He blinked a few times and tried to think of what had just happened. He had kissed Beliar.
No, hadn’t kissed Beliar, he had dreamed about kissing the Dark Elf.
He had seen everything. How Beliar watched his mother die and how his dragon had taken him far away from Mordor. And then suddenly they had been in Mirkwood. Both of them. And he had walked up to the Dark Elf and had felt a strange feeling of attraction. He had to touch the Dark One. He had to brush his lips over his face. And he had to kiss him as he had never kissed anyone else before. He had poured every feeling of comfort, even of love into that kiss and he had felt how Beliar had responded. He had touched the Dark Elf in a place Beliar had denied having. His heart.
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The following days passed in a similar way. Servants brought Beliar his breakfast and lunch in his chambers and in the evening he was invited to join the others for dinner in the main dining room. Elrond send him some books to read but his thoughts were not at ease and he couldn’t concentrate on the small letters on the pages of the books. His mind was occupied with the Elven Prince.
After his first dream Legolas had avoided him. He didn’t get a chance to sit besides the Elven Prince again at dinner for Legolas always made sure that he was already seated between others when Beliar entered the dining room. And as soon as dinner was over Legolas excused himself and did not join the rest for a glass of wine on the terrace.
And every night Beliar had the same dream. It would start in Mordor, as he watched his mother die as he had seen it thousands of times before and Sarquindi would then take him to the dense forest where the Elven Prince was waiting for him. And Legolas never spoke a word, just touched him and kissed him. And then Beliar would wake up with a rapid heartbeat and a warm feeling surging through his body.
During the dinners Beliar passed the time speaking with the Hobbits, which he discovered were really friendly, intelligent and comical little creatures. And he would watch the others, learning some of their names. The Elven Lady that sat besides Strider every night was named Arwen and she was Elrond’s daughter. Then there were the twins Elladan and Elrohir, Elrond’s sons.
Beliar just watched them but never spoke a word to them. He didn’t trust any of those Elves and he was sure that they didn’t trust him either.
After three days he thought that he was going to loose his mind because all he could think of was the Prince of Mirkwood. And the thoughts were strange ones. They weren’t just thoughts of lust. Although the idea of a naked Prince of Mirkwood in his own bed was a very pleasant one, Beliar kept thinking of the Prince’s eyes, his cheekbones, his soft and melodious voice, his full lips and the way that Legolas blushed when Beliar looked at him. The thoughts about the Prince weren’t about controlling him or dominating him. They were just thoughts of being with him, talking with him, loving him.
That last thought upset Beliar to such a degree that he threw a chair through his own room in pure rage and picked up the first book he could find, determined to clear his mind from any thoughts about the Elven Prince.
On the fourth day it was not a servant that brought him his breakfast in the morning but Lord Elrond himself.
Beliar looked up from his chair with one raised eyebrow at the sight of the Elven Lord holding a tray with his breakfast.
"Good morning, Beliar," Elrond said as if it was the most natural thing in the world for an Elven Lord to bring breakfast to his former enemy.
"Morning," Beliar said and stared at the Elven Lord as he set the tray down on a small table against the wall.
"I brought you your breakfast," Elrond said and smiled at the Dark Elf.
"I can see that," Beliar said, still not understanding what Elrond was doing in his room.
"You have behaved yourself well these last few days and I am here to tell you that you will be free to move around Rivendell. However, you are still expected to join us for dinner every evening. And I must warn you of course, that if you try to hurt anyone my guards will take appropriate actions," Elrond said and nodded at the Dark Elf.
Beliar nodded back and watched the Elven Lord leave his room.
He was free to go anywhere he wanted within Rivendell. He quickly stood up, ate some slices of bread and put on his black cloak. He would not waste another minute sitting in his chambers. He wanted to find Legolas, and ask the Elven Prince what sort of mind game he was playing with him.
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Legolas had spent every free minute he had over the past few days in the Library. Reading as much as he could about Luthién, Morgoth, Sauron and Mordor in general. He wanted to learn about the Dark Elf and about what sort of creatures Beliar grew up with. Although he read a lot of fascinating stories he didn’t find much information on the Dark One. At least nothing that Gandalf hadn’t already told him.
And this morning was no different. Legolas ate a quick breakfast in his room and made his way down to the library. But he was not alone this time. Gandalf was sitting in one of the chairs and was smoking his pipe.
He did not look surprised when he saw Legolas enter the library. He looked as if he had been waiting for the Elven Prince.
"May I ask you what has triggered this sudden desire for knowledge, Legolas? Because as I remember it you were never one for books. You always preferred riding and archery," the old wizard said and Legolas took a seat next to Gandalf.
"I was reading about Beliar," Legolas said and Gandalf put his hand on the knee of the Elf that was sitting next to him.
"What is it about Beliar that has caught your interest so much?" Gandalf asked and Legolas shook his head.
"I wish I knew," he whispered and looked at Gandalf with confusion written all over his face.
"Tell me what you are feeling, young Prince. Perhaps I can help," the old wizard said and Legolas sighed deeply.
"I have been having this dream. Every night since I arrived at Rivendell. It’s like it is not my dream, at least not when it starts. I dream about Beliar in Barad-dûr as he witnesses his mother’s death. And then his dragon takes him to Mirkwood where I meet him," Legolas said and hesitated for a moment.
Gandalf gently squeezed his knee and nodded, trying to tell the Elf without words to go on with his story.
"And when I see him in my dream, he makes me feel so confused. And at the same time not confused at all. I only want to be with him. To touch him. And to... kiss him," Legolas whispered and Gandalf briefly closed his eyes.
"And do you... kiss him in your dream?" Gandalf asked softly and Legolas nodded.
"Every night," the Elven prince whispered and the old wizard frowned, thinking about what Legolas had just told him.
"I’m not sure what this all means, Legolas, but I do believe that somehow you are sharing Beliar’s dream. And I would guess that he is sharing yours as well," Gandalf said and Legolas’ eyes widened in shock.
"He is dreaming about me. About me kissing him?" the Elven Prince asked and Gandalf nodded slowly.
"Of course I am not sure but my guess is that Beliar’s is having the same dreams as you are having. I will think about it and let you know when I figure out what this means," Gandalf said and Legolas nodded, still stunned by the idea of Beliar having his dream. Their dream.
"I must tell you that Elrond has given Beliar permission to move around Rivendell at his own will. So I suggest that if you do not want to encounter him today, you go find a quiet spot in the forest," Gandalf said and stood up.
Legolas swallowed and also stood up. He had no desire to meet the Dark Elf and he thought that it was a very good idea to heed the advice Gandalf had given him.
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Beliar made his way through the house of Elrond quietly, using his Elven pace so that no one would hear him roam through the many halls and corridors. There was no sign of Legolas anywhere and finally Beliar made his way into the private quarters of Elrond. Still moving around silently he saw a door opened and heard voices coming from the room. He stepped closer and listened.
"Please father. You now how my heart speaks of Estel. Give me this chance to make my dreams come true," Arwen asked her father pleadingly.
"My dear Arwen. You know of Aragorn’s destiny. I do not think that it is wise for him to commit himself to anyone before he makes a decision about his destiny as the future King of Gondor," Elrond said to his daughter and Arwen sighed.
"I know about his destiny, father. And he knows it too. And I want to help him, support him and love him," Arwen said and Beliar could hear Elrond pace through the room.
"I understand and respect your feelings, Arwen. But are you sure that Aragorn thinks the same way? I know him. I know him very well and although I am certain that he is very fond of you I cannot say for sure that he loves you. At least not the way that he should love you if you were to become his wife," Elrond said and Arwen sighed again.
"I understand you doubts, father, for I feel them as well. But I think that if I can only show him how much I love him in a proper way that he will come to love me as well," the Elven Lady said and Elrond stopped pacing.
"My dear daughter. That is not the way a marriage should start. When you give up your immortality for a man you must be sure that he loves you in the way he should love you," Elrond said and Arwen started pacing.
"My mind understands your words, father, but my heart doesn’t. I want to be with him. I want to give him everything, even my immortality," Arwen said.
"I understand, my child. But with the threat of Mordor we feel right now Aragorn has other things to worry about. And I do not believe that it is wise to add to his worries. To occupy his mind with choices he will have to make concerning you. Please wait with asking him this question until the Ring has been destroyed. That is all I ask of you, my daughter," the Elven Lord said.
"If that is what you wish father, then I will accept it. Even though it hurts me, I will not go against your wishes," Arwen said and Elrond moved closer to his daughter.
"Thank you, my dear Arwen. All you have to do is wait and time is still something you have a lot of."
Beliar heard footsteps heading for the door and he quickly made his way out of Elrond’s quarters. This news was very interesting. He had been right about Strider. There was a lot more to this Ranger. He was the heir to the throne of Gondor.
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Aragorn saw the twins walk up to him with worried looks on their faces.
"Estel, our border guards have told us about dark creatures circling around Imladris," Elladan said and Elrohir nodded.
They all started walking on the path that led away from Elrond’s house towards the gate of Rivendell.
"It is to be expected that dark forces will turn their eye on Imladris now that the Ring rests here," Aragorn said and the twins looked even more worried.
"Even if it is to be expected, it doesn’t mean that we have to accept it," Elrohir said and Aragorn smiled. He loved those two young Elves as if they were his own brothers. They were brave and noble and would protect Imladris at any cost.
"I suggest we speak about this with your father this evening," Aragorn said and the twins nodded.
"Hello Strider, what a beautiful day it is to be out of the house, don’t you think?" Beliar asked as he walked up to the three men.
Aragorn blinked his eyes and stared at the Dark One. He hadn’t heard him approach and now Beliar was standing only a few feet away from them.
"Yes, it is, Beliar. And I guess that Elrond has given you permission to leave your chambers," Aragorn said and Beliar smiled.
"Of course he has. I would never to against the wishes of the Lord of Imladris," the Dark Elf said and looked at the twins.
Elladan smirked at him and Elrohir couldn’t resist.
"So my father has let the dragon out of his cage?" the dark haired Elf said and Beliar grinned at him.
"It seems so, doesn’t it?" he said and the twins studied him as if to decide whether they were going to trust him or not.
Beliar looked at Aragorn again and smiled.
"So what brings you to the gates of Imladris, Aragorn?" Beliar asked and Aragorn pursed his lips for a second. The Dark One knew his real name. And therefore he also had to know about his heritage.
"We are merely walking around," Aragorn said and tried not to look upset by the knowledge that Beliar knew more about him than he wanted him to know.
Beliar grinned at him and continued in a casual tone.
"Taking a stroll is a good idea, especially on a day like this. But I do believe that we have some unfinished business to attend to, Strider," the Dark Elf said and now Aragorn grinned.
"A conversation that needs to be continued as I remember," the Ranger said and Beliar nodded.
"You remember correctly. Do you have a suggestion to when we shall continue it?" the Dark One asked and Aragorn looked at the twins briefly. They were looking at the Ranger and the Dark Elf with a suspicious look on their faces.
"Perhaps tonight before dinner we can find a quiet spot to continue where we left off," Aragorn suggested and Beliar nodded.
But before he could say something they heard a horse approach the gates and they all turned around to see who was about to enter the city of Imladris.
Aragorn put his hand on the hilt of his sword and Beliar wanted to do the same but then realized that his sword was still in the hands of Lord Elrond. The twins had reached for their bows and held them in their hands, ready to reach for an arrow from their quivers if the person that was about the enter Imladris would be an unwelcome guest.
They saw a large brown mare ride through the gates with a tall man on her back. The man stopped his horse and looked at the four men in front of him cautiously.
"I seek counseling from Lord Elrond," the man said in a soft but low voice and Aragorn looked at him. The man had light brown hair, hanging to his shoulders and his eyes were green.
"You have come to the city of Lord Elrond. But we would like to know your name before we let you enter Rivendell," Aragorn said and the man on the horse studied the dark-haired man that had spoken to him.
"My name is Boromir, son of Denethor, Steward of Gondor," he said and Beliar raised an eyebrow. This was going to be interesting. The son of the steward of Gondor coming to Lord Elrond for counseling. And the heir to the throne of Gondor was about to invite him in.
"If it is counseling from Lord Elrond you seek, Boromir, son of Denethor, then you are most welcome in Rivendell," Aragorn said and Boromir looked at the others with a slight frown.
"And who are these... Elves?" he asked and Beliar grinned. This man was proud, arrogant even. The Dark Elf liked him already.
"These two young Elves are Elladan and Elrohir, sons of Lord Elrond," Aragorn said and the twins lowered their bows.
"And this is Beliar, also a guest in Imladris. He is better known as the Dark One," Aragorn said and tried to hide a grin when he saw Boromir’s face go pale.
"The Dark One?" he asked softly and Aragorn nodded.
"Yes, the Dark Elf that all those old stories speak of. But do not fear him, son of Denethor. He is here for reasons that will not harm any of us," the Ranger said and Boromir nodded still looking at Beliar cautiously.
"Elladan, Elrohir, why don’t you take Boromir’s horse to the stable and see to it that it is fed," Aragorn said and the twins nodded.
Boromir got off his horse and slowly walked over to Aragorn.
"I didn’t catch your name," the man of Gondor said with a slight smirk.
"That would be because I have not given it to you yet. My name is Strider and I’m an old friend of Lord Elrond," Aragorn said and Beliar grinned. If only Boromir knew who it really was that was standing in front of him. But the Dark One would not reveal it, not yet anyway. It would be more amusing to watch Aragorn trying to keep his secret from this man.
"Please follow me, Boromir. I will take you to see Elrond," the Ranger said and looked at Beliar.
"Do you wish to join us, Morier?" he asked politely and Beliar smiled at him.
"I have other things to attend to, Strider. But I will meet you again early this evening," the Dark Elf said and Aragorn grinned.
He walked towards the house of Elrond, with Boromir following him closely.
Beliar watched as the two men disappeared behind the trees that sheltered the house of the Elven Lord. He did have other things to attend to. A certain Prince of Mirkwood still haunted his thoughts and Beliar was determined to settle whatever it was that caused these horrible thoughts of comfort and love this afternoon. Or perhaps he would have to say, whomever it was that was causing these disturbing thoughts. And he had a pretty good idea where this particular Elf would be hiding.
Beliar turned around and started walking into the forest of Rivendell, carefully looking and listening if he could pick up any sign of the young Elven Prince.