The Last Dragon

[Turgon]

This is a private RP, please don't join without permission... The Dragon does not take kindly to trespassers!

Preface

Being excerpts from the Writings of Turgon Took esq.
Hobbit Adventurer.


'By the end of the Third Age of Middle-Earth the dragon race was teetering on the brink of extinction, and these glorious beasts were in danger of being lost from the world forever. For alas, it is the habit of the dragon to make it's 'nest' from gold, gems, and other such stuff which the peoples of Middle Earth hold in high regard, and this I fear is the chief cause of its sad demise. Once a nest is disturbed, the dragon's natural instincts take over and these normally peaceful beasts become savage and wild, and can become a danger to any settlements lying in the regions surrounding its lair. Unfortunately this habit is often used as an excuse by unscrupulous treasure-hunters as a means of getting their hands upon the 'dragon-gold'. Acting as it were as agent provocateurs, stirring the creatures from their sleep only to slay them. Thus the population of dragons ever dwindles, and those that should be cursed for taking the lives of these most magnificent beasts, recieve nothing but praise and riches.'

It is a sad tale, but one which is becoming increasingly common in the Wilds of Middle Earth. The Dragon, the Mirkwood spider, the dumbledor, even the common warg - all under threat as the dominion of man spreads ever wider. But some there are who would change all that, unwilling to see the wonders of Middle-earth disappear one by one into the darkness. And this is their tale.

[Turgon]

The elf stood before the throne of Thranduil, head bowed in shame. His red-golden hair had fallen across his face, a veil of grief between he and his king.

'Elfennas of Mirkwood' The King began - in a voice both regal and scathing. 'You are brought before us to recieve our judgement. Crimes you have commited against our state, which even by our most leinent laws must be adjudged treason. You have endangered the lives of our people, given intelligence to our bitterest enemies, and stand before us now to answer for your deeds. What say you?'

'My noble lord!' the elf squeaked, the word 'treason' had quite unnerved him. 'There was no such stuff in my thoughts - I acted the only way my conscience would allow. I am your majesty's most loyal subject! The Spiders of Mirkwood are the last of their kind in the whole of Middle-earth, nowhere else can they be found. They are sentient creatures, with voice and mind...'

'Fool!' The Elf-king bellowed, 'I did not call you here for a lesson in natural history...' Elfennas had been a thorn in his side for many long years, now it was time to pull him out and cast him far away. 'By your own admission you have given away the location of our hunting parties to our most bitter enemies - my own son was ambushed by these creatures, acting on your intelligence - it was only by chance that he was saved!'

Thranduil drew himself upright, adjusted the crown of leaves upon his head and then called out in a sonorous voice. 'Elfennas of Mirkwood - I hearby pass judgement upon you. You are to be taken from this place to the borders of our realm. From there you will be free to go wherever you choose - yet never again must you return here to Mirkwood. From this day forward you are banished from this land. Guards - take him away.'

With this the young elf fainted away...

[chrysophalax]

Chrysophalax wandered the lonely reaches of the Withered Heath disconsolately. Her mate had recently been slaughtered by an evil human for his teeth and beautiful claws, his magnificently scaled carcass left to rot not far from their lair. As she was a relatively young Dragon, she had not yet hatched a brood, therefore to the best of her knowledge, she was alone.

Unable to remain anywhere near the lair, the odour of rotting Dragon having filled the air with a decidedly foul stench, she set out in search of a new place to claim as her own. She decided to head South, unaware that Men lived in that direction.

[Turgon]

He woke to the sound of running water. It played in his ears like a discordant symphony, waking him from an uneasy sleep.

The last few days had been a trial for him, and one which he had sadly failed, drifting in and out of consciousness as he was dragged, none too gently, to the borders of Thranduil's realm. He had kicked and cursed once or twice, and squealed and squeaked innumerable times; until finally, seeing no escape from his predicament, he had given into the darkness, falling into a stone-cold slumber.

So it was he found himself here, though he was not quite sure where here may have been. By the banks of a fast-flowing river, that much was evident, but other than that simple fact, he was at a loss. Geography was not one of his stronger points. It was then that he noticed a plain cloth sack placed on the ground beside him, a bow and a quiver of arrows too, (Much good they would do him, Elfennas was a terrible shot!) but at least he had not been left to starve in the wilds.

The young elf fell on the sack with a wild look in his eyes, feeling rather ravenous after his ordeal. Inside he found a fur-lined cloak, all well and good with winter on the way. A flint and tinder, hmm, they would come in handy should he ever figured out how to use them. Several bottles of blueberry wine - a note from his brother attached, he would read that later, the last thing he needed right now were his brother's reproaches. And lastly, but by no means leastly, several packages of leaf-wrapped victuals.

'Lembas!' he cried, tearing one of the packs open. But Elfennas' joy soon turned to disappointment as he bit into one of the cakes and almost broke a tooth.

'Ack... Cram!' he spat. 'Of all the low-down, miserable, no good...'

However, after partaking of several bottle of Mirkwood's finest, our hero was soon in a better mood. Slinging the bow across his shoulder, and flinging the quiver across his back, he set off northwards. Singing a merry, if somewhat questionable song.

Galadriel was an Elven-queen,
The softest lips you've ever seen.
Twas said her kisses were as free,
As the green grass 'neath the Mallorn tree.

[Elfarmari]

Had Elfennas read the letter from his brother Lokë, he would have found he had no need to worry about learning to hunt or make a fire. Knowing his younger brother to be hopelessly incompetent in practical matters, Lokë knew it was his duty to follow after Elfennas to ensure that he did not come to grief. Despite Elfennas' strange ideas, Lokë tried to take care of him after the death of their father. But then came the business with the spiders of Mirkwood. . . There was nothing he could do to save his brother from exile.
To tell the truth, Lokë was more than happy to go off into the wilds. He had been feeling a strange disquiet lately, and longed to see the world again beyond the borders of Thranduil's realm. His father had named him Lokë, dragon but he had never seen his namesake. He prayed Elfennas would not turn his crusade to preserve 'rare' creatures in that direction, but did not hold out much hope. It was too obvious. According to Elfennas' twisted logic, dragons were the most persecuted animals in Middle Earth. They had had this discussion before.
Elfennas would have to survive somehow until Lokë could arrive.

[chrysophalax]

Flying southward, Chrysophalax kept an eye out for anything tasty far below her. While not a large Dragon, she still had an enormous appetite and the scrawny deer she had caught served as an appetizer at best. She craned her neck as she saw what appeared to be a Man exit the Great Woodland of the Elves and snarling, she swoooped down, intent on having his guts for dinner. Evil Dragon-killer! Chrysophalax was, needless to say, not the brightest flame among Dragons.

The creature looked up, saw her in mid-swoop, and threw itself flat on the ground, scattering possessions everywhere. Alarmed at the intense scent of waste the creature had suddenly produced, she flew low over it and landed, ears flattened. Now she didn't understand Common Speech that well, but these did not sound like words of welcome. Then she saw the bow and arrows and she cowered, suddenly afraid she had fallen afoul of the murderer of her mate. He had always protected her and without him, she felt defenseless, despite the fact that she had fangs, claws and an impressive array of armour.

[roguelion]

Gruffin the Dwarf sat on a log beside a fire, trying to polish a long ago rusted blade of an ancient axe. A small lazy river meandered near, bubbling and gurgling in the night. His squire, another Dwarf named Barth looked at his master in disgust. They had left the ancient Dwarf home a year ago in search of glory and riches so Gruffin could impress a Dwarven barmaid, an UGLY Dwarven barmaid at that, and that’s saying a lot for dwarves, named Gourga. “My Goddess, My Queen” he called her, thought Barth could not see how he could say that, her beard was dull, thin and unkempt, she smelled of stale beer and fish waste and she was falling down drunk most of the time and she could belch better then any other dwarf in the realm, and besides all that, when she was sober she hated Gruffin with a hatred that Barth had never seen. But his master loved her, no he admired her, no he truly worshiped her, from the top of her scabby head to the bottom of her smelly feet, she was all he thought of. One day Gruffin approached Barth and called him his Squire, Barth never understood it, for he was only the stable boy. But none the less he was ordered by his Pa to go with crazy Master Gruffin and keep him out of trouble. That was how they ended up traipsing across Middle Earth, from time to time his master would draw his axe and attack a stump of a great Oak, or a boulder, all the while yelling “For Honor for glory for my queen the Lady Gourga, the fairest of Dwarven maidens and most beauteous of dwarven queens......” and after he succeed in completely wrecking te blade on his axe he simply got up, and mounted his pony Phil and would say something like “That’s a good lad Barth, did you see how I brought that rogue troll to justice!” or “We fought honorably and will be surly heralded as heroes when we return to our realm” He is completely and utterly gone off the deep end! Barth often thought to himself as they rode and his master talked once more of glory and his “Queen”
Barth got the bed rolls ready and started to get ready for bed as his master mumbled to no one in particular about his lovely maiden.

[YayGollum]

*while driving their wagon away from yet another successful day of trading at yet another Dwarf colony on the edge of the Withered Heath, Trahald calls Boffin up to the front with him* "Boffin, get up here!" *a yellow hooded head with a scruffy looking beard pokes out of the flap* "Are you and Tolir done stowing away all my new weaponry? And do we have enough flour to make a few meat pies soon? We'll need them if we're trying our hands at dragon hunting out here."

*Boffin ducks his head back in, then comes out to sit with Trahald* "Yes, sir. Everything's secure back there, and we have plenty of flour left for you. I wanted to watch and maybe help with the cooking tonight, if that's all right, sir." *Trahald rolls his eyes, knowing how useless Boffin feels after dealing with other Dwarves*

"Yes, Boffin, you can watch. Just remember who the expert is around here. Argh! What's that up ahead? A small fire in Dwarf country? A scout, perhaps? With information to sell? Get in the back, Boffin. And keep quiet, you two!"

*Trahald stops their horse Fred and leans over to the two Dwarves* "Good evening, friends! Is there anything I can do for you? On your way home from a long voyage? You two look as if you've earned your homecoming, if I may say! We will be preparing supper soon, and would be most honored by your company."

[roguelion]

Barth stands and aproaches the visitors to talk when Gruffin suddenly bellows "Sit down boy and learn your place!" then regally Gruffin stands up and aproaches the wagon and its asorted hosts. "my name is Sir Gruffin, son of Brugg the bold, Knight errent and Lord of the Northern colonies, Commander of the Warroirs of Fr..........(he continued to drone on endlessly)...and Lover of the most beautious and prized Dwarven maiden in the northern realm Lady Gourga...(he continues to drone on)...Her face lights up the dark places and makes grown Dwarves cry like babies at her sight, Her presence....(more droning) While Gruffin drones on Barth aproaches the far side of the cart and begins talking to one of the occupants in the back.."pay him no heed Sir he is Delusionimal..er, I mean hes Dimentimated...er, I mean hes not in his right mind, If you know what I mean Lords! I am Barth,, Gruffin's "Squire" and as he will tell you we are on a quest to win the heart of (wretch) Lady Gourga, So weve been all over Middle earth, hacking and slashing trees and rocks, and winning honor and prestege among our fellows" Barth snickers and smiles, then sighs "What , may I ask are you kind folk doing about?" Gruffin continues to drone on endlessly as Barth & the 3 newcomers sit by the fire and talk...... "Her face sets the stars in motion and even the beauty of the moon is eclips......"

[YayGollum]

*while Trahald politely listens to Gruffin's droning and prepares their supper, Boffin pays attention to the Barth person* "What are we doing? Well, we've heard that someone killed a dragon around here not too long ago. My boss wanted to see what he could learn by visiting this last dragon's nest so we could hunt our own. I've heard that almost every part of a dragon is very expensive! Think your boss would want to help us? It sure sounds like he wants to become famous!"

[roguelion]

Gruffin suddenly stops his solo conversation and turns to Boffin.."Dragons, ah what a nobel and honouralbe creature, so full of power and grace, strength and wisdom, Integrity and...Um what was I talking about again..oh yes..My Lady Gourga, she is beautious and kind, one whisper from he melodic voice can make the very stones cry....."He continues to drone on and on with a far away look in his eyes, his body poised with one hand on his heart and the other raised as if he were speaking as a hearld to the very moon itself.
Barth listent to Boffins explanation of their comapanion quest, then looks back to his master who continued to blissfully expound about the virtues of his lady. "Well, Friend you managed to get the attention of master Gruffin, and that is no easy task I can tell you mate! so It is settled, we will journy with you to seek the dragons lair and maybe even to my masters benefit some glory or at least gain recognition. Barth laughs then says to his gests. "the hour is late , we should set the watch and turn in for the night, for morning will be upon us soon and if we are to travel far we need our rest, Ill take the first watch and wake you, Master Boffin for the second........"

[YayGollum]

"Yes, I'm Boffin. How'd you know? Okay, I'll take the second watch. Thanks for saying you'll help us. I'll go tell my boss." *Boffin makes his way over to Trahald, who's still paying attention to the Gruffin person, but trying not to show how annoyed he is*

"Hey, boss. I was talking to that Barth guy over there and he says that he'll help us with our dragon hunting." *sees the food and starts stuffing his face* "I take second watch!"

*Trahald excuses himself and tells Tolir to pay attention to Gruffin* "Argh! Boffin, why are you so useless? You told that guy what we were doing? I'm not looking for help, I'm looking for information! I've gathered that these Dwarves are just adventurers. Yes, they might be helpful if we ever actually find a dragon, but we'd have to share the spoils with them. All I'm hoping for is another contact with the Dwarves up here! oh well. You've done your damage. You didn't know. Great. Take the second watch." *Boffin looks superly ashamed of himself, but forgets about it after he gets back into his meal, Trahald goes back to listening to the Gruffin person*

[Turgon]

'Dragon!' Elfennas squeaked. What an fateful day this was turning out to be! Fortunately he still had some wits about him. He was well versed in dragonlore - and prided himself somewhat on his way with savage creatures.

'Oh m-m-most Dreadful of Drakes!' he stuttered. 'Worthiest of wyrms!' She was indeed a magnificent specimen - no need to fake his wonderment there! 'I am your most humble servant! Perchance I have stumbled onto your hunting ground? For that I do apologize...'

He could see the creature eyeing his bow, which he hastily slung back across his shoulder. Taking a few steps backwards he wondered just how long it would be before the dragon decided to try a mouthful of elf-roast for her supper.

'Oh look - treasure!' He yelped - pointing to some vague spot over the creature's shoulder. Then, as she turned to follow his gaze, he bolted for the trees.

[chrysophalax]

The Dragon turned back in surprise. The creature had spoken to her! In all her days she had never known that beings other than Dragons could speak. Her mate had told her stories of two-legged things that cried piteously before being eaten, but she had taken this as mere elaboration.

But why was it running away? It didn't like her? Suddenly great tears welled up in her eyes and slid down her scaly snout. No mate, no food and now a creature that ran at the sight of her. It was all too much. She let out a bellow of despair that knocked him flat, curled into a ball and began to shiver.

[Elfarmari]

Arriving just in time to witness Elfennas' encounter with the dragon, Lokë was momentarily worried for his brother's life. After seeing the reactions of Elfennas and the dragon, however, Lokë could not stop from laughing. Sobering himself with the fact that dragons were dangerous, even if they sobbed and curled into balls when confronted with a harmless boy like Elfennas, Lokë entered the clearing, picked up his terrified brother, and dragged him back into the forest.
"You idiot! How in the world did you manage to be exiled and almost be dragon-food in the same week? I suppose you wish to protect this dragon also? Have you already forgotten what got you exiled to begin with?" Seeing that Elfennas was still stunned by his encounter, Lokë left him alone and went back to attempt to recover the things that had been scattered by his fall. Returning, Lokë was not surprised to see that Elfennas had not moved.
"Regardless of what you feel towards dragons, I will not camp anywhere near one if I have the choice. If you wish to have a fire and dinner, I suggest we split up our packs and find a more suitable location for a camp."

[chrysophalax]

The Dragon had never felt so alone...and hungry! She knew it was wrong to eat things that talk so she dejectedly uncurled herself and looked about her in confusion. She had never had to feed herself, her mate having always provided so sumptuously for her, so she hadn't the least idea of how to stalk prey.

Sighing heavily, she looked back at where the two-legged creature had run away into the woods, then set off in search of something to eat, preferably something large and harmless. With not too many claws. Or teeth. She considered turning vegetarian, at least that way whatever it was she ate wouldn't put up a fight and hurt her pretty scales or chip her claws.

[Turgon]

'Oh my head!' Elfennas groaned, oblivious to his brother's words of wisdom. He hadn't felt this bad since since old Galion's last birthday bash. It felt as if a dozen dwarves were digging for mithril in the empty cavern of his skull. 'I can't move Lokë, not now, I need some rest... let me rest for a while.'

But seeing the disapproving look on his brother's face he was soon on his feet. 'What am I to do Lokë? We can't stay in the forest much longer - if King Thranduil's guards find me here I'll be for the chop!' Elfennas fell to the ground again and put his head in his hands. 'It's useless, I'm doomed, dragons and elf-kings... 'tis too much... too much...'

With this the young elf began to sniffle. 'Father always said I'd come to a bad end...'

[Elfarmari]

"Perhaps if you would stop your self-pity and inordinate fondness for dangerous beasts, you would find life kinder." Lokë struggled to keep from laughing at his brother. He had long since stopped being frustrated by Elfennas, and now simply found Elfennas' naivety comical. Lokë put some of his supplies as well as the few items which had been spilled in Elfennas' pack, put his own on his back, and headed off to find a cave or some shelter safe from dragons, hopefully. Smiling to himself, Lokë heard Elfennas hasten to get up, grab his pack and follow him, afraid of being left behind.
"Do you have any idea of what kind of wood is needed for a smokeless fire? No? Why am I not surprised. Never mind; go into that cave straight ahead of us, and try to clear some of the brush out of it. If you need anything, whistle. Please try to avoid finding some new terror to befriend!" Seeing the look on his brother's face, Lokë hastened to reassure him. "I was not being serious! There is nothing to fear in that cave, save small spiders or worms."
With this, Lokë hastened to find enough firewood before being called to protect Elfennas from some small creature. For some unknown reason, Elfennas was terrified of small insects, but quite willing to risk his life to save large ones. He had never been able to explain this.

[chrysophalax]

The Dragon wandered disconsolately. Her brief trial of vegetarianism had ended badly after she had tried some rather tempting looking plants, that had turned out to be nettles and skunk-weed. The nettles had prickled her tongue and the skunk-weed given her the worst breath she had ever experienced.

She found a stream and lapped some water to cool her stinging tongue then spied a small fish. She watched its shining scales avidly, then tried to catch it. "Hmmmmmm, quicker than it looks." she thought. Being of an exceedingly stubborn nature, she spent the next few hours slapping at the water and finally acquired two fish. In two gulps she ate them, then looked around hungrily, her belly rumbling. The sun was beginning to set and not knowing the land, she feared what might be out there to harm her. Setting out, she came upon a nice cozy cave....and what was that? Voices? Another Dragon perhaps? Baring her fangs in a friendly grin she entered to introduce herself.

[roguelion]

As the sun rose over Middle Earth, Barth rose to find no one else awake, save his master, who was, as usuial expounding the wonders of his lady to the sky, rocks, birds and any thing living or not who would give him notice. "Sir" Barth says to Gruffin, "Sir, it is time we packed up our camp and woke up our companions to see wither thay take us in search of dragon treasure" Gruffin stands and looks at Barth with a puzzled look upon his rough and weather worn face, his beard all scraggly and twisted from a night of sleeping on his face. "What is all this talk of Dragon treasure boy?" Gruffin says "Master, do you not remember, our companions, the others asleep not 10 feet from you now, have invited us along to hunt out the ancient home of a Dragon, a Dragon that is rumored to be deceased not long ago, and we accepted there invitation and will surly find not only treasure, but honor and glory among our fellows, and maybe even impress your beloved!" Gruffin sat for a moment, silent and in thought. "Then it is settled!" Wake our friends, make a breakfeast and let us head out in search of Dragon treasure!" ansd with that Gruffin sat down and began the hopeless task of putting an edge on his rusted and battere ax. Barth walked over to where Boffin was sleeping. "Boffin...excues me Mr. Boffin, it is time to wake"!

[YayGollum]

*as soon as Boffin wakes up, he's superly perky and annoying, he wakes Tolir and Trahald up, who protest and take their time, when they're all awake and done with ranting, Trahald starts making breakfast* to Gruffin ---> "So, it seems as if your squire here has been talking to my partner Boffin and you've been invited to help us when we find the dragon's lair. I thank you for your help. You will both receive an equal share if we actually find anything. I doubt that there will still be any treasure, but was hoping to learn a few things about the habits of dragons. You see, we are hoping to become dragon slayers ourselves. I'm sure that you would be interested in helping with that!"

[Turgon]

It was with some trepedation that Elfennas took his first ginger steps into the cave. One never knew what dangers lurked inside such places, he had heard such horror stories of hapless adventures walking unawares into troll-holes only to be gobbled up for dinner... or some cases a mere snack! It must be said that most of these tales had come from the lips of Lokë himself - and was feeling slightly peeved that his brother had not taken on this perilous task himself.

As his eyes slowly adjusted to the inky darkness, Elfennas looked around. A few bones lay scattered across the floor, but even to an elf of such fanciful imagination as himself, it was apparant that this was the merely work of foxes. Still, he knocked an arrow as he stepped forward into the darkness, something that made him feel a little braver though he was no sure-shot. The cave was no more than fifty feet across and a little less than ten feet high, it had a wholesome feel, and the young elf felt that with a nice fire burning he would feel quite at home here.

'All clear Lokë!' he yelled, his voice echoing about the walls of the cavern. 'Looks like a good place to bed down for the night...'

Yet there was no reply to his calls.

'Lokë...? Lokë...!?! Lokë!' He was his own echo now. Feeling a slight surge of panic he ran to the cave mouth - if his brother had gone to gather some wood then it was entirely possible that he could not hear his cries. But then if his brother was not around, who was making that mournful sound just outside the cavern? and what was that vast shadow blocking out the starlight?

'Dragon!' Elfennas squeaked, before falling to the floor in a fearful faint... not for the last time!

[chrysophalax]

The Dragon reared up on its back legs in alarm. That squeaky, high-pitched voice! Where had she hear it before? She hesitantly came back down on all fours, sniffing gently the length of the creature's body. "Well, it's not dead, but it doesn't smell much like one of my kind. Why then does it speak?" These thoughts tumbled over in her mind as she curiously pawed at the creature who was now starting to stir.

It sat up and its eyes when round with fright. It opened its mouth, but no sound was to be heard. Suddenly from behind her, there came whizzing sound and a stinging pain blossomed in her flank. She whirled in terror and beheld an creature with something in its (paws?). She crouched, snarling, thinking that it had come to harm her what she instinctively regarded as one of her young.

[Elfarmari]

Lokë stood facing the dragon, with another arrow ready on his bow.
"The thing you are holding is an elf, my brother. If you wish to avoid another arrow and maybe gain some food, I would recommend that you give him back to me. Elfennas is one of the few people in this world who devotes his life to saving dangerous creatures, and once he is revived he will be more than happy to feed you, I am sure."