Anaynah, 22 years of age,
Rivendell
The halls of Rivendell were enveloped in an eerie silence as if even the birds of the Valley dared not sing their usual melodies. The once vibrant songs of the Elves now carried a sombre tone, their harmonies dimmed by the weight of recent devastation.
Anaynah's eyes slowly fluttered open, greeted by the gentle sunlight that filtered through the intricately designed windows of Rivendell. Turning her head, her awe was quickly overshadowed by an unexpected surge of pain, causing her to wince as she attempted to stretch her weary muscles. The simple act of sitting upright proved to be even more agonizing, her head throbbing with an intensity she had never experienced before.
As she struggled to piece together the fragments of her surroundings, a familiar figure entered the room following a soft knock. It was Elrond, his eyes filled with a potent mix of concern and love, reflecting the gravity of the situation.
"Anaynah," Elrond's voice resonated with a tender yet weighty tone.
"Ada," Anaynah greeted her father, her confusion evident as to why he had come to greet her so early in the morning.
"How are you feeling?"
"Well, actually Ada, I seem to have a relentless headache. My body aches, I don't suppose you have a tonic or some herbal mixture for some relief?" Anaynah inquired with a glimmer of hope, her gaze fixed upon Elrond. His eyebrows furrowed in confusion, and she couldn't help but notice the perplexed expression etched upon his face.
"What troubles you, ada?"
"You don't remember, do you?" The Elf Lords voice lowered to a hushed tone, the tension in the air thickening like an impenetrable fog.
"What are you talking about?" Anaynah exclaimed, her voice filled with a mix of confusion and urgency.
"I need you to answer very carefully. Tell me, can you recall the previous night?" Elrond's words hung in the air, adding to Anaynah's growing unease. Her mind raced, desperately trying to piece together the fragments of her memory. But it was like grasping at shadows, slipping through her fingers.
"What do you mean? Wha- Why can I not remember?" Anaynah's voice trembled, her heart pounding in her chest. As Anaynah looked into Elrond's eyes, she could sense the gravity of the situation. She yearned for answers, desperately seeking to understand what had transpired.
"What happened? Why can't I remember?" Her voice quivered, a mixture of fear and frustration. Confusion enveloped her thoughts like a thick fog obscuring her memories. She felt adrift, lost in a sea of uncertainty and disorientation.
"Anaynah, there is something of utmost importance that I must talk of with you. It is a weighty matter, one that I regret not revealing to you sooner. It may be difficult to comprehend, but we can no longer delay. The events have been set into motion," Elrond spoke with a solemn tone, taking a seat beside Anaynah's bed. Anaynah's heart skipped a beat, a shiver running down her spine. She looked at her father, her eyes filled with a mix of anxiety and anticipation.
"Ada, you're scaring me."
Elrond's gaze held a blend of concern and determination as he met Anaynah's eyes.
"Tell me, my dear, what do you remember?"
Anaynah's mind strained, desperately searching for any recollection to cling onto. And then, like a spark in the darkness, a memory flickered to life.
"I don't know I- Wait, yes! I remember, the Orc raid, the fever! I was sick, and then... and then... "
Elrond's face grew solemn, his voice tinged with a mix of disappointment and worry.
"You defied my orders, Anaynah. Despite my warnings, you rode out to aid us."
"Ada, I... I don't understand." Anaynah's voice faltered, a mix of regret and confusion.
"I need you to think. Think, Anaynah. You must remember."
And then, like a torrent unleashed, memories came rushing back to her. The searing pain surging through her body, the ground hurtling towards her as she tumbled from her horse, and then, the sight of her arms adorned with shimmering serpent scales.
Elrond observed her eyes drifting into introspection, lost in the depths of her recollections. He witnessed her panic grow as her memories gradually returned.
"Here." From his side, Elrond brought out a weathered scroll, its parchment worn from the countless times it has been read, "The words inscribed upon this page speak of something extraordinary. A being blessed with divine might. It is a prophecy of one destined for greatness, but also for doom." Elrond gently placed the scroll upon Anaynah's lap, his understanding of the unfolding events still incomplete.
"Why do you tell me this?" Her voice quivered as she contemplated delving into the words etched upon the scroll.
"Read."
With hands trembling, she unfastened the bindings, immersing herself in the flowing Elvish script upon the page. Every word she devoured, her gaze darting across the lines, absorbing each sentence until her eyes fixated upon a particular one.
Beast.
Her breath caught in her throat. She couldn't fathom how much time had passed, for she had traversed the parchment's entirety countless times.
Could this prophecy be speaking of her?
Only when her father's hand clasped her arm did she snap out of her trance. Tears welled in her eyes as they met the sorrowful gaze of Elrond.
"Will you let me show you?" Elrond extended his other hand, beckoning her to grasp it. She pondered for a moment.
Did she truly yearn to witness what her father's foresight had unveiled? Did she genuinely desire to uncover the truth? For once she learned it, there would be no turning back. but she could not simply go on after this, learning what she had.
And so, with a breath of bravery, she grasped her father's hand and shut her eyes, allowing herself to join in Elrond's sight and see what he had seen many moons ago.
Elrond shut his eyes and too allowed Anaynah to join in his foresight, he sensed a third party join, Galadriel's presence in his mind was unmistakable.
______
Fire.
Sear.
Demise.
Scorch.
Flame.
Ash.
Singe.
Heat.
Ablaze.
The structures fell and the flames engulfed the wood, causing it to crumble into naught but char and ash.
Bloodcurdling screams from men, women and children rung out through the night.
Skin sizzled and burnt, bodies trampled, bones crushed as those attempted to flee for their lives. Not a soul remained.
A city now burnt to ash.
In the midst, a creature of flame and ruin stood. Looking closer, it shrunk. Its scales to skin, wings to arms, and claws to fingers.
She stood amid the flames, her eyes flashing as gold as the fires before her.
Her back now to the city, she fled, leaving but a trail of smoke and death behind.
History had repeated itself.
Another has emerged, and another will bring certain doom.
______
As the vision consumed her mind, it cleared like a pristine stream.
She was the one in this vision. She found herself trapped in her own body, motionless, unable to halt the fiery scene she had ignited.
Suddenly, with a flash of flame, The Eye of Sauron pierced her sight, draining every ounce of warmth from her being.
Summoning all her strength, she wrestled herself out of Elrond's vision, returning to her present form. What he not know is The Eye of Sauron only entered her mind, and not Elronds. Her breaths came in ragged gasps, her mind bewildered by what she had just witnessed. Her gaze averted, almost ashamed to meet her father's eyes.
Anaynah's lips parted in a gasp as her eyes fell upon her forearm, now adorned with mysterious black markings like ink etched upon her skin. She cautiously lifted her other hand, fingertips delicately tracing the enigmatic symbols, half-expecting them to cause pain.
Once again, Anaynah turned her gaze to her father, a single tear tracing its path down her cheek.
"What am I?"
______
Present Day,
The Wilderlands
The chill of the wind whipped at the faces of the Dwarves as they soared upon the back of a most magnificent beast.
Anaynah glided through the skies in her true form, her wings spanning at incredible length. Rare and magnificent indeed, witnessing the clouds from such heights.
Anaynah, torn between longing for eternal euphoria and the reality of her physical limitations, she weakened as she descended through the clouds. A clearing beyond the Carrock awaited her safe landing, accompanied by the familiar voice of a Wizard.
"Here will do."
With a resounding thud, Anaynah touched the ground, offering her neck for the Company to dismount. Gandalf led the way, carefully descending the creature's scales. Each Dwarf followed suit. Once they had all descended, the Dragon rose her head back up, eyes flashing gold. The Company's faces filled with shock as they witnessed the incredible transformation. The beast shrank, its bones cracking, and its scales peeling away to reveal the face they had all grown to love.
Wide-eyed, the Company gaped at the woman before them, in awe of the eerie sight. Now in her most vulnerable form, drained of all her energy, Anaynah panted, struggling to catch her breath. Her knees gave way, and she fell to all fours.
Fear gripped her, her head feeling light, unable to think clearly. The immense power she had unleashed had taken a heavy toll after nearly a century of dormancy.
Anaynah's body, heavy with exhaustion, was lifted by the strength of two pairs of arms. As her weary eyes met Gandalf's kind gaze, she was taken aback to find Fili standing there too, unafraid, his eyes filled with genuine concern. With their support, she regained her footing, determined not to falter once more.
A hush fell over the crowd, broken only by Bofur's exclamation.
"Now that is something you don't see every day!" The murmurs swelled, filling the air with a sense of wonder.
Gandalf, beaming with pride, stood by Anaynah's side.
"What did I say? a most wondrous being!"
Anaynah couldn't help but release an exhausted chuckle, finding solace in Fili's presence as she leaned on him.
However, Thorin's stern voice shattered the moment, commanding their attention.
"That is enough," he declared. "We move on." Without further ado, he turned his back and forged ahead, his determination unwavering.
Fili, concerned for Anaynah's well-being, dared to speak up.
"Uncle, should we not wait a while? I do not think Anaynah is-" he began, only to be interrupted by Thorin.
"I said we move on," Thorin asserted firmly, "We are not going to wait here and give the Orcs the chance to catch up. We keep going."
Anaynah wasn't surprised by Thorin's usual demeanour, but what caught her off guard was his lack of curiosity or reaction to the situation. It was not what she had expected. However, she decided not to dwell on it for now.
The Rangers gaze shifted to Fili, who stood faithfully by her side as the others slowly followed Thorin's lead. She offered him a warm smile and a nod, assuring him that she would be alright.
______
The day held promise, with the sun shining brightly and the clear skies above. It seemed like a good day was in store. But little did Anaynah know, that fate had other plans in mind.
As the Company tracked and ventured through the picturesque countryside, a sense of unease permeated the air. Anaynah, now revealed as a Dragonborn, couldn't shake the weight of self-consciousness that settled upon her. The Dwarves' demeanour had subtly transformed, their once unwavering trust now overshadowed by doubt.
Anaynah's mind wandered back to a mere few hours ago when she had merged into her Dragon form, her true self being revealed to the Company and their reaction that she could not believe she had received.
The landscape unfolded before their weary eyes, a tapestry of rolling hills and lush forests. Anaynah's gaze remained fixated on the ground, her thoughts consumed by the shifting dynamics within the Company. Longing for the days when their camaraderie was unburdened by this newfound revelation, she yearned for their acceptance.
"This is what I feared, they look at me so differently now. And how could they not?" Anaynah finally voiced her concerns, her voice betraying a hint of vulnerability to Gandalf, who met her gaze with a mix of sympathy and caution.
"It is a lot to take in, Anaynah. But trust must be earned, even among allies. Give them time, and they will come to see the strength within you."
Anaynah nodded, her eyes reflecting a mixture of gratitude and determination.
The Company trudged on, their footsteps echoing through the quiet countryside. The silence hung heavy, punctuated only by the rustling leaves and the occasional whisper of the wind. Each step felt like a chasm widening between them, a reminder of the fragile bond they now trod upon.
Finally, as dusk settled upon the land, they stumbled upon a secluded clearing, a sanctuary amidst the encroaching darkness.
"We camp here tonight! We have covered enough ground, we should be well away from the pack by now." Thorin instructed.
The night enveloped them, and as they settled into their makeshift camp, the flickering fire served as a beacon of hope amidst the uncertainty.
In the quietude, Anaynah found solace, her thoughts drifting to the possibilities that lay ahead. She clung to the belief that with each passing day, the fractures within their fellowship would mend, and trust would be restored. As the night deepened, the hushed conversations carried on, their words laced with caution and guardedness. Yet, amidst the tension, a glimmer of understanding emerged
Soon the Company was set for the night. Bombur had quickly made the stew and the night went on as usual. Anaynah was surprised to see most of the Company conversing with her as usual. They did however keep the Dragon talk to a minimum, only occasionally asking a question about it.
It was clear to her they remained uneasy.
"Well, I don't suppose you can keep the fire going for us, aye lassie?" Gloin inquired with a chuckle, a hint of nervousness behind his laughter.
"Indeed, I can, Gloin." Anaynah replied with a soft smile his way.
"What? Can you breathe fire?!" Kili exclaimed in surprise.
"Uh... well, yes, only in the other form as you witnessed early."
"I must say, it truly is fascinating. There's so much I want to know!"
"Well, know that I am happy to any any questions you might have for me." The Ranger replied in hopes to reassure them all that they had nothing to fear. A curious Hobbit came closer upon hearing the conversation, taking a seat on a log near Anaynah, making her heart warm.
"We've heard legends, many tales are there are of your kind." Balin inquired, the Dwarves murmuring between themselves.
Many more questions were asked, mostly regarding her abilities and magical properties that she possessed.
"Is there more like you?"
Anaynah turned her head to her side to see Bilbo with inquisitive eyes. She thought for a moment on how to answer the complex question.
"No, Bilbo. There has not been another Dovahkin for an age. I am the only one that walks Middle Earth."
With that, Gandalf decided it was best to put an end to the conversation before it could go further.
"Alright, alright. stop with your pestering. We have all had quite the day and I do say we can use some rest." The frown of worry etched upon the Wizards face did not go unnoticed by Anaynah.
The crackling fire cast dancing shadows upon their weary faces, offering a momentary respite from the weight of their journey.
Soon they began to settle for the night, ready to rest after the day they had endured.
"I am happy to take first watch, Thorin!" Anaynah offered brightly, she was eager to show the Company that nothing had changed. She was fooling herself, for her spirits were quickly dimmed.
"No. There won't be any need for that. I will take the first watch." Thorin replied sternly, barely meeting Anaynah's gaze as he retreated to his post.
Anaynah's heart sank. She couldn't help but wonder why he was so quick to reject her. Disappointed, she retreated to her secluded spot upon her makeshift bedding, seeking solace after the exhausting day.
_______
Sleep quickly enveloped Anaynah, her weary body craving rest. In her dreams, her mind wandered to distant lands, far from the Company. She envisioned herself traversing the treacherous peaks of the Misty Mountains, discovering the hidden wonders of the enigmatic Hidden Valley, and strolling through the peaceful and picturesque hills of the Shire. The magic of her dream carried her further, leading her to the enchanting forests of Ithilien, her beloved home for countless seasons, where ancient trees whispered secrets and mythical creatures danced in the moonlight.
In this enchanting dream, Anaynah encountered the face of her dearest friend, Jahan. The dream felt like a spellbinding existence as if she had entered a realm where dreams and reality intertwined. Their last embrace lingered in her mind, their final touch before she embarked on this grand adventure with Gandalf. Jahan's presence radiated with an otherworldly glow, his voice filled with a melodic resonance as he whispered.
"Aran nîn le. [Come back to me.]"
Anaynah's heart fluttered with a mix of longing and curiosity, wondering if his words held another significance to him.
This most wonderful dream Anaynah was experiencing was not to last, for she was abruptly pulled out of it, the vision morphed. And with a flash of flame, a shroud of darkness veiled her vision. All happiness and warmth has drained from her. The fire grew and through it, The Eye of Sauron bore into her soul, making its way slowly into her subconscious state. The pupil of the evil eye began to morph into a dark shadow of a man, slowly walking through the flames of his own sight, holding the weight of all evil.
______
Anaynah's eyelids lifted abruptly, revealing a world of darkness that enveloped her senses.
As her vision adjusted, she felt a weight pressing against her, causing her heart to race with a mix of confusion and fear. She had no time to process the dream she had just witnessed. With a sudden surge of adrenaline, her eyes focused on the figure that leaned over her.
Her breath caught in her throat as her eyes met that of Thorins, his body looming over hers, his grip unyielding.
A most powerless feeling engulfed Anaynah as her gaze fell on the glint of a cold, steel blade gripped within Thorins hand, mere inches from her vulnerable throat.
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First chapter, and we're straight into it!
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- I <3