Dragons are misunderstood creatures. Of course you have the evil ones, the ones like Smaug, however those are the ones that ruin dragon's reputation. Not all dragons kill for gold, of course most of the creature are vain and care all too much about themselves, but not all fit into the category given to them. Of course all the creatures of Middle-Earth have to admit that having a dragon on their side wouldn't be all that bad. And some lucky few do, dragons, although it is rare, bond with other creatures. If you possess the certain traits, you may have just found yourself a dragon. However these tales have long since fallen from legend to myth and the tales of friendly dragons were forgotten. Until Forn.

Let me get this straight. Forn isn't an unusual dragon. Just the dragons Middle-Earth got comfortable, or uncomfortable, with are the types you'd rather avoid. You see, Forn is still the vain, treasure liking, beast you hear about, she would just rather not murder villagers for her fame and glory. An honorable dragon perhaps. Besides, there a few dragons left. The world no longer thrived as it once did.

~*~

"My Lord, Thranduil!" A guard cried rushing into the throne room, interrupting the conversation he and Legolas were having. "A dragon has crashed into our lands, how shall we approach this?" Thranduil exchanged a look with Legolas.

"Legolas," Thranduil practically growled, glaring at his son. "No. I refuse to let you go." Legolas pressed his lips together. "I am afraid the only option is to kill the beast, we cannot have a dragon thriving on our land." The guard nodded and rushed out of the room. "Legolas, we will continue this conversation later, I have much to think about?"

"Of course, Ada." Legolas bowed and slipped out of the throne room, dashing towards the open gate.

He swung himself up onto his horse and ride into position with the guards.

"My Lord, Legolas?" A guard questioned noticing the prince among their ranks. "What are you doing here? Er, if I may ask."

"Disobeying my father," Legolas grinned at the guard and nudged his horse forward. "Take no notice of my presence."

The group rode into the woods, the guard who saw the dragon fall, leading the way. As they came closer they noticed how completely demolished the surrounding areas of the landing was. Of course they heard the dragon before they saw her. They heard the cries of tortured pain and the sounds of trees snapping like twigs under giant feet.

They came upon a brilliantly white dragon, her scales on the left side drenched with scarlet blood. A bleeding hole was torn in her left wing, a spear lodge into the scales behind that wing. As the elves watched the dragon tried to fly, only to scream in pain and fall back onto the earth, crying out as they collided. The elves looked at each other, unsure what they were supposed to do.

It was Legolas who finally took action. He swung himself off of his horse, giving the reins to the nearest guard and before anyone could stop him, he stepped into the clearing the dragon had formed. As he stepped in the dragon whirled around and bared her teeth like a startled animal. Legolas put out a hand and approached slowly.

"I am not here to harm you," He said in elvish as he walked slowly towards the frightened dragon. "I want to help you." The dragon, who understood the tongue of the elves, but could not speak it, relaxed considerably, the defensive posture sinking until the dragon was lying upon the ground.

Legolas softly set his hand on the dragon's nose, feeling her warm breath on his hand. He let his hand trail over her scales until he reached her wing. She lowered it for him, letting it lay flat on the ground. Legolas bent over the wound, examining it closely. He made a mental checklist of everything he would need and started shouting orders to the guards who stood in the shadows. He then went over to the spear.

"This is going to hurt," Legolas said, still speaking elvish since it was the calmest tongue he knew. The dragon sighed and Legolas took that as the go ahead. He wrapped his hand around the broken hilt of the spear, bracing one foot against the hard scales of the dragon, before pulling with all of his might. It wasn't that the spear had pierced the dragon, it hasn't hurt her besides cutting a hole in the more sensitive hide on her wing, the spear was lodged between the scale and her hide. With one final heave the spear came loose, pulling away from its dragon host. 

By this time the guards had returned with the medical supplies that Legolas requested, although he had to retrieve them, the other elves were to afraid to come near the dragon. Legolas cleaned the wound on her wing before bandaging it as well as he could with the supplies he had. When he was done he stepped back to admire his handiwork.

The dragon turned her head to the elf prince, pressing her nose into his hand. Burning pain flashed through Legolas' hand and he cried out, but for some reason he could not pull away from the dragon before him. When he was released from the spell holding him to the dragon he cradled his hand to his chest. Finally he looked down at it and noticed the swirl pattern covering the lower left side of his palm. It glowed a light blue before fading into this color of a scar.

Thank you.  A soft voice said in his head. That is the mark of a dragon rider. Whenever a being bonds with a dragon they receive one. I am Forn. Legolas turned to the dragon behind him who simply bowed her head in response. We are bonded. It is how I am able to speak with you.

"Forn," He murmured resting his hand on her snout and staring at her with wonder.

You need not speak aloud little one. Think what you wish to say to me, even at a distance I will hear, and I will come.

"My Lord, Legolas?" A guard asked, timidly stepping into the clearing Form had created with all of her flailing. "What is going on?"

"Take me to my father... I have a lot of explaining to do."

~*~

"What?" Thranduil yelled. Panic filled Legolas' mind, but he instantly knew it wasn't his. 

Forn, be calm. He won't hurt me. Legolas spoke to Forn mentally before turning to his father.

"We have no choice but to accept this Ada," Legolas said softly. "You cannot tear her from me, she is apart of me now. If you reject her you reject both of us. If you want me to stay, you must learn to accept this." 

"We must hide this from the world," Thranduil decided. "Riders are legendary, there are many who would wish to take this from you and your dragon-"

"Forn," Legolas corrected. "Her name is Forn." 

"Of course," Thranduil nodded. "We will house Forn. I have nothing against a loyal dragon, but before we start building her house, I would like to meet her." Legolas nodded and turned, his father right as his heels as Legolas lead him to right inside the wall. There Forn was curled, her head resting on her legs and her eyes were closed, in a completely relaxed position. As they approached she moved from her relaxed state to a more upright one. As Thranduil approached she bowed her head, stooping her neck to show him respect. 

"She bids you hello," Legolas translated her thoughts. Thranduil raised his eyes at his son, but turned to the dragon. 

"Rise Forn, you have my son's trust and respect, therefore you have mine. We will build you an area to stay in, but do you have any requests?" Thranduil asked the dragon with ease. 

"She wishes to be able to go and come as she pleases..." Legolas trailed off, his face molding into a frown before he sighed and nodded his head. "She also wishes to stay beside me for the time that she stays in our walls." 

"Very well, your wishes will be granted," Thranduil turned and set a hand on his son's shoulder. "Do be careful Legolas. It is not that I do not trust Forn, it is the fact that I do not trust those who could learn about who you are. We must have you wear gloves whenever you leave the walls of the castle." He released Legolas before turning and striding back into the throne room. Legolas laid a hand on Forn's snout. 

"That went better than expected," He said. Forn only snorted in response. 

Author's Note

I hope you are as excited for this as I am!!!!!

~Jo