章節 16: Chapter 15

Striding through the ranks of Elves, I took in their expressions of hesitation and fear. Yes, I was on their side, but they still have not accepted that there could be a "good" dragon. I will have to show them with my actions that I am different from my evil kin, like Smaug.

Reaching the front, fighting slows as the Orcs back away in fear. In taking air, I roar at them before charging forward.

I want to spin a story of how I valiantly fought against the horde of orcs with impossible odds, and my valor shined through. Unfortunately, without the ability to surround me, thanks to my new allies, I slaughtered the Orcs in droves. A swipe of my claw killed five and injured two. A crunch of my jaws bisected another five. The battle was almost a lazy stroll for me. The only thing the Orcs were doing to me was instilling regret at biting them because they tasted AWFUL.

With me slaughtering so many, Sauron or one of his champions would eventually have to step forward. No sooner did I think that a roar shook the earth before it split, and a blackened hand, made of seeming magma, gripped the edge? From the depths under Mount Doom rose a balrog. I was not surprised and was prepared to face off against one of the fallen Maiar, but that would be a lie.

Rising in steam, created by the heat of the mountain contacting the air, his presence was intimidating while I tried to rank my brain to figure out why a Balog would be here.

In recorded Tolkien lore, there were at least four Balrogs, but according to fan theory, seven were speculated. That would make sense since the history of Middle Earth is based on the bible and, by extension, the Book of Enoch. There are seven sins, after all.

Gothmog, the first lord of Balrogs under Morgoth, and Lungorthin, the Second Lord of Balrogs, were dead, slain by Ecthelion and another in the Fall of Gondolin in the First Age. Glorfindel also killed a Balrog at that time, and the one that would be known as Durin's Bane is slumbering below Khazad-dûm as we speak, waiting for the Dwarves to dwell too deep.

So who is this guy?

The Balrog growled at me before slamming his molten sword into the earth. From his mouth, I think, came the black speech spoken by all servants of Morgoth, and, luckily or unluckily, I understood him perfectly.

"Why do you work against the master 's bidding," he snarled.

Gritting my teeth, I cleared my throat to respond. I am very nervous.

"Melkor (Morgoth) is banished from Eä (Middle Earth), Balrog. His will and plans are not necessary anymore," I tried to sneer.

Snorting, he stepped toward me while speaking.

"then what purpose is your life, worm? The master is not here. Why do you not die like the good little snake you are?"

Now, that wasn't nice.

"The Valor, Valarauko (Maiar corrupted by Morgoth), will not pardon you. The Great Music will never grace your ears again, and the splendor of Valinor is lost to your pitiful eyes forever. You will live and die here. Now, COME ON!"

Roaring, the Balrog charged forward while stepping on Orcs as they tried their best to scramble out of the way.

Snarling, I turn back to the Elven troops behind me. I do not know if I will win this fight, but I could at least save them from the shockwaves and spillage of our battle.

"Get back if you value your lives!"

Turning back without seeing their response, I charge forward to meet the Balrog head-on. I may not be able to fly, and I might be out of Breath, but at least I won't run like a little bitch.