Life as a Dragon (LOTR)

Please see the Creator's Thoughts section at the end of the chapter. 

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"NOT LIKE THAT! I have told you a thousand times that you need to feel before you try to harness! Idiot!"

To say my magic lessons were going well would be… an exaggeration. I huffed in annoyance, letting my focus slip back to the present. Alvaerelle has been assigned to me by Elrond as a magic instructor, and she is very strict and annoying.

The echo of her latest insult bounced around in my head as I glared at her, seething. Our lessons had started a couple of weeks ago, and the initial meeting had been anything but smooth.

Flashback

"So, you will be my new student, Spawn of Morgoth?"

The words that spilled from the mouth of the beauty before me carried nothing but mocking and disdain, instantly dousing the attraction blossoming within me. 

"Depends. Are you even good enough to teach me," I sneered back. I may have been human, but now I have almost uncontrollable dragon pride.

Startled, she blinked in confusion momentarily before my words seemed to register. Her eyes flashed with anger, and a scowl settled upon her face.

"Is that how you wish to speak to your teacher? With such obvious disrespect, Wurm."

'Wurm' is a term used to insult my kind. The term 'Wyrm' covers all dragons with or without wings by comparing our greatness to earthworms in the dirt. Some legless, wingless dragons look like Worms…but are more like snakes than anything!

With a snort, I pushed hot air out of my nostrils at the feeble elf, causing her to stumble back slightly. Seeing a break in her composure, I chuckled to myself slightly.

You may think this is one of those cliché scenarios where we are actually attracted to each other and are just being Tsundere like in Japanese anime, but you could not be more wrong. I am the type of guy who gives my partner lots of love and respect while expecting the same in return. Her words were just off-putting.

Blowing some of her now messed-up hair out of her eyes, she narrowed them at me.

"I am going to skin you alive, Wurm."

Raising her arms, I feel a pulse in the air as she starts speaking in Sindarin (Elven Language).

A spell!

Instantly, I rise and swing my tail around to strike her. She jumps over my tail while maintaining the chant. Snarling, I charge toward her and open my mouth to take a bite.

"ENOUGH!"

We both stop abruptly, me while midstride, mouth open. Her chant dies away as we slowly turn our heads together in synchronization. Standing there with steam practically coming out of his ears is Elrond.

Upon recognizing him, we both straighten up. Turning to face Elrond, I can't help but complain.

"Elrond-" "My Lord-"

Stopping, Alvaerelle and I turn to each other and glare at being interrupted. At this point, I was not mad anymore, but the situation was amusing.

Alvaerelle squinted her eyes at me before huffing and turning back to Elrond.

"My Lord, this… creature is simply unable to learn the high art of Magic with his uncouth mannerisms and lack of proper decorum. If I am to be his master, I must have his obedience."

Rolling my eyes, I couldn't help but bite back. "Listen, little elf. I am a great beast of the sky, ruler of the mountains, and terror of cities. My respect must be earned, and you will never get obedience from me. It is not in my nature."

Whipping back to me, she practically spewed venom. "Either you behave, or I will not teach you!"

The anger was back. Glaring at each other, we could only look down sheepishly when Elrond sighed deeply.

"Alvaerelle, he is a guest and my companion. He is owed Guest rites and respect for helping in destroying The Enemy. Tiberius, you are seen as a Spawn of Morgoth, and most would bear hatred and bitterness in their heart towards you. Please try to act with leniency and understand the difficulties of others."

Both abashed, we mumbled our apologies while inspecting the ground around our feet.

"Now, I want your lessons to focus on shapeshifting until mastered. This is a priority because I am getting a headache with all the inquiries about why a dragon is sitting in the middle of our main courtyard. You two! Figure it out!"

Having finished, Elrond turned around in a flourish and walked back down the… hall? Walkway?

Whatever, it's not essential.

Turning back in time to make eye contact with her, we both look away quickly.

After a silent pause, I sigh in acceptance.

"Listen, I do not expect you to trust or even like me, but Elrond is my friend, and I just wish to learn what I can before moving on."

Hearing me speak, Alvaerelle's ears perked up cutely -stop it- before she seemed to mull over what I just said.

"I will teach you, Wur-Tiberius. Please be patient with me and seek to listen to what I instruct. Magic is fantastical and powerful, but it is also dangerous. I need you to promise this because we may die if you choose not to listen at a particular moment."

Seeing the seriousness in her gaze, I could only nod my head in acquiescence. And so, I gained a Sugar Momm-

Oh, she's glaring at me again. A woman's intuition is frightening.