Feather's Nest

Maybe this was why I chose to live a lavish life in the comfort and riches provided in the city of Dale. It was a proud and prosperous city that sat just at the foot of a great mountain, Erebor, the home of the dwarves.

As a half-dragon, there was always that internal desire for treasure, for shiny and rare items. In all my time, I’ve never found more treasure than that which lies in Erebor. Though my constitution was only half dragon, simply living beneath the mountain nearly overflowed with gold, my desires were sated. After all, I was a mere human. How could I crave something I’d never truly experienced before? And I promise, I’d firsthand never experienced the mountains of gold that I was sure were in that mountain’s core.

I was sure that as long as I could keep this mountain for myself, my self-proclaimed treasure hoard within the mountain would be safe from the greedy hands of others. After all, the dwarven King within the mountain proved greedy enough not to want to part with even a single token—this was how I was assured that my treasure would remain untouched and unsullied by the mortals. My treasure had no chance of parting Erebor or being owned by anyone else.

These facts assured me of the security of my treasures, which is why I felt confident with each journey I took outside our Kingdom’s borders.

Perhaps I was a little too confident on this last trip outside… As I returned, there was something unexpected occurring. My trip back to Dale was filled with odd occurrences. As a quasi-human, my memory was sharper than most, as were my senses. That was why I recognized the faces of many of the Dwarves and Dale citizens who were fleeing away from Erebor. Many were carrying very little belongings and nearly all—if not all of them—were distressed, heartbroken, and grief-stricken.

While people leaving wouldn’t usually ring any alarms for me, the vast numbers told me something dreadful must have happened. Each step home struck me with more and more anxiety and concern. While I wished for it to be something simple—something with an easy solution—the flames and smoke that rose from my home were enough to clue me into what happened. 

I desperately wished to be wrong.

On my way toward the mountain, a man stopped me, his eyes solid and sharp as he warned, “I’d turn around, traveler. There’s nothing but despair left in the wake of the dragon… There’s nothing for anyone here.”

My eyes darkened in determination. So it was indeed another dragon who dared to destroy my home… my territory. My draconic instincts rarely flared up, but I couldn’t help it, as my home was left in such a state. All for my treasure.

While I was off on my journey, this dragon decided to come in and impose chaos and destruction unto my home. Glaring at the remains of my home, I decided, “I’m going into the mountain.” 

Setting off on my revenge trip to face the dragon invader, the man shouted, “W- Wait…!” His eyes followed me, shocked that I would disregard his warning and proceed toward the danger. “Turn around! I’m warning you! That monster Smaug will kill you before you can step foot into that mountain! It’s suicide-”

I cut off his frantic warnings with a single look, my draconic eyes flashing dangerously. Rather, I shared my own warning, “You’d best leave now. I’m returning to my home.” My voice had a slight gravel to it as I reached the end of my sentence. 

My draconic aura was shining dangerously strong as I walked through the fallen city of Dale, withholding my dragon form for the moment. My eyes flickered among the debris and the dead, recognizing familiar buildings that were still smoldering and streets where familiar sights were reduced to rubble. 

As I left the gates of Dale, heading toward the grand entrance of Erebor, the ground vibrated subtly under my feet. I paused, glancing down as these vibrations grew in intensity until a large figure emerged from the mountain, spreading its impressive wings before taking to the sky. 

Smaug.

The one who was the cause of such horrors—the reason dragons were taboo and monstrous among the weak little mortals.

Huge, intimidating, and destructive—the qualities of a dragon. 

Seeing this dragon soaring so possessively over my home, I growled. Darting forward with the desire to protect what I’d claimed as mine, I shifted into my dragon form, my limbs extending and wings spreading magnificently behind my huge form. As a half-dragon, I was less than the size of a true dragon, but at this moment, all I could feel was the sensation of a true dragon flowing through my blood. 

My species mattered little in this moment, where I charged forward with the intent to take back what was mine. I was kind-hearted, sure… but I loved my home enough that avenging my home was the least I could do in this situation. I wouldn’t let anyone take everything from me. 

For once in my life, I attacked without mercy, without any sympathy in my heart. And for a brief moment, my small size was irrelevant as I struck Smaug from behind, pinning the fire-breather against the side of the mountain where debris rose and scattered around us.

Smaug moved quickly and violently, disentangling himself from my hold. His chest glowed dangerously with the threat of his life-taking fire; however, unlike all those merciless times before… it never came forth. His attack stalled. His eyes were glued onto the dragon that struck him from the sky.

In turn, my eyes were likewise glued onto him. Our gazes were fixed on one another. 

Only one word was silently communicated between us like an unspoken link.

“Soulmate.”

I immediately stepped away from Smaug as we regarded one another from a short distance. Both dragons were searching for something. Dragons were rare creatures, so encountering each other at all was a significant occurrence—and this… soulmates… It couldn’t have been a coincidence.

My tail wavered behind me as I observed this dragon. I was sure he was having the same experience as me. Only, with what I observed from the city, I wasn’t sure this dragon was capable of feeling emotions necessary for a soulmate. 

Soulmate.

The word repeated in my head. My soulmate, the one I was destined to be with, was a dragon whom the people of my city and home considered a monster. Of course, I knew I wasn’t truly like the people I lived amongst, but it was my home nonetheless, and this dragon—my… soulmate—came and ruined everything I had. The thing that struck me the hardest was that dragons had soulmates at all. Wasn’t that supposed to be some kind of myth or legend? Yet, I was seeing it with my own two eyes… No—More than that. I felt it in my soul. 

“My soulmate,” I heard Smaug speak out loud for the first time. His voice sent shivers down my spine, yet his presence oddly comforted me. A hum of appraisal rumbled in his chest as he exhaled. “You are not a dragon.” 

My eyes narrowed. That was the first thing to leave my soulmate’s mouth? An insult? Well, I suppose it could have been worse… I suppose fire could have left his mouth first, as it did to Dale and Erebor. Still, it was difficult to judge where this conversation was heading. “I am a dragon,” I firmly replied. 

“Not fully,” he observed. Things fell silent between us for a tense moment. Well, it was tense for me. I had been around humans for so long that I’d long since lost the ability to read a dragon’s body language or expression. But then he spoke again, “My soulmate is a human in the skin of a dragon. You speak like them.”

I tilted my head, almost in genuine curiosity. “And you’ve spoken with many humans?”

“One.” He briefly glanced away. “My soulmate.”

Another quiet pause passed between us. I wasn’t entirely dragon, but he was. Despite being soulmates, I was still wary about this dragon, unsure of his intentions. 

As expected of a soulmate, or maybe it was his constitution as a dragon, he could sense my wariness around him. My stance could have also given me away with the way my head was lowered, appraising him for any movements or actions. Human or not though, I could see some sort of displeasure in his eyes. I was anxious to know what was going through his head, but he didn’t elaborate. 

Tilting his head, matching my curious movement, he broke the silence between us, “I am not fond of humans.” That singular sentence assured me of the fate of our soulmate bond …until he spoke again, half grumbling to himself as if convincing himself of this fact, “But this quasi-human… You are mine.”

It was very clear he disliked my human side regardless, though his eyes held his possessive nature. It was clear neither of us expected to meet the other here, so I had a single question to ask him. “Why did you come here to destroy my home?”

A scoff left his lips, sounding more like a withheld growl deep within his draconic chest than the sound a human would make. He didn’t outright answer my question as he turned his gaze back to Erebor. “Foolish soulmate. Do you know nothing of your own kin? To not know why a mighty dragon would wish to lay claim over a mountain such as this. You truly are a human in dragon skin.”

“The trove within Erebor…” I muttered, knowing his reason. Dragons were possessive of treasure, of gold. Significant quantities of it were said to attract such beasts and call destruction to any greedy soul who would dare amass such wealth—though only foolish souls, such as those tainted with dragon sickness, would make such a mistake. Though, spotting the missing scale on his left side, my eyes narrowed knowingly. “Was it worth it?”

He ignored my pointed gaze. “To not only stake my claim here… but also find something more valuable than any gold… Yes. It was worth every life and every crumbling stone and every billow of smoke that rose from my flames.” He raised his head proudly, raising his wings as if showing off. “I could not have been more fortunate.” He wouldn’t mention the thought that perhaps it wasn’t the gold in Erebor that attracted him here to this specific mountain of gold. Perhaps his sense as a dragon led him to his other half, his little treasure, the most important thing a dragon could find in their lifetime—the one precious rarity he would be sure to protect at all costs.

However, there was a thought that lingered for me as well… I had always been a resident of the city of Dale. I’d never admit it in so many words, but it was for the same reason Smaug had for coming here the way he did. The richness of this city attracted me and kept me here. While I never would have dared to try and take the mountain for myself, Smaug did take it for himself.

Despite all I lost in Dale, the dragon half of me resonated with Smaug. Morbid curiosity ate at me to know what it meant to have such extravagant treasure for myself—for us. Me… My soulmate… Us.

My eyes flickered up as I heard a rumbling laugh come from the throat of the dragon across from me. “Something’s amusing?”

If a dragon could hold a smug expression on their face, Smaug certainly did. Gazing down at me with all his draconic pride, he answered, “Nothing, to me, is more amusing than seeing my quasi-human of a soulmate struggle to accept the tug in their soul.”

I stepped forward, my claws grazing the stone beneath my feet, as I stood face to face with him. “If you’re questioning whether or not I’ve come to terms with being the soulmate of a pure-blooded dragon… I have.” My statement surprised him enough, leaving us in silence before I added, “Despite not being fully dragon, there’s a tug in my chest… an undeniable desire to be by your side. I have accepted the tug in my soul. Maybe it’s you who can’t accept my human side.”

“You misunderstand, treasure,” he mumbled the term of endearment as he leaned challengingly closer, our noses a few breaths apart. “Perhaps you are part human… But I am a dragon. And I readily accept every treasure that comes into my possession. You are a welcome, however unexpected, gift.”

“Possession?” I repeated, my nose almost scrunched up in offense. “Excuse me…?”

“Don’t be surprised,” Smaug attempted to sound assuring, but from a human perspective, he really sounded full of himself. “You should consider it a compliment to be held in such high regards by one such as I.”

“You call being a possession a compliment?”

He hummed curiously at my complaint, though posed a question himself. “Do humans not have similar concepts of ownership?” He elaborated, “To belong to their soulmate in such a way that they are treasured above all else… placing their life above all other.” Seeing the concept begin to connect in my mind, he added thoughtfully, “Humans are considerably greedy when it comes to their gold. Do you mean to tell me they do not feel similar in regards to their mates?”

My gaze hardened as I looked away from him. I hated how he was making valid points from a human perspective. How did he even have a human perspective? Maybe he was more sympathetic that I imagined for a dragon to be. Though, that may have been inconsiderate of me, considering I, myself, was a dragon with a human side. Maybe I was the one being close-minded here.

“I- That…” I trailed off. Perhaps it would just take time for me to understand the meanings in his words. After all, it seemed that dragons might not be entirely different from humans. After all, we’re both just living creatures that experience different desires and have different necessities. But we’re both alive, and all living things were prone to some form of possession. Huffing in disgruntlement, I decided, “You word things oddly.”

His deep chuckle sounded far more amused this time as he managed to confound me with his surprising ability to understand. “Perhaps I do,” he agreed without much reluctance. It wasn’t like he often had conversation with others. “However, I feel that you’ll come to understand a dragon’s form of endearment in time. Being part of my hoard is not a thing of offense, nor is it bad. If you cannot understand my words, trust my actions. I will keep you safe and I will provide for you, my treasure.”

It was beyond evident in my words and actions that I had never before embraced my dragon side. My movements were unsteady and faltering, not unsimilar to a hatchling learning to walk. In order to blend into human society, I had never acknowledged my dragon form, neglecting it as if it were a burden to my existence. Which, it may have been, had Smaug not shown up to change that. 

I raised my head, retreating from his sudden approach. Though, Smaug’s movements were more graceful than mine as he moved beside me, using his wing to usher me beside him. “Come. I will show you what you have yet to experience as a human. There’s much for you to learn.”

Part of me wondered if he knew the human phrase ‘to take someone under your wing’ as a form of teaching. It was strictly a human thing, of course, so I doubted he would understand it—aside from perhaps taking it literally. I was literally under his wing, after all as he guided me into the mountain that I’d only ever looked at from afar. 

This mountain was like a physical representation of my draconic blood. It was something that I acknowledged as existing. It was something I owned and accepted as my own without saying it outloud or having anyone else know of. But now I was in my dragon form, entering the mountain that I had long-since claimed as my own. My soulmate stood strongly beside me, guiding me each step toward my predestined fate. He could show me what dragon life could be like.

That much was proven as he took me into an illuminated great hall, filled to the brim with gold and treasures stretching from wall to wall, corridor to corridor. The lot of it put together was far greater than the entire mass of Smaug himself—and me included. It stirred something… possessive in me—a feeling I couldn’t quite put into words. It was a desire to have complete dominion over this space of treasure. 

“That’s how it feels to… desire…” I murmured almost imperceptably. 

I curiously watched as Smaug bypassed me, settling down within the piles of gold. The sound of shifting coins was pleasant to hear and it was even more pleasant to physically feel the texture of the cold metals and stones beneath my claws. I was sure if I were in my human form, I’d likely drown in this sea of gold and treasure. Indeed… the dwarf king under the mountain was a greedy soul—a soul that now consumed my heart. 

I couldn’t resist the stimulating textures beneath my form as I joined Smaug, settling atop the gold, just to worm my way further into the cold comforts of the material wealth. 

His eyes remained affixed to me, observing my every action and reaction to the environment around me. After all, he was more than curious to see how I was going to settle into my inevitable draconic desires. It was going exactly as he expected it to go and his chest practically swelled with pride and affection for his soulmate.

Though, despite my internal frolicing in my dragon form as I curiously explored my surroundings, I had a thought as I glanced at Smaug and pointed out, “You’re going to show me how to be a dragon and show me how to embrace that natural side of myself.” I curiously inquired, “But that’s not all I am. I’m also a human… Do you accept that side of me as well? Or just the dragon…?”

Pausing, he lifted his head to get a better look at my slightly human eyes. He wasn’t as disgusted as he imagined he would be. Had anyone told him beforehand that his soulmate was half human, he would have scoffed and never entertained the idea. But seeing me with his own two eyes… He quietly mused, “Huamns and similarly small species are fragile and easily broken creatures. Yet, you are mine. So, let me word it in this way… You, a dragon, I will possess. Conversely… You, a human, I will protect.” He would do everything for his soulmate and he hoped he could communicate that well enough.

“That’s… one way to put it,” I considered, my tail wrapping around my loafed form. “And, not exactly wrong.” At least he had some idea on what it meant for me to have a human side. And at least he understood that humans were extremely fragile compared to dragons. That reassured me that I’d be safe in my human form around Smaug as well, considering his magnificent size. “Thank you,” I mumbled quietly, leaning closer to him, his warmth radiating onto me. “I used to think being a dragon meant that all my dragon side was good for was being territorial and desiring a hoard of treasure…” I paused. “I wasn’t entirely wrong either. But… I’ve still got things to learn. So… Maybe I can teach you more about the smaller life too?”

As you sat up in bed, your gaze drifted to the body sleeping next to you.

Some things never change.

Sighing, you envied Clavis for a moment. Only for a moment. Clavis, who no longer bore the unenviable task of waking Chevalier. Clavis, who smiled with glee when you moved into Chevalier's bedroom. Enjoy your new job, he said as he bid you goodnight before your first night sharing a room with the king.

At first, it didn't sound all too bad. In fact, it was fun – in the beginning. You would tease him with new nicknames, seeing how far you could push the envelope with cutesy names. Chevalie, sadly, did not receive the king’s approval. But as time wore on, it was becoming quite the difficult task to wake the sleeping tiger.

“Wake up, Chevalier,” you said softly as you gently shook his shoulder.

No answer. What a surprise.

“Chevalier,” you called to him in a sweet, sing-song voice, “Happy New Year.” After brushing a kiss on his cheek, you pulled back and peered into his face. Hoping to see some sign of alertness.

But there was none.

Time to try a new tactic.

Stroking his cheek with the pad of your thumb, you lowered your voice to a soft whisper in his ear. “Chevalier, my dear. My beloved. I thought you should know Clavis is in your library. He could be defining your precious books as we speak.”

With bated breath, you awaited his response; surely this idle threat would wake him up.

Instead, you were greeted with perhaps the most elegant snore as Chevalier rolled over on his side away from you.

“I know you heard me,” you muttered under your breath. In a moment of frustration, you picked up a nearby pillow, contemplating taking a page from Clavis’ book and throwing it at your lover's head.

“You're lucky I love you so much to go through this every morning.”

“I am lucky,” he finally spoke. He turned on his side and gazed at you with a deep affection that tugged at your heart. “And you'd never throw that pillow at me,” he added with a smug smile.

There he went again, reading your mind.

You had half a mind to take that pillow and prove him wrong, but before you could do so, he reached out and grabbed you roughly, pulling your body atop his, your knees straddling his hips.

His smug smile turned soft, instantly melting away your frustrations. He looked so beautiful, lying there on the bed with his pale hair splayed across his pillow like a halo. His pink lips parted, begging to be kissed.

And who were you to deny him?

Pressing your hands upon his chest, you brought your face to his and kissed him. Short and sweet. A tease of a kiss really.

When you tried to pull away, he wrapped his long arms around your shoulders, keeping you near, just how he liked you. He tilted his face up, his mouth capturing yours in a passionate kiss. One that ignited a fire in your belly.

“For future reference,” he whispered between kisses, gently rolling your body so that he was now on top of you, “I wouldn't mind being woken up like this again.”