[Child of the 7th Age]

As the flaming boat began to tip and plunge into the depths of the waters, Cami remembered Angara's stern warning to Bird, not to take on dragon form. But heedless of all admonitions, the shapechanger glided through the skies aiming for the mother ship. Cami rubbed her eyes in disbelief. If Gorthaur had been looking for one dragon before, perhaps he would now be seeking two. But at least, no eyes had focused on hobbits or hobbrim with this rare spectacle in the heavens.

Cami had been shooting arrows, but now flung herself out of the small boat into the churning waters trying to reach the distant shore. All about her the sea burned hot with patches of blazing oil floating atop the waves. The stench and heat were overwhelming. She fought to stay afloat, but felt her lungs give way as heavy smoke filled the air. Cami remembered looking up and crying out for help, and then thinking no help would come. But, at the last instant, the black and spun dragon spun about in its path, veering away from the black flagged ship, and swooping down into the waters. Then she changed to dolphin form. The last thing the hobbit remembered before passing out, was a familiar body coming underneath her to stop her descent into the depths of the sea.

[ September 24, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]