The Lonely Star -- Chapter 4

[Mithadan]

Mithadan watched grimly as the Numenorean schooner approached the shore and the conflagration which had engulfed its skiff. The Star was well behind and struggled to close on the larger vessel despite contrary winds. Piosenniel stood next to him, squinting through the smoke and mist at the shore. The diminished crew of the Star were all armed and prepared to take on the larger crew of the Numenorean vessel.

Despite the chaos, Ancalimon laughed. He stood by the bow, holding a large tube in his hands. "Clever Hobbits," he cried. "They feed the fears of the sailors with sudden fire! You seek dragons? Very well! Chase this one!"

Ancalimon propped the tube up on the rail, and taking up a tinder box, appeared to set fire to the end. With a whoosh, something leapt from the end of the tube and shot out toward the schooner. In a cloud of smoke and flame, it grew and lifted high above the Numenoreans' mast where it unfolded and took shape.

To the amazement of the Star's crew, a golden glowing dragon appeared before the schooner where it hovered for a moment, spouting flame and smoke. The screams of the Numenorean sailors could be heard above the din. Then the glowing dragon turned and sped off to the West toward and over the tip of Hyarnustar. The schooner floundered for a moment as its crew adjusted its sails and turned to follow the apparition.

Several of the Numenoreans began waving frantically at the Lonely Star. "Ware! Ware! A dragon!" they shouted. Mithadan turned the wheel bringing the Star about to an easterly course and waved to the Numenoreans as if in thanks. In a matter of minutes, the schooner began to shrink with distance as it moved toward the West in pursuit of Ancalimon's dragon.