Celeborn's Nine - Riders of the Night

author's note: three times I have tried to add this chapter and its been deleted. What is going on? sob!!!
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The dragon keep of Longma was on the side of a great jagged cliff overlooking an ancient river gorge. Largw white herons flew over flooded fields and for the riders it was a thing of wonder and beauty. Having on left the desert a day earlier, they were relieved to be back in a world of greenery and water. And since they were going to see a friend, Celeborn and Glorfindel decided it would be all right to ride during the daylight hours, although people would be aware of their presence. But the men and women they passed by showed only a mild interest.

Riding across a bridge of bamboo and and wood, Rumil swore he saw fish poking their heads out of the water and watching them. Glorfindel, the foremost authority of the mundane, told the younger elf that he was looking at river dolphins. This led to everyone stopping to see these wonderous creatures.

Legolas climbed off his horse and dangled his hand over the side of the bridge in hopes of attracting them back.

"Careful," Celeborn cautioned him with a wink at Clorfindel, "there are legends that say the some of the dolphins are enchanted maidens looking to kidnap handsome travelers."

Legolas was about to voice his skepticism when a dophin rose up out of the water and nosed his hand. so startled by the contact, he yelped and then jumped to his feet. "It startled me," he said as the others laughed at him.

"There's your chance for a lover," One of the Galadhrim teased Orophin.

"You dive in first and let me see what the fish turns into," Orophin retorted good naturedly.

Celeborn smiled and shook his head. Nudging his horse forward, he headed towards the mountain trail that ked up to the keep. Riding single file, the elves who were not afraid of heights gazed out across the valley with eager eyes, while the men and dward prayed silently for surefooted horses.

Arriving at an enormous gate, its corner posts mounted by huge brass lions, Celeborn found the green bronze bell and rang it, alerting the people inside to their presence. After a few minutes, the gates groaned as they were opened from the inside.

Longma with an enormous tiger at her side ran down the ornate steps as the riders dismounted. Dressed in a dark blue robe with sleeves that looked like butterfly wings, she also looked years younger and her black hair seemed just a little bit shinier with ivory combs and jeweled hair pens holding it out of her face. No doubt glorfindel, if he chose, would not have to sleep alone tonight.

"Welcome, welcome," she greeted Celeborn with a warm hand clasp and then moved to Glorfindel and offered him the same hand clasp. Waving at the others, she motioned for them to follow her. Longma's keep was one enormous garden and the younger elves and men found themselves looking for her dragon when they weren't petting the friendly tiger.

Sensing their questions, Longma said, "Celestial spends most of his time in the koi pond harrassing the ducks." She pointed in the general direction of the pond, but the pine trees were in the way, to which she said, "Later perhaps."

The floors inside the keep were covered with rich carpets and silk scrolls covered the walls. Athough furniture was sparce, what there was was rich and elegant. The enormous tigress seemed right at home here, and Longma said the cat's name was Tiger Blossom.

Her one concession to western sensibilities was one large hall with the type of table and chairs western men and elves preferred. A clap of the hands and servants materialized with platters of food and drink. Gimli was delighted when a mug was set before him. A dwarf could certainly work up a terrible thurst.

The tigress wandered over to the cold hearth and stretched out on the bricks for a nap. She was essentially forgotten as the visitors renewed acquaintances and enjoyed Longma's hospitality. But the moment the dainty platters of food were removed and the roast boar and lamb was brought out, she raised her head and sniffed appreciatively. Rising to her feet, she circled the table until she found Elrohir secretively holding a piece of meat out for her. Tiger Blossom's long tongue captured the tasty morsel and drew it into her mouth. She sat down and waited for more to be sent her way.

Musicians and singers were summoned and soon the hall was filled with rich exotic music. Black eyed maidens smiled at the riders, and temptation was in the air. Haldir found hiimself being drawn to the back archway, though, where he could see the pink light of sunset setting everything aglow. He didn't want to be rude, but he wanted to go outside and walk around before it dark, perhaps even see the dragon. Waiting for a lull in the singing, he asked if it would be all right.

Longma smiled at him and said, "At the bottom of the stairs, take a right. The path will take you to him."

Tiger Blossom watched the elf leave the hall and go outside. Rising to her feet, she stretched lazily and then headed back the way she had come.

Haldir liked pines and thought they smelled clean. Following the well worn trail from the keep to the pond, he couldn't help but smile at the small animals he saw in the tree tops, but his greatest surpise was reaching the end of the trail and seeing one very large Chine dragon sitting in the middle of the pond, its magnificent torquoise hide glowing with a pink tinge in the later afternoon sun. It was purring softly and paid the elf no mind, so Haldir crouched by the water edge and was content to listen to its almost hypnotic purr.

He wasn't expecting company but heard the soft steps of someone approaching. Shifting on his boot heels, he turned around and found himself staring at one incredibly beautiful woman wearing nothing but a transparent wrap. Tawny haired and golden eyed, she smiled hungrily, crouched down in front of him and claimed his mouth.

The dragon stopped purring and looked at them. The desperate woman found a way to seperate Haldir from his tunic with very little effort, and then she set about teasing and tormenting him until there was no way he could refuse her. Biting and licking him, savoring his flesh, she unlaced his leggings and jerked them down. She did not require their removal. Returning to his mouth, she bit at his lip and licked his mouth, seeking admission. Her hands were possessing his body as she urged him back in the grass.

Haldir was no innocent to passion, but this was strange. She didn't seem to be interested in him, only in his body, but she had him so worked up with her fire, he couldn't say no when she mounted him. With her hot flesh around him and her movements so rythmic he could find his own inner rhythm, he soon felt the perfect implosion of flesh that left him gasping for air.

She leaned over and kissed him and whispered softly into his mouth. Sleep quickly overcame him. The Chine dragon chortled dangerously as the tiger resumed her normal shape.

Longma stopped talking and glanced around the hall. "Where is Tiger Blossom?" she asked anxiously.

"She went out that way," Elrohir said and pointed over his shoulder.

"Please tell me no one gave her any meat," Longma said and stood up, the riders standing with her.

"I gave her a little," Elrohir admitted.

"As did I," Legolas confessed.

"Oh, no," Longma said and hurried towards the outer arch. "Tiger Blossom is a jinn. As long as I keep her away from meat she is harmless. Feed her meat and she seeks more." Opening her mind to the dragon, Longma said, "Celestial, drive her away from him. Do not let her hurt him!"

The jinn tiger hissed at the dragon, enraged that he had told on her. The elf belonged to her, and she was going to feed. Of course, she would have liked to have enjoyed him a little longer, but that was not possible now. Still, the thought of ripping open his throat and drinking his blood, excited her even more than the sex had. She could smell how sweet he was, but the dragon roared and lunged out of the water, driving the jinn tiger back. She hissed savagely and bared her claws. A swipe to the elf's soft belly opened several wounds that bled freely. She lapped the blood up as the dragon descended quickly upon her. Then hearing Longma's voice, Tiger Blossom fled.

Longma yelled at the bowmen not to shoot the cat. It was a magical creature that could not be killed, but they could release its spirit to do even more evil and mayhem.

Longma and Celeborn knelt beside the elf, whose unnatural sleep made him impervious to the depth of his injury. Reluctant to wake him, they tended his wound as best they could by the water before carrying him back inside the keep. The dragon returned to his pond without a backwards glance, although two brothers were certainly grateful the beast had been there to save their older brother. Whatever it desired, they would find a way to get it for him.

In a quiet room, not far from the others, Longma finished treating the injury. As it was created by a magic creature, it would take more than a day to heal, and he would be a little uncomfortable, but at least he would not remember the moment he was almost eaten by a jinn tiger.

Elrohir, when he later came across the tiger reclining on the now empty great table, pointed an accusing finger at the great cat and said, "You tricked me!" The tiger blinked innocently at him and resumed her purring. Jinn tigers did not suffer from concience, nor did they fear retribution. And while she would no longer be a threat to the elf, she did like the way his taste lingered on her tongue.