Days later, Aluna finally returned, while Smaug was dozing on the stone throne, she entered the room unhindered.
Smaug woke up at the sound, too lazy to move, he didn't open his eyes, thinking it might be one of his wives coming to play.
But the sound didn't come any closer, staying in front of him.
Opening his eyes, he saw Aluna looking at him with narrowed eyes.
-You're back. - He smiled at her.
-So, you looted this mountain... - Aluna spoke calmly.
Smaug's smile froze and he slowly closed his eyes, pretending he hadn't heard and going back to sleep.
"You know I can tell if you're sleeping, right?" Aluna's voice still rang out, soft, but still warm underneath, not the kind of heat that warms the soul, no, it's the restrained kind that's a threat of imminent fire.
He didn't answer, but seeing that she wasn't going to leave, he sighed and opened his eyes. "I was a different dragon."
-Oh... and what changed? - Aluna asked unhurriedly.
-Hmm... this time I would only loot the treasure, without killing the dwarves or the men! -Smaug thought for a moment and answered honestly, she always knew when he was lying.
Aluna looked at him unimpressed, sighed, and said, "You're not going to give the mountain back, are you?"
Smaug's silence was his answer.
Aluna pursed her lips and turned to leave, but a pair of thick arms wrapped around her from behind, Smaug placed his head against hers and sniffed her hair, it still smelled of burning wood...
-Let go. - She asked calmly.
He didn't let go, he turned her around and lifted her chin, looking deeply into her eyes, she looked back at him, her eyes still indifferent, looking unimpressed.
His thumb brushed her lips, she didn't take her eyes off his, still indifferent.
"Do you think I'm bad?" Smaug asked lightly, still looking at her appreciatively, his hand moving, stroking her hair.
She didn't answer for a while, looking at him quietly. "No... but no matter what I think, it's what your actions caused to others."
Smaug chuckled lightly, amused. "War is common in this part of the world; men fight for wealth, territory, women, revenge... the number I've killed is far fewer than many of those kings proclaimed kind and just in history. What does that make them, then?"
Aluna didn't answer quickly, but thought, her eyes still on his, but now slightly narrowed. "This isn't about those kings, it's about Smaug, the terrifying, the terrible, the tremendous..."
"Yes? Remember, I couldn't always control the corruption within me, just like you. I can't say I don't have regrets, but after you met me, have I ever done anything to go back on what I promised you?" Smaug asked calmly.
Aluna didn't respond, her eyes finally lowered, remembering her time as Baurog.
Aluna sighed, her eyes no longer so cold. "Still, I'm trying to make up for it. You could have made peace with the dwarves, returned the mountain, and built your territory elsewhere."
"Really? You know those same dwarves came from the mines of Moria. You drove them out. They tried to return, but they couldn't. In the end, it's a matter of strength and skill. They can build elsewhere. They've done it once before." Smaug shook his head.
Aluna lowered her head, her fists clenching slightly. "I still want to help them."
"Yes? Moria is empty now, well, it's still full of Orcs. I can help you reclaim it for them, but would they accept it? Would they be grateful to us? Or would they hate us, grow fond of us, and seek revenge in the future? You may be fine with that, but what about the people you currently protect? Are you willing to use their lives as collateral?" Smaug asked calmly, lifting her face again and looking her in the eye.
Aluna didn't answer, she remained quiet, thoughtful, her brow now furrowed, not knowing what to choose.
Smaug sighed, looking at the soft face adorned by the fire-colored hair, she still wore that orange dress that seemed to emit heat wherever she went, if it weren't for Smaug, she would have many suitors.
Her eyes returned to his. "I don't know, I'll think about it."
-Do it. - Smaug nodded, but he didn't let go of her, he lowered his head carefully, she looked at him without dodging.
He thought she would turn into a spirit, but no, when their lips met, a kiss was shared.
Aluna looked curious, as Smaug guided her, opening her mouth, she closed her eyes and responded, learning quickly, she tried to use what she learned, the pair remained there, one taught and the other learned.
It was a slow and soft kiss, Smaug was afraid of scaring her, she had finally responded to him, he didn't know why, nor did he care.
After a while, Aluna moved away a little, looked at him, and leaving his arms, she walked away in silence.
Smaug felt complicated at the moment, he didn't want to rush with her, Aluna was hard to read, Hera was kind but warlike, Helena was perverted and slightly sadistic, Tauriel was gentle but serious, Aluna was... quiet and preferred the company of trees and imps, during his time with her, they talked a lot, sometimes about nothing in particular, sometimes about the world, sometimes she could go days without speaking, just leaning on him while he killed without stopping.
Helena was still his favorite, Hera and Tauriel were also very loved by him, but they did not give themselves completely like Helena, Aluna, before today, gave him a feeling of closeness and distance, she could be next to him, but it did not seem like she was really there.
Still, he found himself wanting her to respond, wanting her to fall in love with him, perhaps the way he had treated Tauriel before she accepted him, carefully, waiting for her to respond to his feelings completely.
He abandoned this with Tauriel when he saw that she couldn't put her prejudices aside, it was the years of living together that made Tauriel accept him, the same with Hera, maybe that's why Helena is his favorite, more than just superficial love, but the basic acceptance where no matter who he is, she would still be with him willingly.
Aluna was even worse than Tauriel and Hera, but he couldn't understand why this woman moved him so much.
Just now, he could have used that, making her promise to be his woman in exchange for helping the dwarves, he didn't do that, he didn't want to do that, maybe she realized that, that's why she kissed him back.
But this only made Smaug more frustrated, not knowing how to proceed, sighing, he thought about going to look for his wives to put out the fire in his heart.
But he gave up, returned to the throne and sat down, he did not go back to sleep, but replayed the encounter over and over in his mind, trying to understand what was happening to him and Aluna.
Outside, Aluna, hiding not far away, felt that the Dragon had not left the throne, but was there again, silent.
Aluna paused for a moment, doubtful about his once calm eyes, why did she kiss him back?
--x--
Alduin was nervous, heading towards Wynah's room, he replayed the steps in his head.
The advice he had heard came back to him.
Helena: "Just go ahead, knock her down, she'll like it."
Smaug: "Find something she cares about, use it to make her commit."
Tauriel: "Just spend time with her, if it's love, you'll grow closer naturally."
Hera: "Well, I don't know much about that… maybe take her horseback riding? Go see the Eagles, they're beautiful…"
Hela: "Who knows, it's not like I've had any relationships."
Berkas: "Who is Wynah?"
Baltazar: "Hit her on the head and take her home or bring her a big, delicious chicken."
...
Alduin sighed at his family's madness, to be honest, he was desperate when he asked the Gargoyle, he also noticed at this point that the Gargoyles seemed to copy the way the giant elves searched for their mates, but a little more direct.
Food and fight.
Alduin sighed and knocked on Wynah's door.
He knew she had just returned from training, so she shouldn't be resting yet.
The door opened and the figure of Wynah, not in combat clothes, but in a simple black dress made of spider silk opened the door.
Looking at the diminutive woman, perhaps only about five feet tall, he froze for a moment.
Wynah was short but had a large bust, her hair was shorter, she cut it often, her eyes looked serious and she preferred to remain silent most of the time, he saw her for the first time while she was training.
She then asked her mother to let her train him, her mother agreed, but only when she was busy, which was often due to her father, so the pair became closer.
Wynah watched him grow, trained him, she didn't understand what Alduin felt for her before, until Helena told her directly, then she realized that the young prince seemed to like her.
She found it funny, after all he was just a little dragon elf, but then he grew up, became bigger, as handsome as his father, his white hair followed the aesthetics of the moon elves, with age came courage, he sent indirect messages from time to time and Wynah didn't know how to react.
The queen approved, the king didn't care, she thought she didn't deserve the king's son, so she tried not to reciprocate, it didn't work, Alduin was circling her like a moth to a flame.
Wynah froze when she saw Alduin at her door, she was speechless, the two froze and looked at each other.
Strangely, they both seemed to speak a thousand words with their eyes, but they also couldn't reach each other with just silent words, this left them frustrated, but they didn't know what to say.
Alduin thought about all the advice he had received, about his plan, but nothing seemed right now, would he chicken out again?
He could hear Berkas's voice in his mind, with that irritating, mocking tone, calling him a coward.
Alduin sighed, his eyes serious. "Wynah... may I come in?"
Wynah seemed to come to her senses as well, her pale skin made it easy to see her flushed cheeks, she bit her lip and stepped out of the way, opening the door wider.
Alduin walked in nervously, not far away, a whole group was watching curiously, the whole family was together, hiding as they watched.
-I knew he could do it. - Hera nodded happily.
"We don't know yet, he might turn yellow." Hela shook her head.
Hera gave her a dirty look and she lowered her head.
-I bet he'll chicken out. - Berkas, who was dragged by Tauriel, now found himself interested in the event.
-Yes? How much? - Hela asked next to him.
-10 gold coins that he yellows. - Berkas spoke calmly.
-Deal. - Hela nodded.
Smaug sighed, his children inherited not only part of his personality, but also his desire for wealth, he gave them allowances, but never saw them spend, even Alduin the most normal was very thrifty.
Smaug wouldn't admit it, but he was proud.
Tauriel beside her spoke, "I don't think we should be here."
-Oh, please, it's not like this guy would have the courage to do anything. - Helena shook her head, not at all confident about her son.
"Is he really your son?" Tauriel rolled her eyes and asked in exasperation.
"If he hadn't come from me, I would have my doubts." Helena sighed. She had expected a son more like Berkas, but looking at Tauriel's increasingly limited patience, she felt a bit lucky.
Of course, Tauriel really is kind on the inside and almost never does anything serious to Berkas, if it were Helena, Berkas would have already lost several layers of skin by now.
Hera was the kindest of the three, but as Hela grew up with Alduin, it was Helena who educated them both the most, so despite respecting her mother, Hela fears Helena more.
As they argued, the group was surprised, muffled moans began to come from the room, soon becoming louder.
Everyone looked at each other in shock, Hela smiled happily and looked at Berkas with her mother outstretched.
Berkas wanted to deny it, but he knew that if he did, he would not only be beaten by Hela, but also by the father who spoiled her the most.
Sighing, he sadly took out the coins and handed them over.
-That kid finally got some balls. -Helena nodded in satisfaction.
"Should we have a wedding?" Hera asked.
-We didn't even have a wedding, why would he? - Helena shrugged.
"Isn't it a certain dragon's fault?" Tauriel glanced at Smaug sideways.
"It sounded irritating." Smaug shrugged. "If you want, we can do something grand."
-No, it seems boring. - Helena shook her head.
Tauriel and Hera looked at each other and shook their heads too, at the time it wouldn't have been special because they weren't so happy about the event, now it seemed pointless, everyone already knew their status and they even had children, what was the point?
Hera never cared about something like marriage in the first place and for the elves, marriage is something much simpler and if they did it, the whole kingdom would be excited for several days, it seemed problematic, just like Smaug said.
In the end, due to their personalities, Smaug managed to get away with it.
But thinking of the customs of his previous world, he thought of forging rings for them.
The three women are warriors and only wear their crowns at banquets, which rarely happens.
Maybe something like a ring would make them happy, the group soon left quickly, the noises were getting louder.
Berkas was dragged away by Tauriel to prevent him from doing something irresponsible and disturbing Alduin.
Berkas was really wronged this time, not even he would do something like that, because if he did, Alduin would be so angry that he would probably end up half dead.
Smaug quickly dragged Hela away again, spending the day with her, perhaps seeing Alduin "growing up" made him paranoid again, Hela could only sigh and spend the day with her father, luckily her mother and aunts came together and Berkas soon slipped away from Tauriel and went to play elsewhere.