I shake my head to rid myself of the fiendish visions that haunt me and try to concentrate on what the puny humans are doing. I become aware of a searing pain piercing through me. Try as I might, however, I cannot identify the location or cause of the pain, and I keep fading in and out of consciousness.

What is that object the bold warrior holds before him? I peer more closely and see a dragon that could be my twin staring back. He seems to be saying he wants to pass. Why? What does he want? My treasure? Over my dead body!

I rear and roar terribly and thrash my tail about. The Rhine Maiden screams and another burning pain shoots through my body. I loosen my grasp on her and she falls to the ground. I spread my wings and take to the sky with the conniving old dwarf in my clutches, hovering just out of reach of the growing band of warriors.

"It's all your fault Alberich!" I roar. "All I want is my Light! Just tell me where the Rhinegold is hidden and I'll let you go and leave everyone alone."

I shake him for effect till I hear his teeth rattling. The old man is so frightened he empties his bowels, causing an unbearably offensive stench. Still I hold on.

"Tell me svartalf OR YOUR SON DIES!"