Hello readers! This is a story that was floating in my head. It gets dark farther into the story. However, this fanfic contains no slash. Read and Enjoy!

-WingedIceWolf

WARNING!: Contains Spoilers

DISCLAIMER: I do not own TH

Screams filled the air as the defeated body of the feared Smaug crashed into Laketown, smoke bellowing from the burning town. Bard quickly pulled his shivering son out of the frigid water, clutching him close to his chest.

"You did it Da. You killed the dragon!" Bain said cheerfully, a note of shock in his voice. The memory of him standing on the ledge of the tower while his father aimed the black arrow at Smaug's missing scale flashed through his head. The sound of Smaug crashing through dwellings and the feeling of the heat on his back seemed to linger.

"Just me? You were so brave; your mother would've been so proud of you." Complimented Bard, stroking Bain's brown wet locks. Bain smiled up at his father brightly, firelight twinkling in his hazel eyes. "Let's get out of here."

Bard and Bain climbed into a boat and began to paddle quickly away from the smoke, glad to be alive.

Legolas watched from the shore banks, anger burning in his brilliant blue eyes. The warmth of the dawn and the cold breeze of winter that bit at his pointed ears did little comfort to shadow his anger. Those dwarves are still in that mountain, dwelling in their treasure while the people of Laketown are left to die.

And now this dwarf, one of the companions of the dwarves that had awoken the dragon, was on his knees giving his stone to his best friend, Tauriel. Not just his best friend, he once loved her. However, Tauriel had fallen in love with this dwarf by the name of Kili.

Many nights the dwarves had stayed in the dungeon halls of Mirkwood, and many nights had Legolas watched as the two of them talked, filling the halls with hushed laughter and jokes. It saddened the Prince that such a beautiful and skilled Elf would fall for a mere mortal.

Legolas cast a glare at the dwarf who now stood, looked back, and left in a boat to the Lonely Mountain. Tauriel remained staring at the stone marked with dwarvish runes until the Elf Prince called her name. The red haired Elf looked back, sorrow lingering in her eyes.

The stone was a promise. A promise that the dwarf would return to his mother, and he was inclined to give it up to an immortal. Legolas knew that what the dwarf did was a small act of courage and bravery.

A man was passing out blankets to the citizens of Laketown. Many were burnt, or severely wounded from the dragon's flames. Wails echoed throughout the shore as men, women, and children mourned over the loss of their friends and loved ones. Alfrid, the mayor's advisor, tugged at a woman's blanket.

"I'll catch my death in this cold!" argued Alfrid, giving the blanket a hard tug.

"Find your own! You're not in charge, Alfrid Lickspittle!" The woman spat, tugging the blanket back.

"You are wrong. In the absence of the Master, the power cedes to his deputy, which in this instance is me. Now give me that blanket!"

"Master's deputy? Don't make me laugh. You're a sneak-thief. I'll be dead before I answer to you!"

"Maybe that can be arranged." Replied Alfrid, razing his hand.

Suddenly a familiar grasp gripped Alfrid's hand tightly and hissed "I wouldn't go turning on your own, Alfrid. Not now."

Alfrid immediately recognized the voice to be Bard. The hand released, sending the thief sprawling while Bain flung his leg out to trip him, Alfrid landing on his back. Dirt flew in the air. The woman smiled at the two, happy that someone kicked some sense into the idiot.

"Da!" cried Tilda, pushing through the crowd and darting toward her father with Sigrid fallowing behind.

"Come here!" replied Bard, holding out his arms. "You're alive!" Sigrid cried wrapping her arms around her father's waist. Tilda jumped into his arms and they both hugged their father tightly, Tilda burying her head into his shoulder.

"It's okay darling." Replied Bard, hugging Tilda closely.

"It was Bard!" an old man declared, too pushing through the crowd. "He killed the dragon! I saw it with me own eyes! Shot him dead…with a black arrow."

There was a moment of silence as the crowd marveled at the bravery of Bard. Everyone crowded in to thank the Bowman with hugs and exclamations. Alfrid had regained his feet by that time and held Bard's hand high, grinning with a sickening smile.

"All hail to the Dragon-Slayer! All hail King Bard!" Bard glared and pulled his hand away. "I have said it many times. This is a man of noble stock. A born leader."

"Do not call me that!" growled Bard, Alfrid's smile fading. "I am not the master of this town, where is he?"

No one answered.

"Where is the Master?"

Short chapter, but i did put allot of effort into it. For all those who are wondering, i did revise it and it took a very long while to. Reviews are greatly appreciated! Thanks!

This chapter is dedicated to Sophia-RoseDJOlympusTartarus

-WingedIceWolf