Dragonlocked

(This is a bit of fun based on the brilliant casting for the upcoming movie).

Bilbo was now beginning to feel really uncomfortable. Whenever Smaug`s roving eye, seeking for him in the shadows, flashed across him, he trembled, and an uncountable desire seized hold of him to rush out and reveal himself and tell all the truth to Smaug. In fact he was in grievous danger of coming under the dragon-spell. The Hobbit.

Sometime in the future Future, Baker St.

Sherlock was idly plucking at violin strings while looking out of the window through the downpour. He saw a taxi draw up outside and perked up; a case, he wondered? The door opened and the familiar figure of John Watson emerged, carrying his son and struggling with bags as he tried to find his keys to the flat in the rain. Sherlock snorted. He wasn't expecting his friend to come visiting this evening. It was late and there hadn't been any cases to get involved in. Bringing his child at this time of day? There was something here to deduce.

Quickly he flew down the stairs and ripped the front door open before John could locate the right key.

John looked grateful for help as he handed over a large overnight bag and a small suitcase.

Back in the flat, John removed his little son's raincoat and set him on the couch.

"Well?" asked Sherlock "why are you here at this hour?"

"Just let me get Hamish to bed and I'll explain," John sighed. "Could you act a little pleased to see me? It's been a long day."

Sherlock looked at him and narrowed his eyes to slits. "I see," he said. John looked at the carpet in embarrassment for a moment; he knew he was being scrutinised . He finally went to get his boy a drink of milk, hoping against hope there was some in the fridge and not someone's head, possibly half-eaten or something.

Sherlock sat down and looked at Hamish Watson, waking up on the settee. "Boy," acknowledged Sherlock. The blond, blue-eyed child looked up and suddenly became frightened. He began to wail as John rushed back and tried to comfort his lad.

"What's the matter with him, John?"

"Its ok, he just thinks you are ..."

Sherlock's green-hued orbs bored into his former flat mate.

"Yes?"

"Well, he's got the impression that you're a-"

"Little bit dragon," said the child apprehensively, looking at his father. He was clutching a book in his arms. Sherlock looked at John. "I'm what?"

"Mummy says," said the boy firmly.

"Well actually, she did say you were a little err.. something ..I can't say it in front of Hamish, and a bit of a dragon, that's what I need to talk to you about, but Hamish took it to mean you were, well , part dragon, as in Smaug the dragon in his book."

Sherlock's high cheekbones shone in the flickering firelight. He was amused with the comparison. He turned suddenly, his dressing gown whipping behind him, and sat down.

"The Hobbit is his bedtime story book; it's the only thing he seems to like at the moment. We are going though a trying time you see, and I thought he would like it, it used to be my favourite book when I was younger."

"Trying time?" enquired Sherlock.

"Do you want me to read you some of your book, Hamish?" John asked his son, ignoring Sherlock's last remark. The boy nodded. "Seryok too," he stated.

"Sherlock will read the dragon's part, and I'll read Bilbo's, ok? Could be scary."

The boy shivered in anticipation and nodded as John pulled him onto his knee. "He takes after his father, then," observed Sherlock." You said scary and he loves it!"

John kissed his son. "Chip off the old block," he said proudly.

"What's my motivation for this part?" asked Sherlock, taking a look at the pages of Hamish's childrens version of The Hobbit.

"You are a dragon, you want to eat me."

…

The boy listened enraptured as the two men performed the parts of the hobbit and the dragon. Sherlock was masterful; his deep baritone thrilled the boy to the core, and when they finished a chapter, Hamish clamoured for more. John was amazing as the hobbit and his little son clung onto him, following every word. At one point, the kid ran off and hid behind the sofa as Sherlock hissed convincingly at him.

"You're not frightened of Sherlock, are you? Because I always get the better of the dragon, don't I?" John laughed.

"Do you?" asked Sherlock, looking at him sideways. Hamish nodded.

Don't worry; I know how to handle Sherlock even if he is a little bit dragon."

At this, Sherlock gave a deep roar which sent Hamish running to the back of the sofa again. He smiled. "I didn't know it was so easy to scare little children."