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Wow, look, I finally wrote a Hobbit fic!

Bilbo stares into the rather large campfire Gloin had made earlier, a very serious look on his face. Bofur wanders over with a grin, "Hey there Bilbo, why the serious face?"

Bilbo looks up with a startled expression that quickly relaxes upon seeing Bofur, "Oh, nothing. I just..." Bofur could swear one of the hobbit's pointy ears twitches a bit, "I was just thinking."

Bofur gives Bilbo an amused look, "Yeah, I could tell. What about?"

Bilbo shuffles a bit, a sheepish expression on his face, "Well, it's about Smaug, and I know that none of you really like talking about him so I don't really want to say."

Upon hearing Smaug's name Bofur had drawn back a little, but he sighs and forced a grin as Bilbo finishes talking. "If you're that curious, you can ask."

Bilbo squirms a bit, tilts his head, and glances away from Bofur into the darkness beyond the light of their crackling campfire. "Well, I was just wondering if anyone ever talked to Smaug or heard him say anything."

Bofur stares blankly at Bilbo, "Uh, no."

Bilbo grimaces, "Not like a conversation or anything! Just, you know, gloating or threats or something."

Bofur growls a bit, "I'm pretty sure nobody heard anything Bilbo. Screams and crumbling rock can be pretty loud."

With a flinch Bilbo ducks his head, "You're right. Forget I said anything."

Fili and Kili chose that moment to join the two, "Hey Bilbo, why so glum?"

Bofur rolls his eyes, "He's wondering about Smaug."

The boys' eyes widen, "Why're you wondering about that Bilbo?"

Fili nods, "Yeah, uncle thinks that monster is dead, no need to worry about him."

Bilbo shrugs, "Well, I wasn't asking because I was worried, I just..." He trails off again, and Fili and Kili exchange a glance. Something is up with their burglar, and it's piqued their curiosity. No way they're going to let this go.

Kili sidles up next to Bilbo, "C'mon Master Boggins," he preens internally at Bilbo's unamused snort, "you know you can ask us anything!"

Fili nods agreement, "Yeah, we'll do our best to answer."

Bilbo takes a deep breath and looks up, making brief eye contact with all three of the dwarves sitting around him.

"Well, I was just wondering if anyone ever heard Smaug say something, because, well, how else would you know his name?"

So, yeah. I've been really getting into the Hobbit, and then wondered about this. Even when Smaug is boasting in the movie (I am fire, I am death, my armour is impenetrable yadda yadda yadda) he never says his name, and I seriously doubt he told anyone, so how does everyone know what to call him?

Complaints? Questions? Spelling errors?