Author's note: second chapter of many ;) I'm planning on updating this story every week. Also, story change: unlike the movie, Bard is not in jail and is, rather, still at home. Enjoy!
I can see the figure of Smaug rushing closer to the town. People have started screaming. From behind me, I hear the back door crash open, and Kili stirs on the table. Fili, Bofur, and Oin join me at the window, gasping in unison at the approaching shadow. Bofur is the first one to speak.
"What are we going to do? There is no way we can stop the beast...he will destroy the entire town!"
We all look at each other, at a loss. Suddenly, Bard stands up from his chair in the corner, reminding us that he had been there the whole time.
"I know what can stop him."
He reaches upward, untying something in the beams of the ceiling. Something long, wrapped in cloth, comes crashing down on the table. He unwraps it quickly, revealing a massive arrow. From behind me, I hear the dwarves gasp.
"The Black Arrow..."
We gather around the table. Bard looks at us. In the shadows, his face seems serious, unforgiving.
"I can climb the tower and shoot it, but I will need help. You must get Smaug in the right position; I need as clear a shot as possible."
He pauses for a moment.
"Laketown helped your kin get to the mountain...it is time you helped Laketown back."
I look at each dwarf around the table in turn. They nod at Bard, immediately agreeing to risk their lives for the sake of these people. It reminds me of the great courage of dwarves, and the sense of honor and trust that is engrained in their culture. I feel almost...proud of them.
Bard begins to speak again, pointing first at Bofur.
"You will lead the people out of here. There is a community dock in the center of town; many boats are tied there. Take my children with you, and get as many souls away from here as you can."
He looks at Fili next.
"You will come with me to the watchtower. If Smaug destroys it before we get there, I will need help finding the bow and righting it."
Finally, he turns to Oin.
"You have medical knowledge, do you not?"
Oin nods.
"Good. You will stay here with your sick one. If anything goes wrong, get him out of here immediately. There is a boat tied to the dock out back, use it."
Bard, Bofur and Fili stand to leave, faces set in grim determination. From behind us all comes the sudden sound of walnuts scattering across the floor. I turn to see Kili lurch off the kitchen table, looking directly at Fili.
"I'm going with you."