Chapter 9 - The World is at my Feet

When he was woken up by roars and falling trees for the third time that afternoon, he couldn´t just let it slide anymore. Bilbo groaned in frustration as he rolled around in the soft grass before he stood up and stomped into the woods. He was trying to nap a little bit, like he did every day since he came to live with Beorn, but with every day that passed it was more and more difficult.

He fondly remembered the early days, when he laid in the emerald-green grass under a huge lonely tree, not very far from the skin-changer´s hall, enjoying the melodic tweeting of various birds and a soft caress of warm breeze on his cheeks. Smaug was always napping above him in the tree or hunting fish with Beorn.

But as Smaug grew older and noticeably bigger, Beorn found in him a great sparring partner. The dragon was at first rather shy and timid around the big man slash bear but with time he came out of his shell and their games escalated into proper fights really quickly. Bilbo often wondered how they manage to stay unharmed as they seem to use their claws and teeth without any restriction.

Bilbo often ran between them and yelled at them when he thought they were overdoing it but they both assured him that it was only a game and they are alright and unharmed. And Smaug always was. Beorn got away with few scratches and bite marks and he always shooed the hobbit away, when he tried to tend to his wounds. Bilbo tried to scold his dragon for not being careful around the more vulnerable man but Beorn intervened every time and praised Smaug for finally being able to land a proper hit, always saying he´s growing into a fine predator.

At first, their fights were only face-to-face brawls which ended up with them both rolling down the hill, trying to pin the other to the ground but nowadays they spent their time "playing proper predators" in the woods of Mirkwood, hiding and trying to hunt the other one down.

However, Bilbo didn´t take the violation of his napping kindly. The hobbit was just taking a deep breath to shout into the woods to stop the two from making such ruckus, when bear-Beorn run past him followed a very excited looking Smaug.

The skin-changer tried his best to dodge the dragon´s air-dives but he wasn´t quick enough. Smaug caught him and then rolled on the grass, grunting and roaring at each other like rabid animals.

"You two cut it out right now!" Bilbo warned, waggling his finger at them. They both froze immediately, looking at the hobbit with wide eyes. When they untangled themselves, Smaug sat on the grass his head bowed apologetically and Beorn changed into his human self.

"You are worse than little children! A hobbit can´t even nap around you two!" Bilbo huffed and puffed as the two cuprites playfully nudged and poked each other, not really listening to him.

"Stop it!" Bilbo ordered, "and put some clothes on, for Eru´s sake!" The hobbit whined, covering his eyes. Beorn only laughed and walked away, muttering about shy hobbits.

"Don´t be mad, daddy," Smaug spoke up, stalking towards Bilbo and nuzzling his giant head into his chest. "We were only playing!" He said, purring as the hobbit scratched his jaw.

"I know, but you have to play a little bit quietly. Daddy wants to sleep!"

"Sorry." The dragon chuckled and curled himself around the small hobbit.

"Gosh, you have grown." Bilbo smiled fondly, petting the dragon. "I remember when you were just a tiny chubby dragon baby. You used to sit on my shoulder, or head."

"I am bigger than Beron now!" Smaug said, positively glowing with happiness and delight.

"But only when you crane your neck." Bilbo teased, making the dragon pout. The hobbit laughed but he soon realized it was a mistake because Smaug shoved him with his tail over his head, raising Bilbo from the ground.

"No, no, no, put me down, love, put me down, I´m sorry!" Bilbo yelled between the bouts of laugh.

"You will need to overcome your fear of heights, da, I want you to fly with me." Smaug purred, satisfied with his revenge.

"Not a chance!"

"I am sorry we woke you up." Smaug said as he finally put his hobbit father down. "We got carried away a little bit."

"It´s not just that. I just want you to be more careful. What if the elves find you?"

Smaug immediately sobered up.

"You don´t have to worry about that, little bunny." Beorn interrupted whatever Smaug wanted to say. "That is the last thing you should worry about. Smaug knows exactly where he can and cannot go. And the elves know better than to cross my boundaries.

"Yes, I know, I know." Bilbo huffed. "The problem is you tend to forget that when you wander off exploring, love." Bilbo argued.

He knew that Beorn warned Smaug that if he ever scented something unfamiliar, he ought to tell him right away. Bilbo was thankful for the skin-changer´s cautiousness – despite their pretend hunts in Mirkwood, Beorn forbid Smaug to leave their territory. He showed the dragon how big it was, saying that if he went any further he could get seriously hurt or captured by elves. Smaug was very sceptical at first but he changed his mind very quickly when Beorn told him that his father would be in danger too – which was an incredibly effective way of making Smaug listen to him every time.

Only one mention of Bilbo´s name was enough to make Smaug listen to everything Beorn said and obey without questioning him. Beorn tried to tease him and even rile the dragon up but he quickly learnt the hard way that the dragon didn´t joke around when Bilbo was involved. That was the first time Beorn felt on his own skin what it was to anger a dragon and he never teased him about Bilbo ever again. Of course, they both agreed that Bilbo wouldn´t know about this particular incident.

"I swear I will not stray away." Smaug purred, unfolding his wings, grinning at his father mischievously. "Under one condition!"

Bilbo had a very bad feeling about that condition. Especially when Smaug and Beorn grinned at him like madmen. The hobbit barely resisted flinching away.

"What condition?" Bilbo inquired, chuckling nervously and slowly edging away.

"I want to show you what true freedom looks like."

A very, very bad feeling.


"This is not a good idea. You are still too young! Not-not strong enough! What if we fall? What if you tire? W-what if-what if we die!"

Smaug only rolled his eyes.

"We are going to be alright, da! Stop fretting!" The dragon growled impatiently as he nudged his mother-hen hobbit playfully, hoping that he will stop worrying so much.

Thankfully, Beorn intervened as he strapped the saddle on his scaly back.

"Smaug is anything but not strong enough. You really don´t need to worry, little bunny, he managed to carry me out of the woods once." Beorn assured Bilbo, patting the dragons back.

"If you grin any wider, you´ll rip your face apart." Bilbo retorted, still fidgeting and trying to talk his way out of it. Too bad neither Beorn nor Smaug were listening to him.

"Enough excuses!" Beorn rumbled, seizing Bilbo under his armpits and heaving him up into the saddle.

"Why are you two doing this to me?" The hobbit whined as he gripped the dragon´s slender but muscular neck.

"You are going to like it, you´ll see." Beorn laughed while making sure the saddle will hold.

"You are going to love it." Smaug added as he crouched down and unfolded his wings, slowly crawling toward the edge of the Carrock.

A gust of strong wind hit Bilbo in his face. He stared down from the back of his dragon, silently prying for help. Smaug however didn´t move a muscle. He crouched on the edge of the bear-like cliff, silently staring into distance.

Bilbo took a deep breath and looked into the distance at the peak of the Lonely Mountain. He really didn´t expect to feel so sad at the sight. He forced himself to look away before any memories flooded his mind. He chose to glare at Beorn, who stood behind them, arms crossed on his chest.

"If this goes bad, I´ll come back to haunt you!"

The only answer he got was a loud hearty laugh and the next thing he knew was the strong wind the sound of his own yell when he noticed he was not connected with the earth anymore.

Bilbo´s whole body went rigid, he shut his eyes tightly and hid his face into Smaug´s neck. His ears hurt from the roaring wind, fingers aching from his tight grip on his dragon and his throat was sore from yelling.

He didn´t know how long they were in the sky when he heard Smaug´s voice, realizing that the wind stopped howling.

"Open your eyes, daddy."

Bilbo was reluctant at first, shaking his head and whimpering. But Smaug insisted, calming him down through his mind.

"Open your eyes and see what I see."

So Bilbo opened his eyes. And he saw the entire world at his feet, bathing in golden-red light of the sunset – the colour of his dragon.

The experience was indescribable. Bilbo slowly straightened his back, completely forgetting about his initial fright, staring around with eyes wide and mouth open.

"Close your mouth, you´re going to eat flies." Smaug warned and Bilbo closed his mouth with a snap.

Bilbo didn´t even notice when he started crying. This really was absolute freedom. Nothing could get him up here.

No angry dwarves, no annoying neighbours, no problems, nothing.

"This is beautiful..." He whispered. Smaug glanced shortly at him, ascending higher towards the clouds.

"I haven´t shown everything, yet."


"So I guess you had a good time, little hobbit." Beron smirked as they entered the hall.

Bilbo only managed to nod before he fell into the heap of furs, immediately falling asleep. Beorn raised his brow in question but before he could ask Smaug beat it to him.

"What are we having for dinner?"

"Fish for you. Honey and salad for me and sleep for your da, apparently."

Smaug looked over where Bilbo passed out a few moments ago, curled up in a ball, cocooned in the furs.

"He was a bit overwhelmed." Smaug admitted, grinning fondly. Smaug took his time tending to the tired hobbit - first sniffing around, then licking his face clean and finally curling around him, his chest and neck glowing red as the fire smoldered within him, warming Bilbo up.

"He will need warmer clothes." Smaug said when Beorn brought the pot full of fish to him.

The skin-changer smiled and nodded. "I´ll take care of that." He promised.


Bilbo received his new coat in a week. Beorn really outdid himself. The cat was a wonderful deep red colour (although Bilbo had no idea how he managed to colour the leather), with long sleeves with holes for his thumbs and a fluffy snow-white furry collar.

Smaug was currently somewhere out, probably hunting or exploring so Bilbo had all the time in the world to turn around and praise Beorn´s gift.

The skin-changer´s chest puffed with pride and delight.

"This is the most beautiful thing I ever received! Thank you so much!" Bilbo laughed still turning around and looking at himself in the only, rather dirty, mirror Beorn possessed.

The skin-changer contently nursed his pint of mead, sucking a piece of honeycomb when he realised that the hobbit has gone suddenly very quiet. He immediately put his pint down, focussing at Bilbo who stood frozen in front of the mirror, his head turned to the side and his look distant.

"What´s wrong?" Beorn asked.

A long pause followed and the skin-changer stood up, sniffing the air but not sensing anything.

"Smaug." Bilbo replied quietly bolting outside. "He´s in trouble!"

Beorn followed without any further questioning, sweeping the hobbit onto his shoulder, telling him to navigate.

They didn´t even reach the edge of Mirkwood when Smaug flew down, looking very distressed.

"What happened?" Bilbo yelled, jumping down from Beorn´s shoulder.

"Da! I found these!" The dragon replied after he put something he held in his mouth on the ground with great care.

"What? Wh—?" Bilbo stammered, looking at the thing Smaug was fidgeting around.

"I found these, in the woods! And I saved them!" The dragon explained excitedly, eyeing Bilbo with hope in his golden eyes. "They were almost eaten by a spider! I saved them!"

"Spiders? How far have you gone this time?" Beorn inquired, frowning.

"Not very far. I was at the edge of our territory when I heard them crying," he gestured to the nest filled with three little birds. "I went to look what was wrong, that´s when I saw the spider, which I killed!" Smaug added, flowing with pride.

Beorn didn´t need to be told twice. He changed into his bear form and dashed into the dark woods, leaving the dragon and hobbit behind.

Bilbo stared at the three brown, crying owlets with opened mouth, still not capable of speech.

"They were in trouble." Smaug purred sadly, looking at his father with big golden eyes. And Bilbo knew exactly what´s going to follow.

"Can we keep them?" His dragon asked hopefully.


Of course they ended up "adopting" three little owlets when Beorn confirmed that their parents are really gone, probably killed by the spiders or other predators.

At least Smaug spent more time near Beorn´s hall. He kept the owlets company, playing mum and feeding them with fish.

Bilbo sighed fondly as he watched his dragon trying to teach the owlets to talk. Bilbo was reluctant to tell him that they were not going to talk anytime soon, but it was too entertaining to watch him try. What was more entertaining was the enormous pout Bilbo received when he finally broke the news to him.


"I want to see the great sea." Smaug declared one evening, making Bilbo spit out his tea.

"Come again?" The hobbit asked, his eyebrows almost touching his hairline.

"Let´s go to the west, da. I heard the birds sing about endless blue sea and giant silver ships of elves." Smaug pleaded. "I want to see it at least once."

It took Bilbo a second to digest the request. He sighed heavily, rubbing his neck. Before he could protest, Beorn stepped in.

"You should go." He said, quickly continuing when he saw that the hobbit had the protests at the tip of his tongue. "You should stop by in the Shire, visit old friends..." Beorn gestured meaningfully.

After a long and tense pause, Bilbo signed and drowned his cup of tea in one go. "I don´t need the map."He said, immediately receiving two questioning looks. "I know exactly where to go."

"Go gather your things," the hobbit announced standing up. "We are going to the Blue Mountains."


Thorin sat on his throne, trying very hard not to jump out and thrash his advisors. Well, all of them but one. Balin was keeping a steady hand on his shoulder, effectively stopping him from leaping out on the arguing dwarves.

"Just be calm, control yourself." Balin chanted silently, sensing his king´s tension. "Just breathe and stay calm."

"SILENCE!" Thorin bellowed and Balin exhaled tiredly, rolling his eyes. "I will not tolerate this anymore. You keep arguing like a band of hungry dogs! My decision is definite!"

"But sire!" One of the dwarves piped in. "You cannot go when the people are so restless. Think of your reputation!"

Thorin silenced him with one single frown. "I would worry about my reputation if I were in your place." The king threatened and the dwarf backed down, fidgeting.

"My lord, I don´t know wh—"

"You know very well what I am talking about. Don´t forget the walls of Erebor have ears master dwarf. And they have heard many unpleasant things. Be careful on which side you stand." Thorin warned.

"Your Majesty, we are trying to help you!" Another lord intervened, turning Thorin´s wrath on himself. "It is not safe for you to travel now. There could be attempts on your life. Please, be reasonable."

"If there are attempts, I will deal with them. I am no old dwarf who cannot stand a fight." Thorin shot back icily. "I am done for today. Leave me." He waved them off.

After a quick exchange of looks they bowed and scurried away, leaving the dwarf king alone with Balin.

"That went well." Balin commented dryly.

"Mahal help me when I find the one who keeps spreading the lies."

"We will find him, don't worry." Balin assured him. "We´ll find him before they could make more problems."

"I certainly hope so." The king sighed, rubbing his brow. "Where are the princes?" He asked suddenly, frantically looking around, noticing their absence.

Balin shrugged. "Kíli took Fíli away. He said something about not feeling well. They are probably in their chambers."

Another sigh from Thorin.

"You understand why I need to go." Thorin more stated than asked, pressing the heels of his palm to his eyes.

"Yes, I do." Balin patiently answered.

"I need to do this."

"I understand, Thorin. I really do." The grey-haired advisor patted his shoulder. "And you deserve some time off." He added. "I will keep an eye on things here."

"I know you will." Thorin stood up, making his headache worse. "I need some ale." He grumbled as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "I am so tired."

"I know laddy, I know. Go get some rest. I will check up on the princes."

"No, I will do that." Thorin said as he stalked away.

Balin noticed that his shoulders were noticeably lower than usual. Shaking his head, he exited the other way, already thinking about having some ale himself.


"Kíli, Fíli!" Thorin knocked on his nephews´ door, patiently counting to three before he entered.

"Uncle!" Kíli yelped, jumping from the bed where Fíli laid with a cloth over his head.

"Is everything alright?" Thorin asked, craning his head to get a better view of his elder nephew.

"Yeah!" The brunette answered hastily, wringing his hands. "It´s just... a headache. Fíli just needs some rest. He just, overdid it a bit with the drinking last night."

Thorin squinted his eyes. "You´ve been drinking again?"

"Sorry about that. I promise we will be more careful next time." Kíli whispered, glancing at his brother nervously, dodging his uncle´s eyes.

Thorin sighed yet again, closing his eyes. "Fíli, are you alright?" He asked, not noticing Kíli´s increasing anxiety.

A faint "mm-hmm" echoed from the bed.

"I hope you will learn from your mistakes."

"Mmmm." Fíli moaned feebly, waving his hand at his uncle who just shook his head.

The king nodded to his younger nephew and exited the room.

"Are you alright?" Kíli asked as he jumped on the bed, taking the cloth off, revealing Fíli´s teary face.

"No, I am really not." Fíli answered between sobs. "It´s getting worse. It´s like he is inside me. I can hear what he´s saying and feel what he feels." The blond dwarf hiccupped, curling next to his brother. "It´s just so overwhelming."

"Oh brother." Kíli sighed. "I wish I could do something."

"I know..." Fíli whispered, brokenly holding his brother´s hand.


Thorin made a be-line to his chambers, slammed the door closed and immediately pouring himself a pint of ale, downing it in one go.

He threw down his heavy furs and robes, stripped down to his pants and tunic only and fell backwards into the bed.

Not even in five minutes, there was someone knocking on the door.

"Enter!" Thorin ordered, not bothering to look who it was.

"You wanted to see me?" Dwalin asked as he scanned the room, taking notice of the king´s robes lying all around.

"Yes, I did."

"I hope you didn´t call me to play with you in the sheets." Dwalin teased, picking up the garments and dropping them unceremoniously on the armchair by the fireplace.

"You would be the last one I would think of if I wanted pleasure." Thorin retorted deadpan.

"I am hurt." Dwalin gasped in mock offence. "But seriously now, what do you need?" He asked.

"Pick the most trustful warriors. I am leaving."

Dwalin frowned, tilting his head. "Leaving where?"

"I suffer without my sister." Thorin siged, finally sitting up on the bed and gesturing to his friend to help himself in the liquor cabinet. "I am going to the Blue Mountains."


BOOM! Thorin.. and yeah... you can guess what´ll happen in the next chapter!
Hope you don´t mind my little addition - the baby owls. I am just too obsessed with owls and I needed something to keep Smaug informed about stuff that´s going on in the world.
So sorry (not really).
I hope you enjoyed it. Dunno when I start writing the next chapter tho. Be patient! Shit is getting real and the plot thickens!
Comments are welcome.