Chapter 9
Dale was once a great city, filled and bustling with life and happiness. Splendid, tall towers and stone pavements, now just a pile of rubble. They gazed at it sadly, their spirits lowering but filled with motivation. They continued to climb up the Lonely Mountain, sweaty and out of breath. They climbed on and on until their legs felt like they were about to fall off. Only when they reached halfway up the mountain did Thorin allow them rest.
After her body regained its strength, Dewni got up from the spot she collapsed on. She walked down, the path with curving corners and steep rises and falls but her determination payed off. A small, slow river with cold water ran down the mountain.
She took off her boots and cautiously cast one pointed foot into the water, she shivered. It was cold but it felt great against her skin. Slowly, she cast aside her clothes and her head went under the water. Laughing, she bobbed down again, wondering how long she could stay under. She swam like a fish, diving and gliding. She took great pleasure in jumping off great rocks, that towered above the deep water. She let out her breath, under water to make bubbles and at last, she peacefully back-floated, closing her eyes and grinning to herself.
It was a long while before she headed back to the others, hair dripping and clothes half-wet from the water droplets on her skin.
"What happened to you? Your clumsy feet dropped you into a puddle of mud?" Kili joked.
She grinned, momentarily forgetting their fight, "Haha. Jealousy doesn't suit you but then again, nothing does. I've been enjoying a lovely, refreshing swim while you're still hot and sweaty."
" You've been swimming?! Well go on, tell us where it is!" the dwarves practically trampled her.
"Calm down! It's just down the path," she barely finished before they started running.
"Great, it'll be dark before they get out and I can go in," Lara complained.
"Come on, we can make dinner," she smiled sweetly at her sister. They were getting really sick of soup but it's better than nothing. The dwarves didn't take as long as they thought, to wash and Lara soon had her turn. They made a fire which slowly began to heat their frozen bodies. Like usual, the girls and Bilbo handed out the bowls.
After dinner, Fili, Kili and Bilbo went scouting, but they came back quickly, breathless and wild.
"We found it," Fili was the first to speak.
"Found what?" Thorin questioned.
"The secret entrance," Fili gave a breathy reply.
The fire was left forgotten as they rushed to the secret door. It was carved into the side of the mountain, tall and beautiful. It was dwarf-like in appearance, bulky and heavy yet with a unique sense of beauty and regality. Thorin pushed past them, seemingly taking the key to the door (the one Gandalf gave him), out of nowhere. He pressed it in, turned it once, twice, thrice. It opened slowly with a loud CLANK! It echoed on and on until at last their ears couldn't hear it anymore.
"It's time for our burglar to do his job," Thorin announced.
Bilbo looked around, took a deep breath and took a step forward. Before he got any further, two girls wrapped themselves around him.
"Be careful," Dewni whispered.
"I will."
He hugged them one last time and stood at the edge of the door. He glanced back, memorising them all and with that, he disappeared into the darkness.
They sat outside the entrance, some pacing nervously. The seconds felt like hours and the worry refused to leave them. She sighed heavily, twiddling with the dark strands of her hair. She gazed back again, to check if Bilbo returned. She sighed again when she felt a hand on her shoulder, she looked up to the dark brown eyes and her heart went wild.
"He'll be fine," Kili reassured her.
She couldn't speak, she could only nod. She gave him a strangled smile before pacing again. Just as she began to slow her pacing, a thunderous roar burst from the heart of the mountain.
Red wings, tinted with gold, rose to the sky. A snarling, hot mouth burning with hunger. Poisonous yellow eyes, greedily searching for prey. The serpent of the sky, woke from it's great slumber and attacked the first thing in it's sight. The horses. The faithful companions of the dwarves, devoured by this raging beast. The first act that Smaug the Terrible committed, after leaving its golden cave. It tore at the beasts, blood dripping through its fangs.
Its hunger still not satisfied, it took off to the sky, straight to Laketown. A loud horn echoed around the town and the people scurried to get out. Screaming and crying could be heard for miles as it burned the town to ashes. It snatched up a man, attempting to escape. It slowly tore at his skin with it's claw, taking vindictive pleasure in the pain he was causing. He squirmed and squealed until his heart stopped, only then was he swallowed by the great dragon. He gave another burst of scarlet and green flames, fuelled by his hatred for the burglar. It gave a great roar, one that could shake a mountain. It was strong and thought itself invincible but everything has a weakness.
Bard the Bowman, king of the men of Esgaroth, ran towards the dragon rather away from it. His blood pumping, head clear, he barged into a burning house. Smoke filled his lungs and burned his eyes yet he kept searching. A small child sobbed in the corner. He pulled the child into his arms, almost dropping him when searing pain scarred his hand. Hissing through his teeth, he secured the child out of the house. Giving a quick examination at his bright red hand, he scooped the little boy into his arms and ran to the bridge of Laketown. He bent on one knee, expert eye on the child and after a quick judgement, Bard ran back to the city centre. His men had cleared everyone out but the dragon still lurked in the smoky skies.
He readied his famed weapon, pointing it at the faint shadow. He pulled back, his hand felt as if it were on fire again. The arrow fell to the ground, despair almost over took him, then there it was the soft beat of small wings. A small thrush landed in his shoulder, chirping into his ear. It was only because Bard was descended from the kings of old was he able to know the bird's secret message.
Picking up his bow and arrow, he steadied himself. By luck, a strong wind blew the smoke away, revealing the pearl of the sky, beaming upon the monster's body. The red-gold serpent tainted with silver, his weakness made clear to all. Bard strung the arrow, his bow ready to sing as it craved to do for so long. Closing his eyes he imagined a face, a sweet face. A pale face dotted with freckles, cerulean orbs flecked with grey and copper curls. Eyes opened as the arrow released.
A roar, loud enough to shake the earth. Fire aimed at Bard, and the wings of the great beast gave away. Bard rolled away from the spout of heat, the blood encrusted body of the dragon falling just meters away from him. The arrow still stuck out of the serpent's heart, the chink of it's armour. Breathing hard, his eyes unwillingly moved to the mountain, wondering if she was safe.
Gold. That's what they were here for. Mountains and plies of gold, rubies, diamonds, emeralds and thousands of other precious things. Now there were more treasure than they ever imagined. So dazzled, were the company that they didn't notice Bilbo slip off again.
Amidst the beauty of gold, a realisation hit Dewni. A dark, cold hole opened, tearing and freezing her heart. She made her way to the exit, deceivingly seeming casual. Everyone else would be sleeping, inside the cave, grateful for its warmth but she need to be solitary.
It was the last full moon, the last night before darkness is without enemy. She walked down the trailing path, to a small glade of topiaries. In the centre, she fell to the soft bed of leaves. Her body racking with sobs, head buried in her hands. It was over. Their quest finished, she has to leave him.
Slowly her sobs vanished, mastering herself at last. There was a slight evidence of red in her eyes, that could be easily dismissed. Patches of sterling grazed at the rich, emerald foliage. The spindling trees casting their shadows on the ground in an array of entwining patterns. Picking herself off the ground, she turned to see a mesmeric face. They gazed for a while, uttering no words, each enraptured by the other.
Reproachfully, his palm encased her soft cheek. Gently he placed his lips on hers, unlike their first, it was slow and sweet. Harmoniously their lips caressed each other, a sense of satisfaction that neither ever felt before. Time passed and their hearts felt overwhelmed. The rhythm increased and the passion slowly created an inferno. It was too much for her to handle, it overtook her brain, enhancing her senses and burning her to the brim with desire. Her hands deeply tangled in his cinnamon hair, his hands digging into her hips, endeavouring to pull her closer. Their bodies were melded into each other, hardly separate any longer. She could feel his soul, a brave warrior, carefree as the wind, passionate as fire. It called to hers, promising of great love, of the sweetest happiness, a source that will conquer all. At last as their restrain shattered, they melted into the shadows.