DON'T BE FOOLED BY HOW LONG THIS CHAPTER IS. I have a rant below, if you'd like to hear it. Don't worry, it's about Kíli:)

Hope you enjoy this chapter!:D


Bilbo ran.

This journey surely testified to him many times of his lack in endurance. Yet, he supposed, if a Dragon were to give chase, he could spare a few more strides.

He did not know how long he ran, or to where he was running. All he could figure in his fear-addled mind was that he needed to keep running, lest he be devoured by hundreds of razor-edged fangs.

The walls crumbled around him, a large tapestry falling from its place, the heavy fabric trapping him underneath.

"You think you can deceive me Barrel-Rider?" A very deep, and very angry voice echoed in the empty room. The sheer enormity of the Dragon left the Hobbit breathless. He carefully peaked out from underneath the tapestry. But it was no use. The Dragon could smell him from a mile away. "You have come from Laketown." Smaug continued. His wicked eyes narrowed as he seemed to realize something.
"Is this some sort of scheme hatched between these filthy Dwarves and those miserable tub-trading Lakemen? Those sniveling cowards with their Longbows and Black Arrows!" His voice rose in pitch with every word, his anger brought to the point of no return. "Perhaps it is time I paid them a visit." The Dragon turned on his haunches, making way for the decimated entry way.

"Oh no…" Bilbo breathed, his thoughts immediately turning to his friends who were left behind. More specifically, the youngest of the Line of Durin. Kíli was already injured. He couldn't possibly survive the carnage. And he knew, despite his earlier misconceptions concerning the greedy race of Dwarves, that the others would never leave his side. "This isn't their fault!" He scrambled to his feet, the panic swiftly consuming him. "Wait! You cannot go to Laketown!"

Smaug halted his steps, turning to Bilbo with contemplation in his burning gaze. "You care about them, do you?" His face leveled with the Hobbit's. Bilbo swallowed heavily, knowing that this was going nowhere good, very fast. "Good! Then you can watch them die." The monster turned, claws scraping against stone, prepared to fulfill his promise.

"Here! You witless worm!" A voice boomed over the emptiness. Smaug froze in his place.

"You." The Dragon turned yet again, crawling with calm menace to the crownless king.

"I am taking back what you stole!" Thorin's voice dripped with conviction as he stood high above on a seemingly plain, rocky precipice, a large chain in hand.

"You will take nothing from me, Dwarf. I laid low your warriors of old. I instilled terror in the hearts of Men." Smaug raised his head high, challenging his opponent with a fixed glare. "I am King Under the Mountain."

"This is not your kingdom! These are Dwarf lands. This is Dwarf gold. And we will have our revenge." The words reverberated against the halls with such palpable rage, that Bilbo almost found himself fearing the Dwarf more than the Dragon.

Just as the fire stirred in the depths of Smaug's throat, ready to burn, Thorin yanked hard on the chain he was holding, signaling for the mold to be released.

The stone crumbled to the ground, revealing an enormous gleaming statue of none other than King Thror himself.

Smaug stood, his eyes hungrily taking in the gold, transfixed as if under some spell. It seemed that even Dragons could fall to the damaging effects of the gold-sickness.

Bilbo knew then that he needed to get to high ground.

Moments passed away as the Dragon gaped at his newfound treasure. But he failed to notice the faint bubbling just beneath the surface of the precious metal.

He roared in surprise as the boiling liquid burst from the statue, never having the chance to cool completely. Smaug was immersed in the burning gold, never to be seen again.

But, Bilbo and Company were soon to discover that it is unwise to fight fire with fire, for it reaches no end.

The gold sprayed into the air as Smaug fought his way out, deranged, jaw snapping as he wailed.

"Revenge?! REVENGE?! I will show you revenge!"

He crashed through the main gate, a film of gold still clinging to his scales. His massive wings opened, lifting him high into the air with grace unimaginable from such a large creature. The liquid gold rained down from the night sky like stars.

It might have been beautiful. But there is nothing beautiful about death.

Thorin ran.

He could not think. Could not act. He could do nothing but watch as the demon headed straight for the unsuspecting citizens of Laketown.

Smaug was headed straight for his nephews. And it was all his fault.

He hadn't known true fear until this moment.

They stopped just outside the gate, staring in horror as the shadow of the Dragon fell upon the town.

There would be nothing left.

Bilbo lifted himself from his shaking feet. No solutions sprang to mind. There were no hastily conjured plans forming in his head. This wasn't a troll or a spider. This was a Dragon. Deadly, bloodthirsty, and extremely powerful.

There was nothing they could do.

"What have we done?"


RANTING TIME

SOO many times I have heard people complaining about Kíli's "unnecessary" side story. First of all—IT WAS NOT UNNECESSARY PEOPLE. NOOO. Their first complaint is that they added Tauriel just for a romance plot. NO. Don't degrade her awesome character to a simple love interest. She is one of the strongest female characters I've seen in a long time. This story needed that. In Tolkien's time, that wasn't very apparent. So, it should be easy to see that now, as times have changed, that we can adapt and allow a strong female presence to be in the films. And yes, Galadriel is a VERY strong female in both the books and films. But technically, she wasn't even in The Hobbit either. And the fact that Tauriel may OR MAY NOT have feelings for someone does not lessen her strength AT ALL. So what if she has feelings for a Dwarf? It shows that she has EMOTION. That, like us, she can care for someone else, without being robotic and emotionless like many Elves are portrayed (minus a select few) It shows that she's compassionate, and able to see past differences, despite what could potentially happen to her if she pursues those interests. How on earth does that tell of a weak character? I actually really really like her addition to the films, and I don't see why people are so against her.

Anyways, back to Kíli. I think one of the reasons why they added his story was because there was really nothing tying us emotionally to the story in this film. Yeah, we have Thorin succumbing to the gold-sickness. But really? Think about it. What would keep you emotionally rooted to the story if they didn't take the turn that they did? It would just be action action action the whole time. And yes, they could have added more with Beorn and Mirkwood and Thranduil (I really wish they added more Thranduil) But I also feel that they took the smarter route with characterizing the Dwarves that (SPOILER ALERT) don't make it in the end. I cared about the Line of Durin from the start, and that may be just because I read the book beforehand, but for the unaware audience, without the characterization in DOS, I just don't think that they'd care that much when Fíli and Kíli die in the Battle of Five Armies. I liked the characterization because it showed just how much Fíli cares for Kíli. It brings to our attention that something's up with Thorin when he seems so distant about Kíli's wound. ALSO. When Smaug goes to Laketown, doing what Dragons do, desolating and things, would you really care if there were no established characters in peril? Yeah, there's Bard. But we only just met him. Yes, it would be sad to see those innocent people die. But wouldn't it be TEN TIMES MORE TRAUMATIC if some of your favorite characters were thrown into the mix? I think there's much more to them keeping Bofur in Laketown than the fact that his daughters (in real life) were Sigrid and Tilda. He's been a favorite since the first movie. Knowing that some of our favorite Dwarves are in trouble is sure to pull at our heartstrings, much more than it would have simply knowing that the Dragon was off to destroy nameless people (I know that sounds absolutely horrible of me. If it were real life, and a Dragon was off to destroy people I didn't know, I'd be horrified and extremely traumatized. But, ya know, this is a movie. And while it's still sad when nameless people die in movies, it's not real, and it doesn't impact you quite as much as it would if it were a main character. Ya feel me?) Also, the audience has already seen Kíli nearly die. The ones who know nothing of the books won't be expecting to see him to suffer again, because (likeable) characters don't usually get mortally wounded only to die later. SURPRISE FOR THEM. Audience aside, just think of Thorin. Would Thorin really honestly care, gold-sickness and all, if Smaug destroyed Laketown? I don't think so. But if he knew that his nephews and heirs were there, one already injured, and with no apparent way to survive? Yes. LET'S SEE SOME CRYING RICHARD ARMITAGE PEOPLE. The whole ordeal keeps us emotionally rooted and ready to see what Peter Jackson has to offer us next.

Anyways, sorry for that horrendously long rant. I just had to let the people know.

SO, we have one more chapter in the works (I know, I said this would be the last. I lied. Again. Hahahahahahahha sorry not sorry) SO KEEP A WEATHER EYE OUT ON THE HORIZON.

And please review:)

ALSO AGAIN: I have a tumblr if you'd like to follow me:) And I'll totally follow you guys back, as long as you aren't a NSFW blog:) My name is... drumroll please... StarryEve17! SHOCKER I KNOW.