Disclaimer Anything you reconize is Tolkeins anything you don't is
mine all hobbit charcters belong to the fabulious J.R.R. Tolkein.
Chpter 36- A talk with Smaug
The stench inside the mountain was overbearing and Philicia had gagged several times as they walked further in. The tunnel had a sharp right turn and then down a dark long passage finally opening up to a huge room. "This is the great hall of King Thror, Thorin's grandfather." Balin said as his old eyes scanned the room. "There were indeeds grand feasts held here when my grandfather was King under the Mountain." Thorin added. "Come Philicia". Thorin took her to the stairs that led up to the top levels. "So are you still angry with me"? Thorin asked once they were alone."Yes I am, why did you shout at me last night Thorin ? 'I am only trying to help." She said. "I know my heart." He turned to her then and took her hands in his. "Philicia this not the open road anymore and there is indeed a dragon in here." He brought her clasped fingers to his lips and kissed them softly."Philicia I need you to follow me please my love." She let Thorin lead her up the stairs and as they climbed higher the air didn't smell so foul. "This place is incredible! "She said her eye's looking at the massive pillars of stone as they continued to climb."This is the royal corridor."Thorin said directing her to the large double doors that stood before her. "How come the dragon didn't destroy this area"? She asked looking over the rought iron railing." It is too small and to high for him to reach these levels."Thorin answered as he walked to the railing and looked out over his kingdom. Philicia saw the broken look on his face and taking The Dwarf King in her arms she reached her hand around his neck and pulled their lips together. "This is what you have always wanted, to be here."She said. "Yes it is and now that I am here I look upon the destruction and it causes me a great pain. Come Philicia." She followed Thorin as he pulled the massive double doors open and they entered a hallway. On the walls were tapastries faded and moth eaten but they still held a glimpse of the splendor that they once were. They passed several doors. "This was my brother's room. Thorin opend the door his eye's misting with tears as his insides clenched up. "This was Dis's room." He said coming to another door and this was my old chamber." And the room at the end there?" She asked her head turning to the double door's at the end of the passiage way." That is the chambers of the king and queen". he answered. "Come My love". Thorin for the first time in 171 year's opend the door to what was once his bedcroom. Upon entering the massive chamber the first thing she noticed was a sitting area with a fireplace carved out of the stone. Thorin went over and tossed a few old logs on the grating reached up to the mantel and struck the flint .The flames ignighted and the room was filled with light and warmth. He then went over and lit the lantern's that were placed about the room. Philicia just stood there in awe as she continued to gaze at the grandure of his room. There were drapes hanging on one wall and a small writing desk on the other. Next to the window were two chairs the fabric rotting away with age. The plush chairs were covered in a deep smokey grey color and covered in dust. On the walls were more tapestries dipicting the royal line of Durin."What's through here? " She asked her hand reaching for the golden knob on the door."Open It and see Philicia."She turned the knob and pushed the door open and stopped. Before her eyes was a large four poster bed covered in sapphire blue drapes. The bed was make of solid oak with Dwarven Carvings laced within the huge headboard. On the bed was a spread of the same fabric as the drapes except it was trimmed in silver. The spread looked like it was made of velvet and Philicia had no doubt it probably was. On the wall to the right was a stone fireplace with a large painting of The royal Family. "Was this you?" She asked her hand skimming over a much younger Thorin's likeness. "Aye it was and that is my sister, my mother, my father and...my brother." He said his voice breaking with the memories. "Your sister looks just like you." She sais eying the beautiful young Dwarrowdam captured in time. "And this was your father." She said turning to Thorin. "I still can't believe that this is all real .It sometimes seems like just a dream." Philicia went quiet as she noticed the serious look on Thorin's face."Philicia I have to go back down down there." Thorin said as he made for the door. "Ok I'm ready." She replied. "No my heart I need you to stay up here you will be safe I cannot risk you being hurt I would never forgive myself if something happend to you." Philicia looked at Thorin fumeing. "You can't be serious?" She said trying not to yell at him. "I am very serious it is for your safety." He shot back at her keeping a tight regin on his temper. ''For my safety, for my safety! What about you I know what is going to happen down there at least if all this is following the movies." She argued with Thorin. "I know you do however I cannot afford to be distraced with worry over you. Please Philicia?" He pleaded with her but they only ended up shouting with eachother. Thorin started to storm off and Philicia called to him. "Fine whatever I guess I can manage to make myself useful up here." She spoke to him softly. "No matter what you hear do not leave this room. There is a bathroom and I also brought you what food could be found when it is safe someone will come and get you." With that he quickly kissed her and walked away leaving her alone. She watched his back till he dissapeared down the step's. Philicia went to exploring Thorin's old suite. She found worn and dusty parchment sitting on his writing desk and a bowl of somthing that had decayed eion's ago. "This place is a mess." She said scraping the contents of the bowl in the trash.. "If I'm going to be sleeping in here it needs to be cleaned up ,and good." So she went in search of cleaning supplies. Philicia had opened several doors in the passageway and finally spotting a broom and dust pan she also found a mop, a bucket and some kind of cleaner in a bottle. "Uff" She said twisting the cap off and sniffing the content's. Just then she heard Balin coming up the stairs. "Oh there you are. he smiled at her. "I have brought you fresh water and food we had left over and your bag my dear." Balin asked where she wanted them. "Oh, just put them on the bed, Thanks. Do you know where there might be a pan so I can boil some water and is there any bleach?" Balin looked at her not knowing what she was asking for. "Aye ,I know where a pan is but that other thing I'm sorry I have no clue what you are referring too". The kind old dwarf shook his head as he went to get her a pan. "Oops Philicia." She said aloud just as soon as he shut the door." Better be careful." Balin returned with a pan filled with water and set it to boil for her."Balin?" She stopped sweeping. "How's Thorin doing? I mean is he acting strange?" He went silent a sad look crossing his face. "Aye Lassie, he is not himself." Philicia stopped what she was doing and glanced at Balin. "It's the gold sickness isn't it?" She sat on the soft bed and just stare into nothing figeting with her fingers."He will need you more than ever now lassie, please tell me no matter how bad things get that you will not abandon him." Balin exhaled quietly waiting for her answer. "Never, would I leave him , I love Thorin more than anything. Where is he now?" She asked. "Thorin is out on the ledge with the rest of the company. We are going to send Master Baggins in soon to look for The Arkenstone. Do you need anything else lassie before I go?" Balin asked her. "No I think I am good." After he left her alone she snuck out quietly and followed him. Balin went back down the same stairs her and Thorin had taken earlier. She knew that way went back up and to the north door .She didn't want to go that way Philicia didn't even want to see Thorin right now. She was so fueming mad at him right now for leaving her up there alone. Philicia had argued the point that she needed to be with them to help but in the end Thorin had practically demanded she stay put. "I need to find the treasure room." She wispered as she continued to tail Balin. Philicia walked down a long hallway and making a sharp right turn she went down a flight of stairs over a stone bridge and spotting a ledge with a stone railing she went over it and looked upon the massive room filled with gold. "It's as if something from a dream." She said making her way down to the pool of gold. Philicia stepped on the hord of treasure, precious gems, and dishes made of solid gold. She bent over and picked up a necklace of diamond and amythest twisted it in her hand and threw it back down. As she went in further she stopped and rested against one of the giant stone pillars that were intricatly placed about the room. The pillars were engraved with dwarvish rues and diagionally cut emblims within the trim. Philicia noticed that the emblems were the same as the ones cut into Thorin's chainmail shirt. "Damn I can't even escape him here." Suddenly remembering that dragons were supposed to be magical creatures she set out to find the dragon. She tossed gold coins , plates a few chalices and jewels around trying to find the dragon. Suddenly the heap of gold moved and a puff of smoke rose up in the air. Philicia held her breath knowing she at last had suceeded in waking the beast. He rose his massiave head and sniffed the air a few times. "Who dare disturb my sleep?" The dragon spoke. "Down here, I did." She hollered to the dragon. He looked just like the Smaug from the movies red and scaley with horns on both sides of his head bright yellow eye's with black irises. "Who are you, thief?" The dragon asked her. "I need your help?" Smaug laid his enormous head directly in front of her. "Tell me again ,who are you? He breathed on her his breath hot and pungent."My name is Philicia and I just wanted to talk to you." She said her voice breaking. "Talk and what else. A trinket or two of my treasure?" Philicia looked around and then back to the dragon. "I don't want any of this it means nothing to me. May I ?" She asked stooping down and picking up a few pieces of golden coins."This means nothing to me what I want is you to tell me how I can get home if I have to go." Philicia stared the dragon in the face. "And what will I get for my efforts child?" Philicia reached behind her neck and unclasped the necklace her mother had given her ."This is my mom's diamond and gold necklace it is the most precious thing I own and I will gladly give it to you." She held up the chain for him to see. "And what makes you think I can send you home?'' Smaug puffed. ''Are not dragons supposed to be creatures of magic?" She said to him still holding up her necklace."I have no power to send you home child.'' Suddenly Smaug took a big sniff."You smell like dwarf."He said. "Yes I probably do I have been traveling with a group of them on my way here to find you." The dragon rose up and spread his wings. "And do you like what you see?" Smaug asked her. "I think you are magnificent, beautiful and and, the words fail me." Philicia bravely stood before the beast. "And what then, do you want none of my treasure." "Nothing now. I am sorry for waking you I will let you get back to sleep." Philicia started to leave when the dragon called her back. "I could eat you in one bite why then are you not afraid?" The dragon asked."I have no fear of dying ,I would only get to be with my parent's sooner." Her eye's misted up as she told Smaug of her mom and dad and the tragic accident that had killed them. Smaug laid his palm open to her and she crawled into it and sat down. "What a tragedy." So you desire nothing? "The dragon asked. "No what I want you can't give me. May I ask you something?" "Of course.'' Smaug answered. "Was there ever a female dragon that you found beautiful, I bet you would have really liked Saphira she is a dragon in a movie where I come from". "Oh!" Smaug said raising Philicia up to his eye level. "Yes she is as blue as the sapphires in this mess and her eye's match her scales Oh and she is very friendly and loyal but fierce when it comes to the ones she loves. '' Philicia told Smaug more of The female dragon and in the end he was enchanted with her tale. Smaug swept the gold and pulled up a necklace of emeralds and sapphires and dropped it into her hand. "For you, take it." Philicia was awestruck at the glittering jewels in her fingers .She held the necklace up and looked at it carefully. "Thank you but I cannot accept this I mean no disrespect it's just I want nothing to do, with any of this." She gestured to all the gold around her. " I need to find a way home now. Thank you for talking with me and I wish you all the happiness in the whole world." With that the dragon set her down and she thanked him again and walked up the stairs . Suddenly she turned and looked over her shoulder at the dragon. "With your permission please could I sleep in your mountain just for the night. I am very tired and and need rest" Smaug blew steam through his nose. "You may".
Making her way back to her room she had marked the passages with a sharpie to find her way back she opened the door and thought to herself I just had a conversation with a dragon and lived to tell about it. Philicia reheated the water and after sweeping all the stone floors taking the rugs out on the balcony and beating the dust out of them she proceeded to pull the canopy off the bed and shake the dust from it also. Hanging that back up was a job but well worth the effort. Philicia ate some of the food Balin had brought her earlier and poured some of the kool aid pack into her water for flavor. "What's through this door"? She said aloud. She opened the door and her breath left her. The room was the most elegant bathroom she had ever seen truly a place made for royalty. It had two sinks side by side cut out of the stone it's self there were mirrors on the wall and a large skylight in the stone ceiling cut out of the mountain top. Another door which concealed the toilet and to her surprise still worked. She took care of business then went over to the huge bathtup in the corner of the room. It was made of white marble and the water seemed to flow through it instead of sitting still. "This is amazing !"She said sticking her hand in the water. "It's warm ,really warm. Philicia was covered in dust and itching all over . She went back in the bedroom and tossed everything from her bag on the bed. Finding some clean PJ's and undies ,her toilitry items and some warm socks she went into the bathroom and stripping her clothes off she let herself sink into the hot steaming water. Philicia scrubbed the dust from her skin, shampooed and conditioned her hair and got out of the tub. Drying herself off with the deep blue towels she had found in the cabinet she braided her hair , After brushing her teeth she collapsed on Thorin's big bed and fell into a deep sleep.
Thorin sent Bilbo into the tunnel with Balin leading him down. They decended into the darkness coming to the sharp turn that led to the treasure room. As they approached the stairs. "You want me to find, a jewel". Bilbo asked his eye's staring at the deep darkness that awaited him. His eyes were wide and full of fright."A large white jewel,yes" Balin said "That' it I would imagine there are quite a few of them down there." Bilbo looked at Balinas his hands clenched into fists. He had never been so afraid knowing what awaited him down there. "There is only one Arkenstone,you will know it when you see it." Balin pointed his finger at Bilbo his expression serious. Balin continued down the steps as Bilbo followed. Without warning the white haired dwarf stopped and looked over his right shoulder." In truth lad, I do not know what you will find down there. You needent go if you don't want to. There is no dishonor in turning back." "No, Balin, I promised I would do this and I must try."He said to Balin. Balin Chuckled admiration on his face."It never ceases to amaze me" Balin said smiling at Bilbo."The courage of Hobbit's. They both focused on the deep dark tunnel. "Go now,with as much luck as you can muster and if there is indeed a live dragon down there, don't awaken it". They both gave a smqall nod at eachother in understanding then Balin started back up the stairs as Bilbo continued into the darkness. He turned around to ask Balin something but the old dwarf was already turning the corner.