Time to meet the dragon!
I walked down the path. Tryin' to keep my boots from echoin' too loudly on the stone path. I turned the corner warily, then came to a sudden halt, my mouth droppin' open slightly. There in front of me, was a sea of gold and jewels. Stretchin' deep into the mountain. I couldn't see where it stopped. I walked forward onto the platform overlookin' the golden pools. The dragon was nowhere to be seen. But Bilbo was. I let out a sigh of relief. They had found the hidden door. I was about to call out to the hobbit as he walked along the shiftin' piles of riches. But I stopped as a large pile of gold shifted down, only to reveal a large, red eye.
Smaug.
I felt fear grip me as I stared at only a sliver of the beast. Bilbo slowly approached the great head of the beast. Then… the eye opened. But Bilbo was gone. I didn't see him leave. But the little hobbit was nowhere to be found. I also ducked quickly behind the thick railin'. I peered through the cracks at the large monstrosity. Smaug's large head rose slowly upwards. Golden coins fallin' off like water. The large beast's nostrils flared a little as it sniffed the air. Then, came a rumble. A deep, core shakin' growl. And then I realized Smaug was speakin'.
"Well, Thief, I smell you. I hear your breath. I feel your air. Where are you?" The great dragon peered around lazily. It used every once of my will power not to cry out in fear. Never before had I ever felt so afraid. The presence of a Dragon is one very rarely felt. And very few who ever felt it had lived. But it was truly a terrible feelin'. "Come now." Smaug's voice rumbled again. "Don't be shy. Step into the light." I had to try so hard not stand up. Not to show myself. "Mmm… there is something about you, something you carry. Something made of gold, but far more… presssssiousssssss."
The One Ring. I thought to myself. Whatever that was, it was in Bilbo's pocket. I was sure more than ever now. Once again, I heard the hissin'. The whisperin'.
One ring to rule them all, one ring to bind them… I shuddered. Then narrowed my eyebrows as Bilbo suddenly appeared behind one of the pillars, pantin' heavily.
"There you are, thief in the shadows." Smaug curled around the pillar to stare at Bilbo. I had to help him! But how? In the end, Bilbo beat me to it.
"I did not come to steal from you! O Smaug the Unassessably Wealthy!" the hobbit claimed pitifully. "I merely wanted to gaze upon your magnificence, to see if you were really as great as the old tales say! I did not believe them." Not the worst lie he could have made, I had to admit. Smaug seemed rather pleased with it himself. He drew himself up to his full height. Towerin' above Bilbo, and even me. He was huge.
"And do you now?" Smaug asked, his voice thunderin' across the vast chasm.
"Truly, the tales and songs fall utterly short of your enormity, of Smaug the Stupendous!" Bilbo gasped, tryin' not to seem too scared, and failin' horribly. Though he was able to talk, I probably just would have squeaked a little and gotten roasted. I still might. I thought to myself.
"Do you think flattery will keep you alive?" Smaug rumbled.
"No-no, no." Bilbo answered quickly.
"No, indeed. You are familiar with my name, but I don't remember smelling your kind before. Who are you? And where do you come from, may I ask?" Smaug inquired, though it was much more of a demand.
"I- I come from under the hill." Bilbo squeaked. What? I thought to myself.
"Underhill?" Smaug repeated.
"And under the hill and over the hill my paths have led. And, and, through the air! I am he who walks unseen." Bilbo, continued, gainin' a bit of his confidence back.
"Impressive." Smaug mused. "What else do you claim to be?"
"I am… luck wearer. Riddle maker." Bilbo listed, beyond nervous.
"Lovely titles. Go on." Smaug instructed.
"Barrel-rider."
"Barrels? Now that is interesting…" Smaug smiled. "And what about your little dwarf friends?" My heart nearly exploded from my chest in fear. "Where are they hiding?"
"Dw-dwarves?" Bilbo stammered. "No, no, no dwarves here. You've got that all wrong."
"Oh, I don't think so, barrel rider. They sent you in here to do your dirty work while they skulk about outside." Smaug guessed.
"Truly, you are mistaken, O Smaug, Chiefest and Greatest of Calamities." Bilbo tried to recover, before runnin' after somethin'. What was he doin'? I thought to myself.
"You have nice manners for a thief… and a liar!" Smaug roared. "I know the smell and taste of dwarf. No one better. It is the gold! They are drawn to it, like flies to dead flesh." I grimaced. "Did you think I did not know this day would come? When a pack of canting dwarves came crawling back to the mountain?" Bilbo slipped down the pile of coins, as Smaug followed after him, crushin' a pillar as he passed. I clung to the railin' as the entire mountain vibrated. I had to do somthin' before Bilbo was roasted and eaten. Smaug curved around the cavern, followin' the fleein' hobbit. "The King under the mountain is dead. I took his throne. I ate his people like a wolf among sheep. I kill where I wish, when I wish. My armor is iron. No blade can pierce me!" Then I see it. What Bilbo is chasin'. It's the largest, whitest, gem I had ever seen. The Arkenstone.
"It's Oakensheild. That filthy dwarfish usurper." Smaug guessed. "He sent you for the Arkenstone, didn't he?" The dragon was gettin' really angry now.
"No, no, no. I don't know what you're talking about!" Bilbo denied.
"Don't bother. I guessed his foul purpose long ago. But it matters not. Oakensheild's quest will fail." I had to do somthin' now. I didn't know what, but I wouldn't be any good up here hidin'. I tried to move, but I couldn't. My limbs were stiff with fear. Kili. I snapped out of my frozen state and turned back into the mountain. There must have been somthin', somethin' in this dwarven kingdom that we could use to defeat the dragon. Then, I spotted it.
Please tell me what you thought!