Answers to Reviews:
Auguruj: Well, she's going to be staying with them for a fair bit longer, just to be sure; because of certain...things happening soon, she's not going to be sure quite what's going on, and so wants to make doubly sure that everything stays on track, so unfortunately Thorin's going to be in the picture for a little while longer. Fear not though, all will be well in the end...or will it? And yes, this next chapter, and the one after it, are my favourites...probably the one after this one is higher up on my list of favourites, so I may end up posting it sooner rather than later just to see everyones reactions :D
minerrvas: Aww thank you so much! I, too, am a sucker for super slow burns, and so of course when it came to finally writing a fanfic, of course I was going to write something that I wanted to read...especially as I couldn't find one that truly satisfied my craving for a 40-chapters-before-they-even-hug story. And as for keeping things realistic and having my characters well rounded..well, I kinda just let them tell me how they wanted to be written, and went from there, but it seems that's worked quite well thankfully lol. Ah, the thing with Bainor...I can neither deny nor confirm your suspicions, and he won't be around again for a little while longer, so you'll just have to wait and see. Rest assured though, it's in there, whatever it is :D And give up on this story, when I'm so far in? Nah, writing's one of the things I live for, and this story is fun to write, so it's gonna keep going even beyond it's 'end'!
Christmas 95: Got to have fillers in there somewhere, and I wanted to include a bit about them finding the doorway, as I've always loved that part of the book, so there we go! And Thorin...well, he's definitely got a temper on him, and that's only going to get worse once they get into the mountain, so Fenna's going to have to be very careful around him...though it may not be him she truly has to worry about being around...I'll say no more muhaha.
Guest: As they say, the devil is in the detail, and I am nothing if not someone who lives by those words in everything I do ^^ And I'm glad you like Fenna as much as I love writing her!
Me: Eeeeeeehhhhhhhh it's cooooooooooooooold *shivers and wraps dressing gown around myself*
Thranduil: *in his usual tunic and fancy, non-warming clothes* What are you on about, it's a perfectly reasonable temperature still.
Me: *shakes head, huddles in dressing gown and latches on to Thranduil's side* No, it's not! It's bloody freezing and I want to go back to Italy and steal their warmth...or wait, I could...yeeeeessss that could work!
Thranduil: I don't think I like where this is going...
Me: Aww come on, stealing Smaug's fire will be fun- *is kicked off of Thranduil, who then promptly sprints away into the chilly sunset, screaming* Hey, where are you going? It wouldn't be that difficult...you'd only need to distract him for five minutes...hey...Thranduil waaaaaaaaaaaaaait! *sets off after a fast disappearing Thranduil* Come baaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!
53 – 1: Into the Fire
It was midnight by the time Bilbo surfaced again, trailed closely by a delighted Balin, who was swift to chivvy the Hobbit forwards so that the thing he carried in his arms could be seen by all. The company gave cries of joy, heedless for the moment of the creature lying far beneath them as they lifted a great golden cup in their hands, grasping at handles inlaid with a wealth of ivory and jewels that even Thranduil would have admired. In the darkening night the surface of the cup gave off a faint glow, reflecting the light of my moonstone and the flickering fires of the torches we'd managed to light.
For his part, Bilbo seemed uncaring of the treasure he'd brought to the surface and the pats on the back and 'at you and your families service for generations to come, Master Baggins' he was receiving. Instead, he sat by the door, gasping in great lungful's of fresh air and staring up at the blanket of cloud now covering the stars.
"Was the dragon there?" I questioned softly, setting Bilbo jumping as I crouched beside him. He took several more breaths, closing his eyes for a moment. When he opened them and nodded, I could see the faintest spark of fear in his gaze, and sighed. I had known that Smaug was going to be in Erebor still, but a part of me, the part of me that would remain in awe of this world for however long I remained within it, had wondered if all the meddling that had been done, or had tried to be done, to the time had changed future events. Alas, it seems not to be the case.
"Well done, Master Baggins! You have proven your-" Thorin started to say, but before he could get much further than a great rumbling began to shake the ground, as if an ancient volcano beneath us had suddenly decided that now was the right time to burst back to life once more. It roared and bellowed beneath us, rattling loose stones and setting everyone cowering to the ground in fright as vibrations ran through our very bodies and seemed to shake the very air we breathed. So strong was it that the door Bilbo had come through was almost pulled to, and only stopped from closing by a rock that had skittered into its path as the mountain heaved and roars of pure, unfettered rage almost burst my ears drums.
Finally, after what felt like an age, the bellows ceased, the crashing stopped, and for a moment all was calm. And then another crash, greater than any before and shuddering through the whole mountain, sounded in the distance, and soon it was followed by what sounded like a sheet the size of Esgaroth beating with the ferocity of a thunder storm against the sky. A quick glance about told me all the Dwarves knew exactly what was going on, and another told me that they weren't likely to move from their deer-in-the-headlights positions any time soon.
"Guys, if you don't want to be roasted alive or mauled to death then I suggest you haul your asses up and into the tunnel quick as you can!" I hissed, dragging a dazed Bifur from the floor and hustling him towards the tunnel, where a sensible Bilbo was already waiting. It took a moment, but when my words hit home the Dwarves were practically scrambling over themselves to get into the safety, albeit smelly, darkness of the tunnel.
"W-wait! My cousins, Bofur and Bombur! We've forgotten them; they're down in the valley along with our supplies!" Bifur suddenly cried, rushing from the rugby scrum of Dwarves and back out, cringing as the sounds of Smaug's anger echoed across the stones and down into the valley. Light flashed far above our heads, sheets of crimson and scarlet flame just visible if I craned my neck to look at the cloudy summit of the mountain.
"Don't worry – we'll get them. Now, go inside, Balin, Bilbo, and you too, Fili and Kili – if that damned beast comes for us, then he shan't have all of Durin's line!" Thorin cried, dragging those he hadn't named from the bundle at the door and back out into the grassy bay. Fili and Kili made to protest, but before they could I'd grabbed my bag from the rock I'd perched it on and hustled them inside, muttering,
"They'll be fine, now get inside before I throw you to the dragon myself!" as I did so, my heart beating wildly in my chest. I'd not even seen Smaug, yet his roaring and beating of his wings upon the wind was enough to send terror sliding cold hands down my spine. I'd thought I'd be fine, that I'd at least be able to deal with such a thing…but, as usual, my assumptions were proven wholly wrong, and I found myself breathing a sigh of relief as the safety of the tunnel closed dark arms about us, the rank, ozone, burning flesh smell of dragon something I could easily ignore if it meant I'd survive the night. C'mon, breathe, breathe, you know everything's going to turn out fine, everyone will be fine, I reassured myself, hands trembling as adrenaline rushed through me with every roar that rumbled above our heads and awakened within me a primal fear that would have had me bolting off down the tunnel had I not known that the source of my fear would soon be returning to his treasure room.
Only a minute had passed before the other half of our company tumbled as fast as they could through the door, Bofur, Bombur and most of our supplies following closely behind. And not a moment too soon, because the second they'd closed the door to all but a crack there was a great whirring of wings, and then fire was licking at the mountainside, shrivelling the grass outside with a hiss and a roar. I threw myself to the floor as heat, like that from an oven but much, much hotter, rushed into the tunnel and seared at my skin, drying it out in seconds and forcing my eyes to close lest they pop from my head.
Mere moments later the fire had passed us by, though the rage filled roaring of Smaug and the beating of his wings lingered around the mountain for many a minute. Even when everything finally did fall silent, our company lay where we were for quite some time, none of us daring to move for fear out hearts would fall from our mouths.
"Is…is he gone?" Thorin eventually whispered, face pale. I shifted so that I was sat against the wall behind me, dragging Fili up with me as I did so and patting him reassuringly on the shoulder.
"I think so…" …for now, at least, I said, keeping the last part to myself as I curved a hand around my moonstone, grateful when it's warm light brightened at my touch and sent fire scorched shadows racing away. The Dwarf lord, along with the others, took several deep breaths, patting themselves over and sighing in relief when they found all their limbs attached in the correct places. For my part, I leant back against the wall and closed my eyes, trying not to breathe too deeply of the acrid tasting air. It felt like my throat was filled with flames of its own; not a sensation I'd ever wanted to have, despite how cool what it entailed would be.
We stayed inside the tunnel for hours, our voices low and movements minimal. The golden cup lay forgotten beside Bilbo. Rations were shared out but not enjoyed as the Dwarves began to puzzle, albeit quietly, over what to do about Smaug.
Come morning, the terror of our company had grown less – enough so that Thorin was up for wondering why he had allowed me to send our steeds away, his expression remaining sullen and annoyed when I waspishly reminded him that a starved dragon was better than one who'd had the barest taste of food, and that if I hadn't then we would have had no steeds anyway. Soon the others were getting in on the action, revived by our return to the outside world…and of course Bilbo was soon the target of their grumblings.
"Should never have brought that cup up," muttered Dwalin, kicking lightly at the object of his anger and sending it clinking against the wall of our now not so green bay. "Stirred up that damned dragon and nearly cost us our lives-"
"Well, what else do you suppose a burglar is to do?" Bilbo exploded all of a sudden, drawing our wide gazes to him. He snapped to his feet, hands balled into fists and a scowl to rival the fiercest of Thranduil's shadowing his eyes as he continued, "I was not engaged to kill dragons – that is warrior's work – but to steal treasure. I made the best beginning I could! Did you expect me to trot back with the whole hoard of Thrór on my back? If there is any grumbling to be done, I think I might have a say! You ought to have brought five hundred burglars, not one. I am sure it reflects great credit on your grandfather, but you cannot pretend that you ever made the vast extent of his wealth clear to me. I should want hundreds of years to bring it all up, if I was fifty times as big, and Smaug as tame as a rabbit!" There was a stunned silence after that, as even Thorin seemed taken aback by this eruption of anger from the usually affable Hobbit. His words said, Bilbo turned, headed for the rim of our doorstep, and folded back to the flame licked ground with a great huff of annoyance.
I smiled faintly to myself. Always nice to see someone say things as they are…if there were more Bilbos in the world, then it would be a much nicer place to live.
I paced anxiously up and down the length of the tunnel carved just before the first turn, hands clasped tightly behind my back so I wouldn't pick at my already bleeding fingers.
This isn't the way things should be going…Bilbo shouldn't have gone down there a third time whilst we all remained up here, I thought as I swivelled and paced back towards the Dwarves, who for their part seemed content to stay where they were. Of course they would be, though. They don't know that this isn't what's supposed to happen. They don't know that Smaug should be in Laketown by now, and that they should all be following with Bilbo at least to the entrance into the treasure chamber…fuck, what if it's me that's caused this? What if me being here – no, no, can't think that.
"He's been gone for a long time now," Balin mumbled from his seat against the wall, looking somewhat worried. Thorin was quick to brush off his malcontent, however, waving his hand and replying, "Don't worry about him, Balin. He'll be fine." I snorted to myself, turning and pacing back the way I'd come. How could he be sure? For all we knew…for all I knew, Bilbo could be buried under a mound of gold…or Smaug could have decided that a Hobbit was a much better target than Laketown…Shit I hope that's not the case.
A little while later, though, and things began to get a lot worse. I'd paused in my pacing, and was just about to voice my suspicions that something was off with the whole situation, when there came an unmistakable rumble from beneath our feet. Seconds later a blast of brimstone heat and stink rushed up the tunnel, fingers of orange light closely following. We all froze, our eyes drawn to the curve of the tunnel I was standing near as the rumbling grew, filling with earthshattering cracks and the unmistakable sound of destruction.
"Fuck," I muttered, wincing as I picked off a scab along my thumb.
"That doesn't sound good," Bofur mumbled into his beard. "Not in the slightest. D'you think Bilbo's alright?"
"Of course he is," Thorin answered, again waving a hand, and I turned a slightly amazed glance towards him. He was so….nonchalant about the whole thing, despite the fact that it sounded as if Smaug was still at home and not at all happy. Next moment, though, I was frowning. Thorin didn't look…well, he didn't look like Thorin. Everything was still as it had been with him after we'd escaped death for a second time and been trapped in the tunnel earlier…but there was something about his expression, something about the way his eyes glittered with an unhealthy light and the way he clutched at the gold cup in his lap…
Gold lust, I thought, closing my eyes and sighing as the realisation hit me. He's fallen under the spell of the treasure…and so far away from it still…
"I don't think he is, from the sounds coming from down there…we should go and help him-"
"No. I will not risk the lives of this company, nor the fate of this quest, for one…burglar, not when there is still a dragon down there by the sounds I can hear."
"Bilbo," I snapped, bringing everyone's eyes to me. "His name is Bilbo. And you would do well to remember that, Thorin Oakenshield, that and everything that he has done for you…and the fact that he is a part of this company and quest, remembered or not." There was silence from the Dwarves as I spoke, my fear beginning to manifest in the clenching of my fists and the angry fire burning in my chest and words. "Look at you all, sat up here, away from danger and as cosy as you can be in this situation, debating over the life of Bilbo as if it were one of the pieces of the treasure hoard you seem to value more than friendship." I kicked out at a nearby stone, ignoring the shaking of the mountain beneath my feet as I glared at the Dwarves. "You call yourselves honourable, good folk, and yet you would not risk your lives to save that of someone who would happily throw themselves in front of a blade if it meant that you would live? Shame on you, Durin's folk. Shame on you!"
I took several deep breaths, trying to calm myself somewhat before I did something stupid. Ok, well, maybe not before I did something stupid, as my mind was already made up on that point, but so that I would have a somewhat clear mind as I attempted something stupid.
"Now, I'm going to go and help Bilbo if I can, and do what you selfish Dwarves dare not do for fear of singeing your beards. If any of you wish to come with me, then get up and do so. If you don't then sit here and twiddle your thumbs. Who knows, maybe we'll come back alive…though it'll be no thanks to you," I ended before, slinging my pack to one side and making sure my chain mail was in place, turning and continuing past where I'd been pacing, hesitating only to draw my long and short swords. Settling them in my hands, I then took another deep breath and headed down the still orange lit tunnel, heart thundering in my chest in time with the rumblings below. Stupid Dwarves, stupid dragon, stupid story not doing what it should…stupid everything…dear Eru what am I doing? I thought to myself as I slunk along, turning one last time before finding myself heading along a ruler straight passageway, not a stone out of place beneath my near silent feet. If Thranduil could see me now…I'd be locked in his treasury for the rest of my days.
Shaking my head as my thoughts began to stray, I hurried forwards, my pace almost a run as the rumbling grew louder and roars began to reach my ears; terrible, bone trembling roars that almost sent me scurrying back the way I'd come. I couldn't go back though. Not whilst Bilbo needed me-
I paused in my stride about halfway down the tunnel, head cocked to one side as I heard something above the terrible noise ahead. Something that almost sounded like…I turned and found Thorin striding down towards me, sword drawn and expression determined. He said nothing as he drew nearer, only sparing me a glance before pushing past. Seems like my how-to-be-a-commanding-ass-but-still-get-things-done lessons from watching Thranduil are paying off, I thought as, moments later, the rest of the Dwarves appeared, wearing somewhat sheepish looks as they met my gaze.
"Go on, lass. We have a friend to rescue," Bofur said, gesturing for me to go ahead. I nodded gratefully, giving the best smile I could manage before turning and hurrying after Thorin, who was now a distant speck against the bright flares of orange flickering up the tunnel. Jesus it's hot down here…out of the frying pan and into the literal fire, I suppose.
I was almost at a run by the time we all burst from the end of the tunnel, battle cries rising from the throats of the Dwarves. All that, though, went out the window as we noticed that Thorin and Bilbo weren't staring at us.
Now, I'd tried to do some preparation for what I knew I'd encounter as soon as I'd heard the roars start up again, and as soon as I'd made the decision to go and rescue Bilbo. I knew I'd never be properly prepared for seeing a dragon alive and in the flesh – who would? – but I'd thought I'd at least be a bit ready, that I wouldn't be reduced to a trembling puddle of fear no more use than dirty bandages. Oh how naïve I'd been.
All those ideas, all that preparation, disappeared in a puff of smoke as I fixed my saucer wide eyes on the creature in the distance. There were only two words that came to my stunned mind as I glanced at one of the nearby support pillars, which was several hundred times taller and wider than any Mallorn or Redwood I'd ever even heard of or seen. Two words as I then looked to Smaug, and then to the support pillar he was currently clutching with one of his front legs….and standing at least half as tall as it. Two words that summed up the entirety of the situation I was in.
Oh fuck.
Next Time...
53 – 2: Insult and Injury
Quiet as the grave we crept out on to the bridge, bent low and scouring the pillars and passages and air around us for even the barest hint of a claw or tongue of flame. For a few steps, all was good…well, as good as it could be in the situation we were in.
Clinkclink.
We froze.
Clinkclankclinkclink.
Barely daring to breathe we turned our heads towards the source of the noise.
ClankclinkCLANK.
A gold coin lay on the bridge, right at the feet of Bilbo. His face a picture of confusion, the Hobbit felt himself over, looking for any treasure that had snuck into his clothing.
Clink…Clinkclink….clinkclankclinkclinkCLINK!
More coins, gold, silver, even jewelled coins, dropped on to the bridge, bouncing merrily against the grey stone. As one, our faces draining of colour, we looked up to where this bounty was falling from.
Clinkclankclank.
Me: *sat atop Smaug's snout, which is chained shut and to the floor, along with the rest of him* I mean, all I wanted him to do was be a distraction so I could steal just a tiny bit of your fire so I could keep warm...not like I wanted him to jump down your throat and steal it himself, jeez.
Smaug: *absolutely furious, but can't do anything about it since he's chained up with chains made from the same material as the Black Arrow* *growls and rumbles*
Me: Hey, I need to keep warm too, you know? And yeas, I do have my own fire, but I can't be assed to sit around as a Devicorn all day...I mean, I don't have thumbs in that form to be able to play my game or write or anything-*stops as she spots Thranduil running into his now crushed throne room* Oh hey Thranduil, look what i went and dragged in just to make it easier to steal his fire!
Smaug: *growls louder and shifts, making the chains clank*
Thranduil:...*faints*
Me: Oh come on, it's just a...well, not so little dragon...he can't even more or hurt you for crying out loud...he's like a declawed cat!
Smaug: *puffs smoke from his nostrils and snarls*
Me: A very, very angry cat...whop can't do anything about it XD
