Marcel's PoV:

I carefully looked around the corner, the dwarves and Bilbo right behind me. The others were running through the corridors, trying to distract Smaug and I was supposed to keep the dwarves, one hobbit and myself safe and had to make sure that all would arrive safely at the forges. I knew very well that this was not going to be an easy task, because everyone knew that I'm not the most patient person in the world and dwarves really could be exhausting companions. And they were not clever at all. All right, at least Balin and Thorin weren't that stupid but not the smartest either. I mean, they had chosen me to lead them through the Erebor from where we were to the forges, although they had to knew that I never visited the mountain before and therefore had completely no knowledge about the structure from the inside, especially where the forges are situated. They must had a lot of faith in me. I was not quite sure, why they finally chose me to lead them but I was the only one who disagreed, so I really had no choice but accept it.

When I looked out of my hiding place and saw no dragon in my surroundings, I gave them a sign and slowly crouched around the corner. It was like a game of 'hide & seek' with Smaug. But this wasn't my only concern. I was worried about Fili, Ori and some of the others, who were alone at another place in the mountain and there was no way for me to save them or to assure that they would be safe. I just hoped they would arrive at the forges. Thorin was nearly losing his youngest nephew and it would be the highlight of the day if he would lose Fili too. This was the time when I asked myself what Kyra was doing out there and I hoped that she was well and that she would find a solution or maybe help to rescue Kili. It was possible, if we would ever be able to escape from here, to find Kili and Kyra dead or perhaps we never would escape these walls.

A warm hand on my back brought me back to reality. I startled and looked into Thorin's eyes.

"Are you okay?", he asked calmly, sounding a little bit concerned. I frowned. This wasn't typical for Thorin, especially in this situation. Minutes before, he was totally crazy due to the amount of gold in the halls but now he was a completely different person. Usually he behaved that soft when Kyra or Kili were around, occasionally with Fili but never to one of the others or even me. Another sign of his sickness and how it was affecting him.

I simply nodded. "I'm just worried about Kyra and Kili." Why I chose him to talk about my feelings?

Thorin gave me a little smile. "They will both make it. Kyra has got a lot of courage and Kili is...unconscious but I think that everything is going to be all right."

Yes, he will be rescued by some elves and then he is going to be killed during the Battle of the five Armies! What a satisfying destiny. But not if Kyra and I could change the course of it and I thought that we were on a good way.

"We haven't much time", Balin interrupted our intimate moment. I thanked him mentally for it, because the look in Thorin's face was pretty awkward.

"He's right", I supported Balin and turned back around. "What is our next way?"

Thorin as well seemed to come back to reality. "Only the next stairs down and then the hall to the right."

"All right, we need to be as quick as we can", I said and looked at everyone of them. "Are you ready?"

They nodded, so I swiftly stood up and ran around the corner just to make a sudden stop. Thorin slammed into me from behind and I could swear I heard a mumbled complaint about that. Otherwise, I wasn't sure if I had heard it correctly due to the fact that I was a little distracted because of the huge nose in front of me. Smaug's nasty stature had appeared before me, his disgusting breath blew in my direction and my eyes began to water. Nonetheless, I could not move an inch and was just able to stare into the face of the dragon, we were supposed to hide from.

"You didn't count on this, you disgusting dwarves", Smaug murmured. "You believed I didn't knew what you wanted to do. You were trying to reach the forges. You really believed it would be that wasy to hide from me. I was right here all the time, waiting for you to come."

"You think you're so clever, aren't you?", I responded and crossed my arms.

"Am I not?", Smaug asked. "At least, I could prevent you from carrying out your plan."

That was the moment in which the other dwarves appeared behind Smaug and stopped in shock. I leaned back and whispered into Thorin's ear: "I've got a plan but I need to get to Fili first, then I need you and Bilbo." Thorin nodded invisibly to indicate me that he understood.

"O Smaug the Stupendous", I teased him noisily. "You think you are stronger than we are? Maybe that's true but we are smaller and quicker. You are an enormous monster but you if we would flee from you, you would be to fat to follow us through the small aisles of Erebor. I wonder if you have ever moved your butt."

"Are you accusing me of laziness?"

"That was not my intention directly but if you suggest it, I would agree", I said, spotting in the corner of my eye that Thorin gave Fili a small hint, who was now silently moving into our direction. Fortunately, Smaug was too busy talking with my, so he didn't noticed the other dwarves behind him.

"You really believe, you could defeat me, little dwarf?", Smaug got angrier with every minute and I hoped Fili would hurry so I could continue my plans. Thorin's nephew moved at the end of Smaug's tail and he was nearly with us but if he would join us directly, Smaug would recognize him. Therefore, I decided to take a leisurely stroll to the right, away from Thorin, Bilbo and Balin. Smaug followed me with his eyes, not able to interrupt his attention on me. When I saw Fili standing next to Thorin, I slowly made my way back, observing Smaug while doing so. Thorin took a few steps into my direction when I suddenly grabbed his hand and jumped around the corner, hoping that Fili, Bilbo and Balin would follow me and praying that the others would try to hide as well. From the noises behind me, I could tell that Smaug was not very amused.

"Thorin, you guys have a bell thingy down by the main entrance, right?", I said, remembering the scene from the third film in which the dwarves destroyed the front door with the help of these huge golden bell.

"If you mean what I think you mean...yes.", Thorin replied, confusion in his voice.

"Please, do me a favor, ask no questions, collect the other dwarves and tried to destroy the front door. We need to get Smaug out of the mountain. Bilbo and I will lure him out."

"That's too dangerous", Balin complained but I interrupted him. "Don't complain, ask no questions, do as I said. Please, trust me, it will work."

Balin shared a quick look with Thorin when they slowed down and took a different aisle. When they were out of earshot, I stopped.

"How do we lure him out of the mountain?", Bilbo asked. "He is obsessed with all the gold and you believe he would leave it behind?"

"Not if he wants the most important treasure, you stole in the chamber", I answered and waited for his reaction. Instead of an answer, his eyes flew open and he opened his mouth to say anything but quickly shut it again. I had made him speechless.

"I know you got the Arkenstone and we know that Smaug would never give it to us voluntarily. There is no choice for us to get back to the forges and check if they would work. If we want to distract him, we have to show him the Arkenstone and leave the mountain as quick as possible but the others need time to destroy the main entrance. Let's search our wonderful dragon, the horror of middle-earth."

Kyra's PoV:

I sighed in despair. I couldn't do anything but sit here and wait for a wonder to happen. Kili was nearly dying, moreover, I would say he already stood at death's door. I began to doubt whether it was the right decision and what would happen if Tauriel really got this letter. Would she come and help us, despite the fact that she didn't know us and she didn't love Kili? And what's with Legolas? I sighed again and wiped Kilis sweat away. He was still unconscious and it seemed like he wouldn't make it. I mean, he was as pale as a corpse and he stopped mumbling things hours ago. He must be somewhere between life and death, just as Frodo did in Lord of the Rings. The difference was that Frodo had been fully awake the whole time and Kili was like dead. I couldn't do anything, while the dwarves were inside the Erebor, trying to kill the dragon. I must confess that I was worried about them. I couldn't say what would happen down there, unless I know if the future is still the same after our influence.

Still busy with the mass of thoughts in my head, I didn't recognize the footsteps behind me. Only when the sword made contact with my throat, I froze in my movement and prayed that it was the person, I hoped it would be.

"Who have we got there?"

I knew this voice!

"Legolas", I shouted without thinking about the consequences. I wanted to punch me in the face right after this.

"Why do you know my name, human child?"

Child? Are you kidding me?

The sword was still on my neck, when Legolas came around to look at me.

He looked literally like he did in the films. His long white hair was bound together and his sharp eyes were watching me mindfully. Nevertheless, I still realized the differences to his appearance in Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit. In Lord of the Rings, he was always cheerful and spread positive vibes and joked with Gimli. You could also see his joy in his eyes and his soft looks on his face. In the Hobbit, he was always honest and didn't seemed satisfied. Right now, I recognized that his eyes were darker and there were also no sparkles in them. Maybe it was the bad influence of his father Thranduil. At least in his behaviour. The problem with his appearance was obviously the age difference.

"I heard one of your wards saying your name, when they had brought us into your realm", I said, not really convinced by the quick excuse of mine. Legolas narrowed his eyes but seemed not to question my answer.

"Listen", I continued when some time had passed. "I don't want to inconvenience you but I really need your help. I know your father hates our group or dwarves at all and I don't know your opinion about that but I know you gave a big heart and never would let anyone die, no matter if he or she is an elf or not. I really don't know why my monologue is that long but I hope that you will help me. One of my friends is dying and I'm convinced that you and Tauriel are the only one in the area who can help us."

"I know, I received your letter", a voice spoke behind me. I swiftly turned around to see Tauriel standing at the edge of the mountain, smiling at me. "I never refuse to help. I don't distinguish between dwarves and elves. I help everyone who needs it."

"Thank you very much", I said in relief.

"You're not Thorin", added Legolas. "I don't like that dwarf but my father isn't right with his decision."

"That's why I'm happy that you're not like your father", I said smiling. Meanwhile, Tauriel had already kneeled down next to Kili. "What happened to him?"

"He was hit by a Morgul shaft. The poison is in his blood for some days already", I replied.

"I need kingsfoil to save him", said Tauriel and gave me a desperate look.

I took my little bag on my belt and took out a small amount of kingsfoil. "Will that be enough? I took this from Esgaroth."

After all, I had already had a slight foreshadowing what was going to happen.