Chapter 25


Everything was quiet and dark in halls of Erebor. The only sounds Frêllian could hear, were their own footsteps. Though surprisingly, even the dwarves tried their best to move as quietly as possible. There was no arguing, nor loud footsteps. Just soft, calculated shuffling of feet as the company moved trough the fallen dwarven kingdom.

But the sound that she was listening for, was not present. There were no thunderous footsteps from the dragon. No snarling or growling, nor hissing. The great fire drake was silent in his movements! Even with her enhanced senses, could she not hear Smaug and it troubled her.

Frêllian stopped at the end of yet another tunnel. Her golden eyes scanning the area as the dwarves stopped behind her. Only Thorin and Dwalin stood next to her. Both waiting anxiously for her signal.

But she didn't give it just yet. Did she hear something just now? She concentrated even harder for any sound. Yes, there it was again! But it was still far away. If they would hasten, they should be able to make it to the other side before Smaug made his appearance.

Her golden eyes traveled over to the stone bridge. Then to the chasm below. Should anyone fall, they would surely fall to their death. So they would have to be quick, but careful. But most of all, quietly!

Slowly she nodded. Yes, they should be able to cross the bridge. She mouthed the words 'quick but quiet' to Bilbo as she walked towards the stone brigde.

Thorin was the first to set foot on it, followed by Dwalin and Frêllian. Ever since she had dashed off into the mountain, the bald warrior had refused to let her out of his sight again. Not that it mattered at the moment. No, they all had to stick together. Only a handful knew the halls of Erebor. If one should be separated, they would surely get lost. And most likely fall into the claws of that damned beast!

Frêllian easily kept up with the two dwarves in front of her. Moving quietly while keeping a look out for Smaug. She could smell him getting closer. His foul scent reminding her of rotten eggs.

By now they were about halfway the bridge and Frêllian was getting restless. They were taking too long! She could practically feel the hot breath of the dragon where she stood! And out here in the open they were sitting ducks! An easy prey for a predator such as Smaug. And Frêllian did not like feeling like prey! She was a predator, damn it! Not prey!

A sudden sound made her freeze in fear. Something had just fallen on the ground. The impact of the coin hitting the ground making a high clinking sound, making the hairs in her neck stand straight up. There was no way such a noise would go unnoticed by the dragon! Especially not when he was this close

Frightened, she turned around. Making sure not to make a sound as she did so. She needed to know where the sound had come from! Behind her, she saw Bilbi frantically check his jacket for any coins which could have fallen from his jacket, when she heard another coin fall down. And another and even more. And slowly a shadow appeared above Bilbo, Gloin and Bofur, forcing them to look up.

Following their gaze, everyone started to look up. Eyes filled with fear as Smaug crawled just above them. His head moving from side to side in search of the company that was standing below him right now. But to her relieve, he had not noticed them. And as she stared at the enormous beast, she noticed coins fell from his chest and arms. They must have been embedded there from years of sleeping on gold and gems. Getting stuck between his scales as he laid dormant, only to shift after he had awoken from his slumber.

After a moment longer of staring at the dragon, Frêllian turned her head again. Facing her destination as Thorin quietly motioned everyone to continue.

Now that Smaug was this close, the crossing to the other side was agonisingly long. They could not make any sound, yet have to be even quicker than before. Still, somehow they all made it.

As soon as they entered yet another tunnel, Frêllian sighed in relief. That had really been a close call. Her eyes instinctively looked for Bilbo. It had become a habbit of her. Always looking out for her friend.

But he was here, he was safe. Their eyes met and she smiled at him. A gesture he returned. Though his one was weak. Then Dwalin placed a hand on her shoulder, whispering they would have to continue their way.

'The western guardroom is not far from here,' she heard Thorin whisper as Dwalin guided her towards the said dwarf. 'Let's go.'

With Smaug in a different room, they started running again - though still as quietly as they could, mind you! Thorin leading them through the maze-like kingdom he grew up in. And even if they were running for their lives, and with Frêllian still angry with him for calling her a runt, she still held admiration for the dwarf for knowing the way. Even after all these years had passed.

For a moment, she felt a pang of jealousy. Jealous of the dwarf to have grown up in a loving home, a beautiful kingdom to roam through and explore. But she quickly pushed it away. Reminding herself he too, had been forced to leave his home. Thorin too, has had his fair share of hardship. And he had come out so much stronger!

As they entered another hall, she heard Thorin telling them to stay close. She did so, obediently walking next to Dwalin as they stepped into a room. Her hand tightly gripping his arm as she took in the sight. Her other hand placed over her mouth as she let out a gasp.

The room reeked of death and decay, with a heavy atmosphere hanging around that made the ferian feel nauseous. All around them were rotten, dust and cobweb covered corpses. Dwarf corpses, mummified over time. Frellian had seen a lot of dead over the years. And seen bodies decay and burn. She could tell by just looking at a body how much they've had suffered. And that saddened her even more. To know these dwarves had suffered as they died. Their last days spend in terror and dispair. Perhaps some even pain judging from.the burned flesh. Hunger and thirst slowly driving them mad as they waited in vain for a way to escape.

Feeling her dispair, Dwalin pulled her closer to him. Both his arms wrapping around her body as she started to tremble. Tears started to well up in her eyes as Dwalin embraced her. She felt so weak right now, to cry over all of these dwarves. But she could not help but feel sorry for them. To know they had to suffer such a horrible death.

'That's it then.' She could feel his voice vibrating through her body as Dwalin spoke. 'There is now way out.'

Though the dwarf was trying to comfort her with his warm embrace, he would not sugercoat their situation. Not there was need for it anyway, for Frêllian had seen the blocked exit before Dwalin had started blocking her view with his body. A failed attempt to protect his daughter from the undeniable truth.

They were in fact trapped.

'The last of our kin,' Balin whisperd in sadness. 'They must have come here, hoping beyond hope.' He turned to Thorin before continueing. 'We could try to reach the mines. We might last a few days.'

Last a few days, where his words. Not 'we might find a way out' to give them hope. No, just 'we might last a few days'. So that meant there really was no other way out. They would either die here, or be killed by Smaug. For luck would not remain on their side should they try and sneak passed that serpent once more.

Frêllian closed her eyes, sucking in a deep breath. She needed to gather herself! She would not die a coward. A ferian never died a coward! Besides, she had not endured all those years with the orcs, only to die here in these ruins!

'No, I will refuse to die like this,' she suddenly said, releasing herself from her father's embrace. 'I am no coward!'

'No one says you are, Frey,' Dwalin whispered softly. 'But let's face…'

'Frêllian is right,' Thorin interrupted him. We will not die cowering, clawing for breath. We make for the forges.'


At first Thorin his plan had earned some doubts. With the others stating they would certainly meet their end. With their said destination being too far away.

But Thorin had still explained his plan. With them splitting up as they headed towards the forges. Though he begrudgingly admitted that perhaps some of them might die on the way. But then he stated they would not give up without a fight.

'If this is to end in fire, then we will all burn together.'

Even now Frellian was amazed by his speech. Spoken like a true leader. A king! But Dwalin had not been convinced at first. Stating he would not risk the life of his daughter. But after Frêllian had told him she would die either way, he had calmed down a bit.

'If I am to die, then let me die on my own terms,' she had told the dwarf obstinately.

And now here she was, standing next to the the dwarf princes, as she watched Thorin, Bilbo and Balin run out onto the bridge. Thorin his plan now put in to action.

As the three crossed the bridge, she could hear Thorin calling out for the other two to follow him. A bold move, for Smaug would surely hear him. But then again, that was the plan, was it not?

Right on que, something big fell to the ground and Smaug appeared from above them. His voice like a snarl as he mocked them

'Flee, flee! Run for your lives! There is nowhere to hide.'

Frêllian watched as the serpent-like beast came after the three. Holding her breath while doing so. But then the beast turned his head towards another sound and Frêllian sighed in relief. It seemed the distraction had worked!

'Behind you,' Dori yelled at the dragon, before urging Ori and Bombur to run away.

Smaug lunged towards them, chasing them down the other side of the room. While the first group - consisting of Thorin, Balin and Bilbo - had made it on the other side. See, that was the plan! They all had been paired in different groups, each group distracting Smaug as the other group made it to the other side.

'It's almost our turn,' she informed the other two, her now once again blue eyes watching her father cross the bridge.

'Hey you,' Dwalin shouted loudly. 'Here!'

Having gained the attention of Smaug, he, nori and Bofur quickly ran off the bridge and into a tunnel just before Smaug smashed his claw where they had been standing not too long ago.

'Now,' Fíli said quietly as he crossed their own brigde.

Kíli and Frêllian nodded, following his lead. With Smaug still distracted, they made it half way across the bridge. But then Frellian noticed Smaug had turned his attention towards Gloin and Bifur. Slowly advancing towards the fleeing dwarves.

'Hey, you ugly brute!'

Upon hearing her voice, Smaug turned his head to look at her. A sneer on his face as he eyed the two dwarves in front of her. Then his golden meet her blue ones. His sneer remaining, yet his eyes showing a bit of curiousity as he took in her scent.

'So Oakenshield even brought along a dwarf-maiden? How foolish of him, for they are such rare and delicious gems.' His slinted pupils dilated upon realising there lingered another scent about the female which humoured him greatly. 'Though there is something different about you, is it not? Your scent betrays your ferian heritage. How curious.'

Frellian ushered the two dwarves to hurry up as Smaug quickly made his way over to them. As long as he wouldn't breathe fire, they should make it to the other side in time!

'It matters not,' said Smaug with a sneer as his eyes watched the trio, while he moved closer still. His voice dropping to a low rumble. 'I will devour you!'

But before he could leap forward, they had already entered the tunnel. But there was no time to stop. With her heart beating rapidly in her chest, she pushed Fíli and Kíli ahead. She could hear Smaug take a sharp inhale of breath. The room filling with heat as he did so and she feared what would follow.

'Hide behind those rocks,' she called out to the two dwarves.

She knew what was coming next. She could feel it in her bones! Smaug was getting irritated and irritated animals will strike, hard. And with Smaug being a fire drake, he would use his fire!

And right after they all found shelter behind the large boulders, a raging fire blazed above their heads. The heat a buring sentation on her skin as Frêllian tried to make her as small as possible. The stench that filled the room as the fire died out made her sick to her stomach. A much stronger mixture of rotten eggs stench and smoke filled her nostrils as she checked on the two brothers.

Thank Lüna they were alive!

Without wasting any time, she stood up, following her nose to find the others. Fíli and Kíli following closely behind. Though it proved to be a difficult task to find the others in this foul scent. Her nose was not as keen as it had been a while ago and with the heat radiation from the stones and the dragon's scent, clouded her sense of smell even more.

'Which way,' Kíli asked as Frêllian stopped at a splitting.

But the ferian ignored him. She needed to concentrate or else she wouldn't be able to pick up anyone. And in here, she did not dare to shift into her wolf form. The fur would be too warm and prone to burning. But perhaps…

She closed her eyes. Ever since she had first reached her alpha state, she had reached it after she became enraged. Most of the time because someone she cared for had been in danger. And every time she would calm down, she would return back to normal.

But perhaps, if she should concentrate enough, she could be able to reach that savage state, without needing to been angered.

'Frey, there you are, lass.'

Opening her eyes, she saw Dwalin running over to her. Worry in his eyes as he looked at the burned rock around them. But then it turned in relief as she smiled as she ran over to him.


Bilbo followed Balin and Thorin as quickly as he could. Not a clue whether or not the others had made it passed Smaug. He had not heard any screams of despair or agony, so that should be a good sign, sight?

Suddenly he watched as Balin took a turn into a tunnel, calling out for both Thorin and Bilbo they needed to go that way. Bilbo stopped, watching Thorin who had missed the turn. Then at Balin.

'This way, come on,' the dwarf beckoned him hurriedly. 'Quickly now!'

'Thorin.'

The said dwarf had stopped as well, Bilbo noticed in relief. He was about to go back to Balin and Bilbo, when he suddenly stopped. His eyes high and Bilbo felt a chill run down his spine.

Eventhough he knew what Thorin was looking at, Bilbo still turned around to face Smaug. The dragon was leering down at them from the end of the hallway and Thorin yelled for Bilbo to follow Balin.

'Thorin!'

'Come on!'.

To his horror Thorin did not make any movement towards the tunnel as Smaug's chest started to glow orange. Without warning Balin pulled Bilbo into the tunnel. Just in time too!

A flash or hot air brushed passed them, followed by fire. He vaguely heard Balin calling for him to follow him. That Thorin was alright. Though Bilbo had a hard time believing the wise dwarf. Still he followed him. His mind wandering to the others for a moment, while Bilbo followed after Balin.

As Bilbo rounded a corner, he heard Dwalin call out Thorin's name, followed by chains being pulled. But it was the feminine scream that spurred Bilbo to fasten his pace.

What could have caused Frêllian to scream?

But as they reached the several massive furnaces, he saw Nori and Fíli help Thorin climb onto the ledge they were standing on. Frêllian nowhere to be seen.

Suddenly her platinum hair appeared from the same ledge Thorin had climbed on and Dwalin quickly helps her on level ground. A cut on her cheek that had not been there before they split up. Though what worried the hobbit more, was the wall of flame that erupted from behind her and Thorin, coming from down where they had been just moments ago.

'Go, quickly,' she yelled at her father as they made their way over to the furnaces as well.

By now all of them had gathered there, Bilbo noticed. Much to his relief. So far so good. But now what?

'The plan's not going to work,' Dwalin growled in frustration as he eyed the large furnaces. 'These furnaces are stone cold.'

'He's right,' the ferian next to him agreed. 'How will you plan to set them ablaze?'

But Thorin grinned wickedly at her, saying he had a plan. Then he turned his attention towards the pit he and Frellian had appeared from, calling to what Bilbo presumed to be Smaug. Mocking the fire drake.

Then a claw appeared, followed by a head and body. The golden eyes of Smaug burning in hatred as he looked at Thorin. The dragon snarled in anger. But Thorin still continued his taunting.

'You have grown slow and fat in your dotage,' Thorin continued. 'Slug.'

Suddenly Smaug snarled again and moved closer, before he reared his neck and his chest started to glow bright orange. Bilbo heard Thorin shout for them to take cover, which Bilbo quickly did. For he did not fancy being burned alive.

With his back pressed against a pillar, he saw fire passing him, the warmth locking his skin in a not so comfortable way. With big eyes Bilbo watched as the flames reached the furnaces, while he yelled out in discomfort. Without the flames even touching him, the heat of it was unbearable. Though he was not the only one. He heard the others yell as well, from the heat, pain and pressure.

'I can't believe it,' the small hobbit mumbled as the fire stopped. 'It worked. It actually worked!'

Slowly fire came out of the bottoms of the furnaces, as they started to glow. While Bilbo stared at them in wonder, he vaguely heard a growl, before a hand reached out for him.

'No time to stare in wonder, little rabbit,' he heard Frêllians voice come from over the rumbling furnaces. 'We have to go!'

With that she pushed him gently. Urging him to run. Thorin was shouting commands to the others as Smaug began battering his head against the pillars. The gaps between them too small for the dragon to fit. Still, as strong as they were, Bilbo stared in horror as they slowly start to bend under the weight of the dragon.

'Bilbo, up there! On my mark, pull that lever.'

Frêllian nudged him towards the spot Thorin pointed out, before she moved to Dwalin's side. He could barely hear her say they did not have much time, before she ran off with Balin and some of the others.

'Wait for the signal, wait for the signal,' Bilbo whispered to himself as Smaug continued his slamming. 'I am not a rabbit, I am a hare! I am not not rabbit, I am a hare! I can defend my self. I am a hare!'

Finally Smaug broke through. The beast looking around with a growl. His eyes spotted Bilbo first and the hobbit climbed up some more steps. With a low growl Smauh advanced towards the scared hobbit. His head raised to look at him. But before he could reach Bilbo, his head was turned to the side at the sight of Thorin.

'Now,' the dwarf ordered and Bilbo jumped up to pull the lever.

Huge jets of water came bursting out of the wall behind Bilbo, slamming right into Smaug, knocking the dragon off balance. The large beast slammed into a furnace by the force as he tried to fight the water.

Roaring in rage, Smaug flapped his wings in vain as he started thrashing about madly. Suddenly a watermill began turning some gears, and Bilbo watched in wonder. But it didn't last for long. He needed to remind himself they were fighting a dragon right now and that he was a sitting duck where he was standing.

Upon realisation, the hobbit began to climb down again.

Suddenly he could see flashes of blue light to his right and he dared to glance down for a moment before he continued his climb. Not too far from him, Balin, Frêllian, Ori and Dori were throwing flashflame bombs at Smaug. Though in vain, for the dragon still stalked towards Thorin.

Then tons of rocks fell on Smaug, making him fall to the ground while roaring in anger.

By now, Bilbo had reached the ground. His eyes lingering on the dragon for a moment, before looking for Frêllian. But before he could spot her, he heard Thorin yell for him to run. The dwarf drifted passed him on a shield, surfing a river of liquid gold towards a hole.

To his horror Smaug had gotten up again. His golden eyes on Bilbo once again as he snarled.

With Smaug hot on his tail, Bilbo ran through a doorway and into a massive hall. All around him were old banners hanging on the walls, hundreds of feet tall. But he had no time to admire them, for Smaug had jumped through the wall.

As the small hobbit tried to flee to falling rocks, he got trapped underneath a banner that had fallen. And as he tried to get up, he heard Smaug speak. His voice full of anger as he did so. Telling him he knew they had come from Laketown and that they have planned it all together.

'Perhaps it is time I paid them a visis.'

Breathing out an 'oh no!', Bilbo scrambled from underneath the banner as he yelled at the dragon. Stating this was not their fault. Which only seemed to amuse Smaug. He smirked at Bilbo, humorously noting that he cared about them. Mocking the hobbit with a smirk on his ugly snout.

'Good,' the great beast concluded as he turned away from the hobbit. 'Then you can watch them suffer!'

'Here, you witless worm,' the voice of Thorin boomed through the air, forcing Smaug to turn his attention towards the dwarf in anger.

'You,' he snarled as he squinted his eyes in anger at the dwarf.

'I am taking back what you stole.'

Smaug did not look too impressed as he slowly stalked towards him. Telling him he would do no such thing. Reminding the dwarf of what Smaug had done to his people all those years ago.

'I am king under the mountain,' the reptile finished, his head leveling Thorin now and Bilbo watched on from the a joining hall. His eyes big in fright of what Smaug might do now that Thorin had nowhere to go.

'This is not your kingdom,' Thorin reminded him, his hand gripping firmly around the metal chain. 'These are dwarf lands, this is dwarf gold and we will have our revenge!"

This seemed to anger Smaug as his chest and neck started to glow with fire. But just as he was about to open his mouth, Thorin yelled something in Khuzdul, yanking on the chain while doing so.

Smaug reared his head back in confusion as the stone statue on which Thorin stood moments ago, fell to the ground. Upon seeing the massive golden statue, Bilbo realised all the liquid gold had been poored into the stone mold of a dwarf king. But then he realised all that gold could not be solid yet. And if that thing would melt, he would be bathing in hot liquid gold.

'Time to take your leave, Bilbo,' a voice suddenly said from behind him and he looked up to see Frêllian smiling at him.

'Fre-'

'No time, little rabbit. No time at all,' Frêllian said hastily as she reached out an arm to help him. 'Now up you go.'

She helped him up and quickly guided him to higher ground as Smaug watched all the gold in desire. Then a sudden roar made Bilbo turn around in fear. His movement so fast an clumsy, he would have fallen if Frêllian hadn't hold on to him.

Just as he suspected, the golden statue had collapsed and was now knocking down an angry Smaug as he tried to escape the wave of gold. But failed. He let out one final roar, before he was drowned by the gold.

'You think he's…'

He did not dare say the words. Afraid he might jinx it. But Frêllian understood as she looked at him with a smile. A smile that did not reach her eyes, he noticed.

'I hope so,' she mumbled as her gaze returned to were Smaug went under. 'I really hope so.'

But then the golden surface exploded as Smaug leaped out. His entire body covered in gold as he screamed out in anger or pain. Or perhaps both?

'Ahhh,' he screamed out as he made his way through the lake of gold. 'Revenge? Revenge! I will show you revenge!'

Frêllian let out a gasp as Smaug passed them by. Her grip on Bilbo's arm tightening, probably leaving a bruise. But Bilbo could care less about a bruised arm as the fire drake ran into the hall clumsily, before breaking through the great doors

As Smaug took flight, Bilbo quickly ran to the destroyed gates, followed by Frellian. But Smaug was already on his way to Esgaroth. All the gold on his body now slowly falling down as he flew on. As the others made their way over towards the entrance as well, all Bilbo could utter was;

'What have we done?'