Prologue Part 1- The Dragon's Curse
In all of the seven dwarf kingdoms, none seemed to be more blessed than that of Erebor. Deep within the Lonely Mountain ran rivers of gold and gems that flowed freely into the hands of its citizens. The utopian kingdom was the envy amongst most of the world, and it was only by the fair and steady hand of its ruling family, the Durins, that kept Erebor from falling to greedy desires. So beloved are the Durins that the birth of a new royal is a day full of joy and praise.
It was said the birth of Prince Thrain, eighty years ago, led to a week long festival of drinking and partying that swore many dwarrows off the ale they love so much. However, with the announcement that the Prince and his lady wife were expecting, the food prepping began and the casks were rolled out. Mere weeks before the birth of the new royal, a white gemstone that glowed from a light within was found in the mines. So beautiful was the newly dubbed Arkenstone, it was believed Mahal himself favored the royal to be. Thror placed the gem above the cradle showing how loved and precious the new life in the mountain was to all the Durin's folk.
Finally, the birthday of Prince Thorin arrived. The people paraded the streets singing songs of happiness and promise for their new prince. Delegations far and wide were invited to pay homage. Even the Elf King of Greenwood, Thranduil, brought the Gems of Lasgalen to establish an alliance with the young royal. The era of Prince Thorin seemed like it was going to be one of peace and prosperity...and then He appeared.
Just to the north lay Mount Gundabad, home of the Unseelie Fae Court. Dark creatures resided in those deep, cold tunnels. Orcs, goblins, and other beastly nasties, and the leader of this diabolical group was Smaug, Chiefest and Greatest of Calamities. Unfortunately, one could not simply ignore their disreputable Northern neighbors for there was a tricky line with the nature of Fae. So easily could they be offended that any task for establishing trade had to be handled with the utmost precision. Ignore them, however, and more powerful and wretched foes could not be found elsewhere. Therefore, Thror met with the Unseelie Court once a year at a neutral location where he paid tribute to Smaug for the safety of his citizens. It was a tricky contract that had been created, and the clauses had been argued by both sides in the most literal of meanings before the deal had been struck. Truly King Thror had a wit beyond his kind to delegate such terms, and yet there was a single line that would haunt his family on what should have been a most joyous occasion.
Lord Smaug is to be notified of any event that may hinder the production of gold that is given in exchange for the protection of the citizens of Erebor.
Ambiguous, just as the Fae desire, King Thror overlooked this line believing never would there come a time where the riches of Erebor would stop flowing, and the dwarf king was correct. However, it was the pickiness of that word "hinder". For though Prince Thorin's birth would not stand in the way of the Unseelie Court gaining their riches, it did temporarily close the mines for the celebration. Thus, "hindering" production. An oversight none was aware of, say for one, and he had been biding his time for a moment like this to exploit his position.
He appeared in the center of the Hall of Kings where the Durins were receiving their guests. A whipping of the wind like a hurricane and a blast of fire so strong it scorched all it touched in an instant, was all the warning they had before Smaug stepped forward. Red horns protruded from his deceivingly innocent dark curls, the shadows forming around his willowy form like a cloak, his sharp cheekbones inhuman, and his yellow reptilian eyes cold and hungry. Princess Fris immediately took a step towards her infant's crib, but Prince Thrain grabbed her just in time knowing such disrespect would ruin them. At the same time, King Thror jumped to his feet placing himself between Smaug and his new grandson. All of this was noticed by the Fae, even more drawing him was the glowing light of the Arkenstone hanging above Thorin's head.
"Your Majesty, Your Highnesses, please excuse my entrance, but it seems my invitation got lost in the mountains." Smaug greeted with a respectful incline of his head.
"There was no oversight. You weren't invited." Thror answered bluntly.
"Oh." Smaug feigned surprise. "Well, this is certainly awkward."
"We have no alliance. We have a contract of coexistence." Thror defended.
"Yes, the contract." Smaug pondered, tapping a finger to his chin as he paced before the royal family. "Perhaps you should review Article Eight, Subsection Six."
Thror narrowed his eyes, and Smaug merely smirked in response, raising an eyebrow in challenge. Never removing his gaze from the being before him, the king motioned for his advisor. Fundin has served him admirably with his keen wit and diplomatic skills, and his eldest son, Balin, seemed to possess the same skills. The dark haired pair approached with the unfurrowed contract. It was only then that Thror lowered his gaze scanning the document for the aforementioned section. The entire hall was dead quiet waiting to hear the king's verdict. The moment he found it, his face drained of color reassuring none.
"Surely...you can't expect this to hold up…" Thror argued weakly.
Thrain pushed his way to his father's side in order to see the contract as well. Smaug merely gave a feral grin as it became clear just how grave a mistake had been made. After all, to break a contract on the Fae's side was to forfeit their magic. Only a punishment of equal measure could appease the Lord of the Unseelie.
"By Mahal, this must be jest. We have hindered nothing! We can bring a cart of gold up as payment right now just to show you how much is hindered!" Thrain ranted as his arms tightened and shook.
"Is there gold being produced this very moment, Prince Thrain?" Smaug sneered. "I'm afraid ignorance of the common language is not validation of the breach."
Prince Thrain's face twisted in fury, but before he could move against the Fae Lord, Thror placed his hand on his son's shoulder. He met his blazing eyes with a look of steely resolve. This was not the time for war.
"What can I offer that would justify our unintended blunder?" Thror grudgingly offered much to his son's dismay.
Smaug started to pace putting a hand to his chin as if deep in thought. However, his eyes glittered maliciously, and continually returned to the bassinet in front of him.
"In our culture, Favors are returned in kind. For this act of thievery..."
Many complaints and offense was given amongst those gathered in the Great Hall, but a hand up from their king quickly silenced them. Smaug continued undeterred.
"I request a precious gift in return. Give me the new Prince Under the Mountain."
Roars of outrage now reigned throughout the palace, and many dwarrows reached for their weapons prepared to defend the new babe with their own life if need be. Princess Fris lunged for the cradle with a cry holding Thorin tightly to her breast with a desperation only a mother could know. Prince Thrain put his arm around her while his other gripped the hilt of his battle hammer tightly. Smaug watched the proceedings calmly with an air of smug satisfaction.
"Surely, there is something else that is within my power to grant." Thror protested weakly in trying to delay the inevitable war that was to come.
Smaug slammed his staff onto the stone floor beneath him with such force that many outside the palace mistook it for thunder. It was quiet once more, but the atmosphere remained tense. The dwarrows remained armed.
"Thror, son of Dain of the line of Durin, King of Erebor Under the Lonely Mountain. I have offered you repentance, and you have denied me. You shame your house and your kin. Be grateful I offer you this mercy, or the contract shall be broken and your kingdom cursed. If you will not grant me the newborn prince, then there is but one other treasure I would deem worthy. Give onto me the gem of a thousand sparks of white radiance. Give me that which you name Arkenstone, and all your transgressions will be forgiven."
The true object of Smaug's desire was finally made aware, and the foolish dwarrows had fallen right into his trap. Thror's decision in regards to this request was a popular political debate for years to come among the Ereborians. Many considered Smaug's original request to be so insulting and audacious that by sheer honor, his request for the stone be denied as well. Heroic ballads have been weaved at the extent that one undertook for dwarven honor, and clearly his desire for the Arkenstone could only be that of a sinister nature. Others in the mountain, condemned any that would risk the wrath of the Unseelie Court for a mere glittering gem. No matter how beautiful the gem.
Thror's eyes moved towards the Arkenstone, etching its beauty into his mind. Truly, there was no other object of Middle Earth that was its equal. The king had always done what was right by his people first and foremost. The dissolution of this contract would leave them vulnerable to orc attacks once more. However, his weakness for pretty things had a tight grip on his heart, unable to let go of the gem.
"You ask for too much." Thror choked out. "I cannot give you the Arkenstone."
Smaug frowned, clearly not anticipating this answer. "You are a foolish king indeed." He spat.
A golden glow emitted from around him. "Hear me well, Erebor. The greed of your king shall be your undoing:
I place a curse upon this stronghold.
Any that live here will be mad for gold.
Stronger for the Durins I cast this spell.
The siren song of greed they will fell.
And for the dashing Thorin, you all so admire.
Upon his majority, his soul will be lost entire.
So say I, Smaug, of an Unseelie Throne.
Until I have my Arkenstone."
There was no stopping the dwarrows as they did not hesitate to attack the vile creature that dared to threaten harm to their monarchs. The golden aura around Smaug lashed outwards knocking everyone off their feet. With a triumphant laugh, he disappeared the same way he appeared. In a flash of fire. The contract still held tight in Fundin's hands was quickly dropped as it burst into flames before falling to ash.
No one dared to move for a long moment. Then shouts of outrage and fear erupted from the masses, and the guards quickly surrounded the Durins and the Arkenstone as they were led out of the hall and to their chambers. Away from the eyes of their people, Fris broke into tears for the fate of her precious Thorin. Thrain and Thror, grim and ashen, turned to each other in question of their next move.
"What do we do now, Father?" Thrain demanded, fear for his son thick in his voice.
Thror cast his eyes downward. "I'm not so naive as to believe all will be so easily fixed by giving up the Arkenstone."
Thrain pressed his lips together to keep from saying anything in disagreement. His doubts nagged further by the protective way Thror held the stone. However, the Fae had already managed to twist so innocent of words to put them in this situation in the first place. It would indeed be foolish to presume Smaug gave them so simple an answer to this terrible curse.
"Perhaps," Fundin spoke up having followed after the royal family. "We should send for the wizard, Tharkun? Even if he can do nothing to combat the curse, he may be able to advise on how best to proceed."
Thror and Thrain raised their eyebrows at so brilliant a suggestion. Tharkun had been a friend of the dwarrows for many years, and was well versed in the ways of the Fae.
"Send a raven immediately." Thror ordered Fundin.
The advisor did not hesitate to comply. Thror made his way towards his grandson already burdened with so much not even a day into life. He placed his hand to Thorin's forehead while bowing his own.
"I swear this onto you, gulmalûm (tiny sparkle), I will give my life to make this right. Mukhuh Mahal bakhuz murukhzu (May Mahal's hammer shield you)."
Thorin merely blinked his dark eyes reaching into the unknown with curious fists that brushed against his grandfather's beard drawing a bittersweet smile from the elder dwarf. He stepped away, and Thrain took his place completing his small and vulnerable family. Thror let his eyes fall outside the window to the world beyond as a thrush swept the skies. May speed bid Tharkun return with the hope they desperately needed.
Okay, so as a mini disclaimer, I wanted to incorporate the elements of The Hobbit, but this is a Sleeping Beauty AU. Timelines, canon characteristics of the races, and interactions between characters may be tweaked to fit the story. Also, I thought expanding on the element of the Fae was something desperately missed in Sleeping Beauty and mishandled in Maleficent so I do include my own interpretation of Fae culture.
Thanks so much for reading, and feel free to favorite and review.