AN: And I'm back! I'm going to try and update this weekly, on Friday nights or Saturday mornings. Anyways, he's more Thief Bilbo and Human Smaug! Plus, a bit of Erebor! Enjoy!

OOOOO

When Bilbo woke up, he was laying on a bed of furs and the sky was ink black, speckled with millions of stars. There was no other light, no fire, but he was surprisingly warm. He sat up to investigate his surroundings a little better. The pony was tied up a few yard away, sleeping it appeared, and there were two packs on the ground near it. He looked over his shoulder to find the source of his content warmth. Smaug was laying less than a foot away, facing away from Bilbo, and radiating the most pleasant heat. Bilbo smiled and settled back down. He was still tired, he was sure he could sleep more.

"Well, as long as you're awake, we may as well continue on." He jumped a little at the velvety voice that came from the supposedly sleeping Dragon. Smaug turned to look at Bilbo, his golden eyes glowing even in the darkness.

"How long was I-"

"Fifteen hours. We are now far enough away from Bree for my comfort. Release the pony and I will secure our packs." Smaug commanded, rising fluidly from beneath the furs. Bilbo sighed and stretched before doing as he was asked. The pony nickered at him a little as he roused it and untied the saddle from the tree.

"Go on you." Bilbo said with a warm smile. The pony nudged him a few times before turning and trotting off. Bilbo smiled after the mare before turning to help Smaug. He was shocked to behold the new form of his employer. Glistening red scales covered his still humanoid form, and fine crimson wings stretched from his shoulder blades, testing their new limited length. "You never hear about Dragon's changing shape." Bilbo stated when Smaug caught him staring.

"You never hear about Hobbits being thieves either." The Dragon smirked, tying both packs around his waist. The furs were already safely stowed back within them, and there was no evidence of the pair ever being there. "Come, I will have to hold you." Smaug stated rather bluntly, holding out his arms. Bilbo felt his heart stutter a little, but nodded and allowed himself to be picked up and cradled against Smaug's chest. "You weigh so little Bilbo." He commented.

"Life of a Thief. It doesn't afford for many big meals." Bilbo blushed awkwardly.

"Especially when you have a dependent." Smaug added with a knowing look. "I shall have to make sure you eat before sending you into Erebor." He murmured. Before Bilbo could reply, Smaug crouched and when he shot back up, his wings flapped hard, the gust of air propelling them up. Bilbo could tell that Smaug was unused to such flight, in humanoid form, but he was still quite good at it.

Smaug didn't speak as he flew, probably concentrating on keeping them in the sky. Bilbo didn't try to strike up a conversation, mostly because he didn't know what to say to the Dragon. And he too was hoping to survive the flight. Instead he looked down at Middle Earth as it passed beneath him. The moon was only half full, but the silver light still gave him something to look at. They flew over fields and random patches of trees, as well as rocky outcroppings and gentle hills. Ahead there were the Misty Mountains, which appeared to be their destination at the moment. It took several hours for them to reach the base of said mountains, and by then Bilbo was quite sore with being in the same position. He wasn't going to complain, however.

"We shall camp here for the day. When the sun descends we will fly again." Smaug told him firmly, his wings disappearing slowly into his back.

"We just traveled hundreds of miles in a few hours. It's extraordinary!" Bilbo stated, still a little awed. Smaug quirked an eyebrow at the wonder in Bilbo's voice. "I-I'm sorry, am I annoying you?" Bilbo fretted when Smaug just stared at him.

"No. It's just unusual for someone to praise me." Smaug murmured.

"Oh." Bilbo said awkwardly. Smaug stared at him intently for another few moments before untying Bilbo's pack from his waist and tossing it to the Hobbit.

"Get some sleep." He commanded, walking off into the forest that was just a few feet from their camp. Bilbo watched him walk away, a little confused by his behavior, but then shrugged and pulled out his bedroll and the furs Smaug had stuffed in his pack. He stretched and rubbed a few sore places before laying down and closing his eyes. Bilbo didn't fall asleep right away. Instead he simply laid silently, listening to the small sounds of the wild. Birds singing as the sun rose, small animals scuttling about looking for food. Further off he could hear growls as bigger animals hunted their prey, but he wasn't worried. Smaug was an animal, a reptile Bilbo remembered, he would give off a scent. And that scent would scare away predators, because you just didn't mess with a Dragon. Even animals knew that.

At some point Smaug came back into the camp, his footsteps quiet even in his boots. Bilbo heard him milling about for a few minutes before a bedroll was unrolled next to his and Smaug settled on it. Neither said anything, though Bilbo was sure Smaug knew he was still awake. It was just peaceful, sitting in the silence of the early morning. It took him another half an hour or so of being perfectly still and silent before he finally fell into sleep. Smaug did not sleep though, he was a Dragon after all. They slept for long periods of time, but they also stayed awake for equally long lengths. Instead he watched his Thief sleep, observing the little creature that had surprised him quite a bit.

When Smaug was told of the Barrel Rider, he doubted their praise. Bilbo was surely a good Thief, but the best West of the Misty Mountains sounded ambitious, especially when he was pointed in the way of a Hobbit lad. But he wanted the Arkenstone, he wanted his mountain, and if Bilbo was as good as they boasted, he would get it for him. And then what? Smaug would give him the reward and never see Bilbo again. That was the plan. In theory. But in practice it was a bit trickier.

He had followed Bilbo back to the Shire, back to his home. He had seen the way he cared for that female Hobbit, who Bilbo had called 'mother'. He was only doing this, he was only a Thief in the first place, because of that woman and her sickness. It was curious to Smaug, that Bilbo would give up so much for someone who was obviously not going to last much longer. And it was not the only thing about Bilbo that piqued his curiosity.

Being a Hobbit Thief, for one, was intriguing. Until he was kicked out of Erebor, Smaug didn't even know what Hobbits were. He was surprised by the unassuming physical appearance of the little creatures, as well as the hidden fire within them. Bilbo's fire was closer to the surface, being brought out by years of harsh living, Smaug would imagine. But all of his curiosity aside, Smaug did feel something for Bilbo. Perhaps the lust simply came because he had spent so long without the touch of another living being. Or maybe it was because Bilbo was fair in face. But whatever the reason, Smaug would not mind having the Hobbit remain with him in the Lonely Mountain when he again ruled over it. He could even find and deliver the female Hobbit to the mountain if it would make Bilbo's more willing to stay.

He wanted Bilbo to stay. Which somewhat made him wary of the Thief. He had not longed for the company of another being in centuries, what was it about the Barrel Rider that intrigued him and made him long for the Hobbit? He supposed it could be any number of reasons. Admiration for Bilbo's skill, though he still had not seen that in person. Esteem for Bilbo's persistence in caring for his mother. Gratefulness that Bilbo had accepted the contract in the first place. Appreciation for his lovely little face and body. It could be all of them, or none of them. All he knew was that when the contract was completed, he would ask Bilbo to stay. And if the Hobbit said no, he would find some way to make him stay. Probably with the mother.

His musing stretched all morning and afternoon, and when the sun finally set he shook Bilbo awake. The Hobbit blinked sleepily and sat up with a sigh, but didn't protest the awakening. Bilbo had a healthy dose of fear for Smaug, and he seemed to respect the Dragon on some level. He wasn't going to argue with his employer, especially when his employer was a Dragon. Instead he quietly went about repacking their bags and changing his clothes. He didn't appear shy, as he was surely aware of Smaug's golden gaze on him as he changed. But he was facing away from the Dragon.

"We'll fly to the boarder of Mirkwood, camp again, and pass over the forest tomorrow. We'll have to start walking for a few miles before and after Lake Town, but the rest of the way to the boarder of Dale we'll fly." Smaug told Bilbo, who nodded silently. That mean that they should be there in three days. Definitely faster than walking the journey. But Bilbo wasn't eager for three days of being in a cramped position, held to a Dragon chest, hundreds of miles above the surface of the earth.

"Would you be angry if I slept while we flew?" Bilbo asked. He was still a little tired. Smaug chuckled and shook his head.

"Feel free, little Thief." He smirked. Bilbo blushed and handed his pack to the Dragon. Once they were in the air again, Bilbo tucked his head against Smaug's chest and soon enough was asleep again. Smaug found he enjoyed it more than he probably should. He was in no way in love with the boy Thief. But he could appreciate Bilbo for his beauty and his potential and his charm. And perhaps that would be enough for the Thief.

OOOOO

The next three days passed without event. The only time the two talked was to inform the other of any new changes or to say something that simply needed to be said. Bilbo would inform Smaug if he had to wander away for something, and the Dragon always made mention when he left camp for whatever reason. While they were flying, Bilbo would either nap or examine Middle Earth as it passed beneath him with intent fascination. Smaug felt himself growing more and more attached to the Hobbit, who was so eager to see and learn and prove himself. When Smaug had told Bilbo that the Hobbit must display his talents in Dale before entering the mountain, Bilbo readily accepted.

"What shall I steal for you? When we arrive?" He asked as they walked the well kept road between Lake Town and Dale. They passed Men and Dwarves and even some Elves, but no one even gave them a second look. Apparently Bilbo looked enough like a young Dwarf, and Smaug looked enough like a Man, that no one grew suspicious.

"I was considering some food, but I believe I saw some of the King's Company ahead on the path. Steal their signet rings. All of them." Smaug commanded. Bilbo swallowed and glanced ahead, trying to see who Smaug saw. The King's Company consisted of twelve Dwarves, and the King himself. They were the only ones brave enough to enter the Lonely Mountain during Smaug's rein, and they led to his downfall as well. Bilbo could only imagine Smaug's hate for the King's Company, as well as the skill of the Dwarves. He didn't know if he could steal from such accomplished, notable Dwarves. He was good at what he did, but he wasn't the best in Middle Earth or some such nonsense.

Ahead he saw a group of four Dwarves, all wearing the King's blue and silver. There was a rather tall, buff Dwarf with an orc ax lodged in his forehead and a slightly manic look in his eyes. As well, there was a grey haired Dwarf with complex braids and an over all dangerous aura. There was a red headed Dwarf that looked fierce and intimidating. And the last one was quite a large Dwarf with red hair braided in a large thick band that hung on his chest like a necklace.

"All four of them?" Bilbo asked, grimacing.

"All four." Smaug agreed, grinning. Bilbo muttered about Dragons with high expectations and tossed his pack to Smaug, running up to walk along side the Dwarves.

"Hello!" He said brightly, blinking his eyes innocently. The four Dwarves stopped for a moment, before the fat red head started laughing. The other three quickly followed him in his great guffaws, before Bilbo put on his best wounded face. The fat one noticed his fawn eyes first, and he looked a little guilty before elbowing his grey haired companion.

"I'm sorry little one, I didn't mean to offend you. I've just never seen a child with such large feet before." The fat one explained, gesturing to Bilbo's furry feet.

"It's okay, people laugh at me a lot because of my feet. And my ears. They say that my mother was enchanted by an Elf while she was pregnant with me, so I came out wrong." Bilbo used his best pitiable voice, and he visibly saw the four Dwarves react to his made up tale, all looking at each other with more than a little pity and guilt on their faces for laughing at him. The old grey haired one stepped up and looked down at him like he was debating something.

"How old are you?" He asked.

"I just turned ten! Mama asked me to go to Dale to pick up some medicine for her, but I don't know where the medicine is in Dale. I was just going to ask you where it was." Bilbo told them, adding in a couple large eyed blinks for effect.

"Why don't we walk you there." The fat one proposed.

"Yes, Dale is still a little rough to navigate, what with the recovery still in progress. The Dragon really did a number on that town." The not fat red head mentioned.

"Would you really walk me?" Bilbo asked hopefully.

"Of course! A sweet child like yourself, we'd love to. It's not too far from the pub where Bofur and Nori are waiting anyhow." The fat one said brightly. "I'm Bombur, at your service." The Dwarf bowed, as much as his big belly would allow. "That's my cousin Bifur. He doesn't talk in Westron anymore, but he can hear you if you do." Bombur told him.

"I'm Gloin. At your service." The not fat red head introduced himself.

"And I'm Dori, at your service." The grey haired one finished.

"I'm Bryan! It's so great to meet you all!"

OOOOO

"That didn't take long, Thief." Smaug drawled when Bilbo sat down across from him. Bilbo had let himself be lead by the four Dwarves of the King's Company to the apothecary, and he had thanked them profusely. He was so well mannered, and so sweet, that the Dwarves never even seemed to suspect him of nefarious intent. And then it had only taken a few minutes for Bilbo to find out where Smaug had gone to wait for him. There were only so many taverns in town, after all. The grinned at Smaug and stuck his hand in his pocket. He let the four signet rings clank onto the table, the noise being drowned out by the obnoxiously loud atmosphere in the tavern.

"Longer than usual actually. But some thefts require a little acting and dedication." Bilbo shrugged, accepting the pint that Smaug slid across the table towards him. "Will I be tested further?" Bilbo asked, quirking his eyebrow. Smaug considered him, and the rings on the table, before glancing out the tavern window towards the Lonely Mountain.

"No, I believe your skill should be better put to use in the mountain. Are you ready?" Smaug asked, raising one of his eyebrows. Bilbo looked out the window as well, his sharp eyes examining the mountain that lay before them. It was much larger up close, and intimidating to boot. But, he had signed the contract. And if he succeeded, he would never have to steal again.

"Ready as I'll ever be." Bilbo murmured, taking a long drink of his ale.

"Do you have a plan?" Smaug asked curiously. Bilbo shrugged.

"Getting in will be the first step. Finding a place to hide, second. Probably a broom closet or a weapons room. I'll wait until night to take the stone, and I'll keep it and myself hidden for the next day or so. When the frenzy search dies down, I'll make my way back out." Bilbo explained simply. His plan left a lot open, because in his line of work he had to be adjustable. But Smaug seemed impressed, if only just a little bit.

"So you believe you should only need three days?"

"Let me put it this way. If I'm not back in five, then I've been caught. If I'm not back in ten, I can't escape whatever prison they put me in. If I'm not back in fifteen, I'm dead." Bilbo told him solemnly. Then he sighed and reached into his pocket. "If I'm dead, can you take word of it to the Shire? Give this to any of the Hobbits, they'll know who it's for." Bilbo handed him a little envelope with the word 'Mother' written on it.

"If you insist." Smaug murmured, putting the envelope in a pocket of his coat. "Do you believe you will fail?" Smaug inquired, frowning a little.

"I'll try my hardest not to, but I have to be realistic. It's the Arkenstone. If there's one jewel that impossible to steal, it's the Arkenstone." Bilbo sighed and took another drink. "I have to try. I have to try for her. But I'm not as confident as I have been for past thefts." Bilbo admitted. Smaug nodded slowly, his lips pinching into a tight line.

"At least you are honest." Bilbo snorted a laugh.

"I've surprised myself before. Let's hope this is one of those times." Smaug grunted in acknowledgment and a silence settled between them. When Bilbo was finished with his drink, he stood. "No time like the present right? Might as well get into the mountain tonight, go for the stone tomorrow." Smaug stood as well.

"I wish you luck Barrel Rider. I'll see you in three days." Bilbo snorted lightly.

"At least one of us is optimistic." He nodded to Smaug, pulled the small satchel with his tools out of his pack, and disappeared out of the tavern.

OOOOO

Getting into Erebor turned out to be easier than he thought it would be. The gates were always open, and there were only two guards. They seemed to automatically know if the person entering Erebor was a resident, or someone new who needed to be seen by the King. It was surprisingly easy for Bilbo to slip past them while they weren't looking. And he wasn't stopped as he walked through the grand, carved halls looking for a hideaway.

He found one near the throne room, a locked closet with an absurd amount of dust and cobwebs that suggested it was not used on a regular basis. And the lock was child's play. Bilbo sat down in the least disgusting corner and sorted through the tools he had brought with him. Two daggers, a blow gun, a couple of picks, and a bottle of ether in case he was caught in the act. He bite his lower lip as he carefully considered what to bring with him. He tried not to take weapons on thief jobs, he didn't like to kill if he didn't have to. But he wasn't the best fighter. He could defend himself brilliantly...when he had a weapon. He was hardly effective without one, only really able to defend himself.

In the end, he decided to leave the daggers and blow gun there. If he did get caught, he would plead innocence, and innocence was better sold when one was not armed. He did however grab two of the five picks he had, both small, in case the Arkenstone was kept in the throne by lock and key. He doused a rag in the ether and stuffed it in his pocket, just in case. It would be potent for about an hour before the fumes died down too much. He hoped to be back in his little closet by then.

He had noticed on his way in that everyone was winding down for the night. All he had to do was wait until the echo prone halls fell silent. He amused himself by drawing little pictures in the thick dust that covered every surface. When at last, all the sound died out beyond his door, Bilbo crept from the small room and silently moved from shadow to shadow towards the throne room.

"Thorin, you're worrying too much my dear cousin! The festival will be brilliant, as it always is!" Bilbo froze in his tracks and crouched into a small ball in the darkest part of the shadow he was in. Two Dwarves were coming out of the throne room and one was talking boisterously. They both had black hair and alarmingly blue eyes, and one was wearing the royal crown of Erebor. King Thorin. He really was a handsome Dwarf. Not that Bilbo thought he was handsome.

"You know exactly why I worry, Dain. Rumors have been spreading like wildfire through Lake Town and Dale. They say that Smaug's body was never found in the Lake. They say he still lives." Thorin growled to the other Dwarf, Dain.

"Well the Lake is large, and full of many different creatures. The carcass was probably consumed. What makes you think a Dragon would attack during the festival anyways?" Thorin started to answer, but his cousin cut him off. "Enough! Thorin, nothing will happen. I did not travel all the way to Erebor to listen to you fret over rumors! The Winter Festival is one of the most important Dwarvish traditions, you have to honor it. No matter about supposedly living Dragons. Now, there's three weeks until the festivities begin, and there are still many things you have to decide on. For instance, will you allow..." The voices died out as the two royal Dwarves turned a corner, leaving the hallway quiet again. Bilbo listened intently for anymore noise before he continued towards his goal.

The throne room was empty, Bilbo made sure of it before he opened the door, but it was like a presence in and of itself. The room was huge, expertly crafted by the greatest craftsmen in Middle Earth. The great stone pillars disappeared into darkness way down below, and walkways ran from side to side, and up to the throne itself. Bilbo felt his eyes go wide at the sight of the magnificent display. The King of Erebor, King Thorin, sat on that throne every day. No wonder people thought he was so intimidating. And there, set into the throne, was the Arkenstone.

Bilbo's feet didn't make a sound as he approached the throne. He kept a wary eye out for any unexpected visitors, but he never saw anyone. And it was shockingly easy to remove the Arkenstone from its place in the throne. His picks were never needed. He was about to return to his room when the door opened, and in his panic, all he could think to do was duck behind the throne. Heavy footsteps came closer and closer until suddenly they stopped and there was an audible gasp. Then the footsteps were running, in the other direction, and a voice was shouting for King Thorin. Bilbo's stomach flipped. He would have to be very careful how he proceeded.

Either he tried to leave tonight, without his tools in the closet, just book it to the gate and get out. Or he tried to get back to the closet and wait it out for a few days. But, King Thorin was already on high alert, because of the rumors of Smaug's survival. Bilbo didn't want to tempt fate by sticking around. Instead he dumped his two picks and his ether rag and slipped down a side walkway. There were doors all around the throne room, and Bilbo had no idea where this one would lead, but he wasn't going out the main door. That was for sure.

The hallway was quiet, and devoid of life, so Bilbo let out a sigh and walked on, clutching the Arkenstone to his stomach. His pockets weren't large enough for the jewel, he should have brought a bag or something. But he was hoping that the guards at the gate would be called into the mountain to look for the stone before he got there. That way he could just slip out, easy. But that thought made his stomach turn again. This was going very smoothly. All of it. It made Bilbo think that maybe the worst was still to come. And he wasn't looking forward to that.

Noise began to fill the hallways and Bilbo ducked into a small dark corridor. Soldier ran past him, blissfully unaware of his presence. There was shouting and just general chaos as every nook and cranny was checked for the Arkenstone. Bilbo was almost caught a few times, but always managed to slip away at the last second. He had never been more thankful for his silent Hobbit feet and his small stature. When the soldiers deemed the hallway cleared, they moved on and Bilbo continued towards the gate. He couldn't explain how he knew where he was going. It just felt like the right direction.

He could practically see the light glow of moonlight ahead of him, so very close. Smaug would be surprised that he had returned so soon. Hell, Bilbo was surprised he would be returning so soon. He had never, in his most optimistic fantasies, imagined he could steal the Arkenstone of Erebor so easily. He never thought he would be able to do something of this magnitude! He only had one more hallway between his current life as a thief and a killer, and his future life, of prosperity and health and happiness for his mother. Maybe that was why he was allowing himself to walk in plain sight, right down the middle of the hallway. In retrospect, that was probably his biggest mistake.

Bilbo imagined that there were probably quite a couple deities that were laughing at him at that moment. Because they knew his good luck could only last for so long. And they were just waiting for the inevitable.

Bilbo felt everything in his entire world, all his faith in himself, all his good luck and skill, all his hopes, fade in a few measly seconds. With four little words.

"What are you doing?"

OOOOO

Evil cliffhanger is evil. Feel free to leave a review of your thoughts, or if you have any questions. See you next week for the next chapter! Thanks for reading!