Chapter 9

Dragon's Calling

After the rough currents, everyone survived, including Bilbo, who had the roughest spot of the ride. He coughed dramatically as Thorin patted his back as everyone in the company had reached the shores. Slowly Bilbo recalled what the elf had said back in Mirkwood, making his declined feelings clear to him.

"Thorin, I have to talk to you."

"What is it?" He replied.

Bilbo stop, he suddenly felt nervous for the incoming events. "I think... I..."

"Just leave it, don't worry about it." Thorin cut him off as the King of the dwarves was much more concern about leading his fellow followers instead of listening what Bilbo had to say. This made the hobbit speechless and probably cause him to feel uncomfortable about their 'relationship'.

'Maybe, I'm just a fool...' Bilbo recalls as he decided to continue to follow the ends of their journey.

They reached Laketown as they met a fellow man named Bard; who helped, but warned them that Laketown has reached the ends of their miserable lives because of the leaders who own the town. Thus making them, ideal criminals that tried stealing their weapons, but after a whole speech to the entire town that they plan to take back Erebor. The townspeople rejoiced especially when Bilbo had used his words wisely seeing him so short with a friendly personality. The people that surrounded them, let the dwarves have whatever they wanted. Which gives them a couple of boats as they sailed across the waters of the mountain.

No dwarves or the hobbit was left behind, taking refuge at the midway of the lonely mountain. Bilbo slept alone that night. Feeling dazed and stressed, he much needed his rest.

Bofur taunted Thorin as he smacked him from behind. "What is that for?" The King growled as Bofur pointed out.

"We have gone far enough. Aren't you at least concern about Bilbo?"

"What are you talking about, we are so close to Erebor, there no time for me to be concerned about him." As Bofur furiously slapped him. "Now how dare you slap me..!" Thorin stop as he realized he was quite tensed up. All this time, when they escaped from the Mirkwood elves and the devilish Thranduil, who dared to keep him away from his objective angered Thorin very much, to a point he has almost forgotten about Bilbo who had helped them; time after time again, he has yet to thank him.

"Just leave him alone, Mr. Baggins needs his sleep; you can talk to him in the morning." Balin recalls as he roasted a sausage over the fire. "Besides, tomorrow, he will be facing his biggest challenge yet."

Thorin gulped as he didn't like the sounds of that. To think, the one he loves is going to jump right into danger. Where the dragon lives and has the Arkenstone..

"Are we seriously going to send him through?" Kili popped in a question.

"It's our only choice plus it in the contract. He will have to get the Arkenstone from the dragon." Balin explained as everyone else agreed. Soon there were coins passed around whether the hobbit would survive and this annoyed Thorin quite a bit.

Bilbo slept well as he woke up with an extra blanket on him. Confused, he notices the dwarves were still asleep, thus Bilbo had early start to go up the mountain, alone. It took at least five hours to reach the top, taking breaks as he goes. Bilbo recalls the contract that the company wanted him to sign. To steal the Arkenstone was all they wanted him to do and Bilbo felt courageous.

"Bilbo." Surprise to hear his name being called, he looked back only to see Balin was the only dwarf that caught up with him. "It seems that you can't help yourself."

"I'm sorry." The hobbit apologies. "I just thought of getting an early start."

"I know, but you should be more considerate, Bilbo." Balin said as he caught up to the dwarf-made steps of stone. "Everyone is worried about you."

Bilbo sighed as he looked in the distance at the side of the mountain, he could see the tiny town called Laketown. "Even Thorin?" He randomly blurted.

"For all my years, watching him grow. He sure has grown quite fond of you, Bilbo."

"Really?" Bilbo looked back feeling as if he was breaking inside.

"Why yes. Thorin may be the most difficult person to handle with, I know when he adores someone, he doesn't really want to let them go."

Bilbo started crying, but Balin didn't even notice as he was looking at the beautiful stillness scenery of Laketown.

"I hardly doubt that." As Bilbo turned around as Balin looked at him, only seeing the backside of the sad hobbit. "If I die, Balin.. can you tell Thorin, he could find something much better?"

"I don't understand.. but I'll do what you wish." Balin told him as Bilbo started to climb the stairs as Balin followed him. The old dwarf then noticed a single soak spot on the stoned steps as Bilbo continued to walk up.

'Have you been crying, Bilbo?' The dwarf wondered as he feared for him.

Bilbo would remember the events, Thorin placed himself inside of him, feeling the remorse and the guilt; Bilbo really thought, Thorin had forgotten him as he entered the dragon's domain. Traveling through the maze of Erebor. Tap, tap, tap, Bilbo reached the treasure room. That sparkle his eyes of interest; so much gold that was in piles like shimmering mountains. The hobbit trailed downwards and searched for the Arkenstone only to finally meet the dragon that loomed behind him.

"I can see you..." The slithering creature recalled as Bilbo gasped. "Who are you...?"

"B... Bilbo. I'm a uh..."

"Thief?"

"No."

"Then what!?" The dragon boomed his voice.

As Bilbo huffed up a reply. "Barrel rider!"

"Oh?" The dragon then sniffed something in the air. "You're accompanied by dwarves aren't you?"

"D.. dwarves?" Bilbo tried to hide the truth. "What are these dwarves you speak of?"

"Don't be a fool, barrel rider." The dragon spoke as he surrounded the poor hobbit with his large scaled body. "I know the dwarves; they sent you." Bilbo gently shakes his head as the great Smaug came near to his face. "Let me guess... Thorin Oakenshield has sent you."

Bilbo slightly growled aside. 'Why does everyone hate him?' Bilbo has begun to think with worry.

"I knew it." The dragon sensed it as he lifted his large claw at Bilbo. The hobbit gasped as the dragon had lifted his chin. "He doesn't care about his people, all he cares is the gold that is within this mountain. Which is now mine." The dragon howled as Bilbo scowl aside.

"No! It was you that stole his home!" Bilbo cried as he could not accept Smaug's answer. The dragon roared in rage as Bilbo tried to run only to be blocked off by the dragon's palm.

"Listen here... Oakenshield will be corrupted by this... and all this gold and all his greed will drive him mad.."

Bilbo was saddened as he drops to his knees; feeling the need to admit defeat. Why is it that everyone says he only cared about the gold? Doesn't he love him more than this? Could it be true? That he was just being used? And Thorin could care less to regain his home for the sake of his dwarves?

He really wanted to cry; he was feeling like he was stabbed in the heart in many places, more than once.

Smaug raised his head as he thought of a plan. "I think, I should keep you caged."

Bilbo gasped as he turns around to see the fiery eyes of the winged lizard. "Pardon?"

"It's been over many years since I had this much fun.. so I think I should keep you."

Bilbo then remembered Azog the defiler, he shook his head. "That won't be happening." Said Bilbo, who was losing his cool. He attempted to run only the dragon was much quicker. Knocking him out by accident with his large paw onto the ground. Smaug watches as Bilbo had cracked his head. Where his left side of his forehead bleeds and he lay helplessly upon the dwarves' coins.

Whether dead or alive, Smaug was upset.