"It's one thing to read about dragons. It's another to meet them." - (someone other than me) I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Emi stared at Thorin in silence. Thorin stared back. The company stared between the two of them, fidgeting nervously.

"So that's it then?" Emi asked, a dangerous edge to her voice. "Off I go, down the tunnel to fight a dragon all on my own?"

"That's why you signed the contract." Thorin turned away. "It is time for you to earn your reward."

"Now I earn my reward?" Emi stared incredulously. "I've gotten you out of plenty of messes already! We wouldn't be here at all if it weren't for me! What do you mean now I earn my reward?"

"You heard what I said Burglar, do not make me repeat myself." The dwarf lord growled.

"I have a name." Emi hissed before turning to face the others. "So… who's coming with me?"

The silence was truly ominous.

"I see then…" Emi frowned. "I guess I know who my true friends are." She turned on her heel and started into the depths of the mountain, then stopped when she realized she had no idea where to go.

Fortunately, Balin called from behind. "I can show you the way lassie, but I cannot go any further than that." Emi turned to the white bearded dwarf and smiled sadly.

"Thank you Balin. I appreciate it." Her eyes flitted to a certain dwarf lord. "It seems like you're the only one who cares." Thorin did not look at her.

The walk through the halls was a quite one. Only the sound of footsteps betrayed the silence. At last, they stopped.

"Just follow this stair way." Balin told her. "It should take you straight to the treasury."

"So… I'm looking for a jewel?" Emi asked as she peered anxiously into the waiting gloom.

"A large, white jewel, yes."

"Very specific." The hobbit sighed. "Any other distinguishing features?"

Balin considered this for a moment before nodding. "You'll know it when you see it."

Emi sighed. "Alright…" Balin started to walk back up the path before stopping to look back at Emi.

"In truth, lass, I do not know what you will find down there. You needn't go if you don't want to. There's no dishonor in turning back."

"Oh no, can't do that." Emi laughed hollowly. "The King Under the Mountain must have his precious jewel!" … Precious. Emi frowned. "Look," she tried again. "I don't know if this is the best decision, or even a smart one. Well, I know it's not. But I promised Thorin that I would do as he asked. I did sign the contract. I can't turn my back on him now. Even if he is being a royal pain." Emi shook her head. "Besides, it will be quite the adventure." Balin looked at her admirably before chuckling to himself.

"It never ceases to amaze me." The old dwarf laughed.

"What?" Emi puzzled.

"The courage of Hobbits." Balin smiled fondly. "Go now. With all the luck you can muster." Emi smiled and offered a hand. And Balin accepted it, shaking it fondly. "It was a pleasure getting to know you Ms. Brandybuck." They turned and headed their separate ways. Balin to the others, and Emi to the dragon.

"Oh, and Emilie," Balin stopped her. "If there is, in fact, a live dragon down there… don't waken it." Emi's confidence and good feelings disappeared instantly. She watched helplessly as Balin disappeared back up the tunnel.

Turning back to the darkness, Emi took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. "You can do this." She whispered under her breath. "You will see your home again. I will get out of here alive." A lone hobbit padded into the darkness.

At last, Emi stepped out of the tunnel onto a raised platform. All seemed quiet as she padded out, then stopped. Stretching before her was a sea of gold and treasure, sitting in waves around tall stone pillars. But the strangest thing was she could see it. A strange glow lit the golden sea. The glow of Smaug.

There he lay, a vast red-golden dragon, fast asleep. A thrumming came from his jaws and nostrils, and wisps of smoke, but his fires were low in slumber. Beneath him, under all his limbs and his huge coiled tail, and about him on all sides stretching away across the unseen floors lay the treasure of Erebor, red-stained in the ruddy light.

Smaug lay, with wings folded like an immeasurable bat, turned partly on one side, so that the hobbit could see his long pale belly crusted with gems and fragments of gold from his long lying on his costly bed.

To say that Emi's breath was taken away is no description at all. There are no words left to express the dragon fear. Emi had heard song and story of dragon-hoards before, but the splendor, the lust, the glory of such treasure had never yet come home to her. Her heart was filled and pierced with enchantment and with the desire f dwarves; and she gazed motionless, almost forgetting the frightful guardian, at the gold beyond price or count. A certain ring seemed to weigh heavily in her pocket as she stood. And a strange desire to just slip it on and forget all about the company. To spend the rest of her days amongst this gleaming hoard. What fun that would be.

She gazed at the wealth for what seemed an age, before drawn almost against her will; she stole from the shadow of the ledge, down the stairs to the sea of wealth. Above her the sleeping dragon lay, a dire menace even in sleep.

Emi had to touch something, some part of the riches. A little trinket of her own. She picked up a large, two handled cup, almost too heavy to carry, and gazed at it.

Smaug stirred a wing, opened a claw lazily, the rumble of his snoring changed note. Emi nearly fled. Perhaps Thorin would be satisfied with just the cup. Just maybe. But she knew he would not. Slowly, she set down the goblet, watching the sleeping creature closely all the while.

And the eye opened.

Emi slipped on her ring the moment the eyelid stirred and prayed that the little thing worked on dragons. Invisible, she stared, horrified, into a large, golden eye. It was the eye of a cat, as many said later, but it was faster, cleverer, and far more deadly.

Well, thief? The air trembled as the creature spoke, lips parting in movement to reveal a long row of razor sharp teeth. I smell you. I feel your air. I hear your breath. Come, help yourself, there's plenty and to spare. Emi's spine shivered horrible as the dragon's voice purred politely. It was dangerously inviting. But Emi barely held onto her wits.

"No thank you, O Smaug the Tremendous!" Her voice trembled as she slowly moved away. Her feet slid across coin, making far too much racket than she liked. "I did not come for presents. I only wished to have a look at you… to see if you are truly as great as tales say. I-…" her voice faltered as the dragon's great head lifted from its rest to peer about the room. "I-I did not believe them."

The dragon's large lips pulled back into a mocking smile. And do you now?

"Truly." Emi gulped. "Songs and tales fall utterly short, O Smaug… Chiefest and Greatest of Calamities."

You have nice manners for a thief. Smaug admitted politely. And a Liar. Emi's heart nearly stopped as a huge head came straight towards her. She ducked quickly, sliding down coins as she went. Come now, don't be shy. Step into the light. A dragon curled around the patch of gold where Emi crouched. There is something about you, something you carry. Made of gold, but far more… precious.

Precious

Preccciouuusssssssssssssssss

PRECIOUS

The ring was off her finger in an instant. The hobbit panted as a cold sweat ran down her spine as she stared wide-eyed around her. Without the gray haze, everything was darker, deadlier.

There you are, thief in the shadows. Smaug purred happily as his eye focused upon the small, terrified creature. You seem familiar with my name, but I don't seem to remember smelling you before. Who are you, and where do you come from, may I ask?

Emi squeaked in response, just noticing the dragon staring straight at her. "Ah... you may indeed!" she replied, wincing at how tiny and pathetic her voice was in comparison with this beast. "I… come from under the hill. And under the hills and over the hills my path has led." Riddles. Dragons liked riddles. Just like that Gollum creature. "And through the air. I am she who walks unseen."

Apparently so. Smaug grinned But that is hardly your usual name. Emi nodded timidly then stopped, her eye drawn to something else. One might think, what could be so grand as to draw the attention of someone from a dragon. And the answer is really quite simple. The Arkenstone.

"I-I am clue finder." Emi gulped as she began inching towards the half buried gem. "The web cutter, the stinging fly… Chosen for the lucky number."

Lovely titles. The dragon purred with amusement as he watched the little creature inch it's way toward his gem. But lucky numbers don't always come off.

"I am she that buries her friends alive and drowns them and draws them alive again from the water." Emi inched further.

That doesn't sound too creditable. Smaug scoffed. Oh really? Emi thought to herself. How about this then.

"I am the friend of bears! And the guest of eagles. I am Ringwinner and Luckwearer! I am Barrel-rider." She was almost to the gem.

That's better. Smaug nodded. But don't let your imagination run away with you. He purred as his tail lifted, sending the gem flying. Emi let out a cry of despair as the gem disappeared over another hill of treasure, before turning back quickly to the dragon's cool gaze. Now, what of your little dwarf friends? Where are they hiding? Emi almost betrayed her fear, but quickly covered it up.

"Dwarves? What ever might you mean, O Smaug Wisest of the Wise? There are no dwarves here."

Oh, I don't think so, Barrel-rider. I know the smell and taste of dwarf. You reek of them. No doubt, they sent you to do their dirty work while they skulked about outside in safety. Emi took the chance to dash over a mountain of gold. The Arkenstone lay at the bottom. Smaug swerved to follow, knocking down one of many pillars in the process. The mountain rumbled, sending tremors all the way to Lake-town.

Higher up, on the little ledge by the secret door, several dwarves jumped in surprise.

"Was that an earthquake?" Ori asked fearfully.

"That, my lad," Balin turned to the scholar. "Was a Dragon."

Too much for one chapter, so I had to split it up! I hope Emi can survive without being eaten alive until I post next week!

Please review to give Emi enough strength to keep running!