Chapter 34:

"Issues"

"It's Oakenshield… That filthy Dwarvish usurper. He sent in here for the Arkenstone, didn't he?" Smaug demanded as he chased poor Bilbo around the hall of treasure.

"No… No. I don't know what you're talking about." He tried to lie.

The great dragon growled, "Don't bother denying it. I guessed his foul purpose some time ago. But it matters not. Oakenshield's quest will fail. The darkness is coming… It will spread to every corner of the land. You are being used, Thief in the Shadows. You were ever a means. The coward Oakenshield has weighed on the value of your life and found it worth nothing." He snarled as he tried find his prey that was hiding under a platform, behind one of its pillars.

The pain of the beast's last statement hit Bilbo hard. What if he was right? What if Thorin really did feel the way Smaug was describing? "No… No, you're lying!" he shouted in defiance, the brighter side of his personality shinning through.

"What did he promise you? A share of the treasure? As if it was his to give. I will not part with a single coin. Not one piece of it. My teeth swords! My claws are spears! My wings are a hurricane!" Smaug roared and raised his wings to reveal a missing scale.

This small fact did not go unnoticed by the Hobbit who had made a run for the stone once more, only to fall short and come face-to-face with the massive flying lizard. He whispered in relief and amazement, "So it is true… The Black Arrow found its mark…"

Apparently, dragons have excellent hearing because the moment Bilbo uttered those words Smaug turned on him, "What did you say?!"

Stuttering slightly, the Halfling answered, "I was just saying your reputation precedes you, O Smaug the Tyrannical! Truly… You have no equal on this earth." Gingerly, and slowly, taking steps backward the Hobbit's eye caught a bright light. When he turned his head to look at it directly, his gaze fell upon a bright gem of white with a light blue center.

Smaug took notice of where his prey's attention turned and smirked, "I am almost tempted to let you take it…" this made the Hobbit look up in concern, "If only to see Oakenshield suffer. Watch it destroy him… Watch it corrupt his heart and drive him mad. But I think not. I think our little game ends here. So tell me… Thief… How do you choose to die?!"

As the dragon spoke his neck began to glow like the embers of a fire slowly coming back to life. Bilbo was quick to react as the dragon advanced on him with jaws open, the crafty Hobbit placed the Ring back on and disappeared; pissing off the already frustrated beast.

Calyr rode beside Legolas as they chased the leader of the Orcs that attacked Tauriel and his Dwarf friends. He stole a glance of the prince beside him and could not help but be mesmerized by his beauty. Though the moment was brief, the healer valued every second spent with Thranduil's son.

The blond Elf slowed his horse as the Warg, with its Orc rider, disappeared further North. He held out his hand to signal his companion to still; which he did, "What is it, Legolas?"

"I am going on alone." He answered still looking ahead and missed the shocked expression on the healer's face.

"What?! No, I am not going to let you go after that beast alone! There could be an army of Orcs waiting to ambush you!" Calyr voiced with a worried tone, earning a smirk from the prince as he turned to face the brunette.

"I promise you, I will be fine. This is a scouting mission, nothing more. Do you trust me?" he asked kindly, making Calyr blush and nod.

Smiling, Legolas leaned forward and kissed the healer deeply then pulled away, "Return to Lake-Town, tend to Tauriel and your Dwarvish friends. I will return swiftly."

Nodding again, Calyr kissed Legolas once more, "I love you…" he whispered.

Taken by surprise, the prince of Mirkwood had no idea how to respond so he snapped the reins of his steed and took off, leaving a confused and saddened Calyr in his wake.

This was not turning out how Bilbo was hoping as he ran through a doorway that lead to the Great Hall. Smaug was on his trail because not a few seconds after the furry-toed mad crossed the threshold of the doorway, did the dragon's enormous body crash through the wall above it, knocking an ancient tapestry down on top of the poor Hobbit.

"You think you can deceive me, Barrel-rider?! You have come from Lake-Town… This is some sorrid scheme hatched between these filthy Dwarves and those miserable tub-trading lake Men! Those sniveling cowards with their long bows and their Black Arrows… Perhaps it is time I paid them a visit." He stated, menacingly and began to head towards the Great Hall so he could exit out the front of the Mountain.

"Oh, no." the Halfling whispered then quickly stood from under the tapestry, "This isn't their fault! Wait! You cannot go to Lake-Town!"

This made the flying lizard stop then face him slightly, "You care about them do you?" he grinned evilly, "Good. Then you can watch them die!" and he resumed his trek across the empty hall only to stop when Thorin's voice echoed off the walls.

"Here! You witless worm!"

Slowly Smaug turned to face the back of the hall which housed a rock mold of Thror that never got filled, "You."

"I am taking back what you stole." The Dwarf prince stated, making the dragon scoff.

"You will take nothing from me… Dwarf. I laid low your warriors of old. I instilled terror in the hearts of Men. I am King Under the Mountain."

Thorin glared, "This is not your kingdom. These are Dwarf lands. This is Dwarf gold. And we will have our revenge." He then yelled in Dwarvish and pulled a rope as the company pulled the chains that secured the mold away, allowing the rocks to fall to reveal a gold statue of Thror.

Due to the nature of a dragon, Smaug found himself unable to look away as his gaze widened. But while looking at the statue, he failed to notice that it was slowly falling apart because the gold had had no time to set. Before he could react, the statue reverted back to liquid form and covered him completely from head to toe.

Roaring in anger and pain, he bolted for the entrance as he shouted, "Revenge! Revenge! I will show you revenge!" and with that threat, he burst through the mountain and took flight; heading for Lake-Town.

Bilbo followed and watched from a distance in worry and horror, "What have we done…?"