Chapter 1 was included to give an idea to the reader, ideally after watching The Hobbit movies and reading the book, where the original characters fit in the storyline. I didn't change anything, just weaved round the story written by J.R.R. Tolkien and directed by P. Jackson, and took it from there. One can consider this story as a kind of sequel to where the films left off, taking place about a year later. Also, as you well know, Tolkien's characters are diverse and many. Because of this, in this story I chose to follow Bard, Gandalf and the elves in particular. Hope you enjoy it!

Chapter 1

Hamar couldn't move. He was terrified to say the least. Arahad had had quite some foolish ideas in his life but this one beat them all.

"You are out of your mind I tell you! This place could still be swarming with orcs for all we know!" And he glanced in the distance at the dark buildings with its imposing towers that made up the forbidding kingdom of Angmar. The group of four men were hidden from sight behind some rocks although it felt as if it didn't make much difference for, apart from a dozen crows nesting and flying round the tall towers of the ominous building, the place seemed deserted. The foul creatures had all left to meet their fate at the Battle of the Five Armies, a battle which shall be remembered for a long time.

Many a courageous soul had died there. The men reminisced about the days that led to the battle. By strange coincidence and destiny or fate, call it what you may, all four of them had taken part in it…

They weren't citizens of Lake Town to begin with. They were travellers, nomads, some people called them rangers. They had no home and no family. They were brothers, moving from place to place making friends among dwarves, elves and men…one of them being Bard the Bowman hailing from Lake Town. After not meeting for some years, their paths crossed again months ago, when they decided to visit their friend once again. Yet their return to that forlorn and filthy town was not quite what they had expected.

It was a cold and starry night when they arrived and stepped on the quay. Lake Town hadn't changed since they were there last. The run down shacks and houses with broken windows, unsteady roofs and overall filth and deterioration was very much the same. What struck them most was the smell of fish and lake water that pervaded the air.

"Ah! What a nice, welcoming place!" chuckled Odell as he stepped on one of the paths that joined the houses together and was the only means of moving around. But Arahad stopped him.

"Hush! All is not what it seems I'm afraid!" he said, wearing a worried expression whilst surveying the surroundings, "There's something amiss my friends." They looked at him, evidently puzzled. Everything was quiet, it was quite late in fact. "I think it would be better if we go to Bard's house as quickly as possible. We shall not wait for tomorrow."

Hamar, Odell and Tor were used to Arahad acting like this and they didn't ask questions for most of the time their friend was right in his assumptions and decisions. If going to Bard's place now instead of tomorrow morning could put his mind at rest, then so be it!

But the four of them didn't have time to take another step forward. They heard it. Loud and clear and it shocked them right out of their skin. The dragon's horrifying roar sent shivers down their spine as beads of sweat appeared on their foreheads. Turning round and facing the lonely mountain they stood there, rooted to the spot, as they saw Smaug heading towards Lake Town. They couldn't believe their own eyes. It was a chilling and terrible sight to witness. Every shriek of that creature was blood-curdling and they couldn't help but gasp in horror before suddenly realising that they were in its direct path.

"Jump!" shouted Arahad and just as all of them dived into the icy cold waters of the lake, the dragon breathed fire all over the quay and surrounding paths, rendering everything into ashes. Odell was the first out of the water and the others followed suit, looking desperately for a boat which could help them survive their plight. They found one which had miraculously survived unscathed and climbed on it. By now, shrieks and cries for help filled the air and the four men, speechless at first, soon started helping the panic stricken townspeople as best they could.

It was terrible. The destruction brought about by Smaug was unimaginable. Lake Town, which had been standing defiantly for so many years in the face of adversity, was wiped down in an instant. The horror of standing there defenceless and powerless was overbearingly suffocating for the four men who had been in innumerable fights and brawls and had always had the upper hand. But not that day. They couldn't do anything against such a terrible creature and the sight of what it had done, the countless blank faces and charred bodies lying around them, filled their hearts with deep sorrow, anger and resentment.

Then they saw him. Bard. Right on top of the bell tower. "There's someone with him," shouted Tor, "but I don't know who…and what is he doing up there, right in Smaug's path?"

Arahad turned round, not believing what he was seeing. Then his eyes opened wide, incredulous. "That's his son, Bain!" he whispered but loud enough for the others to hear. "What on Middle-earth is that fool trying to do?"

They stared at the bell tower knowing full well that they could be witnessing the death of their friend but they couldn't look away. Amazed they realised that Bard was using his own son to help him shoot a black arrow, the only weapon that could kill the dragon. "If there's one man who could do this, that is Bard!" said Hamar. No sooner had these words left his mouth, then the dragon lunged in attack.

Time seemed to stop. The seconds seemed to lengthen, their senses were heightened as everything around them moved at a slower pace. Bard let go of the arrow which pierced the dragon on his left side. The men looked astounded as they saw the evil creature crash into the bell tower, flapping his wings in vain, as life left him and he fell over Lake Town to be engulfed in the murky waters underneath.

Odell and Tor were shouting with joy, Hamar was wiping a tear running involuntarily down his cheek and Arahad grinned broadly with pride at his friend's incredible act of courage. He had seen him and Bain jump just before the dragon hit the tower in full force.

It was the following morning that they decided not to leave anytime soon. The people of Lake Town needed all the help that they could possibly get and they were certainly not going to turn their backs to those in need. When Arahad looked up from helping some people out of the water, he saw his friend Bard talking to a man with long blond hair. However, as he approached them, he realised that it was, in fact, an elf.

Arahad stopped in his tracks. He didn't trust elves. Some people were mesmerised by what one may call unearthly beings. They were practically spellbound by their grace and beauty. Others were in awe of their fighting skills, swiftness and agility. Arahad found them arrogant. The way they spoke most of the time showed without any reservations the superiority they felt towards men. The few elves he had met in his life acted thus and this one was going to be no exception. His overall air and gaze showed this as clear as crystal and Arahad felt himself clenching his fists in annoyance. What was he saying to his friend?

Just at that moment the elf nodded and strode away. Bard turned round and saw Arahad walking towards him. He stood open mouthed at seeing his friend grinning widely at him. Speechless, he hugged him.

"My friend. My brother," was all he could utter. Then, "Where are the others?"

"They're around here somewhere," replied Arahad, "but tell me Bard, who was that elf you were talking to? It looked as if he had important things to impart with you."

"That was Prince Legolas, King Thranduil's son and yes, he truly had some significant news for us. Now that Smaug is no more, we all fear that orcs will come for the immense treasure hoard in the lonely mountain."

"What are you going to do then?"

Bard's face was grim as he glanced at the despairing townspeople around him. "Well, my friend, I think that there is only one thing to do for now. Winter is approaching and we cannot stay here, unprotected on these shores. We must take what we can and head towards Dale. Then we shall see from there." He turned to look again at Arahad. "And you? What will you do?"

Arahad grinned, put his hand on Bard's shoulder and said, " I will follow you, my brother!"

It was thus that Arahad, Hamar, Odell and Tor got involved in the Battle of the Five Armies, where they killed countless orcs in their fight for good against the evil forces of the Necromancer. It was also from there, months later, that Arahad came up with his foolish idea.