Before we go too far along in the story, I feel only obligated to warn you that there will be spoilers for those of you who have not read the book. Whether they are incorporated into the movie is yet to be seen. BUT NOT IN THIS CHAPTER!
I WILL WARN YOU BEFORE THERE ARE SPOILERS.
Enjoy.
Bilbo Baggins was far from wanting to return to the halls once again. To be in the presence of that great fire breathing beast was enough without having to entertain it. Yet, a rather Tookish part of Bilbo was anxious to learn more about the dragon and as he drifted along the halls rather invisibly he wondered why he had yet to meet Smaug. You see Bilbo had almost forgotten that he was to meet the Dragon in the throne room, you might remember as you are presumably sitting in comfort and not creeping along dwarvish halls in pursuit of a vast fire breathing dragon you probably remember.
At this moment Smaug was pacing the throne room not entirely convinced he'd made the right move in the previous day half regretting letting go of some of his wealth. Since there had not been a precedent for such an event it cannot be said whether Smaug's regret was normal, but as it is not quite normal for a dragon to part with his treasure even in small, we shall assume it is not.
It was in an agitated state that Bilbo finally found Smaug sitting upon the throne of the fallen dwarf king with a regal scowl. Bilbo blinked unsure of what he was seeing.
While the throne of Thoror was a great throne, vast in size and immense in glory, it would not have supported the full weight of a dragon without breaking or crumbling. As it was, there was some mischief about the dragon of which Bilbo had not figured and the throne did not support the weight of a golden-red dragon at all.
Cloaked in stolen robes of the finest quality, dark as night and softer than silk, a deep blue sash, like that of the lake on a cloudless day, draped across his chest, and a single golden chain of riches around his neck Smaug sat, in the form of a man, upon the throne of the fallen King Under the Mountain.
Perhaps it was the beauty and grace of the elves which had inspired this form or perhaps it was fated that the human form of such a terrible beast would be as dark and dangerous yet alluring as it's true form, but Bilbo found himself quite unable to speak.
Tall as the tallest elves, with skin light and fair he was, Smaug however had features much more sinister but not altogether unbeautiful. Dark rich lock of hair curled around the face of this creature curling under at the neck, sharp, quick golden eyes burned from their sockets as high cheekbones angled downward, unforgiving, and regal. Tall and slender with the grace of ages Smaug rose from the throne to stare down at the hobbit.
"You are quite small young hobbit, smaller still that I should have liked to think." Smaug chuckled, "I was rather hoping you were taller, though I knew I could not have calculated your size wrong." Indeed poor Bilbo was scarcely taller than Smaug's knees, he came near mid thigh but was not quite so tall as the humanoid dragon's waist, "Tell me of the Eagles you have mentioned, you hinted at them whence you escaped the goblins and wargs." Smaug said turning away to sit upon the throne once more. It was then that Bilbo found his voice.
"You are truly a creature of talent to be able to take the form of man." Bilbo said in a hushed tone. Whilst a man or perhaps even elf may have not hear the compliment, as Bilbo's voice had stuck in his throat more that he would have liked, a dragon is still a dragon and heard him perfectly.
"Enough flattery," Smaug spoke, Bilbo taking note of his human voice for the first time having been over whelmed by his appearance, "I wish to hear of the Great Eagles." This voice was much softer, less grating, than that of the Dragon's true form. It was rather more elegant to Bilbo's ears and while still deep, it did not shake the poor hobbit right down to his furry toes.
"Right away of course." Bilbo nodded with a half bow, Smaug gestured him toward the floor and Bilbo sat and began his tale anew.
Smaug listened with great interest upon his face as he leaned forward in anticipation. The spell of the expertly woven story was only broken at the sound of a tremendous growl. It is not often that a hobbit goes without a meal, and poor Bilbo had only the breakfast with the dwarves, by now it was high past afternoon tea and the noise, at once thought by Bilbo to be Smaug, issued once more from the stomach of the poor hobbit.
"You are in need of nourishment?" Smaug asked baffled. It had not occurred to him how often his new pet, as he thought of Bilbo, would need feeding. Bilbo, to his credit, responded quickly.
"I would be glad in receipt of it but I'll finish the story should you like." This puzzled Smaug, he took in the hobbit who was standing rubbing his back side, sore from the cold ground and the lack of sleep, dark circles around his eyes. Suddenly alarmed at his lack of observation, having been caught up in the stories of shape-changers and giant spiders, Smaug stood immediately. The Dragon's new legs wobbled slightly as they supported this new shape, to which Smaug had not yet completely gotten used to, and had forgotten miraculously, whilst being entertained.
"Go back to your thieving dwarves and claim your supper." Smaug said with a dismissive wave of his hand, "Take a small goblet filled with jewels and return to me on the morrow, I shall meet you upon the entrance which you've snuck through my thieving wordsmith." And with that he left Bilbo alone, walking off through the halls.
Bilbo returned to the treasure room doing as Smaug requested taking no more than he had been told and once again returning to the dwarves.
As the hobbit emerged from the mountain the dwarves congratulated him once again as their eyes shone in the presence of the treasure. It was here, if not before whence Bilbo had brought the chest of gold forth, that Thorin's sickness began. When his lust of treasure would sully his relationship with the hobbit in future endeavors. But for now he was pleased with his burglar, a wide grin upon his face as they sang the praises of the hobbit that night.
Halfway through the night the merriment was cut short as the powerful wings of the dragon swept across the mountain. Huddled together they were, upon the doorstep of the mountain, as the dragon rose through the air quick as death, gleaming red in the moonlight. Yet, curiously, Smaug passed on, ignoring the dwarves, and beyond to the mountains to where, the dwarves and hobbit could only guess, returning a few hours later with the stench of blood upon it's gleaming coat.
"By the graces of the gods..." Balin began.
"I thought we were goners for sure." Bifur inserted.
"Quiet, all of you, try and get some rest, I'll keep first watch in case it comes back." Thorin ordered.
Not inspired to type much more tonight.
Had a lot I wanted to get through but with it being Christmas I didn't get through most of it. There were specials and dinners and I had to go talk to people without offending them…
Merry Christmas.