Chapter nine ;
I lie there on the ground , unsure of what to do. My heart felt heavy as I watched them drag away my love... I tried to stand, to no prevail, causing myself to stumble back and smack my head against the chair I was pinned against. I heard a soft thud followed by a ringing. I watched the ring roll across the floor and land softly against the opposite leg of the chair. I scurry to snatch it up off of the floor.
I held the beautiful gold circle between my thumb and fore finger. My head was spinning , a strange voice whispered in my ear;
"The one that held the power before you has awakened... Tough trials lie ahead ... Be careful , young hobbit." The voice , female sounding, whispered softly ... Sent echoes through my skull. "Make wise decisions, . Your young ones lives may depend on it someday."
I felt shivers crawl up my spine. What in all that is elven was that? I put the ring back in my vest pocket and hobble to my feet. My head felt as though I'd been hit with a ton of bricks.
"Easy on your feet there , Bilbo." Balin attempted to help me to my feet. All he accomplished is keeping me standing for a few moments before my feet collapsed out from underneath me. "Lads , a little help ?" He strained to help me to my feet again, met with hurried hands grasping for me. Once they had me stranded Dwalin slapped my back.
"Look at you!" I fell to the ground once again and they all scrambled to assist my poor coordination. "Sorry there laddy... That was an accident."
They walked me to the bed and my head managed to stop spinning.
"We... We have to help him." I spoke helplessly.
"He tried to kill you and you still want to help him?" Nori asked shell shocked .
"He didn't mean to. I just scared him. Have you never been scared before ?" They all just looked at me like I'd gone completely bonkers. "We helped him once , surly we can do it again. How about it men ?" I put my hand in the middle of all of us and waited for a response. "Anyone?" I said after a long while of dead silence. I shook my head and managed my way once again back to my feet.
I attempted to make my way to the front door. It takes a lot longer then I wanted, but I manage to get all the way there.
"Oh by my beard," Ori bellows, "Let's just help the poor lad." He hobbles over to me and wraps my arm around his neck. Surly he couldn't be the only one who would help me?
"You've got to hold most of his weight, Ori." Nori spoke loudly. "And I'm only helpin cause you almost got killed." He came and wrapped my other arm around his neck. Balin and Dwalin shook their heads and followed behind us.
"Where to?" Nori asked.
"Take me to the woodland kingdom." I coughed. "I'll manage by myself if you can just get me close enough."
As we approached the opening before the castle I took a deep breath. Okay, Bilbo. I whispered to myself. You just need to stay quiet and unseen ... Don't scare him... There's no point.
The sky was beginning to darken so I decided to set out in the morning. With the stars and the moonlight as my only blanket and the hard rocks below me as my only bed, I slowly drifted to sleep.
The sky was filled with the cawing of birds and the heat of the sun. I was stretched out in a tree listening to the sounds of Middle Earth. This world had so much to offer and I, Bilbo Baggins, am going to soak it all up. Nothing known of adventure or of dragons. Just me, my pipe, and the sounds of Middle Earth.
As I lie in this tree I begin to feel it shaking and as it shakes I feel myself climbing higher and higher into the air. The wind has picked and and is now pushing my bronze curls every which way, mostly into my eyes. My heart drops from my chest when I lay my eyes upon the stump I laid my bum on. It grew wings! And along side the wings was a set of scales and to match that.. A large set of razor sharp claws and teeth.
It was Smaug, the magnificent. I was riding on the back of my love. As I stared closer I saw his face and most of his skin remained human. He had just acquired dragon qualities. I reached my arms around his neck and held him tight.
"Sorry I'm late , my love." His deep voice spoke.
"It's alright, dear...," I smiled. "You're worth waiting for." I kissed his cheek and smiled. This was perfection.
I awoke with a start and tears in my eyes. The sun had peaked over the mountain and the dew had just gathered on the grassy moss. I wrapped my cloak tight around my shoulders and hugged myself. Oh how I wanted that to be real.
I pushed the thought out of my mind and stood. I should get going early so most of the elves are still sleeping when I approach.
As I begin to stand I am knocked off my feet and I slam my head against the hard rocks. My vision begins to grow dark and the last thing I see before complete and utter blackness is a pale figure looming over me as though they aren't sure if they are friend or foe. As I fall Into darkness I wish for dreams... For dreams Smaug ... For dreams of happiness.