The Firedrake's Lost Heir

Chapter 18

Brooklyn followed Smaug who had by now reached Laketown and began to burn it, hearing the screaming of innocent people being killed. His heart felt terrible for what his father was doing.

Smaug roared loud into the air while shooting his flames, Brooklyn having managed to make it into the village, the flames making him wince a little from the heat but he had to stop him, mostly for any innocent children.

"Father! Don't do this!" Shouted Brooklyn in despair, seeing him in a farther part of the village, his eyes still lighted up with craziness from the Arkenstone. Brooklyn hoped they could destroy that cursed stone when all this is over. He didn't care now if Thorin had claimed it as the 'King's Jewel'. It was dangerous.

But his father didn't hear him, continuing his destruction, while Bard had climbed up the belltower that was still ringing, trying to shoot him down. Brooklyn doged one arrow that nearly went his way but it wasn't a black arrow so he wasn't in any danger.

He was unaware that the son had found a black arrow that they had hidden in a rowboat, too focused on saving the town. At first Brooklyn managed to tackle his father, crashing into the burning houses, more screaming hitting his ears. Bard was startled at the appearance of a second dragon, arm holding his bow shaking but knew he had to kill them both, for two dragons were just as dangerous, not knowing it was Brooklyn.

The former gargoyle tried holding his father still, but the older wyvern wasn't having it, roaring madly, scratching his face again and knocking him off. "You won't stop me, son! Not this time!" Roared Smaug defiantly, raising up to his full height, the stone truly had taken his heart. Brooklyn's sank in disappointment and grief, tears falling, not wanting to lose anymore family.

"Please... don't kill... innocent... lives," Brooklyn begged in a weak voice, blood dripping down his face from the talons. Smaug just gave him the devil's stare then turned around, spotting Bard from afar, an evil smirk on his face from seeing this, flying up again, his talons breaking off part of the belltower roof. It nearly caused Bard's son Bain to fall off. Eyes widening, Brooklyn ran over.

Bain screamed at the sight of him but Brooklyn made his gaze as non threatening as possible, putting his muzzle under his feet, bringing him up to safety. Bard took his son into his arms, gazing at the new friendlier looking dragon in some amazement but nodded a little, right as Smaug landed behind the tower, grinning menacingly.

Brooklyn for the moment didn't know what to do now, none of his efforts having any effect on his dad, could do nothing but watch the events unfold. "Who are you, who would dare to stand against me?!" Bellowed Smaug in a voice that was pretty much the arkenstone speaking through him. Bard held firm, Brooklyn keeping behind the belltower in case he was needed. But at the moment his father was too focused on Bard to notice him, Bard readying the black arrow.

"Now that is a pity... what will you do now? Bowman? Not even my 'child' could stop me. You are forsaken! No help will come!" Smaug taunted, showing off all his deadly fangs. His father's voice was really evil, and not loving like before, making Brooklyn tremble, also watching what Bard would do. Smaug next had spotted Bard's child, taunting at how he will burn.

Brooklyn growled. "No! You can't hurt a child!" He shouted. Smaug hissed, while Bard set up the final arrow, aiming at Smaug. Smaug snarled. "They have nothing left, but their death!" The older wyvern gave his loudest roar yet, charging. Bard shot the arrow that was propped up on Bain. Brooklyn's eyes widened in fear for his father, screeching out and running in between the arrow and Smaug.

Smaug halted in his charge, staring, seeing the arrow suddenly pierce his hatchling's chest above his heart. The pain struck Brooklyn hard, making him shriek out, fiery agony shooting through his body. Bard saw what had happened, dropping the bow, not having meant to hurt the one that saved his son. But why did he save this demon dragon?