Emerge the Dragonborn | The Hobbit

Chapter 20 - Revenge

      Thorin leapt out of the mine shaft, grasping Nori's hand. He looked up to see Dwalin waiting for him, his face etched with urgency.

"Thorin! The plan's not going to work. These furnaces are stone cold!" Dwalin shouted.

Balin nodded, his expression grim. "He's right. We've no fire hot enough to set them ablaze."

Thorin's eyes narrowed as a determined look crossed his face. "Have we not?"

He stepped to the edge of the mine shaft, his voice echoing as he called down into it. "I did not look to see you so easily outwitted! You've grown slow and fat in your dotage, Slug!"

A low rumble of gathering fury sounded from within Smaug as he clawed his way up towards the forges with frightening speed.

Thorin turned towards the others, his voice urgent. "Take cover!"

The Dwarves and Bilbo leapt behind pillars just as Smaug raked the area with flames, igniting the forges with his Dragon fire. Solidified gold began to melt quickly in the intense heat created by the huge forges.

As the flames roared and the heat intensified, a powerful voice cut through the chaos.

"Smaug!"

The great Dragon halted his assault, turning his massive head towards the source of the voice. Emerging from the shadows, Anaynah stepped forward, marching in from where the Dwarves had come, her presence commanding and fierce.

The Company cheered as they saw their 15th member was alive and well. 

Anaynah took a step closer to Smaug, her gaze locked with his. "Weren't expecting to see me, brother?" she taunted as Smaug watched her through the metal pillars that separated them, her voice steady and unafraid.

The Dwarves froze, their eyes widening in shock and confusion. Bilbo looked around uncomfortably. He had tried to warn Thorin before about this new information, but he was too focused on the Arkenstone. Thorin stepped forward, his face a mask of disbelief.

"Brother?" he Dwarf echoed, his voice laced with bewilderment and disgust, "What madness is this?"

Smaug's eyes gleamed with a malevolent light. "On the contrary, sister. I was counting on it," he replied, his tone silky and dangerous.

The Dwarves exchanged bewildered glances and murmurs as they retreated from the pillars, struggling to comprehend the revelation.

Ignoring the Dwarves, Anaynah stepped closer to Smaug, her eyes locked with his. "This is not right, Smaug. You have stolen their home. This isn't what our kind is meant to be. You do not have to part take in this cruel destiny."

Smaug chuckled darkly, the sound reverberating off the stone walls. "You speak of destiny, sister, but you this is our true nature. You and I are born of fire and power."

"Power that corrupts," The Dwarves watched the exchange with bated breath, their confusion giving way to a growing sense of dread. Anaynah tried to reach the remnants of humanity within Smaug, her voice softening. "There was a time when you were more than this, Smaug. I see that now. You had no one, no one to help you. You were alone. But I am here now, I will help you. You don't have to be a slave to your greed and hatred."

Smaug's expression hardened, his eyes blazing with anger. "Appeal to my emotions all you want, little sister, but you cannot change what I am. I am Smaug the Terrible, the Destroyer, and you are a fool to stand against me."

Anaynah's voice softened, her resolve unwavering. "Then I am a fool. I will not let you harm these people."

Smaug's eyes flared with anger. "Your sentimentality will be your downfall. Fine, you will die with them."