Emerge the Dragonborn | The Hobbit

Chapter 1 - Firestorm

Sarn Ford,
Anaynah at 6 months of age

      The village of Sarn Ford lay nestled in a verdant valley, a hidden gem far from the troubles of the world. With the arrival of spring, the village blossomed into a tapestry of vibrant colours. Fields of wildflowers swayed gently in the breeze, while the trees, heavy with new foliage, whispered secrets of renewal and hope. The river that ran through the village sparkled in the sunlight, its waters clear and full of life.

Yet, beneath the surface, there was a sense of unease. Shadows seemed longer, and the once cheerful songs of the birds carried an eerie note. The villagers moved with a sense of purpose, but also with a hint of anxiety, as if they were aware of an unseen threat lurking just beyond the horizon.

Caspar, a man whose strong hands and steady demeanour spoke of years spent working the land, was in the fields, the rhythmic sound of his hoe breaking the soil the only disturbance in the tranquil scene. From the doorway of their small, cozy house, a voice called out to him.

"Capsar! Come inside, darling, supper is ready!" Fila, his wife, stood with a warm smile, though her eyes betrayed a hint of worry.

Caspar straightened up, wiping the sweat from his brow. "I'll be in shortly, Fila," he replied, his voice carrying a reassuring tone.

Inside the house, Fila turned to their eldest son, a young man of twenty with a dark intensity in his eyes.

"Smaug, it's time to put Anaynah down for her nap."

Smaug nodded, his amber eyes lingering on the flickering shadows cast by the fire. He carried his infant sister to the small crib in the corner of the room, gently laying her down and tucking a soft blanket around her. Anaynah's tiny hands reached up, and Smaug smiled, though something was unsettling in his expression, a coldness that belied his tender actions.

As Smaug watched his sister, he felt an eerie connection to her. There was something different about her, something that resonated deeply within him. It was as if a dark cloud had settled over him, casting a shadow on the happiness that once filled their home.

Smaug leaned over the crib, his voice a low, almost hypnotic whisper.

"Anaynah, little sister, I need to tell you something. I am going to leave for a long time. I will miss you but do not worry. We are destined for great things, you and I. We will be legends."
He stroked her cheek gently, a twisted smile playing on his lips.
"This life our parents offer us, this pathetic existence... it is not for us. We are made for more. I can feel it in you, Anaynah. You are like me, and one day you will have my power. Our paths will cross again one day."

Anaynah's wide eyes barely seemed to understand, her tiny hand wrapping around his finger. Smaug's smile softened for a moment, a flicker of genuine affection breaking through the darkness.

"Sleep now, little sister," he murmured. "Dream of the greatness that awaits us."

As he turned to leave, the flickering candlelight cast long shadows on the walls, dancing like spectres in the darkening room. Outside, the wind whispered through the trees, carrying with it a sense of foreboding that none could ignore.

Little did Anaynah know, this was the last time she would see her brother like this. The peace of Sarn Ford was on the brink of shattering, and the darkness within Smaug was growing. The next morning, he would leave his home. The path he was destined to take would lead to unimaginable horrors, and Anaynah, the innocent babe, was at the centre of it all, her fate intertwined with the sinister forces that were beginning to stir.

________

Present day,
Laketown

       The night was eerily quiet as the people of Lake-town watched the sky with apprehension. Whispers of a dragon approaching spread like wildfire, and panic began to take hold. The townsfolk hurried to secure their homes and gather their loved ones, fearing the worst.