Middle Earth Gamer

The Shadow of Greed

Bilbo and the dwarves stand at the gates of the Lonely Mountain, horrified as they watch Smaug set Lake-town ablaze.

Bilbo: (gazing down in horror) "He's going to destroy them all."

Dwalin: (grimly) "There's nothing they can do. No one can fight a dragon."

Kíli: (quietly) "Bard. What about Bard?"

Taranis: (gritting his teeth, whispering) "Bard has to make it... he's their last hope."

As they watch, Bard escapes from his cell in Lake-town, rushing to find his children amidst the chaos. Climbing the bell tower with Bain, Bard prepares the Black Arrow as Smaug circles ominously.

Bain: (terrified, but brave) "Father..."

Bard: (trying to reassure him) "Steady, Bain. Just hold it steady."

High above, Taranis silently wills Bard on.

Taranis: (almost to himself) "If anyone can do this, it's you, Bard. End it now..."

With a final, steady aim, Bard releases the Black Arrow. It strikes Smaug in the heart, piercing his only weak spot. The dragon roars in fury and pain, plummeting to the earth in a fiery death that rocks the town.

Bilbo: (shaken, softly) "It's over..."

Balin: (somberly) "The dragon is dead."

Kíli: (looking down at the burning city) "Lake-town... it's in ruins."

Taranis: (sadly, but with respect) "But Bard... he did what no one else could. He saved them."

As they watch the flames die down, Taranis notices Thorin's face, filled not with relief, but with an intense, feverish focus.

Amid the ruins of Lake-town, Bard organizes the survivors, his voice carrying authority despite his reluctance to lead.

Bard: (calling out) "Gather what you can! We make for Dale."

Alfrid: (panicked, trying to keep people from leaving) "Stay together! You'll freeze to death out there."

Woman from Lake-town: "We'll die if we stay here!"

Bard: (decisive) "There is nothing for you here. The town is destroyed."

Taranis: (watching from the mountain with the dwarves) "He's stepping up for them, guiding them to safety. They need a leader now more than ever."

The survivors of Lake-town, including Bard's family, begin their journey to Dale, exhausted but following Bard's lead.

Back inside the mountain, Thorin continues his obsessive search for the Arkenstone among the treasure hoard. He mutters to himself, growing more erratic with each passing day.

Thorin: (muttering) "It has to be here... The Arkenstone. It's mine by right..."

Outside, Fíli, Kíli, Bofur, and Óin return from helping the refugees and find Bilbo near the mountain's entrance, pacing nervously. Taranis joins them, sensing Bilbo's distress.

Bilbo: (uneasy) "Thorin... he's not well. He's been struck with... dragon sickness."

Fíli: (dismayed) "Dragon sickness? No... not Thorin."

Kíli: (pleading with Bilbo) "Can you help him? Speak to him, make him see sense."

Bilbo: (reluctantly) "I tried... but he's becoming someone else. He's lost in the gold."