the Stowaway (Hobbit fan-fic)

Chapter 17

I ran down the tunnel until I came to a vast hall. I gasped and froze in place. The room was huge and filled with gold. I had no idea that Erebor could hold his much gold. I shook my head and ran down a flight of steps two at a time.

"The King under the mountain is dead," a voice said, making me freeze. It was deep and echoed through the halls. "I took his throne."

I stared when I saw Smaug's giant body. I suddenly saw something burst out of the gold near his giant claws. I sighed when I saw it was Bilbo. He quickly moved down several flights of stairs, trying to escape Smaug, who didn't notice him. I quickly scanned the hall, looking for a way to join up with the hobbit.

"I ate his people like a wolf among sheep," Smaug said. He moved his head towards Bilbo, who jumped off a platform and onto the gold, sliding down the giant hill. I noticed a shining white object sliding down the mound as well, but I was too worried about Bilbo to wonder what it was. "I kill where I wish, when I wish. My armor is iron." The dragon glided through the hall after Bilbo, who slid under a platform. Smaug landed on top of it. "No blade can pierce me!"

I quickly made my way down the stairs again. While Smaug had been talking, my vision cleared up, allowing me to move faster now.

"It's Oakenshield," Smaug cried. "That filthy dwarvish usurper! He sent you in here for the Arkenstone, didn't he?"

"No, no, no," Bilbo called. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Smaug circled around the platform Bilbo was hiding under. I kept making my way towards the bottom of the hall, hoping to get to him.

"Don't bother denying it. I guessed his foul purpose some time ago. But it matters not. Oakenshield's quest will fail. The darkness is coming, it will spread to every corner of the land. You have been used, thief in the shadows. You were only ever a means to an end. The coward Oakenshield has weighed the value of your life and found it worth nothing."

My fists clenched in anger.

"No. No," I heard Bilbo mutter softly. He raised his voice. "No, you're lying!"

"What did he promise you? A share of the treasure? As if it was his to give. I will not part with a single coin. Not one piece of it."

I watched as Bilbo tried to escape the cover of the platform. Smaug noticed and moved his tail, causing hundred of coins and Bilbo to go flying.

"My teeth are swords!" Smaug claimed. "My claws are spears!" Bilbo slowly slid and hit a pillar. He quickly got to his feet as Smaug drew closer. "My wings are a hurricane!"

I finally made it to the bottom of the hall. I could see Bilbo halfway across the room.

"So it is true," I heard the hobbit say quietly. "The black arrow found its mark."

"What did you say??" Smaug shouted.

"Uh, uh, I was just saying your reputation precedes you, oh Smaug the tyrannical." He quickly straightened himself and started walking backwards. "Truly, you have no equal on this earth."

I watched as he glanced down at the ground. I noticed he was looking at the shining jewel I had seen earlier.

"I am almost tempted to let you take it," Smaug said, "if only to see Oakenshield suffer. Watch it destroy him. Watch it corrupt his heart and drive him mad."

The Arkenstone, I realized. Thorin wanted Bilbo to risk his life for that?!

"But I think not," Smaug continued, moving backwards. "I think our little game ends here. So tell me, thief, how do you choose to die?"