Book 2: Hanging On [Thorin Oakenshield]

Chapter 20

The growing silence was deafening, straining to hear the dragon's whereabouts. But it was as if the beast disappeared. Before them lay a stretch of the stone walkway that sat completely uncovered. It stretched miles high and low with other paths crossing the mountain's gorge. Though none advanced to venture further as Thorin peeked around the corner to be sure there was no danger.

"We've given him the slip," Dori hummed, some grunting in agreement.

"No," Dwalin mumbled. "He's too cunning for that."

Dragons were one of the most intelligent creatures to walk Middle-Earth. They were not mindless fools that could easily be out matched such as Trolls and Goblins.

"So where to now?" Bilbo whispered.

A moment of silence passed as the prince thought, "The western guardroom. There may be a way out."

"It's too high," Balin stated. "There's no chance that way."

"It is our only chance. We have to try."

Slowly moving out into the vast space with their weapons held tightly in hand, the company carefully watched their surroundings. Smaug could be lurking in the shadows waiting for the perfect moment to strike. None dared to breathe above a whisper and for once the Dwarves were so quiet one may think they were Elves.

Pling-kling.

All froze as Bilbo slowly looked down towards the coin that fell at his feet. Poppy peeked around his arm as they looked on in mild horror. But it had not come from the Hobbit. Slowly, their heads turned up spotting the underbelly of the dragon looming overhead. It crawled across in the space between the bridge archways completely unaware of how close they were. None could understand how they were so lucky as Thorin quietly waved them on. The moment they were in the safety of the next hall the company broke into a run once more. It wasn't likely that Smaug would be able to fit through the tight spaces, but none should ever underestimate their opponents. He would find a way to them.

"Stay close," Thorin spoke lowly.

Their destination was nearing, turning a corner and seeing the open archway up ahead. Rushing inside out of breath they grew hopeful that they managed to make it there alive. The guardroom. Their only hope at escaping–

Poppy nearly cried out, covering her mouth quickly to not make a sound as the Dwarves stared in disbelief at the sight before them. Even Bilbo swallowed heavily. The room was a graveyard. The floor was covered in mummified corpses of their once kin that tried to escape the mountain as well. But their way out became blocked by fallen rock that most likely caved in from the tremors of Smaug's desolation of the great city sixty years ago. And so they waited, hoping to be rescued. But it never came and they died where they sat. Females, children, elders, and males. And it made the hope in the company die.

"So that's it, then," Dwalin sighed. "There's no way out."

"The last of our kin," his brother spoke solemnly. "They must have come here hoping beyond hope..." None knew what to say as Poppy leaned against her cousin for some type of support. "We could try to reach the mines. We might last a few days."

A newfound determination filled the prince, the once surprise quickly vanishing.

"No," Thorin stated. "I will not die like this. A coward. Clawing for breath." And he turned to address every single one of them. "We make for the forges."

"He'll see us," Dwalin stated. "Sure as death."

"Not if we split up."

Unsure murmurs ran between them.