Erebor's Guardian

Chapter: 3

I woke to the sound of soldiers running through the halls and the sound of the wind blowing. I quickly moved to the rampart to see Thorin ordering Balin to warn the men. I walked to him grasping his arm.

"What is it?" I asked Thorin as he showed concern on his face.

"Dragon." Thorin looked over the rampart to the main hall as he yelled to the others. Suddenly pine tree's flew in the air as they were on fire. I quickly grabbed Balin and pulled him behind a pillar as the hot flames of the dragon came toward us. The beast roared as the horns of Dale could be heard in the distance. The dragon began to fly back toward Erebor. I quickly unfolded my wings and flew up into the air.

"Paephan!" Thorin called out. I flew to see the fierce creature attacking Dale.

"Smaug."

I flew back down to the gates to see the dwarven forces in front of the gate prepared to defend it. Thorin was in the front.

"No!" I quickly moved in front of Thorin as the rampart and gate were destroyed as Smaug smashed the wall breathing out flames. Thorin and I laid on the ground as the dragon barely missed us. I covered Thorin with a wing and in pain saw that the dragon's flame has scorched my wings. Thorin and I stood up.

"Thorin go find your grandfather, I will get the others out!" Thorin nodded and rushed up the stairs to the treasure room. I quickly moved any of the survivors out and got the soldiers who survived the attack out as I covered the survivors from the falling debris.

After a moment I saw Thorin pulling Thror down the stairs. Thror was yelling at Thorin saying they had to go back. I quickly pulled Thror away from Thorin.

"Go! We have no time for this."

I fell to the ground as my wings folded back into me. Thorin helped me up as he helped the others.

Erebor was lost.

As we helped the others, Thorin saw King Thranduil and his army on the hill. Thorin called out for help but he did not. I knew Thranduil would not risk the lives of his kin to the Dragon. Thorin and I looked on as the army turned away. No help came from the elves that day or since. The people of Erebor were forced to wander the wilderness. Thorin and I found work in the villages and cities of men. I felt no reason to leave Thorin's side.

From that day forth, Thorin never forgave and he never forgot.

Years later I had received word from Gandalf to meet him in Bree and to bring Thorin with me but not to tell him. Thorin and I travelled for days. When we arrived in Bree it was pouring and we both entered the Prancing Pony. Upon our arrival, Thorin and I sat down in front of the fireplace as a barmaid brought us food and ale. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see two men watching us. They slowly reached out to their weapons, assassins.

Thorin and I both glanced at each other as we reached for our weapons. Suddenly Gandalf sat down in between us as the men put their weapons away.

"Great timing Gandalf. I really didn't want to make a scene." I whispered to him. Thorin looked at me with a perplexed look.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you Thorin but Gandalf wanted to meet with us to speak about Erebor."

That night Gandalf spoke of his plan to rid of Smaug and to take back Erebor. His plan called for us to meet with him in the shire in a week. He specified for us to gather a company to join us. When the night turned late Gandalf left to wherever he would wish. Thorin had decided to stay at Bree for the night and to send word to some friends of his in the Blue Mountains and in Moria. I had started to change out of the drenched clothes as Thorin simply changed into a light shirt and trousers. I unfolded my wings carefully but winced at the pain. they never truly healed, the golden feathers return but the pain from Smaug's flames caused the pain to be imprinted on them. Even the colour of the tips of the feathers had turned black. Thorin examined them as I placed one of the wings into his hands.

"Do they still hurt."

"They will manage the journey."

Thorin sat next to me on the bed as he looked down at the floor.

"Do you think we will be able to reclaim Erebor?"

"I do. I only hope that it is not too dangerous."

Thorin grasped my hand and it surprised me. I looked down at Thorin and I knew this was the hard for him. I gently wrapped a wing around Thorin. He sighed as I placed a hand on his back.

"Don't worry Thorin, we will be able to reclaim the mountain. I'll bet my life on it."

Thorin lifted his head and took a breath.

"I received a letter from my kin in the north. They have called me to join them in a meeting."

"I see, I will go to the shire and send word to the others."

"Thank you Paephan. I don't know how anything we have accomplished would have been done without you."

I laughed at the man as he looked at me with a smirk.

"My dear Thorin, who else would you want help from. I mean someone has to make sure you stay in line."

Thorin chuckled but started to yawn. Sleep took him as the night grew late. I woke early in the morning and packed up my supplies to head to the Shire. I turned to Thorin who was fast asleep. I gently moved the hair from his face and laid a gentle kiss on his check. He did not stir or wake.

I left that night but not before giving those assassins a taste of my fist.