Erebor's Guardian

Chapter: 21

The moonlight illuminated a keyhole in the rock, and Bilbo gasped in surprise. He then yelled at the dwarves but they were already gone. I peered over the edge of the clearing but there was no sign of them.

"The keyhole! Come back! It's the light of the moon, the last moon of autumn!"

Bilbo looked toward the ground.

"Where's the- Where's the key? Where's the- it was here...but it was here, it was here! It was just.

I heard Bilbo's foot hit the key and it flew from the clearing. Before I could grab it. Thorin stepped on the string to stop it. Both of us sighed in relief as Thorin slowly reached down and picked up the key. I moved out of Thorin's way as he walked up to the door. He inserted the key into the keyhole and sighed deeply as he turned it. Mechanisms could be heard turning behind the rock. Thorin and I pushed against the door. The door opened into a tunnel going into the mountain. The Dwarves looked in awe as Thorin stood in the doorway.

"Erebor."

Balin walked up to Thorin and spoke.

"Thorin..."

Balin choked up, and Thorin placed a hand on his shoulder. Thorin turned to me. I smiled as I gestured for him to step forward. As he walked through the doorway he looked at it remembering.

"I know these walls... these walls, this stone."

As he says this, Thorin ran his hand over the walls, lost in memory.

"You remember it, Balin, Paephan. Chambers filled with golden light."

Balin stepped into the tunnel.

"I remember."

I stepped inside after Balin as the others slowly came inside. I noticed a carving on the wall above the door; it was the throne of Erebor with the Arkenstone above it, sending out rays of light in all directions.

"Herein lies the seventh kingdom of Durin's Folk. May the heart of the mountain unite all dwarves in defence of this home. The throne of the King"

Bilbo looked up at the carving.

"And what's that above it?"

"The Arkenstone."

"Arkenstone... And what's that."

Thorin walked up to him and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"That, Master Burglar, is why you are here."

Bilbo looked at the dwarves bewildered but resolute.

Balin and I went with Bilbo through the inner interior.

"You want me to find a jewel?"

"A large white jewel, yes."

"That's it? Only, I imagine there are quite a few down there."

"There is only one Arkenstone. You'll know it when you see it."

"Alright."

Bilbo started to walk down the tunnel and stopped short. I smirked as I walked past Balin and placed a hand on Bilbo's shoulder.

"You don't have to go if you don't want to, there's no dishonour in turning back."

"No, Paephan, I promised I would do this, and I think I must try."

Balin and I both looked at Bilbo and chuckled.

"It never ceases to amaze me."

"What's that?"

"The courage of Hobbits. Go now with as much luck as you can muster."

Bilbo nodded to us and proceeded down the tunnel while Balin turned back. I called out to Bilbo.

"Bilbo...If there is, in fact, a live dragon down there, don't waken it."

Bilbo looked worried and nodded. He walked through the tunnel. He walked a few more steps forward into Smaug's lair.

I left the tunnel and saw Thorin look to me.

"He went into the lair, now all we must do is wait."

Thorin leaned against the stone and called me over.

"Do you think he will be safe?"

"For now but later...I'm not sure."

Thorin looked up at me and sighed. I looked down at him.

"Thorin...I'm so sorry."

I looked down at my hands as Thorin turned to look at me.

"For what?"

"Your father...he was with me...I had him next to me and then he was gone."

Thorin took hold of my hands.

"Paephan...I'm do feel pain from his loss but I could never be mad at you."

I looked down at Thorin with tears falling from my face. He brought a hand to my cheek and wiped them away.

"You are too kind to me Thorin."

Thorin chuckled.

"You know I do recall something you said that was very important back at Carrock."

I looked at him slightly confused. Thorin gestured to me to lean down. He whispered in my ear.

"Amralime."

My eyes widened as I quickly covered my face with my hand.

"You knew how I felt... why would I saying that surprise you."

"Because... that was the first time you called me that."

I smiled as Thorin chuckled.

After a few hours, a sudden shake from the inside of the mountain's caused everyone to stand up in fear.

"Was that an earthquake?"

Nori asked looking at Thorin.

"That was a dragon..."

I turned to Thorin who looked worried. I looked toward the tunnel to see orange glows coming through the door. Ori turned to me.

"What about Bilbo?"

"Give him more time."

Balin turned to what Thorin said.

"Trying to do what? To be killed?"

"You're afraid."

Balin paused for a moment, he then stepped up to Thorin.

"Yes, I'm afraid. I fear for YOU. A sickness lies upon that treasure hoard, a sickness that drove your grandfather mad."

"I'm not my grandfather."

"You're not yourself. The Thorin I know would not hesitate to go in there-."

"I will not risk this quest for the life of one burglar."

Balin looked at Thorin in disgust.

"Bilbo, His name is Bilbo."

Thorin looked contemplatively out into the night.

I turned to the tunnel and crossed my arms. I sighed as I walked into the tunnel.

"Paephan... what are you doing?"

I looked over my shoulder to Ori and smirked.

"Saving Bilbo."

I walked the halls and saw flames coming from one of the halls hearing a scream. Around the corner, Bilbo started running in my direction with flames after him.

"Paephan move!"

I didn't. Bilbo ran behind me as I expanded my wings.

"What are you doing?! We have to move!"

I could hear the dragon's steps closer and closer. Around the cornor his head appeared.

Smaug.