"Yes Artemis. Daddy's home....." He smirked as Artemis felt her blood drain from her body. Her scar began to burn as she winced as he chuckled, tightening his grip on her throughout the dance. Thorin watched them closely as he could see fear and discomfort in Artemis's eyes, something wasn't right and he knew it.

"How is this possible? You're in Erebor" She demanded before gulping. She kept her voice calm and controlled so he wouldn't hear her fear.

"Oh right again, I am in Erebor. I am cursed in my dragon form until my curse is broken. So how am I here? Human? I am merely a ghost....as Riders like to call me...I'm an Epahs. When I destroyed their home they needed guidance and I fed on their desperation and took a form they trusted. The old scum Lord Norgara just had to be their pick.....until you returned I was beginning to fade. I wasn't needed.....but now your fear. Oh yes I can smell it.....your fear for me keeps me alive now. Otherwise I will fade to dust" He sighed as Artemis blew out a sigh of relief and smirked.

"You're not my real father, so I have no need to fear you. I don't fear you!" She threatened as he winced, his strong body form fading slightly.

"You may not....but they do" He smirked as she gasped pulling away as the clouds started to darken and the winds picked up as screams cried out. She watched as the form of Norgara melted and grew until her father stood smirking as the General drew his words with the army behind him looking furious. The company were confused as Thorin took another step forward as he chuckled.

"Didn't think you would see me human did you Thorin" He tormented as he growled in response.

"You're not welcome here!" Artemis told him firmly as he glared and began circling her as she watched him carefully.

"Now now Artemis. Where is the fun in leaving....."He tormented as she clutched her fists hard unaware of the sparks snapping between her fingers.

"....Now will you tell them or shall I?" He asked twirling her hair around one of his fingers before glared at him.

"Tell them what?"

"Why the prophecy of course" He chuckled as she paled slightly and Thorin saw it as well as the remaining members of the Kingdom.

"There's nothing to tell" She muttered as he chuckled darkly.

"Lies!"He spat as he held her by her cheeks as everyone stiffened, the General raised his sword an inch before Artemis pushed him away from her causing him to laugh.

"Your precious Princess here will never be Queen!" He shouted as murmurs began to spread.

"She won't live that long. Not with her father alive that is....." He chuckled as her hands began to shake with fury as she glanced down to notice they were on fire. He kept tormenting her and revealing what she didn't need other to know and just before he could reveal that her father's death would kill her she threw a fireball straight into his shoulder as he turned round gasping.

She was fuming with anger as fire licked on her body harmless; her brown eyes were now rimmed with red as her hair glowed with the fire running through it. Everyone watched in horror and shock as a dragon made from flames surrounded the Epahs as he let out a yelp before was melted into nothing. Once the dragon vanished the flames died as Artemis panted.

No one said anything they just watched Artemis as she felt her deep breathing grow uneven. She had unlocked a monster within herself, as she glanced around at the bystanders. She turned to the company as they watched shocked and slightly frightened, before she looked back at her hands. They were normal, unhurt or scared as her dragon scar glowed slightly. Unable to understand what she had just done she ran. Back towards the castle as everyone watched her run.

She locked herself in the throne room as she sat at the base of the throne, her arm resting on the cushion as she couldn't and didn't want to think of what was going through the companies mind, as she covered her eyes and felt her body shake and tremble. Her body cried, though no tears fell from her eyes like she was used to.

"What have I done?" She whispered to herself not expecting a response.

"You've released your own dæmon. I'm Sofus by the way" A voice responded making her jump as she turned to see the dragon made from fire, only it was the size of a baby this time as it ran happily up towards her and laid in her lap as she hesitated before stroking it. It felt so real as she watched it begin to grow red scales until it was an actual dragon, though with any fast movements harmless fire traced after it.

"A dæmon?" She asked unsure.

"Yes, very few are lucky to be granted a dæmon. I guess you could call us as a pet but we prefer to be thought of as protectors." Sofus smirked happily.

"So I'm not going mad or a monster?" Artemis asked weakly as the dæmon scoffed.

"Of course not! I have waited years for you to finally let go of everything holding you back. For you to final start fighting, and now you have you have me and I can help and guide you to use your own powers" He was slightly offended being called mad before smirking at Artemis's surprised face.

"Powers!" Artemis shrieked as the dæmon rolled their eyes and placed their paw on their forehead.

"Yes. You can control fire duh" He replied as if it were obvious.

"Does my father have a uhh.....have a dæmon?" She asked nervously.

"No. Smaug's heart is black and cold. Dæmons are only granted to those of pure hearts" He snarled Smaug's name, as Artemis fidgeted slightly.

"So how does it actually work to have a dæmon anyway?" Artemis asked confused.

"Let's see, I only come out like today when you summon enough magic and power......unless you require me to be out and about more often though I wouldn't advise that for the moment. You're not strong enough" Sofus remarked glancing at Artemis up and down.

"What do you mean I'm not strong enough?" Artemis snapped offended.

"You'll see. Someone's coming so I should leave now" He quickly jumped out of her lap and ran down the steps before turning towards her as she frowned. He went at full pace straight towards her as her eyes widened. Instead of him knocking her over he seemed to absorb himself into her chest as if part of her soul as Artemis stumbled and fell down the steps lying on her back.

Her ears rung, her vision blurred, her head pounded. She groaned to the sound of footsteps making their way towards her as she tried to push away the blurry hands reaching out for her. Sitting up once again she blinked adjusting as if she hadn't been in a room with light before. Squinting she saw the General looking down at her.

"Your majesty, we should get you to the infirmary"  

"Oh don't make such a stupid fuss I'm fine" She grumbled getting onto her feet. Brushing off dust from her dress she rubbed her head looking out to see the sun was already beginning to set.

"Dinner will be served in half an hour.....your majesty what will I tell the Kingdom in the morning?" He asked unsure as she hesitated.

"The truth. That I'm going to the lonely mountain to face my father and put an end to this curse." She muttered before she left to prepare for dinner. Getting changed back into her travel clothes, she slipped the gloves over her hands. She smiled as she welcomed the familiar fabric. She placed her sword on her hip and let her cloak flow down her shoulders. Her hair tied back as she drew the hood over her face like old times. She pulled her eyes away from her reflection when she heard a knock on the door, before Thorin opened it.

"I just came for my coat" He muttered as she walked over grabbing it and handing it to him as neither spoke a word.

"Thorin......about earlier this afternoon...."

"We should eat before we leave" He spoke as she sighed, back to the group keeping distance. Everyone except Fili and Kili kept their distance like before. Dinner was quiet and uneventful as they all gathered down in the castle courtyard where several riders transformed into dragons, bending down so that the company could get on their backs. Artemis gave a glance at the moon gulping and ensuring the light didn't touch her skin.

"Be careful your majesty" The General farewelled bowing one final time before she jumped up onto a dragons back as they flew high into the sky. Once they cleared the magic wall the smell of Orc flooded her nose as she knew the chase was still on. Maybe after an hour of flying they landed and bowed to their ruler before flying off.

"Come on, we're still being hunted" Gandalf instructed as we began running through the woods once again as I could hear the faint howls of wargs behind us.......