*Molly's POV*

The bulk of our journey had come to an end, but the hardest part has yet to come. Despite the joy and happiness the Company is radiating with, I can't seem to share in the excitement. Putting the dragon guarding the treasure horde inside aside, I won't be here much longer. Sooner or later I will open my eyes back in my old room in my own world. I'll never see my friends or Thorin again. My chest aches at the thought but especially when I think of the raven haired dwarf. From the corner of my eye I see Balin and Bilbo sneak off. While the others discuss Erebor and how happy it is to be home I lean against the wall just down the second hallway listening to Balin and Bilbo speak.

 "You want me to find a jewel?" Bilbo asks. 

"A large white jewel, yes." Balin agree's. 

Bilbo waves his arms at his side "That's it? Only, I imagine there's quite a few down there." 

Balin shakes his head "There is only one Arkenstone. You'll know it when you see it." 

Bilbo nods "Alright, but why did you tell me this in private. I mean, shouldn't Molly be included?" 

Balin sighs "I'm afraid Molly will not be joining you. It's Thorin's orders."

 I furrow my brows and lean closer "He asked that you go at it alone." 

Bilbo shrugs "Why is that?" 

Balin sighs and slightly laughs "I have known Thorin all his life. I've watched him grow into the Dwarf I always believed he would be. Since he met her now he's...different. I believe somewhere deep down that boy has unrecognized feelings for her. Wants her to be safe. And he can't ensure that unless he's with her, and he can't go with you both." 

My heart nearly leaps from my chest. I clutch my chest tightly and feel myself begin to tremble in thrill and excitement. Never in my life had a man loved me or let alone had some form of affection for me and now I hear that there is a chance Thorin does. 

Bilbo chuckles "I know your right. Honestly I'm relieved she's staying here. She's very dear to me and has become one of my best friends. Can't imagine what I'd do if I let her get hurt." 

 I smile warmly at my friends words but also feel guilty knowing he's going in alone. Should I step out and demand to go? No. Maybe I'd just be in the way and get us caught or worse. 

Balin sighs "She would go if allowed, Bilbo."

 Balin hesitates before speaking again "In truth, lad, I do not know what you will find down there. You needn't go if you don't want to, there's no dishonor in turning back."
Bilbo shakes his head "No, Balin, I promised I would do this, and I think I must try."

Balin looks at Bilbo, then begins to chuckle appreciatively "It never ceases to amaze me." 

"What's that?" 

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

They nod at each other, and Bilbo proceeds down the tunnel while Balin turns back. I do not move from my spot even though I want to. Balin turns and sees me. I look up at him with fretful eyes. 

"Will he be alright?" I ask. 

He sighs "I do not know, but sometimes the right thing to do is sometimes nothing." he says patting my shoulder. I stand there and ponder on his words then come around the corner "Bilbo?" I call. 

The Hobbit stops before leaving and turns. Biting my lip I look up at him "I just want you to know that-that I'm glad your my friend. I believe in you." 

The Hobbit smiles and bows to me "Glad to be yours as well." 

We smile at one another and then I frown "Bilbo...if there is, in fact, a live dragon down there, don't waken it."

Bilbo looks worried, but nods. He walks a few more steps, then turns and tiptoes toward Smaug's lair.

*Bilbo's POV *

I walk quietly through a large doorway and find myself in a massive hall. I whisper out loud "Hello?" 

Knocking quietly on the wall beside me, I freeze and listen but the sound is intensified loudly as it echoes, and I jump and press myself against the wall. Seeing no reaction to the noise, I walk out into the hall on an elevated walkway. 

I sigh "You're not at home. Not at home. Good. Good, good, good."

 Making it to the top steps I freeze in awe of the sight. Mountains of gold, jewels, weapons, cups, and all sorts of treasure piled dozens of feet high all throughout the immensely massive hall.
I climb down the stairs and carefully begin to walk atop the treasure. I attempt to be quiet, but the coins and jewels beneath my feet make a lot of noise. As I look around I try looking for the jewel to bring to the Dwarves. I pick up a large white one but shake it and it's just a quartz. I toss it but it makes a lot of noise.

 "Sushh, sushh." I continue to look around "Arkenstone, Arkenstone...a large, white jewel. Very helpful."

Looking at a cup I toss it and then hear a reaction of coins sliding. I look up only to see Smaug's eye. All is silent, and it seems like Smaug is still asleep. Asleep or not, I doubt I'll stick around much longer to find out. I gasp and back up in fear against the pillar. I peek out and see his body is long and huge. Suddenly, Smaug snorts, and the treasure around his nose falls away, revealing it. Panting, slowly I try to make my way down the pile of gold, but stop short when I realize that Smaug's body is buried in a large circle around where I'm standing. The gold all along Smaug's body begins to ripple as he awakens. Not dead. Definitely not dead. I take a few steps, then pause and kneel as Smaug begins to raise his head, his eye still closed. As Smaug opens his eye, I run diving behind a pile of gold. As Smaug looks around, I reach into my pocket and pull out the ring I had found it in the hole from whence I had met the creature Gollum. Hearing the gold falling I look at it for several seconds debating, then look up as Smaug begins to raise his head. I put the Ring on, and become invisible. 

Smaug raises his head and sniffs the air. In a low rumbling voice like cracking thunder he speaks "Well, thief, I smell you. I hear your breath. I feel your air. Where are you?"

As Smaug says this, he moves his head back and forth around the place where I'm standing invisible, and I have to duck to avoid being knocked over. Panicking I run down the mountain of treasure. Even though I'm invisible, Smaug can see where I'm going because of the coins I'm dislodging with my feet while running. Smaug follows rapidly never averting his eyes. I duck behind a stone outcropping as Smaug continues searching. He speaks again in a taunting manner "Come now, don't be shy. Step into the light!" he commands but I remain in my place. 

He hums suspiciously "Mmm, there is something about you, something you carry. Something made of gold, but far more...PRECIOUSSSSS."

While saying this, Smaug's head is right in front of my hiding place. The word "Precious," reverberates inside my head over and over and causes great mental pain. A flaming eye bursts into my vision terrifying me even more so than the dragon. I gasp and yank the Ring off, becoming visible to Smaug. I see the dragon's eye as he spots me and speaks in his deep voice like thunder "There you are, thief in the shadows."

 I shake my head and pace the ring back in my pocket "I did not come to steal from you, O Smaug the Unassessably Wealthy. I merely wanted to gaze upon your magnificence, to see if you really were as great as the old tales say. I did not believe them."

Hearing this, Smaug stomps several yards away and draws himself up so his entire body is visible to me. Smaug's body stretches out far and high. He is a massive dragon with two back legs, two massive, bat-like wings with claws, and both his neck and tail are incredibly long. His head alone is the size of the bolder's the stone giants threw. 

Lifting his head he bellows "And, do you now?!" 

I nod "Truly, the tales and songs fall utterly short of your enormity, O Smaug the Stupendous." 

"Do you think flattery will keep you alive?"

Feeling my gut twisting I try to speak but I see movement from behind Smaug. My eyes widen as I see Molly holding her sword in hand and bowing over her shoulders. She catches my gaze and holds a finger to her lips. 

Quickly averting my eyes from her I focus back on the dragon "No- no, no." 

He lowers down "No, indeed. You seem familiar with my name, but I don't remember smelling your kind before. Who are you, and where do you come from, may I ask?"

*Molly's POV*

I wait outside the doors with the company. Bilbo has been gone a terribly long time. The night air is cold and we all nervous await Bilbo's return. Out of the silence, there is a rumble. The very foundation we stand on shakes and a deep thunderous sound comes from inside the mountain. This disruption settles but my fretful heart only continues to pound in my chest. 

 Dori looks worried "Was that an earthquake?" 

Balin's face darkens and he looks very fearful "That, my lad...was a dragon." 

The thoughts and imaginations in my mind begin to awaken. Horrific thoughts and images of the dragon burning Bilbo alive plague my mind. More so of the Hobbit dying alone or without someone there to at least try and save him. My breathing quickens in short panicked gasps. Stepping away from the company I try and hide my distress but I'm unraveling too quickly. 

"Oye, she alright?" Dwalin asks. 

"What's wrong lass?" Gloin calls trying to approach me. 

I shake my head and begin walking away. I hold out my hand to stop any of them from coming closer. Steadying myself against a boulder I manage to gasp out "I-I-I'm...fine!"

"Molly?" Thorin calls softly. 

I begin hyperventilating at this point. I close my eyes and rest my head on the rock. My arms shake and a vision flashed in my mind. I see Bilbo, my friend, running with the dragon snaking through the gold behind him. I can hear Bilbo screaming as the flames engulf him. 

"Molly! Molly!" I look around frantically seeing Thorin in front of me trying to shake me from it. "Your alright," he says holding his hand on the side of my head. My entire body trembles and my hands hold tightly to the collar of Thorin's shirt. My eyes look into his as I see the worry in his ocean blue hues. 

I breathe heavily and look to the door "We have to get him out....now." 

Thorin shakes his head pulling his hands from my face "Give him more time." 

Balin looks at Thorin "Trying to do what? To be killed?"
Thorin then sneers at Balin "You're afraid."
Balin pauses for a moment, then steps 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." 

Thorin glares "I am not my grandfather." 

Sitting there I breathe out and remember the other half of my dream and I remember Thorin wearing the crown and how dark his face was. I hope he is not succumbing to that version of himself.
Balin shakes his head as if he is aware of Thorin's condition as well "You're not yourself. The Thorin I know would not hesitate to go in there-" 

Thorin cuts him off "I will not risk this quest for the life of one burglar!"

I snap my head in Thorin's direction. His words and his carelessness for Bilbo's life burn me to my core. He sits outside letting a loyal friend face the dragon alone and deems his life worth nothing. I jump up without hesitation and begin stomping my way over to Thorin. 

Dwalin mutters almost nervously as I pass by "Oh shit."

Thorin turns to me as I stop inches from him glaring. He seems caught off guard by my advancement and almost takes a step back. I narrow my eyes and look up at Thorin disgustedly "Bilbo. His name is Bilbo."

—-

Thorin stares out towards Dale's ruins and lake town. I look at the dwarves, Dori, Balin, and Dwalin playing cards while Gloin leans against a rock asleep. After my advancement to Thorin, I had separated myself from the Dwarves thinking of Bilbo. We had not heard of felt another rumbling in some time and I can only fear the worst. I grumble and shake my head grabbing up my sword and bow. The dwarves not paying me any attention continue on with their small activities occupying them. I creep down behind the rock and slide along the wall. Sneaking I looked at the company and then to Thorin. The King continues staring out to Dale and Lake-town with his back to me. Mustering as much courage as I can I turn around and walk through the doors of Erebor to save my friend and face the dragon.

---

As I entered the lair I hear a voice booming "Do you think flattery will keep you alive?" 

I turn around a corner and gasp seeing a huge dragon. His head alone the size of a school bus back from my world. My knees feel as they could buckle and for a moment it feels as if I will faint. Pinching myself to stay with reality I push on. I creep down the steps from behind the dragon. I lock eyes with bilbo who sees me and I gesture for him to be quiet. 

He turns to the dragon "No- no, no."

 Smaug steps closer to Bilbo and I run out onto the gold pile and hide behind a large pillar careful that the sound of the gold I step on matches timing with the dragon.

 "No, indeed. You seem familiar with my name, but I don't remember smelling your kind before. Who are you, and where do you come from, may I ask?"
Smaug snakes his head closer to Bilbo as he asks this. Bilbo opens his mouth to speak but then suddenly sees something off to the side. I follow his eyes and I freeze staring right below the dragon. It is the Arkenstone; a small, white gem glowing with an unnatural light, buried under one layer of coins.

"I- I come from under the hill." Bilbo stutters. Smaug steps closer moving past the Arkenstone.
"Underhill?" 

Bilbo nods, "And under hills and over hills my path has led. And, and, through the air. I am he who walks unseen." 

Smaug seems amused "Impressive. What else do you claim to be?"

 Smaug snakes his head forward until his teeth are inches from Bilbo's face. I wince making my way down trying to match the coin shift with the dragons as he moves. Bilbo continues "I am...luck-wearer. Riddle-maker."
As I move down trying to match the dragon moving my toe catches a pearl necklace and I fall making a loud coin crashing noise. I freeze and look up as Smaug turns my way. He exhales and lifts his head shouting "HUMAN! YOU HAVE BROUGHT A HUMAN WITH YOU!" 

Bilbo shakes his head as Smaug makes his way for me. I jump up hiding at a pillar. As I'm hiding I hear the giant breathing of the dragon. Then it's silent. I dare not more or even breathe but the shadow of the beast creeps over my shoulder.

"There you are." I hear the deep voice say. I gasp and freeze in fear as the dragon's eye is right there. He laughs "I am fortuned with so much company today. The little thief and now you. A human, I'm very familiar with your kind's scent and taste." he crawls to the other side "And especially the females...you all taste, the sweetest." 

I tremble with fear staring at wide eyes. I can barely move. The dragon seems almost amused by my stunned silence. 

"Now, while the Hobbit is charming I know he is also a liar. So, maybe you would like to enlighten me about you. It's not every day I get company."
I shake and he hisses "Go on. What titles do you hold?" 

I take a breath "C-c-cliff h-hanger...?" I stutter. 

"Mmmmm." the dragon mumbles. 

I breathe out "S-spider k-k-killer...." 

Smaug sighs "Lovely titles; go on."

 I glance to Bilbo who is slowly making his way for the Arkenstone. I swallow feeling my dry throat "B-barrel-rider."
Smaug laughs "Barrels? Now that is interesting. And what about your little dwarf friends? Where are they hiding?"

 I tense up knowing he smelled Thorin on me. I shake my head "Dw- Dwarves? No, no, no dwarves here. You've got that all wrong." 

The dragon lifts up again "Oh, I don't think so, barrel-rider. They sent you and the Riddle maker in here to do their dirty work while they skulk about outside." 

I feel the coolness of the pillar and try and relax "I-I assure you, good sir, you are mistaken. I would never dishonor the King Under the Mountain by even associating myself with dwarves."

 He slides on the gold "You have nice manners...for a liar! I know the smell and taste of dwarf. No one better. It is gold! They are drawn to treasure like flies to dead flesh."

 As Smaug stomps about, his claws knock the Arkenstone away from where it had been, and Bilbo gasps. The Arkenstone bounces down the mountain, and Bilbo runs after it. With the dragon's attention off of me, I make a run for it along the side of the wall to catch up with Bilbo. 

"Did you think I did not know this day would come when a pack of canting dwarves would come crawling back to the mountain?!" Smaug shouts looking up to the pile of gold. I take my chance and bolt sliding down the gold after Bilbo. I catch up to him and we both hide under the pillars. 

Smaug searches for us "It's Oakenshield. That filthy dwarvish usurper! He sent you in here for the Arkenstone, didn't he?"
Smaug circles around the structure; Bilbo, hiding beneath it next to me, sees the Arkenstone at the other end of the structure. I spot it as well and nod my head. As he goes for it I speak "No, no, no. I don't know what you're talking about."

Bilbo starts to sneak over to the Arkenstone but is forced to hide behind a pillar as Smaug looks beneath the structure. I gasp and lean against my pillar and we both standstill. 

"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."
I gasped and I saw the eye and then the darkness and the Pale Orc.
I breathed heavily and Smaug hummed sensing my fear.
"You have been used, thief in the shadows and barrel rider. You were only ever a means to an end. The coward Oakenshield has weighed the value of your lives and found it worth nothing." 

I shake my head "No. No. No, you're lying!" 

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

Bilbo and I remain hidden until Smaug speaks again "And what of you? Did he promise you a kingdom? Did he promise you his heart, barrel rider?"

 I grit my teeth and feel the pain in my chest. Even the dragon who has known me for five minutes can point out my deepest secret.

"No, of course, he didn't." he hisses "You are a foolish girl."

 I look up and Bilbo shakes his head "Don't listen to him."

 As Smaug climbs on top of the structure, I see the Arkenstone lying a few feet away from the structure and make a run for it. Smaug sees me and whips his tail, sending me, the Arkenstone, and gold flying. I tumble and land against a pillar hurting my head. 

Smaug steps down as his voice booms with each word "My teeth are swords! My claws are spears! My wings are a hurricane!"

As Smaug displays his wings, I notice a scale missing on the left side of Smaug's chest. Bilbo finds himself next to me and mumbles "So it is true. The black arrow found its mark." 

Smaug narrows his eyes "What did you say??" 

Bilbo looks at me then back away "Uh, uh, I was just saying your reputation precedes you, oh Smaug the tyrannical. Truly, you have no equal on this earth."

As Bilbo speaks, I slowly back up. Standing in a bare, open spot, and Smaug faces me. As he finishes speaking, I look down and see the Arkenstone lying just a few feet from me, and I gaze at it wanting to grab it. 

I hear the dragon and look up seeing him turn to me "I am almost tempted to let you take it, if only to see Oakenshield suffer, watch it destroy him, watch it corrupt his heart and drive him mad." 

I look to the dragon than to the stone. My brows draw up in worry and I think of Thorin wearing the crown, his face dark, and eyes filled with hate and greed. 

"But I think not." Smaug interrupts my thoughts "I think our little game ends here. So tell me, human, how do you choose to die?" 

 I raise my bow to him and narrow my eyes. 

He laughs "Stupid are we?"

I smile "Smarter than you." I release the arrow and it strikes the top of the pillar distracting Smaug for a moment.  I turn and bolt as Smaug raises up and sees the inside of his chest glow orange. He roars out and spits fire in my direction. I feel the heat as I slide down a few more coins and then make it to a set of steps. I look frantically around for Bilbo but do not see him. I keep running and ran up the steps only to stop and lean against a wall. I look only to see Bilbo appear behind me. 

"How did you get here?" I ask surprised. 

He shakes his head "Never mind. Run!" 

He jumps ahead of me and we climb up steps and race down hallways. I can hear the dragons stomping get louder. 

"Go faster, go faster, go faster, go faster!" I repeat as we head up each step. We turn down a hallway only to stop as Thorin appears with a sword in hand. I yelp jumping back but relax seeing his face. 

He looks relieved at the both of us "You're alive!" 

I shake my head and loop my arm with his "Not for much longer! We need to go." I say trying to pull him along, but Thorin doesn't budge.

 "Did you find the Arkenstone?" he turns to Bilbo. 

I pull his arm again "Thorin the dragon's coming!" 

He glares at me and snaps "The Arkenstone!" 

Bilbo and I are both silent exchanging glances and I remember what the dragon said about the stone. Thorin looks at me then to Bilbo "Did you find it?" 

Bilbo sighs and shakes his head "No. We have to get out."

Bilbo tries to enter the tunnel, but Thorin swings his sword across it, blocking the entrance. He presses the blade against Bilbo, and Bilbo stumbles back, the sword still touching him. Bilbo and Thorin face each other, with the tip of Thorin's sword against Bilbo's chest. My eyes widen as Thorin keeps stepping towards Bilbo with a glare. 

I shake my head "Thorin..... Thorin!" I say gripping his shoulder. He snaps in my direction with a flash of darkness on his face. I gasp and let go stepping back. Then we hear the thudding. And then Thorin's face slowly changes realizing I'm not stepping back because of the look her gave me, but because of the dragon staring right at us.  Smaug, recognizing Thorin, snarls. Suddenly, the remaining dwarves run out of the tunnel and bump into us. We all face Smaug, our weapons out. Smaug roars and rushes at us; his chest and neck glow orange. 

He then bellows "You will burn!" 

Just as Smaug bellows fire at us, the dwarves, Bilbo, and I turn and jump off the staircase. We tumble down the pile of treasure and land near the entrance to another tunnel, which we run into. As Bilbo slides, I stop and help him up "Come on, Bilbo!"  

Angrily, Smaug breathes fire in all directions. Thorin, the last one in the door, is pushed in by the force of the flames. He runs into the room at the other end of the tunnel with the back of his coat on fire, and he throws himself on the ground and rolls to extinguish the flames. 

I help him to his feet frantically patting his back "Told you the dragon was coming!"

He stands up brushing me off "I'm fine, thank you for asking. Come on." 

With Smaug roaring in the background, we run.  Hiding in a tunnel we lean against the walls and stand there waiting. The thudding goes silent and then nothing. Slowly Thorin peeks his head out of the tunnel. We all follow behind and he turns to us holding up a finger "Shh. Shh." We all begin creeping out of the tunnel with no Smaug insight. 

Dori smiles "We've given him the slip."  

Dwalin shakes his head "No, he's too cunning for that."

 Bilbo looks "So where to now?" 

Thorin nods "The western guardroom. There may be a way out." 

Balin points up "It's too high. There's no chance that way."  

Thorin looks sternly at us all "It's our only chance. We have to try."  

Quietly we tiptoe across the bridge, looking all about. Suddenly, a coin falls to the floor right in front of Bilbo and rings loudly. We all freeze and look at Bilbo, who frantically checks his jacket to see if some coin had been stuck in a fold. Hearing another coin fall, we look up and see Smaug crawling just above us, looking all around. I hold my breath seeing how huge he really is. He hasn't seen us yet. The coins that fell came from his chest and arms, were several coins and gems have embedded themselves after years of him sleeping on them. Thorin motions for us to keep moving.  

"Stay close." Thorin says glancing back at me. I walk right behind him gripping my sword. Eventually, we make it to the opening of the guard room. We all stop abruptly when we see that the guardroom is full of rotted, dust- and cobweb-covered corpses. I cover my mouth looking at all the frozen faces of terror and despair. 

Dwalin shakes his head "That's it, then. There's no way out." 

It seems like a landslide or something has blocked the exit, trapping the dwarves in the past in the room to die. Balin shakes his head "The last of our kin. They must have come here, hoping beyond hope. We could try to reach the Mines. We might last a few days."

I almost feel like crying looking at the corpses. I see a child laying in her mother's arms. Only I can imagine the soft-spoken words of her mother to her lulling her to sleep for them to never wake again. I close my eyes and feel a tear go down my cheek in silence. When I open my eyes Thorin is looking at me in sadness and sympathy. I wipe the tear away and look down expressionless. 

Thorin shakes his head "No. I will not die like this. Cowering, clawing for breath. We make for the forges." 

Dwalin grumbles "He'll see us, sure as death."

 Thorin shakes his head "Not if we split up." 

Balin steps forward "Thorin, we'll never make it." 

Looking over at me Thorin gives me a look of determination "Some of us might. Lead him to the forges. We kill the dragon. If this is to end in fire, then we will all burn together." As the dwarves cheer I smile at Thorin trying to remain hopeful but deep down I feel as if the only one Thorin believes he must get out alive is me. 

---

Thorin, Bilbo, Balin, and I run out onto the bridge from earlier.

"This way!" We follow Thorin but all stop hearing a booming sound from nearby, and Smaug appears. 

"Flee, flee! Run for your lives! There is nowhere to hide." he teases. Smaug goes at us, but he turns at another sound. Dori, Ori, and Bombur are running on another bridge and yelling to distract Smaug.

"Behind you!" Dori says waving.
Smaug looks at them, then lunges toward them. They turn and run. As Smaug chases the second group (Dori, Ori, and Bombur), we continue across the bridge. Suddenly, the third group, Dwalin, and Nori run across another bridge and yell to distract Smaug. 

"Hey, you! Here!" Dwalin shouts.

 Smaug turns and jumps at them. They run off the bridge and into a tunnel just before Smaug's claw lands where they were. We continue going on but I trip and fall hitting the stone bridge. I roll over and Smaug snaps his head in my direction. 

"I've got you!" Thorin says helping me up as we scramble and look at the dragon. Angrily, Smaug blows fire after us. He blows rapidly in an arc all around him, and into all the tunnels. As we run down a hall and see a slight entrance Balin stops "It's this way! This way! Come on!" 

He and Bilbo then head into it. I stop and look at Thorin who's running ahead "Thorin!"

He turns and begins to go back towards me, but stops suddenly. I turn and see Smaug at the end of the hallway. Thorin yells at me "Follow Balin!" 

I get closer to him "Thorin, no!" 

"You have to go!" Thorin calls back keeping an eye on the creeping dragon.

Balin begins pulling my arm "We have to go, lass!" 

I shake my head "We can't leave him!" 

I pull away and rush to Thorin "You don't have to do this. Come on Thorin, please!" I beg to tug his arm. I plead and beg over and over as Thorin tries to calm me. He pulls me closer to him "Molly-Molly! Listen to me, you have to go with Balin." 

I shake my head "No, I won't. You can't go alo-" he interrupts "I promise!" he says holding my face between his hands. "I promise it will be alright. I'll come back."

He rubs my cheek gently as we stare into one another's eyes. Deep down inside me, I feel as if I let him go he'll never come back. Before I can speak again he looks up. He gasps and pulls me to his chest and we hide behind a pillar as fire surrounds us. I can feel the heat as it barely misses us from the pillar blocking it. Thorin and I both gasp as it stops and he looks out seeing Smaug advancing. 

"Go!" he commands me pushing me and I run to the entrance after Balin and Bilbo.

*Thorin's POV*

As I run I jump into a pit. I grab onto a chain with a bucket at the end of it, and it begins descending just as Smaug leaps into the pit as well. Smaug claws his way down the tunnel, snapping at me on the chain. I see Dwalin run-up to the mouth of the pit. 

 As I hold on my legs shake and I hear Dwalin "Thorin!" 

My bucket then stops going down suddenly and I see Smaug advancing. With a jolt, I begin flying upward closer to Smaug now. I narrowly miss Smaug's head in my ascension but I'm closer to freedom. Smaug turns and manages to grab the end of the chain, stopping its movement. Smaug pulls down, at the machinery holding the chain at the top of the pit breaks free of its moorings, and falls into the pit. Hitting chain slack, I gasp as I feel the air beneath me and begin falling. As I do I land standing right on the tip of Smaug's closed mouth. I had seen the dragon before and witnessed his terror, but now I truly am face to face with the beast. I stand on Smaug's top lip as he growls and opens his mouth; fire is visibly rising up his neck. I stare down in horror and know this is it. I will die in fire just as my kin did. 

Just as I close my eyes I hear a scream "THORIN!" 

I open my eyes knowing that voice. The voice that begged me to go with her. The one who looks down at me now helplessly. My eyes turn upward to the light above the tunnel. Molly looks down locking her eyes with mine. Tears brim in her eyes as she mutters my name.

 She can not watch me die.

Just as Smaug snaps closed his mouth to eat me, I leap to the side and grab another chain in the nick of time. Smaug turns to bite me, but the falling machinery strikes him in the face. Nori, at the top of the pit, hits another machine, and its gears spin rapidly, pulling me on my chain rapidly upward. Smaug roars and blows fire straight up the pit after me. I can feel the heat and tense up not wanting to get burned. I see Molly at the top and in her eyes, I can see the flames ascending. With her arm extended she awaits to take hold of me and pull me to safety. As soon as I reach the top my hand takes hers and I scoop up Molly as we land onto the platform. The fire explodes up narrowly missing me. We quickly stand up and I usher her "Go! Go!" 

As we make it into where we melted the gold we look at the blackened furnaces. 

"The plan's not going to work. These furnaces are stone cold." Dwalin exclaims tossing his hand up.

 Balin nods "He's right; there's no fire hot enough to set them ablaze." 

I turn back to the pit "Have we not? I did not look to see you so easily outwitted!" 

"Not the time Thorin. Not the time." Molly says fretfully behind me as I jest at the dragon.

I turn my attention back to the closed gate and shout to the approaching dragon. "You have grown slow and fat in your dotage." 

Smaug snarls at me in anger.

 I glare at him then slightly smirk "Slug." I hiss. 

As Smaug snarls and advances, I yell to the others "Take cover. Go!"

They all rush behind pillars just as Smaug unleashes his flame at us. I see Smaug's fire approaching and I can't move quick enough but someone grabs my shirt and pulls me harshly behind a pillar. Molly wraps her arms around me and we close our eyes tightly as the fire goes past the pillars and reaches all the way to the furnaces. As the heat passes us it is intense and I gasp at how hot it is. Smaug stops, fire suddenly comes out of the bottoms of the furnaces, and they begin glowing and working. Smaug growls in confusion and anger. I look at the furnaces then down to Molly she looks up at me and I nod "Thank you." 

The dwarves run from the pillars as Smaug begins battering at them with his head. They are immensely strong, like a latticework of metal, but they begin to bend under Smaug's tremendous strength. 

"Bombur! Get those bellows working. Go!" I command.

 Bombur nods "Alright!" he runs and leaps onto a chain next to a forge. The chain slides down with his weight, and he lands on the handle of massive bellows. The bellows compress and blast air into the furnace, which exhumes bright blue flames. On top of the furnaces is a massive pile of unrefined gold, at least 10 yards in diameter. I turn and see the latticework continue to bend from Smaug's bashing. 

I point "Bilbo! Molly! Up there, on my mark, pull that lever." 

Looking at the lever high up on a mound, Bilbo runs toward it followed by Molly. The dwarves run toward the forges as the latticework begins to break. 

I grab Balin "Balin, can you still make some flash-flame?"

 He nods "Aye. It'll only take a jiffy." 

Followed by some other dwarves Balin runs off, Dwalin looks at the latticework, which is bending dangerously from Smaug's blows. He looks worried "We don't have a jiffy."

Under the force of Smaug's onslaught, the latticework finally gives way and falls to the ground. Smaug storms into the furnace room. He looks about, growling. My head turns as I see Smaug glaring at Bilbo and Molly. They begin stepping back as his chest glows orange. 

"Wretched girl....and thief in the shadow's...." he hisses "You may think you have value human. To Oakenshield you are no more than collateral damage! Your life is a piece of coal in the mines compared to the value of one gem." he says to Molly. 

Bilbo backs her up as the dragon now leans in towards them. I panic and look from behind the wall and see her frightened face. 

The dragon raises his head "NOW YOU DIE!" he bellows. As his mouth glows orange I step out "NOOO!" I shout. 

The dragon freezes and slowly turns towards me glaring. I yell to Bilbo "Now!" 

They both pull the large lever and huge jets of water burst out of carved faces in the wall behind them and slam into Smaug, knocking him off balance and quenching the flames he was beginning to blow at me. Smaug slides into the side of a furnace from the force of the water, and the glow in his chest disappears. Roaring in rage, Smaug flaps into the air and begins thrashing about madly. The jets of water cause a watermill to begin turning some gears, which causes the various rope conveyor belts to begin operating. Some of them are full of heavy chunks of rock and ore. Looking up I see Bombur continue going up and down on his chain, pumping the bellows and turning the furnace fire blue. Atop the furnaces, the solid impure gold begins to glow and melt. Smaug begins crawling towards me again. Above him, Gloin and Bifur have arrived on the bucket conveyor belt. Backing away I see Bilbo and Molly begin to climb down the mound, Smaug approaches me and I jump back. Suddenly, there is a flash of blue light on the side of his head. Balin, Ori, and Dori are throwing flash-flame bombs at Smaug. However, Smaug is not at all fazed by them and continues toward me. Above Smaug, Gloin raises his ax and cuts the rope of the conveyor belt full of heavy rocks below him, dropping tons of rocks on Smaug and making him fall to the ground, roaring. The gold atop the furnaces is completely melted now. I run over to a furnace and pull on a chain, opening a gate that allows the molten gold to flow out of the furnaces and through troughs built into the ground. I almost smile to myself remembering when I was a child and my father would let me pull the chain. Smaug, tangled in the ropes of the conveyor belt, thrashes about and hits the rope of the conveyor belt Gloin and Bifur are in, breaking it and knocking it to the floor. 

"Noo! Ahhh!" Gloin shouts. 

I step forward and shake my head but see them moving on the floor. Beneath Smaug, rivers of molten gold flow through the troughs on the floor. I jump down and turn and begin running, shouting back at the dwarves "Lead him to the Gallery of the Kings!" 

As Smaug thrashes about, one of the heavy metal buckets tangled on him goes flying toward Bilbo on top of the mound. Bilbo yells and ducks and the bucket misses him but takes large chunks out of the wall. Molly jumps over a broken piece running right behind Bilbo. I scoop up a wheelbarrow and run while pushing it, dodging Smaug's thrashing limbs. Smaug's tail smashes into the base of the mound, cracking it. I throw the wheelbarrow into a channel of gold and leap onto it; it floats on the gold and is carried along. I wince feeling the hot gold splash a little on my fingertips. I wipe it away and look back. Smaug roars and whips his head around, finally getting rid of the ropes and buckets tangled around him. He stomps over to a small entrance at the base of the mound where all the troughs of liquid gold join and lead out of the room. Before he can get to me, I float through the entrance, just as the mound collapses. Looking back I see Molly fall and Bilbo stopping to help her. She waves him off and he keeps going. She scrambles up and tries to run farther from the dragon. Smaug sees her and snarls. He sets his sights on the girl and storms straight for her. 

"No." I breathe.  

With Smaug in pursuit; she leaps onto a large stone sliding before Smaug can grab her, and Smaug slides after her, demolishing all the stone structures nearby with his wings.

*Molly's POV*

I catch up to Bilbo, both of us running from Smaug. We run through a doorway and into a massive hall adorned with banners hundreds of feet tall. Just as we run in, the wall above the doorway explodes as Smaug jumps through it. Dodging the rocks frantically we scramble back and forth but are caught beneath the cloth of a falling banner and knocked to the floor. Smaug leaps to the floor and shouts angrily. 

"You think you could deceive me, Barrel-rider?! Unseen thief?!" 

We peek from the edge of the banner and I breathe heavily. 

"You have come from Laketown. There is- is some sort of scheme hatched between these filthy dwarves and those miserable cup-trading Lakemen. Those sniveling cowards with their longbows and black arrows!" 

Smaug is talking to himself, and his voice breaks in both anger and fear when he mentions the black arrows. I notice this and look at Bilbo and he looks back at me. He points and I see where a scale is missing right at the dragon's heart.
My mind then freezes and I think of all the people than the dwarves in lake town as Smaug speaks "Perhaps it is time I paid them a visit." 

Smaug turns to go to Laketown, and Bilbo gasps "Oh, no." He scrambles out from under the banner and yells at Smaug. I try to grab him but he ignores me. 

"This isn't their fault! Wait! You cannot go to Laketown." 

Hearing this, Smaug stops for a moment, then turns toward Bilbo, who is running after him "You care about them, do you? Good. Then you can watch them die." he snaps. 

I cover my mouth thinking of Fili, Kili, Bofur, Oin, Bard, and his family as well as all the families down there. Just before the dragon takes off a voice booms out "Here, you witless worm!"

Smaug stops in his track, snarling and squinting in anger. He turns toward Thorin who is on top of a large structure. 

"You." the dragon hisses. 

Thorin holds onto a rope and as Smaug stomps towards him I emerge out. 

"I am taking back what you stole." Thorin states. 

Smaug slowly stalks toward Thorin "You will take nothing from me, Dwarf. I laid low your warriors of old. I instill terror in the hearts of men. I am King under the Mountain." His head is level with Thorin now; Bilbo glances at me as I join him. We stand watching from the adjoining hall. 

Thorin speaks again "This is not your kingdom. These are dwarf lands, this is dwarf gold, and we will have our revenge." 

I look to see the trap laid out. Unseen by Smaug, there are chains attached to various places on the back of the stone structure Thorin is standing on, and the ends of these chains are held by the other dwarves. As Thorin speaks, Smaug's chest and neck glow with fire, and Thorin slowly reaches up toward a rope above him. Just as Smaug opens his mouth, Thorin yells something in Khuzdul. Thorin yanks on the rope and a pin behind the stone fall out, releasing heavy wooden bands and chains that had been wrapped tightly around the stone. Smaug rears his head in confusion. The other dwarves pull mightily on their chains, and more pins similar to the first are pulled out of the stone. Bilbo and I step back out of the way and watch. The stone structure, which is now revealed to be the mold into which the liquid gold from earlier poured into, falls apart and reveals a massive statue of a dwarf king, made entirely out of solid gold. Thorin swings away on a rope to escape the falling rocks. Smaug looks at the golden statue, which is even larger than him, in awe and desire. As he approaches it, his mouth opens slightly in greed. Suddenly, the gold around the statue's eyes warps and then explodes into liquid; the gold in the statue had not yet fully solidified, and the entire statue collapses and explodes into burning hot liquid. Smaug roars in anger as the statue melts, and scrabbles backward to escape the gold. However, he cannot move fast enough and the tidal wave of gold hits him and knocks him over. As he roars, he is entirely smothered and drowned in the gold, which fills the entire hall in a layer several feet deep. The gold settles, and no sign of Smaug is seen. I sigh in relief and laugh slightly and look over at Thorin who looks relieved as well. He looks to me with a smile and swings down hitting the floor. All the dwarves cheer and I run to the company and Thorin who is making his way over. 

"You did it Thorin! You did it!" I exclaim.

Just as we are in arm's reach of one another the surface of the golden lake explodes as Smaug leaps out. The force of his exit throws Thorin and I several feet apart landing on the floor. Quickly we both manage to get to our feet as our eyes look to the roaring dragon. He is entirely covered in gold, and he screams in anger and pain "Ahh! Revenge?! Revenge! I will show you REVENGE!" 

We all back away to get out of his rampant path but I catch the dragon's crazed eye. Smaug spots me and narrows in. He roars and quickly advances towards me I scream as his claws wrap around me.

"Molly!!!" Thorin shouts running after us. I try and break away from the tight grip of the dragon but his hold is suffocatingly tight. Smaug stomps to the mouth of the broken entrance of Erebor prepared to take flight. 

"Thorin!" I scream in terror just as the dragon takes off into the air from the broken doors of Erebor. The gold he is covered in flies off into sparkling power and he soars into the night with me in his clutches. I look down to see the company running out after us but only to stop seeing I'm too far gone. My eyes lock with the angered and petrified look of Thorin as I'm carried off from him. Looking ahead I see Laketown and remember what I dreamed. 

"Oh God, what have we done?" 

My blood runs cold as the dragon speaks in his low booming voice like thunder. Words so simple yet petrifying.

"I am fire. I am...

DEATH!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Oh misty eye of the mountain below. Keep careful watch of my brothers' souls. And should the sky be filled with fire and smoke. Keep watching over Durin's sons.