The next morning was a quiet affair for the dwarves. Most of them were still leery of Harry. Even the ones who had stood up for his plan of negotiating with Smaug. No one brought up Harry's change in status from friend to possible foe. They were probably still trying to absorb the information Harry had told them last night. He knew it was hard to believe. Harry wasn't sure he would have believed it if he hadn't seen both Middle Earth and Earth with his own eyes.
The dwarves had been on a time constraint to reach the mountain. The secret door leading into Erebor only opened at a certain time on a certain day. Durin's Day fell today. However, they no longer needed to use that particular door since they had access to the front doors via Harry.
Thorin wanted to get to the mountain as soon as possible anyway. The others wanted the chance to rest up a bit before they risked going up against Smaug. Harry was certain that it was all a bit more intimidating for them knowing for certain that Smaug was alive and awake up there in the mountain, waiting for them. They had been on one crazy adventure after another, and if they were going to face a dragon they wanted to be ready for it.
In the end the other dwarves compromised with Thorin. They would spend just one more day in Laketown before heading up to the mountain. Harry was certain that the big motivator was Kili's worsening condition. The dark haired dwarf prince was growing steadily paler by the hour.
Fili and Harry were worried.
"Is it the same poison that the orcs used on me?" Harry asked of Oin.
Kili was currently laying down in a fitful sleep.
"It's something similar. The fever, the pallor, and the weakness seem to all be similar symptoms. The black ichor from the wound looks the same as well. Eventually you were able to fight off the toxin on your own. However, you might have a stronger tolerance being what you are," Oin admitted.
"Oin's right, you got better the longer you were off it. Yet, Kili seems to only be getting worse," Fili worried.
"We can only wait, and hope that he fights this on his own," Oin sighed.
Harry once more was swamped by hopelessness.
"He's strong, he can do it," Harry said firmly.
Fili nodded his agreement even if he looked as worried as Harry felt.
The day was spent with Fili, Oin, and Harry standing vigil over Kili, who was confined to his bed. To distract Kili, Harry made Fili and Kili tell him about their journey again, which they were more than willing to do. They told him about every little detail of their adventures. Harry had seen brief snippets of it in his dreams but it was nice to hear the entire tale from them. They had even had a run in with the same trolls that Harry had. If it hadn't been for Mr. Baggins' quick thinking they would have been cooked.
"I did wonder how the one with the ladle hurt his arm," Fili mused.
"They're nothing but stone now," Kili grinned.
"As long as they're not terrorizing families any more," Harry shrugged.
The other dwarves went about their own business. Bombur, Bofur, and Bifur talked and laughed amongst themselves as they rested. Nori went out scouting into Laketown while Dori kept Ori the farthest distance from Harry that he could in the small flat. Thorin, Dwalin, and Balin were in deep discussion. They did keep an eye on Kili's progress, and on Harry.
Bilbo hovered between the different groups before Harry invited him over to sit with Fili, Kili, and he. The hobbit was slightly terrified at first but he reluctantly joined them for the rest of the afternoon. Soon the hobbit settled down and was providing Harry with a much more accurate description of their journey across Middle Earth.
Things remained relatively the same, until night fell. Kili's condition worsened. Sweat poured off of him, and he began to thrash on the pallet he laid on.
"I need something to break this fever," Oin worried.
Harry wracked his brain for something. He'd had four years of a magical education he had to have learned something in that time to help Kili.
"Kingsfoil!" Harry suddenly cried, he hoped that Middle Earth even had such a plant.
"The weed? We use it to feed the pigs," Bard frowned.
"I'll get some!" Bofur offered and rushed from the house.
The rest of them stayed behind. It was a good thing too. Only moments after Bofur had left, orcs burst through the doors.
Harry had a moment of panic as the stench of orcs hit him. Seeing his friends in danger managed to snap him out of it. He whipped out his wand and, threw a couple of stunners at the orcs. The spell did its job in knocking the orcs off their feet, and rendering them vulnerable. The dwarves quickly moved to dispatch them.
The dwarves had just finished them off when elves appeared. One was a red haired female, and the other was a pale haired male. The dwarves and elves were obviously familiar with one another. If their disdainful expressions for one another was anything to go by.
"What are you doing here, elf?" Thorin demanded.
"One of your members was hit with a morgul arrow. The poison will kill him. I can help," the red haired elf butted in.
"You can help him?" Fili demanded.
"Yes," she nodded confidently.
"He's this way," Fili immediately showed her the way to Kili.
Oin followed but Harry stayed to watch the interactions between Thorin and this mystery elf. They clearly hated one another.
"There are more orcs running about the town. They followed you from the Woodland Realm," the elf announced his blue eyes turning towards the town.
"Dwarves, grab a weapon we'll get rid of this scum," Thorin growled.
The dwarves did just that, even Bard grabbed a weapon to join them in ridding the town of orcs.
Harry made to join them but the scream from the other room had him pausing. The elf, dwarves, and Bard were more than capable of taking care of the orcs. Harry turned to go check on his friend.
Bofur had returned with the kingsfoil. He'd given it to the red haired elf woman, and she was now chanting over Kili's body in her lyrical language. Harry could feel the magic building in the room. The hair along his arms rose, and his body tingled.
The magic came to a crescendo, and Harry was immediately relieved to see the color start to return to Kili's cheeks. Fili was just as relieved. He ran to his brother, and clutched him close. Harry joined them, the warmth of his joy suffusing him.
"Thank you," Harry nodded to the red haired elf.
"It was my pleasure," she assured.
"What's your name?" Harry asked.
"I am Tauriel, and you?"
"Harry."
"I could not in good conscious leave him to die. No one deserves such a gruesome death. Now, if you can excuse me I must seek out my prince and ensure he is well," Tauriel said her goodbyes to the others and took off into the night.
"Prince?" Harry asked.
"He's the Prince of Mirkwood, Legolas," Fili explained.
Harry nodded. While Fili and Oin settled Kili down into a comfortable sleep, Harry, Bilbo, and Bofur set about helping Bard's family pick up their house from the impromptu fight.
The dwarves and Bard returned soon after they had finished their cleaning. They had gotten rid of all of the orcs except one. Tauriel and Legolas had taken off after the remaining orc to hunt him down. The fight hadn't gone unnoticed by the people of Laketown. The Master of the Lake, a greedy and obnoxious man, was calling for their arrest. It was now necessary for them to leave as soon as possible to avoid being stopped by the Lake Men.
Harry carried Kili, despite his protests, while the others gathered whatever other supplies they might need. Bard had gotten them a boat to take to the shores of the mountain. The man still wasn't completely thrilled with what they were doing but he was wary enough of Harry to help send them off. They clambered inside and took off in the dark of the night.
The sun was coming up by the time they reached the opposite shore. They took the time to rest a moment before pushing on in their trek towards the mountain. Kili may have been healed from the poison but his leg was far from fully healed and it slowed him down. They had to stop several times to let him rest before Harry decided to do something about it.
"I'm going to take my true form so Kili can ride on my back," Harry announced after the third time they stopped for Kili to rest.
It would be good for the dwarves to get used to his dragon form a bit before they reached the mountain. It would prepare them for seeing Smaug who was even larger and more intimidating than Harry.
The dwarves instantly looked wary, staring at him with slightly fearful expressions. Harry felt a little embarrassed as he stripped down to his pants what with the way their eyes were completely locked on his every move. Harry shrugged it off. It was better to get this over with now rather than later.
Harry took a few steps away from the party, and began the change. His body sighed in relief as he retook his true form. Only once the change was complete did he dare look in the direction of the small group.
Fili and Kili were obviously used to the sight. The others wore expressions ranging from terrified to complete awe. Harry immediately lowered himself towards the ground to lessen the effect of his size.
"I think you grew since the last time I saw you," Kili exclaimed, breaking the tense silence and moving over to Harry's side without a hint of fear or unease.
"It's possible, Smaug says I haven't grown into my adult size yet," Harry commented.
"Up you get," Fili helped Kili up onto Harry's back.
Once the dwarf was up, Harry stood.
"I missed this, can we fly to the mountain?" Kili asked.
"Absolutely not, it's bad enough you're up there to begin with," Thorin snarled.
"It's fine, uncle, Fili and I have ridden on Harry's back loads of times," Kili waved away his uncle's concerns.
This didn't alleviate Thorin's concerns in the slightest. The dwarf king looked even angrier at the knowledge. Thorin hadn't confronted his nephews about keeping the truth about Harry from him yet. It was obvious that anger was stewing inside of him just waiting for a chance to be unleashed.
Harry wouldn't have been surprised if Thorin hated him utterly and completely now. Not only was he the son of one of his most hated enemies but he had gotten his beloved nephews to keep a huge secret from him. Harry hoped that with time Thorin would forgive him, and realize that he was still the same person he had been when he lived with them in the Blue Mountains.
"We'll stay with the Company," Harry decided.
Kili whined about not being able to fly.
"What did I tell you? I'm not a pack mule," Harry growled back playfully, he was hoping he could prove to the dwarves he was no different now that he was in his dragon form.
Kili snorted. "And I told you, I'm Kili the Dragon Tamer you have to do as I say."
That earned some chuckles from some of the others. The over all mood brightened slightly after seeing the ease with which Kili and Fili interacted with him while he was in his dragon form.
They still kept a great distance between themselves and Harry but they were growing more comfortable in his presence. Ori even began asking him questions. Dori tried to stop him but for once Ori stood up to his brother, and insisted on learning everything he could about Harry's dragon form.
The trip took them most of the morning. It was agonizingly slow for Harry to travel across the ground especially since he had to stop and wait periodically for the dwarfs to catch up to him. His much greater size meant just one of his steps had him traveling greater distances than the dwarfs could when running.
They did eventually reach the front doors. Harry gave a little knock to let Smaug know they were there, and pushed the door open. Smaug had left it unblocked so that Harry could easily get back in when he returned.
Harry listened carefully as they walked inside to locate where Smaug was. He could hear the larger dragon moving towards the Gallery of the Kings. It made sense. Smaug would no doubt want to keep the dwarves away from the treasure hoard as long as possible.
"This is incredible," Kili breathed, in awe of his surroundings.
"I remember this stone, this hall," Thorin's eyes were surprisingly wet as he looked around the large hall.
The older dwarfs were of a similar mind, and were looking around their old home in joy and happiness. The younger dwarfs and Bilbo who had never seen it before simply looked around with a similar sense of awe as Kili.
"This way," Harry turned, leading the small group towards where Smaug was waiting for them.
They followed him reluctantly. The further they went into Erebor the stronger the scent of fear grew. He wished he could put the dwarves' minds at ease but he honestly had no idea how this meeting was going to go. In fact he was so nervous he had Kili get down just incase he had to get between Smaug and the dwarves. He wouldn't have to worry about endangering Kili while he was on his back.
When they stepped into the Gallery of the Kings, Smaug was waiting for them there. He heard the deep inhalations and the scent of fear grew even stronger. Smaug's golden gaze swept over the small party, his eyes calculating. Harry moved across the stone floor to greet Smaug.
"Sire," he gently head butted Smaug.
"My son, I am glad you have returned to me," Smaug nuzzled him back.
Harry could see the obvious relief in his eyes. His eyes hardened once more when he turned back to look at the dwarves.
Thorin was glaring at Smaug while the others looked a lot more uncertain when faced with two dragons. Smaug was also twice the size of Harry, which was rather intimidating in and of itself. Harry wasn't exactly small especially when compared to the dwarves and Bilbo. Smaug was even larger.
Harry decided he would have to do the introductions since no one else seemed capable or willing to speak.
"Everyone this is my father, Smaug. Sire, this is Thorin Oakenshield and his Company. These are my good friends, Thorin's nephews, Fili and Kili. The others are Dwalin, Balin, Oin, Gloin, Ori, Dori, Nori, Bifur, Bofur, and Bombur. Then of course the hobbit, Mr. Bilbo Baggins," Harry pointed out each of the company as he said their names.
"I would say it is a pleasure, but it isn't," Smaug spoke, his deep voice reverberating through the chamber.
"I quite agree. The stink of dragon is quite foul in the halls of my forefathers," Thorin spat.
Smaug growled, and snaked his head down to the dwarves' level.
The other dwarves shifted uncomfortably and some even took a few steps back but Thorin held his stance.
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"Listen closely, dwarf. I am Smaug! My armor is like tenfold shields. My teeth are swords. My claws are spears. The shock of my tail is a thunderbolt. My wings a hurricane. And my breath is death! I don't have to let you back into the mountain. I don't have to give you access to the treasury. And I don't have to give you back the Arkenstone. The only reason you are here is because my son has some misplaced affection for you," Smaug hissed into Thorin's face.
Thorin took having a very large, very angry dragon snarling into his face a lot better than most. He just continued glaring right up at Smaug.
"Considering that this is my mountain to begin with, it's awfully generous of you, slug," Thorin snarled back.
"Oh, Merlin," Harry sighed as Smaug's chest began to glow ominously.
"Your mountain?" Smaug roared, rearing back to his full, intimidating height. "I laid low your warriors of old. I instilled terror in the hearts' of Men. I am King Under the Mountain."
"Merlin's balls, why did you have to bring that up?" Harry barely resisted the overwhelming urge to smash his head against a wall. This couldn't be going any worse.
The two of them were scarily similar when it came to possession of the mountain and treasure, and it meant that neither of them was ready to give an inch to the other.
The others were all shifting uncomfortably due to the rapidly rising tension in the room. The dwarves were nervously reaching their hands towards their weapons, and Mr. Baggins had his hand in his front pocket, nervously fiddling with whatever was inside.
"That's enough, both of you," Harry growled, stepping between them.
"It is of no use, my son. We will not come to an agreement. I did try, however," Smaug stated.
"It's barely been a minute since you've met each other. I don't think that counts as trying. So why don't we all calm down a bit and try a little harder," Harry snapped.
"And why should we trust you? You've done nothing but lie to us since we first met," Thorin snapped at him.
"Uncle," Fili protested.
"You dare speak ill of my son when he has done nothing but defend you, dwarf?" Smaug's eyes glowed fiercely and his tail lashed angrily against the columns in the room, making them creak ominously.
"I simply speak the truth. You wyrms cannot be trusted to be honorable and keep your word," Thorin replied.
"And we can trust the word of a dwarf such as yourself? You are just as greedy as you claim me to be," Smaug snarled, teeth flashing.
Harry recognized the signs. He knew Smaug was seconds away from actually snapping at Thorin, and cause the entire meeting to end in disaster.
"Sire, wait. Let me speak to him," Harry turned to Throin. "You helped me and protected me when I really needed it. In return I kept the truth about who I was from you. I betrayed your trust, and I apologize for that. You may not ever forgive me, and that's fine but we need to move forward if you want to get the mountain back."
"Harry's right, Uncle," Fili spoke up. "I know you may not trust his word, but I do. Harry's my friend. He saved my life, and he's trying to help us now. This isn't you. Your greed is clouding your better judgment, Uncle. You know Harry, you just didn't know one aspect of him. If you let yourself, you'll see that he is the same person we met over a year ago."
Thorin and Smaug glared at one another but neither made a move to antagonize the other further, which was a drastic improvement. Of course Harry didn't expect it to last, considering they nearly came close to attacking one another within five minutes of meeting each other. Thorin kept egging Smaug on, and Smaug seemed all too willing to fall for the bait.
"Besides, it's not like we'd stand a chance against Smaug. We might as well try to negotiate with one another," Kili butted in.
Thorin sent his nephew a glare but Smaug looked intrigued.
"I like this one. He recognizes the truth of my magnificence," Smaug purred, snaking his head towards Kili.
Kili's eyes got big as Smaug came to rest his head beside him.
"Nice to meet you," Kili managed to squeak.
"Which one are you again?" Smaug asked.
"I'm Kili," Kili replied with a little more confidence.
"Ah, you are a friend of my son's," Smaug nodded.
Kili nodded.
"We both are. I'm Fili," Fili bravely stepped up beside his brother.
"Well met, Fili, Harry has told me a lot about both of you," Smaug greeted.
"Has he?" Thorin questioned, looking suspicious.
"Yes, he's told me of the mischief the three of you got up to whilst staying in the Blue Mountains," Smaug added.
Thorin's eyes widened a bit in surprise.
"Did he tell you about the time we dyed Dwalin's clothing?" Kili piped up, grinning widely.
"Oi, you don't need to bring that up here, you rascal," Dwalin growled, face turning a bright red as he glanced up at Smaug.
Smaug's booming laughter thundered around the hall.
The sound of it seemed to startle and unsettle the dwarves more than his snarling had. The growling the dwarves had been prepared for. No doubt they hadn't believed Smaug was capable of mirth, and it made them uncomfortable to see him laughing over something as small as a prank.
"He did," Smaug answered Kili, oblivious to the shock and confusion of the dwarves.
"Let's get back to the topic at hand," Thorin redirected.
"Certainly. Harry has brought up the option of sharing the mountain between us. We would have our own private section away from you dwarves so that we need not worry about interacting with one another. I would be amendable to this arrangement as long as I keep half of the hoard," Smaug turned his attention back towards Thorin.
"I don't see why you would need half of the treasure. What do you plan to do with all the gold beyond lounging in it?" Thorin argued.
"It is none of your business what I do with my gold, dwarf. A portion of the gold is my own that I brought with me from my own hoard. I also don't have to give back the mountain. You dwarves would stand little chance against me if I chose not to be quite so generous. I think half of the treasure hoard is a considerable concession on my part. Or perhaps I should argue for three quarters of the treasure," Smaug suggested, glaring at Thorin.
Thorin had to know that Smaug had him backed into a corner. Thorin didn't have an army to back him at the moment. He had to know that there was no way he would be able to get Smaug out of the mountain without possibly losing his own life or those of his company in the process. But Thorin seemed to be acting a bit harsher than Harry remembered him being. He'd always been stern but now that he was so close to getting back the mountain he almost seemed callous. His only focus was on getting back the mountain no matter the cost.
"I will consider agreeing to this only if I get the Arkenstone in my half of the treasure, and if you agree to help defend Erebor should an enemy rise up against us," Thorin stated.
"I would agree to help you protect the mountain from enemies. For a fee," Smaug countered.
"A fee?" Thorin demanded, blue eyes narrowing.
"Sire, you know you'd protect the mountain from intruders without being paid," Harry rolled his eyes.
Smaug shot him an angry look that clearly said 'But the dwarf didn't know that.'
Harry stared back, unimpressed.
Smaug heaved a huge, put upon sigh, "Very well, a small fee."
"Sire!" Harry growled.
"No fee," Smaug spat in disgust.
"Good, then I will not be forced to charge you rent for living in my mountain," Thorin grinned smugly.
Smaug's eyes narrowed, lips curling.
"Now that we have that squared away. We can move on to the other matters. Where would be a good place for us to move?" Harry broke in.
Soon they were in a full on negotiation. Balin jumped in to the conversation to help keep things diplomatic as the two of them had devolved into childish name calling several times. Harry only stepped in when it looked like Smaug's temper was going to explode, and cause a fiery death for all of those involved.
Eventually, after several hours of negotiations, Smaug and Thorin came to a reluctant agreement. They'd gone over every possible little detail about what each of them would be getting out of a truce between the two of them. It would be up to Harry and the other dwarves to make sure that the two of them stuck to their agreement.
It was obvious that the two of them still hated each other but at least the extensive negotiation had gone a long way in settling the tempers they'd both had at their initial meeting.
The true test of their reluctant truce came when Smaug led them back down to the treasure hoard.
"By my beard," Dwalin gasped at the sight of the vast wealth of Erebor laid out before them like a sea of gold.
The other dwarves were far too stunned to do anything but stare. Smaug looked both smug, and a little annoyed at having the dwarves near the gold that he had for so long considered his. Harry was just relieved that he didn't feel the same way. His gold tolerance had increased over the past few months after being surrounded by it.
Thorin was the first to break out of his trance.
"Quickly, let us search for the Arkenstone," Thorin commanded.
"I know exactly where it is. I will get it," Smaug announced.
His massive frame stepped easily over the dwarves, and moved across the piles of gold with practiced ease. Thorin frowned but he actually waited while Smaug went about getting the Arkenstone.
Smaug carefully dug through the piles of gold. The larger firedrake had a perfect memory when it came to the treasure hoard. He knew exactly where every single piece of treasure was located.
"Over here, dwarf," Smaug called.
Thorin shot off across the gold so quickly Harry thought he'd been hit with a stinging hex. He returned carrying a glowing opalescent stone, and wearing a triumphant smile on his face. The other dwarves quickly gathered around it to get a better look. Harry felt no particular draw towards the stone, and wondered what was so special about the glowing rock.
They spent several minutes oohing and ahhing over it. Smaug used that time to start scooping up piles of gold into his mouth.
"What are you doing?" Harry frowned.
"I'm moving our half of the treasure to our new chambers," Smaug answered.
Or least that's what Harry thought he said. It had come out pretty garbled around his mouthful of gold.
"'Elp ee," Smaug commanded.
Harry sighed, this was going to take forever. But he wasn't going to carry any around in his mouth. He was also a wizard and would be using his magic to relocate the piles of gold. Harry returned to his human form, and pulled out his wand. Using Wingardium Leviosa, he started to levitate small piles of gold to their new home.
Thorin and Smaug had chosen a section of the mountain that had been under renovations at the time Smaug had attacked to be Smaug's new home. The wing was actually going to be a new addition to the treasury, and was located up near the top of the mountain, and was a good distance away from the main living area. Thror had started to get quite paranoid towards the end, and had built it to get his gold away from the other dwarves.
It was very private, and would be difficult for a dwarf to accidentally stumble into since the only way to get to it had been a flight of stairs. However, that flight of stairs leading up to it had been completely shattered by Smaug. The only way up to it would be to fly or to do some serious rock climbing up a sheer wall. Smaug was planning to melt the stone around the entrance to smooth it out, and make climbing up to it impossible. It was also large enough to hold all of the gold, and for Harry and Smaug to move around comfortably in. With a little work it would have its own private entrance and exit to the outside of the mountain.
It took Harry and Smaug two days to move all of Smaug's half of the gold into his new nest. Once it was all up in their new corner, Smaug set about to melting the cliff wall to keep out unwanted intruders.
The dwarves had been busy as well while Harry and Smaug had been setting up their new quarters. They had set up camp in the main hall where they had been negotiating earlier. Thorin had sent off ravens to inform the other dwarves that it was safe to move back into the mountain. He hadn't told them about the agreement with Smaug. It was decided that could wait until the other dwarves were already there. Otherwise they may not come knowing Smaug was still alive, and there was in fact another dragon with him.
Harry spent some of his time in the main hall with the dwarves, catching up with them and their adventures. They were celebrating. It may not have been the victory they had been hoping for but at the end of the day they still got their home back. They had all survived their journey, they had their home back, and they could start rebuilding their lives within the secure walls of Erebor.
Thorin had kept his word and divided the remaining half of the treasure among the company. The newly crowned dwarf king had calmed down, and become much more rational once the Arkenstone was back in his possession. Now he was concerned about protecting his reclaimed kingdom from all those who would no doubt try and take it from him.
Once the dwarves fell asleep, Harry would return to his dragon form, and make his way towards Smaug's new chambers.
The older dragon was still carefully looking over, and rearranging his portion of the gold into his new cavernous suite to his satisfaction.
"How are you adjusting?" Harry asked.
He was concerned about Smaug. The other dragon hadn't experienced so much change in centuries as he had the last few days.
"Surprisingly well. It was rather invigorating to bargain with Oakenshield. It made me realize how complacent I've become over the centuries. In my youth a day did not pass when I did not have to be cunning in order to outwit a stronger and fiercer opponent. It also helps to know that the other half of the gold is just a short distance away, and I can always get it back if I truly wanted to," Smaug settled himself down in the gold.
There was still more than enough gold to completely bury the massive dragon, and for Harry to swim in. If the two of them were so inclined.
"Will you?" Harry asked.
"No, I suppose not. This is more than enough to satisfy me, along with your company. However, I have no desire to seek out the company of dwarves. We can sound proof the chamber, and it will be as if the dwarves aren't even here," Smaug smiled.
Harry laughed, and moved to curl up against Smaug's side. The older dragon easily made room, wrapping a winged forearm around Harry.
"I'm really impressed with the way you've handled everything the past few days," Harry commented.
"Are you?" Smaug's voice held a hint of surprise.
"Yes, of course I am. You only tried to set fire to the dwarves twice," Harry teased.
Smaug chuckled.
"But honestly, I really appreciate what you've done. I know it can't be easy for you, and you've done this all for me. I don't know how to thank you," Harry murmured.
"Are you happy?" Smaug questioned.
"Yes, of course," Harry agreed, confused about why he was asking.
"Then I'm happy, and there is no need for thanks," Smaug told him simply.
Harry didn't know how to express out loud how much that meant to him. Harry hadn't had many adults who cared about his happiness growing up. The first had been Sirius and Remus when he was already thirteen years old. Instead, Harry just snuggled closer to Smaug's side, nuzzling his head beneath Smaug's chin, and humming loudly in contentment. Smaug hummed back, and the two of them drifted off to sleep.
They were woken by loud shouts. Harry recognized Fili and Kili's voices calling his name.
"Tell the dwarves to quit their shouting or I'll change my mind about our agreement. I can't have them pestering me whenever I want to take a nap," Smaug muttered as he shifted, and settled back down into the coins.
Harry got up to see what was going on. He peeked over the edge of their new chambers to see Kili and Fili standing there.
"Harry! Thank Mahal we finally got your attention," Fili shouted up at him.
"What do you need?" Harry asked.
"Something's happening outside, you and Smaug should both come," Kili answered.
"What's so urgent, little dwarf?" Smaug appeared at Harry's side.
"Elvesâ" Fili began only to be cut off by Smaug's growl.
Smaug's features twisted into a fierce scowl, and he leapt from the ledge with surprising speed. Fili and Kili yelped as Smaug glided over their heads and landed behind them. The large red dragon was already storming through the halls of Erebor by the time Harry made his way down from the ledge.
"What is it about elves?" Harry asked Fili and Kili as they quickly tried to catch up to Smaug.
"An army of Mirkwood elves has turned up in Dale. The Men of Laketown have started to join them," Fili answered.
"Who knows what they're plotting," Kili commented with a frown.
"But we told Bard that I would talk to my father about them moving back to Dale. I thought they would at least wait to move until I confirmed it. My sire's patience is already stretched thin from allowing all of you into the mountain," Harry muttered.
"He's not much fond of change is he?" Kili grinned.
"No, definitely not," Harry nodded.
"I don't think Bard has much say in Laketown. In fact the Master of Laketown seemed to hate him. Perhaps Bard hasn't even gotten a chance to tell the rest of his people about us," Fili offered.
"True, the Master seemed like an awful sort. He'd want to get his hands on the wealth of Erebor any way that he could," Kili agreed.
The three of them made their way out to the front entrance. All of the dwarves were out on a rampart over looking Dale. Smaug was curled just inside the shadows beside Thorin both of their gazes intently locked on Dale, and the people crawling all over it.
"Smaug and Uncle are wearing matching expressions," Kili chuckled.
"Hopefully giving them a common enemy will unite them," Fili agreed with a grin.
"The only thing Uncle hates more than Smaug are the elves," Kili nodded.
"He might even hate them more. Smaug was just following his instincts when he took the mountain. The elves on the other hand turned their backs on us when our people were starving after they claimed they were our allies," Fili scowled.
"What do you think they want?" Harry questioned.
"They want to lay claim to the treasure. What other purpose could they have gathering an army outside the mountain but to try and rob us?" Thorin spat.
"No doubt they believe me to be dead, and seek to scavenge the mountain while you lack proper reinforcements," Smaug hypothesized.
Thorin grunted his agreement.
"Bard said there were rumors of another dragon. Surely the Lakemen would pass it on to the elves," Kili brought up.
"The Master's greed for the gold inside would keep him from sharing such information. If he even believed such rumors himself," Thorin rationalized.
"So what's our plan?" Harry asked.
It was a little daunting to see an actual army forming such a short distance away. Harry had faced down Voldemort and his Death Eaters. He'd fought a basilisk with only a sword, and brought down a mountain troll by shoving his wand up its nose. Harry had also been in a few magical duels. But those had been silly childish fights.
The army of elves was nothing like anything he had encountered before. This could turn into a real battle, and Harry wasn't sure he was prepared for something like that. Realistically he knew that he could probably take anything they threw at him in his dragon form. But Harry didn't know if he could kill another sentient being. He supposed if they were really going to attack he would do what he had to, to protect his friends and father.
"We wait, and see what they want. My cousin Dain should be here in a few days with reinforcements. And of course we have the two of you, don't we?" Thorin cast stern glances at both of them.
"Don't worry yourself, Oakenshield, I hold no more love for elves than you do. The last thing I want are those shimmering, prancing forest dwellers trying to crawl about the mountain, and take my gold," Smaug snorted in displeasure.
"We will continue to fortify the mountain in preparation for an invasion," Thorin commanded.
The dwarves quickly set about to gathering weapons and preparing for war. Harry helped them move around large chunks of broken stone to block the front gate while Smaug watched.
"You could help you know," Harry commented.
"I am, I'm conserving my strength for the battle," Smaug answered, checking over his claws.
Harry sighed and went off to help. Eventually he took his human form to try his hand at transfiguring a few blockades near the front of the gates. He was moderately successful. He just hoped that they actually held.
He was passing through one of the halls when he caught sight of the back of the hobbit, Mr. Baggins, in an alcove.
"Mr. Baggins," Harry greeted the hobbit.
The hobbit startled, and whatever had been in his hand dropped and pinged its way across the stone floor.
"Oh, you startled me, Harry," the hobbit gasped, and quickly crouched down in search of whatever he had dropped.
Harry followed his lead, feeling bad that he had startled the poor hobbit.
"I'm sorry for scaring you, Mr. Baggins," Harry apologized.
"It's quite all right, Harry, I was just, uh⦠checking something. Do you see it?" Mr. Baggins sounded quite anxious about whatever he'd dropped.
"What did you drop?" Harry asked.
"Oh it's⦠it's nothing really. Just a trinket I find during our travels," Mr. Baggins mumbled.
Suddenly, Harry's eyes alit on a flicker of gold in the torchlight. Before he could stop himself his hand lashed out, and scooped it up. He brought the object close, and found himself looking at a simple golden ring.
It was a plain gold band but why did it stir up such fervor inside him? Harry was gripped by the overwhelming desire to never let this ring go, to never let it out of his sight. Something broke inside Harry's skull. Touching the ring unlocked something inside him that had been waiting for him. A voice was whispering in his head to clutch the Ring close, and burn any who dared to try and take it from him. It was the most precious thing he had ever held in his life.
It would make him great.
Those thoughts snapped him out of his current train of thought. He frowned. Why did he need to be great? He already had his father, and his friends. Harry didn't need to be great.
"Can I have it back now?" Mr. Baggins questioned anxiously.
Harry's gaze snapped back to the hobbit.
"Right, sorry, Mr. Baggins," Harry mumbled.
He looked back down at the palm of his hand where the simple ring sat. Harry willed himself to hand it over. His hand didn't move.
"Harry?" Mr. Baggins frowned.
It was the hardest thing Harry had ever done to move his hand towards the hobbit. Mr. Baggins was quick to snatch the ring from his palm.
"Thank you, Harry," Mr. Baggins quickly tucked the ring away, completely breaking the pull Harry felt towards the ring.
"You're welcome. Sorry it took me a bit, I thought I had my gold lust under control," Harry flashed a quick smile.
"It's no trouble at all," Mr. Baggins assured.
Harry nodded and mumbled an excuse to leave. He was a little shaken by what had happened. For a moment it had felt like someone was actually speaking to him, and more troubling still, the voice had sounded familiar.