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It was truly amazing how quickly the people beneath you began to shrink until they looked no bigger than ants. The flight was a silent one, due mostly to the fact that the wind whipped away your words everytime you tried to speak. So instead, you focused your attention on the scenery beneath you. Your thoughts wandered to all of the beautiful lands you would love to see from this view. Perhaps, after all of this was over, the two of you could go to those places. You hurriedly shook those ideas out of your mind. Even if you did survive the upcoming months, your place was back in Rivendell with your beloved Bilbo. He needed you now more than ever. Suddenly, you felt very guilty for even entertaining such ideas.

However, your thoughts were soon interrupted by a dark spot on the horizon. At first it was difficult to make out the sight in front of you, but as you drew closer it became terrifingly clear. Smaug sharply whipped his body around and quickly headed back in the direction you had come from. After what seemed like forever due to your growing panic, he finally landed and you hopped off his head.

"Tell me that wasn't what I thought it was!" You didn't give him time to respond before continuing. "There is no way! It isn't possible! Saruman couldn't have gotten an army that big that fast!"

"He is a powerful wizard working alongside the darkest force in Middle-Earth. I suspected something like this would happen."

"What are we going to do? Rohan doesn't even have their real army right now. They don't stand a chance." Tears were beginning to find their way into your eyes. Suddenly, you felt Smaug gently nuzzle you with his snout. It lasted only a moment, but it brought you great comfort.

"I vow to you on my life that I will do whatever is necessary to protect you and those you hold dear. Helms Deep is directly over this hill. We should hurry so that we may warn the king."

Silently, you moved to climb atop his head but he pulled back, nodding his head "no." In almost the blink of an eye he was in his human form again. "I would not have fit into the fortress the other way," he said, giving you a gentle smile. Then he took your hand and began leading you over the hill.

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

"Ten thousand?" Theoden asked in disbelief.

"At least." Smaug responded.

Theoden paced for a moment before turning to you, "You saw them as well?"

"I did."

"We must call for aid," Aragorn said.

Soon, Theoden and your three friends were arguing about how to handle the upcoming battle. You felt Smaug whisper into your ear, "It is not my place to be a part of this discussion. I shall find you later, my pet." Then he turned and disappeared into the crowded fortess.

Some time later you left to wander the fortress in hopes of finding him. He was not in any of the places you imagined he would be. Eventually you found him studying over several pieces of armor and chainmail with a disapproving look etched on his perfect features.

"These humans know nothing of personal defense. This could easily be penetrated by a strong enough foe. Even with all their faults, at least the Dwarves know how to make proper armor."

"Thorin gave Bilbo a Mithril shirt. It was um, too small for me, so he gave it to Frodo. It saved his life in Moria."

Smaug turned to face you, placing his large hands on your arms, "I wish we had some Mithril now." His jaws were clenched and his eyes lost in thought. Something was obviously bothering him. "You are going to insist on staying down here during the battle, are you not?"

"Yes."

"But you will be much safer in the air with me."

"But I will also be useless up there, Smaug. Down here I might can do some good." You placed your hand on his cheek, surprising both of you, but neither of you moved. "I'll be alright. I promise."

Behind you, you heard a throat clearing. You turned to see Legolas. "May I have a word with you, y/n? In private." Excusing yourself from Smaug, you went to join Legolas.

"What is it?"

"I want to talk to you about Smaug. I am concerned for you. I think you are forgetting what he is."

"And what is that?" You snapped, "a monster?"

"No, a dragon. Just because he can take a human form does not make him a human. I know you love him, and I understand why. But make sure you love him in a way and in a role that he can actually fulfill. He will make a great friend, guardian, and companion. But please do not let yourself fall in love with an illusion."

You couldn't help but be shocked at what Legolas was saying to you. After all, you were a married woman. True, it was an unusual situation, but that didn't change anything. The look in his eyes, however, told you that he meant no ill will. He simply cared for you and wanted you to be happy. Smiling, you leaned forward and placed a kiss on your dear friend's cheek.

"Don't worry. I promise I'll be alright."

Description
It was truly amazing how quickly the people beneath you began to shrink until they looked no bigger than ants. The flight was a silent one, due mostly to the fact that the wind whipped away your words everytime you tried to speak. So instead, you focused your attention on the scenery beneath you. Your thoughts wandered to all of the beautiful lands you would love to see from this view. Perhaps, after all of this was over, the two of you could go to those places. You hurriedly shook those ideas out of your mind. Even if you did survive the upcoming months, your place was back in Rivendell with your beloved Bilbo. He needed you now more than ever. Suddenly, you felt very guilty for even entertaining such ideas.

However, your thoughts were soon interrupted by a dark spot on the horizon. At first it was difficult to make out the sight in front of you, but as you drew closer it became terrifingly clear. Smaug sharply whipped his body around and quickly headed back in the direction you had come from. After what seemed like forever due to your growing panic, he finally landed and you hopped off his head.

"Tell me that wasn't what I thought it was!" You didn't give him time to respond before continuing. "There is no way! It isn't possible! Saruman couldn't have gotten an army that big that fast!"

"He is a powerful wizard working alongside the darkest force in Middle-Earth. I suspected something like this would happen."

"What are we going to do? Rohan doesn't even have their real army right now. They don't stand a chance." Tears were beginning to find their way into your eyes. Suddenly, you felt Smaug gently nuzzle you with his snout. It lasted only a moment, but it brought you great comfort.

"I vow to you on my life that I will do whatever is necessary to protect you and those you hold dear. Helms Deep is directly over this hill. We should hurry so that we may warn the king."

Silently, you moved to climb atop his head but he pulled back, nodding his head "no." In almost the blink of an eye he was in his human form again. "I would not have fit into the fortress the other way," he said, giving you a gentle smile. Then he took your hand and began leading you over the hill.

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

"Ten thousand?" Theoden asked in disbelief.

"At least." Smaug responded.

Theoden paced for a moment before turning to you, "You saw them as well?"

"I did."

"We must call for aid," Aragorn said.

Soon, Theoden and your three friends were arguing about how to handle the upcoming battle. You felt Smaug whisper into your ear, "It is not my place to be a part of this discussion. I shall find you later, my pet." Then he turned and disappeared into the crowded fortess.

Some time later you left to wander the fortress in hopes of finding him. He was not in any of the places you imagined he would be. Eventually you found him studying over several pieces of armor and chainmail with a disapproving look etched on his perfect features.

"These humans know nothing of personal defense. This could easily be penetrated by a strong enough foe. Even with all their faults, at least the Dwarves know how to make proper armor."

"Thorin gave Bilbo a Mithril shirt. It was um, too small for me, so he gave it to Frodo. It saved his life in Moria."

Smaug turned to face you, placing his large hands on your arms, "I wish we had some Mithril now." His jaws were clenched and his eyes lost in thought. Something was obviously bothering him. "You are going to insist on staying down here during the battle, are you not?"

"Yes."

"But you will be much safer in the air with me."

"But I will also be useless up there, Smaug. Down here I might can do some good." You placed your hand on his cheek, surprising both of you, but neither of you moved. "I'll be alright. I promise."

Behind you, you heard a throat clearing. You turned to see Legolas. "May I have a word with you, y/n? In private." Excusing yourself from Smaug, you went to join Legolas.

"What is it?"

"I want to talk to you about Smaug. I am concerned for you. I think you are forgetting what he is."

"And what is that?" You snapped, "a monster?"

"No, a dragon. Just because he can take a human form does not make him a human. I know you love him, and I understand why. But make sure you love him in a way and in a role that he can actually fulfill. He will make a great friend, guardian, and companion. But please do not let yourself fall in love with an illusion."

You couldn't help but be shocked at what Legolas was saying to you. After all, you were a married woman. True, it was an unusual situation, but that didn't change anything. The look in his eyes, however, told you that he meant no ill will. He simply cared for you and wanted you to be happy. Smiling, you leaned forward and placed a kiss on your dear friend's cheek.

"Don't worry. I promise I'll be alright."