The Dragon's Curse

A curse broken and an oath fulfilled

A warning bell rings out in Lake Town as fire light can be seen from the mountain. Everyone is panicking at the light coming from the mountain in fear and horror of Smaug being awoken. The Master of Lake Town was quickly fussing with Alfrid to escape with the treasure of the town as he kept ordering the soldier's to move faster, loading the gold onto his own boat.

"I warned you! Did I not warn you what would come of dealing with Dwarves? Now they've done it! They've woken the dragon, they've brought the apocalypse upon our heads! Come on, quickly, quickly! Faster now, I'm trying to evacuate myself here! Careful with that. Never mind the books! Get on, get the rest of it." He kept whinging and complaining and shaking his large finger in Alfrid's face as if to point the blame to him.

"But, Sire, should we not try to save the town?" He questioned with a bit of compassion towards the doomed people as the Master looked at him madly and went by collecting more gold coins and necklaces.

"The town is lost, save the gold!" He greedily ordered. The people of the town were in a frenzy getting into their own boats quickly grabbing what they could for survival unaware of how close Samug was in his desire for revenge. Smaug however became deaf to the beating of wings hurriedly catching up on him as Artemis's eyes were holding fire of determination.

Panic also set into her mind as she remembered the four dwarves whom had remained behind as this only drove her determination faster as she was gaining up on her father. Luckily when the dwarves, Tauriel and Bard's children were safe in a boat and beginning to row off was when Smaug struck first. Flying down above a street sending blazing fire.

Screams of pain and fear escaped as smoke rose thickly in the air, giving Artemis some coverage as she saw him breathe another mouthful of fire of the city before he flew up into the sky to begin the circle once again. As many boats of people streamed away from the city cries and desperate pleas echoed in the air as Artemis flew upwards and breathing fire into her father's eyes causing him to roar.

With help of her claws she went to scratch along his neck and bite the side of his mouth as he easily flung her off him due to the size difference. Spinning in the air for a moment she almost dropped in effort to regain balance in the air before he came hurtling towards her. Squawking loudly in an attempt to defender herself she struggled and relied on her agility and speed to help survive against his brute strength.

Bard who had been able to free himself from his prison was now beginning to climb the bell tower, releasing arrows as he went careful not to harm Artemis as they continued to fight one another. Bard kept hitting Smaug though the arrows did no use against his hide as they weren't strong enough. Artemis tried to ensure Smaug was away from the tower to ensure Bard had a fighting chance, when she felt a claw rip into her left wing sending her crashing down against a burning building.

Smaug snarled and flew in the direction of his daughter to send the killing stroke when he felt the tickle of an arrow being deflected off his scales as he growled and narrowed his eyes towards Bard.  Bard taking in a desperate gulp hoping to hide his fear takes the black arrow from Bain and stands to confront Smaug.

"Who are you that would stand against me?" Smaug challenged angrily as Bard goes to grab his bow but finds that it's broken as he looks upon it in dismay and horror.

"Now that is a pity. What will you do now, bowman? You are forsaken. No help will come." He chuckled darkly and tilted his head mocking him before he glanced down to look at Bain who was lying terrified behind his father.

"Hmm. Is that your child? You cannot save him from the fire. He will burn!" He hissed as a pang of guilt hit him, as he glanced briefly in the direction of which his daughter had been crushing down in. Unknown to Smaug Bard and dug to the two ends of his broken bow into the wood planks as Bain stood up allowing his father to rest the arrow on his shoulder like a crossbow. Even though the tears fell down Bain's face he held every glimpse of trust in his father.