literature

[Smaug x Reader] Heart (Part 1)

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My family had always been poor. My parents, my grandparents, my grandparents' parents and so on. Generation for generation, my family suffered from poverty and hunger. When I was younger my parents had told me the story of our ancestors who had angered one of the mightiest magical creatures, its name had been long forgotten, and got cursed by it. Every member of my family constantly lost their job, house and money for the most ridiculous reasons.

My grandfather's house had burned down because of a shard of glass that reflected the sunlight so that it lit up they hay in his barn, my aunt lost her job as a bartender because everyone nearby suddenly decided to never drink alcohol again, my cousin had to close his barber shop because he broke both his hands when a horse trampled over them while he was trying to pick up the keys that he dropped. Ever since that fated day he is unable to move his fingers properly.
Just a few days ago our newest home in Laketown disappeared in the depths of the Long Lake for whatever reason. In the middle of the night we woke up due to the ground shaking and loud cracking sounds and then within just a few minutes most of our home sunk to the ground of the lake. Me and my parents asked our neighbors for help but none of them could afford more mouths to feed. The people of Laketown were poor and even if they wanted to, none of them had the money to support us for long. So we lived on the streets. After just two days my father got sick and could no longer work at the harbor. My mother tried to take care of him as much as she could. During the nighttime me and my mother would sneak around and steal whatever food and blankets we could find. We had been forced to live like this when I was just six years old and even though I knew about my family's curse none of us expected this to happen again. We had been poor and often hungry but at least we had something. Now we had nothing and I started to worry that me and my parents would end up dead sooner or later. Especially my father. He was sick and needed treatment and the little food we had wasn't enough for his body to heal itself.

I had to do something.

After five days of living outside I decided to go and ask help from the Master. Just minutes after making said decision I had knocked on the door of his big house and waited. I waited and waited, knocked again and waited even longer until someone opened the door. It was Alfrid, the greasy and disgusting little man that no one liked but everyone seemed to fear. He had a high position after all.
“We don't want no dirty beggars. Begone!”, he spat and threw the door shut again.
I hammered against the wooden barrier again. “Please! Let me in! I need to speak to the Master! I need help! My father is very sick and-”, I called and the door opened once more.
“I told you to leave! What about that was so hard to understand, idiot? If you continue to disobey me I will have you locked up.”, he said and grinned, showing me his dirty brown teeth. His breath stank as much as his attitude.
I shook my head quickly. I really didn't want to end up in a cell. “Please. I'll do anything. Just let me speak to the Master. I need help. I swear, I'll do whatever you want. Just let me in and speak to him.”, I begged.
The way his eyes scanned my body when I finished made me sick to the stomach. I could tell by the look in his eyes and his dirty grin what he was thinking and that thought was revolting. But...if it meant treatment for my father I would even...No, I didn't want to think about that. I had to find something else I could do.

Alfrid eventually opened the door and motioned me to come in. I stepped inside and the warmth of fire washed over me. He told me to wait and not touch anything with my dirty hands and then left.  It didn't take long for the numbness to leave my toes and fingers while I waited and after a few minutes my body was warmed up to a decent level.

Alfrid appeared upstairs and called down to me. “Come! And hurry! We don't got all day!” He gave me an angry glare and I quickly made my way up the stairs and proceeded to follow him. He led me down the hall and into big and warm room.
There he stood. The Master of Laketown. Old and fat with long auburn hair that barely covered all the bald spots on his head. He stood there in his warm and comfortable clothes, staring into the flames of his fireplace. When I stepped in he turned around and mustered me.
“Why do you bring someone like her into my chambers, Alfrid?”, he asked and looked at the other male with a slight bit of anger. “I told you to not let in any beggars. You told me there was a pretty maiden wanting to see me. Is that your idea of a pretty maiden?”

I looked down. Did I really look that horrible? I might have been a little dirty and pale but the way he looked at me made me feel ugly.
“Don't worry, Master. Once she got cleaned up she's a real beauty. I've seen her before and once that dirt is off you'll thank me for letting her in. I'm sure of it.”, Alfrid said and smirked at me. Did that mean he had watched me before? The idea of him staring at me from a distance was making me feel extremely uncomfortable. But I couldn't leave yet. I had to help my parents.
“Is that so?” The Master took a few steps towards me and then nodded. “Tell me your name, lad.”

I gulped and bowed my head down a little.”My name is ___.”
“I can tell by the look in your eyes that you want something from me. So? What is it that you want? Hurry up and explain yourself.”

“A few days ago our house sank. Me and my parents had to live outside in the cold ever since. My father got sick and lost his job and my mother can't work because she has to take care of my father. I tried to find work but no one wants to employ me because they think I am too weak for work. But we need money, my father's sickness turns worse with every night he has to spend outside. So...I thought you could help me. My father needs to see a doctor but we can't afford one. He needs the treatment so he can work again. If he doesn't get well soon me and my parents will starve or freeze to death. So please...Please help us, Master.”, I begged and tried hard not to cry. I really was desperate.

The Master seemed completely uninterested in my story and showed no sign of empathy or pity. He stared at me with dull eyes as he spoke. “In case I decide to help your father, what can you offer in return? What do you have that might be worth the effort?”

I swallowed hard. “Whatever it is that you want, I will give it to you. If it it possible. I can do a lot of work. I can clean, cook, cut wood and much more. I am a fast learner as well. I'm sure I can help with something, so please just help my father.”, I said and looked at him with pleading eyes.
Suddenly the Master began to laugh. “I have enough people doing these jobs for me. Don't you have anything else...to offer?” He gave me a suggestive grin that sent shivers down my spine. Every cell of my body wanted to turn around and leave but I couldn't. To save my father I would do whatever it takes. But before it came to what he was suggesting I at least had to try...

“I-...I-..could...”, I started but didn't know how to finish. Thoughts raced through my mind and when he gave me an impatient look, obviously wanting me gone, the words left my mouth without me even noticing it. “You are the wealthiest person in Laketown. But what if I could make you even wealthier? Everyone knows of the treasures that the Elves hide. I can sneak in and get you some of them.” When I finished the Master laughed even louder than before. He obviously thought of me as an idiot but I was quite serious about that idea. “Please listen! I spent my childhood on the streets. I know how to get inside a house, take what I need and leave without being spotted. I could do it!”

The Master stopped laughing and looked at me angrily. “And if you get caught you will tell them who sent you and then...I will have to deal with the consequences. The risk is too high, stupid. Did you really expect me to agree with this? If that is all you have to offer, leave. I won't hear any more of your nonsense.” The Master pointed at the door and Alfrid grabbed me by my shoulder.
I shoved him off and took some steps towards the Master. “Wait, then-...” I thought about it, I really did. Offering my body for the sake of my father was the right thing. But still, I could not do it. I simply couldn't. And that made me feel awful. “Then-..How about the Lonely Mountain?! The vast treasures of Erebor! Nothing has been heard of the dragon for a long time! He's sleeping or might even be dead! I will sneak in and when I return my pockets will be filled with jewels and gold! My father needs a doctor as soon as possible! Once I return I'll pay for everything and even more! I swear!”, I shouted and tried to hold back the tears of anger and desperation that were about to roll down my cheeks.

“Do you even hear what you are saying?! You, a weak woman, want to enter Erebor on your own?! You must have lost your mind, lad! What you are saying is insane! Someone like you does not stand a chance against a dragon! Get out of my si-”
I couldn't help but interrupt him. I had to convince him. “I am not planning to fight him! I will sneak in and take back whatever I can! It will work, I am sure of it. I have never been caught!”

Alfrid grabbed me by my shoulder once more and dragged me to the door. “So you are saying you are a thief. We'll find a nice little cell for you, woman!”
I tried to get out of his grip but failed. His dirty fingernails dug into my arm and I winced in pain. I couldn't give up though. I had to get help for my parents.

“Wait!! What-...What if the townsfolk hears that their Master lets his people starve and freeze to death? Plans to get rid of you have already been made! Now you only need to give them a reason to make these plans turn reality! Letting us die just like that will be your own death sentence! And you know that! Let me help you bring back prosperity to Laketown! You won't have to give anything of your gold! The people will love you again! I can do it!”

Just as Alfrid was about to drag me out the Master raised his hand and shook his head at him. He let go of me in an instance and pushed me back inside.

“So it is true...They are planning to get me out of the way.”
I nodded. “Of course they are! All you do is take from them! They barely have enough to live and it's getting worse with every day. If this goes on you will find yourself at the bottom of the lake sooner or later.”, I said and glared at him angrily.

For quite a while the Master was completely silent. He didn't say anything, just stared into the fire as if he was lost in thought. However, Alfrid soon asked what he should do with me and that was when the Master faced me again, serious and concerned this time.

“She is right, Alfrid. Get a healer to take care of her father.”, the Master said and Alfrid left quickly, mumbling something to himself.
My heart skipped a beat, I did it. I had convinced him and now my father would be saved. I let out a shaky breath and lowered my head. “Thank you so much! You won't regret it! If the people of Laketown hear of your generosity they will calm.”

“My generosity?! It's not like I have a choice! You forced this upon me! I tell you this...You will indeed go to Erebor. And if you come back with empty hands or not at all I will have your family thrown out of Laketown. Then they can die somewhere else!”
The Master's sudden anger made me flinch. It took me a few seconds to fully realize what I had gotten myself into. I wasn't lying when I had said that I knew how to sneak into a house, take a few things with me and get out again without being seen but...a house and a dragon's lair were two completely different things. Smaug, the beast that had destroyed an entire city, was living inside that mountain and I, a simple human, was supposed to steal from him? The bravery and determination that I had felt just a few moments ago left me completely and my knees began to feel weak. I had signed up for a suicide mission.
But..it was for the sake of my family. Being thrown out of Laketown might mean their end but even if I were to die, my father and mother would at least have a chance. Without a healer he would definitely die so I had at least solved this problem..for now.

I took a deep breath and then nodded. “Of course. I'll say my goodbyes to my parents and leave right away. Give me-”

“Twenty five days. You have twenty days, not more. That is more than enough. And you will not tell anyone about this! If you do not return until then your parents will be...forced to leave. I assume you have told them that you'll come to me. And people saw you. If you do not return I can't have your people walking around and telling everyone how you came to see me and never returned. Also, you won't tell anyone where you are going. That will have the townsfolk think I am sending women to their deaths...” The Master turned away from me and waved with his hand. “Now, leave me alone. Tell Alfrid to bring you proper clothing and give you supplies for your journey. I do not expect you to be victorious but if you are, I will be able to restore my reputation and bring back wealth to Laketown. So...make sure to come back with a part of the treasure.”

I nodded and turned around to leave. About an hour and a half later I was ready to leave. Since I wasn't allowed to tell anyone I checked up on my parents from a distance. The Master had kept his word, Alfrid was taking them to a healer and even though he treated them the way he treated me and answered their questions about the reason for the Master's help with nothing but insults, I was happy. Knowing that my father would soon feel better again was enough to make this journey less horrible. Of course I was horribly scared but I was doing it for a good reason. Saving a beloved person was worth every effort.

So I left Laketown and started my way towards the Lonely Mountain. I was aware of the great danger that lived inside Erebor but my parents have always been there for me. Even during our hardest times they always took good care of me. When we had almost nothing they would give me their food and go to bed without dinner, they gave me the thickest blankets and the warmest clothes we could afford and even after a long day of hard work they always found the time to read me books and tell me stories. They saved as much money as possible so they could buy me something for my birthday. No matter how hard life was, they were there for me. Always.

This time I'd be there for them. I'd do everything for them, even risk my own life.
Little did I know how this journey would change everything.
I am back. And it feels good to be back. You all have no idea how bad I feel for not finishing my last fanfiction. I tried, I really did, but I couldn't. So, after six months of not being able to write anything at all, I am back. AND IT IS GREAT! I feel like I have a purpose again. 
So yeah, my first Hobbit fanfiction. It would be great if you told me what you think about it. Feedback is always appreciated. ^^
This is the first part and the reader hasn't met Smaug yet, this part is more of an introduction BUT that awesome, epic and perfect dragon will definitely be in the next part. So yeah, be patient with me.
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diebitch2947's avatar
I think the way the protagonist way to go to the mountain is a little... forced. But this has potential to be a good story. I want to see what happens!