Chapter 26 — After Playing Around for So Long, It's Time to Go Home
"My business here is finished. They can leave now."
Smaug, having once again transformed into a raven, quickly found Gandalf—who was being driven half-mad by Thorin Oakenshield's incessant complaints—and seized a moment to speak quietly.
Gandalf froze for a heartbeat… then let out a long, slow breath of relief.
He immediately turned back to Thorin.
"That's enough, Thorin. Stop arguing. We're leaving."
Thorin shot Gandalf a fierce glare, said nothing, and turned on his heel.
The other twelve Dwarves followed at once.
Bilbo didn't move right away. Instead, he walked alongside Gandalf, the two of them heading slowly toward the exit together.
As they walked, Bilbo couldn't help but turn back, gazing once more at Rivendell—this place that felt like a dream made real.
Unbidden, Elrond's words from two days earlier echoed in his mind:
"If you wish, you may stay here and make this your home."
Bilbo had to admit it—he'd been tempted. Very tempted.
After looking back for a few seconds, he clenched his teeth and forced himself to turn away.
Gandalf, walking beside him, noticed. After a moment's thought, he smiled faintly and asked softly,
"You like it here?"
Bilbo paused, then nodded.
"It's… very nice."
Truth be told, after Smaug's dramatic shift in attitude, Bilbo Baggins no longer truly needed to be part of this expedition. Smaug had already promised to give up the Arkenstone—there would be no need for theft.
Gandalf hesitated for a few seconds. Worried that matters might still take an unexpected turn, he ultimately chose not to suggest that Bilbo stay behind.
"When the expedition is over," Gandalf said gently,
"if you still wish to live here, I'll speak to Lord Elrond on your behalf."
"I believe he would agree."
It was hope.
Even though Bilbo didn't quite believe it.
After everything they'd been through on this journey, Bilbo honestly didn't think he would ever return here—or even make it back to Bag End.
He had already accepted the possibility that he might die somewhere along the road.
"…Alright," he said nonetheless, nodding.
Gandalf smiled, saying nothing more.
---
Time passed swiftly.
The expedition finally departed Rivendell and set out once again.
Smaug did not accompany them.
After speaking with Gandalf, he went to bid farewell to Lord Elrond and Queen Galadriel. When that was done, he departed ahead of the company, leaving Rivendell behind and beginning his own journey home.
He had been away long enough.
It was time for Smaug to return.
The journey home was long—but for Smaug, who could fly, distance was hardly a concern.
In the blink of an eye, several days passed.
After leaving Rivendell, Smaug transformed into a great eagle and made his way into the Misty Mountains. Using his memory of the terrain as depicted in the original tale, he spent a little time searching before finally locating the mountain that housed the Goblin Kingdom.
He landed atop the peak and slowly turned his head, scanning the surroundings.
After some effort—
He found them.
Stone Giants.
One. Two. Three… five in total.
At this time of day, all five Stone Giants were pressed against the mountainsides, indistinguishable from ordinary rock. Without prior knowledge—and a great deal of imagination—no one would ever realize they were living beings.
Smaug was extremely interested in them.
"If I could get these guys over to the Lonely Mountain," he muttered with growing excitement, "that would be insane."
His imagination ran wild.
Five Stone Giants, spaced apart in a great arc before the Lonely Mountain.
Whether Orc armies or Dwarven hosts came charging in, the Giants would simply hurl massive boulders.
One rock—hundreds crushed. Effortlessly.
Heh.
With five Stone Giants, the Dragon Kingdom would gain five living national guardians.
Absolutely broken.
The problem was…
Could they speak?
And if they could—what price would convince them to relocate?
Smaug frowned, feeling a rare headache coming on.
Just then, the system interface appeared.
---
[Mission: Successfully recruit Stone Giants for the Dragon Kingdom.]
[Reward: Silver Blind Box.]
[Note: For every two Stone Giants recruited, you will receive one Silver Blind Box.]
[Maximum reward: Three Silver Blind Boxes.]
---
"…Wait."
Three boxes max?
That meant there had to be at least six Stone Giants here.
Where was the extra one?
Smaug's eyes widened as he immediately resumed searching.
So he took off, circling the peaks from above.
Finally, after nearly half an hour, he spotted two more nearly invisible figures blended into the stone.
Seven.
Were there more?
He searched again but found none. After a moment's thought, he gave up.
Stone Giants were social creatures—if he could convince one, the rest would be much easier.
Decision made, Smaug scanned the group and flapped down onto the shoulder of a relatively smaller Stone Giant.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
"Apologies for disturbing your rest," Smaug said politely—in the Common Tongue.
"Are you awake?"
No response.
Smaug knew many ancient languages. If one didn't work, he'd try another.
Unfortunately…
No matter what language he used, the Stone Giant didn't react at all.
He tried the others.
Same result.
After wasting quite a bit of time, Smaug finally gave up.
"This is troublesome…" he muttered, rubbing his chin.
Communication was the first step—and he couldn't even get past that.
After a while, Smaug turned his gaze toward the mountain that housed the Goblin Kingdom.
Those goblins were practically neighbors to the Stone Giants. They had to know something about them.
Worth a try.
But not now.
First, he needed to go home and see how things were holding up there.
No rush—Stone Giants weren't going anywhere.
Neither were the goblins.
---
Time flew by.
Still in eagle form, Smaug descended once more, landing near Beorn—who was, as usual, chopping firewood.
Once bitten, twice shy.
Seeing Smaug again in this form, Beorn calmly set down his axe.
"Beorn," Smaug greeted him pleasantly,
"It's good to see you again. I hope you've been well."
Beorn stared at him flatly.
"That way of speaking doesn't suit you."
"Ah—my apologies," Smaug said casually.
"I've been spending time in Rivendell lately. Elrond and Galadriel may have rubbed off on me."
"…What?" Beorn was visibly startled.
"And they didn't kill you?"
"They wanted to at first," Smaug replied with a grin.
"But after some effort on my part, they changed their minds."
"We're… friends now."
"…."
Beorn found the statement utterly absurd and didn't know how to respond.
Smaug didn't mind in the slightest.
"I was hoping we could be friends too," he continued smoothly.
"So—have you given any thought to my proposal?"
---