Chapter 32 — The Stone Giants, Fully Awakened
Thranduil disliked Dwarves—and he especially disliked Thorin Oakenshield's line.
As such, he sincerely hoped that Smaug would actually feed the Arkenstone to the Stone Giants.
He also genuinely hoped that the Stone Giants would show some backbone, and not be tempted by mere ordinary gemstones.
"Thank you," Smaug replied. He did intend to try ordinary gems first—if that failed… well, they could discuss it later.
"Then that brings us to the third matter."
"The Lonely Mountain is bare and desolate. Frankly, it's an eyesore," Smaug continued casually.
"Old neighbor, could you help transplant some trees over there? Perhaps create a forest?"
Before Thranduil could respond, Smaug repeated the now-familiar maneuver—opening his mouth and spewing out another massive pile of gold.
"The more trees the better. The more varieties the better. The larger the forest, the better. Oh—and the sooner, the better."
Hearing this, Thranduil grew suspicious.
Transplanting trees and cultivating a forest was hardly difficult for the Woodland Elves.
In fact, it could be called effortless.
Smaug certainly knew this—so why offer so much gold?
Something felt off.
"War is coming," Thranduil said, his suspicion deepening.
"Any forest built now will be destroyed when the fighting begins. What's the point?"
"I like looking at lush greenery," Smaug replied calmly.
"It improves my mood. That's reason enough."
"So—can you help?"
Thranduil didn't believe him.
But after a brief pause, he nodded anyway.
"Very well."
"Much appreciated. Then we'll meet again another day. I'll be off," Smaug said with a grin.
Then, as if remembering something, he turned to Legolas.
"Legolas, where I come from, there's a saying: 'The world is vast—why cling to a single flower?'"
"Some Elves aren't worth it. A wider world suits you better."
With that, Smaug beat his wings and flew back toward the Lonely Mountain—to fetch gemstones.
"????"
Legolas naturally understood that Smaug was referring to Tauriel—but that wasn't the point.
The real issue was—
"Father," Legolas said hesitantly, "don't you feel… he's oddly cultured?"
He genuinely couldn't understand it.
How could a dragon like this possess such refinement?
Where had it learned all of this?
"Mmm," Thranduil replied, fully aware of Legolas's feelings for Tauriel.
"But he isn't wrong. You are still young. A broader world would suit you better."
"..."
Legolas was left speechless.
For some reason, he had the unsettling feeling that if this continued, his father and Smaug might actually become friends.
Legolas remained silent, and Thranduil said no more. He turned and walked away.
Legolas stayed behind—someone had to summon the Elves to collect the gold scattered across the ground.
Time passed in a blur.
An hour or two later, Smaug—now carrying a vast quantity of dazzling gemstones and gold—left the Lonely Mountain once more, flying toward the Misty Mountains.
This time, he had several objectives to accomplish.
---
The Misty Mountains
As their name suggested, the Misty Mountains were perpetually shrouded in fog.
Once bitten, twice shy—or rather, once familiar, twice effortless.
Having been here before, Smaug—already transformed into a great eagle—had little trouble locating the seven Stone Giants. He landed lightly on the shoulder of one of them.
This time, he didn't speak right away.
Instead, he reverted directly to his true form.
The instant he did—
The Stone Giant beneath his feet moved.
Even if only slightly, it was unmistakable.
Well damn, Smaug thought. So last time you were just ignoring me.
Suppressing his irritation, Smaug wasted no time. He retrieved a purple gemstone from his system storage.
"I heard from an old neighbor that you like things like this," he said casually.
"I searched all over Middle-earth to find it—for you."
The moment his words faded—
The Stone Giant stirred more noticeably.
Crack—crack—crack.
Slowly, the massive creature began to turn its head.
"Dra… gon… of… Mor… goth's… mak… ing?"
The Stone Giant spoke haltingly, each word emerging with grinding slowness, its voice deep, hoarse, and eerie.
"I… thought… your… kind… had… long… since… died… out."
Good.
It could speak—and more importantly, it wanted to speak.
"Not quite," Smaug grinned, raising the claw holding the purple gem.
"I'm alive and doing just fine. Here—this is for you."
Crack—crack—crack.
The Stone Giant slowly tore one arm free from the mountainside, lifting its massive hand beneath Smaug's claw.
Smaug released his grip.
The gemstone dropped into the giant's palm.
"A… deli… cious… food," the Stone Giant said after a brief pause.
Then it pressed the gem directly into its upper body.
Smaug leaned forward, watching closely.
The gemstone's vibrant purple glow slowly faded.
After four or five minutes, it had become nothing more than an ordinary stone.
So that's how they eat, Smaug thought.
Without hesitation, he produced a sapphire.
"Here—this one's yours too."
In short order, the Stone Giant consumed four gemstones in total. Then it let out a long breath.
"Satis… fy… ing."
Smaug didn't miss the opportunity.
"If you like them, that's perfect," he said smoothly.
"I have many more gems like these—all stored at my home."
"You could move there. Eat as much as you want."
Stone Giants weren't creatures of complicated thought. For them, life consisted mainly of sleeping and eating.
"Where… is… your… home?" it asked.
Oh, this is going well.
"The Lonely Mountain!" Smaug replied quickly.
"You know it, right?"
"I… know… it," the Stone Giant answered.
"Then would you be willing to move there?" Smaug pressed.
The response caught him off guard.
"Re… quires… the… Queen's… per… mis… sion."
"???" Smaug blinked.
"You have a queen? She's here?"
"She… is," the Stone Giant confirmed.
"Where?" Smaug asked immediately.
"I'd like to pay my respects."
The Stone Giant, simple-minded and straightforward, slowly raised an arm and pointed.
Smaug followed the direction—and instantly understood.
Naturally, it was another Stone Giant.
But one clearly different from the rest.
The Stone Giant Queen appeared more refined, her features less crude, her frame slightly smaller. Vegetation flourished around her, and her surroundings were noticeably more pleasant than those of the others.
"Thank you," Smaug said.
"I'll go speak with your queen."
He was just about to take off—
"Good. I… need… to… go… fight," the Stone Giant said calmly.
"…Huh?"
Smaug froze mid-motion.
Fight?
Was that… a hobby? Wake up, eat gems, then punch something?
Before he could think further—
The Stone Giant, energized by four gemstones, began tearing itself free from the mountainside.
The earth shook violently.
Rocks thundered down the slopes.
Smaug shot into the air just in time—and what he saw made his pupils contract.
One by one, the remaining six Stone Giants—including the Queen—began the same process.
Every single one of them was awakening.
Oh hell, Smaug thought.
They're all awake.
…Was this about to turn into a group brawl?