AN:
Nevertheless the dragonpit was comfortably warm compared to the cool sea breeze outside so he felt good here.
Aethon approached until he stood beside one of Smaug’s forelegs.
The dragon didn’t stir for his presence suddenly he waited another few seconds before lightly nudging the thick limb with the side of his boot.
“Are you planning to sleep until winter, or have you simply decided to ignore me?”
One golden eye cracked open.
Instead of answering, Smaug stretched lazily, his jaws opening into a yawn so wide Aethon could have comfortably walked into his mouth.
Before the young Velaryon could say another word, the dragon lazily flicked his tail across the cavern floor horizontally.
Aethon reacted on instinctively because such a maneuver was dangerous, he stepped sharply to the side as the enormous tail swept past him, smashing into a pile of loose stone hard enough to send fragments skidding across the floor.
He looked at the dragon with complete disbelief and slight anger saying “You knew exactly where I was standing Smaug!
Am I really that annoying?”
Smaug’s deep chuckle reverberated throughout the cavern as he slowly lifted his head from the treasure beneath him saying “Of course I did.
Had I wished to strike you, you would presently resemble one of those flattened fish your fishermen enjoy hanging from the docks.”
“I find your confidence deeply concerning Smaug, do you truly wish me dead like fuckin fish!
Am I your squishy squash toy?”
“Relax little Aethon, I find your continued survival reassuring, so you don’t have to be mad, your still alive after all.”
The dragon’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly as he studied Aethon’s face. Find the original chapter at g.com.
His amusement gradually deepened when he saw his facial expression and his tone, so this made him smirk slightly saying “It has happened like you anticipated.”
Aethon frowned asking “What has may I ask?”
“The succession, the thing you told me about not long ago that your so so worried about…I see your father has mustered the courage to take it from you.”
There was a brief silence before Aethon asked, “Shhh!
How could you possibly know that?
And keep your voice low, the last thing I want is for someone to overhear us.”
Smaug laughed again, the sound low and satisfied saying “Mhmm, I know this because, despite your admirable efforts to appear indifferent, your face tells a far more honest story.
There is disappointment hidden beneath that practiced expression of yours, and only one matter has occupied your thoughts for the better part of three years.”
The dragon unfolded himself from atop the hoard, every movement was done on purpose despite his size.
As he rose to his full height, countless coins and ornaments slid from his scales, raining onto the stone floor with a deafening chorus of metallic clinks.
Truly it looked like a mighty dragon waking up, especially when servants seeking out Aethon stationed near the entrance instinctively stepped back, they would rather come back later then disturb Aethon while he’s with his dragon, actually that was a rule he explicitly enforcers, so nobody can enter the dragon pit while he’s there.
None of them dared complain about this arrangement.
“We both knew this day would come Aethon,” Smaug continued while giving himself a vigorous shake that scattered yet more treasure across the cavern, this shake resembled the one typical animals like a cat or dog does.
“You merely held onto the faint hope that your father might place merit above custom.”
Aethon watched another silver goblet roll across the floor before stopping it with his foot then saying “He named Laenor’s line his successor, I expected as much plus it makes sense, I have no inherit right to the succession anyway.
Smaug lowered himself onto his haunches, curling his tail neatly around the edge of the hoard saying “Then why do you appear surprised young master?
You don’t have to answer that…your clearly disappointed and I would too.”
Aethon considered denying it before deciding there was little point lying to Smaug, he folded his arms and kicked the silver goblet away saying “…Perhaps.” This chapter was copied from g.com without permission.
Smaug only grunted in a smirk saying nothing more, this wasn’t too bad though because the silence that followed was surprisingly comfortable and much needed.
Smaug had known him long enough to recognize the difference between anger and contemplation so he understood Aethon wasn’t furious.
He was recalculating his strategy forward, something he has already grown used to with Aethon, in fact he liked this about Aethon.
He was no slouch, he was very smart for some unknown reasons almost as if he knows things more than he should, eventually he broke the silence himself saying “I didn’t actually come here to discuss Driftmark dragon, I need you for something more important and urgent.
We leave in a few moments so get ready.”
Smaug’s eyes immediately narrowed hearing this, the dragon didn’t answer immediately or do anything.
Instead he stared at Aethon for several long moments before giving an exaggerated sigh and rolling on his back saying “No.”
“No?
You haven’t even heard where we’re going.
I require your assistance you self centered dragon!”
“I fail to see how that improves the proposal talking to me like that Aethon, and I require rest.
Since your being so ‘kind’ enough to ask what ails me, I’ll enlighten you boy!
I have been recovering from exhausting ordeal of indulging your endless desire to fly and intimidate pathetic humans!”
Aethon backed up because Smaug was stomping in his direction while speaking, he wasn’t exactly afraid of the dragon, its just that anything was possible and this feirce dragon might mistakenly harm him, atleat that’s what he thought.
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