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Chapter Text

The moonlight shines down on Middle Earth on this early spring night. I sit on my perch in a tree, watching over the local village. I see my target waving goodbye to his friends and heading into his home. I use my magic to look inside the house, seeing him begin to relax. I see him lay in a chair, falling asleep after a night of drinking. I wave my hand slightly, focusing on his heart and forcing it to stop. I watch the man die in his sleep, peaceful and with no chance of anyone assuming foul play.

I climb down from the tree, beginning to walk away from the village.

“Another successful kill, I see”

I look to see Gandalf the Grey, a wizard I’ve known for years. I cross my arms, nodding at him.

He smiles “Care to join me for a drink, old friend? I have a proposition to offer you”

I raise a brow, my mask keeping my face hidden.

We go to a local pub, and we find a table in the far corner of the room, where it’s less likely people will listen in. Gandalf nods at my mask, speaking in a lower tone “You can remove your mask. It makes it quite a bit easier when trying to talk to you”

I carefully remove my mask, but I keep my hood up. He smiles softly then becomes more serious “I would like for you to join a company on a journey”

I raise a brow, silently asking who the head of the company is.

“Thorin Oakenshield” I tense up a bit, then place my hand on the table. I guide my finger across the wood, sliding and tapping out a message very few understand. Gandalf nods “Erebor. It would be of great help if you could join. Perhaps you would also not be so alone”

One tap of my finger cracks the table, making Gandalf sigh softly “I am not saying there is anything wrong with it. But it will do you some good to have people to talk to” My fingers move across the table “I can not be the only person you speak to” He takes out a paper and slides it over to me “If you wish to join, arrive here on this date”

I grab the paper, looking at the location. I raise a brow, looking at Gandalf. He chuckles softly “He will surprise you.  Do not worry, my friend. Think about my proposition” he gets up and he leaves the pub. I put my mask on, taking the paper and leaving as well.

I sit on a perch of a tree away from the village. I take out the paper, looking at it. I hesitate, staring at the location. The Shire. Why would Gandalf want to bring a hobbit along on a dangerous journey?

It is now April 26th, the date Gandalf placed on the paper. I arrive at the edge of the Shire, riding my deer companion. The deer, Brokk, shakes his head a bit. I pat his neck and we make our way to the hobbit hole Gandalf wrote about. I see several ponies already in front of a house. I get down from Brokk, who walks over to the ponies. I walk over to the door, seeing the mark Gandalf left, and I sneak inside, the sounds of the dwarves already there eating, singing, and seemingly having a grand time. I stand off to the side, watching  as the dwarves gracefully clear the dishes and stack them neatly, while also tossing them around.

The hobbit walks over to the table, seeing the dishes as the dwarves and Gandalf laugh. Suddenly, there are three loud knocks on the door, everyone falling silent.

Gandalf looks at the door “He’s here”

They open the door, and there stands Thorin Oakenshield. He enters Bag End.

He looks at Gandalf “Gandalf. I thought you said this place would be easy to find. I lost my way, twice. Wouldn’t have found it at all had it not been for that mark on the door”

The hobbit looks at the door “Mark? There’s no mark on that door. It was painted a week ago!”

Gandalf looks at them “There is a mark; I put it there myself. Bilbo Baggins, allow me to introduce the leader of our company, Thorin Oakenshield”

Thorin steps closer to the hobbit “So, this is the Hobbit. Tell me, Mr. Baggins, have you done much fighting?” He begins walking around him.

“Pardon me?”

“Axe or sword? What’s your weapon of choice?”

“Well, I have some skill at Conkers, if you must know, but I fail to see why that’s relevant”

“Thought as much. He looks more like a grocer than a burglar”

The dwarves laugh, and the hobbit backs up into me, quickly turning around and looking up at me “Pardon me--uh, I’m sorry, who are you?”

Gandalf looks at me, smiling “Oh, good. I’m glad you could make it, old friend”

I nod, tapping my foot and sliding it on the floor, similar to how I communicated at the pub.

Gandalf nods “Of course” He looks at the hobbit “Bilbo Baggins, this is Lilith. An old friend of mine” He looks back at me “Everyone here is trustworthy. You can show yourself”

I nod, taking off my hood, my white hair shining under the faint lights of the house. I take off my mask, placing it in my bag. Bilbo stares at me as I hold out my hand, bowing a bit. He cautiously takes my hand. I gently hold his hand, bringing it to my lips, kissing his knuckles, then I bring his hand to touch my forehead.

Bilbo looks at Gandalf “What-what is she doing?”

Gandalf chuckles “She doesn’t speak often, so she communicates like this. She is greeting you, then apologizing for entering your home without permission”

I let go of Bilbo’s hand, the hobbit looking at me. I smile softly as he nods, a soft blush on his face “Right. Lovely to meet you, as well”

Thorin looks at me, scanning over my form before he looks at Gandalf “This is your assassin?”

Bilbo’s eyes widen “A-assassin?!”

Gandalf nods “Yes, she is. She is also a powerful witch. Is that a problem?”

Thorin walks over to me, looking up at me “I was unaware a human would be joining this company”

I look at Gandalf, tapping my foot, then stepping on his. He taps my head with his staff “I was going to. It never came up” Thorin looks at Gandalf “She is not human, Thorin. She is half Dwarf”

“What is the other half?”

Gandalf glances at me, and I nod. He looks at Thorin “Elf. She is half elf, half Dwarf”

Thorin looks at me, then steps closer “I do not trust the elves”

I lower my face closer, my eyes glowing as I tap my foot, sliding it around. Gandalf nods “Neither does she”

Thorin stares at me, then nods, smirking slightly “Welcome, Miss Lilith”

He and the other dwarves walk back to the dining table. I stand next to Gandalf as he sits down in the corner. As Thorin eats, the rest of them talk to him.

“What news from the meeting in Ered Luin? Did they all come?”

“Aye. Envoys from all seven kingdoms”

The dwarves murmur their joy.

“What do the dwarves of the Iron Hills say? Is Dain with us?”

“They will not come” The dwarves murmur in disappointment “They say this quest is ours, and ours alone”

Further disappointed murmurs.

Bilbo looks at them “You’re going on a quest?”

Gandalf looks at the hobbit “Bilbo, my dear fellow, let us have a little more light” Bilbo brings a candle to the table, where Gandalf has spread out a map which was in his pocket “Far to the East, over ranges and rivers, beyond woodlands and wastelands, lies a single solitary peak”

Bilbo reads the map “The Lonely Mountain”

“Aye. Oin has read the portents, and the portents say it is time”

“Ravens have been seen flying back to the mountain as it was foretold: When the birds of yore return to Erebor, the reign of the beast will end”

Bilbo, hearing “the beast,” looks concerned “Uh, What beast?”

“Well that would be a reference to Smaug the Terrible, chiefest and greatest calamity of our age. Airborne fire-breather, teeth like razors, claws like meathooks, extremely fond of precious metals--”

“Yes, I know what a dragon is”

One of the dwarves stands up “I’m not afraid! I’m up for it. I’ll give him a taste of the Dwarfish iron right up his jacksie”

Several dwarves shout.

“Sit down!”

“The task would be difficult enough with an army behind us. But we number just thirteen, and not thirteen of the best, nor brightest”

The dwarves start objecting, saying things like, “Hey, who are you calling dim?” “Watch it!”, and “No!”

“What did he say?”

“We may be few in number, but we’re fighters, all of us, to the last dwarf!”

“And you forget, we have a wizard and a witch in our company. Gandalf will have killed hundreds of dragons in his time”

Gandalf stammers a bit “Oh, well, now, uh, I-I-I wouldn’t say that, I- -”

“How many, then?”

“Uh, what?”

“Well, how many dragons have you killed? Go on, give us a number!”

“Hm”

Gandalf embarrassedly starts coughing on his pipe smoke; the dwarves jump to their feet, arguing about the number of dragons Gandalf has killed. Thorin jumps up in anger and bellows, silencing the rest.

“Shazara! (Silence!) If we have read these signs, do you not think others will have read them too? Rumours have begun to spread. The dragon Smaug has not been seen for 60 years. Eyes look east to the Mountain, assessing, wondering, weighing the risk. Perhaps the vast wealth of our people now lies unprotected. Do we sit back while others claim what is rightfully ours? Or do we seize this chance to take back Erebor? Du Bekâr! Du Bekâr!” (To arms! To arms!)

All the dwarves cheer.

One of the dwarves speaks up “You forget: the front gate is sealed. There is no way into the mountain”

“That, my dear Balin, is not entirely true” Twiddling his fingers, Gandalf produces a dwarvish key, ornately wrought. Thorin looks at it in wonder.

“How came you by this?”

“It was given to me by your father, by Thrain, for safekeeping. It is yours now” Gandalf hands the key to Thorin as everyone looks on in wonder.

“If there is a key, there must be a door”

Gandalf points at runes on his map with his pipe.

“These runes speak of a hidden passage to the lower halls”

“There’s another way in!”

“Well, if we can find it, but dwarf doors are invisible when closed. The answer lies hidden somewhere in this map and I do not have the skill to find it. But there are others in Middle-earth who can. The task I have in mind will require a great deal of stealth, and no small amount of courage. But, if we are careful and clever, I believe that it can be done”

“That’s why we need a burglar”

Bilbo nods “Hm, A good one, too. An expert, I’d imagine”

“And are you?”

“Am I what?”

“He said he’s an expert! Hey hey!”

Several dwarves laugh.

“M--Me? No, no, no, no, no. I’m not a burglar; I’ve never stolen a thing in my life”

Balin looks at Gandalf “I’m afraid I have to agree with Mr. Baggins. He’s hardly burglar material”

Bilbo nods in agreement.

“Aye, the wild is no place for gentlefolk who can neither fight nor fend for themselves”

Bilbo continues nodding in agreement; the dwarves begin arguing. Gandalf, growing angry, rises to his full height and casts darkness over the group as he starts speaking in his “powerful” voice. The others stop in awe.

“Enough! If I say Bilbo Baggins is a burglar, then a burglar he is” Gandalf goes back to his normal self “Hobbits are remarkably light on their feet. In fact, they can pass unseen by most if they choose. And while the dragon is accustomed to the smell of dwarf, the scent of hobbit is all but unknown to him, which gives us a distinct advantage. You asked me to find the fourteenth member of this company, and I have chosen Mr. Baggins. There’s a lot more to him than appearances suggest, and he’s got a great deal more to offer than any of you know, including himself. You must trust me on this”

Thorin nods “Very well. We will do it your way”

Bilbo shakes his head “No, no, no”

“Give him the contract”

Bilbo looks at the dwarves “Please”

“Alright, we’re off!”

Balin hands Bilbo a long contract.

“It’s just the usual summary of out-of-pocket expenses, time required, remuneration, funeral arrangements, so forth”

Bilbo looks in shock “Funeral arrangements?”

As Bilbo steps back a few feet to read the contract, Thorin leans toward Gandalf and whispers to him.

“I cannot guarantee his safety”

“Understood”

“Nor will I be responsible for his fate”

“Agreed”

Bilbo reads parts of the contract out loud “Terms: Cash on delivery, up to but not exceeding one fifteenth of total profit, if any. Seems fair. Eh, Present company shall not be liable for injuries inflicted by or sustained as a consequence thereof including but not limited to lacerations ... evisceration … incineration?”

The dwarf with the large hat nods “Oh, aye, he’ll melt the flesh off your bones in the blink of an eye”

Bilbo looks a little breathless “Huh”

Balin looks at Bilbo “You all right, laddie?”

Bilbo bends over, nauseous and pained “Uh, yeah...Feel a bit faint”

The hated dwarf continues “Think furnace with wings”

“Air, I--I--I need air”

“Flash of light, searing pain, then Poof! you’re nothing more than a pile of ash”

Bilbo breathes heavily, trying to compose himself as the others stare at him “Hmmm. Nope” Bilbo falls on the floor in a faint.

Gandalf looks at the dwarf “Ah, very helpful, Bofur”

Gandalf looks at me and nods. I walk over and pick up Bilbo with ease, moving him and placing him on his chair. He comes to a bit as I place a hand against his forehead. He looks at me, a blush against his cheeks “I’m-I’m fine, thank you”

I nod, leaving the room as Gandolf walks in, mug in hand.

Balin looks at me “Have you signed a contract yet?” I shake my head, the dwarf pulling out another contract for me. I take it, grabbing a quill and signing my name, handing the papers back. Balin looks at the paper, then nods “Welcome to the Company, Miss Lilith”

I nod and move to stand off to the side as Bilbo and Gandalf talk.

“I’ll be all right, let me just sit quietly for a moment”

“You’ve been sitting quietly for far too long. Tell me; when did doilies and your mother’s dishes become so important to you? I remember a young Hobbit who always was running off in search of elves and the woods, who’d stay out late, come home after dark, trailing mud and twigs and fireflies. A young Hobbit who would have liked nothing better than to find out what was beyond the borders of the Shire. The world is not in your books and maps; it’s out there”

“I can’t just go running off into the blue. I am a Baggins, of Bag End”

“You are also a Took. Did you know that your great-great-great-great-uncle, Bullroarer Took, was so large he could ride a real horse?”

“Yes”

 “Well he could. In the Battle of Green Fields, he charged the goblin ranks. He swung his club so hard it knocked the Goblin King’s head clean off, and it sailed a hundred yards through the air and went down a rabbit hole. And thus the battle was won, and the game of golf invented at the same time”

“I do believe you made that up”

 “Well, all good stories deserve embellishment. You’ll have a tale or two to tell of your own when you come back”

“Can you promise that I will come back?”

“No. And if you do, you will not be the same”

“That’s what I thought. Sorry, Gandalf, I can’t sign this. You’ve got the wrong Hobbit”

Bilbo walks away down the hall. Gandalf sighs. Balin and Thorin see Bilbo walking away.

Balin looks at Thorin “It appears we have lost our burglar. Probably for the best. The odds were always against us. After all, what are we? Merchants, miners, tinkers, toy-makers; hardly the stuff of legend”

“There are a few warriors amongst us”

“Old warriors”

“I will take each and every one of these dwarves over an army from the Iron Hills. For when I called upon them, they came. Loyalty. Honor. A willing heart. I can ask no more than that”

“You don’t have to do this. You have a choice. You’ve done honorably by our people. You have built a new life for us in the Blue Mountains, a life of peace and plenty. A life that is worth more than all the gold in Erebor”

Thorin holds out the key Gandalf gave him.

“From my grandfather to my father, this has come to me. They dreamt of the day when the dwarves of Erebor would reclaim their homeland. There is no choice, Balin. Not for me”

“Then we are with you, laddie. We will see it done”

The dwarves gather in Bilbo’s living room, smoking their pipes by the fire. I stand off to the side, watching the dwarves. They all begin humming, and soon Thorin begins to sing, and the others join him (on the second stanza below). Gandalf listens from nearby.

“Far over the misty mountains cold

To dungeons deep and caverns old

We must away ere break of day

To find our long-forgotten gold

The pines were roaring on the height

The winds were moaning in the night

The fire was red, it flaming spread

The trees like torches blazed with light”

When they finish singing, they all prepare for a nights sleep. I don’t sleep, keeping watch over the dwarves and looking out at the night sky.

The next morning, we pack our things and board our steeds. Gandalf pets Brokk before climbing onto his horse. I ride next to Gandalf down a path through a wooded area. A few words of the dwarves' conversations are heard, including “waste of time” and “use a hobbit”. Bilbo runs up from behind us

“Wait! Wait!”

Some dwarves call “Woah!” and stop their ponies. Bilbo catches up to them and hands Balin the contract.

“I signed it!”

Balin takes the contract and inspects it with a pocket-glass. He then smiles at Bilbo “Everything appears to be in order. Welcome, Master Baggins, to the company of Thorin Oakenshield”

The dwarves cheer. Thorin doesn’t look too impressed.

“Give him a pony”

Bilbo looks at them “No, no, no, no, that--that won’t be necessary, thank you, but I--I’m sure I can keep up on foot. I-- I--I’ve done my fair share of walking holidays, you know. I even got as far as Frogmorton once--WAGH!”

Bilbo’s speech is cut off as two of the dwarves ride alongside him and pick him up from behind to put him on a pony.

I chuckle softly as he rides between Gandalf and I, looking rather terrified. The pony neighs and tosses its head, making him quite uncomfortable.

Oin smiles “Come on, Nori, pay up. Go on”

Nori tosses a sack of money to Oin; sacks of money begin passing between the dwarves.

“Hey, hey, hey!”

Some of the dwarves laugh.

“What’s that about?”

Gandalf smiles a bit “Oh, they took wagers on whether or not you’d turn up. Most of them bet that you wouldn’t”

“What did you think?”

“Hmmm” Gandalf catches a sack of money tossed to him and puts it in his bag, chuckling “My dear fellow, I never doubted you for a second”

A bag of money flies over to me, and I catch it. Bilbo looks at me as I pocket it. I look at him, smiling and winking, making the hobbit blush a bit.

Bilbo sneezes loudly “Ohh. All this horse hair, I’m having a reaction” Bilbo searches his pockets for his handkerchief. He is unable to find it, and he looks up in shock “No, no, wait, wait, stop! Stop! We have to turn around”

The entire company comes to a halt, and the dwarves start objecting and asking what the problem is.

Gandalf looks at his burglar “What on earth is the matter?”

“I forgot my handkerchief”

Bofur tears a strip of cloth from his clothing and tosses it to Bilbo “Here! Use this”

Bilbo catches the rag and looks at it in disgust. The dwarves laugh and begin to continue their journey.

Thorin faces forward again “Move on”

Gandalf looks at Bilbo as we continue on “You’ll have to manage without pocket-handkerchiefs and a good many other things, Bilbo Baggins, before we reach our journey’s end. You were born to the rolling hills and little rivers of the Shire, but home is now behind you; the world is ahead”

We travel through many beautiful areas of Middle-earth, including forest, hills, and plains.

The company has camped for the night near the edge of a cliff. As Gloin sleeps, tiny flying insects get sucked into his mouth every time he inhales, and they are expelled when he exhales. Bilbo watches in disgust, then finally gets up and walks around. Most of the dwarves are asleep; Gandalf, Fili, and Kili are awake. I perch on the edge of the cliff, looking out at the land and keeping watch. Bilbo walks over to his pony and gives her an apple, after checking to see that no one is looking.

“Hello, girl. That’s a good girl. It’s our little secret, Myrtle; you must tell no one. sh, sh”

We hear a scream in the night air and Bilbo becomes worried. He runs over to Fili and Kili. I stiffen, flexing my fingers a bit.

Bilbo looks at the brothers “What was that?”

“Orcs”

Another scream is heard. Thorin, who was dozing, jerks awake upon hearing the word ‘Orcs’.

Bilbo looks scared “Orcs?”

Fili nods “Throat-cutters. There’ll be dozens of them out there. The lowlands are crawling with them”

“They strike in the wee small hours, when everyone’s asleep. Quick and quiet; no screams, just lots of blood”

Bilbo looks away in fright; Fili and Kili look at each other and begin laughing.

Thorin stands up “You think that’s funny? You think a night raid by orcs is a joke?”

Kili looks at his uncle “We didn’t mean anything by it”

“No, you didn’t. You know nothing of the world” Thorin walks off to the edge of the cliff, next to me and looks out over the valley; Balin walks up to Fili and Kili.

“Don’t mind him, laddie. Thorin has more cause than most to hate orcs. After the dragon took the Lonely Mountain, King Thror tried to reclaim the ancient dwarf kingdom of Moria. But our enemy had got there first. Moria had been taken by legions of Orcs led by the most vile of all their race: Azog, the Defiler. The giant Gundabad Orc had sworn to wipe out the line of Durin. He began by beheading the King. Thrain, Thorin’s father, was driven mad by grief. He went missing, taken prisoner or killed, we did not know. We were leaderless. Defeat and death were upon us. That is when I saw him: a young dwarf prince facing down the Pale Orc. He stood alone against this terrible foe, his armor rent…wielding nothing but an oaken branch as a shield. Azog, the Defiler, learned that day that the line of Durin would not be so easily broken. Our forces rallied and drove the orcs back. Our enemy had been defeated. But there was no feast, no song, that night, for our dead were beyond the count of grief. We few had survived. And I thought to myself then, there is one who I could follow. There is one I could call King”

Thorin turns away from the view beyond the cliff; the entire Company is awake and standing in awe, staring at him. Thorin walks between them toward the fire.

Bilbo looks at Balin “But the pale orc? What happened to him?”

Thorin speaks up “He slunk back into the hole whence he came. That filth died of his wounds long ago”

I glance back at the company before I look back at the land.

The Company now rides our steeds through a muddy forest as it rains. They all look cold, wet, and miserable. I don’t actually mind the rain.

Dori looks to Gandalf “Here, Mr. Gandalf, can’t you do something about this deluge?”

“It is raining, Master Dwarf, and it will continue to rain until the rain is done. If you wish to change the weather of the world, you should find yourself another wizard”

Bilbo looks at him “Are there any?”

“What?”

“Other wizards?”

“There are five of us. The greatest of our order is Saruman, the White. Then there are the two Blue Wizards; you know, I’ve quite forgotten their names”

“And who is the fifth?”

“Well, that would be Radagast, the Brown”

“Is he a great Wizard or is he...more like you?”

Gandalf looks slightly offended as I chuckle “I think he’s a very great wizard, in his own way. He’s a gentle soul who prefers the company of animals to others. He keeps a watchful eye over the vast forest lands to the East, and a good thing too, for always Evil will look to find a foothold in this world”

I glance back at the company, then I wave my hand, using my magic to keep the rain from falling on us.

I hear some light laughter and thanks from the dwarves. Bofur speaks up “Mr. Gandalf, does your friend ever speak, or does she just sit and look pretty” some more laughter is heard.

Gandalf chuckles “She does. She just chooses silence. She only really talks to show her trust in someone”

Thorin speaks up “If she is to be apart of this company, she will need to speak sooner or later”

Gandalf glances at me, so I turn around on Brokk, looking at Thorin. He looks at me as I smile “Your Majesty, I will speak when I so choose to. Not a moment sooner”

He watches me, then smirks slightly as I turn back around. Gandalf chuckles softly as we ride on.

The Company arrives at an old, abandoned farmhouse that is in ruins. 

Thorin looks to the rest of us “We’ll camp here for the night. Fili, Kili, look after the ponies. Make sure you stay with them” I get down from Brokk, who walks over to Fili and Kili, waiting with them as I walk over to Gandalf.

Gandalf is looking around the ruined farmhouse “A farmer and his family used to live here”

Thorin talks to the others “Oin, Gloin”

“Aye?”

“Get a fire going”

“Right you are”

Gandalf walks over to Thorin “I think it would be wiser to move on. We could make for the Hidden Valley”

I stiffen, looking at Gandalf. Thorin glares a bit “I have told you already, I will not go near that place”

“Why not? The elves could help us. We could get food, rest, advice”

“I do not need their advice”

“We have a map that we cannot read. Lord Elrond could help us”

“Help? A dragon attacks Erebor, what help came from the Elves? Orcs plunder Moria, desecrate our sacred halls, the Elves looked on and did nothing. You ask me to seek out the very people who betrayed my grandfather and betrayed my father”

“You are neither of them. I did not give you that map and key for you to hold on to the past”

“I did not know that they were yours to keep”

Gandalf looks at me “You know as well as I that Lord Elrond can help us”

I hesitate “Going there should only be as a last resort”

He gives me a look “Their aid is not the only reason we should go”

I glare “Gandalf, enough”

Gandalf huffs in frustration, stomps off angrily, leaving the Company.

Bilbo looks after him “Everything alright? Gandalf, where are you going?”

“To seek the company of the only one around here who’s got any sense”

“Who’s that?”

“Myself, Mr. Baggins! I’ve had enough of dwarves for one day”

Thorin looks to Bombur “Come on, Bombur, we’re hungry”

Bilbo looks to Balin “Is he coming back?”

Balin looks unsure.

I go to walk away from Thorin, but he grabs my arm, stopping me. I look at him as he looks up at me “What did he mean? Why do you avoid the elves?”

I hesitate “I have a history in the Hidden Valley. I left there long ago, and I have no plans on returning”

He stares at me, then nods, letting go of my arm.

It’s now nighttime; Bombur has prepared a dinner of soup, and the dwarves are eating it. I’m sitting on the ruins of a stone wall, keeping watch.

Bilbo walks over to Bofur, who is dishing the dwarves up “He’s been a long time”

“Who?”

“Gandalf”

“He’s a wizard! He does as he chooses. Here, do us a favor: take this to the lads” Bofur hands Bilbo two bowls of soup to take to Fili and Kili; Bilbo leaves. Bombur tries to take more soup “Stop it, you’ve had plenty”

As I sit perched, I hear sounds a bit further in the distance, but not too far away. Bofur walks over to the wall I’m at “Are you going to eat, miss?”

I shake my head “I’m fine, thank you, Bofur”

He raises a brow “I haven’t seen you eat during this whole journey. Or sleep, for that matter”

I smile softly “I’m fine, I promise. I’ve gone much longer without food or sleep” I hear something in the forest, making me look towards the trees.

“Huh. Your ears twitch. Rather adorable, actually”

I stand up, looking to the sound “Something’s wrong”

Thorin looks at me “What is it?”

I look at him “Trolls”

A moment later, Fili and Kili run out of the trees “Trolls. Trolls took the ponies. Bilbo is trying to free them”

We all grab our weapons and make our way to where the trolls are camped out. We see Bilbo being held by one of the trolls by his feet.

We hide in the bushes, waiting for a moment to strike, listening to the trolls questioning Bilbo.

“Come here, you little... Gotcha! Are there any more of you little fellas `iding where you shouldn’t?”

“Nope”

“He’s lying”

“No I’m not!”

“Hold his toes over the fire.  Make him squeal”

Kili suddenly runs out of the bushes and cuts one troll in the leg, making him howl and fall down.

“Drop him!”

“You what?”

“I said, drop him”

One troll throws Bilbo at Kili; Bilbo lands on Kili, knocking them both down. The rest of the us charge out of the bushes yelling and brandishing their weapons. They begin fighting the trolls, hacking, slashing, and hammering their legs. I use my sword to slash at the legs as well. As the dwarves fight, Bilbo grabs one troll’s knife and cuts the ropes, freeing the ponies. Another troll, seeing this, grabs Bilbo. The dwarves stop fighting when we see the trolls holding Bilbo by the arms and legs.

Kili’s eyes widen “Bilbo!”

Thorin tenses up “No!”

“Lay down your arms, or we’ll rip his off”

Thorin looks at Bilbo in frustration, then plants his sword in the ground. The others drop their swords and weapons as well. I do the same.

I look at the trolls, my eyes glowing a bit as I try and figure out how to kill them. The third troll points a blade at my throat “Oi, no using magic, either”

I glare as my eyes return to normal.

Now, the trolls have tied several dwarves (Dwalin, Bofur, Dori, Ori and Nori) onto a spit and are roasting them over a fire; the rest (Thorin, Kili, Gloin, Bombur, Balin and Oin), and Bilbo, are tied up in sacks nearby.

One of them, the one turning the spit, has me in his other hand.

One of the trolls looks at the chef “Don’t bother cooking them. Let’s just sit on them and squash them into jelly”

“They should be sautéed and grilled with a sprinkle of sage”

Dori yells out to them “Is this really necessary?”

“Ooh, that does sound quite nice”

“Untie us, you monsters!”

“Take on someone your own size!” 

The dwarves on the spit and in the bags are all making noises and talking in fear.

The one holding me sniffs the air, then looks at me and brings me to his nose, sniffing. I scrunch up my face as he looks at me “Oh! That smells rather nice” He holds me over to the other trolls, letting them sniff me.

“She smells sweet”

“And a little spicy”

The trolls holding me nods “We could use her as seasoning instead. Maybe as a sauce” He holds me up and begins to squeeze his hand. I hear and feel my ribs breaking, making me gasp. I grab his thumb and quickly bite down, drawing blood. He yells out, throwing me against a tree, another sickening crack filling the air. I fall to the ground, unable to move.

I hear the dwarves freaking out, calling my name.

The troll shakes his hand “Pesky little dwarf”

I hear another troll speak up “Never mind the seasoning; we ain’t got all night! Dawn ain’t far away, so let’s get a move on. I don’t fancy being turned to stone”

Bilbo, hearing what the troll said, has an idea “Wait! You are making a terrible mistake”

The dwarves argue a bit “You can’t reason with them, they’re half-wits!”

“Half-wits? What does that make us?”

Bilbo manages to stand up, although still tied up in a sack. He faces the trolls “Uh, I meant with the, uh, with, uh, with the seasoning”

The chef troll looks at Bilbo“What about the seasoning?”

“Well have you smelt them? You’re going to need something stronger than sage before you plate this lot up”

The dwarves yell at Bilbo, calling him a traitor. The ones in sacks kick him.

“What do you know about cooking dwarf?”

“Shut up, and let the, uh, flurgaburburrahobbit talk”

“Uh, th--the secret to cooking dwarf is, um--”

“Yes? Come on”

“It’s, uh--”

“Tell us the secret”

“Ye--yes, I’m telling you, the secret is … to skin them first!” The dwarves yell more.

“Tom, get me the filleting knife”

“If I get you, you little--” 

“I won’t forget that!” 

The troll, Tom “What a load of rubbish! I’ve eaten plenty with their skins on. Scuff them, I say, boots and all”

Bilbo and I see Gandalf slipping behind some trees nearby.

The other trolls walks over to the dwarves in sacks “`e’s right! Nothing wrong with a bit of raw dwarf! Nice and crunchy”

The troll grabs Bombur, who is in a sack, and dangles him upside down over his mouth, about to eat him.

Bilbo stops him “Not--not that one, he--he’s infected!”

Tom looks at him “You what?”

“Yeah, He’s got worms in his … tubes” The troll drops Bombur back into the pile of Dwarves in disgust  “In--in fact they all have, they’re in--infested with parasites. It’s a terrible business; I wouldn’t risk it, I really wouldn’t”

The dwarves yell in protest.

“Parasites, did he say parasites?”

“We don’t have parasites! You have parasites!”

“What are you talking about, laddie?” 

The rest of the dwarves chime in about how they don’t have parasites and how Bilbo is a fool. Bilbo rolls his eyes as the dwarves mess up his plan. Thorin, understanding Bilbo’s plan, kicks the others. They then understand and go along with it. All the dwarves begin proclaiming about how they’re “riddled” with parasites.

“I’ve got parasites as big as my arm”

“Mine are the biggest parasites, I’ve got huge parasites!”

“We’re riddled”

“Yes, I’m riddled”

“Yes we are. Badly!”

Tom looks at Bilbo “What would you have us do, then, let ‘em all go?”

“Well...”

“You think I don’t know what you’re up to? This little ferret is taking us for fools!”

“Ferret?”

“Fools?”

Gandalf appears on top of a large rock above the clearing “The dawn will take you all!”

“Who’s that?”

“No idea”

“Can we eat `im too?”

Gandalf strikes the rock with his staff, splitting it in half, allowing the sunlight behind it to pour into the clearing. When the sunlight touches the trolls’ skin, they begin turning into stone amidst loud screams and howls of pain. Within seconds, there are three stone statues of trolls in the clearing. All the dwarves cheer for Gandalf. Of course, the dwarves on the spit, including Dwalin, still look uncomfortable.

“Oh, get your foot out of my back!”

The sun shines through the broken rocks as the dwarves are all freed. Gandalf makes his way over to me, as does Bilbo and Thorin. Gandalf sets his staff down and has me stand up, hanging onto his arms.

“Where are your injuries?”

I take a shaky breath “Ribs. Spine”

He nods, then looks at Thorin “Thorin, help her stand” He moves me so my hands are on Thorin’s shoulders, his hands on my waist to keep me standing.

Gandalf looks at me “Brace yourself, my dear” I feel his staff touch my ribs, the bones shifting and cracking back into place.

I gasp, my nails digging into Thorin’s shoulders. I take a breath, my voice quiet “Sorry…”

I then feel the staff touch my spine, and a loud cracking sound fills the air as it snaps back into place.

I cry out, my legs almost giving out. Thorin holds me up, looking at me with some concern.

I push myself to stand, breathing heavily “Sorry…”

I let go of his shoulders, keeping my breathing steady. I look at Gandalf “Thank you” 

I walk towards the others, Bilbo following me “Are you alright?”

I nod softly, twisting and popping my back “I'm alright. Not the first time my bones have broken”

Gandalf and Thorin walk over, informing us about a cave nearby where the trolls would have stayed.

The company finds a large cave nearby, and we enter it. It is full of treasure the trolls have been hoarding.

Nori grimaces “Oh, what’s that stench?!”

Gandalf looks around “It’s a troll hoard. Be careful what you touch”

As we enter the cave, many of the dwarves cough and retch at the pungence. Inside, we find piles of gold coins and other treasure in caskets.

Bofur looks at a few of the others “Seems a shame just to leave it lyin’ around. Anyone could take it”

Gloin nods “Agreed. Nori, get a shovel”

As I walk through the cave, I find a box with a glowing purple crystal inside.

I stiffen as I stare at the crystal, my power vibrating under my skin.

While exploring, Thorin finds two swords covered in cobwebs. Gandalf approaches him.

“These swords were not made by any troll”

Thorin hands one sword to Gandalf and keeps the other one.

“Nor were they made by any smith among men” Gandalf draws the sword in his hand out of its sheath a few inches “These were forged in Gondolin by the High Elves of the First Age” Realizing that they are Elven swords, Thorin starts to put his away in disgust “You could not wish for a finer blade”

Reluctantly, Thorin holds on to the sword. He draws it out of its sheath a few inches as well.

Some of the dwarves fill a chest with treasure, then bury it in a hole in the ground. Dwalin looks on in disgust.

“We’re makin’ a long term deposit”

Thorin looks at me, then walks over “What is it?”

I pick up the crystal, holding it in my right hand “Stolen power. Humans who were told how to steal it for themselves by the elves of the Hidden Valley”

Thorin looks at me, an understanding in his eyes. I quickly take the Crystal and smash it against the cave wall. The magic flows from the shards of the crystal, moving back to me, the light of the magic flowing under my skin.

Thorin nods softly before speaking “Let’s get out of this foul place. Come on, let’s go. Bofur! Gloin! Nori!”

On his way out, Gandalf steps on something metallic. Brushing aside the leaves beneath him with his staff, he finds another sword. Gandalf and I exit the cave and he heads over to where Bilbo is sitting. He hands Bilbo the sword he just found.

“Bilbo”

“Hmm?”

“Here. This is about your size”

“I can’t take this”

“The blade is of Elvish make which means it will glow blue when orcs or goblins are nearby”

“I have never used a sword in my life”

“And I hope you never have to. But if you do, remember this: true courage is about knowing not when to take a life, but when to spare one”

My ears twitch, hearing something approaching. I look in the direction, taking out my sword.

Thorin sees this and yells out “Something’s coming!”

Bilbo looks at Gandalf “Gandalf-”

Gandalf yells out to us “Stay together! Hurry now. Arm yourselves”

Bilbo slowly draws his sword and looks at it. He then follows the others, who have run off into the woods.

Suddenly, Radagast rides at full speed through the forest on his rabbit-drawn sled. He pulls up short by the Company.

“Thieves! Fire! Murder!”

Gandalf and I let out a small breath of relief “Radagast! Radagast the Brown. Ah. What on earth are you doing here?”

Radagast approaches us “I was looking for you, Gandalf. Something’s wrong. Something’s terribly wrong”

“Yes?”

Radagast opens his mouth to speak, but shuts it. He opens his mouth again, but closes it again. He has forgotten what he was going to say “Oh, just give me a minute. Um, oh, I had a thought, and now I’ve lost it. It was, it was right there, on the tip of my tongue” He curls up his tongue, and looks surprised “Oh, it’s not a thought at all; it’s a silly old...” Gandalf pulls a stick insect out of Radagast’s mouth “-stick insect!”

The dwarves and Bilbo look flustered. I chuckle, Radagast looking at me “Oh, hello, Lilith. How are you, old friend?”

I smile “I’m doing well, Radagast” I look at Gandalf, lowering my voice “You two talk”

Gandalf nods and he goes off with Radagast a few paces and speak privately.

While the two wizards talk, I climb up onto a rock, keeping an eye and ear out for anything. Fili and Kili walk over to me.

“We should be fine”

“You should relax a bit”

I shake my head “I don’t relax. There is always a reason to keep look out” My ear twitches toward a sound, making me turn and look towards it. I climb down, facing the possible danger.

I hear the brothers whisper to each other.

“Do elf ears twitch like that, too?”

“No idea. Dwarf ears don’t, but it’s kinda cute”

Suddenly, a howl is heard in the distance. I tense up, looking toward the trees. I quickly stomp my foot twice, sending for Brokk.

Bilbo steps closer to me “Was that a wolf? Are there--are there wolves out there?”

Bofur shakes his head “Wolves? No, that is not a wolf”

From behind a nearby crag, a Warg appears; it leaps into the midst of the Company, knocking down one of the dwarves. Thorin strikes and kills it using Orcrist. Another Warg attacks from the other side, but Brokk quickly tackles it, biting into its throat and snapping its neck.

Thorin looks at us “Warg-Scouts! Which means an Orc pack is not far behind”

Bilbo looks worried “Orc pack?”

Gandalf approaches Thorin “Who did you tell about your quest, beyond your kin?”

“No one”

“Who did you tell?”

“No one, I swear. What in Durin’s name is going on?”

“You are being hunted”

Dwalin looks at Thorion “We have to get out of here”

Ori runs back over “We can’t! We have no ponies; they bolted”

Radagast  looks at Gandalf “I’ll draw them off”

“These are Gundabad Wargs; they will outrun you”

“These are Rhosgobel Rabbits; I’d like to see them try”

Brokk walks over as I look at Radagast “Brokk will go with you”

Radagast pats Brokk, smiling at me “I’ll take care of him”

I nod and he gets on his sled, he and Brokk quickly making their way out of the forest. The Wargs start chasing him.

Gandalf watches from behind a rock as Radagast and the Wargs disappear in the distance.

“Come on!”

The Company rushes across a rocky plain. In the distance, Radagast is being chased by the Wargs. One of them crashes while trying to catch him. As the Company runs across the plain, we see the Wargs not too far from them, so we hide behind the rocks.

“Stay together”

“Move!”

As the Company runs, Radagast drives his sled beneath an overhanging projection of rock; he ducks, but the Orc on the Warg behind him gets knocked off. As the chase continues, Thorin stops behind a rock so that he is not seen by the Wargs. Ori starts to run out of the cover.

Thorin grabs Ori “Ori, no! Come back!”

Gandalf looks at us “Come on! Quick!”

As we continue running, Thorin turns to Gandalf “Where are you leading us?”

Gandalf doesn’t answer, making me tense. As the Warg scouts chase Radagast, one of them stops and scents the air. We take cover behind an outcropping of rock. The scout and his Warg appear on top of the outcropping, scenting the air. Thorin looks at Kili and nods; readying an arrow, Kili quickly steps out and shoots the Warg. The Warg and the orc on it fall near the dwarves, and the dwarves kill them. The sounds of their fight carry quite far; the other Wargs and Orcs stop chasing Radagast as they hear roars and screams from behind the rocks.

I hear an orc yells “The Dwarf-scum are over there! After them!”

The Warg scouts howl as they stop pursuing Radagast and begin pursuing the Company.

“Move. Run!”

The company runs through a grassy plain; Wargs begin to surround us from all sides.

“There they are!”

“This way! Quickly!”

We run for a while longer, then halt in a clearing as we see Wargs on all sides.

“There’s more coming!”

“Kili! Shoot them!”

Looking around, Gandalf sees a large rock; he runs toward it and disappears.

“We’re surrounded!”

Kili begins shooting at the Warg and the Warg-riders, killing some of them.

“Where is Gandalf?”

“He has abandoned us!”

The dwarves gather close to each other near the rock Gandalf disappeared by. As the orc and his Warg approach, Ori shoots a rock at the orc with his slingshot, to no effect. Thorin pulls out his sword.

“Hold your ground!”

Gandalf pops up from a crack in the rock “This way, you fools!”

Thorin looks at us “Come on, move! Quickly, all of you! Go, go, go!”

As the Wargs approach, the dwarves and Bilbo slide into the large crack in the rock, sliding into a cave. Thorin kills a Warg that gets too close. Kili shoots another. I stand by the rocks and look at the Wargs. I raise my hands, my eyes glowing as roots and vines burst from the ground, grabbing the Wargs and Orcs, throwing them and killing others.

Thorin looks at Kili “Kili! Run!”

Kili looks at me “Lilith, come on!”

My vision begins to blur, and I fall to a knee “Go! I’ll be right behind you!”

 Kili jumps into the crack. Thorin runs over to me, quickly picking me up and jumping down as well. He stands me against the wall, looking at me “What were you thinking?”

I take a breath “I was thinking, of giving you more time to run”

We suddenly hear a horn blow, making me tense up. We listen to the conflict from inside the crack. One of the orcs, shot by an arrow, falls into the cave. Thorin plucks out the arrow and examines its make. I look at Gandalf, who nods softly.

“Elves”

There is a pathway at the end of the cave, leading away.

Dwalin looks at Thorin “I cannot see where the pathway leads. Do we follow it or no?”

Bofur nods “Follow it, of course!”

Gandalf nods as well “I think that would be wise”

The Company begins following the path. It is quite narrow, and it is a crack between two tall cliffs. At times, the dwarves have difficulty going through. The pathway eventually opens out into an open area; there is a valley below, and in that valley is the city of Rivendell.

Gandalf looks at the city “The Valley of Imraldis. In the Common Tongue, it’s known by a another name”

Bilbo looks in awe “Rivendell”

“Here lies the last Homely House east of the sea”

Thorin glares at Gandalf “This was your plan all along, to seek refuge with our enemy”

“You have no enemies here, Thorin Oakenshield. The only ill-will to be found in this valley is that which you bring yourself”

“You think the Elves will give our quest their blessing? They will try to stop us”

“Of course they will. But we have questions that need to be answered. If we are to be successful, this will need to be handled with tact and respect and no small degree of charm. Which is why you will leave the talking to me”

I look at the city, tense. I shouldn’t be here…

The Company walks across a bridge and enters Rivendell. A few elves are seen strolling about. Bilbo gazes in awe at the beauty of the place. The dwarves look as uneasy as I feel.

A dark-haired elf walks down a flight of stairs and greets us.

“Mithrandir”

Gandalf smiles “Ah, Lindir!”

As Lindir and Gandalf greet each other, the dwarves murmur amongst themselves in distrust. Thorin whispers to Dwalin.

“Stay sharp”

“Lastannem i athrannedh i Vruinen” (We hear you had crossed into the Valley) He looks at me, his eyes widening a bit, but he salutes me “Hiril vuin Lilith. You’ve returned” (My lady)

I tense up, nodding softly. Thorin looks at me, cautiously.

Gandalf looks at Lindir “I must speak with Lord Elrond”

“My lord Elrond is not here”

“Not here? Where is he?”

Suddenly, the Elvish horns from earlier are heard again. We  turn around and they see a group of armed horsemen approaching along the bridge at a rapid rate.

Thorin speaks to the rest of us “Ifridî bekâr!” (Ready weapons!’) “Hold ranks!”

The dwarves bunch up together into a tight circle with their weapons pointed outward; the mounted Elves arrive and ride in circles around the dwarves. Eventually, they stop, and one elf, Elrond, separates himself from the others.

Elrond smiles “Gandalf”

Gandalf bows gracefully “Lord Elrond. Mellonnen! Mo evínedh?” (My friend! Where have you been?)

“Farannem ‘lamhoth i udul o charad. Dagannem rim na Iant Vedui”  (We’ve been hunting a pack of Orcs that came up from the South. We slew a number near the Hidden Pass)

Elrond dismounts from his horse, then he and Gandalf hug “Strange for Orcs to come so close to our borders. Something, or someone, has drawn them near” He holds up an Orc sword and shows it to everyone, then hands it to Lindir.

“Ah, that may have been us”

Thorin steps forward, and Elrond looks upon him with recognition “Welcome Thorin, son of Thrain”

“I do not believe we have met”

“You have your grandfather’s bearing. I knew Thror when he ruled under the Mountain”

“Indeed; he made no mention of you”

Ignoring this insult, Elrond looks at me, and I see his eyes widen a bit before he smiles “Lilith” He walks over and pulls me into a tight hug “Iellig, you have returned home”

I hug back, relaxing into the hug “Vendu, Ada. I’ve missed you”

He smiles and holds my face, looking at me “You have grown wiser. Stronger. It suits you” He kisses my forehead, making me scrunch up my face, but hide a smile.

“Ada, please”

He chuckles, then turns to the dwarves, who are looking at me with confusion, and speaks in Elvish. The dwarves don’t understand what he is saying.

“Nartho i noer, toltho i viruvor. Boe i annam vann a nethail vin.” (Light the fires, bring forth the wine. We must feed our guests)

Gloin looks at him “What is he saying? Does he offer us insult?”

The dwarves grow bellicose and grip their weapons uneasily. Gandalf speaks exasperatedly.

“No, master Gloin, he’s offering you food”

The dwarves quickly discuss this amongst themselves.

“Ah well, in that case, lead on”

Elrond looks at Lindir “Lindir, kindly prepare my daughter for dinner, if you’d please”

Lindir nods and we are all led inside, leading me to a room. My old room.

I look around, a bit tense as Lindir helps get an outfit ready. He looks at me, pausing “Lilith? Are you alright?”

I take a breath and nod “It’s just…strange being here after all this time. I’ve been gone for so long, but everything still looks the same”

He smiles “You can thank Arwen and Elrond for that. They insisted you would be back when you were ready, and to keep your room for when you came back”

I smile and I get changed into a white gown with silver jewelry, including a crown.

Lindir nods and we make our way to the feast. The dwarves are already sat at two tables in a courtyard. I see some of the elves glancing at me, some trying to hide the disdain on their faces, making me fiddle with my rings a bit. Lindir places a hand on my back nodding softly. I nod and look at the dwarves. I do see Lindir glare at the other elves, just as he did when I was younger.

The dwarves are sitting around tables in the Elven court, eating. However, they are not very appreciative of the Elves’ vegetables.

“Try it. Just a mouthful”

“I don’t like green food”

Dwalin looks through a bowl of greens “Where’s the meat?”

Oin holds up a vegetable with his knife and looks at it in disgust.

“Have they got any chips?”

I lower my voice, speaking to Lindir “I know for a fact that elves eat meat”

He nods, smirking a bit “That is true. But they don’t know that”

I chuckle softly.

An Elf maiden plays a harp in the background. Elrond and Gandalf walk through the halls of Rivendell.

“Kind of you to invite us. I'm not really dressed for dinner”

“Well, you never are”

They both laugh, and they arrive at the courtyard where the dwarves are eating. 

Elrond smiles as he walks over to me “Iellig, you look beautiful”

I smile as he kisses my head “Thank you, Ada”

We go and sit down, Elrond sitting at a taller table, Gandalf and I on either side of him, Thorin next to me.

Kili looks at an elf maiden, flirting a bit, until he sees Dwalin staring at him. He denies being interested, but says that one elf isn’t bad looking. The elf was actually a male, making the other dwarves laugh at him. I chuckle, taking a drink from my glass.

An elf maiden plays a flute; Oin, not liking the sound, stuffs a napkin in his hearing trumpet, and looks happy that he can no longer hear the music.

Thorin glances at me, seemingly trying to figure out something.

Elrond smiles, looking at Thorin “I am surprised you convinced my daughter to join your company. She does not trust easily”

Thorin’s eyes widen as he looks at me. I look at Elrond, lowering my voice “Ada!”

Thorin looks at Elrond “She is your daughter?”

He nods “Her parents died when she was an infant. I took her in and raised her as my own”

Thorin looks at me, and I look away.

Still at the feast, Elrond examines the swords Gandalf and Thorin found in the trolls’ hoard. He looks at Orcrist first.

“This is Orcrist, the Goblin Cleaver. A famous blade, forged by the High Elves of the West, my kin. May it serve you well” He hands Orcrist back to Thorin, who accepts it with a nod. Elrond then examines Glamdring “And this is Glamdring, the Foe-hammer, sword of the King of Gondolin. These swords were made for the goblin wars of the First Age...”

Elrond’s voice fades on the soundtrack, as Bilbo pulls out his sword and looks at it.

Balin looks at him “I wouldn’t bother, laddie. Swords are named for the great deeds they do in war”

“What are you saying, my sword hasn’t seen battle?”

“I’m not actually sure it is a sword; more of a letter opener, really”

Elrond looks at Gandalf “How did you come by these?”

“We found them in a troll hoard on the Great East Road, shortly before we were ambushed by orcs”

“And what were you doing on the Great East Road?”

No one answers; Thorin looks perturbed. He stands up, walking away from the table “Excuse me”

Elrond looks at Gandalf, wine glass in hand “Thirteen dwarves, a half ling, and my daughter. Hm. Strange traveling companions, Gandalf”

Gandalf defends the dwarves “These are the descendants of the house of Durin. They’re noble, decent folk and they’re surprisingly cultured. They’ve got a deep love of the arts. Besides, your daughter is excellent company”

Nori looks at the elf maiden playing the harp “Change the tune, why don’t you? I feel like I’m at a funeral”

Oin looks confused “Did somebody die?”

Bofur looks at the other “Alright, lads. There’s only one thing for it” He climbs onto the table and begins to sing a song, ‘The Man on the Moon stayed up too late’. As he sings, the others join in, singing and throwing food. The elves look horrified and disgusted, but I see Thorin smiling and tapping his foot to the song. I chuckle, catching a piece of bread that gets thrown my way and taking a bite. Food flies past Elrond, hitting a post next to Lindir as well. Gandalf looks a little embarrassed, but keeps eating.

After the feast, the dwarves are taken to their quarters, and Elrond walks over to me, lowering his voice “Come with me. I wish for you to meet someone”

I nod, following him to a training yard, where I see a child training with another elf. I tilt my head as the two stop, looking at us, facing us respect. Elrond nods for the guard to leave, the child looking at me a bit confused.

Elrond smiles as we walk closer “Estel, this is Lilith. My youngest daughter”

I smile as he salutes me “Hello, your highness”

I nod “Pleasure to meet you, young man” I look at Elrond “So, what am I missing, exactly?”

Elrond smiles “I’ve accepted him as my foster son when his mother brought him here eight years ago”

I look at him “So, I have a little brother?” Elrond nods, smiling. My smile widens and I see Estel smiling as well. I spend time with him and we learn about each other, including that his name is Aragorn, but Ada calls him Estel, meaning ‘hope’.

That night, I’m standing on the balcony of my room, when I hear a knock on the door. I wave a hand, the door opening. I hear the door close behind them and I see Thorin walk up next to me.

We stand there in silence for a moment before he speaks “You seem well loved here. Why did you not wish to return?”

I hesitate “The only ones who show me any love are my father, my sister, and Lindir. Everyone else talks about me behind my back, behind my family's backs. They look at me with disdain for what I am. I am not fully an elf, but I am not a dwarf either. I’ve never really fit in anywhere. It’s why I left nearly a century ago”

He looks at me, a sadness in his eyes “I am sorry you had to go through that”

I smile softly, looking at him “It’s alright. It’s my life” I pause a bit “I lived in Dale for a few years” He stares at me, and I take a small breath “I was there when Smaug arrived. I saw the fire destroy everything and everyone around me” I look out at the land, remembering that day well “I saw the Lord of Dale shoot the dragon, hitting the beast with a black arrow, not killing him but loosening a scale. I thought…I thought I could help. Try to kill the beast myself. I failed. My magic wasn’t strong enough, and he attacked me right outside the edge of the city”

Thorin looks at me, a bit shocked. I continue “He stabbed me with a claw, nearly killing me, and he spoke to me. Taunting me”

“What did he say to you?”

“He told me I was going to be his most priceless treasure. That is, until I hit him back. I took a tooth and managed to scar his eye a bit. He let me go, then flew to Erebor…” I hesitate, looking at Thorin “I’m sorry I couldn’t stop him, Thorin…” I pause “I’ve never told anyone that story before…”

He looks hesitant, then places a hand over mine “You did everything you could. I thank you for trying. I will keep this to myself” He picks up my hand and kisses it gently. I blush softly, smiling. He sets my hand back down “I will let you get some sleep”

I nod softly, then I lean down a bit and kiss his cheek “Goodnight, Thorin”
He looks at me a bit shocked, but I see a light blush dust his cheeks as his lips curl up in the corners, smiling softly with a soft look in his eyes “Goodnight, Lilith”

He leaves my room, leaving me to myself. I lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling. I grab a pillow and hold it over my face, groaning loudly. How the hell do they do it? I’ve kept things to myself for so long, then he shows up and I spill my guts. Why is he so easy for me to talk to?

The company stays in Rivendell for a little over a week, the elves growing more uneasy and stressful the longer we stay.

Now, I’m walking with Elrond and Lindir, walking between the two as Lindir informs my father about everything “The kitchen’s under enormous strain, we are almost out of wine. How long do you think they will be with us?”

“That has yet to be decided”

They pause, and I look at them confused until I see what they are staring at. All the dwarves are bathing in a fountain near one of the falls. Lindir and Elrond immediately cover my eyes with their hands, disgusted looks on their faces.

I try to move their hands “Ada, you don’t need to cover my eyes. I’m not a child”

He and Lindir move so they are blocking the dwarves from my sight, moving their hands “You may not be a child, but you are still a lady”

I raise a brow “Not really. I’m a woman, not a lady”

Lindir looks confused “What’s the difference?”

I chuckle “The difference is, a lady is proper. I am not” I smile and turn away, going to find Bilbo.

I find him wandering a corridor, entirely relaxed and enjoying the peace. I walk up next to him, making him jump a bit.

I chuckle “Apologies. You’re not the only one who’s light on their feet. There are perks to being half elf”

Bilbo smiles a bit “Uhm, do you mind if I ask you something?” I nod “Your parents, do you know how they met? It seems like an odd pairing”

I smile softly, nodding “My mother was a Sindar elf, while my father was a dwarf from the Blue Mountains. They had met at a meeting between the leaders of the lands. There, they grew close and fond of each other. Lord Elrond knew my mother, and even officiated their wedding. He was one of the few who actually approved of their marriage. They were married for many years, living on the outskirts of Rivendell” My smile fades slightly “They died in battle when I was half a year old. Lord Elrond is the only parent I’ve ever really known”

Bilbo looks at me with a sadness in his eyes “You were so young…”

I nod “I was loved by my father and my sister, and my only friend was Lindir. The other elves looked at me like I was a mistake. I left home a century ago, much to the disappointment of my father”

Bilbo furrows his brow a bit “Um, how old are you?”

I chuckle “I’m 122, and still young. I’m unsure if I’ll age like elves or dwarves, though”

He pauses a bit, then nods his head “It would make sense if you aged like elves. You look very much like an elf, yet your height is closer to a dwarf”

We stop at a balcony, looking at the land. Bilbo looks at me “So, why did you become an assassin in the first place?”

I hesitate, thinking of my past “I became an assassin after Smaug destroyed Dale. Before that, I used my magic to help Dale thrive. My job was also to help protect the city from possible enemies. Never in our minds did we think our enemy would be a dragon…” I take a small breath “When I kill, I kill those who deserve it. Murderers, traffickers, abusers. Even tax collectors. Not the ones who are just doing their jobs, the ones who truly enjoy watching others suffer”

Bilbo stares at me, then shakes his head a bit. He pauses “You know, I don’t know much about you”

I raise a brow “That’s kind of the point of being an assassin, Bilbo. No one knows who I am, or anything about me”

“Sounds like a lonely life”

I nod softly “Yes, but it’s my life”

“It doesn't have to be. You could always settle down somewhere. Do what you did before. Find a husband, actually enjoy life”

I look at him, making him pause and look at me. I smile softly “Perhaps one day”

He smiles softly, and we sit and talk until Gandalf gathers us to speak with Elrond.

It is now night. Gandalf, Elrond, Thorin, Balin, Bilbo and I are standing in a hall in Rivendell.

Thorin looks at Gandalf “Our business is no concern of elves”

“For goodness sake, Thorin, show him the map”

“It is the legacy of my people; it is mine to protect, as are its secrets”

“Save me from the stubbornness of Dwarves. Your pride will be your downfall. You stand here in the presence of one of the few in Middle-earth who can read that map. Show it to Lord Elrond”

Thorin thinks quietly for a few seconds, with everyone looking at him. He begins to hand the map to Elrond, and Balin tries to stop him.

“Thorin, no!”

Thorin brushes Balin aside and hands Elrond the map. Elrond looks at it.

“Erebor. What is your interest in this map?”

Thorin is about to speak, but Gandalf interrupts him.

“It’s mainly academic. As you know, this sort of artifact sometimes contains hidden text. You still read Ancient Dwarvish, do you not?”

Elrond walks a little bit away, looking at the map. As the moonlight hits the map, Elrond realizes something.

“Cirth Ithil”

“Moon runes. Of course. An easy thing to miss”

“Well in this case, that is true; moon runes can only be read by the light of a moon of the same shape and season as the day on which they were written”

Thorin looks at Elrond “Can you read them?”

Elrond leads us all to an open area outside, on the side of a cliff, with waterfalls all around. The moon is behind some clouds. We walk toward a large crystalline table.

“These runes were written on a Midsummer’s Eve by the light of a crescent moon nearly two hundred years ago. It would seem you were meant to come to Rivendell. Fate is with you, Thorin Oakenshield; the same moon shines upon us tonight”

As we look up, the clouds covering the moon float away, and rays of moonlight hits the crystalline table, causing light to flow through the map which has been laid on the table. Ancient runes become visible on the map, and Elrond translates them out loud.

“Stand by the gray stone when the thrush knocks, and the setting sun with the last light of Durin’s Day will shine upon the keyhole”

Bilbo looks confused “Durin’s Day?”

Gandalf explains “It is the start of the dwarves’ new year, when the last moon of autumn and the first sun of winter appear in the sky together”

Thorin looks worried “This is ill news. Summer is passing. Durin’s Day will soon be upon us”

Balin, on the other hand, looks hopeful “We still have time”

Bilbo looks between the two “Time? For what?”

“To find the entrance. We have to be standing at exactly the right spot at exactly the right time. Then, and only then, can the door be opened”

Elrond looks at them “So this is your purpose, to enter the Mountain”

Thorin looks at him “What of it?”

“There are some who would not deem it wise”

Thorin takes back the map gruffly.

Gandalf looks at Elrond “Who do you mean?”

“You are not the only guardian to stand watch over Middle-earth”

As Elrond walks away, Gandalf turns slowly, thinking deeply.

I look out at the sky, but images suddenly cross my vision. I can’t hear or see anything that is in front of me.

It is late at night. Wargs howl. An orc that we fought earlier and his Warg Scouts and Wargs step into the ruin on Weathertop, where many other Wargs and Orcs are gathered. A large, white Warg growls at him. Behind the White Warg is a tall, pale Orc, facing away. It is Azog, the defilier. The Orc who was thought to be long since dead.

The runaway orc looks at Azog “Khozdayin… Dorguz… zuranimid.” (The Dwarves, Master... we lost them) “Shugi golgai gelnakhanishim--”  (Ambushed by Elvish filth, we were--)

“Sha nargiz ob-hakhtil…” (I don’t want excuses…) “Nargiz khobdi Rani Khozdil!”  (I want the head of the Dwarf King!)

Azog turns around and approaches the orc. His left arm, which Thorin  cut off long ago during the battle of Azanulbizar, has been replaced with a metal arm and claw.

“Murganish dum…Turim hag shad.” (We were outnumbered...there was nothing we could do.) “Zorzor go-kairaz obguraniz.” (I barely escaped with my life.)

“Ki go-kairag baganig.” (Far better you had paid with it.)

Azog strokes the orc’s head with his right hand, then grabs and lifts the orc by the throat with his metal left hand. With a roar, Azog throws him against the pillars to the side. Wargs attack the orc, killing him and eating him. The orc’s fellow Rider quakes in fear at the sight; however, the White Warg and Azog are unfazed.

When my vision returns, my legs give out, and I feel myself get caught. I look up to see Bilbo and Thorin looking at me worried. Elrond quickly walks back over to me, Gandalf right behind him. Bilbo and Thorin help me stand up, letting me lean on Thorin. Elrond gently takes my face in his hands, looking worried.

“Iellig, are you alright? What happened?”

I nod softly “I’m alright, Ada. It was just my magic. I’m fine, I promise”

He hesitates, but nods. He kisses my forehead before leaving. 

Thorin helps me walk to my room, while Bilbo goes with the rest of the dwarves to their quarters. When I open my door, he lowers his voice “We are leaving. Tonight”

I nod softly and he leaves me to go talk with the others. I grab my clothes that I arrived in, now clean and repaired of any damage. I change into them, looking at myself in the mirror. I sigh softly, then I look around my room. Once again, I will be leaving Rivendell. I grab some parchment and a quill, quickly writing a letter for my father. I make a crystal flower form in my hand, and I set it on my bed with the letter.

I sneak out of my window, making my way to the dwarves quarters. I watch them from the window, staying out of sight.

I hear the Dwarves are having a late-night party in their quarters. They roast sausages over a fire made by burning the Elvish furniture. Bofur, seeing a heavy Bombur sitting on a bench and eating a large bowl of food, looks at his sausage thoughtfully.

“Bombur!”

As Bombur looks up, Bofur throws him the sausage. Bombur catches it; the weight of the sausage is just too much for the bench, and the bench breaks; Bombur, shrieking, falls to the floor, along with all his food. The dwarves laugh uproariously.

I chuckle and I jump into the room, catching myself on one of the pillars and swinging around before I jump off and land next to Bofur. He jumps a bit, making myself and the other dwarves laugh.

I smile “Did I scare you, Bofur?”

He smirks “Not at all, princess”

I wave him off “I am not a princess”

Fili and Kili sit next to me, smiling “Are you sure about that? Your father is Lord Elrond. I’m pretty sure that makes you a princess”

I shake my head, chuckling “I am not royal blood. My sister is a princess. I am just the half-breed menace that used to live here” I see Thorin look at me, and there is some anger in his eyes. The other dwarves look at me, confusion and slight anger from them. I look at them confused “What? It’s true”

Bilbo is the first one to speak “Why is that such a bad thing?”

I shrug “I’m half elf, half Dwarf. I don’t look like either. The two peoples don’t like each other and haven’t for a very long time”

Bofur shrugs a bit “Well, you mostly look like a shorter elf”

Balin nods “Except for your hair and eyes. I don’t think I’ve ever seen or heard of elf or dwarf who looked like you”

Fili nods “Yeah. Even your teeth. Sharp like a dragons”

Kili grabs my hand, messing with my fingers “Or the black fingers. Do they have something to do with you being a witch?”

I shrug “Possibly. I’m not actually sure. I do know that the only ones who didn’t really mind were humans. When I lived in Dale, the children thought it was fascinating to see magic in their home”

Balin looks at me, then Thorin, then back at me “You lived in Dale?”

I nod “Yeah. When the dragon showed up, destroying everything, I watched the Lord of Dale try to take down the dragon. When he failed, I tried to fight the dragon myself” The dwarves stare at me in awe as they listen “My magic wasn’t strong enough and Smaug attacked me, driving a claw into my chest. While he was distracted monologuing, his scaly face close to me, I grabbed one of his teeth, using my magic to slash his eye. He reared back, letting me go. As he pulled away, I ripped out his tooth” I reach into my bag, pulling out a large dragon tooth.

Fili takes the tooth, looking at it “You pulled this right out of his mouth? With your bare hands? Are you insane?”

I chuckle “Probably. But you kind of have to be to do what I do”

Thorin takes the tooth, looking at it before tossing it back “Decided to keep a souvenir?”

I smirk “At first, yes. But when Gandalf asked me to join the Company, I found a new purpose for it”

“And what would that be?”

I hold up the tooth, staring at it “I’m going to drive this into his eye before I kill that wretched creature”

Thorin smirks a bit, nodding.

When Thorin gives the signal, we grab our things and sneak out of Rivendell.

The sun begins to rise as we hike along the path away from Rivendell.

Thorin looks at us “Be on your guard; we’re about to step over the edge of the Wild. Balin, you know these paths; lead on”

Balin nods “Aye”

Bilbo turns around and looks back at Rivendell, longingly.

I stop next to Thorin as the others pass me. Thorin looks at Bilbo “Master Baggins, I suggest you keep up”

We continue on our journey, Bilbo catching back up.

We hike through the wilderness of Middle-earth, over ranges, mountains, and plains.

We are now crossing the Misty Mountains; the trail is narrow and dangerous, with a cliff on one side and a sheer drop on the other. There is a fierce storm in the air, with lightning and rain all around.

Thorin yells out to us “Hold on!” As Bilbo walks, the stone beneath his feet gives away, and he starts falling into the chasm; Dwalin manages to pull him back in time “We must find shelter!”

Dwalin points upwards “Watch out!”

We look up and see a massive boulder hurtling through the air; it hits the mountainside above them, causing rocks to fall all around us as we press ourselves against the mountain.

Balin looks over at another mountain “This is no thunderstorm; it’s a thunder battle! Look!”

A stone giant rears up from a nearby mountain; it rips off a massive boulder from the top of the mountain.

Bofur looks in awe “Well bless me, the legends are true. Giants; Stone Giants!”

Thorin pulls him back “Take cover: you’ll fall!”

Kili looks at his uncle “What’s happening?”

Giant #1 throws the boulder far in the air; another stone giant, #2, appears from behind the Company, and it is hit in the head. The dwarves yell at each other to brace and hold on, and the rocks beneath their feet begin to give way from all the vibrations and from the impact of the falling rocks. The ground between some of the Company members splits; part of the group is on one side, and part on the other.

Fili looks to his brother "Kili! Grab my hand! Ki..."

As the two stone giants fight with their fists, we hold on tight as we are flung around. One of the groups manages to jump to a different spot. A third stone giant appears, and it throws a boulder at the head of one of the first two. That one falls over; as the first group watches, it appears to them that the other group of the Company has been smashed to bits. The hurt stone giant loses its footing and falls down the chasm.

I hear Thorin yelling for his nephew “No! No! Kili!”

The group rushes to the spot where I and the others are, thought to have been crushed, but I breathe shakily, letting the magic shield I created fall.

Balin looks at the others “We’re all right! We’re alive!”

Bofur looks around “Where’s Bilbo? Where’s the Hobbit?”

Ori points “There!”

“Get him!”

Bilbo is seen hanging onto the edge of the cliff with just his fingertips. Ori dives onto the ground and tries to grab Bilbo’s arm, but Bilbo slips and falls another few feet before he catches another handhold. As the dwarves try to pull him up unsuccessfully, Thorin swings down on the cliff next to Bilbo and boost him up, where the others pull him to safety. I try to lift Thorin back up too, but Thorin loses his grip and begins falling too. I tighten my grip onto his hand, Dwalin wrapping his arms around my waist to help me pull Thorin to safety.

Dwalin looks at him “I thought we’d lost our burglar”

Thorin glares at Bilbo “He’s been lost ever since he left home. He should never have come. He has no place amongst us. Dwalin!”

They go off and find a cave.

“It looks safe enough”

“Search to the back; caves in mountains are seldom unoccupied”

Dwalin searches the cave with a lantern “There’s nothing here”

Gloin drops a bundle of wood on the floor and rubs his hands “Right then! Let’s get a fire started”

Thorin looks at him “No, No fires, not in this place. Get some sleep. We start at first light”

Balin looks at Thorin “We were to wait in the mountains until Gandalf joined us. That was the plan”

“Plans change. Bofur, take the first watch”

I walk to the back of the cave, listening for anything as I place my hand on the cave wall. I stay still, closing my eyes as I send my magic through the mountain.

I feel someone place a hand on my shoulder. I look to see Thorin standing next to me. He lowers his voice “What is it?”

I shake my head “There's a smell of goblin here. But I can’t tell where exactly or how many”

He nods “Get some rest”

I shake my head “I can’t rest. Can’t relax, can’t sleep. Have to stay on guard”

He hesitates, then nods before going to lay down.

The Company is resting in the cave; all the dwarves are asleep. Bilbo, only pretending to be asleep, stealthily opens his eyes and looks around. Seeing that no one is watching, he quietly rolls up his blankets and packs his things. Grabbing his walking stick, he starts to leave the cave, tiptoeing over the sleeping dwarves. I watch him closely.

Bofur, who is standing watch, sees Bilbo trying to leave. He jumps up and tries to stop him. They whisper so as not to wake the others.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

“Back to Rivendell”

“No, no, you can’t turn back now, you’re part of the Company. You’re one of us”

“I’m not though, am I? Thorin said I should never have come, and he was right. I’m not a Took, I’m a Baggins, I don’t know what I was thinking. I should never have run out my door”

Thorin, who is awake, stares thoughtfully at the wall as he listens. I look at him, the two of us briefly making eye contact as we listen to the two.

“You’re homesick; I understand”

“No, you don’t, you don’t understand! None of you do - you’re dwarves. You used to - to this life, to living on the road, never settling in one place, not belonging anywhere” I tense up as Bofur looks offended, and Bilbo is repentant “I am sorry, I didn’t…”

Thorin listens on, and I can see the determination in his eyes. An urge to take back their home.

“No, you’re right. We don’t belong anywhere. I wish you all the luck in the world. I really do” Bofur smiles and places his hand on Bilbo’s shoulder; Bilbo soon turns and begins to walk away “What’s that?” Something is glowing; Bilbo pulls his sword partway out of its sheath and sees that it is growing bright blue, meaning Orcs  or goblins are nearby. Thorin raises his head as he hears strange machinery noises and sees cracks form in the sand on the floor of the cave. I quickly stand up, tense. 

Thorin looks at the others “Wake up. Wake up!”

Before anyone can react, the floor of the cave collapses downwards; the floor is really a giant trap door. The entire Company falls down a chute, slides through a tunnel, and lands in a giant wooden cage. As we struggle to get up, a horde of goblins attacks us, takes away our weapons, and drags us all away. As we are led away kicking and yelling, I see that Bilbo somehow gets missed by the goblins; not seeing him they leave him behind. Nori, looking over his shoulder, sees this happen, as well. The goblin horde brings the rest of us through a vast network of tunnels and wooden bridges to the throne room and platform of the Great Goblin. The Great Goblin is a massive Goblin sitting on a throne, holding a mace topped with a skull. He is far larger than any other goblin, and he is incredibly ugly, with warts all over his swinging chin. The dwarves’ weapons are piled together. The Great Goblin jumps off his throne, trampling several goblins, and approaches the Company.

“Who would be so bold as to come armed into my kingdom? Spies? Thieves? Assassins?”

One of the goblins steps forward “Dwarves, Your Malevolence”

“Dwarves?”

“We found them on the front porch”

“Well, don’t just stand there; search them! Every crack, every crevice”

The goblins search us thoroughly, throwing away whatever they find. Oin’s hearing trumpet is thrown on the floor and crushed underfoot. I feel the goblins searching me, ending up grabbing at parts of my body. I smack the goblins away, glaring.

“What are you doing in these parts? Speak!” None of the dwarves respond “Well then, if they will not talk, we’ll make them squawk! Bring out the Mangler! Bring out the Bone Breaker! Start with the youngest” The Great Goblin points at Ori. However, Thorin steps forward.

“Wait”

“Well, well, well, look who it is. Thorin son of Thrain, son of Thror; King under the Mountain” The Great Goblin bows exaggeratedly to Thorin “Oh, but I’m forgetting, you don’t have a mountain. And you’re not a king. Which makes you nobody, really. I know someone who would pay a pretty price for your head. Just the head, nothing attached. Perhaps you know of whom I speak, an old enemy of yours. A Pale Orc astride a White Warg”

Thorin looks up in surprise and disbelief “Azog the Defiler was destroyed. He was slain in battle long ago”

“So you think his defiling days are done, do you?” The Great Goblin laughs, then turns to a tiny goblin sitting in a basket and holding a slate “Send word to the Pale Orc; tell him I have found his prize”

The tiny goblin writes down the message on his slate; cackling, he then pulls a lever, causing his basket to start sliding down a system of ropes and pulleys into the darkness.

The Great Goblin’s eyes fall on me and he stares a bit, amused “Now, what is this? A little half-breed?”

He waves his hand over, and one of the goblins pushes me forward. The dwarves look at me worried as Thorin tries to step towards me. Other goblins keep him from moving as I get pushed to the goblin king.

He grabs my face, moving it so he can look at me “How interesting. An elven dwarf. Now, this pretty face would be worth a pretty price. Perhaps the pale orc would like you as a prize as well”

I glare, my eyes glowing. I pull my face away, biting his hand hard and drawing blood. He yells out, backhanding me and knocking me back “Ah! Wretched creature!”

I fall to the ground, nearly falling off the platform. I catch myself before standing up. Thorin looks at me, and I nod, letting him know I’m alright.

I look at the Goblin king, who shake his hand. He looks at me “How can a half-breed draw such blood without a weapon?”

I raise a brow “It’s called teeth, Oh, Great Goblin” I do a mock bow, making Thorin smirk a bit. The great Goblin glares, then his eyes widen “You. You are the assassin known around the lands. The Siren. The Wraith. The Executioner!”

I look confused, then look at the dwarves “I have titles?” I look at the goblin next to me “Really?”

The goblin nods, as do many others. The dwarves nod a bit, looking confused as well.

“Huh. Wonder why I’ve never heard them before. Oh, well” I wave my hand, the goblin next to me gasping and choking as he falls to the ground. His blood leaves his body, leaving a dried up corpse. I use the blood to shift and change it into a sword, solidifying in my hand.

I chuckle darkly “You know, taking a witches weapon is much harder than one would think”

Suddenly, I feel multiple bolts pierce my flesh, making me gasp softly. The blood sword begins to fall apart. I glare, raising my hand. The blood sword shifts and turns into blood spikes, which fire out and attack each goblin that shot me.

I look down at myself, seeing bolts in my chest, stomach, arms, legs, and I can feel more in my back and sides. Thorin pushes past a goblin to go over to me. He places a hand on my shoulder, the goblin king laughing. Thorin lowers his voice “Brace yourself, my friend”

He begins removing the bolts as dozens of goblins carry massive instruments of torture on their shoulders, bringing them to the Great Goblin. Meanwhile, the Great Goblin is dancing and singing lustily.

“Bones will be shattered, necks will be wrung! You’ll be beaten and battered, from racks you’ll be hung. You will lie down here and never be found, down in the deep of Goblin-town”

One of the goblins is examining the weapons we  brought with us. He picks up Thorin’s sword, Orcrist, and slides it a few inches out of its sheath. Recognizing the sword, he gasps in horror and throws down the sword. It lands in view of all the goblins. Recognizing it, the goblins howl in fear and rage as they retreat from it; the Great Goblin runs rapidly to his throne, trampling many goblins on his way. He speaks loudly, pointing at the sword.

“I know that sword! It is the Goblin-Cleaver, the Biter, the blade that sliced a thousand necks”

As he speaks, the rest of the Goblins begin whipping the dwarves with ropes and leaping upon them, biting and slashing. Thorin tries to protect me from the goblins, but one of the goblins tackles him to the ground.

“Slash them! Beat them! Kill them! Kill them all! Cut off his head!”

Goblins hold Thorin down, and one of them pulls out his knife and prepares to behead Thorin.

Suddenly, there is a massive explosion of bright light; the sound goes muted as a shockwave rips through the area, flinging goblins in the air and destroying the torturing machines. Everyone is knocked down, including the Great Goblin. When the force of the explosion has passed, most of the lights in the area have been snuffed out; in the background, a shadow with a tall pointy hat walks up. It is Gandalf, holding his staff and his sword, Glamdring. Light slowly returns to the area as the goblins and the dwarves slowly look up, recovering from the shock. We all stare at Gandalf.

“Take up arms. Fight. Fight!”

The dwarves quickly get up and begin fighting the goblins. I grab my sword, fighting as well, even with a few bolts still in my chest, arms and side. As goblins run at Gandalf, he kills them with his sword and staff. The Great Goblin, still lying on the ground, sees Gandalf’s sword and points at it, crying aloud to his goblins.

“He wields the Foe-Hammer, the Beater, bright as daylight!”

Some of the dwarves reach their pile of weapons and begin tossing the weapons to each other; they use their weapons to defeat the goblins around them. Oin manages to reclaim his hearing trumpet, although it has been quite flattened. Nori, while fighting, lands on the floor; the Great Goblin runs at him and swings his mace.

“Nori!”

I jump forward and deflect the Great Goblin’s blow, causing the Great Goblin to stumble backward and fall off the edge of his platform, falling to the depths below. The rest of the dwarves and Gandalf continue to fight.

Gandalf looks at us “Follow me. Quick! Run!”

Thorin looks at me “Can you fight? Can you run?”

I nod, earning a nod in return. Cutting down the goblins around them, the dwarves, Gandalf and I run along a pathway leading away from the throne room.

We are running through the suspended passageways of Goblin Town, with hundreds of goblins running after them.

“Quickly!”

“Faster!”

Dwalin sees several goblins running at them from in front “Post!” He and some of the dwarves cut a guardrail post from the side of the path and they hold it out in front of them like a massive spear “Charge!”

He and the other dwarves charge at the oncoming goblins and sweep them away with the long rail. Dropping the rail, Dwalin pulls out his axes and begins knocking aside goblins. The rest of the company does the same. Gloin hits one goblin who falls and lands on another suspended path, breaking the path and dropping all the goblins on it into the darkness below. The rest of the Company also fight the goblins around them with their various weapons and fighting styles. Several goblins snarl as they swing on ropes toward the dwarves.

Thorin yells out to us “Cut the ropes!”

Thorin and some of the dwarves cut the ropes holding a raised platform in place; the platform falls outward, entangling the goblins swinging on the ropes. As Kili fights, several goblins start shooting arrows at him. He deflects some arrows with his sword; he then grabs a nearby ladder and drops it on the oncoming goblins. Kili and some of the other dwarves run forward, pushing the ladder and the goblins it has trapped in front of them. As we approach a missing area of the path, the goblins fall down into the darkness; the ladder, however, acts as a bridge for the dwarves to cross to the rest of the path. As soon as they cross it, Dwalin breaks the ladder, preventing the goblins chasing them from crossing it.

Gandalf yells back at us “Quickly!”

We continue running through the maze-like paths; we get on a section of the path suspended by ropes from above. we slice some ropes, and the pathway swings away from the rest of the path, approaching a different path.

“Jump!”

Several of the dwarves and I manage to jump to the other path; however, before the rest can, the suspended path swings back like a pendulum to where it started, and several goblins leap on. As the path swings back again, the rest of the dwarves and Gandalf manage to jump to the new path as well; they cut the ropes, causing the swinging path and the goblins on it to fall. The dwarves and Gandalf continue running through the tunnels, killing all the goblins in their way. Gandalf strikes a rock above them with his staff, causing the rock to fall down and begin rolling in front of the Company, squashing all the goblins in their way. Soon, they approach a bridge between two walls of the cavern. As we try to cross it, the Great Goblin suddenly breaks through from underneath the bridge and pulls himself up onto the bridge, in front of the Company. As the Company pauses, hundreds of goblins approach them from all sides.

“You thought you could escape me?” The Great Goblin swings his mace twice at Gandalf, causing Gandalf to stumble back and almost fall “What are you going to do now, wizard?” Gandalf leaps forward and strikes the Great Goblin in the eye with his staff. The Great Goblin drops his mace and clutches his face in pain “Ow, ow, ow!” Gandalf steps forward and slices the Great Goblin in the belly; the Great Goblin falls to his knees, clutching his belly “That’ll do it” Gandalf again swings his sword and slices the Great Goblin’s neck, causing him to fall down dead.

His weight causes the bridge to start shaking; suddenly, the section of the bridge on which the company is standing breaks away from the rest of the bridge and starts sliding down the side of the cavern. The bridge slides at a terrific speed down the cavern’s wall, demolishing everything in its way; the dwarves cling on, screaming in terror. The bridge slows down and lands at the base of the cavern, breaking apart and burying the dwarves in the timber and wood. I end up rolling onto the ground, away from the wreckage. I groan as I force myself to sit up, some of the bolts digging deeper. Gandalf gets up from the pile of wreckage and inspects the rest of the dwarves, who are still stuck in the wreckage.

Bofur looks around “Well, that could have been worse”

Suddenly, the heavy corpse of the Great Goblin lands on the wreckage, squishing the dwarves further. They cry out in pain.

“You’ve got to be joking!”

As the  dwarves extricate themselves from the rubble, and Gandalf helps me stand up, Kili looks up and sees thousands of goblins running at them.

“Gandalf!”

“There’s too many! We can’t fight them”

Gandalf looks at us “Only one thing will save us: daylight! Come on! Here, on your feet!”

The dwarves get up quickly, helping each other out of the rubble, and we run away, following Gandalf.

Once we leave the mountain, getting to a spot to catch our breaths, Gandalf pauses to count how many dwarves are with him. The dwarves pause to collect their breath.

“Five, six, seven, eight...Bifur, Bofur...that’s ten...Fili, Kili...that’s twelve...and Bombur - that makes thirteen. Lilith is fourteen. Where’s Bilbo? Where is our Hobbit? Where is our hobbit?!”

“Curse the halfling! Now he’s lost?!”

“I thought he was with Dori!”

“Don’t blame me!”

Gandalf looks at us “Well, where did you last see him?”

Nori speaks up “I think I saw him slip away, when they first collared us”

“What happened exactly? Tell me!”

Thorin speaks up “I’ll tell you what happened. Master Baggins saw his chance and he took it! He’s thought of nothing but his soft bed and his warm hearth since first he stepped out of his door! We will not be seeing our Hobbit again. He is long gone”

The dwarves look at each other, but I smell something. Hobbit. I lift my head up, looking toward a tree nearby.

We suddenly hear Bilbo speak “No, he isn’t”

Bilbo steps out from behind the tree. The dwarves look up in shock and relief. Gandalf laughs as he speaks.

“Bilbo Baggins! I’ve never been so glad to see anyone in my life!”

Bilbo strides forward into the group; he pats Balin affectionately on the shoulder.

“Bilbo, we’d given you up!”

“How on earth did you get past the Goblins?!”

“How, indeed”

There is an awkward silence as Bilbo tries to think what to say. In the end, he gives a nervous laugh and puts his hands on his hips. I see Gandalf look a bit perturbed, making me look back at Bilbo.

“Well, what does it matter? He’s back!”

Thorin speaks up “It matters!  I want to know: why did you come back?”

“Look, I know you doubt me, I know you always have. And you’re right, I often think of Bag End. I miss my books. And my armchair. And my garden. See, that’s where I belong. That’s home. And that’s why I came back, cause you don’t have one. A home. It was taken from you. But I will help you take it back if I can”

After Bilbo speaks, there is silence as the dwarves think about what Bilbo said. Gandalf smiles slightly, happy that Bilbo has changed so much - for the better.

I smile, until I hear something, my ears twitching. I look at the top of the mountain, taking a few steps closer. Thorin looks at me “What? What is it?”

I nod to the mountain “We have trouble. I hear Wargs. Orcs”

I hear Azog and his Warg Riders get to the top of the mountain “Run them down! Tear them to pieces!”

He swings his mace forward, and several of his Wargs (without riders) leap forward and race down the mountain after the Company, howling. Hearing the howling, the Company members realize tense up.

“Out of the frying pan...”

“...and into the fire! Run! RUN!”

We all start running down the mountain as fast as we can. The Wargs follow them rapidly; it becomes nighttime. Soon the foremost Warg catches up to the group and leaps at Bilbo; Bilbo ducks behind a rock and the Warg’s jaws snap in the air over his head. The Warg lands in front of him. Growling, it charges at him.

Bilbo pulls out his sword and holds it in front of him; the charging Warg impales itself in the head on the sword and falls down dead. Bilbo looks on in surprise. A few more Wargs catch up to the fleeing dwarves, but they are quickly dispatched. The Company reaches a large outcropping of land with a few trees growing on it; we are trapped there, as there is no way off the outcropping besides a great fall down the mountain.

Gandalf looks at us “Up into the trees, all of you! Come on, climb! Bilbo, climb!”

Bifur throws an axe, killing a Warg which was approaching him. Bofur jumps off a rock and grabs a tree branch, using Dwalin’s head as a stepping stone to the tree. Other dwarves begin climbing into the trees as well. Bilbo tries to pull his sword out of the dead Warg’s head, but it is stuck firmly. He continues to pull.

“They’re coming!”

Gandalf climbs to the top of the furthest tree; Dwalin boosts Balin up. Thorin, Bombur, and the rest climb up trees too. The main body of Wargs and Warg Riders approach. Bilbo finally manages to pull his sword out of the Warg; he looks up to see several more Wargs running at him. He quickly clambers up a tree as the Wargs rush below him. I pull him up, helping into the tree. Dozens of Wargs circle the trees in which the Company members are perched. Gandalf reaches out with his staff and picks up a moth sitting in the same tree as him. Bringing the moth close to his face, he whispers to it; he then blows it gently, causing it to flutter away. The Wargs cease their growling and turn as the White Warg, with Azog on its back, approaches slowly. Thorin looks at Azog in shock.

“Azog?!”

As his White Warg growls, Azog strokes it and talks ominously “Nuzdigid? Nuzdi gast?” (Do you smell it? The scent of fear?) “Ganzilig-i unarug obod nauzdanish, Torin undag Train-ob.” (I remember your father reeked of it, Thorin son of Thrain)

Thorin looks stricken with pain and grief, realizing that Azog had captured his father “It cannot be”

Azog speaks to his Wargs and Riders “Kod, Toragid biriz.” (That one is mine) “Worori-da!” (Kill the others!) He looks at me, then smirks “The woman. Bring her to me”

At his command, the Wargs leap forward and try to climb the trees. They jump as high as they can, scrabbling at the tree trunks and breaking apart branches in their jaws in their efforts. The trees shake violently at the assault, and the dwarves struggle to hold on.

 “Sho gad adol!” (Drink their blood!)

With the weight of the Wargs climbing it, the furthest tree from the edge of the cliff, which Bilbo, myself and several other dwarves are in, gets uprooted from the ground and begins leaning wildly. As more Wargs grab onto it, the tree tips over and lands on the next tree; the dwarves and Bilbo jump from the falling tree to the next. However, this tree as well tips over; like dominoes, all the trees begin falling over. All the dwarves, Bilbo, myself and Gandalf manage to jump onto the last tree, on the very edge of the cliff. This tree doesn’t fall over. Azog laughs. Looking around in desperation, Gandalf spies a pinecone. He grabs it and uses his staff to set the pinecone on fire; he then throws it down amid the Wargs, who retreat in fear of the fire. Azog is startled and angry at the unexpected resistance. Gandalf lights two more pinecones and throws one down to Fili.

“Fili!”

Fili catches the pinecone. Bilbo and the dwarves gather pinecones and Gandalf sets them on fire; they then throw the flaming pinecones like missiles at the Wargs. All the area around the tree gets set on fire, forcing the Wargs to retreat a distance. At least one Warg gallops away with its fur alight. Azog roars in anger and frustration as the dwarves cheer. Suddenly, their cheers turn into cries of fear as the roots of the tree we are in start to give way; the tree tips precariously over the edge of the cliff, but comes to a rest sticking straight out away from the edge of the cliff. Gandalf looks down and sees the ground far, far, below. The dwarves try to hold on as they get flung around. Ori loses his grip on the tree and falls, but manages to grab on to Dori’s leg.

“Aahhh! Oh! Oh no!”

“Mister Gandalf!”

Because of the extra weight, Dori loses his grip on the tree as well and falls, but Gandalf quickly swings his staff down and Dori grabs on to the end of it.

“Hold on, Ori!”

Azog growls; Thorin, clinging to the tree, looks at him in hate and anger. Thorin pulls himself up, his sword drawn, and walks down the leaning trunk as Bilbo and the others, hanging from the tree, look on. Thorin runs through the burning ground at Azog and his White Warg. Azog spreads his arms wide with a smug grin on his face. Thorin growls as he runs with his sword up and his oaken branch shield held in front of him. Azog crouches, then roars as his Warg leaps at Thorin. Thorin tries to swing his sword, but the Warg hits him in the chest with its forepaw, smashing Thorin to the ground. The other dwarves in the tree look on in shock. I pull myself to stand on the tree, glaring at Azog. Dori struggles to hold on to Gandalf’s staff.

“Help!”

As Thorin gets back on his feet, panting, Azog and his White Warg wheel around; they charge at Thorin again. Azog swings his mace and smashes Thorin in the face before Thorin can react. Thorin is brutally flung to the ground by the impact.

Balin looks in despair “Nooo!”

Azog roars in excitement. Bilbo manages to stand up on the tree, standing next to me. The White Warg clamps its jaws around Thorin and Thorin yells in pain. Dwalin tries to get off and tree to assist Thorin, but the tree branches he is holding on to break, swinging him precariously over the edge and preventing him from reaching Thorin.

“Thorin! Nooo!”

As the White Warg holds Thorin in its mouth, Thorin manages to hit its head with the pommel of his sword. Roaring, the White Warg throws Thorin several feet away onto a flat rock nearby. Thorin lands heavily, his sword falling out of his hand. He is almost unconscious.

“Biriz torag khobdudol” (Bring me the Dwarf’s head)

One of Azog’s Warg Riders jumps off his Warg and approaches Thorin. Bilbo, seeing this, pulls out his own sword, which glows blue. He looks at me as I take out my sword, nodding. The orc approaches Thorin and places its sword against his neck; raising the sword, the rider prepares to decapitate Thorin. As he swings his sword down, Bilbo throws himself at the orc and knocks him over. I run to Thorin, standing between him and Azog. As they fight, Bilbo manages to stab and kill the orc. As Azog growls in anger, Thorin goes unconscious. Pulling his sword out of the dead orc’s body, Bilbo stands in front of the unconscious Thorin and protects his body, standing next to me. He waves his sword wildly at Azog and the other Wargs. Azog smiles in hatred and speaks in the Black Speech to his Orcs; the translated meaning is “Kill him. Bring me the half-breed”

A couple of Wargs and Riders approach Bilbo, snarling. Suddenly, Fili, Kili, and Dwalin, who have managed to get off the tree, plow into the Wargs from the side and start fighting them. In the confusion, Bilbo yells and leaps forward, wounding a Warg. The White Warg hits Bilbo with his head and sends him flying, however. As the fighting around them continues, Azog and his White Warg approach Bibo to kill him. Fili, Kili, and Dwalin have been surrounded by Wargs, and Bilbo is at Azog’s mercy. I rush over, punching the warg into the snout. I stand between the warg and Bilbo.

I glare, pointing my sword at the orc “I will not let you take the life of a single member of this company”

Azog chuckles darkly “You will make a bountiful prize, little half-breed”

Suddenly, the moth returns to Gandalf. Dori slips from the end of Gandalf’s staff, and Dori and Ori fall toward the ground far below. An eagle swoops out of nowhere and catches them on its back; they yell in fear as they are carried swiftly away. Several more Eagles appear and join the fray. Some grab Wargs and Orcs and toss them over the cliff. Others knock down trees, which crush the Wargs below them. Another Eagle fans the flames with its wings, causing an inferno which burns the Wargs. Azog snarls in frustration. One Eagle gently grabs Thorin and his sword in its talons and flies away. As Thorin is lifted off the ground, his oaken branch shield slips off his arm and lands on the ground. Azog roars and jumps back as an Eagle flies by him; the Eagle heads straight for an alarmed Bibo and I, snatching us off the ground. It then throws Bilbo and I, and he screams as we fall toward the ground, only to land  on the back of another Eagle. The rest of the Eagles proceed to snatch the dwarves out of the tree and fly away. When only Gandalf is left in the tree, the roots give way and the tree falls off the edge of the cliff. Gandalf leaps clear of it and is caught by an Eagle. As the Eagles fly away with all the Company, Azog and the few Warg Riders left growl in anger and frustration.

The Eagles soar through the sky over a great distance and over many landscapes. Thorin lies unconscious in one Eagle’s talons; the others worry about him.

“Thorin!”

The Eagles approach a massive rock structure shaped like a bear; it is the Carrock. The Eagle carrying Thorin gently deposits him and his sword on a flat area on top of the Carrock. Another Eagle lands on the Carrock and Gandalf slides off its neck, running toward the unconscious Thorin.

Gandalf crouches down next to the dwarven king “Thorin! Thorin”

Thorin is not responding. Bilbo and I run up. Gandalf places his hand on Thorin’s face and whispers a spell. Thorin’s eyes flutter open and he gasps for air. He speaks weakly.

“The halfling? Lilith?”

“It’s all right. Bilbo is here. He’s quiet safe. They both are”

By now, the other dwarves have all been landed on the Carrock, and they surround the wounded Thorin. Dwalin and Kili help Thorin up. However, once he’s up, he shrugs them off and approaches Bilbo.

“You! What were you doing? You nearly got yourself killed! Did I not say that you would be a burden? That you would not survive in the wild and that you had no place amongst us?” Thorin advances until he is face to face with Bilbo, who looks worried and frightened “I’ve never been so wrong in all my life!” Thorin grabs Bilbo and embraces him deeply. The other dwarves cheer loudly and slap each other on the back. Gandalf smiles. Bilbo, looking quite surprised, hugs Thorin back “I am sorry I doubted you”

“No, I would have doubted me too. I’m not a hero or a warrior...not even a burglar”

As everyone chuckles, the Eagles fly away, screeching. Thorin looks beyond Bilbo and sees something; he strides forward, and the others follow his gaze.

“Is that what I think it is?”

In the distance, on the horizon, they see the outline of a single, solitary mountain.

“Erebor—The Lonely Mountain. The last of the great dwarf kingdoms of Middle-earth”

“Our home”

A bird cheeps and flies by.

Oin points at it “A raven! The birds are returning to the mountain”

More birdsong is heard.

Gandalf chuckles “That, my dear Oin, is a thrush”

Thorin smiles “But we’ll take it as a sign - a good omen”

Bilbo smiles as well “You’re right. I do believe the worst is behind us”

The Company looks on at the Lonely Mountain as the sun comes up behind them.

Thorin looks at me, then walks over “Fili, Kili”

The two walk over, each one grabbing a bolt that is still in my flesh. Thorin stands in front of me, grabbing the end of the bolt in my side. I place my hands on his shoulders, and nod softly.

He nods to his nephews, and they pull the bolts out.

I cry out “Son of a--!” My nails dig into Thorin’s shoulders. I take a breath, my magic healing my wounds.

Thorin lifts my face with one hand, making me look at him. He smirks a bit “It’s not proper for a princess to swear”

I give a look as the other dwarves laugh “I can swear all I want”

He chuckles as we look at the land before us.

Chapter Text

The next day, we are waiting for Bilbo to return with his report on where the Warg pack is.

When he returns, Dwalin looks at him “How close is the pack?”

“Too close. A couple of leagues, no more, but that is not the worst of it”

“Have the Wargs picked up our scent?”

“Not yet, but they will; we have another problem”

Gandalf looks at the hobbit “Did they see you? They saw you!”

“No, that's not it”

Gandalf smiles and turns to the dwarves “What did I tell you? Quiet as a mouse. Excellent burglar material”

The dwarves chuckle loudly in appreciation of Bilbo. Bilbo looks exasperated that no one is hearing him out. I look at the company, clearing my throat. They all go quiet. I look at Bilbo “What’s wrong? You said there’s another problem”

“Yes, I was trying to say there is something else out there”

The dwarves look worried.

Gandalf speaks up “What form did it take? Like a bear?”

“Ye..." Bilbo pauses and looks curiously at Gandalf “Y- yes. But bigger, much bigger”

Bofur looks at Gandalf “You knew about this beast?” Gandalf turns and walks a few steps away. Bofur looks at Thorin “I say we double back”

“And be run down by a pack of Orcs?”

Gandalf turns back around “There is a house, it’s not far from here, where we might take refuge”

Thorin looks at him “Whose house? Are they friend or foe?”

“Neither. He will help us, or he will kill us”

The dwarves look at each other in dismay.

Thorin looks a bit hesitant “What choice do we have?”

A roar splits the night behind them; it is the bear.

“None”

We all begin running through the plains and across streams.

“Come on!”

As the Company runs through a forest, we stop suddenly when an ear-splitting roar sounds nearby.

Gandalf looks at us “This way, quickly!”

As the dwarves panic and run, Bombur looks on in shock until he is pulled along.

“Bombur, come on!”

As we exit the forest, they spy a house surrounded by a hedge in the middle of a plain.

“To the house! Run!”

The Company runs across the plain; Bombur, the fattest dwarf, outruns all the rest of us in his fear. We run through a gate in the hedge.

“Come on, get inside!”

We run to the front door of the house; it is closed. Bombur, who reaches the door first, throws himself against it but falls flat on his back when the door doesn’t budge. The rest of the dwarves catch up and begin throwing themselves against the door, trying to open it. Gandalf looks back as a massive bear breaks out from the edge of the forest and runs toward them.

“Open the door!”

“Quickly!”

Thorin, pushing through the dwarves pressed against the door, manages to raise the exterior bolt, opening the doors. The entire company bolts inside the house and we try to slam the door shut, but the bear has already gotten its head in the door. As the bear roars and tries to push the door open, the dwarves yell and strain to close it. Bilbo pulls out his sword and points it unsteadily at the bear.

Gandalf looks on in apparent amusement. The dwarves yell as they press against the door.

“Come on, lads!”

Lightning courses over my hand, and I run over, touching the bear on the nose. The bear lets out a roar, backing up and letting us shut and lock the door. The dwarves sigh in shock, fear and tiredness. Ori looks around “What is that?”

Gandalf looks at us “That…is our host” We all look in bewilderment “His name is Beorn, and he is a skin changer” Oin checks his hearing trumpet to make sure he heard Gandalf correctly “Sometimes he’s a huge black bear; sometimes he’s a great strong man. The bear is unpredictable, but the man can be reasoned with. However, he is not overfond of dwarves”

The dwarves look at each other in dismay. Ori peaks out a crack in the door “He’s leaving!”

Dori pulls him away from the door 

“Come away from there! It’s not natural, none of it. It’s obvious: he’s under some dark spell”

Gandalf looks at him  “Don’t be a fool; he’s under no enchantment but his own. Alright now, get some sleep, all of you. You’ll be safe here tonight” The dwarves start spreading out through the house. I hear Gandalf whisper quietly to himself “I hope”

We all begin setting up for the night, when I feel Bofur staring at me a bit. I look at him “What?”

“How did you become a witch, if you're not human?”

I shrug “Not sure. When I was young, I assumed I was cursed by some dark magic, which would explain why I look the way I do. But when I started being able to use magic, I dismissed that idea. Not even Ada was able to figure it out. Or Galadriel” I hold up my hand, my magic forming and shifting before it disappears, leaving a colorful stone in my hand.

I toss the stone to Thorin, who looks at it, a small smile on his face.

We all lay down to go to sleep, trying to relax best we can. Sometime later, I hear a noise, causing me to wake up. I don’t move, but I open my eyes slightly to see who I assume is Beorn in his human form entering the house.

The next morning, as the dwarves get up, I move to a section of the house to change clothes. Ones that are a bit more clean.

I keep my usual jewelry and makeup on, and I walk over to the table, sitting next to Fili and Kili. Beorn is a kind guest, providing us with a meal. I sit with the dwarves as we eat, Bilbo finally wakes up and walks over to the table, sitting down. Beorn pours milk from a pitcher into Fili’s cup. He is much taller than any human, even taller than Gandalf. 

Beorn addresses Thorin “So you are the one they call Oakenshield. Tell me, why is Azog the Defiler hunting you?”

“You know of Azog? How?”

“My people were the first to live in the mountains, before the Orcs came down from the north. The Defiler killed most of my family, but some he enslaved.” I notice the remnants of manacles on Beorn’s wrist, making me feel a little sad for him “Not for work, you understand, but for sport. Caging skin-changers and torturing them seemed to amuse him” 

Bilbo looks at him, curious “There are others like you?”

“Once, there were many”

“And now?”

Beorn pauses before speaking “Now, there is only one” We all look on in silence before Beorn speaks again “You need to reach the mountain before the last days of autumn?"

Gandalf nods “Before Durin’s Day falls, yes”

“You are running out of time”

“Which is why we must go through Mirkwood”

“A darkness lies upon that forest. Fell things creep beneath those trees. There is an alliance between the Orcs of Moria and the Necromancer in Dol Guldur. I would not venture there except in great need”

“We will take the Elven Road. That path is still safe”

“Safe? The Wood-Elves of Mirkwood are not like their kin. They’re less wise and more dangerous. But it matters not”

Thorin looks at him “What do you mean?”

“These lands are crawling with Orcs. Their numbers are growing, and you are on foot. You will never reach the forest alive” Thorin looks shocked. Beorn stands up from the table and faces Thorin “I don’t like dwarves. They’re greedy and blind, blind to the lives of those they deem lesser than their own” Beorn picks up a mouse that had been scampering on the table and holds it, all the while approaching Thorin. who is standing with his arms crossed “But Orcs I hate more. What do you need?”

A little later, we are saddling up some of Beorn’s ponies. I look at Beorn “Sir, I apologize if I hurt you last night. In my defense, I thought you were going to eat us”

He nods “I was”

I nod softly “Even so, I apologize”

He nods again “They may have a chance of survival with you, dear witch”

I smile softly and we all begin riding off. As we ride, Beorn looks around for danger, standing in front of his house “Go now, while you have the light. The hunters are not far behind”

The company rides rapidly across the land, occasionally stopping to take shelter for the night.

As we set up camp for the night near a smaller body of water, I separate from the company to the water. I begin getting undressed, take down my hair, setting my clothes and other items off to the side. I walk into the water, relaxing as the water goes up to my chest. I begin to bathe, when I hear footsteps walking closer.

“There you are, we were wondering-- whoa…”

I turn and see Kili standing near my things. He smirks a bit, until he looks at my chest. His smirk falls, as he looks at me. I look at Kili “Kili, don’t say a word” He starts backing up “Kili. Kili, no. Don’t even--” He quickly goes back to the company. I sigh frustrated “Damn it” I move to hide behind a large boulder that sits in the water. I don’t move, even when I hear more footsteps approaching the water. I hear Bilbo, Fili, Kili, and Thorin speaking.

“Why don’t we ask her once she’s back with the company and actually wearing clothes?”

“It looked serious. What if she’s really hurt, and she’s only pretending to be strong about it?”

“Then we will talk to her. Calmly and with patience” I hear them stop “Where is she?”

“She was over there. Perhaps she’s hiding?”

“Lilith? You can come out, it’s alright”

When I don’t say anything, I hear Thorin lower his voice, speaking softly. I barely hear what he’s saying “Head back. I’ll talk to her”

I hear the others leave, and a few moments later, I hear movement in the water. When I don’t hear anything, I slowly peek around the rock. I don’t see anything, making me raise a brow. I turn back, only to see Thorin standing behind me, shirtless with his arms crossed.

I jump a bit, slipping and falling into the water. Thorin quickly catches me, but falls in with me. Under the water, his arms are around my waist and our chests pressed against one another. I feel his bare leg with one of mine, realizing he is as bare as I am, making me blush deeply. He looks at my chest, staring at the rather large hole where my heart should be, dragon fire burning within. His eyes widen as he looks at me. I look away as he brings us above the water, arms still around my waist as he places my back against the rock. We both breath a bit heavily, staring at each other.

“How did you get this?”

I hesitate “Smaug. When he stabbed me all those years ago”

“Why hasn’t it healed?”

I shake my head “I've tried to heal it. I’ve gone to healers, but nothing works. It’s the fire”

He looks at it, then moves a hand to touch the edge of the wound “Your heart… how can you live without it?”

“The fire mixed with my magic. The closer we get to the mountain, the more it burns. Smaug stole my heart, and I aim to take it back. It was not meant for him”

His arm around my waist tightens as his other hand traces around the edges of the hole. He looks at me, determination in his eyes “We will take back the mountain, and your heart as well”

I smile, and then I look down a bit, blushing deeply “Thorin”

“Yes?”

“You do know we are still both very naked, and very close to one another. Right?”

He smirks a bit “Is there something wrong with that?”

My face burns up even more “No, not at all. I-I’m just not necessarily…used to this much physical contact”

He tilts his head a bit, leaning his head closer, our foreheads touching “You’ve never taken a lover? You? I don’t believe that”

I chuckle softly “It is true, nonetheless”

He chuckles “Anyone you are particularly interested in?”

I hesitate “Two, actually”

He looks a bit surprised “Really?” I nod “Might I ask who?” I feel his hands move to grip my hips.

I flatten my lips “You and Bilbo”

He raises a brow “Is that so?” I nod softly, and he smirks, taking one hand and gently grabbing my chin “With him, I wouldn’t mind sharing”

I blush, then smirk, lowering my face so we are nearly touching “Neither would I”

He closes the distance, kissing me deeply. I wrap my arms around his neck, feeling him hold me close to his skin. When we part, I look at the sky “We should probably head back to the others. Before anyone gets worried”

He smiles, then grabs my thighs, lifting me up so my legs wrap around his waist. I squeak a bit, hanging on to him. He chuckles, my breasts in his face and his hands on my arse. I blush deeply “Oh, hush up”

He walks us to the waters edge, setting me down. I wave my hand, making warm air dry us off. As we begin to get dressed, I feel Thorin’s hand move down my back, feeling the scars “What are these from?”

I put my clothes on “Oh, I got taken prisoner by this group of bandits. They thought they could sell me as some rare creature, but I managed to kill them all”

Once we are both dressed, I feel his arms wrap around my waist from behind “You won’t have to go through that ever again, my gem”

I smile, taking his hand and bringing it to my lips, kissing it.

We walk back to the company, Bofur making food and passing bowls out. I move and crouch on a rock, overlooking the land and keeping an eye out for possible enemies. Kili looks at me as he eats “So…”

I look at him “So…”

He and Fili exchange a glance before looking at me “Are we going to talk about it?”

Thorin looks at me, and I nod softly. I sit on the rock, facing the company. I move my shirt, showing the hole in my chest “When Smaug stabbed me, it left this”

Fili looks at it “How are you still alive?”

I put my shirt back “Dragon fire and my magic is what keeps me alive. I’ve tried healing it and having other heal it, but nothing works”

Gandalf looks at me, brow raised “Lilith, does Lord Elrond know of this?”

I flatten my lips “No, and I don’t plan on telling him because Ada tends to be a bit over protective. And he would tell Arwen and Lindir and they would all try to keep me back in Rivendell”

“He would not”

I cross my arms “I broke my foot once, and all three of them wouldn’t leave me alone for three months. The foot healed within a few days”

The dwarves laugh a bit, Thorin chuckling. Bilbo chuckles, then looks at me “Are you going to eat?”

I shrug “I’m fine”

Bilbo raises a brow, then sets his bowl down “Nope. No, no, no”

I look at him as he walks over to me “What?”

He picks me up off the rock, my eyes widening as he carries me over to the fire. When he sets me down, I stare at him. He hands me my own bowl of food, then looks at me “What?”

I smile a bit “I was just a little taken back, is all”

He waves me off “Hush and eat”

I chuckle, eating my dinner. When everyone begins to set up to sleep, I start heading back to the rock. But Bilbo picks me up again.

I look at him “Bilbo, put me down”

“No, you need sleep”

“No I don’t, and you can’t make me sleep”

He scoffs a bit, setting me down on the ground “I can very well try” He sets up a make-shift pillow. I try to stand back up, but he grabs my waist, pulling me back down. I squeak as he pulls me to lay down next to him. I blush as Thorin smirks a bit, the others laughing a bit.

Bilbo looks at me, wrapping an arm around my waist “You need sleep. Just as much as any of us. And I will not let go until you have had some rest”

I chuckle “Alright, alright. You know, your assertiveness is rather attractive. You should do it more often”

He blushes and stammers, making me chuckle. He gives me a look “Go to sleep”

He lays down, his arm tight around my waist. I smile as I close my eyes, feeling relaxed for the first time in a long time.

As I sleep, visions cross my mind. Intimate moments between Thorin, Bilbo and I. But I also see war breaking out. Blood, death, fire. Utter heartbreak. I see Thorin, Fili, and Kili all die by the hands of orcs. Then I see myself dying as well.

I whimper a bit, seeing everything. I feel someone touching my face. Out of instinct, I grab the person’s arm, flipping us over so I’m straddling their hips, holding one arm to the ground and my hand on their throat. Breathing heavily, I see that I’m on Thorin, who’s brow is raised and has a smirk on his face “Good morning to you, too” He flips us over so he’s hovering over me, pinning my hands beside my head.

I use my feet and kick him up and over, then I sit back on him. I smirk “Good morning, Your Majesty” I kiss his nose before standing up, helping him up as well.

I walk over to Bilbo, helping him stand up as well, his cheeks a bit flushed “Something wrong, darling?”

His blush deepens “No, no. Nothing’s wrong, lovie”

I smile, seeing Thorin chuckle as well. I grab Bilbo’s chin, kissing him gently. I leave him stunned and red as a tomato while I gather my things.

Fili and Kili stand on either side of me “Where’s our kiss?”

I chuckle, kissing them each on the cheek “There”

They grin as we collect our things and continue on our journey.

We end up slowing to a stop as we approach a looming, gloomy-looking forest. Gandalf dismounts and walks into the edge of the forest through an ancient archway.

“The Elven Gate” Gandalf turns and calls to us “Here lies our path through Mirkwood”

Dwalin looks behind us “No sign of the Orcs. We have luck on our side”

Dwalin dismounts. Gandalf squints as he sees something in the distance; it is Beorn, in his bear-form, watching them from a distant ridge.

“Set the ponies loose. Let them return to their master”

We dismount and begin taking our supplies off the ponies. Bilbo approaches the forest on foot.

“This forest feels...sick, as if a disease lies upon it. Is there no way around?”

“Not unless we go two hundred miles north, or twice that distance south” Gandalf walks a bit further in, and stays silent.

The unladen ponies trot away; Nori is just about to finish unsaddling Gandalf’s horse when Gandalf emerges from the forest.

“Not my horse! I need it” As Gandalf strides forward, the Company looks up and murmurs in surprise. I look confused, but I understand. He is a wizard, after all.

Bilbo walks up to him “You’re not leaving us?”

“I would not do this unless I had to” Gandalf looks at Thorin, then turns and looks at a dejected Bilbo. The two talk quietly, until Gandalf continues walking to his horse.

he speaks as he passes Thorin.

“I’ll be waiting for you at the overlook, before the slopes of Erebor. Keep the map and key safe. Do not enter that mountain without me” Gandalf stops and looks hard at Thorin as he says this, then continues toward his horse “This is not the Greenwood of old. The very air of the forest is heavy with illusion. It will seek to enter your mind and lead you astray”

Bilbo looks at  Dwalin “Lead us astray? What does that mean?”

Gandalf gets on his horse. It begins raining lightly, even though the sun is out “You must stay on the path; do not leave it. If you do, you will never find it again” Gandalf wheels his horse and rides away “No matter what may come, stay on the path!”

Thorin and Company turn toward the forest.

“Come on. We must reach the mountain before the sun sets on Durin’s Day”

“Durin’s Day. Let’s go!”

 “This is our one chance to find the hidden door”

The Company enters Mirkwood. They are following the paved path that started at the Elven Gate. Thorin leads. At one point, the path turns a corner.

“The path goes this way”

As we keep following the path through the forest, it twists and turns over all sorts of terrain such as bare ground, high ledges, fallen tree trunks, and more. Dwalin thumps the handle of his hammer on the ground to find the paving stones of the trail.

Dwalin nods in a direction “This way”

We continue walking, but everyone is beginning to feel the effects of the forest.

“Air. I need air”

“My head, it’s spinning”

The dwarves suddenly run into each other as Nori, in front, stops abruptly.

“What’s happening?”

Thorin walks up to Nori “Keep moving. Nori, why have we stopped?”

“The path...it’s disappeared!”

“What’s going on?”

“We’ve lost the path!”

We are standing in front of a steep cliff, and there is no path ahead of us.

Thorin looks at us all “Find it. All of you look. Look for the path!”

Thorin walks up to me “Can you use your magic to find it?”

“I can try” He nods as I hold up my hands. As I use my magic to try and find the path, I feel something dark in these woods. A vision of giant spiders crosses my vision, making me gasp softly. Thorin looks at me “What is it?”

I shake my head “There is something terrible in this forest. Terrible and dark. We need to hurry and find the path”

He nods and we all begin searching.

The Company wanders through the forest. The forest is beginning to affect them mentally, and they stagger about. Everyone is talking and becoming disoriented.

“I don’t remember this place before. None of it’s familiar”

“It’s got to be here”

“What hour is it?”

“I do not know. I don’t even know what day it is”

“Is there no end to this accursed place?”

The dwarves are all muttering and rambling as they wander about. Bilbo absentmindedly plucks a spiderweb, making me tense. We continue walking, wandering with no real direction. Ori leans down and picks up a tobacco pouch. Dori then takes it from him.

“Look”

“A tobacco pouch. There’s dwarves in these woods”

Bofur takes the pouch from Dori “Dwarves from the Blue Mountains, no less. This is exactly the same as mine”

Bilbo looks at them “Because it is yours. You understand? We’re going round in circles. We are lost”

Dwalin looks at him “We’re not lost. We keep heading east”

“But which way is east? We’ve lost the sun”

As the dwarves begin bickering indistinctly, Bilbo looks up and sees a bit of sun through the tree canopy far above him. He speaks quietly, and no one else can hear him over the bickering.

“The sun. We have to find the sun. Up there. We need to-”

The dwarves have started fighting and pushing each other around. Thorin stands apart, listening. My ears twitch as I begin hearing a whispering sound within the trees, making me tense. Thorin mutters to himself.

“What? What’s that?” The whispering continues. He glances at me “Do you hear it?” I nod softly. Thorin turns and yells at the dwarves “Enough! Quiet! All of you! We’re being watched”

I see Bilbo climb a nearby tree, but soon enough we are all surrounded by giant spiders and wrapped up in webs, the spiders knocking us out so we don’t fight.

I wake up a bit later, wrapped up in webs. I take my claws and carefully cut myself out. I quietly sneak down, when I see Bilbo killing a lone spider, the spider crashing to the ground. He looks at his sword “Sting. That’s a good name” He looks towards the dwarves, who are still tied up “Sting”

I walk up next to him “Come. Let’s free the others”

He jumps, but nods. We take out swords and proceed to cut down the dwarves, the company falling to the forest floor. They proceed to rip off their wrappings, cursing and yelling the entire time.

“Where’s Bilbo and Lilith?”

“Bilbo!”

“Lilith!”

Bilbo waves at them “We’re up here!”

Just then, a spider jumps at Bilbo from underneath the branch he was standing on, and it pins him underneath it. However, he manages to put his sword in front of him just in time, stabbing the spider through the belly. As the spider falls off the branch, Bilbo, entangled in its legs, falls with it.

My eyes widen “Bilbo!”

The dwarves have freed themselves and they try to escape, only to be surrounded by the returning spiders. They fight against the spiders with their various weapons. Bombur is knocked to the floor by a spider, and it stands over him to bite him.

“Grab a leg!”

The other dwarves grab each of the spider’s legs.

“Pull!”

The dwarves pull at the spider’s legs, and they manage to pull its legs right off its body. The dismembered body of the spider lands on Bombur.

I hear voices from below “Lilith, look out!”

I turn in time to see a spider charging at me. I quickly stab it in the head, but another one comes up behind me, biting me in the side. I yell out, taking my sword and stabbing it into the spider behind me. When the spider is dead, I hold my side, which is bleeding profusely. I try to make my way down to help the others, but two more spiders tackle me to the forest floor. I feel one bite across my chest on the right side and another bites my left thigh. I cry out, trying to fight my way out. Suddenly, the spiders are off of me, and Thorin is standing above me. He helps me up, blood pouring out of my wounds.

The dwarves have defeated their spiders, and are running through the forest. More spiders jump down on threads of silk in front of the dwarves and hiss at us. Thorin raises his sword in preparation to fight, trying to keep me steady, but pauses and looks up. A blonde Elf, one I recognize, runs through the treetops, then swings down a spider’s silk in order to land on it and kill it. He slides on the forest floor under the spider facing Thorin, slicing it in half, and comes up kneeling with an arrow nocked in his bow and pointed at Thorin. Several other Mirkwood elves appear, drawing arrows and pointing them at the dwarves.

“Do not think I won’t kill you, dwarf. It would be my pleasure”

The dwarves look around and see that they are completely surrounded and outnumbered by Mirkwood Elves, all with drawn bows aimed at the dwarves. Thorin tries to keep me behind him, my breathing becoming shaky.

We hear Kili yelling “Help!”

Fili looks towards his brother “Kili!”

The dwarves whirl around and see a spider pulling Kili away by the foot. A female Elf runs through the forest. She kills three spiders with her bow and knife, then kills the spider pulling Kili with an arrow. She turns to attack another spider behind her, and yet another spider rushes toward Kili.

“Throw me your dagger! Quick!”

“If you think I’m giving you a weapon, dwarf, you’re mistaken!”

The she-elf  kills her spider with her knife, then spins and throws the knife, killing the spider that was attacking Kili. Kili looks on in amazement.

The blonde elf looks at us “Search them”

The elves approach us and start searching us. An elf confiscates two of Fili’s knives. The blonde elf pulls a picture frame with two pictures out of Gloin’s pocket.

“Hey! Give it back! That’s private!”

The elf looks at a picture of a dwarf “Who is this? Your brother?”

“That is my wife!”

The elf looks at the other picture, which is of a dwarf child “And what is this horrid creature? A goblin mutant?”

“That’s my wee lad, Gimli”

The elf raises his eyebrow at Gloin in contempt.

Meanwhile, the elf searching Fili finds even more knives all around his person. Fili sighs when the elf finds even some in a secret hidden pocket.

Thorin looks at me, my vision starting to shift and become uneven. He lowers his voice “Are you alright?”

I smile softly “Fine. I just need everything to stop moving”

He tenses up, helping me stand up and lean on his shoulder.

The blonde  speaks to the she-elf who helped Kili “Gyrth in yngyl bain?”

(Are the spiders dead?)

“Ennorner gwanod in yngyl na nyryn. Engain nar” (Yes, but more will come. They’re growing bolder)

Fili opens his jacket to show the elf searching him that he has no knives left; however, the elf finds another one hidden in Fili’s hood. An elf hands the blonde elf Thorin’s sword, Orcrist, and he inspects it.

“Echannen i vegil hen vin Gondolin. Magannen nan Gelydh” (This is an ancient Elvish blade. Forged by my kin) “Where did you get this?”

Thorin glares at him “It was given to me”

The elf points the sword at Thorin “Not just a thief, but a liar as well” He looks at me, and points the sword at me, using the tip of the blade to lift my head up “What is this?”

Thorin glares, guiding me behind him “She is our friend and in need of help. Let us bind the wounds”

The elf looks at me, then tilts his head “Lady Lilith?”

I swear under my breath in Khuzdul, before I look up at the elf “Hello, Legolas. It’s been some time”

He puts his weapons away, then reaches for me. Thorin pulls me away, glaring “Do not touch her, elf”

Legolas glares, then looks at the female Elf, Tauriel “Bandage her. We cannot have her dying”

Tauriel nods and bandages my wounds. Legolas nods, then looks to the other elves “Enwenno hain!” (Take them!)

The elves begin to lead us away, Thorin helping me walk. As we begin to walk, Bofur turns and whispers to Thorin.

“Thorin, where’s Bilbo?”

Thorin looks around, but sees no sign of Bilbo.

I keep my voice low, switching to speak in Khuzdul “He will be okay. I assure you”

He nods, but is still tense.

We are led over a bridge and into the Woodland Realm. After we pass through, Legolas addresses the guards of the gate.

“Holo in ennyn” (Close the gate)

We are led through the raised wooden walkways of the Woodland Realm. The entire place is built out of tree roots in a subterranean cavern, which is quite beautiful. I begin to start feeling weak, my legs beginning to feel more numb. Thorin and I get brought to the throne room, I continue to lean against Thorin while he is brought to stand in front of the king. 

I look at the elven king, tensing up “Oh no, not him…”

Thorin holds me close, keeping me upright.

The king, Thranduil, stares at me before nodding to one of his guards. The guard walks over, picking me up and walking back to his spot. Thorin looks at me, silently asking if I’m okay. I nod softly, earning a nod in return.

Thranduil steps down from his throne, speaking to Thorin.

“Some may imagine that a noble quest is at hand. A quest to reclaim a homeland and slay a dragon. I myself suspect a more prosaic motive: attempted burglary, or something of that ilk” Thranduil looks closely at Thorin “You have found a way in. You seek that which would bestow upon you the right to rule: the King’s Jewel, the Arkenstone. It is precious to you beyond measure. I understand that. There are gems in the mountain that I too desire. White gems of pure starlight. I offer you my help”

Thorin looks at him “I am listening”

“I will let you go, if you but return what is mine”

Thorin turns and slowly starts walking away “A favor for a favor”

“You have my word. One king to another”

Thorin stops walking. Still facing away from Thranduil, he speaks. His voice gets louder and louder as he speaks.

“I would not trust Thranduil, the great king, to honor his word should the end of all days be upon us!” 

I force myself to stay awake, but the voices are echoing inside my mind and my vision is beginning to fade around the edges.

Thorin spins around and points at Thranduil. He is now shouting.

“You lack all honor! I’ve seen how you treat your friends. We came to you once, starving, homeless, seeking your help, but you turned your back. You turned away from the suffering of my people and the inferno that destroyed us! Imrid amrad ursul!” (Die a death of flames!)

Thranduil leaps down from his throne and puts his face right in front of Thorin’s.

“Do not talk to me of dragon fire. I know its wrath and ruin. I have faced the great serpents of the north” As Thranduil speaks, the glamour on his face reveals burns from dragon fire. He draws away, and his glamour returning “I warned your grandfather of what his greed would summon, but he would not listen” Thranduil turns and walks up the steps to his throne “You are just like him” Thranduil motions, and guards grab Thorin and haul him toward the dungeons “Stay here if you will, and rot. A hundred years is a mere blink in the life of an elf. I am patient. I can wait”

Thorin looks at me, trying to fight the hold of the guards “Lilith!”

I look at him, reaching a hand out for him, but my vision goes dark and I go limp, passing out.

When I awaken, I see I’m in a bright room, sunlight peeking in from the window. I shakily sit myself up, seeing that I’m completely naked, aside from fresh bandages covering my wounds and two silver cuffs with intricut designs fastened onto my wrists.

I try to take the cuffs off, but they won’t budge, making me groan in frustration. I feel that part of my hair is braided near my ear. I pick it up, raising a brow.

I carefully stand up, not seeing any clothes. I grab the sheets, ripping them and using them to make a makeshift top and skirt. I hear people walking towards the room, so I quickly hide under the bed. Two elf maidens enter the room, but begin looking around frantically and speaking in elvish. They leave the room, and a few minutes later, they come back with Thranduil and a few guards. He looks around, then walks over to the window, checking outside. He looks at his guards “Find her. She cannot have gone far”

When the guards and the maidens leave. As he goes to leave, but suddenly pauses at the doors. He shuts them, then walks back over to the bed. I tense up as he stops next to the bed.

Suddenly, he reaches under the bed, grabbing one of my legs. He quickly pulls me out from under the bed, holding me up in the air as he grabs my other leg. 

I stare at him, wide eyed, then I glare “Put me down”

He smirks, then drops me onto the bed. I scramble to get up, standing on the other side of the bed. He looks at me, then sees the hole in my chest. He begins approaching me, making me back up until I hit a wall. He stands rather close, making me tense.

He reaches a hand up, touching the edge of the hole “How interesting. I would assume Lord Elrond has no knowledge of this little injury. Am I right, princess?”

I glare “No, he doesn’t. And you will not be telling him. No one will”

He lowers his face to mine “What is an elven princess doing with the company of Thorin Oakenshield? With dwarves?”

I roll my eyes “Did you forget, your Majesty? I am half Dwarf. And I would much rather be with them than stuck with elves who constantly look down at me. Especially you”

He smirks, then grabs my jaw “You are lucky you look more elvish than Dwarvish. My offer still stands from before”

I pull my face away “No, thank you. Legolas would rather kiss an orc than marry me. Besides, I am not a princess by birthright, least you forget Ada took me in”

His hand travels to my throat, gently touching it “And what of the other proposal?”

I glare, smacking his hand away “I would not be your consort if you were the last elf in Middle Earth”

He stands up, staring at me before he chuckles lowly “Perhaps you will change your mind. One day” He walks to the closet, taking out what appears to be some cloth and crown. He sets them on the bed “Get dressed. Then you can join the dwarves in the dungeons”

I pick up the cloth, raising a brow “This is not a dress. This is scraps of cloth sewn together”

He smirks “Either wear that, or be taken to the dungeons bare. I care not which you choose”

I sigh frustrated and I turn, getting dressed. The 'dress' leaves little to the imagination.

Thranduil stares at my skin, and I cross my arms, I look at the cuffs, then I hold them up “Take these off”

He walks toward the door “No, I don’t think I will. Those keep your magic locked away. And brute strength won’t work in taking them off”

I stiffen, staring at the elven king “How dare you…” With a quick movement, I let out a yell, attacking him, my claws drawn.

Thranduil grabs my wrists, swiftly, and slams me into the wall. I groan as he lowers his face to mine, our noses touching. He stares into my eyes, holding my wrists above my head.

“Do not push your luck, half-breed. I could always have you killed”

“I’d like to see you try”

He stays silent, until he kisses me, making me gasp. He breaks the kiss, then lets go of my wrists. He looks to the door “Bring her to the dungeons”

Two guards walk in, grabbing my arms and taking me to the dungeons. They take me to an empty cell. They give me an elven salute before shutting the cell door. I groan and sit down.

“Lilith? Are you alright? Are you hurt?”

I stand up, going to the door “I’m alright. I’m not hurt. But Thranduil put these cuffs on my wrists. I can’t use my magic. He also put a braid in my hair”

“He did what?”

I sigh frustrated, placing my hands on the cell door. I look at the cuffs, then I close my eyes. I try to use my magic, but the cuffs burn my skin. I wince, stopping. I look at the cuffs, seeing that they are cooling down. I hesitate, before I try again, the cuffs burning my flesh. I hiss in pain, but keep going. That is, until I feel someone grabbing my arms.

I stop and look to see Legolas, a look of concern on his face “What are you doing?”

I pull my arms back “Your Ada is the one who placed these on me. I want them off”

“You are going to scar yourself”

“Why do you care? You don’t even like me”

He stares at me, his eyes looking over my form “I never said I didn’t like you”

I cross my arms, moving to sit down “Oh, please. There are only three elves who have ever shown me kindness. My Ada, sister, and Lindir. Anytime you came to Rivendell, you always just stared at me. Like I was some oddity”

He tilts his head “Well, you are” I give him a look. He sighs softly “Do not harm yourself again, princess”

He walks away. A moment later, I hear Thorin speaking “What did he say to you?”

I lean against the wall “The cuffs burn me whenever I try to use my magic. He stopped me” I hesitate “He’s probably only trying to show me kindness because of who my father is. And probably because his father offered for us to get married. Multiple times”

“...Are you betrothed?”

“Gods, no. Legolas loves another, and she is elven, through and through. Thranduil also offered for me to be his consort, but I rejected his offer” I pause “He did kiss me before having me taken to the dungeons”

“He what?!”

I stand up, feeling the wall. I ball up my fist, then I punch the wall. Cracks form, and I punch again and again until there's a hole in the wall. Thorin looks at me through the wall, a bit shocked. I smile “He kissed me, after I tried to tear his eyes from his head”

He chuckles, stepping closer. He reaches a hand through the hole, cupping my face “Are you sure you’re alright?”

I nod “I’m alright, Thorin. Promise”

He nods, taking his hand back. He then looks down at my dress “He had you dress in this?”

I nod “Yes. He said it was either this or being brought down bare” Anger fills his eyes, so I reach my hand through, touching his cheek “Do not worry, my king. Everything will be alright”

He gently takes my hand, kissing it. He looks at the cuff on my wrist, examining it “How is the pain?”

I shake my head “I’m fine. But we can’t get these off. Not here, anyway. Brute strength won’t work. We need tools”

He nods, kissing my bloodied knuckles.

Time passes and it’s been roughly a month. The dwarves are all but hopeless.

“I’ll wager the sun’s on the rise. It must be nearly dawn”

“We’re never going to reach the mountain, are we?”

I suddenly hear Bilbo “Not stuck in here, you’re not”

I go to the cell door, smiling “Bilbo”

The others exclaim in excitement, and Bilbo shushes them “Shh! There are guards nearby!”

Bilbo unlocks Thorin’s cell and lets him out. When he unlocks my cell, I hug him, smiling “I’m glad you're alright”

He blushes, patting my back gently “As am I”

He then proceeds to let all the dwarves out of their various cells, and they chuckle gleefully at their good fortune. Some of the dwarves start walking in a certain direction.

“The stairs. You first. Ori!”

Bilbo stops them “Not that way, down here. Follow me”

Bilbo proceeds lead us through the Woodland Realm, and they whisper indistinctly. We sneak through the halls of the Woodland Realm, and eventually find ourselves in the wine cellar from before. The elves there are sound asleep around a table, with several empty bottles of wine in front of them. Bilbo leads us further in.

“This way”

“I don’t believe it;  we’re in the cellars!”

The dwarves are getting mad at Bilbo.

“You were supposed to be leading us out, not further in!”

“I know what I’m doing!”

“Shhh!”

“This way”

We sneak into a large room in which several barrels are stacked sideways down the middle of the room. All the barrels have one end open.

Bilbo looks at us “Everyone, climb into the barrels, quickly!”

Dwalin looks at him “Are you mad?! They’ll find us!”

“No, no, they won’t, I promise you. Please, please, you MUST trust me!”

The dwarves mill around, as they try to decide. They hear a commotion in the distance.

Thorin looks at me, and I nod. He looks at the others “Do as he says!”

Each of the dwarves climbs into a barrel. Bilbo walks along, counting to make sure all the dwarves have been accounted for. Thorin helps me into a barrel before climbing in one himself.

Bofur looks at Bilbo “What do we do now?”

All the dwarves stick their heads out of their barrels and watch Bilbo as he walks toward a lever in the ground.

“Hold your breath”

“Hold my breath? What do you mean?”

Bilbo pulls the lever, and the part of the floor that the barrels were on tilts downward into an opening; the barrels roll out the opening and fall several feet into a river that runs beneath the Woodland Realm. The dwarves yell as they fall, and the barrels make loud thumping noises. The door closes and I gasp, the cold water surrounding me.

A few moments later, Bilbo falls into the river, grabbing onto Nori’s barrel.

Thorin smiles at Bilbo “Well done, Master Baggins”

Bilbo, half drowned, waves his hand in thanks and manages to splutter out a word “Go”

“Come on, let’s go”

We paddle with our hands as the river pulls our barrels along; elves rush along passages in the Woodland Realm. We  emerge into the sunlight, and Thorin sees a waterfall right in front of us.

“Hold on!”

The dwarves, Bilbo, myself and the barrels plunge through the rapids, then float swiftly down the raging river. Legolas, followed by other elves, emerges from a gateway and sees us floating away.

“Holo in-annon!” (Shut the gate!)

An elf with him blows on a horn; as we round a corner in the river, we see a guardpost built above the river. The heavily armored elves standing guard there hear the horn and come to attention; one of them pulls a lever, causing a heavy metal sluice gate to block the river. The dwarves in their barrels come to a stop at the gate, unable to float further.

“No!”

The barrels pile into each other; the elven guards draw their swords, but one is suddenly shot in the back with a black arrow. Several growling orcs swarm over the guardpost, killing the elves. Multitudes of orcs run in from the bushes, with a leader.

Bofur points to them “Watch out! Those are orcs!”

The leader orc yells out “Gorid! Zib! Goridug!” (Slay them all!)

The orcs begin throwing themselves at the dwarves in their barrels; Bilbo manages to kill one with Sting, and Dwalin elbows another in the face. I claw at the orcs near us, killing the ones I can. Kili looks up and sees the lever the elven guard had pulled earlier. He manages to get out of his barrel and runs up the stairs toward the lever. Unarmed, he ducks as an orc swings at him.

Dwalin calls to Kili “Kili!”

Dwalin, who had managed to grab a sword from one of the elves or orcs, throws it to Kili, who then fights his way to the top of the stairs. As Kili fights an orc, another one leaps up from behind him, raising its spear to stab him. Fili throws a short sword or dagger and kills the orc, allowing Kili to fight his own opponent and kill it. The leader orc, noticing Kili, pulls his bow and arrows from his back. As Kili reaches for the lever, the orc fires an arrow, which hits Kili in the calf. Kili stops short, panting.

Fili yells for his brother “Kili!”

My eyes widen “Kili!”

Kili groans in pain and strains to pull the lever, but falls over onto his back. The orc strings another arrow. Thorin looks shocked.

“Kili”

I climb out of my barrel, jumping up and over to him. I grab the short sword Fili threw at the orc, ready to defend Kili.

Fili yells out to me, eyes wide “Lilith!”

An orc leaps over to kill Kili, but an arrow suddenly flies into its head. Kili looks over and sees Tauriel running through the bushes. She shoots another orc, then kills others with her knife.

The leader orc yells out “Gor’-ash! Gor golginul! ” (Kill her! Kill the She-Elf!)

Several orcs rush at Tauriel; Legolas and other elves appear from the bushes and shoot them down. I crouch next to Kili, grabbing the arrow in his leg “Brace” I pull the arrow out of his leg, earning a yell in return.

As Tauriel, Legolas, and the other elves fight the orcs, Kili manages to grab the lever and pull it, opening the sluice and letting the dwarves in their barrels through. He then falls on his back again in pain. The dwarves in barrels fall down another waterfall and float down the river. The orc sees them.

“Khozdayin obguryash! Abgurid!” (After them!)

Fili yells to his little brother “Kili!”

Kili manages to slide himself off the ledge and into his empty barrel below. Tauriel distractedly looks over at him and is attacked by an orc, but manages to kill the orc. I fight a few orcs as well as the remaining dwarves and Bilbo plunge over the waterfall and continue floating down the rushing river, as the leader and his orcs follow the river on land.

Thorin looks after me “Lilith!”

I run after the dwarves on land, killing a few orcs as I go. When I get the chance, I jump into my empty barrel, the barrel becoming submerged as I resurface. I gasp from the cold, but I keep hold of the short sword.

The dwarves try to paddle and steer with their hands, but to no avail; the river is running too wild. As we come to a narrow part of the river, orcs on either side begin shooting arrows at us.

In the river, an orc leaps at Thorin in his barrel, but he manages to kill it with a sword he grabbed earlier. Tauriel, Legolas, and the other elves run after the orcs chasing the dwarves, shooting them. An orc jumps from an overhanging tree branch toward Balin, but Thorin throws his sword and pins the orc to the tree; as the orc drops its weapon, Thorin catches it while floating beneath him, and he throws back to Bombur, who throws it to Nori, who throws it to Fili, who kills an orc with it. An orc leaps onto Dwalin barrel, only for Dwalin to headbutt it off and steal its axe. The dwarves see a low-hanging tree branch stretched across the river in front of them, with several orcs on it.

Thorin yells out “Cut the log!”

As he floats under it, Thorin hits it with his sword, then Bofur hits it with his weapon, and Dwalin, right behind him, hits the branch with his axe, breaking it and causing the orcs on it to fall into the river. Bilbo manages to climb atop a floating barrel.

Dwalin calls to Bombur “Bombur!”

Dwalin throws his axe to Bombur, who kills an orc that had just jumped onto his barrel. The Orc’s spear ends up pinning it to an overhanging tree branch; the other end of the spear catches onto Bombur’s barrel and catapults it through the air and onto the riverbank, where the barrel rolls and tramples multitudes of orcs. The barrel flips through the air to the other side of the river, where it tramples more orcs. Eventually, the barrel comes to a stop, and orcs surround it; however, Bombur kicks out the bottom, then sticks his arms holding axes through the sides. He then starts spinning rapidly with the axes extended, mowing down all the orcs around him. He then runs toward the river, tosses his axe to one of the floating dwarves, then gracefully jumps into an empty barrel.

Suddenly, an orc arrow embeds itself into my chest, making me yell out. Thorin looks at me, eyes wide. Bofur yells out as I breathe heavily and I rip the arrow out, blood pooling down my chest and dress, already feeling the effects of the poison “Lilith!”

Meanwhile, Legolas, Tauriel, and the other elves have caught up to the dwarves and orcs, and they fight the orcs. At one point, Legolas leaps over the river and lands with a foot on the heads of two dwarves, from this vantage point, he shoots orcs on either riverbank. He aims carefully, and manages to skewer two orcs through the head with one arrow. Legolas continues fighting orcs, using the heads of floating dwarves as stepping stones to get across the river. While he is preoccupied fighting an orc, another orc runs up behind him and raises its sword to kill him; Thorin, from his barrel in the river, throws his sword and manages to kill the orc behind Legolas. Legolas and Thorin look at each other with some sort of understanding; Legolas stops pursuing us as we continue floating down the river.

The river has calmed down, and we paddle along in their barrels with our hands.

Thorin looks to us “Anything behind us?”

“Not that I can see”

“I think we’ve outrun the orcs”

“Not for long; we’ve lost the current”

“Bofur is half drown”

Thorin nods “Make for the shore! Come on, let’s go!”

We paddle to the riverbank, then climb out onto a slab of rock jutting out a bit into the river.

Dwalin looks at us “Come on!”

When I get to shore, I stand up, breathing heavily. Balin helps me stand up “Are you alright?”

I nod “The next time I see that pathetic elvish king, I’m going to break his entire face”

He chuckles a bit as we walk more on shore.

When Kili is on the rocks, he falls to his knees in pain from the arrow wound in his thigh; it has been bound with cloth, but blood is seeping through. I walk over as Bofur looks at him concernedly.

Kili shakes his head “I’m fine, it’s nothing”

Thorin looks at us “On your feet”

Fili looks to his uncle “Kili and Lilith are wounded. His leg needs binding”

“There’s an orc pack on our tail; we keep moving”

Balin looks at him “To where?”

Bilbo looks at us “To the mountain; we’re so close”

“A lake lies between us and that mountain. We have no way to cross it”

“So then we go around”

Dwalin shakes his head a bit “The orcs will run us down, as sure as daylight. We have no weapons to defend ourselves”

Thorin looks at me, then nods “Bind his leg, quickly. You have two minutes”

While they bind Kili’s leg, some of the dwarves sit down and Ori kneels by the river to empty his boot of water. My ear twitches, and I see a man sneak up over the pile of rocks and aims an arrow at Ori. My eyes widen, grabbing a short sword and quickly standing between Ori and the man. As the dwarves realize a man is there, they jump up, and Dwalin, holding a branch, leaps in front of Ori and I. He raises the branch and begins to charge the man, but the man shoots his arrow and it embeds itself right in the middle of the branch, between Dwalin’s hands. Kili raises a rock to throw, but the man shoots the rock out of his hand too.

“Do it again, and you’re dead” The man looks at me, and I see something in his eyes flicker. Recognition and some awe.

Balin, who is standing near the edge of the group, sees a barge floating in the river behind Bard. He talks to Bard, approaching him slowly with his hands held in the air.

“Excuse me, but, uh, you’re from Laketown, if I’m not mistaken? That barge over there, it wouldn’t be available for hire, by any chance?”

The man lowers his bow. He climbs aboard his barge as we approach. I lower the short sword, but stay cautious.

“What makes you think I will help you?”

“Those boots have seen better days” The man begins loading the dwarves’ empty barrels into his barge “As has that coat. No doubt you have some hungry mouths to feed. How many bairns?”

“A boy and two girls”

“And your wife, I’d imagine she’s a beauty”

“Aye. She was”

Balin’s smile fades “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to-”

He is interrupted by Dwalin whispering loudly to Thorin “Oh, come on, come on, enough with the niceties”

I give Dwalin a look, lowering my voice “Patience”

The man looks at us “What’s your hurry?”

“What’s it to you?”

“I would like to know who you are and what you are doing in these lands”

Balin cuts in “We are simple merchants from the Blue Mountains journeying to see our kin in the Iron Hills”

The man’s gaze falls on me, lingering “Simple merchants, you say?”

Thorin speaks up, stepping forward, and carefully pulling me behind him “We’ll need food, supplies, weapons. Can you help us?”

The man looks at the barrels and examines the various dents and nicks they received during the fight with the orcs.

“I know where these barrels came from”

“What of it?”

“I don’t know what business you had with the elves, but I don’t think it ended well. No one enters Laketown but by leave of the Master. All his wealth comes from trade with the Woodland Realm. He will see you in irons before risking the wrath of King Thranduil”

The man boards his barge and tosses a rope to Balin. Thorin mouths to Balin.

“Offer him more”

Balin looks at the man “I’ll wager there are ways to enter that town unseen”

“Aye. But for that, you will need a smuggler”

“For which we will pay double.”

The man looks at him suspiciously. He looks back at me, then nods “No need to pay for the woman. Her fare is free”

Thorin and I exchange a confused look.

Now, we are on the man’s barge, the man paddling us across the lake.

Bofur stands next to me, then picks up the braid Thranduil placed “Do you know what this means?”

I look at him “I couldn’t see it properly”

“This braid basically says you belong to him”

I stare at Bofur, before I grab the short sword from before. I grab the braid and swiftly cut it off. The dwarves stare at me in shock, but I see something else in Thorin’s eyes. I toss the hair into the water “I don’t want anything from that man”

Thorin walks closer, placing a hand on my shoulder. He lowers his voice “Are you alright?” I nod “Your wound. It is the same as Kili’s. It is getting worse”

I nod softly “Once we get these cuffs off, I can heal myself and Kili”

He nods as the barge keeps moving. It is very foggy, and the barge pushes aside ice floes. Suddenly, large stone formations appear out of the fog.

“Watch out!”

The man expertly poles the barge between the rock formations, which turn out to be ancient ruins. I stiffen, looking at them.

Thorin steps forward “What are you trying to do, drown us?”

“I was born and bred on these waters, Master Dwarf. If I wanted to drown you, I would not do it here”

Dwalin speaks to Thorin “Oh I have enough of this lippy lakeman. I say we throw him over the side and be done with him”

Bilbo answers him slightly angrily “Ohh, Bard, his name’s Bard”

Bofur looks at Bilbo confused “How do you know?”

“Uh, I asked him”

Dwalin looks to Thorin “I don’t care what he calls himself, I don’t like him”

Balin cuts him off “We do not have to like him, we simply have to pay him. Come on now, lads, turn out your pockets”

The dwarves begin pulling out their money and valuables. Dwalin whispers to Thorin.

“How do we know he won’t betray us?”

“We don’t”

Balin counts the money “There’s, um, just a problem: we’re ten coins short”

Thorin looks at Gloin “Gloin. Come on. Give us what you have”

“Don’t look to me. I have been bled dry by this venture! And what have I seen for my investment? Naught but misery and grief and-” Gloin stops talking when he realizes that all the others have slowly stood up and are looking at something in the distance. As the fog thins, we see the Lonely Mountain “Bless my beard. Take it. Take all of it”

Gloin hands Balin a sack of coins he had secretly withheld before. Bilbo coughs and gestures his head toward Bard, who is approaching us on our end of the barge.

“The money, quick, give it to me”

“We’ll pay you when we get our provisions, but not before”

“If you value your freedom, you’ll do as I say. There are guards ahead”

We turn and see the rooftops of Laketown in the distance.

Bard’s barge is stopped at a dock just outside the city; Bard hops off and speaks to a man. Meanwhile, the dwarves, Bilbo and I are hidden in the barrels on the barge. Bilbo and I are sharing a barrel, since we lost a few in the river. I sit with Bilbo between my legs, his chest against mine and a massive blush covering his face.

Dwalin lowers his voice “Shh, what’s he doing?”

Bilbo peers through a hole in our barrel, a hand next to my head and the other near the hole in the barrel.

“He’s talking to someone. And he’s...pointing right at us!” He pauses “Now they’re shaking hands”

“What?”

“That villain! He’s selling us out”

All the dwarves in their individual barrels listen anxiously; suddenly, dead fish are poured into the barrels. The dwarves splutter in surprise. I gasp softly, the cold fish touching nearly every part of exposed skin.

Bard poles his barge toward the gate of the city; on deck are the 14 barrels all full of fish, with a dwarf or hobbit inside as well.

 “Oh god”

Bard kicks the barrel closest to him “Quiet! We’re approaching the toll gate”

After some muffled talking, Bard docks his barge. I hear Bard kicking over the other barrels, then I hear Dwalin.

“Get your hands off me”

The remaining dwarves and Bilbo struggle out of their barrels, looking greasy and slimy from the fish. Bilbo helps me stand up, a dead fish between my breasts.

Bilbo points at it “You have a, uh--in your…”

Thorin walks over, grabbing me around my waist and lifting me out of the barrel, then takes the fish out and tosses it into the barrel. He picks up Bilbo the same way, a small blush on our faces.

The dock keeper looks on in shock. Bard approaches him and slips him a coin.

“You didn’t see them, they were never here. The fish you can have for nothing” Bard leads the Company away “Follow me”

As we stride through Laketown, Bard’s son runs up to Bard.

 “Da! Our house, it’s being watched”

Bard looks at Thorin and hatches a plan.

We climb into the water under Bard’s house, going near the house’s toilet. We hear knocks on the wall near the toilet three times. Dwalin’s head appears through the toilet, which is open to the water below.

“If you speak of this to anyone, I’ll rip your arms off”

Dwalin raises the seat and begins to pull himself out of the toilet. Bain reaches out to help him, but Dwalin slaps his hand away.

“Get off”

“Up there”

Bain points up the stairs, and Dwalin goes up. Bilbo pokes his head up through the toilet, looking flabbergasted, and Bain helps him out. The rest of the dwarves follow and head upstairs.

“Da...why are there dwarves climbing out of our toilet?”

“Will they bring us luck?”

Nori emerges from the toilet with some leaves stuck to his hair. When I emerge from the toilet, all three kids stare at me with wide eyes. The boy helps me out and I smile “Thank you, dear”

I follow the dwarves, but I hear the children whispering to one another.

“She looks like her”

“But that’s impossible”

“She’s magic. What if it really is her?”

Bard and his children help us get clean, dry clothes.

The dwarves are wrapped in blankets, and their wet things have been laid in front of the fire to dry. Some of them shiver. I stand near the window, looking out at the town.

Bard looks at us “It may not be the best fit, but it’ll keep you warm”

The youngest girl, Tilda, passes out blankets, and Bilbo thanks her when he receives one.

Bilbo smiles “Thank you very much”

Tilda walks over, handing me a blanket. I smile “Thank you, dear”

She smiles “You’re welcome, miss”

Thorin walks up next to me, then looks out a window and sees a wooden tower not far away. Atop the tower is a windlass, a giant cross-bow type weapon with four arms. Thorin looks at it in shock.

“A Dwarvish Wind-Lance”

Bilbo, who is sipping a hot drink from a mug, looks at the wind-lance too.

“You look like you’ve seen a ghost”

Balin nods “He has. The last time we saw such a weapon, a city was on fire. It was the day the dragon came” Thorin looks sadly away, and I place a hand on his arm as Balin tells the story.

“The day that Smaug destroyed Dale. Girion, the Lord of the city, rallied his bowman to fire upon the beast. But a dragon’s hide is tough, tougher than the strongest armor. Only a black arrow, fired from a wind-lance, could have pierced the dragon’s hide, and few of those arrows were ever made. His store was running low when Girion made his last stand”

Thorin looks out the window “Had the aim of Men been true that day, much would have been different” I look away a bit, but Thorin grabs my hand, holding it tight.

Bard approaches Thorin “You speak as if you were there”

“All dwarves know the tale”

Bard’s son, Bain, speaks up “Then you would know that Girion hit the dragon. He loosened a scale under the left wing. One more shot and he would have killed the beast”

Dwalin laughs “Ha ha ha! That’s a fairy story, lad. Nothing more”

I shake my head “No. It’s not…”

Everyone looks at me. Tilda smiles, staring at me in awe “You really are her”

I look at the young girl “Who, dear?”

“The White Witch of Dale”

I look confused, and Bain brings over a tapestry, then unrolls it. On the tapestry, is an elegant portrait of myself, a dragon and fire in the background. I touch it gently “How did you come by something like this?”

Bard walks over “Everyone in Laketown has heard the stories of the witch who went against the dragon, Smaug. Everyone believed you were dead, trying to protect the people of Dale and Erebor” He gestures to the hole in my chest “As we can see, you are not dead” He sees the cuffs on my wrist, then looks at his son “Bain, my tools”

Bard places a hand on my shoulder, having me sit at the table, while he stands in front of me. Bain comes back with blacksmithing tools.

Bard takes my hands, placing them on the table. Thorin stands behind me, protectively.

Bard looks at me “What do you know of these?”

“I know I can’t get them off. They lock my magic away. Can you get them off?”

He nods “I can, but you will need to try and use your magic”

Thorin glares “Why?”

“When she tries to use her magic, the metal will heat up. I need the metal to get soft enough for me to cut it” Bard looks at me “Can you do this?”

I nod, and I take a breath, trying to use my magic. The cuffs begin to heat up, the metal turning red and orange. I grit my teeth, Thorin gripping my shoulders. Once the cuffs are melted enough, Bard quickly uses his tools to cut the metal. As soon as my wrists are free, he lifts my hands, looking to his eldest daughter “Bandages”

She runs and grabs bandages, handing them to her father.

Bard carefully bandages my wrists “These cuffs not only locked your magic, but it drained it as well. You will need to gain your strength back. Sleep, eat, drink”

I nod softly “Thank you, sir”

He nods, kissing my knuckles gently before standing up.

Thorin looks at Bard, a tense look in his eyes “You took our money. Where are the weapons?”

 “Wait here”

While Bard is outside, Thorin, Balin, Fili, and Kili talk quietly together.

“Tomorrow begins the last days of autumn”

“Durin’s Day falls morn after next. We must reach the mountain before then”

“And if we do not? If we fail to find the hidden door before that time?”

“Then this quest has been for nothing”

I stand next to Thorin, keeping my voice low “We will not fail. I promise you this”

Bard returns and lays a package on the table as the dwarves stand around it. He loosens the wrappings and reveals a couple of hand-made weapons. The dwarves look at them in shock, then pick up the weapons and look at them in disgust.

“What is this?”

“Pike-hook. Made from an old harpoon”

“And this?”

“A crowbill, we call it, fashioned from a smithy’s hammer. It’s heavy in hand, I grant, but in defense of your life, these will serve you better than none”

Thorin and Dwalin look disgustedly at each other.

The others glare at Bard “We paid you for weapons. Iron-forged swords and axes!”

“It’s a joke!”

Bofur throws his weapon back on the table, and the other dwarves follow suit.

“You won’t find better outside the city armory. All iron-forged weapons are held there under lock and key”

Thorin and Dwalin look at each other out of the corners of their eyes, hatching a plan.

Baling looks at Thorion “Thorin” Bard looks up at the mention of the name Thorin, as if the name sounds familiar to him “Why not take what’s been offered and go? I’ve made do with less; so have you. I say we leave now”

Bard looks at them “You’re not going anywhere”

Dwalin glares “What did you say!?”

“There’s spies watching this house and probably every dock and wharf in the town. You must wait till nightfall”

Hearing this, the dwarfs begin to settle down. Kili, leaning on a pole, looks like he’s in pain and he slowly slides down the pole and sits on a couch. Wincing, he examines the bandage on his leg while making sure no one is looking.

He sees me looking, then shakes his head as I walk over “I’m fine”

I raise a brow, then pull my dress down enough, the arrow wound in my chest is visible, black veins spreading out under my skin from the wound.

Kili’s eyes widen a bit “What is this?”

I put my dress back “The orcs use poison on their arrows. It’s not my first time dealing with orc arrows. But I know not how to heal these wounds without my magic”

He smiles “I’ll be alright. Lot stronger than I look”

I chuckle softly, and I see Tilda peeking at me from around the corner. I smile, patting the seat next to me. She walks over, looking up at me.

“Can I ask you something, miss?”

I nod “Of course, child. What can I help you with?”

“How did you survive the dragon?”

The other children look at me as well. I nod for them to sit as well, Fili even moving and sitting next to me.

I smile “Well, after the Lord of Dale did his best to take down Smaug, I used my magic to draw the dragon to the edge of the city, using what I could to try and kill him. My magic wasn’t strong enough, though. The dragon attacked me, stabbing me in the chest with his claw. He ended up monologuing, talking for what seemed like ages, until I grabbed one of his teeth and used my magic to slice his eye. He let me go, and pulled back, allowing me to rip his tooth out. He left me on the ground, bleeding out with a tooth in my hand. I had managed to pull myself to a quiet area, thinking I was going to die. I woke up, and Smaug had taken Erebor, with Dale nothing but ashes and rubble”

Bain looks at me “What did you do after?”

I flatten my lips a bit “I don’t believe it’s appropriate to say to children, but I will say that I…was paid to do…questionable jobs that very specific people are able to do”

Tilda tilts her head, then lowers her voice to a loud whisper, full of curiosity “Do you kill people?”

Fili snorts, then tries to hide his laughter, as does Kili. I smack Fili’s arm “Hush yourselves”

I clear my throat a bit, then nod a bit “Yes, but only bad people”

Sigrind chuckles “It’s not our first time hearing of assassins and mercenaries”

Thorin chuckles a bit, and I give him a look “You hush, too”

Thorin smiles, then nods at the children “We need to speak. Privately”

I nod, looking at the children “Would it be alright if you give us a bit of room to talk to ourselves?”

Sigrind nods and takes her siblings to another room. Thorin tells us the plan and we manage to leave Bard’s house, much to Bain’s efforts of trying to keep us here.

That night, we sneak through the town toward the armory, hiding from watchmen. I keep my hood up, knowing my hair tends to glow in the moonlight.

We hide behind a boat as two watchmen walk by.

Dwalin whispers to the rest of us “Shh! Keep it down”

Thorin looks at us “As soon as we have the weapons, we make straight for the mountain. Go, go, go!”

With the watchmen gone, Thorin points to Nori, who gets a running start and runs up a pyramid of dwarves who have pressed themselves against the walls of the city armory. He is able to get high enough that he can reach a second floor window and dive through.

“Next”

Bilbo does the same thing as Nori.

Soon, several dwarves and myself are in the armory, and we begin collecting the weapons stored there. Kili struggles under a load of several different weapons, and Thorin hands him another one.

“You all right?”

“I can manage. Let’s just get out of here”

Thorin looks at Kili, then lays another sword on the pile Kili is holding. Kili begins walking down the stairs, but his wounded leg gives way and he falls with a cry. The weapons make a terrible clanging noise, and the dwarves both inside and outside look around warily. In the distance, the watchmen cry out, and running footsteps approach.

Dori looks at us “Run!”

The dwarves still outside begin to run, but are stopped by two watchmen pointing pikes at them. Bilbo and the dwarves in the armory grab weapons, but several other guards point pikes at them too. Braga, the captain of the guard, is holding Kili with a dagger to his throat. Kili looks sadly and guiltily at Thorin.

We all get pushed or dragged to the home of the master of this town.

“Get off of me!”

Lots of indistinct muttering and yelling. The captain arranges all of us under guard in the town square before the doors of the mansion. As guards open the doors of the mansion, the Master storms out, still putting on his coat.

“What is the meaning of this?”

“We caught ‘em stealing weapons, sire”

“Ah. Enemies of the state, then”

The weasel of a man next to him speaks up “This is a bunch of mercenaries if ever there was, sire”

Dwalin speaks up “Hold your tongue. You do not know to whom you speak. This is no common criminal; this is Thorin, son of Thrain, son of Thror!”

Dwalin gestures at Thorin, and Thorin steps forward. The crowd murmurs in amazement.

“We are the dwarves of Erebor” The crowd whispers in shock and recognition, and people crane their heads to see better “We have come to reclaim our homeland. With the aid of the White Witch of Dale” Thorin looks at me, holding out a hand. I take his hand, stepping forward. He takes my hood off, and the townspeople begin gasping and looking in awe.

“We remember this town and the great days of old. Fleets of boats lay at harbor, filled with silks and fine gems. This was no forsaken town on a lake! This was the center of all trade in the North” Thorin is speaking earnestly to the crowd, and the people nod in agreement “I would see those days return. I would relight the great forges of the dwarves and send wealth and riches flowing once more from the halls of Erebor!” The people cheer and clap, and the Master looks on, calculating. Suddenly, a voice calls out over the crowd, and Bard strides forward.

“Death! That is what you will bring upon us. Dragon-fire and ruin. If you awaken that beast, it will destroy us all”

The people whisper anxiously.

“You can listen to this naysayer, but I promise you this; If we succeed, all will share in the wealth of the mountain. You will have enough gold to rebuild Esgaroth ten times over!”

The people shout in excitement and they applaud. The Master looks on, smiling and nodding at this turn of events.

“All of you! Listen to me! You must listen! Have you forgotten what happened to Dale?!” The people quiet down and shake their heads sadly “Have you forgotten those who died in the firestorm?!” The people shout, ‘No!’ “And for what purpose? The blind ambition of a mountain-king so riven by greed, he could not see beyond his own desire!”

As Bard and Thorin stare at each other angrily, the crowd gets louder, but then the Master steps forth.

The Master speaks up “Now, now, we must not, any of us, be too quick to lay blame. Let us not forget that it was Girion, Lord of Dale, your ancestor, who failed to kill the beast!”

The Master points accusingly at Bard, and the crowd begins to clamor. As Bard looks away, Thorin looks at him in shock and anger.

The weasel speaks up as well “It’s true, sire. We all know the story: arrow after arrow he shot, each one missing its mark”

Bard looks around as the crowd yells angrily at him. He then strides forward and speaks to Thorin earnestly “You have no right, no right to enter that mountain!”

“I have the only right” Thorin turns and faces the Master “I speak to the Master of the men of the Lake. Will you see the prophecy fulfilled? Will you share in the great wealth of our people?” The people quietly watch in anticipation “What say you?”

The Master thinks for several seconds, then smiles and points his finger at Thorin “I say unto you...welcome! Welcome and thrice welcome, King under the Mountain!” The Master opens his arms in welcome, and the crowd erupts in cheers. Bard looks on silently.

Thorin climbs up a few steps and turns to face the audience; the people hug each other in excitement and joy. Thorin and Bard stare at each other. Bard turns and walks away.

That night, as people celebrate in the master’s house, I greet people, many of them thankful and praising my return.

At some point, I see Bilbo walk off to a quieter spot of the house. I follow him, and I see him looking out the window. I walk up to him, placing a hand on his back. He looks at me and smiles “I’m not used to parties”

I smile “Neither am I. I’m so used to the quiet, but I do enjoy the company during the parties. At least, now I do”

Bilbo chuckles a bit, then he pauses “When all this is over with, what will you do?”

I look out the window “Well, that all depends on what you and Thorin want to do”

He looks confused “Wh-why-why would it depend on us?”

I raise a brow, then I lower my face to his, gently grabbing his chin “Because you two are mine. And I am not letting either of you go”

He blushes deep and I kiss Bilbo deeply. When we part, I hug him close.

He smiles, looking up at me. I see admiration in his eyes as I gently run a hand through his hair. We talk for a while, enjoying the limited peace.

After the party dies down, it’s just the Company. I look at my long, now waist length, hair in the mirror. I look around and find a pair of scissors. I look in the mirror, measuring on where to cut my hair, when the scissors are snatched from my hands. I look and see Fili holding the scissors, moving them behind his back. I raise a brow “Fili, give those back”

“No. You’re hair is too pretty to cut”

I try to grab it, but he starts running with them “Fili, don’t run with scissors!” I chase after him, the others laughing a bit. I jump over a table, tackling Fili to the ground and stealing the scissors back. I stand up, blowing the hair out of my face and helping Fili stand up.

I feel someone grab my hair, then gently pull me to sit on a stool. I look up and see Thorin sitting behind me, his legs on either side of me. He grabs my head and makes me face forward. I feel him start braiding my hair, as well as putting a smaller one near my ear, a bead tied into it.

I smile as he finishes, standing up. He helps me up, smiling and gently touching my neck. 

I blush a bit “I’m going to turn in for the night. Have a good rest of the night”

He nods and places his forehead against mine. I head to a room to sleep, but as I walk away, I hear Fili speak up.

“So, when should we start calling her Aunt?”

I hear several laughs from the others, making me smile. I hear Thorin chuckles “Perhaps once we reclaim our home”

I head to bed, gently touching the braid.

The next morning, we get dressed in fresh clothes, with armor and weapons. The outfit the town gave me, though, is a bit…different. More like something one would wear in a formal setting, rather than  going to fight a dragon.

I take a breath, forcing my magic to summon Smaug’s tooth. I place the tooth in a pocket, grab the sword, placing it on my back, then I join the others. I see Thorin and Bilbo glancing at my legs and chest, blushing a bit and smirking. As we go outside, the people crowd along the sides of the main channel as a boat is loaded for us to take to the mountain.

Bilbo looks at Thorin “You do know we’re one short; where’s Bofur?”

“If he’s not here, we leave him behind”

Balin nods “We have to, if we’re to find the door before nightfall. We can risk no more delays”

We march along the pier and we begin to board the boat. Thorin stops Kili before he can get in the boat.

“Not you. We must travel with speed, you will slow us down”

Kili smiles, thinking Thorin is joking “What are you talking about? I’m coming with you”

“No”

Fili, already in the boat, turns and looks at Thorin and Kili.

“I’m going to be there when that door is opened, when we first look upon the halls of our fathers, Thorin”

“Kili, stay here. Rest. Join us when you’re healed”

Thorin lays his hand on Kili’s shoulder and smiles at him, but Kili looks shocked and betrayed. Thorin turns to board the boat. Kili turns away. Oin gets out of the boat.

“I’ll stay with the lad. My duty lies with the wounded”

Fili stands up “Uncle, we grew up on tales of the mountain. Tales you told us. You can’t take that away from him!”

On the shore, Oin is examining Kili, but Kili is trying to pull away from him.

“Fili”

“I will carry him, if I must!” he looks at me “Lilith, could you heal him?”

I shake my head softly “My magic isn’t fully restored. I can’t heal others just yet. I was barely able to heal myself.  I’m sorry, Fili”

Thorin looks at his nephew “One day you will be king, and you will understand. I cannot risk the fate of this quest for the sake of one dwarf, not even my own kin” Fili looks at Kili, then steps out of the boat. Thorin tries to stop him “Fili, don’t be a fool. You belong with the Company”

“I belong with my brother”

Fili pulls away from Thorin and goes to join Kili and Oin.

The musicians of Laketown play their instruments as the Master climbs up to a raised platform. He waves, and the people cheer and clap.

We begin to paddle the boat down the canal. The people cheering for the dwarves.

 As the other dwarves row, Thorin stands at the bow of the boat, facing ahead. After we get out of the boat, we climb the foothills of the mountain. At one point, Thorin, recognizing the landscape, runs atop an embankment overlooking a valley. As the other dwarves join him, they look at the other end of the valley and see the ruins of Dale.

I tense up, staring at my old home.

Bilbo looks at the city “What is this place?”

Balin speaks up “It was once the city of Dale. Now it is a ruin. The desolation of Smaug”

I take a shaky breath “It’s so strange to see it like this…”

Thorin looks at us “The sun will soon reach midday; let’s find the hidden door into the mountain before it sets. This way!”

Bilbo turns and looks at him “Wait...is this the overlook? Gandalf said to meet him here. On no account were we-”

Thorin interrupts him abruptly “Do you see him? We have no time to wait upon the wizard. We’re on our own” Thorin turns and walks away “Come”

The other dwarves follow him; Bilbo looks back at the city, conflicted. I place a hand on his arm “It’ll be alright”

He nods softly and we catch up with the dwarves. I wince, the flames in my chest burning brighter.

On the mountain, I search for the door, along with the others. Thorin stands his sword in the ground and pants. He calls up to the rest of us.

“Anything?”

“Nothing!”

“If the map is true, the hidden door lies directly above us”

I see Bilbo, walking around, and he sees a massive statue of a dwarf carved into the side of the mountain. Looking closely, he notices a set of stairs built into the statue.

“Up here!”

We all go over to him, Thorin smiling.

“You have keen eyes, Master Baggins”

We painstakingly make our way up the steep and treacherous steps and find a little rock-walled clearing in the side of the mountain. Thorin runs to the clearing.

“This must be it. The hidden door” The rest of us come into the clearing as well “Let all those who doubted us rue this day!”

As Thorin holds up his key, the others cheer. I smile, the moment filled with joy and hope.

Dwalin speaks up “Right. We have our key, which means that somewhere, there is a keyhole”

He begins exploring the walls of the clearing with his fingers, looking for a keyhole. Thorin walks to the edge of the clearing and looks out at the setting sun.

“The last light of Durin’s Day will shine upon the keyhole” Thorin looks at the wall and tries to figure out what the light hitting the wall means. As the sun gets lower and lower on the horizon and nothing changes on the wall, Thorin begins to get frantic “Nori”

Nori, who is known as a thief, runs to the wall and begins tapping it in different places with a spoon while holding his ear to a cup held against the wall. Meanwhile, Dwalin strains and pushes against the wall. The sun gets lower.

“We’re losing the light”

“Come on!” Dwalin begins kicking at the wall

“Be quiet! I can’t hear when you’re thumping”

“I can’t find it...it’s not here! It’s not here”

As the sun gets closer to disappearing, Thorin frantically gestures to the other dwarves.

“Break it down!”

Dwalin, Gloin, and Bifur smash at the wall with their weapons, to no avail.

“Come on!“

Balin speaks up “It’s no good! The door’s sealed. It can’t be opened by force. Powerful magic on it”

The dwarves hitting the door drop their weapons in tiredness and disappointedly. Thorin looks at me, desperate “Lilith”

I rush over, placing my hands on the wall. I move my hand to a spot, my eyes glowing “It’s here. But…why is it not showing…?”

The sun disappears behind distant mountains.

Thorin looks at the sky “No!” Thorin stumbles forward and re-examines the old map, reading aloud “The last light of Durin’s Day will shine upon the keyhole. That’s what it says” He holds his arms open in disbelief; the other dwarves mutter in disappointment and anger “What did we miss?”

Thorin walks up to Balin and repeats his question, earnestly and tearfully “What did we miss, Balin?”

Balin looks at Thorin with sadness in his eyes “We’ve lost the light. There’s no more to be done. We had but one chance” The dwarves bow their heads in despair and turn back toward the stairs.

“Come away; it’s...it’s over”

Bilbo looks at them “Wait a minute!”

“You wait”

“Where are they going? You can’t give up now!”

Bilbo looks beseechingly at Thorin, but Thorin turns away. He holds up his key and looks at it, then drops it to the ground, where it clatters.

”Thorin...you can’t give up now”

But Thorin throws the map at Bilbo’s chest and walks past him. The dwarves begin descending down the stairs, but Bilbo and I stay in the clearing. He recites the riddle from the map to himself while gesturing with his hands..

“Stand by the grey stone...” He goes and stands by the grey wall “When the thrush knocks...” He looks around but doesn’t see a thrush anywhere “The setting sun...and the last light of Durin’s Day will shine. Hmm. The last light. Last light…”

I look at the sky, thinking about it “Light. It doesn’t say sunlight”

Bilbo looks at me, then his eyes widen as we look at the sky, the moon rising into the sky. The light of the moon shines against the wall, a thrush hitting the wall with a snail.

Bilbo and I let out relieved laughter “The last light!”

I nod “It’s moonlight!”

The moonlight illuminates a keyhole in the rock, the same spot where I could feel it.

Bilbo gasps in surprise, then yells for the dwarves “The keyhole! Come back! It’s the light of the moon, the last moon of autumn! Ha ha ha!”

I look around the ground “The key. We need the key”

He nods, and looks around “Where’s the- where’s the key? Where’s the- it was here… but it was here, it was here! It was just…”

Bilbo is frantically looking for the key until he accidentally kicks it, the key flying from the clearing. Just before it falls off the side of the mountain, Thorin steps on it. Bilbo sighs with relief. Thorin slowly reaches down and picks up the key, examining it. The other dwarves step up next to him, smiling in relief.

Thorin inserts the key into the keyhole and turns it. We hear mechanisms turning behind the rock. Thorin pushes the wall, and a previously unseen door opens. The door opens into a tunnel going into the mountain. The dwarves look in awe as Thorin stands on the threshold.

“Erebor”

“Thorin…” Balin chokes up, and Thorin puts a hand on his shoulder. Thorin then steps into the mountain.

“I know these walls…these walls, this stone. You remember it, Balin. Chambers filled with golden light” As he says this, Thorin runs his hands over the walls, lost in memory. Balin steps into the tunnel.

“I remember”

The rest of the Company slowly and reverently enters the mountain. Inside, Nori points at a carving in the wall above the door; it is of the throne of Erebor, with the Arkenstone above it, sending out rays of light in all directions. Gloin reads aloud the inscription on the carving.

“Herein lies the seventh kingdom of Durin’s Folk. May the heart of the mountain unite all dwarves in defense of this home”

Bilbo looks at the carving in interest and curiosity. Balin explains it to him.

“The throne of the king”

“Oh. And what’s that above it?”

“The Arkenstone”

“Arkenstone….And what’s that?”

“That, Master Burglar, is why you are here”

All the dwarves look at Bilbo, and he looks bewildered, but resolute.

Balin and Bilbo walk into the tunnel, as Thorin walks up to me, keeping his voice low “Do you have the tooth with you?”

I nod softly, earning a nod in return “Both of you, be careful”

He places a hand on my shoulder as I walk into the tunnel, Balin walking past me. He smiles softly “Good luck”

I nod and walk to catch up to Bilbo. He looks at me and nods softly, the two of us, walking quietly toward Smaug’s lair.

We quietly walk through a large doorway and find ourselves in a massive hall. 

Bilbo whispers out loud “Hello?” He knocks quietly on the wall beside him, but the sound is intensified loudly as it echoes, and he jumps and presses himself against the wall in shock. Seeing no reaction to the noise, we walk out into the hall on an elevated walkway “You’re not at home. Not at home. Good. Good, good, good”

Bilbo, at the top of a staircase, suddenly stops walking and his mouth hangs open in shock. I walk up next to him, and we see mountains of gold, jewels, weapons, cups, and all sorts of treasure piled dozens of feet high all throughout the immensely massive hall.

I lean close to Bilbo’s ear, whispering softly “It’ll be less risky if I stay up here. Be careful”

He nods, patting my shoulder a bit, but pulls his hand away, wincing “Your skin. It feels like it’s on fire”

I look at my chest, the fire glowing bright “The closer I am to the dragon, the hotter the fire grows. If he wakes, I will try to distract him while you get away”

He nods and climbs down the stairs and carefully begins to walk atop the treasure. He tries to be quiet, but the coins and jewels beneath his feet make a lot of noise. He pokes around, looking for the Arkenstone. He finds a large white jewel and examines it “What’s that?” He shakes the jewel and continues examining it; deciding that it’s not the Arkenstone, he carelessly throws it aside, then jumps when it clatters and makes a lot of noise “Sushh, sushh” He continues to look around “Arkenstone, Arkenstone...a large, white jewel. Very helpful” Bilbo is surrounded by so much treasure that it would be impossible for him to find one particular jewel out of all of it.

Bilbo climbs up a mountain of gold. He picks up a golden cup, and this action starts a small avalanche of coins. Bilbo looks up and sees the coins falling away to reveal Smaug’s eye, which is shut. I tense up, holding my hands clasped together to my chest. Bilbo jumps behind a stone pillar in fright. All is silent, and it seems like Smaug is still asleep. Suddenly, Smaug snorts, and the treasure around his nose falls away, revealing it. Bilbo, panting, slowly tries to make his way down the pile of gold, but stops short when he realizes that Smaug’s body is buried in a large circle around where he is standing. The gold all along Smaug’s body begins to ripple as he awakens.

Bilbo takes a few steps, then pauses and kneels as Smaug begins to raise his head, his eye still closed. As Smaug opens his eye, Bilbo runs and dives behind a pile of gold. I move to stand out of view, but I still see Bilbo.

As Smaug’s eye looks around, Bilbo reaches into his pocket and pulls out what looks like a ring. He looks at it for several seconds, then looks up as Smaug begins to raise his head. He puts the ring on, and becomes invisible. Smaug raises his head and sniffs the air.

“Well, thief, I smell you. I hear your breath. I feel your air. Where are you?”

As Smaug says this, he moves his head back and forth around the place where Bilbo was. I gasp softly, the dragon pausing and looking toward me, but not seeing me.

He sniffs the air, slowly moving toward me, but Bilbo runs down the mountain of treasure. Even though he is invisible, Smaug can see where he is going because of the coins he’s dislodging with his feet while running. Smaug follows rapidly. Bilbo ducks behind a stone outcropping as Smaug continues searching.

“Come now, don’t be shy. Step into the light. Mmm, there is something about you, something you carry. Something made of gold, but far more...PRECIOUSSSSS”

While saying this, Smaug’s head is right in front of Bilbo’s hiding place.

Bilbo suddenly rips off the ring, becoming visible to Smaug.

“There you are, thief in the shadows”

“I did not come to steal from you, O Smaug the Unassessably Wealthy. I merely wanted to gaze upon your magnificence, to see if you really were as great as the old tales say. I did not believe them”

Hearing this, Smaug stomps several yards away and draws himself up so his entire body is visible to Bilbo. He is a massive dragon with two back legs,two massive, bat-like wings with claws, and both his neck and tail are incredibly long. His head alone is incredibly large. His right eye has a large scar from where I hit him with my magic, and a tooth on the bottom right is missing.

“And, do you now?!!!”

“Truly, the tales and songs fall utterly short of your enormity, O Smaug the Stupendous”

“Do you think flattery will keep you alive?”

“No- no, no”

“No, indeed. You seem familiar with my name, but I don’t remember smelling your kind before. Who are you, and where do you come from, may I ask?”

Smaug snakes his head closer to Bilbo as he asks this. Bilbo opens his mouth to speak but then suddenly sees something off to the side. It is the Arkenstone; a small, white gem glowing with an unnatural light, buried under one layer of coins.

“I- I come from under the hill”

“Underhill?”

Bilbo nods, and sneaks a peek at the Arkenstone. It is not far away from him.

“And under hills and over hills my path has led. And, and, through the air. I am he who walks unseen”

“Impressive. What else do you claim to be?”

Smaug snakes his head forward until his teeth are inches from Bilbo’s face. As Smaug exhales, Bilbo grimaces at his breath.

“I am...luck-wearer. Riddle-maker”

“Lovely titles; go on”

“Barrel-rider”

“Barrels? Now that is interesting. And what about your little dwarf friends? Where are they hiding?” I tense up.

“Dw- Dwarves? No, no, no dwarves here. You’ve got that all wrong.”

“Oh, I don’t think so, barrel-rider. They sent you in here to do their dirty work while they skulk about outside”

“Truly, you are mistaken, O Smaug, Chiefest and Greatest of calamities”

“You have nice manners...for a thief and a liar! I know the smell and taste of dwarf. No one better. It is the gold! They are drawn to treasure like flies to dead flesh”

As Smaug stomps about, his claws knock the Arkenstone away from where it had been, and Bilbo gasps. The Arkenstone bounces down the mountain, and Bilbo runs after it. I try to follow from where I am.

“Did you think I did not know this day would come, when a pack of canting dwarves would come crawling back to the mountain?!”

Bilbo trips and slides down the gold. Smaug follows after him, knocking over a massive stone pillar in his rage. As the pillar falls, its reverberations sound throughout the mountain.

“The King under the mountain is dead. I took his throne”

Smaug looks for Bilbo, and Bilbo bursts out of a pile of gold beneath Smaug’s claw. Bilbo runs down a staircase, and leaps off the side as Smaug’s head swings at him “I ate his people like a wolf among sheep”

As the Arkenstone bounces rapidly down the mountain of gold, Bilbo slides rapidly after it with Smaug in pursuit “I kill where I wish, when I wish. My armor is iron” The Arkenstone and Bilbo slide under a covered stone structure; Smaug opens his wings and glides down to land atop the structure “No blade can pierce me!”

Smaug is searching for Bilbo, who is hiding under the stone structure.

“It’s Oakenshield. That filthy dwarvish usurper! He sent you in here for the Arkenstone, didn’t he?”

Smaug circles around the structure; Bilbo, hiding beneath it, sees the Arkenstone at the other end of the structure.

“No, no, no. I don’t know what you’re talking about”

Bilbo starts to sneak over to the Arkenstone, but is forced to hide behind a pillar as Smaug looks beneath the structure.

“Don’t bother denying it. I guessed his foul purpose some time ago. But it matters not. Oakenshield’s quest will fail. The darkness is coming, it will spread to every corner of the land”

Bilbo is still hiding behind a pillar. I carefully make my way closer, trying to not make any sounds.

“You have been used, thief in the shadows. You were only ever a means to an end. The coward Oakenshield has weighed the value of your life and found it worth nothing”

“No. No. No, you’re lying!”

“What did he promise you? A share of the treasure? As if it was his to give. I will not part with a single coin. Not one piece of it”

Bilbo, hearing that Smaug is on top of the structure, sees the Arkenstone lying a few feet away from the structure and makes a run for it. Smaug sees him and whips his tail, sending Bilbo, the Arkenstone, and gold flying. Bilbo tumbles and lands against a pillar.

“My teeth are swords! My claws are spears! My wings are a hurricane!”

As Smaug displays his wings, Bilbo notices a scale missing on the left side of Smaug’s chest. He whispers to himself “So it is true. The black arrow found its mark”

“What did you say??”

“Uh, uh, I was just saying your reputation precedes you, oh Smaug the tyrannical. Truly, you have no equal on this earth”

As Bilbo speaks, he slowly backs up. He is standing in a bare, open spot, and Smaug faces him. As he finishes speaking, Bilbo looks down and sees the Arkenstone lying just a few feet from him, and he gazes at it. I tilt my head a bit, looking at the stone. It seems to have…a heartbeat?

“I am almost tempted to let you take it, if only to see Oakenshield suffer, watch it destroy him, watch it corrupt his heart and drive him mad”

Bilbo and Smaug face off; Bilbo pants. Then Smaug begins to rear his head.

“But I think not. That heart belongs to me. I think our little game ends here. So tell me, thief, how do you choose to die?”

Smaug’s chest glows with a light from inside, and Smaug’s head streaks forward, jaws open, to eat Bilbo. However, Bilbo puts on his ring and disappears, and Smaug’s jaws close on empty space. Angrily, he raises his head again, and the glow from his chest travels up his neck; roaring, Smaug bellows out a massive wall of flames over the area in which  Bilbo had been standing. Unseen by him, coins on the ground move as an invisible Hobbit runs away and up some stairs. Reaching a hallway, Bilbo exhaustedly pulls off the Ring and continues running. I run to follow him as Smaug rages about, blowing fire and destroying pillars. His roars echo in the distance.

We run up to the overlook spot we entered from, seeing Thorin.

Thorin looks at us “You’re alive!”

“Not for much longer!”

“Did you find the Arkenstone?”

“The dragon’s coming!”

“The Arkenstone!”

We are all standing at the entrance to the tunnel, but Thorin is blocking our way. They pause and look at each other for several seconds, then Thorin speaks again, more quietly.

“Did you find it?”

They stare at each other for several seconds, panting heavily.

“No. We have to get out”

Bilbo tries to enter the tunnel, but Thorin swings his sword across it, blocking the entrance. He presses the blade against Bilbo, and Bilbo stumbles back, the sword still touching him. Bilbo and Thorin face each other, with the tip of Thorin’s sword against Bilbo’s chest.

“Thorin. Thorin!”

Thorin steps forward, forcing Bilbo to step back. Bilbo’s eyes are open in fear, and Thorin’s face is steel and blank of emotion. 

I grab Thorin’s arm “Thorin, snap out of it”

Suddenly, Bilbo looks off to the side, and Thorin hears a sound in that direction. He turns and sees Smaug approaching over the mountain of treasure. Smaug, recognizing Thorin, snarls. Suddenly, the remaining dwarves run out of the tunnel and face Smaug, their weapons out. Smaug roars and rushes at them; his chest and neck glow orange.

“You will burn!”

I move in front of them, my eyes glowing bright, just as the fire in my chest does “They will not!”

Just as Smaug bellows fire at them, we turn and jump off the staircase. We tumble down the pile of treasure and land near the entrance to another tunnel, which they run into.

Dori urges Bilbo to hurry “Come on, Bilbo!”

Angrily, Smaug breathes fire in all directions. Thorin and I are the last one to the door. I hold up my hands, my magic blocking the fire from the door. Thorin grabs my arm and tries to pull me into the room “Lilith!”

I move one hand and push him into the room, shutting the door. I lower my other hand, being surrounded by flames. I curl up on the floor, waiting to die. When I open my eyes, I see that I am not dead. I stand up, smoke coming off my dress and skin. Holes have been burnt into different parts of the dress.

Smaug looks at me and smirks “Little witch. You returned to me”

I glare “You stole my home. My heart. It was not yours to take!” I silently take out the tooth, hiding it behind my back.

“You did not belong there. As for your heart, all treasure here belongs to me” He gets closer, his maw close enough for me to touch “Your heart and soul are more precious than any piece of gold or jewel in this mountain. You are my treasure, and I will not let you leave”

I quickly dig my claws into his snout, and I take the tooth, stabbing Smaug in his scarred eye. Blood sprays out at me, covering me all over. He roars out, throwing me at a pillar. I feel a few ribs break, as well as one of my legs. I feel blood pouring from my head, my nose, and my mouth.

I push myself to stand, and take this chance to run, limping as I move. I hear Smaug crying in pain, thrashing around, then a loud roar that reverberates through the mountain.

I make my way to the western side of the mountain, hearing the company talking quietly. I limp to the room, standing in the doorway, out of breath. They all hold their weapons at the ready, but lower them once they see it’s me. Thorin puts his sword away, walking over to me “Lilith”

He hugs me close, and I let out a shaky breath, hugging back. He pulls back, looking me over “We thought he had killed you”

I chuckle softly “I guess even dragon fire can’t kill me”

Thorin cups my face “What happened to you?”

I smile “I stabbed that bastard in the eye with his own tooth. He then threw me at a pillar. I have some broken bones, but I’m alright” I focus, my magic quickly healing my broken bones, the cracking making Thorin watch me worried. The blood is beginning to dry on my face.

Bilbo looks at me “You’re crying…”

I wipe the tears I unknowingly shed “I guess I am” I look at Thorin “Do we have a plan? I want to kill that dragon, now more than ever”

He nods “We do. Are you alright to fight?”

I nod, earning a nod in return. He then looks at the others “Let’s go”

Now, Thorin, Bilbo, Balin and I are running over a bridge. Thorin looks at us “This way!”

A booming sound comes from nearby, and Smaug appears.

“Flee, flee! Run for your lives! There is nowhere to hide”

Smaug goes after us, but turns at another sound. He begins chasing Dori, Ori, and Bombur. 

While the others lure the dragon to where we need it, I continue running with the group. We run through a large hallway, at some point, Balin turning into a side tunnel, but Thorin continues forward with Bilbo at his heels.

Balin looks at them “It's this way! This way! Come on!”

Bilbo stops by the tunnel, and calls out to Thorin, who is still ahead.

“Thorin!”

Thorin turns and begins to go back to us, but stops suddenly. We all see Smaug at the end of the hallway, his right eye bleeding. Thorin yells at Bilbo.

“Follow Balin!”

“Thorin!”

“Come on!” Balin pulls Bilbo into the side tunnel just as Smaug’s chest glows orange and he unleashes his fire throughout the hall. 

We make our way to the furnaces, a bit later, Thorin and Nori joining us.

Dwalin looks at Thorin “The plan’s not going to work. These furnaces are stone cold”

Balin nods “He’s right; there’s no fire hot enough to set them ablaze”

The furnaces are all dark, with no sign of fire within. Thorin turns back toward the pit.

“Have we not? I did not look to see you so easily outwitted!” Smaug’s claw emerges from the pit, his body following it. Thorin continues taunting him “You have grown slow and fat in your dotage” Smaug snarls at Thorin in anger “Slug”

As Smaug snarls and advances, Thorin gets behind a pillar and yells to the rest of us to do the same “Take cover. Go!”

We all rush behind pillars just as Smaug unleashes his flame at them. The fire goes past the pillars and reaches all the way to the furnaces. The dwarves and Bilbo, though not in the direct path of the fire, yell from the pain, heat, and pressure. I wince, but the heat isn’t as bad for me. As Smaug stops, fire suddenly comes out of the bottoms of the furnaces, and they begin glowing and working. Smaug growls in confusion and anger. We run from the pillars as Smaug begins battering at them with his head. They are immensely strong, like a latticework of metal, but they begin to bend under Smaug’s tremendous strength.

Thorin looks at Bombur “Bombur! Get those bellows working. Go!”

“Alright!”

Bombur runs and leaps onto a chain next to a forge. The chain slides down with his weight, and he lands on the handle of a massive bellows. The bellows compress and blast air into the furnace, which exhumes bright blue flames. On top of the furnaces is a massive pile of unrefined gold, at least 10 yards in diameter.

Thorin turns and sees the latticework continue to bend from Smaug’s bashing “Bilbo! Up there, on my mark, pull that lever”

He points Bilbo toward a lever high up on a mound, and Bilbo runs toward it. The rest of us run toward the forges as the latticework begins to break. Thorin grabs Balin.

“Balin, can you still make some flash-flame?”

“Aye. It’ll only take a jiffy” Balin grabs some of the other dwarves to help him “Come on!”

As Balin runs off, Dwalin looks at the latticework, which is bending dangerously from Smaug’s blows.

“We don’t have a jiffy”

Under the force of Smaug’s onslaught, the latticework finally gives way and falls to the ground. Smaug storms into the furnace room. He looks about, growling. I stand with Thorin, and we see Smaug walking towards Bilbo.

Smaug raises his head to look at Bilbo, then looks to the side and sees Thorin standing there. Smaug turns and snarls at Thorin, and Thorin yells to Bilbo.

“Now!”

Bilbo jumps into the air and pulls down on the lever just as Smaug lunges toward Thorin. Huge jets of water burst out of carved faces in the wall behind Bilbo and slam into Smaug, knocking him off balance and quenching the flames he was beginning to blow at Thorin. Smaug slides into the side of a furnace from the force of the water, and the glow in his chest disappears. Roaring in rage, Smaug flaps into the air and begins thrashing about madly. The jets of water cause a watermill to begin turning some gears, which causes the various rope conveyor belts to begin operating. Some of them are full of heavy chunks of rock and ore.

Bombur continues going up and down on his chain, pumping the bellows and turning the furnace fire blue. Atop the furnaces, the solid impure gold begins to glow and melt. Smaug begins crawling toward us again. Above him, Gloin and Bifur have arrived on the bucket conveyor belt. As Bilbo begins to climb down the mound, Smaug approaches us. Suddenly, there is a flash of blue light on the side of his head. Balin, Ori, and Dori are throwing flash-flame bombs at Smaug. However, Smaug is not at all fazed by them and continues toward Thorin. Above Smaug, Gloin raises his axe and cuts the rope of the conveyor belt full of heavy rocks below him, dropping tons of rocks on Smaug and making him fall to the ground, roaring.

The gold atop the furnaces is completely melted now. Thorin runs over to a furnace and pulls on a chain, opening a gate which allows the molten gold to flow out of the furnaces and through troughs built into the ground.

Smaug, tangled in the ropes of the conveyor belt, thrashes about and hits the rope of the conveyor belt Gloin and Bifur are in, breaking it and knocking it to the floor.

“Noo! Ahhh!”

They miraculously land on the ground unhurt. Beneath Smaug, rivers of molten gold flow through the troughs on the floor. Thorin turns and begins running, shouting back at the dwarves.

”Lead him to the Gallery of the Kings!”

As Smaug thrashes about, one of the heavy metal buckets tangled on him goes flying toward Bilbo on top of the mound. Bilbo yells and ducks, and the bucket misses him but takes large chunks out of the wall.

Thorin grabs a wheelbarrow and runs while pushing it, dodging Smaug’s thrashing limbs. Smaug’s tail smashes into the base of the mound, cracking it and worrying Bilbo. I run to where Bilbo is. Thorin throws the wheelbarrow into a channel of gold and leaps into the wheelbarrow; it floats on the gold and is carried along. Seeing this, Smaug roars and whips his head around, finally getting rid of the ropes and buckets tangled around him. He stomps over to a small entrance at the base of the mound where all the troughs of liquid gold join and lead out of the room. Before he can get to Thorin, Thorin on his wheelbarrow floats through the entrance, just as the mound collapses and Bilbo falls. He manages to hit the ground rolling. I help him up as Smaug sees us and snarls. Thorin turns his head back and yells.

“Keep going! Run!”

Bilbo and I take off running with Smaug in pursuit; we leap onto a large stone slide before Smaug can grab us, and Smaug slides after us, demolishing all the stone structures nearby with his wings.

Bilbo and I run through a doorway and into a massive hall adorned with banners hundreds of feet tall.

Just as we run in, the wall above the doorway explodes as Smaug jumps through it. We run frantically from the flying rocks, but are caught beneath the cloth of a falling banner and knocked to the floor. Smaug leaps to the floor and shouts angrily.

“You think you could deceive me, Barrel-rider?”

Bilbo and I peek out from the edge of the banner.

“You have come from Laketown. There is-is some sort of scheme hatched between these filthy dwarves and those miserable cup-trading Lakemen. Those sniveling cowards with their longbows and black arrows!” Smaug is talking to himself, and his voice breaks in both anger and fear when he mentions the black arrows “Perhaps it is time I paid them a visit”

Smaug turns to go to Laketown, and Bilbo gasps.

“Oh, no”

We scramble out from under the banner and Bilbo yells at Smaug “This isn’t their fault! Wait! You cannot go to Laketown”

Hearing this, Smaug stops for a moment, then turns toward Bilbo, the two of us running after him.

“You care about them, do you? Good. Then you can watch them die”

Smaug turns and strides off down the hall. Suddenly, a voice sounds from one end of the hall, where there is a massive stone structure that looks roughly like a dwarf. The voice is Thorin’s; he is standing atop the structure.

“Here, you witless worm!”

Smaug stops in his tracks, snarling and squinting in anger. He then turns toward Thorin.

“You”

“I am taking back what you stole”

Smaug slowly stalks toward Thorin “You would take nothing from me, Dwarf. I laid low your warriors of old. I instilled terror in the hearts of men. I am King under the Mountain. And I will not let my treasure leave again. Her heart is mine”

His head is level with Thorin now; Bilbo and I watching from an adjoining hall. Bilbo looks at me, in shock and worry.

Thorin glares at the dragon “This is not your kingdom. These are dwarf lands, this is dwarf gold, she is not your treasure and we will have our revenge”

Unseen by Smaug, there are chains attached to various places on the back of the stone dwarf structure Thorin is standing on, and the ends of these chains are held by the other dwarves. As Thorin speaks, Smaug’s chest and neck glow with fire, and Thorin slowly reaches up toward a rope above him. Just as Smaug opens his mouth, Thorin yells something in Khuzdul.

Thorin yanks on the rope, and a pin behind the stone falls out, releasing heavy wooden bands and chains that had been wrapped tightly around the stone. Smaug rears his head in confusion. The other dwarves pull mightily on their chains, and more pins similar to the first are pulled out of the stone. The stone structure, which is now revealed to be the mold into which the liquid gold from earlier poured into, falls apart and reveals a massive statue of a dwarf king, made entirely out of solid gold. Thorin swings away on a rope to escape the falling rocks. Smaug looks at the golden statue, which is even larger than him, in awe and desire. As he approaches it, his mouth opens slightly in greed.

Suddenly, the gold around the statue’s eyes warps and then explodes into liquid; the gold in the statue had not yet fully solidified, and the entire statue collapses and explodes into burning hot liquid. Smaug roars in anger as the statue melts, and scrabbles backward to escape the gold. However, he cannot move fast enough and the tidal wave of gold hits him and knocks him over. As he roars, he is entirely smothered and drowned in the gold, which fills the entire hall in a layer several feet deep.

The gold settles, and no sign of Smaug is seen. The dwarves begin to smile in joy, but suddenly, the surface of the golden lake explodes as Smaug leaps out. He is entirely covered in gold, and he screams in anger and pain.

“Ahh! Revenge?! Revenge! I will show you REVENGE!”

As we look on in shock, Smaug runs down the hallway and takes off in flight.

Bilbo and I run out of the destroyed gates of Erebor and climb up some ruins, looking after the flying Smaug. Bilbo falls to his knees.

Watching him fly away, Bilbo despairingly pants and looks on in shock.

“What have we done?”

Chapter Text

Thorin and the others have emerged from the mountains, watching with us as Smaug burns Lake Town, just as he did with Dale.

Tears fill my eyes as we watch the flames grow. It’s happening all over again…

Baling shakes his head “Poor souls”

We all stare at each other in sadness and fear. Bilbo looks back and sees that Thorin is staring back at the halls of Erebor, not at Laketown. Bilbo looks worried.

I watch the dragon, tears falling down my face, when suddenly Smaug leaps forward in pain and fear, careening into the tower. Smaug rolls and slides through the town, destroying everything in the town. He struggles to fly into the sky. With massive effort, he manages to flap a few hundred feet up, screaming and wheezing in pain, then gasps for breath. His eyes lose their light, and he falls back down upon the city, dead.

My eyes widen, the fire in my chest beginning to die down.

The sound of Smaug hitting the ground echoes throughout the land, all the way to the company on the mountain. The dwarves jump up in surprise.

“What was that? What happened?”

“It fell. I saw it”

They all peer out at the town in the early morning light.

“It’s dead. Smaug is dead!”

Thorin, still staring at the Lonely Mountain and not at the town, has a strange expression of happiness cross his face.

“By my beard! I think he’s right! Look there! The ravens of Erebor are returning to the mountain!”

Several birds can be seen cawing and approaching the Lonely Mountain.

“Aye - Word will spread. Before long every soul in Middle-earth will know - The dragon is dead!”

The dwarves laugh in glee, and I smile, laughing in relief. That is, until the fire suddenly burns hotter than ever before.

I let out a cry of pain, grabbing at my chest and falling to my knees.

The others look at me, Bilbo crouching in front of me “Lilith, what’s wrong?”

I gasp in pain, the fire spreading throughout my body, glowing under my skin “Burns. It burns. Everything-- Aah!”

I place my hands on the ground, the black on my fingers spreading to the rest of my skin. My nails sharpen to claws, and I feel my feet changing as well, my boots ripping apart to allow my feet to be free and change. Bilbo backs up, and I hear Thorin running over “What is happening to her?!”

I bow my head as something sprouts from my back, my head, and my lower back. Everything starts to become blurry, losing color as everything seems to get smaller.

I let out another yell, facing towards the sky, but it comes out as a loud roar.

I breathe heavily, standing up. I look down, seeing blurred beings, but their hearts are each glowing. I crouch down on all fours, sniffing the smallest one. I hear the sound of a sword, making me look at the tallest one. His heart is a bit darker than the others.

The smallest one holds out his hands, his voice echoing when he speaks “Thorin, wait. It’s still Lilith”

I raise a hand, lowering his sword. He looks at me, and I get closer. He stares at me “Lilith, can you hear me?” I nod softly.

I gently place my forehead against his, closing my eyes. I hear him let out a breath of relief. When I pull away, I turn to the smallest one, using my teeth to pick him up by the back of his shirt.

“No, no, no. Put me down!”

I wrap my tail around the others, bringing them into the mountain. Once inside, I set them all down. I look at them all, and my voice comes out layered, sounding ethereal “Mine”

I lay resting on a fallen pillar, when I hear voices. New ones. 

“Hello! Bombur? Bifur? Anybody?”

I perk up, climbing up the wall and making my way to the voices. I find four others, running down a staircase. Bilbo runs up towards them from another part of the city, calling out.

“WAIT! WAIT!”

“It’s Bilbo! He’s alive!”

“Stop! Stop! Stop!” They meet each other in a corridor “You need to leave. We all need to leave”

“We only just got here?!”

“I have tried talking to him, but he won’t listen”

“What do you mean, laddie?”

“THORIN. Thorin. Thorin. He’s been out there for days. He doesn’t sleep. He barely eats. He’s not been himself - not at all. It’s this - It’s this place. I think a sickness lies on it”

As Bilbo speaks, one of the hearts looks past him and sees something that causes him to wrinkle his face in consternation.

“Sickness? What kind of sickness?”

The heart walks past the group and starts heading further down into Erebor, looking at something. Bilbo and the others run after him, trying to stop him.

“Fili. Fili. Fili!”

As they continue heading down, a golden light begins to be visible on the walls. I follow them along the ceilings and high walls. They round a corner, and stop short at the sight of Smaug’s treasure, heaped so high over the floor of the cavern that the ground is barely visible. As they stare, they see Thorin, dressed in ornate robes and covered in jewelry, stride slowly out of a doorway. Thorin begins speaking softly, apparently to himself. He looks strange, almost possessed, and the dwarves look at him in surprise.

“Gold - Gold beyond measure. Beyond sorrow and grief” Thorin looks up and sees the others standing there “Behold - the great treasure hoard of Thror” He suddenly flings something high into the air to where the dwarves are standing on a stairwell landing, and Fili catches it. It is a giant blood red jewel “Welcome, my sister’s sons, to the kingdom of EREBOR”

I watch as the newly come dwarves go to greet the others, leaving Thorin alone. He looks at me, then holds up a hand. I fly down, landing next to him. He places a hand on my cheek, looking into my eyes “You were Smaug’s most priceless treasure, yet he never had you for his own”

He looks at the hole in my chest “I wonder…” He looks back at my face “Search for the Arkenstone”

I nod, and I dive into the sea of treasure, searching for the king’s gem.

I hear the rest of the dwarves come in and begin combing through the piles of treasure.

“Any sign of it?!”

“Nothing yet”

“Nothing here”

“Keep searching!”

“That jewel could be anywhere!”

“The Arkenstone is in these halls - find it!”

“You heard him - Keep looking!”

“All of you - No one rests until it is found!” 

I move to the top, crawling out of the treasure. I see Fili, Kili, Oin and Bofur stare at me in shock and horror.

The brothers are the first ones to speak “Thorin, what is that?”

Thorin walks over, gesturing to me as I shake off some of the gold “This is Lilith”

Kili looks at his uncle “What happened to her? Why does she look this way?”

I tilt my head “Fire…Dragon…Death” I place a hand over my missing heart “Heart…Soul…Dragon’s…Treasure…”

The dwarves all exchange concerned looks. Thorin looks at me “Any sign?”

I shake my head softly. I can see his heart growing darker, more tainted by greed.

Later, I rest behind the throne, my tail wrapping around the throne. Thorin gazes upon the throne, over which the Arkenstone had been inlaid before it was lost. He speaks to Balin, Dwalin, and Bilbo, who are behind him.

“It is here in these halls - I know it”

“We have searched and searched…”

“Not well enough!”

“Thorin, we all would see the stone returned”

“And yet, it is still not FOUND!”

“Do you doubt the loyalty of anyone here?” Thorin turns and slowly walks toward Balin and Dwalin “The Arkenstone is the birthright of our people”

“It is the King’s Jewel” He begins shouting “AM I NOT THE KING?!” As Thorin turns away, Balin, Dwalin, and Bilbo look uneasy  “Know this - If anyone should find it and withhold it from me, I will be avenged”

As Thorin walks away, Bilbo looks very disgruntled. Thorin stares off, resting a hand on my head.

When everyone has left, I go and lay in the sunshine at the broken gate. My ear twitches, and I sit up, stretching my arms and my wings. I look out at the ruined city, seeing hundreds of humans streaming into the city.

A bit later, all the dwarves arrive at the gate, and Thorin looks at me “We’re closing the gate”

I nod softly, standing up and helping the dwarves carry the larger stones and rocks.

Thorin looks at us all “I want this fortress made safe by sunup. This mountain was hard won - I will not see it taken again”

Kili looks at his uncle “The people of Laketown have nothing. They came to us in need. They have lost everything”

“Do not tell me what they have lost. I know well enough their hardship. Those who have lived through dragonfire should rejoice. They have much to be grateful for” Thorin looks out at the city of Dale, where many fires can be seen lit by the people. He then turns and shouts to his dwarves “More stone! BRING MORE STONE TO THE GATE!”

Bilbo looks on in despair.

After we finish fortifying the gate, I climb up the mountain and find a spot to lay. At some point, I see the elves of Mirkwood marching into Dale, making me tilt my head. I sit up and sneak back inside. I fly to the treasure room, landing on a stone perch. Thorin looks at me, smiling. I see him standing next to a table with white gems that glow like the stars.

“My gem, what news do you have for me?”

“Elves…In Dale…”

His smile fades, and I see anger fill his eyes.

“Bard…Approaching…Mountain”

He nods and we head back to the gate.

He calls the other dwarves to him “Come on!”

The dwarves lay down their tools, pick up their weapons, and follow him up the stairs they’ve created in the blockage, all the way to a platform they have built at the top of the gate from which they have a vantage point over the plain in front of the gate. I hide myself up top, but still able to see. They see the walls of Dale filled with Elves ready for war. Bard rides up the path to the gate on a horse, and stops in front of the gate.

“Hail Thorin, son of Thrain! We are glad to find you alive beyond hope”

“Why do you come to the gates of the king under the mountain armed for war?”

“Why does the king under the mountain fence himself in? Like a robber in his hole”

“Perhaps it is because I am expecting to be robbed”

“My lord - We have not come to rob you, but to seek fair settlement. Will you not speak with me?”

Thorin nods, and steps away from the platform and down the stairs. Bard dismounts his horse and crosses the bridge in front of the gate. I move down to watch Thorin talk with Bard.

As he approaches the blockade, a raven flies out of the opening above the gate and wings away rapidly, cawing loudly. Bard sees a hole built into the blockade, and Thorin strides up to the other end of the hole.

“I’m listening”

“On behalf of the people of Laketown, I ask that you honor your pledge. A share of the treasure so that they might rebuild their lives”

“I will not treat with any man while an armed host lies before my door”

“That armed host will attack this mountain, if we do not come to terms”

“Your threats do not sway me”

“What of your conscience? Does it not tell you our cause is just?! My people offered you help. And in return you brought upon them only ruin and death!”

“When did the men of Laketown come to our aid, but for the promise of rich reward?!”

“A bargain was struck!”

“A bargain? What choice did we have but to barter our birthright for blankets and food? To ransom our future in exchange for our freedom? You call that a fair trade? Tell me, Bard the Dragonslayer…” Bard looks up, surprised “...Why should I honor such terms?”

“Because you gave us your word. Does that mean nothing?”

Thorin turns away from the hole, disappearing from Bard’s view. He leans back against the blockade and for a moment looks tired and weary.

He then looks at the other dwarves and Bilbo, who are all standing there. He looks up at me, making me tilt my head. He shouts back to Bard.

“Be gone, ere arrow fly!”

Bard slaps the rock angrily, then mounts his horse and rides back to Dale. The company watches him go from the top of the platform.

Bilbo looks at Thorin “What are you doing?! You cannot go to war”

“This does not concern you”

“Excuse me?! But just in case you haven’t noticed, there is an army of elves out there. And not to mention several hundred angry fishermen. We-We are in fact outnumbered”

Thorin turns to look at Bilbo, smiling “Not for much longer”

“What does that mean?”

“It means Master Baggins, you should never underestimate dwarves” Thorin turns to the whole group “We have reclaimed Erebor - Now we defend it!”

As Thorin strides down the steps, Bilbo and Balin look distressed.

Later, I watch the dwarves prepare for war. As Bilbo walks by, Thorin calls out to him, holding something.

“Master Baggins, come here!” Bilbo comes up and sees that Thorin is holding a tunic of white mail “You are going to need this. Put it on”

Bilbo begins removing his jacket, looking between the floor and Thorin “This vest is made of silver steel - “Mithril” it was called by my forebears” Thorin holds it up so that Bilbo can slide into it “No blade can pierce it”

Bilbo finishes putting it on, then looks at himself; the other dwarves watch too “I look absurd. I’m not a warrior; I’m a Hobbit”

“It is a gift. A token of our friendship. True friends are hard to come by”

Although he had started off smiling at Bilbo, he looks toward the other dwarves and frowns, then grabs Bilbo by the shoulder and pulls him away where the other dwarves can’t hear him. My ear twitches as I listen to the two of them.

“I have been blind. Now I begin to see. I am betrayed!”

“Betrayed?”

“The Arkenstone” As Thorin moves closer to him, Bilbo looks extremely uncomfortable and worried. Thorin whispers to Bilbo “One of them has taken it” Bilbo almost sighs audibly in relief “One of them is false”

“Thorin...the quest is fulfilled. You’ve won the mountain. Is that not enough?”

“Betrayed by my own kin”

“No eh...You...You made a promise...to the people of Laketown. Is-Is this treasure truly worth more than your honor? Our honor, Thorin. I was also there, I gave my word”

“For that I’m grateful. It was nobly done. But the treasure in this mountain does not belong to the people of Laketown! This gold...is ours...and ours alone. By my life I will not part with a single coin! Not...one...piece of it!”

As Thorin speaks, his voice grows deeper and more and more like Smaug’s, until the very last line, which was exactly a repeat of what Smaug had said previously to Bilbo. Thorin is clearly mentally affected, and Bilbo stares at him in shock as the other dwarves, dressed for battle, stride by.

Bilbo and I exchange a worried look.

That night, while I rest at the gate, I perk up when I hear Bilbo climbing over the blocked off entrance. I quietly climb up and over, staying to the shadows as I follow Bilbo to Dale. We both sneak past some of the Lake Town guards, and we hear Bard speaking.

“It will not come to that. This is a fight they cannot win”

Bilbo appears and addresses them both “That won’t stop them. You think the dwarves will surrender - They won’t. They will fight to the death to defend their own”

Gandalf “Bilbo Baggins!”

Bilbo smiles happily. A curious growl rumbles within my chest. Bilbo sighs “Oh, no”

I emerge behind Bilbo, Gandalf looking at me, a bit of sadness in his eyes “Oh, you poor dear”

We both get brought to a large tent, Gandalf looking at me, lowering his voice “Sit here a moment, alright, my dear?”

I nod softly, and I hear a familiar voice after Gandalf presents Bilbo.

“If I’m not mistaken, this is the halfling who stole the keys to my dungeons from under the nose of my guards”

“Yes. Sorry about that”

There is a silence for a while, then Bilbo speaks again “I came...to give you this”

“The heart of the mountain! The King’s Jewel”

“And worth a king’s ransom. How is this yours to give?”

“I took it as my fourteenth share of the treasure”

“Why would you do this? You owe us no loyalty”

“I’m not doing it for you. I know that dwarves can be obstinate and pigheaded and difficult, suspicious and secretive…with the worst manners you can possibly imagine, but they are also brave and kind...and loyal to a fault. I’ve grown very fond of them, and I would save them if I can. Thorin values this stone above all else. In exchange for its return, I believe he will give you what you are owed. There will be no need for war!”

I don’t hear anything, so I reach my hand, trying to find Bilbo. I touch his leg, feeling him jump back “Ah, no, no. We talked about this”

I hear the familiar voice speak up “What is that thing?”

“It’s--She--”

I peek my head inside the tent, reaching over and picking up Bilbo by the back of his shirt. I see Gandalf, Bard, and the elf King, Thranduil. His eyes widen as he stares in horror and disgust “Lilith…”

I tilt my head, setting Bilbo down. Thranduil looks at Bilbo “What happened to her?”

He shakes his head “We’re not sure, but it has something to do with Smaug. He did something to her, trying to claim her heart and soul as his treasure. When he died, she turned into this. She’s been…hoarding”

Gandalf raises a brow “Hoarding what?”

“Us. She won’t let any of us leave the mountain. She’s trying to take me back”

I see the Arkenstone, the heartbeat moving in rhythm. I sniff it, but it starts to shake a bit, making me tilt my head. Suddenly, the stone launches itself at my chest, embedding itself in the hole in my chest.

I shriek a bit, falling over. The hole closes up, healing over the Arkenstone, looking as if nothing happened. I feel myself shifting and changing, returning back to normal. I breathe shakily, Bilbo helping me stand up.

I feel someone else grabbing my hands, helping me stand. I look up and see Thranduil holding my hand. I stare at him, before quickly punching him in the face, a satisfying crunch being heard.

He groans, holding his nose as he steps back. Bilbo looks at me “Lilith!”

I shake my hand “I’ve been wanting to do that for ages” I point at Thranduil “That, specifically, was for putting those wretched cuffs on me”

He wipes his nose, which is bleeding. He smirks “It seems you are more of a warrior than a princess”

Bard looks at the rest of us “How are we able to use the Arkenstone if it now resides in her chest?”

 Thranduil steps closer, gently picking up the braid with Thorin’s bead “This will be much better”

Bilbo looks between us “Wh-what-what are you talking about?”

Thranduil looks at him “She has the Arkenstone in her chest. The stone is her heart. Oakenshield placed this braid to show she belongs to him. She is what we will bargain with”

I raise a brow “No you will not. Bilbo, let’s go”

Bilbo grabs my hand “Wait, wait, wait. Can we at least talk with him?”

I look at him “Bilbo, I will not be used as leverage”

I go to leave, but two guards block my path. I glare “Let me pass”

Thranduil walks to his desk “You will be staying here, and used as a means of leverage”

I huff "Absolutely ridiculous”

The next morning, the guards hand me some armour to wear, before tying my hands and gagging me.

Right before dawn, Thranduil climbs onto his elk, then pulls me up onto the elk behind him.

As we ride towards the gate, Bard on his horse next to us, I see that the plain in front of the Mountain is covered in legions of Elves and men, armed for battle.

Thranduil and Bard ride together to the front of the armies and approach their side of the broken bridge over the moat. From above the blockade, Thorin draws a bow and shoots an arrow at the ground directly in front of Thranduil and Bard, who immediately halt in surprise.

“I will put the next one between your eyes!”

Thorin draws his bow again, and the dwarves on the wall cheer and shake their weapons. Thranduil stares at Thorin angrily, then slightly tilts his head. Instantly, several rows of Elves near the front of the army pull out their bows, notch their arrows, and aim at the dwarves, all in one fluid motion. The dwarves’ cheering cuts off abruptly as all of them but Thorin duck behind the ramparts. After holding the pose for a few seconds, Thranduil raises his hand, and the elves easily put away their arrows. Thorin still has his bow drawn, though.

Thranduil looks at Thorin “We’ve come to tell you: payment of your debt has been offered...and accepted”

“What payment? I gave you nothing! You have nothing!”

Thranduil turns, he and Bard grabbing my arms and pulling me from the elk, standing me on the ground between them.

The dwarves look shocked, clearly fearful for me. Thorin’s eyes widen in shock and worry “What have you done to her?!”

“I have merely taken what should have been mine long ago” I glare at him, swearing at him under the gag. He smirks “She is not the only payment” Thranduil takes out a short sword, then points it over my heart. He looks down at me “Show him”

I glare, but I use my magic and make the hole reappear, showing the Arkenstone beating in my chest.

The stone beats a slightly faster pace than usual.  Thorin, shocked, lowers his bow.

Kili looks at Thorin, then the two leaders “They have the Arkenstone? Thieves! How came you by the heirloom of our house? That stone belongs to the king!”

“And the king may have it and the lady - in our good will. But first he must honor his word”

Thorin whispers to himself, then yells out “THE ARKENSTONE IS IN THIS MOUNTAIN! IT IS A TRICK! You will return my future bride at once!”

My eyes widen, and I smile, a small blush on my cheeks. I see Thranduil glare at Thorin.

At the top of the ramparts, Bilbo steps out from the dwarves “It-It’s no trick. The stone is real. I gave it to them”

As Bilbo speaks, Thorin’s expression changes to a mixture of sorrow and anger. Thranduil and Bard look worried, as they thought Bilbo was still safely in Dale. 

I look at Bilbo, worried how Thorin will react.

Thorin and the other dwarves look at Bilbo in shock.

 “You…”

“I took it as my fourteenth share”

“You would steal from me?”

“Steal from you? No. No. I may be a burglar, but I like to think I’m an honest one. I’m willing to let it stand against my claim”

“Against your claim?! Your claim! You have no claim over me, you miserable rat!” Thorin throws down his bow in anger and begins walking toward Bilbo.

“I was going to give it to you. Many times I wanted to, but...”

“But what, thief?!”

“You are changed, Thorin! The dwarf I met in Bag End would never have gone back on his word! Would never have doubted the loyalty of his kin!”

“Do not speak to me...of loyalty!” Thorin shouts to the other dwarves “Throw him from the rampart!” Bilbo looks shocked. The other dwarves, rather than obeying Thorin, step away from Bilbo in confusion. Thranduil and Bard look concerned. Thorin is surprised that no one obeyed him “DO YOU HEAR ME?!” Thorin grabs Fili’s arm, but Fili shakes him away “I will do it myself!” He lunges forward and grabs Bilbo, shouting.

“CURSE YOU!”

Fili shouts out “No!”

As Thorin struggles with Bilbo, the other dwarves leap forward, shouting, to pull Thorin away. Thorin manages to grab Bilbo and begins pushing him over the rampart.

I rush forward, ready to catch Bilbo if he is to fall.

Thorin glares “Cursed be the Wizard that forced you on this Company!”

Suddenly, Gandalf appears, striding through the armies. His voice is magically amplified to incredibly loud, deep, and powerful tones.

“IF YOU DON’T LIKE MY BURGLAR…” His voice returns to a normal volume and tone “Then please don’t damage him. Return him to me! You’re not making a very splendid figure as king under the mountain, are you? Thorin son of Thrain!”

Thorin slowly lets Bilbo up, and some of the other dwarves rush to help Bilbo up.

“Never again will I have dealings with wizards...” Bofur gently pushes Bilbo toward the rope he’d hung the night before to climb down the walls “Or Shire-rats!”

Bilbo throws his coiled rope over the wall and clambers down. He runs over to me, taking my gag off “Are you alright?”

I nod “I’m alright. Go with Gandalf”

He nods and makes his way over to him.

Bard speaks up “Are we resolved? The return of the Arkenstone and your bride for what was promised”

Thorin, breathing heavily, looks to a ridge in the distance, as if looking for someone or something.

“Give us your answer! Will you have peace or war?”

As Thorin bows his head, a large raven flies up to the ramparts and perches beside him. Thorin and the raven stare at each other. “I will have war!”

A rumbling is heard in the distance, and the armies look up to see the ridge being covered by troops of heavily armored dwarves, lead by a huge dwarf riding a battle-pig.

Gandalf stares at them “Ironfoot”

While the others are distracted, I climb up the rope Bilbo made, struggling against the chains around my wrists. Bofur helps me up, removing the chains from my wrists. Thorin walks over to me, pulling me into a tight hug “Are you hurt? Did he touch you?”

I shake my head, hugging back “No, I'm not hurt. He didn’t touch me”

He pulls back, gently grabbing my face and looking over me. I see a dark look in his eyes “Was this the thief’s idea as well?”

I shake my head “No, Bilbo didn’t want this. It was Thranduil” I place a hand on his face “He only wanted to help”

He wraps his arms around my waist “His help is unwanted”

We look out at the armies, Thranduil yelling out to his army.

Thranduil speaks to his army “Ribo i thangail!” (Rush the shield-fence!)

Thranduil rides through his army as his Elves and the Lakepeople turn away from the gates of Erebor and begin marching quickly toward the oncoming Iron Hills dwarves. Gandalf strides along with them, Bilbo rushing to keep up.

The two armies halt a short distance from one another, and Dain rides his pig onto a rocky overlook to address the Elves and Men.

Lord Dain speaks up “Good morning! How are we all? I have a wee proposition, if you wouldn’t mind giving me a few moments of your time. Would you consider...just sodding off!”

The townspeople, clutching their weapons, step back in fear, while the Elves pull out their swords and step forward.

“All of you - right now!”

Bard looks to his people “Stand fest!”

Gandalf strides forward “Come now, Lord Dain!”

“Gandalf the Grey. Tell this rabble to leave, or I’ll water the ground with their blood!”

“There is no need for war between dwarves, men and elves! A legion of orcs march on the mountain. Stand your army down!”

“I will not stand down before any elf! Not least this faithless woodland sprite!” He gestures toward Thranduil, who looks angry “He wishes nothing but ill upon my people! If he chooses to stand between me and my kin - I’ll split his pretty head open! See if he’s still smirking then!”

Thranduil smiles furiously, and the Erebor dwarves cheer. Thranduil speaks up “He’s clearly mad, like his cousin!”

“You hear that, lads?!”

He turns and rejoins his army “Come on! Let’s give these bastard a good hammering!”

An Iron Hills Dwarf yells out something I cannot understand.

A dwarf yells out a command, and the Iron Hills dwarves raise their weapons and cheer. The Elves perform a complicated maneuver to put their shield-and-spear bearers at the front of the army, while the arches stand behind them. As both armies prepare to fight, a rumbling is heard at the base of a spur of the mountain. The armies grow silent as they turn to look.

I stiffen “Were-worms…”

At the spur of the mountain where the rumbling is coming from, massive worms, hundreds of feet long and dozens of feet thick, break through the rocks. Their mouths are essentially giant drilling machines, strong enough to crush the toughest rocks in their jaws. The human, Elf, and dwarf armies look on in shock.

Dain shouts out “Oh, come on!”

The worms suddenly retreat into the tunnels they’d made through the mountains approaching the Lonely Mountain. 

A horn suddenly sounds. Immediately, legions of Orcs begin pouring out of the were-worm tunnels.

Dain yells out to his army “The hordes of hell are upon us! To battle! To battle, sons of Durin!”

Dain and part of his army turn and rush toward the oncoming Orcs.

Fili looks at us “I’m going over the wall! Who’s coming with me?”

The other dwarves cheer and agree, preparing to climb down.

Thorin looks at them “Stand down!”

“What?”

Fili looks at his uncle “Are we to do nothing?”

“I said STAND DOWN!”

As Thorin walks away, the others look on in shock and surprise. I look after him, worried and shocked.

As Dain and a company of his dwarves rush toward the oncoming Orcs, the Elves stay right where they are. The dwarves are clearly outnumbered by the Orcs.

Thranduil looks back at the Iron Hills dwarves, who have stopped and built a shield wall with their massive spears pointed outward, lead by the chants of the leader. The orcs are fast approaching the shield wall. Suddenly, right as the Orcs reach the dwarves, the Elves leap up over the shield wall from behind, wielding their swords, and begin raining down blows on the Orcs. As the Elves press forward, the dwarven shield wall is raised and the dwarves rush forward, cutting down Orcs with their spears. Dain rides furiously through the Orcs, smashing them left and right with his hammer.

As the remaining elves march toward the battle, Gandalf and Bilbo are standing in one place.

At the top of a hill I see a wooden signalling device change position, giving a new signal. I look to the tunnels to see new legions of Orcs, including massive trolls and other monsters, come out. Thranduil shouts to his troops, the elves stopping and pulling out their bows.  As a horn sound and the signalling device changes again, another legion of Orcs that had been waiting for the signal turn and march toward Dale, which is between the current battle and the tunnels.

We see massive trolls, each large enough to carry multiple other dwarves and wooden structures such as catapults on their back, march toward the city along with the armies of Orcs.

Bard looks to his people “All of you, fall back to Dale! Now!”

Bard, the Lakepeople, Gandalf, and Bilbo rush toward the city, trying to intercept the Orcs.

Dwalin looks at me “Come on. We need to try and talk some sense into him”

I nod and follow him to the throne room. We see that Thorin is merely sitting on the throne. Dwalin holds up a hand, telling me to stay back, then he approaches him.

“Since when do we forsake our own people? Thorin, they are dying out there”

“There are halls beneath halls within this mountain - places we can fortify” Dwalin looks disappointed and angry.

“Shore up, make safe. Yes...Yes - that is it. We must move the gold further underground - to safety!”

Thorin begins walking away, but Dwalin angrily calls out to him.

“Did you not hear me?! Dain is surrounded! They’re being slaughtered, Thorin”

“Many die in war. Life is cheap. But a treasure such as this cannot be counted in lives lost. It is worth all the blood we can spend!”

“You sit here in these vast halls, with a crown upon your head, and yet you are lesser now than you have ever been”

“Do not speak to me as if I was some lowly dwarf lord…” As he speaks, Thorin is clearly mentally affected “As-As if I were still...Thorin...Oakenshield. I AM YOUR KING!” Thorin roars and pulls out his sword; however, he is so unbalanced that he almost falls over.

“You were always my king. You used to know that once” Dwalin bows his head in sorrow “You cannot see that you have become”

“Go! Get out...before I kill you”

After looking at each other for a while, Dwalin turns and leaves. I walk slowly over to Thorin, his eyes wild and his breathing erratic.

“Thorin…”

He looks at me, and his eyes soften, but there is a possessiveness behind them “Lilith” He holds his hand out, and I walk towards him.

“Thorin, since when is life cheap? What of your kin? Are their lives worth all of this? Is Bilbo’s?”

He places a hand on my face “All the gold, the treasure in this mountain. It is priceless” His hand moves over my heart, the Arkenstone.

I stare at him, then I slowly back up “You have changed, Thorin…” he looks at me “Everything here…it’s making you sick…” I reach my hand up, using my magic to take the Arkenstone out of my chest “This…is making you sick” I turn and throw it into the sea of gold.

Thorin stares at me, wide eyed “Why? I finally had the heart. Your heart”

I look at him, tears in my eyes “You already had it…” I see something hurling towards us. I turn, the Arkenstone slamming back into my chest, knocking me to the ground.

“Son of a--!” I gasp and breathe heavily, Thorin helping me stand as the hole seals itself back up. Thorin holds my hands, staring at me “Stay. With me. I beg of you…”

I cup his cheek, looking at him “We cannot be whole…not without our hobbit…”

He tenses a bit “He is no hobbit of mine. He stole from me”

I sigh softly, kissing his cheek “He is mine. And I won’t let him die out there. This is our fight, Thorin. Those are our people. We need to fight alongside them. Please…” I lower my hands, and I walk back towards the others.

The dwarves look at me, hopeful, but I shake my head “I couldn’t get through to him…”

Just inside the gates of Erebor, the dwarves of the Company sit desolately, hearing the cries of battle outside but unable to help their kin. I pace a bit, anxious. The dwarves rise as we see Thorin approaching from further in the mountain, sword drawn.

He is no longer dressed in his royal robes and arbor, but in a simple leather outfit. I look at him, feeling that he is different. More sound of mind. Kili rises and begins shouting.

“I will not hide behind a wall of stone, while others fight our battles for us!” Thorin and Kili continue to approach each other “It is not in my blood, Thorin”

They stop in front of each other.

Thorin looks at his nephew “No, it is not. We are sons of Durin. And Durin’s folk do not flee from a fight” Thorin lays his hand on Kili’s shoulder, smiling. Kili smiles back at him through his tears. They touch foreheads. Thorin turns to the rest of us “I have no right to ask this of any of you; but will you follow me one last time?” The dwarves rise and raise their weapons, ready to follow their leader and friend again. He looks at me, stepping closer “My queen. Will you follow me to battle?”

I think about my vision, knowing what is to happen. I take out my sword, then I grab his face and kiss him deeply. When we part, I smile softly “I will follow you to the end, my king”

He smiles and we all get into position, Bombur going to the top of the wall. Once we have everything in place, Thorin looks at me “Can you turn into that creature again?”

I nod “I believe so”

He nods “Find Bilbo. Make sure our hobbit is safe”

I smile softly, nodding. I put my sword away, shifting into the dragon-like creature.

We hear the orcs sound their signalling horn. Suddenly, another trumpet is heard; it is Bombur, atop the wall. The barricade of rocks in the gateway of Erebor suddenly smashes outward as it is hit from inside by a giant golden statue that the dwarves had hung up like a bell. The rocks fall forward and make a rough bridge across the moat. Thorin and his dwarves rush out and through the ranks of the Iron Hills dwarves. Dain begins shouting to his troops.

“TO THE KING! TO THE KING!”

Thorin yells out as well “Du Bekâr!” (To arms!)

I let out a loud roar, my wings spreading out.

Thorin leads the way as all the dwarves form a wedge behind him. They smash their way through the orc ranks, releasing their pent up anger and hatred.

I kill as many orcs and trolls as I can, following Bilbo’s scent to the city.

 I move throughout the city, killing orcs and trolls where I can. I get stabbed, sliced, bitten, thrown into ruins, and shot with arrows. I see Legolas and Tauriel on horseback, so I follow them. They arrive to an area where Gandalf and Bilbo are standing.

“Gandalf!”

“Legolas... Legolas Greenleaf!”

“There is a second army! Bolg leads a force of Gundabad orcs. They are almost upon us!”

“Gundabad…This was their plan all along. Azog engages our forces, then Bolg seeps in from the north”

Bilbo looks at them “Wha...the north...where is the north, exactly?!”

“Ravenhill”

Gandalf turns and strides over to the parapets to look at the hill where Thorin went; that is Ravenhill.

Bilbo looks in worry “Ravenhill…Thorin is up there! And Fili and Kili - they’re all up there!”

At the sound of Kili’s name, Tauriel is alarmed. Together, they all look out toward the top of Ravenhill, which is shrouded in mist. 

Gandalf looks at me “Lilith, are you sound of mind?”

I nod “Yes, sir”

He nods “Good. We need to get to Thranduil. Quickly”

I nod and crouch down, allowing Gandalf and Bilbo to climb onto my back “Hang on”

I quickly make my way to where Thranduil is. As we arrive, his commander blows a horn, recalling the company.

I set the two down, walking over to Thranduil. Gandalf looks at him “My lord, dispatch this force to Ravenhill! The dwarves are about to be overrun. Thorin must be warned”

“By all means, warn him. I have spent enough Elvish blood in defense of this accursed land - No more!” He walks away haughtily and angrily.

Gandalf looks at him in disbelief “Thranduil?!”

Bilbo looks at him “I’ll go!”

“Don’t be ridiculous! You’ll never make it!”

“Why not?”

“Cause they will see you coming and kill you!”

“No, they won’t” Gandalf looks at Bilbo peculiarly “They won’t see me”

“It’s out of the question - I won’t allow it!”

“I’m not asking you to allow it, Gandalf”

Gandalf says nothing; they nod to each other, then Bilbo strides away. Gandalf looks at me “Will you help them?”

I look at Ravenhill, then toward Thranduil’s direction. I take a shaky breath “I have seen my death, Gandalf” His eyes widen a bit. I look at him, tears in my eyes  “If it is to happen today, then so be it…”

I climb the ruins, making my way through the city. I hear a whistle, making me stop. I jump down, landing behind Legolas and Tauriel, who are blocking Thranduil’s path. Legolas looks up at me “We are going after the dwarves. Are you with us?”

I nod, crouching  down, letting Legolas and Tauriel climb onto my back. I glance at them “Hang on”

I spread my wings, flying up and toward Raven Hill. As I fly, I hear a distant drum sound coming from the hill. I focus my vision, and I see Azog atop a tower, dragging a bloodied Fili behind him. My eyes widen “No…”

I hear Azog speaking to Thorin “This one dies first. Then the brother. Then you, Oakenshield. You will die last”

Fili yells out to his family “No! RUN!”

Thorin, Dwalin, and Bilbo look on in shock as Azog lifts Fili by the neck, then stabs him through the chest with his arm-blade.

Tears fall down my face “No!!!”

Azog glances at me, before smirking at Thorin “Here ends your filthy bloodline!” Azog drops Fili, who falls to the ground from the tower, lifeless. He falls past Kili, who has been watching from a doorway below. Kili, seeing his dead brother on the ground, furiously rushes up the tower steps toward Azog.

Thorin yells to his remaining nephew “KILI!” Thorin begins running across the frozen river.

Dwalin looks at Thorin “Thorin! Thorin...No”

Kili rushes up the steps, killing orcs in his way. As Thorin begins to clamber up the ruins, Azog rushes out of a tunnel and attacks him.

Legolas looks at me “Help them. We’ll meet you there”

I nod, feeling them jump off my back.

Azog and Thorin continue fighting. Thorin manages to knock Azog down, and Azog slides down a slippery slope; before Thorin can chase after him, other orcs arrive and he is forced to fight them. 

I glare, flying down after Azog. He glares at me, and right as I tackle him, I feel his bladed hand stab into my chest, slicing down my stomach. I let out a shriek of pain, but I throw him into a wall. I breathe heavily, bleeding profusely. I slash my claws at him, but he dodges and slashes at me, hitting my leg. I shriek, which gives him time to recover and make his way back to Thorin. I climb my way back up, slipping on my own blood. I hear Azog talking to his orcs “Go in for the kill!” Azog yells to his orcs, many of which run out onto the ice to attack Thorin “Finish him!”

Thorin looks around rapidly as many orcs run toward him; suddenly, the orcs begin falling over with arrows stuck in them. Legolas is shooting the orcs attacking Thorin from the top of the tower. Thorin, with his broken sword, takes on the remaining orcs.

I climb up, growling deeply. I use as much strength as I can rushing over and killing what orcs I can. I’m losing blood quickly, but I keep fighting. As I fight, though, I see another orc kill Kili in front of Tauriel. My eyes widen as I let out a roar of grief.

Meanwhile, Thorin manages to stab an orc in the knee; another orc rushes up and smashes into him, causing him to slide across the ice all the way to the edge of the waterfall, directly over Legolas and the orc, Bolg. The one who killed Kili. Bolg knocks Legolas over, but as he raises his mace, Thorin manages to knock an orc over the edge of the waterfall; it lands on the bridge behind Bolg, breaking through the stones and causing him to fall under a pile of rubble. Another orc approaches Thorin, who is lying on his back, partially hanging over the edge of the waterfall, defenseless. I roar, about to slash it, but as it raises its sword, Legolas manages to throw Orcrist into the orc’s chest, killing it. As it falls over the edge, Thorin manages to reach out and grab the sword, saving it from going over. I help Thorin stand up, and he looks at me, eyes wide.

“Lilith…”

I shake my head “Do not worry about me, my love. We have a battle to fight. And win…”

As Legolas is watching Thorin, Bolg leaps out of the rubble and swings at Legolas, but Legolas dodges and pulls out his two knives, fighting Bolg with them. Thorin stands and looks in wonder as his blade has come back to him; he looks up and sees Azog, alone, facing him.Thorin and Azog approach each other slowly; suddenly, a horn blows, and Azog smiles as a hill in the distance behind him becomes covered with approaching orc help. Thorin glances at me “Go. Help the others”

I hesitate, but nod and fly into the air, making my way back down to the main battle at hand. I spread my wings out, swooping down and taking out what orcs I can. I fly up a bit, feeling a burning heat rising from my chest, into my throat. I open my mouth, breathing out dragon fire and killing more orcs and trolls.

Suddenly, I see the Eagles, with Radagast riding their leader, swoop by. They sail through the ranks of the oncoming orc reinforcements from Gundabad, decimating them. Beorn, riding atop one of the Eagles, throws himself off it and transforms into a bear as he falls to the ground, landing in full massive bear form right in the middle of the orcs. He smashes through them.

I roar, joining him on the ground. We decimate the orc army from Gundabad, when I get a bad feeling. I fly up, looking back at the frozen river. I see Thorin, struggling to hold back Azog’s blade. He suddenly removes his sword, allowing him to be stabbed in the chest. My eyes widen “Thorin!!”

I start to fly towards him, but I get tackled through the air by a werebat. I feel it tearing at my wings with its claws, making me shriek as we fall toward the ground. I grab the bat, ripping its head from its shoulders. I force my wings to carry me to Raven Hill. They carry me to the ice where Thorin is, before I shift back, landing hard on the ice. Thorin is laying on his back as Bilbo runs up.

Thorin looks at us “Bilbo…Lilith…”

Bilbo and I rush over to him, blood following behind me from my wounds, leaving a trail.

“Don’t move! Don’t move! Lie still!” Bilbo examines Thorin’s wound, then recoils in shock “Oh!”

Thorin looks at Bilbo “I’m glad you’re here…”

“Shh”

“I wish to part from you in friendship”

“No. You are not going anywhere, Thorin. You’re going to live”

“I would take back my words and my deeds at the gate. You did what only a true friend would do. Forgive me...I was too  blind to see. I’m so sorry that I have led you into such peril” Thorin begins choking up blood.

“No, no, I’m glad to have shared in all your perils,Thorin - each and every one of them. And it’s far more than any Baggins deserve”

They smile at each other, tears in our eyes.

“Farewell, Master Burglar. Go back to your books and your armchair. Plant your trees - watch them grow” Thorin struggles to choke “If more people valued home above gold this world would be a merrier place” Thorin gasps deeply, then begins to expire.

“No! No! No! No! No! No! Thorin! Oh don’t you dare!” Thorin breathes out his last and dies “Thorin, Thorin, wake up. The eagles...the eagles...the eagles are here. Thorin...the eag…” Bilbo begins to cry in sorrow.

I shake my head, tears falling down my face “No. No, it will not end like this” I place one hand on his chest, and one on his head.

Bilbo looks at me, his voice cracking “Lilith, he is gone…”

“No! I won’t let our story end like this. I can't…” My eyes glow bright as I begin pouring my magic into Thorin. My voice comes out in a whisper, power radiating through every word “Bring them back. Let them live. Bring them back. Let them live. Bring them back. Let them live” I continue chanting, my vision beginning to blur. Thorin's wounds heal, and I feel his heart begin to beat once again. He gasps awake, and I let out a shaky breath, feeling my consciousness slipping “Thank the gods…”

As Thorin sits up, I fall over onto the ground, my body limp.

“Lilith!”

“Lilith, come on. Stay with us”

I see Thorin and Bilbo leaning over me, Bilbo holding my hand and Thorin holding my head. I smile softly, feeling blood drip from my lips “It will be alright, my loves…” My body goes limp as everything goes dark.

When I open my eyes again, I am hovering above Thorin, Bilbo, and my dead body. They are crying, holding me.

“Thorin! Bilbo!”

We all look to see Fili and Kili, alive and healed, just as Thorin is. I see Thranduil and Tauriel standing off to the side as the brothers run over, smiles on their faces.

Thorin and Bilbo look at them in shock “H-how…”

“It was Lilith. She brought us back”

“Where is she?”

They both pause, seeing the bloody trail and my body laying motionless. They run over, fear in their eyes.

“She can’t be dead…she can’t be”

Kili grabs my leg, shaking it gently “Come on, Lilith…wake up. Please…”

I crouch down next to Bilbo, and I place a wispy hand over my heart. The Arkenstone begins to glow with my magic, coursing through my veins and healing my wounds.

They all look at me wide eyed, staring in shock and hope. I close my eyes, everything going dark, once again.

I gasp awake, still feeling all the pain from my now healed wounds “Oh! Oh, that hurts! Why does it hurt?!” I cough a bit, taking deep breaths.

Bilbo helps me sit up and pulls me into a tight hug, letting out a relieved laugh. Thorin, Fili, and Kili hug us as well, letting out laughs as well.

I smile, hugging back. I look at the dwarves “You're alive. You’re all alive. Oh, thank the gods it worked”

Kili smiles “How did you do it?”

Bilbo looks at him “She decided to use every bit of magic she had left to bring your three back. It was beautiful and terrifying”

I smile as we all stand up. I look at everyone, smiles and relief on their faces. I see Tauriel cautiously walk over to us. Her eyes land on me, and I smile, walking over. I gently take her hand, placing it in Kili’s. They smile, and I see Thranduil watching us all, his eyes showing a series of emotions. I nod softly, earning a nod in return before he turns and leaves.

Thorin wraps his arms around my waist from behind, Bilbo doing the same in the front. I smile, relaxing into their embrace before we all make our way back to Erebor.

Chapter Text

After the war, the dwarves begin setting up for a grand feast in the halls of Erebor. I see Thranduil leaving Dale. I go and find Thorin, whispering my idea to him. He hesitates, but nods, kissing my cheek. I smile and I make my way down to the treasures, finding a specific chest. I make sure every piece is in place before I close it and pick it up. I quickly run with it down to Dale.

I pass by Bard and his children, who are all looking at me confused as I run past them. I finally see Thranduil at the edge of the city, getting ready to board a boat to cross the lake.

“Your Majesty!”

He pauses, then looks back at me. I slow my pace, walking over to him, holding the chest close. His eyes fall on it and I see him tense, as well as shock in his eyes. I hold the chest out to him, staring up at the king. He carefully takes the chest, opening it gently. I see many emotions cross his eyes as he closes the chest.

“Why bring these to me? You had no obligation to do so?”

I raise a brow “You tried to go to war over these. If I am to be the queen of Erebor, I do not wish for there to be any more ill will against my people”

This time, he raises a brow “Your people? Are the elves no longer your people?”

I hesitate “The elves have always looked down on me for being half Dwarf”

“That is because they have to look down at you. You are too short for them to see you at eye level” Thranduil smirks and I roll my eyes. His smirk falls a bit “What will you do with Tauriel?”

I smile softly “She and Kili love each other. Perhaps they will marry” I look up at the king “Safe travels to you, King Thranduil” I give an elvish salute.

He nods, doing the same “Enjoy your victory, Queen Lilith”

I smile and turn, heading back to Erebor. Once there, I see Bilbo waiting at the gate.

He smiles “How was his reaction?”

I smile as we walk inside “He seemed rather thankful. He did make a short joke, though. I believe the kingdoms will at least be civil with each other from now on”

He nods “That’s good. Wouldn’t want any unnecessary fighting, now would we?”

I chuckle “Love, we are living with dwarves. If they wish to fight, they will find a reason. Or they won’t”

He flattens his lips “You make a very good point. Anyway, Thorin wished for us to properly meet Lord Dain”

I nod, but am already a bit nervous. We find our way to Thorin and Dain, and Thorin smiles as we approach. Dain looks at us, his arms crossed and a brow raised “This is them?”

Thorin nods “Dain, this is Bilbo Baggins and Lilith, daughter of Elrond”

I smile and we bow a bit. Dain looks at me “You were raised by elves, aye?”

I nod “Yes, sir. Until I left when I was 22. I lived in Dale until Smaug’s destruction, then I was an assassin for the last 60 years”

He stares, until he chuckles “You don’t seem as prissy as every other elf. More like a dwarf”

I smile “I never really connected with elves, much. I did punch Thranduil in the nose yesterday. Think I broke it”

Dain laughs as Thorin smirks. Dain smacks Thorin on the shoulder “She’ll be an excellent queen. And if you two are happy with the hobbit, then I suppose he’s a good choice, as well”

I smile, wrapping my hand around Bilbo’s. He smiles, confused on what Dain said.

Later on, at the feast, Bilbo, Thorin and I sit at one end of a large table, the dwarves around us laughing, cheering, and telling stories. Thorin looks at me, then pulls my chair closer. He lifts Bilbo into his lap and begins teaching him how to braid. Bilbo blushes and follows Thorin’s instructions, braiding a small braid underneath the one Thorin gave me. He then gives Bilbo a bead to braid into my hair, making me smile. When he is done, Thorin moves Bilbo onto my lap, Bilbo facing me. I smile, kissing his nose as Thorin begins braiding Bilbo’s hair. When he is done, a bead in his hair, I turn Bilbo and place my own braid in his hair as well as my own bead. Thorin smiles and we do the same thing to his hair, adding our beads.

I smile and I hold out my hands, closing them and focusing. When I open them, my magic has created to sets of rings.

The two men smile. Bilbo and I take the largest rings, placing them on Thorin's fingers. The black sun ring goes on his left ring finger, while the silver tree one goes on his right index finger. Thorin and I take the smaller rings and do the same with Bilbo, then they take the rings with the stones in them, placing them on my fingers.

I smile, taking their hands and kissing them. We all sit together, and the dwarves cheer and toast to us, many of them standing.

I chuckle, and I see Kili holding Tauriel’s hand, the two of them smiling lovingly at each other.

After about a month of being Queen and enjoying time with my husbands and  family, we also begin fixing up Erebor, restoring it to its former glory. Currently, I’m using my magic to help restore one of the rooms.

A guard walks up to the door, standing at attention “Your Majesty, you have guests, my lady”

I smile and nod, following the guard to the front gate. Once there, I see Elrond, Lindir and Arwen standing near the front gate.

I smile as I make my way over to them “Ada, Arwen, Lindir”

Elrond smiles and I see relief in his eyes as he hugs me “Iellig. I am so glad you are alright”

I smile as he lets go and Arwen pulls me into a high as well. I smile, hugging her close "Arwen. It's been too long"

She kisses my forehead “It has. And look at all the things you have done since you left home”

I chuckle as Elrond gently lifts one of my hands, seeing the ring. He smiles “So, where are your husbands?”

I smile and I gesture for them to follow me. I find Bilbo and Thorin staring up at the ceiling, both looking a bit exhausted.

I raise a brow, looking up. I see Kili and Fili messing around, play fighting on the pillars. I place my hands on my hips, stepping forward “Boys! Don’t make me come up there!”

They look down and me and grin. I then see Tauriel jump from one pillar to another, laughing and climbing around, finally a chance to relax and not have to worry.

Elrond chuckles as we walk over to us “She seems to be settling in rather well”

Tauriel sees Elrond, then gasps, losing her footing and falling from the pillars. I quickly run and shift into my dragon form, flying and catching her before she hits the ground. I then fly up and grab the boys, bringing them all back over to the others. Once I set them down, I shift back to normal. I smooth out my dress, then see Elrond and Lindir staring at me wide eyed.

I look at them “What?”

Elrond tilts his head “How long have you been able to do that?”

I flatten my lips “Since Smaug died”

“How is this possible?”

Arwen tilts her head “Perhaps it has something to do with Smaug stealing your heart”

Elrond looks at her, then me “He did what?!”

Arwen looks at me “You didn’t tell him?”

I look at her “No, I didn’t tell him”

“Why not?”

“Because he gets like this. You all do”

Lindir raises his brow “Since when?”

I place my hands on my hips “That time I broke my foot? Or how about the time I got a cold, and you all thought I was dying?”

Elrond crosses his arms “I do not believe I over reacted”

“I’m half Dwarf, of course I’m going to get sick!”

“Just because you are half dwarf, does not mean you need to seek out danger”

Bilbo holds back a laugh, and Elrond looks at him “You understand Elvish, master Baggins?”

He nods “Uh, yes. Lilith and Tauriel have decided to teach us Elvish, and Lilith and the dwarves have been teaching me Khuzdul. I learn quickly. Did you really think she was dying when she had a cold?”

Arwen chuckles “Well, elves don’t get sick”

I look at her “You heard me sneeze one time and called every healer in Rivendell. You worry too much”

Elrond looks at me “Well, I clearly need to worry about you more often. How did Smaug take your heart?”

I clear my throat “Well, this was when Smaug destroyed Dale and took over Erebor. I…may have tried to fight the dragon by myself…and he stabbed me in the chest with a claw. I had no physical heart for 60 years. Then… we found out my heart became a certain…stone” I use my magic to show the Arkenstone, beating in my chest.

The three of them stare, wide eyes.

I return it back to normal and continue “After Smaug died, I shifted into the dragon like creature”

Bilbo nods "She tried to hoard the entire company. Lounged around the mountain like a large cat”

Thorin, Fili and Kili begin chuckling, and I smile “True, I did. I only shifted back when I followed Bilbo to Thranduil’s tent when he tried to give him the Arkenstone to use as leverage. That didn’t work, because the stone shot into my chest and made me turn back to normal. Thranduil had tried to help me up, but I…may have punched him in the nose. Heard a very satisfying crunch, though”

Elrond stares at me, then tries not to laugh “Oh, dear”

Thorin smirks and I smile “He and Bard ended up using me as leverage, trying to stop a war from breaking out. That didn’t really work, and the Mirkwood elves fought with the Ironwood Dwarves. Until the orcs showed up. During the battle, we ended up being separated and I ended up following Thorin, Fili, Kili, Dwalin and Bilbo up to Raven Hill, where Azog was. I helped bring Legolas and Tauriel up there to help them, and we saw Azog murder Fili”

The three elves look at me, eyes wide “He died?”

Fili nods “Yeah. Being stabbed and then dropped from a ledge hurts a lot more than you would think”

I nod “Kili went to go try and kill Azog, but ended up fighting another orc. I ended up attacking Azog, but he stabbed me and drove the blade down my stomach. I tried to kill him, but he managed to escape me and head for Thorin. I saw Kili’s death as well, as did poor Tauriel. I kept going, helping Throin where I could. He had me go help the others on the battlefield, where I received numerous injuries. I saw Azog stab Thorin and began making my way over, but a large bat attacked me. I only managed to fly just enough to where Thorin was. Bilbo and I arrived at the same time, and we watched Thorin die. I knew this was going to happen, and I knew my death was going to happen as well, but I wasn’t going to let their stories end. So, I used what magic I had left and I brought them back. Then I died”

Thorin looks at me “You are never doing anything like that again, by the way”

I chuckle “I don’t think we have to worry about, love” I look at Elrond “As it turns out, death does not like me very much”

Elrond places his hands to his mouth, a look of contemplation on his face “You are far too much like your mother and your father, do you know this?”

I flatten my lips “I assumed this, yes”

Elrond looks at the dwarves, Bilbo and Tauriel “I would greatly appreciate it if you would all keep an eye on her” They all nod, then he smiles “So, should I expect grandchildren anytime soon?”

I blush deeply as I stare at him wide eyed “Ada! We’ve only been married a month!”

He chuckles “I know, Iellig, I know. It is just curiosity”

Thorin smiles “Perhaps someday”

Fili and Kili smile “Can it be sooner rather than later? Having a little cousin would be fun”

“Yeah, we could teach them how to fight”

I chuckle “We will see”

We all sit and talk, until it is time for them to leave back to Rivendell.

Five years have come and gone. Bilbo, Thorin and I brought Bilbo’s more important belongings to Erebor, while letting his cousins live in the home of Bag End. I’m currently in the kitchens, staring at a recipe I was given by Arwen the last time she came to visit.

Bilbo walks in, walking toward me “There you are” He looks at the parchment “What’s this?”

“A recipe for Lembas. Arwen gave it to me. I’m just debating whether I should make it or not”

He looks confused “What’s Lembas?”

“Elvish white bread. It’s great for when you're traveling. A single bite can fill the stomach of a grown man, and it’s got sweet, pleasant taste to it”

Bilbo raises a brow “Why are you hesitant to make it then?”

I look at him “Bilbo, darling, we live with dwarves. And you are a hobbit. If I made a large batch of these, they would be gone within the hour, and you would all have stomach aches”

He goes to protest, then nods “You have a point there. What do you want to do?”

I hesitate, then smile “I’m going to make a big batch, and attempt to restrict everyone to one piece. Would you like to help, meleth nin?”

He smiles and nods. We begin making a very large batch of Lembas, the kitchen filling with the wonderful smell of fresh bread.

Sometime later, a very confused Thorin walks into the kitchen “There you two are. I’ve been searching every--” He pauses, looking at the two of us. He smiles, hiding a laugh “What are you two doing?”

We look at him, covered in flour and next to piles of Lembas. Bilbo and I exchange a look, then speak simultaneously “Baking”

Thorin laughs a bit “Baking what? Why is it wrapped in, what is that? Leaves?”

I chuckle “It’s Lembas wrapped in Mallorn leaves. When wrapped in the leaves, they can stay fresh for potentially months. Everyone gets one, and I emphasize on just one”

Thorin walks over, picking one up and smelling it “Elvish white bread? What brought this idea on?”

I shrug “I remember making this with Arwen, since the other elvish women didn’t want me around. I felt like this would be nice to make” I see two hands reaching up from under the table. I smack their hands “Fili. Kili”

The two peek up from under the table. I place my hands on my hips “You may each have one” They grin and take one, then they quickly take a second one, running out of the kitchen “Boys!” I sigh “If you get stomachaches, don't come whining to me!”

Thorin shakes his head, chuckling.

Soon enough, every dwarf in Erebor has gotten some Lembas. Tauriel comes down, watching the dwarves taking large bites of the bread. She looks at me, brow raised “You did tell them about the Lembas, right?”

I nod “Yeah, but dwarves are stubborn” I look and see Bilbo eating yet another Lembas “Bilbo, you are going to make yourself sick”

He pauses, then takes another slow bite. I raise a brow, then I look at Thorin, who is doing the same thing. I sigh softly, and Tauriel chuckles “Should we expect multiple whining dwarves later?”

I nod, crossing my arms “Sooner rather than later. You’ve only got one to deal with. I’ve got two. And possibly the rest of Erebor”

She nods a bit, and later on, we do, in fact, have to deal with the dwarves and Bilbo suffering from the stomach aches I warned them about.

Another five years have passed, and Bilbo receives a letter from a family member. His cousins, the ones he let move into Bag End, have passed away in a drowning accident, leaving behind their twelve year old boy. Bilbo, Thorin and I begin packing a few things so we can travel to the Shire.

As we step outside the gates of Erebor, I shift into my dragon form, letting Bilbo and Thorin climb onto my back. We fly to the shire, the trip taking a bit of time. Once there, I shift back to normal. We go to Bagend, and Bilbo knocks on the door. The door opens and we see a now twelve year old Frodo.

We collect Frodo’s things and when I shift to my dragon form, Frodo stares up at me in awe “Whoa”

Thorin chuckles and helps the hobbits climb up onto my back. We fly back to Erebor, talking with Frodo and learning more about him, while we tell him about Erebor.

Once back home, Frodo holds Bilbo’s arm as he looks at the mountain. I smile softly “Ready to go inside?”

He hesitates, then nods “Yeah”

We all head inside, introducing him to the other dwarves and getting him settled in his new home.

A year later, I’m walking along a balcony, when I see Fili, Kili, Ori, Nori and Frodo trying to sneak out of the mountain. I raise a brow, then I jump from the balcony, landing next to them. They all jump a bit before trying to look innocent.

I cross my arms “Where do you five thing you’re sneaking off too?”

Far too quickly, they speak simultaneously “Nowhere”

I tap my foot “Care to try again?” I look at Frodo “Frodo, darling? Where are you all going?”

He hesitates “To see the dragon…”

My eyes widen as I look at the dwarves “Explination. Now”

Fili and Kili try to act casual.

“The lad wanted to see the dragon you all fought against”

“There’s no harm in that”

I raise a brow “Mm hmm. And the fact that Smaug’s bones are incredibly valuable, as well as could be used for armour or weapons, have nothing to do with why you are all sneaking out?”

They all stay silent before Ori speaks up “We’re sorry, your Majesty”

I look at them all, then sigh “Alright, how about this. If you are all incredibly careful, wear gloves, stay safe, and talk with Bard before you go to the dragon…then I guess you can all go” They all smile and nod in agreement. I look at the dwarves “Be safe. Keep Frodo safe. We don’t need Bilbo having a break down”

They make a face, then nod "Yeah, yeah. We’ve got him. Thanks, Lilith”

They begin making their way down toward the remains of Laketown. Thorin walks out next to me “He’s beginning to act more and more like a dwarf”

I chuckle “He certainly is. I made them promise to be careful, and to talk to Bard before actually doing anything”

Thorin, wraps an arm around my waist, then I see him smirk a bit “We appear to have some time before any of us are needed”

I look at him, then he quickly picks me up, throwing me over his shoulder, and quickly walking to our chambers. I squeal, laughing a bit. We pass by Bilbo, and Thorin picks him up, throwing him over his other shoulder.

His blush covers his entire face “He’s in a mood, I see”

I chuckle “Yes, he is”

Thorin chuckles, his hands squeezing our sides as we go into the room, shutting the door behind us.

It’s now been 40 years since the mountain was reclaimed. I’m saddling up Brokk, Thorin, Bilbo and Frodo standing next to me. Thorin and Bilbo have both gotten more silver in their hair, age beginning to show. 

I smile “I’ll be back before you know it”

My husbands chuckle, each giving me a kiss.

“Be careful, alright, My gem?”

Bilbo nods “And do tell them we say hello”

I nod “Of course”

Frodo hugs me “Why can’t I come with you?”

I kiss his head “When you are a bit older, alright?”

He huffs, but smiles “Alright. Take care, Lilith”

I nod, climbing onto Brokk. We begin riding off, riding through Dale and making my way through Middle Earth. I ride for many days until I get to the forest that surrounds Rivendell.

I stop outside, listening and looking around. I hear an arrow being released from its bow, causing me to reach up and grab it before the arrow hits me.

I smirk, looking to the trees “You’re going to have to do better than that, nadadith”

Aragorn, now a 50 year old man, looking as if he is still in his twenties, jumps down from the tree he was hiding in. I climb off of Brokk, Aragorn smiling as we walk over.

He chuckles “I’ll catch up to you in skill one of these days” he hugs me, earning a hug in return.

I look up at him, Brokk walking over and licking his face. Aragorn pets the deer, then I hear a bow being notched. I smirk, then look to where I heard the sound “Sneaking up on me doesn’t work, Mellon” I look at Brokk “Fetch”’

Aragorn and I watch as Brokk walks over, turns around, and kicks the tree hard. Legolas falls out of the tree, landing on Brokk’s back before the deer walks back over.

I chuckle “It’s good to see you again, Legolas”

He smiles as he climbs off Brokk’s back “How do you do it?”

I shrug “Combination of both races, I guess. And the fact that I was an assassin for 60 years”

Aragorn chuckles “Come on. Lord Elrond will be pleased to see you”

We all begin walking towards Rivendell, and Legolas looks at me “How are Thorin and Bilbo doing?”

I smile “They’re both doing well. They’re getting more silver in their hair”

He seems to be thinking for a moment “How old are they now?”

“Thorin is 235, while Bilbo is 91”

Aragorn furrows his brow “How old do Dwarves and hobbits live?”

I hesitate a bit “Well, Dwarves typically live to be about 250 years old, but those with royal blood tend to live much longer. Hobbits, though…only tend to live to be about one hundred”

Aragorn and Legolas exchange a small glance, then Legolas looks back at me “Have you all discussed this?”

I shake my head “Tauriel and I have talked about this, but we try to ignore it. How our husbands will die long before we ever will. But…we’ve been trying to ignore it and just enjoy our time with them”

Aragorn places a hand on my shoulder “Life is precious. One of this world’s greatest treasures”

I smile and nod, the three of us entering Rivendell.

Once there, Elrond approaches me, smiling “Iellig, it is good to see you”

I smile as we hug “It is good to see you as well, Ada“

He leads me inside, Legolas and Aragorn following behind. Once inside, we go and sit at a table, where an elf maiden brings us wine. When I take my glass, I go to take a sip, but the smell makes me nauseous. I set the glass down, covering my mouth and trying to take a breath.

Elrond looks at me concerned “Iellig, are you alright?”

I nod softly “Just a bit nauseous. Strange, though. Elven wine has never made me nauseous before”

Aragorn looks at me, placing a hand against my forehead “Are you feeling sick? Feverish?”

Legolas and Elrond look at me, incredibly worried. I shake my head “I’m fine, I promise. Even if I am sick, I will get better”

Elrond raises a brow “Even so, I would still like a healer to see you”

I sigh softly “Fine. But only one healer, ada, alright?”

He chuckles “Alright”

The three take me to a healing room, where a healer comes in and begins to examine me.

After a bit of time, the healer places a hand on my stomach, then smiles “Your majesty, you are with child”

My eyes widen “Truely?”

She nods “Truely. Congratulations" She gets up, leaving the room after saluting to us. Elrond walks over, smiling softly.

He helps me stand up “Are you alright, Iellig? You shed tears”

I smile, wiping the tears that have fallen down my face “Happy tears, Ada. Happy tears”

He smiles and hugs me, earning a hug in return.

Aragorn and Legolas walk in, both looking worried and confused “Is everything alright?”

I nod, smiling “I’m more than alright” I place a hand over my stomach “I’m with child”

The two smile and walk over, hugging me. Aragorn kisses the top of my head “Congratulations, namad. Of course, when you return, I will be escorting you home”

Legolas nods “As will I”

I look at the two “I rode here myself”

“And? That was before we knew you were pregnant. We need to keep you safe”

I chuckle “Alright, alright. If you insist”

For the next few days, Elrond, Legolas, Aragorn, and Lindir are all over protective of me, making sure I’m comfortable and not over working myself.

When it is time for me to go home, Legolas and Aragorn climb onto horses, and we all ride towards Erebor. We travel for many days, eventually getting to Dale.

In the city, I see Bard’s youngest daughter, Tilda, walking through the market. She sees me and smiles “Your majesty. How wonderful to see you”

I smile “It’s wonderful to see you, as well, Tilda. Has Frodo been to town?”

She chuckles “Yes, he and the brothers. They behaved, but mostly because Balin was with them”

I chuckle “Thank you for letting me know. Have a good rest of your day, and tell your family I said hello”

She smiles “Of course. Have a good day, your majesty”

Legolas and Aragorn smile as we head to the mountain. I make a Rose quartz and a pink carnation.

Once inside, we walk a bit until I see Ori walking with four pieces of Lembas. I raise a brow “Ori”

He pauses, looking at me “Yes?”

I smile softly “Try not to eat them too fast, yeah?”

He nods, smiling a bit “Yes, Ma’am”

“Do you know where Thorin and Bilbo are?”

He gestures to the study “They said something about checking documents”

I nod “Thank you, dear”

We begin walking, and Legolas looks at my hands “Why do you have a pink flower and a pink rock?”

I smile “It’s a carnation and a Rose quartz”

I hear Ori choke and cough a bit, before he looks over at me, then quickly runs off.

We get to the study, the presents in my pockets.  I open the door, seeing my husbands looking through a rather large pile of papers. They look up and see me, immediately smiling and standing up.

“My gem, it is good to see you home”

“How was the journey, lovie?”

I smile “It was lovely. And I have something for you both” I take out the flower and the crystal, handing them to them.

They look a bit confused at first.

“A pink carnation?”

“And A rose…quartz”

Their eyes widen as they stare at me. I smile, placing a hand on my stomach “Ada had a healer examine me after I felt sick. We’re going to have a baby”

Thorin sets the crystal down, then lifts me up, spinning me and laughing “This is wonderful!”

Bilbo chuckles “Thorin, put her down! We need to be careful with her”

Thorin sets me down, then kisses me. I smile, kissing back. Bilbo hugs me as well, kissing me gently.

Suddenly, we hear excited yells coming from the halls, as well as multiple sets of feet running toward the study. Legolas and Aragorn move away from the doorway, right as Fili, Kili, Ori, and Frodo collide into one another, falling to the floor. 

I chuckle, looking at my husbands “Ori heard I had Rose quartz”

They all stand up, smiling wide “Is it true?”

“Are we going to have another cousin?”

“What will you name him?”

Legolas and Aragorn look a bit confused “What if the baby is a girl?”

I shrug “It’s very unlikely. Female dwarves aren’t born very often. But, we’ll see in nine months”

Legolas’s eyes widen “Nine? Isn’t that too soon?”

Bilbo shakes his head “Hobbit and Dwarf pregnancies last for nine months. How long do elvish ones last?”

“A year”

I nod “I don’t actually know much about pregnancies, from any race. So, this should be an adventure”

Thorin smiles, wrapping his arms gently around my waist “In our lives, it’s always an adventure”

Later, we go and tell the others, earning cheers and congratulations.

For the next nine months, everyone in Erebor is incredibly over protective of me. Always had someone by my side, making sure I stayed safe. When the baby is born, Thorin, Bilbo and I name our son Thrain III. His hair is a darker brown, like Bilbo’s, and his eyes are a beautiful blue, just like Thorin’s. He does have my ears, a little pointed, showing his elvish blood. He is well loved and adored.

Thorin, Bilbo and I stand before the dwarves of Erebor, our son in my arms.

I smile, my husband's arms resting against my back. Our lives feel so complete.

A perfect ending on one chapter of our lives, and a perfect beginning to the next.