WOW. I cannot believe how long it has taken me to get this up. But here it is. :D I know this first part of the story is pretty short, but hopefully I can get more up soon. Also, I might choose a better title later. I do have a friend of mine helping write some later parts in the story, so much thanks to her! Anyways, PLEASE READ AND REVIEW! And let me know about any grammar/spelling mistakes. Sometimes a few of those can slip me. Thanks so much for taking the time to read! Love you guys! ENJOY!

P.S. Yeah I know it's sorta stupid to add myself to the story, but I guess it is just sorta a character based off of me. I guess I just can't help wanting those completely amazing dwarf brothers for my very own. ;)

"But Uncle Thorin, that's not fair!" Exclaimed the young dwarf in despair.

"It's out of the question," replied Thorin sternly, "you're much too young for a quest like this."

"But you know I can take care of myself," she pleaded.

"Maybe if you were eighteen," he sighed, "but we can't delay the journey long enough for your birthday."

"But it's only three weeks after the date you plan to start!"

"I've told you already, no!" Thorin snapped back to his niece. He wasn't used to her pushing him like this.

"But Uncle Thorin, please," she pleaded as tears filled her eyes. Seeing the tears, Thorin gently lay his hands on her shoulders and pressed his forehead down against hers.

"Susannah," he said gently, "I know how much this means to you, but you're too young; too gentle. If anything were to happen to you, I would be responsible. It's best if you stay here until we reclaim the mountain. I'm sorry to disappoint you. I know how much you wanted to go."

Susannah pulled away from her uncle's arms. She was disappointed. The only thing she felt like doing right now was crying, but she held her sobs inside.

"It's just that-"

"I know," Thorin interrupted, "Your brothers."

"How can you take them and not me?" Susannah accused.

"Are you challenging my judgement?" Thorin said angrily, raising an eyebrow, "Fili and Kili are much older than you, and are men! How can you compare yourself to them?"

"That's not why I care!" Susannah exclaimed in desperation, "You know it's not! I just don't want you to take them away! I don't want you to leave me! I'll I'll I-" Susannah clasped her hand over her mouth and fell to her knees, sobbing hysterically.

Thorin was shocked. He had watched this girl grow up from the time she was a baby and into a beautiful woman, but he had rarely ever seen her cry, and never like this. But Thorin knew these tears were genuine, uncontrollable tears. These were tears of fear. Fear of losing the three people she loved most in the world. So he was by her side in an instant, rocking her gently in his arms.

"There there, child," he whispered into her ear, "We won't be gone forever."

"But what if something happens?" Susannah choked.

"I promise, we'll come back for you." Thorin said, kissing her forehead. This seemed to calm her down. After a while, Thorin stood up, offering her his hand to help her up too. She gratefully took it.

"You'll watch over them then? And make sure they don't get into any trouble?" She asked quietly.

"I promise," responded Thorin, "Now you better go wash up. It's about dinner time. I leave early tomorrow morning to the iron hills, to seek the help of my cousin, Dain."

"Yes Uncle." Susannah left the room, head bowed in defeat. She walked into her room and sat at the dressing table, staring into the dirty mirror. She almost didn't notice when Kili entered.

"I'm guessing it didn't turn out so well," He sighed.

"No," she said, "I'm 'too young'. He said maybe if I was eighteen, but I'm not."

"But you will be in five weeks!" Kili exclaimed in frustration.

"He won't delay the journey Kili," she sighed, "It's no use." Susannah buried her head in her hands and let out a sigh. When she looked up again, Kili was still standing there, staring at the floor with an extreme look of concentration on his face.

"Wait, but he did say you could go if you were eighteen, right?" He asked, suddenly looking up at her.

"Well I don't see why that is relevant, because I'm not." She replied.

"Yes, but you will be soon." He said, as a mischievous smile spread across his face.

"What are you implying, Kili?" Susannah asked, raising an eyebrow. For all the years she had spent with her brother, she had never known him to once have a good idea.

"Well, once you turn eighteen you could, well, catch up with us," Kili said, smiling with satisfaction at his plan.

"Bad plan, Kili," she sighed, "Uncle Thorin would never agree."

"Who says we have to tell Uncle Thorin?" He said quietly.

"No. No. No," Susannah exclaimed, completely shocked with her brother's idea, "We can't just do something like that without his permission. He would kill us!"

"So what if he does?" Kili asked quietly, "Isn't it worth it?" For as long as they had lived, the Durin siblings had been as close as three peas in a pod, and had never been apart for longer than three weeks. So, maybe, just maybe, it was worth it.

After a long pause, Susannah swallowed and looked up into her older brother's eyes. "Alright, but we can't tell anybody! Not even Fili!"

"I promise." Kili swore, looking suddenly solemn, just our secret. And for the first time in months, Susannah felt a spark of hope. Maybe, just maybe, she would get to go on the journey of a lifetime after all.