His Heart, His Soul

by Alonia143

Thorin, Kili and Fili were severally injured after the Battle. Bilbo stayed because he wanted to help them, even if he was banished from Erabor. However, can Thorin fix what he ruined before the battle? Will Bilbo forgive Thorin, after he had traveled back to the Shire? AU: No one dies, Thilbo, Kiliel, Fili/OC. R&R Please.

1. Prologue: Where it all Began

Author's Note:

This prologue somewhat sets up on the dwarves, Bilbo and that of what will happen later on.

The prologue, I would like for you to know, is about the vague adventures that Belladonna Took/Baggins went on with that of Gandalf. Professor Tolkien doesn't gives us much on what she did, and I had asked my friend who knows Professor Tolkien's work a lot more then I do, if it was alright for me to write it.

He (my friend) said that it could work, just as long as it is not "something outlandish that she did or does do". So I am hopefully thinking that could be a "Filler" in the gaps of what Professor Tolkien had stated within his work and also for you, dear reader, to enjoy.

This fanfic will be a slow burn for Thorin and Bilbo, Kili and Tauriel with also that of Fili and an OC of mine: Mileth or Millie are Fili calls her. It is also an AU for everyone lives but will have the haunting of the battle and actions that accrued during it.

Just so everyone knows, Belladonna was born by the Shire Records 1252. If I get this wrong, please note that I am looking this stuff up and going by the Shire Records. Also that I'm going off of some facts that are going to be AU but leading up to the Quest and the Battle of the Five Armies.

I want to dedicate this to my cat; I miss you so much and you were always there for me, I love you my baby boy. To those who have helped me through this hard spot in my life, my friend D-Man. And also those who have reviewed "More than my Friend", Saddles18, Thorilian, Guest4U. Thank you.

If you don't like it, then too bad. You can always hit the back button if you don't like what you read and no flaming reviews either. As I said before, if you do not like it, hit the button and go somewhere else with your hatred and negativism. We do not want it here, thank you very much!

Please read and review, thank you and enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own the Hobbit nor do I make any kind of money from this work. This is purely for the enjoyment of writing and reading.

---

Prologue: Where it all began.

By Shire accounts Year: 1272 the Third Age of Middle-Earth.

Her mother always said "If you don't keep your feet, there is no knowing where you might be swept off to,"

But Belladonna was just a little girl back in those days. Always running off into the forest and not coming home until the first watchmen of the Hobbiton. Also eagerly wanting to talk to the elves and rangers that would pass by.

One of the times that Belladonna was in the forest, she actually stumbled upon a camp site. No one was around but as she looked and saw that the camp site belonged to that of the Rangers of the North.

Belladonna was only 8 years old according to humans, but she was much younger than that in hobbit years.

She remembers how the soft snap of a twig was heard and then suddenly she saw this powerful white stallion, rearing and blazing brown eyes. She screamed out of fright, landing on her back as she brought her arms up and over to protect her face from the pawing heavy hooves.

The rangers then came with their bows and swords, surrounding them and the campsite but, with someone whistling softly the stallion backed off. Coming down once again on his front legs; ears back and bucked and kicked out of annoyance.

It was rare for women to be within the Dunedain Rangers, but an auburn dark chocolate brown woman walked over to the irritated stallion. Softly speaking to him in Elvish before the stallion snorted heavily and then galloped away.

Belladonna slowly was helped up by this woman who had; to what Belladonna assumed, could tame wild spirited stallions and horses. They exchanged names and what they were doing this far west but, Belladonna then remembered seeing a little girl with this youthful older woman.

The little girl was nearly a mere image of her mother. Auburn wavy hair, cream fair youthful skin and hazel brown eyes. The Rangers of the North told Belladonna stories of the wide world of Middle-Earth and that soon formed a friendship with them.

But that was years ago, now Belladonna had just turned 20 according to the Shire records and that Took side of her soul was wanting to go on adventures once again.

It was the middle of the day and the sun was bright, the soft breeze blew softly as Belladonna was out in the fields, in between Hobbiton and Bywater. She was out walking, with her trusty walking stick as she looked around.

As it was nearly summer and the days were beautifully bright, sunny, and the birds were happily playing their songs.

Her blue eyes caught something up ahead as she saw it was an old man in long gray robes and a weird but much taller walking stick then her own.

Belladonna wanted to call out to this person; however she held her tongue as he seemed to be searching for something in the forest floor. His long white beard held back by his hand as he looked frustrated.

Curious on what was wrong, she walked silently closer. Her eyes watching out for stones to not step on, she then discovered a long wooden smoking pipe.

Her eyes looked up and saw that he was still searching for whatever it was that was missing. She gently bent down and picked up the wooden pipe as she then walked even closer.

"Sir?" she said just not five feet from him.

He gasped and whirled around ready to attack whoever it was with his walking stick.

"Oh, Good day my lady," he replied kindly back, smiling a bit.

"What are you looking for, if I may ask?" she asked him politely.

"Hmm? Oh, I believe that I cannot find my smoking pipe on where I had dropped it from when a mother fox had startled me for getting too close to her babies," the man explained as Belladonna smirked.

"Yes, Fox mothers are really nasty and overly protective of their young, but are it not with every mother?" Belladonna replied back, walking a little bit closer.

The old man smiled and chuckled softly, replied with "Yes I do agree, however, my name is Gandalf, the gray,"

"Hello, Gandalf the gray, I'm Belladonna Took from Hobbiton of the Shire," she replied smiling nicely at him.

"What is that you are holding? In your hand?" Gandalf asked her curiously.

She then held out his wooden smoking pipe and smiled more.

"So there it is. Thank you my dear," Gandalf said, almost cryptically as he gently reached out and took his pipe.

"Where are you off to if it is alright to ask Gandalf?" Belladonna asked him curiously.

"Hm? Oh, I am off to see a few friends of mine. Their dwarves, from the Blue Mountains. They are passing through to see if the race of Man needs any help or will be willing to hire a blacksmith or two," Gandalf said as Belladonna looked at him stunned.

"I've never seen a dwarf or more before. What else is there?" she asked, finding herself being more curious of this Gandalf sir.

"What else is there? Maybe it would be a good idea for you to join me to find out more for yourself, Miss Took," Gandalf said with a twinkle in his sky blue eyes.

"Well, Mister Gandalf, I would love to, but if I go missing a limb or whatnot I am holding you personally accountable for it," The young Took Hobbit replied to him.

He nodded and said "Indeed my dear, now, that we have found my smoking pipe, we need to head to Bywater. How well can you ride a pony or a horse Miss Took?"

"Ride a pony or a horse? Can't say that I have," She asked and then sighed.

Gandalf smiled warmly at her and the replied "Well it is not a bad thing to start now. From Bywater, we will have to head back this way before going to the North,"

"North Farthing? What business do we have there?" she asked, they started to walk slowly before Belladonna walked with determination in her steps.

"It is in the woods that we will meet with our dwarves. Though it will take us both close to seven days before we reach it. Now, I have some money to buy the pony for you," he informed her as she looked into her pack and pulled out some of her own money and handed it to him.

"Will that be enough?" she asked curiously.

Nodding to her, Gandalf smiled with "That will be enough, now off we go,"

And off they walked, keeping silent as they enjoyed the countryside and were making great progress. The fields turned into slow slopping hills as the river that Bywater was founded upon giggled and sang softly.

Belladonna couldn't help but watch the running body of water as it shined brightly in the sun. They walked and walked until finally they saw some kind of buildings and farm houses of the hobbits that lived here.

It was late in the afternoon early evening, before Gandalf declared that they should stay at the local inn. They got themselves a couple of rooms as they also had dinner.

Belladonna was talking to the servant girl on what she was doing so far from home.

"Going on an adventure, what else am I going to do? My parents are busy with my other siblings as I have been quite bored and would like something new to do," she countered the girl who had wide eyes like that of a fish.

"Well, it is not normal for hobbits around here to do that," The girl said back.

"Well that is because I am Belladonna Took and us Tooks are known for adventures," Belladonna replied back still smiling though.

The young hobbit servant nodded silently, muttered about one thing or another before walking away.

Belladonna shook her head and wondered how these hobbits lived at all, if it wasn't for the gossip, then what was it?

When she had her fill of her dinner; honey roasted ham, mashed steamy potatoes, corn with yams, bread rolls and good ale to wash it all down, Belladonna walked back up to her room.

The hobbits around here were friendly towards her, but whenever they saw Gandalf, they acted terrified of him since he was so tall and such. Though he was nice and polite and nodded to them from his seat in the corner close to the fireplace.

The next day, bright and early, Belladonna was already up, dressed and ready to go. She was excited to see the dwarves since she never seen one and was wondering if they were like that of what the men in Bree have told her of them.

But first things first: she had to learn how to ride a pony. Gandalf was downstairs as he nodded to her. He wasn't a morning person at all, not until he had some strong tea to wake up to with that of a full plate of breakfast; eggs, sausages, bacon, toast with hash browns.

Belladonna then greeted him after she had come down with her pack on "Good Morning Gandalf,"

"Mm Morning," he said grumpily, trying to be nice.

She snickered behind her hand as she ordered her breakfast with some morning tea as well. They ate and sat in the blissful silence of the morning. The Inn wasn't that crowded now from last night.

The only ones up were the servants, the bar tender, the chefs and owner of the inn along with Gandalf and Belladonna.

"Ready to go?" Gandalf asked her more politely this time round.

"Oh yes, but where will we be buying the horses or ponies from?" she asked him, gently wiping her mouth on the dinner clothe and getting up.

"I know someone who is willing to sell the animals to us, but we have to go now or else," he said, getting up with great care and thanking the inn's people, leaving them with a little bit more of a tip and the wizard and hobbit left.

Bywater was nearly almost made up of fishing hobbits since they lived so close to the river. Sure they had farming lands and such, but they were nearly smack dab in the middle of the lands becoming marshes and that of farmlands. Belladonna could smell how sweet it was here because of the river and how the landscape was.

When they both came to a farm, Gandalf had walked up to the farmer who was gardening away in his front garden.

"Hello, I am here to see if I could buy your horse and pony?" Gandalf greeted the hobbit.

"Oh? Hello Sir and Madam," the hobbit replied back, taking his sun hat off and smiling.

"Would you be willing to part with your horse and pony sir?" Belladonna asked the other hobbit softly.

"Well that depends on what kind of horse and pony you are looking for? For you see, I breed them. The two there are quite old and are just enjoying some grass out here. The others are in the back if you would like to look at them," the hobbit explained to them both.

"That would be most helpful," Gandalf replied smiling kindly.

As the hobbit dusted himself off and then padded to the back acres Belladonna saw a lot of ponies and horses. All different colors from ranging of rustic chestnut, snow white gray, midnight coal black, the earthy brown and dapple gray.

Gandalf was talking to the hobbit owner of these ponies and horses, but Belladonna saw one pony that had a lot of spirit. A memory from her youth trickled down into her mind and she walked into the pasture.

"Belladonna, I wouldn't suggest that horse," Gandalf suggested warily.

She didn't hear him or rolled her eyes at such a notion but, when the 14 hand tall pony looked at her with great interest, she knew that she would like to have this one.

The pony itself was that of interesting colors. The rich gray and spotted black and white mixed very perfectly. He was a blue roan. He had four black knee or hock socks with three of them on top of that, was white. His face was that of what the race of Man say, bald.

He was beautiful to see and look at but, to ride him for a beginner? Most likely not the best choice.

"That would be my stallion, Miss," the owner said proudly.

"He's beautiful," she said softly looking the animal in the eyes; which were a warm earthly brown.

"I have his four year old son, quite tame, but still high spirited like his father," the owner expressed, not going to give his stallion up at all.

Belladonna slowly looked over and saw a near spitting image of the stallion's colt. He too had the blue roan coating, bald white face, four black and white socks.

"We'll take him," Gandalf said before his new friend said anything else.

"Excellent, now of what you would like good sir?" the hobbit asked in return.

"I would like to see the horse pasture please," Gandalf replied kindly as she saw a hobbit child getting the colt.

She soon followed him to the stable; he was getting the tack from the overly massive over stocked tack room.

"This is the stallion, my father may have lied to you on this but, the colt that you see there in the pasture, miss, is not broken," The child whispered low to her.

"Would your father know the difference?" she whispered back, hinting what she might be up to.

"For my father, no. But your tall friend might," the child replied back knowingly.

Belladonna nodded before the kid scampered away, it took a few minutes before the colt came trotting into the stable. She quickly put the tack on the young colt before any of the others noticed.

The colt bucked, kicked and even lashed out at Belladonna, but that didn't stop her. She got the tack on him without getting too bruised up. The young boy then led her to the round pen and put them both inside.

"Make him run in circles, he'll get it out of his system by how your friend is fussing over the horses," the boy said softly.

So Belladonna did what the little boy suggested and sure enough, the colt bolted into a high strung gallop around and around the pen.

For close to an hour, she did this, not sure what the little boy wanted more from her. But the colt suddenly was ducking his proud head down, his jaw moving as his either left or right ear were trained on the hobbit woman in the pen.

"Okay stop, and then turn your back to him. It's the forming of the bond of trust to one another," the little boy whispered low.

"THAT IS TOO LOW OF A PRICE!" they all heard the boy's father yell but it Belladonna stop and turn her back towards the young colt.

It had her heart jumping with fear on what was going on. Then she felt a soft bump against her left shoulder.

Ever so slowly, she turned around and looked at the colt before her. His head ducked down, his ever cobalt blue eyes staring right back at her as he didn't act out anymore.

Very gently she moved her right hand and softly rested it against his forehead. He leaned softly into her careful touch and snorted. Belladonna then saw the boy ushering them out of the pen.

She gently took the reins of her new stallion and walked them both out of the pen. The little hobbit boy stood in front of one of the pony's legs as his father came over grumbling.

"I do not take kindly to having prices lowered, Miss Belladonna, but your friend here suggested that whenever you get home to Hobbiton, that you would make a huge feast for me and my lad?" The owner grumbled out.

"Of course, if we cannot pay for the price now, then please good sir, let me repay you through my mother's cooking," she replied almost at once.

"Master Alk Baywood at your service then," he said smiling.

"Belladonna Took at yours and thank you for selling this pony and horse," she replied kindly as he looked over at Gandalf who was getting his tack onto a bay horse.

"Stallion, Miss Took. My most prized one of my horses. Now, did my lad, Allen, show you what to do and all that?" Alk asked curiously.

"Oh yes, he was most helpful," she answered, almost feeling sorry for switching the two ponies.

Alk nodded and then said "Come on Allen, we have to go to the market now,"

"Yes father but, can I say one last thing to Miss Took?" Allen asked him, giving his father the puppy eye look.

"Oh, alright lad," his father replied, couldn't resist that look from no child.

Allen turned around and then whispered low "Do not feel sorry Miss Took, my father wasn't going to sell the colt if he yelled that much. He won't be upset, I promise,"

"If you say so Allen and thank you for your help," she whispered back, smiling.

It suddenly clicked with her that his father knew what pony she had and why he was so upset about the price.

"If he acts up again, just lunge him around silently. It's a reminder to them that you are the lead horse in the herd," Allen told her before he walked away with his father.

"Well," Gandalf said with a huff. "It seems that you have your pony,"

"Oh I'm sorry Gandalf," Belladonna began looking over at him.

He was seated on his new bay horse and was smiling under his gray pointy hat.

"Do not say sorry to me, Miss Belladonna Took! You know a good pony when you see one, now do you need help with getting up into the saddle?" Gandalf replied back to her.

Strangely enough the colt seemed to sense her uncertainty before he gently knelt down on one knee and looked at her. Belladonna wasn't going to miss this, so she gently put both of her legs on either side of the young beast as he moved back up again.

Gently taking the reins in her hands, she looked at Gandalf.

"To move him, forward, click your tongue. If you want to move to the left, shorten the left rein and he will follow your command," Gandalf patiently instructed her.

It wasn't until another forty minutes did they leave the breeding farm and headed back up north.

Belladonna took great interest of Gandalf's horse. For she knew a bay horse when she saw one, but this horse looked powerful and bulky. He had four black solid socks, black mane and tail but on his forehead she found most beautiful.

There was a circle shaped star, a line moving down until it flared over the horses nostrils, making them almost pink. She then took her pack off of her shoulders and then clucked her tongue to move her blue roan a head of the horse.

"What is that?" Gandalf asked her softly.

"His nose and lips will chip and crack if you don't put something to help protect them, Gandalf. I thought you knew that?" she replied in a light scolding manner.

The only thing that she got from the wizard was a chuckle as she put some sort of cream on the horse's nose and lips. She stopped her pony and gently applied the same kind of cream to his own lips and nose.

He didn't like it but, they rode on. They were coming to the road that would lead them to her hobbit hole and even if she wanted to go home, she looked ahead of her and smiled.

"Do you wish to stop Miss Took?" Gandalf asked her when they were nearly there.

"And do what Gandalf? Stock up on supplies?" she asked in returned.

"We could, there is no rush to the dwarves just yet," he said softly.

"I suppose we could," she replied and they took the road that led to her small hobbit hole where she had a small stable for ponies only.

Gandalf nodded and then stayed put with "I am sorry my dear, but I cannot fit into your home, only you can,"

"Understandable Gandalf," she replied before she swung her legs out of the saddle and hopped down before trotting into her home.

Gandalf stayed outside as it was a bit while before she came out in different clothing and much needed food. For there they stayed until it was time to move forward again.

As the afternoon was slowly coming to an end, Belladonna and Gandalf were passing the time of Riddles.

"I got one," Belladonna began as Gandalf listened "Hit me hard and I will crack, but you will never stop me from staring back,"

He hummed and thought this over in his mind as he said "A mirror,"

"Correct, your turn," she said happily.

Gandalf never met someone who was so bright and had a sharp mind than that of Belladonna Took.

"'D' is father of 'C' but why is 'C' not the son of 'D'?" he asked her.

"Hmm…interesting, never heard that one," she said thinking this over.

Gandalf watched her as they walked their horse and pony. Throughout the day, the young colt would get energized and walked to bolt which, Belladonna didn't mind. She would gallop off laughing, loving the thrill that the colt brought to her.

"Because 'C' is the daughter of 'D'," she replied to his riddle smiling.

"Correct once again my dear. I say, you must have had a sharp mind when you were growing up," Gandalf said as she shrugged at him.

"Not always a sharp mind. I remember the Rangers in the forest and how my mother would always scold me for going off for nearly a day or so at a time. She didn't mind that they were there, just me not coming back," she replied, enlightening of her fondness memory of the Rangers.

"Oh? And who did you see?" Gandalf asked her.

"Oh, they were tall, pale looking with dark raven black hair with gray blue eyes, but two women; a mother and a little girl, had rich dark brown eyes. I never saw them after that encounter with their steed though," she explained lightly.

Gandalf looked at her and then stopped their horse and pony together. He knew of which she spoke of, but how could someone like her know of those two and not tell a soul? Did she not know of who she met that day or night?

"Gandalf? Should…should we camp here for tonight?" Belladonna asked him curiously as the sun was fading and dipping more so behind the trees and fields.

"Mm yes. Sorry, it is just that you are very blessed Belladonna Took," he replied to her and then dismounted from his horse.

Gandalf then looked around and saw that they were near some hills but also close to the river that runs through Bywater.

They got their tack, supplies and beddings from the horse and pony's backs. The colt happily shook himself before wandering over to eat some long grass with the horse close behind him.

They got their fire going and dinner as well as Belladonna then softly asked "What do you mean that I am very blessed?"

"Those two rangers that you assumed were more than just rangers. They had elven blood in them and for their eyes to be so utterly different then gray or blue, indicates that that bloodline will continue to have those brown eyes," Gandalf replied back as Belladonna nodded slowly.

"They never did give me their names, though I have often thought on it," she told him, getting her bowl of soup and sat down across from the fire.

He looked at her and softly said "They would never give you their rightful name. Like that of the dwarves, the Rangers of the North will have nicknames for one another. The mother and daughter have probably moved on or from what you have told me, kept a watch out for you,"

"Yes, I always saw the rangers near midsummer. But the white steed I never saw of again either," she told him as he heard her burning questions and wanting to know what had happened to them all.

"Get some rest Miss Took," Gandalf replied as he took up watch that night.

---

Little over four days since then, Gandalf and Belladonna were becoming very great friends. And during the times that were silent, Belladonna wondered what Gandalf had meant that she was blessed?

They were nearing the forest where the dwarves were currently hiding but, her blue roan, that she named Bilbo as he just snorted at her with his ears back. She chuckled at this response but, Gandalf wondered on where his dwarf friends were.

They were traveling on the Stock Road towards the Bindbale Wood. He doesn't want to leave Belladonna to herself either but, he had to scout and search for them at least.

"My dear, Belladonna, I must go scout ahead. It has seemed that my friends are not exactly where I told them to be," he stated to her, looking around the soft slop of the hill where the wood was at.

"It is quite alright Gandalf. I promise to not move far, just a little closer to the wood would be fine for me to at least have some shelter," she replied as he looked at her and then nodded slowly.

"I will be back before you know it!" he told her and urged his horse into a fast trot near gallop.

She dismounted her pony as she walked close to the edge of the wood but scrunched her nose when she smelled a bog nearby. The wind didn't blow today, but somehow the smell lifted as she sat down on a fallen log with holding the reins as Bilbo munched on some grass.

Nearly half an hour had gone by as she sat there but, Gandalf didn't come back. She was worried for him of course, but she hoped that he would come back soon.

Twigs snapped and then a shout.

Belladonna Took didn't' have enough time to jump away or even react as the person or being collided with her as she was flown to the ground. Her pony backed up rearing but, then charged forward with his ears flattens and teeth bore.

"AH!" the male person hollered back, moving fast back towards the wood.

Belladonna then saw Gandalf glaring at the person shouting "BONDER! That is the hobbit that I have told you about! She is not a threat!"

"Just get this confounded horse off of me!" Bonder yelled back as he continued to back away from the rearing Bilbo.

Belladonna got up and then took the reins of her pony.

"Easy, Bilbo, easy. He's not going to hurt us anymore. Good boy, it's okay," she said softly to her angered pony stallion.

With a heavy snort and ears still pulled back in a threatening manner, her pony settled down as Belladonna looked up and saw who this Bonder was. To her great surprise, he was in fact a dwarf. A little taller than her but stout and heavy set built.

'He does look like a rectangle more than anything,' Belladonna thought to herself as she eyed his weird lopsided hat.

With his clothes being mostly that of brown rich tan leather, she wondered what he worked on for his trade. The dwarf slowly got up and then backed up a few feet, his wide frightened blue eyes staring at the stomping and snorting blue roan pony.

"Bonder, I would like for you to meet Miss Belladonna Took off the outskirts of Hobbiton and the Shire," Gandalf introduced the two. "Belladonna, this is Bonder. He is a miner and also that of a toymaker, glass blower and wood carver,"

"Bonder of the Blue Mountains, at your service lass," he said with a deep bow to her.

Belladonna nodded and then said "Nice to meet you Bonder, I am sorry for Bilbo-"

"Oh no, lass. The fault is all my own, for it were I who attacked you, not the other way around," Bonder interrupted her as she nodded.

"Well, since we have found our dwarves, which is only 6 of them Belladonna, I will introduce you to each and every one. Then we can go to their campsite," Gandalf told her as she nodded.

Gently walking over to Bilbo and hopped about twice before swinging her legs into the saddle, she followed Bonder and Gandalf into the wood.

Bonder and Belladonna were softly talking to one another, getting to know one another delightfully.

"I moved to the Blue Mountains when I was just a wee lad. From the attack of Erabor, from the fire drake of the North. Smaug, the Terrible. Our prince at the time, Prince Thorin, has taken care of us remaining dwarves and led us to the Blue Mountains. There I have found useful trades, as Gandalf already told you about," Bonder said smiling, walking beside Bilbo and Belladonna.

"Prince Thorin? Who is he?" she asked him curiously.

"King Thorin now, is the son of Thrain, son of Thror. Both of his father and grandfather were either King or Prince of Erabor. King of under the Mountain would be their title when taking their kingship. He is a great and wonderful Prince, my lady. A little stubborn but what dwarf isn't? He's very kind, patient and has seen a lot of hardship since the Dragon's attack on Erabor," Bonder replied back to her when they finally made to the dwarf's campsite.

With the help of Bonder getting Belladonna down from her pony, Gandalf gently removed the tack and set the pony loose. Bilbo snorted pranced around before galloping off joining his friend that wasn't too far away.

"Thank you Bonder," Belladonna told him after he steadied her.

"Oh you're welcome lass," he replied smiling.

It was then that the hobbit lass saw not just five other dwarves, but nine of them. Three were children as the rest of them were adults.

"My lady, these are my three children. The oldest is Bifur, Bomber and the youngest is Bofur. Laddies, this is Miss Belladonna Took. She's a Hobbit or Halfling from the green country that is called the Shire," Bonder introduced them all to each other.

Bifur walked up to Belladonna and smiled with "Hello Miss Took, Bifur at your service,"

To her surprise, the young dwarf bowed to her; setting the example for his younger siblings.

"Hello Bifur and all of you can call me Belladonna or Bell if it's too much for you to pronounce my name," she said, hoping that would be easier for them.

Bomber walked up to her, he was slightly bigger in the tummy, but he just smiled at her with his ginger hair different from his brother's black.

"Hello, I'm Bomber and at your service Bell," he said with friendly smile and bowed deeply.

"Hello Bomber," she replied back, returning the smile.

With a silly swag to his walk, a goofy smile to his face and dancing almost backwards, Bofur walked up bowed to her and said "Hello, I'm Bofur and at your service Miss Belladonna Took,"

Giggling at this, the young hobbit woman nodded to him and replied "Nice to meet you as well Bofur,"

"Belladonna, this here, is Oin II. He is here because he is a healer and to help us," Gandalf then introduced Belladonna to somewhat pepper haired dwarf healer.

"Oin II at your service Miss Took," Oin said, bowing to her.

She smiled and then asked "Help us with what Gandalf?"

"Orcs," a very young but strong looking dwarf began. "They have been coming down more and more from the Northeast. We do not know why, but we fear that they may head towards your homeland,"

At this Belladonna gasped and stared at the dwarf before her. He had a strawberry blonde with a hint of orange to his hair with blue eyes. Though he was quite slim for a dwarf.

"Noir of the Blue Mountains at your service, my lady," He introduced himself and bowed low to her.

"Orcs? The stories are true about them then?" she asked him, seeking truth more than anything.

"Yes, they are real, but don't believe the stories of them sneaking into camp grounds in the dead of night to slit your throat. That is wrong. They will attack you snarling and running only at you, to kill you," he told her.

"Now, Nori, don't go frightening the poor lass," another dwarf said with a huff.

Gandalf then said "You're quite right, Lord Ginnar,"

"Lord?" Belladonna whispered as her face somewhat paled.

She had learned of other lands and kingdoms from her mother and family, but she always thought that they were fairytales before going to bed.

"Aye, Miss Took I am Lord of the Blue Mountains. This lad here is my friend and that of Durin, Vili. He has fought many battles, including the one where Smaug the Terrible took over Erabor," Lord Ginnar said, nodding to the blonde hair dwarf.

To Belladonna he looked regular. Soft forget-me-not blue eyes and his beard was braided in a way that just looked like you could talk to him for hours on end or that he was an easy going kind of dwarf.

'Very subtle.' she thought as she looked him up and down, he carried a long sword with a bow and arrows.

"Vili of the Royal court of Durin and at your service my lady," he said very calming with a low bow.

It was a fierce blush that swept across Belladonna's face as she curtseyed back to him. He smiled fondly at her.

"Is King Thorin apart of Durin?" She asked him as the dwarves stilled at that question.

Vili looked at her and replied softly "Yes, but please do not tell anyone. Even if it is common knowledge, we dwarves like our privacy,"

"Of course, I am just curious as to who belongs to Durin," she told him innocently.

Vili nodded as he quietly slipped into the native tongue of their race as Lord Ginnar snarled and glared at him but with some soothing words and pats on his shoulder, Vili looked back at Belladonna as he smiled.

"I will teach you the royal bloodline of Durin, if you vow with all of the witnesses here…that you will never tell of our race's royal family," Vili stated to her.

"I vow, that I, Belladonna Took, will never breathe a word of the royal family bloodline of Durin. Even if it is common knowledge," Belladonna replied back which made Lord Ginnar nod with approval.

So Gandalf and the other dwarves started to get to know Belladonna, she loved the three young dwarflings; Bofur, Bifur and Bomber. She kept them busy and out of the adults way with playing silly little kid games.

Vili and Lord Ginnar were off to the side, speaking low to one another in their mother tongue. Lord Ginnar glared at Vili and snapped at him for whatever it was that he had said as the dwarflings and Belladonna stopped and listened to them.

"Remember you are-"

"The king's friend and advisor. I do not answer to you," Vili cut him off in the common tongue before Lord Ginnar snorted and walked off.

"Vili?" Belladonna asked him curiously and worriedly.

The dwarf looked at her before shaking his head and then said "My lady, how much do you know of royalty?"

"Uhm…" she began but went with the change of subject. "That there is a king and a queen; they have heirs to carry on their bloodline. The king has a council to conduct meetings and trading with other kingdoms, knights or something like that to help with battles but that is about it,"

Vili nodded and then said "Hey dwarflings, want to help me with explaining this to our Lady Took?"

Bofur and Bifur smiled almost too sweetly but replied "Sure!"

"Alright," Vili said, walking to another part of the campsite.

Belladonna saw that Gandalf was speaking to Lord Ginnar as the other dwarves were also speaking in what seemed protest too.

"My lady?" Vili's voice washed over her as she looked over at him.

Before her was Vili holding a daisy flower. A swift blush came over her as she softly reached out and took the daisy and put it behind her left ear.

"You are the queen, I am the king, Bofur has volunteered to be our 'heir' and Bifur is our knights. Bomber is the council, but uh…the pinecone there is your spymaster. Spymaster is where they go into the markets, down in the cellars…they listen for any way someone will hurt the royal family. Nori is the spymaster to the Durin family," Vili explain in a hushed tone.

Belladonna looked over at Nori who was standing in between the two groups, leaning up against a tree, smoking his fancy pipe.

"I never thought he would be one," she voiced to Vili who smiled.

"No one ever does, but Thorin trusts him. And Thorin isn't a prince, not after that battle near Moria. He is an exile king. He built a new kingdom in the blue mountains, just west of here. Thorin is not married because he loves his people too much, but he does have his heirs," Vili explained more to her.

"Oh? How?" she asked, sitting down on a smooth rock as all of the dwarflings sit around her while listening to Vili.

"He has a sister who has had two sons. Knowing that he needs someone to carry on the bloodlines, he chosen his sister-sons for his heirs and everyone that is a dwarf accepted that. He really loves his family since I was there when his grandfather was beheaded and his younger brother died in the same battle near Moria," Vili explained to her.

Belladonna thought this over and then asked softly "Were you there with them?"

Vili heavily sighed and replied "Yes, I failed to protect the younger prince,"

The dwarflings gasped at this since they know the stories of that battle; however Belladonna couldn't help the feeling of wanting to comfort Vili.

"Did the King…?" she began but couldn't finish her question; however Vili picked up on what she wanted to ask him.

"He forgave me because there were more orcs then us dwarves, but I know that every time that I am near our King, he still hurts. I know the royal family because their mother took me in when no one else was there. My parents were killed from an orc attack ambush from us fleeing from one human town to the Blue Mountains, after years before when Smaug destroyed Erabor. They didn't have to but, I am forever grateful for what they have done. Frerin and I were close because I'm a lot younger then he was and Thorin with that of his sister, Dis, were the older ones.

I'm almost a near spitting image of Frerin and I know it hurts our King to look upon me but, I am afraid that it will harden his soul if he does not open up soon," Vili told her with the dwarflings listening.

"But," Bofur said "You couldn't have done anything else to help the young prince, Vili. Like you said, there were more Orcs then dwarves,"

"Aye, Bofur, but it was also my responsibility to protect him. When it comes to a royal family, you have to look after all that you call family. It is just one of those things that are drilled silently into you," Vili explained as Belladonna slowly got up from her spot on the rock and gently wrapped her arms around the dwarf.

A little unsure, Vili hugged Belladonna back as Nori watched how a blush spread over his friend's face. He could easily see how those two would make a great couple if the King allowed it.

Bofur walked up to the couple and even though he hated to interrupt the two, he tapped the hobbit's shoulder as she turned to look at him.

"Can we craft something now?" he asked Vili who nodded.

"Go find a good branch, then come back. We don't want you all to go wandering off okay?" Vili replied back to them after he had separated from Belladonna.

"I'll go with you runts," Nori teased the boys as they protested walking off into the woods.

"What does the King look like?" Belladonna asked him, still curious on him.

Vili smiled and then pulled out a folding picture of the royal family from his pockets.

"Thorin is the one standing there, Dis is the princess sitting down with her two sons on the left side, standing there. Frerin is the one standing next to Thorin as I am standing in front of him," he explained as she looked at the family.

They formed a circle around the princess dwarf and Belladonna looked from one face to the other.

"They look really serious here," she stated which was true.

"Oh, don't let it fool you, Lady Took, they know how to have fun. Mostly with the two heirs running around causing a lot of trouble and messes in their wake," Vili chuckled back.

"Oh? What do they get up too?" she asked him eagerly to know this family.

Vili chuckled more and then said "You are almost like the two heirs, always curious and wanting to know more, but can't sit still. Mostly that of Kili. He's this one here and Fili is there,"

"Fili and Kili? They nearly sound familiar with your name,"

"Oh, the father wasn't that fond of their names sounding familiar to my own, but I am also their first guardian. Their second is named Dwalin, his older brother Balin is on the council as well,"

"What was the father's name?"

"Bavor, he was really tall for a dwarf, Kili takes after his height and Fili has his dirty blonde hair,"

"Was? What happened to him?"

"I see you catch on really quickly with a few simple words. He died from a cave in, in the Blue Mountains. Dis has tried to raise the boys on her own, but Thorin and I stepped after I saw her sobbing one day in her room. But also it was just a month or so after the battle at Moria,"

"Oh, if you ever see her again, tell her I am so sorry. I know that she probably wouldn't want my pity, but it's not that at all. I just feel truly sorry for her and her family,"

"Do not worry, Lady Dis will know after I send her a letter. You see that Raven up on the branch? He's one of the royal family's messengers. I send the family letters of our journey," Vili said, looking up and pointing out the beautiful dark black bird.

Belladonna looked up and saw the bird as she gasped and said "I have seen it for some days now. Was it guiding me and Gandalf here?"

"Yes, he was. He will follow those who I say need it. He's a really nice bird, but right now he does not want to see you just yet. He is a little unsure of whom you are and if you will hurt me but that is an outlandish thought," Vili replied with a smirk and a shrug.

Belladonna didn't know why, but Vili was starting to grow on her faster then she imagined. However the dwarflings with Nori running back, all smiling and laughing.

"RUN! It is NORI!" Bofur joyfully teased Nori who was acting like a big monster.

"What?" Belladonna said confusedly but then she was picked up by Bifur and was running away.

"OY! GIVE ME BACK LADY BELLADONNA!" Vili shouted in a teasing fun voice and ran off after the dwarf.

The adults who were watching were just smiling and shaking their heads when Nori chased after them. Gandalf just chuckled softly to himself, knowing how free and young spirited these dwarflings were.

After getting the dwarflings settled down from playing "Run from Nori, the Horrible!" they soon got some food. Lord Ginnar was talking to the other dwarves, Bonder didn't like it at all on he was saying. So much so that he got up and walked over to his kids and started to talk to them instead.

As the evening was falling, the dwarves, hobbit and wizard all had their fill to eat and settled around the fire, Bonder sat down next to Belladonna who was sipping her evening tea.

"It was good of you lass, to make sure that my kids were occupied today. I thank you whole heartedly since I don't get to see them like that, it was a real pleasure to see them laughing and smiling again," Bonder told her softly as she looked at him.

"It's no problem, Bonder. I have a lot of siblings so I know how to take care of kids. I just hope that one day that I will have one," she replied thoughtfully.

"Oh, I bet you will lass. You'd make an excellent mother, just hope that the lass or lad is just like you. Kind hearted and such, we need more like your kind in this cruel big world of ours," Bonder said with a nod.

She smiled in return but then noticed that everyone was already camped out their sleeping bags. Belladonna got up suddenly to find a place to sleep for the night or she would sleep on the log that she was sitting on.

She walked up to Bilbo who was free of his tack and held with the other ponies and horses. He walked over to her and rested his chin on her shoulder in a hug.

"Hey boy, do you know where my sleeping bag went?" she asked him knowing that he wouldn't answer her back in the common tongue.

He moved away and then walked to the edge of the rope and pointed with his head towards her tack and sleeping bag. Smiling, she then walked over to it and grabbed her stuff before returning with an apple.

Bilbo ate it up with his left ear twitching a bit but it looked like he was happy with his treat.

"Good boy, now get some rest if you can and I'll see you in the morning," she told him before walking back to the fire.

"My lady?" Vili softly said.

She looked at him as he patted a spot that he had saved for her. Belladonna blushed but walked over to him, the fire was brought back to life by Bonder with another log or two on it.

Vili smiled with a blush as he saw her lay out her sleeping bag and laid down on it. The blanket that he saw of hers was very thin and hummed.

"Here," he whispered low to her, handing her a much thicker blanket.

"Oh, I'm-"

"Please, just take it for my sake," he interrupted her softly as she took his blanket.

So she put it over herself as she said "Good Night Bonder,"

"Mm Good Night Lass. Vili, keep your hands to yourself tonight. I don't think Lord Ginnar will like it if you were sleeping with Miss Took," Bonder warned him, even if his voice sounded light and cheerful, there was a true warning in it.

Vili looked at his new friend and nodded with a heavy sigh.

The young hobbit lass fell asleep soon after but, what she didn't know was that the Raven from earlier had hopped down and looked at her with an intelligent gleam in his eyes. He hopped over to Vili who was keeping watch with Bonder for the night.

---

The small company of dwarves, the wizard and the hobbit lass all were on their ponies as Belladonna wondered what it was that they were trying to do now. Sure they were heading back down towards Bywater, but what was it that Gandalf wanted her on?

Why was she there with the dwarves who were trying to save her home? Sure she would help in any way possible, but what could a hobbit woman do?

"Uh, Bonder?" she asked him which he was a head of her.

"Aye," he replied, turning around in his saddle.

"Can you…can you teach me how to use a sword?" she asked him with a hint of fear.

Bonder saw how she had gone a bit pale and then said "I will do my best, but Vili would know more of using a sword then I. More experience you see,"

"Oh, thank you," she replied nodding to him understanding.

"Miss Took," Bomber asked her curiously.

"Yes…Bomber?" she replied unsure if she got his name correctly.

"Aye, I was wondering, don't you hobbits know how to fight?" he asked her on his black horse.

"Bomber!" Bonder snapped off at him "That is-"

"No, no it's okay Bonder. He's just curious since I know about your culture and he doesn't with my own," She interrupted her friend as he nodded.

By this time, everyone was listening in on them.

"No, Bomber, my race does not need or think we do not need to know the ways of how to defend ourselves. The Shire and Hobbiton are the most peaceful places in Middle-Earth. However, learning to know how to defend oneself is always important," she told the young dwarfling.

"That is odd, what would happen if an attack came? No one would be able to defend yourselves," Bofur said from behind her pony.

"That my dear Bofur," Gandalf began. "You would be right and wrong. Hobbits have gardening tools, for they love to garden. They can use their gardening tools, but that will not hold up against an attack,"

Belladonna felt her heart sink at the knowledge of this as she looked behind her and locked eyes on that of Bofur.

"My lady," he said, bowing forward on his pony.

"Can you make me out of wood, toy swords, bow and arrows?" she asked him curiously.

Not sure what had gotten into the hobbit lass, Bofur then sat straighter and buffed up his chest with "Aye, lass. I will make them so that they will be passed down onto your children's children,"

"Thank you Bofur," she replied to him smiling before Bilbo acted up again and bolted from the line.

"HOBBIT!" Lord Ginnar growled out when she was galloping faster and faster away.

"Miss Belladonna!" Gandalf yelled after as well but, she didn't listen to him as she bounded away on her pony.

Bilbo snorted and galloped faster and further away from the small company as Belladonna didn't mind this. She knew that he got bored and didn't like to sit around; after all he is a stallion.

"Whoa, Bilbo, whoa boy," she softly told him as he slowed from a fast gallop to lazy trot and slow walk.

Where she was, she was amazed at. She was in a glade where the grass was beautifully green, very long but overly huge as it blended into fields.

Gently swinging her leg out of her saddle, she hopped down and then brought the reins over Bilbo's neck and head as she then took off his tack. He surged forward, galloping off into the fields but then she brought her index finger and thumb to her mouth.

With a sharp whistle Bilbo came to abrupt halt, turned around and looked at her with his ears forward, nostrils flaring before he galloped back. He came up to her as she held her hand out flat as he put his nose and lips to it.

She smiled and then said "Good boy. Stay close okay?"

He nodded with wide eyes before walking slowly a few yards from her.

"BELLADONNA!"

"MISS TOOK!"

"HALFING! WHERE ARE YOU!"

Were some of the yells and shouts that she could after a few hours of her and Bilbo just enjoying the nature.

"I'M HERE!" she yelled back as Gandalf was the first to see her.

"Belladonna Took!" he said angrily but was glad to see that she was alright.

"What? He's a stallion, Gandalf. What in the Shire am I suppose to do? Keep him reined in where he starts bucking and kicking and causing up trouble?" she said back as the others came over to her.

"We'll stay here for today," Lord Ginnar growled as he sent Belladonna a nasty glare.

Bonder, Bofur, Bifur, Bomber, Vili, Nori and Oin all rushed to her when they got their ponies and horse ground tied and hugged her. She returned the hugs from them and said that she was sorry.

"It's alright, just a very high spirited stallion you got there," Vili told her smiling, he would never tell her how much he was fearful for her safety.

"Yes indeed," Gandalf said looking at her with a quizzical stare.

"Okay, okay! He's the colt that the father from the horse farm that we bought them from!" she told him the truth on the switch.

"I figured as much," he grumbled back with a twinkle in his eyes again.

She chuckled softly to herself as they made up camp. Vili however, had taken out his weapons and then walked up to her.

"Want to start you weapon training?" he asked her, knowing that they could spend a few hours of going through the basics if she wanted to.

Belladonna blushed and said "You're not going to go too hard on me, are you?"

"No, no. Basics first, then after some hours of memorizing the stances, then you will get to go through the harder stuff," he replied as he gave her his extra dwarf sword which was a bit too big for her.

So that afternoon, Vili, along with Bofur, Bonder, Bifur and Nori, all helped her through the basics. She didn't give up when she failed to get them, giving more then she got which impressed them all at how determine she was, but felt better when the three and half close to four hours was done for now.

The fire was set up, the big black cooking pot was bubbling with the stew as Gandalf walked over to her.

"Why did you switch the ponies around?" he asked her curiously.

She chewed her mouthful of stew and then politely replied "Because he would have wasted away at that farm. He wanted to go, he was ready Gandalf; I couldn't have denied him that,"

"Very well, I hope that he lives long for you to enjoy, because my twenty gold coins is very light in my pocket," the wizard told her as she gasped at how much he had to spend for her stallion.

"When we get back, that is if we do, I will serve you for two months straight of my cooking. Do not disagree with me Gandalf, it is the least that I can do," she promised him as he nodded.

"Very well my dear, now I suggest that you get some rest. You will be very sore by tomorrow morning from riding and weapons training," he replied very wisely.

She gave a soft yawn behind her hand so that she wouldn't look rude in front of the dwarves. Belladonna then got up, put her nearly empty bowl next to Nori, walked over to her bedroll and laid down.

Before long she was fast asleep as the dwarves just shook their heads with a either a smirk or a frown.

"Vili," Bonder said to him softly.

"Aye," he replied back, looking at the miner.

"Do you think I could uh, talk to you privately for a moment," Bonder asked of him, walking away until he was out of earshot.

The "Prince" walked after him and waited near a fallen old oak tree. He wondered what it was that his new friend wanted.

"I just wanted to make sure that we are on the same page here when it comes to Miss Took," Bonder started, he turned to look at the blonde dwarf.

"About?" he pressed back, hesitant.

"Your emotions for the lass. Do not get me wrong, she is a beauty, but are you sure it's not the adventure that is talking through your head?" he asked him nicely.

Vili lowered his eyes to the ground and sighed. He too had been thinking on this subject when they trotted after her bolting away in pure fun and joy.

Meanwhile, while they were talking, so was Nori and Oin.

"The lad there has it really bad," Nori nearly uttered to the older dwarf.

"Aye, but I wouldn't be so worried on that. The lass can take care of herself," Oin replied, nodding to the sleeping Belladonna.

"Mm…Lord Ginnar wasn't so keen of speaking his mind of her. I have never seen Bonder, his sons, Vili or Gandalf that highly upset. Do you think Thorin would allow such a relationship?" Nori continued to speak as low as he kept his eyes on Lord Ginnar and his other council dwarf.

No one knew what or why this dwarf from the council of Thorin was here, but Nori did not like the looks of how the two would speak so very often with each other and in low hushed whispers.

Nori only knew his name: Sviur. He was not tall or good around the middle, but kept to himself and even though that he had sent several letters to their King, Nori did not like Sviur one bit. Mostly whenever he stared too long at Miss Took during the evenings.

"Has your friend come back yet?" Oin asked secretively.

Getting the hint, Nori shook his head 'no' at the older dwarf who sighed.

"I am sorry lad," Oin said before going to go look for some firewood.

Gandalf was lucky he could hear this conversation but, his eyes too stared over at Lord Ginnar and the council member, Sviur. Something struck an interest in the wizard as he formed a plan.

"Lord Ginnar, I will take watch tonight," he said, interrupting whatever it was that he was saying to Sviur.

"Alright," Lord Ginner forced out with a seething expression.

Bofur, Bifur and Bomber walked to where their father was as they started their own training with the bows and arrows.

When it got too dark for anyone to see, they all came back and huddled around the fire. Vili stared at the flickering flames but, his discussion with Bonder had put him back on track before the hobbit lass came into the picture.

Gandalf stayed up all night keeping watch but, he did not see a bird fly off as either Lord Ginnar or Sviur walked back to their bedrolls and fell back asleep.

---

It was a few days since and they still had a long way to go. Vili was training Belladonna quite wonderfully but was keeping his distance. This confused the hobbit lass, but she wasn't going to push it though the ache of him not being so close to her hurt.

Around the fourth morning, Nori's Raven had come back but so did Lord Ginnar's.

While it was in the early evening, Nori walked over to Belladonna and handed her, her very own letter.

"What is this?" she asked him confused.

"That is from Lady Dis, Miss Took. I have told her of you and she would like to start a friendship between your kin and our own. I also asked her if she could write in the common tongue, since you do not know my kin's mother language," Nori explained before he walked off.

Belladonna swallowed as she looked at the letter once more in her hands and then opened it slowly.

'Whatever she wrote, it must be pretty long.' She thought to herself as she took out the contents of the letter.

She unfolded the letter and it said:

"Dear Miss Belladonna Took of Hobbiton of the Shire,

Hello, you may not know me in person or at all, but my spymaster, Nori has told me so much about you. I would very much like to start a friendship with you.

As you may have known on your little "adventure" with that of Gandalf the Gray, Nori, Oin, Bonder and his three children, with that of the council member Sviur and Lord Ginnar, Vili is very important to the Royal family.

In fact, Miss Took, he is a Prince of Durin. Since my older brother, Thorin took Vili in when he had no one else. It is really sad my dear, that Vili has no other family but my own. It would do Vili some good to have some happiness; I know that Thorin is happy about this.

We would also, Miss Took, like to give you a Raven hatchling. So that you can send us letters whenever you felt like it. Do not worry; the Raven will be accompanied to and from here in the Blue Mountains and to your beloved home within the Shire.

For now, the hatchling is too young to leave the nest and will grow up here. Thorin also would like to express his whole hearted gratitude with a few trips to your homeland; in the evenings if you will.

Stay safe and keep our young prince of the Durin bloodline happy, Miss Took.

Sincerely,

Lady Dis.

PS: Please do not break our brother's heart."

Belladonna didn't know what to think of this letter. She read it about three more times until she understood correctly. Her eyes gazing out and finally locked onto Vili. He was off away from her, but his eyes smoldered with a kind of love that she never saw before.

'Love? Is he truly in love with me, from his older sister and quite possibly his older brother and King says?' she asked herself swallowing.

"Nori?" she quietly asked for him.

The Spymaster walked over to her, he had seen how she had reacted to the letter and wondered what it was that Lady Dis had wrote to make the hobbit lass so quiet and small.

"Yes, my lady?" he addressed her.

"Can you help me with figuring out on what to do with this and possibly that of the royal family of Durin?" she asked him, breaking the locked gaze of Vili as she looked up at the spymaster; holding out her letter for him to read.

Very hesitantly Nori took the letter and read it after he had sat down next to her. After a few minutes all he could do was whistle low.

"Well, may I ask you something before I give my answer?" he requested from her.

Belladonna just nodded at him on how she got into this…courtship?

"Do you love him?" Nori simply asked her, nodding his head towards Vili who had gotten a piece of parchment out and started writing on it with a fever.

"I …I don't know. I have only met him for nearly a week and even though"

"Do you love him," Nori repeated more forcefully.

The hobbit lass looked at Nori and replied "Slowly I am,"

"Then, write back to Lady Dis, telling her the truth or she will not trust you again if you lie to her, about how you feel, what you should do and maybe, you'll be surprised in the end," Nori then told her his answer with a soft smile before getting up and walking into the forest.

Belladonna sighed and then got up and walked over to Vili; she only knew that he had the stuff for writing.

"Good Evening, my lady," Vili greeted her softly; though his voice had a rough edge to it.

"Good Evening, your highness," she replied back, using his title.

"Vili is fine. I try to act normal around others, they find it very…envious that I am a prince, but not related to that of Durin," he told her, as she looked at him.

"What are you upset about?" she asked him.

"That letter is from my sister, yes?" he asked in return.

"Yes it is,"

"Then you know my frustrations. I do love my adoptive siblings, but they can be over protective when it's not needed. What did my older sister threaten you this time?"

"This time? Threaten? Vili, she did none of those things. You can read this, I don't mind it. It's just that I was wondering if I could use your quill and ink bottle to reply back to her," Belladonna stated shocked.

Vili gently took the letter and read it over carefully. He could easily see where Thorin wanted to voice his objections but, thank Mahal that Dis interfered on it.

"Don't break our brother's heart…as if you could ever do that," the dwarf prince grumbled low.

Belladonna watched him get out an extra ink bottle and quill from his pack. She said her thank you to him before she turned the letter over and started her reply.

The young hobbit lass wrote until the ink was well dried and folded back up into the envelope. Vili then gently tied the letters together and then around the ankle of his raven as it flew off.

"After this is over, I would expect you to be in shock," Vili said almost in a cryptic tone.

"Oh? And why is that?" Belladonna replied back.

"Because they won't take you telling them no on the gold. It may be just one wagon or so but that is all that the Royal family can spare," Vili said with such bitterness that Belladonna almost tasted it in her own mouth.

"Why are you so hateful-?"

"Because, there is a prophecy and a curse upon my adoptive siblings. Every dwarf has a lust for gold, but none so fierce then that of Thor, Thrain, Thorin and Dis. If Thorin goes and reclaims our homeland now, it will lead him to his death or insanity or both. I do not want him to die alone from that," Vili cut her off.

Belladonna was quiet and then very gently placed her soft smaller hand on top of his forearm.

"Even though many people say that we do, I tend to think that we don't die alone. However, you can't stop a prophecy Vili. It will happen and when it does I hope that you will be okay," she said softly.

Ever so carefully, he took her hands into his much larger thicker ones and kissed her finger tips. He wanted to believe her, truly he did, but like she said, how could one stop a prophecy from coming true?

"Can you tell me what the prophecy says?" the curious hobbit lass asked of him.

"Of course, my lady. Just let me think on it," He replied as she scooted a bit closer to him.

Nori had come back and smiled at the two as he put down huge logs on the dying fire.

"The King beneath the mountain

The king of carven stone,

The lord of silver fountains

Shall come into his own!

His crown shall be upholden,

His harp shall be restrung.

His halls shall echo golden

To songs of yore re-sung!

The woods shall wave on mountains

And grass beneath the sun;

His wealth shall flow in fountains

And the rivers golden run.

The streams shall run in gladness,

The lakes shall shine and burn,

All sorrow fail and sadness

All the Mountain-king's return!"

"The lakes shall sine and burn, all sorrow fail and sadness?" she repeated those verses as she looked at him.

"Aye. You pick up on the key words or moments or whatever it is Miss Took, a lot sharper than most dwarves," Vili commented to her.

She blushed and then said "I don't think it's because of that, Vili. I think it's maybe because I'm lucky,"

He chuckled and then told her "Get some sleep my lady. I hope that I have not done any damage to you,"

"Damage? And I'm not tired, Vili. Maybe a little excited but, not tired," she scuffed at him.

He chuckled more and remained silent as Nori smiled at the two.

---

For the next week and half, they rode and didn't talk all that much as they once again stopped at Belladonna's hobbit hole to stock up on supplies. It was only after the second or third day that Nori felt something was following them.

Every now and again he would block Belladonna's stallion that bared his teeth and pinned back his ears in anger. However, Nori didn't doubt that the animal was feeling the stalking emotions as well.

Vili made sure that Belladonna was in the center with the three dwarflings. Lord Ginnar and Sviur were either at the lead or rear of the group as they ventured further and further into South Farthing.

Here the river and the land were almost like that of marsh but at times they were not. They had passed what Belladonna had named it: Green-Hill Country.

It made things difficult but, that uneasy feeling that Nori had whispered low to Gandalf about being stalked suddenly snapped.

A cry like no other was heard but then something slammed into Bonder; knocking him from his pony.

"FATHER!" all three of his children yelled.

"RUN KIDS! RUN! DO NOT LOOK BAAAAAH!" Their father yelled as the orc had swung it's sword downward.

Silently as ever, an arrow had embedded itself into the foul creature as it howled in utter pain. It gave Bonder enough time to roll out of the way, his children and Belladonna galloping away to safety.

Vili swung his arrows and they met their targets fierce and true. However, Lord Ginnar and Sviur were nowhere to be found as Nori snarled and seethed at this.

However, four more orcs appeared and Gandalf didn't want to fight when Belladonna and three young dwarflings were on their own.

Gandalf screamed "FLY! FLY!"

So the remaining group fled, not knowing that what they had done would cause even more trouble.

Belladonna, meanwhile, was making sure that the dwarflings were galloping as fast as their ponies and horse and the land itself, could allow them.

She glanced over her shoulder and saw no one but, staring forward she saw Bofur, Bifur and Bomber crying. They wouldn't have fled. They would have stayed with their father and group no matter what.

"Whoa, whoa. I don't think their following us anymore," She said to them as they halted their steeds.

"We have to go back!" Bomber demanded.

"And what good will it do?" Bifur said bitterly.

"Boys, please. The group will help your father out, I know they will. Now, come on, please dry your eyes," Belladonna softly told them, she didn't like them to cry.

The three sons of Bonder did what she requested of them and calmed down. At a much slower pace, they walked their tired steeds and waited. No one from their group was coming and that made the sons of Bonder sad and depress more so.

"Why did the orcs attack us?" Belladonna asked them.

"That is something that we have been trying to figure out," Bofur replied, knowing that talking about it would help.

"Maybe they do want the Shire?" Bifur suggested as Belladonna gasped.

All three of the boys loved her homeland. They had stated; nearly all of the dwarves except Lord Ginnar and Sviur, that it was what their King was looking for, for his people.

"Bifur, stop it right now," Bomber growled at him.

"Sorry Miss Took, but it is a suggestive thought," Bifur said looking at the ground.

"It is okay Bifur, because you are right, anyone with a massive army can come and take the Shire as their own. It's just that I hope one day that it would never come to that," she told him, riding her pony closer to his as she took his hand into her own.

The oldest of the siblings smiled and nodded.

About forty five minutes later, they heard horse hooves coming up from behind them.

"Hide, now," Belladonna hissed as they were riding past some trees and bushes.

"But!" Bofur protested.

"Now!" she repeated again.

The three siblings did as they were told as Belladonna had stopped her stallion and stood out in the open.

She taken out her small dagger that Vili had let her have for protection though what stopped her from flinging it was the sound of Gandalf's voice "FLY! FLY!"

"Belladonna!" Oin snapped "Run! GO!"

"Gallop kids," she told the siblings as they bolted from their hiding places when they saw the group of four orcs now turned into about ten.

She turned Bilbo around and made haste. Vili soon galloped up to her as did Nori, Oin and Gandalf.

"Where is Lord Ginnar and Sviur?" He shouted at her in fear.

"I don't know! You and the others are what came from behind us!" she shouted back in pure fear.

Vili nodded as they rode on and on. Their ponies and horses couldn't keep this hard fast gallop for long. The orcs were gaining up on them until a horn was blown.

"Stay clear!" A different voice shouted from a head and the group veered to the left as the army of dwarves suddenly swarmed the pack of orcs.

All Belladonna heard from behind were dwarves and orcs screaming in pain at different times from the fighting. Vili hated to see her in discomfort as of this.

Gandalf then said "Slow your ponies and horses down, now!"

Belladonna did so without a second of a thought as Bilbo heaved a very heavy sigh in utter thanks. Both of his sides were heaving and moving fast just like the others as his mouth was foaming around the bit.

"Is everyone alright?" Gandalf asked.

"Yes, just frightened," Belladonna replied which her own voice shook.

Vili got off of his pony and then helped her get down as she was shaking horribly. A dwarf that she didn't know stepped up and took her tack off of Bilbo who was led to a holding pen with the other ponies and horses of their group.

"Easy, I'm here, Bella. It's over now," Vili whispered low in her left ear as she was carried in his strong arms.

"Where did you guys come from?" Bofur asked the dwarves.

"That, dear child," Came a strong voice from a made up tent "I can answer for you,"

"By my beard!" Bofur said stunned as their King came walking up to them. "King Thorin!"

"Aye, I am. Is anyone hurt?" he asked, looking at Belladonna in Vili's arms being taken into the same tent that he came from.

"No, but Lord Ginnar and Sviur abandoned us before the attack or ambush," Nori told his king.

Thorin did not like this and scowled deeply.

"And what, should our king be doing here?" Oin asked curiously.

"Nori and Vili kept on sending me letters of where the attacks were happening. I thought it would be wise to have an army come with me. If the halfing's of the Shire won't defend their homeland, then who will?" Thorin answered him, which Gandalf nodded.

Nori and Oin didn't buy it, they knew something or someone else forced their king to come here, however they didn't voice it as they were all led to the tent where Vili, Belladonna, Bonder and his children were in.

Bonder was sitting in a chair with all of his children surrounding him and giving him hugs and softly whispered "I love you" as Vili had Belladonna in his lap, gently easing her shock.

Thorin looked upon the hobbit lass and he could easily see why his younger adoptive brother had grown so fond of her. She was beautiful, don't get him wrong on that, but he knew that Vili couldn't marry her. It wasn't in their culture to do so.

"Vili, have you given her something to calm her nerves down?" Thorin softly asked him.

"Yes, but it's slowly working. Thorin, she is of the gentle race of her kin. She has never seen battles or wars, so of course this will happen," Vili replied, his hand gently rubbing Belladonna's back in soft circles as she rested against his right shoulder.

Thorin nodded and then asked "Are you hurt Vili?"

"No, brother I am not, thankfully. Though Lord Ginnar and"

"I know of how they abandoned you and the group and for that I am utterly disgusted with them and sorry," Thorin cut in as he nearly growled.

Belladonna was calming down while the two royal brothers talked some more. She didn't remember seeing Thorin the first time because the medicine to calm down her nerves also acted as a sleep drought.

"Take her to your own tent, Vili," Thorin told him.

"I have one here?" he asked his oldest brother.

"Aye, been set up for a couple of hours now. The campsite will protect us, get as much sleep and food as you all can. Tomorrow I don't know what it will bring," The exile King ordered them all.

So the group of dwarves; with Vili carrying Belladonna to his own tent, left except for Gandalf and Thorin.

"What exactly are you forcing me to do, wizard?" Thorin seethed angrily.

"Someone has to stop these attacks Thorin. The hobbits or Halflings won't, they don't' know how," Gandalf replied softly.

"And yet your brought that hobbit lass with you? Will she not have scream terrors from what she saw earlier? Battles, wars. They are no places for a woman to be in or to see!" Thorin said angrily.

"That is true, but she is different, Thorin. And over the past month and half, I have become her friend. She is a Took and that from the heart of the Shire, is completely different. Now, how about we talk less and plan for tomorrow as best we can," The wizard argued back and turned to the maps.

---

The next morning, Belladonna felt refreshed but the images from yesterday haunted her. She couldn't get the images from her mind and so, she rose early and walked to where her pony was held.

Bilbo ate his hay and looked probably groomed as his coat was shiny again.

"Hey there boy," she softly greeted him as he bowed his head with a soft snort and rested his chin on her shoulder.

"I'm proud of you, Bilbo. For getting us to safety and out of harm's way," she told him as he shook his head and stomped one hoof.

"Bilbo?" came a deep voice that she had heard from yesterday.

Belladonna looked and gasped when she saw the exile king, Thorin, standing close to her. He looked like a king should; regal, strong features in the face, his piercing blue eyes and demanded respect no matter what.

"Yes, that is my pony's name," Belladonna replied back softly.

Thorin walked closer and looked at the pony that put his ears back but watched this new dwarf.

"He's a good pony. Very watchful, doesn't bite or kick when you groom him. Though today he will be sore and tired. Try not to ride him too much or you won't get far to safety, my lady," Thorin said, Belladonna knowing an order when one was delivered.

"I know, my lord," she replied as the king didn't walk away yet.

"My adoptive youngest brother is in love with you," He said, stating what was already true. "But, in our race, we do not marry out of it. Not unless we would like shame upon our own house,"

"That is awful!" Belladonna protested against him.

"It is has been as it shall always be. I know that you are fond of him, but, I ask of you, to not love him. The laws of our kin and race are one of punishment close to death and I cannot do that to Vili," Thorin explained softly, seeing how hurt the hobbit woman was.

"Then what would you like me to do with my emotions? Throw them away and not care about him anymore?" Belladonna asked Thorin.

"That, Miss Belladonna Took, is exactly what needs to happen now. He will always have that place in your heart but, unless you wish him to be an exile prince…" Thorin let it hang in the air as tears sprang up and trickled down his brother's lover's face.

"You are the king, can't you change the rules?" she said, not wanting to give in.

"I cannot," Thorin replied as Belladonna looked down and then cried silently to herself with her arms wrapped around her stomach.

Vili walked out of the tent when he saw his oldest brother walk slowly away from the sobbing hobbit lass. He rushed over to her quickly, gently kneeling down and wrapping his arms around her.

"Ignore him Belladonna. He cannot accept change so easily," Vili whispered low in her ear, softly kissing her forehead.

"No, he's right," she said, suddenly getting up and stumbling away from him.

"What do you mean that he is right?" he asked confusedly.

"I will not have you be an exile of your own kin. Your own family, Vili. When this is over with, go back to the Blue Mountains, find someone that is within your own race and marry her forever. It will not be easy, but know that you will always be in my heart and that I will love you until I cannot no more," she replied, hating what his oldest brother had done.

"Bella," Vili softly said but knew that she was right.

"No, please, do this…" she begged him now.

The sun slowly rose higher and higher into the sky as Vili then walked up to Belladonna and leaned down and captured her lips with his own. She didn't know why, but the part of her to rebel awoken.

Gandalf watched the two for some time before the young dwarf prince, picked Belladonna up and walked past him (Gandalf was muttering something under breath) into their private tent.

"You will get your wish, Belladonna Took," Gandalf whispered low as he then walked away.

Bonder, Bifur, Bofur, Bomber, Nori and Oin were all in the main tent as they watched their king pace up and down.

"Laddie," Oin said "You'll ware the rug out,"

"Where is Vili? Why hasn't he shown up?" Thorin asked back.

"He is still sleeping, Thorin," Gandalf's voice entered the main tent as he walked inside of it.

"Sleeping? He said that he-"

"Just because he said that he didn't get hurt, doesn't mean he was not sore from yesterday, Thorin. Let him rest. I will wake him in a few hours or so," The wizard lied.

Thorin looked at him and heavily sighed with "Alright. A few hours, then I want the children and Miss Took to remain here. As you stated last night, she cannot be unprotected,"

"Good, that's good. Now, I have sent some scouts of my own to look into what is the real reason of these attacks and it is just as I feared. The orcs would like to take the Shire as their own and help this person," Gandalf said to them all.

"Who is this person? Does he have a name?" Thorin asked with icy cold blue eyes.

"The Necromancer. I have no idea who he is but, his uprising is troubling Thorin," Gandalf replied as a huge still hush fell over the whole tent.

Thorin didn't like how Gandalf had glared at the ground or how he paled a little.

"Why?" Bofur asked softly.

"Bofur," Bifur and Bonder softly scolded him.

"Because him summoning orcs and such reminds me of the old tales of the great evil that had all races of men, elves and dwarves fighting for their lives and homelands long, long ago," Gandalf told him as everyone in that tent knew who Gandalf was speaking of.

"Pray tell that he never arises again," Thorin whispered before walking over to the table and looked at the map of all of Middle-Earth.

Gandalf slipped out of the tent after another hour had gone by and walked over to where Vili's tent was. He sighed before entering and had found the couple, naked under the covers and sleeping. His eyes soon saw Belladonna's body softly glowing as he nodded and then walked back out.

No one saw the wizard after that but a few hours later and a fully dressed Vili and Belladonna, Thorin was pleased to see the two separated. He knew that his youngest brother loved that hobbit lass but, he couldn't risk it for them both.

The day was slowly turning and it wasn't until close to evening that the campsite had heard the piercing ugly cry of an orc.

"Vili?" Bofur said when no one moved in the main tent.

"I don't know," the young prince said fearfully as Belladonna was keeping the children entertained with games and dances.

"TO ARMS! TO WAR!" Thorin's voice shouted clearly over everyone else.

Belladonna grabbed Vili's sleeve and begged him "Please, please don't go,"

"I have to," Vili said sadly, cupping her face with his right hand.

"Vili, I have a bad feeling, stay here and protect us," Belladonna told him.

Thinking this over, Vili then walked outside before a few spared dwarves came in.

"These trained dwarves will protect you and the children, Belladonna. If I fall, please know that I will always love you," Vili said as he kissed her softly on the lips and held her to him for a moment.

And just like that, he was gone.

Belladonna stared at the flap and then felt one of the dwarflings hugged her. She hugged him back as they all heard the battle cries from the army of dwarves.

They all could hear Thorin's battle cry as then there were metal on metal with that of orcs screeching, Dwarves howling in pain as they fell to their deaths. Belladonna may not have been within the fighting battle, but she could easily picture it in her mind.

It felt like hours that had gone by, when it was only 20 minutes of the battle raging. Bifur, Bofur with his father's hat and Bomber moved closer to Belladonna when they heard Thorin's voice rang out.

"No," She gasped, feeling that sudden knowing that Vili was gone.

The two guards looked at one another, unsure of what to do now.

"FROM THE EAST! FROM THE EAST!" They heard Thorin's voice rang much closer than before.

The battle wore on and on until the sun was sinking behind the hills. It suddenly ended as it suddenly began. A foul smell wafted into the tent as Belladonna had to cover her nose with her clothe as did the dwarf children.

The heavy boots that came towards their tent alerted the guards into action and put their spears at ready.

"It is only I, Lord Ginnar," Lord Ginnar said heavily.

One guard slowly moved the flap of the tent aside and they saw that it was really him, but battle worn and exhausted with his armor stained with black and red blood.

"State your business, Ginnar," One of the guards growled at him.

"It is Lord-!"

"Not anymore, you are no longer on the council with that of our King, King Thorin. Not after you and Sviur abandoned the Prince and his group!" The other guard cut him off with a swift glare.

"Again, Ginnar, state your business," the first one growled out.

"Fine, Bonder and Vili fell in battle, defending that oaf of King," Ginnar seethed back.

Belladonna did not give that dwarf the pleasure of seeing her cry. She had kept her tears at bay and knew that she would cry long after this dwarf is gone.

Bofur, Bifur and Bomber however, did cry because they loved their father so very much.

"Ginnar, get out of the way!" Thorin snapped at him angrily.

The ex council member hurried away and out of sight as Thorin walked slowly into the tent. His eyes locked onto Belladonna with utter sorrow for he too was mourning the loss of his adoptive youngest brother.

"My lady," he roughly said but couldn't get the words out of his throat.

Belladonna slowly let go of Bofur before walked up to Thorin, not caring if the stains of the battle would ruin her clothes as she wrapped her arms around him and cried in a hug.

Thorin held onto her tightly as he silently broke down with her.

That night, every dwarf that survived, sang songs of all that had fallen, including Vili and Bonder as the dead were either buried there or being taken back to the Blue Mountains.

---

Riding Bilbo back to the shire was a long and silent one, but the escort of Thorin and his army heading back to the Blue Mountains, with Gandalf, Belladonna wanted to go with them.

"Miss Took," Thorin said to her.

"Yes, your highness?" she replied emotionless.

"My sister and I would love to have you whenever you so wish to visit us. It is…It is the least that I can do," Thorin said, hating to see how depressed she was.

"I will think about it," Belladonna replied as Nori walked up to her on his pony.

"Before we part ways my lady, there are a few things that Gandalf is carrying back with you in his wagon. It is from Bonder, the toy swords that he promised you for your future children's children and something from Vili. He did not state what it was, but it is in there," Nori told her as she nodded with her lower lip trembling.

Thorin heavily moved forward to the front as he couldn't bear to see her like this.

It was only a couple of more days were the army and Belladonna parted with Gandalf back to her hobbit hole near Hobbiton. Bofur, Bifur and Bomber all hugged, kissed and thanked her for their adventure and time, with keeping them all safe.

"If any of you are in this area, you are most welcomed here. Do not hesitate to think otherwise, that includes yourself King Thorin," she said to the ones who were with her on this adventure.

Thorin looked at her surprised before getting off of his pony and bowing low before he gently wrapped her in his arms.

"Do come and visit us as often as you possibly can," he whispered low in her ear.

She nodded and hugged him tighter before they parted ways. The three brothers, Nori and Oin waved goodbye until they couldn't see the hobbit lass with Gandalf anymore.

---

It took a lot of time for Belladonna to get over her first love and her first adventure. She kept in contact with that of the Royal family and visited them whenever she was ready.

When a good hobbit, a Baggins named Bungo Baggins, fell in love with Belladonna from meeting him in the market place every Sunday, she felt like she wasn't ready.

And boy did she lead poor Bungo Baggins on for a lengthy courtship. When they got married, Bungo had made Bag-End for her as a wedding gift. She loved it of course as it was so much bigger then her old one near Hobbiton.

However she kept on insisting Bungo, while he made it their home, to make it as tall as Gandalf or so. He couldn't understand why, but then again, he wasn't going to go against her wishes either.

They got married after it was completed and in the year of 1290 she gave birth to her only son, Bilbo Baggins. She didn't know why, but whenever she looked at her son, she saw Vili within his face.

Bungo didn't know that his son would have blonde hair as he grew older. Nor did he noticed Belladonna going to the forest at night with Bilbo and coming back with some chests.

Bilbo never really knew that he had met Thorin and his sister, Lady Dis, way earlier on in his life. Though when he grew older, he couldn't understand why he had such fine toys craved that wasn't from the Shire.

It was a hard thing to do, when his father passed away. He took care of his mother as much as he possibly could but when she requested an odd request, he promised that he would follow it through.

He had sent a letter to some woman named Dis and when his mother promised him to never break a promise from a Royal, he said that he would.

A few days later, a raven had come back with a royal ring in the letter. Belladonna smiled softly at it, as that is how she died in her bed in Bag-End.

Bilbo didn't forget his promise to his mother, but what he did forget was how to live the exciting life that she always wanted him to take. So when a bothering some gray wizard had thrusted the adventure of a life upon the poor respectable hobbit, only then did he remembered that morning when the dwarves had gone from his home.

And he would never break a promise to his mother as he had the contract in hand, running after the dwarves screaming "Wait! Wait! Please wait! I signed it!"