Chapter 1

SOOO, this is the first time I have ever done this. Ever. The last time I ever wrote a story of some kind was when I was in middle school for creative writing. And that was a long time ago. That being said, be kind in your review as this is not something that I do often.

A little background information: this is a slightly AU story in which Thorin has a wife. While reading this, have in mind that this wife of his traveled with him and the company on the quest up until this point. In my mind, I have always pictured my OC to be half-dwarf/half-human, with no facial hair (I just can't get used to female facial hair no matter how hard I try). This will be a short story, with very few chapters. That being said, here goes nothing.

Disclaimer: I own nothing, except for my OC.

"What have we done?" Bilbo exclaimed as the dragon flew away to seek vengeance.

This outcry was heard upon deaf ears, as Thorin found himself gravitating towards the liquid gold that remained from the ploy to defeat the fire-breathing dragon. A fog began to slowly cloud King Under the Mountain, but he shook his head to clear it.

"I am not my grandfather," he reminded himself, and quickly moved to rejoice with the other dwarves over their successful quest.

At the same time, the dragon, enveloped with rage and blind with madness, began to soar towards the tiny town on a lake. He saw movement, as people began to scurry when they saw what was in the sky. Their lives meant nothing to the dragon, and he craved the destruction of what was to come. His belly grew warm with fire, and he opened his mouth to unleash the flames that would destroy them all.

The chilly little town suddenly became ablaze, and screams echoed in the night. Bard the Bowman would not stand for his people to succumb to the wrath of the dragon, and he knew what to do. He ran to his hut and found his children running out with the dwarves he should have left to fend for themselves, although he suddenly found himself grateful for their presence. He came upon the female dwarrowdame, whom he had learned was the wife of the one they call Oakenshield. Apparently, she had been left behind by her husband in an attempt to be kept safe from the dragon, but it was to no avail. The brother dwarves had been left with the Queen, and another dwarf had stayed behind due to his own foolishness.

"I have a plan," the dwarven queen said to him.

"What makes you think that I would want any help from a dwarf?" The Bowman replied.

"Well, considering your town is on fire and your children's lives are in danger, I would think it wouldn't matter who you got help from."

Bard could not argue with that logic, and the queen revealed her plan to him.

"I am going to jump up on the dragon and pierce his eye on the side where the scale is missing. Once he is blinded, you take the shot."

After seeing the look on the baffled bowman's face, she added, "Trust me on this. I know how to climb better than anyone I know."

Bard simply shook his shoulders in bewilderment, and went into the hut to find the arrow that would end the wrath of Smaug for good.

"Go somewhere where I will be able to easily see you, preferably some place high up. You scared?" The queen added with a glint in her eye and a smirk on her mouth.

Not willing to admit his shock or his fear, Bard threw the bow over his shoulder and took one last look at his home,"Let's get this over with."

The brave dwarrowdam found her youngest nephew by marriage and told him of her plan. Noting the unease in his eyes, despite trying to keep a brave face, she knew what she had to do. This young dwarf would learn a valuable lesson in leadership today.

"Kili, there is a chance I may not survive this," she explained. "When this is over, and I do not return, I want you to give this to Thorin. He will understand."

In Kili's hand, she placed a ruby jewel that was attached to a long gold chain.

She gave the young dwarf one last look, and stepped off into her fate.