Chapter 2

Okay so first chapter had only been up for like four hours and I'm already getting followers and a review! Cookies to all my followers and favoriters! And a special thanks to my first reviewer, Dragonheir-Keeper! Thanks so much! Also I'm not sure how consistent my updating will be but I'm going to do my absolute best! If I start taking to long, just PM me and tell me to stop being lazy!

Thanks again and here's chapter two, remember to review, favorite and follow, all that good stuff! :D

Always remember as well that sadly I don't own anything from the Hobbit or any of J.R.R Tolkien's work! I only own my OC and this fanfic so please let's keep it like that!

After time finally unfroze, everything seemed to suddenly go forward as Skylar found herself standing in front of the door when Gandalf opened it slowly. Thorin Oakenshield stood on the other side and Skylar swallowed thickly as he turned his head to look at the gray-haired wizard.

"Gandalf. I thought you said this place would be easy to find, I lost my way twice," Thorin spoke as he entered the hobbit hole and unclipped his cloak," I wouldn't have found it at all had it not been for that mark on the door."

A silent snort of laughter came from her as she listened to everyone, the line of Dürin everyone, she thought as she observed the soon to be King Under the Mountain before her.

Of course as any self respecting hobbit fangirl would be, she found Thorin attractive, in fact she found all the sons of Dürin to be attractive. But she always had a soft spot for Thorin. Then again she knew this was reality and reality wouldn't work like a storybook ending.

Bilbo's complaint pulled her from her thoughts and thankfully her staring as well," Mark? There's no mark on that door it was painted a week ago!"

"There is a mark, I put it there myself," Gandalf said to Bilbo in a tone that spoke as if he was trying to calm the hobbit," Bilbo Baggins I'd like you to meet the leader of our company, Thorin Oakenshield."

Thorin took a step towards Bilbo with his hands folded together and an observant look in his eyes," So, this is the hobbit? Tell me Mr Baggins have you done much fighting?"

"Pardon me-"

"Axe or sword, what is your weapon of choice?" Thorin continued on, not bothering to listen to Bilbo's inquisition.

Bilbo seemed to gain a bit of confidence after that question and held himself a bit higher," Well I do have some skill at conkers if you must know but I...fail to see why that's...relevant."

Thorin made an amused chuckle after Bilbo's answer," Thought as much, he looks more like a grocer than a burglar."

As Thorin turned to head towards the dining room he caught sight of Skylar and stopped in his tracks, looking over her carefully.

He raised an eyebrow slightly," And who might you be, if I may ask."

"Skylar, at your service," She said still keeping her respectful self even as her heart pounded loudly.

"She is a last minute addition to the company Thorin, I told her about the quest when we first planned it," Gandalf said shifting his glance to her for a moment," She will make a fine addition to the company."

"Really? And tell me Miss Skylar what could you possibly bring to this quest? I see you carry a dwarvish blade but yet you are not a dwarf," Thorin said taking his gaze from Gandalf and back to Skylar. She saw his eyes flick down to the blade at her side, after she had taken it off she decided she felt better keeping it on. She trusted everyone but she wasn't sure if things would change with her presence.

"I have dedicated the past two years of my life to learning how to fight, as for the dwarvish blade, it has always suited me better," Skylar said telling herself to not be off put by Thorin's doubt," I learned to fight with a blade from a ranger up north known as Strider. I can fully take care of myself."

Thorin pursed his lips slightly for a moment before speaking again," And why pray tell do you wish to come on this quest, it will be dangerous, especially for you."

Skylar narrowed her eyes and spoke in a hard tone," I know full well that it will be dangerous Thorin Oakenshield."

She bit her tongue and told herself that this wasn't home and that you can't always say what you wish," I simply want to help you get your home back, is that such a problem?"

He sighed deeply and dipped his head," Then I will not refuse help that is being handed to me. Welcome to the company."

Skylar gave him a small smile and she saw one flash across his for a moment before heading towards the dining room. After everyone had squeezed back into their seats Skylar retook her spot against the entry way and listened as the dwarves question Thorin about his meeting.

"So, what news from the meeting in Ered Luin? Did they all come?" Balin asked.

"Aye. Envoys from all seven kingdoms," Thorin replied with a slight nod.

"And what did the dwarves of the Iron Hills say? Is Dain with us?" Dwalin asked his hands folded together as he looked upon Thorin.

"They...will not come," Thorin replied with a disappointed look on his face.

The dwarves murmured complaints to themselves after Thorins words and he continued on," They say this quest is ours and ours alone."

Thorin lifted his mug to his mouth to take a drink and Skylar noticed Bilbo standing behind Gandalf. It was certainly true that hobbits could go unseen by most. He looked around curiously after Thorins last words.

"You're, going on a quest?" Bilbo asked in a tentative tone.

Gandalf glanced back at Bilbo, almost as if he himself didn't know he was there," Eh, Bilbo my dear fellow, let us have a little more light."

Bilbo made a noise of acknowledgement and stepped out of the room momentarily to get a candle. As he did so Skylar saw Gandalf pull the folded map out of his robe and slowly start to unfold it as he spoke.

"Far to the east," He began and everyone seemed to lean towards the spot the map was laying. Skylar stepped forward and placed a hand on the table so she too could look at the map," Over ranges and rivers, beyond woodlands and wastelands, lies a single solitary peak."

It was in this moment that while looking upon the map, Skylar realized she was leaning partially over Thorin. She noticed him glance at her with his usual 'leave me alone' expression, so she leaned back as to put some space between them. Skylar was mostly over the fangirling now and didn't want to ruin a chance at hopefully a friendship with him.

Her eyes averted to Bilbo who was holding a candle over the map as he read the map slowly," The Lonely Mountain."

"Aye, Oin has read the portents and the portents say it is time," Gloin said to the group, glancing at his brother.

Oin continued on with the explanation his brother had begun," Ravens have been seen flying back to the mountain, as it was foretold. 'When the birds of yore return to Erebor, the reign of the beast will end."

A darkness seemed to flutter through the air when Oin spoke of Smaug, even so anonymously. The mention of the dragon did spark the attention of the hobbit in the room though.

"Um, what beast?"

Skylar resisted the urge to let her face contort into a deadpanned look when Bofur didn't even think twice about describing Smaug.

"Oh that would be a reference to Smaug the Terrible, chiefest and greatest calamity of our age," Bofur took a moment before continuing on with his description," Airborne fire-breather, teeth like razors, claws like meat hooks. Extremely fond of precious metals."

Bilbo cut him off suddenly, looking mildly pale at the speaking about the beast," Yes, I know what a dragon is."

Skylar jumped slightly at the sudden screech of a chair as Ori stood up suddenly," I'm not afraid, I'm up for it. I'll give 'em a taste of dwarvish iron right up his jacksie!"

Skylar couldn't suppress a laugh anymore when Dori scolded him and pulled him back into his seat, he's such a mother hen, she thought.

After she opened her eyes that she didn't realize she closed, she looked to see that majority of the dwarves were looking at her," Yes?"

Thorin cocked his head at her slightly," What was so funny?"

"Oh, nothing, I was just thinking about something. Don't mind me, really," Skylar said, hoping that they didn't think she was laughing about the whole dragon incident.

They all just shrugged and went back their conversation. Balin looked around at everyone as he spoke," The task would be difficult with an army behind us, but we number only thirteen, and not thirteen of the best, nor brightest."

The dwarves were outbursting slightly from Balin's words as they obviously took it offensively. The arguing was cut off abruptly when Fili's voice stopped everyone's voices.

"We may be few in numbers, but were fighters! All of us! To the last dwarf!" Fili encouraged and it seemed to work, especially when Kili pointed out a fact that wasn't true but it seemed to make the dwarves even more hopeful.

"And you forget, we have a wizard in our company. Gandalf will have killed hundreds of dragons in his time!" Kili said with a grin and Skylar winced at the false statement. Also at the fact that Gandalf would have to deal with the repercussions, though not serious by any means.

"Oh, well, no. I wouldn't say-" Gandalf begun but was cut off by Dori.

"How many then?" Dori inquired insistently.

"What?" Gandalf replied looking towards Dori.

"Well how many dragons have you killed?" Dori said explaining his question more.

Gandalf's only reply was a sputtered cough that was followed by a few puffs of smoke that had come from his pipe.

Dori clearly wasn't accepting this answer and it caused everyone else to start arguing again," Well go on give us a number!"

The noise in the room went from inside voices to full on yelling at each other loudly. Wow, these dwarves really are stubborn, Skylar thought as she watched them argue for the moment.

Bilbo tried to speak up and stop the yelling but Skylar knew there was only one person who could make everyone cease their yelling.

Thorin yelled something in Khuzdul that she couldn't understand but it seemed to have the perfect effect on the dwarves, shoving them back into their seats immediately.

Thorin waited but a moment before speaking himself," If we have read these signs, do you not think others will have read them too? Rumors have begun to spread, the dragon Smaug has not been seen for sixty years. Eyes look east to the mountain, assessing, wondering, weighing the risk. Perhaps the vast wealth of our people now lies unprotected. Do we sit back while other claim what is rightfully ours? Or do we seize this chance to take back Erebor?"

Cheering erupted throughout the dwarves and Skylar glanced at Bilbo who was standing awkwardly in the doorway. She whipped her head back towards the group when the cheering stopped suddenly as Balin ceased their cheering.

"You forget, the front gate is sealed," He stated to the group and all their faces fell slightly," There is no way into the mountain."

Skylar looked to Gandalf as she knew he'd have better news," That, my dear Balin, is not entirely true."

Though she couldn't see Thorins eyes she knew that they were looking at Gandalfs hand as he revealed the key to the hidden mountain door.

Thorin spoke softly, almost distantly," How came you by this?"

Gandalf looked at Thorin and gave him the answer," It was given to me by your father. By Thrain. For safekeeping. It is your now."

It was placed in Thorin's hand and he held it as if it was going to disappear.

Fili's voice was the first to cut the silence again," If there is a key...there must be a door."

The line of Dürin once again everyone, Skylar thought to herself with a smile.

Gandalf gave a nod to Fili, deeming him correct before he gave a further explanation," These runes speak of a hidden passage to the Lower Halls."

Kili got a cheeky grin on his face a put a hand on his brother's shoulder, squeezing lightly," There's another way in."

"Well, if we can find it, but dwarf doors are invisible when closed," Gandalf sighed heavily before continuing on," The answer lies hidden somewhere here on this map, and I do not have the skill to find it. But, there are other in Middle Earth who can. The task I have in mind will require a great of stealth and no small amount of courage."

Gandalfs gaze averted to Bilbo momentarily before going on," But if we are careful and clever, I believe that it can be done."

"That's why we need a burglar," Ori piped in to the group.

Bilbo made a noise of agreeance before he spoke," Hmm, a good one too. An expert I'd imagine."

"And are you?" Gloin asked Bilbo leaning forward slightly.

"Am I what?" Bilbo asked after looking around himself and at Skylar.

Oin laughed and looked around at the group," He said he's an expert! Hey-ey!"

Bilbo immediately attempted to shut down the false information," Me? No. No, no, no. I'm not a burglar. I've never stolen a thing in my life."

Skylar watched Bilbo carefully and didn't like how much he accepted the doubt from everyone, starting with Balin.

"Well, I'm afraid I have to agree with Mr Baggins," Balin said with a slight nod," He's hardly burglar material."

His brother was soon follow with the doubtful words," Aye, the wild is no place for gentle folk who can neither fight nor fend for themselves."

Skylar noticed how Dwalin's eyes flicked to her for a moment as well. She furrowed her brow slightly, didn't the various blades she carried prove enough that she wasn't some pansy?

The dwarves soon started arguing around each other again, some defending Bilbo and others still doubting his worth as potential burglar. Skylar watched Gandalf as he suddenly turned dark and stood, the dark ominous shadows appearing around him.

"Enough! If I say Bilbo Baggins is a burglar then a burglar he is!" Gandalf shouted his voice far surpassing any dwarf in the room," Hobbits are remarkably light on their feet. They can go unseen by most if they choose. And, while the dragon is accustomed to the smell of dwarf, the scent of a hobbit is all but unknown to him, which gives us a distinct advantage."

Skylar stepped forward and placed her hand on the table once more," I agree with Gandalf, I have known Bilbo for the better part of two years, he is the perfect candidate for this job. I can think of no other more fit."

Gandalf nodded in agreeance towards her before looking back at Thorin," You asked me to find the 14th member of this company and I have chosen Mr Baggins. There's a lot more to him than appearances suggest. And he's got a great deal more to offer than any of you know."

Gandalf looked over at Bilbo," Including himself."

Thorin looked at Gandalf with an uneasy look in his eyes. Gandalf looked at Thorin with slightly pleading eyes as he spoke," You must trust me on this."

Thorin gave a final sigh of defeat and glanced at Skylar once before he looked back at Gandalf and spoke," Very well, we'll do it your way. Give him the contract."

Bilbo was highly disagreeing with them behind Thorin but he wasn't listening to the complaints. Balin pulled the contract out of his coat pocket and explained what was in it before handing it to Thorin who handed it back to Bilbo.

Bilbo stepped into the open area behind them as he read the contract and attempted to decipher what some of the words said. Skylar looked over at Gandalf and they both shared a weary look at Bilbo read the contract.

Skylar watched at Thorin leaned forward to speak quietly to Gandalf and though she couldn't hear them, she knew what they were saying. But she kept her attention on Bilbo who she knew would be falling to the floor unconscious at any moment.

"Evisceration?...incineration?" Bilbo asked incredulously, turning his gaze back to the company.

Skylar shook her head in both pity and amusement as Bilbo simply received Bofur's blunt explanation.

"Oh, aye, he'll melt the flesh off yer bones in the blink of an eye," Bofur said matter of factly and Bilbo seemed to be getting paler.

Balin leaned forward as to be able to see Bilbo from around Bofur," Ye alright, laddie?"

Bilbo leaned forward, hands placed on his knees for support as he took several breaths," Huh? Yeah. Feel a bit faint."

Bofur stood up suddenly and Skylar took it as a chance to move slightly closer to Bilbo," Think furnace with wings."

"Air, I-I need air," Bilbo said, clearly trying to tell Bofur something that wasn't getting through.

"Flash on light, searing pain, then poof! Yer nothing than a pile of ash!" Bofur continued, though it did seem as if he really was trying to help.

Bilbo stood straight and oddly as he trying to take some calming breaths that clearly didn't work as he looked over at everyone and said," Nope."

Just as Bilbo's legs gave out Skylar stepped forward and kept the hobbit from collapsing onto the ground. He was actually surprisingly light.

"Oh geez Bilbo," Skylar muttered to herself before picking the hobbit up with ease, considering his size and stature, then carrying him to the living room where she placed him carefully into his chair.

When she came back into the room, the dwarves were starting to disperse around the household. There were only a couple people left at the table, so Skylar seated herself where Bofur had previously been.

Skylar glanced up at Gandalf and waited a minute before speaking," Might want to bring him a glass of tea or something like that, when he wakes up you know."

Gandalf nodded at her but still had a distressed look on his face," Gandalf, don't worry, everything will be fine, Bilbo will come, you'll see. Just talk to him when he's awake."

He looked as if he was about to argue but Gandalf kept his tongue and simply said," Very well." Before going off into the kitchen to make tea for Bilbo.

Skylar stared off into space for a while attempting to contemplate all that had happened and she jumped in her seat when someone sat down across from her again.

She looked to see Dwalin. An eyebrow was raised at him," Do...do you need something?"

"I never had a chance to introduce myself, I'm Dwalin, at your service," He said resting his elbows on table and lacing his fingers together.

"Well, you already know my name so I suppose there's no need for me to address myself," Skylar said with a chuckle before plucking her pipe out of her coat and lighting with the extra match she had snatched from Bilbo's table.

"I'm surprised a pretty young lass like yourself would be much of a smoker," Dwalin stated with a slight furrow of his eyebrows.

Skylar shrugged," I supposed there was a point in my life when I wanted or more like needed to change completely. So I guess the pipe was one of those changes."

"Where are you from exactly, you don't speak the same as all the other Men in this world," Dwalin inquired.

She looked at him with a small smile," A longs way away, I'll leave it at that."

Dwalin shrugged slightly and sighed," Alright then, well, judging by the iron you carry, I'll think you'll fit in fine amount the company."

"Thanks," She said with an amused snort laughter.

Dwalin nodded curtly at her before walking off toward the main room that Bilbo and Gandalf had just vacated from their chat. As Bilbo walked by he shot her a small smile and she returned it as she watched him scramble off to his bedroom.

Skylar would feel selfish if she were to steal the guest bedroom so she nabbed a pillow and a blanket before finding a somewhat comfortable spot on the floor in the house. She curled up under the blanket and nuzzled her face into the pillow.

As sleep was slowly started to wrap it's arms around her she could her a familiar time sung by Thorin Oakenshield and the Dwarves.

Far over, the misty mountains cold

To dungeons deep and caverns old

We must away, 'ere break of day

To find our long forgotten gold

The pines were roaring, on the height

The winds were moaning, in the night

The fire was red, it flaming spread

The trees like torches, blazed with like