Wow! Only two chapters in and I've already got well over 100 views! Still can't believe it considering it's my first Hobbit fanfiction. Big thanks to drwatsonn and mariamorozco for following me.

Ec1aire – I love that scene as well as I have a tendency to watch that song several times when watching the movie at home!

Midnighttales357 – Glad you're enjoying the story. I haven't read 'A truly unexpected journey' yet but I will as soon as I can.

drwatsonn – I'm glad you're intrigued about the story and I hope Arianna doesn't disappoint as a character.

The King under the Mountain

The sound of knocking could be heard again as slowly the dwarves began to move towards the door. Gandalf made to lead the way when Arianna held him back. He looked down at her kindly,

"Yes Arianna?"

"Does he…have you told him about me?" she whispered, not wanting the others to overhear. Gandalf paused for a second,

"Not exactly," with that he turned and hurried to join the rest of the company. Arianna looked at his retreating back. Brushing herself down in an effort to look presentable – since when had she started doing that? – she turned the corner to see the door open and a single dwarf standing there with dark black hair and bright blue eyes with a short black beard. Apart from the fur lined cloak he was dressed just like the rest of the company. Yet Arianna could sense an air of royalty about him. It was the way he held his chin up, the way he looked around at his surroundings. The only person he smiled at was Gandalf,

"Gandalf. I though you said this place was easy to find? I lost my way…twice,"

Arianna took several steps back as the dwarf stepped into the house. It didn't take long for him to notice her. He frowned but to Arianna's relief he remained silent. Instead his attention was focused on Bilbo who was once again complaining – this time it was about some mark on his door. Arianna rolled her eyes but a small smile tugged on her lips as she saw the dwarf look at Bilbo. Gandalf stepped up to make the introductions,

"Bilbo, this is the leader of our group, Thorin Oakenshield."

Thorin Oakenshield stared at Bilbo Baggins with an air of distaste. So this was Gandalf's idea of a burglar. He could feel the gazes of the rest of the company on him. Looking up at Dwalin he saw that the warrior dwarf was thinking along the same lines as Thorin himself. This Hobbit would be nothing more than a liability on this quest. He felt the wizard move forward to stand beside Bilbo. Thorin folded his arms. For Gandalf's sake he was willing to see what the Hobbit was capable of,

"Tell me Mr Baggins. Have you done much fighting?"

"I'm…sorry?" Bilbo's face fell and Thorin resisted the effort to smirk at the Hobbit's fallen expression,

"Axe or sword. What's your weapon of choice?"

Bilbo raised an eyebrow, "Well I do have some skill at conkers. But I fail to see what that's got to do with it,"

Thorin looked over at Dwalin who rolled his eyes and sighed dramatically. Thorin turned to Gandalf. He was desperate to say I told you so but one look at the wizards face told him that wasn't going to be an option. Instead he turned his attention back to the company,

"I thought as much," looking Bilbo up and down he added dismissively, "He looks more like a grocer than a burglar,"

The sniggering of the dwarves was interrupted as Thorin looked Arianna up and down. Gandalf stepped forward calmly,

"Thorin, this is Arianna,"

Unlike the others, Thorin didn't bow to her. Instead he almost expected her to bow to him. Arianna lifted her chin up as he turned to Gandalf,

"You never told me it would be a woman Gandalf," his voice was low but Arianna's eyes flashed at the term 'it'. Gandalf sighed expectantly,

"Because I knew what you would say Thorin. But you must trust me here. Arianna is incredibly skilled and will be of great help on this mission. She is not some fair maiden in distress. This girl known far more hardship than you can ever guess,"

Thorin looked over at Arianna with distaste before pushing past her and towards the dining room. As the rest of the company followed Arianna saw Fili grinning at her. She shook her head,

"Friendly isn't he?"

Now that Thorin was here things became more civilised. The company sat round the table quietly whilst Thorin – who sat at the head – finished his soup. There had been no room for Arianna and so she stood behind Balin and leant against the wall. Dwarlin had asked Thorin if they were going to receive any help on this quest of theirs. Thorins negative response caused a lot of angry muttering amongst the group. Thorin however carried on eating as Gandalf asked Bilbo to bring in a lantern. As they waited for the hobbit Thorin brought out a folded up bit of parchment and unfolded it for all the dwarves to see. Leaning forward Arianna saw it was a map of sorts. In one corner she saw a compass and the other she saw the drawing of a mountain with a dragon flying beside it. The rest of the map was covered in writing and strange runes that she didn't understand. By the looks of the rest of the company they didn't understand them either,

"The…lonely…mountain," Arianna saw that Bilbo had returned and was looking over Thorin's shoulder. Gloin nodded fiercely,

"Aye. Oin has read the portents and the portents say, it is time!"

"Ravens have been seen flying back to the mountain. As it was foretold," Oin added "When the birds of Old return to Erebor the reign of the beast will end,"

Arianna looked over at Oin sharply. Gandalf had never told her anything about beasts. She turned to the wizard and he nodded.

"What beast?" Arianna saw Bilbo's face go white with shock. She watched the silent faces of the dwarves. It was clear that none of them wanted to be the one to break the news. Bofur looked at his neighbour before turning to Bilbo,

"Well that would be a reference to Smaug the Terrible: chiefest and greatest calamity of our age,"

Arianna had a feeling that Bofur was one to make things sound far more dramatic than they were. Bilbo's face got whiter as Bofur carried on,

"Airborne fire breather. Teeth like razors. Claws like meat hooks. Extremely fond of treasure," he added as an afterthought. Bilbo nodded to try and shut him up,

"I know what a dragon is thanks."

Although she wasn't going to show it, Arianna herself was a bit more nervous than she had been a few hours ago. Clasping her hands she stared straight ahead,

"I will not be afraid," she muttered under her breath.

Her head snapped up as the youngest dwarf – Ori – shot up from his seat,

"I'm not afraid of the dragon, I'm up for it! I'll give him a taste of dwarvish iron right up his jacksey!"

The rest of the group cheered but the dwarf next to him – Dori – pulled him back in his seat,

"Sit down!" he hissed. Arianna smiled at Ori, wishing she shared his confidence,

"The task would be difficult enough with an army behind us," Balin said, "But we number just thirteen. And not thirteen of the best…nor brightest,"

Arianna had to agree with him there. However Fili pounded his fist on the table,

"We may be few in number. But we're fighters. All of us, to the last dwarf!"

Kili nodded, "And you forget that we have a wizard in our company," he turned to Gandalf,

"Gandalf will have killed, hundreds of dragons in his time,"

"Well not quite hundreds," Arianna could have sworn that Gandalf looked sheepish. She frowned,

"How many then?" she asked curiously. Dori nodded,

"How many? How many dragons have you killed?"

"Well…I…" As the dwarves began to get excited Arianna could see Gandalf looking more and more worried. She leaned forward,

"You haven't killed any have you?" she whispered with a smile. Gandalf shrugged as Thorin got to his feet,

"ENOUGH!" he yelled. Silently everyone sat back down and Arianna watched Thorin carefully as he takes his seat,

"If we have read these signs do you not think others will have read them too?"

Watching their faces Arianna realised this thought hadn't occurred to them. In truth she had never assumed others would be on the same quest. She watched Thorin look round the table,

"Rumours have begun to spread. The dragon Smaug has not been seen for sixty years. Eyes look East to the mountain, wondering, assessing, weighing up the risk. Perhaps the wealth of our people lies unprotected? Do we sit back whilst others claim what is rightfully ours? Or do we take the chance to seize back Erebor?"

Arianna glared as Thorins eyes landed on her. No wonder he didn't trust her. She was about to tell him she had no interest in treasure when Balin spoke up,

"You forget that the front gate is sealed. There's no way into the mountain,"

The faces of the dwarves fell. Arianna however saw Gandalf take a small key from a pocket and hand it to Thorin who looked at it as though it was the most precious thing in the world,

"How come you by this?"

"It was given to me by your father, Thrain," Gandalf smiled, "For safekeeping. And now, I'm giving it to you,"

Arianna watched as Thorin took the key in his hands. All of a sudden a new sense of hope seemed to fill the room. Fili grinned,

"If there's a key, then there must be a door,"

Gandalf nodded, "These runes speak of a hidden passage,"

Kili nudged his brother, "There's another way in,"

Arianna rolled her eyes. Of course there was another way in. What else would the key be for? Gandalf smiled,

"Yes but of course dwarf doors are invisible," he stabbed the map with his finger, "the answer lies somewhere in this map and I do not have the skill to read it. But, there are others in Middle Earth who do,"

Arianna watched him look at each dwarf in turn,

"The task I have in mind will require stealth…and no small amount of courage. But, I believe that if we are careful and clever, it can be done,"

"That's why we need a burglar," Ori piped up. Bilbo nodded,

"An expert I'd imagine,"

"And are you?" Gloin asked. Arianna watched Bilbo's face fall,

"Am I…"

"He says he's an expert!" Oin shouted. Bilbo shook his head,

"No! I'm not a burglar. I've never stolen a thing in my life,"

The opposite of herself then Arianna thought. Balin sighed despondently,

"I'm afraid I have to agree with Mr Baggins. He's hardly burglar material,"

Bilbo nodded and Dwarlin shook his head,

"Aye the wild is no place for gentle folk who can neither fight nor fend for themselves,"

Arianna nodded in agreement when Dwalin fixed his dark eyes on her,

"That includes women," he added darkly. Arianna's hands hovered over the two knives hidden in her belt. The rest of the dwarves were now nodding at each other and she could feel the anger surging through her body. It would be so easy to kill them now. Taking a deep breath she drew out the two knives. Dwalin raised an eyebrow,

"I'd be careful with those lass. They're sharp."

The dwarves laughed amongst themselves and Arianna smirked at the warrior dwarf's face. With a flick of each wrist the knives flew across the table; landing on either side of Dwalin's head - centimetres from his hair. Silence fell and Arianna savoured the shocked face of the dwarf. No one said a word as she stepped across the table and yanked the knives from the wood,

"No kidding," she muttered. As she sheathed her knives she looked at the faces of the dwarves. Her gaze landed on Fili and Kili and Arianna tried to work out which one wore the biggest smirk. She glowered. If these mollycoddled princes through she was here just for their amusement then they were in for a huge shock. Gandalf slowly got to his feet and faced the company,

"Arianna is a member of the Kira Katil."

The dwarves were on their feet in an instant. All of them had drawn weapons and were now glaring at her.

"If looks could kill," Arianna thought, "I'd be pushing up daisies.

To her surprise the only person who didn't seem concerned was Thorin. Instead he stared at her,

"What does an assassin want with a group of dwarves?"

"I haven't come to kill you if that's what you mean," she replied, "Instead I've come to help you," Reaching into her pocket she could feel the dwarves closest to her tense their muscles. Arianna rolled her eyes as she pulled out a piece of black parchment,

"So dangerous isn't it?" Tossing it to Thorin she leant against the wall. The dwarf's face grew dark as his eyes strayed over the words. Thorin turned to her,

"This is written in black speech," Arianna could feel a darkness descend on the room. Thorin narrowed his eyes,

"Where did you get this?" his voice harsh. Arianna didn't flinch,

"I ran into a group of mercenaries. They were stupid enough to mistake me for a tavern wench,"

Kili snorted and Arianna's eyes flashed,

"Find it funny do you?"

He faced her glare, "What happened to them?"

To her delight, Arianna found that everyone was now watching her. She shrugged casually,

"Look at it this way. One of them won't be able to have children ever again."

There was a pause before the whole table burst into laughter. For a second Arianna thought they were laughing at her. Instead she found them laughing at what she'd done. Fili wiped tears from his eyes,

"I would have loved to see that," he grinned. Arianna smiled back. Thorin raised his eyebrows,

"We are quite capable of defending ourselves. Why do we need an assassin as well?"
Gandalf placed a hand on Thorin's shoulder,

"Trust me Thorin. Arianna's skills could be far more useful than you think,"

Thorin sat back in his chair. However Dwalin was still staring darkly at Bilbo,

"As I said. The wild is no place for those who can't defend themselves,"

Bilbo nodded in encouragement and the rest of the table were now muttering amongst themselves and the muttering slowly turned into shouting.

"ENOUGH!" Arianna turned to Gandalf who seemed to have grown about two feet and she could see dark shadows creeping up the walls around him. The dwarves were stunned into silence as the wizard continued,

"If I say Bilbo Baggins is a burglar then a burglar he is!"The shadows slowly vanished as the lights flickered. Gandalf looked round the room,

"Hobbits are remarkably light on their feet. They can pass unseen by most if they choose. And while the dragon is accustomed to the smell of dwarf, the scent of hobbit is all but unknown to him,"

He turned to Thorin, "You asked me to find you a burglar and I have chosen Mr Baggins,"
Thorin seemed unconvinced but looked at Gandalf, who continued,

"There's a lot more to him than appearances suggest. And he has a great deal more to offer than any of us know…including himself,"

Arianna smirked at Bilbo's indignant expression. Thorin nodded, "All right. Give him the contract,"

Bilbo's protests went ignored as he was passed a large piece of parchment by Balin,

"It's just the usual," Balin said cheerfully, "Pocket expenses, time required, remuneration….funeral arrangements, so forth,"

"Funeral arrangements?" Bilbo repeated shakily. Thorin leaned towards Gandalf and from her position Arianna caught his words,

"I will not be responsible for his safety," Thorin whispered. Gandalf nodded,

"Understood,"

"Nor will I be responsible for his fate,"

Gandalf nodded before looking back at Bilbo had was reading through the contract. Arianna yawned and leant her head against the wall as Bilbo began reading out loud,

"Present company will not be liable for injuries inflicted or sustained as a consequence, thereof, including but not limited to…lacerations," his face paled, "eviscerations," he looked up at the dwarves,

"Incineration?"

Bofur nodded, "Aye he'll melt the flesh off your bones in the blink of an eye,"

Arianna watched Bilbo sway slightly. Balin looked at him,

"You alright laddie?"

Bilbo nodded slightly. Bofur smiled at him,

"Think furnace…with wings,"

Bilbo shook his head, "I…I need…air," he gripped at his knees and Arianna herself was starting to feel a bit sick. She looked over to see Kili watching her. Quickly averting her gaze she saw Bofur leaning over the table,

"Flash of light, searing pain and then poof! You're nothing but a pile of ash,"

For a second Arianna thought Bilbo was going to be okay. He stood up straight and faced the company. Then he shook his head,

"Nope," as he fell backwards in a faint. Gandalf sighed,

"Oh very helpful," he muttered as he moved towards Bilbo. Arianna followed him and picked the hobbit up in her arms. She glanced at the rest of the dwarves, who were all on their feet but seemed happy to stay where they were,

"Don't all rush to help," she snapped.

Hope everyone enjoyed this chapter. I'll try and update as regularly as possible and don't forget to review!