A/n

*Thank you Gingah18 for pointing out some grammer errors. I took them out the best as I could, though I think there are still enough in it yet. Most were from the fact my Word is correcting in Dutch, so when it sees a word that looks like a Dutch word, it will change into that word... 😓*

So I have installed Word on my Ipad, and now I can write down my chapters in it, without me having to write it all out on paper first. I still won't be able to update as fast as first, but I might fasten it a little. Seeing as I don't sit at my computer a lot, but my tablet is with me almost 24/7 ;)

I also am working on my writing, to improve a little and make it more pleasant to read.

And last but not least, some readers will love me after this chapter, some will hate me... I'm sorry!

Now without any delay, here's the next chapter.


Decisions to be Made

Mallosseth is swinging her sword at every warg that is coming too close to Thorin. Slashing one at its flank, stabbing one in the head, her swords flashing with every strike. Next to her, Bilbo is being cornered by the pale orc and its warg, but then Kílí appears with a warrior cry, pushing the beast out of the way.

It is then that Mallosseth notices the others have arrived to fight, defending their leader. All swinging their sword or axe at a warg. Not that Mallosseth can really take notice of anything happening around her. Her main priority is the safety of Thorin right now, for she had made a promise and she is true to her word. She will defend the line of Durin or she will die trying!

She takes a quick glance at Thorin, making sure he's still breathing. But by doing so, she misses the warg sneaking up on her, ready to leap at her. That is until she feels a gust of wind and yelping. She quickly turns around to see a warg being thrown away by a giant eagle, the beast landing with a heavy 'thud'.

Looking around, she sees more eagles arriving, doing the same thing. Then an eagle flies to Thorin, his claws stretched, picking him up.

'Thorin, no!'

She tries to prevent the giant bird from taking Thorin, but fails as it flies of. The next thing she knots, she is being airborne by another eagle, only to be dropped by it. Mallosseth screams as she falls down, the ground getting closer and closer, until soft feathers catches her fall.

Looking up she sees she's laying on the back of a giant eagle, its massive white head looking straight ahead. Beneath her, every one of the dwarves is being picked up by an eagle. Only Gandalf and Bilbo are left, though not for long.

Not that Mallosseth would notice anyway. She has closes her eyes in fear, afraid she might fall. She is most deffinately not made for flying. No wing-less creature for that matter!

'Thorin! Mallosseth!'

Hearing Fílí calling out for her, makes Mallosseth finally lift up her head, opening her eyes. Her hands holding the feathers of the eagle in a deathgrip. She sees eagles flying around her. Some carying someone on their back, others holding them in their tallons. Leading them is the giant eagle that is holding Thorin.

'Thorin! Please, wake up!' Mallosseth pleads as she slides off the birds neck once it has landed.

She runs op to the fallen dwarf as Gandalf whispers a spell, Bilbo following not far behind her. She knows Thorin and her are not the closest, but his is still her fearless leader. A dwarf she looks up to. To see him laying there, lifeless, it makes her feel uneasy. Like it is her fault, like she has failed.

Suddenly Thorin's eyes flutter open and he gasps for air. Once he sits up, he starts to speak weakly.

'Mallosseth and the halfling?'

'It's alright,' Gandalf tells him, patting his back. 'Mallosseth and Bilbo are both here. They are quite safe.'

By now the others have landed as well and are surrounding the wounded Thorin. Dwalin and Kílí help him get up, though he shrugs them off once he's up. Then he approaches the two he had asked for, his look frightening Mallosseth.

'You! What where you two doing?' Thorin asks them angrily. 'You nearly got yourself killed! Did I not say that you would be a burden? That you would not survive in the wild and you, a halfling and a woman, had no place amongst us?'

Mallosseth watches Thorin advancing towards them, a worried look on her face. Thorin has never called her by her name and it frightens her a little that he had done just now. She isn't really sure if it's a good thing or not. And the look on Bilbo's face tells her he isn's sure about Thorin either, for he too looks worried, frightened even.

Mallosseth stands there, frozen on the spot as Thorin keeps advancing, until he is face to face with them. She stares him in the eyes, not daring to look away.

'I've never been so wrong all my life!'

With that Thorin grabs the two of them, embracing them deeply. Mallosseth looks surprised as she stands there in the arms of the taller dwarf. She can vaguely hear the others cheer loudly as Thorin lets go of Bilbo, only to pull Mallosseth back for another embrace.

'I'm sorry I doubted you,' he apologises as he keeps his arms on her shoulders, his eyes sincere. 'I have not been treating you right, for I only saw the elf in you, not the dwarf you are.' Then he turns to Bilbo, the hobbit looking as shocked as she is. 'And I'm sorry for doubting you as well.'

'No, I would have doubted me too,' Bilbo stammers uneasily. 'I'm not a hero or a warrior... not even a burglar.'

At this, Mallosseth chuckles, feeling a little more at ease. Even if Thorin still has a soft grip in her shoulders. She can hear everyone chuckle as well.

Then she hears the eagles screeching as they fly away.

'Farewell,' she whispers softly, not knowing if the birds hear her or not. 'May the wind under your wings bear you where the sun sails and the moon walks.'

Looking back at Thorin she sees him looking over her shoulder, seeing something. As he strides forward, she follows his gaze. In the distance she can see the outline of a single, solitary mountain on the horizon.

'Is that what I think it is?' she asks Thorin, her voice no more than a whisper. 'Is that Erebor?'

'Aye, it is,' he tells her. 'The Lonely Mountain – Erebor. The last of the great dwarf kingdoms of Middle-earth. Our home.'

A bird cheeps and flies by and everyone looks at it in amazement.

'A raven! The birds are returning to the mountain.'

'That, my dead Oin, is a thrush,' Gandalf tells the dwarf with a smile.

'But we'll take it as a sign – a good omen.'

Mallosseth looks over at Thorin who is now standing next to her, on hand still resting on her shoulder. A good omen. Then why is she feeling so sad?

'You're right,' Bilbo agrees. 'I do believe the worst is behind us.'

But she can't agree with him nor Thorin. It's because of her they had almost died just now. Died, because she is to egoistical to choose her own happiness instead of doing what is right. What if she can't escape fate? What if she can't save the Line of Durin while being with Fílí?

'Are you alright, Mallosseth?'

'Y-yeah,' she tells Bilbo and flashes a smile. 'I'm just a little shaken from the events of the last few days.'


The first part of descending the mountain had been the hardest. The steps had been steep and dangerous. Bombur would have fallen down had it not been for Bofur and Gloin. Mallosseth, too, had almost fallen, her mind running on its own.

Now, two days later, she still is not fully aware of her surroundings. Her mind constantly thinking about the prophecy, her heart torn between Fílí and duty. She even is keeping Fílí away unconsciously.

'What's the matter? Is it something I've done?' Fílí has had asked several times, though she could not answer. Only telling him he had done nothing wrong.

'Alright, we'll rest here,' Thorin announces as they approach a stream. 'We can fill our water-skins and refresh.'

'What about the orcs?' Bilbo asks, his voice giving away his fear.

'There are miles between the orcs and us,' is the reply. 'The eagles have helped us with that. Besides, we need water.'

With that said, the company heads over to the stream, washing their faces and filling their water-skins. Mallosseth keeps her ears sharp for any sound, making sure Thorin's words are true.

While some of the dwarves enter the water for a bath, Mallosseth sits down in the grassy field. With her back against an elk-tree, she starts counting her arrows, making sure she has enough. The laughter and singing of the dwarves fill the air and she smiles a little.

Heavy footsteps make their way to where she is sitting, causing her to look up at Thorin. With a fake smile she greets him, still feeling a little uneasy with this new Thorin. The old Thorin would never call her by her name or talk to her without a hint of annoyance or even look at her without a glare.

While this new Thorin talks to her, looking at he with concern in his eyes. His blue eyes holding something new. Admiration maybe? She doesn't know. All she knows is that he makes her feel strange when he looks at her. And he's been doing that a lot the past two days.

'Fílí tells me you've been acting strange,' he begins with a kindness in his voice she still isn't used to. 'And I've been noticing it too. Mind telling me what is going on?'

'I've failed you,' she tells him, looking down again. 'I promised I would keep you save to prevent the Line of Durin from breaking. Yet you almost died back there and...'

'And it is because of you and our brave hobbit I am still alive and well,' Thorin tells her, kneeling down, one arm resting on his knee, while he lifts her head with his other hand. 'I am forever grateful you came.'

There is a silence and Mallosseth shiffers. Not that she is cold. No, she is never cold. Not even the coldest winter makes her cold. No, Mallosseth shiffers as her memories bring her back to the cliff.

'Though I would like to know if there are any more surprises I can expect.'

Mallosseth looks up in surprise. Was that a hint of humour in his voice? No, she must be mistaken. Imagine that, Thorin Oakenshield being amused. By her none the less?

But staring at the dwarf in front of her, she sees a smirk playing on his lips.

'No, it is only the fire I am cursed with.'

'You say cursed, while I see it as a blessing,' Thorin says as a frown forms on his face. 'Fire is what has banished my people, our people, from Erebor. And now I have received a gift so we can take it back, fighting fire with fire. I do not see your powers as a curse, Mallosseth. I do not see you as a curse. You are a gift, given to take back what is rightfully ours.'

Thorin releases her face, but keeps looking at her, a kind smile on his lips.

What has happened to you, Thorin, Mallosseth wonders as she takes in his words. 'Maybe I should rethink about my decision.

'But I am curious,' Thorin continues. 'How did you gain such powers?'

'My grandmother once told me it is because the blood of dwarves that run through my veins did not accept my elvish blood and the magic it holds,' she tells him, staring off in the distance, thinking back to when Lady Galadriel had told her about her powers. Mallosseth had asked the same question back then. 'She told me they made a compromise in order to co-exist. I would not posses the magic of elves, but I should still posses some magic. So the will of fire of the dwarves was to burn at my will.'

She stops, looking back at Thorin again. This must have been the most they have ever talked. Actually, this must have been the first actual conversation they ever had. And to be honest, she rather likes it. It makes her less uncomfortable around the dark-haired dwarf.

'Thorin, do you think I have made the wrong decision?'

She sees the shocked expression of Thorin before he looks away.

'I do not know,' he answering truthfully. 'It is not what the prophecy tells. But I do know the decision of the heart is a noble one. No matter right or wrong.'

She nods, thanking him.


'My love, are you sure of this?'

'I'm not sure of anything anymore, Fili.'

'But what of us? You plan on leaving it all behind, all we have?'

Mallosseth places a hand on the cheek of the blond-haired dwarf. The one she has fallen in love with. The one she is willing to give her life for.

The sun is setting as Bombur is making dinner. The whole day Mallosseth has been thinking about what she is to do. And she has come to a painful decision. One she has told Fili right after he had come back from hunting.

'Fili, please understand. I'm doing this for us. I don't want you to die because I was egoistically choosing my hearts desire and not embracing my destiny.'

Mallosseth sighs as she softly kisses his lips. Feeling his moustache brushing against her skin is a feeling she will miss. But she sees no other way. She will not let de Line of Durin fall because of her.

'I am truly sorry, Fili,' she tells him in a soft whisper. 'But I see no way out. I wish we could be together, but the Valar have chosen for me a different path.'

Fili leans in, their foreheads touching as he gently rubs his thick thumb over her face. A saddened expression on his face. She can see it in his eyes, the understanding she seeks. Yet it still pains her to see him like this.

'Does Thorin knows?' he asks in a soft whisper, tracing the soft features of her face. 'Does my uncle knows of your decision?'

There is a silence between the two of them. Neither looking up as they are called for dinner. Neither breaking their eye-contact. Not daring to break it. Then Mallosseth answers in a whisper, equally soft as his had been.

'Yes.'


A/n

So, What's up with this new attitude of Thorin? He is starting to act the same way around Mallosseth, as he is acting around his nephews. What has caused this 180o turnaround?

I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please tell me if you like the writing better now, or if you think it's still the same. Things I might have to improve to make it more pleasent to read.

Also don't be shy to review this chapter if you'd like ;)