Part 3 of More to The Story. It's about a family that are the key-holders and Gatekeepers between our world/Wizarding World and Middle Earth. Adventure, friendships, and love. Part 3 picks up at the beginning of The Battle of the Five Armies, with equal parts of books and movies with the crossovers. OC's and real characters.

The Company and Gatekeepers are divided. Some of the company remain in Laketown with the younger members of the Gatekeeper family. The parents and grandparents are still missing. The danger of the dragon, orcs, and greed were on everyone's minds. What would become of them? Erébor? The Wizard and Muggle world? Nothing was certain.

I do not own anything from the Hobbit or Harry Potter; only the OC's and their story. All Harry Potter/Hobbit references and characters belong to J.K. Rowling, J. R. R. Tolkien, and Peter Jackson.


Previously…

Thranduil stood from his chair and made the order to watch for the child near the gate. "It would seem that foolishness must run in the family."

Priscilla did not take kindly to this, "the desire to help someone in need is not foolish, You Majesty. It takes great courage to perform acts of compassion and kindness; for they are never too small or insignificant. It makes the spirit grow and strengthens the soul. Our worlds need more of that."

Thranduil gave no indication he listened to the witch's proud statement. "My expert archers will not harm the child should she be spotted entering the mountain."

Ruben bowed his head. "Thank you. We will leave immediately to retrieve her."

"No, you will not." Thranduil ordered. "No one else will go to the mountain. If you all truly believe Thorin Oakenshield can to be trusted, the child has nothing to fear. Although, if anyone else was to go to him, he may use them to counter our bargain with the Arkenstone."

The Gatekeepers stormed out of the tent, knowing there was nothing they could say or do to change the elf king's mind. Gandalf and Bilbo were right behind them, talking quietly to each other about plans to send the hobbit home. Bard stood awkwardly. He had no idea what to do. One of his family members had taken a great risk in leaving the safety of Dale, and she could ruin everything they were negotiating for. Only, she was just a little girl who wanted to help. It was making him nauseated thinking over all the possibilities the morrow could bring.

Chapter 7

Fili, Kili, and Ori were off by themselves. Everyone else in the company was finishing dressing in the armory. They decided to take some time and explore more of the mountain. The Durin brothers had not dared go near the treasury or anywhere containing any significant about of gold or jewels. Seeing their uncle fall to the dragon sickness was enough to keep them away from the horde, afraid they would be next. Ori could see their distress and had suggested they explore the abandoned homes their families once occupied. Thankfully, most of the living courters had been left alone, since Smaug was too big to fit in those areas. Seeing the homes gave them hope and joy to see the future use of them, as well as the sadness of the evacuation.

Ori was nearly in tears as he discovered his family's history. Seeing how they lived, what books they kept on their shelves, what pictures hung on the walls. The sad part of all of it was the bedrooms were in an untidy state, as if someone was in a rush to leave and took only what was necessary.

The royal chambers were not much different. And just as much as Fili and Kili wished to see what their mother's early life was like, they were desperate to find their father's family home. They grew up knowing what was expected of them as sons of Durin. Bili, their father, was by no means a mystery as Dis ensured to never hide anything about him from her sons. Only she could not fill in too much of what his childhood was like as they did not spend any time with each other until they were in exile. Just as they were setting out to find it, Noir and Bifur were running to them.

"Ori, Fili, Kili! Come quick!" Nori called. When they stopped, he was bent over trying to catch his breath.

Ori answered his brother, "what's wrong?"

Bifur signed, also out of breath. Karah's niece is here.

Astonishment filled Kili's voice, "René is here? How?"

Nori answered, "the little monkey climbed up the battlement!" He felt his younger brother pat him on the back in between his labored breaths. "Come on, she wants to see Thorin. I don't think that's a good idea right now, but she's insisting."

The five of them took off back to the main gate. Bofur and Gloin were ushering the little human girl down the crudely made stairs. Both of them shared worried looks. René was wrapped up tightly in her warm cloak, clutching her bag in one and a wand in the other. Her cheeks were flushed and her bright red hair was all disheveled and hanging loose. Determination was written all over her face.

Kili was the first to reach her. "René? What are you doing here?"

René held up her bag to him, "I brought Mr. Thorin medicine. Uncle Bard said he's sick."

Ori asked his question carefully because he was afraid of the answer and for sounding like his oldest brother, "does your mother know where you are?"

René looked down at the ground, knowing she would probably get in trouble. "No. I left when no one was looking."

All the dwarves groaned. Kili, Ori, and Nori winced, Fili face palmed, Bofur's small smile was out of sympathy, and Bifur and Gloin rested their fists on their hips in a manner only fathers could do.

Fili did his best to make the child understand. "You are very kind and brave, René. But coming here all on your own was a very foolish thing to do."

Ori internally kicked himself again for continuing his unintentional mimicry, "your mother is probably searching like mad trying to find you."

René defended herself loudly, "but Mr. Thorin needs medicine! No one else would bring it to him!"

Kili's heart melted by the innocent child's statement. "Unfortunately, what my Uncle Thorin is ailing from is not something that can be fixed by medicine."

Fili took a deep breath. "Let's get you inside and warmed up and find something for you to eat; while I figure out what to do."

René's eyes went wide with fear, "are you going to tell mama that I'm here?"

"As soon as I can figure out how, yes." Fili was not going to sugar coat this situation.

The group did not make it three steps before a shrill voice loudly bounced off the stone walls and echo inside the mountain.

"René Edith Baker!" Nicole's voice loudly bounced off the stone, a bit of her Scottish ancestry coming out. She was so furious she could not help but feel some satisfaction upon seeing her daughter pause, knowing she was in big trouble. Even the dwarves were frozen when they heard René's full name. She pulled the invisibility cloak back so all they could see was her floating head. Gage poked his head out from underneath, then running excitedly to his sister and waved to the dwarves he was familiar with.

Jordan and Karah did not even pull theirs off before they ran to their lovers. Fili and Kili were not prepared to be nearly tackled, but as soon as they felt the witches embrace they relaxed and wrapped their solid arms around the invisible bodies. Fili pulled Jordan's hood back and kissed her chapped lips.

"Does this mean you're here to stay?" He asked and kissed her again.

We can only hope. Jordan replied and shrugged, not wanting to give him a certain answer.

Kili pushed the cloak back so he could see Karah almost completely. His kiss was short, only to have multiple ones to follow. "I thought you were going to send your patronus to let us you were coming."

"Well, we sort of had to sneak out of Dale." Karah explained between kisses. "Thranduil forbade anyone from coming here." She stopped for a moment and searched his eyes. "Are you upset? Do you want me to leave, send my swan to you, then come back?"

"NO!" Kili grinned.

René was still hiding behind her aunts and the dwarves. "Hi, Mama." She called meekly.

Nicole was not having it. "Come here this instant!" Her daughter was moving too slowly for her liking while she put her cloak away. "Double time!" Holding out her hand to take the wand back and grasped her daughter's tightly when it was empty. Looking back to the dwarves, "I need a private place to speak to my daughter."

Fili was fearful for the little girl but he was not about to get in the middle. He looked from Jordan to the little girl, knowing there was no getting out of it. "Right, follow me."

Thorin's voice boomed from inside the mountain. "What is going on here?"

Now everyone was tense. Thorin was dressed from head to toe kingly finery. Even at a distance, the witches could see that this Thorin was not the one who left them in Laketown. Before, he was not the most inviting of people, but he was warm and kind once you got to know him. That warmth and generosity were gone. It was replaced with coldness, paranoia, and greed.

He was practically power-walking to them, ready to tear the dwarves to pieces for not returning to the treasury, but stopped when he saw who was with them. "Nicole!"

She was nervous. Nicole not sure how she would be received, especially arriving unannounced. He did invite her and the family to come to the mountain, only it was a different time; before the argument with Bard. "Your Majesty." She bowed and eyed her daughter to keep quiet.

"You're here! How did you make it past the elves?" A bright smile crept over his lips, almost wiping away any trace of the Dragon Sickness.

"Um, well…" Nicole stuttered, his smile made her smile too. The feelings she had before he left were coming back full force and made her feel like a giddy teenager.

"Fly!" Gage answered with a cheer next to Kili, Karah, and Ori.

Thorin's joy was bubbling up at seeing the woman who brought him such happiness. His angelic diamond had survived the attack in Laketown and come back to him. The children were with her so she clearly came for him with the intention of staying. He took Nicole's hand in his and lead her and the children deeper into the mountain. He either took no notice of Karah and Jordan, or he expected them to go with the company. "It is wonderful to have you! Come, I will show you where you will stay. The rest of you, get to your duties, now!"

The small crowd was in a mix confusion and apprehension. While Jordan and Karah exchanged hugs and hellos to Bifur, Nori, Ori, Bofur, and Gloin, Fili and Kili had a private silent conversation. They were truly worried about the near future for all of them. They were overjoyed to have their One's back, only they were not so sure it was safe for them to be inside the mountain. It was also unclear whether Nicole's presents would help or hinder Thorin under the Dragon Sickness. What should they do?

"Have you eaten?" Fili asked, giving Jordan some space to answer with her hands. "How is your back?"

I'm fine, promise. Jordan insisted. I am a little hungry.

Bifur had no idea what they were talking about. What happened to your back?

"She's…" Karah started to speak her mind until Jordan cut her off with an angry glare. Not wanting to repeat her mistake, she promptly changing the subject, "where is everyone else? Why are you dressed as if you are going into battle?"

Kili answered before there would be an argument, "if they aren't in the treasury like we are supposed to be, I imagine everyone else is in the kitchen eating supper or in the armory. We were barely able to reason with Thorin about stopping for some food. He's only left the treasury a few times. He's not eating or sleeping."

"What are you searching for?" Karah asked, feeling as though she already knew the answer. She wondered why Kili did not answer her question about why he was in full armor.

Nori was prepared to answer only stopping when Fili cleared his throat. He gave the prince a moment to think it over before continuing when he was nodded to. "The Arkenstone."

Ori continued as he started to lead the group inside, "We've been searching for it since we arrived. Only stopping for food and minimal rest."

"Thorin is becoming more and more…" Fili could not find the right word to describe his uncle.

"Dragon-like," Kili supplied.

"By the day." Fili agreed. "He ordered us to go to the armory and find new weapons and armor, to prepare for war. And when we've finished, continue the search for the Arkenstone."

War? Jordan asked, stopping everyone in their tracks. Do you know how many humans and elves are waiting in Dale?

"I'm not saying it's a smart decision!" Fili defended. "But Thorin is right about something. Those elves imprisoned us for no reason. The humans only offered to help us when they were promised a rich reward. And when Kili was sick, they were very reluctant to help us!"

Neither Karah or Jordan were present with the company arrived in Laketown and had no idea what he was talking about. They did see the devastation the dragon caused before Bard killed it. As well as they dire circumstances these people were in. The only consolation they did have at the present moment was the fact their corrupt Master was gone, and they seemed to be gaining stronger allies with the Woodland Realm.

Jordan tried a different approach. There are wounded people and orphaned children in Dale, with many others either dead or missing. Their limited food supply will be gone in days.

Karah continued, "our family has been using magic to restore Dale and make it somewhat livable. But they won't survive the winter without yours and Thorin's help. Honestly, you might not survive either if you try to leave the mountain; and you will eventually have too, to get food. And Jordan's right, there are only fourteen of you, and hundreds of them."

The brothers understood all of this, but they were torn. Thorin was the king and their uncle. They loved him and would die for him. Only he was infected with Dragon Sickness and they were not confident he would do the same for them or anyone else. No one knew what do. They just needed more time. Time to find the stone, time for help to arrive.

Bifur stepped in and added hoping to give some comfort to the situation. Thorin sent a raven to the Iron Hills, telling Lord Dain we have reclaimed the Mountain.

Nori added, "he will come and bring his army."

Bofur continued. "Hopefully that will give us time to find the stone,"

Gloin would not be left out. "And Thorin will get better."

Ori finished, "and then he will help the people of Laketown."

Now it was Jordan and Karah's turn to be worried and have the secret. They knew where the Arkenstone was, only they doubted it would change Thorin if he was in possession of it. No, they were sure it would make him far worse, with no hope of him ever getting better.

Fili gently took Jordan's hand, "come, let's eat and then I'll show you where you can stay. It's really not safe out here."

Kili gravely chuckled, "Yeah, Fili and I climbed the battlement and held up a helmet on a stick over the wall. One of the elves shot it."

"It's still up there, the arrow imbedded in the stone." Fili half smiled, wanting to have some humor in this dire situation.

"You went without me?" Ori was stung by being left out.

"You were with Dori," Nori explained, also affronted. "We both were. Because I would have liked to have been there too."

Jordan, Bifur tapped her on her shoulder. I want to know what happened to your back. Once you've eaten, you will tell me everything that has happened since Mirkwood.

Jordan would have groaned if she could. She was so grateful to have Bifur in her life. He understood her and looked out for her as a mentor, or even a father figure, would. Which made her guilt even worse knowing she would betray him, Fili, her family, and everyone else in the company.

A soft smile came over Karah, "I can't wait for you all to meet my real father, and the rest of our family." She knew that Jordan would not say no to Bifur, and she thought all the dwarves would get along with the rest of their family swimmingly. She waved to Bofur and Gloin, who returned to the battlement to keep watch.

Though all the other dwarves, especially Bifur, were delighted by the idea, Kili and Fili started panic. After traveling with the witches for months they were pretty much free to act however they pleased. They managed to keep things somewhat respectable, most of the time. It was only the one time at Beórn's house they were caught in compromising positions. If their families were involved now, they could limit their interactions, or worse eliminate them completely. Neither of the brothers matched the witches' enthusiasm. Did they want to meet the rest of their family, yes! Were the worried, beyond so.

Maybe we should sick Grandma on Thorin. She'll fix him up right quick. Jordan's half light-hearted suggestion made Karah laugh and the dwarves contemplate the possibility.

They managed to catch the rest of the company before they left the kitchen. Nori and Ori explained to them what happened with René, Nicole, and Thorin. The worry was passed around to the each of the dwarves. Dwalin surprised them all by hugging the witches, then suggested they all go to the treasury before Thorin came searching for them, in order to keep the peace. Balin insisted on chaperoning for the couples as they walked to the royal wing and Bifur was all over the idea. The dwarves knew that's where Thorin would have insisted on having Nicole and the children stay. It would be better for all the witches to stay together.

Once they arrived, they found René and Gage playing with some old and dusty toys found a large box near the glowing fire, Nicole and Thorin nowhere in sight. The chamber needed a good cleaning to make it livable. The dwarves felt bad for leaving them in a room in such a state. But it they had no time to get it ready earlier.

Karah was the first to comment, "Wow! This is huge!"
Kili looked around a cringed, "I apologize for the state it's in."

"Don't worry," Karah squeezed his hand gently. "We can fix this in no time. And we can probably do the same to your rooms, if you'd like."

"I would really appreciate that, but for now, don't leave these quarters unless one of us comes to get you." Kili stressed. He did not want to make them feel trapped, but this was a necessary demand.

Bifur interrupted them on purpose. It's not as if you're in danger. It's just very easy to get lost.

René was eavesdropping from the fire and pipped in the conversation. "That's what Mr. Thorin told us!"

The door to a bedroom swung open and out came Nicole and Thorin. They both looked a little disheveled, only Nicole seemed sadden and fretful and Thorin was annoyed. They straightened their clothes once they confirmed there were more people in the chamber.

Nicole relaxed once she saw who was with them, "Oh good, you're here. We can tidy up the chambers so we have warm beds to sleep in tonight." That may have been the wrong thing to say, as Thorin began eyeing her from his peripheral. It was making Nicole nervous, and not really in the good way.

Fili could sense where this could go, and knew the consequences of interfering but he did it anyway. "Uncle, the company is waiting for your command in the treasury."

Thorin tore his gaze from Nicole and glared at the dwarves. "Has anyone seen Bilbo?"

"Not for a while," Kili answered truthfully.

He probably fell asleep in a corner somewhere, Bifur stated. We will keep an eye out for him.

"Do that." He ordered. Turning back to Nicole, "I will be back later. For now, stay here and do not leave until I come for you. I'll have food brought to you."

Nicole studied his eyes, searching for the Thorin she had just seen in the bedroom and back in Laketown. He was so sweet, thoughtful, sexy, and… and… whatever he was, it's gone now. He left the chamber without a backwards glance, leaving the door wide open. She felt hurt, cold, and tossed aside that he would up and leave her like this. What was going to happen now?