Bilbo stood near the edge of one of the high walkways, flanked by her Captain of the Guard and an assortment of his men behind him. She watched through narrowed eyes as the Company were lead through the passages and marched along the planks and walkways further into the mountain range. She tensed as a Dwarf elbow rammed into a Goblin head and hissed as the Goblin fell back from the crowd and shook his head to clear it.

That does it.

She had wanted to avoid this. She was going to sneak out of the cave, walk along the path a little further, make enough of a ruckus for the night watch to find her – there were secret passages galore along the mountain but she had no desire to try and find them in the dark - and tell them to let the Dwarves pass without molestation. Then she would have vanished from the Company for ever. No doubt with Thorin thinking she had made straight for Rivendell with her tail between her legs.

Easy and simple.

That had changed of course as soon as the trap had fallen open.

And now, as she watched the Dwarves struggle and fight against the guards, planting blows where they could she felt less than charitable towards them.

Really. They had been on her land. In her domain – She winced as another Dwarven body part collided with Goblin bone.

It was true that they were tough little beasts but that was no excuse to go and abuse them so.

An ache from her knuckles had her loosening fists she hadn't even realised she had made.

The tall figure of her Captain of the Guard stepped closer to her.

"What is your wish, majesty?" he grunted, his voice deep, but she knew he was more than capable of the high pitched squeals and wicked cackles all Goblins were able to make.

She glanced away from the sight of the Dwarves.

Her Captain stood taller than she did – most of the Goblins did despite their natural crouching posture – and his hand was resting on the hilt of a crude dagger tucked into the waistband of the tan cloth that was his only covering. They had leather thick skin and most Goblins didn't worry about wearing many layers. Even against the sharp rocks of the mountains and the chilly weather they seemed impervious, while Bilbo had to continue to wear layers to ward of the natural coolness that was inescapable within the caverns of the Misty Mountains.

She glanced below her just in time to see the Company vanish around a corner.

Her eyes narrowed again.

No one abused her Goblins and got away with it too freely.

"Have some fun with them," she couldn't stop the sharp smile from forming on her lips.

It would be nice to watch the Company panic for a little while.

I'll show him who doesn't belong on a dangerous quest.

She may have been thinking of disappearing from the Company but that plan had changed and she was going to make the most of what had presented itself to her.

"But they are not to be harmed. Am I understood?" she may be angry with them all for not sticking up for her when Thorin snarled at her on the ledge, but that didn't mean she wanted them hurt any more than they were after a doubtless rough landing.

Her Captain bowed low and growled instructions to one of his subordinates who went scuttling off into the darkness – she knew he would reach the centre of the range before the Company.

She plucked thoughtfully at her still damp travelling clothing. They had lasted well throughout the journey but now there was a rip the length of her arm in the jacket from her scrabbling in the cave and small holes from her struggle on the cliff edge.

She looked a disgrace. Her poor father would be turning in his grave at the state of what had once been a pair of his best trousers.

She was not going to show herself like this.

"I shall be along directly, once I am changed,"

She spun on her heals to face the Goblins at her back.

They were all stood proudly to attention, hands resting on the hilts of their weapons and eyes fixed straight ahead. They all looked very impressive compared to her initial welcoming party. One of them was holding her pack and sword that had been recovered from the cave floor where she had thrown it as she landed. It was still glowing blue from the scabbard, showing that Gandalf was right about its abilities.

"Captain," the Goblin stood even straighter as she turned her gaze upon him, "Have the trolls returned?"

"They returned some days ago, majesty," he nodded.

Oh, thank goodness.

Relief flooded her in a rush, making her feel almost dizzy with it. There was one less thing to worry about…Although the pang of guilt continued to bite into her whenever she thought of the poor farmer who had become their dinner. But unfortunately there was nothing she could do to fix that.

"Very good," she smiled at her Captain, "Now, will you please escort me to my rooms and then I shall deal with our visitors,"

Unknown to anyone looking from the outside, the Misty Mountains were riddled with natural and goblin-made passages that joined the whole mountain range from the inside. They led to storage caves and huge caverns filled with whole settlements throughout her kingdom. With a guard in front and behind, each carrying a burning torch she found her way easily by the flickering light through the passages and turns that she needed to reach her destination. She would be at her rooms and make herself presentable in no time. Then she would head to where the company were being taken.

The smell of the burning torches filled her nose and she had to blink her eyes wildly to stop them from watering as the smoke made them sting.

The sound of drumming drifted through the passages and echoed about her as she journeys through the caverns that lead to her chambers. She began to hum cheerfully to herself, reaching out to stroke the damp rock that surrounded her and whispered words beneath her breath.

"Down in the deep of Goblin Town,"

-To Be Continued-


So, Bilbo is a little conflicted. She likes the Dwarves but at the same time who do they think they are damn it!

Thank you for the get well messages guys! I am still a bit under the weather but I am heaps better :)