Hello again readers, here is another chapter in which I hope you will like, prepare for a dark twist :)


Darkness swallowed the cell in which Bo was locked up in, it seemed there was no window in the confined area, so she couldn't tell if it was night or day, or what time it was; she was truly lost to the world. Something the humans planned very well, it seemed they didn't want her to see the moon; something she followed each night hoping to find another place for her, maybe another pack, or her own pack?

However, it had been years since she begun the trail, why did she keep on going, when each village she entered she was either chased away, or beaten. Failure to the eyes of human. Just a wolf to species alike. No one showed her any gestures of comfort. Words they spoke were either small, or full of hate. She couldn't help on who she was, where she came from and what her power she processed, yet none seemed to understand. Many times she tried to fit in, that was difficult itself. She could dress like any common human, speak like them and act as such, but her features were diverse, even through the dark cover that her deep hood created; humans and other species could see she was not like them. A creature lost to the world, her pack dead and gone; that's the words they spoke behind her back, thinking she couldn't hear.

Yet it seemed she had been in company of a group of dwarfs and an old man who held great power for a very long time, but how did it happen? What made her follow such a funny looking company to what seemed to the end of the world? She didn't belong with them. They weren't her pack. Wolf blood flowed in her veins that was what Bo knew, it was what made her a Shape shifter and belong to another pack, a pack that was just like her; a pack made of hundreds of Shape Shifters, one of the powerful packs ever known to Middle Earth, yet to be lost in history and time.

Everything on the road she chosen to walk all those years ago, led her to now be locked in a cell far away from what she knew and separated from people who surpassingly cared. Darkness seemed to be her friend at the time, as he covered her and bought her comfort, yet it bought her fear of death alive. In the darkness, Bo could hide away from the men that visited her and attack from all angles, as she could see and sense their fear from when they were climbing the stairs to her cell. Yet they held their torches, in which they learned to use against her, as well as weapons made by humans. Now she was locked in chains, which burned and dug into her fur, making her unable to stand, or to bark, and to howl; torture Bo called it with every time she moved a muscle. Yet Bo didn't let it beat her, many times she tried to get the upper hand and to get the chains off, however, with every effort she showed made no difference.

The humans had won this battle, Bo thought to herself every time her eyes landed on the frame of each man that visited her with food and bowl of water, although she was tied to a pole with chains covering her whole body, Bo sensed their fear of her still, which fed her spirit. But they will not win the war.

Hearing the cell door open, Bo's eyes burst open telling her she was still locked up in a place of the unknown, making her heart fall deeper into the abyss within. Fire her eyes landed upon which alighted only a small part of the cell, yet her eyes couldn't see who held the torch, she knew it was a man as she could smell his odor which was a mixture of fish, damp, grease and sweat; nothing pleasant. However, she couldn't smell fear, something she distinguished from the others. It made her uneasy. Due to fear, she had something over the humans, something she could use against them, without it she was nothing, well that's what she kept telling herself throughout the years.

Watching closely, Bo noticed how the man kept himself in the dark not wanting to show his face. He doesn't want to show his face until the last minute, Bo realized, she knew it was one of the actions of fear, yet Bo couldn't detect his fear still. As a few tensed seconds crept by, Bo could see the fire was reflecting from the man's black eyes, which took her only a few seconds to remember the man, making her shift and thrash as much as she could, with fright and anger, but it only made the situation worse as her chains tightened around her body making her whine.

A look of victory and placate filled the black coals which stared down upon Bo, as the man look down upon her. He was the master of the plan, he was the one who captured her while her guard was down and ordered her to he locked away from the world. A dangerous beast, he kept calling her, something that people told in stories to scare.

"Not looking very frightening now." The man stated, as his eyes took in his plan and the tight chains, blood oozed from the cuts which were made from the tightness of the chains, and fresh blood flowed from the cuts that Bo had made from the thrashing about.

Bo had no choice but to lay still, yet if she had the moment of being free, she would jump onto the man and tear his face off without any hesitation; she promised that to her pack. A deep rumble came from the back of her throat, due to the chain around her muzzle making it impossible her to growl her threats, or bite his hand while he drove his free hand through her fur. He stopped feeling blood, a flicker of concern wakened his eyes, yet with a blink of an eye the sympathy was gone.

"This was not what I wanted." The man added to the silence, he placed the torch onto the stone floor next to him, the heat flowed through Bo, before it vanished and was again cold, making her shiver. Raising her gaze again to the man, he was still kneeling on his knees beside her, for a few seconds they held each other's gazes, before he looked back onto her wounded body. She felt his hand back onto her wound on her side, near where the knife from the battle with the Orcs and the Wargs entered, she noticed his hand was pressing onto the wound on purpose, making her whine again due to the pain. A small smile appeared on his place face, hearing her in pain, while he brought his hand back and stared at the blood that covered his hand, before raising it to his mouth and allowed one of this fingers to enter his mouth. The result of tasting her blood made him spit the liquid out, before harshly adding: "Nasty blood. Monstrous blood. Poison." He brushed his hand onto his cloak, while looking down upon her again. "You bought this upon yourself, Bo. You messed things up. You destroy things and kill. There's no place for a beast like you in this world no more. Luckily you have me, I will protect you from harm and the world. I know right now you don't see it, but I promise you that all this is for the good. It is only matter of time until my plan plays out, and then but only then we can be together."

Bo could feel her heart race within in its cage, as she was unable to swallow the man's words. What did he mean? What plan? What did he mean by together? Those were the questions that ran around in her mind, he was crazy! Those are the words from a crazy man, Bo kept on telling herself.

"Alfird?" Bo heard someone call from outside the cell, drawing her attention away from the man and onto the open door and watched as a taller, fatter man appeared. He was dressed in stained silk and furs, his hair was glued with grease onto his scalp, and his facial hair was out of place. It seemed even the dark that the cell provided backed away from the man, as if scared of the power in which he held. As his eyes met hers, a smile formed on his face, as well as a glint passed through his eyes. "Is this her? The beast you were talking about?"

"Yes, master." The first man replied, he now stood with the torch in his hand. "The men and I found her in one of the houses, stealing from one of the runt's kitchen." He lied, "She did give a good fight, but no one beats us. Not even a beast like her."

"Good, good." The second man added, before walking towards her. Bo noticed he was weary of her, and jumped back a little when he heard her low rumble. "What news from the Dwarfs?"

"Nothing as such, sire. They left early this morning, they should be there by now, but for those stupid fools they are at Bard's house; apparently one of them is injured, poison a few men have said. They should leave him to die, there isn't any cure for those type of poison as they also told me; he will be dead by dusk. None know of her, Sire, they will be gone when the moon has risen, or we could push them…"

"No, no, we must not rise questions. I did make them my guests and sent them a great farewell, if we raised our arms against them, they will know that we are not with them. The King dwarf promised us gold, don't forget that Alfird. Gold is what we need."

"Yes sire, but what if we killed them all before they reached the others?"

"It is too risky, Alfird." The second man replied, before lowering his gaze back onto Bo. "Oh don't worry beast, we have a plan for you too."

That morning was like no other to Balin, all the years he have lived and the battles he endured, the old dwarf never expected a great farewell from humans. They were all gathered in the center of Lake Town, smiles were painted on their faces, but hopes Balin could see plain in their eyes. Thorin's promise fills them and feeds them, Balin recognized, yet doubt grew within as his eyes watched the King under the Mountain climb onto the barge, was Thorin's words true, or was he playing the people's hopes to get a better hold of his own?

"You do know we're one short?" Balin heard Bilbo ask Thorin, while helping the others onto the barge with weapons in which was provided for by the town. We're short of two, Balin thought sadly to himself, he searched the entire town for Bo, but there was no sign of the Shape Shifter. Inquires he spread through the town, yet none of the humans, or guards saw her since last night, yet they had enough to ask their weariness of her, and questions of their suspicions, but Balin didn't stay long enough to answer them. He didn't care about them, he just wanted Bo back, either two footed and stubborn, or four footed and ful of fury, it didn't matter which, just so he had his eyes on her and could look after her.

"Where's Bofur?" Bilbo asked.

"If he's not here, we leave him behind." Thorin replied, something Balin dreaded to admit, they had to leave two companions behind in a strange world, full of greed and empty stomachs.

"We'll have to, if we're to find the door before nightfall. We can risk no more delays." Balin openly said, but with every word he felt his heart sink to a pool of guilt which waited below in the abyss. If Bo wanted to be found, she would have come by now, Balin kept telling himself, yet a voice in the back of his mind kept telling him differ.

"Not you." Balin heard Thorin order, making him look up and the King blocking Kili's entrance of the barge. "We must travel at speed, you will slow us down."

"What are you talking about? I'm coming with you?" The young dwarf protested, dismissing the blow.

"No, no."

"I'm going to be there when that door's opened. When we first look upon the halls of our fathers, Thorin…"

"Killi, stay here. Rest. Join us when you're healed." Thorin ordered his young nephew.

"I'll stay with the lad. My duty lies with the wounded." Oin offered.

"Uncle, we grew up on tales of the mountain. Tales you told us." Fili began, they were unseparatable. They did everything together, training, drinking, learning how to read and write when they were younger. They were truly brothers, best friends in fact, Balin remembered when they were much younger, Kili ran home crying to Fili about some other dwarfs speaking some folly, but it truly broke his heart, as well as it broke Fili's seeing his young brother upset. "You cannot take that away from him!"

"Fili." Kili called, trying to calm his older brother, though he wanted to go and fulfill the story they always heard since they were young, but he didn't want to burden company.

"I will carry him if I must!" Fili insisted.

"One day you will be king and you will understand. I cannot risk the fate of this quest for the sake one dwarf. Not even my own kin." Thorin explained, it seemed his words were like ice to Fili, as he stared at his uncle in disbelief and hurt, before making action of getting of the barge to reach his young brother, yet Thorin grabbed his arm to stop him. "Fili, don't be a fool. You belong with the company."

"I belong with my brother." Fili remarked, before climbing over the barge and joined Kili and Oin on the wood of Lake Town.

Weak, deflated and alone, that was what Balin felt like, though his blood still ran through his veins, his heart carried on beating, and was surrounded by kin and friends. However, his heart was calling out for Bo, it seemed they were both lost in darkness, deprived of their hopes and dreams. He belonged with Bo, as Bo belonged with him, they needed each other more than they knew, since Balin met Bo, he wanted to protect her from any harm, eyes of judgment, and from herself. However, she did not make it easy, or accept it, but Balin knew she needed time to adjust and to believe in his words of comfort.

How can I leave her? Balin asked himself, but deep down he knew if Bo wanted to be found she would have been there by now. Hearing the trumpets, Balin turned to face the folk of Lake Town and saw their smiles and their hopes in their empty eyes, his own scanned the small area hoping to see Bo among them, maybe running towards them before it was too late. Yet he didn't see Bo, making his heart lower even further into the abyss and the pool of guilt, as they began to sail away from the poor town. However, he just had enough time to see the Mast of Lake Town and his loyal servant standing tall and powerful on the platform, something about them made the old dwarf uneasy, in addition to their ugly appearance, Balin thought he could see hunger and a smile of knowing in their eyes. Did they have Bo?

The sun was shining high in the cloudless sky, all seemed peaceful, as the birds were flying in the sky, as well as tweeting; having their own private talk. The forest was full of life, the grass was lush and moved in the light breeze, it seemed nothing could disturb it all. In the town made out of stone, it was one of the greatest cities that Bofur knew, trade was fast moving making the city rich, dwarfs were happy and full of peace, most got drunk of lust or ale by night. The women dwarfs were beautiful, strong and determined, yet there was only one for Bofur, and that one he married. They were happy, they joked and laughed all day and night, their children were the same.

"Bofur, why are you out here this early?" He heard a woman's voice, waking him up from his thoughts. He stood just outside the city and stared out to the place that was Erbor, he couldn't remember how he got there, or why he was staring to the Kingdom, but hearing the sweet voice that woke his heart in his dreams, he turned and found a beautiful dwarf standing beside him, holding his hand and stared out to the kingdom. "It's beautiful."

"Not as beautiful as you." Bofur blurted out, he turned his head back so he was staring at the grand structure of Erbor, he felt himself redden, he didn't know why he blurted the truth out. It reminded him of when he was younger, when he first talked to the beautiful dwarf, he made a fool out of himself, but she only smiled nicely.

However, turning his head to stare at the forest, he felt the breeze turn fierce, he could swore he heard the wind growling. Confusion took hold of him for a few seconds, before his ears filled with screams from the town behind him.

"Dragon!" He heard many yell with fright.

The screaming words faded into mist, and Bofur's ears filled with the sound of trumpets, waking his confusion and making his eyes fill with terror. "By my beard, is that the time!" He exclaimed out loud, before sitting up from under the table. Banging his head on the way, Bofur got up and grabbed a half filled glass, and drunk the remains, before rushing out to the dock.

While running as fast as his little legs could carry him, Bofur's mind flashed back to the dream he had, he hadn't forgotten that day of disaster, chaos and misery, every scream chilled his bones, while the heat of the fire still burned his skin. But seeing his wife's face again, his heart skipped a beat; he missed her. They were truly inseparable. Their heart beat as one, they were truly soul mates. Yet this quest called his name, he may not have royal blood running in his veins, or have much to his name, he was just a normal dwarf as you can get in Middle Earth, but someone saw past that, that someone being his wife.

Taking many turns and twists, Bofur heard the Mast of Lake Town wishing the company well, which made him push himself harder, resulting his chest to tighten, hard to catch breath, while his heart raced within its cage.

"Wait!" Bofur yelled in desperation, as he finally reached the dock.

"And may your return bring fortune to all!" Bofur heard the Master add, as he pushed through the cheering crowd, before stopping to see the barge assail too far down the lake for him to reach. They were sailing towards Erbor, without him.

"No!" Bofur exclaimed, making Balin stare at him with a sorrow look. His own family and friends left him behind to conquer something they have dreamt since what felt like forever. Staring at the barge that told the others that his world had ended, he realized he couldn't see Bo, which creased confusion upon his face, he then noticed the older dwarf miming that he couldn't find Bo. I need to find her! Bofur thought to himself, his thoughts full of confusion and dread, she wouldn't have left us, would she?

Turning his head, his eyes landed on Kili being held by Fili, while Oin stood close by, adding more confusion. "Did you miss the boat as well?" However his question was answered, when Kili suddenly looked very pale and weak; close to passing out.

"Kili? Kili!" Fili called desperately to his younger brother.

Bofur rushed into action, dismissing the large amount of alcohol he consumed last night, he had to help or else they may lose the young dwarf. Yet carrying Kili away from the dock, he realized how alone they truly were in the human world, some only glanced when they asked for help, while others just walked away pretending they didn't hear their begging; they had nothing to offer in return, or had power. The company was split, the stronger ones were with Thorin, which included his brother and cousin, while the weak stayed behind; weak body and heart. He needed to find Bo, but he needed to help Oin and the young dwarfs, yet who would help them? A name crossed their lips as they went out the dock, the same man who handed them weird weapons, the same man who helped hide them away from the others, and from the Elves and Orcs that followed them to the river. Bard.

Darkness. Worn. Dark magic. Unwelcome. Treacherous. The words that filled Gandalf's mind as he entered Dol Guldur with Radagast. The journey had been long and tiring, but they didn't feel safe to sleep long hours, with every few miles they looked over their shoulders to see if anyone was following them, a few times they thought they were being followed but it turned out to be their imagination.

"Dol Guldur. The hill of sorcery." Gandalf stated, as they started to walk within the ruins of what stood so powerful, yet the wizard felt paranoid, there was something moving in the shadows, he thought.

"It looks completely abandoned." Radagast commented, but his words didn't bring comfort. Alone could mean danger, Gandalf knew, he found himself alone many times, alone with his thoughts, alone travelling, alone due to shutting folks out. The old wizard paused as a harsh wind blew around the ruin of Dol Guldur, even though its structure was broken, the place gave an eerie feeling.

"As it is meant to. A spell of concealment lies over this place. Which means our enemy is not yet ready to reveal himself." Gandalf added, while his eyes roamed over the dark stones, before moving them upon the brown wizard to add: "He has not regained his full strength. Radagast, I need you to carry a message to the Lady Galadriel. Tell her, we must force his hand."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm going in alone. On no account come after me." Gandalf replied, before edging nearer to the dark, it seemed he was being pulled into the hazardous peril. The words he had spoken them many times, yet not to the younger wizard, but to Bo, he never wanted her in any kind of danger, yet what sort of promise could he accomplish? He was a wizard after all, danger was always calling his name from all corners of Middle Earth, different folks welcomed him, but they were constantly weary of his companion. What have I done? I've been a fool. "Do I have your word?"

"Yes, yes, yes, yes!" Radagast exclaimed, before turning to leave. However, he didn't reach far as a thought flooded his mind: "Wait, Gandalf! What if it's a trap?"

"Turn around and do not come back." Gandalf replied, his words were low, as if he felt guilty, just like his heart, stuck in its cage and beating, while pumping blood around his ageing body, was this his last meeting with the younger wizard? Will this be his last quest? Will he survive after what he finds? Questions that filled his mind, yet his heart kept on calling for his companion on who he left behind in the hands of dwarfs. As darkness surrounded the wizard, guilt tugged at his heart, he knew he needed to concrete on the matter of hand, but his the guilt made it hard.

"It's undoubtedly a trap." The wizard muttered to himself, while drawing his sword and continued to walk through the ruins.

As another harsh breeze hit him, Gandalf paused again, while straining his ears as he thought he could hear Bo calling his name. Turning around, darkness faced him, as well as the harsh breeze hit him, making his ears fill of Bo's voice, it seemed she was begging for help and calling his name , it appeared she was stressed and in trouble. Gandalf felt his heart race within, blood rushed around in his veins, his knuckles turned pure white as he held his sword and spear too hard, hearing her call his name. Where are you Bo? I'm coming…no, I need to do this task first, Gandalf argued with himself, before turning to face the exit, I am sorry Bo, we will meet soon, I promise.

With that promise in his mind, Gandalf continued to wander around before stopping again, sensing he was not alone. "The evil that is hidden here, I command it to come forth! I command it to reveal itself!" The wizard shouted in the dark, in another tongue, before slamming his spear down, yet his plan to remove the spell that the ruin was under didn't remove.