Sorry this took so long. The holidays kicked my butt along with being very sick. Add on to that proofreading revealed so many more mistakes then I could handle. I've edited and hopefully I have gotten most of them. Eventually I will edit the chapters already posted and we'll be in tip top shape.

The Company reached the mountain and were surprised to find they were not the first ones there. About twenty cloaked figures surrounded the dwarves as they looked for the hidden stairs. The dwarves and hobbit quickly drew their weapons in defense, but the figures did not attack.

"You are a hard one to track down Lady Skuld. We meant to intercept you at the Carrock, but you had moved on before we could," said one of the front most figures.
"So we agreed to meet you at the end of your journey instead of the middle," finished the tallest figure.
"Who are you," demanded Fili before Skuld could say anything.
"We are her family," replied the tallest figure as all of them grabbed their hoods and revealed their faces.

The Company instantly found the resemblance between Skuld and a number of the seers before them. Although they would later find that all the seers called each other brothers and sisters.

"Brother mine," said Skuld as she approached the tallest figure, who undoubtedly was Skuld's blood brother.
"Sister mine. You have led us on a merry chase."
"Unintentional I assure you. It lightens my heart to know you all are here to stand with us. Will anyone else come?"
"A few men from Gondor and Rohan have pledged allegiance and will join us in two days time. Several of your elf friends have also pledged their bows to the cause."
"Elves coming to the aid of dwarves? Unlikely," drawled Dwalin.
"Unlikely to you, who perceives grudges where they do not exist. However, whether there is a dislike of dwarves or not, your companion has many an ally who will stand with her," said one of the female seers.

Fili could feel the tension rising between the seers and the dwarves and decided to step in.

"Any ally of the Lady Skuld is an ally of mine. Prince Fili at your service," said Fili with a bow.
"More then just a dwarf prince. We have seen who you are to our sister. Lucky and unlucky are you in your alliance to the seer of seers," stated another seer in the group.
"Seer of seers," repeated Bilbo in confusion.

Many of the dwarves looked between Skuld and the other seers, also confused.

"Ah so she has not told you. Skuld is not just any seer. She is the queen of the seers. Oldest born of our leaders past, her word is our law. Her requests our commands. She sees nearly all while we see mere glimpses. Be in awe of her powers," stated a seer that could only be Skuld's sister.
"Queen of the seers," repeated Fili in a scared and ashamed whisper.
"It does not affect our bond my prince."
"But it affects me for my actions. I took liberties that were shameful with you as a lady. As a queen they are grounds for a death sentence," exclaimed Fili.
"Fear not prince. Had you taken an unwelcome liberty with our sister, she would have killed you. It is not for us to judge," said the tall seer.
"But it is my place to judge my nephew and heir. What have you done," demanded Thorin, angry that Fili may have ruined a lady, much less a queen, out of wedlock.
"You were raised better then that lad," said Balin with a disappointed shake of his head.
"Your mother will have your beard," stated Dwalin gruffly, disapproval clear.

Each added admonishment had Fili paling.

"It was, but a kiss and a moment alone. Hardly the loss of my virtue. Let us move on and find these stairs," stated Skuld, prompting everyone and reminding them of their quest.
"There is a set of stairs along some large statues, sister majesty. This way," said one of the seers, leading everyone to the stairs.

The stairs were easy to manage and the door was quickly found. However, the key hole eluded everyone. It wasn't till nightfall that Bilbo's keen eyes located the lock and the secret door of the Lonely Mountain was opened for the first time in decades. The Company with the addition of the seers, entered the cavern by the secret door. Memories came rushing back to the returning dwarrows as they gazed upon the remains of several dwarves who clearly died trying to escape the dragon through the secret door. Thorin's hand clenched around his sword as he gazed upon the bodies of his people.

"It should be my sword that fells the dragon," growled Thorin.
"The dragon shall meet his rightful fate, King Thorin. You would dishonor your dead by dying by the beast," said one of Skuld's sisters.
"Idunna," warned Skuld, finally revealing one of her sister's names.
"Disir and I shall guard the entrance from outside," said Idunna, not wanting to anger her sister or the dwarves.

She knew she occasionally ruffled feathers with her bluntness. It was a trait that got her into trouble with her sister. Skuld faced Thorin and inclined her head in apology.

"Excuse my sister. She is still young by our standards and she has yet to master tact."
"She will never master tact," interjected Skuld's brother, the tall seer.
"Ari, do not doubt her," chastised Skuld.
"I do not doubt her, I just know her."
"Enough," said Skuld.
"Yes, sister majesty," replied Ari with a slight bow toward his sister.
"It is time to show your skills, Master Baggins. Take these stairs down to the main hall. Report back on the state of the hall and the worm. And if you see the Arkenstone," started Thorin.
"How will I know the Arkenstone," asked Bilbo, trying to hide his fear and doubt.
"It is unlike any stone you have seen. You will know it," assured Balin.

Bilbo nodded his head and all the dwarves herded him on his way.

It was a while later that Bilbo returned holding a gold chalice and several coins.

"Smaug has turned the main hall into his treasure horde and his nest," panted out Bilbo, who had feared the dragon would waken at any moment.
"Does he live," demanded Dwalin.
"Yes," breathed out Bilbo and all the dwarves tensed.

Thorin seemed to take a moment to process this information before he turned to Skuld.

"So Lady Skuld, seer of seers, how are we to oust this dragon so Bard the Bowman may fulfill his fate," asked Thorin a bit snidely.

Some of the seers bristled at Thorin's tone of voice, but Skuld waved them off.

"Unfortunately I do not see everything my lord. Some things must be discovered by oneself," said Skuld.

Thorin growled at the lack of information.

"Perhaps a frontal assault will convince him to leave," said Ari with condescension.

Thorin glared at the seer for his rudeness before facing Bilbo.

"Bilbo, return to the horde. Locate weapons if any are there and report back if there are any ways for us to surprise Smaug," ordered Thorin.

Bilbo gulped and headed back down to the hall.

While Bilbo was gone Skuld and the other seers congregated and talked. None of the dwarves understood what they were saying however because the seers were speaking in a language that none of the dwarves had ever heard of, not even Balin. Fili was busy strategizing with Kili, so he didn't notice when Ari had broken away from the seers and approached the brothers.

"So what are your intentions towards my sister," asked Ari, startling Fili and Kili.
"Pardon," replied Fili as Kili snickered and backed away to leave his brother to talk.
"You have compromised my sister and queen. You must have some sort of intention toward her. At least I hope you do."
"I intend to marry her," blurted out Fili, angry that Skuld's brother was insinuating he was less then a gentleman.
"Beg your pardon," said Skuld from across the cavern.

Fili turned to find everyone staring at him. It then clicked in his head that he had just proposed in a round about and improper way.

"I didn't mean it," yelled Fili, which left a stricken expression on Skuld's face.
"No, I did. I mean I do. I mean," stammered Fili.
"Spit it out lad," yelled Oin.

Fili took a deep breath.

"I do intend to marry the Lady Skuld one day. However, I also intend to court her properly and to formerly ask for her hand before that," calmly explained Fili.
"Thank you prince. That is all I wished to know," said Ari with an amused smile as he returned to the group of seers.

Kili made his way back to Fili's side, a chuckle still occasionally escaping him.

"Well done brother. You are to be married. Should I offer my congratulations now or should I wait till you have asked the Lady," joked Kili.
"Do try not to find so much pleasure in my humiliation," bemoaned Fili.
"Oh cheer up brother. She knew, along with the rest of our Company, that your bond would lead to marriage. It should not have been a surprise."
"Yes, but none of this has gone right. Nothing was done properly. Mother shall have my beard when she hears about how all of this came to pass," lamented Fili.
"True, but at least she will approve of your choice of bride. And to think, the Lady Skuld is also a queen."
"Don't remind me," groaned Fili.
"Does my title bother you, my prince? It truly is only a title given to me by default. We seers do not treat our nobility differently. Our titles are simply part of our names," explained Skuld.
"They said your word is law and your request is their command, though," argued Kili.
"They are simply teasing. When we are together my word is followed, but I do not enforce laws on them or tell them how to live. They are individuals and must make their own way."
"Well, dwarf nobility and law is different," pointed out Balin.
"I have come to learn that," said Skuld with a slight chuckle.
"Will your people still recognize you as queen when we marry," asked Fili, curious.
"Yes. And some will look to you as a king. My people will appreciate another leader to look to for guidance when I am unavailable."

Fili looked unsure.

"Do not fear, my prince. As you teach me the ways of your people and how to be a proper queen to them, I shall teach you the same."
"Thank you, my lady. Or should I say, my queen?"
"As long as I am yours, I do not care which title follows," expressed Skuld.

Fili got a love sick expression on his face much to the amusement of all following the conversation. The blissful atmosphere was broken up suddenly when Bilbo came running into the cavern, the red glow and heat of fire following closely behind him.

"What has happened," demanded Thorin.
"Smaug is awake and he knows we are here," panted Bilbo.
"The Arkenstone," asked Thorin.

Bilbo shook his head in the negative. However, Skuld and the other seers noted how his eyes and hand strayed to a slight bulge in his pocket.

"Well, let us go reintroduce ourselves," said Thorin with a manic grin.

I know this chapter was short, but did anyone else catch that round about marriage proposal?! Way to go Fili.