I am back! Sorry, my muse took me in a different direction for a bit. But I swear I will finish this. Fair warning though, I start rotations this week so I may not be able to write for a few months.

Sly: DAMMIT WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO FINISH THIS? HOW MUCH MORE ARE GOING TO TORTURE ME?

Me: Sorry! Life be busy and you may be happier with what is about to happen.

Sly: Unlikely.

Disclaimer: I do not own any characters/settings from either the Sly Cooper or Hobbit universes.

He woke slowly, the blackness gradually fading to light until he regained awareness of his surroundings. The thief found himself in a bright room; it was as if shadows were banned from even existing in this place. He was on a sort of couch, covered with a comfortable blanket. Sitting up, he found his arm bandaged. Suddenly, he remembered the events leading to the injury and his bright mood dimmed. His cane...

Before his thoughts could turn to dark, three familiar figures burst into the room.

"Sly! You're finally awake." Bilbo happily regarded his friend before taking in his down-hearted expression.

Not noticing, Fili and Kili shouldered their way past the diminutive figure with broad grins. "Looks like you had a nice nap." Kili chimed in, "We thought we were going to have to kiss you awake after sleeping for a whole day." Finally noticing his demeanor, the two stopped. "What's up?"

"Do you... Have you guys seen... what's left of my cane?" Sly asked slowly, fighting against the pain of losing his heirloom. To his astonishment, his three visitors began smiling.

"Come down to breakfast." Bilbo said gently. "We have it down there."

Befuddled at their sudden merriment, Sly slowly followed them down to an dining hall where the rest of the company were gathered around a long wooden table filled with platters of food, though he noticed that none of it was meat. He grabbed a seat next to Bofur and snagged a roll to nibble on. Thorin, who had been sitting at the head of the table, walked over to the thief with a long cloth-covered bundle and gruffly cleared his throat.

"Here, young Cooper. You looked lost without it. Bofur is good at carving things and the elves have wood to spare." With that, Thorin began to mutter under his breath about the thrice cursed elves who loved wood more than creatures of flesh and blood and where they could shove said wood. Paying no mind, Sly unwrapped the bundle and gaped.

It was his cane. Whole, complete. Reverently, he lifted it up and balanced it on his hand. He worked his jaw, trying to say something. Finally he managed to utter a broken "Thank you."

The rest of the company looked sheepish yet happy. Thorn grunted. "Well, you used it to save mine nephew so you must need it."

Kili looked affronted. "I am quite capable of looking after myself, thank you very much." Dwalin came up behind him and whacked him on the back of the head.

"Show some gratitude." He grunted. Fili slung an arm around his younger brother, "Yes, Kili. Show the fuzzy man some gratitude."

Pulling himself together, Sly grinned. "Anytime, my fair damsel." His fingers continued to caress his cane as Kili spluttered in outrage whilst the others roared in laughter. He finished breakfast with the others then got up.

"And where are you going, laddie? I just spent hours carving that stick for ya and you're already going back into hiding." Bofur complained good naturedly. Smirking, Sly responded, "I have good reason to hide. I'm filthy so I was gonna go for a bath."

Kili sniffed. "Baths are overrated. We are perfectly fine with a little bit of good, healthy earth."

Leaving them to argue over baths, the raccoon made his way through the house, admiring the scenery.

"Sir, are you looking for something?" The thief whirled around to see a blonde elven maiden looking at him curiously. No doubt she had never seen anyone like him.

"Um, yes. I was hoping somewhere I could clean up."

"Oh, right this way." He was led to a room taken up almost entirely filled with a large stone pool filled with hot water. "Soap and scrub brushes are along the wall over there." The girl pointed to them. "I can't help but notice your raiment looks worn. I can bring you some new ones if you like."

Flashing her a winning smile, "That would be great. Thank you. But I have no way to pay for them..."

Blushing, the girl stammered. "Please think nothing of it." Before she rushed off. Once she was gone, he warily regarded the tub. He wasn't a very good swimmer. However, stepping in, he found it only went up to his mid-calves. Satisfied, he cleaned up and enjoyed the warmth of the bath.

A short while later, he emerged from the chamber, feeling refreshed. On the outside bench, he found a tunic and pulled it on to find it had a perfect fit. It was not his normal royal blue but a dark blue, tight fitting and so soft he had to stop himself from stroking it. It also had a hood which he mused may be helpful to cover his relatively bright peasant's cap even though they had somehow also changed the color of the head-piece as well. Looking back at the bench, he found that the maid had also left his belt (which had been repaired and polished) and his boots which had also been covered in the same dark material.

Dressed, he made his way out into the fresh air and ran his hand through his head-fur. He heard giggling. Out of the corner of his eye, could see a small group of elven maids peeking around a corner at him, blushing madly. He shot them a grin and they ran off, still giggling.

"But-, but that's not fair!" A familiar voice spluttered behind him. Kili had watched the whole scene with disbelief. "You're covered in fur! What in the name of Mordor do they see in you."

"What can I say? Girls just flock to me." He waltzed off, leaving the dwarf in stunned disbelief.

He ambled through the city, admiring its beauty. He strolled along its paths and gardens. Seeing the sun begin to set, he decided to return to the rest of the company. Before he could do so, however, a regal voice murmured.

"Young Cooper." Whirling around, Sly beheld a blonde woman garbed in white robes. She seemed ethereal, here yet observing from a world far away. She glowed faintly with an inner light and every single sense he possessed screamed at him not to trifle with this mysterious figure. Her gray eyes studied him intently.

He quickly settled his features into the bland politeness of his patented poker face, trying to hide his unease and awe. The woman smiled slightly. Turning, she gestured. "Come, we have much to discuss."

AN: A Cliffie! Mwahaha! Anyway, are you happy now? *Looks around to see Sly in a corner hugging his cane crying* I'll take that as a yes. Anyway, I'll get the next part of this wonderful tale out asap. Happy days until then :)