A Place in the Heavens: Book One

by Lil-read-writing-hood

Hayden lived a mortal life for 23 years. Now, seemingly dead and bearing endless scars, she finds herself in Middle-Earth with a second chance at life. When she is asked to accompany dwarves on a quest, will she take the chance or remain uninvolved? Will her past be her downfall or the key to unlocking her future? Her fear of love may just become her greatest salvation. FilixOC

11. The Quest and The Offers

"You mentioned you were lost?" Dwalin asked with a smirk. Any opportunity he could get to poke fun at his childhood friend was a welcome one. Besides, the atmosphere needed brightening after talk of Fili and this girl.

Thorin sighed gently, his mouth poking up into a smile. "Yes. I mistook the surname Gandalf had given me. I ended up knocking on the door of a Sackville-Baggins; the woman who met me was not pleasant nor understanding." Thorin said shaking his head. "I just happened to pass this abode, noticing the small mark on the door. Pity I hadn't thought to look for it at the other house." He said with a chuckle, admitting his small mistake.

"What news from the meeting in Ered Luin?" Balin questioned boldly, getting to the point. Casual conversation could be held at a later time; this quest needed to become official. "Did they all come?"

Thorin's demeanor changed in an instant, the diplomatic features returning to his face. "Aye. Envoys from all seven kingdoms."

The table cheered softly, waiting for more news of their King's trip. Kili nudged Fili with his elbow, gaining a small smile from the blond at his brother's childish excitement. Ori looked around the table with wide eyes in disbelief that he was a part of this honorary quest.

"What do the dwarves of the Iron Hills say?" Dwalin questioned. He took Thorin's lack of detail as bad news, hoping instead he was simply withholding information to get a better reaction from his Company. "Is Dain with us?" Dwalin asked further. He knew Dain was the one dwarf who would agree to aid in the quest because of his direct family tie to Thorin; his clan would assist the reclaiming of Erebor ten times over.

Thorin stared at his near empty bowl of soup for a moment, finding the words were stuck in his throat. "They will not come."

Half the table let out gasps of disappointment while the other spat out comments of denial. Fili remained silent, letting the weight of the news fill his heart. The sound of disappointed dwarves caught the attention of both Bilbo and Hayden, leaving their half drank cups of tea in the kitchen and peeking into the dining room.

The regret Thorin held in sharing this news was hard to bare, but the thought of possibly having to cease the effort altogether was too much. If this small Company agreed to endure and conquer at his side, he would see it through no matter the cost.

"They say this quest is ours, and ours alone." Thorin said amidst the commotion. The table shifted in mood, most remaining silently angry while others murmured comments of disbelief and worry to one another.

"You're going on a quest?" Bilbo asked, surprised that the gathering of dwarves surrounded something so adventurous.

The dwarves looked at him with expressions of caution; wouldn't their burglar-to-be have known they were meeting on this night to discuss the handling and operations of the reclaiming of Erebor?

As if sensing the dwarves unrest, Gandalf spoke up from his position in the corner of the room. "Bilbo, my dear fellow. Let us have a little more light." He asked, though it was much more of a demand.

Bilbo bit his lip, looking around the room before looking to Hayden for assistance.

"There's some in the hallway. The ones you purchased today. On that stack of books by the jar of old honey." She whispered nervously. Though she had tried to keep her comment unheard, the room fell silent as soon as she had opened her mouth.

Bilbo scurried out into the hallway, shuffling around papers and other cluttered objects in search of the candles. Gandalf nodded to Thorin as he pulled out a small and tattered map from the inside of his jacket. Gandalf smoothed the parchment on the wooden table, his hands leathery and large in comparison to those that rested near.

Hayden craned her neck over Gandalf's shoulder, attempting to see the map for herself. She had never experienced anyone partaking in a quest before and suddenly understood why these dwarves were so merry; they were celebrating the beginning of a mountainous event.

As soon as Fili caught sight of Hayden standing in the arch, his face seemed to flush red and a pulsating beat found its way to the palms of his hands. He shifted in his seat, attempting to swallow the excitement and happiness that was blossoming in his heart. He had hardly ever been nervous around anyone in his life, yet he felt that her very presence in the room were enough to burst the blood flowing through his veins.

Some of the dwarves noticed Fili's change in demeanor, Dwalin in particular smiling inwardly at the attraction it seemed his kinsman could not control. Realizing the girl was interested in the conversation, Dwalin turned in his seat so he and the redhead locked eyes. He motioned his head forward, as if to invite her closer to the table. She smiled nervously, looking around to see some of the other dwarves looking at her as they puffed on their pipes or sipped their mugs. Bofur caught her eye once more, winking and gesturing with a finger for her to come into the room.

Hayden stepped out of the archway just as Bilbo came walking in from the hallway, a lit candle perched on a holder in one hand. His face was full of intrigue, a combination of excitement and mystery all at once.

Gandalf motioned for Bilbo to step forward, to which the hobbit gladly obliged. Lighting the parchment on the table, Gandalf began to speak. "Far to the East, over ranges and rivers, beyond woodlands and wastelands, lies a single solitary peak."

Most of the dwarves nodded their heads, knowing exactly the mountain Gandalf spoke of. Kili looked to his brother with delight, realizing Fili was glancing at Hayden instead. At this Kili wasn't sure if he should be more happy about the quest or the fact that his brother was so smitten, a vulnerable state he had rarely observed Fili in.

"The Lonely Mountain." Bilbo read aloud. This map appeared to be very old and very important to these dwarves. The hobbit wouldn't let a historical piece of knowledge slip past his eyes unnoticed, especially a map of somewhere in Middle-Earth he had never been and most likely would never visit.

"Aye. Oin has read the portents, and the portents say it is time." Gloin stated, eliciting a few impatient stares from the other dwarves.

Dori rolled his eyes generously, resting his head in his hands in preparation for Gloin to continue. The matter of their organizing a quest to Erebor had revolved around the tales of returning to the mountain - the Company had been over these portents multiple times at various gatherings. Though important, the topic had already been beaten to death; evidently now it was to be beaten beyond recognition.

While the room's attention focused on Gloin, Bilbo's eyes fluttered towards Gandalf's hands - they had somehow produced a small flame and were in the process of lighting the wizard's pipe. Bilbo wasn't sure if he should be angry the wizard was starting an open flame in his home so carelessly or if he should be alarmed that he had just seen fire ignite from Gandalf's fingertips. Torn between not believing his eyes and throwing a fit, Bilbo paced back into the pantry.

As though completely missing the table's annoyance with the reiteration of the prophecy of Erebor, Oin took the chance to jump into the conversation. "Ravens have been seen flying back to the mountain as it was foretold."

Fili looked to Oin, attempting to keep his face calm as the others murmured for the conversation to move along. To Fili these legends and prophecies had been a staple of his childhood, morphing from imaginative bedtime conversation to historical fact as he grew older. Talking about the matter did not bother the Prince in the slightest, in fact, he found himself slightly annoyed that the Company wished to move things along. This was their heritage - it was the beginning of their new future.

Oin continued, looking around the table as though this story were being told for the first time in a hundred years. "When the birds of yore return to Erebor, the reign of the beast will end."

Bilbo popped up behind Thorin, standing nervously in the hall. "Uhm, what beast?" He asked anxiously.

Hayden had been drawn into the story, wanting to know everything and anything about the dwarves and their culture. She looked up suddenly, noticing her friend's face had grown pale; was there really a beast to worry about or was this just some ancestral story?

Bofur let the pipe fall from his lips, smoke trailing out his nostrils. "Well that would be a reference to Smaug the Terrible, chiefest and greatest calamity of our age." The way in which he announced the presence of this beast alarmed Bilbo - it only captivated Hayden tenfold.

"Airborne fire breather, teeth like razors, claws like meathooks, extremely fond of precious metals -" Bofur continued, noticing that Bilbo seemed lost in the explanation of Smaug.

"Yes, I know what a dragon is." Bilbo spat out, cutting off Bofur with rapid blinking.

Hayden let out a small gasp, raising her fingers to her lips in confusion. "They can't be serious. A dragon?" She thought. A few chuckles found their way to her ears, coming from some of the dwarves around the table.

"Have you not heard of such a beast?" Thorin asked, leaning in over the table with his eyes fixed on Hayden.

It took Hayden a few moments to realize the dwarf at the head of the table was addressing her. Quickly, she lowered her hand from her mouth, her eyes falling to the floor as well. "I have, it's just..." she began, grasping for the words.

Hayden glanced back up to Thorin, realizing he was sitting patiently, intent on hearing an answer from her. A quick peek around the table told her the others were just as curious as to what she was going to say next.

She swallowed the nerves, ignoring the fact that fifteen pairs of eyes were on her. "I know of them from stories. My father used to tell me them at bedtime or around our fire after dinner. He used to say that his family died battling a dragon, valiant and noble and honest until the end. I used to think his stories were truth, that I was related to honorary fighters and swordsmen; that only filled my head with silly notions and an attitude slightly too arrogant. I used to go off into the wild with an axe larger than I was looking for one I could take on myself." She said.

Some of the dwarves chuckled at this, causing Hayden to realize she had said something funny. She glanced at Fili who wore a smile in his eyes as he watched her, his brother now looking at her for the first time since she had yelled at him. Attempting to hide a sudden blush, she continued on. "But once I grew older I realized his stories were nothing but child's play and nonsense. Dragons aren't flesh and blood." She finished with a smirk.

"Nay, they are more than flesh and blood. They are flesh, blood, fire, and a relentless evil you hope to never witness." Balin said. He stared at Hayden with a hardened face though his eyes were kind.

Hayden looked at Balin in a confused shock. "They can't...they can't be."

She shook her head in disbelief, looking to Bofur for some guidance. She trusted the dwarf with the silly hat more than the others, though she had no true reason to think any of them liars. She found herself wanting to trust Fili just as much, but felt as though this was simply her heart yearning for a possibility of romance; she shook off the thought in favor of taming the flush of pink that had covered her cheeks.

Bofur nodded his head slowly, his mouth quirking up in a knowing smile. "Aye lass. It's true."

Just as quickly as her face had become swollen with blood, it was soon void of all color. Hayden felt as though her knees may give out from beneath her, her breathing becoming sharp and seldom. She had never fainted before, but suddenly she assumed these were the physical indications that came before one passed out.

"Oh look at that, Bofur, you scared the poor thing!" Bombur shouted.

"Me?" Bofur called out down the table at his brother. "Balin informed her the beast was real. I merely confirmed it!"

"Don't you poke blame at me." Balin said to Bofur, seriousness in his tone and expression. "I have no patience nor time for such dramatic exchanges."

Bifur mumbled something to Oin, who looked back to Hayden and then over to Fili. "Lad." He said, holding his ear trumpet up.

Fili looked away from Balin and Bofur, the two now bickering back and forth. Oin simply moved his eyes suggestively towards Hayden, causing Fili to realize she stood in a state of shock. He shot up from his seat, silencing the table with his sudden movement, and placed a reassuring hand on her back.

"The dragon has slept for nearly a hundred years." Fili offered. Hayden simply stared at the floor, eyes growing wider at his comment. "Hayden?" Fili whispered after a moment.

Hayden's eyes shot up at him, piercing his heart with a greenish intensity. She looked as though she had lost a grip on her reality, on her frame of mind. Fili realized the girl was genuinely frightened, truly unaware of the existence of dragons. What sort of world had she come from?

Fili searched her eyes for a moment, looking for something unknown. Her gaze reached down inside him, linking with his soul in a connection he never thought possible. All he knew were her eyes were a saving grace and he preferred when they were shining with life, not dimming with fear.

He felt Hayden relax a bit, easing into his hand as a support. "There's no need to be afraid." Fili said with a small smile.

Wanting to calm the girl as well and prove his ferocity, Ori shot up from the table. "I'm not afraid! I'm up for it. I'll give him a taste of the dwarfish iron right up his jacksie." He said confidently, smiling like a child having proven a sibling wrong.

Half the table shouted in agreement, vowing to take down the beast without so much as a blink of an eye. Ori's brothers Nori and Dori rolled their eyes, frustration blatant on their faces.

"Sit down!" Dori said through his teeth, tugging on Ori's trousers. The last thing they wanted was for their younger brother to embarrass or humiliate them - he was debatably too young for this quest though Fili and Kili were younger and were partaking. Dori prayed that bringing him along was not a mistake.

There was pounding from Thorin's end of the table, most likely from Dwalin trying to bring back everyone's attention to the matter at hand. The Company looked to their King as he slid his empty bowl of soup to the side, clearing his throat as he did so.

Fili recognized the importance of staying on task, not wanting to press Thorin's patience any further over the line. Giving Hayden an apologetic look, he offered her his seat beside Kili and Oin.

She declined, intending on leaning against the wall for support. The existence of dragons was not something she had expected, nor was she prepared for it. She swallowed the information, forcing herself to accept it; she couldn't deny their existence and trying to believe something entirely different than the truth would only paint her a fool. Evidently she lived in a very, very different place.

As though it were natural, Fili let his hand slide up her back, his fingers tracing down her arm as he sat himself. The movement sent chills through her skin, unexpected and fleeting. She wrapped her hands around her arms to try and hide the goosebumps that had popped up.

Balin began to speak, pulling everyone out of their respective frames of mind with a loud and booming voice. "The task would be difficult enough with an army behind us. But we number just thirteen, and not thirteen of the best, nor brightest." He finished, trailing off quietly as though he slightly regretted voicing the offensive remark.

It was as though the room had taken two steps back, coming unraveled in an uproar across the table once more.

"Hey, who are you calling dim?" Bombur shouted, looking to others for an answer.

"Watch it!" Nori exclaimed simultaneously, shaking his head at Balin's rude comment.

"No! Excuse me!" Ori yelled, attempting to be polite but outraged all the same.

Oin turned to Dwalin, sticking his ear trumpet right in the bald dwarf's face. "What did he say?" He asked.

Impatient and tired of the unnecessary arguing, Fili slammed a fist on the table. Kili jumped, not expecting his brother to lose his temper; he seldom saw Fili in that state as well, at least so suddenly. It would seem his brother was full of surprises this evening.

"We may be few in number, but we're fighters, all of us," Fili began, looking to each and every dwarf with a steady gaze, "to the last dwarf!" He finished, pounding on the table once more. If conversing over tedious topics wasn't getting them anywhere, perhaps a good morale boost would do the trick. Without Dain, they needed every dwarf they could get.

Kili, catching onto his brother's boost of confidence, chimed in. "And you forget, we have a wizard in our company. Gandalf will have killed hundreds of dragons in his time." He finished with an ignorant smile, looking at Gandalf in hopes he would confirm the assumption.

Not expecting the conversation to be driven his way, Gandalf struggled to answer. "Oh, well, now, uh, I - I - I wouldn't say that, I -"

Impatient and thirsty for answers, Dori pressed further. "How many, then?"

Gandalf blinked, thinking of something to say to deter these dwarves from asking things they did not need to know. "Uh, what?" He said awkwardly, putting his pipe in his mouth.

"Well, how many dragons have you killed?" Dori rephrased, leaning over the table intently. When Gandalf replied with silence, the rage seemed to shoot right through his body and out his mouth. "Go on, give us a number!" Dori shouted, eliciting a wave of shouts from the table as well.

Gandalf coughed on his pipe smoke, waving it away from his face. Surely if he had told the dwarves he had never killed a dragon they would lose faith in him, yet he could not lie to the small men either. They were relying on his guidance and wisdom; falling short of expectations seemed better than forging information.

The table jumped up in argument once more, each dwarf barking and nipping at one another over the number of dragons Gandalf had or hadn't killed. This soon turned into an argument discussing which bloodline had seen more battle and which of those battles involved a dragon or other foul beast.

Kili had joined in on the argument as well, Fili attempting to physically restrain his younger brother but failing. Instead, he sat at the southern end of the table, locking eyes with Thorin who also was fed up with the Company's unrest.

"Shazara!" Thorin exclaimed, standing up with his palms firmly on the table as he silenced the group.

The room fell silent in an instant, the dwarves pausing in their movements and stances at the word of their King. Fili took a long drink of ale, giving his brother an irritated look before motioning for him to sit down. Hayden couldn't recall the last time she had heard a man yell so loud, skipping over the memories of Daniel intentionally. Somehow she felt she was in the wrong as well; she simply watched the dwarves argue without stepping in.

Taking the silence as a sign of submission, Thorin took his opportunity to speak. "If we have read these signs, do you not think others will have read them too? Rumors have begun to spread. The dragon Smaug has not been seen for over sixty years. Eyes look east to the Mountain, assessing, wondering, weighing the risk. Perhaps the vast wealth of our people now lies unprotected. Do we sit back while others claim what is rightfully ours? Or do we seize this chance to take back Erebor?" He finished, raising a fist in the air. His brethren and comrades had nodded in agreement, smiling at the thought of reclaiming their homeland and protecting it from unworthy hands. "Du Bekâr! Du Bekâr!" Thorin added, calling his Company to arms.

By this time the dwarves had reclaimed their seats, cheering as they relaxed once more. The atmosphere had been a circus, ricocheting between hostile and hospitable. It was obvious the Company was on edge, wanting nothing more than to seize their home yet afraid that their efforts were falling short.

As though recognizing the need for a reality check, Balin spoke up once more. "You forget, the front gate is sealed. There is no way into the mountain." He said, stroking his beard in thought. This was an issue he and Thorin had avoided discussing, sure that an answer would be found somewhere along the way before the quest began. Here they were, on the eve of their departure, without a way inside; the journey would be too long and too hard for such a disappointing end.

"That, my dear Balin, is not entirely true." Gandalf said, giving the old dwarf a twinkling smile.

The table sat in wait, eager to know what Gandalf was talking about. The wizard twirled his fingers elaborately in the air, making a show of what information he was withholding. He reached inside his sleeve, somehow producing an ornately wrought key from thin air. The key was fairly large and heavy, runes carved into every turn of the square handle.

Gandalf held the key out over the table, leaving it for all to see. Thorin looked at the piece of metal in wonder, somehow knowing what it was without truly understanding. "How came you by this?" He asked the wizard.

"It was given to me by your father, by Thrain, for safekeeping. It is yours now." Gandalf answered, turning to the King and handing him the shining key.

As though the table expected something to happen when Thorin touched the key, they all leaned forward in suspense. Thorin took it from Gandalf, gingerly turning it over in his hands. He ran his fingers over the runes, recalling his father talking of a key into the mountain, a hidden route.

"If there is a key, there must be a door." Fili piped up in the silence, voicing what everyone else was assuming. The pure enthrallment of his voice was enough to make Hayden smile.

Hayden stepped forward from the wall, getting a good look at the key in its magnificence. There was something about the way the metal curved, bent, and moved that reminded her of home. The craftsmanship resembled that of her father's in some strange way.

Gandalf took his pipe once more from his mouth, pointing at runes on the map that still lay on the wooden table. "These runes speak of a hidden passage to the lower halls." He said, suggesting that there indeed was a way into the sealed mountain.

"There's another way in!" Kili exclaimed, looking around the table before nudging his brother with his elbow. Fili smiled giddily, returning the nudge slightly.

"Well, if we can find it, but dwarf doors are invisible when closed." Gandalf retorted with a sigh. "The answer lies hidden somewhere in this map and I do not have the skill to find it." He admitted to Thorin, giving him an apologetic look.

Thorin nodded slowly, his mind racing over how the runes were to be deciphered in time. He wasn't quite sure what the runes said, but somehow he knew they must mean something important. The pointing finger seemed to be giving some sort of hint, but he hadn't the slightest idea what it was pointing to. These runes were old and unfamiliar to him; his father could have possibly known what they said.

"I may be able to read them." Hayden said, her voice sounding small in the already cramped dining room.

The table roared with gasps and comments of disbelief, all eyes turning once more to the girl. Even Gandalf found himself surprised, looking to Bilbo who merely shrugged his shoulders in response. Bilbo knew all too well Hayden was full of surprises, not necessarily on purpose. Fili found himself trying to hold back a smile; he knew Hayden was special, even if the others hadn't seen it yet. This also presented him with an argument for Hayden's place in the Company.

"What did you say?" Thorin asked, breathless yet harsh in tone.

Hayden's eyes flickered to Thorin from the map, realization coming over her that she had put herself in a risky position. It was obvious Thorin was not to be misled, and if she couldn't accurately read the runes, she would only give him reason to cast her out of the room, possibly even the home if he so desired - though she didn't think Bilbo would allow that.

"I may be able to read them." Hayden restated after taking a deep breath. "I'm not fluent in - whatever language this is - but some of the runes are very familiar. And I have to admit I don't know why." She took a few steps, closing the distance between herself and Thorin.

"They are a form of ancient Khuzdul. Runes we seldom use in our writings now." Thorin muttered, though more to himself than in response to Hayden's lack of knowledge.

Leaning over Dwalin's shoulder to the table, she pointed to a few runes on the edge of the map, just under the sketch of a pointing hand. "These here, they look just like the symbols my father used to carve into his weapons and woodwork."

Thorin leaned in closer, speaking directly to Hayden. "What do they say?" He asked, all doubt of Hayden's claim seemingly vanishing from the King.

Hayden licked her lips, tilting her head in contemplation. "This one," She said, tapping the map gently with her index finger, "this one I know to mean 'walk'. And this one," She continued, sliding her finger down the parchment and pointing at another rune, "either means 'three' or 'below', I'm not entirely sure."

Thorin's eyes lit up at the possibility that this girl truly was who Gandalf claimed. Though he had no true way of knowing if what Hayden said the runes meant were true or not, he seriously doubted that she would make this up - she had nothing to really gain by doing so.

Thorin stroked his beard for a moment, his mind racing amidst the various scenarios and outcomes that were to take place if the girl came on the journey. She would need protecting, of course, but that was something thirteen dwarves and a wizard were capable of. Surely she would be a distraction for Fili but perhaps fate had brought her into their path so that the journey might be lighter in some way. He could not deny the fact that she was of value to them if she could somehow read an ancient dwarven language.

Hayden took Thorin's silence as anger, assuming he hadn't believed her and was thinking of some way to exclude her from the discussion. "I don't know how accurate I am. Like I said, I don't even understand how I know these runes. It's just something I seem to recall, like a memory transposed from a dream. Seeing the map somehow reawakened that memory - which is something that has been happening to me lately. I seem to dream something only to wake up and find it in life."

Somehow the words that left Hayden's mouth caught Thorin off guard, his face snapping up to meet her gaze. The way she had mentioned dreams being intertwined with memories left an impression; Fili noticed as well, for he froze upon hearing her speak.

Nodding his head with a decision already made, Thorin addressed Hayden with gentle eyes. "You would do my people a great honor if you joined us on our quest." Thorin said, glancing down the table at Fili and back to Hayden.

She looked at Thorin in bewilderment, not expecting the offer. Her ability to somewhat read and recall the runes had surprised her as it had the Company - who was she and who had her father been? Her old world was somehow tied to Middle-Earth, though she had no clue how.

Partaking in such an adventurous task was daunting in the least. Unknown wilderness, a dragon to battle, and answers to seek loomed around her mind. Hayden wasn't sure she would ever see the Shire again - perhaps she would find somewhere else she would like to live. That left Bilbo, her dear friend; she couldn't leave him here and she wouldn't ever consider it. Still, the extended invitation warmed her heart, and she knew she would spend countless hours daydreaming of the journey for years to come.

"Hayden -" Bilbo began, not approving of Thorin's sudden invitation. Hayden had no business leaving the Shire, and with thirteen dwarves no less!

"Thorin," Dwalin interjected over Bilbo, "if the runes cannot be read in their entirety, we are still left with an unfortunate dilemma."

"There are others in Middle-Earth who can read them." Gandalf said, offering another solution. "My intentions were to bring their abilities to light, though Miss Hayden may prove to be useful even if she does not believe it yet." He said, giving Hayden a warm smile.

Hayden's mind loomed around Gandalf's words. Who else could read the runes? Were they like her in some way? Could they give her more answers?

The wizard looked out to the table, addressing the Company. "The task I have in mind will require a great deal of stealth, and no small amount of courage. But, if we are careful and clever, I believe that it can be done." He finished, looking at Thorin who held the final word.

"That's why we need a burglar." Ori piped up, looking down the center of the table at Bilbo.

The others followed, including Hayden, who had recalled the strange association the dwarves had made earlier with Bilbo being a burglar.

"And a good one, too. An expert, I'd imagine." Bilbo said, rocking on his feet. He had assumed Thorin made it clear earlier that there was no burglar in this home; Bilbo felt by steering the conversation towards a better candidate, the dwarves could go bother some other hobbit about burglary and thievery and other unwarranted nonsense.

"And are you?" Oin asked, looking up briefly to Hayden for an answer. She simply stared on, waiting for Bilbo to answer.

Bilbo shook his head, brows furrowed and befuddled. "Am I what?"

"He said he's an expert! Hey hey!" Oin shouted, holding his ear trumpet and turning to the other dwarves in celebration.

Hayden let out a loud cackle, covering her mouth in the process. The table broke out in laughter, both at Oin's misunderstanding and at Hayden's laughing outburst.

Realizing the dwarves still insisted on believing him a thief, Bilbo struggled to find an explanation. "M-Me? No, no, no, no, no. I'm not a burglar; I've never stolen a thing in my life." He said with a sharp nod of his head.

Balin folded his arms across his chest, a small smile still on his face. "I'm afraid I have to agree with Mr. Baggins. He's hardly burglar material."

Bilbo nodded enthusiastically for a long period of time, making it known that he was not, nor did he intend to be, a burglar.

Frustrated with the apparent setbacks that were being unveiled, Dwalin sighed. "Aye, the wild is no place for gentlefolk who can neither fight nor fend for themselves."

Bilbo nodded at this, agreeing once more that he was not fit for the task they presented; weapons and self defense were most definitely not his forte. He glanced at Hayden, raising his brows as though to indicate she were inadequate as well.

Following the hobbit's eyes, Dwalin glanced briefly over his shoulder at Hayden, wondering how she would fare in the wild. She obviously could wield an axe, though battle techniques were quite different than those used to chop wood. Hayden was pleasant and fairly easy on the eyes, and though it were evident that some of the others somehow felt she could make it to Erebor, Dwalin held some reservations.

Regarding her association with Fili, he could only hope his kinsmen would find happiness, yet this was not the ideal setting nor was it becoming of the Prince to chase after a woman so vigorously. Seeing as Thorin had changed his mind about the girl, Dwalin knew she would most likely be part of the Company. This upset him, not wanting a young woman trailing off into the world where dwarven women seldom went, especially on a journey such as this. He could teach her to fight, but he wasn't sure he wanted to.

As though on a slow incline, the voices around the table rose once more. Nagging and blaming one another for not having found a suitable burglar prior to this meeting, the Company found themselves at a crossroads. Did they truly need a burglar? Could one of them fill in for the job?

"You steal things all the time - why don't you become our burglar?" Gloin shouted down the table to Nori.

Nori held his hands up, an angry expression on his face.

"Yeah! Nori -" Kili shouted, being cut off by slaps on the table and Nori himself.

"I told you, I don't do that anymore!" Nori said furiously. He thought his family and friends had forgiven and forgotten about his disrespectful past.

The table roared with comments like "Just this once!" and "Don't be a coward!", only making the situation more hostile. Hayden stood back near the wall, looking to Bilbo who seemed to be sick of the constant arguing. Gandalf looked relatively lax and unchanged, as though this were the calm before the storm. Hayden had never been more right in her life.

Gandalf stood, rising to his full height despite the low ceiling. A darkness seemed to seep out of him, casting over the table like a cloud of subjugation. Bilbo and Hayden stared wide eyed at the wizard, disbelief painted on their faces at what they were witnessing.

"Enough!" Gandalf shouted, a powerful voice that seemed to reverberate in everyone's bones. The room grew quiet, the dwarves shrinking back down into their seats. Hayden knew she should be afraid, he was a wizard after all, yet she found herself calmed by the fact he was able to take control of the situation. Gandalf was no threat, but he was not to be messed with.

"If I say Bilbo Baggins is a burglar, then a burglar he is." Gandalf finished, sitting down and dragging back the dark shadow with him.

"Why on earth do they keep referring to Bilbo as their burglar? Is there something I don't know?" Hayden thought with a scowl. She glanced at Bilbo who stood in the hallway, stunned and frozen in place.

Gandalf looked at the dwarves, reprimanding them with his gaze. When he felt they had all cooled and focused back on the task at hand, he spoke once more. "Hobbits are remarkably light on their feet. In fact, they can pass unseen by most if they choose. And while the dragon is accustomed to the smell of dwarf, the scent of hobbit is all but unknown to him, which gives us a distinct advantage." He drawled out. Some of the dwarves smiled at this, as though Bilbo's lack of thieving was somehow compensated in the fact that he would be a novelty to Smaug.

"You asked me to find the fourteenth member of this Company, and I have chosen Mr. Baggins. There's a lot more to him than appearances suggest, and he's got a great deal more to offer than any of you know," Gandalf said in a rush, almost making it impossible for Thorin to protest, "including himself." The wizard added. He glanced to Bilbo who simply stared back in awe, shifting his gaze to Hayden on his left. "My stance regarding Miss Telchara has not wavered either; she is a vital asset should you choose to let her prove her potential. You must trust me on this." Gandalf whispered to Thorin, though Hayden heard every word.

"What do you mean?" Hayden asked, letting her arms fall to her sides in defeat. Somehow the wizard had included her on this adventure without her approval. It seemed Gandalf loved to speak in riddles, never truly saying what he meant but meaning every word he said.

Thorin closed his eyes, regretting the words that were about to escape his lips. "Very well. We will do it your way." He said, turning sharply to Balin. "Balin, give him the contract." Thorin said with a curt nod. "We will need to add a place for Miss Telchara to sign as well."

"No, no, no." Bilbo protested, scurrying up to Thorin and holding his head in his hands.

"Please." Hayden said, looking to Gandalf. He gave her a small wink and turned his attention to the contract being pulled out of Balin's jacket.

Bofur clapped his hands together in front of his face, his eyes shining with ale and joy. "Alright, we're off!" He exclaimed. The others cheered, not caring or taking the time to receive Bilbo or Hayden's opinion.

Fili wasn't sure what to think about the turn of events; his uncle had first rejected Hayden and now was welcoming her with open arms. While he was ecstatic about having her as part of the Company, her response to the invitation had been ill received at best. She didn't appear to be on board with the quest and neither did Bilbo. He couldn't make her sign the contract, nor would he ever dream of such a thing, but suddenly the reality of Hayden remaining in the Shire due to her own wishes set in. He hadn't thought of how she would view the whole event, assuming all would go as he desired. He also hadn't taken into consideration that without knowing she had met Fili in her dreams, she had no true reason to go and all the more to stay.

Finally getting the mass of parchment out and partially opened, Balin addressed Bilbo and Hayden. "Why don't the both of you read this and I'll add the separate signature space after."

Hayden walked over to Bilbo, disbelief washing over her. It was as though they were being sucked into this adventure with no escape, yet something about it felt good. Bilbo took the contract from Balin, not expecting it to be so heavy.

"It's just the usual summary of out-of-pocket expenses, time required, remuneration, funeral arrangements, so forth." Balin said casually, as though contracts of this nature were an every day matter to him.

"Funeral arrangements?" Bilbo asked, his eyebrows soaring as high as his voice.

Hayden gave him a calming look, knowing that facing ones mortality was not always easy for others. She had to address this with her parents, not being prepared for their funerals or the elaborate details that went into such an ordeal. She wasn't sure if the legality of deaths were the same in Middle-Earth, but she had at least learned that it was smart and quite practical to have affairs in order for ones death ahead of time.

"Don't worry over that." Hayden said to Bilbo, attempting to pull him out of the anxiety induced panic she saw him creep into.

Bilbo and Hayden stepped back a few feet into the hallway in order to read the contract, which had fallen open and was now draped over their feet. The writing was quite extensive and ornate, Hayden admiring the penmanship immediately. She would have had a hard time reading it were it not for Bilbo; he had read things of this nature in this complexity before.

"Are we really considering going with them?" Hayden asked Bilbo, though her words fell on Fili's intently eager ears.

Bilbo shrugged. "We may as well read the contract. Even if we don't wish to go. Let's humor them, at least."

Hearing those words opened up a pit of despair inside Fili's stomach. Fili stood abruptly, going into the kitchen to pace in his unrest. His brother followed, stepping into the kitchen lightly.

"Fili." Kili whispered, grabbing a handful of peanuts from a small bowl on a shelf. How there was still food left in the home surprised him, but he paid the detail no mind. "What are you doing?" He asked.

Fili turned, motioning for his brother to come further into the kitchen away from wandering ears. Kili did so, crunching on peanuts and spitting out the shells into his empty hand.

"I've waited so long to touch her, to be with her. I can't let go of her now, not when she's within arms reach and I am certain I will not wake should we reach for one another once more." Fili whispered. Though he was talking with his brother, it almost sounded as though he was speaking to himself. "I can't lose her."

"Why would you lose her?" Kili asked dramatically yet quietly. "She's going on the journey with us. She's part of the Company." He said through a mouthful of nuts. "I could not believe Uncle changed his mind. I tried to convince him earlier, I truly did, and he would not budge on it."

Fili nodded. "I know you did - thank you. But that is not why I am worried."

Kili paused his chewing. "Then why are you?"

Fili half rolled his eyes, trying to tame the frustration welling up inside of him. "She may have been offered a place in our Company but that does not mean she will take it."

Kili resumed chewing, louder than Fili would have liked. "Why wouldn't she go with us?" He asked, as though any other option were idiotic.

Fili sighed roughly. "Because," he began, quite loudly. Nori peeked over Oin into the kitchen to see what was going on, causing Fili to turn his head so his lips could not be read. "Because she hasn't the slightest idea who I am. I mean nothing to her. She has no memory of our meetings nor does she seem to be interested in the reclaiming of a homeland that does not belong to her."

Kili's eyes grew wide, realizing they had been assuming Hayden would jump into the Company willingly. Fortunately, there was a simple fix. "Just tell her." Kili said matter-of-factly. "Tell her who you are, what she is to you."

Fili blinked, thinking the solution outlandish yet incredibly effective if he could pull it off. "I hadn't thought of that. I don't know if that will work, if that will be enough to convince her. If she'll believe me." He admitted, running a hand through his beard and fingering a mustache braid.

Kili scoffed, turning on his heel. "Honestly, I'm always full of these good ideas. You should consult with me more often." He said, spewing chunks of peanut at his brother.

Fili swatted his brother, shooing him forward and motioning for him to continue into the dining room to resume their seats. Perhaps nothing was as lost as he had thought; he had to overcome his fears and approach the situation head on. He only hoped Hayden had the patience to listen and a dreamlike memory to put his words to.

---

As soon as Thorin had seen Fili leave, he leaned towards Gandalf, indicating he wished to speak semi-privately with the wizard. "My nephew will try to protect her. I cannot say I will allow it with respect to the duty we have to our people. I cannot guarantee the hobbit's safety either." Thorin whispered.

Gandalf nodded. "Understood."

"Nor will I be responsible for either of their fates." Thorin added, as though this were a disclaimer to a contract.

Gandalf pursed his lips. While he didn't expect for Thorin to be held accountable, he certainly was not expecting an unpleasant end for Bilbo or Hayden; he only hoped Thorin wasn't either. "Agreed." The wizard finally said, sitting back upright.

Hayden traced the contract with a finger, moving as Bilbo read aloud. "Terms: Cash on delivery, up to but not exceeding one fourteenth of total profit, if any. Seems fair." Bilbo said, looking to Hayden. "I suppose you would be a fifteenth, or you will split my share?" He asked openly.

She simply shrugged. "We'll have to clarify that."

"Yes." Bilbo nodded before continuing. "Erm," He said, scanning for the spot he left off. "Present company shall not be liable for injuries inflicted by or sustained as a consequence thereof including but not limited to lacerations -" He stopped, reading the word five more times to ensure he had read correctly.

"Evisceration..." Hayden continued, pausing herself to let the weight sink in. What would this journey consist of?

"Incineration?" Bilbo asked loudly, probing the dwarves' ears to gather their knowledge.

"Oh, aye. He'll melt the flesh off your bones in the blink of an eye." Bofur said cheerfully.

"Who will?" Hayden asked. She searched the paragraph of the contract, thinking possibly there was a name of someone who had a tendency to be a bit of a pyromaniac.

"Why the dragon Smaug, no less." Bofur said as he puffed on his pipe.

Bilbo swayed next to Hayden, visibly breathless. "Huh." He said shortly, as though he were either contemplating what Bofur had said or the fact that he felt suddenly ill.

"Bilbo?" Hayden asked, reaching around his back to support him.

"You all right, laddie?" Balin asked.

Bilbo bent over at the waist, clutching his knees. "Uh, yeah..." He said as he sucked in breath. "Feel a bit faint."

"Think furnace with wings." Bofur said, slightly slurring his words with his thick accent.

Hayden's head shot up, giving Bofur a look of annoyance. How in the world would he have thought the comment would help?

"Air, I - I - I need air." Bilbo managed to spit out.

Hayden patted Bilbo's back, hoping her small gesture of comfort would bring him back to himself.

"Flash of light, searing pain, then poof!" Bofur said, making an explosive motion with his gloved hands. "You're nothing more than a pile of ash." He finished, leaning on his knee and grinning at the hobbit.

"Bofur." Hayden whispered harshly, attempting to scold him. Somehow she was able to ignore the fact that she was contemplating signing an agreement that voided the dwarves of liability were a dragon to roast her bones to a crisp.

Bilbo took a few deep breaths, standing up straight. Hayden took a step back, hoping her friend wasn't about to lose his dinner.

"Hmmm. Nope." No sooner had Bilbo opened his mouth when he fell to the floor, fainting as though it were a simple decision he had made moments prior.

Hayden crouched down, cradling her friend's head and examining him to ensure he hadn't smacked anything too hard on the ground. Luckily there was a rug in the center of the hall, providing some cushion for his small body.

"Ah, very helpful, Bofur." Gandalf said, shaking his head and puffing his pipe.

Hayden sighed heavily at the thick headed dwarves that sat dumbfounded behind her, calling out. "Could I get some help?"

No sooner had the words left her mouth when Fili crouched down beside her to assist with Bilbo. "Kili, come lift." He called, urging his brother to help him lift the hobbit. Kili was there immediately, nodding to Hayden in some sort of sheepish acknowledgment. Fili lifted Bilbo's torso, grabbing underneath his arms so that his curly head fell back against the blond's shoulder; Kili took Bilbo's bare feet and carried his lower end.

Some of the other dwarves trickled into the room, realizing they could not simply leave Bilbo on the floor in the hall but let the young Princes carry the limp hobbit. Thorin stood, picking up the fallen contract and handing it to Balin to make the appropriate revisions for Hayden's position in the Company.

Hayden followed the two brothers to the parlor where they had carried Bilbo and placed him in an armchair. Asking for some peace and quiet from the Company, she had started a fire, hoping the warm hearth would fuel her friend as he rested. Bilbo had come to a few minutes later, asking Hayden for a cup of tea to which she eagerly obliged.

While she sat in wait for the tea, Hayden had pondered going with the dwarves and Gandalf, her heart leaping slightly out of her chest. There was an unavoidable connection she felt with Fili, smiling at the thought of him coming to help her when no other dwarf had. If she were to leave on an expedition to some Lonely Mountain, she was sure Fili would be there, aiding her when she needed assistance and possibly at times when she hadn't expected to need anyone. That sense of selflessness left her feeling desirable and weak, as though the thought of Fili watching over her were enough to paint a permanent smile on her face.

The thought of going off on an adventure with a group of dwarves was intimidating yet for some unexplainable reason she found herself more and more inclined to accept the invitation. Regardless of Bilbo's decision, it was outlandish of her to want to go; she would be better off staying in the Shire. She had no idea what this world was like or how she would handle being on her own, yet something deep inside reassured her she was capable of such a journey. If she could convince Bilbo, perhaps she could convince him that she could go as well.

They now sat together in front of the fireplace, cups of tea in their hands. Bilbo shook his head, murmuring to himself between sips of tea. Hayden could see the anger pouring out of him, as though he were on fire from the inside.

"Bilbo, what has gotten you so worked up?" Hayden asked.

Bilbo drank his entire cup of tea, setting the saucer and cup down on a side table. "I'm," Bilbo began, wringing his hands slightly, "afraid." He finished with a sigh. It pained him to think himself a coward but admitting it out loud stung more.

Hayden let out a small laugh. "Of what, living?" She asked, crossing her arms and furrowing her brows.

"Of course I'm not afraid to live." Bilbo spat out, rolling his eyes as though her sarcasm were lost on him.

"Then let's go out and live. Go explore the world you love so dearly. You told me yourself you've always wanted to go on an adventure despite what other hobbits might think, despite what the world expects of you." Hayden said.

"I can't." Bilbo said shortly, shifting his eyes from Hayden to the fire.

Hayden sighed in frustration. "Why can't you?" She asked after a moment, letting her nerves settle. Her friend was already in a testy mood; there was no need to bother him with her impatience.

Bilbo looked at Hayden, his eyes drenched in worry. "Because I can't lose..." He began, trailing off as though he regretting opening his mouth.

Instinctively, Hayden understood Bilbo's reservations. He didn't want to lose her. Not because he expected to, but because there was a higher risk of danger out in the wild. He wasn't one to abandon others, and the thought of being separated must have unnerved him. Hayden realized she had been taking his friendship and admiration for granted.

Hayden moved to place her saucer down as well, crossing her ankles beneath the seat. "Bilbo, you're my best friend. I don't think I've ever had a friend like you in my life and I don't know if I'll keep another as close to my heart as I do you. You've given me much more than a place to stay and delicious food to eat." Hayden said with a short breath that caught in her throat.

Bilbo nodded his head in agreement. "I feel as though you have been a missing part of my existence here in the Shire. Aside from my immediate family that is now long gone, I don't have anyone to confide in or trust. No one to look over, no one to look over me. You changed all of that, rather unexpectedly I must add." He finished with a smile. His eyes shone slightly, as though tears were beginning to form.

Hayden sat for a moment, smiling at her friend and thinking back over the last month. She had endured so much in her twenty-three years back on Earth and had already grown immensely since arriving in Middle-Earth. In a strange turn of events, she had been able to begin healing, releasing the grip Daniel had on her to establish a new way of life that went beyond simply surviving; now she was truly living.

"I never though I'd gain so much from dying." She whispered with a chuckle.

Bilbo breathed out a laugh, dabbing the corners of his eyes in a subtle motion, though he knew Hayden had seen his emotions pouring out. "I can't let something happen to you. Your well-being is too important."

"I appreciate your concern, Bilbo, but I'll be fine. I can hold my own and I promise to see to it that you can as well. I don't want you pausing your own life and missing chances at roaming Middle-Earth because you feel you need to babysit me. This is the sort of thing you've wanted to do your entire life." Hayden said, leaning on her thighs and hoping she could persuade Bilbo to change his mind. "You took a chance on taking me in. Take the chance on the dwarves' offer." She added.

Bilbo stared at Hayden for a moment, contemplating the consequences were he to leave Bag End or stay. Both options were appealing, yet he couldn't bring himself to leave. Slowly he opened his mouth to speak. "Taking a small vacation to another village is one thing, but accompanying thirteen dwarves on a quest that involves a dragon and who knows what else is something else entirely. Not to mention their aggressive, pompous attitudes and their stubborn mindsets; I'd most likely wash my hands of them in a few days time and turn around right back to the Shire." If he couldn't convince Hayden that her well-being was a reason to stay, he would make her see that the trip would be a waste of time.

"I think you're just fishing for reasons not to go. You're just as stubborn as they are, you know." Hayden retorted with a smirk.

Bilbo fidgeted wildly in his chair, sitting up taller and leaning in toward Hayden. "I am not making excuses for my staying home. Hayden," He began, taking a deep breath, "I used to dream of escaping the Shire, of roaming the hills and valleys of Middle-Earth and experiencing life like no other hobbit has. That spark of rebellion and wonder is in my blood." He said, glancing up at the portrait of his mother on the mantle. "But now that you're here, now that you've changed my life and my home, I find myself reluctant to leave it. I'm perfectly content with leaving those dreams as thoughts tucked away for another time down the road. Right now my life is perfect and leaving Bag End seems like a foolish thing to do."

Hayden nodded, understanding that behind the excuses and the absurd worries, Bilbo had a point. As he looked at her, his eyes were sincere, as though his care for her outweighed any once of a lifetime opportunity.

"If your life hadn't changed, you would consider going?" Hayden asked.

"I would heavily consider going were it a month ago or longer." Bilbo said with a nod.

"So if I wasn't here, there would be no issue?" Hayden asked further.

Bilbo scrunched his nose up, squinting at Hayden. "There is no issue with you being here, but I suppose yes. I would be more inclined to leave if you weren't here."

"Okay. So, what if I go with you - we both go?" Hayden asked, her eyes lighting up in excitement. She hadn't been officially offered a title within the Company as Bilbo had, but she had at least been invited. She hadn't really taken the time to contemplate going on such an adventure alone, instead focusing on what her friend was inclined to do and resolving to go together.

"No. Absolutely not. Out of the question." Bilbo answered, shaking his head violently. "Did you not just hear what I am concerned about? It's dangerous out there!" He added.

"Everywhere is dangerous, Bilbo, if you truly take a look at things." Hayden said cynically.

"Yes, when was the last time you saw a marauding group of bandits or a feral rabid beast or a dragon, no less, galavanting down the road and across the bridge?!" He said sarcastically.

"We could experience this world together." Hayden said, ignoring his comment and moving her head so Bilbo were forced to look at her.

"No." He spat out angrily, standing from his chair and moving to the window. "I don't like the thought of you spending time with thirteen grumpy men who have nothing but time in the wilderness on their hands - and I'm surprised that doesn't scare you." He ranted, looking back at Hayden over his shoulder. "It should." He added, almost scolding his friend.

She glanced down at her feet at his outburst. "Surprisingly, it doesn't. I've conversed with most of them and while I'll admit they're a bit brash and rough, they're also very humble." Hayden replied cautiously. She wasn't trying to argue with Bilbo, but she needed to let him see that she was capable of taking on more in her new life. "Plus I would like to think I'm a little more level-headed now than I was when Daniel manipulated me."

Bilbo remained quiet but raised his eyebrows with a slight nod. He knew Hayden had changed - she was certainly not the same woman he had met a month ago. Not once had he thought her ignorant or gullible, but he simply understood her reservations towards men and did not want to see her get hurt a second time around. It seemed the glory of this quest had shadowed any form of doubt or fear she should have been harboring towards this group of dwarves.

"Honestly I had been contemplating whether or not to go, expecting you would go if I convinced you to throw away your concerns. Admitting I wanted to go would have been easier if you had accepted the job, but seeing as you won't budge on your decision, I suppose I have to tell you this way. It's not necessarily something I want to do without you, but it's something I feel I need to do." Hayden said quietly, expecting Bilbo to be upset at her admission. "I can't explain why, but I feel as though this is something I was meant to do. Something inside my soul is telling me to go."

When Bilbo still didn't respond, she continued. "I'm ready for this, Bilbo. This adventure is something new, something bold and uncertain. My old life turned me into a creature in a cage, someone living within the borders of a life governed by someone else. Everything I did, everything I ate, even the way I looked was controlled by Daniel for far too long. Never was I given an opportunity like this when I had the wit to realize it and the will to seek ambition. I don't want to exist like that any more, and I haven't since waking up here and living with you. Everything in my new life here has been so wonderful - I've been given the chance to rebuild myself and to live a life I want to live. So while I still have that chance, I want to go out and live it." She finished, swallowing a stray tear that had tried to escape.

Bilbo listened eagerly, staring at various spots in the room to avoid meeting Hayden's gaze. He looked up to the stars shining high in the sky; they looked back at Bilbo with sad twinkles. He knew she was right, he simply didn't want to admit it. He didn't want to watch her leave, hoping she would return one day all the while leaving him inside his burrow of solitary hobbitish charm.

"I don't know if I can do it alone. I don't want to go without you, but I don't want to deny myself an opportunity to expand my future." Hayden said, hoping she would reassure her friend that she wasn't contemplating forgoing their friendship. "I don't want you to deny yourself anything either."

Bilbo nodded, smiling briefly before swallowing hard. "I know you're ready to take on the world. You've been doing just that since we met." He sighed, walking towards Hayden who still sat patiently in a chair. "While both of us accompanying the dwarves would put my mind at ease concerning your position among thirteen men, this is not something I'm confident I can do. I've never been through anything traumatic like you have, save for the death of my parents. I'm not sure I can push through the hard nights or the uncertain roads." Bilbo said, wringing his hands slightly.

He paused his wringing, looking at Hayden intently. "I don't mean any offense when I say that you're accustomed to hardship whereas I'm not. I don't know if I am physically, mentally, or emotionally capable of completing such a quest. This won't be a leisurely holiday. This is going to be a sought out job with deadlines and demanding efforts that I'm not sure I'm able or willing to put in. I'm not even a burglar!" He added, exasperated in tone.

Hayden smiled weakly, reaching out her hand. Bilbo took it, giving it a light squeeze before sitting down once more in the chair. The two sat in the parlor, eyes roaming the floor and roaring fire while lost in individual thought. As it was, there was much to gain and much to lose on both sides of this coin.

"What are you going to do?" Bilbo asked after a while. The silence had filled the small room in contrast to the deep murmurs and conversations that permeated through his home. Somehow his voice felt small and distant, drowned by the crackling of the fire.

"I don't know. My heart and head are both in agreement and disagreement." Hayden responded honestly. "What are you going to do?" She asked.

Bilbo bit his lip, thinking over his options once more. If he left Bag End without Hayden, he would surely regret it and there was a good chance he would come back home out of guilt. If they both went, he could see misfortunes plaguing them as well as beautiful memories unfolding; a gamble to say the least. If they both stayed in the Shire, would an opportunity like this ever come knocking again? Would he ever build up the courage to go off on his own? Considering Hayden hungered for adventure, he assumed the latter to be a resounding 'yes'.

"I am going to," He began, drawing out his decision as if he were still on the fence, "stay."

Hayden nodded, respecting her friend's decision though heartbroken that she now faced an even tougher one. She could go off by herself but wasn't sure she wanted to. If she did, would Bilbo hate her? Would that mean their friendship would dissolve? If she stayed, would she regret it for the rest of her second life?

"I'm going to sleep on it." Hayden said, eliciting surprised eyes from Bilbo. "I don't know what I want, but I know some sleep and a fresh mind will do me some good."

Bilbo nodded, watching as Hayden stood and moved toward the hallway door in the kitchen. "Hayden." He called, looking over his shoulder.

She turned, pausing near the doorframe with heavy eyes. "I don't want you to think less of me for not going." Bilbo said, pressing his lips together.

"I don't." Hayden replied, giving him a small smile.

"And - and I also want you to know I won't think less of you should you choose to leave in the morning." Bilbo spat out, wanting to get his point across. Her life was in her hands; his respect and care for her would not waiver because she chose to go. He could only pray she wouldn't.

Hayden nodded slowly, her smile growing into a more thoughtful look. "Thank you, Bilbo." She said, eventually meeting his gaze. "Sleep well."

"Good night." Bilbo replied, watching as her shadow shrank down the hallway towards her room.

Just as Hayden walked out, Gandalf waltzed right in from the kitchen. He had a fresh cup of tea, handing it over to Bilbo with a polite nod. Bilbo tried to wipe the annoyed look off of his face; the old man was trying to be apologetic. The tea was a peace offering of sorts.

"That could have been a horrid fall." Gandalf said, commenting on the fainting episode.

"I'll be all right. Let me just sit quietly for a moment." Bilbo answered, taking a small sip of his piping hot tea.

As though a switch was flipped on the wizard, his demeanor changed in an instant. "You've been sitting quietly for far too long." He said angrily. It was obvious he wasn't here to apologize for anything - he was here to talk Bilbo into going with the dwarves.

"Tell me, when did doilies and your mother's dishes become so important to you? I remember a young Hobbit who was always was running off in search of elves in the woods. Who'd stay out late, come home after dark, trailing in mud and twigs and fireflies." He looked at Bilbo with a sad expression, as though he had preferred the young, inexperienced hobbit to the one who sat before him. "A young hobbit who would have liked nothing better than to find out what was beyond the borders of the Shire."

Bilbo gave him an irritable stare. Hayden had tried moments ago to persuade him, though not as directly or impatiently as Gandalf. He wondered briefly if the wizard had heard their conversation, stepping in only now when Hayden had failed.

"The world is not in your books and maps; it's out there." Gandalf added.

The comment hit Bilbo's heartstrings, knowing both the wizard and his friend were right about that. He loved to read about the world, so why wouldn't he go experience it? It was too much for Bilbo and he found he didn't quite have anything to say in response.

"I can't just go running off into the blue. I am a Baggins," He began, pointing to himself and whimpering slightly, "of Bag End." His reasoning was nothing but an excuse, and Bilbo knew it, but it was all he had.

"You are also a Took." Gandalf said imploringly.

Bilbo flopped back into his chair, his arm hanging lazily over the armrest. The wizard knew exactly what to say and exactly when to say it. He felt like a child being reprimanded by his elders. He glanced up to his parent's portraits over the fire once more. "What have I done to deserve this?" He thought in silent questioning.

"Did you know that your great-great-great-great-uncle Bullroarer Took was so large he could ride a real horse?" Gandalf asked, as though a bit of history would somehow change Bilbo's mind.

"Yes. I did as a matter of fact." Bilbo said shortly.

"Well he could!" Gandalf exclaimed, displeased with Bilbo's attitude. "In the Battle of Green Fields he charged the goblin ranks. He swung his club so hard it knocked the Goblin King's head clean off, and it sailed a hundred yards through the air and went down a rabbit hole. And thus the battle was won, and the game of golf invented at the same time." Gandalf said, smiling as though the story were too perfect.

Bilbo stared at the wizard, skepticism blatant on his features. "I do believe you made that up." He said, not recalling any such story involving his family and the invention of golf before.

"Well," Gandalf started, miffed that his fib had been caught. "Though he was not the true inventor of golf, he did send Golfinbul's head into a rabbit hole; the goblin's name inspired the naming of the sport. But all good stories deserve embellishment, as you should know."

Bilbo nodded, thinking to all the stories he had read. While a lot of them were entirely made up, he had to wonder how much of the real ones - the biographies and memoirs - were forged.

Gandalf pulled the contract out from his robe, placing it across the empty armchair opposite Bilbo. "You'll have a tale or two to tell of your own when you come back. You can even write it down, make a book of your own." Gandalf said. If he couldn't persuade the hobbit with his family history perhaps he could use Bilbo's love of literature to his advantage.

"Yes, but," Bilbo began, shifting in his armchair so he looked flush upon Gandalf, "can you promise that I will come back? That Hayden will come back?" He pulled his lips into a tight line, angry at the thought that something might happen to one of them.

"No." Gandalf admitted openly. "And if you do, neither of you will be the same." He added. His voice had dropped to a near whisper, implying the disastrous and life-altering experiences that awaited them on this quest.

"That's what I thought. Sorry, Gandalf. I can't sign this." Bilbo said as he stood, setting his cup of tea on the side table next to his other empty one. "You've got the wrong Hobbit." He said with downcast eyes, shuffling off towards the front door. He checked to ensure it was properly closed, turning and continuing down the hall to see himself to bed.

Gandalf and the dwarves would have plenty of time to converse and retire themselves, but what they did in between now and the morning, Bilbo could hardly care. This day had been far too long and much too tiring. If he began worrying once more about their presence in his home, he would run himself ragged into next spring.

He grabbed a book off a shelf, not caring which one so long as he had something to read in bed, and went off down the hallway. He stepped in the bathroom, mentally blocking out the dwarvish mess that greeted him. He simply needed to lightly wash his face; a full night routine seemed a tad much in his current state.

Bilbo stumbled out of the bathroom, book in hand, intent on reaching his bedroom quickly and quietly. If anyone approached him in his path, he would bid them a good night and carry on. He noticed Hayden's door was still open, indicating she had not yet gone to bed. He wondered if she planned on staying up with the dwarves or if she were simply getting a cup of water: judging by her tiredness, he assumed the latter.

His feet grew heavy as he approached his bed, sitting down without changing into his pajamas. The structured life he usually led seemed pointless at the moment - he would get just as good of sleep in his day clothes as he would in pajamas considering how exhausted he was. He even left the suspenders where they sat, twisted on his shoulders.

Letting his feet dangle, he cracked open the book, smiling inwardly as he read the title. "A Night of Rain and Towering Trees." What he wouldn't give for the sweet smell of rain and the sound of rustling leaves. He had read this book many times before, yet he always found himself intrigued by the story. It followed an old farmer who had put his grandchild to work on the farm, ignoring the wishes of his daughter who wanted her son to take up blacksmithing after his father. The grandchild and farmer eventually form a unique bond, learning to be patient with one another and with the environment in order to grow as individuals and to grow crops in an efficient, unexpected way.

Seeing as Bilbo knew the story, he soon found his eyelids dancing. Sleep lulled around him, drawing him in like an enticing perfume. Before long he found himself falling over on his side, book tucked under one hand, drifting off into sleep. Briefly he woke, realizing his head wasn't even right side up on his pillow, before letting gravity pull him back into his bed's plush embrace.

---

Fili stood at the end of the hall of the east wing with Thorin, Balin, and Dwalin. Reluctantly, he had left Hayden and Bilbo in the parlor to decompress despite the burning desire he had to confess everything to Hayden in order to persuade her into signing the contract. From what could be heard of Bilbo's conversation with Hayden and Gandalf, it was evident that the thought of a harsh journey was too much for the small hobbit, instead deciding to stay home with his fireplace and books.

As Bilbo brushed down the hallway, ignoring all smiles and nods of acknowledgement from members of the Company, Fili, Thorin, Balin, and Dwalin folded their arms across their chests. Though Bilbo was nice enough and most certainly courteous, he was definitely odd.

Balin sighed first, breaking the silence in the small group. "It appears we have lost our burglar."

The others looked at him, realizing that his statement was probably accurate. "Probably for the best. The odds were always against us." Balin continued, looking around his backside to find something to sit on. A small wooden stepping stool sat in perfect position, creaking slightly as the old dwarf sat down. "After all, what are we? Merchants, miners, tinkers, toy makers; hardly the stuff of legend." He looked Dwalin and Fili in the eye, shaking his head at Thorin in his defeat.

"There are a few warriors amongst us." Thorin said in encouragement.

"Old warriors." Balin retorted, sighing heavily in emphasis of his age.

"The older warriors are the ones who carry more experience, more knowledge, under their belts." Fili said, looking to Dwalin. "You should know, you're about five hundred now, aren't you?"

Dwalin hit Fili with his shoulder, smiling at the comment as Fili let out a hearty chuckle. Even Balin cracked a smile, somewhat realizing he was being too hard on the Company and their current situation.

"I will take each and every one of these dwarves over an army from the Iron Hills. For when I called upon them, they came." Thorin stated, looking at Balin for guidance. "Loyalty. Honor. A willing heart. I can ask no more than that." He added through his teeth.

Dwalin placed a hand on Thorin's shoulder, giving him a firm squeeze. It was evident that Thorin struggled with Dain's rejection, having counted on the assistance from a family standpoint if not from a diplomatic one. "Dain is just doing what he thinks is right for his people at the present moment." Dwalin offered. "He will come around. When we retake the kingdom under the mountain, he will stand with us."

Fili nodded eagerly in agreement. "We will establish sufficient trade with the Iron Hills and without struggle. Dain knows our abilities and our loyalty; he will not withhold aid once we have established our claim on the mountain."

Thorin nodded, realizing his friend and nephew were right. Though he didn't want to accept it, he had to. There would be no begging on his end; they were on their own as it were.

Balin agreed as well, though he still shook his head in disagreement. "While our hearts are true in desire, we are merely a small handful of dwarves." He said, expressing the fact they needed an army to take Erebor. "You don't have to do this. You have a choice." Balin said. "You've done honorably by our people. You have built a new life for us in the Blue Mountains, a life of peace and plenty. A life that is worth more than all the gold in Erebor." He finished, looking up at his King.

Thorin smiled, recognizing Balin was trying to save him from the perils of the journey. His sister Dis had done the same thing numerous times, resolving never to speak to him again should he not return; Thorin thought it comical, for she would have no choice if he did not return. "I agree with you yet I know that we cannot wait for someone else to steal our honor, our home. Gold cannot put a price on that, only vengeance and determination can."

Balin sighed, knowing Thorin's mind could not be changed despite their significant loss of manpower. He opened his mouth, intent on trying a different approach, when Thorin pulled out the key Gandalf had given him. The key to the hidden passage.

"From my grandfather to my father, this has come to me. They dreamt of the day when the dwarves of Erebor would reclaim their homeland. I cannot pass this to Fili, who may or may not be able to complete the task. Then it would pass down further and further in the line of Durin, forever waiting for an opportune moment that may never present itself or may never be seized. There is no choice, Balin. Not for me." Thorin said, the conviction in his eyes clear enough for Fili and Dwalin to feel in their souls.

Balin nodded with a smile, recognizing the valiant heart Thorin so frequently guarded. "Then we are with you, laddie. We will see it done."

Dwalin smacked Fili on the back, giving him a squinting smile. Fili passed the movement onto his uncle, giving him a generous smack on the arm as well. Thorin smiled, embracing the apparent unity his kinsmen seemed to have. He knew this unity ran through every single dwarf in different ways; they would learn to unite as one before reaching Erebor.

They moved onto discussing the improbability of their expedition, hoping that their small number would give them a tactical advantage while not proving too weak in confrontational situations. Fili had been listening intently, interjecting when possible and offering his view from a warrior's perspective. It had been difficult at first to cut thoughts of Hayden out, but he found he had managed as soon as he found himself in a battle mindset.

"A smaller field party gives us the advantage of lying low when needed and moving quickly without much fallback. We need to ensure our warriors are constantly ready, trained, and vigorous, allowing for those who are not battle oriented to carry forward." Fili began. "And if we have every member of our party trained in some sort of combat, we can avoid unfortunate situations and lower our risk for defeat. As it is, I believe every dwarf is skilled with some sort of personal weapon - Ori has his slingshot of which I am not very approving, but we can help him mold that into a more tactful skill."

Thorin nodded his head in agreement, looking to Dwalin. "Should our burglar choose to accept his position, I expect you to train him. He would be our weakest link."

Dwalin unfolded his arms, letting one rest on the hilt of his smaller axe. "Aye, should be no problem at 'tall. He may take some time to physically adjust and I cannot promise a true dwarven warrior will be delivered out of him, but he will be sure to hold his own when I'm finished with him." He said with a nod.

Thorin nodded as well, accepting that Bilbo would not be a ferocious force like other members of the Company. "And the girl -" Thorin began.

"No." Dwalin said immediately. "I have several reservations regarding training the woman."

Fili stood up straighter, squaring his shoulders at the bald dwarf. Was this an attack on Hayden or a tactic to change Thorin's mind?

Thorin crossed his arms, cocking his head at his friend. "And what might those be?"

"I understand the importance she may have to our efforts in relation to her lineage. She appears level headed and relatively ambitious. I don't doubt she would be an asset to our Company in many ways." Dwalin stated. "I have seen her wield an axe, and while I admit I was impressed by the sight, cutting wood is hardly the same as cutting down an enemy."

"So you doubt her ability?" Balin asked.

"Nay, it's not her ability I place my discord with." Dwalin said with a shake of his head. "She was thorough and relentless when it came to chopping those logs."

"Agreed." Balin said, nodding his head as well. "I have no doubt she would carry that into battle training. A fine warrior she could turn out to be."

Thorin nodded his head at this information, accepting the fact that his most trusted advisor thought Hayden would make it through the difficult spots on their journey. He was not, however, understanding of why Dwalin would not train her.

"If it is not her ability nor her character you are hesitant about, what plagues you? Will you not train her?" Thorin asked pleadingly, wanting to know why his dear friend disagreed.

"If he won't, I will." Fili said, interjecting into the conversation. He had been struck with amazement that Dwalin would refuse such a task, especially when the man devoted most of his life to weapons and weapons training.

"No." Dwalin said, turning sharply to Fili.

"Why not?" Thorin asked, quirking his chin up in curiosity. It wasn't like Dwalin to be so forceful with his nephew.

"I am not certain that would be wise." Dwalin said cautiously. "My reservations lie within the implications that may be brought about with her presence - the distractions she would present Fili with." He clarified, maintaining his posture and stance in the hall.

"Distractions?" Fili blurted out, shocked that his kinsmen thought him so weak.

"Aye, laddie. The girl is not healthy for you. At least not at the present moment." Balin said kindly, pressing his lips together. "You are needed wholeheartedly on this journey to Erebor; we cannot have you wishing your life away on some woman you met in a hobbit's home." He finished.

Fili looked to Thorin for aid, seeing as he had invited Hayden on the quest. His uncle simply bit his lip, closing his eyes in contemplation. He couldn't let Thorin change his mind. Hayden had to have a spot on the Company whether she accepted it or not; the option had to remain available.

With a deep breath, Fili spoke. "Yes, she has presented me with a new path to follow, a chance at finding the answers I have sought for so long. But she is more than just a woman - she has been someone I've known for most of my life. She may not be aware of that fact yet, but I intend to remind her. While I understand the three of you may not fully know how I feel and may not believe my claims, she is the girl I've dreamt about. I know this for a fact." Fili finished, his cheeks red with frustration.

Thorin opened his eyes, looking to Fili. "She will be a distraction for you. I cannot allow for her to interfere with our task at hand."

Fili's heart fell to the floor. This could not be happening - his uncle had turned completely around in the wrong direction. Not knowing what could be done or said, he stood there like a whipped child awaiting his next beating.

"But," Thorin began, turning to Dwalin and Balin, "the girl has proved useful already. What Gandalf has claimed about the girl may be true yet, and I cannot in my heart let the plausibility of her lineage slip past unnoticed." He glanced to Fili, taking a deep breath. "If she is of true dwarven descent, she deserves to live a life alongside proper dwarves who can give her proper knowledge regarding her heritage. Regardless of what race her mother was, we should not let her linger in a place of hobbits dwelling inside hills. Let her accompany us, being of use if she can be, and we may gift unto her a homeland worth living in."

Fili felt his muscles relax, relief washing over him. Balin looked to his feet with a small nod, knowing he could not convince his King once his mind was made up; Thorin was very stubborn in this way. Dwalin looked openly at Thorin, accepting his words and opinion but half holding onto his reservations.

"Only a King recognizes the importance of a united race. That loyalty goes beyond clan association and kingdom faith." Balin said, giving Thorin a small smile. He looked to Fili, like a grandfather addressing a child. "But you needn't throw your life at her. Whatever your intentions may be with this girl, let them wait until we have reclaimed our homeland. Hmm?" He said.

Thorin nodded firmly, agreeing with Balin. "Balin is right. This girl is no threat to us physically, but if she interferes with your heart and delays us on our way, I will put an end to your association. As a King and Uncle I swear it." He said seriously.

Fili blushed slightly, attempting to swallow the embarrassment he suddenly felt. Usually when he and his uncle talked about women, Thorin was nagging at him to wed or at least begin looking to. "I have no intentions other than getting to know her more than I feel I already do. And getting some answers if I'm able." Fili said coolly. "I know my duty lies with my people and to the line of Durin - no where else. My allegiance is to the Company."

"Aye." Dwalin said, nodding to himself before looking to Thorin. "So is mine. If you need her trained, I will see to it. I may not believe in the appropriateness of it as you do, but I cannot deny her of a home that belongs to her." He looked to Fili, raising his eyebrows slightly. "And I will allow you to assist in training if you are inclined."

Fili nodded, his mouth in a tight smile. "Fair enough." He said, attempting to hold back the joy he felt inside. Usually he had much more self control regarding his emotions. He knew they were right; Hayden was a major distraction. He vowed to himself that he would put more effort into maintaining his reactions and emotions.

"Now, onto the matter of gathering funds for our un-incurred expenses." Balin began.

Fili looked up, tuning out Balin's voice when noticing a glimmer of red down the hall. Hayden emerged from the kitchen door with a cup of water in hand, pausing to smile at Dori who was going into the kitchen for another cup of camomile tea. Ready for bed in a floral nightgown, she walked down the hallway, nearing the dining room where a few dwarves still sat in conversation. The others had taken positions in the hall, respecting Bilbo's need for a moment of space.

"If you will excuse me." Fili said, nodding to Thorin, Balin, and Dwalin as he stepped away from their conversation.

He took off down the hallway, ignoring Bofur's inquiry as to where he was headed. Bofur called for Kili, thinking perhaps he would know where the elder brother was headed, but Fili simply continued on. Thorin hadn't called him back either, signifying he wouldn't be missed. He needed to speak with Hayden before she retired for the night; trying to get into her room to speak with her would only cause heated discussions and a backlash in his plan.

She had neared her room, just approaching the door, when he spoke up. "Miss?" He called. His voice had been a bit too loud, but he couldn't care. He would much rather speak with her and be picked on by the others for it than miss the opportunity entirely.

She turned, a surprised smile on her face. It was obvious she hadn't expected anyone to seek her out for conversation. "Yes?" Hayden asked lightly. The sound of her voice was like dew on the petals of flowers, subtle yet beautiful and perfect.

Fili found himself stuck in place several feet away from her and struggling for the words he wished so desperately to get out. If he brought up the dreams, she would either know what he was talking about or have no clue at all - either scenario was a gamble in his opinion, each with monumental outcomes.

"I just wanted to ask what your thoughts were on the quest. Regarding your signature." He said, thinking on his feet. If he couldn't bring himself to ask her the important questions, he may as well get her position of acceptance or refusal.

She bit her lip, looking to her door. Fili briefly hoped she wasn't contemplating running through it and slamming it in his face. Perhaps he shouldn't have caught her right before bed.

"If I'm being honest, I'm very much inclined to go." She said, shaking her head in thought.

Fili's eyes brightened at this. "You haven't signed the contract." He stated, brows coming together in question.

"Yes, I know." Hayden said, giving him a small smile. "Neither has Bilbo."

Fili nodded. "Yes, well, we assumed he had refused the offer entirely. You on the other hand were elusive in your response, at least to our knowledge."

Somehow the comment hit her funny bone, eliciting a few giggles that rose out of her chest.

"What is it?" Fili asked, confused as to what he said that was comical. "What have I said?"

She waved a hand at him, attempting to shrug her slumber-like silliness off. "It's nothing."

"It has to be something." He said, taking a few steps to close the distance between them. He would much rather have a conversation up close than down the hall.

"I just found it funny that you said you were all assuming Bilbo was staying and had no idea what I was intending to do." She said, avoiding his gaze. "I think you meant to say you were the one assuming and wondering." She added, trying to stop the self inflicted blush from spreading across her face. Half of her couldn't believe she was being so bold with him. She blamed it on exhaustion.

Fili chuckled, nodding his head in defeat and reaching up to scratch his neck in a nervous gesture. She saw right through him. "I suppose you're right." He admitted. "But I know the others are curious as well. We were discussing the matter."

Hayden nodded with a knowing smile. "Well you can tell the others that I am resolving to sleep on my decision. There is a lot at play here and I don't know what's best for me." She said.

Fili nodded in acceptance, giving her a sad smile. "Whatever your decision is, we will honor it."

"Thank you." Hayden said. His kindness perplexed her, not used to others being so understanding or giving in their opinions.

"Of course." Fili replied. "Don't let me disrupt you from getting your rest." He added, aware that he had put a stop to her retiring for the night.

"You haven't." She said immediately, as though she were worried she had given off some sort of attitude that would suggest his presence was not wanted. "I probably won't get to sleep for a while. My mind has a tendency to run away with me."

Fili pulled his brows together in concern. "Is there something that troubles you?" He asked.

Hayden thought for a moment, wondering if she should say anything about her nightmares or her struggle since reawakening in Middle-Earth. It wasn't that she needed to pour her life's story out to the dwarf, but for one reason or another she felt keeping information from him was wrong. Regardless, she reminded herself that she barely knew him; he didn't need to know everything about her. At least, not yet.

"There are many things that trouble me, but only if I let them." She said with a smile. This way, she didn't lie to him but she didn't give him distinct details.

As though he took the hint, he didn't press further over the comment. "Yes, I often find myself awake in the late hours of the night. It would seem that no matter how hard I try, my problems seek me out. Regardless of whether or not I let them."

Hayden smiled. "Well perhaps you'll have to try yelling at them. That seems to work for me." She said, joking at the altercation she had held earlier with him and Kili.

Fili laughed, half rolling his eyes. "Yes, you seem to be quite good at that. Perhaps I should wake my brother when I can't sleep - yell at him and see if my problems vanish."

"I bet they would." Hayden said seriously, though she let out a small chuckle. "Just don't imply he's too promiscuous; that may be a bit much."

Fili shook his head with exaggeration. "He could only dream to be as promiscuous as he thinks he is."

Hayden let out another laugh, full and honest. The sound was music to Fili's ears and warmth to his heart, especially knowing that he had provided her with a reason to smile.

They stared at each other for a moment, the air thick with sleep and innocence. "This quest - it's much more than that. Isn't it?" Hayden asked gently.

Fili's stomach churned, his mind racing over the endless reasons and explanations he could answer with. This quest was the reclaiming of a homeland, a fulfillment of prophecy, a new beginning, calculated and executed with the most honorable of intentions. There seemed to be too much to say and yet he found he couldn't find the exact words.

"Yes. It is much more than that." Fili said, nodding his head and staring down at the tips of his boots. "It is the beginning of a new journey, a new future, for our people."

Hayden nodded, noticing the hesitation in Fili's voice. There obviously was much more at work behind the tale of mountain dwelling dragons and hidden dwarvish doors. Whatever it was, she knew not to pry. If she did go on the quest, she would find out eventually.

"You've had a long day. You should get some sleep or rest at least. You've been on your feet nearly all day I take it." Hayden said, searching Fili's eyes.

The comment took Fili by surprise. The girl hadn't said this to be rid of him; by the tone in her voice, she genuinely cared. It was a notion that was unexpected and new. At first he wanted to reject her kindness, not wanting to accept it as honest in origin. He resolved to find comfort in the thought she may think so affectionately towards him.

"As have you." He said with wide eyes, emphasizing her stressful and strenuous day was nothing to be overlooked.

She shook her head in agreement. "I'm going to be sore in the morning."

"Well then I guess it's a good thing we purchased ponies for our journey. Otherwise I would have to carry you." Fili said teasingly. He usually wasn't this carefree with others, particularly women, yet he found it natural around Hayden.

She scoffed, crossing her arms. "Pity. I have a saddle that would fit you perfectly." She said sarcastically, though the seriousness in her face made Fili question whether or not she was making a joke. His expression only made her laugh more, covering her mouth so as not to be too loud this late. "I was joking." She blurted out, giggles trailing out of her.

"And so was I." He said, giving her a cheeky stare.

"About what?" She asked in confusion.

"About the ponies. We only have fourteen, so I'm afraid you'll have to walk either way."

"If Bilbo does go, then yes. I suppose I will have to walk. But even if he does, I can ride with him." She retorted, a contemplative look in her eyes.

"That was also a joke." Fili said, smiling weakly. "I would never make a lady walk nor would any of my comrades."

"Oh." She said, blushing slightly. She hadn't taken the comment as a joke at all, not used to these societal formalities.

"Do not worry." Fili said reassuringly. "Whether you choose to stay or take your place in the Company, you will not be mistreated."

Somehow the comment warmed her heart. These dwarves were good individuals despite their apparent stereotypes and their intrusive mannerisms. Deep down they understood the value of hard work and appreciated others' well-beings.

A deep thundering noise came from the parlor. It rang throughout the halls, reverberating off the rafters and various pieces of furniture.

"What is that?" Hayden asked, unsure as to what the noise was.

They stood silent, listening as other thundering notes came rolling down the hall in harmony. Fili turned to Hayden, a small smile on his face. "They are singing."

"Singing? I didn't know dwarves sang this much." She said. The comment was ignorant, and she realized it as soon as the words left her mouth. She just hadn't considered the race to have a musical quality; this made two spontaneous bursts of song in one night.

"We sing quite frequently actually." Fili said, shrugging off her statement. "This song is one we sing as a reminder of our homeland, about the burning of our kingdom and our pledge to see it rebuilt."

Hayden looked remorseful, ashamed she had made such a silly comment amidst such a serious atmosphere. She wanted to know what had happened to their home, deciding this was a conversation for a later time as Fili already seemed to avoid going too in depth into the topic.

Recognizing Hayden's change in demeanor, Fili attempted to lighten the mood. "I play the fiddle from time to time as well."

"Really?" She said, beaming at him with curious eyes.

He nodded. "I brought it with me, as a matter of fact."

"I can't wait to hear you play it!" She exclaimed.

Fili nodded, blushing slightly. "Then I suppose that means you have decided to come with us?" He prodded gently.

Hayden froze, realizing what she had just said. Her heart and mind had yearned to go; evidently her subconscious had already made the decision. "I didn't..." She mumbled, not knowing exactly what to say. "It would seem I have." She shrugged, deciding being honest about her feelings was the right thing to do.

Fili practically fell to the floor in excitement, wanting nothing more than to profess how happy her decision had made him. Holding back this urge, he failed to hide the radiant smile on his face. "Should I get the contract for you to sign?" He asked, glancing back to the dining room where the contract sat on the table.

"No." She said, shaking her head. "I still would like to sleep on it. If I feel differently in the morning I don't want to have already signed my life away."

Fili nodded in understanding, slightly nervous about the fact she may change her mind. Still, it was more than he could have hoped for hours ago when his uncle had forbade her presence. "I will patiently await your answer." Fili said. Without thinking, he reached for her hand.

She stood motionless, confused as to what the blond dwarf was doing, yet trusting that he would not harm her. He took her small hand in his, coarse and clad in leather, and raised it to his mouth. He brushed his lips along her knuckles, the facial hair tickling her skin and the beads on either end of his mustache a cool contrast to his breath.

Her skin had smelt of roses, fresh and sweet. He found himself longing for one more touch, one more kiss upon her skin if she would allow it. He knew this to be forbidden, both by his comrades and by his personal vow. No matter what his heart secretly yearned for he could not have it, at least not at the present moment. In more ways than one, he hardly knew who she was or where she came from.

Fili knew he needed to become more acquainted with her at least, eventually coming to a consensus and agreement regarding the dreams. Her memory or lack thereof would hold the position for how that conversation went, either painting him as a friend or insane man. For now, he had to force himself to step back and withhold any impulse he had. He had sworn she would be no distraction, and so she couldn't be.

He let go of her hand gently, stepping back to physically refuse himself of anything more, though he knew she had not expected much else. In fact, the blush and wide eyes that met his gaze informed him that she hadn't expected the kiss at all. Perhaps he had already made a mess of things.

"Good night." He said quietly, smiling at her with his eyes.

She let her lips form a small smile, subtle yet reserved. "Good night." She whispered.

Taking one last look at the blond dwarf, she slipped into her bedroom, closing the door softly with a click.

Fili lingered there a moment longer, staring at the space where she had just stood. Without a doubt he would have to control his emotions and urges, especially if the friendship he had with Hayden from their dreams could be established in reality.

If this evening were any indication, he would find himself in a hard place diplomatically and emotionally on a long road to Erebor with thirteen other pairs of eyes witnessing his every move. Fili couldn't deny the weightlessness he felt around Hayden, feeling as though everything else in his life paled in comparison to their sparse moments together. He just had to make sure he stayed true to his word, ensuring there were moments for them to have ahead.

Fili turned on his heel, pacing slowly back to the parlor where he gathered everyone had assembled. No matter what was said to him upon entry of the room he would be in good spirits.

He stepped into the parlor, the dim light of the fire reaching his face. His brother smiled softly at him from the floor, looking to the Company as the others began singing once more.

The mountain smoked beneath the moon;

The dwarves they heard the tramp of doom.

They fled their hall to dying fall

Beneath his feet, beneath the moon.

Fili knew the next verse by heart, always enjoying the sense of empowering duty the words left him with as a child. Without even thinking, he opened his mouth to join in.

Far over the misty mountains grim

To dungeons deep and caverns dim

We must away, ere break of day,

To win our harps and gold from him!

A resounding silence filled the room, thick with the hopes and fears every dwarf harbored in their souls; this journey was not to be taken lightly. Out of every song, every legend, every story that had originated from Smaug's overtaking of Erebor, this quest was to outrank them all. Whether they failed or succeeded, their efforts would be the new history; songs would be sung about them in years to come.

Fili let his shoulders relax as the smell of pipe tobacco and cedar surrounded his face. Today he had found his friend after endless years of searching and had become an official member of the Quest for Erebor. He was taking part in the reclaiming of his rightful home and was finally on the path to receiving the answers he had never held. No matter which way he looked at things, tomorrow was looking even better.