Naya hated Mirkwood. She hated the dark, damp sticky atmosphere that enveloped them all day and night. The air was oppressive. They seemed to make very little progress, mainly because everything looked the same day after day. The only good thing was that she was learning more about Thorin and the dwarves. She continued shifting who she walked with. Each dwarf was good for some other kind of information. Today, she was with Balin and intended to get another dwarf history lesson.

"Were you at Erebor before the dragon?" She knew he had been, but she wanted to let him handle things however he wanted to. They seemed to be getting to be better friends these days. She was getting ready to move him to the "Likes Naya" group.

Balin then proceeded to tell her all about Erebor. He really was very good with history and knew how to tell a story. She was fascinated by his description of the great halls and mining operations. It sounded magnificent. "I have hardly ever been underground. We had a few caves in the forest, but there was always a little light. Isn't it awfully dark all the time?"

"No, we had windows carved into the mountain side in the upper levels and down below there were light shafts and lanterns. You would be amazed at how bright it was. And some of the gems we had glowed enough that they were almost lights themselves. Maybe someday you will see the Arkenstone! It shone like a tiny sun."

"Arkenstone? What's that?"

"The prized possession of Erebor. It was found there and was called the Heart of the Mountain. No jewel has ever rivaled it in beauty. Of course, it was lost to Smaug, like so much else. I know Thorin hopes to find it someday."

"Tell me about when the dragon came. Were you there?"

"I would really prefer not to. It was a horrible day of death and destruction. As long ago as it was, it seems like yesterday. That subject and Moria, that we call Azanulbizar, you would be wise to stay away from with dwarves. Some injuries and pains can never be healed."

She put her hand on his shoulder. "Never mind. I wouldn't like to cause you any distress. It's not important."

But it was important, so later she found Bilbo. They once again lagged behind the rest and he was happy to tell her what he had heard Balin tell Fili and Kili. "It really was a terrible battle," he said of Azanulbizar (Moria). "They say so many died that they couldn't bury them in stone which is a great disgrace to dwarves. They burned them instead. Of course, now it is an honor to say an ancestor was 'burned a dwarf'. Without saying anything, it is understood that they died with honor at Moria."

"How terrible! And after all that they did not regain it."

"No, Thror was dead, Thrain missing and so many had died. And the orcs were still there, though much reduced. But that is where Thorin really came into his own. He defeated Azog and gained the Oakenshield part of his name. Folk really started to think that he could be a king someday after that. All he needs now is a kingdom."

"Do you think they will succeed? Will they get Erebor back?"

"I like to think so, but it really is a long shot. How do thirteen dwarves, one not-a-burglar and now one healer defeat a dragon? If they actually have a plan beyond getting in the back door, I'm unaware of it."

Naya decided to move to another topic. Bilbo was in an expansive mood, maybe he would confess to her. "Bilbo, there is something that has always bothered me about you."

He looked surprised. "Me? What about me?"

"Ever since I met you, there just seems to be something a little bit dark hovering about you. I can't explain it. At first it was very strong, but lately I don't seem to notice it as much. Maybe because I know you better. You have no idea what I'm talking about?"

Bilbo suspected that he did know what she was talking about. He was bursting to tell someone about the ring. Could she be trusted? He couldn't bring himself to tell the dwarves, but he really wanted to tell! "Can you keep a secret even from Thorin, especially Thorin?"

"Why, yes. I'm quite good at secrets. What is it?"

Bilbo then told her the story to of finding the ring. "But I don't know why that would make you uncomfortable. It's just a ring."

"Something that can make you invisible is not just a ring, Bilbo. That's pretty powerful magic. Can you show it to me?"

Reluctantly, Bilbo took it from his pocket. Even though he had told her about, now he thought maybe he shouldn't have.

Naya looked at the ring in Bilbo's palm. It looked like just a plain gold ring. Nothing to worry about. She closed her eyes and 'listened'. Faintly, she felt the same aura of discomfort she had felt before. "When was the last time you used it?"

"As we ran down the mountain, before the battle with Azog. I have had no reason to use it since."

"Maybe that's it. Since you have not used it, whatever was causing the discomfort may have faded. I would be careful of it Bilbo. I don't like the way it made me feel. I'm pretty good about things like this. Sometimes I see or sense things that turn out to be true later. I would hate for anything bad to happen to you."

Bilbo returned the ring to his pocket. "Well, it has saved me so far. I don't think there's anything wrong with it, but I will think about your words before I use it again."

After Bilbo, Thorin came over. "It's time for our one new thing, Naya. What do you have for me today?"

"I have never told you that my mother was not a Beorning." Naya told him.

"Really? What was she?" This intrigued Thorin. Naya had so many unexplained talents. Maybe this was the answer.

"My Poppa never told me. He always hinted that she had some type of mystical background. I always used to make up stories about her. She died when I was young, so I never really knew her." It was hard to keep the sadness out of her voice.

Thorin took her hand in his. "That's too bad. Maybe someday he'll tell you."

"If I ever see him again." Once again she felt the pull of home. "Enough about me. What's your new thing?"

"I heard you talking to Balin about the Arkenstone. I stole it once from my grandfather!" His eyes twinkled at her as he made this confession.

"You stole it? Why? What did he do to you?" She liked to think of him as a little dwarfling, sneaking around playing pranks.

"They always made such a fuss over it. I thought it would be fun to take it and hide it. Make them think it really had been lost. Boy, was that a mistake! They started to tear the mountain apart looking for it. Thror was ready to declare war on the world. I tried to sneak it back from where I took it and he caught me red-handed."

"What did they do to you? How did you survive?"

"Well, I was very young, so my age probably saved me a little pain, but I spent the rest of the year scrubbing pots, pans and anything else they could find for me to clean. After that, Thror had a special mount made above his throne for it, and it was never unguarded. All because I was a brat."

"And you still are, if you ask me!" Naya teased.