A/N: FF seems to be playing up so I've deleted and reposted this chapter.

A/N: Hello again and Happy New Year to all of you!

OMG! How good was DoS! I saw it 3 times in one week - and I'm suffering withdrawal symptoms :) I lost count of how many times I thought to myself "Thorin is soooo hot!" while watching it, lol. Can't say my estimation of elves has gone up any, though. When Thorin told Thranduil what he could do with his offer, I thought he was utterly magnificent. I wanted to stand up and cheer, lol. Smaug was an awesome dragon too. I'm hoping to see it again soon.

Have any of you been following some of the Twitter parody accounts? Some have me laughing out loud. If you search the word 'Actual' you'll see a load of Hobbit and LOTR characters. Actual_Smaug cracks me up, lol.

Thanks so much for your lovely reviews - your words have touched me. I'm amazed at how many people are following my little tale.

As usual, I don't own anything - if I did, I would have attacked Thorin and had my way with him right on top of that mountain of gold!

Chapter 13

True to his word, Thorin roused every one up at the crack of dawn. There were a few low moans about getting up so early, but none had the courage to say anything directly to Thorin, knowing they were still on shaky ground. Instead, all the dwarves got up and in a very short time, were preparing to continue their journey.

The extra supplies that they had brought meant that they were able to get a hearty meal into them the previous night and Thorin, whilst having enjoyed the solitude before they arrived, couldn't help feeling some pleasure from their joking around the campfire. Ori, as usual, was writing down the day's adventures into a new diary.

"Is it really necessary to document this journey?" asked Thorin. "We are not on a quest now."

"Aren't we?" asked Fili.

"Yes, aren't we on a quest to get Bella back?" agreed Kili.

"I would hardly call that a quest," replied Thorin.

"Some would say that this may be your most important quest yet," remarked Bofur. "For what is more important than getting the love of your life back?"

Bifur nodded and heartily agreed in Ancient Khuzdul.

"Maybe one day you and Bella can read this to your children so they know what lengths their father went to in order to get their mother back," said Ori softly.

Thorin looked at the young scribe in surprise at his insightful remark. His mind turned to thoughts of he and Bella, surrounded by their children as they all sat by the fire in their drawing room in Erebor, listening intently as Bella read Ori's diary to them, bringing their love story to life with her wonderful voice, occasionally being interrupted by a child who asked a question. Oh, what he wouldn't give for that vision to come true.

Rousing himself from his daydream, he smiled at Ori and nodded. "Thank you, Ori. I believe that would be a wonderful thing to have." Ori beamed at his king's approval and continued writing.

Kili was now making sure their fire was completely extinguished while saddle bags were being checked.

"Let us get moving," ordered Thorin as he mounted Shadow. He hoped to get to the edge of the forest by the end of the day. He would feel much safer with the cover of the forest nearby, rather than having to rely on the scattered copses of trees and rocks that the current landscape provided.

They had not been riding for more than half an hour or so when they heard the sound of hooves in the distance.

"Draw your weapons," commanded Thorin as he drew Orcrist from its scabbard and turned to face the direction of the approaching stranger.

The faint cloud of dust stirred by the horse got larger as it drew nearer. Staring intently at the rider, Thorin had a suspicion that this was no stranger. It soon became obvious that the animal was another pony, not a horse, and its rider was definitely no human.

"Who else did you tell about my journey?" snapped Thorin as he tried to make out the rider.

"No one," answered Fili as he too squinted to see who it was.

"I told Bombur," volunteered Bofur. "Although it's definitely not him. He's staying put to wait for his wife and children. Maybe he told someone else."

"So much for keeping secrets," muttered Thorin, glaring at his nephew once again.

"Hold on," said Kili. "I think that's…"

"Dwalin!" exclaimed Thorin.

The hulking figure of his Captain of the Guard became more obvious as he got closer. He was spurring his pony on as fast as its legs could go and in seemingly no time at all, had caught up to the rest of the company.

Sheathing his sword, Thorin urged his pony towards his friend, a dark frown on his face, followed by the others.

Dwalin came to a shuddering stop as he neared his king, his pony blowing hard from the exertion. "You led me a merry chase, but I finally caught up to you," he growled, glaring at the other dwarves.

"Why are you here?" growled Thorin. "I need you back in Erebor."

"If you think I'm going to let you gallivant all over Middle Earth without my protection, you've got another touch of the gold-sickness coming on," replied Dwalin. He turned towards Fili and Kili. "And you should have told me yourselves, instead of letting me find out second hand."

"Who told you?" asked Fili.

"Nori. He overheard you talking about Thorin's plans with Ori and he came to me. Figured he needed someone to watch over his baby brother," replied Dwalin, chuckling at Ori's angry blush.

"I don't need a keeper," mumbled Ori.

"Go back to Erebor, Dwalin," ordered Thorin. "Actually, take all of them back with you as well."

The protests of the others were stopped as both Thorin and Dwalin glared at them. When silence reigned again, Dwalin folded his arms and looked at Thorin with a gleam of challenge in his eye. "Make me."

Thorin knew he could take on most beings and have a fair amount of confidence that he could win. Except for Dwalin. Even he didn't think he could beat Dwalin in a fair fight and he knew from decades of experience – if Dwalin didn't want to do something, he didn't do it.

Heaving a frustrated sigh, Thorin gave in less than gracefully. "Fine! You may come with us." He turned to his nephew and gave him a withering stare. "If any more dwarves turn up on this journey, Fili, nephew or no, you will be sorry."

With that, he turned Shadow around and urged him into a fast walk towards the forest, muttering under his breath.

Dwalin gave the others a grin filled with satisfaction at having gotten his way and proceeded to follow his friend. Fili, face slightly pale at Thorin's threat, asked him hurriedly, "Tell me no-one else is coming, Dwalin. Please."

Chuckling evilly, Dwalin looked at the young prince. "You'd better hope, for your sake, that our company is now complete, young Fili."

Fili just closed his eyes, sent a quick prayer to the Maker, and followed his now very grumpy uncle.

The weather was ideal for travelling when Bella and her companions set off from Beorn's house but now, after nearly a week on the road and coming to the foothills of the Misty Mountains, it had taken a decided turn for the worse, much to her dismay.

Why must it rain again? she wondered, as the first fat drops of rain fell on her face, the sky above dark with heavy, moisture-laden clouds that boded ill for all travellers in the area. Could I not have one mountain crossing without it pouring down?

The bad weather brought back to mind the memory of clinging to whatever piece of rock she could find as the stone giants waged battle above their heads, the Company nothing more than specks of dirt on their huge bodies as they were flung around amid the pelting rain, lightning, thunder and the deafening roar of building sized boulders being hurled between the combatants.

Bella had been certain that that day would be her last on this earth and she could still recall the sheer and utter terror of having no control over her own fate. Around her, the horror was clearly etched on the faces of her dwarves, even Thorin. The sound of Thorin's cry of complete despair when it seemed certain that Fili was dead, smashed into the rock face along with the others unfortunate enough to be on the giant's knee when it stumbled, was something that Bella doubted she would ever forget.

Despite their frosty and often times hostile relationship, Bella's heart had broken for Thorin in that instant and she would have had trouble stopping herself from hugging him in order to provide some comfort, even as she grieved. As it was, an instant was all she had as the rock below her gave way and she tumbled down, only just managing to grab on to the edge of the path before she fell to her doom.

The memory of that moment was still vivid in her mind and she flexed her hands as she remembered the feel of the cold, wet rock digging into her palms as her feet flailed below her, trying and failing to find some sort of foothold. She didn't even have the wherewithal to cry out, her only focus being to not fall and die. It seemed as if time stood still and she watched as one of her hands let go of the rock, despite her mind screaming at it to hold on. When the other began slipping, Bella knew her time was up and closed her eyes, so as to not see anything on the way down to her death.

The sensation of another hand closing over her wrist felt completely shocking to her, expecting the next thing she felt to be the jagged rocks on her skin, and she snapped her eyes open to see the straining face of little Ori as he held on to her for dear life. She literally could only focus on his eyes, not even hearing him urging her to grab on with her other hand. Instinct must have moved her arm for her because she was sure she didn't consciously reach up; but it was in vain, as she just didn't have the strength to reach Ori's hand.

Not wanting to drag him down with her, she was just about to let go, when a movement to the right distracted her and in the next instant, she was being pushed up by a hand on the back of her coat as several other hands reached down to pull her up at the same time.

As she lay on the wet rock, gasping for breath, she was barely aware of the commotion behind her, not realising just then that Thorin had nearly fallen down the ravine in his efforts to help her, only Dwalin's lightning reflexes saving him from certain death.

Sitting up with the help of Dori, she grasped the enormity of what had nearly happened as Thorin was hauled up, his sodden hair tangled around his face. If Thorin had died, that would have been the end of the quest and of any hope for the dwarves to get their home back. He had the key to the hidden door around his neck and it would have gone with him.

She watched dazedly as he got to his feet, angrily swiping the hair off his face. Why would he risk everything, even his own life, to save her? Did he not dislike her as much as she thought he did, regardless of his demeanour towards her? Suddenly, despite her lingering terror, she felt a spark of hope within her heart. Hope that there could be more than distrust and emnity between them.

As suddenly as that hope flared, it was cruelly extinguished when Thorin made a cutting remark in response to something Dwalin said.

"She's been lost ever since she left home. She should never have come. She has no place amongst us," he spat, glaring at her with what looked like pure hatred.

Bella could still feel the agony that had raced through her at his cruel words. It felt like he had thrust his sword straight into her chest and it was only sheer self-preservation that stopped her from crying out in pain. As it was, she could not stop a couple of tears escaping but they were camouflaged by the still-falling rain.

Sensing her distress, Kili and Bofur fussed over her, helping her adjust her backpack as Thorin ordered them to move on in order to find shelter. A number of the company looked at her in sympathy as they moved to follow their leader, some throwing her little smiles and pats on the back as they passed her.

"Are you alright, Bella?" asked Kili, face full of concern.

Her mind numb from the combination of terror and hurt she had just endured, she just nodded and wordlessly followed the dwarf in front of her, not even aware of which one it was. All she could think of was putting one foot in front of the other.

Gradually, the shock and hurt began wearing off and she became more aware of what was around her. Dimly, she knew she wanted to thank Ori for not letting her fall and to check that Fili and the others were not injured. Though she owed Thorin her thanks as well, she couldn't bring herself to go near him. She felt too fragile at the moment to survive another verbal attack from him.

It all just seemed too much. To be cold and wet, narrowly avoid death and now to have it confirmed that she was not, and would never be, considered part of the Company. Thorin didn't want her here, hated her even, and it hurt.

Why did that fact hurt so much? Why was it that if it was Gloin or Dwalin who had made that remark, she would have just shrugged it off? But it was Thorin who said it. It was Thorin who wanted her gone.

As they settled down in the cave Dwalin had found, Bella kept to herself, ignoring the worried looks from some of the dwarves. She had managed to speak to Ori, who had blushed sweetly at her thankful words and then sat down in a small crevice in the rock, refusing the dried meat Bombur offered her.

Every so often she looked at Thorin, who looked away every time their eyes met. He can't even bear to look at me, she thought grimly. His actions in the cave cemented the decision she had made as they looked for shelter. It was time to leave and return home. She was not wanted here, contract notwithstanding. She was going back to Rivendell where she would get Lord Elrond's help to return to the Shire. She wasn't even going to tell them she was going, she was just going to slip away when they were asleep. That way she wouldn't have to deal with Kili or Ori trying to change her mind. And Thorin would be pleased, she was sure.

And she would have succeeded, despite Bofur's attempts to get her to change her mind, if it hadn't been for the fact that they were actually in a goblin trap.

"Just ahead there is cave which should contain some supplies, if the goblins haven't raided it yet," growled Beorn, rousing Bella from her musings.

The rain had started to come down in earnest so the promise of somewhere dry to spend the night was a welcome thought.

"Why would there be supplies in a cave?" asked Bella curiously as she attempted to pull her cloak further over her face. It proved futile as the cloak was getting steadily soaked anyway.

"The Rivendell elven scouts have always kept supplies in various caves throughout this road for their own use but which travellers are welcome to avail themselves of. Although, with all the goblin troubles, I don't know how well stocked they are," replied Gandalf.

"Is the cave safe?" she asked warily. "You're sure it's not another goblin trap?"

Gandalf shook his head and smiled at her. "No, my dear. This cave has been used by the elves for a long, long time. It is quite safe."

To their relief, there was still a supply of firewood stacked along one wall as well as a pile of blankets which was a very welcome find.

It wasn't long before Bella was sitting beside a fire, wrapped up in one of the gossamer thin, but incredibly warm elven blankets, eating Beorn's bread and honey. Her cloak and outer clothes were spread over a rock to dry and it almost felt homely. A far cry from that other cave.

And yet, despite the warmth and the pleasant company, Bella couldn't help feeling uneasy. The creature, Gollum, lived in these mountains, however far away. She had not worn the ring on her for some time, preferring to leave it in her backpack and felt all the lighter for it but was still worried that he would somehow sense his ring nearby. His ferocity and hatred when he had realised his 'precious' was gone was something she'd never forget. And yet, when she'd had the chance to kill him, she couldn't do it. There was just something so pathetic and tragic about the dependence he placed on the magic ring. She herself had felt the pull of the ring, despite her repulsion towards it, and felt a vague sense of empathy with the creature.

Which was the main reason she didn't want it kept on her person. Keeping it off her lessened its pull.

What if she 'accidentally' left it in this cave or dropped it on their travels? Then she would be rid of the thing. Maybe she could dig a hole and bury it? Or throw it into a chasm in the high passes? Could she do it without Gandalf noticing? She doubted it.

The thought of being free of the ring was inviting but what if the creature found it again? Would that be a bad thing? It did belong to him in the first place, she reasoned.

But what if someone else, with less innocent intentions, found it instead? It seemed unlikely, but she had found it, hadn't she, despite the seemingly far-fetched odds. If she had been taken with the dwarves to the Goblin king, then she would never have come across Gollum and his ring. The fall down to the underground lake could have killed her; instead she landed on a patch of giant mushrooms. The chances of her finding that ring was so slight as to be nearly impossible, but she had found it regardless, so what was to say that someone else, with equally unlikely odds, couldn't as well?

No, she would need to keep it with her for the time being, as disturbing as that was.

And she still hadn't told Gandalf about it. Why, she didn't really understand herself. Maybe she was afraid he would take it from her. As much as she loathed the ring, she wanted to deal with it on her terms, not have it forcibly taken from her.

What would Thorin have suggested she do with it? she wondered, before shaking her head. No use speculating on that, despite knowing he had been wary of it as well.

With determination, she turned her attention to her companions, listening to their chatter, the warmth of the fire gradually lulling her to sleep.

This time she knew that sound. Warg! Oh no, she had so hoped never to hear that dreaded howl again. Hadn't they been through enough already? Somehow, they had all managed to escape the goblin tunnels and now this!

She was still reeling from her narrow escape from the creature she had encountered in that deep, underground lake and the discovery that the ring she found was magical, thus rendering her invisible. The relief at hearing the dwarves' voices was palpable and was about to announce her presence when she heard Thorin speaking.

How dare he? He knew nothing about what she had been through. The disparaging remark he made about her having seen her chance to leave and taking it stung badly, although she should be used to it by now, after the incident on the mountain path. Even more, it made her angry. He knew nothing about her character, had not made the effort to get to know her and was now making assumptions about her motives. He was the one who said she didn't belong, so what if she had done as he assumed and left?

You were going to leave, a small voice echoed in her head which was impossible to refute, as it was the truth.

Well, it's not now, she thought. He will not drive me away. I'm better than that. I signed a contract, and a Baggins always keeps her word. Bofur's look when she had said they didn't belong anywhere still haunted her. She hadn't meant to hurt him, it had just popped out unconsciously. Well, she would help right that wrong.

The look on Thorin's face at her statement of intent to help them get their home back was a mixture of emotions she unfortunately had no time to savour. The regret, shame and dawning respect were instantly replaced with anger and fear when the howl of the wargs rent the air.

Now, they were running for their lives, a huge orc pack baying at their heels. Her small legs were aching, as was the rest of her, but she put every ounce of determination into getting to the trees. The growl next to her checked her stride and without thought, she struck out with her sword, impaling it in the warg. Horrified at how close she had come to being its victim, she frantically struggled to get the sword out. How hard had she struck, for Aule's sake?

"Hurry, Bella!" yelled Gandalf, at the base of large fir tree situated near the edge of cliff.

With one strong yank, she freed her sword and bolted down to the others. A hand reached out and pulled her by the back of her coat up into the lowest branch of the tree. She scrambled up as high as she could and watched in horror as the wargs descended on the trees, their combined efforts pushing down the other trees in which the dwarves were sheltering. She could see her dwarves jumping from tree to tree until they were all on the only tree standing, which was right on the edge of the cliff. She was too frightened to look down, but she knew it was a long way to fall. There was no way she could help the scream when the wargs started pushing on their tree, the trunk groaning loudly as its roots were slowly pulled from the ground.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a fiery object fly towards the wargs below, setting one on fire. Looking up, she watched Fili and Kili light pinecones, obviously at Gandalf's urging and then there were several falling onto the foul creatures, setting them and the surrounding greenery on fire. The dwarves gave a cheer when it looked like the wargs were retreating but their delight was short-lived as the roots gave way and the tree listed towards the cliff.

Bella's heart was pounding furiously as she held on with all her strength, despairing when she heard the terrified cries of one of the dwarves as he fell. The surrounding branches were too thick to see which one it was and she prayed he had managed to get a hold of something.

The orcs were now converging upon them and from her position just above Thorin, she heard his gasp of disbelief as the most terrifying being she had ever seen appeared below them.

"Azog!" gasped Thorin.

Azog? Wasn't he supposed to be dead? Apparently Thorin thought so too, his body tense with incredulity as he stared at his foe.

Azog was a figure from a nightmare. Huge and pale, with scars crisscrossing his body, his face radiated evil menace as he sat astride a huge, white warg. He only had one hand, the other had a pronged, fork-like instrument jammed through his upper arm to keep it in place. Bella watched as he gave a grotesque imitation of a smile when he caught sight of Thorin and wanted to block her ears when he spoke in his black speech, a sound that almost hurt to listen to.

How were they going to get out of this? The tree was listing even more, now practically parallel to the ground. There were orcs in front and a huge drop below. In that instant Bella knew which way she preferred to die, gathering her courage to let go when it was time.

Then Thorin stood up! What was he doing?

Before her, Thorin rose, Orcrist in his hand and with a cry, headed straight for the pale orc. Horrified and stunned as she was at his actions, she had to admit that she had never seen a more majestic being in her life. This was Thorin the King. His whole bearing was a mixture of anger, hate and revenge, but also pride and bravery as he strode determinedly through the blazing forest to take on his greatest enemy, breaking into a run as he got closer.

Bella was in awe. He was totally and utterly beautiful in this very moment. It was impossible to look away.

When he was picked up by the white warg and slammed down into the ground, her heart stopped. She watched as Thorin struggled to his feet, only to be seized again and flung onto a rock. This time,Thorin stayed still.

NO! No! He can't die! she screamed to herself. No! He's the King. He's not meant to die.

From somewhere behind her, she heard Dwalin cry out Thorin's name as it became clear that Azog had given an orc the order to finish Thorin off.

Without any conscious thought, just sheer panic at the idea of Thorin dying, Bella rose. Clutching her little sword grimly in her hand, she ran faster than she'd ever run before. Her field of vision seemed to narrow to only include Thorin and the orc who held his knife over Thorin's throat, preparing to behead him.

NO! You will not touch him, she thought frantically. I will kill you before I let you hurt Thorin. A feeling of indescribable rage filled her, hatred at the cruel being who dared to threaten her Thorin. She didn't even know if Thorin still lived, but nothing would stop her.

With a bloodthirsty scream, Bella launched herself at the orc, just as his blade began its downward trajectory. Her momentum flung him off Thorin and they both rolled off the rock onto the dirt below. Acting on instinct, Bella raised her sword and impaled it in the foul creature, a sense of intense satisfaction rolling over her as she watched the black blood spurt out of its chest.

Yes, die you wretched, foul, evil piece of scum, she thought with malicious glee. You'll never touch my Thorin again.

The feeling lasted but a moment as the roar of fury from Azog penetrated her bloodlust. Turning to look at Thorin, she couldn't see any sign of life in him and any bravado she had disappeared as despair replaced it.

No, please, no! Please don't be dead, Thorin. Please! Vaguely, she heard shouts around her as the dwarves joined in the fight against the orcs but she felt paralysed. He couldn't be dead. He just couldn't.

All around her there was fighting, and she even heard her name called a number of times but all she could see was Thorin. Bloodied, bruised and battered, his sword lying uselessly beside him, he looked dead.

No! No! No! she cried. NO!

"NO!"

The gentle shaking of her shoulder eventually pulled her out of her nightmare. Bella gasped as Gandalf's gentle, blue eyes looked into hers with compassion.

"It's alright, my dear," he reassured softly. "You are safe."

Bella reached up and, feeling her face drenched with tears, she rolled onto her side before curling up into a ball.

She couldn't wait to get out of these wretched mountains, with their memories and fears.

Still lost in the feelings caused by her nightmare, she didn't notice the blanket being straightened over her or the looks of concern that passed between Gandalf and Beorn.

A/N: Thanks once again to lizajay12 for her proofreading and editing.