A/N: Hello, everyone! Here's another chapter for you! This is where we finally get to the really exciting parts in the movie. We get to see a special appearance and some danger. I hope you enjoy it!

And please, pleeaaase, leave a review when you're done reading! I hate to beg for reviews, but I've been getting so little of them lately, and it really means a lot to me to get feedback for my writing. While I'm grateful for all the favorites and follows I've received; I'd appriciate proper reviews way more. You fellow writers know that giving feedback is one of the best ways to motivate authors to write. And really; if you bother to push the favorite/follow button, it shouldn't bee too much trouble leaving a review at the same time, right? Okay; sorry about the whining, but I just wanted to let you know the best way you can support me to write. And now; onto the story...

Disclaimer: I only own my OC, that's all!

;...; means telepathic speaking here

Chapter 14: Thunderstorms and Stone-Giants

The Company had stayed in Rivendell for almost a week. Even though the Elves had started to grow tired of their quests, and their eccentric manners, Lord Elrond had welcomed them to stay as long as they needed. But Thorin was in a haste to continue their journey, for he had discovered that they were in a hurry. They had to reach the Lonely Mountain before Durin's Day, which was only few weeks away. Only then they could find the Hidden Door and enter the Mountain. And if they missed their change; Erebor would be lost to them forever.

So it didn't come as a surprise when one morning Thorin ordered them to pack up and move on. It wasn't even dawn yet, but Thorin wanted to move before the Elves could stop them. When Lord Elrond had learned of their intensions, he had tried to convince them otherwise, but his words had fallen on deaf ears. Now that Thorin had learned of the limited time they had; he was even more set on reaching the Mountain.

Just as the Sun was starting to rise, the dwarves, Bilbo and Haley stood on the Gateway with their supplies packed on their backs. After making sure they were all accounted and ready to go, Thorin ordered them to move. But Bilbo had noticed that there was someone missing.

"Wait, what about Gandalf?" he asked when he noticed that the wizard had yet to join them. He had been called to speak with Lord Elrond last night, and they hadn't seen him since. "We can't just leave without him!"

"We don't have the time to wait for the wizard, Master Baggins. We have to move now when we still have the time on our side." Thorin said simply. He had realized there was something going on when the wizard had been summoned, and he didn't like it one bit. He wanted them on the road before the Elves could stop them. "We will wait for him at the Mountains."

And then he gave them to order to move out. The dwarves followed their leader in a neat line. As she moved on; Haley turned to look at Rivendell for the last time. She felt a little bit sad about leaving this place, especially since they had to leave in secret. She didn't even get to say goodbye to Elladan and Elrohir, and hoped they would understand their actions. Taking a final look at the one of the most beautiful places she had ever seen; she signed before following the others.

In order to leave the valley; they had to walk on a small road snaking against the mountainside. Even though the road was sturdy enough, Haley still felt rather uneasy walking so high from the ground. The dwarves, however, seemed unaffected by it. Just before they left the valley, Thorin stopped them and turned to face them.

"Be on your guard. We're about to step over the Edge of the Wild. Balin, you know these paths; lead on." he warned them before letting the elderly dwarf to take the lead.

As they made their way through the mountain, Haley felt a strange feeling in her head. She didn't know how to describe it, but something within her head felt strange. She wondered if it because of this place. Gandalf had said, after all, that there was magic in the valley.

;Haley Walker;

Haley's eyes widened in surprise. She could have sworn she heard someone call her name. She turned to look around but didn't see anyone trying to talk to her. Maybe she had just imagined it.

;Haley Walker;

There it was again! Now she definitely heard someone calling her name. She tried to look around, but no one was still trying to get her attention. Now that she thought about it; the voice didn't sound like any of the dwarves or Bilbo. She arched her eyebrows in confusion; this was starting to get weird.

"Haley? Is everything alright?" Kili asked her from ahead of her. He had noticed how she looked around in confusion, like she was searching for something.

"Yeah, I'm fine. It's just… never mind." she blew it off, deciding not to speak about it. No one else seemed to have heard the voice, so she didn't want to appear crazy by talking about a voice only she had heard. Luckily Kili didn't press it further and continued his walking. 'Did I really hear that voice? Or am just starting to totally loose it?'

;Vedui', winé. Greetings, little one.;

Haley nearly halted from shock. This time she knew she didn't imagine it. 'Okay, this is getting creepy! What's going on? Why am I hearing a voice in my head? Is this some sort of illusion, or am I just going crazy?!' she thought in panic.

;Don't be afraid, little one. My name is Lady Galadriel. And you are not going crazy, I am really talking to you.;

'How is that possible? Why am I the only one who can hear you?'

;I have to power to speak telepathically if I wish you. I am speaking to you in your mind so I could talk to you in private. There is so much to discuss, and so little time.;

'Okay, so what did you want to discuss about? And how do you know me anyway?' Haley couldn't help but feel a bit uneasy about talking to some unknown lady in her mind.

;Your friend Mithrandir has told me about you. He told me that you come from beyond the borders of Middle-Earth, and that you carry something of great importance with you.;

'You mean the Pendant of the Valar? Do you know something about it?'

;It has been many centuries since I last heard of the Pendant, but yes; I can tell you more. As Mithrandir already told you; the Valar, our gods, created the Pendants as a key for the Maiar to travel between worlds. When they decided that your world should be left alone, they ordered the pendants to be destroyed. But the last Maiar disobeyed their order and escaped to Earth, taking the Pendant with him. It stayed there for centuries, until it found its way into your hands and brought you here.;

'But why? Gandalf said it brought me here because I have some sort of role to play in Thorin's quest. But I still don't understand what role, and why me?' The mystery behind the Pendant was still disturbing Haley's mind, and she wanted to solve its secret as soon as possible.

;The ways of the Valar are often unknown. I'm sure that you'll find your answers on this journey if you keep your heart and mind open. But what you need to understand is the nature of the Pendant.;

'Its nature? What do you mean?' Haley didn't understand, did Galadriel mean to say that the Pendant was…alive?

;Listen carefully, Haley. The pendant is not a mere trinket; it has a mind and heart of its own. And it reacts to the will of its user. It has far more powers than travelling people between worlds. When the time comes, you must be ready to use its power.;

'But how will I know when to use it?'

;You will know when time comes for that. But there is still the matter of your feelings for the youngest prince of Durin.;

'Kili? What about my feelings for him?' Haley was taken aback by Galadriel inquiring her relationship with Kili.

;Do you love him?;

'Yes, I really do love him. More than anything.' Haley arched her eyebrow; she didn't understand what this had to do with anything. Then she could swear she felt Galadriel smile, if that was even possible.

;Good. Hold onto that love, for it might just be the solution to everything.;

Haley felt even more confused by now. She didn't understand how could her and Kili's love possibly be a solution to anything.

;I must go now, but don't let your spirits be brought down. I have a feeling we will talk again. Have faith in your heart, young one, and let it guide you on your journey.;

'A-alright. Thanks for the info, Lady Galadriel.'

;Goodbye, little one. Aa' menle nauva calen ar' ta hwesta e' ale'quenle.;

And then Haley heard her voice no more. Her head felt clear again, like she had just awoken from a dream. Then she noticed how some members of the Company were looking at her strangely.

"Are you alright, lass? For a moment you looked like you were sleepwalking." Nori asked her.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I was just…lost in thoughts." she explained, deciding to keep her conversation with Lady Galadriel to herself.

She gave Kili a reassuring smile, for he was looking at her worriedly. She took his hand in hers as they continued walking against the mountain side. Their conversation reeled in her head; her mind pondering about everything Lady Galadriel had told her, making her feel a bit uncertain about the future.

The Company kept travelling all day long in a hasty pace. Thorin wanted them to keep moving all day long so they would reach the Lonely Mountain in time. They had only very brief breaks when they dared to stop for a few minutes. They didn't even stop for supper; but ate something little while walking. Their food supplied were starting grow scarce anyway; and they had to start to ration the little food they had left. They kept moving in silence; everyone too tired and hungry to say anything.

As they kept walking; Haley came to understand why this place was called the Wild. It was a bare and rocky land. There were hardly any plants growing and no animals to be seen. The path they followed was rocky and rather difficult to walk on occasionally. Even though Haley missed her pony, Chestnut; she had to admit that it would have been too hard for the pony to walk here. She really wanted to stop for longer breaks several times; but she didn't dare to ask the dwarves now that she had finally started to gain their respect, and kept moving on instead. At least Kili, Fili and Bilbo had noticed her tiredness and kept her company while moving on.

As the Sun had finally settled, and the darkness started to fall on them; did Thorin finally call them to stop for the day. Finally being given the permission to rest; Haley allowed her knees to give up and fell on her bottom with a heavy sigh. She wowed that if she survived through this; she would never complain about gym class ever again. But she didn't get to rest yet; for she still had to help the others to set up their camp. They managed to set up a simple camp in no time, and soon everyone was gathered around a fire in order to keep warm. Haley was snuggling close to Kili's side, whom had a blanket wrapped around them. While the others were talking among themselves; Haley was too tired to talk, and contented on listening. She leaned her head against Kili's chest, and listened to his heartbeat. The steady thumping of his heart calmed her down and began to lull her to sleep. She closed her eyes and felt her breathing growing slower. The last thing she felt was Kili pressing a light kiss on her brow before she fell into a pleasant slumber.

They spend two more days in the same routine; walking all day long without any breaks and not stopping until nightfall. The constant walking and no rests made the entire Company feeling rather edgy. Everyone was feeling more or less irritated and they only spoke when they had to. No one could wait until they reached the end of the Wild.

Everyone was especially irritated when it rained hard on the fourth day. They were currently walking on a path high against the mountainside. The path was narrow and slippery, and the slightest misstep could lead them do their deaths. They had to move carefully in order to avoid falling. And on the top of that; thunder rumbled loudly and a hard wind blew on their faces.

Haley nearly had a heart-attack when Bilbo almost fell of the cliff, but luckily he was pulled back to safety. Haley sighed in relief and tried to wrap her cloak tighter around her; feeling cold and wet.

"We must find shelter!" Thorin shouted from ahead. He had finally come to a conclusion that they couldn't keep moving in this storm.

"Look out!" Dwalin bellowed suddenly. Everyone looked up to see a huge boulder of rock flying towards them. They all screamed as the boulder hit the mountain few feet above them.

Haley screamed in terror as Kili pulled her tightly against the mountainside to avoid the broken pieces of rock falling down on them. When it was safe again, Haley looked into the distance; wondering where the rock had come from. Whatever it was; she had a feeling it wasn't good.

"This is no thunderstorm! It's a thunder-battle!" Balin shouted in alarm, "Look!" he pointed into a distance.

That's when they saw it; a giant figure made of rock standing in the distance. And it was holding a huge boulder of rock in its hands. Haley's eyes widened when she saw the giant creature. 'Oh my God! What on earth is that?!'

"Well, bless me. The legends are true!", Bofur breathed in shock, "Giants! Stone-Giants!"

That's when the Stone-Giant in front of them threw the rock towards them. They all gasped when it flew past them and hit another Stone-Giant standing behind them.

"Take cover, you fool!" Thorin shouted at Bofur, who was still standing like rooted on his place. Then he finally broke from his amazement and realized the danger they were in; they had walked right into the Stone-Giants' line of fire.

Everyone tried to avoid the falling rocks by pressing themselves against the mountainside. But then they could feel movement beneath their feet; like the mountain itself had come to life. They heard a loud rumble before the ground beneath their feet cracked open. The crack tore the Company apart into two groups; the other group finding themselves being moved away. Haley gasped in horror when she felt her hand slip away from Kili's as the crack tore them away from each other.

"Kili!" Haley shouted in terror as he was torn away from her.

"Haley, grab my hand!" Kili tried to reach for her, but it too late. Haley found herself being pressed against the mountainside by the others who had been divided from the Company.

They looked up to see a third Stone-Giant come to life, and realized they were standing on its knees. Another Stone-Giant lunged itself on it, and headbutted it hard. Haley watched in horror as the others were nearly crashed against a mountainside. But luckily they managed to jump away from the Giant to another mountainside.

But the other group wasn't so lucky. As the Stone-Giant they were standing on kept on battling against the other Giants; they were moved further away from the others. As the Stone-Giants kept battling on; the one they were standing ended up getting beheaded. Its body crashed against the mountainside; taking Haley and the others with it.

"No, Haley! Fili!" Kili screamed in horror when he saw his brother and lover being crushed against the mountain. He rushed towards the place where they had crashed, afraid to see what had come of them. When he turned around the corner; he breathed in relief when he saw they were alive.

Haley breathed heavily as she lay on the ground. Luckily she hadn't been hurt, but the crash had knocked the wind from her. She felt herself being picked up and opened her eyes to see Kili looking at her worriedly.

"Are you alright?" he asked in worry. She nodded at him before embracing him tightly. She felt his hand rub her back soothingly. She took deep breaths as she tried to calm herself from their ordeal. For a moment she had thought they were going to die. Now she was just happy to be back in Kili's arms.

"Where's Bilbo? Where's the Hobbit?" she heard Bofur ask in worry. Haley's eyes widened in terror and she tried to look for their Hobbit friend, but he was nowhere to be seen.

That's when they saw him hanging from the mountainside. Haley screamed his name in horror as the dwarves attempted to reach him. Just when they nearly got a hold him; his grip loosened and he fell down a bit until he managed to get hold of a rock. While the others tried to reach him; Thorin jumped down to a rock next to the Hobbit and began to push him up, until the others managed to pull him to safety. Haley sighed in relief when she saw he was safe. But the rock beneath Thorin gave up and he nearly fell down with it. Luckily Dwalin managed to get a hold of him and pull him up as well. Everyone took breaths as they tried to calm down.

"I thought we'd lost our burglar." Dwalin breathed in relief.

"He's been lost ever since he left home", Thorin muttered coldly as he looked at the Hobbit in distain, "He should never have come. He has no place amongst us. "

Haley looked at Thorin in disbelief. She didn't like the way he was treating Bilbo; like he had no value whatsoever. Just because he wasn't like the dwarves didn't mean he was worthless on this quest. No wonder Bilbo had felt like an outsider in the Company. Haley made a mental note to speak her mind to Thorin about treating others, if he continued to give the Hobbit a hard time. But now she decided to focus on getting away from the battling Stone-Giants, and followed the dwarves who had found shelter for the night.

A/N: Everyone feeling confused about the whole Pendant of Valer thing? Well, don't worry; so am I xD But everything will be explained later in the story. Hope you liked the Stone-giant scene; I actually had to watch that scene several times in order to get it right. And in case you were wondering about what Galadriel was saying; here's translation for the Elvish parts:

Vedui', winé - Greetings, little one

Aa' menle nauva calen ar' ta hwesta e' ale'quenle - May your paths be green and may the wind blow behind you

There you had it, folks! While waiting for the next chapter; please leave a review!