BADPENNY RUNS UP TO YOUR HOUSE*

KNOCKS ON YOUR DOOR*

HANDS YOU THE CHAPTER*

KISSES YOU ON YOUR CHEEK AND SKIPS AWAY, CACKLING LIKE A MANIAC!

Homecoming

Bow groaned and pressed her face into the soft pillows as the knocking at the door grew steadily louder. Swearing loudly she pulled herself out of bed and stumbled blindly to the door.

"S'hatso important that you woke me," she mumbled, pulling the door open and rubbing sleep out of her eyes. The chamber maid looked alarmed. Even though she was probably only in her teens, she towered above Bow and shuffled her feet.

"If you please, Ma'am, the wee baby dwarf with the curls said you'd be wanting something to eat," the young maid explained, keeping her eyes respectfully on the floor. Bow smiled at the description of Bilbo and shook herself awake some more.

"Yes, but only something light. And is there any chance of some hot water and bandages?" Bow shifted on her feet as to not put too much pressure on both foot.

"I were going to send for a healer but my Father said it was none of my concern," the maid said anxiously, her eyes widening as she scanned Bow's injuries.

"No just hot water and bandages and maybe some ointment or salve," Bow smiled as the Maid nodded and curtsied and scurried away. Bow had only just limped back to bed by the time the maid arrived again, her arms loaded with a tray, a satchel slung over her shoulder and a bucket of hot water hooked onto her elbow. She set the tray down on the nightstand and emptied the bucket in the wash basin, before kneeling down to stoke the fire.

"Where are the rest of the Company?"Bow asked nonchantly, half wanting to fill the awkward silence and half wanting to corner Thorin about his manic outburst: curiosity burned under her skin like an itch Bow couldn't scratch.

"Many are not yet up, they were drinkinin' into the early hours. The wee baby dwarf is sewing in front of the fire in the main common room. His Majesty is in conference with the grey dwarf and the Master I believe and-" she let out a loud giggle which echoed up the chimney and blushing scarlet under her bonnet "- and the two young princes are in the wash house-" she paused to giggle again and stood up making for the door, "You are lucky to be travelling with such handsome companions. I would not kick the blonde one out of bed for keeping his socks on, that's for sure." The maid tried to cool her blushing cheeks and then turned to open the door.

"Hold up, I didn't get your name?" Bow called from the bed, masking a loud growl that her stomach made.

"Sagan Ma'am, daughter of Lanke and Kigol," Sagan stated helpfully and curtsying.

"You've been very helpfully Sagan, but a word to the wise. I'd stay clear of the blonde dwarf if I was you, he has a terrible temper. I mean, look what he did to me when I spilt his ale," Bow said sombrely, fighting to keep her face pained as she indicated to her injuries. Sagan turned white as a ghost and fled, almost slamming the door behind her.

She'd done the right thing, Fili could deal with the small tarnish on his reputation. Besides it was better than having a lusty maid turn up in his bed and having to explain why he turned her away. No, let her think him a brute. If kept her at a safe distance and allowed the brothers their privacy.

And so the days followed. She slept, ate, bathed, ate again, checked her wounds and had a brief conversation with one of the Company before going to bed and doing exactly the same the next day. Sleeping had been hard after the exhaustion of Mirkwood had worn off but Sagan had given her sleeping tonics that knocked her out, though she never forgot to barricade the door.

On the seventh day in the early afternoon Bow was sat on the floor at the foot of the bed checking the bandages on her feet, when there was an abrupt knock on the door.

"Enter," she called thinking it was Sagan with fresh bed sheets. Bow looked up as the door opened but no one entered, Dwalin's frame filled the door way, his mouth opened and no words came out. "Speak or close your mouth before something crawls in," she said in amusement, arching her eyebrow. Dwalin closed his mouth and looked away, appearing to swallow and shuffle his feet.

"If you are strong enough to travel, we leave at dawn," he said tartly, his hands clenched into fists. Bow pulled herself to her feet and took a step forward, they didn't hurt as much now but the skin still felt tight. It was her broken hand which was still in a sling that worried her most.

"Well I couldn't let Smuag have all the fun," Bow retorted with a snide grin and resting her hand on her hip. Dwalin's throat made a strangled noise, before he recoiled from the doorframe and disappeared down the corridor.

Bow shook her head and dragged a hand through her taffled hair. Whatever Thorin has must be contagious, she thought dryly as she closed the door.

No matter how far they seemed to travel, of how many leagues they seemed to pass, Erebor didn't get any closer. It was like a mirage of water in the desert, teasing that an oasis was just over the horizon. Bow shifted in her saddle and rolled her shoulders.

It was midday on the third day after they'd left Laketown. Twisting back she saw the smoke rising and the murky fog surrounding the city, and she smirked. All these years she'd feared that place, all the times she'd watched the skyline from afar and never dared enter, it was almost as if her fears had been hallow: almost.

"Stop twitching , you'll spook your horse," Fili commented sharply as he and Kili rode past. With annoyance Bow realised that her horse had stopped without her noticing, digging in her heels, she spurred the animal on. "Yes?" the two brothers said at the same time as she came to ride by their side.

"What Thorin said on the edge of the river about two men, I don't think he meant it," she stated suddenly, the words jumped out of her mouth before she knew what was happening. The Durin's gaped at her, Bow floundered for a second and then swallowed and pressed on. "Have you ever been to south Waith?" Fili shook his head and Kili looked off into the distance. "They have the belief that all souls are split into two and we spend our lives searching for the other half. Now who's to say you to aren't each other's half," Bow shook her head and shrugged, not meeting the brother's eyes.

"And you don't think it's immoral or disgusting?" she heard Kili ask tentatively under his breath. Bow twisted in her saddle and looked at them, Kili searched her face for answers, while Fili studied his hands with a blush rising on his cheeks.

"Isn't killing immoral? Then tell me what we've all been doing these past years, besides rules are meant to be broken," Bow smirked matter-of-factly and nodded with sureity at the two brothers. Kili looked to Fili and a silent conversation passed between them, pulling up their horses the group slowed and fell behind so they could talk me freely.

"Thorin would never accept it. He'll arrange marriages for us and we can't dishonour a She-dwarf like that- to marry and not be desired by ones spouse is..." Fili's troubled words trailed off and he tugged at his beard.

"Thorin has been acting ... odd and very erratic. You never know he may surprise you," Bow said mildly, glancing at Thorin and Dwalin at the head of the column of dwarves. Kili and Fili stared at each other, until Kili spurred his horse to her side so she was between the two.

"You think we should tell him?" Kili leaned close to her side and said urgently under his breath. Bow recoiled and kicked her horse forward and halting it in front of them.

"Would it be better that letting him live under a lie, disillusioned by his own nephews? But then again I'm leaving as soon as this nonsense is over with so it makes no difference to me either way," Bow snapped irately, losing patience with the brothers silly behaviour, and cantered away: the more they dabbled behind Thorin's back, the worse it would be if they were discovered, lord knows how many times she's covered for them.

"She doesn't know him like we do, he'll never accept," Kili said darkly, watching their Guide as she rode next up next to the burglar. The brothers had all but stopped, Fili angled his horse so that the animals heads were touching and he took his brothers hands: gripping the fingers almost too tight.

"I know, but at least I've tried and if all else fails, I'll abdicate. I'll abdicate for us. Thorin could still marry and have his own Dwarrows, there's nothing stopping him." Fili's voice caught in his throat as he looked into his brothers eyes. Even to him, it sounded a weak plan.

Bow was so close, getting closer with each slow painstaking step.

Wind whipped around her body as she clung to a ridge of the giant dwarf statue. The two formidable effigies at the front of the mountain that silently guarded the gates even though their mountain had already been breached, were the Company's quickest way up onto the left slopes of the mountain and hopefully the secret door.

They were just scaling the top of the dwarf's axe when a particularly cruel burst of wind whiplashed them, making the Company hunker down against the rock. Bow grimaced as again she had to use her broken hand to cling on, lest she be ripped off and hurtled to her death.

"How high do you think we are?" Ori, who was climbing next to her, asked shrilly, having to shout above the roar of the wind.

"Thousand feet, probably more," Nori shouted from the other side of Ori, trying to reassure his little brother.

"The height is immaterial, a drop of a hundred feet would see a man dead. All it means is your in the air longer," Bow shouted at the young dwarf trying to reassure him and winced again as the bones in her broken hand clicked painfully. Ori froze immediately and began shaking like a leaf, clinging with his frayed mittens to the cliff face. Bow rolled her eyes at her own stupidity and tugged Ori's face round with the tassels on his beard. "You've walked halfway across Middle Earth to get here. Now you walk or I'll hurl you over the edge. Am I understood?"

Ori's eyes went wide as teacups and he began shuffling as fast as his feet would let him.

She was actually touching the mountain. She could taste the thin air with its hints of ash from the Desolation . She was so close and yet so far: it was maddening. They had searched for days. Moving from cliff to cliff, ledge to ledge, searching for the invisible door. With Bombur left at the bottom of the mountain, their food had been poor which only added to their poor spirits. Bow was almost lost in despair, Thorin searched alone in brooding silence ignoring her, the rest of the Company despondent and bitter. All hope was gone

Or so it seemed, if it hadn't of been for the miraculous Bilbo Baggin's and his interest in bird watching.

"Are all Hobbits this wonderful or is it just the Baggins family? Balin, I think Bilbo deserves as raise" Bow beamed at Bilbo, who blushed and looked down at his shuffling feet.

"Aye' you did good lad but if he does, its coming out of your share Bow," Balin chuckled and thumped Bilbo on the back. Early morning on Durin's day, the sun rising over the distant Misty Mountains and in a stroke of pure genius Bilbo had discovered the secret door into the mountain.

"It's a pity I'm not getting paid or you could have had a bigger share," Bow commented mildly, wincing internally as she shoulder another bag.

"What do you mean "not getting paid"?" Bofur gasped loudly, Bow turned to find ten pairs of eyes watching her with a mix of scandal and bemused amazement.

"Bow refused to take a share in the gold," Thorin stated tightly, shouldering another pack and ignoring their stares. Bow shrugged and made to follow after him, but Oin caught her elbow.

"Why did you come then, if not for the gold and the glory? You don't seem the type to hunt for fame," Oin remarked softly, his old eyes watching her carefully. Bow sighed with exasperation, knowing that if she ignored him the Company would never drop the subject.

"Master Oin, have you ever seen a snake eating a mouse?" Bow stated irately, dropping the heavy bag from her shoulder. Confused, Oin shook his head and adjusted his ear horn.

"It is disgusting. But I once saw a mouse kill and snake."She paused as she heard gasps of disbelief, before drawing to her full height and looking down at the Desolation. "I believe evil creates its own end, its own fate. You heard the portense Master Oin, the ravens are returning to their home; much like fate told you it was time to move, so it told me, though I do believe it was more violent in persuading me." Bow shook her head clearing out philosophic talk, and rubbed the back of her neck, thinking back to how Thorin jabbed into her neck tendons. The Company laughed good heartedly, slowing moving off towards the secret door, when Balin called out.

"Does that make you the snake or the mouse?" The grey dwarf joked in good humour.

"Mouse!" Bofur and the Ri brother's laughed.

"Snake!" Kili and Fili hissed loudly. After their desperate wait and Bilbo's the discovery of the secret door it was a party atmosphere, with almost all the Company laughing and joking so much so that they didn't notice Dwalin's steely look and Thorin's warming grin as they watched Bow walk off with the others.

"Neither, for she is the raven," Thorin breathed under his husky growl, so that only Dwalin could hear. The old friends met each others' eye: whiskey gold to glacial blue. Dwalin nodded with understanding at the silent communication Thorin's stare sent him.

Tonight,- it said. And that was all Dwalin needed to know.

Bow steeled herself and let her nails bite into the palm of her hand as she gazed down the dark narrow corridor, which delved deep into the rock. Cold sweat covered her body, sending chills over her skin even when a gust of hot air hit her square in the chest.

Erebor.

Was it welcoming her or pushing her away? She brushed her fingers over the rough stone that glowed slightly in the morning light. Claustrophobia was a small fear in the back of her head compared to what occupied it now. Bow was on the edge of a cliff of uncertainty, would she find answers or more questions, what if she found nothing? What then? So long had Erebor been her goal that she hadn't thought about what if she wasn't born here, or her heritage wasn't founded here. Where then?

With a shake of her head Bow tried to back away from the gaping mouth of stone that was going to swallow her whole when she felt a warm hand on her shoulder. Twisting her neck she saw Bofur's beady eyes twinkle in the dawning sun.

"Don't worry lass, not matter what happens you'll always have a place amongst the Company," he said cheerily, his face cracking into a wide grin that made his eyes crinkle. For a brief second Bow wondered whether Bofur could read minds, but taking a deep breath, she shrugged off Bofur's hand and followed Thorin, Balin and Dwalin into the belly of the mountain.

The cavern was large, cold and musty. The remains of rotten hay gave the air a sour taste, thick layers of dust covered the deep shelves that had been carved into one of the highest rock face making deep shadows thrown by the fire look like dancing ghosts. "The Rook," as Thorin had called it, made her feel hollow and empty of life.

Ghosts. Ghosts must be everywhere in this place, ancestor long dead in tombs deep in the earth, those who died defending it from the dragon, those who were left behind to wander the wilderness alone: all ghosts now.

Bow held her knees to her chest and idly rubbed the splint on her hand, wishing she had a knife by her side for comfort, but no; she sat and watched from a far as the Company helped Bilbo secure his rope and travelling gear. Finally tightening his belt, the Hobbit turned to the Company. His spine was tight and his chest strong, but Bow could make out the slight tremble of his dirty curls.

"Well, I'll be off then, off to spy on a dragon," his chuckle died in his throat, he bit his lip and looked down at his hairy feet. He looked up and tried to meet their eyes, but he shook his head and hid his face in his hands, as if strengthening himself for the goodbye.

"Don't worry lad, a miraculous Hobbit like you won't have any trouble," Balin said kindly, gently laying his hand on Bilbo's shoulder. With Balin's words the rest of the Company came forward and reassured the Hobbit, Bifur muttered some kind of blessing in Khuzdul and Oin patted him on the head roughly. Dwalin nudged him on the shoulder with his armoured fist before advising him to keep to the shadows.

Even Thorin managed to say something along the lines of "come back with all your limbs." And then Bilbo looked at Bow, she stood awkwardly as he took a step towards her, his eyes shining with earnest and sincerity just like they had done all them weeks ago in the Shire.

"I'm not saying goodbye. There's no point 'cause' you'll be back in an hour or two and I'll be waiting, so don't be late," Bow said matter-of-factly, dragging her fingers through her hair and looking away from the Hobbit. His laughed was pained and his smile didn't meet his eyes, he was pale under his strawberry blonde locks. Bow fumbled with the right words to say. "Just be the hero I know you are," she declared proudly, fixing Bilbo with her strong gaze.

"I don't feel like much of a hero," Bilbo confessed, looking away from her. That was when Bow did something surprising, she took the Hobbit's chin with her good hand and tilted his head up to hers.

"You don't feel like a hero Bilbo Baggins, you live like one. Now, off with you, can't keep the old Scaly arse waiting." Bow's tone turned from solemn to mocking in a matter of seconds. Gently shoving Bilbo's head away, she turned to face the stone rock face again, stunned at her own actions.

"Come lad, I'll show you the way," Bow heard Balin say over her shoulder and their foot falls disappeared into the mountain. Wrapping her arms tight around her body, Bow began to pace and whispered under her breathe, "And now, we wait."

"- and his fangs were taller than a horse and his scales were the size of dinner plates and he spoke...'e' actually spoke, like he knew the what was going on in my head and he spoke, slow and rumbling, e kind of sounded like Balin when 'e' lecturing but he spoke, and e's kind of created a nest for himself, like he's got a wall of skeletons covered in amour to rest his tail on and rubies as a pillow and –"

"Did you see the Arkenstone?" Thorin asked harshly, interrupting to stunned silence of the Company while Bilbo babbled.

"I'm sorry! I was kind of busy looking AT THE BLOODY GREAT DRAGON WHO WANTED TO ROAST ME THEN EAT ME!- Arkenstone indeed, Smaug's got thousands of jewels down there, 'e' using them to shine his claws for Pete sake!" Bilbo paced up and down up and down the cave floor; sometimes he sat then stood up again. He shivered with cold sweat that covered his body and trembled as adrenaline coursed through his veins.

Bow would have calmed him but she was so relieved that he had come back in one piece that she was happy to listen to him rant and rave, although she did worry about Smuag over hearing. Bow pushed off from the cave wall and began to walk towards where Bilbo paced when something hit her, and hard.

Silently Bilbo's eyes went wide and he stepped toward her, arms outstretched and then she saw nothing.

It was like being tossed in the air and shaken to pieces by some faceless beast; air was punched out of her lungs and her mind was crammed into the space between realities. Sight was always unpleasant but this was so much worse. Three flashes of time, of what if's, of blood and fire and pain that could be. Three possibilities that all hinged on her, three consequences to her actions. Like being branded with the white hot poker in Mirkwood, these three images were seared into her mind, never to be forgotten.

The floor tilted dangerously and her lids were heavy but she managed to open her eyes. A dozen pairs of faces jostled each other so that they could look down at her, she could see Bilbo's curly head bobbing up and down to get a better look, she felt strong arms around her and saw Bofur fanning her face with his hat.

"'etoff me," she said thickly, trying to shake the dizziness from her head.

"You collapsed," Balin stated matter-of-factly.

"Yeah, you just went rigid as a corpse," Dwalin elaborated with unease, shifting from one foot to the other. Bow tried to get up but strong arms around her waist stopped her.

"Go steady, I've got you," Thorin said softly into her ear. Bow was laid in his arms, as she'd fallen Thorin had thrown his body forward and caught her just before she hit the floor. Bow fought not to flinch and recoil from his touch. Grabbing his sleeves, she pulled his arms away and pushed herself to her feet. Wobbling slightly, she turned back to Thorin and extended her good arm as way of thank you.

"Come on old man," she said stiffly, pulling him to his feet as his knees popped. Then she spun and fixed her intense glare on Bilbo's worried eyes, as her vision flashed to the front of her mind. "Tell me more about Smuag?"

Gloin's snores echoed around the Rook, but Bow sat awake too energised to sleep. She waited until all the Dwarves had turned in for the night and were sleeping deeply, then stuffed her coat under the blankets to look like a body and carefully picked her way through the dwarves towards the Hobbit. Standing over him, Bow shook his shoulder gently.

"Hamfast don't mow the lawn now," Bilbo mumbled sleepily, smiling a little at his dream. Bow rolled her eyes and clasped her hand over Bilbo's mouth. He woke violently, his eyes shot open and his hands fumbled around hers. Bow smiled reassuringly, putting her finger to her lips, indicated that Bilbo get up.

Bilbo pulled on his coat, muttering about the rudeness of dwarves whilst rubbing his eyes; he led Bow down a dark narrow corridor and through a secret door which led to a narrow flight of stairs. Bow waited till the door was fully shut to grab Bilbo's elbow and commanded determinedly: "take me to Smuag."

Bilbo had disappeared a long time ago, his pale terrified face and trembling body evaporating into thin air. But still she could sense him as she scaled the mountains of gold and silver, pools of jewels and hordes of precious objects. Now she could see why the Dwarves wanted the mountain back so badly, Bow would have gladly spent all day gazing at the beautiful objects but time was not on her side.

Scrabbling on her belly under a low carved amethyst archway, Bow entered the main treasure chamber and was completely overwhelmed but the sheer size and scale of it, but that is not what took her breath away. As the noise of shattered coins echoed around the hall, the very air began to rumble and vibrate as a deep malevolent voice boomed and rumbled, shaking Bow to the core.

"Who is this Dwarf who dares steal my slummmmmber? I see you make a habit little Thief of sending your friends to their dooooom," Smuag rumbled like thunder, drawing out each syllable until Bow thought her ears would burst. All her organs protested as Bow pushed herself out of the protection of an amethyst pillar and marched towards Smuag. She bit the inside of her cheek and her sweaty palms clung desperately to the bronze cup in her hand, reaching the top of pile of treasure chests that Smuag used to rest his snout, Bow looked up and came face to face with the scarlet dragon.

Yellow eyes the size of cartwheels narrowed and contracted on her tiny form, and a muzzle taller than a house levelled with Bow's face so that she could gape into the bottomless void of the dragon's black gullet. Bow smelt rotten meat as a gust of humid air nearly knocked her backwards. she stumbled but didn't retreat. Raising her head proudly, she waited for the fatal blow to fall.

"I am sent maidens to placate my hunger and to offer appeasement to the gods but I see you are neitheeerrrr." Smuag rumbled, his black forked tongue darting out to taste her fear. "But my eyes also see you are no ordinary dwarf, O bold one who walks blatantly into the path of firrrrrreee." Smuag sent a tremor through the mountain of treasure as he shifted his body and rose to his full height, looking down his long snout, he titled his head and watched her curiously. "You are a dwarf but not just a dwarf; you have a muchness about yoooouuu. An interesting aura around you and I see your mind knowsss this- Bow, daughter of the abad melhekhûn." Smaug's voice descended into an odd gurgle that could have been a laugh but Bow wasn't sure.

She licked her lips and trying to form coherent words as she edged closer and closer to panic. She glanced back at the empty air where she thought Bilbo was standing and then stared down at the cup in her hand. She could almost feel the threads of fate falling through her fingers as she suddenly found her voice.

"I am returning this in good faith-"she lifted the cup into the air so the Smuag could see its dull bronze glint. "It symbolises the respect I show you and the treasure you guard. I do not wish to steal your home. That is not honourable." Her voice sounded stronger than she felt, as Smuag rose a boat sized paw, she leant forward and dropped the cup into the dragon's waiting palm.

Smuag let out one long breath, savouring the feel of the tiny cup in his claw and spoke slowly, watched her through half lidded eyes. "I will hear you speakkkk," he rumbled impassively.

"You are right, great dragon, I am different. I see things that others don't, things that haven't come to pass or what have passed or what is in someone's mind. The Thief told me that you can see into someone's mind, is this true?" Bow called up to Smuag, controlling the tremble in her voice.

"You are in no position to make demands of me Bow Travellerrrrr!" Smuag growled in indignation, showing the tips of his ivory teeth.

"You use that name though many have not used it in years. I see you do have some Sight, I ask that before you eat me, as I don't doubt you will, look into my mind and see what will come to pass if we do not alter destiny," Bow said finally, closing her eyes and preparing for jaws and teeth. But instead her mind began to quiver and shuffle as if it were being jabbed at. Her three visions rose to the front of her mind and blurred across her eyes.

- From out of a cloud of smoke and fury, massive wings extended and rose into the sky, roaring flames and lava. Smuag would descend on Laketown and burn and kill, lavishing in destruction until a thrush lands of a young Captain's shoulder and whispers where Smaug's weakness is. Bard the Bowmen, bastard son of a river man, would draw back his bow and let the fateful arrow fly. Smaug's body would fester in Laketown's waters with fish and birds eating his flesh.

- The silhouette of the Dwarf prince blazed in fire as Smaug's jaws crash down upon him. Darkness follows the years and soon Smaug's heart is lost to darkness and his body used like a puppet jerking on a string by the forces in the east.

- An old beast circles over a mountain, concluding that it will make a fine nest. The familiar strain on his heart reminds him of the Winter Sleep that calls him to the hordes of his ancestors. Through his wisdom and strength his horde grows with gold and life, the hunted return and become his horde, his people as much as his gold or his mountain. He is worshipped and when he succumbs to Winter Sleep, he is buried at the heart of the mountain and his horde for all time.

Bow fell to her knees and tried to hold on to consciousness as the force of Sight hit her again. Her arms trembled and her forehead throbbed but, swallowing bile that rose in her throat, Bow managed to stand and face the dragon again.

"And these will come to pass?" Smuag rumbled, lowering his head in line with her. Bow swallowed again and held her damaged hand protectively.

"They are all possible, but I see death and destruction in two and only a peaceful ending for all concerned in one. That is why, and I speak for the Company, when I say we want peace." Bow could barely hear over the blood rushing through her ears.

"Then speak, O bold one," Smuag said with amusement, his snout curling into something close to a smile.

Nervous energy made the journey back to the Rook slow. After traversing the steep piles of gold that had somehow lost its lustre, Bow tried to climb the stairs but found her legs weak like jelly. She breathed a thank you to Bilbo as invisible hands took hold of her jerkin and helped hold her up while she fumbled up the steps.

After what seemed like no time at all, Bow found herself outside the secret door; Bilbo appeared at her side and silently began probing the edge for the latch.

"Did I do the right thing?" Bow asked tiredly, catching Bilbo's elbow and watching as his eyes shined out of the darkness, Bilbo hesitated before answering.

"I think you did, but I doubt Thorin will as it so," Bilbo said carefully as the door swung open and he helped her inside. With both her hands pressed on both sides of the narrow corridor to keep her up, Bow shuffled in the Rook, only to stop suddenly and have Bilbo collide into her back.

Thorin stood waiting, tall and proud and unyielding. His back to them was held tight and his aura burned with energy. He turned towards her, his bright eyes flashing and he closed the distance between them.

"I'll talk with you now," Thorin breathed, his tone void of emotion but his eyes dancing with feverish brightness. Bow didn't feel like she could argue, his dominating presence cut through her exhaustion like a knife and his intensity gave her a second wind. From the corner of her eye she saw Bilbo disappear into the belly of the cave, as she turned and followed Thorin. He moved with purpose, running his hands over the carved ledges until he came to pillar of worn rock that stuck out of the ground, Thorin blew away some of the dust to reveal it's golden runes. With a nostalgic smile, he ducked behind the pillar and disappeared. Bow shuffled her feet for a moment before following him into a tight passageway that led into a dark hallway. The floor was covered in feathers and a few strands of hay, but her eyes travelled through the door at the end of the hall way, to room beyond.

Shattered glass from the large window and door covered the wooden floor and abandoned furniture, damp moth bitten cloaks were hung limply on hooks by the doorway and decade's worth of ivy had grown through the empty window and was making its way up the chimney breast. Bow shivered and wrapped her arms around her; the hall had a still sacredness about it that made Bow feel like she was trespassing.

Moving through what would have been a kitchen; Bow brushed her fingers over the bronze handle of the door that led out onto a patch of thorn bushes and nettles, at the far end she could just make out a dead tree. She turned as she heard the shuffle of feet and saw Thorin stood over an unmade bed; its sheets were rotted and covered with leaves and mushrooms, his face was unreadable.

"What is this place?" Bow whispered, trying to protect the stillness of the room.

"This is where your mother used to live," Thorin said softly, still staring emptily down at the bed. Bow was floored by his words; she felt like she'd been kicked in the chest and clung on the door handle for support.

"You knew my mother..." the words forced themselves painfully up her throat and crept between her lips before she could stop herself. Thorin dragged his hand threw his hair and walked toward the empty window, looking out at the brambles and the Desolation underneath.

"I should have seen it, I should have sensed it! But I stopped searching a long time ago," Thorin muttered to himself bitterly. Bow felt her limbs move; she almost stumbled towards Thorin pausing before two steps that divided the room.

"So you did know her then?"Bow probed as she fought to keep her control, she felt like she was gripped the end of a rope and any minute it would be pulled out her grasp. Thorin turned to her and met her eyes; Bow recoiled a little from the searing agony that they showed. Silently he turned away and resting both hands on the bed frame, began to speak.

"Under my grandfathers reign Erebor prospered and grew wealthier than all the other dwarf kingdoms, and like my father I was groomed to one day be King Under The Mountain. But the more I learnt and the more I watched, the more I grew disillusioned. It was your mother who saved me-"

"What was her name?" Bow interrupted, her eyes not leaving Thorin's troubled face.

"Lifthrasir, daughter of Mimir, though she always preferred Lif," the words caused agonising pain that spread from Thorin's heart to the tips of his fingers but he continued to speak. "She was different I suppose, fought for everything she ever had and asked for nothing. My status meant nothing to her and she told me often enough. And I loved her more with every passing day-" Bow's mouth fell open and she stopped breathing –"Fierce in battle, hardest worker I ever knew,-" Thorin stopped and smiled at a distant memory-" she used to get up at dawn and come home when her hands were too sore to work. When I told her off she'd just put her hands on her hips and tell me she liked to work." Thorin stopped and swallowed, then stood up to face Bow. "It was a peaceful time, a new treaty had been signed the Iron hills, so Thror allowed us to marry as long as my father didn't find out. She cared for the Raven's of Erebor as Priestess of Muninn and we were...happy. You were born on Durin's day, I held you in my arms and you touched my cheek,"- Thorin swallowed the lump in his throat and took a long steadying breath. "But like you said "fate is not kind." Smuag struck before I had chance to reach you and her, Dwalin got you out two out of the secret door but then on the edge of Mirkwood your screams attracted..." Thorin could speak no more. Thorin seemed to collapse inward and crumple; he held himself up by the bed frame and covered his eyes with his hand, only looking up when Bow backed away into a chair.

He stood then and smiled, light coming back to his face, he took a step towards her and cupped her cheek with his hand. "I've mourned you so long that I couldn't see. My Branwen, you have your mothers..." he began softly but was silenced as Bow's eyes met his and he quickly withdrew his hand.

"How dare you tease me! How dare you make my pain into a joke!" Years of pain, years of wandering alone vulnerable at the hands of evil, years of wandering about her family, and to have the briefest glimpse of hope dangled in front of her eyes only to have it dragged away at the last possible second, wrenched her pain and anger from their cages and unleashed them at Thorin. Bow whirled away from him, disgusted and repulsed, dashing the chairs and table to the ground made for the door.

"This is no joke! You are my daughter, my flesh and blood," he called after her, pain and frustration evident in his voice. Bow stopped and dug her nails into the wooden frame of the door; she turned and glared, her chest panting. Thorin was grey and his knuckles clenched white.

"What is this? What is it really? Am I just a convenient replacement for Fili? A spare part! Look she's young and has a brain, I know I'll say she's my daughter, now that Fili can't be bothered to rule she'll do for when I pop my clogs! Well sorry Thorin, I won't be toyed with!" She spat the words venomously, turning on her heel she half jogged to the door way, rounding the stone pillar she faced the anxious faces of the Company when Thorin grabbed her wrist and tugged her still.

"Damn it! Would you listen to me! I, Thorin Oakenshield, Son of Thrain son of Thror am your father!" Thorin declared boldly in Khuzdul as Bow wrenched her wrist out of his grip.

"I don't know what your mumblings mean. If it's not some sick joke, you're either mad or delusional. The stress the journey has turned your mind against you," Bow's anger turned to pity and she sort Oin out amongst the group of faces.

"I am not mad!" Thorin snapped losing his temper. "I see it now like I didn't before. It makes sense; you have her hair, my temper evidently, her compassion- the way you treat the hobbit and the way you treated Estel at Rivendale- biting the top of the ear, Lif used to do that when you were a Dwarrow..."

"Have you not heard of coincidence!?" Bow said with exasperation, her hands shaking in frustration.

"It was no coincidence that you sang Durin's song at Beorn's. Dwalin heard it and recognised it, for my part I convinced myself it wasn't," Thorin raged, pointing at Dwalin who stood silently with his arms over his chest, for support. "Durin's song is sacred, a guarded secret of our house. Dwalin heard me singing it to you when you were scared during thunder storms, he would know he is your Godfather!"

Bow's and the Company's heads snapped towards Dwalin who closed his eyes and pushed through the group, until he stood by Thorin's side, thick arms crossed over his chest and an unreadable expression on his face.

"He speaks the truth, I had my suspicions at Beorn's but it was not till Thorin told me of your coming to Lake town that I knew for certain," the old warrior said gruffly, his voice growing thick with emotion as memories washed over him.

Bow put her hands over her ears and shook her head. Their words didn't make sense, they didn't seem to fit. It would have been just so easy to smile and nod and embrace Thorin and take her place at his side but she couldn't. She wouldn't allow herself to be lied to.

"You're all mad!" She shouted desperately, starting to back away, when she felt two gentle hands on her back. Spinning around she saw Bilbo looking up at her.

"Bow, I don't think Thorin would lie about this," he said gently, his beady eyes quivering slightly as he looked past her at the Prince. She too, turned and stared, studying each face individually. Dwalin had turned an odd shade of purple, pain tortured his face and veins in his muscled neck throbbed. Thorin's face was steely but open, his sapphire eyes a mixed of pain and longing, his words were angry and frustrated but the tiniest hint of a smile cracked the corner of his mouth as if remembering a joke from years ago. Glancing at the Company, she saw they were a mix of awestruck, deep understanding and bafflement. Kili and Fili were having trouble keeping the helpless grins off their faces, as if all their prayers had been answered at once.

Bow held her hands up for silence and she closed her eyes to think. All was still, she heard a dozen breathes in and out, and could almost make out the pounding of Thorin's heart. Taking strength from the mountain under her feet and the Hobbits courage at her back, she opened her eyes and took two steps towards Thorin, before straightening her spine defiantly.

"I don't know if you're telling me lies or the truth. But either way Thorin, you've told your secret, so here's my big secret," Bow paused letting her words sink in and strengthened her resolve. "I've killed people, not just warriors but men women and children, men and elves and dwarves alike. I've stolen and maimed, and yes I killed Azog's son Bolg. Why?" Bow let out a dark humourless chuckle and dragged her hand threw her hair, "Because it was a matter of surviving and because I enjoyed it! Still want me as a daughter? Well there's one more thing- I've just formed a blood allegiance with Smuag."

Her words hung in the air and there was silence.

Oh my. I have waited so long to get this chapter out, it feels like a great weight off my shoulders but trust me when I say the emotional turmoil is FAR from over. MUHAHAHAH!