Disclaimer: I own nothing. Nope, Hobbit is not mine. If it were than Thorin, Kili, and Fili would not die. They would live! THEY WOULD LIVE! But sadly, I don't own Hobbit. But I write this fanfic for amusement, and I hope all you will enjoy it.

Summary: A mistake as a child leaves Elizabeth cursed, and if she falls…so shall the Durin line.

Pairings: Eventual Thorin/OC, eventual Biblo/Eleanor

(I am open to hear suggestions for more pairings, but honestly romance won't come until I feel the story is solid enough to delve into it more)

Verse: It will be a mixture of the book and movie, but probably will lean more towards the movie since it's the one I know most about. I've only read half of the book so far.

Warning: Eventual nightmares, torture, sexual themes and more

I want to thank 0netflixme0, AnnieVogel90, Beckah Godric-Northman, BelievingInMiracles, BloodBlackAlchemist, Cassandra-Jayne, Copper360, CrazyDarkness15, Creative Lunatic, Curiouser-and-Curiouser101, DaRk-SnOw-FlOwEr24, Denpa-chu, ERidg17, Eevee22, ElenyaSilverstar, Ellerosse, Emily-Who-Killed-A-Man, EquusGold, Farahilde, FlyingHampsterOfDoom, Gingah18, Goalphabeticalorder, GypsyWitchBaby, HisLordFluffiness, ImaBiteChu, InezSophia, Jordan Lynn 7, Just4Me, Karana92, Katya Romanov, LadyLucy1990, LavenderFlowerFairy, Littlenori, LoverShadowGirl, MYSTERYGEEK, MarauderProperty, Mephistominion, MissVanora, MonMonMuffin2714, MustachedCrusader, Neewa, OFBLOODANDROSES, Ogregal, Oreleth, PR2, Peaceful Watcher Soul, Pippy231, PouringRain-BlazingStorm, PrincessMacaroni, Prost, Ravenshope, SaChan22, Scrubletta, Shasaria, ShirleyVillette, SnowWhiteWolf14, Solaryss, SpiffyPixie1, SprinklingStardust0596, StarlessGalaxies, StarrGazed, THE WALKING sexy AMC, TerribleSuccubus, ThaliaHuntressGrace, Tiryn, Trance20666, Twilight-WolfxXx, ValueMyHeart, Voletta97, WackyJ, Wake, Weisse-Lilie, Whiteling, WindyCorners, Wolves of Midnight, Yuilhan, aeriestar, blushingpixie, cheechee123, cullen cult, dianaemrys15, grace4735x, izatelles, jamber17, jasmine1810, jorja85, kassiopeia089, loser94, lostfeather1, machine hearts, naomimango, nbowles, rockrose, shinoyami, trulyaddicted4, valeries26, vanugh, viendla, xoulblade, jamber17, SpartanEra, Irishmadhatter3, bellehissam, drwastonn, meanlilbean, RememberingYesterday, SoManyRhosgobelRabbits, cherrybut quiet, Bara7, TempestStar, EverydayMagic17, EpicShadowNinja, KarstofProx, Vivig1212, Vyxen Hexgrim, lem00066, Ouijas, BabyKitty91, BrieKayee, Capt SHAKES, QueenofMyOwnWorld, StillDreamingOn, mekke22, GingerChaser17, DinaWho, Mantha921, Wise Owl Eyes, flaviaditrapani, niallsmyboo99, Anime-Kunoichi, Kiwichan916, KrisDawnRulez, Moxley-Ambrose, NiklausElijahDamonKol, Taliabalia, happysgirl29, kjm2710, marshmallow jam, Good Omens, TheTinyMouse, yeahwhatever025, Melanie Malfoy, Sarah's Heart and Head, Luthien Faye, Soccer-Bitch, Unluvablexx, FreeWolfBlue, LadyZee86, Mathax, WriteWithFeeling, TheWitchofLOTR, Tomnomlinson, kiri268, Joldino-Sidestreaker, Teres, Allons-y Lovelies, Whitwhit1893, LadyPheonixKnight, caraxox, Dandalf the Disco, DurinsDaughter1, Katie Loom, Karajgil, Serious Bunburyist, TessaMai, Dianaxdragons, fairiegirl12, Mademoiselle Diabliere, CandyHearts22, Dawn's Darkness, LDSDrumlinegurl, War Wraith, bookworm182, gallowsCalibrator92, kiwick, ravegrl96, tinaebersohn, wwyn12, camomila3, Vinter, xBBx, TheEmperorsNewGhost, WinchesterPotterCullenFan, Fawesomeme, LadyDunla, JustARegularUnicorn, KyriaFox, Lady Smurf247, Stefanie Jumper, TabbieTales, Voodoo0970, X-PoisonCherry-X, cucumbersaregreen, eightbitowl, sof301, jaejoong1, ValkyriePaintingRoses, Rae01, witheringflames, Bosia, rileys mom, pandoradreamsamazing, AeronBraxton, love112love, Cytryne, NinjaChipmunk, Petiitefee, punkrocker1347, EternallyElvish, Jennybot19, hid1990, twilitezchyld71, Sugarplumfairy77, Kikiwakokoda, OakenFig3, Lunareye, killthepain62, Mad-Ad, GabrielsDoubt, dragonsire13, IDreamtheImpossibleDreamer, RADickey85, LRazz, , samantharamsey, ryu-f, Silhouettes of Starlight, Stellar Spirit, Tavish, Wolf-Cry-Night, FaithfulReader92, Nessa Faelivrin, Lessien Lossehelin, enje, Ink Scribble, desolationofdurin, Vivid Night, misslexander, SkyriseN, mollyharbridge, Emerged Werds, Kassanova, RedEyedGirl, Z0mbieMart, dreamgirllivi, Calllypso, LegalAddiction20, Selene Tyler Smith, BloodyCherry7, Poneylicious, AkatsukiLeader, DawnthePretender, majda01, RhiRhi2510, StalkingMalfoy, Mistyeyesc, littlebirdy123, just-keep-dreaming and yukisawer7 for the follows! Thank YOU SO MUCH!

I also want to thank Cassandra-Jayne, jamber17, SnowWhiteWolf14, ShirleyVillette, Lady Cries-A-Lot, MarauderProperty, ValueMyHeart, Eevee22, MustachedCrusader, Littlenori, MonMonMuffin2714, grace4735x, xoulblade, HisLordFluffiness, rockrose, cullen cult, Cosetta P, ElenyaSilverstar, GypsyWitchBaby, LoverShadowGirl, Scrubletta, Twilight-WolfxXx, Denpa-chu, yukisawer7, viendla, Beckah Godric-Northman, GemDragon22, misscoco, sleeplessnite, Peaceful Watcher Soul, gosserika99, lovetobeme14, Curiouser-and-Curiouser101, Emily-Who-Killed-A-Man, kitsune-miko-witch, lostfeather1, DaRk-SnOw-FlOwEr24, Solaryss, Kaitana08, Trance20666, Creative Lunatic, ERidg17, Karana92, Jaxx Ren, Shasaria, Prost, SpiffyPixie1, Ogregal, blushingpixie, WindyCorners, camsam17, DrAnime203, Voletta97, jorja85, TerribleSuccubus, Goalphabeticalorder, ThaliaHuntressGrace, Tiryn, jamber17, SpartanEra, OFBLOODANDROSES, drwastonn, meanlilbean, RememberingYesterday, SoManyRhosgobelRabbits, bellehissam, Zabuzasgirl, Crazygirl8243, Bara7, TempestStar, Titeseve, EverydayMagic17, EpicShadowNinja, KarstofProx, SarcasticIrony, Vivig1212, lazeraider, lem00066, BabyKitty91, BrieKayee, Lady Syndra, TheNightGirl, GingerChaser17, Ashies, Cooky Crumbla, FormofJane, Mantha921, Wise Owl Eyes, Kiwichan916, Moxley-Ambrose, DarlingPeterPan, Unluvablexx, WriteWithFeeling, TheWitchofLOTR, kiri268, DarkMoon010, Efficacious Lady, Ember01, Allons-y Lovelies, LadyPheonixKnight, caraxox, kiliselfwarrior, Dandalf the Disco, DurinsDaughter1, Katie Loom, DurinsDaughter, Dianaxdragons, faeriegirl12, Winter'sThunder, CandyHearts22, Kyuubi-No-Akitami, LDSDrumlinegurl, gallowsCalibrator92, wolfblood00, KimiAshinhurst, yellyelloyellow, Jinx1223, lprg77, WinchesterPotterCullen Fan, wwyn12, MyLovelyRabbit, the-person-over-the-rainbow, Forestfirekid, JustARegulardUnicorn, LazySmurf247, Stefanie Jumper, TabbieTales, Voodoo0970, X-PoisonCherry-X, Twilight-lover106, jaejoong1, wicca7002, Defiant Nefelibata, RORO1024C, valaria243, rileys mom, Katana Hisaki, ktdym, love112love, Cytryne, madcow14, OakenFig3, killthepain62, Mad-Ad, rosewinkle, dragonsire13, IDreamtheImpossibleDreamer, nueiii, , ryu-f, writersblock2014, Silhouettes in Starlight, CrimsonSonata, FaithfulReader92, Nessa Falivrin, FallenSlayer17, Lessien Lossehelin, Ink Scribble, cackled, misslexander, mollyharbridge, TaurielKiliLegolasTHEHOBBIT, Kassanova, Z0mbieMart, dreamgirllivi, eona7night, LycanBeks, RedEyedGirl, Selene Tyler Smith, BloodyCherry7, AkatsukiLeader, DawnthePretender, RhiRhi2510, littlebirdy123, just-keep-dreaming, Thorin'sChild110 and dianaemrys15 for the favs.

And I am giving a special thanks to the reviewers, yukisawer7, Whiteling, GypsyWitchBaby, guestxx, CandyHearts22, FanaticomaticSuperTokienLover, dreamgirllivi, LazySmurf247, mollyharbridge, Shiningheart of Thunderclan, Poneylicious, Twilight-WolfxXx! You all are fabulous! Thank y'all so much! If I missed anyone in the follows, favs, or reviews just shout out at me in a review, or PM. :D

Guest Reviews:

Guestxx: Thank you so much! I'm glad you like it. She does have her scars, and thank you for reminding me of that because I was going to bring that up soon. I actually forgot about that. I am happy that you like the characterization of the characters, and that Elizabeth is your favorite! :D

Also want to give a quick thanks to FanaticomaticSuperTokienLover because they gave a great name for Thorin and Elizabeth pairing: Thorabeth. Hope you don't mind if I use thank, lol.

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT! GLAD YOU ALL LIKE THE FIC! :D

2941: The Current Year. Spring time, April near the beginning of May * and **

(Events will be added, as the story progresses to keep the timeline straight. One * means canon, two ** means OC events or means canon events that I have altered to fit story for plot purposes. * and ** means that it's a little bit canon, and a little bit me.)

Chapter Inspired by the following songs:

"Come Away to the Water" by Maroon 5

"Kingdom Come" by the Civil War

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

"A Bear, There Was A Bear"

It was the sound of birds that awoke her.

Gently chirping from nearby, she became aware of a warmth that was around her. A feeling of complete ease and contentment. She felt as light as feather as she gave a soft groan, lifting her arms above her head to stretch the lethargy out of her limbs. Her eyelashes fluttered wildly until her eyes adjusted to the breaking dawn, and sat up only to have Thorin's thick fur coat slip off of her. Elizabeth stared at it with an expression of bemusement, the cover of her mouth lifting in a small smile as she reached out to run her fingers across it.

It smelled like him. Sharp, strong like the pines upon the mountain side mixed with a hint of granite. Pure and masculine just like Thorin. It hadn't been covering her when she had fallen asleep. So that meant someone had draped it over her. A shadow fell across her, and she glanced up to see Thorin standing there over her.

There was a heavy knot in his brow, and his mouth was pressed into a thin severe line. His eyes were not harsh, but held a distant contemplate there in his blue eyes. "You grew cold during the night," Thorin gave the simple explanation. He knelt down back on his heels so that he was on eye level with her. He was just so very close to her, standing barely a foot away and his eyes burning a cold fire deep in the pit of her stomach.

"Oh." Elizabeth murmured, softly. A rush of pleasure ran through her at the thoughtfulness he displayed, for he was not one to do such things idly. "That was very kind of you. Thank you."

Thorin inclined his head in silent acceptance.

Elizabeth's smile slipped ever so slightly. There was such an intense contemplation on Thorin's face that she could barely tolerate being beneath such a look yet she couldn't find it in herself to turn away. This sudden urge to touch didn't come as a surprise to Elizabeth. She couldn't exactly recall when she first felt this urge, only that it had grown stronger the longer the journey went on. The compulsion brewed in her fingertips, a tingle sensation, but she did not act on it.

The very thought of it caused embarrassment flare up inside, and her cheeks went red when she realized that she had missed something Thorin had said. "Pardon?" She asked, after clearing her throat.

"You were rollin' in heather," Thorin commented, his tone suspicious light. His hand was so close to hers, just a hair away and his thumb brushed lightly across her knuckles. So soft and fleeting that touch was, but it was one that Elizabeth was deeply aware of.

"I don't understand," Elizabeth said, a hint of a confused frown on her face. Her head tilted to the side ever so slightly, strands on her hair sliding down into her face.

"Hmm. It means you inner thoughts overcame you," Thorin spoke, his words were light but whispered deeply. He stared at her with an indescribable look, an emotion flickered in and out of his eyes before she had a hard time to understand them.

Elizabeth gave a light laugh. "They often do," she said, fiddling with the coat absentmindedly. "What of your wounds? Have you allowed Oin to assess them this morn?"

His eyes stared into hers, intently and accessing. Whatever he saw behind those unnatural shades, a split second he relaxed a fraction. She saw a slight softening around his eyes, and yet she could not help the feeling that there was a wall between them. Before Thorin had a chance to reply, Gandalf's voice reached them. "It is best that we depart. The Pale Orc does not give up his hunt so easily, and I suggest we stay far from his grasp," the wizard stated, loudly.

Thorin cleared his throat, and rose to his feet. "And where shall we go, wizard?" He demanded, as Gandalf stepped through the trees. "There is a great distance still left between us and the Elf King's dominion. Wargs easily outmatch the Company on foot, they will be upon us before we reached the edge of the forest."

"True, true, and yet it is not," the wizard stated.

Thorin gave the wizard a sour glance. "I have not time nor the patience for your twisted riddles, Gandalf," Thorin told him, darkly. "Speak plainly."

"If you wish," Gandalf twisted his staff between his surprisingly nimble fingers. "There is a house, it's not far from here, where we might take refuge."

"A house?" Elizabeth rose up, Thorin's coat clutched tightly in her grasp. "All the way out here? Who would live in such solitude and isolation?"

"More importantly, are they friend or foe?" Thorin asked, his voice curt and rough.

"Neither," Gandalf divulged on a sigh. "He will help us…or he will kill us."

Elizabeth's eyes widened, while Thorin looked grumpily dismayed at the news. The dwarf king ran a hand down his jaw in an aggravated gesture. "What choice do we have?" He asked, though he knew there was none.

"None," Gandalf confirmed. "Now be on your feet! We have much ground to travel, and time tilts not in our favor!"

Dark clouds rolled in looming over head, and the thunder constantly threatened rain that did not fall. They marched through the forest undeterred, the thought of Azog spurring them onward. The Company had to put complete faith in Gandalf, and Thorin hoped that it was not a folly to do so. He only hoped that whomever Gandalf led them to would spare them their lives and shelter. When the cloud finally started to part, they were given only a moment of reprieve to pass out what merger scraps that they had left and refill their waterskins.

Thorin eyed their surroundings warily. His ears strained for the chilling sound of a warg's howl, but such sound came. Yet he could not allow himself to calm in the slightest, his thoughts were too many and weighed heavily. Unable to stop himself, his blue eyes flickered up towards Elizabeth. Her slender fingers smoothed her hair back behind her ears, she tried to look as thought nothing was amiss, but he knew better. There was a skittish wild gleam in her strange eyes like an animal being cornered, and he knew that she, too, waited for the howls.

"Did you just say something?" Thorin frowned at Dwalin, who stood at his side.

"Nay, you haven't given him such a chance," Balin stated, with a light frown on his face as he stroked his beard thoughtfully. There had been something off about Thorin's foreboding demeanor, and for the life of him he couldn't place it.

His eyes narrowed as he studied his trusted friend; then he let out a deep sigh. "My apologies. I have been…lost within in my thoughts," Thorin grumbled out.

"I've noticed," Dwalin had a light smirk on his face. "What are you ingrates up to?" He shot a look at Fili and Kili who stood there, brushing themselves off after wrestling upon the ground after Fili insulted Kili's bow skill, and Kili insulted Fili's beard. It was all in good fun, of course, so no one bothered to stop them.

"Ingrates?" Fili said, indignantly.

"Dwalin," Kili placed a hand dramatically over his chest. "I never knew that you had such a high opinion of us."

"Truly it doth warm our hearts to know what you think of us," Fili gave him a big smirk.

"You little shits," Dwalin growled at them.

"Enough," Thorin pinched the bridge of his nose.

"What's wrong, uncle?" Kili blinked. "We were only having good fun."

"It is your thoughts bugging ye again?" Dwalin slid a sideways glance over at Thorin, a deep frown upon his lips. "Is the lass? Did something happen last night that we weren't aware of?" There was roguish tilt to Dwalin's lips, but his eyes were flat and serious.

Thorin stood there for a long moment in stubborn silence before inclined his head just a fraction. "A dwarven bead is weaved into her hair. One bearing the symbol of the Durin Line. I discovered it hidden beneath her hair last night when she fell asleep beside me," Thorin confided, his voice low and quiet. It left a bitter taste in his mouth, that she allowed herself to fall asleep, an act of unconditional trust to dwarves and yet it was obvious she held secrets. Secrets that were like ice in Thorin's blood, and his hands clenched into iron fists.

"A bead of the Durin Line? If not your own, then whose? Unless one of the lads…?" Dwalin glanced at them.

"No!" Fili took a step back eyes wide.

"Absolutely not!" Kili was flustered by the implication, his cheeks burning red. "Elizabeth is a bonnie lass," he swallowed harshly when his uncle sent him a cutting look, "but I feel nothing more for than I would a namad."

"It was not a braid of intent," Thorin stated, gruffly. He looked down the hill where the other gathered and waited patiently. With little caution, Elizabeth picked her way over the scattered roots and mounds of thistle dotting the meadow. She picked several Niphredil flowers, the white flowers shimmered as the stars do and were used in several types of medicine. When he traced the braid, it had been a simply braid with little to no significance and he could not deny a twinge of relief that rushed through. However, it was overwhelmed by the burning turmoil. "And the bead was not one of ours. It was my…father's."

"What?" Balin nearly squawked.

"Are you certain?" Dwalin inquired, grimly.

"I am. It was one I created for my father." Thorin knew everything he crafted. There was a mark that all dwarves left upon the things they craft with their hands, a mark that only the crafter could recognize. It was his earlier craft, carved out of silver and adorned with small sapphires. When he was young, eager to discover all aspects of blacksmithing. His determination was only spurred on by the nobles who looked upon blacksmithing with scorn, his grandfather amongst them. "The forge was no place for a king," his grandfather had said, but the forge called to Thorin with the haunting tune of a siren. It was a call he could not ignore, and he threw himself into the work.

"How did Elizabeth come by it?" Fili asked, bewildered. His eyes narrowed ever so slightly on the woman.

"That's what I intend to find out."

*LINE HERE*

"What could have made tracks like that?" Bilbo asked.

Elizabeth placed her hand beside the large paw print, measuring the size of it. It was at the very least, three times the size of her hand. "It's not a warg," she stated, with a light frown upon her face.

"Thank heavens for that," the hobbit sighed.

Elizabeth flashed him a wry grin before she wiped her hand clean on her cloak. Her eyes fell back to the ground, and the large print there. "I would say it is a bear's, but it larger than any bear that I have ever encounter in my life. I think it is best if we keep moving. I would not wish this beast to catch us," she stated, very seriously.

"As if we needed more to worry about with orcs running amok," Bilbo grumbled, running a hand through his curly hair. He scuffed his hairy feet against the grassy ground nervously.

"Mhmm," Elizabeth made a noise of agreement. She raised her gaze upward, and found Thorin standing a short distance away. As Thorin stood among his fellow dwarves, there was no uncertainty that he was the leader. He was regarded by all as a dwarf of great force of character, of power in many ways. He did not have to struggle with their respects like Bilbo, Gandalf and herself did. The knowledge of this was not lost to Thorin, and he always held himself to a higher standard in light of such unwavering loyalty. It was a sight to behold, the grand quietness in which he spoke and the stately way he held himself. "Can you ask Thorin to come here? I wish to show him the tracks, and see how he would like to proceed."

"Alright," Bilbo said, after a brief moment of hesitation. He didn't want to second guess his new found place amongst the dwarves, nor the respect he had earned from Thorin, but that didn't mean he was so eager to speak to the Company's leader. He pushed past his fears and marched over towards them. "Uh…Thorin," he held back a wince, and let out a breath when no reproach came from using his name in such familiar terms. They were brothers in a sense now after all? "Elizabeth has something you need to see."

Thorin's expression shifted barely. His eyebrow lifted a hair, but the severity of his expression was something that did not change. His face was one made of stone, and he inclined his head towards Bilbo. "Thank you, Mast…Bilbo," he corrected, after a moment. "I shall go to her now."

Bilbo watched Thorin walked over, and turned back towards the others with a deep frown his face. "Is something wrong that I should know about?" No one said a word.

Thorin trekked down the hill to where Elizabeth stood, her back facing him and he could make the outline of tension in her spine. She twirled her mithril bow in her hands, a nervous tick and he frowned as he came to stand at her side. "You wished to speak to me," the words rolled off Thorin's tongue in such a way that causes a flare of heat to rush through Elizabeth while at the same time a hint of apprehension flooded through her as well.

"Bear tracks," Elizabeth pointed them out.

"A very large bear," Thorin noted, his eyes traced the tracks.

"Yes. We must have narrowly missed it," she commented, glancing over her shoulder as if she had expected the bear to burst forth from the trees at any given moment. "We should count our lucky stars, I suppose."

"We are not out of the woods yet." Thorin grumbled, the lines around his eyes more pronounced as he worked his jaw. He studied her out of the corner of his eye for several moments. "Is this all you wished to speak about?"

Her brows lifted, and she looked at him with thinly veiled bewilderment. She shifted back to face him better, and there was a clear question in her eyes as she searched his face. "I cannot think of anything else that springs to mind," she commented, with a slight frown. Concern marred her expression, the longer she gazed upon him. "What is the matter? Has something happened? Is it your wounds?" She reached for his face without thought.

Thorin's eyes widened ever so slightly and his hand shot up to grab her wrist; none too gently at all. Elizabeth stared at him, a deep red stain appeared upon her cheeks when she realized that she came oh, so close to touching his beard. "What are you doing?" Thorin's voice was thick and raspy. His heavy brows thrown together in confusion as he stared at her.

"I…I just…" She felt like a embarrassed child caught with her hand in the sweets jar. It had not been an intentional gesture, her hand moved with a mind of its own yet she did not know how to explain that to him. She cleared her throat lightly, "You appear to be a bit flushed with fever. Are you wounds ailing you? Should I get Oin?" Her voice was laced with worry.

"Nay," Thorin shook his head a fraction, his eyes narrowed ever so slightly. His wounds ached and burned, but he refused to fell to them now. There was still much ground to cover, and the daylight was wearing thing. He felt her pulse race beneath his palm, and he searched her face. "You have a dwarves bead in your hair," Thorin said, his voice was flat. He was never a dwarf for diplomacy or tact, taking the same approach to conversations as he did in battle. Blunt and brutal. His expression gave away nothing of his inner thoughts nor the turmoil he had experienced over his discovery last night.

At first confusion filled up those unnatural eyes, the many colors bright and vibrant. "Bead in my…" Elizabeth trailed off, the realization hit her with all the force of an angry warg. His hands tightened on her wrist, when she went to take a step away from him. His head bent slightly to her, so his face filled her entire vision, and she couldn't avoid his gaze. A tremble of alarm went through her, his eyes intense and scrutinizing her. Her hand twisted into tight fists at her side, and she drew in a shaky breath. "How?" She croaked out, a faint tremor in her voice. She was at a complete loss at what to do, so taken aback in this moment. Frerin…Dis…Thorin, the words raced through her mind whispered in Charlie's rough and haggard voice.

How could she have forgotten? She wondered, her stomach churned violently. It was not as if she had intended on keeping it a secret, quite the opposite in fact. The memory she had recalled while in the depths of that cavern lingered in the back of her mind. However, with the events following the escape of those caverns, Azog and near death, it had slipped from her thoughts.

"Should it not be I who asks that of you?" Thorin rumbled, taking a step towards her. He slid his gaze downward, and his eyes were piercing. "It is after all my father's bead that is braided into your hair."

The way the pallor suddenly left her face and the bruised darkness of her eyes caught Thorin completely off guard. She was looking at him as though he had tried to destroy her. Looking at him and yet somehow past him at the same time.

Elizabeth let out a sharp breath, as if he had just shoved a blade into her chest and she pulled her hand free from his gasp. A tormented anguish rose in her chest without mercy, and she took another step back bracing her hand against the tree. It was a desperate feeling that clawed at her when she looked away from him as if she would find some spare words upon the ground. She felt at a completely loss when a large roar echoed through the forest, causing her hear to shoot up.

The line of shoulder Thorin's shoulders tensed. His head shot up, and his blue eyes scanned the surrounding trees. There was too much greenery about for enemies to hide in, and he drew out his blade. "Let's move! Now!"

The company sought shelter within an alcove of large rocks as the sunset painted purplish hues upon the land. Not soon after the large roar did the howls of wargs fall upon them. They had raced across the forest, using the shelter of trees to protect themselves. But soon the trees thinned out, and the plains were bare. They had to move quickly and swiftly, but finally had come across the rocks. "Master Baggins," Thorin addressed him, his hoarse with exertion. "I fear the time has once again came to test your mettle."

Bilbo swallowed, trepidation flared beneath his breast. "What would have me do?" The hobbit asked, keeping his voice low and quiet half afraid that the orcs could hear them somehow.

"Climb atop these rocks. Be our eyes," Thorin bid him. "See what is out there, and how close it is on our heels."

Bilbo drew in a breath, straightening his spine. He gave a firm nod, and after a encourage clap on the shoulder from Elizabeth, he made his way up the rocks. He moved slowly, grasping at hand holds and footholds. He couldn't afford to slip, a fall would bring too much attention and an injured hobbit would hinder the company worse than it already was. He let out a shaky breath, concentrating on his hands and feet instead of the growing distance between him and the ground. After what seemed like forever, he finally reached the top and he pressed his forehead against the cool rock.

He took this moment to steel his resolve before he peered over the top of the rock. His heart leaped into his throat when he saw orcs upon their wargs crawling along the cliff on the other side of the valley. Their hoots and shouts chilling him to the bone, and he ducked his head when he seen the Pale Orc glance his way. He held his breath in his throat, his fingers gripped into the stone painfully. He risked another glance, and saw the orc pack ride away. He almost sighed in relief, but then he saw what they were running. Oh, dear.

Biting the inside of his cheek, Bilbo scurried down the rocks as he slid down the smooth incline, landing on his feet in front of Elizabeth. She caught him before he could flying forward, and helped steady him on his feet. "Easy," she whispered out, and Bilbo nodded lightly.

"How close is the pack?" Dwalin asked, gruffly.

"Too close. A couple of leagues, no more, but that is not the worst of it," Bilbo breathed out heavily.

"Have the Warg picked up our scent?" Elizabeth inquired.

"Not yet, but they will. We have another problem," the hobbit looked up at her, his forehead creased with worry. "You remember those bear tracks we saw? It was chasing the orcs away. Elizabeth, those tracks did it no justice. You would not believe the size of that beast."

"It would be best to avoid it," Gandalf stated.

"What shall we do?" Gloin asked.

"I say we double back," Bofur suggested.

Thorin gave a sharp shake of his head. "We double back we risk of being run down by a pack of Orcs. There is no turning back now," he stated, . "We must pressed forward."

"But what about the beast?" Balin asked.

Thorin looked at him. "It won't be the first beast we've faces, and it shan't be the last. We press forward come what may."

Elizabeth leapt across the stream, her feet carrying her as fast as they could. The wind rushed past her sending her hair flying behind her as she kept one hand behind Bilbo's back, making certain that the hobbit would not fall behind while she sent a glance over her shoulder. Thirteen dwarves, one hobbit and a wizard. Good. Good. No one can fall behind! No one! Her heart was jammed up in her throat as her eyes darted behind the Company to the treeline. An ear-splitting roar echoed through the valley, and it made the hair on the back of her neck stand on end.

"Come on!" Gandalf shouted. "This way, quickly!"

The dwarves ran for their lives, not knowing which enemy was upon their trail. The orcs or the bear? If Elizabeth had to choose, she would choose the bear for at least it would be merciful in killing them, if that was to be their fate. Azog…he knew nothing of the word mercy. He would laugh at any pleas, and relish in their pain all the more. Her stomach turned at the thought, and she pressed insistently on the hobbit's back, urging him to hurry onward.

"There! Look!" Kili pointed with a shout.

There was a house in the distance, surrounded by a hedge in the middle of the plains. Elizabeth heart jolted, remembering Gandalf's words from earlier. Were they trading one danger for another? Did it truly matter? In this moment, it did not. Her feet pushed her onward for like Thorin had say, it was too late to go back now. "To the house?" She called out.

"To the house!" Gandalf gave a sharp nod. "Run!"

Bombur outran all the rest of them in his fear, and leads them through a gate in the hedge. He had such momentum going that he slammed into the door, but it is solid and sealed shut. The rest of the dwarves caught up and being to the throw themselves against the door, trying to open it.

Elizabeth glanced over her shoulder just in time to see a massive bear break out from the edge of the forest and run towards them at full speed. Even from so far away she can see the gleam of razor sharp teeth, and breathed out, "Thorin!"

Thorin shot her a glance, and then looked past her to see the impending danger. "Open the door! Quickly!" He barked out, shoving himself through the sea of dwarves trying to break the door open. Gritting his teeth together, he lifted the exterior bold, opening the doors. The entire company bolts inside the house, and Elizabeth shoved in Bilbo before her.

"Shut the doors!" She called out, practically feeling the thunderous pounding of the bear's feet upon the ground behind her. She turned as the dwarves went to close the doors, only to reel back with a barely held back scream as the bear attempt to shove its head through the door. Bilbo pulled out his sword, and pointed it unsteadily at the bear while the dwarves all yell, straining to close the door against the vicious bear.

"Come on, lads!" Dwalin roared.

With a final heave, the dwarves managed to close the door and drop the bolt across. A collective sigh, one of shock, fear and tiredness, went through everyone. Elizabeth pressed a shaky palm to her forehead, closing her eyes for a brief moment before she swallowed thickly and pulled them back open. Her eyes unconsciously flickered towards Thorin who stood beside her, and her lips parted as if she had words to say.

But she had nothing. The words they exchanged were not forgotten, and they were like a icy weight in the pit of her stomach. In that heartbeat, they both stood motionless as statues with the crackle of tension between them. Icy blue eyes swept over her, searching her in much the same way that she did him. Thorin stared at her, his expression reserved and it made something twist violently in her gut. Letting out a breath, she turned away from and walked over to Bilbo. "You alright, Bilbo?" Elizabeth asked, clapping him on the shoulder and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

"That was more of a close call than I would have liked," Bilbo stated, when he finally found the words.

"For us all, Master Baggins," Balin gave a relieved chuckle. "For us all. Well, it does not appear to the most luxurious of accommodations, but it has a roof."

"And walls," Kili added, helpfully.

"And walls," Balin nodded.

"What was that?" Ori asked, still terrified over the bear. "Are bears supposed to even get that big?"

"That was no ordinary bear, Master Ori," Gandalf stated, with an amused smile. "That…is our host." When everyone turned to him with bewildered stares, the wizard added, "His name is Beorn, and he is a skin-changer."

"Skin changer?" Elizabeth said, a tad alarmed.

Gandalf gave a mute sigh, and arched a brow in her direction.

Pink dusted her cheeks, and she gave a nervous fidget feeling much like a child under that look. "Like…the ones from the tales Elladan and Elorhir used to tell me about?" She whispered out.

"Oh, for Eru's sake! Have some sense, Elizabeth and dispel any tale those two fools told you from your mind! I doubt any of them held a trace of truth!" The wizard said, exasperated. He twirled his staff in a manner as if he were half tempted to bop her on the head with the end of it. "Now back to our host…where was I? Ah, yes. Sometimes he's a huge black bear, sometimes he's a great strong man. The bear is unpredictable, but the man can be reason with. However, he is not overly fond of…dwarves."

The dwarves looked at each other in dismay. Kili frowned confused, looking towards Fili whose eyebrows shot upward. Thorin just ground his teeth together, his sword still clasped tightly in his hand. Ori leaned up on his tippy toes and peeked out through a crack in the door. "He's leaving!"

Dori's head shot towards his brother, and he grabbed Ori by the back of his jacket. "Come away from there! It's not natural, none of it. It's obvious: he's under some dark spell," the mother hen of a dwarf hissed, worriedly.

Gandalf bit back a sigh of exasperation. "Don't be a fool; he's under no enchantment but his own. Alright now, get some sleep, all of you. You'll be safe here tonight." As the dwarves started to spread out through the house, Gandalf added in a whisper, "I hope."

Elizabeth shot him a look, and the wizard smiled innocently.

The dwarves stayed in the loft, near the door instead of spreading out around the house more. It would not be wise to upset their unwitting host with their position so precarious, so they formed beds made of hay upon the stone floor. Fire crackled from the great fire place while they took a little of the rations in the storage, it was a better supper than they had in days. Elizabeth glanced out of the corner of her eye at Oin who spoke with Thorin in hushed tones, not able to truly disguise her worry as Bilbo scribbled on a scrap of parchment that Ori spared him.

"Busy revising your will?" Elizabeth asked.

"That's not funny," Bilbo said, distractedly.

"Come on, it's a little bit funny." She watched him shake his head lightly and the hobbit fought a smile. After a few minutes, she shifted to face him and arched a brow. "What are you writing?"

"Don't you have better things to be doing than to pester me over my writing?" Bilbo demanded, his cheeks flushing a little bit. "Like make eyes at Thorin?"

Elizabeth startled, her eyes widening. She stared at Bilbo for a long second before she shook her head. "I don't make eyes," Elizabeth huffed out.

Bilbo gave her a deadpanned look.

"I don't," Elizabeth denied, her cheeks turning a slight red. "My eyes have nothing to do with Thorin. I was just looking around and they happened to land on him, nothing more."

"Aha! So you admit that you have eyes and they are on Thorin," the hobbit pointed at her with a triumphant smirk on his face.

Elizabeth just narrowed her eyes on him, while biting back a smile. "What are you writing?" She asked, not even bothering to pretend she wasn't changing the subject. If anything Bilbo looked even more amused. The hobbit handed her over the piece of paper, and Elizabeth blinked. The words were slightly blotted, but for being written on his knees, Bilbo's handwriting was still quite elegant.

Dear Eleanor,

I do not know if this shall ever reach you, or if you shall ever look upon it. Yet these words I cannot contain within my heart. It strange to think, that it has been months since I have departed from Bree. I have seen so many things…I have faced trolls, seen Rivendell-oh, Rivendell, you should see it one day Eleanor. My mother's stories barely done it justice.

There have been giants made out of stone, fierce and frightening as the terrible storms of summer. I have battled orcs, Eleanor. Orcs! I never thought I would never have to face them again since the fell winter. Despite these odds, the Company remained entirely in tact…yet I can not find conviction in my heart to believe it will always be so. I miss you, Eleanor. I have missed you all these years like the sun misses the flower, and our brief meeting in Bree has only made that ache grow. Hope guides me, that is what gets me through the day and the night. The hope that after you're gone from my sight, it will not be the last time that I look upon you.

However, a promise of that is not one I can make. There is still a long road ahead on this journey, and I know not what may come. I know not if I will make it back to the Shire, or to Bree, to start a life with you. If Yavanna finds it in her heart to spare me, and allow me to return to you, then I will gladly praise her the rest of my days. If not…I would leave Bag End to you. It was the place where I saw our future, and I know no better hands than yours to leave it in. I understand if this is a request that you cannot uphold for the memories of the Shire still haunt you. If that is so, I would see that you leave Bag End to Primula and Drogo.

Yours Forever,

Bilbo

"This is for Eleanor?" Elizabeth handed him back the paper.

"Yes." Bilbo tucked into the pocket of his waist coat, and sighed. Fiddling with the remaining buttons of his coat, he looked around at all the dwarves busy eating on their supper of honey and bread. Bilbo had eaten his plate clean, and he didn't dare eat anymore lest he upset his stomach. "I've been thinking more and more about her the closer we grow to the mountains. I know that I might not come out of facing this dragon, and I…I don't want to leave her with nothing."

"You're leaving her Bag End?" Elizabeth asked.

"I am. I want…I want someone who really cherish it to have it if I don't make it back from this journey. I know that Eleanor will," Bilbo said, softly. The last few days had brought forth those of his own mortality and the odds that stood against him. He wanted to be prepared for the worst, though he prayed to Yavanna that it would not come.

Compassion and understanding filled Elizabeth's eyes, her hand coming to rest upon his shoulder. "Bilbo, you will see Eleanor and your home again, this I swear to you," Elizabeth stared steadily into the hobbit's eyes, her voice filled with conviction to see her vow through. "And I will do everything in my power to see you there. Now rest, Bilbo, for we have quite a day ahead of us. Especially if our meeting with our host turns most sour."

"You are right," Bilbo sighed. "Can you find it in yourself to rest as well? Or do your troubles weigh upon you too heavily?" Upon the half startled look he received, Bilbo gave a light laugh. "Have you thought yourself discrete? Your face as of late has been an open book."

"How disconcerting," Elizabeth muttered.

"Oh, I find it quite the opposite. I find it more disconcerting when you hide yourself behind a mask," the hobbit stated, shifting down further into his bed of hay.

"I hide behind no mask," she denied.

"Then you bottle it all up inside," Bilbo corrected to humor her, which she knew if the light frown she shot him was any indication. "Either way, it is not healthy."

"Perhaps the hobbit should take his own advice when it comes to such matter," Elizabeth stated, not unkindly. Bilbo gave an amused snort when he noticed the faint curve of her mouth.

"Perhaps the hobbit should," he agreed, after a long moment.

"I miss my flute!" Bofur declared, loudly. All and any conversation ceased from everyone as they turned to look at the dwarf who fussed with his hat. "Nothing lifted my spirits more than a tune!"

"He wants some prunes?" Oin said, in disgust.

Gloin just sighed, with a shake of his head.

"What of ye, lass? Do you still have your ocarina on ye?" Bofur looked over at Elizabeth, with a hopeful look in his eyes.

"I believe I do," Elizabeth said, her eyebrows raised.

"Allow me the privilege of playing at tune?" Bofur was not ashamed of getting down on his knees before her because he was dreadfully bored. And a bit of dramatic, at times, but who could blame him?

Elizabeth let out a laugh. "How can I deny such an earnest plea? I shall allow you the privilege," she said, with a wide smile as a few cheered at this development. "We could do with some merriment with all that has happened…" she trailed off, her hand deep within her scatchel searching for her ocarina when her fingers brushed something else. It was too small to be her ocarina, she thought with a light frown.

"Elizabeth," Kili's smile slipped slightly. "What's wrong?"

Elizabeth didn't need to look up to see the dwarves all looking at her concerned, and she slowly pulled out the strange items. She did not recall having rings in her bag. Grasping them, she pulled them out of the bag and brought them into the firelight, only to have her heart drop. She stared at them as if she had just smacked a warg right on the nose, and was waiting for the inevitable bite. "Claddagh rings," she breathed out.

"What are Claddagh rings?" Fili looked puzzled.

Thorin stared at her unabashed. It was the feelings he felt when Gandalf had turned over his father's map and key to him. The awash of emotions, so many emotions, in equal measure painful and hopeful. One ring was a thicker band, with golden bands securing a silver band in the middle with faint carvings that he could barely make out. The other a slim silver band with hands holding a sapphire that had been carved into a tiny heart with a crown on top of it. These rings held significant meaning to Elizabeth, he noted, when he saw the hint of tears around the corners of her eyes and her lips trembled.

Her father just looked at her with eyes filled with sorrow and love. "You are gone from us, just as we are gone from you. There is no force that can change that though we may wish it so." He grasped her right hand, his skin colder than hers as he pressed something metal in the palm of her hand. "Live, my precious little girl. Live for yourself and let yourself be happy."

"I…I just hadn't expected to find them is all," she whispered, numbly as the faint memory came swirling back. She studied the rings, holding them lightly between the tips of her fingers like she could barely believe what she saw.

"They are important to you?" Fili asked.

"They are," Elizabeth inclined her head, slightly. She allowed the rings to slid into the palm of her hand, and she closed her hand into a fist to hold them tight. Like she wanted to never let them go, and took a deep breath in order to compose herself. Her heart contracted in her chest like if she breathed too deeply that it would shattered, and she swallowed thickly. The Claddagh rings was a tradition from her grandmother's side of the family, and were used as engagement and wedding rings. To bind two lovers in happiness forever, her mother used to say. She blinked back tears, not willing to let anyone see them fall.

"Not healthy," Bilbo whispered.

Elizabeth shot him a grudging look, trying to fight a smile for his muttered comment cut through the tension rising inside of her. She shook her head lightly, and cleared her throat as she pulled her ocarina. "Here you go, Bofur," she handed it over to the dwarf, eager to put this moment behind her until she had a moment of privacy to deal with it.

Bofur took the instrument after a moment. He inspected it, and tried it out. It was far different from a flute, but after quiet instruction from Elizabeth, he managed to get the way of it quite nicely for a beginner. "Alright, let me see here," he said, before he played a familiar tune that made Bilbo groan, burying his face into his arms while Kili and Fili perked up. It wasn't long until the song "That's What Bilbo Baggins Hate" was being sung by practically every member of the Company, save for a few.

Gandalf puffed on his pipe with a merry smile on his face. The wizard made smoke rings for Kili and Fili to toss pieces of bread through it as they danced around. Elizabeth smiled, clapping her hands together to the beat of the song. Her storm of emotions momentarily forgotten that was until her eyes flickered towards Thorin. Though he was not singing along with the rest of the Company, his expression had lifted. The severe lines of his face had eased up, and there was a hint of a smile playing around the corner of his mouth.

She liked it when he smiled. It made her feel…elated, in a way that she wasn't able to describe. There was just this feeling that rose in her chest, one that swelled up inside with overwhelming warmth and felt light. As feeling the weight of her stare, Thorin looked up and his small smile slipped away. Her lungs tightened painfully, and she knew that in her heart that she had to tell him the rest of her story. She was half afraid of his reaction to it, and half afraid that the trust they had grown in one another would be extinguished completely.

Wrapping her arms around herself, she ducked her head. Her had went numb, she clutched the rings tightly there.

Bofur set the ocarina down in his lap after playing "The Merry Old Inn" before he leaned back against the wall, and his smile slipped into something a bit somber as the Company's noise grew silent. There were several moments when all that could be heard was the faint crackling of the dying fire. Bofur pulled his hat off the top of his head, slowly and he stared up at the ceiling as if not really seeing it. He opened his mouth and began to sing quietly, "It's a thin line that leads us and keeps a man from shame. And dark clouds quickly gather along the way he came. There's fear out on the mountain and death out on the plain. There's heartbreak and heart-ache in the shadow of the flame."

Fili and Kili took their places beside Thorin, as Dori pulled Ori a little closer to him. It seemed all the Company's family members drifted together as the song went on. Elizabeth could feel the ache seep out of them, especially the older dwarves. Bilbo shifted onto his side, and looked over the Company.

"This love will carry, this love will carry me

I know this love will carry me…" Bofur sang, his voice quiet and his brown eyes steadily forward.

Elizabeth dared another glance at Thorin. She saw the shadows on his gaze, and knew as he stared into the dying fires, that he stared into the fires that burned Erebor. She felt a heat snake up her skin, the faint scars ached for she remembered them well from her nightmare.

"Success lasts for a moment and failure's always near

And you look down at your blistered hands as turns another year," Dori joined Bofur in his song, and their combined voices added even more depth to the lyrics. Other began to hum the tune underneath their breaths as a calm that had been sorely missed swept over them all.

Elizabeth however, could not surrender to the calm. Not when the bead in her hair felt heavy like a weight, the ones around her hand felt like a vice grip and the rings in her hand burned like ice. Her unnatural eyes glittered, and those slow traced over Thorin's face. How his eyes had looked upon her earlier this day, fierce as thunder daring to take her secrets from her lips.

There was so much to be said.

She knew this when Thorin's eyes turned upon hers, and she could still the haunting flames contained within them. It was unavoidable as it was unavoidable that she would find herself on this quest. She had long come to the conclusion that her fate was tied closer to the Lonely Mountains more than she could have ever fathomed though she did not know where this would lead. Or what it would bring, she thought with her heart sinking into her stomach as trepidation crept along the nape of her neck.

"These days are golden, they must not waste away

For our time is like that flower and soon it will decay."

It was hard to face the intensity of Thorin's stare, to feel his eyes try to unravel her from the inside out and she was surprised no one else in the room cringed from the tension that crackled between them. Her lips were pursed, a self-conscious effort not to speak. She knew this conversation was one that needed to take place, but here and now was not the time to do. Her story would bring up emotions, his and hers. She would do them both a service by doing it privately instead of in the company, because Thorin had an image, a respectability that he held himself in front of the company allowing few to see the lighter side beneath the stoicism. She knew with the truth revealed, it could very well shake his regale composure and she couldn't in good conscious do that in front of a crowd. He didn't deserve that.

"This love will carry, this love will carry me

I know this love will carry me."

Elizabeth wished she knew what he was thinking. Did he feel betrayed? Did he feel angry? She felt like she would have a better handle on this if she knew his thoughts, but he was unlikely to share them with her now. She felt a knot in her chest at that thought, and she lowered her gaze as the song came to an end. No rest would come to her tonight, not any that would mean anything.

It the dead of night a mouse scampered across a chessboard, the pieces shaped like bears. Fitting considering their host, Bilbo thought as the snores of all the company drifted all around him. Besides him with her arms crossed across her chest, Elizabeth laid still and her eyes shut.

Bilbo lifted up slightly, and after making sure that no one was watching him, he pulled out his ring. He examined the simple golden band, still mesmerized by it. Something stirred in his chest, a strange feeling that he wasn't sure was good or bad. His brows furrowed, and he leaned his face closer to the ring. He could swear he something. A faint voice, but that couldn't be.

Could it?

Bilbo bit back a scream, hastily shoving the ring in his pocket when Elizabeth let out a big sigh. "Where are you going?" Bilbo jolted when Elizabeth shifted forward, and started to rise. He couldn't make out her expression, the fire had died into glowing embers and stood no chance against the shadows of the night. Her eyes, however, were alit. The unnatural hues glowing ever so slightly, and such a sight might unsettle others, but to Bilbo it was comfort.

"No where. I just need a moment," Elizabeth whispered, patting his arm gently. Bilbo could make out the whites of her teeth as she flashed him a smile, but the hobbit could tell it wasn't a real one. He listened her light footsteps fade away, and he let out a deep sigh before he tried to close his eyes. He fell into a restless sleep.

Thorin did not what stirred him from sleep.

Only that one moment he had been blissfully submersed in the blackness, and the next his eyes were open. He stared out at his surrounding, as his awareness seeped back in and his blue eyes drifted over Kili and Fili. An unconscious to assure himself that they were well. He knew the pressure that was laid upon their shoulders. They wished for his approval, as an uncle and a leader. Not only that, Fili had responsibilities as his heir and had to hold himself to a higher standard than most. Kili, his second heir, had the luxury to be more open and free though he had no doubt that Kili wished to the Durin Line proud as well.

There was little he would deny, either of them if they so asked. He did not know how to express the pride he felt when he saw them each day, but he was very proud. A small smile was his face when watched Kili snorted lightly in his sleep before flopping over and using his brother as a pillow, drooling. Fili gave a light sigh, but didn't stir far too used to his brother's sleeping habits.

Thorin allowed his eyes to lift up off his nephews, then he looked towards Balin and Dwalin. They had stood by him long before Erebor's fall, and it gave him much solace that they would stand by him in this quest to see it rise to glory once more. He glanced over the rest of company, and while it had not been the army he had wanted, he could not have asked for any better. They had stood behind him, when others had so easily forsaken oaths they had taken. He made a silent promise to ensure that each of them had a place in Erebor when it was retaken. He would honor them long before he would honor his grandfather's former council who had spurned his quest as impossible.

A frown came to his face when looked towards the hobbit, his shield-brother, more noble than half of the dwarves at the Ironhills. It was not because of Bilbo that he frowned, but the empty pile of hay beside him in which a certain woman had fallen asleep now laid empty.

Elizabeth was nowhere in sight.

Thorin felt alarm surge through him, and he sat up a little straighter. Surely she would not have been so foolish to venture outside? A glance up at the large doors should that the lock was still firmly in place, and he rose to his feet as silently as he possibly could. He carefully stepped over Bifur and Bofur, then made his way around the corner to the great dining room. He let out a small breath of relief when he saw her silhouette.

She sat at the large table, twisting the rings between her rings idly. Her hair hung down loosely around her shoulders in gentle waves, and her expression cast in shadows. He did not need to see her expression to feel the anguish that came off of her in waves as her shoulders shook with dying sobs. There was several heartbeats before she held the rings between her thumbs and index fingers then kissed them gently. "I swear I will. I promise I'll try," she whispered out, her voice raw and hoarse. She had been crying, Thorin realized with a twist in his gut. He lingered there for several seconds, contemplating breaking the silence and alerting her of his presences. Instead, he drew a quiet breath and then stole away back to his makeshift bed unaware that Elizabeth had been aware of him the whole time.

A massive bear is growled and prowled through the woods determined to find any orc it could get its claws into. From the edge of the woods, Azog watched with a great sneer on his face and his fists tighten with anger. Once again, he is to be deny Oakenshield's head. One of his orcs approached him, cautiously, "Bu margi hum. Guri shugi khozdayil." Attack them now. Kill the Dwarf filth while they sleep.

Azog whilred around sharply, and was filled with a dark satisfaction when the orc flinched back. "Shâ. Hulim nari arangish," he growled out, and he turned to march angrily away from the house. No. The Beast stand guard.

They walk back to where the rest of the group is; several wargs are fighting each other for the orcs amusement. "Zadgarimid ru mong," Azog said, imaging the look on Oakenshield face when he shows him his nephews heads on a pike. Perhaps he will also allow him to live long enough to see him defile the woman. He had never gotten the pleasure of do so before. We will kill them on the road.

"But we aren't empty handed," hissed Garnuk, and made a gestured. Two orcs behind him went to fetch the prisoner while Garnuk gave a wicked smile showing off his crooked and yellowed teeth. "We found this one following the dwarves…"

The two orcs shoved the pale creature to the ground, and it screamed and spat. But with a sword the orcs kept it pinned down on the ground. Azog took a step towards the pitiful looking thing with a black, gloating pleasure in his eyes at the thought of torturing something. However, his pleasure was short lived when a sound echoed through the forest. The orcs all pull out their weapons a split second before another large, pale orc astride a warg rushed them, and the warg stopped inches from Azog, growling at his face.

Azog stood without flinching, and snarled at the display. The pale orc on the warg smirked down at him, metal plates along his skull and his chest. "Bolg," Azog growled out, wishing nothing more than to strike the willful orc down where he stood. The only reason he was not struck down was Azog's blood flowed through his veins. "What is the meaning of interrupting my hunt?"

Bolg sneered down at his father. "They are gathering in Dol Guldur. The Master has summoned you!"

A deep, angry noise erupted from Azog. "Very well. After…I finish with my new toy," Azog turned his back dismissively on his son, and stepped towards the pathetic, whimpering creature on the forest floor. A dark feeling of triumph and contempt rose inside of him as it looked up at him with fear.

"Gollum…Gollum…" Gollum croaked, terrified and desperate. His screamed echoed off into the night, until he could scream no more.

END OF CHAPTER!

I just don't get why Gollum didn't leave the Misty Mountains way before Lord of the Rings. I suppose the fact that he was probably greatly frightened by the world beyond those caves could be a factor, but his love for the ring in my opinion was greater. The Chapter Title was inspired by the song "The Bear and the Maiden", which is a good song though I'm pretty sure it has a few euphemisms in it. Or maybe I'm just dirty minded, I don't know.

Hope you all enjoyed! :D

1.) Namad (khudzul) sister

2.) Claddagh Ring: (Irish: fáinne Chladaigh) It is a traditional Irish ring given which represents love, loyalty, and friendship. The hands represent friendship, the heart represents love and the crown represents loyalty. Worn on the right hand means different things than it being worn on the left hand, and the way the ring is positions can change the meaning as well. If the heart is pointed towards the fingers tips on the right hand means the wearer is looking for love. If the heart tip is pointed towards the finger tips on the left hand, the wearer is engaged. If the heart tip is pointed towards the wrist on the left hand, the wearer is married. If the heart tip is pointed towards the wrist on the left hand, the wearer is in a relationship.

3.) Elizabeth's Ring: The woman's rings is based off of the "Caged Hearts Claddagh Ring" with Forever Together written of the inside of the band. The man's ring is based off of "Mens Celtic Wedding Rings MG-WED236", but instead of it being a pure golden band, the outside rings are gold and the large inside ban is silver. No name is written on the inside of the band. Care to guess who it's for? Wink wink

4.) "This Love Will Carry" by Dougie Mac Lean. I did not use the entire lyrics of the song because of the rule against songfics, though I don't think my story qualifies as such, but better safe than sorry. I guess we'll find out if it randomly deleted...I hope not, cuz that would suck. So any lyrics that isn't from Tolkien's work (which is part of the books, therefore usable for fanfics), will only be given in a few lines not the whole song. However, I will give you the name of the song so you may look it up and listen to it on you tube or somewhere.