Oh my goodness everybody! I updated on time! So according to WETA, the Desolation of Smaug trailer will be out with Man of Steel. Who else is excited? If there are any grammar mistakes, let me know. Thanks to everyone who has read, reviewed, and added this fic to their alerts and favorites! I do not own The Hobbit or the dialogue. Enjoy!

Chapter Twenty-Eight

"And little food to use," Bilbo added, causing Rowan and Vivian to grin.

"Back to the Mountain!" the rest of the company cried in unison.

On Thorin's orders, the company explored the rest of the Mountain. All of the gates had been destroyed except for the Front Gate. Thorin stood near it and gazed at the towering structure. Rowan walked up to him and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"At least this gate isn't destroyed," Rowan resolved with a reassuring smile.

"I have an idea," Thorin said, mainly to himself. He turned to his company who were looking through the debris, "We ought to fortify this gate so that no one may enter the Mountain without consent."

The dwarves agreed and went to work immediately. Vivian and Rowan helped as much as they could. Ravens continued to come in and out of the Mountain, bearing news from the outside world. Vivian stayed away from the ravens as much as she could. The fact that they could speak bothered her to no end. Eventually, Thorin decided it would be a good idea to track down the ponies that were left and to retrieve the supplies that weren't lost. The ravens had seen the ponies and made sure to inform Thorin. Rowan decided she'd tag along because she wanted to get away from the Mountain. Vivian stayed inside with Bilbo.

While on their way down, Fili and Kili helped Rowan, but she didn't need it. A raven had been sent to guide them and was flying above. The ponies were startled upon seeing the dwarves and Rowan, but Rowan approached and calmed them down. After hearing Rowan's soothing words, the ponies went toward Fili and Kili.

"You're good with the ponies," Kili noted and Fili punched him in the shoulder.

"She's from Rohan. Have you not remembered what the lords of Rohan have on their banners?" Fili inquired. Rowan smiled softly at their arguing and rubbed one of the ponies' noses.

On their way back, they packed the supplies on the ponies and led them up to the Mountain. Dwalin, Bofur, and Nori took the ponies and began unloading the supplies. Rowan caught up with Vivian and the girls sat down a bit away from the dwarves.

X_X_X

Four days went by and word had reached them that Thranduil's army had joined the Lake-men. The combined forces were making their way to the Mountain and it angered Thorin. Upon hearing the news, Thorin decided to fortify the Front Gate even further. The only way to get through was to swim. After keeping the ponies, the company sent them down to their masters to the South.

At one point, the dwarves were bored. Rowan was humming something and Vivian nudged her.

"You could make sitting here less boring," Vivian advised and the dwarves looked up.

"Land of bear and land of eagle
Land that gave us birth and blessing
Land that called us ever homewards
We will go home across the mountains.
We will go home, we will go home
We will go home across the mountains
We will go home, singing our song
We will go home across the mountains.

"Land of bear and land of eagle
Land that gave us birth and blessing
Hear our singing, hear our longing
We will go home across the mountains.
We will go home, we will go home
We will go home across the mountains.
"

Vivian patted Rowan's knee and the two best friends exchanged a smile.

"I highly doubt anyone is going to get into Erebor," Vivian spoke up.

"You'd be surprised. We haven't explored the entire mountain. Now that Smaug is dead, there might be another way through," Rowan commented with a shrug.

X_X_X

One night, Balin- who had the watch- noticed many bright lights in the distance. He proceeded to wake the others up.

"They have come! And their camp is very great. They must have come into the valley under cover of dusk along both banks of the river," Balin announced. With the two armies so close, the dwarves didn't sleep much.

In the morning, a group was approaching. The dwarves made ready and waited until they noticed it was a combination of Lake-men and elves. The group halted upon seeing the Front Gate blocked. Thorin stopped them.

"Who are you that come as if in war to the gates of Thorin son of Thrain, King under the Mountain, and what do you desire?" Thorin asked loudly. Most of them turned back and a few delayed to examine the fortifications.

After that encounter, Thorin had the camp moved east of the river. Later on in the afternoon, a song echoed down below and the dwarves quieted to listen. Soon, they found instruments and sang. It made Thorin smile and his mood lightened.

"I wonder how far it is from here to the Iron Hills. If Dain has received word from the ravens, he will be on his way," Thorin mused.

"Dain won't abandon us," Balin assured him.

In the morning, another group appeared near the gate. They bore Thranduil's flag and the flag of the Lake-men.

"Who are you that come armed for war to the gates of Thorin son of Thrain, King under the Mountain?" Thorin demanded,

"Hail! Thorin! Why do you fence yourself like a robber in his hold? We are not yet foes, and we rejoice that you are alive beyond our hope. We came expecting to find none living here; yet now that we are met there is a matter for a parley and a council," a man spoke and Vivian moved. She knew that voice.

"Who are you, and of what would you parley?" Thorin inquired.

"I am Bard, and by my hand was the dragon slain and your treasure delivered. Is that not a matter that concerns you? Moreover I am by right descent the heir of Girion of Dale, and in your hoard is mingled much of the wealth of his halls and towns, which old Smaug stole. Is not that a matter of which we may speak? Further in his last battle Smaug destroyed the dwellings of the men of Esgaroth and I am yet the servant of their Master. I would speak for him and ask whether you have no thought for the sorrow and misery of his people. They aided you in your distress, and in recompense you have thus brought ruin onlu, though doubtless undersigned," Bard explained.

"You put your worst cause last and in the chief place. To the treasure of my people no man has a claim, because Smaug who stole it from us also robbed him of life or home. The treasure was not his that his evil deeds should be amended with a share of it. The price of the goods and the assistance that we received of the Lake-men we will fairly pay- in due time, But nothing will we give, not even as laof's worth, under threat of force. While an armed host lies before our doors, we look on you as foes and thieves. It is in my mind to ask what share of their inheritance you would have paid to our kindred, had you found the hoard unguarded and us slain," Thorin mused and Vivian approached. She could see Bard through one of the small openings.

"A just question, but you are not dead, and we are not robbers. Moreover the wealthy may have pity beyond right on the needy that befriended them when they were in want. And still my other claims remain unanswered," Bard replied.

"I will not parley, as I have said with armed men at my gate," Thorin began, "Nor at all with the people of the Elvenking, whom I remember with small kindness. In this debate they have no place. Begone now ere our arrows fly! And if you would speak with me again, first dismiss the elvish host to the woods where it belongs, and then return, laying down your arms before you approach the threshold."

"The Elvenking is my friend, and he has succored the people of the Lake in their need, though they have no claim but friendship on him," Bard countered, "We will give you time to repent your words. Gather your wisdom ere we return!"

When they left, Balin and Thorin spoke about their options. The girls stood in the background, waiting for their decisions. Rowan didn't blame Thorin for throwing Thranduil out of their bargain. He imprisoned the dwarves and scorned them. Vivian was surprised to see the group return hours later.

"In the name of Esgaroth and the Forest we speak unto Thorin Thrain's son Oakenshield, calling himself the King under the Mountain, and we bid him consider well the claims that have been urged, or be declared our foe," one announced, "At the least he shall deliver one twelfth portion of the treasure unto Bard, as the dragon-slayer, and as the heir of Girion. From that portion Bard will himself contribute to the aid of Esgaroth; but if Thorin would have the friendship and honor of the lands about, as his sires had of old, then he will also somewhat of his own for the comfort of the men of the Lake."

In response, Thorin took a bow from the hoard and fired it at the one who spoke. It was lodged into his shield.

"Since such is your answer I declare the Mountain besieged," the speaker called, "You shall not depart from it, until you call on your side for a truce and a parley. We will bear no weapons against you, but we leave you to your gold. You may eat that, if you will!"

The group left again and Thorin was upset. Vivian, though, wondered about the food. All they had eaten was something called cram and she disliked it. Rowan ate it sparingly and only if she was starving. The girls retreated to the back of the camp and sat together, thinking of what could be done.

Since there was not much to do, the dwarves began to take inventory of the treasure. Gloin, since he was the banker, borrowed Ori's book and quill to write down the amounts. Vivian helped gather the treasure and put it in piles. Upon going through the hoard, she discovered many jewels and items of jewelry. She tried it on occasionally and showed Rowan with a grin.

In the corner, Rowan watched the company work. Thorin and Balin talked amongst themselves, planning. Bilbo and Vivian were helping take inventory along with the others. Cram was on her lap as she looked through an old book she had found. Sitting on top of a pile, she browsed through it. Kili came over and took a seat next to her.

"What is that?" Rowan looked up at him and showed him the book.

"I found it under some pieces of treasure. I can't make most of it out and it leads me to believe it's written in dwarvish," Rowan explained and Kili took the book from her.

"If you want, I can help you read it," Kili offered.

"That's very nice of you," Rowan said and accepted his offer.

Vivian watched as Kili and Rowan looked at a book. Bilbo's gaze wandered over to them as well and he gazed at Vivian.

"Do you think Kili likes her?" Bilbo dared to ask.

"I'm sure he knows that Row is taken. He's probably just helping her. Why don't you go over and ask what they're doing if you're so curious," Vivian suggested as she dug more coins out of a pile.

Bilbo, taking Vivian's suggestion, walked over to the pair and took a seat on the other side of Rowan.

"Kili is trying to teach me a bit of dwarvish," Rowan said before Bilbo could ask.

"Why would you want to know dwarvish?" Bilbo wondered.

"I think it would be interesting to be able to speak dwarvish. Maybe I could talk to Bifur," Rowan figured, looking at him go through the treasure.

"In time perhaps," Kili replied.

The song is from the movie, King Arthur. I'm excited for the next chapter, definitely. The bit at the end was just Kili and Rowan interacting. He's being nice to her. I hope you liked the chapter! Until next time.