I'm really excited to post this chapter! It has a lot of Vivian (following Bilbo). The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug trailer in less than a week! I'm so excited! Thanks to everyone who has read, reviewed, and added this fic to alerts and favorites! If there are any grammar mistakes, let me know. I do not own the Hobbit or the dialogue used! Enjoy!

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Rowan and Vivian heard Thorin mumbling about this Arkenstone over the course of the next few days. Both girls were tired of hearing about it and knew that the sooner they found it, the better it would be.

"For the Arkenstone of my father is worth more than a river of gold in itself, and to me it is beyond price. That stone of all the treasure I name unto myself, and I will be avenged on anyone who finds it and withholds it," Thorin continually said. Vivian noticed the way Bilbo stood nervously and decided to approach him about it.

Bilbo was sitting on top of a pile of treasure when Vivian and Rowan cornered him. He looked between them with confusion on his face.

"Can I help you both?" Bilbo wondered and Vivian folded her arms across her chest.

"You have it, don't you?" Vivian inquired quietly. Rowan looked over at Thorin, making sure he didn't hear their conversation.

"What do I have?" Bilbo wondered innocently.

"The Arkenstone," Rowan whispered and Bilbo's eyes lit up.

"How did you know?" he was caught by surprise.

"You're nervous about it." Bilbo placed a hand over his pocket as Vivian spoke.

"Just give it back to Thorin," Rowan urged, trying to stop Bilbo from doing something he'd regret.

"I have an idea," Bilbo mentioned and told the two his plan. After hearing it, Vivian was in agreement. Rowan had to agree, but she had a plan up her own sleeve.

X_X_X

Ravens came to tell Thorin good news. Dain and his forces were only two days away from the Mountain.

"But they cannot reach the Mountain unmarked," Roäc pointed out, "and I fear lest there be battle in the valley. I do not call this counsel good. Thought they are a grim folk, they are not likely to overcome the host that besets you; and even if they did so, what will you gain? Winter and snow is hastening behind them. How shall you be fed without the friendship and goodwill of the lands about you? The treasure is likely to be your death, though the dragon is no more."

"Winter and snow will bite both men and elves," Thorin stated, "and they may find their dwelling in the waste grievous to bear. With my friends behind them and winter upon them, they will perhaps be in softer mood to parley with."

After hearing what Thorin had to say, Bilbo made his decision to act that night. He told the girls, but Rowan pulled him aside. There was something she needed to discuss with him. When she was finished speaking with Bilbo, Rowan pulled Vivian aside.

"I want you to go with Bilbo," Rowan decided and Vivian's brow furrowed.

"What would Bilbo gain? He's better off going alone," Vivian insisted, but Rowan shook her head.

"I want you to go with Bilbo and stay with the elves and men. It will be much safer there and I'm sure they would allow you to stay with them for the duration of the battle. When it starts, the elves, men, and Dain's folk will fight against the goblins first. Thorin and his company will come down from the mountain in the midst of battle. I don't want something horrible to happen to you while we charge. It will be bloody and I know the elves will look out for you. I'm almost considering going with you, but it will be too odd if I disappear as well," Rowan explained and Vivian was silent, taking in everything her best friend had said.

"You would have us separated again? What if something bad happens and we lose this battle?" Vivian inquired and Rowan rolled her eyes.

"I'll find you on the battlefield. We'll be the only two human women on the field. I'm sure I can spot you," Rowan figured with a soft smile.

"Thorin won't be happy, I imagine," Vivian realized and Rowan shrugged like it was nothing.

"I'll deal with it, whatever happens. I can handle him, you know. He is shorter than me," Rowan pointed out, placing her hands on her hips.

"Just be careful," Vivian breathed and threw an arm around Rowan to pull her into a hug.

"Same goes for you. I don't want to have to tell Legolas that you died in battle. That would break his heart," Rowan stated and Vivian looked at her feet.

"He wouldn't be far behind me. The bond is that strong," Vivian explained quietly and Rowan nodded.

"I'll make sure you make it out alive. Don't let Bilbo leave without you," Rowan muttered and walked away.

Bombur was keeping watch and Bilbo joined him. Vivian and Rowan were hidden, ready for when Bombur was relieved of his duty.

"It is mighty cold. I wish we could have a fire up here as they have in the camp," Bombur complained, noticing Bilbo.

"It is warm enough inside," Bilbo mentioned.

"I daresay; but I am bound here till midnight. A sorry business altogether. Not that I venture to disagree with Thorin, may his beard grow ever longer; yet he was ever a dwarf with a stiff neck," Bombur complained more.

"Not as stiff as my legs. I am tired to stairs and stone passages. I would give a good deal for the feel of grass at my toes." Vivian edged closer to them.

"I would give a good deal for the feel of a strong drink in my throat, and for a soft bed after a good supper." He's always thinking of food, Vivian thought as she listened.

"I can't give you those, while the siege is going on. But it is long since I watched, and I will take your turn for you, if you like. There is no sleep in me tonight," Bilbo lied.

"You are a good fellow, Mr. Baggins, and I will take your offer kindly. If there should be anything to note, rouse me first, mind you! I will lie in the inner chamber to the left not far away." Rowan and Vivian got ready to move.

"Of you go! I will wake you at midnight, and you can wake the next watchman," Bilbo offered and waited until Bombur had gone.

Vivian and Rowan left their hiding spots to join Bilbo. The hobbit showed them the Arkenstone wrapped in a piece of cloth.

"Be safe," Rowan told her best friend before Bilbo set out.

"Don't let Thorin get too angry with you," Vivian cautioned, making Rowan grin.

"I doubt he'll have any time to be angry with Rowan," Bilbo muttered under his breath.

Rowan watched from her perch as Bilbo guided Vivian away. Bombur was supposed to be on watch and Rowan watched as he returned to the group. If Thorin knew, he'd be seething, but Rowan stayed up to keep an eye on things just in case. She had assured Bilbo she would cover for him in the event that one of the dwarves woke.

X_X_X

Bilbo had told Vivian it would be at least five hours. With a sigh, Vivian pulled the cloak around her shoulders closer to her body and followed Bilbo in the darkness. The hobbit put on his ring, but grabbed Vivian's hand to guide her. It was dark and a difficult journey, but their eyes adjusted quickly.

"I hope Rowan doesn't get into too much trouble," Vivian whispered, mainly to herself.

"She can hold her own against, Thorin," Bilbo assured her.

After a while, they reached a stream. Vivian eyed the water carefully and Bilbo went first. He had almost made it across when he slipped and the water splashed around him. Vivian hurried out of the way as she noticed a group of elves come toward the stream.

"That was no fish! There is a spy about. Hide your lights. They will help him more than us, if it is that queer little creature that is said to be their servant," one of the elves muttered.

"Servant, indeed!" Bilbo called, offended, and sneezed, "Let's have a light! I am here, if you want me."

With that, Bilbo took off his ring and Vivian made her way across the stream. They grabbed both Vivian and Bilbo roughly.

"Who are you? Are you the dwarves' hobbit? And what is a woman doing with you? What are you doing? How did you get so far past our sentinels?" they asked the two. Vivian and Bilbo had been so carefuly. The mud on Vivian's dress was a sign of the crawling she had to do to get past those sentinels.

"I am Mr. Bilbo Baggins and this is Miss Helena of Ithilien, companions of Thorin, if you want to know. I know your king well by sight, though perhaps he doesn't know me to look at. But Bard will remember me, and it is Bard I particularly want to see. Miss Helena has seen both your king and Bard," Bilbo explained.

"Indeed!" they said, incredulously, "and what may be your business?"

"Whatever it is, it's my own, my good elves. But if you wish ever to get back to your own woods from this cold cheerless place, you will take me along quick to a fire, where I can dry," Bilbo replied, shivering from the cold, "and then you will let me speak to your chiefs as quick as may be. I have only an hour or two to spare."

"Please," Vivian pleaded in Sindarin.

Within two hours, Bilbo and Vivian were seated before Thranduil and Bard. Both Vivian and Bilbo had been given blankets to shield them against the cold.

"Really, you know," Bilbo began, "thing are impossible. Personally I am tired to the whole affair. I wish I was back in the West in my own home, where folk are more reasonable. But I have an interest in this matter- one fourteenth share, to be precise, according to a letter, which fortunately I believe I have kept."

Vivian watched in shock as Bilbo pulled out the contract. He had kept it this whole time. She assumed it would have been lost of badly weathered from what they had been through.

"A share in the profits, mind you. I am aware of that. Personally I am only too ready to consider all your claims carefully, and deduct what is right from the total before putting in my own claim. However you don't know Thorin Oakenshield as well as I do now. I assure you, he is quite ready to sit on a heap of gold and starve, as long as you sit here," Bilbo explained.

"Well, let him!" Bard argued, "Such a fool deserves to starve."

"Quite so, I see your point of view. At the same time winter is coming on fast. Before long you will be having snow and what not, and supplies will be difficult- even for the elves I imagine. Also there will be other difficulties. You have not heard of Dain and the dwarves of the Iron Hills?" Bilbo wondered, leaning forward.

"We have, a long time ago; but what has he got to do with us?" Thranduil questioned.

"I thought as much. I see I have some information you have not got. Dain, I may tell you, is now less than two days' march off, and has at least five hundred grim dwarves with him- a good many of them have had experience in the dreadful dwarf and goblin wars, of which you have no doubt heard. When they arrive there may be serious trouble," Bilbo warned them.

"Why do you tell us this? Are you betraying your friends, or are you threatening us?" Bard demanded.

"Of course not," Vivian intervened.

"My dear Bard!" Bilbo stated, "Don't be so hasty! I never met such suspicious folk! I am merely trying to avoid trouble for all concerned. Now I will make you an offer."

"Let us hear it," Bard and Thranduil said.

"You may see it. It is this!" Bilbo announced and pulled the Arkenstone from where he kept it. Thranduil's eyes lit up and Bard eyed the stone carefully, "This is the Arkenstone of Thrain, the Heart of the Mountain; and it is also the heart of Thorin. He values it above a river of gold. I give it to you. It will aid you in your bargaining."

Vivian watched as Bilbo handed the Arkenstone to Bard.

"But how is it yours to give?" Bard was confused as he eyed it in his hands.

"O well!" Vivian could tell Bilbo was uncomfortable with the explanation, "It isn't exactly; but well, I am willing to let it stand against all my claim, don't you know. I may be a burglar- or so they say: personally I never really felt like one- but I am an honest one, I hope, more or less. The other part of this bargain I make is that you keep Miss Helena with you. The Mountain is no place for her and she would be well looked after here."

"We'll agree to those terms," Thranduil agreed and gave Vivian a warm smile. He had forgotten about their escape from Mirkwood.

"Anyway I am going back now, and the dwarves can do what they like to me. I hope you will find it useful." Vivian frowned at the idea that Thorin would be angry with Bilbo. Hopefully, Rowan would watch out for him.

"Bilbo Baggins! You are more worthy to wear the armor of the elf-princes than many that have looked more comely in it. But I wonder if Thorin Oakenshield will see it so. I have more knowledge of the dwarves in general than you have perhaps. I advise you to remain with us, and here you shall be honored and thrice welcome," Thranduil insisted.

"Thank you very much I am sure." Bilbo bowed, "But I don't think I ought to leave my friends like this, after all we have gone through together. And I promised to wake old Bombur at midnight, too! Really I must be going, and quickly."

There is a reason Vivian went with Bilbo and is staying with the elves...perhaps there will be a bit of LegolasxVivian coming up. I suppose Rowan is a know-it-all when it comes to the content of the book haha Until next time!