Sorry that it took me so long to update this story!
Hope you enjoy this one!
The Company felt uneasy while Bilbo and Legolas started telling them about the dragon.
"If it relieves you, there is still a lot of gold inside" Bilbo said with shining eyes, he seemed to be still amazed by what he'd seen.
"Well, you're our burglar. I thought you'd come back with a piece of gold." Gloin grumbled and earned some agreeing mumbling from the rest of the Company.
"He's right, Bilbo. Gandalf said you're able to sneak and steal without being seen" Thorin said and could see fear in the little hobbits eyes.
"What if Smaug wakes up while Bilbo is inside?" Kate asked and could feel Thorins hand on hers.
"Don't worry, he won't wake up"
She was still uncertain but kept silent, her eyes found Lindseys.
"S-s-so you want me to go back and t-take something?" Bilbo stammered, and his little heart was beating fast.
"Aye, laddie, that's what your contract says" Dwalin said.
"I can go with you again" Legolas suggested but Kate stopped him.
"No, stay. Like Thorin said, Smaug knows the scent of elves and you've been lucky the first time but I don't want him to recognize the two of you!"
Then she turned around and placed her hands on Bilbos shoulder. "You proved more than once that you're a strong and loyal hobbit. You've become part of this Company just like Lindsey and I. And I believe in you, Bilbo. I know you'll make it" With that she pulled him in an embrace.
They all exchanged happy glances and Thorin could feel Dwalin patting his shoulder, whispering:"You're so lucky to have her"
Thorin nodded thoughtfully until he stepped closer to Bilbo.
"I owe you my life, more than once. I know you won't fail me this time" and patted Bilbos shoulder gently.
Bilbo tried hard not to cry and smiled at them all.
"Fine, I'll go" he said and turned around just to vanish into the darkness again. With stretched nerves the whole Company stood silent, watching into the darkness. Thorin embraced Kate, placed a kiss on her lips and gently stroked her hair while Fili did nearly the same with Lindsey.
Now they had to pray and wait.
It felt like an eternity until Bilbo finally returned. He was exhausted, tired, and nearly dropping on his knees but triumphantly held up a golden cup.
The dwarves cheered and patted the hobbits shoulders and back. Kate and Lindsey were both hugging and and kissing his cheeks making him blush slightly.
"I knew you'd make it!" Lindsey called.
They were all cheerful and happy. Kate could see how relieved Thorin was. His eyes found hers and a smile showed up on both their faces but those smiles faded immediately as they heard a rumbling sound from beneath the mountain.
The door nearly shut but Fili was fast enough to block it with a stone.
Thorin pulled Kate closer as they could hear dreadful echoes from far down in the depths. It was a bellowing and trampling. The ground was shaking.
"W-what was that?" Lindsey nearly cried out, pressed herself closer to Fili.
Legolas closed his eyes and opened them after a couple of seconds, his gaze found Kate.
"He's awake" he simply said and the Company gathered closer together.
They stood silent, hearts racing, bodies shivering and Kate saw Lindsey crying.
With a sudden bang the front-gate seemed to burst open and they could hear the swooping sound of huge wings soaring through the sky.
Smaug was circling around the mountain, looking for those who had stolen his golden cup.
"We have to hide! Come on, into the tunnel, all of you!" Bilbo whispered and gestured them to enter the dark tunnel.
Once again it was the little hobbit rescuing the Companys lives. Once they were all in safety they could see Smaug breathing a stream of fire against the mountain-side. They could hear the screams of their ponies down in the valley and Kate closed her eyes, her face pressed into Thorins fur coat. He held her tighter. Slowly they made their way further down into the tunnel. Night came over them and Smaug was still circling around outside, they could hear his rumbling roar filling the sky.
Lindsey was crying, Fili pressed her close to him.
After a while they couldn't hear Smaug outside anymore and were aware of a rumbling sound down the tunnel.
"He returned to the treasure hall" Thorin whispered and Kate could feel his heart beating fast.
"He'll smell us if we stay in here!" Gloin said in panic.
"What's your plan? Do you want to go back? We came so close now!" Kili growled.
"Guys! Stop it! We have to stick together now. I think it would be the best to rest a bit. Even if he smells us he would never be able to get us as long as we stay in here" Lindsey said.
"And what if he simply destroys this side of the mountain?" Ori whispered in panic.
"He won't! Just stay calm, all of you!" Kate hissed. She could feel a wave of sickness again and had no nerves to think about Smaug right now. Thorin could feel her grip around his arm tighten.
"Kate, what's wrong?" he whispered highly concerned and watched her while a light shimmer of sweat covered her forehead.
"I-I feel sick..." she replied and started to breath in and out. Suddenly she could feel Legolas hand on her forehead.
Thorin watched him carefully but to his surprise Kate seemed to feel slightly better again.
"You should sleep a bit, Kate" the elf said and earned an agreeing nod from Thorin.
"He's right. You have to rest." Thorin added and she snuggled into his arms, sitting with her back against his chest. He wrapped the coat around her and placed a soft kiss on her hair and it didn't take long and she was fast asleep.
"It's all your fault" Dwalin grumbled to Bilbo after a while. Some of the dwarves agreed.
"What? What are you blaming me for?" the hobbit asked perplexed.
"You brought the cup! You drew that dragons attention to us!" Gloin hissed.
Lindsey could feel anger creeping up in her. "Are you kidding me?" she suddenly bursted out.
"Stay calm, Lin" Fili tried to sooth her but she pushed him away.
"No! I don't stay calm! You blame him for stealing that cup? What did you think a burglar would do? You told him to fulfil his contract and stealing is what a burglar does! So stop blaming him just for your lack of organisation! That whole dragon threat was never really planned, wasn't it? Thorin? Am I right? You never thought about what could happen once we reach this mountain!"
Thorin looked at her in surprise, she really seemed to be angry with him.
"I didn't blame Bilbo, Lindsey. Why are you angry with me now?"
"Because this is YOUR journey! You planned this whole thing! So, what's your plan about Smaug?"
She glared at him and they all could see the hurt in his eyes. It hit him hard to hear those words from Lindsey. He learned to love her just like he loves his nephews. She was Kates little sister, Kates most precious thing on earth and he learned to see her like part of his own family as well. He got up, covered Kate in his coat to make her lay down soft. She didn't even wake up, she was too tired and exhausted.
He approached Lindsey, his eyes still locked with hers.
"I know I failed this Company many times. Gandalf once said my pride would be my downfall. Maybe he was right. Maybe I didn't really thought about this whole situation, what could happen once we reach the mountain. But I don't regret any single day of this journey. You and your sister came to this place from an unknown world. You came here the day we decided to go on this journey. Do you think that was just an accident? I was never much into these fate and destiny type of things but your sister is the only thing keeping me alive! She brought joy and happiness back to my heart and I love her just too much to bear seeing you like this now. I don't want you to think I failed this Company! That I failed you. And Kate. And my child. Lindsey, please, I know we're all on the edge of our nerves and no, I don't have any idea what to do next. The only thing I know is that I want Kate to be safe, my child to be safe, you to be safe and my whole Company to be safe! You said we have to stick together. And that's what I'm asking you to do. Don't blame me for this. We have to find a solution...together."
He fell silent and could see a single tear rolling down the young girls face. She sobbed, shivered and suddenly embraced him.
"I'm so sorry...I didn't mean to blame you. You're part of my family as well, Thorin. Please, don't be mad with me now" she sobbed against his shoulder and he gently rubbed her back.
"I'm not mad with you. I never could" he said and broke away from her. He gave her a reassuring smile and turned around to look at all of them.
They seemed to understand his glance and started to apologize to Bilbo.
"Now, any ideas what we could do next?" Thorin asked and walked back to Kate, made sure she was still asleep.
"I think for today there's not much to do. We should all take some rest" Legolas said and earned some annoyed glances from the dwarves but Thorin nodded.
"You might be right and I trust you for you have rescued my loves life. So it is, we will take a rest."
Legolas and Thorin both exchanged an agreeable look.
"I take the watch" the young elf said and so the group laid down, and all of them fell asleep.
Morning came and they were all refreshed but still depressed and uncertain what to do.
"I need some air, do you think it's safe to go back up to the entrance?" Kate said and they all exchanged some worried looks.
"Smaug is back inside, I guess it might be fine if we go back up to the entrance" Thorin said and the Company made their way back up to that little place in front of the entrance. The patch of green grass was now burnt but Kate was relieved to get some fresh air. Her sickness was gone and she let her eyes drift along the landscape.
Thorin approached her, placed his arms around her, his hands gently stroked her belly.
"I'm so happy you're back again" he whispered and placed a kiss on her neck. She smiled and reached back into his long, dark hair.
"I missed you each and every second, Thorin. And I'm not willing to be separated from you again"
She turned around, wrapped her arms around his neck and placed a deep and loving kiss on his lips. Bilbo cleared his throat and they broke the kiss and turned to go back to the Company.
"I might have an idea. I could put my ring on again and go down into the treasure hall. To take a look what Smaug is up to. 'Every worm has his weak point', my father used to say and so maybe I can take a closer look and maybe I find Smaugs weak point"
"I don't think that's a good idea. That's too dangerous" Lindsey said highly alarmed.
"We have not that many choices, Lin." Fili said and Bilbo seemed to be determined.
They were uncertain but Bilbo made his way towards the entrance again.
"I'll go now! Wish me luck!"
And with that he was gone.
Not as long as I planned but there might be another update tomorrow again :)
Be prepared for Bilbo&Smaug!