Chapter 36

We stood staring at the opening for sometime. I felt a cols sense of dread and I shivered. I reached for Thorin's hand and he looked at me. I did not meet his gaze. My eyes were ever upon the opening and the darkness within. There was something about this darkness that scared me more then anything ever had. I shook it off and Thorin spoke:

"Now is the time for our esteemed Mr. Baggins, who had proved himself a good companion on our long road, and a hobbit full of courage and resource far exceeding his size, and if I may say so possessed of good luck far exceeding the usual allowance- bow is the time for him to perform the service for which he was included in our Company; now is the time for him to earn his reward."

Thorin went on like this for a few moments before an impatient Bilbo interrupted.

"If you mean you think it is my job to go into the secret passage first, O Thorin Thrain's son Oakenshield, may your beard grow ever longer," he said crossly, "say so at once and have done! I might refuse. I have got you out of two messes already, which were hardly in the original bargain, so that I am, already owed some reward. But 'third time pays for all' as my father used to say, and somehow I do not think I shall refuse. Perhaps I have begun to trust my luck more then I used to in the old days"- of course we knew he meant last spring before he left his own house, which to him seemed like centuries ago- "but anyway I think I will go and have a peep at once and get it over. Now who is coming with me?"

So I believe the disrespectful translation for his little speech was something along the lines of 'Stop your talking! For I know what it is you ask of me! Now I shall go and be back swiftly!'

I was biting my lip to keep from smiling. However I did step forward.

"I shall go with you. And no Thorin I will not stay behind," I had seen him begin to protest. "for I shall not be going near the Dragon. I shall merely be along for…support if you will." I said.

"Be careful then and return safely."

I looked at him and smiled.

*"Mela en' coiamin, gweston." I said.

"When you return you shall have to tell me what you have said." He laughed.

I laughed lightly. Balin also volunteered to go. He had grown very fond of Bilbo as I had. He like me would come inside and perhaps a bit of the way too, so if Bilbo required aid he would hear. I knew I could say that the dwarves truly intended to pay Bilbo handsomely for his services; for it was no secret that they had brought him to do a rather nasty job for them, and they did not mind the poor little fellow doing it if he would; but I knew they like me would do everything they could to get him out of trouble, if he got into it, as we had done in the case of the trolls in the beginning of our adventures, before they had any particular reasons for being grateful to him. There you have it: dwarves have not been considered heroes. They are calculating folk, though for my part…I would argue the whole hero business to be true.

The stars were coming out behind us in the pale sky barred with black when the three of us crept through the enchanted doors and stole into the Mountain. It was fare easier going then expected. This was no goblin entrance, or rough wood-elves' cave. It was a passage made by dwarves at the height of their wealth and skill: straight as a ruler, smooth-floored and smooth-sided, going with a gentle never varying slope direct - to some distant end in the blackness below.

After a while Balin bade Bilbo good luck. We stopped where Balin could still see the faint outline of the door, I myself could see it clearly, and by a trick of the echoes of the tunnel hear the rustle of the whispering voices of the others just outside. I place my hands on Bilbo's little shoulder and kissed his forehead.

*"Tenna' telwan. Until later Bilbo Baggins. Mind you be careful." I whispered.

I could not see if Bilbo nodded or anything of the sort for I only just heard him reach into his pocket. I sat back and leaned against the wall. Balin and I dared not speak for fear our voices would wake the dragon if he did indeed sleep somewhere down in the Mountain. My being an elf allowed me to hear what the others were saying outside.

"Poor little fellow. He is brave." said Nori.

"A fine cook as well." added Dori.

"And what of Gilraen and Balin?" Thorin asked.

"If anything should happen they shall get the hobbit out safe." Ori said reassuringly.

"And what if they are lost to us?"

"I should not think that the lass will go down so easily. Not with you waiting here for her." Oin said.

"Aye she will come back. And Balin as well. I know my brother well." Dwalin said.

"I have been long meaning to ask you Thorin, will you be asking her?" came Bofur's voice.

My eyes grew wide.

He cannot mean…

"I have thought about it for many days and nights now."

"What has stopped you?" Kili asked.

"Many things. The Dragon firstly. I wish to make sure that foul beast is long gone. And then there is her. She is not one to remain in one place."

"For you I believe I am right in saying she would do anything." Fili said.

I smiled and I knew my face must be red.

After what seemed to be hours of waiting for the hobbit's return he came to us. Balin and I were overjoyed. And what was more surprising was he brought with him a great two-handled cup. Balin carried him back up the tunnel and out the door. I carried the cup and the others were overjoyed to have us all back safe and sound. I threw my arms around Thorin and he held me tightly to him. I whispered to him.

"I said 'Love of my life, I promise.'"

I pulled away and he smiled and held my face in his hands.

"A promise well kept."

He kissed me and I smiled. However our joy was forgotten. For down below we heard a bellowing and trampling that made the ground beneath us tremble. Smaug had awoken. And he knew his cup was gone.

*Love of my life, I promise

*Until later.