Sorry it's late! Been swamped in school work lately :P

Enjoy!

I didn't look at Kili as we left in the boats that mornin'. I wouldn't be able to focus on the task ahead if I got too caught up in my emotions. But I listened intently. In the end, Kili, Fili, and Oin all stayed behind. Bofur never showed up that mornin'. Only Bilbo seemed concerned about it. As the boats started forward through the cheerin' crowds, I allowed myself one last glance back at the dock. Kili stood there, Fili supportin' him on his wounded side. His face was filled with pain and loss. Disappointment. But it was not directed towards me, his eyes followed Thorin's broad back the entire time. I looked forward again. I will not cry. I told myself. I will not cry. I will not cry. I will no- too late. I will not let the others see me cry. I will not let the others see me cry.

And so we road up the river in several tiny boats. Forward, up towards the mountain, which loomed over us menacingly. The dwarves went on about the plan, and how to find the hidden door. It didn't sound like a very full proof plan, so I made some plans of my own. Not that I could act on them until I was out of this boat. The ride up stream was slow and painful. My joints were stiff by the time we reached the shore. Then came walkin'. We walked far towards the mountain, before pausin' on a ridge.

"What is this place?" Bilbo asked, lookin' around in wonder.

"It was once the city of Dale." Balin told him, also gazin' upon the sight before them. "Not it is a ruin. The desolation of Smaug."

"The sun will soon reach midday. Let's hurry and find the door before it sets. This way!" We followed him towards the mountain. Without Fili, Kili, and Bofur, we traveled mostly in silence. Not that I minded. I wasn't in the mood for much conversation. We wandered far, without any sign of the hidden door. So, I made my own plans. I slipped away when no one was lookin' and searched in vain for some sort of animal. Any animal. It wasn't easy. But eventually, I found a small snake warmin' itself on a rock. It spotted me and dashed away.

Wait! I called after it, makin' it pause hesitantly. Please, I have a question to ask of you. The snake still said nothin'. I continued to speak. Is there anyway into the mountain? I asked. That isn't the front gate. I quickly added. The snake peered at me through narrow eyes before bobbin' it's head slightly and slitherin' past me. I followed the reptile through narrow gaps in the large rocks. Until, eventually, the snake disappeared into a crevice in the side of the mountain. I squeezed in after, the rocks scrappin' at my sides painfully. Then I came to a dead end. The snake's tail disappeared beneath the smallest of holes at the bottom of the crevice. I groaned. I couldn't fit through there! And I couldn't squeeze back out either. I was stuck. The snake pocked its head back out through the hole and stared at me, wonderin' what had held me up.

I can't fit through there! I told it, getting' a little annoyed.

You are strong. It hissed simply before disappearin' again. I sighed and looked around. Then I spotted a large stone on the ground. I inched my hand towards it, and shifted it up into my hands. Tuckin' the stone under one arm, I raised my other hand to the stonewall in front of me and tapped it, listenin' intently. It was hollow on the other side. And from what I could tell, it wasn't very thick either. I shifted myself around until I was able to hit the wall with the rock. The small amount of light from the openin' of the crevice was quickly fadin' away. I struck the wall, again and again and again. The skin on my hands and sides were all but scrapped away by the rough stone that surrounded me. But I barely noticed. I was goin' to get through that wall. And nothin' was goin' to stop me.

I let out a cry of surprise as I felt myself tumble through the crumblin' wall. I scrambled quickly to my feet and looked around in awe. A large cavern met my eyes. A huge openin' carved out of the very stone. Huge pillars supported the ceilin' above me as pathways mazed around them. Erebor. It was even greater than the legends had said. I looked down at the snake, who stared at me smugly.

What did Nagi say? He asked confidently. I just rolled my eyes.

And Smaug, which way is he? I asked the smaller reptile. The snake's amusement quickly disappeared.

Nagi will not show you that. It would send you to your doom. The snake declined.

I need to know! Please, you must tell me! I pleaded. The snake stared at me for a while before givin' somthin' that sounded like a sigh.

Very well. Nagi will tell you, but Nagi cannot take you there. Nagi has no wish to be burned and eaten. If even that. The snake said, givin' in.

Thank you. I can ask no more than that. I smiled at it. The creature turned and pointed with its head.

Follow that path. It will lead you to the wyrm. With that, he slithered off, back through the crevice to the fresh air. I stared down the path that the snake had indicated. Smaug lay down there. The question was, dead or alive? I should have gone and told Thorin. That would have been the smart thing to do. But, no one has ever accused me of bein' smart.

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