A.N. Well I kinda sucked getting this chapter out. Yikes. To give you all the excuses, I went from one show to another, and my personal life blew up for a little bit there. Still waiting for things to settle down, and thank you to those of you who have been so patient with me. Thank you also to those of you who commented on the last chapter, it helped me feel a little more at ease. 😊Also, thank you and hello to my new followers!
Tibblets: Thanks for the feedback!
dragonegyptianblue: Yay! Your comment made my day when I read it. 😊 I'm so happy you liked it, and the character development. As for Kili, we shall have to wait and see…
Queen MariaTheresia: Oh my goodness, thank you. That means a lot.
The battle has been incredibly difficult for me to work out and write to my satisfaction, so hopefully it will meet your expectations, and maybe even surprise you here and there. Please leave me some reviews and feedback! It is always appreciated, and helps me in writing future chapters. If there are any blaring spelling or grammar errors, let me know. Once I finished writing this, I wanted to get it out to you ASAP.
Disclaimer: I own nothing except my original characters and plot points.

The dawn came quiet and deceptively peaceful while Danica and Thorin lay together, just listening to each other's heartbeats. Despite only a couple of hours' sleep, they were both wide awake, ready for whatever was to come. Danica could feel his reluctance to move as strongly as her own. She sighed, about to make the first unwanted motion, but he pulled her to him, kissing her desperately. Caught completely unaware, she followed him into the madness of emotion that followed. They took each other fast and hard, leaving Danica breathless and stunned. There was no time for recovery, though. Thorin was only able to give her a soft, brief kiss before they were forced to roll out of bed. While cleaning and then getting dressed, they remained silent, but kept near-constant physical contact. She helped him with the limited amount of armor he chose, wishing he would use more. By the look in his eyes, he felt the same while tying her simple leather armor into place. Even more conflict came into his eyes when he picked up the mithril shirt. He looked at her for a moment, and when she nodded, put it aside for Bilbo.

"Is there no way I can convince you to stay here, where it's safe?" he pleaded while he braided her hair out of her face.

She sighed, not wanting to hurt him, but knowing she could not do as he wished. "I'm sorry,"

"Then I suppose I will just have to do my best to make sure you do not get yourself killed,"

"Likewise," she responded with a grin, though she doubted either of them felt much humor.

They walked out the door to meet the others, and nearly ran over Bilbo, who appeared to be rather anxious. Danica looked at Thorin, trying to suggest that now was a good time to give Bilbo the shirt. Understanding her silent communication perfectly, Thorin reached inside his coat and brought the shiny object out.

"This is for you, Master Baggins. Mithril, it was called by my forbearers. Impenetrable links of silver steel,"

Looking a little dubious, Bilbo took it and slipped it over his head. "I look absurd," he said. "I'm not a warrior, I'm a hobbit,"

"It is a gift," Thorin smiled. "A token of our friendship,"

Bilbo glanced at Danica, then put on his best polite face, shoulders back and straight. "Thank you,"

The company met in the hall of kings, away from the other armies that were preparing for battle. Women and children still bustled around them, hurriedly trying to get to safety. Though chaos was all around them, the atmosphere in their small circle was quiet and peaceful. Perhaps it was because they knew what was to come, and what could possibly come. Dwalin looked at Danica, and broke the silence.

"Got a song for us Lass?"

She smiled, and sang;

"Of all the money that ere I've had

"I spent it in good company

And all the harm I have ever done,

Alas, it was to none but me

And all I've done for want of wit

To memory now I can't recall

So fill to me the parting glass

Goodnight and joy be to you all

So fill to me the parting glass,

And drink a health whate'er may fall

Then gently rise and softly call

Goodnight and joy be to you all

Of all the comrades that ere I had

They're sorry for my going away

And all the sweethearts that ere I had

They'd wish me one more day to stay

But since it falls unto my lot

That I should rise and you should not

I'll gently rise, and softly call

Goodnight and joy be to you all

So fill to me the parting glass

And drink a health whate'er may fall

Then gently rise and softly call

Goodnight and joy be to you all

Goodnight and joy be to you all

Even the women and children had paused to listen, and once they began moving again, it was slower and less harried. Only once she had stopped singing did Danica realize that she and Thorin were holding hands. She didn't know how had reached out first, but now she didn't want to ever let go.

"Aye, Lass. That was a fitting song," Gloin said while the others nodded.

After giving her hand one final squeeze, Thorin let go and addressed the company. "You have all given so much to help me reclaim our homeland. I could not have asked for braver, more loyal dwarves, and would not have traded a single one of you for a whole army," there were some cheers and claps on the back. "Despite everything we have been through, because of everything we have been through, will you follow me, one more time?"

Instead of the solemn, quiet response Danica was expecting, they rose up in more cheers, and began to chant,

"Long live the king!"

"Long live the queen!"

A warmth filled Danica's chest at the same time the heavy weight of responsibility settled in. Some of Dain's men walked by, unsure how to respond, especially when the remaining people of Laketown began chanting as well. When Thorin looked back at her, his eyes were filled with pride. All she could do was stare back, wide-eyed and unsure. It left a strange feeling in the pit of her stomach as they all began marching out to join the others in the field. Her attention quickly turned to the sky. She had hoped and prayed to see the eagles come before the battle started, but there was no sign of them, or Kaine. Anxiety built up, and she soon found herself shaking. Trying to steady herself, she tightened her grip on her spear, and concentrated on the rhythmic footsteps of those around her. Once they stopped though, everything went deathly still and silent. Elves, men, and dwarves lined the valley, waiting with bated breath to see where the enemy would attack first.

"If the battle turns ill, I want you to go back to the mountain and lead those you can out the hidden door and to safety," Thorin leaned his head closer to hers so only she could hear his words.

"I'm staying with you," she responded resolutely.

"Dani,"

"Thorin, please. I can't leave you,"

"You are my wife, and my queen. The people in that mountain will need you to look after them and help them survive. You will be their only hope,"

She bit the inside of her cheek, knowing he was right, and hating to admit it. Finally, she nodded, but said, "Only if the battle turns,"

Knowing that was the best he was going to get, Thorin accepted it. It was only another moment of silence before the earth began to tremble beneath them. When the hill in front of them exploded, Danica's heart nearly burst from her chest. Just before the rest of hell broke loose, she turned to Thorin, and said, "I love you!"

She never heard his response.

Thorin yelled back at her, but the chaos around them swallowed his words to the point where he could barely even hear himself. He signaled for the horns, which alerted the front few lines to build a wall with their shields. Even as they, along with some of the elves and men braced for impact, he knew there was something wrong. There were just too many of them. He looked up to Ravenill, and saw Azog, whose focus was solely on the army moving towards them.

"No…"

"Get everyone over here!" Danica yelled. "They've pulled all of their forces to attack in one direction!"

Horns blew all around them, frantically trying to get the other defenses all in one place, but it was too late.

"Hold your ground!" Thorin called, for it was all they could do as the enemy plowed right through them.

It was like watching water break through a dam. They did the best they could possible do to hold the lines, but battle trolls beat them away like flies. Finally, he heard Dain's distant call, and the sound of his war machines firing. Giant, spinning spears found their mark in the giant beasts, and in the flood of orcs behind them. Confidence building, the rest of the allied forces let out a great cry and charged. Soon, all around him was a chaotic cacophony of screams and clashing metal; the stench of blood quickly pervading the air. He lost sight of Danica within seconds, but knew that focusing on it would only get him killed. Instead, he let battle instinct take over. Fili and Kili stayed by his side, protecting his back.

Throughout the madness, one horn seemed to rise above all the others, controlling the enemies' movements. Thorin chanced a glance up to the hill again. Whatever move Azog willed for his armies was conducted by a change of flags, and a series of horn blows. Realization hit Thorin like a wall of ice. There was no other way…The one thing she had warned him not to do was the only real option he had. Gritting his teeth, he turned and gestured for Fili, Kili, and Dwalin to follow him. They fought their way to Dain first.

"Fine warning yer woman's sight has given us, 'cos," Dain joked while he smashed an orc in the face with his hammer.

"Without her, many more lives would have been lost," Fili protested heatedly.

Dain gave an amused look to Thorin, who shrugged, then moved on to the task at hand. "I need you to take charge of our armies down here. The only way for us to gain the upper hand with them is to kill their leader,"

Brows pulling together, Dain looked up at Azog. "Ye can't," he said. "Yer out king,"

"That is why I must do it," Thorin responded somberly. "If you would, we need goats to get up the hill with all haste,"

Though he looked about ready to deny the request, Dain sighed, giving in. "Aye," he made a quick gesture to one of his men. They all had to pause a moment to kill some charging orcs. When he could, Thorin took a look around, and was finally able to spot Danica a ways off, fighting beside Gandalf and Bard. It terrified him more than words could say to see her fighting for her life.

"Here," Dain caught his attention and motioned to four goats. "Yer all mad. Ye know that?"

"It is probably the only reason we stand a chance," Thorin grinned, mounting one of the goats.

Dain barked out a laugh, but became somber again when they began to move out. "May Durin save you all,"

They fought their way through the chaos, stopping for the only thing that gave Thorin more dread than going up to Ravenhill; asking the elves for help. To at least some relief, Thranduil was too far off to get to, but his son and the redhead were just ahead of them. As if knowing they were needed, they looked over at the coming goats, and leaped toward them.

"We are barely able to hold them back," the princeling said. "The Defiler is controlling them from his safe position above,"

"That is why we will need your help,"

The two elves shared a surprised glance before looking back at the company of four.

"Just you?" Tauriel asked, but with no disdain or intended offense. She seemed genuinely concerned for their safety, which left Thorin feeling a little unarmed.

"Another reason we need your help," Kili answered, and Thorin could swear he heard a wink in his nephew's voice.

Resisting the urge to roll his eyes, he focused on Legolas. "We share the same goal, and so should be able to fight beside one another effectively,"

Legolas nodded, then said, with some strain, "I agree,"

Tauriel sat behind Kili while Legolas reluctantly went behind an equally reluctant Thorin. Trying to quell the sinking feeling in his stomach, Thorin pulled his mind back to the battle. Thanks to the goats, the journey up the cliffside was relatively quick. Jumping off the moment they hit level ground, they fought off a pack of orcs who were waiting to ambush them. After, everything went quiet. Deathly, chillingly quiet. Thorin looked at the elves, knowing they had better sight and hearing, but they looked just as confused as he felt.

"Where is he?" Fili murmured softly.

"Laying a trap of some kind," Thorin responded. "Whatever you do, do not go into the watchtower, or anywhere else alone. We do not want to spring the trap without backup,"

Fili and Dwalin were the only ones that nodded before a distant screech reached their ears. Thorin turned his gaze to the horizon, and saw shadowy figures moving against the clouds. The first one he recognized was the smallest. Kaine swooped down further into the valley, calling out for his mistress. A much larger call followed, coming from those that followed the falcon.

"The eagles are coming…"

Thorin spun around, surprised by Bilbo's voice behind him. "Bilbo! What are you doing here?"

Tearing his eyes away from the great birds, Bilbo shook off whatever caused his eyes to glaze over. "Dani sent me. In not so many words, she wanted me to warn you about the trap Azog has-"

"Thank you, Bilbo, but we know," Thorin responded as politely as possible. "We are trying to figure his trap out now. That piece of filth has hidden himself well,"

"I can help,"

"Don't be absurd," Dwalin scoffed. "Ye should find somewhere safe until the battle is over,"

Bilbo's eyes narrowed in indignation, his shoulders set straight with determination. When he spoke, his words were for Thorin only. "I can do this,"

For some reason, Thorin truly believed he could. "Go," he said with a nod.

Unable to stand and do nothing, Kili and Tauriel moved further to the north to check beyond the hill. After they had disappeared from sight, a change of wind stirred. Legolas turned his head toward something, which had the corner of his mouth twitching.

"Incoming,"

A moment later, the sound of giant wings gave Thorin all he needed to know what Legolas meant, and had him so amused. Sighing through his nose, he turned to see Danica sliding off the eagle's back, Kaine fluttering above her. Fury was rolling off of her in waves, making her look like some powerful goddess of war.

"Thorin Oakenshield, what in hell do you think you are doing! Do you want to die?!"

She stalked over to him, and, seeing the fear in her eyes, he knew there was only one thing he could do. So he grabbed her, held on when she fought, and kissed her until she stilled.

"Damn you," she whimpered, but he could see most of the anger had dissipated. "Why?"

"I had to. It was the last thing I wanted to do, but he is the puppet master. He needs to be dealt with, or they don't stand a chance down there,"

"You have already warned us about what may happen," Fili assured her, putting a hand on her shoulder. "We have a good chance of avoiding any terrible outcome,"

The nod she gave was less than confident, and her eyes looked around the small group doubtfully. Her brows lowered in confusion before she said, "Where are Kili and Tauriel?"

"They went over the hill there to scout for orcs," Dwalin pointed to the hill with his axe.

Danica's eyes widened, but before she could speak, a loud, sinister horn blew from behind the hill. A low rumbling followed, then the earth began to quake. The ice cracked loudly beneath them, forcing them onto more solid ground. Thorin reached out for Danica's arm, but she was already running toward Kili and Tauriel. Cursing under his breath, he went after her, but was stopped by a panting Bilbo.

"Azog and a small force of orcs and goblins are hiding in the tower. If you charge that hill, they will block you in and attack you from behind,"

"This was his plan all along," Legolas said darkly.

"Sneaky piece of scum," Dwalin added in.

Thinking quickly, Thorin addressed Dwalin and Fili. "I need the two of you to go warn the others and bring them back," he looked up to Legolas, who saw where his train of thought was going, and nodded. "We will do what we can to take care of the rest here. We will live to fight another day,"

"Yes Uncle. Be careful," Fili said.

Dwalin frowned, wanting to protest, but instead spoke to the elf. "If he dies, I will avenge him by killing you,"

To their surprise, Legolas' lips lifted upward. "I would expect no less. That does not mean I would let you,"

Dwalin sniffed in mixed disdain and amusement before following Fili.

"I am staying with you," Bilbo said.

Would the hobbit never cease to surprise him? "Thank you," Thorin replied with a smile.

"Come," Legolas beckoned. "If we want to have any chance of helping the others, we need to move now,"

They made their way as stealthily as they could across the ice, trying to ignore the cracking sounds, and continuous shifting of the earth. When they got to the other side, the hill behind them exploded, opened by more of the wereworms. Unable to look away, they watched as giant spiders flowed out of the open earth like ants out of an ant hole. Great bats flew above them, prepared to swoop down and attack anything on the ground.

"Durin have mercy," Thorin muttered.

As if responding to his quiet prayer, the eagles appeared in the sky above them, taking the bats out with a quick efficiency impossible to deny. A few of them swept down to sink their talons into the spiders on the ground. From the back of one of them, Beorn jumped down, transforming into a bear before he even hit the ground. The ferocity with which he struck at spiders and orcs alike was a truly fearsome thing to behold. Remembering their own task, Thorin, Legolas, and Bilbo entered the watchtower, and were quickly met by goblin mercenaries. Though these were easy enough to deal with, Thorin could hear the orcs behind them, preparing to make their move.

"So it begins,"

P.S. I have to admit, though I'm not super happy with some of the writing in this chapter, I am kind of proud of where this is all going. I didn't have a completely clear vision of this battle when I started, but I like what's happening. Hopefully you all do too! Thank you for reading, and please leave a comment!