"And I suppose," Bilbo said, glaring up at the carving, "that is the reason I am here."

"Yes," Thorin said, inclining his head slightly.

Bilbo clenched his hands. Of course it had to be that damned stone. If Bilbo could have his way, he would get rid of that cursed thing as soon as he got his hands on it. But Thror just had to tie the loyalties of all their people to it rather than the king. For whatever good that got them. "Very well."

"You don't have to go right away." Kili said, grabbing Bilbo's sleeve.

"The sooner the better," Bilbo sighed, though he gripped Kili's hand in assurance. "I'd rather get this over with."

"I should go with you then," Dwalin said, holding his new axe before him.

"I'm supposed to be going alone so that I can sneak up on the dragon."

"Then I'll go," Nori said, "I can sneak just as well as you. Maybe better."

"That'll defeat the purpose," Bilbo said. "The whole point of hiring a hobbit was that the scent of a dwarf was known to the dragon and he would know you immediately. I'll be fine. I swear."

"At least let me accompany you part of the way," Balin said. "I won't go too deep in, but I can show you some of the best paths." That, at least, was a good point. Bilbo wasn't supposed to know all the paths through the mountain and it would be more than a little suspicious if he shouldn't get lost in a mountain known for it's maze-like structure.

"Very well," Bilbo nodded, "but just you. If too many of us go down the halls, the dragon will surely smell us." He pointed to Nori. "I mean it, Nori. Don't follow us."

Nori put his hands up in a kind of shrug. "I swear on my honor."

"Bofur," Bilbo said. "I'm counting on you to keep him here."

Bofur grinned, though it looked strained, and took off his hat with a flourish. "You can count on it. I won't be letting no one past me."

"Thank you," Bilbo said. "Then I'll be off."

"Wait," Thorin said. His hand reached out as though to grab hold of Bilbo and that unidentified gleam was back in his eye for a single moment, but then it was over and Thorin took his hand back before he even got close enough to touch Bilbo's clothes. "Make sure you don't wake the dragon," he said finally.

"I don't plan on it," Bilbo said with as much of a reassuring grin as he could muster. Though, by the looks of the people in his company, no one was really very assured.


Balin walked quite a ways with Bilbo in relative silence. Perhaps he was pondering about something, but Bilbo had neither the mind nor the inclination to wonder about it. He was too lost in his own thoughts. How would he face a dragon? Because when it came down to it, there was no way that the dragon was dead. Perhaps he went along to somewhere new to gather more treasure, but it was doubtful. Thror made sure that his collection of gold was more extensive than any in all the known kingdoms, Bilbo was sure of it.


"Do we really need this much gold?" Bilbo asked. He and Thorin were currently overseeing the work of the treasurers for the fourth time that month. In the past, the treasurers were not given nearly this much attention by the royal family. Not because they were considered lesser, but because they were so well trusted that it was considered unnecessary to watch them so closely. Only when King Thror came upon that damned Arkenstone did things change. Now both Thorin and Prince Thrain were constantly asked to oversee the treasurers if King Thror could not make it there himself. It was never said, but it was clear that the king thought the treasurers would steal from him if they weren't watched.

The job of overseeing them would seem boring as little should change in the course of a week or two, but that was not the case. In fact, the treasure grew so quickly that the treasurers were constantly having to check amongst each other to make sure they had the correct figures. How Thror was managing to collect so much gold so quickly, Bilbo did not want to know. Whatever the price, this much of a treasure in one place could never be a good thing.

"It is good to have a large sum in holding," Thorin said, "in case of war or drought." Though he said it, Thorin's brows were furrowed as he looked up at the towers of gold.

"Crops were good this year," Bilbo said. "So much so that your grandfather has sold much of it away. And I have not heard any news of a war anytime soon."

"Aye," Thorin nodded. "Nor have I."

"I don't like this Thorin," Bilbo said.

Thorin stopped suddenly, letting the treasurer that they were currently following trail ahead of them slightly. He turned to Bilbo and put their foreheads together. "Do not worry my One," he said. "We are Durin's folk. Though my grandfather may be acting strange now, nothing will keep Durin's sons from doing the right thing."

He kissed Bilbo's forehead, bumping the silver diadem upon his head. Everything that Thorin made him these days were made of silver or lesser metals. Not because he couldn't or wouldn't buy more precious metals like gold, but because it was likely that Thror would find reason to take it from Bilbo. No matter what Thorin said, even he didn't trust his grandfather now.


"In truth," Balin said. "I don't know what you'll find down there."

"I expect I'll find a dragon," Bilbo sighed, leaning against the wall for a break. He felt light-headed and short of breath, which was not really a good sign when he planned to go into battle.

Balin frowned. He too probably expected the same, though even he didn't want to say it. It had to be said, though. If something should happen to Bilbo or the dragon should become angered, the dwarves need to be ready to defend themselves. Or at the very least to hide.

"You don't have to do this," Balin said. "We could find another."

"I wish we could," Bilbo said, "but what other choice is there. The dwarves of the seven kingdom have already said that they will not come to our aid except if we have the Arkenstone and we cannot stay in the Blue Mountains. This is our only hope."

Balin's frown deepened, sadness threatening to become tears in his eyes. "Surely we can think of some other way. It doesn't have to be you that goes in."

"Who else would it be?" Bilbo asked. "I am the only hobbit here. The only one of the company who is not a dwarf. Besides, even if I am lost, there will be no great loss to the kingdom. Not like Fili, or Kili, or Thorin. No, it must be me."

"You cannot mean that," Balin said. "It'll be a great loss to us if we should lose you."

"You know what I mean, Balin," Bilbo sighed. He really didn't want to go into this right now. "I am just a hobbit. Nothing more."

"But you are Haran, husband and prince consort to Thorin."

Bilbo shook his head. More and more when he thinks about the similarities and differences between himself and Haran he wonders if they truly are the same person. Perhaps there was some terrible mix up that gave Bilbo the memories of someone else. Perhaps Thorin had some other dwarven lad or lass waiting for him at home that had no idea that they were the reincarnation of his One.

His heart hurt.

Bilbo's hand shook as he took out the last of his golden lissuin flowers. It was a small thing, delicate and slightly wilted from being in his pocket too long yet its scent remained strong. He pulled forward a piece of his hair and wove the flower stock into a small braid near his face. He would not be able to take it out while he faced the dragon, so hopefully this would be enough to get him through to the end. "I gave my word that I would help you reclaim the mountain," he said, "and I intend to keep it."

"Here," Balin said, holding out a small bead for Bilbo to take. Bilbo did so and was surprised to find that it was one of Thorin's. Not one of the ones that had been in his hair, but probably one that he kept on him as a spare just in case. How Balin got ahold of it, Bilbo did not want to know, but the charm made him feel that much more alive as he used it to fasten the flower in place. "I wish you luck laddie."

"Take care of them Balin," Bilbo replied.