Title: Braveheart

Pairing: Thorin/Bella

Summary: There was another to add to the company from in the Shire, one no one expected, Isabella daughter of Elrohir Son of Elrond and Belvola. Will they accept Bella as the warrior they know of or will she hide the fact that she is both Elf and Dwarf.

BTW I should mention Italics are the elves speaking in their native tongue Sindarin. Bold Italics is when they are speaking in Khuzdul. All words translated at the bottom. {{Between these is green speech}} aka hobbit talk. Between and Italic '–' is Iglishmêk

Disclaimer: I do not own anything but the plot! No matter how much I wish it to be so.


Chapter Twenty

Once dinner was over and that Bella had managed to chastise Bilbo thoroughly along with the company about his birthday did, she settle a little. This night was one she was going to remember for a long time, it was amazing and she couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness that ran through her as she took in the others merrymaking all the while knowing that tomorrow it was going to change.

The moment she stood had all her brother's eyes upon her, Thorin already knew that she needed to speak with the others and when he caught her eyes, nodded in his acceptance.

"Nori, I need you to come with me," Bella stated softly as she drew close to her brothers, all three eying her with various degrees of emotion.

Dori cocked his brow unimpressed. "What for?"

"Because I know that if you knew I left without one of you, hell would rain down upon me," Bella replied blandly, daring him to disagree with her. "I've already spoken with Thorin and he has agreed that I may go and alert my friends about the oncoming attack as long as Nori is with me."

The two siblings stared at one another for a beat of a moment, Dori knew that he couldn't go against the King's orders nor would he, but this was his sister, his newly acquired sister that he didn't wish to lose and this forsaken hell hole of a town had shown him already how much the corrupted Men thought of his Namad. Though, he was pleased by the fact that she was taking someone with her and though he hated Nori's skills, Dori knew that if someone were to even think about hurting Bella it would be their very last.

"Very well." Dori acquiesced and cast his brother a look. "I know she and you can look after yourselves, but you know what to do."

Nori did not let his surprise show but nodded nevertheless at the subtle undertone, the unsaid words. If someone goes to hurt her… kill them. Bella huffed and made sure everything on her person was secured tightly before tapping her forehead gently on both her brother's heads and made her way out into the night.

Bella knew from experience that the Pack would still be awake, she also knew that Bard would be too, though she wasn't too sure if they would be together. Her ears twitched for any sign of guards and kept her eye on Nori who was following her with ease as she slipped in and out of the shadows. A silent muttered curse escaped her lips as she dove under a table, her hand catching the fallen pot from her abrupt movement as two guards stepped into the light.

"I don't ev'n know why tha' master wants us to be 'ere." The tallest of the two mutters as he rubs his hands together, blowing in them to keep warm.

The elder of the two scoffed. "Cause of them vagrants, ya know why. He only needs one infraction to chuck em out."

Fury lit within Bella as she continued to listen to the guards, her mind racing and forming even more plans to utterly ruin the greedy bastard that was Master of this town. He obviously didn't believe her that one word from her to Legolas or Dain would cause all that flowing gold to cease and if Thorin's plans to take back the mountain were to come into fruition? Well, there was a certain town nearby that needed a leader once rebuilt and she knew Bard would make sure the people were well looked after, considering he was Girion's heir.

"One-word Namad and he will no longer be a problem," Nori muttered in her ear, his eyes dark and bloodthirsty.

Shaking her head sharply she placed a hand upon his own that held a dagger. "No, I have other plans for the pig, come on let's go."

It didn't take them much longer for Bella to reach the small cluster of homes that was the Pack's residence and tossed her brother up into the third story window before climbing up after him. Her eyes tracked the empty room as she crept forward on high alert, she knew her Pack boys would be too, and they were deadly when snuck upon.

A shift in the air had Bella jerking her head back to avoid the four sharp talons of a Wolves Claw and blocking the followed swipe, she twirled back and away, pulling her brother with her when he went to defend before kicking up and knocking the claw out of Paul's hand.

"Paul, it's me." She barked out roughly sagging when the wild look in his eyes vanished with a blink. "It's okay, I wasn't expected, I'm glad you keep your training up."

Paul shook his anger free and grunted, shaking his head clear of the adrenaline that surged at an unknown entity and stared at his sister. "I'm glad you too are staying sharp, that reaction time was amazing as always. What brings you here Bella?"

"Need a Pack meeting, all of you and Bard," Bella replied as they wound their way down to the dining room. It was ingenious on how they structured their little sector of houses, building walls between them to make one giant house with tunnels and in the middle of what once would have been water now rested half a floor and dining area for them all. It had improved greatly since she saw it last and was now only able to take it all in and appreciate the craftsmanship that went into it.

Paul frowned but nodded, his eyes sweeping over the other dwarf with a critical eye before letting out three long whistles in various pitches. It sounded like birdsong and it had Nori admiring the skill, his brows rising as a wolf howl followed in. What was even more impressive to the thief was the fact that Paul seemed to throw the sound out from him.

It didn't take long for the pack to slip into the meeting point, it had the hairs on the back of Nori's neck standing up as each member slipped just as silently as he did, as his sister did and he wondered if that was a skill they learnt from where they came from or if it was taught.

"Bell?" Bard asked as he jumped down from the second balcony, the hood of his cloak falling back to reveal Bard's very confused voice.

"Look, I didn't get to speak with you much over the last few days." Bella started with a hiss of agitation. She began to pace as she eyed her friends and then locking eyes with Bard once more, she knew the reaction that was coming to her confession and really didn't want to be the cause of it but… "Thorin wishes to reclaim the mountain."

The pack didn't react much beyond a slight tensing but it was Bard who she was mainly focused on, his face twisted from confusion to horror and settled on anger as fast as an arrow. "You must be joking, he can't!"

"He has no choice!" Bella snapped back in frustration. "I don't want to be here either but I am. I cannot stop them, Bard, I won't."

Bard clenched his eyes shut and took a deep breath. "I had hoped to whatever Valar was listening that my gut was wrong, that the Dwarrow you travelled with were not going where they were going. You know the prophecy better than I!"

Nori jerked forward at that news. "Prophecy, what prophecy?"

Neither of them even dared to look at him. "Namad, what prophecy?"

"The King beneath the mountains,
The King of carven stone,
The lord of silver fountains
Shall come into his own!

His crown shall be upholden,
His harp shall be restrung,
His halls shall echo golden
To songs of yore re-sung.

The woods shall wave on mountains
And grass beneath the sun;
His wealth shall flow in fountains
And the rivers golden run."

It was Bard who started it but his eyes never left Bella's who seemed to sag in defeat with each line, he knew the prophecy as much as she. His father passing it onto him since the day he was old enough to know, the same as every other person in this town but unlike the others, there was another verse, one that he had told Bella long ago.

With a deep sigh, Bella turned to her brother. "The Lord of Silver Fountains, the King of Carven Stone, the King Beneath the Mountain, shall come into his own. And the bells shall ring in gladness, at the Mountain King's return, but all shall fail in sadness, and the Lake will shine and burn."

The words struck deep within Nori as the last verse slipped past his sisters' lips, he wasn't a superstitious Dwarrow, unlike his brother and the others but there was something about this that didn't sit right with him, not one bit and the sense of hopelessness he had been trying to push down since the beginning came roaring back. "We're going to fail aren't we?"

Bella shook her head abruptly. "I don't know but we cannot think like that. Look, I came to warn you all. You need to leave Lake Town immediately, head to the woods and take as many with you as you can."

"You know I cannot do that Bella," Bard stated firmly. "I have a duty here, there is no other place for us to go to nor the funds to get anywhere. If we were to leave, we will never be welcomed back."

"Look, Bard… I know, I know how hard this decision is, but you must trust me, please. I'll make sure that you can settle, send a thrush to Legolas and he can aid you once you reach the forest. My fathers' people can help you as well. Just, I need you all to leave in case the prophecy does come true." Bella basically begged, her eyes flickering from face to face willing the others to listen, to understand.

Sam sighed and nodded. "You have never lead us wrong, you do all you can to make sure that we are protected and cared for to the best of your ability. I–We will not go against you now."

Relief hit her immediately at least she knew her Pack brothers and sister would not be in danger of Dragon fire but her eyes found Bard once more, waiting for his decision.

"I'll send Reyna and the children with them, I'll speak to a few other trusted people but, there is no guarantee they will follow Bella, can you live with that?" Bard asked exhausted, now looking several years older. "Many have seen the Dwarrow and are excited for what it means, there are a few left who even remember the warning."

"It'll be enough," Bella started and sighed. "We leave on the morrow. I know it's short notice but Samuel it'll be the only time you and everyone can sneak out while the Master gives us a warm farewell."

Samuel nods and gives the others a look, Nori watched as they all nodded in return and disappeared once more. Honestly, he really needed to have a talk with his sister about them, he needed to know about these strange men who could move like shadows in the night that was on parr with his own skill… he frowned as he thought it over, he was being egotistical. Nori knew he was good at what he did but he knew there were always others with the same skill if not better.

"Nadad it is time to go, I need to speak with Thorin before he retires and we need to plan," Bella stated as she appeared at his side. "Bard, I'll see you in the morning, I'll let Thorin know he needs to have a word with you before we leave."

"Acceptable, fair be well Bella, lets hope this is not the end of us all," Bard stated before he too disappeared into the night leaving the two Dwarrow alone to find their own way back.

"This is bad isn't it Namad?" Nori muttered low as they began their trek back.

Bella paused and glanced back to her brother. "I knew we were facing the Dragon; I just didn't think of everything else around it beyond keeping Bilbo safe from you all. I've gained much this quest and now it's only hitting me on what I have to lose. But I cannot think like that, not right now."

Nori didn't respond to that, there was nothing to say to that but his heart seemed to sink as he realised as Bella slipped inside and over to Thorin that she didn't fully answer his question. He prayed to Mahal that nothing bad would become of them all but he knew that was way beyond his makers' powers.

Yet, he still hoped.

X

The next morning the company minus two made their way towards the boat that the Master had supplied with full bellies and new previsions and armour.

"You do know we're two short; where's Bofur and Bella?" Bilbo asked over his shoulder to Thorin.

Thorin and Balin eyed each other at the question and then to the gathered crowd around them.

"Bofur decided to drink a little more than the others and Bella has gone to fetch him," Thorin replied, glancing at Balin and alerting Bilbo that something else was going on. He went to open his mouth, shutting it a mere second later as his eyes caught the excess of guards around and nodded.

"We have to leave soon if we're to find the door before nightfall. We can risk no more delays." Balin replied with a sigh, marching past Thorin onto the boat.

The crowd around them cheered and sung their praises as they began to board the boat, it was then that Thorin saw Bard was the one to escort them across and he felt his shoulders sag in relief. Bella had told him the night before they needed to speak and Thorin was unsure how to do so when they were watched like hawks.

"The lass better hurry up, she's cuttin' it close." Dwalin muttered as he helped the princes' over onto the barge, his own eyes scanning the crowd for the lass and Bofur.

"She'll be here, she knows the risks," Nori muttered back in defence of his sister.

Dwalin held up his hands in the universal sign of peace at the sharp edge to the Thief. "I meant no disrespect; you know she'd gut me first before you."

"It's a good thing I'm here, Bofur got turned around in the maze." Bella supplied as she pushed her way through the mass of bodies, dragging the hatted dwarf with her and pushing him gently into his brothers and cousins waiting arms.

The excuse to use Bofur was true considering he did drink and excess and was the only one not to contest the volunteer vote. So while she went to help the Pack escape Lake Town without being seen, Bofur was the one who had to stumble around hungover disturbing the guards that were left on watch before making their way back here.

It didn't take long for the barge to make its way out of the town and towards Erebor, the sound of the people following them until the early morning fog hid them from view and then everything died down.

"I had hoped at some point I would say a few words to dissuade you from entering the mountain," Bard stated firmly as he cast a quick look down to the dwarf king. "But my wife has told me to look at it from your view and Bella was kind enough to tell me that the conditions of your people are very much like mine."

Thorin nodded sombrely. "Yes, it is indeed the same perhaps. I know the risks though and I could not ever be dissuaded so close to home."

"Bella has made sure that my family and the Pack are safe, we managed to get a few others out but not a lot were willing to risk the Master's wrath. I hope your plan succeeds King Thorin because if it doesn't my people will be left with nothing but what we carried out." Bard explained seriously. "We will not be permitted back into Lake Town and we cannot impeach on Lord Thranduil's lands forever."

"I am willing to compensate you and your people. I wish to rebuild Dale once this is over and it will need it's heir once more." Thorin replied as he eyed the Man before him, he could see Girion in him and his mannerisms.

Looking over the Dwarrow before him and ignoring the smirk of his friend Bard nodded. "Then I wish you well upon your journey King Thorin and hope the dragon does not live… but if he does. Let one of the thrushes know and I'll be ready."

"You have my word, thank you Bard," Thorin replied as the others began to depart the barge and onto the rocky shores.

Giving the king one last look Bard hummed. "Don't thank me yet, we could all be burnt to ashes tomorrow."


Author Note: Well I gave you an update?