A/n: WELCOME TO PART TWO! THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG! WOOT! WOOT!

I'm so excited to get to this movie! As before any chapter set like a blogpost, will have a big bolded part telling you it's a blog post. DoS will explore more about the backstory of Aurora and we'll start seeing some flirting between Thorin and Aurora and maybe a potential relationship.

You excited? Cause I'm excited!

LET'S GET STARTED!

23 years ago…

"You have to help them. They cannot know who they are. They cannot know."

Elrond stared down at the woman. He glanced towards the rest of the White Council. Galadriel paced around the table silently while Saruman placed his hands on the table, deep in thought. "Gandalf, what do you think? Afterall you brought them here." Saruman asked, looking towards his brother. Gandalf stepped towards the table. "I believe Rivendell is the safest place for the children. If anyone were to protect them, it would be Rivendell. After all, given their lineage, the elves must protect them."

"Are you implying that because of the children's lineage, the elves have an oath they must hold?" Saruman questioned. No one spoke to answer Saruman's question. The woman wrapped the blanket tighter on her sleeping daughter and son. "Please. They cannot stay in Gondor. They must live." She begged, kneeling before Saruman.

Galadriel glanced between Gandalf and Elrond. "I agree with Gilraen. They must be protected. We shall change his name, hiding his lineage, naming him Estel. For your daughter she will keep her real name, but she will become Aurora Lorien."

Maybe it was the near-death experience or maybe the fact that he did die for a moment, but Thorin Oakinshield was getting more and more attractive to me. Something about those icy blue eyes and scowl shook me to my core. I found myself, constantly wanting to be beside him, constantly wanting to know where he was, and constantly wanting to see if he was staring at me. I must be acting like a giddy teenager but if it's wrong… I don't want it to be right.

I sat down on a rock, tying my boot while we waited for Bilbo to come lback from being lookout. Why he was made lookout, I will never know since he failed the last time as lookout. "Aurora?" I looked up to who was needing my attention. It was Thorin. I felt my heart do a small summersault and stood to face him. "Yes?"

His icy blue eyes stared at my grey ones. "Make sure everyone is ready to move, as soon as Master Baggins returns." He sidestepped past me, heading towards Gandalf. I huffed in frustration as I watched him walk away. "That's just cold." I said to myself as I made my way to everyone to check and see if they were ready to move.

"Ro!" Fili jumped up and ran over to me "how would feel after all this is over, you and I go get a nice little coffee?" I raised a brow at his question.

"Like a date?" I questioned, picking up my backpack. Before he could answer, I noticed everyone running towards Bilbo who had returned. "How close is the pack?" Thorin asked as he and Dwalin approached Bilbo. Bilbo ran into the circle of dwarves as we waited to hear what he had to say. "Too close. A couple of leagues, no more, but that is not the worst of it." Bilbo explained.

"Have the wargs picked up our scent?" Dwalin questioned. Bilbo shook his head no, "not yet, but they will; we have another problem."

"Did they see you? They saw you!" Gandalf theorized as a few dwarves nervously shifted about.

"No, that's not it." Bilbo answered. Gandalf smiled at turned to everyone. "What did I tell you? Quiet as a mouse. He'd be an excellent burglar!" The dwarves chuckled in appreciation of Bilbo. "Will you listen- Will you just listen?" Bilbo said exasperatedly "I'm trying to tell you there is something else out there." Everyone stopped and went silent, side glancing at the person next to them. I raised a brow at Bilbo's answer, trying to think of anything that could be out with the Orcs. "What form did it take?" Gandalf asked solemnly "like a bear?" Bilbo furrowed his brows at Gandalf's question. "Y-yes. But bigger, much bigger." Bilbo answered. Everyone turned to Gandalf for an answer. "You knew about this beast?" Bofur asked, a slight stutter in his voice. Gandalf turned a stepped away from the group. "I say we double back!" Bofur exclaimed turning around to face Thorin. "And be run down by a pack of Orcs?" Thorin questioned, crossing his arms. Everyone began to argue.

"There is a house, it's not far from here, where we might take refuge." Gandalf announced, facing the group who silenced themselves.

"Whose house? Are they friend or foe?" Thorin asked.

"Neither. He will either help us, or he will kill us." Gandalf replied, earning bewildered looks from most of the company. "Figures. Just our luck," I said against my breath, making Bilbo snort out a laugh.

"What choice do we have?" Thorin said. Before anyone could answer, a loud roar came from behind us in the trees. A bear roar, to be exact.

"None."

We ran through the early morning light, passing out of the woods and into a plain. And the Orcs found us as we ran away from them. The roars of the bear grew louder and longer, suggesting to us that this bear was angry. Gandalf yelled at us to keep running and we double timed it to get away from Azog and the angry bear.

As we passed through another forest, we spotted a house surrounded by a hedge in the middle of a plain. "To the house! Run!" Gandalf yelled at us as ran out into the yellow grass. Bombur outran all of us in fear… or he was hungry. We ran through a gate in the hedge. Some of the dwarves ran to the large door of the house trying to open it, but the door wouldn't budge.

The bear roars grew louder. A massive bear broke through the tree line, charging towards the house. "Open the door!" Gandalf yelled at the few at the door. I pushed through the dwarves and pulled a bobby pin from my hair and began to pick the lock. "Quickly!" Thorin hissed at me as I fumbled with the lock. "You- can't- rush genius-ness!" I said in a singsong voice. The bear was getting closer. I heard a click within the lock, pulled the bobby pin out and pushed the doors open. We ran inside, pushing the doors to when the bear got its head in the door. The dwarves strained to close it. With a final heave, they push the door close, locking it, dropping the bolt across it as well. We sighed in fear, shock, and tiredness.

"What is that?" Ori asked.

"That… is our host." We all faced Gandalf, hoping he was joking. His expression said otherwise. "His name is Beorn, and he is a skin-changer." Oin checked his hearing trumpet to make sure he heard Gandalf correctly. "Sometimes he is a huge black bear; sometimes he's a great strong man. The bear is unpredictable, but the man can be reasoned with. However, he is not overfond with dwarves." I silently laughed to myself at our situation.

While, we were taking in our surroundings of the large farmhouse, Ori was busy peeking out the door. "He's leaving," he whispered. Dori pulled him by the arm away from the door. "Come away from there! It's not natural, none of it. It's obvious: he's under some dark spell." Dori chastised. I propped myself against a post in the room. "The only enchantment he is under is his own. Skin-changers are very rare. Had no idea they still existed." I told them. "Aurora is right. Now, get some sleep, all of you. You'll be safe here tonight." Gandalf announced to everyone. No one looked happy at that idea.

Nori patted me on the back, "from one thief to another, good lock picking." He began to walk away when I cleared my throat to get his attention. I held out my hand and he placed my phone, that he tried to pickpocket, in my palm.

I shook my head as I walked over to one of the oxen in the barn area of the house and patted its head. I spoke to the animal in Elvish, telling it that it had no reason to be bothered by us. The oxen seemed to agree, settling itself down for the night. I patted him again and moved away from the animals. "Aurora?" Bilbo asked, walking over to me "what were you doing with the animals?"

"It's Elvish. I was telling the oxen they had no reason to fear us." I answered setting my bag down in the spot I chosen to sleep in. "Does it work?" Bilbo asked as he set down his supplies. I shrugged my shoulders, "I don't know. It mostly helps calm the nerves of animals."

"Miss Lorien, may I remind you that you are in the company of dwarves not elves." Thorin spoke up, gazing at us from a post he was propped up against. "Then would you rather I speak in Black Speech?" I mused, crossing my arms. He said nothing as he walked over to us. "I would have you speak in the common tongue, or perhaps Dwarvish. Do you know any of it?" He asked, gazing down at me. "I know enough. But I will speak in whatever language I want." Bilbo took that a sign to walk away before an argument broke out.

Thorin didn't seem amused at my answer. "What do you have against the elves?" I asked as he began to walk away. Thorin spun on his heel to face me. "They brought us nothing but ill will. We received no aid from the elves when my grandfather was murdered." He explained. I nodded at his explanation, "did you ever ask for aid?" Thorin scowled at me. Take that as a no then, I thought to myself. I rolled my eyes at him. "You are ridiculous. The elves are good people. They help all who need aid. You must simply ask." I argued.

"Thranduil of Greenwood never gave aid to us when we were in need. Elrond would not have helped us either." Thorin spat out, like he had just tasted poison. "Don't you speak of Elrond with that tone!" I said, acid seeping through my voice. Thorin stopped pacing. He didn't expect me to get that angry. "Why are you standing up for them?" He asked as I crossed my arms at him. "Because those 'elves' took me in when they didn't need to. They could have turned my mother away, but they didn't. They gave me a home. They gave my brother and me a home. So, until the end of time, I will always stand up for them." I explained before grabbing my bag and marching over to a new spot to sleep at. I huffed in frustration as I side glanced back at Thorin who looked speechless.

He's gone.

They told her he was gone.

Her older brother was gone.

"What do you mean my brother's gone?" she asked Lindir. Lindir sat down in the chair across from her. "I am sorry. Aurora, you must know how much it pains me to tell you." 16-year-old Aurora stood and paced back and forth in the library. "It's all my fault. We argued and now he's gone. I have to go find him." She said to herself. Lindir stood and stepped in her path. Aurora, still pacing, bumped into Lindir who placed his hands on her shoulders. "Aurora, you cannot leave as well. Lord Elrond will not be pleased." Aurora ignored him and glanced up at the painting on the wall. The painting showed the Battle of Mordor. She turned to face the Shards of Narsil. Aurora stared at the blade, hesitant to pick up the hilt of the blade.

Images of fire and bloodshed flooded my dreams. Death. Pain. Mordor. Erebor. Flames. Azog. The Shards of Narsil. The Battle of Mordor painting. Rivendell. Fire.

I awoke suddenly, beads of sweat on my face, breathing heavily. I slowly took in my surroundings. It was morning and everyone was awake, we had been sitting around table and I must have fallen asleep again. They were all shocked at me jumping up awake. I dropped my head onto the table and began whispering to myself, "it was only a dream" over and over. "Are you alright?" I heard Kili ask me as I felt someone rub my back. I merely nodded my head against the table, the images lingering in my mind.

"Well, I say we should leg it. Slip out the back way." Nori said, going back to the matter at hand. Dwalin grabbed Nori by the shirt, "I'm not running from anyone, beast or no." Gandalf slammed his fist on the table. "There is no point in arguing. We cannot pass through the Wilderland without Beorn's help. We'll be hunted down before we ever get to the forest," he explained to everyone.

"Ah, Bilbo," Gandalf acknowledged the Hobbit who joined the group. I rose my head up, acknowledged Bilbo before placing my head back down on the table.

"Now, this will require some delicate handling. We must tread very carefully. The last person to startle him was torn to shreds." I sat up and stared at Gandalf, my eyes bewildered. At the same the sound of an ax chopping wood was heard. "I will go first and – uh, Bilbo? You will come with me." Gandalf motioned for Bilbo to come to him near the door. Bilbo glanced between Thorin and me. Thorin motioned for him to go. "Is this a good idea?" Bilbo asked, gazing back at me for help.

"Yes. Now, the rest of you, you just wait here, and don't come out until I give the signal." Gandalf told everyone.

"Right. Wait for the signal." Bofur echoed as he watched from the window. "And no sudden moves or loud noises and don't overcrowd him," Gandalf added "only come out in pairs." The dwarves nodded at his orders. Gandalf and Bilbo began to walk out when Gandalf turned back around. "Actually, not you Bombur. You count as two so you should come out alone. Aurora, you as well, since you are the only woman. I also think it would be wise to say your full name. Remember, wait for the signal." And with that Gandalf and Bilbo left. I jumped up at hearing what Gandalf said and was prepared to argue but he was gone. I saw Thorin glance over at me, his expression telling me that he wanted an explanation later. I shook my head with disbelief as everyone paced around anxiously waiting for the signal, whatever it may be. "What signal would that be?" Bofur spoke up, looking down at everyone from the window.

Everyone turned to face him. "Now you ask?" I groaned, rubbing my head.

We stood waiting around, until Bofur started jumping up and down. "There it is! Go! Go!" He exclaimed motioning for someone to go. Dwalin and Balin went out first. That was too soon for a signal, I thought as I stepped down from the dining area.

"Go! Go!"

Gloin and Oin scrambled out. Definitely too soon. "Uh, Bofur… I'm pretty sure that isn't the signal." I said to him. He quickly glanced at me before looking out the window. "Nonsense! Gandalf keeps making the same movement. Of course, it is the signal! Go!" Bofur waved to Dori and Ori to go. I shook my head as I watched them walk out.

"Go! Go!" Kili and Fili walked out. It hadn't even been five seconds since Dori and Ori walked out. Gandalf must have been nervous or something, because this couldn't be right. Then Bofur jumped up, followed by Bombur, Nori and Bifur who ran out. I facepalmed myself as they scrambled out. It was only Thorin and me that was left. Thorin motioned for me to go. "Ladies first." He said as he pointed towards the door. "But… oh fine!" I stomped my foot down and stepped out the door followed by Thorin.

Beorn towered over all of us, his ax in hand. No wonder Gandalf was nervous around him. I mean other than the fact that he could change into a bear at any moment. His face was covered in hair, hair that trailed down his back. He was shirtless, his chest showing scars, and, on his hands, he wore broken shackles.

He stared down at me. "And who is the human?" he questioned. Gandalf turned back to me and motioned for me to come forward. I unwillingly walked towards Bilbo

"My name is Aurora… Elessar, daughter of Arathorn… Isildur's second heir." I answered, hesitantly. I could feel the stares of every dwarf on me. But my focus stayed on Beorn. He nodded to me, satisfied at my answer, and he headed back inside.

Beorn poured milk into Fili's glass as we all sat down at his table to eat breakfast. I was seated between Fili and Kili, with Thorin sitting behind me, his back propped up against the post. Fili watched as Beorn finished pouring the milk before taking the rather large glass in his hands. Beorn looked down at Thorin. "So, you are the one they call Oakinshield. Tell me, why is Azog the Defiler hunting you?" He asked. Thorin sat up at hearing Azog's name.

"You know of Azog? How?" Thorin questioned as he watched Beorn set down his pitcher.

"My people were the first to live in the mountains, before the Orcs came down from the north. The Defiler killed most of my family, but some he enslaved." Beorn explained as he began to wipe some of his bowls. I glanced over at the shackle that was still on his wrist. How long had it been on his hand? "Not for work, you understand," Beorn continued "but for sport. Caging skin-changers and torturing them seemed to amuse him." He stepped over to Ori and refilled his glass. "There are others like you?" Bilbo piped up.

"Once there were many." Beorn answered.

"And now?"

"Now, there is only one." Beorn answered solemnly. No one knew what to say at his answer. We all glanced between each other silently. I remember Elrond told me once about the skin changers when I was younger. I had found a story about them in a book and Elrond hadn't ever told me Azog had murdered and enslaved the skin changers. He only told me they were not many left in Middle Earth.

"You need to reach the Mountain before the last days of autumn?" Beorn asked, turning to Gandalf.

"Before Durin's Day falls, yes," Gandalf replied waving his pipe around. Beorn sat down in his large chair that faced us. "You are running out of time."

"Which is why we need to go through Mirkwood." I turned to Gandalf at hearing the name Mirkwood. The Greenwood as it was originally named had become infected with evil recently and many locals near The Greenwood had begun to call it Mirkwood. It was dangerous to go there. "A darkness lies upon that forest. Fell things creep beneath those trees. There is an alliance between the Orcs of Moria and the Necromancer in Dol Guldur. I would not venture there except in great need." Beorn cautioned. I nodded at his answer. Let's please listen to him Gandalf. Fili uneasily turned to Thorin who said nothing.

"We will take the Elven Road. That path is still safe." Gandalf replied.

"Safe? The Wood-elves of Mirkwood are not like their kin. They're less wise and more dangerous. But it matters not." Beorn warned. Thorin stood and turned to face Beorn. "What do you mean?" he questioned.

"These lands are crawling with Orcs. Their numbers are growing, and you are on foot. You will never reach the forest alive." No one was expecting that answer. Beorn stood, "I don't like dwarves. They're greedy and blind, blind to the lives of those they deem lesser than their own." Bofur pushed a mouse away from him that had been scampering on the table. Beorn caught the white mouse and held him in his hand while he approached Thorin who looked like a child in size compared to Beorn. "But Orcs I hate more. What do you need?"