Disclaimer: I do not own the Hobbit.

So I gather from the feedback that Kili's kiss was a little out of the blue for some. There were hints throughout the story and for those still unsure refer back to ch. 35 for his minor confession. My apologize if I didn't make this plot point more clearer.

Enjoy ch. 49 (oh wow 49 chapters :P I never thought it would be such a long story.)

There were two options Marie could use to get herself into Dale, both as risky as the next. She had the entire time she spent running across the dark, empty land between the ruins and the mountain to pick one yet she hadn't. The first was the hobbit simply slipping on her ring and go completely unseen by any guards and the second was to look for a hole in ruined walls of Dale and sneak in, yet she still didn't want to use the ring in case she became disorientated from its magic again and finding a way in without being spotted by elves could have taken all night.

Fortunately for Marie, the decision was made for her. Before she made the draw bridge an arrow came out of the dark to greet her, just barely brushing past her ear and taking a strand or two of hair with it. A warning shot. Marie threw herself behind a rock and fumbled about trying to get her ring out, almost dropping it with all her haste. Once it was safely around her middle finger and the howling rung out in her ears she made a dash for the gangway, secure that her invisibility would prevent anymore guards taking a shot at her. She still felt like she was battling against a storm but she kept her eyes forward and fisted her hands. Magic or not she had come too far to falter. She passed two Lake men standing guard with a shovel and a rusted pitchfork without suspicion but was only halfway done. Marie jumped to the side to avoid being trampled by the marching elves and braced herself in a doorway. When she was sure no one was looking in her direction she removed the gold ring as it's magic was too distracting. No one questioned or looked twice at her as she quickly made her way through the decrepit streets, seemingly being mistaken for a wayward child p after their bed time. She was extra careful when she was in the open. It wasn't until she was in the upper levels of the city she had some luck in finding Bard as many of the former Lake Town residence had set up camp near what must have been the Great Hall.

Many men and young boys were hard at work sharpening the tips of spears and swords, even a few women held a weapon at their sides from what Marie could see.

Across the way she could also see a large tent set up on the very edge of the ruins, elvish by design and surrounded by guards. Marie didn't need to think twice as to whose tent that was, thanks to the familiar gold on the guard's armour. King Thranduil was in there. However Marie was surprised to see Bard emerging from the tent, but in a way it did make sense. He spoke for the people of Lake Town at the mountain so naturally he spoke for them to the Elven King. Marie quickened her feet to get to him before he took off somewhere but he was stayed by another coming out of the tent. It wasn't the Elven King. Their robes were poorer in comparison and their hair was grey ... grey?

"Oh my word is it ...?"

It was him. Oh Marie cold of stuck the old man with Sting for being so bloody late. "Gandalf!"
Both men stopped their talking and looked over to her, both as surprised as the other.

"Marie? Oh Marie my dear." Gandalf sounded so very relieved to see her, as she was to see him. He knelt down as she came to a stop and place a hand on her shoulder.

"Where the blazes have you been?" Marie asked, her eyes darting about his weathered face that was covered with scratches. A particularly large cut on his temple was clotted with blood and dirt.

"My plan to return was unfortunately ... interrupted." Was all the wizard said on the matter. "And from what I gather, you situation was no better than mine." He got to his feet and looked around to the elves and mortals readying for battle.

"Indeed, it is the same here as in the mountain." Marie said. "All doom, death and wanton violence."

"I have told you before, it will not come to that." Bard said.

"And as I told you, you are facing the wrong direction to face your enemy." Gandalf counted.

"You both speak as if there is to be a full out war at dawn. The dwarves are outnumbered."

"You clearly don't know much about dwarves." Marie shook her head. "Numbers don't matter to them, they will fight to the death if they must to defend their own."

"Then what? Thorin has already made it clear he will not hear another word from me or my people and Thranduil will not treat with him."

"He would if he had the right enticement."

The wizard and former bargeman both cocked an eyebrow at Marie. "Just what might that be my dear?" Gandalf asked. Marie pointed to the tent. "Let me speak with Thranduil and yourselves, and you shall see."

"You would barter with the Elven King?"Marie was sure Bard didn't mean to but there was a trace of a chuckle in his voice. She just lifted her chin confidently, "I conversed with a fire breathing dragon, I can talk with a simple Elven King."

Bard could only stare at her with bewilderment before glancing at Gandalf who nodded to him with a proud smile. Bard relented and turned back towards the tent, while Gandalf gently nudged Marie along after.

"My Lord Thranduil." Marie heard the mortal man say as she entered. "We have a messenger from the dwarves." The tent held a few piece of decorative furniture included a throne made of twisted wood and was lit with half a dozen small candles set in tear shaped holders. The elf in question was standing on the other side of the tent by a stand with pieces of elegant armour hanging from it. Marie was close to losing her nerve as he turned to them. He was draped in a shimmering cloak that reflected off his ever pale skin and hair. Around his brow he wore a silver circlet with a moonstone at his centre that flicked with all the movement.

Marie remembered herself and stopped her gawking.

Thranduil eyed her with a hint of curiosity. "And what is this Mithrandir? Another ploy to sway me?"

"No. This is none of my machinations." Gandalf stood by Marie side. "May I present Mariellena Baggins of Bag End. Formerly of the Shire."

Marie wasn't sure if she should have curtsied or not, but she was so tensely holding herself up she didn't think she could of. She watched Thranduil as he walked across the floor to his throne, he too watched her carefully. Bard had also taken a seat to the side.

"A halfling where she shouldn't be, how could this be anything but your work?" Thranduil said. He had a point there and all Gandalf could do was give a muffled grunt he sometimes did.

"My Lord." Marie began. "I am a member of the Company of Thorin Oakenshield, so hired to be their official burglar. And I did not come here at any behest but my own."

"My people captured Thorin and his so called company when they trespassed on my lands and there were only thirteen. If you are a member, how is it you evaded capture?" He was testing her.

"For the very reason I was hired. I am good at being unseen."

Thranduil slowly sat, or more accurately lounged into his throne. His bright unrelenting eyes narrowed. "Then, if I am not mistaken, you are the one who stole the keys to my dungeon from under the nose of my guards."

"I am very good. And with all due respect my Lord, your guards made it easy."

There was a brief silence as Marie waited for the king's response, but she could swear that out of her eye she could spot Bard holding back a smirk. The lack of a retort of a dismissal gave Marie cause to continue. "As I said, I here for my own reason." She ached into her coat and took out the wrapped up flag. She set it on the table in the centre of the table and pulled back the flag. "I came to give you this."

All three men gazed in wonder at the Arkenstone, its alluring light reflecting of the material like a halo. It made Thranduil and Bard stand and draw closer.

"The Heart of the Mountain. The King's jewel." Thanduil breathed

"And worth a King's ransom no doubt." Bard concurred and looked back at the quiet hobbit. He was catching on to why she brought the Arkenstone. "How is this your's to give?"

"As a member of the company I am entitled to a fourteenth share of the treasure, so I took it as part of my claim, a claim that I am allowed to give to whomever" Marie said in an ever tone.

"Why would you do this Marie?"Bard asked her softly, tearing his gazed from the jewel. "You owe us nothing." Thranduil, who had holding his hand above the Arkenstone without touching it, also glanced at the hobbit.

'Oh I owe your people a great deal,'

"In truth I'm doing this more for the dwarves than you." Marie dropped her eyes. Yes she was doing this for them and they will hate her for it. She sucked in a breath and looked back up at the two. "I know first hand that dwarves can be obstinate, stubborn and lacking in most table manners. But they are also very kind, brave and loyal to a fault. I have grown very fond of them and I would save them if I could." Her thoughts took her back to her first impressions of the company and how she had wished them out her door and out of her life, now ... now they were lodged in her heart as her dearest friends. She looked over to the quiet wizard. If the situation was not so dire Marie was sure he would be a whole lot smug at what she had said. "Thorin values this stone more than anything and for its return I believe he will give you what you are owed. There will be no need for war."

Thranduil glanced at Bard from under hooded eyes, "Do you believe her?"

"She's honest enough, and her heart is in the right place." Bard said. "So yes. I believe her." He seemed hopeful with the plan. Thanduil did not. He rounded the table so that towered over Marie. "How do we know that is not some trick? What do you have to prove yourself Mariellena Baggins? You are, as you said, a burglar."

Marie would not be bullied out of her conviction. "I may be a burglar but I would like think that I am an honest one. But let me ask you this Lord Thranduil. What do you have to lose?"

xxx

The gates of Erebor didn't look as far away as Marie had first thought, and much bigger too. The hobbit was standing outside the Elven King's tent while waiting for Gandalf to plead the last of her case to Thranduil so that a decision could be made, with a few points of his own.

Marie was more than happy to have the time alone while it lasted and simply gazed out over the land between Dale and the mountain. The snow was falling and flakes began catching in her hair which had come completely free and sat on her chilled cheeks. Marie looked down where the large dwarvish ring around her finger, the cold was starting to bite into the digit quite painfully now.

Or perhaps it was the guilt.

"You are always full of surprises." Marie brushed back her hair as Bard approached her from the tent. "You held yourself very well in there, even Thranduil was impressed."

"Oh really? All I got was a good glare from him. Hardly anything that resembled being impressed." Marie said.

Bard let out a long breath which turned to frost. Marie took this chance to look at him properly. He was no longer in his dowdy old coat and mesh vest, but wore a full chainmail tunic and a fine felt jacket of dark blue and black. A more refined look for a leader. "We will make one last try to reason with the King Under the Mountain at dawn." He said finally.

"Good."

"But Thranduil will still have his army in place. Presumably to make a point to Thorin."

Marie sighed. 'Of course he will.'

"For what it's worth Marie, I did not wish for war either. My people have been through enough hardship. Allying with the elves was out of necessity not spite."

"I understand Bard. You do not need to justify yourself to me ... of all people."

Bard's expression softened. "I am truly glad to see that you are well. Be a shame to lose such lovely eyes."

"Trying to keep in my favour are we?"

"One can try." The two shared a small smile. It was comforting to know that Bard did not bare her any ill will. "I'll have Sigrid find you some food and a bed. It's been a rough day and I'm sure you can use it."

"A splendid idea Master Bard." Gandalf said, joining them from wherever he popped out from. He had a habit of doing that. He had his long pipe in hand and lit it with a flick of his fingers. "If you don't mind I would like a word in private with Marie please."

Bard nodded to Gandalf and then to Marie. "As you wish." Gandalf waited until he was out of ear shot before he said anything and brought the pipe up to his lips.

"Is everything alright Gandalf?" Marie cocked her head to the side.

"Mmmm ... I fear not." He muttered, smoke creeping out of his mouth as he did. "I have something I need you to do."

"Oh?"

"Before Thranduil rides out with his army, you must leave. Get as far away from this place as you can. I will join you at the appropriate time."

Marie's mouth hung open. "Wait, what? Leave? Why? Gandalf you can't just send me away."

"Yes I can." Gandalf took puff. "While these kings sit and argue over century long slights the real danger grows ever closer to us. I did not wish to tell you but in the end we are all in danger." Gandalf turned his gaze to the south. "There is an army out there, heading straight for this mountain Marie, orcs and other unsavoury beasts with one purpose. To kill all that stand in its way."

"An army?" Marie's throat tightened and she looked at the ground. "Azog."

The wizard heard her and sharply trained his eyes back to her. "The Defiler. Yes." If Marie looked up she would have seen a raised suspicious eyebrow. But all she could think about was back when the company had arrived at the Skin Changer's house, when she saw that vision with her ring.

Had it been a prophetic vision of what was to come?

Marie shook her head. "Gandalf, you picked me as the fourteenth member and I am most certainly not going to turn tail now."

"There is no company, not anymore. And I don't like to think of Thorin will do when he finds out what you've done."

"You make it sound like I should be afraid of him."

"Well you should be."

The hobbit swallowed hard. 'I am not afraid of him.'

"Do not underestimate the evil of gold Marie, gold over which a serpent has brooded over. Dragon Sickness seeps into the heart of all those who come near this mountain."

"Not all." Marie said. "The others are not so affect by it. They only follow what Thorin wants since ... he is their king. They are not ... they are ..." She lost her ability to finish the sentence, the words escaping her completely. But thankfully Gandalf understood in his own way and did not press for more, instead offering her his long pipe. "It will help settle the nerves my dear."

Not since she was a teen had she had a puff, when the older cousins used to pass their pipes back and forth she share the Longbottom Leaf after tea. It wouldn't hurt, but she would look a right mess when she sputtered out the smoke. Much to her surprise she didn't and savoured the taste of it before releasing, watching as the wisps floated and danced with the falling snow until fading to nothing.