Hey, everybody. Back with another chapter.

Let's get to it.


Chapter 19- The Lonely Mountain

Steve looks around as he and the rest of the Company make their way towards the docks of Lake-Town. At last, they are ready to make the final leg of the journey to the Lonely Mountain.

The Master had welcomed them openly to Lake Town, and had for once been generous with his wealth. He had quartered them in his home and served them the finest food and drink he could, clearly wanting to make a good impression.

As most of the Company was feasting, the Master and Alfrid conducted negotiations with Thorin over the Quest for Erebor. The Master pledged to the Company armor and weapons of the highest available quality, as well as enough supplies to keep them going. In exchange, Thorin had promised the amount of gold previously promised in his speech before Lake-Town's populace as well as trade between Lake-Town and Erebor once the Dwarvish kingdom had been re-established. The Master and Alfrid believed that either way, they had pulled off a wonderful deal. Thorin realized this, but also realized that the Master and his henchman had no idea of the extent of Erebor's riches. However, at the same time, Thorin was getting rather exasperated with the Master. He looked forward to being gone and not having to deal with him anymore.

Now, the Quest is ready to resume. They had been given one of the boats used by Lake-Town's soldiers, which is loaded down with supplies. Thronging the way from the Master's home to the docks where their boat is stowed is a crowd of Lake-Town citizens there to give their well wishes to the Company. Their attention is particular is focused on the two Avengers. Many attempt to shake the hands of the two men. A few even ask for their help, knowing the men know what they're asking for their help with. The two men do not give any a solid answer, but know they will do what they can to help free Lake-Town after they've freed Erebor.

"You do know we're one short. Where is Bofur?" Bilbo asks out loud.

"I last saw him fast asleep under the table in the Master's home. Ten bucks says that's where he still is," Steve responds to Bilbo's question.

"If he's not here, we leave him behind," Thorin says.

"We'll have to. If we're to find the hidden door, we can risk no more delays," Balin points out.

The Company reaches the boat and begins moving supplies and weapons onto the boat as they board, assisted by a soldier from Lake-Town. As most of the Company have boarded the boat, Kili makes to board as well. However, Thorin, who is standing on the dock waiting for the Company to board, sticks out his hand and stops Kili from boarding. Kili looks up in confusion at his uncle, who looks back at his nephew firmly. Despite his wishes for Kili to be at Erebor, the events of the previous night had made the decision for him. If Kili could not handle carrying some weapons down some stairs, then there would be no way he could climb the slopes of the Mountain or handle a fight with Smaug.

"Not you. We must travel at speed. You will slow us down," Thorin says.

"What are you talking about. I'm coming with you," Kili says with a smile on his face, thinking his uncle is joking. However, the look on Thorin's face quickly shows he's not kidding.

"I'm going to be there when that door is opened. When we first look upon the halls of our fathers, Thorin!" Kili protests, hardly believing that his uncle is trying to take him out of this now.

Thorin interrupts Kili as he places his hand on his nephew's shoulder and says calmly, "Kili, stay here. Rest. Join us when your healed." He tries to give Kili a comforting smile before turning back to the boat.

Steve and T'Challa exchange a look, wondering how wise of a decision it is to leave Kili here, especially when they know the Orcs may still be pursuing them. Oin is the first to speak up as he climbs off the boat, saying, "I'll stay with the lad. My duty lies with the wounded."

Fili now approaches Thorin, trying to plead his brother's case. "Uncle. We grew up on tales of the Mountain. Tales you told us. You cannot take that away from him!"

"Fili-" Thorin tries to speak, but Fili cuts back in as he passionately declares, "I will carry him if I must!"

Thorin now says what he intended to say when Fili broke him off as he says, "One day, you will be king, and you will understand. I cannot risk the fate of this quest for the sake of one dwarf. Not even my own kin."

Fili looks over at Kili and Oin, then quickly climbs out of the boat. Thorin quickly grabs his arm and says, "Fili, don't be a fool. You belong with the Company."

"I belong with my brother," Fili firmly declares before turning away from the Company and walking over to Kili and oin.

Steve and T'Challa again share a look before nodding, and Steve takes a step towards the dock. "I'll stay with them. Especially since the orcs may still be pursuing us, at least one of the Avengers should stay with them."

Thorin is torn, wanting both Steve and T'Challa to be present when they enter the Mountain in case they have to fight Smaug. However, he knows that Steve has a point. Eventually, he nods once and says, "Very well. Ensure they're safe and make sure Kili gets better."

"You have my word,," Steve says before he steps off the boat and walks over to where the three dwarves are all waiting.

Several musicians begin playing a series of trumpets as the Master, wearing his fanciest outfit, climbs up onto a platform within view of everybody to make a speech. He waves to everyone, relishing his new popularity before he declares with a loud voice, "Go now with our goodwill and good wishes. And may your return bring good fortune to all!"

The crowd of people begins to cheer loudly as the Company shoves off, making their way down the canal, waving to those cheering at them. T'Challa, however, fixes the Master with an iron look. He hopes that the Master can see him clearly, knowing that business is not finished between them.

As the boat makes its way down the canal, Bofur comes running up, finally having woken up. He sighs as he looks down the canal and sees the boat disappearing into the distance. He then hears something off to his left and turns to see Steve, Fili, Kili, and Oin a few feet away.

"Oh, you missed the boat as well?" Bofur asks.

Almost as soon as the words are out of Bofur's mouth, Kili stumbles, his brother and Oin just managing to catch him. Steve kneels down, looking into Kili's face before he says, "We need help."

"The Master!" Bofur suggests, now realizing what a state Kili is in.

"No, I don't trust the Master," Steve says. He pauses for a moment, then says, "But there is someone here I do trust. Come on."


T'Challa stares ahead at the Mountain as the boat moves smoothly across the lake in its direction. At long last, they are almost there. T'Challa feels a sense of excitement. After being abruptly thrown into this quest, he had developed a real sense of kinship with the Dwarves and a true desire to help them. Now, they've finally come to the Mountain. At the same time, the sheer size of the Mountain awes T'Challa slightly.

The Company comes to the mouth of the river leading around the mountain into the lake and come ashore, the entrance to the river frozen because of the falling temperatures in this region at this time of year. They gather all of their supplies and weapons before they begin the long hike over the rocky, hilly landscape towards the Mountain. They climb the hills and move over the rocks, continually ascending.

Finally, they reach a ledge, and the whole Company rushes up to the edge. They quickly realize that it's not just a ledge, but a steep drop off that falls for hundreds of feet. Beyond the drop off, a large ruined city rests.

"What is this?" T'Challa asks.

"It was once the city of Dale. Now it is a ruin. The Desolation of Smaug," Balin responds.

"Nothing here has recovered?" T'Challa asks, surprised that after sixty years there has been no recovery in the area.

"Dragon fire is not like normal fire, T'Challa. So long as the beast that breathed it lives, nothing will regrow," Balin explains.

T'Challa stares out at the ruins of Dale. That sounds eerily similar to the effects of nuclear weapons, especially given the life span of dragons. He privately hopes that it won't be toxic to walk through the areas affected by Smaug's flames.

Thorin looks up at the sky, analyzing the sun's position. He loudly declares, "The sun will soon reach midday. We must find the hidden door into the mountain before it sets. This way." As he finishes, he starts walking towards a path leading down from the drop off in the direction of the Mountain.

Bilbo turns to Thorin, remembering words spoken to them days ago. "Is this the overlook? Gandalf said to wait for him here. On no account were we to-"

"Do you see him?" Thorin asks impatiently. After a moment, he glances up at the Mountain and says, "We have no time to wait upon the wizard. We're on our own. Come on!"


Bucky climbs carefully over a large root poking out of the ground. He and Gandalf had been transported by Radagast from the High Fells of Rhudaur to Mirkwood, and all the way south through the forest to Dol Guldur. Finally, they had arrived. And as Bucky comes around a large tree, their target comes into view.

Bucky stops beside Gandalf as he first lays eyes on Dol Guldur. The fortress is quite large, occupying a hilltop in the middle of a small valley. The towers of the fortress are quite tall, but it's clear that Dol Guldur has faced much better days. It looks to be very old. Many of the towers are crumbling. Some parts of the fortress look like they're barely standing. Huge chunks of masonry have fallen out of place, and rubble lies throughout the fortress. Many of the fortifications are crumbling or in disrepair. Vines and other overgrowth are everywhere throughout the ruins. Furthermore, the ruined fortress looks completely devoid of any life or activity.

"Dol Guldur. The Hill of Sorcery," Gandalf says, saying its name and then the translation of it.

"It looks completely abandoned," Radagast says, eyes fixed on the fortress he has already visited in recent days.

"As it is meant to. A spell of concealment lies over this place, which means our enemy is not yet ready to reveal himself. He has not regained his full strength," Gandalf says.

"Then, let's hit him while he hasn't," Bucky says, resting a hand on his sword.

"No, not you, Bucky. I need you to go with Radagast and deliver a message to the Lady Galadriel. Tell them we must force his hand," Gandalf declares.

"Gandalf, I'm not letting you go in, alone!" Bucky declares firmly, not wanting to abandon the wizard he has developed a true friendship with.

"You must, Bucky. Your time to face the Enemy has not yet come, but it will come soon enough. You must go and warn Galadriel," Gandalf says.

Gandalf and Bucky stare each other down for several moments, wondering what the other is going to do. Finally, Bucky sighs and says, "Fine. But if you die, I'm going to kill you." This brings a chuckle from Gandalf.

Bucky turns away and starts walking back towards Radagast's sleigh. As he does, Radagast calls out, "Wait, Gandalf! What if it's a trap?"

"Turn around and do not come back," is Gandalf's only response.

"Come on, Radagast. Let's go and bring back reinforcements," Bucky says to Radagast. Radagast hesitates for only a moment before turning and following Bucky.

Their turn away stops them from hearing Gandalf say in a low voice, "It's undoubtedly a trap."


Thorin stabs his sword into the ground as he stops to again scan the rolling hills that make up the foothills of the Lonely Mountain. The Company is scattered around the hills, looking for anything that might point in the direction of the hidden door.

"Anything?" Thorin shouts for everyone to hear.

"Nothing!" Dwalin yells back from up the slopes.

Thorin pulls the map back out and scans it again, comparing it to his surroundings. "If the map is true, then the hidden door lies directly above us," he muses out loud.

T'Challa leaps up on top of a boulder, scanning his surroundings. So far, there has been no sign of where the door is. T'Challa is starting to worry that they may not be able to find the door in time before Durin's Day passes.

Suddenly, everyone hears Bilbo's voice cry out, "Up here!" Everyone hurries in the direction of Bilbo's voice. They quickly see a set of stairs carved into a massive statue of a Dwarven warrior carved out of the mountain.

Excitement ripples through the Company. Thorin runs up beside Bilbo, a huge smile crossing his face. "You have keen eyes, Master Baggins," he praises the Hobbit.

The Company begins climbing up the stairs embedded in the statue. Finally, they reach the top of the stairs, which emerge onto a small outcropping of rock on the side of the mountain, right beside the head of the statue.

The dwarves begin to chuckle as they see the face of the mountain ahead, knowing this must be the sight of the hidden door. Thorin has the biggest smile as he takes a few steps towards the rock face before turning to the Company and holding up the key and declaring, "Let all those who doubted us rue this day!"

The Company cheers loudly, even T'Challa grinning broadly. They all move towards the rock face. As they do, Dwalin moves ahead and mutters, "Right then, we have a key. Which means that somewhere, there is a keyhole."

Thorin turns to look at the setting sun, reciting the last line from the map, "The last light of Durin's Day shall sign upon the keyhole."

Everyone watches as Dwalin continues to scan the rock face as the sun continues to set. Starting to get a bit worried, THorin moves up beside Nori and whispers the Dwarf's name. Knowing what Thorin wants, Nori moves over to the rock face and draws a spoon and a listening cup. He places the cup against his ear, then presses himself against the stone before he begins tapping with the spoon, trying to use the noise of the tapping to locate the keyhole.

By now, Dwalin is getting increasingly frustrated and is now kicking the rock, as if that will make the door open. Nori, a bit irritated with Dwalin for interrupting his efforts, says loudly, "Be quiet. I can't hear when you're thumping."

Instead of stopping, Dwalin begins kicking the rock harder, his frustration growing. "It's not here!" he shouts.

Seeing how low the sun is getting, Thorin decides to go with one of his last options. "Break it down!" he orders.

Dwalin, Gloin, and Bifur begin slamming their weapons against the rock, trying to break open the door. However, their weapons leave little more than a scratch on the rock, while the weapons themselves are getting chipped and damaged. As the head of Dwalin's axe shatters upon an impact, Balin yells, "It's no good! The door's sealed. Can't be opened by force. There's a powerful magic on it."

The three dwarves stop hammering away at the rock. Then, only seconds later, the sun finally sinks below the horizon.

Thorin feels despair filling him. However, despite the fact he feels he's lost his chance according to the map, he feels there may be one more option.

Turning to his fellow king, Thorin asks, "T'Challa. Your claws are vibranium. They can cut through anything. Do you think you may be able to cut a way in through the door?"

T'Challa considers this for a second. While his claws could certainly cut stone, he's never tried to cut through stone this thick, nor through stone that has been enchanted. He also doesn't know exactly where to start cutting.

However, feeling he may as well try, T'Challa responds, "Possibly. But even if I could, it could take hours to open the door."

"We don't exactly have anywhere to go. If you can, get started and we'll see if it works," Thorin says, hoping beyond hope that T'Challa may be able to make this work.

T'Challa nods, letting out his claws. However, as he's about to step forward, he remembers another line from the inscription on the map, and mutters to himself, "When the thrush knocks."

"What?" Thorin asks in confusion, not having understood what T'Challa said.

T'Challa turns to Thorin. "Remember the first lines of the inscription? Elrond said they said 'Stand by the Grey Stone, when the thrush knocks.' What if we have to wait for a thrush to knock?"

"What are you talking about?" Thorin asks, still not fully understanding.

T'Challa is quiet for a few moments, trying to think about any hidden meanings he could be missing in the message. Then, he thinks of something, and he says aloud, "Wait a second. We've lost the sun. But that's not the only thing that brings light."

The Company feel very confused, but one by one begin to understand what he means. Then, they hear something. It sounds like a faint snapping noise. Everyone looks around for where the sound is coming from before Bilbo points and says, "There!" Everyone looks, and recognize the meaning of the inscription.

A small brown thrush has landed on a stone next to the rock face. The bird had managed to catch a small snail and is now knocking it against the stone, trying to break open the shell. As they watch the thrush continue to smack the snail against the rock, a beam on moonlight comes down and shines on the rock face. As the light shifts across the rock, a small spot becomes clearly obvious. A keyhole.

"The last light. The light of the last moon of autumn," Bilbo declares with joy. The rest of the dwarves begin to smile as they recognize this as well.

Thorin beams as he pulls out the key. He takes slow, careful steps towards the rock face, stopping right in front of the keyhole. Slowly, he raises the key and inserts it into the keyhole, turning it slowly until he hears a click. Thorin then raises his hands and presses his palms against the stone. He carefully takes several deep breaths before he pushes against the stone. After a second, the hidden door opens.

Everyone takes a deep breath as they realize that at last, they've found the hidden door. The dwarves, whether they had lived in Erebor before the dragon or only heard of it, stand in awe that they have finally returned to their homeland.

Thorin slowly begins to walk through the doorway and into the passage beyond, memories of life in the kingdom flooding back to him. "Erebor," he mutters to himself. He pats Balin on the shoulder as the old dwarf comes up beside him. He then walks further into the mountain, muttering, "I know these walls. These halls. This stone." He pauses, then speaks to Balin as he says, "You remember it, Balin. Chambers filled with golden light."

"I remember," Balin says with emotion as he slowly follows Thorin.

One by one, the rest of the Company begin to follow Thorin into the Mountain. Though not wanting to seem more eager than the Dwarves, T'Challa is the sixth one to enter the Mountain. He slowly walks in, wondering what wonders he will see here in the Mountain. As he looks around, he notices something behind him on the wall above the doorway. T'Challa looks and says a carving in the stone, with words carved above it.

Gloin notices T'Challa staring, and follows his gaze to the carving. Focusing on the glyphs carved at the top, he begins to read aloud, "Herein lies the Seventh Kingdom of Durin's Folk. May the Heart of the Mountain unite all Dwarves in defense of this home."

Bilbo has by now joined the group looking at the carving. As he looks on, Balin leans in and identifies the subject of the carving, "The throne of the king."

T'Challa, more curious about the circular object depicted above the throne, asks aloud, "What is that above it?"

"The Arkenstone," Balin responds.

"What's the Arkenstone?" Bilbo asks.

"That, Master burglar, is why you are here," Thorin speaks up, looking sharply at Bilbo.

Everyone slowly turns to look at Bilbo, knowing that at last, the reason for him coming on the Quest is about to be fulfilled.


And, I'll end the chapter there.

So, now we're about get into the real action.

For those wondering why I had Bucky not accompany Gandalf, it was mainly because I plan for Bucky to join the White Council in their assault on Dol Guldur and rescue of Gandalf.

Now, for those wondering, T'Challa will not be going in with Bilbo, so I'll be skipping all of the scenes inside Erebor with Bilbo and Smaug until the rest of the Company comes to his aid.

Next chapter should be up soon. Until it is, please leave a review, and stay tuned!