Chapter 23


'You should have seen it,' Fili said enthusiastically. 'The way that dragon reacted.'

After their arrival back at the camp, Fíli and Frêllian had told the others about the four-legged dragons the size of an ox. About their reptilian skin and their big frills. And the bright colours the frill of the alpha male had.

'It almost seemed Frey could command them,' the dwarf finished.

'Perhaps there is a chance you might command Smaug as well,' Ori wondered out loud hopefully. His eyes on the ferian as he wondered out loud.

'Don't be ridiculous. I did not control them and I most certainly will not try and control that fire drake holed up in the mountain!'

She had wished Fíli had not spoken of what had happened. Fearing they would think she could miraculously control the mighty beast called Smaug. Which turned out to be the case. But why would such a powerful creature listen to a puny ferian such as herself?

No, just like the stories she had heard when she had been just a child, these small dragons had felt at ease with her. Yes, she had startled them, but the did not fear her. Powerful, yet docile dragons. Not nearly as big as their fire breathing and flying cousins.

Though she was still surprised of how many stories had held truth to them. The power of the first born being one of them. And now these dragons had started to show up. True, they were not the dragons she had imagined them to be. But dragons they still were.

And while Frêllian had never been one to believe the myths of her people, she now found herself wondering how much of those myths were actually true. Had there really been a time where there were two moons circling the earth? Was she really the descendant of the moon?

And what of the lost child of Aelash? The story of the lost sister? Was there really such a legendary child? If so, why had there never been an encounter with this descendant of Aelash?

While Frêllian was deep in thought, she failed to listen to the conversation. Though it seemed Fíli gladly told the others about their experience. So she just sat there in silence. Not even listening to what the others said. Not even feeling the gaze of Bilbo on her every now and then as the hobbit looked at her in concern.

And as strange as it might be, so unlike her, Frêllian was the first to call it a night. Laying down in her seat next to Dwalin. Her gaze up at the sky as she looked at the stars. Then she turned her attention to the bright full moon.

She had grown up calling her Lüna. Not because of her believes, but out of custom. Her mother had called her Lüna and her uncle did too. Even back at the pack. Ferian and warg always addressed the moon as Lüna. But did anyone know the truth? Did her mother know? What even was the truth?

The light of Lüna faded as Frêllian slowly closed her eyes. The last thing she saw was the concerned looking Bilbo as he looked at her. Then, she found herself drifting off into a dreamless sleep.

'Frêllian,' a soft voice called out. 'Wake up, Frey.'

Frêllian muttered in her sleep. Telling the voice to bother someone else. But the person did not as she had told. Instead a hand reached out for her, gently shaking her awake.

'Come on, Frey. We are about to leave.'

Suddenly the ferian jolted awake. Leave? Why? Sitting up straight, the first thing she saw was the face of Bilbo. His eyes filled with concern as he looked at her. Not that she could blame him.

All around her, the dwarves were almost finished packing. Wanting to continue their journey as fast as possible. Though what troubled her was the silence. The once so cheerful dwarves, the loud dwarves, now barely saying a word. No muttering, no bickering.

'Are you alright,' Bilbo questioned as the ferian started to pack her belongings as well - as few as they were. 'This is so unlike you. You usually are one of the first to rise. And now we couldn't wake you up.'

'I'm fine, Bilbo,' was her soft reply.

To reasure the hobbit when he gave her a doubtful look, she smiled at him. Yes, she was alright. She had just been a little tired. Having gotten rid of the poison out of Kíli's blood had taken a lot of her energy. And she hadn't had the chance to regain her energy with all the commotion at Esgaroth.

Though it seemed those land dragons from last night had somehow allowed her to give in to her tiredness. And now that she was fully awake, she felt better than ever!

'You had us worried, lass.'

She smiled again as she walked over to the white haired dwarf, Bilbo following along. He told her they would reach Erebor today, which they would have to. For today was Durin's Day.

Taking the piece of bread from Dwalin, they were off. While the mountain - their destination - was so close by, yet it was still so far away. As they walked miles and miles, watching as beautiful landscapes turned into barren and burned ones.


It was during midday that they reached the skirts of the mountain, without any danger and the dragons from the night before being the only ones they had encountered. But luckily there was no sign of the dragon.

The only sign something dangerous was lurking within the stone walls of Erebor, was the lack of sound. There was no sign of life, no creature to be seen. And her animal instincts urged her to get out of there. For this place reeked of death and decay.

Still, she continued. Following after their leader as he lead them to the south, where the Front Gate stood. There they passed the old watch-post called Ravenhill and the ruins of Dale. The sight had left both Bilbo and Frêllian - and the younger dwarves that had only heard stories of Erebor - stop in their tracks and look at the sight in amazement.

Even though the city had been on the other end of the valley, the marks of the dragon had been visible even from such a distance. Broken stones, from where the fire drake had smashed against the walls. Darkened stone, licked by dragonfire. The once bustling city, now empty. The ruins touched by the hands of time. According to Balin, the sides of the mountain used to be green with gras and woods and the valley right and pleasant. But all was destroyed by the dragon. Though Thorin did not allow them much time to dwell on the past. For they were on a mission after all. And tomorrow was Durin's Day, which meant they would to find the hidden door today!

Luckily they reached the mountain later in the afternoon and Frêllian had forgotten about Dale for a moment. Taking in the beauty of the mountain. She has had heard stories about the mountain, stories her father had told her. And stories she had heard during her journey with the dwarves. Not really understanding why the dwarves had been so drawn to it, longing to reach the mountain.

But now that she was standing this close toe mountain, she understood. As she took in her surroundings, it wasn't hard to imagine the beauty of it. And she felt a slight pull of her heart as she traced her fingertips over the stones while looking for the hidden door. And to think she had yet to see the Front Gate up close! For Thorin had lead them the lower spurs of the mountain on the western side. If the map was true, then the hidden door would be somewhere high above them, hidden within the cliff. Thus this was where they searched and searched. Until the sun had set and they were forced to set up camp. There was no happy chatter, no singing nor any of the sorts the dwarves had done during their journey since they left Bag End late April. And even the hobbit and ferian remained silent. For not only was there the fear of Smaug that lingered, which meant no campfires as they took shelter underneath a overhang. But there was also the disheartened mood, for tomorrow they would need to find the secret door. If not, then all would be in vain! And that thought weighted heavily on their heart. And sleep did not came easily for Thorin Oakenshield's company that night. Not when they were sleeping on the doorsteps of danger.

'Do you think we will find the door tomorrow,' Bilbo questioned quietly as he sat next to Frêllian.

Frêllian did not look at her hobbit friend as she replied. Instead her eyes remained at ahead, alert for any sound.

'I do not know, Bilbo,' was her honest reply. 'I have no idea what we are looking for and I think neither do the others. If I remember correctly, even Thorin did not know of its existence, before Gandalf showed him the map and key. Only his father Thrain and grandfather Thror knew of it, for they most likely used that door during the attack.'

They were quiet again. Just like their surroundings. Even the dwarves did not snore loudly, though judging from their breathing, some were not actually sleeping. Just resting. And of course there were Bofur and Gloin keeping watch a little closer to the edge of the overhang.

'Do you regret leaving home,' Frêllian asked after a long silence. 'I haven't heard you complain about your comfortable chair, warm hearth and books for a long time. Yet I have seen you look off to the west to where the Shire is.'

He sighed, before she heard him move about. His movements quiet, but audible to her sensitive ears. It seemed her question had caught him of guard. He took a long while, before he finally answered.

'I do not regret this journey,' was his reply, a longing in his voice as he spoke. 'Though I would be lying if I said I do not miss home.'

'I understand,' Frêllian said, her head finally turning to him as she chuckled dryly.

'Hobbits never did like adventures. Nasty, disturbing uncomfortable things that make you late for diner, that's what you called them.'

Bilbo chuckled as well, as he remembered those words he had spoken to Gandalf when the wizard had stopped at his doorsteps on that sunny morning. Yes, he hadn't been too keen about any sort of adventure. He was after all a Baggings from Bag End, a respectable hobbit. But the Took inside had taken over.

'I guess Gandalf was right when he said I would not be the same hobbit I once was, after this journey.'

Frêllian hummed at this. Yes, she had noticed this too. The hobbit had changed, for the better! He was no longer the stiff hobbit that only worried about being respectable, wanting to return back home for a handkerchief he had forgotten in his haste. And now he was dressed in clothes too large for him, standing taller than ever.

He had changed indeed, but for the better! No matter if they were to find the door tomorrow or not.


'Anything?'

There was desperation evident in his eyes as Thorin called out for the others. And Frêllian could not blame him. Today was Durin's Day, they needed to find the hidden door today! But how to find something that was hidden?

'Nothing!'

'If the map is true, the hidden door lies directly above us.'

Leaving Bilbo's side, Frêllian started inspecting the walls. But nothing stood out.

Only a massive statue of a dwarf that was carved into the side of the mountain.

She jokingly stated dwarves must have had a need to compensate their lack of height as she glanced over to her father. To which the dwarf chuckled. Telling her he had used those enormous statues as a hiding place when he had been a young lad.

'Hiding place, you say?'

With this new information, she inspected the statue once more. This time thoroughly. At first she saw nothing out of the ordinary. But as she was about to turn her head away, she saw it.

At first glance, it just looked like the walls have started to crumble down. But once she looked closely, it became clear it was a set of stairs that has been built into the statue.

'Up there,' the ferian shouted, gaining the attention of her companions. 'That must be the way to the door.'

'A good thing you got your mother's keen eyes, lass,' Dwalin beamed proudly as he placed a hand on her shoulder.

Thorin took his eyes off the statue for a moment. Thanking her with a nod. Then they began their way up. The stairs where steep and small, the steps carved uneven.

One could say it was done in haste, but then again it could have been done on purpose.

For if this was indeed the way to the door, then it would make sense if the way to the hidden door would be difficult to find too. And a neatly carved stairs would stand out, while these stairs blended perfectly with the rocky cliff.

Though the climb up was going to be a difficult taskthey had no other choice. They would need to reach the door before the sun would set today!


A surprised yell echoed as Bilbo lost his footing. He had stepped on a slippery step and his foot had slipped, taking the tired hobbit by surprise. Luckily For Bilbo though, Fíli was quick to react. Grabbing the hobbit by his shoulder to prefend him from tumbling down the steep stairs.

'Thank you,' Bilbo muttered in embarrassment, once Fíli let go of him. 'That would have been one nasty fall.'

'Indeed it would.'

Perhaps the dwarf had not meant to sound as uninterested as he had done, with his head probably more focussed on their climb than some small talk. But Bilbo couldn't help but send Thorin's heir a glare. He could have fallen to his death and here Fíli was, unfazed by what could have happened!

But as Bilbo looked over at him, he noticed Fíli had yet to move from his spot. His eyes not on Bilbo. Instead he was looking at something ahead of them, slightly higher then where they were standing. His lips curved up in a small smile.

Curious - and slightly hopeful - Bilbo followed his gaze. Hoping they had reached their destination. And indeed it seemed they were nearing the end of these treacherous steps, for a little ahead was a small clearing in the side of the mountain. But it was not that far up Fíli was looking.

Instead, Bilbo noticed he was looking at the climbing form of Frêllian as the ferian followed her father. Feeling his heart beating faster, Bilbo wondered whether or not the ferian had heard him. The thought worrying him. What would she think of him now? Would she now see him as a scared little hobbit? Frightened by even the slightest potential danger?

But as Bilbo continued climbing up the stairs, he started to argue himself.

No! She had often told him how proud she was of his progress. How brave a hobbit he had become! Stating her once weak rabbit had truly turned into a hare, a proud smile gracing her face when she had said so.

Suddenly he was overcome by anger. He was sure Frêllian had heard him! Her senses the most sensitive of the company. How could she not have heard him? Did she no longer care for his safety?

But he quickly dismissed the angry thoughts. Of course she cared about his safety! Perhaps she couldn't hear him due to the wind? Or perhaps she was too focussed on climbing to have noticed him. Or she might have be listening to other things, such as movements inside of the mountain?

Yes, that must have be it! Frêllian was not one to just disregard him. They were such close friends! She would be worried sick if something was to happen to him.

'Can you please move, Fíli,' he heard Kíli scowl from behind him. 'It was just a smile.'

And suddenly Bilbo understood. Frêllian had heard him! And the ferian must have turned around in worry, only to see Fíli saving him. That explained why Fíli had looked at Frêllian the way he had done moments ago.

'This must be it,' Thorin's deep voice interrupted his thoughts. 'The hidden door.'

Bilbo had been so deep in thought, he had failed to notice he had reached the clearing. Only Fíli and Kíli behind him, with the latter still limping slightly due to his healing wound.

'Let all thise who doubted us rue this day!'

As Thorin held up his key, the others cheer in joy. They had made it! Against all odds, they had made it to the mountain. Even Bilbo felt proud of his achievement.

'Well then.' The bald warrior walked over to the wall, his hand tracing over it. 'We have our key, which means that somewhere, there is a keyhole.'

A keyhole, that was indeed what they would need. But the problem with hidden doors, was that they were in fact hidden. The wall was flat and smooth and upright, clearly the work of a mason. But there was no sign of a post or threshold, nor bar or bolt. And neither was there a keyhole. Though without a doubt was this the hidden door they had been looking for.

Other dwarves joined Dwalin in search for the keyhole. Touching the wall, their thick fingers searching for any clue. Bilbo stayed at a distance, watching as four dwarves searched the wall. Thorin walked over to

Bilbo, key still in his hand as he mumbled to himself.

'The last light if Durin's Day will shine upon the keyhole.'

The last light… Bilbo stared at the horizon, wondering what that meant. The sun was getting lower and lower on the horizon, which meant they were almost out of time.

But nothing changed and Thorin began to get frantic. Ordering Nori - whom Bilbi had noticed a couple of times - to be quite a skilled thief - began tapping the wall in different places with a spoon. Holding his ear to a cup he had placed on the wall.

'Quickly, we are losing the light!'

Hearing the frantic voice of Frêllian, Dwalin began to push against the wall with all his might. Kicking against it every now and then. Much to the chagrin of Nori, as the dwarf scowled him.

By now the sun was close to disappearing. And after Thorin had given to order to 'break it down', the other dwarves began pushing against the wall as well. Smashing with their weapons against the sturdy rocks to no avail.

'Come on!'

Bilbo looked to Thorin. The dwarf looked crestfallen as the sun was almost under.

'It's no good,' Balin muttered quietly as he watched the scene next to his niece. 'The door is sealed. It can't be opened by force.'

'Father, please stop.' Her voice was brittle, as Dwalin fell to the ground. 'It is no use, the sun has set.'

At this, Thorin let out a loud 'no!' All these months, all those miles they had traveled. It had come down to this moment, and they had failed. Bilbo couldn't even imagine how the dwarf must feel.

They were so close to their home, yet so far. Even Frêllian looked down in sadness. Dropping down on her knees as she looked at the sun.

'The last light of Durin's Day will shine upon the keyhole,' Thorin re-examined the map. 'That's what it says. What did we miss?'

Thorin walked up to Balin, his voice earnest and tearfully as he repeated his question.

'We've lost the light,' Balin answered sadly. 'There's no more to be done. We had but one chance.'

'There must be another way. There has to be.'

But Balin dismissed his niece. Instead turning away from the mountain. The other dwarves bowed their heads in dispair. Slowly making their way back towards the stairs.

'Come away; it's… it's over.'

But Bilbo would not hear any if it. Telling the others to wait. But only Frêllian remained. Watching the mountain where the sun had disappeared in sadness. Her arms wrapped around her body while doing so.

'Where are they going,' Bilbo asked her. But she didn't look up. So he turned to Thorin 'They can't give up now. Thorin!'

Bilbo looked beseechingly at the dwarf. Silently asking him to say something to make the others stop in their tracks.

But Thorin turned away. He held the key up and looks at it, a strange look in his eyes. Then Thorin dropped it, letting it clatter against the ground.

'Thorin,' Bilbo desperately tried to reason with him. 'You can't give up now.'

Still Thorin said nothing. Instead he brushed past Bilbo, throwing the map at Bilbo's chest while doing so. Only stopping to call Frêllian, before he followed the others.

'Frey?'

His voice was desperate now as he looked at the ferian. The only remaining person standing in the clearing. Her blue eyes met his soft brown ones.

'Please…'

Frêllian gave him a weak smile as she walked over to him. Her eyes filled with sadness.

'We've had a great run, little rabbit,' she said softly as she placed a hand on his shoulder. Her voice barely above a whisper. 'You've grown so much, I really am proud if you.'

He smiled weakly at this.

'I know you would have bravely stood your ground, should we have made it in. But alas, we missed our only chance.'

'There is still hope,' Bilbo countered, looking up at her with determination. 'I know there is!'

But she just shook her head. Telling him they would soon make their way back to the Shire. So he could return and enjoy the comforts of home once again.

But Bilbo would not hear any of it. He would have never thought Frêllian to give up this easily.

'Mín skàt, Ìler has gone to rest. Soon Lüna will take his place in the sky.' Her eyes softened as she leaned in. 'She might shine as bright as her brother tonight, but she does not radiate any warmth. Please do not linger any longer than necessary.'

With that she kissed his brow, taking the hobbit by surprise. His eyes grew big, before closing them. Even when he felt her lips leaving him as she pulled away, he kept them closed. Feeling troubled. Should he follow her and the dwarves? Should he stay and see if he could find a way to open the door? He knew Frêllian wouldn't leave without him. But what of the others?

As he opened his eyes, he saw the platinum hair of Frêllian disappear behind the rocks. Leaving him to be the only one left. Then he recited the riddle from the map, gesturing with his hand.

'Stand by the grey stone…'

He walked over to the grey wall.

'When the thrush knocks…'

Thrush? What thrush? Bilbo looked around in search of the said bird. But he saw none.

'The setting sun…' His eyes travelled to the horizon, then back to the wall. 'And the last light of Durin's Day will shine. Hmm. The last light. Last light…'

Once again Bilbo turned away from the wall, thinking hard as he continued muttering to himself. Suddenly a thought popped up. If ferian had been allies of the dwarves from the start, then perhaps…

'They used the magic of the moon?'

As he looked up, Bilbo saw the clouds move aside, revealing the bright full moon. The hobbit stared at the object in wonder as it started to illuminate the clearing.

A sudden noice drew his attention away from te moon, turning it back to the mountain. There, sitting on a small rock next to the wall was a thrush. A snail in its beak as it hit it against the wall.

When the light of the moon hit the wall, the thrush flew away, leaving Bilbo laughing with relief and delight as he pointed at the wall.

'The last light!'

He watched in amazement as the keyhole became visible, illuminated by the moonlight. Without wasting another moment, he quickly called for the others. Running towards the stairs.

But as he peered over the edge, he saw no sign of the dwarves. Not even the pale hair of Frêllian was visible.

'The keyhole,' he called out to his companions. 'Come back! Come back! It's the light of the moon, the last moon of autumn.'

He let out a laugh in delight, before turning to look at the ground. Thorin had dropped the key somewhere around here! But where? Where was the key? Where was…

As he looked around frantically, his foot hit something. To his horror he realised he had kicked the key away by accident!

'No,' he breathed as he watched the key.

Unable to reach it in time, Bilbo watched in horror as the key fell off the side of the mountain. But a boot appeared from out of nowhere, stepping on the string to stop it from falling.

Sighing in relief, Bilbo watched as Thorin slowly reached down. Afraid of moving his foot. But once he had the key in his hand, he straightened up with a smile.

From behind him, the others stepped up into the clearing. All smiling at Bilbo.

'You did it, Bilbo,' Frêllian whispered as

Thorin made his way over to the wall.

Bilbo flashed her a shy smile, then turned his attention to Thorin. The dwarf inserted the key into the keyhole and turned it. Then he pushed the wall and an unseen door opened.

Once tunnel appeared, Bilbo watched on in awe, looking into the tunnel that lead into the mountain. They did it! They actually did it!

'Erebor.'

'Our home, lass.'

Balin slowly walked over to Thorin, choking up as he looked into the mountain. Thorin placed a hand on his old friends shoulder. Sparing him a glance. Then the dwarf stepped into the mountain.


As Thorin entered the mountain, Frêllian stood next to Dwalin. Amazed they had indeed found the door. But at the same time, she felt strange. Unsure. What would happen now that they had found a way in.

What if the dragon was still alive?

'Nu mín skàt (now my dear),' Dwalin said as he smiled at his daughter. 'Ready to see where your old man grew up?'

She didn't answer. Instead, she just looked at him in shock. Had he just..?

'What?'

'First of, it's "nü" not "nu",' she began, smirking at the bald dwarf. 'And second, you can speak ferish? Why didn't you tell me?'

Dwalin chuckled, his hand on her shoulder to guide her towards the tunnel. Jokingly telling her he had to learn if he was to marry her mother.

'A true alpha speaks the language of his people,' Dwalin quoted. 'That was what your grandfather told me when I asked your mother's hand.'

'My grandfather…'

Her voice drifting off as she tried to remember the man. But as hard as she tried, no face came to mind. She knew her mother's father had died before she was born. But her fathers father?

'I will tell you all about Allön and Fundin after Erebor is ours again,' the dwarf promised. 'And you will meet my uncle Farin. Father of Oin and Gloin.'

Frêllian nodded. She would like that. She would like that very much. For too long she had been denied her family. But now, they had other matters to attend.

She followed her uncle, Dwalin right behind her as she entered Erebor. Her eyes immediately landing on a carving on the wall. A carving of a throne. The throne of Erebor, with the Arkenstone above it.

'Here in lies the seventh kindom of Durin's Folk,' Gloin read the inscription out loud. 'May the heart of the mountain unite all dwarves in defense of this home.'

Frêllian looked at the carving in interest. Curiously inspecting every detail. Bilbo was doing the same as he stopped next to her. His hand tracing the carving of the Arkenstone.

'That's the throne of the king,' Balin explained. 'With the Arkenstone above it.'

'Arkenstone,' Bilbo repeated quietly. 'And what's that?'

'Have you forgotten?'

But Thorin cut the ferian off.

'That, master burglar, is why you are here.'

Frêllian suppressed the urge to growl.

Something about the way Thorin had said it, felt different. Strange even. And the way he was looking at her hobbit friend send shiffers down her spine.

Bilbo nodded slowly. Feeling his eyes on her, Frêllian looked at him. She could sense his fear as he looked at her. He gave her a brave smile, though she could see it was all a mask. Then he faced Thorin again.

'Tell me what I have to do.'

Thorin gestured him to follow him, which Bilbo did. And of course Balin followed the pair as well. Frêllian was about to follow as well, but a hand stopped her.

'Perhaps it is best if you stay here, lass,' Dwalin said. 'Smaug is familiar with the scent of ferien as well. And the less to enter his lair, the smaller the chance that drake awakens.'

'He is right, Frey,' Bilbo said upon seeing the determent look in her eyes. 'I'll be fine on my own.'

She looked at him, conflicted. They were about to send Bilbo into the lair of a dragon. A fire drake! She had to protect him, right?

'I'll be back before you know it.'

She walked over to the hobbit. Slightly towering over him as she looked at him. Her hand on his shoulder as she stood face to face with him.

'Promise?'

'Promise.'

With that said, she pulled him into a tight embrace. She feared for his life. But if this was what he wanted, then she would let him go.

'Sai försicht, mín klêner hûn.' (Be careful, my little rabbit).