"What is this place?" Bilbo asked. Benna looked over the edge of the cliff side at the decaying city below them then out at the barren landscape around it. An eerie silence settling around them.

Balin looked at him sadly "That lad was once the city of Dale... It is the desolation of Smaug."

Benna felt a strange feeling creep over her as she looked at the burnt out city, bard's words echoing in her mind. "Dragon fire and ruin."

...

"Fan out all of you. The entrance to the hidden door should be around this area!" Thorin called as they descended into the valley.

Benna stared open mouthed at the large stone statues that loomed in front of them.

Thorin stood beside her for a moment "It is truly a sight, is it not?"

"I've never seen anything like it." She nodded, tearing her gaze from the stone figures to look at him "It must be nice to be home after all this time."

"I held little hope that I would ever see the mountain again." He sighed. Benna could see the pain in his eyes as he spoke, his gaze fixed on the mountain "This quest has always been thought of as no more than a fools hope."

Benna placed a hand on his shoulder "We will see this quest through Thorin." She grinned up at him "Even if it means I have to choke the dragon to death with my skeleton as he eats me."

Thorin's mouth twitched in to a trace of a smile "Seeing how you are with Dwalin, you could no doubt irritate the beast to death if you set your mind to it."

Benna's grin broadened.

"Over here!" Bilbo's voice rang out, grabbing their attention "It's up there!". Benna followed his finger up to a small staircase carved into one of the statues.

"You have keen eyes master Baggins." Thorin said, clapping him on the shoulder. "Let's get moving."

Benna gasped for breath as they reached the top of the staircase. She sat on the ground, watching as Thorin ran his hand along the rock face. "Let those who doubted us rue this day!" He shouted. The company waited anxiously as Dwalin and Thorin felt along the wall for the keyhole.

"Where is it?" Dwalin muttered, pressing his hands to the stone.

"The last light of Durin's day... will shine upon the keyhole." Thorin breathed as the sun began to set behind them "Hurry we're losing the light" He urged, their search turning frantic "Break it down!". Benna looked on nervously as their weapons pounded against the stone to no avail, the sky growing dark around them.

Balin shook his head "It's no use the door is sealed. There is a powerful magic on it.. there is no more to be done."

Benna felt her stomach drop. She watched rooted in place as Thorin tossed the key aside, as the company began to descend the staircase. "That can't be it." She breathed, desperately searching the rock in the darkness, finding nothing but bare stone beneath her fingers. Defeated she slumped against the rock face, pressing her head into her hands "We failed".

Her head snapped up as she heard Bilbo give a strange laugh. "Bilbo?" She looked at the hobbit who was now waving his arms excitedly pointing at the rock behind her.

"Th..the keyhole!" He stammered. Benna pulled away from the rock and gasped, watching as a small keyhole illuminated in the pale moonlight. She opened her mouth to shout to the company but Bilbo beat her to it. "Wait come back!" Bilbo called rushing to the edge "It's the light of the moon! the last moon of autumn!"

"Bilbo where's the key!?" Benna shouted, frantically searching the ground. A glimmer of metal caught her eye. "No Bilbo wait..." She yelled as the hobbit stepped forward, accidentally kicking the key as he moved.

They both watched in horror as the key bounced along the ridge towards the ledge. Benna's breath hitched as a boot tamped down on the key strap. Thorin looked at them for a moment before stooping down to retrieve the key. The company gathered around as he slowly walked over to the glowing rock, turning the key into place. There was a soft click and the stone began to move as Thorin pushed the door open. The stone swung backwards, revealing a small dark passageway.

Benna smiled up at Dwalin "We made it."

He put a hand on her shoulder "Aye were home." He whispered as they entered the passage.

"Here in lies the seventh kingdom of Durin's folk. May the heart of the mountain unite all dwarves in defense of this home." Gloin read from the markings over the door.

Benna pointed at the carving "What's that symbol?"

"The throne of the king." Balin said reverently.

"And what's that above it?" Bilbo asked

"That lad is the Arkenstone."

Bilbo looked at the carving again "The Arkenstone. And what is that exactly?"

Thorin turned to look at him "That, Master Baggins, is why you are here."

...

"Are you ok Bilbo?" Benna asked, watching him fidget nervously as they peered into the dark passage.

"You do not have to go down there if you do not wish lad." Balin said kindly. Bilbo shook his head. "Why don't I walk down with you for a bit?" Balin suggested.

"I'll go too!" Benna gave him a reassuring smile.

"No." Fili said firmly "You are not going down there."

Benna raised an eyebrow "That's strange I don't recall phrasing that as a question."

Fili pinched the bridge of his nose. "Why are you so stubborn?" He sighed.

She patted his cheek "You would be bored if I wasn't."

"Just be careful at least."

"I never am." She shrugged, turning to follow after Balin.

"So I have to find a jewel?" Bilbo asked as they neared the end of the passage.

Balin nodded fervently "A large white jewel, yes."

"That seems like an extremely vague description." Benna frowned.

Balin shook his head "There is only one Arkenstone. You'll know it when you see it.". Bilbo nodded.

Benna gave him a thumbs up "I'll be waiting here for you."

He turned to go down the stairs. Balin stopped him, putting a hand on his shoulder. "In truth, lad. I do not know what you will find down there. There's no dishonor in turning back."

Bilbo looked at him carefully for a moment, shaking his head "No. Balin, I promised I would do this. I think I must try."

Balin chuckled "It never ceases to amaze me."

"What's that?" Bilbo asked.

"The courage of hobbits. Go now, with as much luck as you can muster. Oh, and, Bilbo..."

Bilbo turned back "Mm?".

"If there is in fact a um...a live dragon down there...don't wake it."

...

Benna sat cross legged as she leaned back against the passage wall, closing her eyes. She strained her hearing, listening for any sounds of the hobbit. In the dark she could hear the occasional faint metallic sound of coins being pushed around. Benna gasped as a searing jolt ran through the mark, a deep sense of dread filling her. "Bilbo" She breathed, jumping to her feet, sprinting towards the stairs. She could hear voices as she approached, a deep rumbling one joining in with Bilbo's. She pressed herself against the wall as she reached the opening. All the air seemed to leave her lungs as she looked down into the chamber. A large dragon slithered around the room, neck twisting and turning as it moved, its rumbling voice reverberating off the stone as it spoke. Bilbo took a step away from the dragon, slipping in a pile of coins. As he fought to right himself he paused for a moment, seemingly transfixed on something ahead of him. Benna's eyes widened as she followed Bilbo's gaze, her eyes landing on a large glowing jewel.

The dragon noticed too. "I am almost tempted to let you take it, if only to see Oakenshield suffer. Watch it destroy him, watch it corrupt his heart and drive him mad." Benna's face dropped at his words. "But... I think not, I think our little game ends here. You think you can deceive me, barrel rider? You have come from Lake-town. This is some sordid scheme hatched between these filthy dwarves and those miserable trading lakemen! Perhaps it is time I paid them a visit. So tell me, thief. How do you choose to die?". Smaug asked, his head rearing back as his jaws opened wide.

"Bilbo," Benna yelled from the entryway "Run!"

The hobbit sprinted towards the passage as the dragon roared after him. Bilbo stumbled as he reached the doorway, Benna's hand wrapping around his coat as she pulled him with her. The passage was suddenly filled with an orange glow as a trail of fire raced towards them. Finally they could see the pale light of the secret door. They stumbled through looking wildly at the company. Before anyone could speak a thundering voice rose from the mountain "Revenge! I will have revenge!".

"Hide now all of you!" Benna shouted, ducking behind a rock as a large shadow passed overhead. She watched in horror as the dragon soared off towards lake town. "We….We just killed all of those people," She said breathlessly "They're going to die because of us."

No one spoke as they all stared at the orange glow growing in the distance. "What have we done?"