And here is chapter 13. I'm really sorry chapter 11 appeared 3 months after chapter 10, and this chapter 2 months after chapter 11 (and when I began to write I thought 2 weeks between chapters was long ;) ). I'm really sorry. I'm just not as much in the "Hobbit-mood" as I was at beginning of the story. But I'm still writing (else you wouldn't be about to read this new chapter) and I'm trying to get back in the Hobbit-mood. I'm going to watch the movies again and maybe even read the Hobbit again and I'm going to try to deliver the next chapter faster than this one. Like I've said in previous chapters, I'm really going to finish this story (I also have been forging two or three sequels ;) ).

But anyway, enjoy reading, pleeeeaaaase leave a review, for I haven't been getting a lot of them lately. I'm really interested in what you think about it, what you had really expected to happen or what you think will happen further in story.

I don't own Merlin nor the Hobbit, only my OC Maddie.

LOTS of thanks to my sweet sister who helped me a LOT on the romantic part (Oh yes, we're finally getting romantic, wink wink) I couldn't have done it without her.

APOLGIES for any grammar mistakes. I'm not a native English speaker.

WARNING FOR THE CHAPTER AFTER THIS ONE: IT MAY OR MAY NOT CONTAIN CUTE, FLUFFY LITTLE BUNNY'S WITH BIG PUPPY-EYES (you readers can now start wondering what I mean by that, leave a review about it if you like).

Maddie carefully peeked above her hiding spot. Behind her was a big forest where the rest of the company was waiting for her. In front of her, across a ravine, were 30 Orcs and their Wargs.

Azog and his Orcs were just a few miles away, but it didn't seem that they had found the companies trail yet, for they were riding in a different direction.

For 2 days, Maddie, Gandalf and the Dwarves had been trying to outrun the Orcs and today Maddie had been given the task to check how far the Orc pack was behind them.

Maddie now could see that the pack was close. Far too close for her liking. It wouldn't be long before the Wargs had caught the scent of the company.

Maddie crawled away from her hiding spot, but then heard growling to her left. When she looked for the source of the growling, she had to put a hand infront of her mouth to stop herself from screaming.

A few meters away, on a big rock, stood a giant bear. He had a black fur, big fangs and piercing black eyes. On a few places, the fur wasn't present anymore, for the bear also had a few scars. The most terrifying about the bear weren't its fangs, but its size. It was twice the size of a normal bear. At least.

The bear hadn't noticed Maddie, for it was looking at the Orcs with a face not too friendly.

As the bear let out another growl, Maddie decided to head back to the others. She didn't want to be noticed by the bear.

She ran back into the forest to where she had left the company. The Dwarves and Gandalf were siting in a circle and talking to each other.

Maddie cleared her throat so they would notice her.

The company looked up and Thorin stood up and walked towards her. His eyes trailed up to the bandage around her head. The Orc that had kidnapped Maddie 3 days ago, had hid her with a bludgeon. The result was a cut that went from her forehead and through her eyebrow, but stopped just above her eye. Luckily, it looked worse than it actually was. Oin had stitched it and putted a bandage on it.

'How close is the pack?' Thorin asked.

'Too close,' Maddie answered while catching her breath. 'Just a couple of miles, no more. It won't be long before they've found us. But I also saw a huge black bear.'

The rest of the company stood up as well and exchanged worried looks.

'I say we double back,' Bofur suggested.

Dwalin shook his head. 'Then we will be hunted down by the Orcs for sure.'

Gandalf, who had been silent during the whole conversation, finally said something.

'There is a house where we might take shelter.'

'Who's house?' Thorin asked. 'Are they friend or foe?'

Neither,' Gandalf answered with a serious look on his face. 'He will help us, or… he will kill.'

In the distance, the company heard the howling of the Wargs. They had picked up their scent.

Thorin sighed. 'What choice do we have?'

Then the bear let out another growl. It was much closer to the company now.

'None,' Gandalf answered Thorin.

So the company started to run while Gandalf leaded them.

After a few minutes, they had left the forest and were running on a field. In the distance, they could see a big, wooden house, surrounded by a high, wooden wall.

As they reached the entrance of the wall, they heard how something was growling and coming out of the woods behind them. A few Dwarves turned around to see what it was. Apparently it was not good, for the expressions of the Dwarves turned into frightened ones and they increased their running speed.

Maddie didn't need to look around to see what was behind them, for she had heard those growls before: they belonged to the huge black bear who she had seen earlier on. But she too increased her pace.

The company ran through the gate in the wall and found themselves on a courtyard. Maddie hardly had the time to notice that there were bees swarming with the size of her hand, for they were still followed by the bear, and it seemed to get closer.

They ran towards the door of the house, only to find it locked. The company slammed on the door, hoping it would somehow break open, but alas it did not.

'Thorin!' Maddie shouted. She had noticed how to open the door. It was the same type of door that was often used in Camelot. The only problem was that she was at the very back of the group and could impossible battle her way through thirteen big, heavy Dwarves.

Thorin, who was one of the Dwarves close to the door, turned around to face Maddie.

'You have to pull that lever up to open the door!' Maddie shouted, trying to make herself hearable to Thorin through all the noise the other Dwarves made.

Thorin turned back and looked if he could see what Maddie was talking about. He did and soon the door was opened.

Everybody quickly went inside and Nori and Bifur quickly closed the door behind them.

And not a moment too soon, for a second after they had closed the door, they heard the bear banging against.

A few minutes later the banging stopped and they heard the bear walking away while still growling.

'What was that?' the Dwarves asked to no one in particular with horrified faces.

It was Gandalf who choose to answer. 'That is our host.'

Everybody looked up to Gandalf with surprised faces and raised eyebrows. How on earth could that be their host? Only a minute ago the bear had tried to kill them no less.

'His name is Beorn. He's a Skin-changer,' Gandalf explained before changing the subject.

'In any case, I suggest you all get some sleep. You'll be save here tonight.' In a softer voice he added: 'I hope.'

Thorin turned around again. He didn't know how many times he had done that already, he had lost count. He tried to find a more comfortable spot, but with no avail. Finally, with a sigh, he gave up: he wouldn't go to sleep.

He stood up and looked at the others of the company who were sleeping, with exception of Gandalf, who was sitting in a haystack and smoking his pipe. He looked further.

Most of the Dwarves were sleeping with their family. Bifur, Bofur and Bombur were sleeping next to each other, as well were Dori and Ori. Nori, their third brother, preferred a little more privacy. That, however, didn't count for Fili and Kili, who were practically curled into one another. Thorin watched them with a fond smile. His nephews really were inseparable.

Thorin let his gaze go through the rest of the company and noticed that one face was missing, a certain Warlocks face.

He looked questioningly at Gandalf, who simply nodded towards a door.

Thorin walked towards the door and knocked. 'Maddie?'

After a small hesitation he opened the door.

Maddie was sitting on the floor in front of a blue light ball, clearly made by her magic. She had taken her jacket off. Apparently, beneath the jacket she wore a white shirt, normally putted in her pants, but now hanging freely around her waist. Her hair was loose and her feet bare. Thorin had never before seen Maddie like this before. She looked so… free. As if she didn't have a single worry (like crossing a forest filled with scary creatures and facing a gigantic Dragon). She had taken her bandages off and a scar was beginning to form on her forehead and her eyebrow.

Thorin hadn't liked Maddie at the beginning of their journey, it was true. "What could the company possibly gain from a girl in their midst, Warlock or not? She would probably only cause delay and such things, and when opportunity would arise, she would surely return back to her precious Camelot and forsaken their quest." That had been his thinking at the beginning of the quest and, if he was being honest with himself, he was a bit ashamed of his behavior. She had done nothing to gain his mistrust. Since Thranduil had turned his back on him and his kin the day Erebor fell, Thorin had had problems to trust outsiders.

In the Misty Mountains, Maddie would have fallen in the ravine, if it hadn't been for Thorin to pull her back on the path. Thorin still hadn't liked Maddie, but she didn't deserve to die, and certainly not like that. Later, after they had reached the cave, he had overheard her talk with Bofur, and he couldn't have helped, but feeling a pang of guilt in his chest. No matter what he told himself, it had been there. He had never considered the warlocks feelings before and that was the point where he had begun to wonder. Shouldn't he have given her a chance after all?

His question had been answered after their escape from the Goblins. Maddie could have left them, it was the perfect opportunity to disappear. But she hadn't left them. She had come back. And when Thorin had asked her why, he hadn't been disliking towards her, for there had to be a reason why she had come back. And he had actually believed her answer.

Later she had saved him from Azog and his distrust had vanished completely. Someone who still had come back, had saved his life, after all that he had one to her, simply deserved his trust. And soon (with a little help of Balin. Without him he couldn't have done it, he admitted that), he had become friends with her. They often talked to each other, or walked together in a comfortable silence. Maddie always made sure that she was there if Thorin was troubled or needed to talk. Thorin didn't know why he deserved such kindness.

When Maddie had been kidnapped, Thorin had truly been worried. Seeing her again in one peace had sent a wave of relief flooding through his body. At the same time, he had been furious at Azog. Not only for seeing the piece of filth that had killed some of his family. No, it had also been because he had the nerf to kidnap his Warlock. If Azog wanted one, he should find his own.

Now, Thorin was watching the Warlock with her long curly hair and bare feet with a smile on face. Maddie still hadn't noticed him and was mending her jacket while humming a tune Thorin didn't know. Her mind seemed miles away.

Thorin cleared his throat to make his presence known.

Maddie turned towards him and gave him a smile. 'Can't sleep?'

Thorin shook his head.

Maddie nodded and patted on the ground beside her. 'If you want, you may join me.'

Thorin took her offer and sat down beside her with his legs crossed beneath him and Maddie continued with mending her jacket. After a while she started to hum the tune he had heard earlier. 'What are you humming?' he asked.

Maddie looked up at him. 'It's a song they sing in Camelot,' she answered. 'If its bothering you, I can stop…'

'No, no,' Thorin interrupted her. 'It doesn't bother me. '

'It's a song from Camelot,' Maddie explained, before looking into her light ball and frowning, obviously thinking about her friends and the place she had lived.

'You miss it, don't you?' Thorin asked. 'Camelot?' Thorin could understand the feeling. He had missed his home for sixty years.

Maddie shrugged. 'A bit. But...' Maddie frowned.

Thorin gently grabbed Maddie's shoulder. 'Tell me,' he said. He wanted to be there for Maddie.

Maddie took a deep breath before explaining: 'I don't know who my parents are or where I come from. My earliest memories are of meeting Merlin when I was four years old. I can't remember what happened before that. Merlin, his mother Hunith and his uncle Gaius raised me, but I wondered (and I still wonder) about my true family. Where are they? Are they still alive? Do they know where I've been all this time? Do they care about me or my fate? Merlin, Hunith and Gaius are amazing people who cared for me and loved me, but it never truly felt like home for me.'

Thorin released Maddie's shoulder and grabbed her hand. Her gave it a squeeze and said: 'I'm sorry.' Maddie had never told him this before.

Maddie let out a shy smile. 'Don't be,' she replied. 'You had it far worse than I.'

Thorin raised his eyebrows and he was sure Maddie saw the surprise on his face. 'Me? I, at least, have a family and a home to return to. But you… you have never even known your home and family.'

'But you know the feeling of losing your family and I haven't,' Maddie contradicted him.

The Dwarf and the Warlock looked into each other's eyes for a moment before Maddie sighing. 'Are we really arguing about this?' she asked while tilting her head slightly.

Then the both of them burst out in laughing, for they realized how silly their arguing had been.

'But do you know what is strange?' Maddie asked once Thorin and she had composed themselves once more.

Thorin shook his head.

'I think that maybe I'm from Middle-earth instead of Camelot.'

Thorin looked surprised again. 'Really? Why?'

'Because when I try to remember my past, the only thing that comes up is a green flash, just before waking up in the forest where Merlin finds me. And it is also a green flash that brought me to Middle-earth.

And back in Rivendell, when I told Elrond my name, I could see recognition in his eyes. There was also a broken sword. When I touched it, I saw a memory: I was saying goodbye to a boy before riding of on a horse with a man I don't know. After a while, we were being followed. I fell off the horse before a black flash blinded my eyes. Then I woke up in the woods where Merlin found me. So that green flash has to be the same as from my earliest memories.

And...'

Maddie hesitated to tell her next reason. She looked back into her light ball with a sad expression on her face.

Thorin gave another encouraging squeeze in her hand. He could see how Maddie took a deep breath before continuing.

'When Azog had kidnapped me... ,' Thorin tensed a bit, for he still mad at the Pale Orc, also for the kidnapping. '... Azog told me that he had killed my father. That he knew that it was my father because I looked like him. And that the death of my had caused my mother to die of grief, leaving me and my brother as orphans.'

Thorin looked at Maddie in shock. He hadn't expected this. If what Azog had said was true, than it meant that Maddie too had lost family to the Pale Orc.

Maddie looked back at him, saw his expression and squeezed his hand. 'I know,' she said in understanding. She knew what he was thinking about.

Thorin swallowed and shook his head to press away his painful memories. Then he asked: 'So what are you going to do with?'

A thinking expression came across Maddie. Then she seemed to have made up her mind. 'First, I'm going to help you to take back Erebor,' she began. 'Secondly, I've promised to try to save Arthur, so, no matter how much I want to stay here to find my brother that Azog mentioned (he must have been the boy in the memory I saw in Rivendell), I'll have to go back to Camelot to save him.'

Thorin nodded. He knew that Maddie always kept true to her word. 'And then?' he asked.

Maddie looked back at her light ball. 'If I could, I would like to come back to Middle-earth, find my brother and maybe even visit your mountain.'

Thorin smiled. Silently he promised himself that, if Maddie should return to Middle-earth, he would do anything he could to help her find her family.

He then remembered a ring that his father had once given him. It bore the seal of the House of Durin. For some reason, Thorin felt like Maddie should have it. So he shove the ring off his finger, picked up her hand and placed the ring in it. 'This ring once belonged to my father,' he explained. 'It has the seal of the House of Durin on it.'

Maddie looked at the ring with big eyes. 'Thorin, I can't possibly take it. It is...'

'It is mine to give to whom I want,' Thorin interrupted her.

'But why would you want to give it to me? It's a heirloom of your line and one of the few memories you have of your father.'

'Because of your part in our quest and your loyalty, honour and your willing heart. We wouldn't have got this far without you. If you're ever in need of help, just show this ring to a Dwarf and you will receive it, for you will be recognized as a friend of Durin.'

Maddie sighed and Thorin saw she was giving up her attempts to change his mind. She looked into his eyes and said: 'Thank you.' But while speaking those two words, her eyes said more than a thousand words could. Thorin didn't know why, but that look did four things to him.

1: He suddenly got very warm.

2: His stomach knitted together in a tight knot.

3: His heart began to beat a lot faster.

4: He realized how close he was sitting to Maddie.

Thorin had never felt this way before, and he didn't know why he felt like this now. He couldn't even control the blush that was beginning to form on his cheeks. He was so pre-occupied with trying to decipher his feelings that he almost missed Maddie next words.

'It's too big.'

'What?' Thorin asked confused, already forgotten what they had talked about just a moment ago.

'The ring,' Maddie explained. 'It's too big for my finger.' She showed him what it looked like and couldn't hold back a laugh. Compared to a Dwarf's finger, Maddie's dinger were very thin. The ring could easily on two of Maddie's fingers. Quickly he came up with a solution. 'You can wear it around your neck.'

He looked around and saw a stripe of leather lying in Maddie's stuff. He grabbed it, putted one end through the ring and bound the two loose ends together. He then putted it around her neck, trying to ignore the soft feeling of her hair, because for some reason, he knew that that strange feeling would come up again. His intentions failed miserably, for his heart beated faster once more.

Trying to get away from the feeling, he quickly said: 'We should get some sleep.'

Maddie nodded and bid him her goodnights.

Thorin did the same and quickly returned to his sleeping spot.

As he pulled his blanket on him, he still wondered about what had just happened. Why had he given her his father's ring? And why had he felt so strange around her? He had never felt like that before.

It was a good while later when Thorin finally fell asleep, still pounding on his new feeling. But when his did drift off to sleep, he dreamed about a black-haired Warlock.