Chapter 11- Life and Death

I sat eating something Arwen was so happy for, every breakfast; Lunch and Dinner I joined them in eating, but the second day after being with Thorin did I become informed I was with child. My father and sister was ecstatic for me, "you want this and you seem to glow with joy my little Mira." My father announced as I nodded "of course a child is the embodiment of love between two people I am honoured to carry his child and the next in the Durin line as it is a strong one."

Arwen asked sooo many questions about babies and how to give birth and if she could be present and if I was going to have a boy or girl, and so on. I only laughed and entertained her like I did with the gossip from Bree and other places when I travel. I passed a piece of meat to Star under the table, "uh-uh I have stated before Mira…no feeding him under the table," Arwen and I laughed "how does he always know?" I giggled "father's intuition?" He looked to us both stern but he couldn't seem to hold it for long as he smiled, "what do you plan on doing now?"

I had been monitoring my progress with the babies only a week in they were practically non-existent, but I chose to enrapt them in a safety cocoon with my serum as a safety net. I had been utterly surprised that I had managed to fall pregnant, after all I am human; sort of and he is a dwarf, being made by Aife meant he was not able to cross breed however I was not of this world, so I guessed it was all possible. I had simply changed my settings and configured my life bearing hormones and uterus to allow the possibility to bear a child with him on that night, a little shocked it worked.

"I plan to catch up to them, I will however take my time, I did state I would stick by his side and he has to try to get through Greenwood forest which I have heard only got so much worse since I was last there." My father took on a more serious look "are you sure, you are with child," "Adar…" I gave him a look "trust me, the baby is safe, I've seen to it, besides, I can still run, but I will be taking my time, and I will catch up to them in no time, so please rest assured…okay?" He let out a sigh through his nose "very well, you're so stubborn you won't budge and we all know it, just be careful and send word once you get to Greenwood," Arwen looked between the two of us and pouted "your leaving already," I smiled "don't cry Arwen I will get more gossip to return with for you." I swear sometimes she was so sheltered and naive that I felt older than her, I perked up "however if you want to help me with my hair…?" she smiled too happy to get it up into the plats that all combine into a massive high ponytail and looked quite riveting.

It was funny that my hair took most of the time getting ready, I pulled on my leather black pants, cow boots, long sleeved elven top, necklace, Pandora, daggers, bow and arrows and lastly my guns and knives. I stretched and lastly pulled on the beautiful long cloak my Adar had made for me with the two crests on it of Rivendell and Greenwood. I grabbed a bag of provisions, food, water, and other things, being pregnant meant I had to continue to eat and drink to sustain the growth within me, not even the serum could do that for the baby. I noticed my sister look to my stomach, "just be careful," she urged I hugged her "of course I would never let harm to come to it," she nodded as then Adar stepped up "stay in contact and help lead them, they will need your expertise but mainly Thorin, his quest is no small act," I nodded hearing his advice, "I will not lead them astray Adar…now I must be off."

It took a while but I managed to catch up, they had made serious time which shocked me, I wondered how they did it, they also had horses once more…I didn't miss the shape shifter keeping a keen eye out for them? I dashed pass him, he would be used to seeing me pass through this area over the many years, he seemed to watch me, never actually annoying me and the same vice versa, Star stayed close to me, he was glued to my side as per my father's request. I found them all with horses and ponies, I also noticed a lot of Orc's I guessed that they had continued the hunt for them and the shifter was keeping an eye out for them. They were disembarking their horses and letting them go right at the entrance to the forest and I was shocked, it was so black and diseased, Star made us known first with a bark. "Ah ha, ha look who it is," I noticed the slight smile on Thorin's face, the others seemed to cheer, "Took you long enough," I smirked "yeah, yeah, yeah girl needs her beauty sleep," I shrugged off their praises and teases.

I noticed a gold something within Mr Bilbo's hand but ignored it, I was mainly transfixed on Gandalf looking at the statue of the late queen, I frowned seeing a red symbol on it. My territorial pride reared its ugly head on top of just imagining how I was to remove said terrible mark. I looked to Thorin who took my hand in his own, I looked down to him "what is it?" It was then that Gandalf joined us and Bilbo stated my thoughts "this place is cursed…its sick with a deep darkness," Gandalf looked to the horses with worry in his eyes, "what is it Gandalf?" He looked to us with issues on his mind, I looked to star, who sat panting next to me, I removed my bag of food and water, setting down water in a little capture bowl for him as he lapped it up greedily. "I must go to the ruins…a necromancer," I put up my hands to hush him "I understand there is dark at play, just remember those that you can call upon…Star?" he sat up now with a slight tilt of his head "why don't you help old Gandalf here and the sooner he is done the sooner you can see Legolas again?"

The mention of the elf made him yip in a happy manner and his bushy tail to swiped back and forth in happiness as he battered the dwarves around him, causing me to laugh. "That is very kind of you both, Hawley and Star…are you sure?" I nodded "go on, off with yous," I paused pulling out my water canteen and tossed it to Gandalf, "he needs water so there you go," it was then I noticed that Thorin was eyeing my bag of food and water, most of it was easy provisions such as bread and fruit, some cheese. "Thank you, lady Hawley, I will meet yous where I previously stated," they all nodded and bid him farewell as they then looked to me, I picked up the bag, "a moment please," Thorin stated taking my bag and then moving us to the side.

"What is going on, why the food and water, are you alright?" he seemed worried and I smiled "I am fantastic, I simply have been eating and drinking once more, besides its I am not planning to share with yous," "what about Greenwood?" "what about Greenwood…we can bypass them or stop in for provisions but I have enough till Lake town I highly doubt that there is going to be much at the lonely mountain in food." He titled his head looking me up and down "what?" I asked "you seem off," I smiled a little surprised that he could tell such things, I leant over putting my forehead to his, "I am fine my love, now let's get going," the others were watching us too, "stick to the path, the magic here will try to confuse yous and pull one into the darkness, so follow me okay."

That was so much easier said than done, they all went stupid, it seems the darkness was so much worse than it once had been, I was also feeling sick just by breathing in the air, I wondered if it was due to being pregnant. I swallowed and pinched the bridge of my nose between my eyes tilting my head back a little stopping, I heard an echoing noise "why did you stop Mira?" I looked over to see Thorin and then looked around noticing we were still on the path but looking back we were down in numbers, "why are there so little dwarves now?" Thorin looked over in worry too "Ori, Bombur, Nori?" the others started to call out names of those missing too. I had noticed that Bilbo was shaking his head and looking around too, being a smaller being I supposed he was getting the affects ten times worse. With their frantic searches they walked off the path, "NO don't leave the path!" I pulled Kili back in, "but our friends are out there," Thorin gave me a grave look, as I took a deep breath. "It will become the blind leading the blind…I can find them," Thorin more aware that I had 'special' sight knew I could, he nodded his head in agreement.

My infrared picked them up as one was on the other side of a massive drop off "how the hell did Ori get over there?" I asked myself, Bombur was messily ambling around and Nori was stuck in web. I looked into the distance noticing that there was spiders coming, I sighed "dammit," "what?" the others asked in worry, "well Ori is in that direction, no clue how, but Bombur and Nori have grabbed the attention of spiders in that direction, I plan to get them back before heading for Ori, I want yous to stay put, do not leave no matter what you hear okay?" I looked to Thorin for confirmation as I passed him my bag and unclipped my guns and placed a silencer on it, I only got about halfway to Bombur when I noticed many more heat seeks all around and it turned out that they were all the Dwarves ambling around now, seriously!

I internally sighed shooting a few spiders down and then pulled Nori and Bombur to the group, at least they were sticking together for the time being, only a little bit of spacing, I planned on tying them all together at this rate and walking through the forest the rest of the way. I paused feeling very sick, I had to pause bending over and take deep breaths feeling like I was going to be sick. "Are you alright lass?" I nodded to Nori, "I just need a minute," once I had it under control, I got up continuing to the others as they had managed to get to Ori, only problem was now they were lost, I found it very smart of Bilbo to climb the trees up to the top. I paused and bent over throwing up what little food I had, I was not sure if pregnancy was the reason, I had a feeling that the mortal foetus was the reason why the magic was affecting me, "lass you don't look so well," Bombur spoke up "you look pale, well paler than normal." I nodded to them, but all too soon I noticed the others getting caught by the spiders, and so were we being pounced upon, myself included as I was webbed up in a hurry and we were slowly carted off to a nest nearby, it was so close within the borders of the woodland realm.

I noticed that somehow Bilbo got out of his sack and was getting past all the spiders, even killing a few of them, I smirked as he began to release the others by cutting them down, myself included. I was able to regain a little bit of my composure within the web sack but I still felt queasy in my stomach, it was as if the foul air itself caused me to be sick. I landed by landing in lower blankets of webbing that caught me like a trampoline as I lowered very slowly to the ground to join the others. Thorin helped me "Mira!" I took a big breath of air when he cut me open, apparently the spiders were smart enough to take caution and web me thicker than the rest. I took his hand as he helped me up and I breathed a little deeper but that only made me feel worse. "What is wrong love?" it was then that the spiders surrounded us, I swallowed going back to back with Thorin and aiming my gun, shooting down a few of the spiders. I had to pause as I noticed the elves coming to help, "we have back up," a few looked confused but ever so swiftly and agile they all came in killing and clearing the nest.

I looked around seeing that Bilbo was not present, he seemed to be just standing nearby but no one could see him, it was then that I noticed the gold ring on his finger, I wondered it perhaps that was why he got past the spiders so easily. They rounded us up, Legolas and Tauriel were together on this mission "ah Amira needing me to come save the day…" Legolas was obviously very pleased with coming to my rescue but when I kneeled over in obvious pain and throwing up, he and a few others were surprised. "Mira?" Legolas had given the order to search and remove items from the dwarves, they all seemed annoyed about it, but most of all Thorin was worried about me.

"Amira what is going on?" I shook my head at his question "I really need to get out of this forest," I stated in a whisper as Legolas kneeled by my side "this shouldn't be affecting you Hawley," I nodded "I know, I guess I've just been away for far too long…Gandalf has gone with Star to see to the problem," I swallowed and breathed shallowly, "will you be alright till we get home?" I nodded as the others were rounded up and we all walked I was mainly by Thorin's side. "Correct me if I am wrong but this should not be possible for you right?" I nodded a little delirious now, a few others listened in as Fili asked, "what do you mean uncle?" he was however ignored I nodded "this forest is just that bad is all," I was not wanting to tell him he was a father right now, not like this.

We arrived and as the others were put into cells, I headed for the healing rooms only after I bathed, I was happy to have Tauriel come to heal me after putting the dwarves in the dungeons. "Are you still feeling sick?" I nodded "nowhere near as much though," she smiled "that is good," the head healer used her healing magic to scan me and all but gasped as Tauriel was sure it was due to my body being different, I had never needed a healing prior to this, but her words showed she found my baby. "You are pregnant!" Tauriel's actions of getting rid of the healer or stepping into gag order her in a way stopped immediately as she gave me a look, a shocked one at that. "You are?" I nodded "who's the father?" I sighed "Thorin is," the healer elf spoke up "but that is impossible, dwarves can only breed with other dwarves not being of Era means they cannot breed with humans," she stated in a slight accuserary annoyed statement. "I got it from here," she nodded to the head healer as she looked confused but nodded to the captain and left her station, I only got a pointed look from the young female elf.

I rolled my eyes at her "don't look at me as if I am your daughter and you need answers," "does he know?" I shook my head "I have been waiting for the right time…" "when did it happen?" I noticed the slight blush to her face "Rivendell on our way here," I noticed it was close to a few months since then. She gasped "Lord Elrond…" I knew what she was going to ask so I nodded in confirmation that he knew already "yes my Adar knows and approves, I tell him everything," she nodded. "I think you should talk to our King about this too," I made a face "the last time I spoke to him we had an argument and I left due to his stubbornness, perhaps that won't be wise," "he is talking to Thorin right now," that claimed my attention, I knew for a fact that he hated the elven King and that would be his main way out, I wanted to help him get out if at all possible.

When I arrived I noticed they were arguing both paused at Tauriel and I arriving and I could see the look in Thranduil's eyes as he was not the happiest to see me, I bowed to him "long time no see," he actually looked down his nose at me "indeed, and in that time you have been 'slumming' it with dwarves," that made me place my hand on Thorin's should so he didn't out right attack the king and fuck everything up. I was not blind I had noticed the hobbit sneaking around but again unseen if this failed we had him to fall back on. "King Thranduil may I inject into the conversation between two Kings as council," I mainly looked down to Thorin, who gave me a warning look but Thranduil looked a little intrigued "I see you mean as in you will be his council, wow how the tables have turned," I rolled my eyes at his dramatics. "So what is the deal here?" "I offered passage to yous all and even assistance, resources and aid to the mountain in return for what is rightfully mine," Thorin frowned a little, I looked back up to Thranduil "Thran as for being part of their company I am allowed 1/14th of the treasure I have already informed Thorin I plan on getting the diamonds of star light for you, so know that you are guaranteed that what is it you will do?" He seemed surprised at my words "you would, would you? Hmmm, I suppose that does make sense you always wanted to get it a weird pride you feel for my late queen…you feel like you owe her something?"

I was a little surprised "I think she would want you to be happy, so most of my actions are to do that, knowing it would please her, so yes I do aim to please the late queen…perhaps it is because you are alone my melon, or that I never got to meet her, whatever the case those were to be hers and she was the brightest so you told me Thran, so will you give us passage, return our belongings and bless our quest?" He seemed to pause for a while "Lord Elrond…what did he say?" "he of course agreed with them, he also granted them the elven swords you confiscated, we found them in a troll cave and brought them as they are helpful, Adar handed them of too Thorin and company seeing that the perilous journey was worthy of them and their power."

"And what of the argument we had last time you were here?" I bowed my head lower this time "I am sorry, you were right and I was wrong…that which is behind the darkness is too much for us, hence why Gandalf is heading there with Star to see to it." "The wizard?" I nodded "something has the goblins and orcs unified and hunting our company down, on top of that many have spoken about a necromancer in the old ruins, the orcs also speak of some master and Azog is still alive and kicking." He sneered at that name as did Thorin, he seemed a little annoyed that I was telling the elven king everything, but I continued "with darkness this influential and strong it will only be a matter of time before it claims the lonely mountain, it is a strategic stronghold not to mention talks of…" "yes?" "Sauron has been spoken off as one behind the scenes." He frowned and looked to me "that is impossible," I nodded "I know hence why the guardians of middle earth are investigating it, espeiclaly with a necromancer being about." It all fell quite as Thranduil looked off into space for a moment he was enlightened to something I could not know off, "Thran…my melon, wouldn't it be better if we were to kill the dragon and stop the darkness from claiming the mountain or to sit back and wait for the darkness to claim the world till it is far too big for us to handle?"

It was silent even Thorin had nothing to say, "I will talk with you more at length about something that has come to my attention but fine I will approve of this quest, I have a barge man who collects the wine barrels we dump into the river, he collects it down stream, I will give yous a small pod of warriors to escort yous to the pickup area." He waved his hand and I bowed "thank you Thranduil," "Tauriel take Thorin and release the dwarves return their items and set up a small party of warriors," she nodded but paused looking at me "problem?" she swallowed and shook her head no "it will be done my king," "good see to it then." I stayed to my area "where were you all that time?" I sighed "I was mainly with Adar, I travelled around, Bree, Hobbiton and many other places, I enjoyed myself."

He also seemed to take in my cloak, "you wear the greenwood mark along with Rivendell, I take it Lord Elrond…" "yes he did, I was gifted it before I took my leave to Hobbiton and met up with Gandalf who asked for my help. However I had no clue what I was needed for, apparently reading ancient dwarvish, but once I noted we had to go to my Adar I became part of the company and claim to a little bit of the treasure, I plan on guiding Thorin on the right path…" "that sickness will claim him just like it did the last king under the mountain, I did say it would bring attention, negative attention, he didn't listen." I nodded "but that is why he needs me melon, why I am going with him," "are you sure about that, or is it because you rekindled your relationship with him," I raised my eyebrow as he sounded envious to a degree. "And so what if we did," "did you tell him?" I nodded "I did, he understands everything and he accepts me."

He sat on his thrown and seemed contemplative "why were you so unwell in the forest…that has never happened to you before…are you dying?" he had a worried and sad look in his eyes, that made me blink I furrowed my own brow in worry "no melon, it was just too much darkness." He gave me a look, I hated that his eyes seemed to look through me as if nothing was hidden from him, "you have been my friend for a long time now, centuries and I trust you with my life…but I can also tell when you are lying to me Amira," the use of my name made me jump, he was not happy. I tensed up swallowing and just like that I was the woman I used to be when I was first brought in front of him when I came to this world and his ire had pierced me able to inflict fear. "Melon…" "NO tell me what you hide, if you want me to trust you and send you and your little dwarves on your way you will not lie!" I stood ramrod straight and looked at him in shock, the yelling gained a lot of attention too from the guards even though it was lacking due to festivities there were still a few around. I lowered my head "not here," he raised his chin and stood up coming to me as we walked, I allowed him to lead us to a safe location.

We stood in a secure place, "so tell me what is it you fell is appropriate to lie to me about," I leaned against a pillar, the room had a table and open mini pond with nicely carved furniture and items. "I was not lying about anything, it's just something one does not go around announcing to others all willy nilly." He turned to me much like a predator "are you refusing to…" I placed up my hand "no, I just…I haven't even told 'him' yet, it seems everyone else knows," "knows what?" I sighed a little annoyed "that I am pregnant," it was silent as his eyes showed shock, surprise and then confusion, "yes Thorin is the father, I am made by evolution, no god so I can have babies of other races," I stated well-aware of his questions as I had already been asked them prior.

"Melon…I am shocked…but when why how?" I laughed at his facial expression "well when a male and female love each other very much…" He scoffed annoyed but I couldn't stop laughing, once I was under control I sighed "when we were in Rivendell, father already knows," "how far along?" "early, first trimester," "you would endanger…" I now shot him a very vicious look which shut him up, "my unborn is safe and strong, I saw to it!" He knew when to bow his head in apology "of course…I didn't mean it like that," I sighed "I know, thank you for hearing me out too," "you seem set on this and you and I both know you are stubborn and don't seem to be stoppable so I might as well send you on your way…as for the starlight diamonds," "I know, I had always planned on getting them for you, this was a perfect opportunity…I imagine all the amazing things we can do once the mountain is claimed such as rebuild Dale and better Lake town and bring many off the smaller towns to the area strengthen the boarder and holding a strong line of defence." "You make it sound like war is coming," I gave him a dire look and he gasped a little but swallowed "there are orcs nearby outside, close to the river gate too, I suggest sending extra guards there, they are too brazen for my liking, even Adar has had them on his doorstep."

He frowned "you see them now?" I looked out and only could make them out "they are only just within my parameters, with the babies…." "Babies as in more than one?" I smiled at his words nodding "yes they are taking a lot of my serum, strength and abilities to keep them safe, so I have lessened my area of awareness and strength and speed, but I am still capable." He sighed "do you plan on killing the dragon?" I shrugged "I will help however I do want to stay out of it as much as possible…healing will take far longer with the babies," he nodded "well it seems the prophecy is true then," I nodded "they always seem to be don't they?" He chuckled at my words as I then headed off to the weapons room where they were all now joined by Bilbo who claimed to have snuck around with no issue, they were dressed and with their weapons.

I was surprised that Legolas and Tauriel were also to be joining us, they had a second unit ready to go to the river gate, then our own pod which consisted of another three elves. I noticed the way Kili looked at Tauriel, they seemed to have a nice little friendship going on, she smiled to him, I was surprised seems elves liked dwarves more then they let on.

We made our way to the river and it was only once we were close enough that the orcs made their move, we were following the barrels down to the collection area, with orcs on our asses which meant we had to get a little creative.

We sat down at the end of the river, gathered on the rocks saturated, Kili had gotten an arrow in his leg which wasn't that bad the worse was the poison in his veins, I sighed wringing out my cloak. I looked to Thorin, "his wound is poisoned too, I will need to use my blood to heal him," he frowned grave at me but nodded noting his nephew pulled out the arrow head, I had a little cup on me, always did for cases such as these, I knew that it couldn't spare too much of my blood, but I still managed to flush my systems and bleed into the capture cup, handing it to Kili "down it now, there was poison on that arrow head," a look to Thorin who nodded his head was all Kili needed to down it. It was then that a man with a bow and arrow came upon us "who are yous?" I looked to him "ah you must be the barge man King Thranduil spoke up, you collect the wine barrels and return them to Lake town correct?"

He seemed suspicious of me until he saw the greenwood emblem on my cloak, "you're from Mirkwood?" I frowned "greenwood, yes" I corrected "Prince Legolas and captain Tauriel were accompanying us but orcs seem to have gotten ballsy so they hung back to deal with them, they will get to lake town of their own accord." The man eyed me up and down "I am Bard and you are?" "I am Amira Hawley, this is Thorin the future king under the mountain," the man named Bard frowned "you can't be serious?" I smiled "as serious as ever," we then heard an orc call as we all turned "we must hurry," I stated as Bard seemed put out "we also have money for you," I stated, "you should have started with that," I smirked and we headed to his barge. The others introduced themselves as they got onto his boat, Bilbo looked at me and I notice his look towards my stomach as I frowned 'he didn't eves drop did he, but then again he was sneaking around invisible, gah.' I made eye contact with him and tilted my head with a raised eyebrow which seemed to make him clear his throat and look away.

I smiled at his nervousness, "you will need to pay for your passage however I think mentioning King Thranduil will get you passage as well," the others being unable to see seem to panic looking around when large stones and statues in the water were barely missed. "I know these waters like the back of my hand Mr Dwarf," I looked up to the mountain as did the rest it was Bard that seemed uncomfortable "so I take it King Thranduil blessed your quest to kill the dragon and take the mountain?" I nodded "as did others, it needs to be done the prophecy will see to it," he frowned "if I recall the prophecy also states that lake town will burn," I shrugged "we will try and see that it does not come to that," "what do you mean by that?!" I looked at him frowning "it means if all goes well the dragon will be killed within the mountain itself, why are you so concerned about it?" "In case you didn't know lady I am one of the people who live in lake town along with my family as do others, many will suffer and die if that dragon does as the prophecy states." "It won't come to that," I stated as he narrowed his eyes at me "you seem so sure," "hmmm I do don't I?"

I had noticed that many watched Bard and I raised a brow at that, but also we were indeed meet with a little man in all black who rushed off to the master of Lake Town only once he heard of who he had on their doorstep. We were shown by the guard to the middle of the town, which was a courtyard of sorts, I gaged, many fish, oil, wet wood, ropes, and other damp smells all congregated into the air. I gaged once more breathing through my mouth so that I did not puke, Thorin touched my lower back "Mira what is wrong?" I furrowed my brow "the scents are just god awful," he nodded as we continued to the centre of the town right in front of the masters home which was far bigger than any other building on lake town.

After promising to rebuild Dale and use the riches of the mountain for the betterment of all was it then that the master agreed to help us, he had a look of greed upon his face and a quick scan of his home showed he had many riches that he did not chare with the people of the town. I sighed 'we can always replace him' I thought, all the merriment was shared but Bard spoke up telling us the last bit of the prophecy which spelled doom for the town, he seemed like the common folk delegator, he spoke up for them, kept them safe. I turned to him making eye contact about to ask why he was so against it but then I paused when the Master and his little hunch back henchman spoke up "don't forget that it was your ancestor who failed to protect the Dale and kill the dragon," he frowned and others rallied behind the master as I raised a hand to shut them all up.

"You are Girion's descendant?" I looked to him now seeing some resemblance of the man I had only seen in passing when in Dale, "Aye I am," it was others who seemed to put him down but I spoke up "makes sense why you carry a bow and are so talented with it." Others seemed a little shocked at my words as I eyed the human, I noticed my love a little on edge, he had rallied the people by promise of spoils and building anew, something they all needed, the world needed, "but at the end of the day he didn't and we all lost our homes." I frowned hearing the masters words as I spoke up "you were not there," I looked back to Bard, but his son stepped forward "she is right, you were not but our ancestor stayed trying to shoot down the dragon that day, costing his life…he managed to loosen the scale on its left beast, the next shot would have ended it." Many bemoaned hearing the story as others spoke up "all lies," "Quite!" I snapped "tell me is it true bard man, a scale is lose?" he gave me a calculating and inquisitive look but nodded "aye it is, on his left breast a scale is missing," I nodded. I was happy to hear that he was weakened and had a spot that could kill it, I turned to Thorin "if as is spoken is indeed true then killing Smaug will be easier than anticipated," Thorin nodded as others smiled in happiness.

Many celebrated that evening "you cannot kill the dragon without a black arrow, its hide is too thick," I looked over to Bard who frowned at me I left the loud intoxicating noise and smells, as we walked in the quitter dark walkways of Lake Town. "I understand your thinking, but without that one scale in place anything not just a black arrow will be able to kill him, I will attempt just that," he seemed annoyed hearing that "and who exactly are you to lay claim to that and to have such power?" I nodded "I am Lady Amira Hawley, I am Lord Elrond's youngest daughter on top of being the personal guard for the royal family of Greenwood and their war councillor plus trusted friend, that Bard is who I am." He seemed to look at me in surprise "well then you must be young because I have not heard of you," I frowned but now realised I was indeed young I sighed "I am only 254 years old so yes I am young."

Bard continued to ask his questions as his worries pushed him to see if he could entrust me to this which his own ancestor could not complete, "and should you fail then what?" I smirked and looked to him "then aren't I lucky I am looking at Girion's descendant who has the fabled black arrow," he froze a little "how did you know?" I shrugged "he was the one to pass it down in the family line, like an heirloom, it belongs to your bloodline so next is that son of yours right?" He frowned not liking the way I spoke about his son, "I mean no ill-will or threat by that just simply stating a fact Bard, now tomorrow we will leave if the plan fails you'll need to shoot a dragon down if not then yous will be helping to rebuild Dale the trading capital, that is how it is." "So a 50/50 chance?" he stated I smiled "I like to think it's more like a 70/30 chance," "in whose favour," "mine of course," I stated a little offended "that is if Girion had indeed removed the said scale, if not then the chances are reversed and in the dragon's favour." We walked a little more and the smell and sight of the pigs eating weeds was what made me up-chuck my stomach contents into the water around the walk paths.

Bard was actually rubbing my back, "are you okay…how will you managed to kill a dragon while being sick…" "Some water and I will be right as rain," I announced as I followed him to his nearby home, his children still up and attending to dinner, "Matilda, please grab some water," the youngest did as asked. I drank it as I took off my cloak; I was feeling quite hot considering it was all ice and cold outside. The others in the small house watched me and then I noted the youngest looking at my footwear, "are you part horse?" I actually laughed, 'that never seems to get old,' it was Bard who spoke up "please give us a moment." The youngest complained but they left regardless, he leaned on the counter across from me levelling me with a look, "I know a pregnant woman when I see one, my wife and I have three children, so…" I nodded "what is it with people able to see straight through me?"

"A woman with child should not be fighting a dragon, are you that stupid?" I levelled him with a glare that surprised him, but I knew he knew I was not as I seem he had taken in my weapons, clothes and shoes, "you know that I am not as I seem, so when I say I am fine just take it and leave it," "does the father agree with you and your actions?" I frowned "the sir of my children is still unaware…" "you mean Thorin," I blushed and looked at him annoyed and shocked "it is obvious, the way he looks at you and is always close to you and you subconsciously gravitate to him as if you want to touch him at all times." I sighed "you have a very keen eye Bard, yes indeed and the right time has not come up, but my unborn is very safe I assure you of that, and now that we are done I am leaving, thank you for the drink."

"I wonder if he would accept you going with him if he knew you were with child," I could hear the slight blackmail tone to his voice 'this shithead has balls' I turned to him. "He will still take me, because if I cannot kill the dragon neither can he or his company, that means poor lake town has to burn, you know that, I know that, those people down there know but at the end of the day it is a calculated risk and deemed necessary by those who have agreed to willingly accept this quest." He gave me a very angered look "that is the reality of this Bard, grow up and learn that this is how the world works, there is so much more darkness in the world other than a sleeping dragon who could have left by now…he could have left a while ago, no one has seen him in decades."

It was true for all they knew he could have returned South to mate and have hatchlings, but if that were the case the darkness would have descended upon it already. "Get Out," was his only words as I picked up my cloak and walked out of his little hovel, I came upon Thorin looking like I had just cheated on him, 'god he has trust issues,' "Thorin," "what is the meaning of this?" I realised then that Bard was at the top of the stairs to his place obviously making sure that I left, but to my love it looked like betrayal. "Thorin, I was talking to Bard about us planning to kill the dragon and should we fail then it was left in his hands to deal with, I…" he frowned "and that was all?" I softened up and nodded moving to him "yes my love…" Bard found it the perfect time to speak up "you should tell him," I frowned instantly death glaring him, as Thorin was rigid once more. "What does he speak off, have you lied to me Mira," I sighed "no but I do have something I wish to tell you off, may we go somewhere else quite?" I held out my hand to him waiting for him to accept me, he took it albeit slowly and with anxiety running though him, my system picked up on it, his heart was beating rapidly. We went to the Bridge that connected lake town to land and sat down "I held his hand within my own lap and patted his hand in my own as he looked from it to me.

"I realised this a long while ago just after you left Rivendell, I then caught up to you and there was no 'good' time to announce such a thing…" "are you going back on your word, are you not wanting to be with me," I could see panic, worry and anger as he was jumping to conclusions and I couldn't blame him as he had been let down time and time again. He continued to make accusations and stating how he had accepted me no matter what, I finally shut him up by kissing him, hand on his jaw while the other held his own in my lap, he moved his mouth with my own, as his beard tickled my skin and I could taste ale on his breath. I placed his hand to my stomach as I pulled away but kept my forehead to his, "I would never leave you, quite the opposite actually, I hold the Durin line safe within me," his eyes widened as he understood my words. "But you are…we only….it was…" I smiled and giggled at his speechless mumbling mess as pulled away actually looking at me "you are capable of…" I nodded "I am technically made by evolution you are made by Aule nothing is preventing us from being parents," "but the dragon," I placed my hand on his jaw to relax his rapid thoughts "I have them safe within me; I would not put them in danger unless I was absolutely sure about that." "Them?" I smiled and nodded "them, two as far as I can tell," I saw so many emotions and thoughts pass through his eyes as he shook his head "you must stay safe…" I kissed him again to shut him up "I said I would always show you the way…I will be the one to kill this dragon and help you unit the races and rebuild, this world needs you Thorin to be the best King under the mountain to reclaim and salvage the world before the darkness descends once more, we must rekindle the light and extinguish it in one fowl swoop."

His eyes looked from one eye to the other "so there is far more lurking on in the shadows then what we originally believed?" I nodded "I'm afraid so dear, Sauron has returned so it seems and with the Orcs, spiders, dark magic and necromancer…things are bad already, we need the dwarves to rebuild and bring all seven together, man will join, elves will join and those of a courageous heart on top of the wizards." He sighed out "you know how to take good news and make it seem so much dire," I laughed as I hugged him side on and kissed his temple still chuckling "so your excited to be a daddy soon?" he passionately kissed me "I am proud," I giggled in his arms "so when you were sick and…?" I nodded "yeah most of the time terrible scents cause me to feel sick to my stomach, even the food I eat for them, they just cause me to get sick," he nodded obviously that was too much information as I rolled my eyes at him.

The next morning came with trumpets and many gathering to send us off on our way, there was a boat with all of us waving goodbye, I looked to Bard as he frowned noting I was still on my way with them. The others watched and waved jollily, I simply felt too sick to deal with all of this, still Tauriel and Legolas had not caught up to us, I hoped that everything was alright though I didn't doubt that they were alive somewhere. I sat down nicely cushioned against Thorin, many took note of us "so this is happening huh…bout time," I laughed as Thorin frowned and Kili and Fili laughed as did most, "so will you be the queen?" I blinked at Ori's innocent question and blushed and looked to Thorin for an answer "well we haven't talked about that…how about we kill a dragon first," "you mean we need to find the door first?" I nodded to Balin's words. I could tell Bilbo was keeping an eye out for Gandalf, I had too, it was worrisome seeing as he was going to the old ruins and there was an apparent black magic user there too. I sighed as I laid my head on Thorin's strong shoulder, the ride was so smooth and silent I actually dozed off on his shoulder as his arm around my back kept me in position.

They looked at the sleeping woman, it was strange many of them had not actually seen her actually sleep within all the time of their journey, it always seemed she just had her eyes closed or was on alert, however many of them seemed to not sleep within the long journey. They watched as she actually snored with drool coming out of the corner of her mouth, fully slumped into Thorin's side, Bilbo tilted his head "is she drooling?" Thorin looked to her "seems she is," "you don't seem fazed?" Baling laughed "I believe that our young King has seen every side of the lass, especially after her time within the walls of the mountain, she really could drink couldn't she?" He laughed as Thorin nodded with a smile on his face. Dwalin spoke up ever the suspicious one "I'm just saying her appearance and position of getting with you just as your about to get the mountain again and become the King of the throne is suspicious," many looked to him "what I'm just pointing out the obvious." Ori spoke up "I don't think Amira is like that, she is strong, courageous, kind and has a soft heart, she would not do something so low," Bofur nodded "gotta agree with the lad" Bilbo nodded "yes I also think she has a heart of kind and love, she and Thorin also seem to share that love and have history, he knows her better than anyone else." Many nodded as Thorin spoke up "she is with me and us, I will not be leaving her behind nor is she using us or me for herself or another person's benefit."

With that said they all nodded getting a better understanding that they had a future queen for their king, "so what about her drinking ability…because she did have a sip last night," Oin spoke up loud as others shushed him. However the others frowned noting that she hadn't and looked to her and Thorin as he couldn't look at them "where did you disappear off too last night…huh?" they were now teasing him as they were making fun of him "enough, we are on a serious quest grow up," it was silent for a little while until Fili cracked a joke "yep his anger means he's still a virgin," they all laughed as Thorin groaned at their taunts and laughs however they were having fun while they could so he let it be, but when he looked over and saw Balin giving him a look made the young King look away, that look made him feel see through.

"Laddie I think you can trust us with whatever it is that transpired last night…after all there is only a few wee reasons that can stop a woman from drinking alcohol…" the others went silent and frowned and then looked from their elder to the young king and then the sleeping woman on his shoulder then to the elder, meanwhile Bilbo was trying to seem uninterested in it all as he already knew this from eaves dropping in Greenwood, "do you mean with child…my aunt stopped drinking when with child…" Ori announced ever the dense and precious one, many looked to him and then to Thorin as he lowered his head in loss, the others spoke "only thing is she is a half-ling she can't…right?" many looked around as Bofur noted Bilbo's lack of interest "wait you knew!" many looked to Bilbo as he looked around on the spot, not a very good liar as Thorin also looked to him in surprise "I might have overhead a conversation between her and another in the elven city of Mirkwood," Balin spoke up "Thorin is it true?" He sighed "yes she carries the Durin line," they sat silent some were happy some confused and others worried "but it's impossible Thorin," "why is she coming with us if she is with child," "she could be lying," "maybe…"

She sat up with a snort stating the word "donut," with bleary blinks and a groan she looked to them all slightly confused and then Thorin, noticing the drool, "I'm sorry," he was confused until he noted her whipping her mouth and he shook his head "you know I don't care," she looked back at the silence as they all looked to her then her tummy, she froze in shock and looked to him in question "don't look at me…they figured it out," Balin smiled as if proud he was the main one to do so and said "so its true right?" She looked back and forth between Thorin for help and at Balin as if worried what they will do once they know she is. "Ah yeah…" Ori smiled "wow…wait should you be here?" "Yeah you could have stayed in Lake town," "I was not staying in the stinking cease poll!" she cleared her throat looking apologetic for her outburst; Balin simply smirked "yep with child."

They finally got to land, the nap was short lived but ever so needed, I had been woken by the loud noises but I was relieved too as I have been dreaming of food that was unattainable from my own world. What I was not too happy about was the others learning I was with child, from there it was out cries stating I should not be joining them, then other things about me staying lake town, which was near impossible for them to make me do, that went onto a plethora of other issues and questions on how I could have a dwarfs baby, which lead to Thorin giving me the look, I knew he didn't like keeping things from his kin but still. He spoke stating they were to learn the truth very shortly so I might as well tell them, I told him too, as I chose to hide myself into his side, not wanting to face them all at once, so many people at once had not learnt the truth about me at once, the way Thorin stated it was funny, he didn't know all the words or understand half of what he was told so he stated what I was and what I could do such has better sight, sound, smell scenes and could move fast and hit hard, I snickered into his neck as it was hilarious, but the questions were ever annoying. They only had the time till we arrived to get the questions over and done with, "wait so how many Cyborgs are there?" "Only one," Thorin stated, they were shocked at that "dearie me…what how?" Thorin had found this truth the hardest to accept "she is from another world and unable to return, however in her world she was the only one," they looked shocked "come one Thorin you don't really believe that do you?" I looked to a few stating it was rubbish. I raised a brow in surprise as the others called bullshit, Balin and Bilbo seemed to be the only ones considering it and quite, Ori too on top of Kili being a little subdued "do you mean like from heaven or something like a god or angel?" I laughed at his words "no definitely not, I was born human then I turned into this," I stated. Balin asked seriously "you mean like how a worm turns into a butterfly?" "If it is easier for yous to understand then sure…but humans turned me into this by using other things of evolution to change me, so we have no god of creation and that is why I can have Thorin's descendants."

That led to a ton of more questions, Q and A session was cut off when the boat touched down on land once more, and we left to walk up to the mountain, time to search seeing we needed to find an outside exit I was unable to help, many of the walkways and paths within the mountain lead to dead-ends, any number of them could be a hidden door to the outside. I however went to the side that it was on, I followed them as Bilbo pointed it out; of course it was the statue of the last King who would lead to the doorway, a scan showed they had the right place.

The climb up was annoying as they were not normal steps and required one to be light on their feet with a big leg span something dwarves didn't have, I ended up having to help Ori. Bombur too, we ended up getting up to the top as the sun was setting, the light however did not illuminate or show the keyhole, I frowned knowing that it sounded more like a riddle. Nori and Dwalin tried to force it open but with the magic on it they couldn't see it, I touched where the door key was, however it seemed it was not going to actually open up until the parameters were met. I frowned thinking about the last light of the day, 'the day finishes at 11:59:59 which is night meaning all you can see is with the light of the…moon!' I was not the only one to realise this as Bilbo also stated it, he was looking at the wall with the riddle in mind, "the moon is the last light of the day."

The others had sat down or looked defeated I sat down to eat as I needed to, I ended up watching as they came back and Thorin put the key into the door opening it up. I smiled seeing the looks on their faces, Kili and Fili were elated too they had not seen the mountain but were aware of the stories obviously, I finished eating and then stood up as I joined them being the last to enter a scan told me that the Dragon was still there and alive and kicking unfortunately. Ori spoke up "um Hawley…if you don't mind me asking how do you plan to kill it, you mentioned that you are a cyborg but are you really as tough as a dragon?" I looked to the others who looked at me "remember when I mentioned Pandora?" the kid nodded "well that's how, we just need to put Smaug into the optimal location so that he cannot escape the blast radius." A few tilted their heads not understanding what I meant but Thorin asked "is he?" I nodded "sleeping like a baby under and amongst the gold, he won't leave easily."

A plan was what we needed, I had mentioned that I left him with a riddle to try and figure out what I was and so he would be a little preoccupied with me, I glanced to Bilbo "you can use that time to find the stone and meanwhile I want yous to begin a trap, possibly where yous won't mind a massive amount of wall taken away from." Thorin spoke up "why not the entry way, it is now blocked, we have that old state we were meant to do with liquid gold, is there a water pipe anywhere near that level Balin?" "Aye laddie above there is living quarters which has bathrooms, water and all, we can open them up however we will need to break open the roof and cut into them for that." "Get started on it, I need him still and between me and the doorway then opposite is the other mountain right?" they nodded "why?" "Because that will be going as well."

Things did not go as planned, first off Bilbo and I did fine with being quite however no matter how silent we were Smaug could still smell us, "ah that scent once more, been a while since we last saw one another, and another visitor or is it a thief?" I sighed as I told Bilbo to stay out of sight while he searches, I stepped forward in front of the dragon's eye, "Ah Smaug thought I would find you here," "hmmm where else would I be?" "sunbaking on a beach somewhere getting a tan," he paused obviously not getting my humour. "So you got the answer to my riddle yet?" he moved shifting all the gold and jewels as he stood and shook it off from between his scales, which gave me the perfect opportunity to get visual confirmation that he was indeed missing a scale on his left breast.

"Ah Amira Hawley," he took in a big whiff of me "Dwarves, boat man, elves, warg," a few more sniffs "a scent of the thief and" another whiff "with child, now why would you come here when you carry something sooo precious, hmmm?" I sighed "why does everyone figure it out so quickly," he huffed out a laugh, "you are easy to see through, so you have also come here to steal from me?" "No actually I came here solely for you," "why don't you bring your little dwarf friends in here too, I am sure they wouldn't mind seeing my might and dragon fire once more!" I scratched my back "well I would just that you still haven't answered the riddle yet,"

Half an hour later

"A centaur half-ling?" "no" I groaned as I was now laid back in the gold waiting for him to get it right or for him to realise that the dwarves were already in the mountain, meanwhile Bilbo was invisible once more searching for the stone. I had managed to take the fire drakes attention so much that he cared not for the unidentified thief, I was sure he knew what he was searching for anyway. A loud noise most likely them beginning to get heat up the gold, "ah-ha I got it," that claimed Smaug's attention as Bilbo held up the glowing stone triumphant however his face dropped as Smaug levelled him with a glaring look.

"I don't care for this riddle anymore; you can now be my food!" I managed to just jump out of the way "run Bilbo," I yelled as I ducked behind a pillar while he blew fire over the area. I dashed down the stairs knowing where we had to go; the boiler room. With a dragon on our arses was not the easiest thing to do, when he fell too far behind a little name calling got him caught up, once we got into place Thorin took over, telling Bilbo what to do, what the others should do, the others had made little glow bombs to distract and piss him off in a sense.

The group was split up, those working up in the upper floor, those working on the boiler room making the gold run into the statue, and between Bilbo, Thorin and I, finally we were in the front room, I could see that they managed to get into the water pipes above us, it helped that the roof was broken up and the upper level damaged from when Smaug first came into the mountain. I positioned myself between two massive pillars, the mould of the old King stood, Bilbo was his main focus at the time as he was under a large tapestry, "it's those boat men right, they sent yous all here, I will not have it, they will burn!" "Oi you overgrown lizard first why don't you try and stop us…or are you too weak?" I smirked hearing the other dwarves join in on annoying him greatly.

Standing behind the statue mould was keeping me out of sight, I placed my hand underneath Pandora as she filled my hand as I caught her heavy mass, I spun her as she began to shift into her sniper body. I laid down on my stomach as I opened the slide and pulling one of the large black bullets I slid it into the sniper, rotating the action bolt. I kept her silent not charging her up, I checked the scope, Thorin puled the release of the mould as the others were now behind the statue pulling each cuff link away as it sat looking like solid gold, it actually worked to take Smaug's awe and attention for a while as the others were above waiting for the signal.

The gold wasn't solid enough as it popped and gushed losing its shape as it rushed over him and filled the entry way, I was now warming up Pandora, Smaug erupted from the gold screaming in pain, the large clang on the wall by Dwalin was how the one above knew it was time to break through the roof, they managed to use an old broken pillar on a levy and get it to drop through the main crack in the roof opening up with the piping already cut into now spurting down and over Smaug. Pushing him back down and hardening the gold on him and all over the floor, he kept trying to fight the water flowing down over him, but his movements got harder and stiffer as the gold set. It was poetic that he a being that loves gold ends up being set within gold, with his cheat facing me I made sure I was lined up, Pandora making the large electric turbine sound was now as loud as Smaug himself.

He heated up his body by building up a fire within his chest and belly, making the gold heat and liquefy once more, with a few shakes and flaps of his wings the gold loosened and left his person. The water from above lessening and ceasing to pour over him, it was now that he took note of me and jumped forward fully intent on killing me, I could hear the many shouts from the others, however Pandora was ready and hot and whirring to go, once he was in the optimal location, and I had a point blank shot I took it. A heavy condensed beam went through his chest also taking away the door and widening to take out much of the land and mountain outside across the valley and just missing the left-over outer walls of Dale.

I groaned as I could feel the damage to my arm, shoulder, and collar bone, however that was the least of my problems as a large limp dragon was falling over on top of me. Shouts from Thorin and the others warned me, but I could only managed to mauver myself so that I would land within the chest hole I left behind, it was gross as I was bathed in his blood, strange considering it was so red it looked almost purple. It was hard to breath, it got everywhere, the blood tasted like the sharpest metal and sweet too, I crawled and broke out of the exit wound of the beasts back, taking a gasping breath. I felt so hot, this dead drake was hot to the touch and scorching on the inside as his blood still burn red hot like the fire element that spewed from his mouth. "Get her out of there," I heard them climb up and taking my hand only to cry out in pain and rear back as if the blood burned them, "ah hot!" I pulled Pandora up in my good arm, as both it and I were covered in hot steaming life-blood.

I whipped my body dry after bathing in what little water was left located in the large open bathing room, walls adorned with gold and jewels that depicted stories and the stars and gods. I sighed cleaning off Pandora and shifting her back into her box shape, I washed off the dragon's blood, apparently it was so hot they couldn't touch me, I was hot but not boiling, it only was hot enough to turn my skin red, Balin said it was a bad omen to bathe in the blood of a dragon, apparently powers were embed in their heart and blood along with their sight to command others and know if one is to lie or not.

The others moved the dragon's body, descaling it by using a few black arrows they found in their stores, possibly made only days prior to the dragon attack many years ago. After decaling it, its blood, skin and even bones were removed and set up in a storage area for resources, they would make the strongest and sharpest items even known to man. The room was open up to the bridge connecting the mountain to the land with the small mote like river below it, it was time to bring the dwarves together, along with Thranduil's jewels and gold to the humans and also to begin rebuilding up Dale. I dressed once dried and noted the redness to my skin sticking like a sun burn that I could not heal, however I was in no pain and my systems were not picking anything up either.

The others were excited and proud now free of the fire drake and Bilbo handing the Arkenstone to Thorin, many sorted through the treasure as the whole hall was filled to the brim with it, making it difficult to walk around and utilise the area and walk around, there was seriously too much gold and items within the area. Many rested once finding an appropriate room to do so, I chose to sleep within Thorin's arms. "I am so proud of you," I told him, he rubbed his hand over me back and forth taking in the sunburn on me, "me? You were the one to kill the beast…I was worried when 'that' beasts body fell on you, I thought I lost you…all of you."

I knew firsthand for all that a dwarf looked burly and rough they were actually caring and quite sensitive when it came to their family and loved ones; their kin, I kissed him "don't worry, I am stronger than I look, I wouldn't have let any harm come to our babies." He gave me a serious look "that may not matter as Balin said legends of old stated bathing in a dragons blood could have affects…" "affects?" he nodded "can curse one or even give them dragon abilities…being pregnant," I sighed "my systems brought up nothing, I can't be affected by magic and I am not in pain, even though yous said I was hot to the touch I was not actually hot or in pain, like a hots shower that is it." He sighed giving me a once over, "tomorrow we gather our dead and lay them to rest, once done we will sort out the treasure and begin contacting all the kingdoms from Dwarves to man to elves." I nodded glad he was sticking with the plan and I spoke up "I am worried about Gandalf, he still has not arrived back," he nodded "Bilbo is worried about him too, I think those too are good friends." "Yeah Gandalf is a kind Istari he gets along with many even the strange and weird people, he tends to see the good within all but isn't so soft that he can't kill those with intent to harm and kill." "We will cross that bridge when it comes, tomorrow we have a lot to do, I also want to begin looking into setting up defences immediately and long term, this mountain has a lot of blind spots in case you didn't know and." He shushed me "just sleep for now and worry about the rest tomorrow…you still need to be anointed as my Queen in a recognised union."