Gathering Of The Clouds:

We all watched in horror as the flames took over Lake Town.

"Poor souls" Balin sighed sadly.

I sat down on a rock and tried to clear my eyes of tears. I placed my hand on my stomach and prayed for Bofur to survive; survive for me and possibly our baby.

Half an hour or so after Smaug started setting fire to Lake Town a strange echo reached our party on the mountain.

"What was that?" Dori asked "what happened?"

"It fell!" Bilbo replied "I saw it."

I rubbed my eyes with my sleeve and as my vision cleared I could not see Smaug flying around anymore. Could it be true?!

"It's dead" Bilbo continued "Smaug is dead!"

"By my beard!" Gloin said "I think he's right! Look there!" he pointed to down below us. "The ravens of Erebor are returning to the mountain!"

"Aye, word will spread" Balin replied "before long every soul in Middle Earth will know that the dragon is dead!"

The dwarves all started laughing apart from Thorin. I noticed he started making his way back to the gates.

The rest of us followed soon after and started allocating rooms. I received one up a short flight of steps and, after entering, found it had a balcony and a working bed. I ripped the decaying curtains from the bed and did my best to start cleaning. Under a pile of rotted wood I found a serviceable chair and placed it on the balcony to rest for a moment.

It was clear already that Thorin was being affected by the gold sickness. Over the course of the day he had become more of a recluse and was snapping at everyone. I was keeping well out his way because I'd already locked horns with Thorin about my presence in the mountain and I didn't want any more conflict. So for the next few days I kept to myself and helped the others when Thorin wasn't around. Every now and then I'd sweep my eyes over the mountain in the hopes of seeing our missing members; and every time there'd be nothing. I distracted myself by making my room fit for habitation.

I was carefully sorting through the rubbish in the corners of the room one day when I heard someone yelling in the distance. I rushed out into the corridor and could just make out the words.

"Hello! Bombur? Bifur? Anybody?"

I knew right away that it was Bofur and I ran as quick as I could in the direction of his voice. I met Bilbo coming up from another corridor and we emerged into a hall just as the others where about to descend a staircase.

"WAIT! WAIT!" Bilbo yelled.

"It's Bilbo!" Oin said with a smile "he's alive!"

"Stop! Stop! Stop!" Bilbo continued as we made our way over to them.

I couldn't stop the tears from falling as I wrapped my arms around Bofur's shoulders.

"You need to leave" Bilbo said "we all need to leave."

"But we only just got here" Bofur said brushing the tears from my eyes.

"I have tried talking to him, but he won't listen" Bilbo replied.

"What do you mean, laddie?" Oin asked.

"THORIN" Bilbo paused and lowered his voice "he's been out there for days. He doesn't sleep. He barely eats." He paused for breath "he's not himself-not at all. It's this-it's this place. I think a sickness lies on it."

"Sickness?" Kili asked "what kind of sickness?"

I buried my head in Bofur's braids "I was scared for you" I whispered as Fili started walking off.

"So was I" Bofur whispered back before stroking his thumb across my cheek.

"Fili? Fili! Fili!" Bilbo suddenly called.

I looked up to find Fili beginning to descend the stairs towards the gold hoard. We followed quickly and I heard their sharp intake of breath when they saw the mountains of gold. Thorin was pacing around as usual and muttering aloud.

"Gold...Gold beyond measure. Beyond sorrow and grief." He suddenly looked up and seemed to focus on Fili. "Behold...the great treasure hoard of Thror."

Thorin flung something directly at us, causing me to flinch away. Fili caught it and it was a huge red jewel, nearly the size of my head.

"Welcome, my sister's sons" Thorin continued "to the kingdom of EREBOR!"

We soon made our way into the room the others were occupying and were greeted by a rain of cheers and hugs. The dwarves stayed up for a long time after sundown, regaling each other about what had happened since we'd split up. I waited anxiously to hear any news about my family but Bofur just gave me a look that said he'd tell me later.

After I retired to my room, Bofur had me sit down before he started talking. He sat in my chair and took my hands in his.

"Please tell me my family is alright!" I was barely holding myself together.

"Anduin, I'm sorry..." Bofur began but broke off with a cough.

"They're not...it can't be!" tears coursed down my cheeks at the thought my family were all dead. I'd only just reconnected with them!

"The young'n was the only one who survived" Bofur said wiping my tears away.

"Kanin?! My nephew is the lone survivor?" I looked at Bofur incredulously. "How did he survive?"

"We found him struggling in the water after yer house was destroyed and he was with us until we got to shore" Bofur replied sitting on the bed next to me.

"Why didn't you bring him with you?" I asked.

"The bargeman thought it would be best if he stayed with people he knew."

"I'm glad he's okay" I sniffed the last of my tears away and smiled weakly at Bofur.

…

The next day Thorin had the dwarves begin searching the mountains of gold for the Arkenstone. I was excused because he didn't trust me enough, and that was fine with me so I decided to sew some curtains for my bed.

A few hours later I heard Thorin yelling and cautiously went to find Balin, to understand why.

"Balin? What was that about?" I asked when I found the aged dwarf.

"Dragon-sickness, I've seen it before" Balin replied. "That look. That terrible need. It is a fierce and jealous love. It sent his grandfather mad."

My hand fluttered over my mouth in shock "really?"

"Balin, if Thorin...had the Arkenstone...if it was found. Would it help?" Bilbo asked cautiously.

"That stone crowns all. It is the summit of this great wealth, bestowing power upon he who bears it" Balin replied. "Will it stay his madness? No, lad. I fear it would make it worse. Perhaps it is better that it remains lost."

Balin left us and I turned to Bilbo. "This needs to stay between the three of us, I think" I said looking down at the flustered hobbit. "I could use your help with something, do you mind?"

"Of course not, Anduin, lead on" Bilbo replied with a smile.

With Bilbo's help I soon had my curtains sewn and hung. After he'd left I continued to work at making my room nice. I was taking a short break when I saw a glint of something across the plateau. I stepped onto the balcony and realised what I had seen was fires!

Thorin's voice suddenly thundered around the mountain.

"TO THE GATE! NOW!"

I cautiously headed for the gate, not sure if I would be welcome or not. When I arrived the dwarves and Bilbo were busy blocking the broken entrance with enormous stones.

"I want this fortress made safe by sun-up" Thorin ordered. "This mountain was hard won – I will not see it taken again."

Kili dropped the handle of the wheelbarrow he was holding "the people of Lake Town have nothing." "They came to us in need, they have lost everything!"

Thorin glared at his nephew "do not tell me what they have lost. I know well enough their hardship." He looked towards Dale and sneered "those who have lived through dragon-fire should rejoice. They have much to be grateful for." Thorin's gaze swept over me as though I wasn't there "more stone! BRING MORE STONE TO THE GATE!"

…

The next morning there was something different about Dale. I looked carefully and was surprised to find elves filling the city. Thranduil had made his intentions clear. I rushed off to find Bofur and located him ascending the steps built into the blockade.

I joined him at the top and saw Bard riding towards the gate.

"Hail Thorin, son of Thrain! We are glad to find you alive beyond hope."

"Why do you come to the gates of the king under the mountain armed for war?" Thorin demanded.

"Why does the king under the mountain fence himself in? Like a robber in his hole" Bard retorted.

"Perhaps it is because I am expecting to be robbed" Thorin growled.

"My lord - We have not come to rob you, but to seek fair settlement" Bard replied "will you not speak with me?"

Thorin thought for a little while before making his way down the steps, whispering to a raven as he descended. He made his way to the little hole left in the wall. "I am listening" he said quietly.

"On behalf of the people of Lake Town, I ask that you honour your pledge" Bard began "a share of the treasure so that they might rebuild their lives."

"I will not treat with any man while an armed host lies before my door" Thorin shot back.

"That armed host will attack this mountain if we do not come to terms" Bard replied.

"Your threats do not sway me."

"What of your conscience? Does it not tell you our cause is just?! My people offered you help" Bard paused "and in return you brought upon them only ruin and death!"

"When did the men of Lake Town come to our aid, but for the promise of rich reward?!" Thorin growled.

"A bargain was struck!"

"A bargain?" Thorin scoffed "what choice did we have but to barter our birthright for blankets and food? To ransom out future in exchange for our freedom? You call that a fair trade? Tell me, Bard the Dragon-slayer...why should I honour such terms?"

"Because you gave us your word" Bard replied "does that mean nothing?"

"Begone, ere arrow fly!" Thorin said turning away.

I watched in sadness as Bard rode back to Dale.

"What are you doing?" Bilbo asked "you cannot go to war!"

"This does not concern you" Thorin replied.

"Excuse me?! But just in case you haven't noticed, there is an army of elves out there" Bilbo pointed towards Dale "and not to mention several hundred angry fishermen. We are in fact outnumbered".

"Not for much longer" Thorin turned to Bilbo with a knowing look on his face.

"What does that mean?" Bilbo asked.

"It means, Master Baggins, you should never underestimate dwarves. We have reclaimed Erebor – now we defend it!"

Thorin lead the way to an armoury and stood to the side as the dwarves started picking out varying bits and pieces. I dug around until I found a few pieces that looked as though they'd fit. I turned to Bofur for assistance in putting it on.

"That looks good on yer" Bofur whispered buckling on the shoulder pieces.

"Thank you" I blushed and started looking at the weaponry. I found a bow and quiver, and a sword that felt comfortable in my hands. I tried to buckle it on myself and the pain in my ribs flared up. I hissed through my teeth and placed a hand on the sore spot.

"Are yer alrigh'" Bofur asked coming over with a strange looking hammer-like weapon in his hand.

"I just...need a little...bit of help with...this" I replied breathing slowly to ease the ache.

While Bofur attached my weapons Thorin stepped out of the shadows holding a white mail shirt.

"Master Baggins, come here!" he called.

Bilbo stood in front of him with a confused look on his face.

"You are going to need this" he held the shirt up "put it on."

As Bilbo started removing his outer-clothes I looked for a helmet to go with my armour and found one above Dwalin's head.

"Excuse me, Dwalin, could you pass me that helmet?" I asked in a small voice.

"This one?" Dwalin asked picking it up.

"Yes, thank you" I replied.

"No problem, lass, you might need it".

I put it on and went back to Bofur. "What do you think?"

"Amazin'" he whispered.

"This vest is made of silver steel" Thorin was saying as he held the shirt within Bilbo's reach. "Mithril it was called by my forebears."

He placed it over Bilbo's head and stepped back "no blade can pierce it."

"I look absurd" Bilbo snorted "I'm not a warrior, I'm a Hobbit."

"It is a gift, a token of our friendship" Thorin replied "true friends are hard to come by."

Thorin suddenly pulled Bilbo away into a side passage and the conversation was lost.

"Right then" Dwalin growled.

I fell into step between Bofur and Bombur and marched towards the gate. My grip on my sword pommel tightened in anticipation of what was to come, and I hoped we'd all make it out the other side.