The crowd behind us made me slightly nervous but my attention caught Fili bent under the weight of his brother. I wrapped the old coat tightly around my body before going over to help. I was still shivering but trying to ignore it as I saw Bard come out of the crowd, looking alarmed. I listened as he cried, "Death! That is what you will bring upon us!"

I watched carefully, worried as Bard said firmly, "Dragon fire and ruin! If you waken that beast, it will destroy us all."

I looked at the Master, the crowd and the Dwarves as Thorin promised wealth to the town if we succeeded. I was loathe to admit that I had thought little about the actual dragon I was to face to steal from and as I looked at Bards face when he called for the crowd to listen, begging them to remember Dale and those who had died in the firestorm. When he turned to Thorin and said it was not worth dying for the greed of a Mountain king, it was exposed by the Master that Bards ancestor, Girion, the Lord of Dale was the one who failed to land the shot that would kill the dragon. Alfrid sneered at Bard, rubbing the shame in his face. Bard approached Thorin and growled, "You have no right. No right to enter that mountain."

Thorin proudly said back, "I have the only right." Then turned his back on Bard and asked what the Master decided. The Master threw out his arms and called, "Welcome!"

The crowd cheered and I looked at Bard, worried when I saw his face crumbled. I knew Thorin, trusted his judgment and would follow him into the dragon's lair, but I couldn't help wonder what the price would be for our quest to succeed.

0o0

The town threw us a party, gave us clothes, food, lodging and the Dwarves weapons. After I changed into warmer clothes, and ate my fill happened to see Thorin at a window, looking slightly ashen. I went over and teased lightly when I saw nothing outside but buildings and a weird contraption ontop of a building, "You look like you've seen a ghost."

I flinched in surprise when Balin sneaked up behind me, "In a way he has. We haven't seen a windlance like that since Dale." I listened as he explained that only iron black arrows could pierce a dragons hide and Bard ancestor had failed to pierce the dragons hide. I bit my lip, thinking this over and Thorin clasped a hand on my shoulder, "Do not worry Ariana, with your abilities you'll have sneaked paste the dragon without even waking it up." he went over when Dwalin called him and I didn't feel any better when I saw Balin's troubled face before he hid it and went back over to the food. I was about to when something caught my eye. I studied Kili, who sat in the corner of our lodgings. I went over to him and sat next to him. He looked at me and I studied his face before frowning, "Kili..."

He shook his head quickly, grasping my arm, "Please, I'm fine. Don't say anything to Uncle."

I looked over at Thorin, who was discussing the plan to reach the mountain tomorrow before night fall. It was the last day before we missed our chance to find the doorway. Kili couldn't possible make up the mountain with a bad leg. I knew Thorin would want him to stay behind, no matter how unfair it was. I looked down at Kili's leg and I could sense that there was something not right with that wound. I closed my eyes tight, mind racing to try and think of a solution. I looked at him and saw the look of determination and pain. I smiled softly at him, "I can not say what your Uncle will do, but I promise not to say anything." He sighed, relieved and I patted him on the shoulder before heading towards the food. Before I got there I glanced around, disappeared and slipped out of the building and had to dodge people who was happily celebrating the Dwarves return. I went across a few bridges and called softly into the night. A small brown bird called from a house and as I went over I blinked when I saw a small brown bird on Bard shoulder, "Bard?"

He jumped, startled and the bird chirped indignantly at him. He glared at me, "Oh, it's you." He stood, obviously unhappy still with our group and I pleaded, "Wait, please."

He paused and I shifted uncomfortably, "I'm sorry to bother you, but may I, uh, see your bird? Just for a moment." He looked at me and the bird chirped at him, "She is a beast-speaker." Then he blinked, looking shocked, "You can speak to animals?" I was thunderstruck and he smiled slightly, "My family has passed on the trait of speaking to the thrush, they are great gossips."

Shaking my head to try and throw off my shock I said shyly, "Right. Um, may I have word with you Mr. Thrush?"

It chirped and flew over to my shoulder. Glancing at Bard I whispered to the bird, begging it to go find someone who I thought could help Kili. The bird agreed to go at first light and flew up to the beams of the house to go to sleep. Smiling, I said to Bard, "Thank you very much Bard." He nodded and I shifted, feeling self-conscious, "I'm sorry. I feel like I should apologize for...what my companions and I are about to do. We aren't trying to hurt anybody..."

Bard studied me a moment and asked, "Would you like some tea?"

Not expecting this I blinked at him and he moved towards the door of the house, "It's cold out here." Hesitating for another moment I followed him in, "Tea sounds nice."

Inside I found a neatly kept house and three children that were obviously Bards. I smiled shyly, the eldest was a young lad just about to grow into adulthood and looked like a younger version of Bard but with lighter brown hair. Then there was the eldest daughter, a pretty girl with long brown hair who eyed me with distrust and holding back a young girl of about seven who clung to a woolen doll as she looked at me curiously. I bowed respectively, "Hello. I'm Ariana, at your service."

The children introduced themselves, the boy was Bain, the eldest daughter was Sigrid and the youngest was Tilda. Sigrid made tea as I sat at the table with Bard. I was amused when it seemed that Sigrid thought I was interested in her father. Bard talked with his children about their day. I knew why he did this, to show me what he was at risk of losing if the dragon awoke. I stayed for one cup of tea and then stood, "Thank you for the tea, it was delicious. Have a good night." I headed for the door and Bard stood and demanded, "Can't you change their minds? Please don't do this."

Sighing heavily I looked back at him, seeing his fear for his family, "I couldn't talk him out of it even if I wanted to. And I have made promises that I must keep. I pray we are doing the right thing." I hesitated for another moment and whispered, "I'd prepare for the worst Bard. Just in case." Then I looked him in the eye and said firmly, "But I can make you this promise. No matter what happens I'll make sure Thorin's keeps his promise to the town to help rebuild it. I won't turn my back on you."

This seemed to appease him slightly and I bowed my head solemnly before going out the door. I headed back to the lodgings, determined to get some sleep. A dark sense of foreboding was at the back of my mind and I knew something was coming. Something that would change everything.

0o0

When I returned, I saw most of the Company was still eating and partying and some had gone to bed. Fili and Kili were some of those that went to bed, along with Balin and Oin. I thought I saw Bofur passed out under the table...next to Nori. And unless I had gone blind they were...snuggling! Finding that curious I went over to a bench against the wall and sat with a sigh, leaning back and closing my eyes as I listened to my friends merriment dashing my dark thoughts away. Thorin had noticed I had left and he came over and sat next to me. I knew it was him because even though he had washed there was a certain musky smell that was purely Thorin. I didn't even crack an eye open when he asked, "Where did you go? You should be resting." I murmured, "I am resting. And so should you your cranky-ness." I smiled to show he was teasing and was answered with a chuckle. Then I felt him take my hand and Thorin was rubbing my knuckles with his thumb. Finding that soothing I didn't want to open my eyes as I leaned over against his arm. Taking a deep breath, I sighed heavily as my thought came back to the front of my mind. Thorin asked, "Where did you go?" He sounded worried.

I slowly opened my eyes and spoke the truth, "Went for a walk. Happened to run into Bard and met his children." I looked at him as Thorin began to frown and I said firmly, "Thorin, I have not changed my mind. I will help you reclaim Erebor. I just don't want you to forget that these peoples lives are also on the line here."

I looked into his deep sapphire eyes, begging with my own. Thorin smiled slightly at me, "I know Ariana. Believe me I know. And once we reclaim the mountain I will not forget these people. I will keep my word." I knew he was speaking the truth, he believed with all his heart that he would help these people once he was able.

Relieved I smiled and said, "Good." I leaned my cheek against his shoulder because I craved to feel his solid form. But only for a moment, knowing the quest took priority. So then I pulled away and said softly, "I'm getting some sleep, you might want to as well. We have a long day tomorrow." Smiling softly at him, he didn't let go of my hand until I stood to leave. Glancing back at him, I turned and headed to my room as Thorin told his Company to get some rest, knowing full well they'd party a bit longer.

I still couldn't shake the bad feeling but I knew I had to do what I could to help Thorin. Something worse would happen if we didn't succeed in reclaiming that mountain, I couldn't say for certain what but my gut never steered me wrong before. I snuggled down in the blankets and sighed heavily, falling into an exhausted sleep.

0o0

I was roused early by Ori and I yawned as I got out of bed. I stumbled into the kitchen, scarfing down some left over food from last night and some hot tea. Then I dressed as warmly as I could in borrowed clothes, making sure my weapons were still easily accessible. I refused to wear the bright red cape given to use by the Master of Lake Town, glaring when Dori insisted, "It's bright and red and atrocious. I may as well say 'here I am, shoot me'."

He let it go and I followed the others to the boat, ignoring the fan fare since I was still half asleep. I woke up fully when Thorin stopped Kili from coming and Fili decided to stay behind with him. Thorin stood firm but I could tell it bothered him his nephews wouldn't be there to see Erebor. Oin decided to stay behind with Kili and see if he could help them. The boat began to move and I decided something. Jumping up I leaped to the pier, ignoring the shouts and ran up and engulfed the brothers in a hug, whispering, "Get well Kili, we'll see you at Erebor." They were too startled to say anything and I flashed Oin a smile before tearing down the pier and leaping back in the boat, grinning at the Dwarves. Some threatened to throw me over board if I shook the boat again.

I settled back in my seat and that's when I realized Bofur wasn't among us. When I inquired Thorin said in his leader voice, "We can't wait. He gets left behind." Nori glanced around as if just realizing Bofur wasn't there before settling back down, gazing out at the water.

I glanced back once more, worried, and hoping the thrush had found who I sent it for before I turned my attention back to the task at hand.