After we got to the other side of the lake, the Lake men who paddled us here refused to go no further. From there we traipsed across barren hills covered in black and ashen land. There were no plants, no animals. The closer we got to the mountain, the more I got a sense that we were walking right for something...evil. I couldn't explain it, but I knew deep down that the dragon that has laid dormant for 60 years was not dead.

Glancing at my companions, who looked worried anyway, I decided to keep that to myself.

We finally capped a hill and before us lay a ruined city. I didn't think Thorin could get any paler. I asked quietly, "What is this place?"

Balin answered, "It was once the city of Dale. Now it is a ruin. The desolation of Smaug."

Then Thorin took charge again, "The sun with soon reach midday. We must find the hidden door into the mountain before it sets."

Then I realized where we were as he began to walk away, "Hold on, isn't this where we were supposed to meet Gandalf. Shouldn't we wait?"

Thorin looked at me and I knew his answer before he said it, "We can't afford to wait for the Wizard. We're on our own. Come!"

He turned and while the others hurried after him I paused a moment and glanced back, worried about Gandalf. But he was a Wizard and he knew what he was doing. I hoped.

Sighing I trotted after the others and as we got closer to where the map said the door would be above us I started looking for a way up. I used my earth sense and studied the rocky side of the mountain and then saw something odd. Hurrying over I called, "Over here!" A huge statue rose above us and apart of the clothes was a stair carved into the mountain. Thorin smiled, "Keen eyes."

Everything seemed too tense so I teased, "Flattery will get you nowhere." He glared and I wrinkled my nose at him before I started to climb, the Dwarves right behind me.

0o0

It was a long climb until we finally got over the statues shoulder and stood before a rock wall. The sun would soon set and Thorin held up the key, "Let all those who doubted us rue this day!"

We cheered and then looked at the wall, waiting for something to happen. Dwalin scanned the wall with his hands, trying to find the key hole. I toed the dirt at my feet but sensed nothing strange from the mountain, nothing to indicate where the door was. The Dwarves began to panic when the sun began to set. Nori tried to use a cup to hear if there was something when he tapped it. Dwalin slammed into the wall, and I winced as he cried, "It's not here!"Then the Dwarves tried their weapons, only for them to shatter. Balin snapped, "You can not force it open! A powerful enchantment lies on that door.

My heart sank with the sun and the defeated faces of my friends hurt my heart but Thorin looking so crushed broke my heart. Thorin asked woefully, "What did we miss?" He looked at Balin, who shook his head sadly, "We've lost the light. There's no more to be done. We had but one chance." Then he moved towards the stairs, "Come away lads. It's over."

I was startled by this, not expecting them to give up so easily, "Wait." Their shoulders stooped with the weight of the world on their shoulders as they moved by me, "You can't give up! After everything!" For a moment I was glad they had given up, then I wouldn't have to face a live dragon to steal something from his hoard. I mentally slapped myself, disgusted and refusing to acknowledge that feeling I pleaded, "Don't give up now!"

I was ignored and I stared as Thorin dropped the key and went after them, slapping the map into my chest, not saying a word as he left. His face full of defeat and misery. I wanted to hold him, shield him away from the world. I wanted him to be King. I wanted to...

I stared at his retreating back, " I want him to know I love him."

This revolution scared the willy out of me but I didn't have time to think on it as I muttered the prophecy, "Stand by the gray stone when the thrush knocks and the setting sun with the last light of Durin's Day will shine upon the key hole."

I looked at the map, the wall, ran my hands over it and frantically tried to sense something! Then I heard a crack and looked over as a little thrush bird whacked a nut against the stone to break it open. Then a light caught my eye and I looked back as the moon came out from behind a cloud. I gasped as a small keyhole was illuminated. Realization hit me like a train and I started yelling, "Come back! It's the moon! That's the last light of Durin's day! Get back up here you knuckleheads!"

Then I started searching the key, "Key. Key. Here you damn key." My shoe found it first and I yelped as it made a dive for the edge, only to be stopped when I heavy boot stomped on it. I looked and burst out in laughter, everyone had returned and Thorin reached down and picked up the key gingerly. He gave me a wry grin, eyes full of wonderment and something else that made me blush. He went over and carefully put the key in and twisted it. Then he put his hands on the door and shoved. A slab of rock swung open and I nearly danced with joy at the Dwarves faces. Thorin almost sounded in tears as he said, "Erebor." Balin was in tears as Thorin said softly, "I know these walls. These halls. This stone. You remember it Balin. Chambers filled with golden light."

Balin smiled, "I remember."

We all went in and over the doorway was an inscription. Gloin translated, "Herein lies the Seventh Kingdon of Durin's Folk. May the Heart of the Mountain unite all Dwarves in defense of this home."

I studied the carving, and Balin said softly, "The Throne of the King." It did look like a throne with something above it, "What's that above it?"

Balin looked at me, "The Arkenstone." I frowned, not knowing what that is, "And what is that?" Balin opened his mouth but Thorin answered, "That, Master Burglar, is why you are here."

I glanced around at everyone looking at me and I whistled low, "Well no pressure then. Shall we?"

Honestly this shouldn't have shocked anyone, but it did. Rolling my eyes at their grumbles of me not taking this seriously I went back out and unloaded my pack and cloak. Straightening my swords I turned to find Thorin right behind me, looking troubled. I cocked an eyebrow and smiled at him, "Thorin, I'll be fine." He moved forward but didn't touch me as he said in a low rumble, "If anything happened to you down there, I'd never forgive myself."

I put my hands on his arms, gripping his thick forearms, and said firmly, "I'm the only one who can do this. This is why I'm here. Have faith in me Thorin." He put his hands on my hips carefully, "I do. But..."

I shut him up with a kiss. It was quick and sweet and I stunned him like someone had hit him over the head with a hammer. I stepped back and smiled at him, ignoring my blushes, "See you soon."

I headed back for the door, punching Nori on the shoulder when he snickered. Balin followed me in, hiding a smile.

0o0

Balin explained what I was to find. I looked at him in bafflement, kicking myself for not asking this sooner, "You want me to find a jewel? In a dragons hoard?"

Neither of us were talking in anything above a whisper. He nodded, "A large white jewel."

I scowled at him as we paused at the end of the hallway before it descended downward, "I do believe there will be quite a few down there." He said firmly, "There is no other like it, you'll know it when you see it."

I sighed through my nose, and he sighed with me, but with more gusto, "In truth lass, I do not know what you will find down there." I squared my shoulders and Balin shook his head, "You needn't go if you don't want to. There's no dishonor in turning back." I smiled at him and then grabbed him in a hug, which he returned in surprise. When I pulled away I nodded to him, "I promised I would do this. I never go back on my word. I can do this."

I was startled when Balin chuckled, "You never cease to amaze me. Always so brave."

I shook my head, softly saying the truth, "I'm not brave. I'm scared but too stubborn to act on it." Then I flashed him a grin and took a step down the stairs before I paused when he said, "Ariana. Uh, if there is indeed a live dragon down there. Best not to wake it."

I gave him a wave and an uneasy grin before descending down into the pitch black hall, hearing him leave me to my fate. Thanking the gods that I could now sense the stone and knew where my feet were going, even while terrified at what was awaiting me at the bottom.