*** Hello again! Sorry its been a few days since my last update,But life is really busy at the moment! So as to the question I asked in my last chapter, you will have to wait and see what I decide to do :) Anyways, enjoy and please leave me a nice review! ***

*** Chapter Five: Why I Came ***

* I remember when I first saw her. At first, I just saw her brother as he was the burglar I had come for. So I first saw her standing behind the so called burglar trying to be invisible and hide around all those strangers, I was struck speechless. I had never seen such a delicate woman. She looked straight in my eyes and although she was clearly scared and uncertain, there was a fire in them. This short petite girl had long hair with several different shades in it and for the first time in my whole life, I froze up and did not know what to do. My nephew Fili broke me out of my trance and after that, we all started planning our strategy to get back Erebor. But that girl was on my mind the whole time. I pushed all my uncertain thoughts to the back of my head as i had more important things to worry about. It wasn't until much later that I realized that what I felt for her was love. It was when she held me after we escaped the Mirkwood Elves, how she ran over to me and said she was terrified that she was going to lose me, that was when I realized what I felt for her for her was love, something I had never experienced with a woman. Everything about her, the way she would smile shyly at me, the way she hides behind her hair when she is shy or uncertain, how she always so kind and understanding to everyone, to the way she risks her life for one of the company at the risk of her own life. This soon to be King off Erebor is hopelessly in love with this woman. At first I refused my feelings, as I view love as weakness, but I soon could not lie to myself. But I did not know what her feelings for me were, until that day when I went after her and she looked at me with those eyes right at mine, and told what her feelings for me were. I could not believe it, and when she ran off, and as I ran after her, I did not even think about my quest for Erebor, I just lost myself in her perfectness. I just held her and for the first time in my life, I relaxed. And I knew. Right there and then, that I would do anything for her. And in her eyes, I saw that she would do the same for me. *

"We are close." Gloin says looking at the map.

I look over at him from where I am standing beside Ori. "Thank goodness! We've been trying to get to this point for days." I say rubbing my hands together for warmth. We are just in time, it is Durin's Day. It has been a hard trip getting here. We have not rested much so all of us are sleep deprived and cranky. We have been lucky in a way, as we have not had any dangerous encounters since we left Laketown.

"We need to spread out to find the door in time. Fili and Bifur, over there. Oin and Nori, there..." Thorin says. Directing the men until he gets to the last of us. "Ori, Bilbo, and Tamina go that way. Balin and I will search over here." He gives my shoulder a squeeze as he passes me. He could have paired me with him, but he knows that I need to be with my brother right now. Bilbo will be sneaking into Erebor to see if the Dragon still lives. I've been pushing this moment to the back of my head this whole journey, but now it is here and I am frightened for what might happen to him. The three of us search, not talking much. I keep giving nervous glances over to my brother. I can't lose him. I know he is not my blood brother, but I love him all the same. About an hour later Bilbo exclaims excitedly "I think I found it!" All my companions come running from where they were searching to see the door.

"Aye, that be the door." Oin confirms.

"Well C'mon Thorin, get the key out!" Bofur says.

Thorin looks over at me "Just give me a sec to get it." I say reaching down my shirt. All the other men look confused. I hand the key to Thorin. "Here you go." I say. A few days ago, Thorin gave me the key to protect. I was honored as that key is the only way he can get into Erebor and he entrusted the key to me.

The men get why Thorin gave me the key and Kili starts "Well now..."

"Save it for later Kili." Thorin growls.I grin over at his nephews, and they wink at me.

Thorin goes and puts the key in the hole, and turns it and pulls the door open. We all stand there, not knowing what to do. None of is wanting to tell Bilbo that it us time

"Well, I better go in now. Bomber hold onto my backpack for me? I'll be needing that later." Bilbo says. He is trying to sound cool and collected, but I know my brother. He is terrified about having to do this. I rush over to him and throw my arms around him and bury my face in his neck.

"Bilbo, you don't have to do this. We can figure something else out." Thorin says.

"Yeah Bilbo, one of us could go in instead!" Fili says.

"We won't mind at all! We all want to go get our hands on that filthy Dragon!" Kili say enthusiastically.

"No. This is why I came. I will go." Bilbo says.

"Bilbo I could..."I whisper.

"Tamina you stay here. You know I need to go, I'm the sneaky one not you. And besides, I want to go. I promise you, I WILL come back to you." He says taking my arms off of him and kissing me on the forehead.

"Be safe! I love you!" I croak out and let go of him. He turns away from me and nods to everyone else, grabs the torch from Gloin's hand and stands at the door looking at us. As he does that, Thorin comes up behind me and wraps his arms around me and whispers in my ear "Don't cry. Show him your courage." At his calming words, I suck back my tears and bury it away from brothers gaze. Bilbo waves to us and we all wave back and shout encouraging things his way.I feel fear threaten to hold on my heart.

My companions must see my desperation as Dori says "Well, this is not nearly as dangerous as running away from the Orcs and Wargs was."

"Or what about what about the stone giants!"Bomber offers.

"And don't forget the Goblins! Now that was scary!" Fili says.

"Or the hundreds of other dangerous things we have all experienced on this adventure. Dwalin rumbles says putting his arm around me and giving me a reassuring squeeze.

"Thanks guys. I guess we really have done some dangerous stuff huh?" I say touched at my companions attempt to cheer me up."

"We all have to take care of each other." Gloin says.

"Get your weapons ready men. We must be ready if Smaug is still alive." Thorin says looking at us all, pride in his eyes. So we all set out to sharpening our many different kinds of weapons. Even I, have a weapon a Dunedain short sword from Thorin. We all sit there waiting for my brother to return. None of us say it, but we are all afraid, afraid of losing each other. I walk over to Thorin and he reaches over and holds me close. We don't talk, because we don't need to. Being able to hold each other, is all we need. I just hope... that after this safe moment nothing will happen to tear any of us up. I love my companions too much to lose them. And I know that if it comes to it, I will do anything in my power to help one of my companions in danger. But for now, I just hold on to this moment, this perfect moment in the arms of the the man I love completely.