Here you go with yet another chapter. I think this is mostly written from Kili's sight, 'cause there isn't very much interesting things which happens to Rosie. Anyway, you can make up your own mind about that, but please enjoy reading.

Chapter 10

It was the middle of the night when this great wizard decided to barge into my room, demanding to know where the dwarves were. Tired I rubbed my eyes. I was still dressed in the same dress as the day before, and my eyes hurt from crying.

"Why should I tell you?" I asked, annoyed that he had awoken me at that late hour. "Couldn't you just go with them when they left?" Gandalf frowned.

"Why didn't you go with them?" he questioned. I bit my lower lip and turned my face away. What should I answer? That I thought they would get an easier journey without having to look after me, as if I was a baby? No. Or maybe...

"Thorin and Bilbo were right in trying to keep me away from this journey," I answered. "I'm not meant to fight trolls, wolves and orcs. I'm a woman, and women shall stay home, take care of the house and kids, and wait for their men to return!" I was only repeating something Bilbo told me long ago, when I was very young, and loved adventures. Gandalf sighed.

"And yet," he said, "you decided to stay here when your man went on an adventure he might not return from."

"Do you want me to follow them?" I whispered after some seconds of silence. Gandalf smiled.

"Come with me. I'm leaving by sunrise, and there's always space for a companion." Then he turned and exited the room, leaving me to stare at the door, wondering if he actually meant I was wrong in staying behind, and if he thought I was meant to fight, just like Kili, Fili, Bilbo and the others.

There was still darkness over the valley which I could see beneath me, and I wondered if the elves would watch me and Gandalf as we left. And by the way, where was Gandalf? I hadn't seen him since he awoke me in the middle of the night, but I had expected him to be there, waiting for me.

Since we were going to cross the Misty Mountains, I had decided to wear something else than a dress, since dresses weren't the most practical clothing you could wear while crossing a mountain. I had simply opened the chest at the end of the bed, and in it I had found a pair of brown pants, a white blouse, a green vest, a pair of brown boots, and a belt. Together with this, I wore the cloak and the dagger Kili had given me, the knife Fili had given me, and in the bag standing beside me, I had the wooden dragon Bofur gave me, and the portrait I got from Ori.

Without really thinking about it, I put my hair up in a high ponytail to get it out of my eyes, and then my hand went to the necklace Kili gave me before he went together with the others. I had expected to feel the pain already, but I hadn't. Maybe the necklace actually eased the pain, or took it away? As I thought that thought, a felt a small sting in my chest. I frowned, but didn't feel more of it.

Behind me I suddenly heard voices. I glanced over my shoulder, and found Gandalf walking toward me, together with Elrond and a beautiful, high woman dressed in white with long, curly and golden hair.

"I expect you to take good care of her," Elrond told Gandalf, watching the old wizard as they approached.

"I shall do what I can, but she's an adventurous hobbit, and strong minded. I don't know how much I can do."

"You have to keep her away from Thorin," the woman suddenly said, and I wondered if they knew I was there. "He will try to separate her and the one she loves."

"As I said," Gandalf said with a small bow toward her, "I shall do what I can." I cleared my throat, and all of them turned toward me with surprised looks, at least Gandalf and Elrond seemed surprised. "Rosie! I didn't expect you to be here at this early time!"

"I understand so," I replied with a curious look at the woman. She smiled a knowing smile, and her eyes shone.

"Rosie Baggins," she greeted, still with that smile on her lips. "It's a honour to meet you."

"The pleasure is all mine," I answered. "Even if I don't know your name..."

"I'm called Galadriel." I froze. That was a known name. I felt my eyes widen, and then I curtsied.

"It's a honour," I whispered with my head bowed, "to see all the protectors here at the same place." This time it was their turn to freeze, and when I glanced at them, I could see their narrowed eyes.

"Protectors?" Elrond finally questioned. I nodded, and wondered why he questioned it.

"Of the Three," I whispered, only loud enough for them to hear. Totally silence.

"Who told you?" Elrond finally asked, his voice low and dangerous. "Who told you?!" I swallowed, but couldn't get a sound over my lips. I found myself standing there, not knowing what to do, or what to say.

"Don't scare the girl," Galadriel said with a look at Elrond. Then she smiled to me. "Tell us."

"I-I..." I stuttered, before taking a deep breath to tell them. "I can sense them, and their power." And that was no lie. I really could sense them. They were there, all together, gathered in front of me, ready for a dark time which soon would come. That too was something I could sense, and I knew both Gandalf and Galadriel knew it.

"Rosie," Gandalf said, just as Elrond opened his mouth to say something. "Swear never to tell anyone of this."

I nodded."I swear. I'll never tell a living creature, nor a dead. Never." Elrond sighed.

"Fine, then." But he send Gandalf a look which clearly said: "Keep an eye on her". This time it was Gandalf's turn to sigh. Then he turned to me with a smile.

"Let's get moving. Thorin and his company already have a great heading start."

Meanwhile...

Kili glanced back over his shoulder. They had just eaten a quick breakfast, and now they were on the move again. It seemed as if Thorin was afraid they would be hunted, but Kili couldn't imagine anyone – except from orcs and wolves – who would follow in their tracks.

"You miss her, don't you?" Fili asked beside him, and Kili nodded.

"More than I can tell in words," he replied with a sigh. "I wish she was here with us, but I'm also kind of glad she's safe in Rivendell."

"You will meet here again soon," Fili said as they continued walking together with the rest of the company. Kili glanced at his older brother with a hopeful look in his eyes.

"Do you think so?" he questioned. Fili nodded with a smile.

"You two are meant to be together, and I know that nothing will separate you for long. Before you know she'll be beside you again." Kili grinned, and then continued as if he couldn't get finished with the journey quick enough. Behind him Fili smiled and shook his head.

Back to Rosie...

Sitting on Caramel, I lifted a hand to shade my eyes as I glanced toward the mountain. "Do you think we'll reach them before they begin climbing the mountains?" I let my hand fall, and moved my gaze to Gandalf instead. He was staring toward the Misty Mountains, with narrowed eyes and a frown at his face. Then he slowly shook his head.

"I don't think so, but of course there is a small hope we might reach them before they do something stupid. A fools hope." I frowned, but didn't question it. I knew Thorin was stubborn, not that dwarves weren't stubborn, but he was worse. If he had got something in his mind, he would do nearly whatever it took to do just what he thought was the best. I sighed, before continuing after Gandalf's high horse.

There were many tracks which led into the mountains, to chose between. But most of the tracks were nothing but "lies" and led to nothing, or ended with tragedy. As I followed Gandalf who knew which way to go, I couldn't help but wonder where the dwarves were, and if they had chosen the right way, or if they had ended up somewhere else than they would like to. I had nothing but Gandalf's word that he knew the dwarves had chosen right, but on the other side, the word of a wizard wasn't something you should take easy. If a wizard gave you his word, it was probably right, or plain wrong.

Many days went by, and still we didn't see anything to the dwarves. I had began thinking they had began climbing the mountain not waiting for us. But on the other hand, why should they wait for us? They didn't know we were following, at least as I knew.

The track we were following was difficult, and dangerous. Soon we had to send the horse and pony back to Rivendell, because the ground became too dangerous and difficult for them. This meant, of course, that we had to take what they had been carrying, and that didn't make it easier. The track turned many times, and it was desolate and long. When I glanced back, I could see the landscape we had left, which drew out beneath us. Far in west I knew Hobbiton was laying, and that meant the safe, small hobbit hole where I had lived for about twenty years. After a while the air became chilly, and the wind came in icy cold puffs. It could also happen that huge stones fell down toward us, and then Gandalf pulled me further up the track. The nights were cold and uncomfortable. It was rather hard to sleep, and the silence scared me.

By this time, I was beginning to get very sure we wouldn't catch up with the dwarves before we were at the other side, and even then there were small chances. As Gandalf had said the first day after Rivendell: A fools hope.

So we were travelling up this mountainside when we suddenly were attacked by the rain. First there were only a few, big drops falling from a nearly black sky, but then there became more and more, until I nearly didn't see Gandalf in front of me.

"This way!" Gandalf suddenly shouted and went to the left, into a small cave I probably wouldn't have noticed at all. Inside it was dark and dry, but the wizard let his wand lit up, and a white light spread inside what I understood was a long corridor.

"What is this place?" I asked, trying to look past him, down the corridor. "Why are we here?" At first he didn't answer, only glanced down the corridor, as if he could see something really interesting at the end. Then he addressed me, without turning to face me.

"Leave what you don't need here. We have to hurry, otherwise we'll be too late."

Further up in the mountain, some time earlier...

For at least fifth time Kili cursed under his breath. The heavy rain had made his clothing heavy, and he was soaked to the bone. The bang fell into his eyes, and drops fell from it. Again he cursed as he tried to brush the bang away, something which nearly made him lose grip at the steep cliff he was trying to hold on to.

Somewhere in front, Bilbo called out, followed by Thorin's voice.

"We must find shelter!" Kili pressed his back against the cold, wet rock behind him, and took a shivering breath. He hadn't even dared to hope his uncle would say that. For the first time in his whole life, he understood what his mother meant when she said Thorin was stubborn.

"Are you okay?" Fili asked beside him. Kili nodded, still trying to calm his breath. He could feel his older brother's concerned eyes on him, but tried not to bother with it. He had to stay calm, even if it remembered him of something he had read once long ago. Something which the rest of the family had said only was an old legend. Something which had hunted him in his worst nightmares.

One of the others let out a magnificent cry – it sounded as Dwalin – and all of them glanced up to see a bolder hit the wall above them. Splinters rained down over them, and Kili covered his head with his arms. A hand was put on his shoulder, and he glanced up to find Fili looking at him.

"This isn't a thunderstorm," Balin shouted, "it's a thunder battle!" Kili swallowed. Most of everything he wanted to be in Fili's safe arms. Kili could handle orcs, wolves and elves, but this... It scared him half way to death.

"Look!" Fili exclaimed beside him. In his voice, Kili could hear both excitement, and horror. Kili glanced at what Fili was looking at. At the opposite side of them, a stone giant took form. The small exclaim which left Kili, wasn't something he was proud of, but it was all he managed. His worst nightmares. His heart was racing in his chest, and he was nearly unable to calm his breath. He could do nothing but stare wide eyed at the giant, which let out a roar. Somewhere in his mind, a small part of him sarcastically thought that even Dwalin wouldn't manage something like that.

Another great bolder was thrown in their direction, but instead of hitting them, it hit another giant which just then rounded the mountain. The giant stumbled and fell, and yet Kili could do nothing else than stare at it, and he knew that he would have even worse nightmares after that, if he survived.

Suddenly he heard a loud, cracking noise. He glanced down, only to see the mountain cracking up, just between him and Fili. His head snapped up to look at Fili. The horror was written over Kili's face as he slowly slid away from his older brother.

"Kili! Take my hand!" Fili shouted, reaching his hand toward him. Kili tried to take his hand, but they both were pulled back so they wouldn't fall into the crack which only grew between them. Kili's wide eyes stared into Fili's, and he could see pain, mixed with fear in them. Then the rock he, together with some of the others, stood on began to move. He stumbled, but didn't fall. His eyes moved toward the giant who attacked the one they stood on.

Strange, he thought, how our lives suddenly depends on a nightmare. The noises were horrendous as rocks flew everywhere around them, and yet, all he could see was Fili's face, trying to remember exactly how it looked. They slid past each other, close enough to take each others hand if they tried, but that would also be their death, and for a second he saw someone else. Only a memory his mind pulled up, but yet. A face he loved. Brown eyes, shining like gold in the sunlight, long, wavy brown hair, light brown skin and a petite figure, covered with a thin, long dress. Rosie. Her name rang through his head as the mountain walls rushed toward him. He slammed his eyes shut with one last thought. I love you. Then he collied into the wall, with his arms covering his head, trying to save him from something which could mean his death.

"No!" someone cried faintly. "No! Kili!" Slowly he opened his eyes. Hands pulled him up. A known voice. Was he still alive? Yes. He blinked and turned his eyes toward Thorin and Fili. An expression of relief flew across his uncle's face, and Fili sighed.

"Where's Bilbo?" someone shouted. Kili tried to get to his feet. He had to help looking for Bilbo, otherwise Rosie would never forgive him. Hands helped him up, but kept him in place.

"I-I have to h-help," he managed to say. He tried to pull away from the firm grip which held him, but some seconds later Bilbo, followed by Thorin, appeared over the edge of the cliff. Kili felt himself relax.

"I thought we lost our burglar," he heard Bofur say. There were similar exclaims of relief and joy, but everything became silent when Thorin spoke in a harsh tone.

"He's been lost ever since he left home. He should never come with us. He have no place between us." This made Kili stiffen. He couldn't believe what he heard Thorin say. He couldn't believe that that was his uncle saying that. It couldn't be. Together with the others, he moved into the cave which had saved his – and many of the other's – lives. "Seek the cave," Thorin commanded. "No fire!"

Kili sank down at the cave floor. His hands were laying open in his lap, trembling uncontrolled. A hand was put on his shoulder. Slowly he lifted his gaze, and there he found Fili looking at him with concerned, brown eyes.

"Kili?" Fili questioned softly, not being aware of most of the company steeling glances at them out of the corner of their eyes. "Are you okay?" Kili swallowed. A sob made it's way up his throat, and he flung himself at Fili, clenching the soaked fabric and fur covering his chest, sobbing into it. Fili put his arm around him, holding him there, comforting him. "Shhh," Fili whispered in a comforting tone. "It's okay. We're safe, and alive." Carefully Fili rocked Kili, until the youngest had calmed down, and was only sniffing from time to time.

"I'm cold," he muttered. He knew it sounded childish, but there was no strength left inside him to be more mature.

"We all are, lad," Dwalin growled, something which only made Kili press himself closer to Fili. He closed his eyes and found himself wishing Rosie was there. He wished he could hear her soft voice in his ear, her small, warm hands against his cheek, and her lips against his.

"Kili," Fili said in a strict tone. Kili quickly let go of him, and dried away the tears which had mixed with the rain on his face. In the darkness he could see the contours of a warm smile on his older brother's lips. "Take off your cloak, and put this around you." Kili did as he had been told, and suddenly remembered what he had told Rosie. He was always the one who had to be taken care of. He had never taken care of anyone, nor watched over. He had always been the baby in the family, and now the baby in the company. It embarrassed him, but he also knew Fili was right. Therefore he pulled off the cloak, and put the blanket Fili was handing him, around himself.

"Thanks," he muttered as the warmth slowly crept into his limbs again. For a while the only sound which could be heard, was the rain and the thunder outside, but then he heard another sound. A sound which made him turn toward Fili. Kili's eyes widened when he realized Fili was actually shivering because of his cold and wet clothes. Kili bit his lower lip. Then he reached out a hand, loosened the wet, heavy cloak which was keeping Fili cold, threw it away, together with his own cloak, and put the blanket around both of them. "Better?" he questioned silently.

"Yes, thanks," Fili replied. Kili couldn't help but smile. The feeling of being the one taking care of the other, was kind of good, but he was quite sure he didn't mind being the baby for some time longer.

Like that they fell asleep, Kili with his head resting on Fili's shoulder, and Fili with his cheek at the top of Kili's head, with the blanket around them to keep them warm. They slept peacefully, until a scream awoke them.

Kili jolted up, still half asleep, only to find hands grabbing him, and pulling him away from Fili. In a matter of seconds he had awoken. The cave was filled with huge, ugly goblins, and there were a lot of them. At least six per dwarf, included Bilbo. All of them became bound, and then they were carried through a crack in the wall at the end of the cave. Kili tried to get contact with the others, but they were too shocked, or too busy trying to get free.

The crack closed behind them with a soft BANG, and they were at the wrong side. A goblin lifted Kili up, so he was hanging over the goblin's shoulder, head down, totally helpless. Everything was black darkness, and there was nothing he could see, even if he tried to. When he gave up trying to see anything, he tried to use his ears instead. Tried to hear what was said. The goblins, however didn't say anything interesting, nor understandable, so he ended up only hanging there, slightly bouncing as the goblin carrying him, went on, deeper into the mountain.

The corridors criss-crossed each other, and turned in all directions, but the goblins didn't seem to have any problems with finding the way. The goblins were quite hard-handed, and from time to time pinched them pitilessly, while they giggled and laughed with their terrible voices.

Once Kili thought he heard someone call his name, but when he tried to reply, he was only told to shut up and be quiet, before his tongue was cut off.

After something which felt like years, a red light appeared far ahead of them. The goblins began singing, while they continued, and shook their prisoners in line with the music. Kili wished for nothing but to cover his ears so he wouldn't need to hear it. Not that the text wasn't bad, but the music was terrible! If he wasn't that afraid to lose his tongue, he would've asked them to stop. Suddenly he was put down and pushed in between the other dwarves. He felt a seconds relief, but it disappeared when something cut into his shoulder and he let out a cry of pain and shock. The next which followed, was the goblins whipping them forward, as if they were a cattle heard. The whips flew over their heads, but it didn't reach many of them as they ran, nearly tripped, were pulled to their feet, and ran again. Then they reached a vast cave.

There was a huge, red fire in the middle of the floor, and around the walls there were flaming torches, so the room was fully lit up. The cave was filled with goblins. All of them were laughing when the dwarves – again included Bilbo – rushed into the room, driven forward as if they were a cattle heard, while the wipes fell on them, or flew over their heads. They were driven toward on of the walls, where they were chained to each other, and then led to the wall at the end of the cave.

And there, in the shadow, at a great, flat stone, a huge goblin with a enormous head – probably the king, and around him there were standing armed goblins. They had axes and swords, that kind goblins used.

"Who are those pitiful creatures?" the Goblin King asked.

"It's dwarves. And then we found this... dude," one of the goblins replied, while poking Bilbo that hard he fell and ended up on his knee. "We found them in the entrance where they were hiding from the storm."

"What were you planning to do?" the Goblin King questioned, turned to Thorin. "I guess it was some dirty trick! It wouldn't surprise me if you have been out to spy on folks' private things. I think you're thieves, bandits and assassins, and for sure in collusion with the elves. Come on! What do you have to say?" Kili glanced over at Thorin, and wondered what he would say at this.

"The dwarf Thorin, at your service," Thorin replied in a polite tone. "What you have mentioned, wasn't in our minds at all. We were in the cave, hiding from the storm. We thought it seemed good enough for the opportunity, and it seemed to be empty. It wasn't in our minds that it could trouble the goblins in any way." Kili slightly nodded. His uncle was right.

"Hrm," the Goblin King cleared his throat. "Yes, that's what you're saying. But may I ask what you have here in the mountain to do? Where are you from? And where are you going? I would very much like to know everything about you, even if it won't help very much, Thorin Oakenshield. I know too much of your people from earlier, but let us now get to hear the truth, otherwise I have my methods to get information."

"We were going to visit our relatives, our nephews, nieces, cousins, second cousins and other distant relatives who live east of these extremely welcoming mountains," Thorin lied. Kili tried to look as if this was known to him, but he knew he failed miserably, just as many of the others. He could've slapped himself, but didn't do it.

"He's a liar, O Almighty Reigns!" said one of the goblins who had caught them. "And besides, he haven't explained this." He held up Thorin's sword which they had found in the troll cave, before Rivendell. Kili felt his heart sink. It was an elven blade, and goblins didn't like elves. If they ever had had a small hope of getting out, that hope was gone now.

The Goblin King roared when he spotted the sword, and all his soldiers beat their weapons against their shields, while shouting insults in their own language. They knew the sword. Orcrist – the Goblin Cleaver, which they only called the Biter.

"Murders! Friends of elves!" the Goblin King yelled. "Whip them! Beat them! Bite them! Throw them to the dark caves where the snakes live, and never let them see the sunlight again!"

So, did you like this? Please, review and tell me what you think.

I hope I didn't reveal too much... but you know, Galadriel is Galadriel, and Galadriel knows a lot of things.