Chapter 28

Everyday we moved closer to the Mountain, and everyday we searched for the hidden door. The days were rolling by and then one day Fili, Kili and Bilbo came back excited. They had found what seemed to be stairs going up the Mountain. We followed these and found a sort of shelf in the mountain, and against the smooth rock-face, without a doubt, lay the hidden door. Now the only problem we faced was getting inside. It turned out that the shelf was directly above our old camp. We used the ropes we had been given in Lake-town to haul up equipment and tools, while we also used these to lower one of the younger dwarves, such as Fili and Kili, to share news and anything else of importance. Bofur was hauled up but no Bombur. He would neither be hauled by the ropes or walk on the narrow ledge to the shelf.

"I am too fat for such fly-walks! I should tread on my beard and fall! Then you shall be 13 dwarves once more and have all the bad luck!" He said.

I had spoken to Thorin of my dream. About how I saw our daughter.

"I was thinking of calling her Silanna. And that perhaps Kili would be her godfather. So that should anything happen to us she will have him." I said.

He smiled and put his hand over my womb.

"A beautiful name, and I agree with Kili. When did you wish to speak of this to the others?" He asked.

I knew we must tell them soon, else they would find out on their own. I stood up and we walked over. Bombur of course already knew. Thorin took my hand and smiled.

"My good friends and loyal companions! I bear wonderful news. Tawariell carries our child. And she has agreed to be my wife." He said.

There was a great deal of cheering. I looked to Kili.

"Would you do us the honor of being Silanna's godfather?" I asked.

Kili's eyes widened in surprise and he did not seem to know how to answer. Fili came up and put a hand on his brother's shoulder.

"He would be honored."

I smiled and hugged both of them. The news had given us all hope. We worked harder then ever to find a way to open the hidden door. Bilbo would sit upon a rock and stare out into the distance. And if we asked him what he was doing he would simply reply,

"You said it would be my job to sit on the doorstep and think of a way in. Well here I am sitting and thinking!"

As the days passed I began to show, only slightly. If one did not know of my condition they would not assume a thing. I began to wonder what had become of Gandalf. Did he know we had reached the Mountain? Had he known about our troubles with Thranduil? I knew he more then likely did. Gandalf always knew. I suspected we would be seeing him soon enough.

Our supplies were dwindling and still nothing came up. I was tired and only meant to close my eyes for a few moments, but this of course turned into a few hours. I awoke to a loud crack. My eyes flew open and I found that the wall was crumbling. A hole appeared in the rock about three feet from the ground.

"The key! The key!" cried the hobbit. "Where is Thorin! Try the key now while there is yet time!" He squeaked.

Thorin walked forward and I stood up. Thorin fit the key in the hole and turned it. He stepped back as the doors swung open. I smiled and put my hands on his shoulders.

"You have done it Thorin. Now you are closer then ever to reclaiming Erebor." I said.

He smiled at me and then I we all looked into the dark tunnel. Thorin cleared his throat and then looked at Bilbo.

"Now is the time for our esteemed Mr. Baggins, who had proved himself a good companion on our long road, and a hobbit full of courage and resource far exceeding his size, and if I may say so possessed of good luck far exceeding the usual allowance- bow is the time for him to perform the service for which he was included in our Company; now is the time for him to earn his reward."

Thorin always made a very long speech, but Bilbo was impatient.

"If you mean you think it is my job to go into the secret passage first, O Thorin Thrain's son Oakenshield, may your beard grow ever longer," he said crossly, "say so at once and have done! I might refuse. I have got you out of two messes already, which were hardly in the original bargain, so that I am, already owed some reward. But 'third time pays for all' as my father used to say, and somehow I do not think I shall refuse. Perhaps I have begun to trust my luck more then I used to in the old days"- of course we knew he meant last spring before he left his own house, which to him seemed like centuries ago- "but anyway I think I will go and have a peep at once and get it over. Now who is coming with me?"

Fili and Kili stood on one leg uncertainly but Balin stepped forward. I smiled knowing he had become quite fond of the hobbit. I wished them luck and then lay down. There was soft green grass on the shelf and I closed my eyes. Thorin sat beside me.

"Do you feel alright?"

I smiled but did not open my eyes.

"Hm."

He stroked my face with the back of his hand and I smiled again. I opened my eyes and took his hand.

"Thorin?"

"Hm?"

I looked at his lips and then back into his eyes. I sat up a little and brought my face closer to his.

"Kiss me?"

He brushed a stray strand of hair behind my ear and held my face.

"You know not what you do to me." He murmured.

I leaned forward hungrily and his lips connected with mine. I knew it was my condition that was making me want Thorin so badly. I kissed him harder and I knew he knew what I wanted, yet he would not allow me to go far. Someone cleared their throat but we ignored them.

"Leave them be laddie." Balin said.

I smiled into the kiss and Thorin slid his tongue into my mouth. Our kiss ended with the return of Bilbo and Balin. And in his hand was a golden cup filled with more of the treasure. I smiled and so did Thorin.