Disclaimer: Not mine

Chapter 11

Thorin stepped into the tunnel, running his hand across the stone in wonder. He was home. He breathed in deeply as he moved further down the tunnel, allowing the others in as well. The only thing missing were his nephews and sister, then this homecoming would be complete. "I know these walls…these walls, this stone. You remember it, Balin. Chambers filled with golden light."

"I remember."

Nori pointed at a carving in the wall above the door; it was of the throne of Erebor, with the Arkenstone above it, sending out rays of light in all directions. Gloin read aloud the inscription on the carving. "Herein lies the seventh kingdom of Durin's Folk. May the heart of the mountain unite all dwarves in defence of this home."

Bilbo looked at the carving in interest and curiosity. Balin saw his expression. "The throne of the king."

"Oh. And what's that above it?"

"The Arkenstone."

"Arkenstone…. And what's that?"

"That, Master Burglar, is why you are here." Thorin turned to him and Bilbo gulped.

"Hari said we're not meant to go in without him or Gandalf."

"They are not here and this is our Mountain Bilbo." Thorin stared down the tunnel and Bilbo hesitated, torn between Hari's warning and doing as Thorin wanted.

"He's right Thorin, we found the door. All else can wait until one of the Wizards returns." Balin offered. Who knew what foul enchantments the dragon could have lain on the treasure. But it was obvious Thorin didn't care about any of that. Bilbo absently rubbed the Ring in his pocket, shivering as he remembered Hari's warning on using it near the dragon. Without the invisibility it gave what chance did he have against such a creature?

"Bilbo and Balin are right, we found the door, there is no reason to rush into this." Dwalin agreed with his brother.

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Hari collapsed to the ground beside Gandalf, both breathing heavily. "Well…. that went well."

"Good to see you still have your humour my friend." Gandalf shook his head. "Your timing was helpful."

"I didn't like Saruman but I didn't want him dead, I'm sorry."

"He died a good death Hari, fighting for what he believed in."

"Better to die an old man in your sleep." They both chuckled at that.

"The Company?" Gandalf asked now that they had time to talk.

"Most are at the mountain. Fili, Kili and Dori are still in Laketown due to Kili being shot. It took two elves and myself to call him back but he is recovering. Gandalf…it was a Morgul shaft."

"The nine walk again, Sauron despised as a necromancer and now orcs wielding Morgul poisons. Things are moving too fast."

"We will succeed Gandalf, there is no other choice. I told the Company to open the door but not enter the mountain without at least one of us. Whether or not Thorin listens…."

"Are you up to taking a passenger?"

"No."

"Then go, help them."

Hari nodded and stood up, moving quickly to speak with Lord Elrond and then he vanished.

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Bilbo felt an utter flood of relief as Hari suddenly appeared in their midst, startling many of the dwarves and that was before they took in his soot stained, ripped and slightly bloody robe. "Hari! You're bleeding." Bilbo cried out and Oin instantly reached for his supplies.

"It's not mine Bilbo." He waved his hand over his clothes and they repaired themselves, removing all sign of blood. "Dol Guldur is free of the so-called Necromancer and his servants. Unfortunately, a large portion of the army gathering there got away. They are headed this way and led by Azog." He explained, they didn't need to know the necromancer had been Sauron, not yet.

"Then we need to deal with Smaug before they get here." Thorin stated firmly and Hari nodded.

"Agreed." He grasped his staff tightly. "Bilbo, I believe this is what you were hired for." The hobbit swallowed but nodded and moved into the tunnel again with Hari following him. Balin went with them part of the way.

"What is the Arkenstone?'

"The King's Jewel laddie."

"You want me to find a jewel?" Bilbo asked in disbelief and Harry bit back a laugh at his expression as the crystal at the top of his staff began to glow to light their way.

"A large white jewel, yes."

"That's it? Only, I imagine there's quite a few down there."

"There is only one Arkenstone. You'll know it when you see it."

"Alright."

"Do not worry Bilbo, I have seen the Arkenstone before." Hari assured him as Balin began to walk back up the tunnel but then he paused.

"In truth, lad, I do not know what you will find down there. You needn't go if you don't want to, there's no dishonour in turning back."

"No, Balin, I promised I would do this, and I think I must try."

Balin looked at Bilbo, then began to chuckle appreciatively. "It never ceases to amaze me."

"What's that?"

"The courage of Hobbits. Go now with as much luck as you can muster." They nodded at each other, and Bilbo proceeded down the tunnel, Hari now behind him, while Balin turned back. "Oh, and Bilbo...if there is, in fact, a live dragon down there, don't waken it."

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Kili lay on a makeshift bed by the fire, Tauriel at his side to check on his bandages. The house was very cramped with them there but they were managing. Fili was helping Sigrid with supper, the two working silently together, as if they'd been doing so for years. Dori was showing the younger girl how to do some sort of complicated stitch while the two men of the house were out. Kili looked up at Tauriel and smiled. "Am I on the mend then?"

"Definitely. The wound is looking remarkably healed.'

"Good. Tauriel?"

"Yes Kili?"

"Will you get in trouble with your King for staying?"

"Perhaps. Though we left with Uirebon so that should help."

"Do you think they've reached the mountain yet?"

"Most likely, were they not meant to reach it by a certain time?"

"Durin's Day, the only day the keyhole will reveal itself."

"Amazing." She gently brushed a loose braid back from his face and Kili leant into her hand.

"What will you do when after the Mountain is reclaimed?" Kili asked nervously.

"I will return to the forest."

"Will I see you again?"

"Perhaps. You are a Dwarven Prince and I am a mere Captain among the elves."

"I don't care. I know what I feel. Tauriel, amralime"

Tauriel looked at Kili, shocked and surprised. "I don't know what that means."

Kili smiled. "I think you do."

The door opened and they all looked to see a rather dishevelled Legolas standing there. Tauriel stood to face him. "Hîr nín, Legolas." She greeted formally. She grabbed a bucket of warm water and a rag, passing it to him and Legolas nodded in thanks. Cleaning his hands and face. "You saw something out there." She commented, the dwarves stayed silent but listened closely. Kili fought down a flash of jealousy as he watched. Tauriel took Legolas' weapons and began going through his remaining arrows to ensure they were in good condition.

"The orcs I pursued out of Laketown - I know who the leader is. Bolg - a spawn of Azog the Defiler. A warg pack was waiting for them on the outskirts of Esgaroth. They fled into the north. These orcs were different from the others. They wore a mark I had not seen for a long time. The mark of Gundabad."

Tauriel stopped in shock and turned to Legolas. "Gundabad?"

"An orc-stronghold in the far north of the Misty Mountains."

"I've heard of it, but I thought it was long deserted." Dori spoke up.

"It was." Legolas agreed. "I will ride north." As soon as he got a fresh horse.

"To where?" Fili asked even though he had a feeling he knew where the other Prince meant to go.

"To Gundabad." He looked at Tauriel. "Will you come with me?" he asked and she hesitated, looking back to where Kili lay.

He pushed himself up to his feet and walked to her side, clasping her hands in his. The others looked away, giving them what little privacy they could. "You should go with him."

"Kili?"

"He should not go alone and one of us would only slow him down. If the stronghold is in use, then we need to know. It's close enough to be a very real threat to both our people. When you come back we'll all be safely in the mountain and I can show you Erebor." He smiled and she smiled slowly back.

"I will go." She agreed and Kili tugged her down, ever so gently kissing her and she returned the kiss after a few seconds of surprise. She stood and squeezed his hands before moving to collect her weapons. She tucked the stone he had passed her into her belt before saying goodbye to the others and following Legolas out of the house.

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"Hari?"

"Yes Bilbo?"

"What will we don about the dragon?"

"You find the Arkenstone. Should Smaug wake I will deal with him."

"Okay. Maybe he won't be here." Bilbo offered and Hari smiled slightly. Oh he knew the dragon was home, but where exactly within the mountain he was he didn't know. They came to the end of the tunnel and Bilbo shifted nervously. "Hello?" he called and then he knocked quietly on the wall beside him, but the sound was intensified loudly as it echoed, and he jumped, pressing himself against the wall in shock. Hari chuckled and shook his head at Bilbo's antics before stepping out onto the elevated walkway, eyes searching for any sign of the dragon. Bilbo followed him onto the walkway and gasped in awe as they looked out over the mountains of gold. "Oh my." The hobbit breathed. He had never imagined such wealth. Bilbo climbed down the stairs and carefully began to walk atop the treasure. He tried to be quiet, but the coins and jewels beneath his feet made a lot of noise. He poked around, looking for the Arkenstone. He found a large white jewel and examined it. "What's that?" He shook the jewel and continued examining it; deciding that it was not the Arkenstone, he carelessly threw it aside, then jumped when it clattered and made a lot of noise. "Sushh, sushh." He glanced back up at Hari who was smirking slightly even as he kept looking for Smaug, staff gripped firmly in his hand. He was not looking forward to dealing with the dragon should it appear but even if Thorin managed to claim the jewel and muster the dwarven armies it was doubtful they could kill the beast without magical aide. "Arkenstone, Arkenstone...a large, white jewel. Very helpful."

Bilbo was surrounded by so much treasure that it would be impossible for him to find one particular jewel out of all of it. He climbed up a mountain of gold and picked up a golden cup, this action started a small avalanche of coins. Bilbo looked up and saw the coins falling away to reveal Smaug's eye, which was shut. Bilbo jumped behind a stone pillar in fright. All was silent, and it seemed like Smaug was still asleep. Suddenly, Smaug snorted, and the treasure around his nose fell away, revealing it. Bilbo, panting, slowly tried to make his way down the pile of gold, but stopped short when he realized that Smaug's body was buried in a large circle around where he was standing. The gold all along Smaug's body began to ripple as he awakened. He waved his arms at Hari.

Hari looked down at Bilbo and spotted what had him so scared looking, the dragon was buried in the gold, asleep but now he was waking due to the noise of Bilbo's search. Hari appeared at his side and quickly grabbed him, reappearing at the mouth of the secret tunnel. He pushed the hobbit inside and then joined him, keeping an eye on the now rising dragon.

"Well, thief, I smell you. I hear your breath. I feel your air. Where are you?" Smaug moved his head back and forth around the place, searching for them. "Come now, don't be shy. Step into the light. Mmm, there is something about you, something you carry. Something made of gold, but far more...PRECIOUSSSSS." His massive head swung around to stare right at the tunnel where they hid and Hari raised his staff. "There you are, thief in the shadows." He lunged and then reared back as Hari's staff flashed. "WIZARD!" He reared back and his chest glowed with fire before he sent a blast at them but Hari shielded them from the flame. He snarled and reared back again, hitting a pillar of stone and knocking it down, making the mountain shake.

"Was that an earthquake?" Ori asked nervously.

"That, my lad...was a dragon." Balin answered and Thorin looked back at the tunnel, worried even as the faint glow of fire reached them.

TBC…..