Chapter 12

Stretching my wings, I flew off his shoulder and headed for the city ahead. It took all of my control not to rush to the mountain and see the dragon. I knew Smaug wouldn't part with his treasure, and if I suggested otherwise, he would indeed kill me. While I did miss him, I knew I had pledged my loyalty to Thorin, and if I could I'd kill the dragon if it meant saving him. Smaug was a dragon, and just like any other dragon their friendships usually meant nothing. They only cared for their treasures and their own well being. Thorin was more important to me than the beast. He had been a simple distraction until I had been drawn to Rivendell.

Landing on a large pole I watched the barge sail into the city. Their cover had almost blown twice before they entered Laketown safely. The barrels had been filled with fish and I cackled a little in a chuckle, knowing that the dwarves would be furious. The gate lifted at the second checkpoint and he sailed safety inside. I followed them, and waited until they were sneaking through the city. When I found the house of the bargeman, I swooped down and landed in the house. Two girls squealed in surprise, but the man hushed them.

"It's ok. Let the bird be girls," he rumbled. "She's...safe."

I tried not to laugh too hard when the dwarves entered the house from the toilet. Dwalin glared daggers at me, and I spread my wings and hopped away from him when he went to grab me. Cackling at him, I flew across the house as he growled at me. I went to the corner of the house, and looked at Thorin for a moment when he glanced over. He looked at Gloin and Bombur and nodded in my direction so they easily moved to cover me.

I pushed my transformation to human, and shuddered at the cold. Usually my magic was good enough that every time I turned human I usually had the same pair of clothes I had on before. I had forgotten that these were still wet and I shuddered at the stinging cold. At least I had enough not to end up naked. My magic had failed me a few times when I was younger. Gloin glanced back to see if I was ok, and then moved over.

"Thank you, Bard," Bilbo sighed when the man handed him a blanket.

"These might be a little big, but they'll keep you warm," Bard said softly.

He boiled some water and threw some tea on for the others when he spotted I was human. It took Bard a moment, and then he moved forward and asked his oldest daughter to find something warm in her size. She did and handed it to her father when he walked over to me.

"Here," he said quietly handing me the pants, shirt and coat.

"Thank you," I said quietly. "For this and for not giving me away."

"Of course," he said quietly and went to show me a room. "Go ahead and change in here. I may have been rude, but you are a lady. I still have some manners left."

I chuckled and shut myself away so I could change into the clothes he gave me. I sighed happily once I was dry and walked back out and put my stuff by the fire. Bofur set his hat close to it and then smiled when I shook my head. He then handed me a cup of tea which I took gratefully. Turning my head, I watched Thorin move to the window nearby and he spotted something that had his eyes widening briefly.

"The Dwarvish Wind-Lance," he whispered in surprise as Bilbo came over with hot tea that he was using to warm his hands.

"You look like you've seen a ghost," Bilbo murmured.

"He has. The last time we such such a weapon the city was on fire. It was the day the dragon came. The day that Smaug destroyed Dale," Balin said gravely as he also looked out the window. "Girion, the lord of the city, rallied his bowmen to fire upon the beast. But a dragon's hide is tough, tougher than the strongest armor. Only a Black Arrow, fired from a wind-lance could have pierced the dragon's hide. And few of those arrows were ever made. The store was running low when Girion made his last stand."

"If the aim of men had been true that day, much would've been different," Thorin rumbled sadly and I looked at him from where he clenched his fist against the shelf.

"You speak as if you were there," Bard said coming over to them.

"All dwarves know the tale," Thorin replied, looking at him and easily lying.

"Well if you knew the story then you knew Girion did hit the dragon. The arrow loosened a scale under the left wing," Bard's son said coming forward.

"It's just a fairy tale, laddie," Dwalin said slowly. "Nothing more."

Walking over to Thorin, I leaned against the shelf that he had rested his arm on and he turned his head slightly to look at me. His hand moved, and his fingers moved gently over my back in a sign of comfort and also to distract himself. He glanced out the window for a moment, and I relaxed a little at the soothing feeling of his fingers running along my back.

"Don't get lost in memory," I said softly, when I saw his eyes cloud with them.

He blinked a few times and then turned his head just a fraction so that he could see me. I gave him a gentle look and laid my free hand on his arm gently. I finished my tea quietly, and then slowly sat the empty cup down when Thorin straightened up.

"You took our money," he said, then and turned from the window. "Where are the weapons?"

Bard looked at him gravely for a moment and then sighed. "Wait here," he said quietly.

Thorin watched him leave, and took his fingers from my back and moved forward to go speak with Balin, Fili and Kili. He crossed his arms as they leaned close together so I joined them to keep watch since I could tell it was a private conversation.

"Tomorrow begins the last days of autumn," he said lowly.

"Durin's day fall the morning after next," Balin agreed. "We must reach the mountain before then."

Kili looked at Balin, then to his uncle with a mixed stare. "And if we do not?" he asked. "If we fail to find the hidden door before that time?"

Fili sighed and looked at his feet. "Then this quest will be for nothing," he muttered.

I cleared my throat quietly when I saw Bard walking up the stairs carrying something large and wet. He had rolled weapons up and had hid them. He unrolled them, and I glanced at them and knew that not one of the dwarves were going to be happy with this. Which they were not and promptly threw everything back on to the table. I sighed loudly in irritation and earned a savage look from both Dwalin and Thorin.

"You won't find better outside the city armory. All iron forged weapons are held there under lock and key," Bard said flatly.

Balin looked at me for a second and then to Thorin and leaned in quietly to the prince. He gave him a leveled looked when he started to speak.

"Thorin, why not take what's on offer and go? I've made do with less, and so have you," he said quietly.

Thorin sighed softly and looked at him, "I know," he muttered.

"I say we leave now," Balin said looking at the company. "We can make better time."

"No, you're not going anywhere," Bard said firmly walking forward and Dwalin rose up to meet the threat.

"What did you say?" he hissed.

"There are spies watching this house and probably every dock and warf in the town. We must wait till nightfall."

I could feel the anger sweep through the room and looked to see Kili slowly sit down with a pained look on his face. I went to move toward him but I felt the hair on the back of my neck stand up and I looked at Thorin when he leaned back against the shelf by the window. Going over to him, I looked out the window for a moment as well and focused on something.

"Do not leave," Thorin rumbled.

I looked at him, startled and then gave a laugh. "How did you know?" I asked.

"You get a certain...concentrated look before you transform. Sometimes it's brief and others not so much," he muttered lowly.

"Thorin..." I paused when Bard walked out of the house in a hurry. "I already know you plan on getting yourself into trouble. I don't want to take part in that."

"Let her. It might be best for now," Balin said softly. "She'll be safe that way."

Thorin considered Balin's words and his hand closed on my arm for a just a moment. "Stick close," he whispered.

"I will," I nodded.

Thorin sighed and nodded quietly so I took the form of a crow again and hopped out the open window when no one was around. The sun set only an hour later, and I watched the dwarves attempt to take weapons from the treasury which promptly got them caught. I could have grumbled in amusement at it, but I noticed that Kili was looking worse.

The guards took them to the master of the city so I followed and landed on the top of the house as people gathered. It didn't take them long before Dwalin defended Thorin after they were accused of being criminals. The moment that the people found out that the dwarves were from Erebor they all smiled and excitement rose before Bard hurried through the crowd.

"Death!" he shouted loudly pushing through the people. "That is what you'll bring upon us. Dragon fire and ruin. If you awaken that beast, it'll destroy us all."

I listened to the argument and stood firmly on my perch, willing myself not to turn human and give away what I was. For a moment, I thought Thorin would lose his temper, but the dwarf lord gave Bard a slight smile before speaking up again. In the end, the master of the city welcomed them after Thorin gave his word that all would share in the wealth of the mountain. The party that followed was huge, and they brought out their finest wine and food.

Partying and having fun was something dwarves were good at, especially Dwalin. I had turned human in the safety of the shadows since the sun had set a while go. It was unlikely anyone would see the change, and if they did well then I was busted. I knew it was careless, but I was hungry and wanted to be around the others. Walking toward where the party was held, I arched my brow in amusement seeing Thorin outside instead of joining in with the fun.

"So when the years hardened you," I mused walking up to him. "Did you forget how to have fun as well? You said things were good in the Blue Mountains, yet I fear you have become more broody then ever."

The dwarf looked at me flatly and he walked down the stairs to join me. He stood beside me and looked through the city in the direction of Erebor. I followed his gaze for a moment and then sighed as I looked at my feet. The Lonely Mountain rose above the cloud layer, and the moon provided enough light for us to see the figure in the darkness.

"We're so close," he whispered. "It's something I've been fighting so hard for. I've waited so long to come back here..."

"You deserve a little break," I replied looking at him. "This journey is far from over."

"They do," Thorin glanced toward the hall where I could hear everyone laughing. "But I'm fine. I took what I needed."

I crossed my arms in the cold and couldn't help but smile slightly. "You've all come such a long way these past few months..."

"My father failed at this quest," Thorin rumbled. "I will not fail him, or my people. I cannot fail myself."

"I'm sure you won't, Thorin. You are stronger than your father or your grandfather ever was," I looked at him. "It's why so many would choose to follow you."

Thorin smiled slightly from where he stood still gazing at the mountain that was almost in his grasp. I leaned against his arm gently to let him know that he wasn't alone and earned a gentle look from him.

"Well, I'm sure you haven't had anything to eat yet," he sighed. "So I guess I'll drag myself back in with that lot for your sake."

I laughed as we turned to walk up the stairs together. "How refreshing to hear you joke rather than sulk."

"Easy woman," he warned as he opened the door. "I will take your head if I have to."

"Always threatening to take my head off," I sighed loudly.

"It's a good threat," he replied with a look.

"You'd have to catch me first," I said smugly.

Thorin glared at me and I couldn't help but laugh. Lifting his arm, I put it around my shoulder and allowed him to put me in a light headlock. He couldn't help but smile, and released me as we headed inside. We were greeted with laughter and a rowdy group of dwarves. Even Balin was smiling, and it melted my heart a little seeing the old dwarf look so happy. Bofur was singing as usual while the others were keeping beat.

"Hey! There she is!" Fili yelled as he ran over. "We were wondering if you'd show up."

"I think I prefer the company and silence of your Uncle," I laughed as he tried to drag me to the others. "Oh come on Fili don't!"

"Come on, sit with us!"

Turning my head, I looked at Thorin helplessly and he gave a slight smile and crossed his arms. Slipping out of Fili's grasp I grabbed a few things to eat and then walked over to Kili as he sat beside Bombur and his brother. I laid a hand on the back of his head gently and bent down so that I could talk to him. He squirmed under my touch, knowing why I was there.

"Are you all right?" I asked him gently.

"Yes I'll be ok," he murmured quietly, glancing up at me.

"I don't like being lied to Kili," I replied in a whisper. "We need to get you help."

"Please, I'm fine. It's just a little painful," he answered giving me a desperate look.

"All right," I nodded, giving in and then retreated back to the safety of Thorin. "I know why you don't join in. They are a bit overwhelming."

"They are always overwhelming," he muttered, and I snorted a little.

"Not all of them. I honestly think Balin has the best manners," I replied with a small smile. "Sometimes better than the king."

Thorin looked at me with a narrowed look and then nudged me in the side with no emotion on his face to give it away. I laughed, and caught my balance.

"See?" I demanded and earned a smile at that.

I finished what I had on my plate and then threw it to Fili who promptly caught it and gave a fake glare in my direction. Spinning around, I walked back outside with Thorin who followed close behind.

"So, tomorrow," I mused glancing in his direction as we sat down. "What is the plan?"

"We get into the mountain," Thorin replied. "And we defeat that dragon."

"Hmm, that sounds so easy," I arched my brow at him after a moment.

"I haven't gone that far yet. I won't exactly know what we are up against until we get in there. You will be with us, I hope?" he asked looking down at me.

"Unless you say otherwise, but yes I will be there," I nodded quietly. "You have my word."

"Thank you, Arina," Thorin said softly. "For all that you've done."

Smiling a little I leaned against him for a moment and glanced at the town. "It's nothing you wouldn't have done for me," I murmured. "I owe you a debt as it is. And I haven't done much yet."

"I would do everything I could," Thorin nodded, and he reached out to take my hand tightly. "And you owe me nothing. There is no debt to be paid."

I looked toward the mountain for a moment, and then glanced back toward Thorin. "You do know what will happen if you piss this beast off? This town will burn..."

"I'm hoping it will not come to that," Thorin rumbled as he looked at our hands. "But if it does, they will not suffer like we did."

"Spoken like a true King," I said gently. "You will be more amazing than you already have been, you know that right?"

"Don't get to ahead of yourself," Thorin replied, his eyes softening.

"No, I know you will be," I promised him.

He gripped my hand, and I watched him lace our fingers together. His hand was warm against my own, and his skin was rougher than mine. I found myself suddenly searching for words, trying to form the question that was on my mind. Thorin seemed to sense my struggle and he tilted his head to look at me.

"Before...before I left," I murmured and then laughed. "I always thought I had you dwarves figured out. You schooled me on everything you could think of back in Erebor and also during the time after the battle of Moria...and still..."

"What?" Thorin asked.

"I may have been blind to it till it was to late...but we were..." I paused and frowned at myself as I wrestled with my words. "You were courting me weren't you?"

My question caught him completely off guard and he was silent for several minutes. I waited for him to find the words to answer my question and let him run his thumb over the side of my hand. Thorin looked down again and a very soft smile graced his lips. It was one that I hadn't seen in years, and I felt a lump form in my throat.

"I was," he allowed quietly. "We had grown so used to one another over the course of our lives. I didn't think of it until a few ladies tried to get my attention. It was awful that I didn't realize it until it was too late."

"You weren't the only one," I murmured quietly.

Thorin chuckled and let me turn so I could press my forehead against his shoulder. He leaned his head against mine, letting us stay like that for several minutes. It was still so easy for us to be around one another, even after all these years. I was so fond of him still, that I knew I wouldn't dare leave his side again unless I had to. Even if someone tried, I felt that this time I wouldn't allow it to happen.

"Seems we have another chance," Thorin mused softly, echoing my thoughts. "If you still feel the same."

"Wasn't it clear that I did?" I replied, making him smile.

I chuckled against his arm and then pulled us both to our feet when I leaned away from him. He leaned down and moved some hair that had blown in my face. Thorin frowned then, and I noticed he was trying to say something to me. Years of experience with him had me recognizing his struggle. Whatever he wanted to say was extremely difficult for him. I waited for him quietly, when he finally let out his breath.

"I want to give you something," he rumbled. "May I braid some of your hair?"

I pursed my lips tightly at the question, knowing exactly what he wanted. This would only seal my fate if I said yes. I didn't have to think about it and suddenly, found myself nodding my head to him. "Yes," I whispered, my voice breathless.

Thorin smiled down at me, and then reached forward to start braiding a piece of my hair down the side of my head. It wasn't a huge braid, but as he finished it was big enough to fit two golden beads to the ends. I sucked in my breath when I saw them. They were the same golden beads that he had kept in a box from thirty years ago. He had never revealed what had been in the box, but I had managed to sneak a look. It was when I realized what he had been doing back then.

"I never went anywhere without them," he confessed when he finished. "It was a comfort, and something you better not tell anyone."

I grinned at him and nodded my head, accepting his words. He touched my cheek gently, when the door opened to the inn and Balin called his name. I smiled when he hesitated, but I gave him a nod.

"Go, I'll see you in the morning," I said softly, and left him before he could say anything else.

I spent the night as a crow, and slept right outside the window where the dwarves had fallen asleep. Ruffling my feathers I went to bed happy for the first time in many years.

I have re-written this part of the story I think at least seven times. It was extremely difficult for me to portray how Thorin was going to go about this. There are so many memories that are a part of this, that I know I need to start putting in this story. :) which I will start posting in here. Anyway, here we are, the next several chapters are going to get going now that we are near the end of the second movie. I'm extremely excited about how things progress from here.

Review? :D