During a small rainstorm at night, a short wearing a pack and a raincoat walks through the streets of a town called Bree. Bree was filled with Humans and Hobbits that were walking all around and some tried to take cover from the rain. The short figure walks up to a building and pauses, inspecting the sign hung above the door. The sign was called 'The Prancing Pony', and the figure immediately enters the tavern. As he walks through, the bartender named Barney Butterbur hands a drink to a man.

"Can I get you a table?" Barney asked the short bearded figure.

The figure turned to face Barney and replied softly. "Yes."

"What is your name sir?" Barney asked the figure.

"I am Thórin Oakenshield." Thórin said his name to the bartender. "And I'm expecting to meet with someone."

After Betsy Butterbur, Barney's daughter, passed a plate of food and a mug of water to Thórin, the lonely dwarf had spent nearly an hour in the tavern. Thórin ignored every raucous talk and laughter throughout the busy tavern while he smoked through his pipe. He eventually tears apart his bread and begins to eat it. As he eats, he looks around at all the activities going on in the pub. Sensing something, he looks to the right and sees a bald, suspicious-looking man watching him. He looks to his left and sees another shady character watching him.

Thórin puts his bread back on his plate and, as the two men stand up and move toward him. The dwarf wasn't afraid, and he slowly wraps his hand round the handle of his sword. Before anything could happen, another figure appears at the table in front of him. The figure was revealed to be the vampire Angel. The suspicious men back away.

"Mind if I join you?" Angel asked the dwarf.

"Who are you?" Thórin asked.

"The name is Angel." Angel introduced himself to the dwarf.

"I was expecting to meet with someone, and your not him." Thórin said suspiciously.

"I know..." Angel nodded. "You were waiting for a wizard named Gandalf the Grey. I'm sorry to say this, but I'm afraid he is delayed."

"Why are you telling me this?" Thórin asked.

"Because he sent me." Angel said. "When I encountered him back in my... nation, I encountered him and he told everything about you."

"He's a wizard." Thórin said as he took sip from his mug. "He's always busy."

"Hmmm." Angel murmured to himself quietly and continued to speak. "So what brings you here?"

"I was going to tell Gandalf that I received word that my father had been seen wandering the wilds near Dunland." Thórin explained to him. "I went looking, and found no sign of him."

"Yeah." Angel nodded. "Gandalf told me about your father, Thráin, and that he was killed long ago."

"You think he's dead?" Thórin asked.

"Not that I'm aware of." Angel said softly.

"I don't believe he's dead." Thórin said and began to explain something to him. "The last time I saw him was at the Battle of Moria. During the battle against the Gundabad Orcs, my grandfather, Thrór, was slain by Azog the Defiler. Azog was meant to kill us all, one-by-one... he would to destroy the line of Dúrin. My father restrained from trying to avenge my grandfather, and that he would face him alone. Then, he led a charge towards the Dimrill Gate."

"What happened to him?" Angel asked.

"He never returned." Thórin continued. "After the battle was over, despite heavy casualties, the dwarves told me that Thráin was gone and that he was one of the fallen. But I searched amongst the slain... to the last body. My father was not among the dead."

"I understand your story." Angel said with slight smile on his face. "I truly do, and I bet there is still hope that your father lived." He stares at him.

"Tell me... when you met Gandalf, what else did he tell you?" Thórin asked.

"Gandalf told me that he spoke with your father before he disappeared." Angel explained. "He urged Thráin to march upon Erebor; to rally the seven armies of the dwarves, to destroy the dragon and take back the Lonely Mountain."

Thórin picks up his mug and drinks contemplatively. "I've been aware of that." He finished drinking his mug and placed back down on the table. "And I know this is not a chance meeting."

"No it's not." Angel said, shaking his head a bit. Gandalf fears that darker things might turn towards Erebor. Thórin... that dragon sat there long enough. You are the heir to the throne."

"And why should I?" Thórin asked.

"Because it's your birthright." Angel said. "Also... Gandalf wanted me to tell you that your in terrible danger."

"What do you mean?" Thórin asked, looking concerned.

"Someone wants you dead." Angel warned. "And if you don't anything, then you won't succeed in claiming the throne. What you need to do is rally every dwarf that you can find."

"I've already summoned a meeting with the seven dwarf families and they told me the same thing... they will only swear that oath to the one who wields the King's Jewel, the Arkenstone!" Thórin explained. "It is the only thing that will unite them, and in case you have not noticed, that jewel was stolen by Smaug... the terrible."

"Stolen... hmm?" Angel paused for a moment. "Well... what if... Gandalf and I can help you reclaim your kingdom?"

"How?" Thórin asked. "The Arkenstone lies half a world away, buried beneath a vast sea of gold, jewels, and various items that have never been forgotten."

"And which is why your going to need allies that can help you." Angel added.

"And who would these allies be?" Thórin asked.

"There is one who is very strong, brave, and a bit lethal when you attend to piss her off." Angel described. "Her name is Buffy."

"Fluffy?" Thórin asked incorrectly.

"No, Buffy." Angel corrected him. "She and her friends have formed a community of fighters that stand against supernatural creatures in their town and country. They will help you."

"Fine... I will accept your offer." Thórin agreed.

"Before we leave, here's another message that Gandalf wanted me to give you." Angel added.

"Which is what?" Thórin asked.

"Your gonna need a burglar." Angel replied.