Author's Note: Hey everyone! Sorry this chapter took so long, I've just been so busy but hopefully I can get back on track.

And Smaug and Kathryn have a music video! I'm now on youtube - I know, finally catching up with the times - and my first video was a Smaug and Kathryn vid for the first story "Heart of Fire", with the music theme I had playing in my head from the beginning: "Memories" by Within Temptation. Hope you like it, it's my first try due to Windows Movie Maker eating and destroying whatever material I had. Link to my youtube channel-thing is on my author page.

Okay, challenge for this chapter: I wonder if anyone can tell me from which film I pull out a quote?

Chapter 6 - Familiar Faces

"If the lion and dragon fight, they will both die." – Tadashi Adachi

Kathryn lay awake but with her eyes held tightly shut, refusing to open them even a crack, laying completely still in the huge bed that she had been given. She lay there as if she were the prey hiding from the predator, which in fact, she was. She refused to open her eyes if only to be greeted by darkness. The darkness frightened her… she felt so humiliated to be afraid of the dark, something that had not scared her since she had been a small child, and she had seen much worse than the dark. But since her sleep… when her madness had taken root inside her mind… the darkness that had eaten at her soul had so frightened her that she was afraid to open her eyes to ever see it again.

And yet, though the physicians told her that the madness had been cleansed from her mind, she still had nightmares of the darkness and the fire. It was enough to instil a mortal fear in her that she would never open her eyes if there was even a chance of the thick blackness, the mere absence of light enough to send her into a panic. But that was not all that frightened her now, for she now feared the fire as well. She avoided going near any fires or candles, encase she should spontaneously erupt into flames. How ironic; seeing as how she had fallen in love with a dragon, of all creatures.

Kathryn felt a painful stab upon her heart as her grief threatened to swell within her again, until she beat it down furiously. She still couldn't believe it: Smaug was dead. Her dragon, her beloved dragon, her captor, her tormentor, her fierce protector, her companion, partner of her heart and mind, the one who she had been bound to by life… and he was dead. Gone. Shot down before her eyes, body left to drown in the waters of the lake, and she couldn't save him. All the power inside of her, when everyone told her that her raw-magic was so powerful, and yet she couldn't even save the one she loved. She had failed herself and failed him in every conceivable way, and she would never forgive herself for that. The only reason that she did not break down into tears at every possible reminder of him, was because she squashed all emotion in her soul down so hard that she literally did not seem to express any at all. She had become a walking husk, a shell of a creature.

But then, Kathryn heard her door open, and heard the bustle of maids as they came to awaken her. Kathryn still found it so strange that she should be waited on by others, she had never had such luxury before, having been locked away for most of her childhood and adolescent years, then being homeless for another two years, then living in Erebor with Smaug – although grand, it was still not exactly civilised – for a year, and then living as a hermit in a cottage outside of Bree for sixty years. To suddenly have grand and expensive rooms with chamber maids to fulfil her every wish and gowns to spoil her body with… it was almost mind numbing. But the sound of the maids in her room told Kathryn that it indeed was morning, and she hesitantly opened her eyes to see the heavy curtains open, the sun pouring in through the window as the maids brought her breakfast.

Kathryn ate silently, before being directed by her maids in order to change into the gown picked out for her; no matter how much Kathryn would argue for something much simpler, she had no say. Despite the fact that the maids served her, they were also her jailers in many respects, for they took their orders straight from Lord Beronor. They dressed Kathryn in a deep green dress with gold trimmings, and her hair was combed back and the curls arranged to dangle from a high pony tail at the back of her head, pearls draped in each lock. It was during the last few arrangements of her hair that one maid entered to announce that Lord Beronor had arrived in order to speak to Kathryn.

Walking into the main living area of her newly acquired private rooms, Kathryn met Lord Beronor and curtsied before him. He nodded his acknowledgement of her as he peered down his hawkish nose at her. Kathryn looked at him almost expectantly, her eyes narrowing as she waited for him to speak. For some reason, on the one or two occasions that she had spoken with him – the first being shortly after the doctors had told her she was fine, and then right before she had been presented to the court yesterday – she always wanted him to speak first, as if by him going first she could gauge his motive, his reasoning. She felt as if she were in the presence of a wolf and had to tread carefully, not knowing whether to run or face it, waiting for the predator to make the first move.

"Good morning, Madam Kathryn," Lord Beronor said in his usual monotone voice.

"Good morning to you as well, Lord Beronor," Kathryn murmured softly. Her mother had always raised her to be of good etiquette, but her mother's insistence on manners and the rituals on how to behave appropriately in front of a Nobleman were two very different things. But Kathryn had surprisingly no fear of Beronor; after all, she had talked her way out of trouble with a dragon, Beronor was nothing in comparison.

"I trust your rooms are to your liking?" the Lord asked her.

"Your generosity humbles me, My Lord," Kathryn nodded to him in respect as she spoke the words automatically and with no feeling. Beronor raised an eyebrow at her, as if he could see through her words.

"I came to inform you that you will be visiting the Queen today," he told her, instructing her as if she were a child being sent on an errand. "Her majesty and her ladies in waiting will be in the west wing of the palace, they are confined there for the day so that her grace does not strain herself due to her fragile state. You will go there in order to entertain her,"

Kathryn had to grit her teeth in order to not show her anger in any other way. She wanted to snap and say that she was not a toy, but of course, she could not, and so decided to simply bow to Beronor, keeping her eyes downcast encase her feelings betrayed her in her eyes.

"As you wish," she murmured.

She made her way towards the west wing, trying to block out the frustration that was continuously building inside of her, until all she got for her efforts was an extreme headache. The only good thing she could see about this, was that she could see Freyja once again.

Seeing the girl and her mother, Andraya, had been quite a surprise for Kathryn, as the last time she had seen them had been on the road, when Kathryn had helped them fight off a few ragtag Orc bandits. She had never thought to see them again, but when she had been before the entire court the day before, the sense of abandonment and loneliness almost consuming her as she was placed in front of the crowd. To have seen their faces, no matter how familiar, had brought such relief to her heart as if by knowing someone – anyone – it meant that she was not so alone in this place. And besides, Kathryn liked Freyja, her mother she was still nervous about, perhaps because she had never been close with her own mother and so was automatically wary around her.

She reached the West Wing, and was escorted under guard to the huge study that held the Queen and her four Ladies in Waiting, Freyja among them. As she was announced, the whole room turned to look at Kathryn, who bowed low to them all, and as she rose her eyes met Freyja's, the girl's gaze lighting up as if they had been friends ever since they had been children.

"Madam Kathryn," Queen Lalemwen said with a soft smile, drawing Kathryn's gaze to the woman before her. Despite the fact that Kathryn was technically eighty years old, because she still looked to be twenty and Lalemwen was in her thirties, Kathryn automatically assumed in her mind that the Queen was older and therefore deserved that respect, even if not for the fact that she was royalty.

"Your Grace," Kathryn intoned respectfully.

"It is a pleasure to meet you once again, good lady," the Queen said in a soft voice. "I must apologise for my husband's behaviour yesterday, I'm sure it was not his intention to put you on the spot like that,"

Of course not, Kathryn couldn't help from thinking sarcastically.

"What brings you here?" the Queen asked.

"Lord Beronor sent me in order to… entertain you Your Majesty," Kathryn had to force the words out of her mouth, loath to say them as if it admitted that she was little more the an object to be used. Lalemwen gave a small smile as she looked at Kathryn, seeming much younger than her years as her eyes sparkled with an almost naïve sympathy. Kathryn thought of the queen like a bird: timid and small in nature, which was remarkably refreshing when compared to all the self-important, arrogant and selfish men that Kathryn had been introduced to over the course of her life; but when it presented itself in the Queen, someone who Kathryn thought should be strong and resilient, it brought out a surprising amount of pity in her.

"If you wish it then, sing for us," the Queen said.

Kathryn hesitated for a moment, not wanting to go up in front of people once again, her shyness coming out as her mind raced to tell her all the ways in which she could make a fool out of herself in this moment. She wanted to refuse, some part of her not wanting to express her voice, to keep it hidden in a special place. But the Queen was so kind and made it seem as if she were offering Kathryn the option to back out, it almost felt like a breach in manners to not repay such kindness; as well as the fact that Lord Beronor would be displeased if he learned of her disobedience. The Lord had never been greatly unkind or even angry with her before, but Kathryn still did not want to see her actions ignite that anger.

So, she came further into the room until she was standing before the Queen and her assembled Ladies in Waiting. As they all stared at her, waiting expectantly, Kathryn felt the fear in the pit of her stomach swell within her, twisting up her insides until it constricted around her throat like a serpent, squeezing the air out of her until she thought that she would pass out. Her eyes met Freyja's, who was nervously looking at her, the only face not expecting something of her. Kathryn squeezed her eyes shut as she tried to recall any lyrics, desperate to block those stares from her mind. She had to regain control of herself, her panic beginning to allow her magic to flow into her body, filling her up until her fingertips were tingling. Frantic, she knew that if her emotions became any more out of control, her true power would be discovered, something that she was desperate to not allow to happen.

And then she imagined herself in Erebor, in the huge treasure chamber. The gold beneath her feet was glowing and giving the room a soft illumination, the gigantic chamber so vast she could not tell the walls on any side, great columns holding up the ceiling that stretched for hundreds of feet above her head. Kathryn was no longer in a study full of strangers all staring at her, she was alone in a place of sanctuary. Or at least, she was almost alone. She imagined Smaug lying before her, curled up with his body half submerged in the glittering gold that was so small compared to his mass that each coin looked like a grain of sand against his scales. He had his scaly eyelids half closed, a rumble like purr echoing from his huge chest in a contented sound. Kathryn felt her heart give a painful quiver at the mere thought of him, her mind threatening to break as she almost pictured him lying broken and bleeding in the lake, his blood turning the water black. But she kept the image of her and Smaug in Erebor firmly in her head, she wanted to remember one of the most peaceful moments of her life: after eating her dinner, after talking with Smaug for hours on end, just before they went to sleep to dream together, she would sing for him.

And only for him.

"Westron wind, when will thou blow?
The small rain down can rain.
Eru, if my love were in my arms,
And I in my bed again..."

As she finished the short song, Kathryn heard the applause and opened her eyes to see every lady clapping passionately, even the Queen was smiling as she beheld her, like a proud mother before her child.

"Bravo," the Queen said with a humble smile. "A nightingale," Kathryn stared at the woman before her, unable to speak in shock. The Queen broke their locked gazes first, as she turned to look over her shoulder at one of her ladies. "Anna?"

"Yes, Your Majesty?" Said a girl with brown hair as she came forward and bowed before her mistress.

"Please send my thanks to Lord Beronor," Lalemwen said quietly. Anna bowed to her queen, before swiftly exiting the room. "And as for you Kathryn, I can see that it is not easy for you to stand there. I hope that in time, you will grow used to it and allow yourself to blossom. You truly have a gift,"

"Thank you, your Majesty," Kathryn said quickly, bowing as she tried to cover her flaming red cheeks.

"Tell me, have you ever been to a Dorwinion market, Madam Kathryn?" the Queen asked her, the question taking Kathryn by surprise with its sudden appearance.

"I'm afraid not, Your Grace,"

"Then you must go. I'm told there is none other in the whole of Middle-Earth that can match."

"That is not quite necessary –"

"I may be quiet, my dear, but I am no fool," Lalemwen said sternly, but kindly, before her voice returned to its small and soft way. "You need to breathe. Freyja shall accompany you to the market."

"Yes, Your Majesty," both Freyja and Kathryn said at the same time, before both sweeping out of the study.

They walked through the castle, in a comfortable and companionable silence as they quickly walked in step with each other. Kathryn was almost jogging to be out of that room, just to be outside even. The Queen was right: Kathryn needed air, she felt as if she were suffocating, the walls of the castle were closing in on her, the darkness of the shadows creeping after her like claws, that not even all the tall windows that allowed in all of the brilliant sunlight could banish. As soon as they reached a door that lead them outside into the courtyard, Kathryn literally stopped in her tracks in order to release one huge sigh, taking in the fresh and clean air as if she had been submerged underwater and now surfaced, half drowned. She turned to look over at Freyja, the young teenage girl having that same look in her eyes, the happiness of apparent freedom, no matter how small. They smiled at each other, and then began to walk at a more relaxed pace towards the gates.

"How are you Kathryn?" Freyja asked at last, as if daring. Kathryn offered her a bright smile as she looked over at her.

"I am well, all things considered," she said, the little white lie easier then she expected. "And you? When I met you and your mother outside of Mirkwood, I did not expect to learn that this was your destination,"

"I am well," Freyja said quickly, her eyes darting away for a moment. "And Mother has some old contacts here in Vathvael, she has… business to attend to," the girl said vaguely, and Kathryn got the feeling that whatever it was that was bothering her, she would leave it alone – for now.

"How are you finding being a Lady in Waiting for the Queen?" Kathryn asked instead.

"It is pleasant enough, the Queen is a nice woman, though I do not know any of her other ladies. But she says that we are her… wards. We are under her protection, and she says to treat her like a mother hen, for that is what she is. Despite the fact that I do not know her, I find myself… in awe of her," Freyja murmured sweetly, before ducking her head with a blush.

"Do not be embarrassed," Kathryn chuckled softly. "It is good for you to find someone to look up to,"

"And how are you finding being the new bard?" Freyja asked. "I didn't know that you could sing so well,"

"Yes," was all Kathryn said as she walked past the guards at the gates to the castle, and the two women were allowed into the heart of the City.

"I cannot imagine what it must be like to get up in front of all those people and perform like an animal,"

"It's hell," Kathryn muttered.

"But if it is any conciliation," Freyja murmured as she bravely put her hand on Kathryn's shoulder, forcing the older woman's purple eyes to meet the girl's icy blue ones. "I believe you are worth more than the treatment that they give you,"

"Thank you," Kathryn whispered, oddly touched by this young one's words. "Now come, you can tell me which the best shops in this city are."

"I have only been to the market once," Freyja smiled as she stepped in time with Kathryn as they walked side by side through the crowd. "This is as much for your sake as it is for mine,"

Kathryn laughed at that, a small place inside of her beginning to become alight again by the casual way that she and Freyja were conversing, so at ease in each other's company. And then, she felt something brush her shoulder, and she murmured an apology to the person she had knocked into as she righted herself and kept going.

"Kathryn?" came a voice, and the two females stopped and turned to see who had spoken.

An elf man stood in the middle of the street, he stood tall, with relatively broad shoulders but a lean frame. His hair was a beautiful mahogany brown and brushed smooth, his pointed ears peeking out from beneath the strands; his eyes were a brilliant green and his jaw square cut to give him a rather devilishly handsome look.

"Faervel?" Kathryn stood there with wide eyes and her mouth hanging open as she stared at him in shock. "Faervel!"

And without warning, she ran at him, launching herself at him as she hugged him tightly as her arms went around his neck. Needless to say that Faervel was relatively shocked, as he stood there frozen a moment, before his arms came round to embrace her. Kathryn brought herself closer to him, burying her face in his collar bone. Again, that sense of sorrowful-happiness came over her, as if just by the fact that yet one more familiar face had shown itself, it reminded her of how utterly alone she was.

"Hello to you as well, Lady Kathryn," he murmured to her, and she heard the warmth, the smile in his voice, and it was like a light in the dark pits of her soul.

"Why are you here?" she asked as she pulled back from him. "Not that I'm not happy, of course; but I thought you were going south to Gondor?"

"I was on the road to Gondor," he admitted with a smile. "But decided to come here instead, seeing as it was on my route. I find it fascinating that a human country, so apart from the main stream of men, and then there is the history of their relationship with the people of Rhun. Also, it would seem I am destined to be here, what with the Queen with child, and now of course your presence here,"

"It is good to see you Faervel," Kathryn smiled, the expression touching her eyes as she stared at him.

"And you, fair Kathryn,"

Kathryn then heard a small cough behind her, and turned to see Freyja standing there, her hands clasped in front of her as she gave a shy smile to Kathryn as her eyes darted to the elf before her, going wide as she took in his handsome features.

"Oh!" Kathryn exclaimed as she suddenly remembered her manners. "Faervel, this Freyja, a Lady in Waiting to the Queen Lalemwen, and my friend. Freyja, this is Faervel of Rivendell, I met him when I was travelling through Mirkwood," Kathryn introduced one to the other.

"My Lord Elf," Freyja murmured shyly as she curtsied.

"Lady Freyja, it is an honour to meet you," Faervel smiled kindly as he bowed to her. Freyja practically turned as red as a tomato as she gave a small gasp as she stared at him.

"A-an honour to meet you as well," the girl said, gulping loudly as her eyes remained glued to the elf male before her.

"What are you doing here Kathryn?" Faervel asked as he turned to face Kathryn once again. "You told me that you were journeying to Esgaroth when we parted,"

"Oh," was all Kathryn could say as her mind raced to come up with a convincing lie, but decided that the best answer was to go with the truth… or rather, half-truth. "Whilst on my way there, it seems that my health was not in the best form. Luckily a Merchant found me whilst on his route here, to Vathvael, and he brought me here for treatment,"

"Now, Kathryn is the singer for the Dorwinion Court," Freyja added with a soft smile.

"Oh really?" Faervel asked in slight surprise as he raised his eyebrows. "I did not know you could sing, Kathryn,"

Kathryn forced herself to smile.

"We were about to go into the markets, would you like to join us?" Freyja asked him, her eyes shining up at him.

"Nothing would please me more," Faervel said, causing Freyja to blush.

They made their way to the crowded markets, vendors shouting their wares in order to be heard over the hustle and bustle of the crowd. All sorts of things were sold: barrels of wine, fine food, silks, velvets, gowns, jewels, rings, birds, animals, meat, everything that the mind could think of. The entire market was an assault even on the dull human senses: exotic and spicy scents blocking Kathryn's nose, the cacophony of noise deafened her, the colours and movement distracting her gaze. The group of three found it hard to stay close together at some points, for the crowd threatened to part them if they didn't push and shove their way through. Faervel and Freyja talked – well, Faervel talked while Freyja maintained a constant blush and was on the verge of hyperventilating – but Kathryn just focused on staying in the present. The crowd unnerved her, as she had spent most of her life avoiding people and civilisation in general, and she was frightened that someone would single her out, recognise the purple of her eyes as some superstitious folk could do and had done before, or that she would do something, perhaps her magic would release without her control and she would hurt someone… In the end, it was all Kathryn could do not to spiral into a panic attack.

"Kathryn," she heard Faervel's voice whisper beside her ear, the sound seeming to drown out the world around them, anchoring Kathryn in place in that moment. "Are you sure you are alright?"

"I have recovered from my illness," Kathryn said automatically, her body going stiff at the question. "Other than the fact that I am in a strange place filled with strangers and now ordered to perform on demand like a dog ordered to do a trick… I'm grand,"

"I am sorry,"

"For what?" she asked him, turning to face him as she looked at him with slight concern.

"I should not have left you when I did," he said sadly. "You were obviously ill at the time, and I did not see it, and because of my negligence you paid the price. Forgive me,"

"There is nothing to forgive," she told him sincerely, placing a hand upon his shoulder. "You could not have known what happened, and I left of my own accord. You are not to blame,"

"Then know that I will stay until the Court tires of you, I shall be your friend here. A familiar face against a sea of strangers to give you comfort," he smiled as he tenderly placed a hand tenderly at the back of her neck, fingers lightly brushing her hair comfortingly.

"You have no idea how grateful I am for that," Kathryn murmured to him.

But unbeknownst to both of them, they were being watched.

Smaug skulked in the shadows, his form covered by a cloak and hood as he peered from the mouth of an alley onto the market street. He had followed Kathryn and Freyja from the castle, and now watched her, like wolf stalking the doe, his eyes hungry for her as she never left his sight. It had been easy to follow them, from rooftops to alleyways, Smaug watched Kathryn the entire time, every now and again pausing in order to delve into their bond and look into the tempest that was her emotional core. She was unbalanced, only a step away from losing her self-control. But Smaug watched as she kept it together, almost impressed and proud of her. But then, Kathryn had turned when an elf had called out her name, and Smaug's eyes narrowed on the handsome mortal, hate already seething inside of him just at the other male's comely features. He then felt his hands clench into claws when Kathryn shouted the elf's name and ran at him, before throwing her arms around his neck and embracing him. Smaug felt a bitter sting in his insides as Kathryn smiled for this elf. How long had Smaug yearned for that smile? How much did he want her to embrace him with such passion as she showed this other male?

At the exact point when the elf's hand touched her hair, Smaug felt his inner dragon roar with rage, and it took every fibre of his self-control not to launch himself into the street and kill the elf where he stood. It went against every instinct in him to allow someone else near what was his, to touch was a crime punishable by death. Dragons were solitary creatures, only ever having company with a mate and young. Males were extremely aggressive and protective when it came to their females, if another male dared to approach then it was his right to fight him off, causing grievous injury upon the challenger for daring to steal. Females chose their mates, but when they were happy with their current partner, it was her male's duty to drive off all others so that there would be no danger to future hatchlings, nor to the current male's position as her mate. And oh, how Smaug wanted to burn this wretched elf, to burn his pathetic home forest to the ground, for even daring to look, let alone touch what was Smaug's!

But he had to control his rage, despite the fact that he felt his skin crawl as if worms were in his flesh, and he wanted to gnash his teeth as if he still had fangs. But Kathryn was not at fault, for as far as he was aware, she still believed that he was dead. It was only natural of her species to move on once a partner was deceased.

He would soon change that.

He followed them for another hour, watching and waiting as they walked about the market, browsing the wares of the different merchants mostly, but buying the odd trinket or fabric. Kathryn talked with the elf, Smaug growling savagely the more time they spent together. His fingers itched to tear, his teeth yearned to bite and rip, he longed to feel bone crunch in his grasp. But Smaug barely restrained himself, using the sight of Kathryn as a calming effect, waiting for his prey to come just within range.

The perfect opportunity came when the girl and the elf were talking as they were leaving the market district, Kathryn lagging behind as she looked at a few items on the stalls. Smaug waited at the mouth of an alley, hidden in the shadows as he watched her come closer… closer…

As soon as she just passed him, Smaug was a flash of black as one arm circled around her to encase her waist and pinning her arms to her sides. The other clamped a hand over her mouth to prevent her from screaming. He then quickly hauled them back out of sight, the whole move not even taking two seconds to complete. As soon as she had recovered from her shock, Kathryn fought and struggled, bucking and writhing in his grasp, screaming though the sound was muffled into silence by his hand. She even went so far as to bite his palm, making Smaug grit his teeth against the sharp pain, but she didn't break his tough skin and his inhuman strength was enough to render her attempts at escape useless. He dragged her back into the depths of the alley, until he eventually came to a dead end.

Perfect. He thought, as he quickly released Kathryn, but planted his body in the middle of the entrance, trapping her inside. She whirled to face him, and he could practically hear her heart racing with fear, even though her features were contorted into a defiant fury. Only then did Smaug realise how much he had missed her fire, and it was good to see it once again.

"Don't you come anywhere near me!" she hissed with such passionate rage that Smaug had to blink in confusion. "Whoever you are, stay away from me!"

Ah. She didn't know who he was. Feeling a little frustrated, Smaug took a step forward, only to have Kathryn scurry three steps back.

"Kathryn," he said in a low voice, trying to catch her eyes.

"How do you know my name?!" she demanded. "I don't know who you are or what you want! But you will release me this instant, or so help me I'll –!"

Smaug could feel the electrical charge in the air as Kathryn's emotions summoned her unpredictable magic. It was like every fibre in his being was on alert as if a lightning storm was about to erupt above his head. Realising the possible danger and attention to both of them, he quickly reached up and yanked down his hood, revealing his face to her.

Kathryn blinked, her mouth opening and hanging there as she took in a sharp breath. Her body stilled, as did the magic as she stared at him in complete shock.

"Kathryn…" he whispered her name, reaching out to her. But suddenly, Kathryn shook her head, as if to rid herself of a dream as she scowled at him, holding up her fists as if she planned to physically fight him off.

"Who are you?!" she spat furiously.

"You know who I am,"

"No I don't!" she raged at him, but her tone was almost pleading, begging.

"Yes you do. Say my name," he commanded her in a deep growling voice, his eyes piercing hers as if he could strip her flesh bare and pierce her soul. Kathryn shook her head, on the verge of tears as panic entered her entire being. She turned away, her back to him as she paced from side to side, hands bunching into fists in her hair as a strangled sob escaped her lips. "Say it!"

But Kathryn knew, even as she turned back around to see him, she only had to look into those inferno eyes. How many times had she dreamed of that human face? The name may have belonged to a different creature, and the form before her once a part of her imagination, but the eyes remained the same. Always the same. Those eyes belonged to no one else.

"Smaug."

A/N: Okay! So please review! Tell me what you think of: Kathryn's new fears? A better look at Queen Lalemwen? Kathryn and Freyja's friendship? Faervel's back? And of course, Smaug's reveal?! :D Please review, as I would really like to know what you think and what I can do to improve. I hope people are still enjoying the story, even if we are now coming out of and past the cannon of "The Hobbit" story. But if you want to see anything, please say.

Thanks, love you guys! x X x