Greetings, all! :D

Boy, did I have a great week! It was spring break for me this past week and I spent it with my family visiting some national parks and meeting some new relatives :) It was such a fun time, I really needed the break xD we did so much driving, which gave me plenty of time to get this chapter written!

This is a long one, so I hope ya'll enjoy it xD also, probably around the next time I post another chapter, I'm also gonna update previous chapters with the extended scenes from the DoS EE, cuz I realized I haven't done that yet :P I did use a couple in this chapter, but I want to include the others as well. So I'll let ya'll know about those next time, too.

Happy reading! :D

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The news of Fili and Maori's engagement was naturally well-received by the company the next morning. There were many hearty cheers and congratulations, the same as they had given when Kili and Aira had announced their engagement. Bard and his children had gone out for the morning, but the Dwarves didn't mind. It only made their merriment more comfortable, not having to share such a special moment with people they still didn't know too well.

Thorin had taken his eldest nephew in his embrace and told him that he was proud of him and that Fili would make an excellent husband. Then he approached Maori and said to her, "I did not believe that there was any woman in the world worthy of Fili. I believed that whomever he chose would have to be exceptional and extraordinary...and I see that he did indeed find such a woman. I cannot imagine anyone better for him or for this family you will be a part of."

Aira stepped up and said with a smile, "But, Father, she already is part of the family."

He couldn't help but grin and reply, "Yes, that is right. I am mistaken." Then he turned back to Maori. "I gladly give you both my blessing and I am honored to call you one of my kin."

Maori smiled in return. "I give you my sincerest gratitude, Thorin," she happily replied, "but it is I who should feel honored to be accepted into the line of Durin, such a fine and noble family."

He gave a nod and said, "Well, you are a prestigious woman...and you should rightfully join a prestigious family."

"You definitely will fit in just fine with us," said Aira, slinging an arm over her best friend's shoulders and smiling happily at her. "And then I'll have a sister!"

Maori grinned and shook her head. "Airaním, we've been like sisters for years now!" she said to her with a chuckle.

"I know, but now we'll be sisters by marriage!" replied Aira with a giddy giggle, which made Maori giggle in turn.

Thorin grinned slightly to himself. Seeing the two young ladies so happy with each other was a grand sight that warmed his heart. He was grateful for Maori's friendship with Aira. Not just because they got along very well, but because he knew the reason why they had such a strong bond was because Aira had spent a majority of her time away from home over the past thirty years with Maori. That and Maori had taken care of Aira after she helped her escape Azog's enslavement. She was able to look after his daughter when he could not. Thorin owed much to Maori for that. Whether or not she would ever truly understand how indebted he was to her was uncertain, but he knew she had an idea of it, at least.

Since hearing Aira's tale of her thirty-year absence, Thorin reflected on it often throughout the journey. There were things he pondered about it before going to sleep some nights. He had thought about it while imprisoned in Thranduil's dungeons, wondering how she must have felt when she had been imprisoned in Gundabad. Granted, he knew the two experiences were completely separate and incomparable, but it was something that had briefly come to mind.

He remembered wanting to go out and search for her himself many times, but he convinced himself each time that she would come home on her own and he shouldn't leave in case she returned in his absence. He wanted to be there when she came back. It had taken a lot of convincing from his family and most trusted friends to get him to leave for their current quest, which he realized was a good choice since Aira returned to him shortly after it was put into effect. Luckily, Gandalf had found her and told her of it.

That led Thorin to remember his first meeting with Gandalf; when the whole notion of the quest first began.

One year past

"Mind if I join you?"

On a dark, rainy night in Bree, Thorin Oakenshield had taken lodging in an inn by the name of the Prancing Pony. While sitting at a table and attempting to partake of his evening meal, he had noticed some rather shady-looking men eyeing him and they both had started to get up from where they sat and make their way towards him. Thorin could sense their intentions were nothing but unsavory, so he slowly reached for his sword next to him that was placed upright against the table. Just as he was prepared to defend himself was when an old man in grey robes with long hair and a beard of the same color appeared before him and had asked him if he could join him.

"I should introduce myself. My name is Gandalf. Gandalf the Grey."

"I know who you are," Thorin replied.

"Well, now, this is a fine chance" Gandalf exclaimed, seeming pleased. Then he asked, "What brings Thorin Oakenshield to Bree?"

Thorin's face fell a little and he replied, "I had received word that my father had been seen wandering the wilds near Dunland. I went looking...found no sign of him."

"Ah...Thrain...," Gandalf said, sounding a bit mournful.

His tone did not please Thorin. He looked at the old man with disdain. "You're like others," he said, almost as a sneer. "You think he's dead."

"I was not at the battle of Moria," said the wizard to justify his actions.

"No...but I was...," the Dwarf replied, looking off as his mind wandered in thought and fled back to that dreadful day Moria at Azanulbizar. "My grandfather, Thror, was slain...and my father led a charge towards the Dimril Gate. He never returned. 'Thrain is gone' they told me. 'He is one of the fallen'."

Then he returned his gaze back to Gandalf. "But at the end of that battle, I searched amongst the slain to the last body...my father was not among the dead."

"Thorin...," the wizard began, "it has been a long time since anything but rumor was heard of Thrain."

But Thorin immediately shook his head and replied with firm certainty, "He still lives. I am sure of it."

For a brief moment, the two of them simply stared at each other. Thorin could tell that Gandalf didn't quite believe him, but he would not believe otherwise. His father was out there somewhere. He was going to find him.

Then Gandalf asked what Thorin found to be a rather curious question: "The ring your grandfather wore; one of the seven given to the Dwarf lords many years ago...what became of it?"

Thorin's head lowered and his eyes dated back and forth, trying to remember what had been done with the ring. "He...gave it to my father before they went into battle," he answered.

"So Thrain was wearing it when he...when he went missing?"

Thorin, at least, was appreciative that the wizard had not said that his father was once again dead. He nodded in response.

"That's that, then," said Gandalf just as a serving girl came to their table and delivered a plate of food for him.

"I know my father came to see you before the battle of Moria," stated the Dwarf. "What did you say to him?"

"I urged him to march upon Erebor...to rally the Seven Armies of the Dwarves...to destroy the dragon and take back the Lonely Mountain. And I will say the same to you: take back your homeland."

That answer was, in all honesty, unexpected to Thorin. How could the wizard suggest such a notion? A task like that was impossible! There was no way that the dragon could be defeated. But from how resolutely Gandalf had just spoken to him, Thorin judged that the old man had already given his proposal a lot of thought.

He pushed away his plate, lifted his drink to his lips and said before taking a sip, "This is no chance meeting, is it, Gandalf?"

"No...it is not," was Gandalf's answer. Then he explained, "The Lonely Mountain troubles me, Thorin. That dragon has sat there long enough. Sooner or later, darker minds will turn towards Erebor. I ran into some unsavory characters whilst traveling along the Greenway. They mistook me for a vagabond."

"I imagine they regretted that."

"One of them was carrying a message." As he said this, Gandalf brought out and unfolded a piece of parchment with dark writing on it. "It is Black Speech. A promise of payment."

"For what?" asked Thorin, feeling uneasy from looking at the evil-looking scribbles.

"Your head."

A light gasp escaped the Dwarf's mouth upon hearing that revelation.

"Someone wants you dead," Gandalf explained. Then he grew more serious in the way he spoke. "Thorin...you can wait no longer. You are the heir to the throne of Durin. Unite the armies of the Dwarves. Together, you have the might and power to retake Erebor. Summon a meeting of the Seven Dwarf families. Demand they stand by their oath."

"The Seven Armies swore that oath to the one who wields the King's Jewel...the Arkenstone. It is the only thing that will unite them and in case you have forgotten, that jewel was stolen by Smaug."

"What if I were to help you reclaim it?"

"How? The Arkenstone lies half a world away...buried beneath the feet of a fire-breathing dragon."

"Yes, it is...which is why we're going to need a burglar."

"And do you have a burglar already in mind?"

Gandalf nodded. "As a matter of fact, I do. But I must have assurance from you that you will undertake this quest before I take any action."

The Dwarf King-in-exile thought about it. Something within him had stirred at the thought of reclaiming Erebor from Smaug; to have his true home back once again. What a joyous day that would be if it were to be accomplished. But how could it be accomplished at all? There was still the dragon to worry about. How in Durin's name would they handle it, if the creature was still alive? There would be many risks. Thorin wasn't always one to worry about risking his own life, but could he put others at risk for this? That was something he wasn't sure if he could do.

That and there was one other thing that was holding him back.

He gave a shake of his head and leaned back against his chair. "I am sorry, Gandalf," he said, "but, while your proposition is admirable, I really must return to Ered Luin on the morrow and I cannot leave again anytime soon. I already took a risk in leaving to find my father."

"And why ever not?" asked Gandalf.

Heaving a quiet sigh and averting his gaze, he answered, "It is...my adopted daughter...Airaním. She left home almost thirty years ago...and has not yet come back. I wish to be present when she does return, hence why I cannot go anywhere in the near future."

Gandalf sighed in turn. "Thorin...have you ever considered, regarding her long absence, that perhaps she may be—"

"No!" Thorin immediately stated, his head snapping back up. He knew what Gandalf was implying. "I am of the same mindset regarding her as I am about my father. She still lives. I know it."

The wizard nodded his head apologetically right away, seeing that the subject of Airaním was a very touchy one for the Dwarf.

Thorin looked down sadly. "She is alive...she has to be...," he whispered, a pleading tone in his voice.

"What happened that made her leave?" Gandalf asked him.

Thorin gave a tiny smirk. "Aira was an adventurous young soul who dreamed of seeing the world," he told him. "However, I kept her from fulfilling that dream even a little in concern for her safety, believing her to still be too young...and I suppose she finally thought it was enough. She snuck out one night and left a note for me and my family saying that she would soon return." Then his face fell again. "But it has been thirty years...we have had not one word from her in all that time. I refuse to believe that anything terrible has happened to her...because if that is true...then I will have failed her as a fa—as a guardian."

He had to stop himself from saying the word "father". Aira already had a father, even if he was dead. Thorin was not him. He was just the girl's designated guardian and nothing more...even if he did want to be more than that to her.

Then Gandalf asked another inquiry of him, "Has it also ever occurred to you that perhaps Aira has not returned because she has started her own life somewhere else?"

Admittedly, Thorin had indeed considered that possibility, but he wouldn't openly admit it. He didn't want it to be true, at least not yet. She was, of course, near the age of possible eligibility by this time, but he believed he would have more time with her before he would have to give her up to another Dwarf. He wanted that more than anything. He had already raised her for forty years and she had been missing for almost that same amount of time. But knowing Aira and how much she loved her home, he also didn't quite believe she would be ready to leave home for good so soon.

He shook his head slightly. "She loved Ered Luin and was never keen on leaving home for good until later on in the future when she was older."

"But she is older now."

"I know…but still, she is young. I do not think she would even be ready to settle down with anyone yet. I know she is out there somewhere."

"Thorin…I know you are concerned for your ward, but the matter of Lonely Mountain requires your attention and is of great importance."

Thorin narrowed his eyes at Gandalf, looking rather offended. "And my young girl is not?" he questioned, unpleased. He would not let this wizard downplay the worth of his adopted daughter, even if it was in comparison to his lost kingdom.

Gandalf sighed, seeing that Thorin was not going to be easily swayed. He knew it was imperative to convince him to undertake the quest, but at this rate, how would he do so? But then he thought of a something that would possibly work.

"I may have a solution to both of our problems," he said.

Thorin eyed him intently for a moment, considering listening to him, but then gave a nod for him to go on.

"It is a long journey from Ered Luin to Erebor and we will cover much land. We will undertake the quest for the Lonely Mountain and, during our venture, we can still search for Aira. There are many places we can search throughout the journey, we may be able to find her or any evidence to her whereabouts."

That idea actually seemed to sit well with Thorin. Gandalf did make a good point. There were numerous places they would have to go through between the Blue Mountains and Erebor, so they would be bound to find any clues of her whereabouts at some point. He began to think this could actually work.

After giving the proposition some thought, Thorin finally replied, "Your logic is sound, Gandalf. While I still feel uneasy about some things you suggest, nevertheless, I will do it."

Pleased that Thorin had accepted his proposition, Gandalf smirked in response and said, "Very good. You will need to assemble a company; as many able-bodied and willing Dwarves as you can muster."

Thorin nodded again. "Give me twelve month's time," he requested. "There are many affairs I will need to settle and I will need enough time to rally my comrades together as well making all other preparations for such a venture."

Gandalf was willing to grant Thorin that amount of time. It was not too much for him to ask and it still gave them enough time to undertake the journey. He could still see the doubt in Thorin's eyes and knew that still he worried for the wellbeing of Airaním. Then he thought of another idea.

"I will give you the time you require," said the wizard, "and in that time…I will personally search for your girl."

Thorin's eyebrows rose. He was actually surprised to hear Gandalf make such a vow to him.

He went on, "I cannot make any promises to actually locate her, but I will do my best and search my hardest for her. We still do not know her given circumstances; something could have happened and we very well may not find her."

"Until I discover any proof that dictates otherwise, I will believe what I want to believe. Is that clear, wizard?" Thorin stated resolutely.

Gandalf tilted his head forward and replied, "Very well."

Upon reflecting on that memory, Thorin was grateful that they didn't have to search for Aira during the journey. He was even more grateful that Gandalf had managed to find her before the start of it all. However, now that he knew that the wizard had been involved with Aira's escape from Gundabad as well as her recovery afterwards, he realized that Gandalf had already known her prior to their meeting in Bree, where he acted like he didn't know her. Although, that behavior didn't entirely surprise him either considering Gandalf had also claimed to not know anything of Aira's past while on the journey. That wizard was just full of secrets.

"Thorin?"

Suddenly realizing he was being spoken to, Thorin snapped back to reality and found Kili, Aira, Fili, Maori, Balin and Dwalin all staring at him.

"We lost you for a moment there, Thorin," said Kili, who had been the one that broke him from his thoughts.

"You looked quite deep in thought," added Maori.

A bit embarrassed, Thorin's cheeks blushed a light red. "Yes, I suppose I was," he replied.

"What were you thinking about?" asked Aira.

Before Thorin could respond, they heard the doors to the house open and then Bard and his family entered in. The two girls went off to another room with a couple bags of things while Bard and Bain came towards the Dwarves. Bard has a large, long net filled with items slung over his shoulders.

"Here are the weapons you were promised," he told the company and they all gathered around the dining table as Bard laid down his net. Inside there were some shabby, almost crude-looking weapons that didn't look very promising. The Dwarves were not quite pleased with what they saw.

"What is this?" asked Thorin, seeming appalled with the curved, spiked weapon he held.

"A pike hook," Bard answered. "Made from an old harpoon."

"And this?" asked Kili, looking at a square mallet-type tool.

"A crow bill, we call it, fashioned from a smithy's hammer," replied Bard. Then he looked around to the other Dwarves. "It's heavy in hand, I grant, but, in defense of your life, these will serve you better than none."

Gloin then put his weapon down, frustrated. "We paid you for weapons," he stated. "Iron-forged swords and axes!"

"It's a joke!" Bofur exclaimed in addition, throwing down his makeshift spear.

The rest of the Dwarves followed suit and put their weapons back on the table, grumbling at the fact that they felt cheated and swindled.

"You won't find better outside the city armory. All the weapons there are held under lock and key."

Aira didn't miss the subtle, scheming look shared between Thorin and Dwalin after Bard mentioned the city armory. Knowing them as well as she did, she knew exactly what they were thinking.

"Thorin, why not take what's an offer and go?" said Balin. "I've made do with less. So have you."

Bard was looking a bit suspiciously down at them and he also looked a little put down for trying to help them and then not receiving any thanks in return.

"I say we leave now," Balin suggested to the others.

"You're not going anywhere!" Bard state declared firmly.

That made the Dwarves get very defensive.

"What did you say?" Dwalin snarled.

"There are spies watching this house and every dock and wharf in the town," explained Bard.

Balin exchanged a glance with Maori, remembering what she had told him about the Master's spies keeping constant watch on the house and how Bard and his children didn't always feel safe. Apparently the spying didn't stop there; they were all over the town. Not only did that make things worse for Bard and his family, but that also complicated matters for the company, as well.

"You must wait till nightfall," Bard then told them as he left the room and went outside.

"Well, that's problematic," said Aira.

"We'll think of something," said Fili.

"How?" asked Dori. "You heard the bargeman. There are spies everywhere."

"I think I can help!" said Maori.

As she started to explain what they could do, Aira noticed that Kili had removed himself from the room and was sitting on a bench. His head was hanging down and his hand was lingering over his wounded leg. She could tell he was trying to hide it, but she saw past the tough facade he was putting on. He was still suffering; his wound was still paining him. She knew he was trying to be brave and act strong, but it was only going to make things worse for him.

She walked over to him and sat herself down at his side. "Kili...I know your wound is still giving you pain," she said. "You can't keep ignoring it."

He shook his head. "It's fine, Aira, don't worry," he told her.

"Kili...! Do you really think I'm blind?" she asked him. "I've known you almost your whole life. I know when you are lying or when you're trying to put on a brave face."

"I don't need you worrying over me. It's all right," he said.

"If you don't tend to your wound, an infection can manifest itself and spread through your leg."

"Aira!" Kili quietly groaned, getting irritated with her. "You're not my mother, I don't need you treating me like a child. I am perfectly fine."

Aira was taken aback by how defensive he was getting. She was concerned for him but he was so determined to deny his issues, he was starting to believe in his own lie. And now he was beginning to turn her away and her help, which he hardly ever did. She was a bit put out at his behavior and was feeling that there wasn't much she could do if he didn't want her help.

She got up from the bench and went to walk away, but then Aira felt Kili's hand slip into hers to stop hers.

"Aira, wait...," he said, a hint of remorse in his voice. When she sat back down next to him, he gazed her sadly. "I am sorry, that was uncalled for. I should not have spoken to you that way."

Aira simply nodded, accepting his apology. "I just want you to look after yourself, darling," she told him. "We are going to have a life together after this journey...I want to ensure that that will still be a possibility."

"I know...," said Kili, leaning his forehead against hers. They stayed that way for a moment before he spoke again, "I love you, Airaním. You know that."

She lightly nuzzled his nose. "I do," she answered. "And I love you, too."

Kili leaned back so he could look into Aira's eyes, tenderly traced her cheek and said softly, "If I were to live a thousand years, I would belong to you for all of them."

Aira leaned into his hand, touched by his words. Then she grasped it with her own and replied, "If we were to live a thousand lives, I would want to make you mine in each one." Then she turned her head and pressed a kiss into his palm. "You are mine as I am yours...and we will remain that way...forevermore."

"Forevermore," Kili agreed before kissing her forehead.

Then they heard the two of them being summoned back into the room by Dwalin, so they got up and joined the others.

"We have a plan," said Thorin as they joined them.

"It's a bit…eccentric, but we think it might work," added Balin, looking slightly doubtful about it.

"What's the plan?" asked Aira.

Thorin turned to Maori. "It's your idea," he said. "Would you like to explain it?"

"Are you absolutely sure about this?" asked Aira as she and Maori stood in a corner near the armory at nightfall.

"I'm positive. Unless you have another idea for a diversion?" asked Maori as she pulled a veil over her face.

Aira gestured to the scanty, seductive dress that Maori had on. "You honestly think that they're going to buy this diversion?"

"Of course!" she replied. "What man can't resist a scantily-clad woman? It's every male's weakness."

Their idea was to have Maori entice the guards near the city armory by dressing in a revealing, alluring dress—which Aira questioned how she even came to possess in the first place—and distracting them, giving the company a chance to sneak in under the cover of night and steal the weapons they required. It was all Maori's idea; she was open and willing to put herself out in such a way to give the company the chance they needed. Many of the members were a bit skeptical about her suggestion—Fili, especially—but any other ideas they could think of wouldn't work. There really wasn't any other way and they were running out of time.

Aira was among those who disapproved of Maori's idea. The two of them were waiting by a corner outside the armory while the rest of the company was hiding on the other side, waiting for Maori to make her move before they made theirs. Aira wanted to make sure that her friend would be all right before joining the others.

"But you live here; you've been here a little while," Aira then said to her. "Won't the guards recognize you?"

Maori gestured to the dark veil she had across her face and over her hair. "Hence the veil," she answered with a wink. "Trust me, Aira, I've thought this through."

"And just how often have you thought about this?" Aira asked, raising her eyebrows.

Maori gave her a look with her eyes that said, "Oh, please…!" "Come on, Aira, you know me better than that," she said. She peered around the corner and saw that the guards were on their way. "It's time," she whispered.

Aira grasped her hand tightly. "Please, be careful."

Maori tightened her grip in return. "Don't worry. I won't let them get too close to me. I'll get them far enough away from the armory and then I'll give them the slip, easy as that. I'll be all right. You and the others just be quick to get the weapons and then get out of there."

With those words, Aira quickly and quietly tiptoed around to the other side of the armory where the others were crouched down behind a wall of boxes and barrels. Just as she reached them, she could hear Maori say loudly in a sing-song voice, "Oh, gua-rds!" The guards turned and looked in her direction as she stepped out, revealing her legs through the slips in the front of her dress.

"Why don't you handsome lads take a few moments to relax and enjoy yourselves? I can show all of you a good time, if you would like," she told them in a low, seductive voice.

The guards were as easily distracted and obedient as dogs. They bought into Maori's diversion right away and went towards her. Seeing that her plan was working, she began to slink off in the opposite direction, letting the men chase after her. Within seconds, they disappeared from sight.

"Men…!" Aira quietly groaned, rolling her eyes.

"You'd better keep a leash on your woman there," teased Nori, nudging Fili in the back.

"Shut up, Nori," he responded.

"All right, get in positions, quickly," Thorin told them all. Half of the Dwarves moved up below where the highest window in the armory was and positioned themselves into a sort of Dwarven body staircase. They would help get the rest of them up into the armory and would keep watch.

Once those that were going inside were ready, Thorin informed them, "Once we have the weapons, we'll make straight for the mountain. Go, go, go!"

Nori was the first to run up the Dwarf staircase and flawlessly crawled his way up into the window.

"Next," said Thorin.

The next one was Bilbo who likewise made it up to the window without a problem.

"Aira, go."

Aira went right up after Bilbo. She too easily ran up the backs of her friends and climbed to the window, where Bilbo was waiting for her and helped her through like the little gentlemanly Hobbit that he was.

Once the rest of the ones going in were inside, they began to gather as many weapons as they could. Kili insisted on carrying the bulk of the load, which made Aira nervous and a bit irritated. Did she not earlier that day ask him to take care of himself? Yet, here he was, overworking and straining himself by carrying all this weight, which put more pressure on his wounded leg.

"Are you all right?" Thorin asked him when he came by.

"I can manage," Kili answered with a nod as Thorin placed another weapon in his arms. "Let's just get out of here."

Just as he started towards the stairs, he suddenly let out a pained groan and tripped at the top of the stairs, spilling all of the weapons in his hands down the staircase which made a huge ruckus of a noise. Everyone froze, first from being startled and then in a panic, fearing that someone had heard that.

Sure enough, they could hear clamoring and voices outside and coming inside the building. There were still guards nearby that had heard them. There were footsteps running up the stairs. The Dwarves and the Hobbit all picked up a nearby weapon, standing fast, but the guards had them cornered. The one they assumed was the Captain came up the stairs with two other guards pushing Maori up behind him. She looked at them all apologetically. It was clear that her distraction hadn't entirely worked and she'd been caught.

They had all been caught.

The company was then marched through the town, where the townspeople were all gathering outside from the commotion, down to the Master's household.

"What is the meaning of this?" demanded the Master as he strode out of his house and stood at the top of the large staircase, shrugging on his robe. The Master was a tall, pot-bellied man with an askew mustache and a terrible comb over of orange hair.

"We caught them stealing weapons, sire," answered the Captain.

"Ah, enemies of the state, eh?" asked the Master, eying the company suspiciously.

Then a smaller, pale man with a unibrow, dressed in black with a matching hat, standing next to the Master spoke, "A desperate bunch of mercenaries if ever there was, sire."

That was when Dwalin had finally had enough. "Hold your tongue!" he cried. Then he took a step forward and addressed the Master, "You do not know to whom you speak. This is no common criminal." Then he motioned to Thorin behind him. "This is Thorin…son of Thrain, son of Thror!"

There were many whispers from the crowds around them at the revelation of Thorin's identity. The heir to the throne of Erebor was amongst them; something they hadn't imagined would happen for a long time.

Thorin came up next to Dwalin, laid a hand on his shoulder in a brotherly way and then faced the Master and declared regally, "We are the Dwarves of Erebor. We have come to reclaim our homeland."

He stepped forward to where all could see him and surveyed everything and everyone around him. "I remember this town in the great days of old," he began. "Fleets of boats lay at harbor filled with silks and fine gems. This was no forsaken town on a lake. This was the center of all trade in the North!"

His words began to stir the crowd, earning him murmurs of agreement.

Then he proclaimed in a loud, strong, kingly voice, "I would see those days return. I would relight the great forges of the Dwarves…and send wealth and riches flowing once more…from the halls of Erebor!"

The crowd cheered in gladness at Thorin's declaration.

Then the cheers were interrupted by someone shouting, "Death!"

Just then, Bard came walking through the crowd, looking down at Thorin with an angry look in his eye. "That is what you will bring upon us," he said to the Dwarf. "Dragon-fire and ruin. If you waken that beast…it will destroy us all."

Thorin would not be overruled by Bard. He looked to the crowd and said, "You can listen to this naysayer, but I promise you this: if we succeed…all will share in the wealth of the mountain."

Back amongst the rest of the company, Aira's eyes widened in shock. He was promising these people a share of the treasure of Erebor; a bold move she had never really thought Thorin would make so easily. She knew he wanted to reclaim the wealth of their people, but she never thought he would promise the gold away to others before it was even theirs again. It was a generous promise and definitely a kingly one, at that. A proud smile curved up on her lips.

Then he shouted proudly, "You will have enough gold to rebuild Esgaroth ten times over!"

This brought another happy round of happy cheers from the crowd.

However, the man next to the Master spoke out, "Why should we take you at your word, eh? We know nothing about you. Who here can vouch for your character?"

There was silence from the crowd, including the Dwarves, which startled Aira. Why was no one speaking up for Thorin? Surely, all of them could! They all knew him well and could stand up for him.

Aira herself was about to speak up, but someone else beat her to it. "Me. I will vouch for him."

She was surprised to see that it was Bilbo who spoke out.

"Now I have traveled long and far with these Dwarves through great danger," Bilbo declared, "and if Thorin Oakenshield gives his word…then he will keep it!"

Aira had never loved the Hobbit more than she did in that moment. He had stood up for her father, even if he hadn't had many reasons to do so. Thorin had only just recently started acting better towards him; through a majority of the quest, Thorin hadn't been very gracious or trusting of him. Yet, Bilbo, being the kind and gentle soul that he was, still vouched for his leader.

Thorin had noticed this, too, and had initially looked just as surprised to hear Bilbo stand up for him. Upon hearing the Halfling's words, he smiled at him and gave him a proud nod in his direction as a thank you for his actions.

But once again, Bard had to interrupt and try to persuade the crowd against Thorin. "All of you, listen to me! You must listen! Have you forgotten what happened to Dale? Have you forgotten those who died in the firestorm?"

It was clear that the people of Laketown were easily changeable. They began to whisper and murmur in agreement with Bard. Indeed, they remembered the sad story of Dale from the day the dragon came. The Dwarves looked around at the people surrounding them. Things weren't looking good.

"And for what purpose?" asked Bard, turning back to look at Thorin. "The blind ambition of a mountain King…so riven by greed, he could not see beyond his own desire!"

That angered Thorin, who took a defensive stance, ready to fight Bard for his honor if needed. How dare this man speak of his grandfather in such a manner? Behind them, Dwalin was about ready to snap himself. He tried to throw himself at Bard to attack him for speaking of King Thror the way he did, but Nori held him back.

"Now, now," then spoke the Master, "let us not, any of us, be too quick to lay blame." Then he cast a rather malicious-looking grin in Bard's direction. "Let us not forget that it was Girion, Lord of Dale, your ancestor…who failed to kill the beast!"

A gasp escaped from Aira's mouth at this revelation. Bard was a descendant of Girion, the man who had tried to kill the dragon with the wind-lance. No wonder he had seemed so interested in Balin's tale when Girion had been mentioned. That meant that Bard, this poor, lowly bargeman, was of royal blood.

She turned to Maori standing next to her. "Did you know of this?" she asked.

Maori hesitated for a moment but then nodded her head in confirmation.

Before Aira could say anything else, she heard the nasally voice of the Master's little man cry out, "It's true, sire. We all know the story. Arrow after arrow, he shot, each one missing its mark."

"I wish they would stop bringing that up," whispered Maori to Aira. "Girion, at least, tried to bring down the dragon when no one else would. What would these people think if he hadn't? He would then be seen as a coward. These people simply cannot see the good and the just in Girion's actions from that day."

Aira nodded, but said nothing, still trying to process everything that had just happened.

Then she heard Bard say to Thorin, "You have no right…no right to enter that mountain!"

Thorin stood his ground, looked Bard in the eye and replied steadfastly, "I have the only right." When Bard had nothing to say in return, he turned back around to the Master. "I speak to the Master of the men of the lake," he said, moving up a couple of stairs. "Will you see the prophecy fulfilled? Will you share in the great wealth of our people?"

There was an anxious silence hanging in the air as everyone awaited the Master's reply. He had a contemplative look on his face as he scanned the crowd in front of him.

"What say you?" asked Thorin.

The Master looked down to the Dwarf, held out a hand and answered, "I say unto you…welcome!"

An even louder cheer erupted from all the people.

"Welcome and thrice welcome, King Under the Mountain!" the Master proclaimed joyfully.

The company all heaved a sigh of relief. The Master and the people weren't going to turn them away or inhibit them from continuing their quest, after all.

The Master, once the crowds began to disperse, invited the company to stay in his home for the night and to discuss the terms of what they would need to continue to the mountain. As the Dwarves filed up the stairs, Aira and Maori were behind the rest of them. They started to go up the stairs, but Bard, who had stayed behind, stopped Maori.

"Maori, why would you do this? Why would you help them?" he asked her.

"They are my friends, Bard," she answered.

Aira had stopped on the stairs when she noticed Maori wasn't behind her and was now watching and listening to their conversation.

"You barely know them. They only got here just yesterday," said Bard.

"That's not true," said Maori. "I haven't been honest with you about that."

Bard gaped at her, confused.

"I have known the company for a little while now. I have known Aira for over thirty years. I met them some time ago when I was staying in Rivendell. And, as of last night, I am also engaged to one of the Dwarves."

At that detail, Bard's expression changed from puzzled to startled.

"That was why I came to Laketown in the first place. Yes, I lied to you about why I came here…but I came here so I could be closer to Erebor and, when the Dwarves' quest is complete, I could be more quickly reunited with my friends and my fiancée."

There was nothing that Bard could find to say in response to Maori's confession. He looked down the ground, saying nothing.

Aira, seeing Bard's reaction, moved back to the bottom of the stairs and took her place next to Maori. "Do not be angry with Maori, Bard," she said. "She has done nothing wrong and neither have we. We are taking back what is rightfully ours and, as my father told you, we have the only right to go into that mountain."

"Your father…," Bard stated. "Thorin is your father…which means you are his heiress. You are a Princess."

She nodded and replied, "I am." She paused briefly and then went on, "Now I like you, Bard, and I can see why Maori speaks so highly of you. I believe you are a good man. I do not wish for my opinion of you to change nor do I wish that for your opinion of me or of Maori. Please don't interfere with our quest or try to stop us. We Dwarves are a stubborn lot and do not take lightly to others getting in our way. We have already had enough of that on our journey and we don't need anymore. You have been a great help to us and I thank you for that on behalf of my friends as well as my father."

Then she faced Maori next to her. "Are you going back with him?"

She nervously looked back at Bard and answered, "If he will allow me."

Bard sighed and, after keeping silent for a short moment, nodded. "The children still would like to have you around," he said.

Aira and Maori shared a quick embrace and Maori whispered, "Tell Fili I love him and I will see all of you off tomorrow."

"I will," Aira said in return. Then she turned to Bard one last time. "I wish all the best for you and your children, Master Bard. Thank you again for your assistance."

With a turn on her heels, she walked up the stairs and into the Master's house to join the others.

.

And this is where things are gonna start taking a turn... xD

Aira and Kili are starting to drift...what will happen with them?

Thorin goes to the mountain and leaves Kili behind...who will Aira choose to go with?

And what of Fili and Maori?

Have any guesses for any of these questions? Or have different questions of your own? Feel free to respond in a PM or a review! I'd love to hear what you thought of this chapter as well as hear your thoughts on upcoming events! xD