DISCLAIMER: Let's get this out of the way. I do not own or have any hope of ever owning the characters or happenings of middle earth. They belong to Tolkien and as far as I'm concerned he can keep them. For now. I do however, own my OC, Kidhuzel! So don't steal her. Please, feel free to leave any comments and/or questions that you may have. Follow the story in which ever way you would like, but make your thoughts known but be polite while you do it. Thank you!

****Shishiwastaken****

Chapter 22

Soaring through the sky swiftly, El follows the eagles at a distance. It would be a mistake to approach them and risk the large birds retaliating or worse: Dropping their charges. She would of course save her bearer. She'd make the honest attempt at slowing her mate and Bilbo. Still, the loss of the remaining company would upset her carrier so she is careful. The air flows under her wings and she feels just as natural in the air as a fish to water. Even so, the girl feels little euphoria in the open sky on this day.

Even from this distance she can tell that her bearer has not yet awoken. The wary worry oozing through her bond with Dwalin is so potent that she must fight against it to keep it from seeping into her own belly. Thorin will not die on this day, she is sure, but the fear in her mate's heart begins to take its toll.

"Have some faith in him. This is honestly ridiculous." With a burst of energy, the young dam ascends beyond the clouds to gain some distance from the overwhelming feeling. She can still smell the company, even without them being in her sights. She can also smell the orcs chasing them. "You will meet your end sooner or later."

Debating on whether or not to deter them, the half-drake decides that the decision should be made by her treasured dwarf when he awakens. She doubts he would be pleased if she were to go off on her own without him knowing and she doesn't want to worry him in his state. 'Everything dies.' Another clench at her belly proves her dwarvish half fears for his safety just as her dwarvish mate does. Pathetic. He will be fine. She continues to climb higher into the sky and remains there for the duration of the flight.

For hours they go on until the scent of orc is long gone and El is sure that they are temporarily safe. The eagles carry the group even further still, until even the sun begins to grow tired and starts to droop. They continue to push onward through the night into the wee hours of dawn. Having never flown for so long, the half-drake feels an unpleasant soreness in her shoulders as she watches the eagles finally start their descent. Once everyone has been safely placed and the birds begin their own journey away, the youth joins the company again. There are shouts from the nervous team at the king stillness. Keeping to the edge of the group, El watches closely as the wizard murmurs softly under his breath until the dwarf's eyes flutter open.

"Thank mahal!" The burly dwarf pulls the King up into a sitting position as he gathers his bearings with clear confusion. Spying his living weapon, the king nods his appreciation silently to which she dips her own head in return "Easy, Thorin. Take it slowly."

"How long... how long have I been out?"

"Only a day, Uncle." Kneeling beside him, Fili offers the support his kin will not ask for "Gandalf just woke you."

"Uncle, you should have seen Bilbo out there! He-"

"The halfling?" Looking around in confusion, the woozy dwarrow is unable to locate the distant hobbit "Where...?"

"He is here and well." Gesturing to the Cliff's edge the wizard directs everyone's attention to the nervous being. With the rising sun at his back, his nervous fidgeting seems wholly and comically out of place "Master Baggins surprised us all."

"You!"

"Uh..."

"What were you thinking!?" Pulling himself to his feet, the monarch raises his chin with the ever persistent dwarven pride clear on his face "I had said you would be a burden and you nearly got yourself killed!"

"W-well I-"

"I had said you would not survive in the wild, and that you had no place among us."

"Yes, I-I suppose you did... Um... Say that..."

"... Well then." Coming up to stand beside the pair, Kidhuzel looks wistfully at her bearer. Having spent years in his presence, she can easily feel the relief rolling off him "It would seem that your burglar enjoys overachieving. Are you happy?"

"Aye... Aye. I have never been so happy to be wrong in all my life!" With a relieved tilt of his lips that could almost be called a smile the dwarf pulls the Hobbit into a crushing embrace. Clearly caught off guard, The Hobbit stands awkwardly still before giving in and returning the gesture. Turning her lips down, the half dwarf doesn't correct her treasure. She never said he was wrong, just that Bilbo went above and beyond. Still... Nodding to herself she hopes that the two will get along better from now on "I am sorry I doubted you."

"No, I.. I would have doubted me too. I am no hero."

"Or warrior." Dwalin adds.

"Not even a burglar." Nori whispers under his breath

"And yet yer here, standin' with the best o' us!" Bofur snickers, patting Bilbo's shoulder lightly with a joyful nod "And it is thanks to that, that our King remains."

At that, the group offers their thanks to the creature they all discounted. It is a warm moment that has the Hobbit blushing deeply. For all his sensibilities and predictable nature he had never felt so respected until he stopped being totally respectable. Peaking up through his lashes, he sees the Dwarf ruler and his shadow gazing into the distance. They seemingly watch the eagles disappear but then something catches the hobbit's eye.

"Is... Is that what I think it is?"

"Erebor!" At Gandalf's shout the company switches its attention from the budding hero back to the original goal. Out in the distance lies a shaky image but it is clear enough for the company "The last of the great dwarf kingdoms of Middle earth."

"Our home."

"...The lonely mountain." Watching the sun rise over their destination El allows the anticipation of her mate to wash over her before dismissing it. His emotions have become a constant in the back of her mind since their mating in Rivendell. Although the act was incomplete it was enough to consummate the bond. Having spent so much time without a will of her own, El has never found the need to feel much of anything aside from devotion to her savior. Her will matters not. So she finds Dwalin's constant feelings extremely intrusive and distracting. Regardless, her home is beside her: Thorin. He wishes for the lonely mountain so he shall have it. "I have never been."

"You will. And you will guard it to the end of your days."

"If you will it to be so."

"I do."

"Then it is done." Gazing into the distance the dwarf King breathes deeply, despite the ache in his ribs. He can feel destiny opening the way for him just as a bird flutters past "What... is that?"

"That, my dear Kidhuzel," Gandalf replies to her wonder with wisdom "is a thrush."

"Can I eat it?"

"No, Kidhuzel. We will take it as a sign. A good omen." Petting the girl's head before stroking the horns upon it, the King uses it to shake her lightly. Keeping his eyes on the mountain, he revels in the strength and hope that washes over him "We do not eat good omens."

"Bad ones then?"

"Kidhuzel..."

"I am... hungry."

"We all are." Bilbo joins with a laugh, enjoying the beautiful scene before them all "But I think you are right. I do believe that was the worst and it is behind us."

****Shishiwastaken****

Why helllllllllo. Been a minute! Who wants to hear some excuses?! Not me, that's who. I was gone. Now I'm back. My bad? If my readers still exist (its been YEARS) sorry... If you're new, welcome!