Author's Note: Once again I want to thank you all for the reviews, favorites, and follows. It is so wonderful to see others enjoy this fic. This chapter has a lot going on plot-wise, including a lot more dialogue than I've written previously, so I am a little nervous about it especially regarding characterization. Let me know what you think?

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I own nothing except Laura.

We left just as dawn began to break.

Gandalf had insisted that we make for the mountains, assuring us that he would meet us there after his business in Rivendell had been completed. He explained that the mountains were harsh and dangerous and that evil creatures had been seen there. And, perhaps most importantly, we were under strict instructions to wait for him.

Thorin wasn't thrilled but we heeded Gandalf. The company rallied quickly, gathering our things and raiding the nearest kitchens for food.

We left just as the sun was setting in earnest, mindful of staying in the shadows. I thought it was all a bit dramatic to be honest. It wasn't as if the elves of Rivendell would try to stop us. In fact, they were much more likely to celebrate our leaving.

But I should've realized by then that we couldn't accomplish anything without a hiccup.

We'd all made it down to the courtyard where we had first met Elrond when Lindir found us.

"What is the meaning of this?" Lindir asked, descending the stairs quickly.

Not a single dwarf turned. I was sure I didn't imagine their pace quickening after Lindir's question. Realizing none of them would offer anything, I gave him a wave of goodbye and an apologetic smile. After crossing the bridge, I turned for one last wave but Lindir was already gone.

I left Rivendell in low spirits that morning. I would miss the elves, the gardens, and the serenity.

I'd caught up to the dwarves swiftly enough, following them at a distance. I knew it wouldn't be received well if I admitted it out loud, but I was sad to leave Rivendell behind. I stopped once we had reached the top of the cliffs, looking back one more time to take in the elven city. I highly doubted I would ever see it again.

"Master Baggins," Thorin called impatiently, "I suggest you keep up."

With one last glance over my shoulder, I obeyed.

In the days that followed whenever there was light, we walked. Thorin and Balin were insistent on moving us as far away from Rivendell as quickly as possible. That meant our days were long and hard. It also meant that I was struggling. Traveling on foot was much more difficult than traveling on ponies and infinitely more exhausting. Despite hobbits and dwarves being a similar size, the rest of the Company easily out-paced me.

Whatever Bilbo Baggins was before I had arrived, it wasn't an athlete. To be fair to him, I wasn't much of one either, back home.

The higher we went, the more the paths in the mountains grew difficult and dangerous. Rocks and boulders seemed to be more and more unstable, the path was long and crooked and seemed to go on forever. Soon enough, though, we reached the mountain where Gandalf had told us to wait, according the Thorin and Balin. And wait we did, for three days.

And still there was no Gandalf.

The dwarves, I could see, were already growing restless. On the fourth night Thorin declared we would continue into the mountains without Gandalf.

I wasn't happy, remembering vividly how badly our encounter with trolls could have gone if Gandalf hadn't found us. And so, despite my reservations and despite my goal to avoid confrontation, I confronted Thorin.

It was well after dinner, the others already falling into their habit of talking and lighting their pipes. Thorin, Dwalin, and Balin were the only ones who abstained. Instead, they were crowded around the map talking in low voices in the dwarvish tongue.

Balin was the first to notice me, stopping mid-sentence to smile at me and nod. "Master Baggins."

I nodded in return. "Good evening."

Thorin eyed me irritably. Shocking. "What is it, burglar?"

I resisted the urge to glare at him. That nickname was new. One that had been slipping from the dwarves more and more frequently the further into the mountains we went. Most said it casually, as casually as my name, but something about it felt like an insult, but for what? The only cause I could find was my conversation in Rivendell with Thorin. He'd been disappointed then, and it'd been obvious. Perhaps this was some kind of reference to that. But I couldn't find the logic.

It still hurt, regardless.

Next to Thorin, Dwalin watched me carefully. Balin too, though he looked by far the most patient.

I decided not to beat around the bush. "Gandalf asked us to wait. He said it was dangerous."

Thorin looked unimpressed. "If danger was what stopped us, we would have never left the Blue Mountains, Master Baggins."

I took a deep breath. Stay calm, Laura. "If Gandalf's suspicions are right, there are dangerous things up here. We need him."

"What," Thorin wanted to know, "Do you think the wizard can do for us that we cannot?"

I wondered if Thorin was being deliberately obtuse. Or if he was trying to dig something out of me. "We're alive because of him. If you recall, those trolls-"

Thorin scowled, voice tight as he said, "I recall them well enough, as well as the circumstances that led us to them."

Thorin had found success. His meaning was clear. Me. I felt my throat close, anger and embarrassment building. I wished he was wrong.

"Your concerns have been heard, Master Baggins," Thorin continued, "We will move out at dawn."

I let out a breath that sounded more like a hiss. After counting backwards from ten, I finally replied, "I understand."

I met Balin's eyes briefly before turning away. He looked apologetic, of all things, but he said nothing.

Fury sparking dangerously in my chest, I marched back to the campfire. The dwarves were unnaturally quiet and I had no doubt that they had been listening intently to my conversation with Thorin. Great.

I plopped down onto the ground gracelessly, suddenly feeling very tired. I ignored the dwarves muttering between themselves, intent on staring into the fire until I passed out. I missed my dad. I missed my grandma. I missed Hayley.

After I don't know how long, someone stopped next to me and I was forced to put my sulking on hold. Glancing up, my eyes met Nori's.

"Evening," Nori said casually, peering down at me.

I sighed. "Hello."

Nori shifted a little, pulling something out from behind his back. "Got something for you."

I eyed him warily. "What kind of something?"

Nori shrugged, unconcerned, which I took as a yes. In his hand was a book. "Here," Nori said as he pushed it into my hands. "Thought you might like it. Consider it payment."

My attention switched from the book back to Nori, surprised. "Payment for what?"

Nori, didn't say, only winked at me and turned away to sit with his brothers. That wasn't his best move, in my opinion, because as soon as he sat down Dori began what could only be a furious lecture. Poor Ori was scribbling frantically into his journal, trying to ignore his brother's scolding. I decided I was very lucky I couldn't hear it.

I turned my attention back to the book. It was large, clearly made by men or elves, but written in what looked to be the same language as the contract Gandalf had me sign. The title was faded and the leather worn. It was clearly either old or well used or both.

I didn't get to admire my new possession for long, however, because not a minute later did two bodies dropped down next to me, one on either side.

"What's this now, Bilbo?" Kili wanted to know, leaning in close.

I rolled my eyes. As if they hadn't been watching me like hawks the moment I went over to try and reason with Thorin. "A gift."

I carefully slipped a finger between the pages, opening the book in my lap. Inside were pages upon pages of writing, interspersed with incredibly detailed drawings of plants and flowers. Against my will, my throat began to close up and my eyes stung. I didn't know what to expect, but this was nowhere near the list. It was – kind. Thoughtful.

On my right, Fili hummed thoughtfully. "Useful that. Might want to let Oin take a look, though he likely knows everything in there already."

"Or Ori," Kili chimed in. "He'd love to get his hands on it even if it was written by elves."

"Yes, I'll do that tomorrow." I agreed, running my finger over a drawing of what looked like lavender. It was beautiful.

Fili gave me a look. "Won't you be reading it first, Bilbo?"

I opened my mouth, unsure of how to respond, and then closed it. Finally, I settled on the truth.

"I can't read it." I admitted quietly, hoping the rest of the dwarves wouldn't hear me. After Nori had given me his gift, the rest of the dwarves seemed to have taken that as a signal that all was well again. Each one of them had slowly turned back to their own devices.

Scanning the camp quickly, I was relieved to see that the others were paying us no attention. Dori and Nori were sniping at each other, Ori was steadfastly ignoring them, Gloin and Oin seemed to be discussing whether Gimli- Gloin's son- would take up an axe or warhammer when he came of age, Bifur and Bofur were absorbing in whittling again, and Bombur seemed to have drifted off into a doze.

"Is the light too dim?" Kili asked curiously. "Can you really see so poorly?"

I shook my head, trying not to feel ashamed. I felt silly for it. It wasn't as though I could help it. "I can't read it because I can't read, Kili."

What I could only call a stunned silence followed my admission.

"You cannot read," Kili repeated, incredulous, after a long awkward minute during which I stared into the fire to avoid eye contact.

I could read English, of course. French, too, when I tried hard enough. But whatever this world's written language was? No. Gandalf hadn't seemed to think it necessary and it didn't occur to me to ask, after leaving Bag End.

To keep things uncomplicated, I confirmed it. "Yes, that's right."

"You had all those books in the Shire, I saw them," Fili reminded me. "Why keep them around?"

I racked my brain for an excuse. Fili was right. Bag End was full of books. Bilbo was unarguably an avid reader if not a scholar. How could I explain? I quickly came to the conclusion that I couldn't. So I stretched the truth a bit, pulling from my life back home. It wasn't as if I'd be caught in a lie, here.

"They belonged to my mother," I told them haltingly.

Fili and Kili went very still. I had hoped, for a brief moment that my answer was enough to dissuade them from asking any more questions. I should've known better.

"Your mother," Fili asked cautiously. I nodded.

"You have a mother?" Kili wondered, awestruck.

I shot him an annoyed look. "Doesn't everyone?"

Kili visibly backtracked, actually leaning back, eyes wide. "I only meant. Well."

"Yes, I have one." I told them, concluding that I had no choice but to elaborate. Hopefully the questions would stop soon. "After she left my father kept them. But neither of us could read."

"She left?" Kili blurted out.

I didn't feel Fili reach around me to smack his brother but I heard his hand hit the back of Kili's head quite clearly.

"Apologies, Bilbo," Fili said softly. "We don't mean to pry."

I sighed, relieved that they were dropping the subject.

"It's fine. It was a long time ago." I paused, looking down at my book and then back up at Fili. An idea struck me. "Perhaps you would be so kind?"

I held out the book to Fili. He stared at it in incomprehension. His eyes moved from the book to my face to Kili and then back.

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. "Would you be willing to read to me?"

Fili's mouth fell open. I had no doubt that Kili's face looked similar. Eventually Fili closed his mouth and nodded wordlessly, pulling the book gently out of my hands.

He cleared his throat, in a way that I would almost call nervous. "Where should I start?"

It was Kili's turn to hit his brother, leaning behind me to shove him roughly, "At the beginning, of course."

And so, Fili did. His voice was low and steady, describing to us what sort of healing plants could be found in the wilds of the west, including, to the two dwarves' astonishment, a weed called Kingsfoil. He continued to read even after Thorin, Balin, and Dwalin returned to camp until the fire died down to glowing embers.

I was in such a good mood that night I didn't even glare at Thorin. Much.

Three days later I wanted nothing more than to throw an 'I told you so' into Thorin's stupid face. A storm had come upon us so quickly that it was as if it appeared between one blink and the next. The winds were suddenly roaring, rain pelting us and battering us into the side of the mountains. It became more and more difficult to see the path in front of us, and I wasn't entirely certain that Thorin had chosen the correct paths at the three different forks we had encountered. At the last one he didn't even bother to pull out the map from what I could see.

And so, we were stuck between a mountain and a storm. We had no choice but to push forward through the wind and rain. I remember thinking that the storm had to stop at some point. Right?

But it didn't stop. The sky remained dark, the wind howled, and the rain continued as a steady downpour. As the thunder rolled overhead and lightning flashed across the sky we pressed on.

I was just as miserable as I'd been in our last rainstorm. The rain and wind made it nearly impossible for me to see and it was a challenge to keep upright. I was quite sure the only reason I hadn't fallen over the edge of the path was because of Dwalin's steady hand on my shoulder. Any time I tripped, which was embarrassingly often, Dwalin would right me almost immediately and give me what was almost a gentle push to continue on.

We kept on like that for I don't know how long, the sky was so grey it was impossible to see the sun's position. We climbed higher and higher, the path becoming narrower and the thunder, if possible, grew louder.

I stumbled and was hauled up by Dwalin for what must have been the hundredth time when the thunder above us let out a deafening clap.

Thorin finally seemed to realize that this was a terrible idea because in front of me I heard him shout, "We must find shelter!"

Next to me Dwalin went very still. Then, suddenly, he was shouting too, "Look out!"

I looked up, catching movement in my peripheral vision. It was difficult to see through the rain but what looked like a giant boulder came hurdling through the air towards us.

It was a giant boulder, I confirmed a split second later, because its impact with the mountain above us caused us all to stumble.

Dwalin had excellent reflexes because no sooner had the boulder hit that he was already pulling me close, pressing us both against the mountainside. What happened next was an avalanche, I realized with horror. Around me, I could hear the dwarves shouting over the shattering sound of the rocks. They were loud, so loud, like thunder cracking next to us.

Before that moment I had thought I grasped an understanding of the world of Middle Earth well enough. I accepted that there were trolls, orcs, and goblins running around. But what I saw that day was absolutely mind blowing.

I could barely see them. Stone giants, huge dark silhouettes against the sky scaling the mountains like they were nothing, illuminated by the flashes of lightning. They tossed huge boulders back and forth playing what I could only guess was some sort of messed-up game of dodgeball. And their game was moving dangerously, uncomfortably, close.

And then it happened. The mountain itself began to move. I stared up in horror, processing, before realizing we were standing on one of the giants.

What followed was a blur. I was pressed solidly between Dwalin and Bofur, grasping helplessly against what I assumed was the giant's leg, and was whipped back and forth like a terrible amusement park ride. And then the dwarves began shouting again, and the mountainside became far too close for my comfort.

Next there was the impact. I had been in one car accident in my life, when I was seventeen. I'd, stupidly, run a red light and t-boned the car that had the right of way. But that paled in comparison to now. The whiplash came first, followed by the unpleasant experience of my body hitting a solid stone wall. The dwarves bounced around me as the tremors continued, each of us desperately trying to regain balance.

I could feel part of my foot slip over the edge, but reflexively I flinched back, righting myself. I couldn't even breath out a sigh of relief- for the first time grateful for Bilbo's large feet- before Ori knocked into me, causing me to lose my balance again. This time I knew I wouldn't be able to save myself. I was too close to the edge and Ori, even as the smallest of the dwarves, had both a great deal of height and weight over me.

Ori, to his credit, noticed immediately. I wondered if he'd heard my gasp over the rain or if he had realized how dangerously close we were to the edge. I could feel myself lurch back, even as Ori grabbed my arm and pulled it close to his chest to try and steady me.

What happened next was so fast, I still am not sure what entirely took place. I remember arching my back to try and rebalance and push my weight into Ori for support. I remember failing. I remember Ori's strong grip, keeping my arm to his chest as he fell too, letting out a cry. I remember catching my other elbow painfully on the edge of the cliff even as who I think was Bofur threw himself onto Ori's legs to keep him from following after me.

Then there was more shouting, as the others crowded around the edge to pull us to safety. It was Dwalin who pulled me up I knew that much. His hands were huge around my upper arms as Thorin grabbed my pack to lift me the rest of the way.

I was back on solid ground. I took in a gasping breath. I hadn't even realized that I had stopped breathing.

"I thought we'd lost our burglar," Dwalin said finally after giving me a thorough onceover, sounding almost relieved as he gave my shoulder a shake. I was almost certain he had meant for it to be gentle.

I opened my mouth, ready to thank them all, but was cut off.

"Lost?" Thorin repeated slowly, "Yes, he is lost, indeed."

My chest hurt, though I wasn't sure if it was from the fall or from Thorin's words.

Thorin didn't stop there, meeting my eyes as he continued, "Lost in his own thoughts more than not, who dreams of home even when danger bears down on him." Thorin wasn't shouting, but he didn't need to. His voice was colder than the rain beating down on us, "This is no place for such a creature. He should never have come."

For a painful moment it felt as though I had fallen off the cliff after all. My stomach dropped sickeningly, the shock of his words landing like I would have on the rocks below.

This. This was what Thorin had been thinking during our exchange at Rivendell. I had suspected it to an extent but hearing it was a whole different kind of blow.

I knew what he was saying beneath it all: you are not enough. And, well, he was right. I wasn't enough.

I'm trying, I wanted to tell Thorin, to tell them all. I swear I'm trying.

I didn't speak. Couldn't speak. It didn't matter. None of mattered, I was learning.

Thorin's face could have been carved from the mountains we were on. He turned away and moved further up the path, stopping at a black gap in the rock, turning back, then motioning with his head towards the inky blackness next to him, "Dwalin."

Dwalin, without hesitating, rose to follow. But before he left, his hand rested on my head for a moment. This time it really was gentle. I resisted the urge to shut my eyes. If I did, I knew my tears would fall. Instead, I focused on keeping my breathing even.

The rest of the dwarves were silent while sorting themselves as we waited for Thorin and Dwalin to reappear. I couldn't say how long it took before they returned, calling that they'd found shelter.

If I had been anywhere close to a normal state of mind, I would've been suspicious of the convenience of it. A cave so high up a mountain? Just as we had gone through the mountains coming alive?

But my mind felt numb. My body ached from being thrown around. I still wanted to cry. I wanted my dad.

As we prepared for bed, the Company remained quiet. Everyone seemed to stick close to their family members as if to reassure themselves that they'd all survived. Thorin had forbidden a fire and so we were wet and our things were in a similar state.

I found myself alone, tucked against a small jut of stone along the wall. I watched absently as the others chose their sleeping arrangements, bed rolls laid next to each other. I felt a pang of envy again. It wasn't long before most had fallen asleep, their snores creating a strange echo in the little cave. Only Bofur, who had been assigned to watch, was with me.

Right with me. I could feel a long line of heat pressed up against my side when Bofur slid down the wall next to me.

I was content to sit in silence. I knew if I spoke, I would cry and that was all I needed to top the entire night off into being one of the worst of my life, frankly. Which of course meant Bofur was the one to break it.

"You alright there?" Bofur asked me, voice soft. Whether it was out of consideration for my fragile state or in an effort not to wake the others, I wasn't sure. Knowing Bofur, it was probably both.

I swallowed several times before answering, my voice cracking even on the short word, "Yes."

I watched from the corner of my eye as Bofur's face twisted in sympathy. That really just made it worse. To try and stop it from going any further I asked, "Are you alright?"

Bofur made a small noise of consideration. "Things could be better. Could be worse."

I felt a ghost of a smile tug at the corner of my mouth. Bofur seemed to catch it, even as brief as it was, as he settled back against the wall, making a show of being comfortable. That seemed enough for a long stretch until Bofur said suddenly, "You're a good lad, Bilbo."

I wanted to laugh. I wanted to cry. Bofur's sincerity was at odds with the almost entire untruth of his words.

"I wish I was better," I told him, horrifyingly honest. God, why couldn't I just shut up.

Bofur didn't seem to judge at all, and laid a comforting hand on my shoulder, squeezing gently. And then, suddenly, asked, "What's that?"

I looked up at his question. His eyes weren't on me, not really, but on the sword that was still at my hip.

The sword that, I could see through its scabbard, was glowing blue. And I was sure my imagination wasn't what was causing the cave floor to creak and groan.

Blue, I remembered thinking dazedly as Thorin shouted for everyone to get up, blue. What had Gandalf said about it glowing blue?

And then for the second time that day, I fell.

It was a sudden sickening drop. For a few chaotic moments we all slid together, crashing into each other and the stone tunnel surrounding us before we landed in an ungraceful heap.

Dazed, I pushed myself out from underneath Dori as quickly as possible. Using one hand for leverage and the other to rub at my jaw where one of the dwarves had clipped me during our drop, I struggled to find my bearings.

Once I had, I almost wished that I was still disoriented. Because that was when I laid my eyes on my first goblin. Or goblins, rather, not that I knew what they were at the time. They were smaller than orcs, much closer to my size than an elf or man, with pale waxy skin and scraggly hair. There were so many, appearing almost out of thin air, pulling and pinching at us with no sympathy and great enthusiasm.

We all struggled to right ourselves, pushing weakly at the goblins. I could feel them tugging at my pack, ripping away my bedroll and several of the pots and pans I had offered to help Bombur carry the night before the rain started.

Before I could even blink, a goblin pushed me with such force that I stumbled back, hitting a wall. Trying desperately to catch my bearings, I could see over its shoulder that the dwarves were being herded away, loud and shouting but lessening by the second as they were pushed across a bridge.

I turned back to the goblin who pushed me, gasping as they grabbed my shoulder roughly. They were the size of the dwarves, if I were to guess, which meant they towered over me. Their ears though, were pointed like mine. Like the elves. But that's where the similarities ended. Their skin was paper-white and covered in scabs and growths, hair growing scraggily from their head. They grinned at me, catching my eye. Their teeth were sharp. I watched, fear bolting through me so viscerally that I lost my breath, as they pulled out a knife, crooked and wicked looking.

On instinct I kicked out, wedging my leg between us and positioning my foot over its stomach. The goblin stumbled back, fumbling for its knife and giving me the moment I needed to draw my little sword. But that was all I had, a moment, because within a blink the goblin was back on me, knocking me back with the force of its blows. There was no opening for me to take, and I let my sword take hit after hit, bolts of pain shooting through my arms with each hit. Then suddenly, I could feel my ankle twist painfully and that was when I fell backwards with the goblin following close behind after their missed strike caused them to stumble too.

There was a heart stopping moment when the two of us tumbled down the stone slopes before going right over the edge. I could still hear the dwarves somewhere and I realized they were above me. I couldn't see them. I only caught a flash of what I would later learn was called Goblin Town: rickety bridges, haphazardly built platforms that seemed to hang precariously by ropes from the mountain walls before my vision began to tunnel. And then I realized why.

I was falling.

And everything went black.

I don't know how long I was out until the light woke me up. It could have been minutes or hours, I had no way of knowing. What I did know was that I wasn't in any pain. I did, however, feel a wave of panic wash over me as I realized all I could see was white. I remembered quite clearly falling over the edge of Goblin Town.

Why couldn't I move? Why couldn't I see? Was I dead? Oh, God, Bilbo. I had ruined everything.

"Peace."

I froze, eyes scanning the infinite white frantically. That wasn't my voice- not the one I was used to or even the one I'd come to accept as mine in Bilbo's body- and it wasn't one I recognized. It was high, soft. I didn't so much as hear its words as felt them.

"You are very brave, child. Brave and clever." The voice said, soothingly, "We chose well."

Chose? Chose?

Oh hell no.

If this was one of those Valar I was going to scream.

"We have not much time." The voice continued, sounding firm. I felt a sicken jolt as I realized that it had probably heard my thoughts. "You must be careful. The world's fate has unraveled and you must take your part in weaving it. Darkness lies before you. A great and terrible darkness that will ruin you if you are not cautious as it has done to so many others."

No. No thank you.

The voice ignored me, continuing insistently, "It is laid upon you to bear it, though we wish it were not so. I am truly sorry."

Wait. Wait, why? Why me?

But the voice didn't answer. And then the light faded.

I blinked quickly, my eyes adjusting to the dark. Like a tidal wave, pain washed over me. I resisted the urge to groan. Everything hurt. Mt arms, my legs, my ribs, my back, my neck, my head. Every time I tried to move, no matter what I tried to move, pain flared brightly.

I didn't try to move, not for a long time, and focused on what had happened. I'd fallen off a cliff fighting a goblin and had, against all odds, survived. Then I was visited by some cryptic asshole light. And now I had woken up here, wherever here was.

I sighed, my breath leaving me with a twinge to my back and my ribs, and decided to see just how bad off I was. I wiggled my toes and my fingers. Check. Knees and elbows? Check. Neck? Check. The pain was still there, but I could still move.

Thank God.

I tilted my head, catching a light out of the corner of my eye. Through the giant mushrooms I was surrounded by- apparently what I had to thank for breaking my fall- I could see my sword lying only a few feet away and glowing a pale blue.

Oh no. Had the goblin survived the fall as well? I had barely survived our first round there was no way I could manage a second time, not in the state I was in.

Before I could muster enough energy to sit up, a noise broke through the silence.

I realized, belatedly, as it drew close that it was something moving. Something shuffling in the dark.

Please don't be the goblin, please, I remember thinking desperately. Please don't let them find me.

"Yes," whatever it was hissed out, "Yes!"

There was a snarl that I recognized came from a goblin. My friend had survived after all. And then there was the sound of something being dragged across the rock floor.

I held my breath, tilting my head slowly to try and get a better look. What I saw was no goblin but something infinitely more spine-chilling.

It was a tiny thing, really, no bigger than I was, with pale grey skin and a thin, almost skeletal body. But what were most unsettling were its eyes. Large and bulbous, they glowed in the dark much like the dwarves' eyes did. But these eyes were empty and cold and when I looked at them, I couldn't help but shiver.

This creature, whatever it was, wasn't a friend of that I was certain.

My suspicion was confirmed not a moment later when the goblin, likely in a last-ditch attempt to save itself, lunged at the little creature. The creature reacted immediately, raising a grapefruit-sized rock that I didn't even know it had. I screwed my eyes shut, unable to watch what I knew was happening. It was sickening, even the sound of it. And then something dropped, I could hear it even above the struggle. It was metal, I thought, and likely small. A coin?

Finally, it stopped and I heard the little creature move again. I didn't hear the goblin. Feeling sick, I cracked an eye open to watch the creature drag the goblin away, both not much more than shadows in the dim light, further down what I hazarded to guess was another cave.

I took in a few shallow breaths and listened carefully as the creature moved further and further away. I counted backwards from twenty and then again for good measure before I slowly pushed to my feet.

My body seized in pain, every bone and muscle straining to keep me upright. After a few long seconds and a couple deep breaths that twinged my back and ribs less and less each time, I finally moved towards my sword.

I'd only just managed to push back up onto my feet when something glittered on the cave floor. Frowning, I held out my sword to act as a meager flashlight. And then I saw it.

A ring.

It was gold, I could see, and plain. It must've been what the creature had dropped.

I didn't realize I'd picked it up until I had it cradled in my palm. It gleamed even in the light of my sword, until in a blink, the light was gone. Instantly any thoughts of the ring were chased from my mind. That wasn't good.

I turned to look down the crevice where I had last seen the creature disappear to. Nothing.

I needed to get out of there as quickly as possible. Preferably without ever having to see that creature again.

Not wanting to spend a moment longer anywhere that the creature might find me, I brought my hand up to my chest and deposited the ring into one of the pockets of my waistcoat. Determined to find my way out, I followed the wall of the narrow chasm only to find a dead end and absolutely no escape. Not to be deterred, I followed the opposite wall back to my mushrooms only to be disappointed again.

After running along the walls twice with no luck, I took maybe three steps in the opposite direction of where the creature had gone when I heard a bloodcurdling shriek.

"My precious! My birthday present! Where is it?"

Uh-oh.

I put on a little more speed, running my hand along the cave's wall as a guide instead of relying on my eyes in the dim light.

And then I heard it. The thing was moving with astonishing speed, scrambling against the stone underneath it, its breathing heavy with either anxiety exertion or possibly a mixture of both.

I realized that there was no way I was going to be able to outrun it. And so, I did the only thing I could think of: arm myself. I pulled my blade out quickly and turned to face the creature only to find it not a yard away staring at me. It's eyes were glowing again. I shivered. I felt like prey.

I stared back.

We assessed each other warily before it hissed out, "What is it, precious? What is it? It's got an elvish blade."

We stared at each other for another long moment before I realized, numbly, that it was waiting for an answer. Well, at least I'd answered this question before. I cleared my throat nervously. "A hobbit."

"A hobbit?" It repeated, moving closer. I straightened my sword, aiming the tip of it in its general direction causing it to leap back and snarl in dismay. Then it said thoughtfully, "We like goblinses, batses, and fishes but we haven't tried hobbitses before."

And never would if I had my way.

I decided to take a risk and try to reason with the creature. Because, honestly, if it could take out the goblin it could do the same to me. "I'm Laura. Laura Aldine. I'm lost. Can you help me?"

The creature made a terrible swallowing noise in response, "Gollum, gollum. Perhaps, perhaps not, precious. Perhaps you sit and chats a bit with us. It likes riddles, perhaps the hobbit does."

No, no, no thank you. I could barely stay upright, there was no way I could play word games. Hell no.

"I'm afraid not," I told the creature- Gollum, for lack of better name. "I really do have to get going." A thought occurred to me. "But correct me if I'm wrong but was that you shrieking a moment ago? Maybe there's something I can help you with?"

Gollum reared back from where it was trying to circle me.

"No," it snapped, "None of its business."

"Oh," I said casually, letting my shoulders fall. "That's too bad. Because I found something not too long ago over here," I gestured with one hand towards where the goblin had landed. "And I thought perhaps it was yours."

It was a split-second later that I figured out that I had made a huge mistake. Gollum's face contorted with absolute fury. "You!" It shrieked, "You stole it from us!"

Then it lunged.

I was completely surprised at my own reflexes, lifting my sword to slash defensively at the attacking creature. I was in luck, feeling the blade slice through flesh. Gollum stumbled away, spitting and snarling.

"Listen," I said, panting and trying to get my words out as quickly as possible in order to prevent Gollum from attacking me again. "Listen. I'll give it back. I will."

I could see Gollum freeze a few feet away from me. It turned to look at me and I caught a glimpse of the thin cut across its shoulder from my strike. Even though it was bleeding and the light was horrible, it looked shallow.

"You show me the way out," I offered anxiously, "And you can have your- your birthday present back, okay? That's fair, isn't it? I just want to get out of here."

Gollum hissed out a breath, gaze turning inward. It then, to my utter bewilderment, began to have a conversation with itself. After a few minutes of debating out loud- one of the options was to strangle me and just take back the ring and another was to drown me both of which were terrifying- it seemed to come to a decision.

"Yes," Gollum said finally, looking like it was trying its best to seem agreeable. "We will show nasty little Aldine the way out. But first you give us the precious."

My fear didn't stop me when I replied, "No way."

Gollum's expression turned to one of fury. Oh, boy.

"I did hear your conversation you know," I told it gently. I watched as its face fell. I, strangely, felt a little bad. "I'd rather not be drowned or strangled or eaten if it's all the same to you."

Gollum actually huffed. I shook my sword at it, as a reminder. It rolled its eyes at me. My fear morphed into indignation.

"Very well, precious. But," Gollum's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Promise us."

"I promise," I replied. Easy enough.

It moved past me with a grace and speed I would've never had guessed such an awkward-looking creature to have possessed. "This way, Aldine, this way."

Going against every instinct that was screaming at me, I sheathed my sword and followed. What choice did I have?

It took us a long time to reach a recognizable path. After squeezing itself through a barely-there crack in the cave wall I had missed in my own investigations, Gollum moved swiftly through the narrow passage taking lefts and rights seemingly at random. I followed as closely as I could, figuring if this was all a trap then I could at least try and be close enough to get a good swing or two of my sword in before Gollum took me out.

Finally, we emerged from the confining passageway and into what shockingly looked like a hallway. It was dark and damp as the rest of the cave but down a bit to the left was a bright light.

Sunlight.

Oh my God.

"The backdoor," Gollum hissed, turning back to me, looking almost proud. "The backdoor and the way out. Yes, precious."

"Yes," I agreed, relieved. I slung my pack back over my shoulders, having removed it to fit through the crack in the wall. "Wonderful, thank you."

Gollum turned to me, blocking the path, likely strategically, that led towards the light. "And now, Aldine, you give back what you stole from us."

I swallowed, suddenly guarded. I could give the ring back, right? I owed it that much for not eating me after all. And there was something a little sad about Gollum. Something lonely, in the way it referred to the ring.

But as I reached into the pocket of my waistcoat, I felt more and more reluctant. Gollum had dropped it hadn't it? It was mine now. I found it fair and square.

We were both staring at my hand as I opened my fist to reveal the ring. When I glanced up, Gollum's face had morphed into an almost euphoric expression.

"Yes," Gollum breathed out. "Yes, my precious. My birthday present. Give it to me. Give it to me."

I didn't want to. It was strange, looking back on it. For a wild moment, it felt painful, the idea of giving the ring back. There was something in me, almost a compulsion, and that, ultimately is what guided my decision. I took a deep breath, pulling my closed hand back towards me, sealing my fate in more ways than I could have ever guessed.

Gollum's face contorted, eyes narrowed and sharp pointed teeth bared. It let out an actual hiss before snarling, "It promised us! It promised us the precious! Filthy liar!"

This time I wasn't so lucky. Gollum hit my middle as hard as any of the trolls might have, effectively throwing me back and knocking the air out of my lungs in one fell swoop.

I tripped backward, landing heavily on my pack and struggled to keep Gollum's hands away from my throat. I could feel my grip on the ring loosen as I tried to pry Gollum's fingers from my coat collar, from getting too close to my neck. And then the ring fell. Panic hit me now, not for me but at the idea of losing the ring. I reached out, fumbling with the ring for a brief moment before securing it haphazardly over the first knuckle of my index finger.

Taking a risk, I pulled my left fist back and swung, relieved to feel my knuckles connect with its jaw.

Gollum howled in pain as it stumbled off of me and against the wall. This opening gave me just enough time to give it an extra kick and scramble away out of reach. Instead of lunging at me for a second round, Gollum stared at me in horror before screeching, "No!"

Surprised, I held my breath. I felt like I had just been ducked into ice-cold water. And since when did everything get so fuzzy and grey? Had I hit my head when Gollum tackled me?

"No!" Gollum screamed again, pushing its hands across the ground in horror as if searching for something. "My precious! Where is it?"

I watched, stunned, as Gollum's eyes roamed over and around me almost as if it couldn't see me.

My eyes widened in realization. It couldn't see me.

I couldn't tear my eyes off Gollum, almost certain still that this might be some kind of trick. I felt my fingers curl around a small rock on the cave floor. Raising my arm in the same way my dad had taught me to pitch, I tossed the rock over Gollum's shoulder and towards the light.

There was a split-second where Gollum fell silent and then it snapped its head back and lunged towards where the sound had come from.

"Thief! Filthy lying thief! My precious!" It cried out desperately. "My own!"

It would be easy to kill it, I thought then. I should kill it shouldn't I? Gandalf had said that my safety was paramount for both me and for Bilbo. I had my sword. I needed to kill this thing for the both of us, I needed to kill it to find the dwarves.

The dwarves.

Like a fog was being lifted, my mind sharpened, and the thought of my sword fell away. Where were the dwarves? I needed to find them; I needed them. Far more than they needed me, I knew, but if I needed to be a burden to survive then so be it. Were they still in the mountain?

I pushed to my feet and quietly took a few steps back. Then, once I was sure that Gollum hadn't heard me, I turned and ran as quickly as I could back into the mountain. Back towards Goblin Town.

Not my best idea, objectively. But I was tired, I was scared, and while the dwarves were only tolerant of me, they were my best bet in this world. Especially with Gandalf still missing.

Where were they? Had they made it out? I had to go look for them. Or at least for any evidence of them having passed through. With any luck I would find a few goblin corpses with an axe or two embedded them which would mean I could safely get my ass out of these horrible tunnels and catch up with them as quickly as possible.

As if answering my questions, I heard a tremendous crash up ahead. It was a cross between an explosion and something large collapsing. Not even bothering to consider going back towards where Gollum was probably waiting, I followed the sound.

Rounding the corner, I was shocked to see Gandalf. And, I noticed, looking past him, the dwarves. Gandalf looked as unruffled as usual, but the Company was a tangled heap underneath what looked like a collapsed bridge and huge, fat, goblin. Wait. Was he wearing a crown?

I walked quickly towards them, relieved that we'd, against all odds, found each other again.

Then, as I heard the muffled sounds of the debris being moved, I realized I was still wearing the ring. I removed it with an easy tug- I felt a bit unnerved to find that it fit perfectly given how spindly Gollum's own fingers looked- and put it back into the safety of my waistcoat pocket.

"What," I wanted to know, "happened to all of you?"

Gandalf turned immediately, grey eyes widening in surprise. "Bilbo!"

I could hear the dwarves echo my name in confusion.

"I'm glad you've finally caught up with us," I said blandly as I moved to stand next to Gandalf, not bothering to hide the relief I felt at the sight of them.

Gandalf let out a huff of a laugh. Together, we turned to the pile of dwarves. They were still lodged beneath the debris, some of them cursing, at the situation or maybe at each other.

"Honestly," I said, rolling me eyes as moved closer and offered a hand to Ori and helped him pull free of the wreckage. "I get separated from you all for only a few," Hours? Days? Who could say? "Moments," I settle on, "And this is what you get up to?"

Fili groaned as he pushed himself out from beneath a heavy looking beam. "Very funny."

I beamed at Balin, who looked a little disheveled but unharmed. I took hold of his elbow and gave it a sharp pull. I wasn't sure it actually did much, but after another moment, Balin was free too. Once on his feet, Balin smiled back looking equal parts relieved and exhausted.

"Gandalf," Kili called urgently from the pile, "Gandalf!"

Together Balin and I turned to look at what had Kili so nervous only for my stomach to drop. Over the crest of the slope came a horde of goblins. And they were moving far too fast for my liking.

"Only one thing will save us," Gandalf declared, already turning towards the path that I had come from. "Daylight! Come, quickly now!"

So, we ran. The dwarves, despite their fall, were quick on their feet easily outpacing me.

I stumbled a bit, still out of breath from the cold that came from the greyness of my ring, only to have Bombur steady me from behind, a hand on my back.

The two of us were the last in the group and as we moved closer to the exit, already in view, I was relieved to see that Gollum had disappeared.

With one last surge of energy, we ran into the light.

Safe.