The Legend of the Green Lady (Remastered)

by FuzzyBeta

When Ariel's brother is cursed by a witch there is only one way to save him. She must find the one ring and destroy the evil Sauron. There's just one hitch. First, she must help one hobbit and thirteen Dwarves reclaim their kingdom from a deadly dragon's claws. Oh and look, there's also elves, witches, Orcs, Wargs, and a Necromancer. Won't this be fun? Thorin/OC Rated T(remastered)

17. Promises, Promises

Chapter 17: Promises, Promises

"But is it treatable?" Thorin's familiar gruff voice growled softly, "Will she be alright to travel?"

"Travel?" an elderly man with grey hair and beard, dressed in dark tattered clothing and bearing a large bag on his back, spoke in hushed tones that doctors always used around the sick in hospitals. "Master Dwarf, pardon my frankness, but it's a miracle that girl can even breathe now after all that strain placed on her throat. Bard, when she was choking, did you see anything she might have swallowed or ate, liquid or solid."

"Not that I'm aware of", the grim voice of Bard murmured worriedly. "I gave her a roll of bread hours ago. Since then, I don't think she's even touched a drop of water to drink."

"I see…" the healer muttered thoughtfully before adding, "and then, of course, there is the case of her muteness…was she born with it or-"

"No" It was Fili who had cut across quickly from his uncle's side. "No…it only happened recently…after we got lost in Mirkwood."

"Mirkwood", the healer shuddered. "Goodness, no wonder she's speechless. Nowadays, even the bravest of our guards fear to go near that accursed forest unless they are close to the Woodland Realm. What in all the high heavens made you wander in there?"

"They got lost", Bard filled in quickly before either Thorin or his nephew could speak "they are on their way to the Iron Hills to visit distant relations, and they lost their way and their map."

"Ah, and you're helping them are you Bard?" the healer sounded a bit brighter at that prospect as he made to address Thorin. "Well then master dwarf, you and your friends are in luck, for Bard here is a good man…better than most in this forsaken town", he added in a dark matter.

"Yes…I and for that, I am most…grateful", Thorin replied stiffly.

"A-And that horrible ring on her finger-" the old healer gulped as he chanced a glance over his shoulder.

"Yes…it's from Dol Guldur. Some kind of torture device forced upon her by the Necromancer for his personal amusement." Thorin murmured angrily, his knuckles turning white despite his attempt to stay calm.

There was a tiny shift in material, and all three men turned quickly to see the young woman in the bed stir, struggling lightly against the sheets, her dark red-brown hair splaying about her light beige skin like molten redwood.

Without a second thought, Fili strode forwards to Ariel's side as she looked up and inhaled sharply at the sight of the unfamiliar healer.

"Shh…Ariel, it's alright, you're safe now", he murmured, reaching out to put a hand on her head.

From their spot at the door, Bard, Thorin and the hold healer looked on with pity as Ariel flinched away from Fili's touch, only to begin struggling as he made to envelop her in a tight hug.

Thorin indeed was feeling most remorseful as he remembered the girl's earlier behaviour on Bard's barge, how terrified she'd looked as she'd tried to run over the edge of the boat to escape from them…her friends…

Now he watched on, feeling horribly helpless as Fili made to calm her down, murmuring soft words in their native Khuzdul. It was a surprise to even him, the prince of the Dwarves of Erebor, that his own kin could speak such a strong tongue so gently and so kindly.

Ariel, meanwhile, was doing her best to focus on Fili's voice as the world around her shifted from dark, cold stone to the warmth of the strong arms around her.

"That's right" Fili shut his eyes as he tilted his head down to nuzzle his nose into the top of Ariel's head of hair as he felt her slowly settle down against him. "Just breathe, Ariel. Just breathe. You're safe now. No one will hurt you. I promise we will let no one hurt you."

"I'm not sure I've seen anything quite like this", the healer whispered in awe to Bard behind Thorin's back. "Not even in all my years, or my fathers or my grandfather's for that matter. A Dwarf comforting a human woman with such tender affection…"

"I only know what you see before you myself, Albus…and believe me, I am just as confused" Bard sighed uncomfortably, shifting on his feet as he caught sight of Ariel peek up cautiously through tear-stained eyes to look at both him and the healer.

Thorin quickly stood to the side, as did Bard as old Albus made to step towards the bed with a friendly smile cautiously.

"Hello, there, young miss. My name's Albus."

Ariel bobbed her head towards him but still gripped Fili's shirt tightly as the older man made to sit on the edge of the bed beside her feet.

"I hear you had a pretty nasty accident just a couple of hours ago. Don't worry," he added quickly as Ariel's eyes widened with fear. "I'm a healer, and I'm here to help you feel better, alright?"

There was a small pause, but then, to everyone's surprise, Ariel took a huge gulp, and her face turned suddenly determined and steely as she gave a solid nod.

"That's the spirit child" Albus gave an approving nod and smiled wide.

As the healer made to work examining her condition, Thorin quietly muttered to Bard.

"I need to talk with my friends for a moment. Inform them of what is happening."

"Of course" Bard nodded though he kept a shrewd gaze on the back of the Dwarf's back.

Thorin…Thorin…where have I heard that name before?

But Thorin was already out of the door and striding back into the house's main living area where most of the dwarves and Bilbo were still mulling about anxiously with worried expressions. As soon as they saw Thorin, they immediately burst out into cries of:

"Is she alright?"

"What happened?"

"Has she woken up?"

"Enough", Thorin barked sternly, and they all shrank back at the tones at once. "The healer is now examining Ariel. Neither is to be disturbed until we receive any further news of her condition. Until then, Balin, Dwalin, Master Baggins, I would like a word."

The two dwarves and the hobbit all complied with the request at once as they made to walk down the set of stairs and towards the toilet area that they had all first arrived in only that early afternoon.

"So? Is it bad? Will she be alright?" was Bilbo's first words as soon as they were all alone.

"I don't know", Thorin muttered, running a hand through his hair in frustration."She only just woke up now, and she was positively terrified of the sight of us. Almost as if she saw someone else in our place. Fili had to hold her until she could recognise she wasn't in danger, and even then, she's still clinging onto him as she lets the healer look at her."

"Poor lass", Balin sighed heavily. "to have trauma and at such a delicate age too."

"Delicate? The lass survived the Necromancer where so many of her kind would have died. I hardly think she qualifies as delicate." Dwalin snorted with quiet admiration only to receive a stern glower from his brother.

"You stupid rock head! True, the lass may be stubborn as humans go, but she is still barely flown from the nest. It's difficult enough for normal young people to deal with the typical issues of life, let alone the aftermath of torture!"

"Yeah, well, Ariel is not a typical youngster at all, is she?" Bilbo muttered, and Balin nodded with approval.

"Exactly! Ariel is a sorceress in training. One day she will be a guardian and guide to not just us but to all of Arda. She has a lot more responsibility on her shoulders than most of us ever will."

"Which is why…" Thorin exhaled heavily and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Which is why she can't come with us to the mountain."

"What?!" both Dwalin and Bilbo both snapped, the latter stepping forwards with an almost pleading look on his face.

"But Thorin, she's part of the company. We already almost lost her twice; we can't just abandon her now, not when she's so scared and alone."

"We're not going to abandon her", Thorin grunted with a glower. "We're just going to go on ahead and find the hidden door and complete our quest. When we do, we'll return for Ariel here in Lake Town and bring her up to the mountain safe and sound."

"But Bilbo does have a point, Thorin," Dwalin's voice was now grave. "We have actually to succeed at this mission for us to return. There is, after all, a bloody dragon guarding all that treasure!"

"And he will face the iron blade of my sword before he makes to hurt more of the innocent" Thorin reached out to grip his friend's shoulder. "We can do this. I know we can."

There was silence as Bilbo, Dwalin and Balin all stared at the dwarf prince's dark blue eyes that were usually so grim, now gleam with determination…or was that just because of the golden ring about his eyes shimmering in the light of the lowly hanging sun.

It was Balin who broke the silence eventually.

"And what of Kili?"

"What of him?" Thorin blinked a little distractedly as he wrenched his mind away from his swirling golden thoughts.

"The lad's still got trouble walking", Dwalin frowned concernedly. "I don't think he'll be able to make it either."

"He's been hobbling about fairly well," Thorin added, trying to lighten the mood only to fail as Balin's face fell into a frown.

"No. Dwalin's right Thorin. Kili can't come either. Not unless we can be sure he's going to be able to make it."

"He could stay here in Lake Town with Ariel", Bilbo suggested. "Keep her company until they're both healed. Anyways, they're both as fond of each other as if they were brother and sister. And he'd be most upset to leave her behind-"

"So would Fili," Balin coughed as Dwalin snorted.

Thorin's scowl deepened.

"Yes, but Fili is still my heir, and as such, it is his honour and birthright to look upon the halls of our forefathers when we recover them once more."

But Dwalin shook his head.

"To be quite honest, Thorin, I don't think Fili would care about his honour or his birthright if he were to leave his brother and his maiden behind."

"She is not his maiden", Thorin snapped, so fiercely that Bilbo jumped back in alarm as the dark blue eyes glowered menacingly.

Dwalin and Balin both frowned in surprise as they saw their prince glower down at the startled hobbit before him before frowning with confusion.

It was rather like he was startled out of a strange trance as he blinked once or twice and shook his head out, coughing a little as he tried to avoid all the gazes locked on him.

"Uh…um, what I mean to say is that from what I've seen, even if he does feel…uh…something for her, Fili has not yet openly expressed his interest. Or given a token of courtship yet, so nothing is quite set in stone-"

"…Oh…that makes more sense now…" Dwalin nodded though his brow was still furrowed as he glanced nervously at a very tense Balin. Bilbo, on the other hand, looked confused.

"Huh? What makes more sense, I thought-ow!"

"You thought nothing", Balin snapped sternly before making to address all of them. "Now, lads, it's been a long day. Why don't we all take some rest before we take our leave tonight."

"Yes, but before that, I shall go back to Ariel…and that healer…see if there's anything that we can do about her condition." Thorin quietly added before quickly making to rush up the stairs.

Dwalin, Bilbo and Balin all watched him go, the old dwarf sighing heavily.

"What is it? what's wrong?" Bilbo tensed as he looked at his friend worriedly.

"Nothing Bilbo…" Balin tried to smile, but it came out more like a grimace. "Just thinking that's all. You go on ahead and get a rest."

Bilbo nodded and quickly as lightning made to dash up the stairs following Thorin's path.

As soon as he was sure the hobbit was out of earshot, Dwalin quickly turned to his brother with a hard look in his eye.

"Did you see what I saw, or am I going colour blind?"

"Nay, brother, you are not" Balin shook his head. "I saw the gold in his eyes as plain as I see you. It seems that even from here, the mountain is luring Thorin to its darkness."

"But how?" Dwalin shook his head out like a horse trying to rid itself of flies. "Thorin didn't even mention treasure…none of us has. What could have triggered such a change in him?"

"Not all treasure is silver and gold" Balin's voice was stern, "As long as the item in question is precious beyond measure, it will be prized highly by those who seek to possess it. Even if it be a living person."

"What you mean?" Dwalin spluttered in shock "you mean to say that Thorin feels about the lass-"

"Yes", Balin snapped.

"No, but Thorin wouldn't ever seek Ariel out like that!" Dwalin hissed with horror. "I mean, sure, she's pretty and smart for her kind, and yes, she's a good friend to all of us and we all like her spirit. But she's too young, a wee bairn. At most, he'd see her as a child, especially since she is innocent and naïve when it comes to the ways of courtship."

"She likes Fili well enough", Balin snorted.

"Ah, that's just puppy love," Dwalin waved his brother off irritably. "But that's not the point. The point is that Thorin would never do anything to hurt either one of those boys of his, not even if it would break his own heart. He loves them far too much for that."

"Yes, our Thorin Oakenshield wouldn't ever succumb to such depravity", Balin agreed softly, but his tones were turning graver by the word.

"Which is why we should leave her behind now while we still have the chance. Whilst Thorin still has a chance. For if the dragon sickness befalls our King who knows what lengths he'll go to have her for his own…"

"Would he really fall so low?" Dwalin murmured, and Balin sighed heavily.

"It has happened before Dwalin…long ago. Remember that young dwarrow lass that used to look after Thorin, Frerin and Dis after their mother died? The one, the guards, found dead in the treasure hall late at night? Lovely, sweet lass she was. Dark brown hair, those blue eyes-"

"Oh yeah, that nursemaid, how could I forget" Dwalin muttered darkly as the memory of the female in question flashed over his mind's eye. "Didn't she break her neck?"

"Yes", Balin clipped, "Right after someone larger knocked her onto her back and bashed her head back into the ground repeatedly."

"The poor girl", Dwalin cringed with pity. Warrior or not, such brutal deaths were still gruesome to hear of, especially when they involved the fate of an innocent. "Did anyone ever find out who did it?"

"I did," Balin said grimly, his voice now hard as stone. "But I was forbidden to speak the name on penalty of death."

"Why?"

But even as Balin glowered darkly at his brother, Dwalin was already reeling backwards with wide, horrified eyes.

"Oh, Mahal! You don't mean to tell me-the king-"

Balin nodded sadly.

"It's like I said, brother. She was a beautiful lass. More beautiful both inside and out than any gem. Just like our dear Ariel."

"But Thorin is not Thror!" Dwalin hissed. "They may have their differences, but he would never hurt the lass like that ever!"

"No, he wouldn't" Balin narrowed his eyes. "But this gold sickness is powerful…and who's to know what it is capable of doing even to the best of dwarves. Then there's the matter of that vile ring the lass now wears."

"You think that Necromancer might be up to something?" Dwalin's jaw tensed, his fingers flexing by his sides. "You think he might be using the lass to try and mess with our quest? To mess with Thorin's head?"

"It's possible." Balin nodded solemn "I'd say probable."

There was a small silence in which Dwalin stared dumbly at his brother.

"What do we do?" he finally asked after a full two minutes of total silence.

"What we do-" Balin eyed his brother firmly ", Is make sure that Ariel never comes near that mountain…not until we can help Thorin overcome this accursed affliction once and for all. If we don't, he'll never forgive himself for what he might do."

---

When Tauriel came upon the mouth of the great river as it entered into the great Lake before the Lonely Mountain, she frowned softly to herself.

They must have found a way to cross…

Her nose crinkled as she quickly made to step over the carcass of a half-devoured elk that lay strewn over the rocks, its blood pooling out and shining red in the light of the low golden sun.

Orcs…

But even as the thought came to her, she fingered her bow carefully. Something was moving up swiftly behind her…she could almost feel their movements and hear their breaths.

Without a second thought, she whipped about swiftly fitting an arrow to her dark longbow, only to come face to face with the fair face of a very familiar elf with long white-blonde hair as he stood a few feet away, also drawing his weapon with a small smirk.

"[I thought you were an Orc]" she snorted in elvish.

"[If I were an orc, you would be dead]" Legolas quirked a brow as he lowered his bow as he made to step around the elk carcass as he switched abruptly to common speech "Tauriel, you cannot hunt thirty Orcs on your own"

"But I am not on my own" Tauriel gave him a small smile, which the elf prince returned softly.

"You knew I would come…" but then he suddenly looked concerned. "The King is angry, Tauriel. For six hundred years, my father has protected you, favoured you. You defied his orders. You betrayed his trust. [Come back with me, he will forgive you]" he spoke the last bit softly in elvish, almost pleadingly. However, Tauriel shook her head with forlorn and yet determined.

"[But I will not. If I go back, I will not forgive myself]" and then she added in common speech, "The king has never let Orc filth roam our lands. Yet he would let this Orc pack cross our borders, maim and torture innocent people, and kill our prisoners."

"It is not our fight" Legolas narrowed his eyes, but Tauriel's gaze hardened.

"But it is our fight. It will not end here. With every victory, this evil will grow. If your father has his way, we will do nothing. We will hide within our walls, live our lives away from the light and let darkness descend. Are we not part of this world? Tell me, Mellon, when did we let evil become stronger than us?"

At this, Legolas looked stricken, but he continued to listen nonetheless as she fixed him with a fierce stare.

"I do not know…" he murmured, his gaze quickly flickering out over the surface of the lake towards the direction of a town some way off in the distance.

"I see you are troubled yourself?" Tauriel's brow creased as she made to step towards him.

Legolas gave a small sigh.

"It is nothing."

"That Istari child has been on your mind again, hasn't she?" Tauriel asked calmly.

"In a way…" Legolas's blue eyes hardened as he turned to look back at the great forest behind them. "Ever since the shadow appeared in Dol Guldur, this forest has been growing sicker and darker with each passing day, save for the areas we protect about our realm. But ever since we found that girl, somehow something feels different. The air feels more wholesome, and the light is brighter. The trees are looking healthier. I have even seen new green grass growing back on some areas of the forest floor that we once thought dead. Even our people are feeling strangely lighter in the heart. It's as if her mere essence brought life and hope back."

"And now the orc filth wishes to squash that hope, along with any other virtues left that this world have to offer." Tauriel's teeth gritted slightly as she turned back to look at the lake. "What more reason do we need to pursue them now?"

"You are right" Legolas nodded, also turning back. "What other reason is there?"

---

"Ariel,"

Thorin Oakenshield watched as Ariel opened a bleary eye from the bed where she had just been resting.

When she caught sight of him, her whole body stiffened, and she began to cough softly.

"Shh…Ariel, it's just me" Thorin quickly sat down by her side and reached out with a large hand to pat gently down on the top of her head. He used the same thing to do for Fili and Kili when they had nightmares as and it had never failed to soothe them.

Needless to say, Thorin was glad to see that his trick still worked when Ariel relaxed and tilted her head so that his hand now held her cheek.

The healer had left only a couple of hours ago with strict instructions regarding her time allotted to rest and take her medicine. He also cautioned care when handling her, for whenever she was stressed, she ended up coughing and choking again.

"How are you feeling?" he muttered as he stroked a stray strand away from her over bright eyes.

"Better", Ariel mouthed and did her best to give a small weak smile.

"That is good" Thorin tried to smile back, but he couldn't…not when he had to think over how he was going to tell her…

Ariel frowned a little as she caught sight of the pained expression on the dwarf's face. He looked tired old, and worn, like a weathered stone after being beaten down continuously by crashing waves over several centuries.

But most of all, he looked sad.

Timidly Ariel reached up with a tired shaking hand to place it over the rough large one he had on her cheek, her small, slender fingers tracing over the rings that he wore, the symbols of his sovereignty over his kin.

But she didn't really care for his title; she only was worried for him as a person. But that only made the dwarf prince's heart feel much heavier in his chest.

"We have to leave," he said softly, avoiding her wide brown eyes as they looked up at him with confusion.

"We have to leave for the mountain…but you must stay here where you can be safe and recover peacefully."

He took a deep breath to look back on her face expecting to see her hurt or upset. However, he was surprised as Ariel gave a slow nod up at him, her hands gingerly twitching for the bedside table.

Thorin looked and saw her note pad and pencil laying there waiting on a fresh leaf of paper.

He carefully handed the items to her and held his breath as steady as he could. He still couldn't get used to how close her wrists were to being bone thin…not when he remembered the hand he'd held onto back at the tree on the cliff at the Misty Mountains. Those had been small but strong…and now…

He was dragged out of his thoughts by the notepad being shoved in his hands.

I know Thorin. I've kind of been wanting to ask you to leave me behind here at Lake Town for quite some time. Ever since we were all reunited at the Woodland Realm, I realised that I could never make it up to that Mountain. Not because I don't want to help you or the others, but quite honestly, I don't think I could ever face a fire-breathing flying dragon after what I've seen in Dol Guldur. I know I'm probably a coward by saying this, but I think even if I were to have had my powers, I don't think I'd be able to do it.

Thorin shook his head, his eyes hard as he growled down at Ariel, who was avoiding his eye tremulously.

"Don't be silly. You are not a coward by any stretch. Everyone has fears that they cannot overcome, and it takes true courage to recognise and acknowledge them for what they are. I know I don't deserve to say this after all the horrible things I myself have said to you, but you are one of the strongest people I've ever met, and no matter what happens, I am proud to call you my friend."

Ariel stared up at the dwarf with wide eyes, so stunned that she barely had time to control her tears before they were spilling over her face.

Thorin barely had time to process the reasons behind her sudden change in temperament before she reached up quicker than lightning and hugged him tightly, burying her face into his chest.

"um…there, there?" the dwarf mumbled awkwardly, his cheeks going slightly pink as he made to pat her back gingerly. "I did mean that as a compliment, you know."

He felt his ears burn a little as Ariel nodded before snuggling her face closer into his shoulder, holding onto him as tight as she could with her weak body.

Thorin hesitated for a moment but then suddenly growled and rolled his eyes.

Agh, screw this!

Ariel couldn't help but smile widely as she felt the dwarf wrap his arms around her and squeeze her tight.

She was surprisingly warm and very much soft. He could even feel that she had a small layer of fat now around her middle, whereas the last time he'd held her close, he could only feel the hard grooves of her ribcage. Whatever nourishment she'd been getting, though small in amount, was obviously doing wonders.

"We will come back", he whispered into her hair as he inhaled her natural scent. It was a pleasant one, a mixture of grass, rain and fresh earth. "Once we have succeeded, we will all return."

Ariel nodded but suddenly smirked and reached up to pinch his nose hard, mouthing silently:

"You better, you idiot."

Thorin snorted and shook his head out as he released his nostrils. He gave a small chastising frown down at Ariel, who giggled; her light brown-green eyes alight with innocent childish mischief.

Thorin sighed, allowing a small smile to grace his face as he reached out and gently patted the top of her head. However, after a moment or so, his smile vanished to be replaced by the same sad look he'd had at the start of the conversation.

"We are going to go to the city armoury first." He explained, "Take whatever weapons we need and leave under cover of darkness. I'm afraid this will be the last we see of one another for the time being"

Ariel nodded, her face falling slightly though she did her best to smile as she looked towards the window of the room they were in, overlooking a deserted wooden walkway over the lake.

Thorin nodded slowly.

"Yes, we'll be taking that window to get out. That way, you'll be able to say goodbye to everyone before we have to leave."

Ariel quickly took the notepad and paper in her hands and quickly scribbled down.

Wait, just promise me one thing before you go.

"yes?" Thorin gulped as she began to write down more on the pad.

Back when Gandalf was travelling with us, he told me that Dwarves are more susceptible to the lure of treasure, so he chose a hobbit to be the burglar for the company. I do not doubt yours or anyone else's honour, Thorin, but, whatever happens, up there, trust Bilbo and protect him. Of all of you now, he is the only one whose heart will not be swayed by the lure of gold. Trust his judgement; for what he does, he will do not for anything else but the sake of your friendship.

Thorin looked up at Ariel and saw to his surprise that her eyes were determined and hard, just like they had been that first time they'd met nearly three months back in Bilbo's hobbit hole.

It had felt like an eternity since that night, but unlike that first time, the Dwarf King now admired the young sorceress's resolve rather than resent it. Indeed it almost seemed to give him strength in his heart, and it was with a solid nod he answered.

"And trust him, I shall. Just as I trust your judgement Ariel the Green." he put a firm hand on her shoulder and gave it a small squeeze, just as the door to the room was opened and Dwalin poked his head through.

"Are the two of ye done now?" the old warrior grumbled grumpily. "You're not the only one who wants to say goodbye, you know?"

---

Bard was running fast throughout Lake Town, his eyes wide with panic as words of old yore streamed over his mind like the tune of a broken record.

The Lord of silver fountains,

The King of carven stone

The King beneath the Mountain

Shall come unto his own!

And the bells shall ring in gladness,

At the Mountain King's return,

But all shall fail in sadness,

And the rivers shine and burn.*

It was a prophecy foretold long ago…foretold by a sorceress garbed all in red. It was said she came before King Thror in the halls of Erebor back in its mighty days to warn him and his kin of the on-coming doom the gold would bring.

But King Thror, already driven mad by his lust for treasure, only waved off the sorceress and bid her leave lest she had nothing else to say.

Fortunately for them all, she had something to add to her grim warning. Bard himself couldn't remember the actual verse (very few people could, and even then, it was only the elderly). Still, he could recall that it mentioned a maiden bearing a green stone and something about her helping the people somehow and another King being re-crowned who would bring peace to the land.

Well,

He thought grimly to himself as he made to leap over a watery pathway between houses nimbly.

If that really was the True King Under the Mountain at my home…I can only hope any help will come at all before he brings ruin on us all!

Little did he know that his prayers had been answered…though not in the most recognisable of ways...

---

Ariel felt almost torn between laughing and crying as each one of the dwarves, and the hobbit all snuck into the room to bid her farewell.

Balin was one of the first, and he gave Ariel a quick hug and some sage words of advice and wisdom before standing aside to let his gruffer brother grin and affectionately ruffle the young girl's hair.

"When you've got your strength back, lass, we'll be sure to start that trainin' once more, alright? Get yer all good and tough, and no one will dare mess with ye again."

Ariel nodded enthusiastically. But even as they both made to the window, she could've sworn that both older dwarves had given her one last fleeting look of worry.

However, she didn't have time to dwell on it when Nori, Dori, and Ori came forward.

Both the two elder brothers barely had time to get in goodbye for they were trying their best to comfort poor little Ori, who was looking very tremulous as he passed onto Ariel one of his small pens that he always had kept in his pockets and that had somehow survived their journey in one piece.

"Just in case you drop your pencil, Miss Ariel."

Then came Oin and Gloin and Bilbo, the last of whom Ariel had slipped a small piece of paper into the pocket of his waistcoat as she hugged him. As she did, she could've sworn she'd felt something small smooth and metallic brush her fingers.

A flash of a burning eye crossed her eyes, and her own magic ring burned slightly on her left hand, but she hid whatever fear she had by quickly making to squeeze the hobbit tight with a small smile.

Blasted ring! Don't worry, Bilbo. I'll see to it that it will be destroyed...it may take me seventy-seven years, but I'll do it!

Bofur, Bombur and Bifur came up next and bid her farewell. After promising Bombur that she would eat properly and rest well, Bofur handed her something small and wooden in her hands.

It was a small little fish, with the middle cut out to be replaced by wooden disks all strung together by a tiny two thin threads on the top and the bottom so that she could bend it lightly in her fingers.

"Whittled it me-self" he smiled proudly as she examined the tiny wooden toy in her hands. "While we were imprisoned in Mirkwood. Bifur helped me string it together with a loose thread from his shirt."

Even Bifur, with his unintelligible garble of Khuzdul, was vaguely understandable in his sad gestures as he bade a surprisingly tearful farewell which Bofur translated with a small smile.

"He says he hopes you will get better soon and will join us soon at the mountain and that he will miss your bright smile very dearly."

"I think he speaks for all of us," Kili's said as he limped into the room held up by his brother.

She looked worriedly up at the two brothers. Being the youngest of the company, the three had grown close rather fast from the start. Ariel indeed felt the sting in her chest grow as a fondness, very similar to the one she felt for Ian, stir in her chest as Kili made to hobble up to her and give her a brief hug.

"Don't worry about me, I'll be fine", he grinned as she frowned concernedly at his injured leg. "It will take more than a stupid Orc arrow to take me down. Just hurry up with your own healing and get well quick-smart before I get driven insane by these old grumpy farts."

"Kili", Thorin growled from his spot by the window as he oversaw all his company's departure through it down a rope they'd tied to the windowsill.

But Ariel just shook her head and rolled her eyes in that familiar exasperated way the company all knew and loved before reaching forwards to hug the young dwarf and kiss his stubbly cheek before handing him a tiny slip of paper on which was written.

Look after that leg and try not to do anything too reckless

"Aww, but Ariel, when have I ever done anything reckless" Kili pouted childishly just as Thorin made a pointed cough.

"Kili, come on, we need to move."

"Goodbye," Kili whispered, ruffling Ariel's hair before getting to his feet.

As the young dwarf made to hobble to the rope, Thorin was already turning to his other nephew.

"You too, Fili."

But Fili put a hand up to his uncle, looking slightly sheepish.

"One moment, uncle."

Ariel frowned as Thorin's eyes narrowed at his nephew, whose brow furrowed with confusion under the stern look.

Huh? He just wants to say goodbye. What's wrong with that?

"only a couple of minutes, Fili and then we have to go."

"Of course, uncle", Fili replied nervously, watching with bated breath as his uncle made to stand by the window, arms folded as he watched them with unnerving scrutiny.

What on Earth is his deal?

Ariel gulped; however, she was quickly distracted when she felt a weight on the side of her bed.

Fili had sat down and was facing her, his face pink as it turned nervously down to the sheets.

"um…look, Ariel, I'm not sure whether or not we'll see one another again, but I just thought, since this may be it…What I want to say, well over the past few weeks we've travelled together, you've really been a good dear friend, and while I know we'll do what we set out to do…Shit I'm sorry I'm rambling. I'm uh-heh, I've never really been good at these sorts of things." he trailed off but was relieved when Ariel put a consoling hand on his shoulder.

"What I mean to say is that dwarf or otherwise, I consider you to be one of my best friends, and there's something I want to give you before we set off to face that dragon…something to remember me by in case all goes south."

And as he said this, he took out of his pocket a tiny dagger in a leather sheath.

"I managed to save this last one before the Elves could take it in Mirkwood. I know it's an unusual gift to give a friend, but it has always served me well, and it would ease my heart knowing you had something reliable to protect you."

Ariel could feel her eyes burn again with unshed tears as the young dwarf made to press the dagger into her smaller hands, his face a mask of nerves and anticipation as he awaited her answer.

She hates it, and she's going to give it back to me

He thought wildly as she stared down at the blade blankly in her hand.

She's going to fling it across the room and slap me…or throw me out the window.

Fili gulped as she made to clench her hand tight about the small metal handle of the blade…and smiled widely up at him, her eyes bright and full of light as she mouthed.

"Thank you."

She hugged him tight, smiling as he returned the gesture warmly, only to stiffen as a voice called out:

"Oy, Thorin, why don't you tell these two lovebirds to hurry up or what?"

Both Fili and Ariel leapt apart just in time to see the top of Bofur's hat disappear from the bottom of the windowsill, just as many soft sniggers and small cheers wafted up through the window.

"Sorry…talk about little privacy!" Fili grumbled darkly at the window, and Ariel giggled as she caught sight of the red flush that had crept up over his ears.

Fili couldn't help but smile softly as she put a hand comfortingly to his bearded jaw and leaned into it contentedly.

"Look after yourself alright," he whispered, nuzzling her palm gently as she mouthed:

"You too."

There was a cough, and they both turned to see Thorin, still standing by the window, his eyes blazing with a strange furious light.

It was so fierce that Ariel almost jumped away from Fili in alarm, fear flooding through her as she glimpsed something gold flicker over his bright blue eyes.

Fili's grip on her hand in his tightened considerably as he looked harder into his uncle's face and saw a mixture of wrath briefly pierce straight through him.

Mahal…uncle, what is wrong? What is happening to you?

And then suddenly, as fast as it had flared up, the golden flame was snuffed out at once, leaving her to listen blankly as Thorin grunted grumpily.

"Come on, Fili. Time to go."

"Yes, uncle" Fili nodded anxiously before turning back to Ariel. She looked up at him, his own worry mirrored in her eyes though she did her best to hide it behind a smile as she hugged him and gave his cheek a peck.

"See you soon", he whispered into her ear, and she nodded softly.

Thorin kept his dark blue eyes fixed like a hawk as his nephew finally detached himself from his intended maiden and made his way over to the window.

As soon as Fili was over the sill and halfway down the rope to the ground, Thorin turned back to Ariel.

His face was hard to read. Ariel frowned as she saw something akin to sadness and betrayal stir in the depths of those blue orbs.

But before she could even reach for her notepad to write down her question, the dwarf prince turned his back on her, murmuring.

"Goodbye, Ariel."

---

It was almost dark out when Bard rushed back into his house in a whirr of panic; it was to find it mostly empty save for his three children and Ariel tottering around the house on their own chores.

Sigrid was doing the dishes in the kitchen. Bain was running about trying to find something to dry the dishes while Ariel helped Tilda with some small homework set by the local schoolmarm.

Something that had surprised Ariel upon her arrival to Middle Earth was that Westeron (aka the Common Speech) shared almost the same letters and numbers as English did back home. Even basic mathematics proved somewhat similar, much to her relief.

Who'd have thought after all this time I'd actually look forward to doing something as mundane as homework?

Ariel would've tried to help Sigrid out in the kitchen. Only the girl insisted that she remained resting and had set her down at the table with her younger sister while she fussed over the state of the house like a mother hen.

Ariel didn't think that she could've found another girl like herself that could be so stubborn, but she had. Not that Ariel was complaining, really. Actually, it felt rather good to be with someone her own age and gender again, even if, in doing so, she had to be separated from the rest of the company.

She did her best not to show her concern as Bard made to crash through the front door, and Bain at once panicked and spilt the beans in one whole rush.

"Da! I tried to stop them but-"

"How long have they been gone?"

"…an hour…" Bain turned his head to the ground "they snuck out through the window whilst Miss Ariel was resting"

Bard wheeled about to look at Ariel with suspicious eyes.

"Sigrid, take your brother and sister and go to your room now!" He quietly muttered to his eldest child as she came out of the kitchen.

"But father-" Sigrid began to say, but her father only gave her a stern glower.

"Now, Sigrid!"

Sigrid shut her mouth and nodded meekly before quickly rushing off to pick up Tilda and grab Bain's shoulder and steer them both out of the room and towards a door which she shut quickly behind them.

Crap…

Ariel gulped as Bard quietly made his way over to the table to look down on her with suspicious eyes, his voice dangerously low and quiet.

"So miss Ariel. What do you know about the whereabouts of your troupe?"

I was half asleep when they left. I thought I was just hearing things, so I let it slide. But when I woke up, I found out that they were gone and my window was wide open.

Whilst Ariel hated lying, especially to someone decent like Bard, she still owed her friends the chance to get safely to the mountain.

But Bard, it seemed, was far sharper than she gave him credit for, for his eyes narrowed shrewdly on her.

"So you mean to tell me that a dwarf such as Thorin son of Thrain would simply just up and go and abandon a member of his company merely to visit relatives in the Iron Hills. Or is it the Lonely Mountain? I forgot what lie he told!"

Ariel's face paled before she could stop herself, but with a steady gulp of breath, she began to write down once more.

Alright, we did lie about ourselves…or at least Thorin and the others did. I really am called Ariel, but my full name is Ariel Brooks. We only did not tell you our true identities because we'd thought you and your family would be safer not knowing. Yes, I was part of the company of Thorin Oakenshield, and yes, we were journeying to the Lonely Mountain, but it's for a good cause!

At this, Bard snorted scathingly at her.

"Oh yes, because reclaiming treasure is such a noble good cause indeed."

Ariel frowned at this and quickly shook her head as she wrote:

No, it's not like that at all. The Dwarves just want to reclaim the mountain from Smaug and take back their home. And Thorin just wants to bring his people peace and stability, that's all. The Dwarves of Erebor lost much when the dragon came, and it has been tough for them to rebuild their society, especially after losing both their kings.

"So it was hard for the men of Dale as well" Bard's eyes hardened as he made to sit down on a chair opposite her. "Many of them moved here to Lake Town in the end. Including the line of the Lord Girion…and they lost much more than just their home and leaders."

Girion…the guy that shot at Smaug with the Black Arrows? What has he got to do with the price of eggs?

But even as Ariel looked at Bard, she saw a graveness stir in his dark eyes, a graveness she had so often seen in Thorin's eyes whenever anyone had mentioned Erebor in his presence.

She barely felt her fingers move as she made to write down her next question.

Girion was your ancestor, wasn't he?

"Yes." Bard nodded, his eyes falling to the wood of the table where his hand was clenching. "He was"

Ariel's heart sank in her chest. It all made sense now why Bard was so grim, why he was so wary of the dwarves and her.

Had the dragon not been lured by the gold sickness of King Thror, Girion would not have had to fire at the dragon and miss the kill shot. And if he had never missed the kill shot, Bard and his family would not have had to live with the shame of being related to the one that failed to slay the dragon hanging over their heads.

Bard looked up from his own dark musings as she began to write once more, her face set in a sympathetic frown.

I'm sorry. I understand that this must be very difficult for you to bear at the moment. But please believe me when I say, we wish no harm or burden to this town or your family.

But Bard only shook his head sadly, his voice taking on an almost urging pleading tone.

"No, I didn't think you nor any of your friends would personally wish for ill will. But whether you are good or bad doesn't matter. The minute those dwarves step one toe even into that mountain that blasted drake will set forth to burn them all and quench his wickedness by bringing ruin and desolation to all he perceives unworthy.

Ariel opened her mouth to speak (forgetting that she was mute), but at that precise moment, Bain came bursting back into the room, his face pale with panic again.

"DA! Da! The dwarves, they've been captured by the city guards."

"What?!" Ariel shouted but, thanks to the lack of voice, there was no sound.

"When did this happen?" Bard sprang to his feet at once.

"Just now", Bain gulped ", Tilda saw them from our window; they're being sent to the Master's house."

Barely an hour without me, and you guys get arrested! Typical!

Ariel rolled her eyes as she jumped to her feet and made to run to the door. She was so quick that Bard barely had time to blink before she was over the threshold.

"WAIT!" Bain called, but it was too late. The door had shut behind her

He made to bolt off after her, but Bard quickly pulled him back.

"No, I'll go. You just stay here with your sisters, alright?"

"Alright, da" Bain nodded as his father dashed back out the door and after the girl.

She was surprisingly fast and nimble for one that was supposed to be recovering, and Bard was finding himself hard put to it as he followed her, dashing through the darkening streets that were slowly beginning to be dusted in, gently falling snow.

By the time he'd caught up with her, it was to see the small head of red hair disappear between two people, who were standing at the back of a large crowd that were mingling before the steps of…

Bard groaned internally.

Today is just not my day…

Of course, the Master of Lake-Town would have to deal with these stowaways.

Ariel, meanwhile, was doing her best to push her way past a woman to peer under the arm of a city guard that was standing alongside his fellows in a ring around a group of much shorter, stouter people than the crowds around them.

Oh my god, you idiots…

Ariel face-palmed the slapping sound of her hand on her forehead, earning the attention of Thorin, who was standing closest to the guard she was behind.

He made to turn his head, his eyes wide with panic, only for his mouth to set into a scowl as he did his best to inch backwards towards her. However, as he opened his mouth to speak, Ariel was tugged back into the crowd by Bard's strong grip.

"What are you doing?" he hissed softly back at her, only to be treated to a glower as the young girl made to point at the dwarves' predicament.

"That is no excuse," he muttered gruffly. "You're still recuperating. What if you get sick in this cold-you could seriously-"

But at that precise moment, there was a loud boom as the doors atop a set of wooden steps burst open, and a man walked through.

"What is the meaning of this?"

Unlike the other Lake Town inhabitants, the Master was as fat as a drum, dressed in richly coloured silks, with a red face and equally red hair set upon a balding head. He looked to Ariel like a roasted pig that had just been pulled off a spit and had no trouble derisively imagining him stuffed with an apple in his mouth. It was a revolting image, only made all the more disgusting when the dark greasy form of Alfrid made to skulk about in his shadows, leering down at all thirteen dwarves and the hobbit before him.

"We caught them stealing weapons, sire" Braga, the chief of the guards, spoke up from somewhere close by Bilbo, who was standing at the back and trying to look as small as possible.

"Ah, enemies of the state, eh?" The Master sneered haughtily, and Ariel felt her blood boil as Alfrid stepped forwards to add his two cents worth.

"A desperate bunch of mercenaries if ever there was sire."

"Hold your tongue!" Dwalin spat venomously as he stepped forwards to address the master and his servant with a dark glare. "You do not know to whom you speak. This is no common criminal. This is Thorin. Son of Thrain, son of Thor!"

At this, Thorin stepped forwards, his shoulders squared, and his head held high with a majestic prowess as he announced clearly and loudly.

"We are the Dwarves of Erebor. And we have come to reclaim our homeland."

Ariel could not help but feel as awed as the people around her. She had only ever seen the dwarf prince look so regal once before, and that had been the first time he'd stepped through the door at Bag End. It amazed her just how much even just his mere stance somehow made him seem much taller than any of the tallest men present as he looked over the crowd.

"I remember this town in the great days of old. Fleets of boats lay at the harbour, filled with silks and fine gems. This was no forsaken town on a lake. This was the centre of all trade in the North."

There were many murmurings, and vigorous nods of heads from the crowd around them and Ariel felt Bard's grip on her tighten slightly. However, when she looked up to try and communicate with him, she saw that his face was set with pain and anguish.

She vaguely remembered the bargeman's earlier words to her.

"whether you are good or bad doesn't matter. The minute those dwarves step one toe even into that mountain that blasted drake will set forth to burn them all."

Her gut sank as she saw the truth in those words though it was nothing compared to the hollowness of her heart as she opened her mouth to murmur a small "no."

Her hand flew to her throat as Thorin made to belt out loudly to the crowd before him.

"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!"

Ariel shut her eyes and grabbed at the magic ring on her finger to hide its glow as it once more dug painfully into her flesh.

The curse upon her …only now did she realise just what it cost her. Without her voice, she could not warn Thorin of the dangers of his words, of a promise that if broken could very well spell out enmity from the race of men for possibly centuries to come.

Thorin, either way, this goes, you are playing with fire…

However, she was dragged out of her thoughts as Bard let go of her arm to stride forwards into the ring made by the guards to yell out at Thorin.

"Death! That is what you will bring upon us. Dragon fire and ruin. If you awaken this beast, you will destroy us all."

"You can listen to this naysayer" Thorin narrowed his eyes at Bard. "But I promise you this: If we succeed…all will share in the wealth of the mountain. You will have enough gold to rebuild Esgaroth ten times over!"

Ariel was the only one in the crowd who didn't seem excited at the prospect of such riches, for her mind and heart were both pulling at her demanding she chooses a side.

Her head was logically telling her that Bard was making a good point about the dangers of such a mission and that if it all went ary, there would be more innocents caught in the crossfire. But in Ariel's heart of hearts, she could not deny that the words Thorin spoke now were sincere and true, for when she looked at his eyes, she could see no falsehood.

Oh, Gandalf…

She couldn't help but sigh softly to herself.

If only you were here…you'd at least know how to make sense of all of this mess…

She only opened her eyes when Alfrid made to speak again in his weedy dry voice.

"Why should we take you at your word? We know nothing about you. Who here can vouch for your character?"

The crowd suddenly fell silent as all eyes fell upon Thorin, who looked back beseechingly at his friends.

For a split moment in his observations, his eyes crossed hers, and he paused ever so briefly on Ariel as she stood behind one of the guards.

Ariel frowned as the Dwarf Prince's blue eyes softened with both pain and something gentler as they traced over her face. It was almost as if he was haunted by something.

But even as she geared herself up to step forwards, Bilbo spoke, his voice ringing loud and clear for all to hear.

"Me. I'll vouch for him"

Thorin's eyes fell to look at the Hobbit's face with shock.

"I have travelled far with these Dwarves through great danger, and if Thorin Oakenshield gives his word…then he will keep it."

She was right…

The corners of Thorin's mouth twitched upwards with relieved joy and elation at the revelation that shook him almost to the core.

I CAN trust him…for the sake of friendship…

His eyes darted back up to Ariel's face, only to see that she was currently looking down at Bilbo with warm pride even as Bard made to yell.

"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, and for what purpose?!"

He rounded on Thorin, who stood his ground though Ariel could see the conflicting emotions swirling in the blue eyes.

"The blind ambition of a Mountain King. So riven by greed, he could not see beyond his own desire!"

The crowd about the dwarves was now either shouting in praise of the bargeman or booing at him. Upon her finger, the dark iron and opal ring burned, and Ariel winced as she heard a familiar voice hissing into her ear:

"Now you see the truth Hloitare. Mankind and Dwarfkind all are tainted by their greed and lust. No matter how much you try, you will never be able to save them from themselves-"

The hissing snake-like voice mingled so horribly with the cacophony around her that Ariel scrunched up her eyes in pain.

"Now! Now! We must not any of us be too quick to lay blame. Let us not forget-" the Master of Lake-Town cried out, his piggy little eyes fixed on Bard with malicious pleasure "-that it was Girion, Lord of Dale, your ancestor who failed to kill the beast!"

"It's all true, sire. We all know the story. Arrow after arrow he shot. Each one missing its mark," Alfrid made to snigger by his master's side.

"You have no right", Bard growled quietly down Thorin. "No right to enter that mountain."

Despite his anger at being impeded by the man before him, Thorin could not help but empathise with Bard as his face fell to the ground in reluctant disgrace. Not too long ago, he himself had been the leader of a fallen people, bearing the shame of his Grandfather's vain and greedy legacy upon his shoulders.

However, that was where his sentiments ended, for he was not like the Bargeman, cowering in fear of a pig for a master. He, Thorin, was not giving up his hope just yet in reclaiming his honour…he wasn't going to fail no matter what anyone would say.

"I have the only right."

And with that, he turned his back on Bard, who watched on with a sinking heart as the dwarf prince made to step up the steps towards the Master who was eyeing him with shrewd intrigue.

"I speak to the Master of the men of the Lake. Will you see the prophecy fulfilled? Will you share in the great wealth of our people? What say you?"

There was a sticky silence as everyone waited on bated breath for the Master to speak.

Ariel could see the gears turning in the balding head as clear as daylight and bit her lip. The Master was obviously a man interested in his own gain. Treasure beyond measure would be a true treat indeed, and even if the dwarves failed, he anyways had found a way to be rid of their presence in his city.

Ariel grimaced with disgust as the Master's face slowly split into a disgusting smile as he opened his mouth to speak.

"I say unto you…WELCOME!" he flung his arms open wide "Welcome! And thrice welcome! King Under the Mountain!"

There was no mistaking it this time, not even from this distance. Ariel felt as if her heart was literally going to drop out of her. She was so worried. For as soon as the title had slipped from the Master's mouth, Thorin's eyes had glinted gold. What she did not notice, however, was the way the opal on her left ring finger was glowing a toxic green as well.

"Come", a gruff voice spoke softly to her, and she looked up to see Bard looking down on her with a sympathetic frown. "There is nothing more to see here. And you must be tired."

Indeed she was.

By the time she and Bard had reached the stairs that led up to his elevated front door, she was barely managing a step without his help.

Bard quickly rushed forwards as she sank from her feet to her knees as they buckled beneath her.

Ariel barely felt the man's lean but strong arms as they gently made to pick her up securely and carry her back up the stairs muttering.

"This is what you get for going out in the cold when you're sick. When we get back inside, you will rest until tomorrow morning. No excuses."

Ariel nodded mutely as she leaned her head against the grim bargeman's shoulder and shut her eyes. She couldn't help it. She felt so exhausted like she'd been hit by ten trucks. It was as if all the energy within her had suddenly been blocked off.

Also, she had to admit; despite his gruffness, Bard's presence was rather comforting. He had a sort of paternal air to him that made her feel safe and secure, something she had not felt since she'd opened her father's letter.

She was unconscious by the time Bard had laid her back down in the comfort of the small room she'd been using earlier, neither her nor him noticing that the plants that were growing on the windowsill had suddenly burst into bloom with tiny yellow flowers…even though they had only just wilted two days ago.

---

The Master of Lake Town's manor house was a hell of a lot more comfortable and plush than the small house the Bargeman and his family lived.

And yet Thorin Oakenshield could not shake off the horrible feeling in his gut as he sat nodding off on the edge of the great four-poster bed in the largest, grandest of the Master's guest room.

He could not fathom the reason for the hollowness in his chest, nor the way he kept glancing to the window of the room to look out over the town below.

He should be happy. His company was to set off at first light all well fed and rested, with a great heap of supplies to last them a month with care. They had a boat to travel across the lake, and if they were fast with walking, they would make it to the mountain in time to open the door.

What more could he have ever hoped or wished for now?

But even as his body fell back onto the soft mattress with exhaustion, he heard a feminine voice whisper through the night.

"Thorin…"

"Hmm" The corners of Thorin's lips quirked upwards as he felt a small, gentle, and soft hand make to stroke at his face.

"Thorin…" the girl whispered, her breath now seemingly against his ear as she leaned down to press her soft lips gently against his temple.

Thorin was breathing in sharp, ragged breaths as he felt the girl's mouth trail gently down the side of his face to pepper it with smaller kisses. They were merely tiny innocent pecks, but to him, they made his skin feel like it was scorching hotter than dragon's flames.

He shifted a little as he felt those small delicate hands make to trail over his beard and chest, respectively, her nails scraping gently against the hair that grew there over his pectorals. Thorin did not hope to contain his soft sigh as one set of fingers traced the contours of his abbs as the other made to tease the parting of his lips.

When she made to pull away, Thorin grumbled.

Desperately he reached out with his hands to grab up at her, only to feel the soft curves beneath his rough callous fingers. She was completely hairless but pliable in his fingers, almost like the clay of the earth and the smell of her. Thorin greedily buried his nose in the crook of her neck and inhaled roughly. She smelt faintly of rain and sweet roses, with a tiny hint of something spicy underneath.

"No…don't go…" he almost begged her, not even caring how pathetic he may have sounded.

He did not care about his pride anymore…not if it cost him such a dear price.

He was relieved when he heard her giggle softly in his ear and his grip on her waist tightened a little as she whispered into his ear, her lips brushing his earlobe, fleetingly… teasingly.

"Ok! Ok! I won't…I'm all yours."

He felt the girl's soft chuckle shake the bed a little, and his grin widened as he made to open his eyes. Only to see the face of a young woman smile down at him, her light brown eyes, her red-brown hair pooling about her shoulders shining as she leant down to press her lips to his as she whispered in that same adoring voice.

"My King."

"Mine…" Thorin whispered, "mine always…Ariel…"

Thorin gasped, and his eyes flew open with a snap.

There was silence all about him as he glanced about his person.

No one was anywhere with him. He was still on his spot on the bed, just where he'd fallen back, his short dwarf legs hanging over the edge of the mattress and dangling about a foot over the floor.

Thorin's whole body was shaking badly as he made to sit up, his hand rubbing over his face harshly to wipe off the sweat that had suddenly soaked his skin and beard.

His beard…

And before he could stop himself, the dwarf prince felt a shudder of thrill run through him as he remembered the touch of soft fingers tracing his face.

Oh no…

He gulped as he tried to take a deep, steadying breath.

Oh, Mahal, what the hell was that all about? Did I really just…

Thorin shut his eyes and shook his head out like an agitated horse bothered by mosquitoes.

No! No! NO! What is wrong with me?! How could I have besmirched that young girl like that?! She's barely of age, and you're imagining her to be doing things to you that…like the caressing…and the kissing and her hands…oh those soft little hands…oh Mahal…No-No! It's just the alcohol, yes, that's right. I've drunk a bit too much, and it's getting to me.

Thorin bit hard on his lip, hoping that the pain of it would suppress the tenseness he now was beginning to feel on the lower half of his abdomen.

It didn't work.

Oh crap, this is bad…

He felt his heart begin to hammer horribly in his chest, an unfortunate ailment that only increased in his terror when there came a sharp rat-tat at his door.

"Thorin. May I Come in?"

"You may", Thorin replied, jumping to his feet and turning his back to the door just as it opened, and Balin quietly slipped in.

Brooding as usual instead of sleeping.

The old Dwarf shook his head with exasperation as he made to shut the door behind himself.

"What is the matter, Balin?" Thorin only turned his head to glance back at his friend, thanking his stars that the room was so dark about them.

Balin's face turned grave as he made to speak, his tone so dark and grim it would make a tomb seem cheerful.

"Kili's leg is getting worse."

"How bad is it?" Thorin's brow furrowed, though his eyes were glimmering with worry.

"Very bad" Balin's eyes fell to the ground. "He tries not to show it, but he can barely walk from A to B straight. Thorin…we really can't take him to Erebor…not like this."

---

When Ariel awoke in the morning, the first thing she noticed was that the window to the room she was resting in had been boarded up.

Wow, Bard really was serious about me not escaping, huh?

She couldn't help but raise her eyebrows as she swung her legs over the edge of the bed.

After that rollicking sleep last night, she felt completely energised and pumped, like she could run all over town.

However, she stopped herself before she could begin to do so.

No, Bard's right. I still need to take it easy…

But even as she made to sigh heavily and sit back down on the bed, there was a loud banging sound from somewhere in the other room.

Curious, she made to quietly creep out of the room and out into the living quarters just as Bard also made to dash out of his own room, hurriedly fixing his worn-out woollen shirt.

His eyes were still very much tired and had dark rings about them even as he made his way towards the door to accidentally crash into the dining table hard.

"Sorry", he mumbled to no one in particular, and Ariel smiled wide with amusement.

However, before she could giggle or laugh at her feelings, the door opened a jar to reveal the faces of four dwarves, Bofur, Oin, Fili and the dark head of hair of Kili.

"No!" Bard suddenly snapped at the door, his sleepiness forgotten in light of his old guests. "I'm done with dwarves. Go away."

But even as he made to shut the door, Ariel rushed forwards and stuck her foot in it to force it open once more.

"Oh, Lass, thank mahal!" Bofur cried out with relief though his face was pale with worry. "Please, no one will help us. Kili's sick. He's very sick."

And as he said this, Kili raised his head.

Ariel clapped a hand to her mouth as she saw the young dwarf's face. It was pale, papery in texture and tinged a sickly green. His hair had lost its lustre, and his eyes were bloodshot.

Ariel felt the ring on her left hand tingle faintly as she looked him over before turning her gaze to Bard, who was also looking faintly horrified at the sight of the sick dwarf.

For one horrible moment, she thought he was going to let his disgust with the company get the better of him, but then the next minute, the bargeman opened his front door wide and stood aside, muttering.

"Quick, get inside now!"

The dwarves wasted no time in lugging their sick comrade swiftly over the threshold before Bard shut the door behind them, watching closely as Ariel dashed off back to her room for a few seconds before returning with her notepad and paper.

As soon as Kili was hoisted onto the dining table, Ariel dashed towards them, pen and paper in hand, as she scribbled down what appeared to be notes.

"What is it?" Fili asked desperately as he stood by his brother's head, his face a mask of worry.

Ariel quickly turned her pad around and showed him what appeared to be a list under the underlined word Symptoms;

Pale (slightly green), sweating, bloodshot eyes, hair dull, has trouble walking, wound dark and oozing-

She then reached out to put her left hand to Kili's wrist, and her eyes widened as she quickly made to scribble down:

High fever

"Fever?" Fili's voice quavered just as Oin made to bustle in from the kitchen, followed by Bard, both of them carrying a variety of jars and herbs in hand.

As soon as the medic dwarf's hands were free, she shoved her list into his hands.

"Good thinking, lass. Now we might be able to narrow down some possible remedies. Lad." Oin turned to look at Fili, and his face softened at once at the look of distress on the younger dwarf's face.

"Lad, why don't yer sit at the table while I examine him."

"No" Fili shook his head and gripped harder onto his brother's shoulders. "Kili's in pain. I can't just leave him like this. He'd-"

"Lad, I can't examine him with you in the way." Oin sighed "please, you can stay by his side as much as you want when I'm done."

---

"Dol Guldur…the Hill of Sorcery"

Gandalf the Grey's words seemed to echo in the still air as he, Radagast the Brown, Nuldien the Red and Celegon the Ranger all dismounted at the edge of a great stone bridge that led straight across a deep chasm and up into…a ruin.

Its tombstone-grey stones were crumbling to bits even as the wind made to blow about it from the sick, dead, blackened forest trees that surrounded it.

"Something doesn't feel right here at all", Nuldien bristled as she eyed the swirling dark clouds above their heads.

"However, did you guess?" Celegon grimaced as he inhaled the foul air. "Agh! That was an Orc stench if ever I smelt it"

"But it looks completely abandoned" Radagast frowned as his eyes darted over the ruinous towers looming from high above their heads in the fortress.

"As it is meant to", Gandalf replied softly.

"A spell of concealment" Nuldien nodded slowly. "But that could only mean that our Enemy is not yet ready to reveal himself…he hasn't gained enough strength."

"No…he has not", Gandalf murmured, his eyes narrowing as he saw a vine on the stone bridge twist and writhe ever so slightly as something green and glowing pulsed along its length.

For some reason, the energy felt very familiar.

Nuldien stiffened as she saw the green glimmer in the corner of her eye.

"What was that?" but even as all four of the small company made to look, the glimmer vanished, and the plant was still, though the air seemed to feel much thicker than before.

"Even if he's not as strong as the days of old", Gandalf murmured as Celegon crouched low to the ground to inspect the plant, "he seems to have absorbed some mighty old magic already."

"But most of the ancient nature magic has long ago been absorbed by the earth itself?" Nuldien frowned up at her old colleague. "Only us the six Istari were ever granted permission to wield it by our Valar."

"I think you mean the seven of us Nuldien", Radagast tittered from the side, "Seven of us after your daughter arrived. And I must say it's nice to have another sorcerer that has nature powers. Don't you…think…"

The air suddenly became very still as everyone turned to look at the smaller brown wizard, who fumbled to silence as horror overtook his face.

"…nature powers…" he looked back down to where they had seen the plant moving, and his eyes were wide. Nuldien followed him, and her face paled as did her husband's as he made to stand quickly by her side as she breathed.

"Oh no…oh no…she and the company…they were in the forest…they were so close…oh Eru."

Gandalf quickly turned to Radagast, his face grim as he swiftly muttered.

"Radagast, I need you to carry a message to the Lady Galadriel. Tell her our enemy has returned and that the time has come to force his hand. Celegon, I need you to…" the grey wizard's voice fell as he turned to the dark ranger whose eyes were now slits of fury.

"You gave us your word that you would keep her from harm. You promised us that you would keep our daughter safe!"

Gandalf's face was a mask of shame as he turned it down to the ground.

"I know… and I thought she would be safer travelling right under our enemy's nose where he would least expect. If he really has caught her, then I will not hesitate to take full responsibility for my mistakes as you see fit. But now is not the time to vent out anger at friends. Now we must act to stop this evil before other people's families also suffer the same fate as that which has befallen yours."

If looks could kill, Celegon could have slaughtered Gandalf thousand times over with that glower he gave him. However, even as his fingers twitched by his side, Nuldien put her hand on his shoulder.

"Sweetheart …as much as I hate to admit it, Gandalf is right. We can't fight one another now. It wouldn't help our Ian or our Airy if we did."

Celegon stopped in his tracks to look down at his wife, his eyes a mixture of worry, anger and desperation, just like her own.

His eyes turned to the ground as he groaned resignedly.

"What must I do?"

Gandalf sighed softly with relief.

"If what we suspect is true about our Enemy, then he'll want to use stealth to minimize chance at his own loss and grow his own gain when it comes to the Lonely Mountain."

"He'll kill Thorin's Company on the sly", Celegon murmured.

"Yes," Gandalf nodded. "When we left the Misty Mountains, Azog's orc hunting pack was still following us. As we have travelled here, I have noticed many orc prints, especially around the Forest River. If that pack is making for that mountain, they will most likely be using that river as their guide towards the Lake. You must use all the strength and ability in you to find Thorin Oakenshield and his Company before the orcs get to them."

"And what of you and Nuldien" Celegon's frown deepened.

"Well, Nuldien-"

"I'm going in", Nuldien cut across her colleague, her teeth gritted as she fixed her eyes on the ruins before them.

"What?" Radagast gasped from behind his two colleagues. "Into Dol Guldur?! Nuldien, if this really is our enemy of old, they won't you be walking into a trap?"

"Yes, she will be" Gandalf nodded grimly before looking up at the woman before her. "Which is why I'm going with her"

Celegon's face was hard and sceptical even as he looked down on his wife once more.

"Nuldien, are you sure about this?"

"Yes…besides…" Nuldien sighed. "What other choices do we have?"

"None whatsoever…" Celegon paused before adding quietly. "Be careful and stay safe."

"I will as long as you do", Nuldien murmured before she leaned in to kiss her husband softly.

When they broke apart, Celegon turned back to Gandalf, his face a mask of barely restrained fury, concern and fear as he snarled.

"Don't think I've forgiven you just yet, Old man. Once all this is over, I will not hesitate to kick your behind back to Valinor. Are we clear?"

"Crystal clear" Gandalf nodded gravely as he let the ranger shove his way past him and towards his horse which he mounted quickly just as Radagast mounted his bunny sled.

Both wizard and sorceress watched with grim forlornness as their companions made to speed away back into the darkness of the forest.

"Well…that's that then…" Nuldien muttered as she gripped her dark staff tight in her hand.

"Yes…" Gandalf nodded as he turned back towards the stone bridge. "it is…"

The red sorceress looked up at the darkened skies, and her eyes narrowed as she saw the webbed outlines of bat wings soaring overhead.

"He knows we're here."

"Of course he does", Gandalf snorted, yet his gaze was worried as he glanced sidelong at his colleague. "Are you sure you are up to this? He's not going to show you mercy again, not after last time-"

"And neither shall I. Sauron thinks he can hurt my children and get away with it? Ha! I don't think so. Now the gloves are well and truly off!" Nuldien snapped, blue eyes flashing brightly at the stone bridge as she made a bold step forward, her deep red hair swishing in the howling winds.

The sight made Gandalf's heart sink with guilt as he remembered the sight of a similar head of hair bouncing before him as a young girl grinned cheekily, green and brown eyes twinkling.

"What's up, old man? Forgotten the directions again?"

Oh, Eru…

The Gandalf the Grey sighed softly.

Please forgive me for my folly.

---

Ariel had never felt so angry in her life.

It was not the kind of anger that came with irritation, nor the anger one felt when insulted. No, it was the kind of anger that came with desperate frustration at not doing anything to help.

Currently, she was sitting down in a chair at Bard's dining room table, doing her best to catch her breath. She had just had another small but still very strenuous coughing fit, and she was only just recovering now.

She winced as the sounds of agonised yells hit her ears and turned quickly to see Kili, still in the small bed they'd first put him in, now writhing horribly in pain.

Fili, Bofur and Oin were all standing around him, doing their best to make him dab water on his head, lather a salve on his wound or make him drink medicine.

However, nothing seemed to be working. He flinched at anyone's touch, and whatever was forced down his throat was spat right back up, only for the effort of any of his movements to cause him pain.

Ariel could remember feeling like that herself, and that had barely been a week ago…and it wasn't anything she'd ever wish upon anyone else.

She watched with pity as Fili tried to tip a little bit of the water from a bowl into his brother's mouth, only for it to be spat right back into his face.

Gingerly she stood up and made her way over just as the blonde dwarf was wiping his face.

"Damn it! Come on, Kee! Please, you must drink something," Fili mumbled, almost looking like he was on the verge of tears.

He turned around when Ariel put one hand on his shoulder and took the bowl in her other one before carefully making to sit beside the still struggling dwarf on the bed.

"C-Cold" He gasped up at her, his hands grasping for purchase on her body, his own feeling like it was on fire.

Ariel looked up worriedly at Fili, wishing more than ever she could say something comforting to him.

But Oin beat her to it as he came bustling up to the sick dwarf's bedside with a bowl of watery medicine in his hands.

"He'll be alright, laddie. Your brother here's been through a lot already, and if there's one thing I know about Durin's line, it's that it takes much to take them down. Oh, Ariel, here try making him swallow this. It might help with the pain."

Ariel nodded as she carefully took the bowl in the dwarf before raising it carefully up to Kili's face.

Kili's eyes widened with fear as soon as she came close, but Ariel still had the advantage over him, which she used to great effect. With one smooth movement, she raised his head in one hand, held the bowl to his surprised mouth and poured the medicine in before quickly clamping her hand over it all.

She shut her eyes, doing her best to not shudder with disgust as she felt him try to spit against her hand. However, once Kili saw that she was not relenting, he had no other choice but to gulp down the liquid.

Fili was comforted slightly to see that his brother was doing his best to comply with his treatment, only for his relief to vanish as Kili's eyes began to drift out of focus.

"Oh no, that doesn't look good", Bofur gulped as Fili began to slap Kili's face, gently calling out desperately:

"Kili! Kili! Come on! Come on, stay with me, Kee!"

But when the young dwarf's eyes opened once more, their pupils contracted into tiny pinpricks of fear, and he roared. It was so loud and ferocious that Ariel herself jumped, her mouth opening in a small silent squeak as a pair of hands lunged for Fili's throat.

However, before he could get a good grip, a large, strong pair of hands forced him hard back down to the bed.

"Quick bind his limbs now", Bard yelled to Bofur over the top of Kili's cries of agony.

Fili just stared in shock from where he had stumbled backwards onto the floor as ropes were tied hard about his little brother's flailing fists, tying them tight to the bedposts.

"Kili…" Fili started only to stop as Ariel took his hand gently in hers. He looked up and saw that her face had taken on a taut blank look.

As she caught his eye, he saw that her eyes were glassy, seeing but unseeing and so bright they could've spilled over at any second.

As he stepped back with her to sit at a seat at Bard's dining table, words from just under two months ago wafted into his mind.

"he's almost half dead…how can he be here if he's half-dead?"

"Ariel…"

Ariel blinked, and the image of the sterile hospital room and bed vanished from her mind's eye as did its dark occupant.

She turned to Fili and murmured a silent sorry, but he just shook his head.

"No…Thank you…for understanding."

Ariel just nodded, squeezing his hand back harder as the tears finally fell softly over her cheeks.

She couldn't bear to lose another brother…not again.

---

Bilbo looked back on the nine other dwarves that strode behind him. They had left the boat from Lake Town for a few hours now and had travelled on foot to vast wastelands of stone and burnt trees and grass.

It was a bleak and cheerless path they trod. Bilbo could barely hear any sound of other life save his and his company's breaths as they puffed along behind him.

The only one who was looking remotely as resolute and determined as the Hobbit was Thorin as he too made to stop and look up at the sky.

Bilbo followed the dwarf's gaze and saw that the sun that he had last seen before them was now above their heads, almost perpendicular to the ground.

"We shall pause here for a bit", Dwalin announced, taking heed of his leader's unspoken command, and at once, there were many sighs of relief.

"Thorin", Bilbo hissed as he made his way over to the dwarf prince who sat down on a large nearby rock.

As Thorin looked up, the hobbit faltered.

His face was strangely thoughtful and withdrawn, and he was so hunched over in his spot that Bilbo could've easily mistaken him for a large boulder.

"What is it, Master Baggins?"

"Nothing", Bilbo coughed, trying his best to appear as casual as possible though failing miserably "it's just that…you're looking…is everything alright?"

Thorin sighed heavily.

"I guess so. For once, we seem to be safe on the roads. But still…" his voice fell away softly as deep blue eyes gazed back westward along the dreary path they'd just taken.

"Oh…right…the others…" Bilbo's heart sank a little as he followed the longing gaze with his own "It must be hard leaving people you love behind when you're so close."

"Yes…" Thorin murmured. "It is…"

Bilbo quickly turned back to the dwarf and gulped.

Thorin had a bizarre look on his face. It was a look of absolute longing and heartache and yet almost resigned relief.

He's probably just sad that he had to leave both Fili and Kili behind

But even as the hobbit looked into those deep blue eyes, he knew, somehow, that this great affection was not the same as the kind the dwarf prince reserved for either of his nephews.

No, this was a look Bilbo had only seen once before. It had been long ago in his childhood, but it was still a strangely clear memory for him. He had barely been but a wee young lad when his mother, Belladonna, had gone to look after a sick cousin during a rather terrible winter storm. His father, Bungo, had stayed up all night with him to await her return. He had tried his best to cheer his little son up with songs and stories, but every so often, Bilbo would see that his father was always glancing out of the windows of Bag End whenever he could, worried but still tender.

It was that look that Bilbo was seeing mirrored now on Thorin's face as the dwarf's eyes fixed themselves on the small dark blob on the water that was Lake Town.

But who could Thorin have left behind that he cared for so much?

As he and the hobbit watched on, Thorin's eyes grew ever more distant as his mind began to wander mainly back to the long lake and back into the room of a little house upon the water's surface where a young woman with long red-brown hair would be resting peacefully.

Hopefully, with a smile on her face.

But it's a smile meant for another…

Thorin's eyes hardened as he remembered how his nephew and the young girl had been close in one another's arms.

He felt his chest burn hot with something almost furious in its intensity… it was like a fire had ignited in his chest, and before he could stop himself, the blaze had obliterated Fili from the image.

Thorin's eyes shut as he saw himself step in to take his nephew's place, replacing the tender hug with a fiercely passionate kiss of his own that had the young girl within his arms smiling and laughing-

"Thorin?" Bilbo's voice cut through his thoughts, and suddenly he found his eyes staring down at his hands. His rough…hard…harsh hands that only knew the strike of a hammer on an anvil…or the rough grip of a sword…or the tainted blood of battle.

The image of himself vanished from his mind at once, and Thorin's eyes fell as his nephew quickly retook his rightful place in the memory.

He always could make her smile…but I only made her cry…

"I should've known" the dwarf prince's voice was softer than the wind.

"Known what?" Bilbo gulped and quickly turned back to look just in time to see a small piece of paper lying in the dwarf's hands.

Oh no…

The hobbit's heart fell as he saw the Thorin's large digits suddenly clench shut…crushing the note tight in his grip as he murmured under his breath.

"That one as pure as her could never love me."

"…Thorin…" Bilbo breathed, his heart wrenching with pity as Thorin Oakenshield stood up and turned away, barking out loudly to the others.

"Come on, you lot! Get up! We've got to reach the hidden door by sundown."

But Bilbo did not move. He only continued to stare after the dwarf prince as he stalked off to walk ahead…Just as alone as that night he had arrived at Bilbo's doorstep all those months ago.